In the busy barn aisles and teeming warm-up rings of the California hunter/jumper circuit, it’s rare that one comes across a junior as talented and hard-working as 18-year-old Sophie Benjamin. In fact, Sophie’s current trainer, Susan Artes, describes her as “different than most other riders her age.” The dedicated young rider manages to compete successfully in both equitation and jumpers, all while keeping up with the demands of school and life in general in her hometown of Rancho Santa Fe.
When Sophie first began training at Artes’ training stable in Lakeview Terrace around four years ago, the trainer says that “her work ethic was unusually strong,” and that she would often do her own grooming and mucking, even at shows. “She reminded me a lot of myself at that age,” Artes observes.
Sophie is probably best known for her tenure with Enzo. Previously Artes’ own mount, Enzo was “a quirky horse,” and Artes explains that he and Sophie were “a natural match.” In early 2004, the pair established themselves as a solid team by winning the $10,000 Seahorse Jumper Classic at Portuguese Bend. The following year they earned team bronze at the 2005 North American Young Riders Championship in Virginia. Enzo and Sophie soon became favorites, drawing people ringside to watch them go. “Watching her was like watching a small version of me,” Artes reflects.



Equitating
As a trainer, Artes tries to instill in Sophie her own experience as a jumper rider. “I teach her the strategy of walking the course,” as well as the basic skills it takes to turn in fast and clear rounds. Still, she stresses that equitation is vital, as it “builds the skills you need to become a successful rider in the long run.”
Sophie agrees, and her successes in this area speak for themselves. One of her most notable equitation achievements was winning the Oaks Blenheim Open Equitation Classic in April 2007. This highly competitive class features both amateurs and professionals, making Sophie’s win aboard Testarossa even more sensational. A month later, Sophie was commended for her outstanding horsemanship and sportsmanship when she won the Shalanno Style of Riding award at the Del Mar National.
Still, Sophie realizes that “equitation can be political, and it is very subjective.” On the other hand, she knows that the equitation arena often yields correct, successful riders, stating that it is essential to “preserve the American style of riding.”
Such logical reasoning reflects Sophie’s intellectual grasp of the often complicated world of equestrian sports. Riders need to realize that equitation is not an end-all, and Sophie sums up such logic quite clearly when asked if equitation leads to an international jumper career. “A success in equitation doesn’t necessarily translate into international success.”
Over the winter show season, Sophie left sunny California and ventured east to take a working student position at the revered Beacon Hill Show Stable, training under the guidance of Stacia Madden. “I can’t say enough good things about them!” Sophie exclaims, explaining that the stable was like “a big family,” with tons of kids around to provide constant support and friendship.

A New Partner
One of Sophie’s more unique traits is that she currently does not own a horse, instead opting to catch ride. Not being able to consistently ride a horse certainly makes winning more elusive, but Sophie enjoys the challenge. “When I’m riding a horse I’m expected to do well on, I think I do worse,” she reasons, noting that when she is given a ride on short notice, the expectations for success are not quite as lofty, thus allowing her to turn in more relaxed and focused rounds.
However, while at Beacon Hill, Sophie was given the ride on the successful jumper mare Marga, and the two soon proved to be an excellent match. At the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, Sophie and Marga captured the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic. Sophie is more than excited about her new ride, and is eager to continue learning the intricacies of the jumper ring. “Marga knows her job front and back, and she takes care of me.”
Although Marga is owned by Beacon Hill, Sophie will continue to ride the mare in the upcoming year. “It’s been nice to have that consistency,” she notes. Being able to stick with a horse will definitely allow Sophie to focus on her riding and her short-term goals, which include the Young Riders trials and possibly a trip up north to Spruce Meadows.
As for long term goals, Sophie is less definitive. “I’ve learned not to set any concrete goals for myself,” she explains, noting that she likes being able to see how far she can take her riding by adopting a persistent wait-and-see approach. “By this time next year,” she projects, “I want to see where I am and how far I can go.”

Beyond Horses
No matter how talented any aspiring young rider is, life and all that pertains to it must still be dealt with. There is no escaping term papers, exams and due dates, and Sophie stresses that time management is imperative.
“I have a really supportive school,” Sophie points out. While she appreciates her school’s willingness to support her riding life, she knows that in the end, she must be “conscientious about making up work in a timely manner.” On occasion, teachers will stretch a deadline and work with Sophie, most likely because they realize her willingness to do her best and complete all that is asked of her. “The most important thing,” Sophie advises, “is to stay in touch with teachers.”
Modesty is another of Sophie’s great traits. She maintains high grades and often does community service projects through her school, yet when asked about these achievements, she laughs and says she isn’t as great as such accomplishments make her sound. It is clear that Sophie is a genuine and focused young woman, and her enthusiasm toward riding and her ability to put things in perspective are definitely qualities to be proud of.
Author Kristin Kenney is a junior hunter/jumper rider in training with Kathy Hobstetter in Orange County.