Julie VanLoo Takes Cinderella Pony and Rising Equestrian Star to a Top Ten finish at thhe 2006 USEF National Pony Medal Finals

When the six-year-old red dun pony with zebra stripes on his shoulders -indications of probable Mustang descent--arrived at Silver Gate Farms, head trainer Julie VanLoo had little idea that one day she would be taking him and his 12- year-old-owner, Victoria Bauer, to the 2006 National Championships in Lexington, Kentucky. Indeed, when VanLoo started working with Victoria and “Dream Catcher, or “Dreamy” as he is affectionately known, the pony had a reputation for being a stubborn runaway. His stocky build did not predestine him toward natural jumping form, but VanLoo’s consistent training and Victoria’s dedication to riding soon had the pair rising through the equestrian ranks.
In the six years that VanLoo has been training them, Victoria and “Dreamy” have successfully competed in Walk-Trot, Cross-Rails, Short Stirrup, Children’s Pony Hunters and Medium Pony Hunters. Their crowning achievement, they thought, was winning the 2005 Los Angeles Horse Show Association Pony Medal Finals at the Los Angeles National Preview and taking the top-five spot in the Medium Pony Hunters Division at the West Coast Pony Finals. Now qualified for the Nationals, the decision was quickly made to take the Mustang-type pony to the prestigious East Coast to compete in the 2006 United States Equestrian Federation National Pony Medal Finals held in Lexington, Kentucky. It was a challenge VanLoo and Victoria could not resist.
On August 11, 2006, Victoria rode a flawless winning round in the USEF National Pony Medal Finals. When Victoria and “Dream Catcher” placed eighth out of 209 riders, her trainer was not surprised. This Rags- to-Riches story may seem unusual in the world of high-dollar show horses, but trainer VanLoo and Silver Gate Farms are becoming known for making Cinderella stories happen.
When she was only 13, VanLoo rode her family’s 6-year-old Appaloosa gelding in the Green Hunter Division. Competing against professionals--some of them more than twice her age--the pair won state championships in both the First- and Second-Year Divisions. Four years later, she trained and competed “Secret Ingredient,” a granddaughter of the legendary racehorse, “Secretariat,” to National Championship titles in Green Hunters and Hunter Hack.
VanLoo’s current project is “Imagine That,” her Dutch-bred gelding out of “Argus,” a Grand Prix Dressage and Grand Prix Jumping champion. VanLoo bred, raised, broke, trained and has competed “Imagine That” in Federation Equestre Internationale Dressage. During their competitive career, they have campaigned through Intermediate levels and training Grand Prix. Among their many accolades, the KWPN has ranked the gelding as one of the top-five Dressage horses, and the United States Dressage Federation has awarded VanLoo a Bronze and a Silver Medallion.
Whether it’s a thoroughbred racehorse needing a new career or a mustang pony needing a new attitude, VanLoo’s consistent, classical training methods are producing champions at the local, regional, and national levels. The riders training under her are being recognized as accomplished equestrians, who are in turn training their horses to become show champions--not just buying them.
So, who is destined to star in the next Cinderella story at VanLoo’s show barn, Silver Gate Farms? Perhaps it will be Easter, the yearling chestnut colt with four white socks and a blaze born on Easter morning. (Incidentally, “Imagine That” was born on Julie’s birthday.)