RIDERspotlight by Katie Shoultz
Erin & Christian
Heineking
Husband and wife as well as business partners, Christian and Erin Heineking personify the best of two different worlds. And after pulling off-first and second place finishes in the $55,000 International Omaha Grand Prix CSI2* at the International Omaha in Nebraska this past April, they will readily admit their competitive natures are always at play. Born and raised in Texas, Erin spent many years training and riding in Southern California before returning home to the Lone Star State. She joined forces with her sister, Wendy Davis Garrish, at October Hill Farm, on an idyllic 200 acres outside of Fort Worth, where the farm has become a premier training and breeding operation. Originally from Germany, Christian still rides for his country, but has permanent residency in the States. He and Erin met in 2011 and quickly became inseparable. The two were married last May, highlighting a standout year for Christian, who enjoyed over a dozen grand prix wins in 2013 aboard his two top horses, NKH Selena and River of Dreams. Now expecting their first child this September, Christian has taken over Erin’s rides for the remainder of the year. With a full show schedule, this power couple certainly has one busy summer ahead.
Horse & Style: How did you get your start in the industry? Erin Davis-Heineking: I was that backyard kid with ponies. My father had Western horses, and I rode around on them untrained and untaught. Then there were the 3- day eventing lessons with my older sister and Pony Club. As luck would have it, I became the pony hunter rider with the worst stopping ponies. I did get a really nice small children’s hunter, but then had the world’s worst junior hunter who threw me off all the time. But all those difficult rides definitely brought out my determination!
Christian Heineking: I started my internship in Germany at a stallion farm when I was a teenager. I rode as a young kid, but I was not professionally trained. It was definitely just more of a hobby I guess you could say. When I started my internship, the training I received during this period was very professional and really set me on my path. H&S: So how did you two meet? CH: In my mid-twenties, I found myself in the U.S. through a friend. I liked it here, and I saw an avenue of opportunity to pursue. At one
point, I met Erin and when we started dating, it became pretty clear I was staying! We first met at a horse show and became friends and, of course, kept seeing each other on the circuit.
H&S: It has turned out well! And congrats on the upcoming new addition to the family! Has it been a transition on the riding/training front for you, Erin? EH: I am definitely going to have to start over again, but with Christian there, everything is fine. I plan on getting back into the ring as soon as possible. Sometimes, it’s even hard for me to go to the barn, so I am trying to not get so involved. There is some difficulty in accepting the fact that I have to suspend riding when I have two grand prix horses going. Omaha was my last hurrah for now.
H&S: Well, I have to ask…do you have a pony yet? EH: We do! A pony was actually given to us when we got married. The pony is a hand-me-down that has been through several kids and trainers, but saved for Christian and me.
june/july ·
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