In the Spotlight: Zoe Conlee, Grand Prix Jumping Rider on the Move

When did you start riding, and was it love at first sight?

My mom grew up riding and breeding horses in New Mexico, and she felt it was important that I learn basic riding skills. I started lessons on school ponies when I was about 6. I spent a long time just walking and trotting before I got comfortable. The summer I turned 9, I went to an Eventing camp in Ireland. It was absolutely nuts; I was a rider who would barely canter and had been jumping cross-rails at home. Despite knowing that, the camp threw me in with all the local kids that were serious riders. By the end of the week I was galloping around full blast on the cross country courses. That was when I realized I did really love riding and jumping. The whole experience brought me out of my shell as a rider and helped me find my self confidence in the saddle. In retrospect, that vacation and horse camp really changed my whole life.

How did you decide to start your own training business? Was there an "ah-a” moment?

I started as a working student at age 12 and really never stopped working in barns. While in college, I taught lessons and rode horses at my barn to help fund my personal horses and riding. As I approached graduation, I realized I couldn’t imagine leaving teaching and riding behind for a desk job. Needless to say, I love it. I love the people and the horses and the kids and the energy. I’ve done it for 3 years full time now, and I don’t see an end in sight. But, I love knowing that I have my Bachelor’s degree and that I took that time to get my education. I think it’s important to have another skill set outside of riding and training, and that helps me be a better professional.

What do you think is your most memorable moment as a rider and trainer?

There are so many memorable moments as a trainer - the good, the bad, and the exciting! It’s very rewarding to have students achieve their goals and progressing. I love that moment where they finish a round and their smile says it all – regardless of how the ribbons may fall at the end of the class, they are filled with a sense of accomplishment. As for memorable moments with horses, there are too many to pick just one. Rather than focusing on just ribbons, I love moments that are special for their own reasons. My homebred 4 year old jumping clear at her first horse shows and my 8 year old mare completing her first Grand Prix were two of the highlights of 2019.

Which horse in the barn do you think has the most quirky personality or goofy habits?

My main horse, D’Artagnan (Rebel), is definitely the biggest character in the barn. Rebel is super outgoing and always wants to be the center of attention. He loves to nuzzle all over people and give back rubs with his lip. Of course, if he’s feeling under-appreciated he will grab your shirt and tug, to say “Hey!” At the shows, he takes lots of naps and all my students will go in and snuggle with him. I also love that he’s generally super laid back and easy to handle. Rebel is a very chill dude, and he just loves to be everyone's best friend.

In addition to your vibrant training program, you're also run a breeding operation. Tell us about it. What do you love about it the most and the least?

For the past 7 years, we have been breeding 1-2 warmblood mares per year to top jumper stallions. We’ve started with mares who all had careers as show horses at 1.20m+ and are now retired to breeding. It is so fun to watch all of the babies grow up and become big horses, but it takes a lot of time! The hardest thing is watching and waiting. You see them born with all of this potential and I get so excited thinking about the future and what’s yet to come, but in reality it’s a long way off. From conception to their first show is about 5 years, much less the journey to the top levels of sport. One thing you learn is that each foal is born with its own personality!

Do you have any other hobbies?

Recently I’ve been dabbling in building jumps. I wouldn’t say construction and building things is my strongest skill set, so it’s been a lot of fun learning as I go along and making fun things to jump. I’m just branching out now from basic standards to more adventurous jumps, like wishing wells and bigger wing standards. It’s nice to have a complementary hobby to training, since it’s such a demanding career. You have to have something you can put down when work and showing gets crazy, and pick back up when life settles down.

What is your favorite Sterling Essentials fragrance?

Definitely Lavender! The Lavender scent is very calming, so tack cleaning becomes stress relieving.

Keep up with all of Zoe’s latest happenings by following at: http://www.winningtimefarm.com/

Zoe Conlee is sponsored by Sterling Essentials.