With thirty days or more into social distancing and, stay at home orders for most, some days can often give even the most optimistic of people the sinking feeling of “when is this going to end?”. While each person may be experiencing the effects of Covid-19 differently, it is proving to be immensely hard on everyone. Why am I stating the obvious, you ask? Because horse people, by nature, are proud. And they should be. Horse people work hard, and put in many days of honest work over the course of their lives. I am here to say this is not the time to be proud. By no means stop working towards achieving your goals, paying your mortgage, or dreaming up new dreams- but, also be willing to show vulnerability. Be honest. Reach out to your friends within the industry, your fellow UPHA members, or to the Executive Board of your specific chapter with questions. This could also simply mean asking someone to listen to your frustrations or worries during this time. Horsemen might be proud, but we’re also #BetterTogether.
Now for the fun stuff! Lionel Ferreira needs little to no introduction. Chances are, most of our readers know him for his more recent successes with the incomparable WGC Marc of Charm, the 2015 Five Gaited World’s Grand Champion. But that was not Lionel’s first success in that particular class in Freedom Hall. Another name that will ring a bell for many, in association with Lionel, is Carlswald Prince’s Domino, the 2005 WC Five-Gaited gelding, as well as the Reserve World’s Champion that same year. I think it’s safe to say that Lionel has gained a reputation, that likely often associates him with impressive Five-Gaited horses, and rightfully so. Enjoy!
YP: How did starting a family and having children impact how your business operates?
LF: It gave me more drive, and even more of a reason, to want to push further and do well. The day to day running of our business has changed very little, but we have put the focus in recent years on quality not quantity. Which is important, as I want have great horses, but also to spend time with my family.
YP: What qualities do you believe made Marc of Charm great enough to win a Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship?
LF: He had such great athleticism and charisma, he brought that to the ring every time he showed.
YP: What is a piece of advice you wish someone told you when you were young, that you can give to a young professional or amateur in the business today?
LF: Opportunity is the greatest thing to a young professional, as you just have to do a lot of something to be become great at it. Look how many tennis balls Roger Federer had to hit in his life to get where he is . “Do the work others are unwilling to do and you will reach success that others aren’t able to”. I also think learning the details from the farrier shop and the vets is something that has helped me a lot, and those jobs, like holding horses for the farrier, can seem menial- but having that kind of knowledge banked serves you well .
YP: When it comes to training techniques, do you think you are simpler and more traditional or creative and outside of the box?
LF: I treat each horse differently and I think that’s important; once I find what works for the that horse, I stick with that routine, unless I see they need a change. I think training horses is about trying things and seeing what works for each horse. I am into rhythm and balance, and I work hard with each horse to achieve that.
YP:What is your biggest pet peeve, if any, about horses’ show ring turnout?
LF: I think great turn out can set a horse apart in the ring and I don’t have one thing- I just think it’s the entire package.
YP:What do you look for in a gaited prospect?
LF: I look at the prospects back end and their general way of moving. Often our colts come in and have that look- that they will rack- but it really will depend on their back end if I actually will. I think many horses are just racked to rack, and I am more cautious about what I rack, as if it doesn’t work, their rhythm will often be affected. So I often work them for quite a while before I decide what to do, and then rack them at the end of their two year old year.
This or That
Mare or gelding?
A good one of either!
Beach or lake?
Beach.
Sweet or salty?
Salty
5-gaited or 3-gaited? 5-gaited.
Interview Conducted by: Nason Vallante
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