Today we’d like to introduce you to Taren Hoffos.
Taren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Copper Meadows was born from a love of horses and a passion for the sport of three-day Eventing. My mom, Carolyn Hoffos, began riding at ten years old, at a feedlot in what is now Mission Valley. Her love for horses was passed on to me at a very early age – my first time on a horse was as a two-year-old – and she longed to own her own barn and host a recognized competition site for Eventing. Flash forward to 1999, she and my father purchased Copper Meadows in Ramona and set to work creating a barn and show site.
Since 2000, Copper has hosted yearly horse events from February through November, with the largest event taking place each March. Our event in March attracts 250 – 300 competitors, spans three days and is similar to a horse triathlon. Each horse and rider team compete in three disciplines over three days: Dressage the first day, cross-country the second, and show jumping the third. Dressage is similar to a compulsory test in the sport of gymnastics: each horse and rider team at each level ride the same test in front of the same judge and are scored on a penalty system of 1 – 10 for each movement of their test.
The second day the same horse and rider team tackle a course of solid obstacles over varied terrain called cross-country. Jumps include logs, water obstacles, banks, and ditches. Each course is measured out and has specifications for length, difficulty, and time, the goal being to add no additional penalties to the dressage score. The third day is another jumping test in an enclosed arena, with striped poles that fall down; each pole knocked down adds four penalty points to the overall score of horse and rider. Our sport is similar to golf: lowest score wins. After my mom officially retired, I took over organization of the events in 2010, as well as management of our boarding operations: we have approximately 35 horses boarded full time at Copper.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in the horse industry is smooth sailing. However, I feel so lucky to be living my passion every day. Horses, like most animals, require near round the clock attention, so finding good, reliable help is imperative. At Copper we’re lucky to have like-minded, dependable people who care about the horses’ welfare as much as we do.
My advice for women who aspire to be surrounded by horses all day is work hard and specialize: find out what you do well, whether that is starting and working with young horses, teaching lessons, or managing a boarding operation, and put your energy toward that. If you can find your niche in this industry you will be successful and happy going to work each day. Also, never stop learning! I’ve been riding for 30 years and still crave and need lessons – just when you think you’ve ridden every type of horse and you’ve got the tools to succeed, you’ll meet a horse who challenges you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and when you do ask, listen.
Please tell us about Copper Meadows Eventing.
I have a few roles at Copper Meadows. I teach lessons, ride horses, manage the boarding operations, and organize and run events. I think that first and foremost I’m a teacher: I love giving lessons and teaching clinics and have wonderful clients I get to see weekly. Copper Meadows’ emphasis, from lessons to events, is on learning in a safe, relaxed, and fun environment. We are known for our ‘unrecognized’ show series, which happens 7 – 9 times a year.
These shows are not affiliated with our larger governing body, the US Eventing Association, however we offer the same format of show that a competitor would find at a nationally recognized event. Because the shows are unrecognized, we are able to make them affordable, giving riders an economical way to gain show experience and train their horses in a top-class environment. We see Copper as a stepping stone for horses and riders, from beginners looking for show miles to seasoned competitors wanting to brush up their skills. I am so proud of this show series, called the Sun Series, because I get to see the future of our sport, and have a hand in their development as a team.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Enjoy the process. This lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s important to remember to recognize and enjoy each moment of your journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: 641 Montecito way
Ramona, CA 92065 - Website: www.copper-meadows.com
- Phone: 8586101693
- Email: tarenhoffos@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coppermeadows/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coppermeadowseventing/
Image Credit:
Ken Heskestad (Image of Taren Hoffos)
Captured Moment Photo (Image of white horse jumping)
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