McDonogh’s 98 Years of Riding Lessons, continued...


and trainer for Team Rakowsky Equestrian in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Tat really is our goal here at McDonogh. To take people as far as we can and then set them up with other professionals who can help them advance their riding and careers,” Moore said. “I believe the greatest service we can do for these riders is set them up for success and then let them go.” Pope still returns to McDonogh from time to teach clinics to the next genera- tions of riders. McDonogh’s riding program is also open to


non-students and has a junior equestrian com- petition team, a pony pilot program, a general lesson program, an emerging athletes program, and a boarding and leasing program. “We start- ed the lease program around 2009 and now the barn is full of top show horses that riders of all levels can learn from,” Moore explained. Rid- ers can lease a horse or pony month to month, or for a whole season, so that as they progress past the current abilities of one horse or pony, they then move on to the next one that will teach them the next levels. “It’s a very open- ended ladder system so riders can shift as they develop,” Moore added. McDonogh also offers summer programs


including a half day pony program, full day equestrian program and counselor in training


program. “I’d say in total we have about 80 riders a week coming through here for les- sons,” Moore said. Te McDonogh show management hosts 10-12 USEF nationally rated competitions a year as well as 12-14 Maryland Horse Show Association and local member competitions. “Tis year we switched the show rings up a bit and put the hunters in the larger ring and jumpers in the smaller ring,” Moore ex- plained. “So far people seem to like it. Tey have more room in the hunters now for the longer lines.” Jumpers are something Moore and Mc-


Donogh are focusing on a lot these days as they try to attract different competitors to the rated and schooling shows. “We’ve add- ed more jumper classes and really want to encourage people to come try it out,” he said. “When the new indoor is open we also want to open the facility up for schooling to bring the community into the property more, too.” Moore stated that all the improvements to


the facility and the longevity of the program are due to the support of students, their fami- lies and alumni. “We have great alumni and alumni families that are dedicated to keeping this facility going well into the future,” he said.


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McDonogh’s riding alumni are strong supporters of the program through sponsoring ring side pav- ers to funding the building of indoor arenas and additional stabling.


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www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | JUNE 2024 | 19


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Katherine O. Rizzo


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