A Featerin Her Cap I
A YOUNG CALIFORNIAN EMBRACES THE CHALLENGE OF RIDING FOR AN OLDENBURG AUCTION
by Patti Schofler
t was a typical warm September day in Santa Rosa, California. As the visiting Oldenburg Verband team watched the impressive young rider work horses, she had no idea something was afoot. Riana Porter didn’t notice her instructor and mentor send knowing glances to the inspectors. When Riana left home that morning, her mother hadn’t said a word that today might be different. She didn’t sense that the group was carefully watching her ride a chestnut stallion. This was Fairwind Farm, a busy breeding farm standing the dark brown Oldenburg stallion Donnerschlag. A lot goes on every day there.
THE INVITATION As Riana was cooling down her horse, suddenly the guests were shouting at her, “You’re riding in the auction.” The 19-year-old sat on her horse speechless. The idea was hatched during the mare and foal
approvals at Fairwind, where Riana is assistant trainer to owner, trainer and “S” dressage judge Sue Curry Shaffer. It had been an important day, but now it was even more so. To ride in a German auction could change a person’s life. It was a special honor to be invited. When Sue suggested the European experience to
Riana’s mom, Kerri Porter, she thought at first Sue was joking. Kerri wasn’t worried about her daughter going alone and getting around. Riana would prove up to the task. But the two women teased back and forth about other pitfalls: what if Riana falls in love? She better stay away from the jumper riders. Let’s make her sign something that she will come back. Then Kerri had an ugly thought: this was crazy
dangerous. Her daughter would be riding very young, very green horses in an unsettling environment. Tommy Rhinow, breed inspector and director of marketing of dressage horses for the Oldenburg auction, assured her he would not have Riana ride there if she couldn’t. Riana’s background was ideal for the task. Every week
she rides young horses at Fairwind. In 2009, in the heavy rainstorm that caused some riders to scratch, Riana
110 March/April 2012
won the National Junior Dressage Championship at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF’s Festival of Champions, Gladstone, New Jersey, on her 17.2 hand Romax Foldager. She had brought the black Danish horse up from second level, with good coaching, and she’s been his only ride since then. This year she and Romax are aiming to return to Gladstone at Intermediaire I.
SERIOUS SUPPORT While this young woman’s life may seem charmed, a deeper look gives a different impression. Family sacrifice and support, mentor dedication and sponsorship, and Riana’s inner poise and strength made the purchase of Romax six years ago, their show schedule, and trips to Gladstone and the German auction possible. “Riana and
Romax have been evolutionary,” describes Kerri Porter who reached deep into her retirement fund to buy Romax for her daughter. It was a sacrifice and gamble, but one that has paid off. Flying Romax to Gladstone, with Riana as his inflight groom, was paid for with bonuses Kerri earned at her job as project administrator for a construction company.
“I hear so many
young riders say they are tired of this horse or it’s not working, so they
Top, with title: Riana and Romax in 2011. Photo © Amy McCool Above: Riana and Romax perform
at the 2011 Dressage in the Wine Country. Photos © JAK Wonderley
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