A Family Affair:

Q & A interview with

The Stewarts of Don Stewart Stables, Ocala

By Courtney Weinzimer

How, where & when did the family business begin?

Don: “I grew up in Raleigh, N.C. and my parents, who had no interest in horses, let me and my brother and sister start riding and taking lessons.  I stuck with it and did some local shows and fox hunting.  I rode with Jimmy Lee of Belcort Farm in Keswick, VA.  as a Jr and after college at North Carolina State started a business in Raleigh with David and Nina Carter.  Don Stewart Stables formed in 1977, I moved to Ocala in 1980 and Nancy and I married in 1982.”

When and how did Erin’s riding career begin?

Don: “Erin, 25 and the eldest of our 3 children, celebrates her birthday during Devon each year. Her birth was announced during the 1984 show.  She made her Devon debut in the leadline ring in 1988 and returned in 1989 to win.”

Have you trained solely with your dad or have you sought training from other professionals?  If so, who?

Erin: “In the ponies I had Bibby Farmer-Hill, who works for my dad, train me. As a junior I rode with Scott Hofstetter, Bill Cooney, Mark Leone, Karen Healey, Lauren Hough, Susie Schoellkopf and Michele Grubb.”

Was it easy to develop a circle of horse show friends being a trainer’s child?

Erin:”It definitely was easy to establish a circle of friends at the horse shows being a trainer’s daughter. Everyday I get to see customers and it makes it easy to make friends with them.”

Are you or your parent more competitive in nature or the same?

Erin: “I think now we are pretty much the same, but that was different growing up. When I was younger my dad would get frustrated because I wasn’t competitive at all by nature.”

What were some highlights during your junior career?

Erin: “2002 ASPCA Maclay Champion, 2001 and 2002 Best Child rider at Washington, 2002 Team gold medal Prix de States, 2001 and 2002 Grand Champion Washington,  2001 Grand Champion Devon, 2002 Champion National Horse Show and 2001 Grand Champion National horse show. ”

What horses or ponies have you most appreciated?

Erin: “Under the Rainbeau (medium pony), Hilton (Small junior), Gizby (equitation horse), Dance Away (Large Junior), Karat (jumper), Gia (jumper), 007 (equitation), Contendress (jumper), Fern Walk, Lyle… ”

What advice might you have for other children of professional trainers?

Erin: “Don’t take it personally when your parent is hard on you.  They want you to succeed even more than you do.”

How has the business side affected you in your love of the horse?

Erin: “It gets hard if I get attached to one and it is for sale. That part is not fun!”

Interesting fact:  ‘Hilton’ (Regular Conformation and Junior Hunter) & ‘Confidential’ (Junior and Amateur Hunter) are the only 2 horses ever to win 2 Grand Championships at WIHS within the same year.