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Gary theorizes that because of their willing attitude, the Lusitanos began their careers in the United States with amateurs who may not have been skilled enough to develop their movement. “If you put a good natured Lusitano or Warmblood with


a novice, you may not see the same trot you would with a professional rider,” Gary continues. “Plus earlier imports that first came to the U.S. may not have been the greatest movers; they weren’t bred for dressage. But stallions we have found are super movers and suitable for dressage. Like any horse if you don’t work them properly from behind and over their backs, you’re not going to have the greatest movement.” Too many times Gary has heard that you can’t ride the


Lusitanos like you ride the Warmbloods. This makes him crazy. “My horse Ollie who is very Dutch is more sensitive and lighter than any of my Lusitanos. You give Ollie a big whopping aid and you’ll get a big whopping response,” Gary remarks with a laugh. “Generally the Lusitanos tend to be more sensitive and willing which makes my job as a trainer easier, but a horse is a horse. I don’t believe you treat the Lusitano like this and approach them like that. I ride all my horses with the same proper dressage theory. Train your Lusitano as you would any other horse you are developing in dressage. Help him with his weaknesses, appreciate his strengths, and enjoy the ride.”


IT’S IN THE GENES Through his career Gary, 46, has worked with a variety of breeds. “My father was a jockey at a young age and later trained and raced Standardbreds with his father. He was a tiny thing—5’ 4” and 105 lbs. I’m 5’10”. Anyone who ever saw us together never believed we were father and son,” Gary remarks. “He was an amazing horseman and a natural with horses. He could ride any type from the frail and sensitive to the strong and cold. I know whatever gifts I have, I got from him.” After riding hunters until his late


teens, Gary took a job with Iron Spring Farm in Pennsylvania in 1987 where his dressage experience and skill grew, and where he met Dean, his partner for 21 years. The two left Iron Spring in 1991 to start their teaching and training business. In 1994, they brought their business to Carlene’s barn.


Alvarinho Interagro. (Horse Sports Photography) 38 March/April 2011


Carlene was an active and successful jumper rider. She and her sister Fran Steinwedell, owner of the famed stallion Starman (her daughter is Francie Steinwedell- Carvin, one of most accomplished U.S. jumper riders), were highly competitive on the jumper circuit and during her career Carlene trained with the jumper team for the Pan Am Games. For 35 years she trained with Hungarian coach Csaba Vedlik, first in her hometown Chicago. Csaba followed the family to Florida in the 60s when Carlene built Country Club Stables, named so to be in sync with her father Carlton Blunt’s golf club development, The Country Club of Florida. Carlton was also a member of the U. S. Equestrian Team board. Carlene’s greatest joy riding was her gelding Silver


Lining, a 16.3 hand cross between a 14.2 hand pony mare and a Thoroughbred stallion. “Probably what made him great was the agility of the pony,” she recalls. The pairs’ success included winning the Cleveland Grand Prix in 1966. In 1991 Csaba died and Carlene soon after hung up


her spurs. “Showing wasn’t as much fun after he died. I decided to just ride at home.”


COMPATIBLE PARTNERS Shortly thereafter Gary and Dean came to her farm. Eventually Carlene stopped riding and found her pleasure in watching the two trainers develop the dressage horses. Gradually Carlene phased out the boarding and Gary and Dean phased out clients and horses other than Carlene and her horses. “I love watching the horses


progress. I love horses. It’s a part of me. I’m fortunate to have a nice place, nice horses and people who care.” When the Lusitano stallions came


to the farm, Carlene was at first concerned. “I’d never had a stallion. But these are so well-behaved. They’re just horses.” Carlene and Gary agree on a lot of things; one is their favorite of the stallions. He is the six-year-old Alvarinho Interagro. His name means white grape in Portuguese and he is an isabel, the cream color known by some as a cremello. His eyes are blue, “and his heart is the size of Wyoming,” Gary says. “You can make him as hot as you want and then put him on the buckle and have him take care of you on the trail. He’s the kind you might do too much too soon with because he’s so willing. You can feel the


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