MEET
THE
TRAINERS
OF
RICKFORD STABLES
L-R: Dale, Brittany, Chris, Terri and Chris'
daughter, Sierra
Hi, There!
We're the Rickfords and we're pleased you've dropped in to
meet us. The picture above is a little old (Chris'
daughter, Sierra, is now eight!) but you get the idea.
Dale and I are natives of Utah where we met on our
Intermountain Show Circuit, married, and got our beginnings
in the training business. Each of us had been active
exhibitors in our own right, with Dale training and showing
Hunters, Jumpers and Arabians, and I had experience with
Saddlebreds, Hackneys and Western and Hunter Pleasure
horses. When we married, it only seemed natural to
merge our philosophies and talents to open the doors of our
own training business in 1968. Rickford Stables was
an all-breed barn competing in Open (All-Breed) Shows, and
our show-string consisted of Hunters, Jumpers, Western
Pleasure horses of various breeds, American Saddlebreds,
and Tennessee Walking horses.
In the years since, we have combined our knowledge and
skills to produce countless winners in Open and Breed
competitions. We were introduced to the Morgan breed
in 1972, and by 1977 had gradually built a show
string based on the breed. Having always shown
locally, in 1981 we attended our first World
Championship/Grand National Morgan Horse Show, and were
rewarded by earning our first National Champion Ladies
Western Pleasure Horse title with a grand mare named
"Hovey's Malinda". She changed our lives forever by
opening the door to the World and National show scene in
the Morgan breed. In 1985, we limited our show string
to Morgans only. We became AHSA "R" rated judges and
have officiated at every major Regional Championship show,
as well as having judged the Morgan World Championship Show
twice. We have also served on the AMHA Judges Seminar
panels, helping new applicants and advancing judges become
better acquainted the the nuances of Western and Hunter
Pleasure. We were also instrumental in bringing the
AMHA's Rules and Regulations up to date with regard to the
Western Pleasure division.
Our children, Chris and Brittany, grew up in the show horse
industry, assisting us in every phase from training to
breeding. They began showing clientele horses at an
early age and each made the decision to turn Professional
upon reaching eighteen.
Chris is responsible for the successful operations of
Rickford Stables, both at home and at the shows. His
out-going personality puts both owners and students at
ease. He is especially good working with shy and
timid horses, establishing bonds of trust in a short
time. While his show talents have been utilized to
contribute to the wins of Rickford Stables, he prefers
working with the Amateurs and Junior Exhibitors in their
own search for success. Horses and riders under his
direction have won World, National and Regional titles in
Carriage Driving, Western and Hunter Pleasure, and
Equitation.
Chris and his wife, Virginia (aka "Ginny"), a successful
veterinarian, have three beautiful daughters: Sierra
Lynn, Liberty Shea and Ryanna Lee. Ginny is an avid
rider whenever she has the opportunity, and both of their
oldest daughters are enthusiastic riders. Chris
currently splits his time between the training operation
and raising the girls while Ginny is at her Veterinary
Clinic.
Brittany Rickford Weibel is an accomplished horsewoman and
has contributed significantly to the success of Rickford
Stables, both as a Trainer and Equitation Instructor.
Equitation is her first love, having claimed the AMHA Gold
Medals in both Western Seat and Stock Seat Equitation
during her junior years. Her attention to detail and
drive for perfection have served her well during her
competitive career, and she brings these qualities to work
every day. She has earned the distinction of having
won the World Champion Ladies Western Pleasure title at the
tender age of eleven against mature riders, and also won a
National Hunter Pleasure Ladies title while riding Side
Saddle,
a first for the Morgan Breed.
Her greatest enjoyment comes from instructing junior
exhibitors in the art of equitation, whether Western Seat,
Hunter Seat or Saddle Seat, and has directed numerous
riders to AMHA Medal victories.
Brittany and her husband, David, live in Longmont,
Colorado. She is currently taking a sabbatical from
the Training operation while she devotes time to
raising her young daughter, Bailey Elizabeth. She
owns and shows her own Morgan, HVK Counsel, when time
permits and is looking forward to the time when Bailey is
old enough to accompany her to the barn.
That's our family of Trainers! We hope you feel like
you know us a little better know, and we'd love to meet you
in person. If you have an opportunity to visit
Colorado and are in the Fort Collins area, we hope you'll
give us a call and drop in for a visit.