In the Spotlight: Caroline Martin, Climbing the Eventing Mountain
14th Nov 2019
When did you start riding, and was it love at first sight?
I started riding when I was 7 and it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. It wasn’t until I got Quantum Solace when he was 5 coming 6 that I really fell in love with the sport. I truly believe it was because of him that I fell in love with the sport.
What has been the biggest challenge for you with your training business?
Balancing my sales business and competing my upper level horses is by far the hardest challenge. It’s a hard balance because you want to go to certain shows but you need to make money in order to go. I support my upper level horses from my sales business so I’m always looking for the perfect balance.
One of your main rides is the super talented boy Islandwood Captain Jack. What is his personality and does he have any fun quirks or habits?
He is an 11 year old Sport Horse, and I bought him when he was 5. When he first arrived he looked like the ugliest horse. We joked that he should of been pulling carts instead of eventing. I used to have to have two people help me get on because he was so wild. Now he is one of the sweetest horses in the barn and wants endless attention. He is the type of horse I could do a 5* on him one day and take him on a bareback trail ride the next.
What has been your greatest achievement so far, and do you have any big goals planned for your future?
Probably my greatest achievement was being #2 in the country and leading lady rider in 2018. My goals for the future are to have the best selling horse sales business in America for event horses and to ride on Team USA at a major senior championship.
What are the best and worst things about the eventing world?
Best: If you work hard you get rewarded.
Worst: When all the stars don’t align. You’re at a big show and you’ve put in blood, sweat, and tears and it doesn’t work out.
Do you have any other hobbies?
I go to the gym everyday which has become a great hobby for me. I also like to play video games.
What is your favorite Sterling Essentials fragrance?
Keep up with all of Caroline’s latest happenings by following at: http://www.caroline-martin-eventing.com
Caroline Martin is sponsored by Sterling Essentials.