From the Wilds of Alaska to the Arenas of Ramona: Equestrian Trainer Brings Northern Grit to Southern California

Downey's love for horses began at an early age when she was introduced to the sport of barrel racing with a family friend's horse. When Downey was old enough, she joined the local 4-H club to learn about various disciplines and began volunteering at the Therapeutic Riding Center. This broad start gave her an understanding and respect for other disciplines as well as the importance of good horse management.

Downey's drive to better educate herself, as well as her involvement in the community, promoted her to positions such as Head Equestrian Coach for Special Olympics Alaska, President and Show Manager of the Alaska Dressage Association, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship State Chair, and other club and committee positions that support and educate individuals of all ages.

After leaving Alaska, Downey relocated to Hailey, Idaho, where she served as an accredited instructor and was in charge of the daily schooling, training, and purchasing of the center's horses. Using her knowledge of different horsemanship techniques, she was able to help produce a safe, secure, and willing horse for the riding program.

 "A lot of people ask me if I have bomb-proof horses in my program," says Downey. She says she doesn't want a bomb-proof horse. She wants a horse that is present and can react in an appropriate and safe manner to whatever outside pressures come its way. She wants a horse that thinks through its actions and looks to the human for support and answers. "That comes from having a good mind and developing that mind with good training; that's my job," she says.

Downey has taken that philosophy with her throughout her journey with horses. She says it doesn't matter what discipline you ride, train, or teach; if you don't have a thinking and willing partner who wants to try for you, you have nothing.

While in Idaho, she was able to join an elite dressage barn that had produced and was still producing multiple Olympic riders. Downey started in whatever position got her in the door and ended up with a young horse that she was able to start and develop within their program. From spending winters in Wellington, Florida, and summers in Idaho, the experience introduced her to the high-performance dressage world, which she would be a part of for the next ten years. When the farm sold and home base was going to be in Florida for the foreseeable future, Downey moved her business to Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar, again training at top barns with international and Olympic riders.

Downey relocated her horses and business to SDCE a year ago after purchasing a house a few blocks away from the Casey Tibbs Western Center. "For me, it is a great place to train horses," Downey says. Not only are there large arenas to work out of, but the trail access for her relaxed riding days is also fantastic. She can walk right off the property and be gone for hours. It is so important for her horses to get out and see the world, even if they show in a sandbox.

Her program is designed to produce well-rounded horses with a focus on dressage. Her horses need to be good citizens first and foremost, whether that is on the ground or in the saddle. Downey travels a couple of times a month to clinics out of state, in addition to running a full-care barn that includes training, sales, and personal horses she continues to develop. She is looking forward to the fall, when she plans to focus on training horses that are ready to hit the show season and helping clients achieve their own goals, both in and out of the show ring.

With years of experience across the country and countless horses shaped under her guidance, Downey brings more than skill to the saddle; she brings perspective. Every stable, every showground, every trail she's traveled has added a layer to her horsemanship, and now she shares that depth of knowledge right here in the SDCE.
 
Photo courtesy of Erin Downey.