 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Horse People: Alison Baileys |
Alison Baileys and her horse Tache’ Rouge were recently named Grand Champion Junior Hunter Horse of the Year for her 1st place finish in the national standings for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Alison is a resident of Orange County’s San Juan Capistrano and a 2007 graduate of St. Margaret’s High School. She plans to attend Santa Clara University in this fall. Alison began riding when she was 7 years old at Ivy Gate Farm in San Juan. Alison quickly showed her dedication and natural ability for the sport. She began taking her first pony to horse shows and demonstrated that she was an excellent competitor. Mary Morrison, owner and head trainer at Ivy Gate says that, from the beginning, she could instruct Alison at a more advanced technical level than other students of her age and experience. Victor Hugo-Vidal, a consultant and long time friend of Ivy Gate, noticed Alison’s talent when she was just starting in the Short Stirrup division. Mary recalls that Victor always believed that Alison’s insight and mental prowess were strengths that would lead to her success in the beginning. In 2003 Mary took Alison on a trip to Virginia to find her next horse. They found Linus, who would become Alison’s first successful Children’s Hunter. The pair soon won the local Orange County Horse Show Association (OCHSA) Children’s Hunter Championship. Mary remembers, “Alison was always the type of competitor who wanted to move up in the order and get in the ring and show.”
Alison moved on to her next horse, Epernay, in the summer of 2004. Epernay was not always an easy horse to get to the ring, but with repetition and consistency they became a winning team. During this period of time, Mary suggested that Alison go to a few shows with her long-time friends, Jim Hagman and Dan Silverstone of Elvenstar. Mary knew that Alison would benefit from being exposed to other horse professionals and would greatly benefit from their perspectives. Mary comments, “I believed that their program was going to be a benefit to Alison given Jim’s and Dan’s keen attention to detail.” Mary remembers Jim Hagman commenting on Alison’s desire to excel. In 2004, Alison and Epernay were Zone 10 USEF Stirrup Cup Champion and PCHA Region 1 Children’s Hunter Champion. The following year, Alison moved into the Junior Hunter division with Epernay. During this time, she traveled several times to Europe with Mary to watch horse shows and ride other horses. During one of these trips, they came across Tache’ Rouge, a 5 year old Selle-Francais stallion.
The day they found Tache’ Rouge or “Marcos,” weather conditions were poor and with only four hours to get to the airport they had to make a decision. Mary and her business partner Jean Fourcart were confident with Tache’ Rouge’s blood lines, and he and Alison seemed to have a rapport from the first day she rode him. Tache’ Rouge was imported and Mary started him in the Pre-Green divisions at a few horse shows. This horse’s natural ability and great attitude made him a natural in the hunter divisions. In the summer of 2006, Mary approached John French and asked him if he would take Marcos on in his program and develop him into a Junior Hunter for Alison. French’s amazing talents combined with Marcos’ tractability were a great match from their first horse show. At the 2006 Desert Circuit, John started Marcos in the First Year Green Working Hunter division. Marco’s consistency allowed Alison to begin riding him immediately in the Junior Hunter division. She was champion her second week showing him and they have been top contenders ever since. French’s competitive but low-key attitude was a nice compliment for Alison’s intense personality.
Rough Road As a young rider, Alison had to overcome personal adversity early on. At 12, she was diagnosed with Graves disease, an auto-immune condition that causes an over-active thyroid. Mary remembers, “Alison was very sick but still wanted to compete at the Onondarka Finals in Los Angeles. Her mother and I watched her carefully that week knowing that immediately after the finals she would have to go into the hospital to have her thyroid removed.” Mary added, “I remember my good friend, Richard Wilkinson being thoroughly impressed with Alison’s desire to continue riding at this show despite her severe health issues.” Alison remembers, “Richard was a great support for me at one of the most difficult times in my life. He always encouraged me and was so kind that his influence has always stood out in my mind.” Alison finished her last junior year with Tache’ Rouge as a National Champion, the Champion of the West Coast Junior Hunter Finals, and Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Year-End Champion. “This year has been a dream come true and it is all due to my Mom, Dad, Mary, John, and of course my partner and friend, Marcos,” Alison recalls. She looks forward to continued showing with John French in the Amateur Owners until she is off to college at Santa Clara University in the fall.
Article provided by Ivy Gate Farm. Ivy Gate is a premium hunter/jumper boarding, training, and sales facility nestled in the foothills of San Juan Capistrano. Owned and operated by Mary Morrison since 1985, Ivy Gate offers individually-tailored programs for clients and their horses. Specializing in hunters, jumpers, equitation and sales, Mary has built a solid reputation throughout the United States as one of the premier importers of European hunter/jumper prospects.
|
