MAY EFO ROM: Tracey Olsen

MAY EFO ROM: Tracey Olsen

Equestrian Fashion Outfitters 

May Rider of the Month!

TRACEY OLSEN

In 2019, we were lucky enough to cross paths with Tracey Olsen at a dressage show in the United States. From the minute we met, we knew that Tracey was someone who we wanted to showcase as one of our EFO Riders of the Month. 
Tracey Olsen was born and raised on Martha's Vineyard, where she owns and operates Woodbe Farm, a dressage barn. Diving into the equestrian lifestyle at the age of five on the dirt roads of Chappaquiddick. Tracey has dedicated her life to training, riding and showing horses. 
Read on to learn more about Tracey and her life with horses! 
  1. How did you enter the Equestrian Industry?

I started riding when I was about five or six and have done NOTHING else since. My first job was in high school and by then I had already spent a couple summers in Connecticut as a working student. 

  1. What is your first memory you have with horses?

When I was very little, we had tons of animals, but no horses. Joe Cressy, a friend of my dads, found out about my horse obsession and told my dad he might have just the fix! He looked at me and said 

"my wife has three horses, hop in my truck. I will take you to meet them!" 

From that moment on, for the next couple years I spent every weekend in Joes backyard with the horses. My father had no idea what he was getting himself into! 

  1. Did you always know that you would be working with horses as a profession?

I thought I wanted to be a vet at first, so I went to college and became a vet tech. After graduation I got a part time job at a small animal clinic. One day I had to get a cat of a carrier and that was enough for me to hightail my way out of that occupation. From there I pursued my equestrian dream! 

  1. What does an average day look like for you?

Most days, I start by getting my son, Aiden, ready for school. After that, I head to the barn to teach and ride for the rest of the day. 

  1. What are the most common challenges you face with your riding?

Counting strides, especially the Canter zig-zag...NIGHTMARE! 

  1. Do you have any suggestions for young rider aspiring to become professional riders?

It is such a blessing to do what I love everyday with the animals we all adore, but it is really not as easy as it looks. Pursue your dreams, but always have a back-up plan and do not put getting an education on the back burner. 

  1. If you could spend a day doing a different sport, what would it be and why?

I can literally only ride... Not sure if there would be a different sport I would want to spend a day doing! 

  1. If you weren't in the Equestrian Industry, what do you think you would be doing instead and why? 

I would definitely want to pursue being a either a paramedic or firefighter. There are paramedics and firefighters within my family, so that would probably be the reason I am leaning towards one of those occupations. Then again, maybe a psychologist...sometimes I feel like I am one already! Ha! 

  1. What accomplishment are you most proud of within the Equestrian Industry?

I love my farm team, my clients, my coach, vets, farriers and sponsors. It is an amazing group of super talented and wonderful people. I am proud that I have made such a special team and that they all want to invest in me and my program the way they do! 

  1. The most memorable horse which you have owned or ridden is ____ and why?

I have two! Lamborghini, aka the coolest horse EVER! With Lamborghini, I was able to receive a gold medal! He truly loves his job like no other, I have never experienced an animal that is as driven as he is. He drags you into the competition ring and everyday he is just so happy. 

The second would be my mare, Reina, who I have owned for seventeen years. There are not enough words to describe her, she is my life heart horse.  

  1. What is the one thing you can never go to a horse-show without?

My perfectly packed garment bag, that my mom still packs. My mother should write a book for horse-show moms! 

  1. Do you have any horse-show rituals? 

Not a ritual, but a routine for sure. We depend on a boat so our schedule is tight and we have to operate like a well-oiled machine. 

  1. What is your favourite post horse show thing to do? 

Not post horse show, but during I LOVE our time at the stalls at the end of a competition day. We sometimes get dinner delivered and enjoy it together at our stalls. We have so much fun on the road! Post horse show is chaos because I have been away from home and the farm, there is a lot to catch up on. 

  1. We know a lot of people like to unwind with a glass of wine after a horse show. On a Saturday night, what bottle would be enjoyed with your dinner?

Not a wine girl but... love me a Margarita! 

  1. When you do get time away from the barn, if ever, what would you most likely be doing?

I love Sunday beach day with my family or time out on our boat. 

  1. Describe your dream vacation. 

WARM! WARM! WARM! With my husband and son and absolutely NO schedule! 

  1. What are you most grateful for at your barn?

All of it! I am so grateful to have a farm, especially on the Vineyard where I grew up with my entire family (who still live there today!). 

  1. Describe the funniest "oh, s***" moment that you have had when riding?

How much time do you have, I have so many! 

One "oh, s***" moment was when I was riding a young horse on the GMHA big gras field with rings set up. The little horse bolted and I was headed straight to the ring, about to join the rider in the ring performing her! I pulled up just in time and I thought I had avoided all disturbance but later in the day I went to see the show photos. OH MY! That poor woman, you could clearly tell at what point I was headed straight at her.  I was so busy hanging on and not ending up in the ring with her, I hadn't noticed her reaction! I had a lovely ride and felt SO bad once I saw the photos! 

  1. What are you doing to kill time during social isolation? 

I have been home schooling my son and doing TONS of spring seeding trying to help my poor rundown paddocks. Zoom cocktail hours have also been fun! 

  1. Do you have any suggestions for riders who might not be able to ride or see their horses right now due to COVID-19?

Stay strong. Not being able to be with your horses is NOT EASY! It is very important to stay fit and active, or getting back into the saddle will be rough. Also, focus on things you can improve on out of the saddle. If you have any video of yourself riding, it is a good time to watch and practice visualization techniques. It will help your riding when you do get back to the barn and into the saddle! 

 
Would you rather… (bold one)
 Be forced to show in a pink show coat or bright pink tall boots? OUCH
 Drink a milkshake equivalent to your body weight or eat your body weight in cookie dough?
Ride off into the sunset with your horse or gallop along the beach with your horse?
Hot Dogs or Hamburgers?
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us (virtually) and answer our questions! Wishing you all the best in the future, we will be cheering you on! 
Love, 
Equestrian Fashion Outfitters
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