“In the work off I went last. Ali “I love my friends, I can’t thank all
Ohringer, Killian McGrath, Hannah of them enough,” says Cayla. “Espe-
Goodson-Cutt and Kylee Arbuckle cially Katie Taylor. She gives me ad-
had really good work offs and went vice and tips and cheers me on to be-
before me so that made me nervous lieve that I can do better! My friends
waiting. Ali and I had come back so at the barn and shows do too, we all
close in scores that I didn’t know till talk and try to help each other. Katie
they actually called my number that I won the CHPA Foundation Equita-
had won. It was so exciting! And Ali tion Championship Finals for twenty
was Reserve Champion so we sort of one and under the same day I won
got to share it.” mine. It was just so exciting to share
Being the winner of so many Med- that with her too.”
al Finals, and impressive Equitation Cayla’s home base is Far West Farm,
classes, has not changed Cayla and it a training barn located north of Los
shows in her polite, patient communi- Angeles in the town of Calabasas, just
cation with some of us adults. Taking off the 101 freeway on the way to San-
the time to really talk and laugh with ta Barbara. The farm is owned by the
people of all ages and interests is prob- Karazissis family and the entire staff
ably one her most endearing traits. is just about all related. Nick and Kost
Possibly the most remarkable thing are brothers who bought the farm sev-
about her is that when she speaks to eral decades ago from Elizabeth Guer-
you, she looks you in the eye, listens in’s (now Dickenson) dad, Rick. Gen-
intently and responds with wisdom far erations of extremely successful riders
beyond her fifteen years of age. She have come through that program and,
is a tiny sprite of a girl, with big shin- just like Cayla, most have been “home
ing eyes, a ready smile and a giggle that raised”, brought up through the rid-
rises into the air and makes everyone ing school and then on into the show
want to be involved in whatever it is ring. Elizabeth Dickinson, Jamie Tay-
that has made her laugh. lor, Katie Taylor and so many others
Cayla’s parents, Robin and Susan, are have learned horses from the ground
at just about every back gate of every up as small children and then evolved
class she is in. Staying a respectful dis- into extremely successful competitors.
tance away, they are as excited as she is Cayla is one of those riders.
every time she competes. Older sisters In spite of all the wins, and especial-
Lexi and Taylor, are always afoot also ly this milestone, she remains humble
and get in just about all the win pictures and thankful. Her gratitude extends
with the entire family and the cast of all the way from a special hug to her
trainers from Far West. Sometimes the parents, a great big WOW to her train-
camera lens is just not big enough to ers, a sincere appreciative thank you to
fit in all the supporters who have made Sage Flynn and her family, cheers for
her successful career a reality. her friends and a twinkle and special
This young lady is certainly an ex- smile to her parents for their support.
ample of what the West Coast future “I know without my trainers, friends
has to offer our industry. Young, en- and especially my parents, I would not
thusiastic, pleasant, quality individu- be able to ride. I know that and I don’t
als that represent us well as people of forget!”
character. Their riding basics are well Cayla’s plan is to step to the USEF,
grounded, carefully overseen by ex- Maclay and USET classes and take a
ceptional training programs, parental shot at the Finals in the east. “I think
support without being overbearing, that would be awesome,” she says and
show preparation and attention to de- gets serious. “I can’t imagine winning
tail imbedded in their minds and the at Capital Challenge or Harrisburg,
love of the horse planted foremost in but that is what I plan to do, or at least
their hearts. try.”
Opposite Page: Cayla Richards winning the mini-August Showpark 2008 14 and under.
This Page Top to Bottom: Ali Ohringer, Cayla and their families; Cayla and Ali Ohringer; Cayla Richards; Katie Taylor, Cayla, Jamie Taylor.
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