Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on young professional Tina Robinson. Growing up with her family-owned Brookfield Farms in Clarence, New York, Robinson’s path in equestrian sport was paved at a young age. Today, Robinson operates her own business, Verve Equestrian, with Manu Defossez. The duo journeyed to World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for the first time for Fall Classic I with two talented horses, Quetza Hero & DB and Lollipop 27. We caught up with Robinson to learn more about her business and her goals.
WEC: Tell us a bit about your riding journey.
I started when I was about four years old. My mom has ridden her whole life, so that is how I got into it. I did the equitation growing up and through my junior years. I do just jumpers now. We have a couple of sale horses and a few clients now. We are growing our program. I do training with hunters, jumpers, dressage, kids on ponies, all of it.
WEC: What is your day-to-day like at Verve Equestrian?
Day-to-day is mostly just riding our horses and sale horses and teaching lessons. My family owns the barn in Clarence, so we do a lot of work around the barn to make sure everything is always up to standard. We oversee all of that. Brookfield Farms is the barn that we are at, but Verve Equestrian is our sales business.
WEC: Tell us about your first experience at WEC – Wilmington.
We love it here. It is so nice. We can’t believe we have never been here before! Everything is spotless. It is immaculate. The footing and jumps are great. It is run so well.
I find the classes really inviting. It is challenging enough that they are learning something, but you aren’t going in unsure if you can get it done. The prize money is great for the classes that they’re offering.
WEC: Tell us about the horses you brought to Fall Classic I, Quetza Hero & DB and Lollipop 27.
We brought two this week and I have a couple of clients coming next week.
One is eight years old. She was second in the welcome and the prix. We imported her about a year ago and we have been bringing her along. She has been super. She has the biggest heart and is so sweet. This was actually her first grand prix that she jumped, her first 1.40m.
Lollipop 27 is the other mare that we brought. We imported her in January. She is actually pretty green. She didn’t show in Europe and she is seven, so she is just stepping up into some bigger classes. We are starting to move up to 1.30m and the seven-year-old division. This is her first indoor show.
WEC: What are some of your goals with your business?
I would really like to win a grand prix. That’s always been on my list of things that I want to do. I want to continue bringing horses along and sell them to the right person. I want to go as far as I can go with the sport.
Thank you, Tina, for taking the time to speak with us! We wish you continued success in and out of the ring.