Ocala, FL – This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines USA’s Chloe Reid. Reid, based in Ocala, Florida, has been a frequent competitor under the lights in the WEC Grand Arena with her talented string of horses. The decorated young professional has mastered her craft and has been selected to compete in numerous Nations Cup™ events representing the United States. We caught up with Reid to learn more about her experience at World Equestrian Center – Ocala and her successful journey in the industry.
WEC: How did you get started riding?
I started riding when I was four years old down the street here in Ocala, Florida. My uncle is a twenty-time USCF national championship in driving and my grandmother has a very successful racehorse operation based out of Ocala. So, horses are in my blood. It’s in my family and I had a very horsey background from the start!
WEC: Tell us about your current string of horses.
I have four horses here with me. Luis P is my older guy. He’s been there, done that, and seen it all. He has been around the world with me, and I showed him in the Grand Prix this week. I also have one of my up-and-coming horses, Crossover 4. We’ve had a lot of success already in the international classes. We were second here in the Welcome back in March. He’s just hitting the peak time of his career so it’s super exciting.
I also have two younger ones. Chelsea, who is eight this year, and Charlotta, who is nine this year. I think I’ll do the National Grand Prix this week and FEI next.
WEC: What does a typical day in the barn look like for you?
When I’m here, I am very fortunate that I get to sleep in my own bed! It is a very short drive across the street to come to this amazing facility and I’m very spoiled. I have some that stay at home, and I ride them over there. I always do that first thing or show here first, and I get to go home to ride the rest. It’s really nice to get to come to a really nice show but also have dinner with my family every night and have a little bit of a normal life!
WEC: How has WEC – Ocala played a role in your recent riding career?
Two years ago, I fractured my tailbone at the end of Wellington and then I used the summer series here to get going again because I was off for a little bit to heal. I have ridden in Europe with the Beerbaum’s for eight or nine years but have gone on my own the past two summers. That summer I ended up not going to Europe because I just wasn’t fit enough myself, so we used this series at WEC – Ocala to get the horses going. It was really nice to develop the younger horses and start gearing them all up to the top level for the winter season here. This year without Souper Shuttle competing, I didn’t have a top string that I wanted to go to Europe. So, with the opportunity of these big classes just in our backyard it seemed silly not to take advantage of that.
My favorite part of WEC – Ocala is definitely the toy store. Every time I walk in there, I get the feeling of a six-year-old little girl, it’s just amazing!
WEC: How has your experience managing a horse show changed your perspective as a rider?
I’m co-president of the Live Oak International Horse Show and it is a lot of fun, and awesome and crazy! I always say that I will never be the first to get to show and start complaining because after running one myself you realize the sweat and tears that go into it. It does really open your eyes as a competitor. I also know the USEF that FEI rules a lot deeper now from playing both sides, but it is really fun that both Chester [Weber] and I get to travel the world all year, go to really nice shows and then get to come back. We try to take what we learned from everywhere else and utilize it in our own horse show in our own backyard. We just learn from everyone else and see what people really love.
WEC: What is one long term goal and one short term goal of yours?
I was able to compete last year in Aachen with the US team and I mean, that for our sport is I think the pinnacle. It is an amazing opportunity. When I was there, I just kept saying that I needed to work as hard as I could to get back here. So, to be able to represent my country in any show, especially the championships, would be the ultimate goal.