California Riding Magazine • June, 2008

Liz Denny Show Stable
New location fits well-known rider/trainer's fresh focus on horsemanship and show ring success.

by Kim F. Miller

Venturing off the beaten path has been a good thing for hunter/jumper trainer and Grand Prix rider Liz Denny. Liz admits that leaving the venerable Flintridge Riding Club in La Canada/Flintridge for the new Spirit Equestrian Center in Ventura County’s Somis wasn’t easy.

Quality coaching and a horses-first approach were the hallmarks of Liz’s program throughout her tenure at Flintridge. That emphasis remains. Her move to the elite training environment at Spirit Equestrian allows Liz to pursue the next phase of her career: building a clientele united by their common dedication to the sport and serious competitive goals.

“My own philosophy is that riding is always a work in progress,” Liz explains. As she pursues her Grand Prix jumping career with MMC Electrifying and her newer ride, Rien, Liz invites like-minded equestrians along for the journey. “This move fits perfectly with what I want to do in my own riding,” she says. “Riding is my passion and I’m hoping to attract people who share that passion.”

She’s only been at Spirit for six months, but Liz says the move is already paying off. “Things are definitely going in the right direction in that I’m able to be more tightly focused,” says Liz, whose professional resume began in the early 1980s and is highlighted by six years working for the late master horseman Jimmy Williams and his assistant Susie Hutchison. Inquiries from fellow professionals and prospective students are steadily coming in as word of her relocation spreads.

Liz’s clients are her best promoters. One of those is Alison Locke, who is having the time of her life in the High Amateur Owner Jumper division. In her 50s and new to the 4’9” division, Alison is thrilled that she and her horse, Polymiro, are more than holding their own against the younger set. A really good run throughout four weeks of the Thermal circuit and a Classic win at the Oaks Spring Tournament are among her recent highlights. “It’s fun to beat the kids!” enthuses Alison, who gives much of the credit to Liz.

A Straight Shooter

Alison first met Liz when the trainer was just starting out. She followed Liz’s career over the years, and began riding with her a few years ago. “Liz was a natural choice for me,” explains Alison. “She has a very consistent, methodical approach that includes a lot of horsemanship. She is very analytical in how she approaches the horse’s training and she is a terrific rider: very sympathetic to the horses.”

Marie Knowles, who is a partner in Spirit Equestrian, is also one of Liz’s students. She began riding just five years ago after retiring from corporate life. “To say that I’ve progressed is an understatement,” says Marie of her two years riding under Liz’s direction. A-circuit championships reflect that progress, but a deep enjoyment of riding is Marie’s most meaningful measure. “Liz really keeps you focused on the fundamentals, which makes you get better all the time. I am solid in the saddle and my ability to communicate with my horse and thus get more out of him has increased considerably.”

Marie’s horse Novello is a bit spooky. “I’m not nervous because I know how to handle him,” she says. “Consequently, he’s less spooky!”

Straightness, correctness, and thoroughness are priorities in Liz’s approach to the all-important flatwork aspects of training, and these characteristics also apply to her professionalism, Alison reports. Integrity is a big part of Liz’s appeal, she adds. “She is really honest with people about their skill sets, their strengths and weaknesses, and about horses. She always does right by her clients, and she is very straightforward about fees, commissions and costs.”

There is no escaping the high cost of hunter/jumper competition, but Liz’s clients get the most bang for their horseshow buck by being prepared to do their best when they compete.

“I believe in choosing the quality shows, rather than going to a large number of shows,” Liz explains. “I believe in making time for exhibiting and time for preparing: doing your homework. If all you do is compete, there’s no time for homework, and you don’t get as much value from going to each show.” It’s an old-fashioned approach, but it’s the one Liz grew up with and the one she believes is still best even in an era when students can attend several shows every week if they choose to.

“I want my students to become horsemen,” Liz adds. “I think that is something that can be missed if you are just going from show to show.”

Confidence Comes First

Although Liz will be competing at the highest jumper level herself, she welcomes students campaigning or training seriously at any level and in all three divisions: jumpers, equitation and hunters. As the students of a Grand Prix rider, clients see and experience what works and what is required at the highest echelons of the sport.

Building confidence in horse and rider is the cornerstone of Liz’s program, regardless of the experience level or division. “Creating effective riders is the main idea of my program,” Liz says. “My students usually have the goal of moving up to the next level. That starts with focusing on the skills the riders have already developed, then devising a plan to advance their abilities.”

Emphasizing and building basics creates confidence, Liz says, and that takes patience. “I’ve have taught people that have lacked confidence. As they get better at the basics, through repetition, they get that confidence to move up. I have a lot of former students who’ve come through that process. They are still competing at the highest levels, though they didn’t start there, and I’m proud of that.”
Having the right horse is essential to every rider’s progress and Liz takes pride in her matchmaking abilities. “I start with knowing my students and their riding personalities very well,” she explains. “And, I only work with agents that I trust.”

“I’m not one to buy ‘throwaway’ horses, but there is a progression for riders that often involves a few different horses,” Liz continues. Maintaining or advancing the horse is as important as advancing the rider. “When we go out and find horses for ourselves or our students, one of our big goals as professionals should be to maintain the horse’s training level,” she says. “In this day and age, you see some horses become unraveled, and their training goes south. It should be part of our art as professionals to prevent that from happening.” A horse that has helped its rider to the next level often stays in Liz’s barn to do the same for another student.

Liz is putting her considerable experience finding and maintaining well-trained mounts to good use by taking on a few sales prospects.
Recruiting the right team is another key to refocusing Liz Denny Show Stable, and Brad Goldstein is emerging as Liz’s right hand man. Well known on the hunter/jumper circuit for his mobile tack shop and repair business EquuSport Custom Saddlery, Brad is also a gifted rider and teacher, Liz says. When he’s not at shows with his own business, he assists Liz at Spirit Equestrian, teaching and schooling equine charges. Julia Begun has signed on as barn manager, and Liz loves her farrier team of many years, Bob and Jeff Phalen. They visit Liz’s horses at Spirit Equestrian twice a month and attend to emergency issues as needed.

With her own Grand Prix success a big part of her new direction, Liz continues to refine her skills by working with veteran jumper coach Judy Martin. They’ve been working together for 10 years, meeting mostly at shows. For herself and her students, Liz likes to keep learning, and from the best. She is bringing renowned course designer and former Grand Prix rider Linda Allen to Spirit Equestrian for an Aug. 9-10 riding clinic. Outside students are welcome as participants and auditors.

Liz’s Grand Prix efforts are greatly aided by her sponsors. MMC Electrifying’s owner, MMC Electric Investments, LLC, has been behind Liz for many years. And she is equally grateful to owner syndicates Smokey Horse, LLC, and Rien Partners, LLC. Liz’s product sponsors are Brad’s company EquuSport Custom Saddlery; Rolling Meadows’ J2 joint supplements; CWD Saddlery and Rohan, a new Omega-3 supplement that promotes overall health in horses.

Location, Location, Location

Spirit Equestrian is located in the heart of the greater Los Angeles/Ventura metro area, only a 45-minute drive from the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Situated amidst avocados and lemon groves in a unique microclimate known for its temperate Pacific Ocean weather, Spirit provides an ideal training environment. Spirit Equestrian’s partners have renovated the facility into a first-class training venue. State-of-the-art amenities include over 100,000 square feet of jumping arenas and three full-court dressage arenas that were built to the highest industry standards. The footing was great to begin with and Liz reports happily that Spirit’s management is committed to continuous upgrades. Spacious stalls featuring StableComfortTM flooring, grass pastures, large turnouts, a European exerciser, 24-hour gated security and emergency care are among Spirit’s many attributes.

Spirit’s owners want trainers that meet equally high standards. “Bringing Liz aboard tells the industry that Spirit Equestrian is providing a training facility that supports excellent trainers and their clients and horses,” Marie says. Fancy clubhouses are not on the docket, but everything that serves the horses’ welfare and the riders’ ability to make satisfying progress is. “The vets that work here tell us we are doing things right,” Marie says.

Liz brings 30 years of experience to her new location. Since becoming the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association’s Reserve Grand Prix Rookie Rider of the Year in 1991, she has been a consistent winner in the West Coast’s biggest classes. She and MMC Electrifying had a strong start this year at Thermal and the Oaks, and they are targeting the 2008-2009 World Cup league starting this fall. Liz is looking for big things from 10-year-old Rien, owned by the Rien Partners, LLC. The Darco son shares bloodlines with McLain Ward’s great jumper Sapphire and joined Liz’s barn early this year. They won a Level 7 class at Thermal and posted double clean rounds in a 1.45 meter class during a Spring Classic in San Juan Capistrano.

Summer plans for Liz Denny Show Stable include a three-show jaunt to New Mexico. Beyond that, the agenda will feature the World Cup classes and the competitions that will best enable Liz and her students to pursue their respective goals. And, of course, lots of time doing the gratifying work of progressing at home at Spirit Equestrian in a peaceful, productive set-up built to bring out the best in horse and rider.

Liz Denny can be contacted at 818-426-5128, via email at liz@lizdenny.com, or visit her web site for more information: www.lizdennyshowstable.com.