Ocala, FL – This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines on young professional Addison Reed of Mechanicsville, Virginia. Reed comes from a family that incudes generations of renowned equestrians. Riding out of her family’s Stillmeadows Farm and Reed Training and Sales LLC, she has been in the irons her entire life. We caught up with Addison to learn more about her career and some of the horses that she has at World Equestrian Center – Ocala during the 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series.
WEC: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My parents Sulu and Derek Reed have been in the horse business a long time, then my grandmother before that and her father as well. I have been riding my entire life and it has been the biggest part of my life.
I started out riding the ponies and showing in the pony hunter divisions. I always liked jumpers, even with my hunter pony I would do little jumper classes. I had this pony named Stormy Weather that I did in the little jumpers for a year and he taught me how to go fast.
I always dabbled in the equitation as a kid. I would show in the 11 and under divisions, but as I got a bit older, my focus shifted a bit more to the equitation and jumpers. The past few years, I had a big focus on the equitation and trying to do well at the finals.
As soon as I aged out, I became a professional because I do a lot of riding for my parents and our business, Reed Training and Sales. We have a lot of great clients who are generous enough to let me ride their horses at the beginning of the week before they come down to show.
WEC: What horses are you currently showing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala?
I am very lucky to have some fantastic horses right now. I have Goliath who I have had for four or five years. He’s the best and has done so much for me. We have gone everywhere together. When I first got him, our first few classes were in the Lows and we’ve been working our way up through the heights together. The biggest classes I’ve ever jumped, are the biggest classes he’s ever jumped. We have come a long way together and he is like my giant puppy, we call him Lumpy in the barn. He does tricks like smiling on command and always knows how to make your day better.
I have a horse named Doc Di Villigana who’s a new partner for me. He’s a sale horse that I am fortunate enough to be able to ride. He’s lovely and tries his heart out every day.
I have a five-year-old named Incognito. He’s just getting started in the five-year-old classes. I bought him as a three-year-old, so it has been a lot of fun to do the work and bring him along myself. It’s nice to have him here at such a nice facility where it’s friendly and he can ease his way through the levels.
I also have Kletcher, a lovely eight-year-old. He’s had an easy summer because we were running around so much, so it’s great to have him here where he can consistently show and continuously be trained in a variety of arenas.
WEC: What does a typical horse show day look like for you?
I normally get to the barn around 6am-6:30am depending on the day. I try to hack two horses in the morning before I start walking courses around 7am or 7:30am. I usually have an early morning class like the 1.20m or 1.30m, then the rest of my day is running around, riding horses and meeting clients at the rings with my parents.
My parents work really hard and all of our clients are so generous, I am so grateful to have such a great support system. Every day is a busy day, but we always have a great time.
WEC: How long have you been showing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala?
I have been coming to WEC since the first year it opened. The horses and clients fell in love with it here, and so did we. The horses go so well because the footing is so well kept, and the stabling is fantastic. A lot of people argue you can’t do it better.
Our horses never get exhausted, they feel comfortable here which is hard to do at show. The atmosphere here is so inviting and there are so many places to hack and ride, the horses never get bored.
It’s also great for the clients who have one horse. They can come ride then they get to enjoy all the other aspects of the facility, like the shopping, food and the spa. WEC – Ocala can’t be beat!
Thank you Addison for taking the time to chat with us! We are happy to have you at World Equestrian Center!
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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