Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Sherbondy.
Tiffany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always had a love and passion for horses. My parents bought me my first horse when I was in 6th grade and then a young competitive show horse when I was in high school. I had to work many hours at the facility where I boarded and trained in order to help pay for training, boarding, and showing. I learned a lot about self-discipline, pride, and working hard to get where you want. Most of the kids I competed against just showed up and rode, while I had to work hard to earn my keep as well as work hard on my riding when showing a young horse. I was fortunate enough to grow up and compete in the very competitive world of south Florida, but when it came time for college I decided I was ready for a change in scenery and received a degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University.
At Colorado State I continued to compete on my personal horse at “A” shows as well as on the intercollegiate team. I competed nationally and was also selected for an intercollegiate team representing the USA competing in Scotland. I learned a great deal more about horses through my degree and obtained instructor certification in beginner through advanced jumping. When I graduated, I again decided it was time for a change and chose to move to the San Diego area where the horse industry is also very competitive. I briefly worked for someone else and decided to take a chance and start my own training business.
My goals have always been to have the horses best interest at heart, first and foremost, and to remember that I do this for the love of the horses. I have also always strive for quality over quantity and will only take on what I can do myself. I will always be the one riding the horses, teaching, and overseeing those that are in training with me. I have been so fortunate to have many amazing horses and riders come through my barn throughout the years and to have had many successes with them in and out of the show ring. But it always comes back to these amazing animals that I feel so lucky to be able to work with.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been pretty fortunate… I have learned that business comes in waves. There have been times when I’ve had only a few clients, and there have been times when maybe I had too many. My biggest challenge was growing and learning mostly through life experience how to deal with each client. The horses are fairly easy to figure out, but people aren’t; especially when parents of competing children come into play. But overall, I really have been lucky to have worked with amazing people that truly love horses as well. A recent challenge for me has been having two young kids myself and balancing work and mom life. I have definitely cut back in recent years while they are young, but I know soon enough, I will be back in full swing.
Elite Show Stables – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Elite Show Stables is the name of my business which involves training horses and riders in the hunter/jumper discipline. I mostly work with riders that own their own horses. Most of my riders compete, but it is not required. Those that do compete do so at the county level and “A” rated shows. I run my training business out of the wonderful boarding facility called Peppertree Farms located in Poway. I started my business at this very location over twelve years ago. It is a great facility that has been extremely supportive of Elite Show Stables and I am proud to say that we have found a very happy home there. Elite Show Stables is a small business that you will get a ‘family’ feeling from. There are no employees, assistants, or grooms. I strive to create competent riders and horsemen. You can expect to learn how to properly care for and confidently ride your horse as a member of my barn.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
This is a tough one to answer with so many students having achieved so much. There have certainly been big wins from medal finals to Championship shows. I have taken horses that had minimal training and exposure and had them become Champions at multiple shows over the years. Some of my students have started with me when they were in elementary school and trained and showed with me until they go off to college. What makes me most proud is seeing them go from jumping cross rails to showing in the big junior divisions. Mentoring them through horses helps mentor them through life, and some of them I am still very close to even now after they have graduated college.
Contact Info:
- Address: 15015 Lucidi Farms Way
Poway, CA 92064 - Website: www.EliteShowStables.com
- Phone: 858-401-0202
- Email: Tiffany@EliteShowStables.com
- Instagram: eliteshowstables
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteShowStables/
Image Credit:
Kristina Chartier, Jill John
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