I recently had the chance to tour the American Saddlebred Horse Association Museum at the Kentucky Horse Park, and I was completely astonished by the depth of history displayed in this building, which is open to the public free of charge.

Not only does the mu-seum provide exhibits ranging from famous trainers’ tack-room set-ups to photographs, stories and halters of famous horses, but they also have a theater where you can view films depicting the history of the Saddlebred Horse industry. In addition, the association has archival storage rooms brimming with artifacts, which is why they’re hoping to build an even bigger museum. The museum is the result of many like-minded Saddlebred Horse enthusiasts joining together and donating the artifacts of their sport.

Walking around this museum made me realize that the hunter/jumper community needs this same type of place to remember and honor our heroes, human and equine, in addition to providing a learning tool for horse enthusiasts.

There are so many people whose thoughts on the sport of hunters, jumpers and equitation should be recorded before it’s too late. Halls of Fame for show hunters and show jumpers both exist, but they don’t have the depth of historical data and artifacts that the Saddlebred Horse collection possesses. We need to be collecting, archiving and displaying our history, and now is the time to get busy on this project.

One of my most cherished historical items is a 1959 American Horse Shows Association Rule Book given to me by friend Berk Lee from the collection of her late mother, Frances Lee. Since I’m deeply involved in governance, it’s been an eye-opener to read this rule book and compare our current rules to those of yesteryear. Yesteryear was a lot simpler and the rule book much smaller!

All of us have stories to tell, but, most of all, we have fond memories of our history with horses. As a community, we need to document our experiences for those who come after us to understand the origins of our sport and its development.

Creating this museum for hunters and jumpers would allow us to remember the past and make a better future, while thanking and honoring our forefathers, mentors and equine partners.

Each of us can name the people who’ve made a difference in our equestrian lives. My father gave me the support and courage I needed as a nervous beginner when faced with riding a new lesson mount. I always thought, “Little did he know what he started that day.” But years later, he told me he always knew. What an incredible validation of your choice in life from your parent.

I remember Della Francis, who so kindly helped me to have my first pony, Little Trooper. Trooper also taught my first serious student, Holly Sorensen, and he lived a wonderful retirement and was buried on my farm at age 36.

I thank my friend Marilyn Galvin, who gave me my first paid riding job while I was in college. Marilyn is still active in the horse world, helping organize eventing and dressage competitions in the Middleburg, Va., area. Whenever we run into each other, we relive the old days.

My first serious clients were Les and Maxine Sorensen, whose daughters rode with me for more than 18 years. This family made me a part of their family, and we all learned and achieved our goals together.

One of the Sorensens’ ponies, Short Stop, really is responsible for starting my career and putting me on the road to where I am today. He was inducted into the Maryland Horse Shows Association Hall of Fame last year, and I was honored to talk about this great pony during the induction ceremony. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I will never forget the confident look in his eye when standing at the in-gate ready to perform. He instilled confidence in everyone.

As a junior, I remember lessons from Mary Litterio, who helped another person at the barn where I kept my pony and took time from her own busy schedule to give me some guidance.

A mentor of mine is Chuck Keller, who spent more than 12 years training numerous clients with me, provided me with my education in the jumper discipline, and enhanced my all-around horsemanship. Chuck is a born natural on a horse, and he taught me that, while not everyone is a natural, you can give a dedicated rider the education and confidence they need to reach their goals. He taught me to get inside a horse’s mind, listen to what they’re telling you, and that you need to be flexible to get the best from them.

Lately, my equestrian mentor has been Joe Fargis, another natural rider. Horses like Joe. He’s calm and consistent with them, instilling confidence in them and creating a horse with solid basics. Joe acts the same way with people. Although sometimes a man of few words, you always know where you stand with Joe.

My other current mentor is a gentleman named Howard Pike. Since beginning to work with the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, I’ve been fortunate to become friends with Howard and to rely on him for advice and guidance. Howard has a way with people like Joe has with horses–calm and consistent.

I’ve been very fortunate to have a career filled with great clients and great horses, and I never take this for granted. I’ve been involved with Salamander Farm and the Johnson family for more than 13 years, from small ponies to grand prix jumpers. What an incredible experience to have shared with Chuck and now Joe. You cannot put a value on the education I’ve received through this experience.

The ponies and horses have been wonderful to work with and learn from. My all-time favorite will always be Warlock–a plain, chestnut horse with a heart of gold, incredible dignity and honesty. I don’t think many horses take as much pride in their performance. Warlock, like Short Stop, was a career-changing horse. He was Paige Johnson’s partner when, at age 11, she became the youngest rider ever to win the Virginia Horse Shows Association Junior Medal Finals, having won the VHSA Children’s Medal Finals on him the year before.

After a quiet retirement at Salamander Farm, we sadly lost Warlock recently. Warlock lived a great life, and the experience and education he gave us will last a lifetime. How I wish he could have told us the entire story of his life.

These are just some of the memories I have from my life with horses. The horses, people and places I’ve known are what make up my personal equestrian archive, and I’m sure each of you has your own equestrian archive.

That’s why we have to create an opportunity to leave something for equestrians of the future. Let’s join together and start a project to collect the stories and artifacts so that we can document and display them for everyone.