ShowBiz Featured PROFESSIONAL F
horses, horses like Wisby D, a temperamental and hot horse that proved to be a challenging but rewarding ride for Michelle. When you get to know Michelle, it becomes evident that
her love for competition stacks up just after her passion for the horse itself. She is a horsewoman at heart and her dedication to the animal is foremost in her approach to training and caring for top equine athletes. She is inquisitive and
in searching for information about what is best for horses in her care and is always open to better products. Six years ago
unrelenting
ollowing a very successful junior career, Michelle Parker easily moved into Grand Prix show jumping world. She quickly developed a reputation for achieving success on difficult
promising stallions. Solomon’s Pride, recently approved by the American Holsteiner Horse Association, and Clintord, a stunning 8-year-old import who is approved with the Holsteiner Verband are in the group of her top competition horses. She is probably best known for her quiet, gentle manner
and ease with horses and people. Once you are Michelle’s friend, it is a friendship that lasts forever. She is fiercely loyal, unwaveringly compassionate, gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and funny beyond words even though she doesn’t acknowledge that. Don’t confuse her gentle nature with compliancy; she is a tiger about the care and training of her horses. Horses just plain like
Michelle purchased a beautiful private barn in San Marcos, CA and established her own training business. Although she had been out of the grand prix arena for several years, she began rebuilding her string of Grand Prix horses with the help of her mother’s Cross Creek Farms and several clients. Among those is Tula Pinella who owns Michelle’s incredibly talented Xel Ha, an 8-year-old Selle Francais mare that was started by Michelle as a 4-year-old. A recent top notch performance in the Grand Prix ring culminated with this mare’s first FEI win. Michelle’s current string comprises a number of
what makes up that individual animal, and translates that into success in the ring. She will never rush one, or push it too hard, but allows it to develop at its own consistent rate…and that is the true mark of a horseman. But keeping these horses at the top level of performance,
and “peak” at different specific times can be taxing for even the best professional. Michelle “choice of product” partner is Team Matrix, a line of supplements that she credits with having a big
Michelle. She has a way of walking up to them and simply looking them right in the eye, patting them between the eyes and rubbing their necks that puts them almost to sleep in their connection with her as a horseman. She can ride one for five minutes and have a pretty good idea of
Above: Michelle and Clever winning the Tucson Grand Prix Below, Left to Right - Michelle and Xel Ha; Michelle and Central Park; Michelle and Clintord Parker Photos © Carol Brooks Parker, Captured Moment Photography
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