Featured Article (December 2004)

Horse Shopping II

We live in a world of “second opinions.” With that concept in mind, I would like to introduce Denice DeRisio Perry, who has a reputation as someone with a “gift for matching horse and rider.” She found me my “horse of a lifetime,” Tally Ho, and those were the days when I’m sure I was not an easy person for whom to horse shop! Though I am familiar with Denice’s philosophy, I thought it would be interesting to pose the same questions I asked of Pam Freely (also noted for her talent of matching horse/pony and rider), featured in my October article.

Denice grew up in Northern Virginia, showing ponies. She competed in the junior division as a teenager training with Jimmy Piehler and Don Stewart. During her college years, she was able to meet up with them in the spring and summer months, competing in the amateur owner divisions. Upon graduation from college Denice returned to the Middleburg area and, of course, at her parents insistence took “a real job” selling real estate. She also obtained an insurance license and was fully equipped to lead the life of a career professional in a “non horsy world,” though horse were still an important part of her life.

Fate smiled on Denice as an offer of board for her horses and an apartment in exchange for care of four horses started her on the career she enjoys to this day. Originally a clientele of mostly children and their ponies evolved into juniors and amateurs. “The kids outgrow the ponies and move on to the horses. So it is all quite cyclical,” said Denice. Denice describes her business, Skyland Farm located in Upperville, Virginia, as a hunter jumper show barn of children doing the pony divisions, juniors, adults, amateurs and jumper riders as well as young horses being brought along. With such a diverse clientele, how does she make so many successful matches?

Questions and Discussion

She always starts the process by asking the following questions 1) What are your goals? 2) At what level do you wish to compete? 3) What is your time commitment? 4) What is your budget? The answers to these questions then leads to the discussion of “Here is the reality of what needs to be your ideal horse purchase in order for you to reach your stated goals and be successful in the division you wish to compete.”

The next step is the evaluation of the riders “style” and physical build in relation to the horses’ build and balance. With the caveat that there is never the perfect horse, Denice's requirements for the prospective purchase for her “normal" junior or amateur is as follows; 1) brain or disposition. 2) Length of stride 3) scope or abundance of jumping ability 4) movement 5) attractiveness. She points out that in her experience scope and soundness seem to go hand in hand. For the horse whose job is targeted for the 3-foot divisions or lower, she can obviously “do with less.” Everything really depends on the division in which the rider wants to successfully compete.

Get It In Writing

Denice always presents her clients with a price sheet, which includes her commission expense for the purchase/sale transactions. The client has that charge in writing. The buyer pays the seller directly and the buyer then writes the commission check directly to Denice. There is complete transparency in the transaction. Denice, (as did Pam Freely in last month’s article) believes that attached to that commission charge is her responsibility to do everything in her power to make the new horse/rider relationship a successful one. “Whether you are the buyer or the seller you want it to work out. One must remember that we are in the people business too.” (AMEN!!)

Denice has always said that “trained horses make good riders. When you own a horse, basically every expense is the same. It’s the same price for the vet, the farrier, the feed, and the cost to ship the horse. So mount yourself on the best animal you can!”