UP AND COMING by Anne Polli
The Pieces Are Falling Into Place for
Matt Sereni
Via his horse family background and lasting role models, this young professional is following in many footsteps. In today’s vernacular, the word “family” carries many nuances. We hear of the nuclear family, the family unit, and in the equine world, the horse show family. Northern California horse shows have been home to many families through the years that have participated as trainers, exhibitors, horse show staff, transport drivers, ring crew, the list goes on. The Sereni family has horses in their blood. And just a bit south of the Los Altos Hills in Santa Clara County, young professional Matt Sereni has chosen to stay close to the community that raised him as he makes his own way in the world.
Family Matters
Sereni grew up in Los Altos Hills at Fremont Hills Country Club and Stables. He began riding at four years old and was showing ponies by age six. His mom, Debbi Sereni, was the trainer at Fremont Hills. “She took me to every show and filled out every entry blank while I maintained my life at school and in school sports,” he says. “There is absolutely no way I would have had any sort of
show career if it had not been for my amazing mom; from the remarkable horse purchases, getting the most bang for the buck on a professional’s salary, keeping the show schedules and maintaining the everyday life of a wife and mom of two.” Richard Sereni, Matt’s dad, drilled horsemanship and stressed the importance of doing everything yourself. He would always say, “Nobody takes care of your horses like you can.” Though he helped Matt with his riding and took him to clinics, as a jack-of-all-trades, Richard made sure Matt had a well-rounded upbringing. “Not only has my dad successfully managed Fremont Hills for over 35 years, he once held five judging cards, used to professionally ship horses, and used to own a successful plumbing company. He taught me to start young horses, safely transport horses and now is teaching
Top: Matt with Bay Rose’s Niko, owned by Bay Rose, LLC and Wendy Carter. Bottom: Hanging with Microchop the pony.
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