from Her Own Success Dressage Benefits
A Profile of Betsy Juliano By Patti Schofler I
n this country, where Olympic disciplines are strang- ers to governmental support, the competitive dressage community eyes international success with a new energy,
an enlightened strategy and through the vision and generos- ity of dedicated sponsors. Betsy Juliano is one such sponsor. Betsy has not only given generously of her time and
money to dressage, its development programs and its emerging riders, she has also been a role model through her own success as an entrepreneur and business woman. In recent years, her gift to the USET Foundation for the USEF Dressage Pipeline Clinics has ensured the momentum contin- ues to push American dressage riders to the top of interna- tional competition podiums.
Generosity for Three This year, this CEO and founder of 300-employee Litigation Management, Inc. is providing support for USET member Laura Graves, trainer Jennifer Baumert and U. S. Olympian Adrienne Lyle. Laura and Jennifer receive funding for their training and expenses in working toward their competition goals. For Adrienne, Betsy has contributed to the purchase and expenses of a top competition horse. Back in the day, potential dressage team members were
on their own to pay for their horses, and for their living and training expenses, until they made the U.S. team. This system did bring about strong competitors, but unless someone had their own considerable financial resources, he or she could not afford to climb the ladder. Today, however, the process of developing and supporting riders and horses along the way has changed. It is a change Betsy backs both philosophically and financially, and the support she and others provide has
20 May/June 2016
proved vital to allowing talented athletes competitive oppor- tunities, regardless of their financial situation. “Anne Gribbons (former technical advisor for the WEG
2010 team) had a strong vision and laid a solid foundation for how we should build the type of strength and depth for the U.S. Dressage team,” Betsy recounts. She refers to the pipeline system whereby training, coaching and recognition is given to a continuum of riders and horses starting with young competitors all the way up to the elite with the potential to be team members. “We are seeing how critical it is to have younger riders,
like Laura [Graves], Kasey [Perry] and Adrienne [Lyle] coming up. We need these riders to support the good work that has been done ahead of them, by riders such as Steffen [Peters] and Debbie [McDonald],” she says. “I know what it’s like when you’re on your own and you
have to make ends meet,” Betsy continues. “I have been around enough that I realize what it takes for these folks to keep it going, for someone who has a lesson or training busi- ness to take three months and go to Europe to compete before the Olympics. It changes their lives. If I can ease that burden a little, that’s something I enjoy.” She firmly believes in supporting riders’ education. “For
the group I am supporting right now, that mostly means lessons with Debbie. It’s education that will stay with them forever, regardless of whatever horse they’re riding,” she says.
Entrepreneurial Success When Betsy was about the same age as these riders, she kicked off her extraordinary career. At 27, she started her own business, the success of which has colored her outlook.
n Photos by Mary Adelaide Bakenridge
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