Brian Walker: Forward Focus

Brian Walker’s success as a junior rider correctly predicted a career as a professional of equal measure. Winner of the ASPCA Maclay (2001), AHSA Medal, CET, and Jump Canada Medal Finals (2000), his equitation roots have served him well as he moved on to victories aboard prolific hunters such as Strapless and Garfield. Recently, his focus has moved to the grand prix ring aboard his top horse, Tamara 296, a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by the Tomorrow Group.

Brian holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. Born in 1983 in Augusta, GA, he moved to his mother’s hometown of Montreal, QC, when he was eight. He established himself as a young talent in the show ring, riding with such esteemed horsepeople as Gladys Adams, Buddy Brown, and Paul Valliere. At 14, he began competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Under the tutelage of Missy Clark, his final three junior years were spent almost exclusively training and competing south of the border. As a young professional, he spent time developing his abilities working for Todd Minikus, Peter Leone, and Jan Tops. Brian, 32, now operates Woodside Farm Inc., based out of Wellington and Lexington, KY.

Hard Work and Rewards

The switch to show jumping was a natural progression for Brian. “The transition to riding only jumpers hasn’t been very tough. If anything, focusing on one discipline allows you to get that much better. I believe good riding is good riding, and that good training is good training.”

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While he has not yet reached his long-term goals, there are many highlights in his career of which he is proud. “I have worked very hard to get to where I am now, and what really makes me proud is when the students do well. When a client wins a big class it is incredibly rewarding – you see how all the hard work training both horse and rider has paid off.” His client base currently consists of a select group of talented juniors and amateurs, including Vancouverite Hannah Norris.

Brian has developed a number of horses that have been extremely successful. One hunter he sold to Betsy Parker for Scott Stewart to ride is the Oldenburg gelding Lucador, which was one of Brian’s all-time favourites. “I loved everything about him,” he says of the outstanding conformation hunter and derby mount. Another of Brian’s favourites is Whiskey, a German-bred chestnut gelding he purchased for his wife, Sophie, to ride in the amateur/owner jumpers. “She never tried Whiskey and hated him at first,” he says, “but by the end, he was the only one she ever really wanted to ride. He ended up being one of her best horses.”

Friends and Teamwork

Brian’s determination to achieve his goals led him to seek out the advice of Kent Farrington, with whom he has been a close friend since the two competed as juniors. They have since developed a close business relationship within the sport.

“You need to work hard and have the right horses, along with a superb team,” says Brian. “That includes everyone from your trainer, manager, groom, blacksmith, and vet. I want to surround myself with the best team, which is why I work together with Kent. He has really helped me in my career and is not only an amazing rider, but also an amazing trainer of both horse and rider. His focus and determination are most admirable, and his competitive edge is contagious. For me, just being around that attitude makes me want to train harder and win more. I have learned a lot from watching him ride and picking his brain about everything, not only horses.

“Aside from our business relationship, Kent is a rock-steady friend. With the recent passing of Sophie, he has been there for me in ways I could have never imagined.”

Eyes Up and Moving Forward

Maintaining a string of top horses requires a strong team assembled behind the collective goal. “One of the hardest things is that the industry has grown so much in the past 10 years,” says Brian. “While this means that the prize money has also grown, it makes the top horses even more expensive and harder to find. To get to the top, I need not one good horse, but a team of good horses.” Besides Tamara, Brian is also developing Cassidy, an 11-year-old, and a new horse, the eight-year-old Carlson 93.

“The relationship you have with your horse is paramount,” Brian adds. “Sometimes you get to a certain level and forget why you started riding to begin with. As little kids, we all started riding for the love of the animals, and I feel it’s important to really know your horse’s character. The better you know your horse in the barn, the easier it is to train in the ring.”

Looking ahead, the team plans to start out in Kentucky in May, followed by a few weeks throughout the summer in Tryon, and possibly even a month in Europe. “I want to compete at FEI shows with good money where I think I have a chance at being competitive.” Brian says.”I would like to get to the next level – Nations Cups, World Cup Finals, and every major championship. I would love to make it on the team, but I also want to focus on making my riding better and trying to win classes. When I have the horses to go to the best shows and feel competitive, then I’ll go. For now, I’ll focus on more three-star shows and work from there.”

“The better you know your horse in the barn, the easier it is to train in the ring.”

As little kids, we all started riding for the love of the animals, and I feel it’s important to really know your horse’s character.