San Francisco Peninsula Chapter California Dressage Society

Meet the SFP Chapter members

This Month: Jennifer Van De Loo

Q. When did you first start riding?
I started horseback riding when I was 3 years old. A farmer in our little village rescued this Shetland pony. He got it for his grandchild who was never around. I started riding the mean little thing. It would kick when it saw a saddle and run home when it thought it was time for lunch or dinner. Not sure if I learned how to ride or rather how to fall.

Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)?
Well, there is Miss Tori and Mister Antares. We found Tori in Placerville. On our way to Tahoe we stopped to check her out. I knew she was ‘it’ right away. 4 years old, tied to a trailer all by herself. She just seemed like she had the right temperament and certainly the right color. She turned 9 this year. Antares came much later as my school master. Very pretty but not very sturdy. He now enjoys the grassy pastures in Brentwood.

Q. How did you become interested in dressage?
Dressage came late in my life. I used to ride on the race track for a long time. I got into dressage when I moved to the US 7 years ago. I leased a horse for the first 2-3 years and really got into it when we bought Tori.

Q. What are your goals with dressage?
Ride in harmony with no visible aids. My main goal is to enjoy my horse and improve my riding.

Q. Where do you keep your horse(s)?
Stanford Equestrian Center

Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who?
Heidi Gaian

Q. Do you show?
Yes. Currently showing at second level.

Q. What is your regular “day job”?
Development Project Manager at a software company

Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule?
I ride 5 days a week if I am not traveling. I have early morning meetings with Germany and late night meetings with India. I ride whenever I can find a 2 hour slot. It helps to have Tori at Stanford which is only 5 minutes from my office.

Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding?
Yes. I do not ride Sundays. This day is family day!

Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy?
I love to snowboard, bike, run and enjoy rock climbing.


	Meet the SFP Chapter members This Month: Jennifer Van De Loo Q. When did you first start riding? I started horseback riding when I was 3 years old. A farmer in our little village rescued this Shetland pony. He got it for his grandchild who was never around. I started riding the mean little thing. It would kick when it saw a saddle and run home when it thought it was time for lunch or dinner. Not sure if I learned how to ride or rather how to fall. Q. Tell us a little about your horse(s)? Well, there is Miss Tori and Mister Antares. We found Tori in Placerville. On our way to Tahoe we stopped to check her out. I knew she was ‘it’ right away. 4 years old, tied to a trailer all by herself. She just seemed like she had the right temperament and certainly the right color. She turned 9 this year. Antares came much later as my school master. Very pretty but not very sturdy. He now enjoys the grassy pastures in Brentwood. Q. How did you become interested in dressage? Dressage came late in my life. I used to ride on the race track for a long time. I got into dressage when I moved to the US 7 years ago. I leased a horse for the first 2-3 years and really got into it when we bought Tori. Q. What are your goals with dressage? Ride in harmony with no visible aids. My main goal is to enjoy my horse and improve my riding. Q. Where do you keep your horse(s)? Stanford Equestrian Center Q. Do you train with anyone? If yes, who? Heidi Gaian Q. Do you show? Yes. Currently showing at second level. Q. What is your regular “day job”? Development Project Manager at a software company Q. How do you fit riding into your schedule? I ride 5 days a week if I am not traveling. I have early morning meetings with Germany and late night meetings with India. I ride whenever I can find a 2 hour slot. It helps to have Tori at Stanford which is only 5 minutes from my office. Q. Is your husband/partner/family supportive of your riding? Yes. I do not ride Sundays. This day is family day! Q. Outside of riding, what other hobbies or sports do you enjoy? I love to snowboard, bike, run and enjoy rock climbing.