A native to Indiana, Brian stumbled onto horses by mere chance. Having never been exposed to horses, at the age of 16 he started his humble beginnings by cleaning stalls at a private Hunter/Jumper facility in northern Indiana. With the basics of horse care and riding instruction under his belt he moved to Pennsylvania to work for Iron Spring Farm. Grooming and handling of the horses at the Stallion Barn furthered his education in the daily care of horses, as well as mastering the basics of Dressage. Seeking professional guidance, Brian refined his understanding and skill of Dressage by taking instruction with John Winnett for nearly two years. When the opportunity arose to manage a Hunter/Jumper Boarding Facility in Central Indiana, Brian, being a Jumper Rider at heart, moved back home. For the next 10 years he developed Coventry Farms of Noblesville, Indiana from a boarding facility to a successful horse show facility, hosting local as well as AHSA rated shows.
He has started several nice young horses including the Stallion Rafiki, a World Cup Qualifier with Chris Kappler in the irons. Tomodotchi proved to be Brian’s most successful Grand Prix Horse to date, bred and trained by him, he placed in 12 out of 13 Grand Prix and was sold as an Equitation Horse at the age of 9. Rehabilitating Grand Prix Horses that have lost faith in men and jumping has proved to be another opportunity Brian embraced. He calls it “the two year plan”, starting at the beginning with the good basics of dressage, lots of patience, praise, affection and letting a horse just be a horse.
Brian’s desire for continued education and knowledge are apparent. Clinics with George Morris, Ray Hunt and instruction received by Wilhelm Genn and Michael Henaghan, has nurtured not only his style and abilities but his “open mind” attitude as well. One can only begin to comprehend the devotion Brian has toward his horses if one can understand the quote of Thomas Edison “Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”.
