Barry’s August Letter
We use Early Insights to keep competitors up to date with events regarding equestrian competitions. This is your [detailed] Early Insight into our proposed new Office Complex.
Measuring 77' X 62', with a wraparound balcony on two floors, the new Office Complex will take its place as another imposing but practical building at Stable View.
Downstairs is divided in two with the Office taking up half the space with the other half designed for the Sale of Merchandize, Volunteers, Trails Club, Show Office, and Rider Lounge. With plenty of room for seating and storage, this should be a popular rendezvous at the center of Stable View.
Positioned on the left when approaching the Main Barn, it's close to where the Golf Carts are [at present] parked.
At the back of the building are Toilets and Showers.
With building starting in September, our target date for completion is Oktoberfest 2026.
Upstairs are four Apartments with balconies. These four Apartments will with the two accommodations in the Pond Barn be a part of the Stable View "Platinum" Collection.
The finish on the outside walls will be similar to other Stable view bu
Rider Spotlight: Shannon Riley
Photo by Liz Crawley Photography
If you attend a Stable View event it is a common to see Shannon Riley’s black and gold star helmet cover out on Cross Country. Shannon attends most of Stable View’s Eventing shows as well as some Hunter/Jumper and Dressage shows. Shannon began riding in hunter/jumper park district lessons. After she read a book about eventing she was hooked and knew that’s
what she wanted to do. She shared, “I’ve been obsessed with horses since I was a tiny human watching My Little Ponies!”
Shannon now has a prominent sales program called Infinity Sport Horses in Aiken. She said, “We have a fantastic group of sale horses here in Aiken, ranging from green OTTBs all the way up through 3* eventers! While we specialize in eventing sales, we’re also dabbling in jumpers a bit now, too, aiming for some Welcomes at the Stable View In and Out series!”
In addition to her sales horses, Shannon has several personal competition horses. One of which is Rose Etc owned by the Average Rose Syndicate. She is also working to put
Photo by Liz Crawley Photography
together a second syndicate for MBF Zenith Good Lux, who is currently for Sale. Outside of horses, Shannon loves to read, travel, and she has three dogs that she enjoys trail running around her farm with. She also likes a good murder documentary. Shannon has had much success at Stable View, but she shared one of her best ones. She said, “I had a fantastic finish in the YH 7 yr old Championships in the 3* division with my self-produced American-bred Trakehner Gelding, Ingress.”
Shannon was asked her favorite part about Stable View. She said, “The attention paid to every single level, from the greenest grass riders to the 4* level, every rider feels important and seen. I’m so grateful for Stable View providing SO many opportunities for us riders in every discipline, it’s been instrumental in producing every
one of my
as well as my
Photo by Liz Crawley Photography
Stable View Partnerships: VTO Saddlery
VTO Saddlery has been a long time supporter, sponsor, and vendor at Stable View. VTO Saddlery was started in 1999 by Paul and Beth Arnold. At the time, Paul was working for a small publishing company. The company was trying to navigate the new World Wide Web. Paul shared, “Believe it or not, I was the young guy at the business at that time, and as such was tasked with figuring this out. I thought that the best way to learn was to do it. So, starting in 1998, I set about creating an e-commerce website from scratch. In those days, this was not a trivial task - I had to teach myself HTML, scripting languages, database programming, etc. Because Beth was an equestrian and was active selling her used equipment on eBay at the time, we decided to make the website equestrian-focused to support her eBay sales.”
After some trial and error, Beth and Paul officially launched their
website in 1999. Paul said, “Much to our surprise, we started to receive orders. To fill out the website with products, we became a dealer for several equestrian brands and, because there was not much online competition at that point, the orders rolled in. I started spending more and more of my time on the business and less and less with my real job. In 2000 we moved from Virginia to Texas. Beth was a newly minted Ph.D. (mathematics) and got a job at Texas A&M University (yes, she is the brains of this outfit!).”
They originally called the company Virginia Tack Outlet, but when they moved to Texas everyone was inquiring the reason behind the name. That’s when the name VTO Saddlery came to life. However, a few years later, in 2004 the couple moved back to Virginia when Beth got a job offer from James Madison University. They’ve been in Virginia ever since, but the VTO Saddlery name stuck.
Horse Trials have been their main focus with Beth being an eventer. They sprinkle in a few dressage shows for good measure every year. Paul said, “As times changed and the business evolved, I found myself focusing more on setting up as a vendor at horse trials to the point where I am now on the road for about 45 shows per year. This is the part of the job I love the most because I get to interact with our customers in their native environment.
When customers ask for products at a show, I hate saying that I don't have it, so we order it in for next time.”
Paul and Beth still have eight horses on their Virginia farm, including Avezan who was Beth's eventing horse back in the day. Most of the other horses were born right there on the farm and are beloved members of their family.
Paul shared, “Although I enjoy setting up as a vendor at many venues, one of my favorites is Stable View Farm. Barry, Cyndy, and the whole crew get it - they're not just providing a horse show, they're providing an experience. That's the product - the experience. Everything matters when it comes to making the experience as hospitable as possible for the competitors. The stabling. Availability of Ice. Footing, footing, footing. Real prizes. Rider's lounge. Good food. World-class course design. The list goes on. All of these things make a difference for the competitors, and - as a vendor - it extends to me. If I ever run into a problem, Barry, Cyndy, and the amazing staff are there to help.”
As far as memorable Stable View experiences, Oktoberfest 2024 was one for the history books, with Hurricane Helen. Paul recalled, “I'll never forget being at Stable View when Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024. When I set up the tent, the
forecast called for 25 MPH winds in Aiken. As one day turned to the next, the forecast grew progressively worse. By the time we realized that we would bear the brunt of Helene, it was too late to do anything with the tent.”
The next morning left devastation across the southern part of the country. Paul said, “The tent Friday morning came, and the tent was in shambles. All the racks, shelves, tables and products were in a heap on the ground, covered {thankfully} by the remains of the tent. I was traumatized. Then something wonderful happened. The wind stopped. The sun started to peek out. And from all directions, my
customers came. “Hey Paul, how can we help?" "What can we do?" "Let us know if you need anything." From the Stable View staff the same queries. I don't often accept help, but this was one time that I really needed it. And it was there for me at Stable View. With the help of many, by the end of the day the tent was resurrected, the product (mostly) salvaged, and the show went on.”
Paul attends the majority of Stable View’s recognized horse trials and will be back for Oktoberfest this Fall. He shared, “If you see my tent at a Stable View show (or elsewhere), I invite you to SIGN IT! We started doing this at Stable View in April 2024. Hundreds of eventers have signed from Starters to Olympians. I often say that somewhere up there is the signature of a future Olympian that is on nobody's radar right now. It could be you!” Next time you see VTO Saddlery set up, go say hi to Paul.
Oktoberfest is Fast Approaching:
Oktoberfest is just around the corner, September 26 -28 . It opened a few days ago on August 12 . This year’s Intermediate, 3*, Advanced, and 4* Cross Country Courses will be designed by Helen West. The Beginner Novice through 2* will be designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller. Chris Barnard will design show jumping for all levels.
This Oktoberfest will also welcome the addition of a 1* division. The 4* Cross Country will feature an exciting new twist as it utilizes several arenas for peak spectator viewing as well as prep for the Fall Five-Stars.
Photo by Phelps Media Photos
Want to have prime viewing spots for FEI Cross Country Day? Join us for the VIP Experience on Saturday, September 27 . Ticket holders will receive a picnic lunch consisting of Stable View's signature charcuterie from the Stable View Bistro, open bar with beer and wine, access to the Pavilion upstairs, and a stainless steel Stable View tumbler! Click here to purchase your ticket today.
Regardless if you’re coming as a spectator, competitor, or volunteer, there will sure to be lots of fun to be had at Oktoberfest!
Photo
Be Apart of the First Blue Grass Festival at Stable View:
Stable View’s first Bluegrass Festival will take place Saturday, August 23 . Tickets are $30 per person, and children twelve rd and under are free. Don’t miss out on this incredible line-up including Holler Choir at 3pm, Aubrey Eisenman and The Clydes at 4:30pm, and Songs from the Road Band at 6pm. Whether you prefer to sit back and relax or spread out on the grass, ticket holders are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket for their comfort, as seating will not be provided at the event. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
Saturday, August 23rd 3–8pm a gathering place
Intercollegiate Corner: Kaleigh Collett
Kaleigh is a very familiar name and face to Intercollegiate and Interscholastic members. She is the Marketing & Advertising Manager of the USEA. She shared, “I wear several "hats" in my dayto-day responsibilities, including setting and creating content for the annual marketing plans for the USEA's programs and championships, managing the Association's advertising program, including ad sales and placement, and working with several committees on daily operations of their respective programs. The Intercollegiate Eventing Committee and the Interscholastic Eventing League Task Force are two examples of the groups that I serve as Staff Liaison. In my role as staff liaison, I help our dedicated volunteers coordinate meetings, submit requests to the Board of Governors, and work with our
partners, like Stable View, to execute program events and championships, like the USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Championships.”
Kaleigh graduated from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2020 with a B.S. in Marketing. During her time at UMD, she also completed a Strategic Design Fellowship through the business school. She explained, “This was a unique, cross-disciplinary program that honed creative thinking and innovative problem-solving skills through hands-on experience and case competitions.”
In addition to her college experience, Kaleigh also gained valuable experience in the equestrian industry. She shared, “I spent several years as an intern and contractor at the Washington International Horse Show in marketing and sponsorship roles, then my first fulltime job out of college was with the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, where I rose from an intern to the Event Manager of Marketing, Promotion, & Competition Management in just three years. I have been with the USEA since 2022.”
Kaleigh also rides herself and has been since she was ten years old. She began riding at a farm in Monkton, Maryland called Tranquillity Manor. She shared, “My coach, Holly Gilmore, aptly coined the farm as a "YMCA for Horse Lovers," as we have over 75 horses boarded on the property and their owners do everything from the hunter/jumpers,
dressage, and of course, eventing, to pleasure riding and fox hunting. I was lucky to grow up in a program that gave me an incredibly well-rounded education in the sport, and I competed in several disciplines at the lower levels with several off-the-track thoroughbreds that I produced myself with the help of my coach. I've had my current horse, Worthy, for eight years now, and he has competed unrecognized through the Novice level in eventing and 1.0m jumpers.”
Kaleigh is an essential part of the USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Championships. When asked her favorite part she said, “ The spirit and camaraderie. A student's school years are a transformational time in their development, and the community that the Intercollegiate and IEL Programs have cultivated for these kids is second to none when it comes to infectious positivity. Their support for their fellow teammates, and even their competitors on opposing teams, is evident all year-long, but it is especially heartwarming to see the week of the championship as the teams don their signature school colors and show up in droves at the in gate to cheer on their friends. I've said it before, and I will say it again to anyone who asks; this event is my favorite one of the year, even above
the 5-stars at this point. There is nothing like it when it comes to the energy and light these kids bring every single year to championship weekend!”
As the host of the previous two championships as well as the next two championships, Kaleigh has spent a lot of time with Stable View. She she was asked her favorite part she exclaimed, “The team! We are so lucky to have such fabulous partners in Barry and Cydny's staff. They never leave a stone unturned for the students, and they seem to get more creative by the year on how to make this a truly
special and endlessly fun event that the participants will never forget!”
Kaleigh has many memories from the championships. However her favorite might be from the 2025 Hobby Horse Combined Trial Show Jumping Contest. She said, “We had one IEL participant drive all the way from Wisconsin to represent her L'Esprit Equestrian IEL Club and Area IV by herself, and the way all the championship competitors welcomed her was incredible. You could barely hear yourself think when she took the course as all the collegiate and scholastic riders, as well as their parents and supporters, cheered her on!”
Stable View Spotlight: Helen West
Helen West has been designing the 4* Cross Country Courses at Stable View since April of 2024. Her course designing career started long before that as did her riding career.
Helen’s parents are not horsey and in fact she shared that her dad has still to this day never sat on one in his life. Helen said, “They actually met playing tennis, and I was supposed to play tennis, not ride horses! All I ever wanted to do was ride, so eventually my parents relented and let me go for lessons. I was lucky enough to get my first pony when I was seven, and the rest is history!”
Helen mostly did dressage when she was younger and competed in FEI Pony Dressage and rode at the Prix Saint George Level when
she was only twelve years old. She always wanted to event but at that time you had to be sixteen to join the British Horse Society and event. Helen shared, “With hindsight I think that everything I did on the flat paid dividends. I learned my trade in the Pony Club and built a solid foundation through this, going on to win the Pony Club National Eventing Championships. I was fortunate to ride on the British Junior 3 Day Event Team, followed by the British Young Rider 3 Day Event Team twice, winning gold at the Young Rider European Championships in 2001. I competed to 5* level and
produced several horses who went on to compete at 5* level. I have always enjoyed producing young horses and get a real sense of achievement from their progression.”
Helen still rides and competes, although she says nothing like she did in her younger years. She said, “I have a super four-year-old who I have
produced and qualified for the Burghley Young Event Horse Championships next month. I have jumped in her some pure Show Jumping four-year-old classes too and she is a proper one, so I am
Helen’s riding background was a natural step into the role of cross country course designing. She shared, “I got into course designing when I took my first proper job working for Clinton Devon Estates, managing Bicton Arena in 2013. My remit was to make the equestrian facility cost neutral, so once I arrived in post I looked at ways of cutting costs and thought to myself, surely, I could put the cross country tracks out to save paying for someone to come in and do it. Initially I began with the Pony Club and Riding Club tracks and quickly built up to doing the courses for
the British Eventing Horse Trials. I became a British Eventing accredited designer and, having caught the bug for it, progressed up through the FEI ranks so that I could design at the International Horse Trials too. It very much became my favourite part of my job at Bicton, and I was lucky that the Estate supported me in this and enabled me to design at other venues in the UK. From there, I have branched out across the water to Ireland and then in 2024 over to the USA for the first time.”
Regarding Stable View, Helen shared, “Stable View is a truly unique venue, which I feel honored to be a part of. I love coming over and being part of the Stable View team, and if you love something you are doing, you throw yourself into it fully and it doesn’t feel like work, as it is your passion. I have worked within the industry for most of my life in the UK, either as a rider, organizer, or official, and I really enjoy working with different people when I come to Stable View. I find it fascinating to see the same sport through different eyes in a different country. We never stop learning when we are working with horses, and I enjoy watching and embracing different styles and views.” She continued on to say, “I enjoy the challenge of getting to know how riders in the US expect the Stable View fixtures to fit into their calendar and preparation for the big 3 Day Events Stateside.
Ultimately, I want my tracks to ride well and give the feel I would want to experience if I were riding them myself. I feel strongly that as a designer, I must be fair to the horse and questions must be clear for them. As riders, we will always make mistakes but the ethos of the relationship and trust between horse and rider must always shine through in the cross country phase.”
Outside of horses, Helen enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs. She also does some occasional gardening, when her time permits as well as curling up on the sofa her dogs, a good book, and perhaps with a glass of wine in her hand.
She runs Bicton with her husband, Andrew Fell. Therefore she says, “It is always a
a challenge to switch off from work especially when you are working alongside your spouse. Andrew is also an FEI Official, and we have been fortunate to go some amazing places such as Japan, Chile, and Stable View of course. We both love travelling, we just need to get better at stepping away from work!”
Stable View looks forward to welcoming Helen back as the Intermediate, 3*, Advanced, and 4* Course Designer for Oktoberfest at the end of September. If you would like to learn more about Helen and the average day of a course designer, click here for Helen’s Day in the Life at Stable View.