TRAINER SPOTLIGHT
Behind Every Successful Man Is a Successful Woman
Hillary Ridland
one of the most important positions in American show jumping, the question of how will he be able to balance the new responsibilities is on everyone’s mind. Everyone except his wife, Hillary, who knows that answer…..”He will just keep on prioritizing and re-prioritizing, he is a master at getting everything done and on time.” The two personalities, Robert and Hillary, mesh quite
A
well mostly because they are very much alike. Both are highly goal oriented and accomplishment driven in the sport. Both have shown Grand Prix horses for decades, and both have a furious ferocious commitment to their family. When the Chef d’equipe position for the USA came
into play, Robert adamantly refused to even consider it. As much as that was something he and other top riders dream of, he was first committed to his family, something that drives his very being. Hillary and their children, McKenna and Payton, realized how important it would be to Robert and weighed in to push him to “go for it!” “We talked about it a lot,” says Hillary. “There were so
many considerations that had to be discussed and talked about but I was really sure it was something he would be amazing at. McKenna is away at school but Payton is still at home and we would let nothing get in the way of his education and our family relationships. Payton under-
s Robert Ridland steps into what is probably
stands sports and he knew that this was something his father should ‘go out for’, as they say.” “Since Payton gets all ‘A’s at school it was a matter of
making sure we could still help him accomplish his educa- tion goals, but be together. In the end, the school has been great about working with us for a system that will let us travel as a family as much as time will allow. There will be times he gets to go with Robert alone, those will be special times for the men in my life!” Hillary and Robert’s Equi Sports International training business is located in the Blenheim private facility. “Con- trary to what people might think, I am not going to quit to follow Robert around, and besides, he would never ask me too,” laughs Hillary. “He simply would not let that happen because there are things I personally want to accomplish. Quite the con- trary, Robert is encouraging and the main support about this being ‘MY’ year too. All things have a way of coming into line. I can now focus on my riding and would like to have a nice string of Grand Prix horse for one more shot at the top.” “I have absolutely THE best coach
and ground person in the world with Robert, it doesn’t get any better than
Left to Right: Payton; Hillary & McKenna; Robert.
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