UP AND C OMING RIDE R S ON A ME R I C AN-B R EDS
From Show Ring to Breeding Shed – And Back Again
Taylor Flury’s Story
tude, determination, talent and doing your homework. Illi- nois native Taylor Flury embodies all of these traits, and then some, achieving national and international acclaim in breed- ing and showing jumpers all by the age of twenty-seven. She has earned numerous wins and top placings in the
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International Jumper 4-Year-Old Futurity, the Young Jumper Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-olds and at top- rated U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) shows. She also had notable success at the World Young Horse Jumper Cham- pionships in Belgium with the young American-bred stal- lion Carrasca Z (Asca Z x Calato, bred by Hyperion Stud in Virginia), whom she purchased as a weanling and developed herself. She has also bred a number of high-scoring foals with the Belgian Warmblood Association (BWP). But all of this success at such a young age is even more remarkable because Taylor has survived a serious illness that resulted in two brain surgeries.
More About Taylor Taylor, who says she is happily single at this point, gradu- ated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Busi- ness Management from Rasmussen College. She explains she chose to study online since she was a full-time student while also working full-time at riding, breeding and showing horses.
She is quick to list the horsemen and women who have
influenced her career thus far. “I have been lucky to have been influenced by several trainers who have each contrib- uted to the rider and horsewoman I am today. Alex Jayne made me a competitive rider. Joe Fargis reminded me of the basics and the importance of building a foundation. Wendy Hofmeister helped me become a horsewoman and crafted my love of developing young horses. She made me work harder to keep improving and taught me the importance of rideability. Christian Schact of Germany has helped me the last few years. I am forever indebted to him for refining my riding, teaching me to flat with a purpose, to ride a jump-off smoothly and for sticking with me,” she says. “I also have to mention my gratitude for Kevin Babington, who never fails to guide me or offer assistance when I have questions at shows.” Her mother Janet’s love of horses was passed on to Taylor and her sister Alison. Janet was the youngest of nine children
sk any long-time horse breeder what it takes to be successful and the answer will likely include at least some of these words: hard work, grit, forti-
By Kim Macmillan
Taylor and her stallion Carrasca Z bred by Hyperion Stud.
and the family could not afford a horse, so she worked at a local stable when she was young and pledged to own her own horse someday. Now owner of the family’s AliBoo Farm, Janet has several horses to care for. While she only rides for fun, she enjoys taking her mule on the trails at their property in Montana and rooting for Taylor and Alison at shows. Janet has been a lifelong role model and advisor for
Taylor. “The horses have been my complete passion. Growing up all I wanted to do was ride and show, but my mom kept asking me what I was going to do with my life and how was I going to make a difference? That is what started me on the path of breeding and developing young horses; I love to start with a blank slate and build from the ground up,” Taylor says. “I could not ask for a better person to work under and, while it is hard sometimes to work with family, at the end of the day I know my mom only has my best interests at heart and she wants us to succeed as much as I do!”
A Scary Discovery One of the biggest hurdles the Flury family has had to face is Taylor’s illness. From a young age she experienced frequent headaches and mood swings and so her parents consulted with several doctors. An attempt at medication failed to give Taylor any relief, although she continued to compete in the jumper ring. Finally she was diagnosed by a neurologist, Dr. John Ruge, with a Chiari malformation: a structural defect of the cerebellum where portions of the cerebellum and brain
Warmbloods Today 21
Short Horse Studios
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