It was quite impressive when GoHorseShow found out that the 2013 AQHYA World Champions in the hunter under Saddle, Katerina Mendel and Willys On The Green (Indy) led in total points in every go around, semi-finals, and finals. We wanted to know more about Katerina’s trainer, Rosie Clarke Sheffer. So, we set out to find out more about the 33 Year-Old Michigan native. GoHorseShow enjoys introducing new trainers to our readers and finding out more about people in our industry who may still be under the radar or on the verge of making a name for themselves.
A: I knew this horse and rider had the talent and preparation to win but I was shocked and thrilled we reached our goal, and that it actually happened. It has been a dream come true and a lot of hard work and dedication. I still feel like I’m dreaming, but it’s slowly sinking in that we won the World Show We have received so much support, encouragement and congratulations from our fellow competitors and trainers-it’s unbelievable. I’m so excited to get recognized and to be able to show off what I can produce as a trainer.
Q: Please tell us about how you got involved with horses…
A: I started in horses when I was six years-old. I begged my parents for years for riding lessons, and, finally, they caved in, and I started with English lessons. I got my first horse, Fawn, when I was nine. Fawn was a barrel racing mare that I eventually trained to win in the hunt seat, western, jumping and even dressage along with the speed events. The mare taught me that patience, hard work and that tons of hours in the saddle is the best way to train a horse to do almost anything.
Q: What can you tell us about the horses and events you showed in growing up?
A: I had multiple horses growing up and showed multiple disciplines including hunter jumpers and the AQHA circuit. As an amateur, I focused on the AQHA circuit and loved every minute of it showing two amazing geldings, SW Zips Rolex and Havin A Kitkat Fit. I was a multiple top ten finisher at the Congress in both equitation and horsemanship. I turned professional in 2004 after I graduated college at the University of Michigan.
Q: What do you enjoy about being a trainer?
A: Being a trainer is the most rewarding and challenging experience so far in my career. I can’t imagine doing anything else. My passion for showing, training and coaching keeps me focused and driven towards making the most out of each horse and rider I work with, always striving to reach their goals and beyond.
Q: Tell us about your training facility?
A: I have my own farm, Rose Haven Farm, that is located in Grass Lake, Michigan. I specialize in hunt seat and the all-around horses. I love working with youths and amateurs not only in the hunter under saddle and pleasure but also in the pattern classes, trail and the hunter hack. I teach a lot of lessons and hold weekly clinics at our barn. I love working one on one with clients and their horses making each horse and rider combination a stronger team.
Q: Tell us about some of the horses you have trained that we may know.
A: My husband, Brent and I love picking out young untrained horses and training them up for the show pen. Willys On The Green was one horse we purchased as an unbroke two year-old, but there are others we have been very successful with. Our first world champion was a paint gelding named, Jr Chocolate Convoy. We bought him as a yearling, and, as a three year-old, my husband rode him at the Pinto World Show and won two world championships in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure and Ideal Western Pleasure and was Reserve Champion in Amateur Western Pleasure. Stardom Xl was a an unbroke four year-old when we purchased him and two years later my client, Katie Hamm, was Reserve AQHA Congress Champion in Novice Amateur Hunter Hack (pictured right), and I was top ten in the Junior Hunter Hack. Under my guidance, Lethal Buckshot and Sara Girbach were ABRA World Champions in showmanship and reserve world champions in western pleasure. Also, you may know, Invitation To Boot and Caleb Bailie. We purchased this talented mare as a two year-old and trained and showed her until 2011 when Caleb purchased her. They have continued on to be Reserve Congress Champions and finished this year multiple times in the Top Ten at the AQHYA World Show.
Q: How did you start working with Katerina?
A: I started training Katerina 11 years ago. She took riding lessons and participated in my summer camp when she was seven years-old. Katerina is a passionate dedicated student that loves riding and showing as much as I do. She rides multiple times a week and would live at the barn if she could. I am so fortunate to have such a dedicated hardworking student like Katerina and one who has amazing parents that have supported her in reaching her goals. Katerina started showing in the walk trot at open shows and worked her way up to doing AQHA by the time she was 13. She led the state of Michigan in the hunter under saddle, equitation and hunter hack on her mare, One Shining Example, but when I purchased Willys On The Green and asked Katerina to hop on him–she fell in love with Indy the first time she rode him as a two year-old. I knew they were a match. He is so kind and willing and has a big heart so it is hard not to fall in love with him. So, Katerina purchased him, and it’s been a surreal experience. Indy and Katerina are leading the nation in the Youth Hunter Under Saddle, and I am leading in the Junior Hunter Under Saddle. Katerina is like family to me, and it’s been a wonderful feeling being able to teach her and her horse everything they know and end up finishing as a world champion.
Q: What are some of your future goals?
A: You’re welcome!
Photos © KC Montgomery (released), Jeff Kirkbride and Eye of The Horse Photography
