Team Horses
Stanford University owns (or borrows) more than thirty horses. All of Stanford’s horses are donated, coming from diverse backgrounds. Their experience runs the gamut from top-rated show champions to trusted beginner mounts. Our horses are the heart of our program and are beloved by the team. We would like to thank all the horse owners who have donated horses to our program, as well as those who let us use their horses in our shows and lessons.
People
Airborne
“Airborne” Donated by Rebecca Cyphers, this warmblood gelding has done it all! From eventing to jumpers, Airborne (sometimes known as ‘Aerie’ to his fans) may take a little extra leg, but his lovely jump makes it worthwhile!
Biscuit
“Biscuit” is Kindly loaned to the Team by the Close family, Biscuit is one of the most adored mares in the barn! Her smaller stature holds the biggest heart! And, don’t let her size fool you: she gets down the lines with her lovely canter just fine!
Casper
“Casper” Cassini Royal 5 (Casper) is a Holsteiner gelding donated by the Bates family. With wins in the jumpers (1.30m, WCE) from Menlo to Spruce Meadows and his start in the Hunter Derbies, he is a favorite of our Open riders. Casper was the 2018 IHSA Z8R1 Horse of the Year.
Cheese
“Cheese” Argento (Cheese) is a lovely Dutch Warmblood gelding donated by the Schoen family. After a successful career in the hunter arena, including many top finishes in National Hunter Derbies, Junior Hunters, and Performance Hunters, Cheese has taken to his new “job” at the Red Barn, enjoying both jumping practices and Dressage work.
Cloudy
“Cloudy” Cloud 9 (Cloudy), a handsome German warmblood gelding had extensive wins up and down the East Coast in the Hunters before being donated by the McIntyre Family. Cloudy is not only a wonderful draw over fences but a professional-level napper who enjoys sleeping in his turnout every single day and lots of treats from his riders.
Ebony
“Ebony” Miss Ebony (Ebony), is a Canadian Warmblood/Welsh Pony mare donated by the Hoffman family who is as kind as they come. But, along with her sweet disposition are some serious Dressage accolades, including year-end honors in the CDS at First-Level.
Gigi
“Gigi” Seekers Lil Margie (Gigi) is one of the elder stateswomen of the Red Barn. She came all the way from South Carolina, thanks to Gigi Clark, (with her barn mate Maya) to join our Western team and today she lives the easy life, teaching PE and walk-jog lessons to her many fans.
Hemingway
“Hemingway” Hemingway is a fitting barn name for (show name: Cro) this big, handsome, smart, and occasionally irascible KWPM gelding. Donated by the Ashton Family, Hemi is well-schooled over fences and in Dressage, with a huge step and a lovely, flat equitation jump.
Hercules
“Hercules” Camaro Z (Hercules) is a handsome Zangersheide donated by the Alter Family. Hercules started his West Coast career in the 1.20m and 1.30m’s before Sophie Alter discovered his love for the equitation ring and now he enjoys being a top Open Fences mount… though with a history of jumping out of even our tallest paddock (6’1”!) he still occasionally reminds us of his athleticism. Hercules was voted as the 2022 IHSA Z8R1 Horse of the Year.
Mia
“Mia” Mia Little Whiz (Mia) is an AQHA reining star on loan by Sue Barton. This little mare has it all: spins stops and has loads of personality.
Quinn
“Quinn” Greyscale (Quinn) was donated by the Coe Family and he truly is an equitation star! Quinn is a dream to ride on the flat and over fences. Well-schooled in all of the equitation tests, he is one of the Team’s best draws!
Rook
“Rook” Checkmate (Rook) is an Oldenburg gelding donated by the Taylor family. A wonderful equitation mount with a lovely personality in the barn, Rook is loved by our IEA and IHSA riders.
Sheldon
Sheldon, Bazinga (Sheldon) is one of the kindest, mellowest thoroughbred gelding you will ever meet. On loan from Hillary Johnson, Sheldon is a perennial Limit Fences champion at every single home show!
Sinatra
Sinatra Sinatra Ruhm (Sinatra) is a dashingly handsome Hanoverian gelding who did the Medal and Maclay’s before being donated by the Stone Family. This sensitive and loving horse has such a soft mouth that he enjoys going bitless half the week (all the more room for cookies in his mouth!).
Spotify
Spotify, Spotify, a KWPN gelding donated by the Reichow family was named 2023 IHSA Z8R1 Horse of the Year and it is easy to see why: his wonderful equitation jump (he won the PCHA Medal Finals with Emma Reichow aboard) and skills on the flat make him a dream draw. He is cheeky as can be, sometimes sticking his tongue out as he canters around, but he is an absolute love in the stall.