Things were going just fine for veteran eventing trainer and rider Debbie Rosen. She and her average of 20 to 25 clients were humming along at her previous base in Agoura Hills, making progress at almost every level of eventing competition throughout California and beyond, and having a blast along the way.
But as the name of her business, Wild Ride Eventers, implies, Debbie’s never been one to favor the status quo over a great opportunity. The great opportunity came from two close friends, Vikki Cukier and Gina Thomas, former boarders who became boarding stable owners in March with the opening of the 70-horse El Sueno Equestrian Center in Ventura County’s Somis.
“When Vikki and Gina shared their vision for this place with me, I couldn’t say no,” reports Debbie. “It was developed by these two riders who had always been boarders. They took everything they liked and left out everything they didn’t like and the place is just amazing.” (Vikki Cukier is a dressage competitor in training with Debbie.)
Debbie admits it was not a totally convenient change for her clients, geographically speaking, but they all made the move with her. That is an impressive testament to Debbie, who has been riding for 35-plus years and coaching professionally for about 20. Her clientele is a mix of junior and amateurs who win a lot but ride for other reasons.
“I’ll take anybody who can demonstrate a love of the sport, a love of the horse and that has a desire and a genuine commitment to both,” she explains. “If winning is your primary goal, you and I won’t get along. I don’t mind winning and we win a lot, but what I like most is when my students come out of the ring and have a positive attitude, even when they’ve had a less than perfect performance.”
At this point in her career, Debbie typically refers first-time riders to other trainers. “Often, after those riders get to a certain level, they come back to me.” Students frequently find their way to Debbie after starting in another riding style or coming through the Pony Club ranks. Along with full-time training clients, Debbie works with trailer-in students who also meet up with her at events and she frequently gives clinics.
Twin Rivers, Galway Downs and Rebecca Farms in Montana are regular stops on Wild Ride Eventing’s competition calendar. At presstime, Debbie was excited to be preparing her own horse, The Alchemist, for the Fair Hill CCI Three-Star in Maryland. The 8 year old Canadian Sporthorse has two CIC Three Stars under his belt, including a third at the World Cup qualifier at Rebecca Farms.
Debbie has competed at the Rolex Four-Star in Kentucky and at previous Fair Hill events, but this will be The Alchemist’s first full format Three Star. Debbie has enlisted the help of Andrea Pfeiffer as coach in her Fair Hill endeavor.
Even though ribbons are not the end game, Debbie’s students have plenty of them. Junior Tory Smith won the CCI** at Twin Rivers in the spring (Debbie and The Alchemist were second) and finished second at the same level there in September. Amateur rider Dawn Robbins will debut at CCI* at this month’s Galway Downs event, and is doing a nice job bringing along another horse at the Novice level. In 2006, Debbie coached the Area VI North American Young Riders team to team and individual silver, the latter earned by her student Jessica Rice.
As a veteran in the sport, Debbie is thrilled about the ever-growing avenues for riders of all levels to compete in eventing. She raves about the Eventing Derbies organized by Wendy Wergeles and is optimistic that, when completely finished, El Sueno Equestrian Center will be able to host similar events. At press time, Debbie was reviewing plans for a derby field designed by veteran cross-country course designer Don Sachey. She and the facility’s owners foresee that it will be open to outside riders. “It will be a functioning schooling course for Beginning Novice up to Advanced level riders.”
Openings for full-time training clients are somewhat rare at Wild Ride Eventers, and often come about when a junior rider leaves the area for college. Trailer-in and clinic-style opportunities are more available. In any form, a chance to work with Debbie is a great opportunity to work with an experienced and inspiring coach.
For more information on Wild Ride Eventers, call 310-490-4635 or reach Debbie Rosen via e-mail at wildrideeventers@peoplepc.com.