David Adamo has been making his mark on the eventing scene as an increasingly accomplished competitor and trainer since he and his wife Sue began Adamo Training Stables in 1991. Last year, the couple moved their business to their own property in Petaluma, but their goal of building confident riders and horses remains the same. On top of his training efforts, David has signed on to help the sport on a broader level as the incoming Area VI chairman for the 2007 to 2010 term.
“I’d been wanting to get into the political and administrative aspects of our sport for some time,” David explains. “I think my main hope and goal will be to find ways to showcase our sport within the whole equestrian community.”
David started riding as a small child. He was introduced to eventing at the age of 16 through his local pony club, Torrey Pines Pony Club. At 19, he achieved his USPC HA and A ratings. While attending U.C. Davis, he was the captain of the UCD Eventing Team, where he met his wife, Sue.
During this time he began developing his own teaching and training style while working with the Panache and English Hills Pony Clubs in the Davis area.  He then went on to participate in the USPC traveling instructor program for two summers. He graduated from Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and Management in 1990.
After college, David worked for eventing trainer Debbie Rosen in the Los Angeles area for a short time before setting out on his own. In 1991, David and Sue moved to Sonoma County where they have trained horses and riders at all levels, from the greenest youngsters and riders to international competitors.
The Adamos’ students include numerous Area VI year-end award winners and successful horse and rider combinations at all levels. Current USET rider Gina Miles was David’s first working student. Former working student Linda Vegher went on to compete at the Intermediate level and to groom for USET rider Nina Fout at the Sydney Olympics.  David also has a very high pass rate for students taking their upper level Pony Club exams.
Over the years, David has developed quite a loyal and enthusiastic following with his work both at home and at clinics throughout California. He is known for his patient and detail-oriented explanations and his exacting eye. He works to develop confident safe and athletic horses, and to give riders the skills and knowledge they need to truly enjoy and understand their horses.

Skills Equal Confidence

David feels that his own confidence as an upper level event rider stems only from a sense of confidence in the skills he has developed as a rider over the years, and not from any innate sense of courage.  As a result he has been able to help many riders reach levels they never thought possible by systematically building them up physically and psychologically. 
The trainer says his main influence has been the teaching of Brian Sabo.  Other strong influences on his riding and training have come from work with Jimmy Wofford, Mark Phillips, Lilo Fore for dressage, and Anne Kursinski for show jumping.
David has produced Preliminary superstar, Edward Jordan, 2005 CCI* second place winner and now Advanced level eventer Oh Good Grief, successful CCI** Young Rider Maggie Bronson and Finnigan’s Wake, and the successful CCI* Young Rider combination of Hannah Weems and Manja My Main Man.
At presstime, David and Oh Good Grief and Edward Jordan were off to the Galway CCI** and he was planning to start the eventing career of the Holsteiner mare, Marvelous. In 2007, David plans to compete the two geldings at the Three Star level. David also looks forward to becoming the USEA Area VI Chairman for the 2007-2010 term.

Area VI Ambitions

In his volunteer Area VI post, David envisions a large-scale push for new membership. “We have a lot of new events on our calendar,” he says of the thriving area’s event schedule. “We all appreciate having more than one event to choose from, and I’d like to see that all of these events are supported by competitors so that they are viable for the organizers.”
One step to doing that, David says, will be clearing up lingering misconceptions about his sport. “I think some riders in other disciplines bought a ‘spills and thrills’ video and have shaped their opinions from that.” The reality, he continues, is that eventing, while always providing plenty of excitement, has a level for everyone. From the unrecognized shows where beginners start by jumping cross rails and “sticks on the ground,” through the incremental USEF sanctioned levels beginning at 2’6”, all the way up to the FEI levels of competition, eventing develops horsemanship, sportsmanship and a unique combination of riding skills. California’s many reputable and well-educated event trainers promote these attributes as well as emphasize safety, David notes.
For more information on Adamo Training Stables, please visit www.extendinc.com/adamo/index.htm or call 707-321-0648.