‘Team Gurganus’

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 | Mary Phelps

Mary-Haskins Gurganus – Dressage Rider/Trainer

“I have a really good support group at Jasmine Meadows,” says Mary-Haskins. “They all help me at shows or financially and want to see me represent the U.S.” Her team includes Christy Andrews, owner of Jasmine Meadows Equestrian Center, and Margaret Raynor, an attorney and dressage rider who boards at the farm and recently became a sponsor. Christy is thrilled to have Mary-Haskins at her facility. “Mary-Haskins is the consummate professional,” Christy says. “She treats her horses with kindness and respect. She is very dedicated to the sport of dressage as a whole and to her career in dressage. She is very much a team player and will be an asset to any team she becomes a member of.” Essential to the team are the grandmothers – Lottie Gurganus and Page Gray. “My mother-in-law is a huge supporter and the best baby sitter in the world!” Mary-Haskins enthuses. “And I absolutely could not do this without the love and support of my mother. She is my biggest fan and is always there for me no matter what – good or bad!  I have to credit her for her encouragement and support. All things aside, and all odds against me, she is always the one who tells me I can do it. That means the most. She gives me my confidence.”  Mary-Haskins notes that her parents, Page and Dick Gray, and her grandmother, Grace Moore, purchased Fregat for her when she was in high school and continue to provide financial support. She points out, “Without them I would not be where I am today.”A key new member of ‘Team Gurganus’ is Lucile Broadley, owner of Honey Locust Farm and Mary-Haskins’ mounts Richmond HL and Wilmington HL. “Lucile has four children, so she understands the challenges of being a mother and having a career in this sport,” Mary-Haskins relates. “Honey Locust is my first big sponsor and I really appreciate the support.” A long-time supporter is friend Stacey MacCloud, owner of Everything But the Horse, LLC and The Case Company. “Stacey is always doing anything and everything to help me whenever she can,” Mary-Haskins says. “I am a member of her team at Everything But the Horse!”For coaching support Mary-Haskins works with trainer Dieter Riedinger from Austria. “He is one of the most knowledgeable trainers I have ever worked with and his approach to the training scale is so refreshing!” she says. “My horses are going so correct and are so happy! Dieter is awesome! He is so patient. I feel privileged to be able to work with him. When the pupil is ready, the teacher will come!”  Dieter notes, “It is my purpose to instill correct basics and principles of horsemanship to prevent riders making the mistake of training for the tricks, always making sure the basic gaits of walk, trot and canter are preserved and enhanced and to develop horses systematically that move with grace, beauty and power without ever using force or artificial aids. I see the potential with Mary-Haskins and her horses to develop something special that will last and stand out in the international arena, and believe she will be an asset for future sponsors and the sport of dressage.”

Aiming for the National Championships and the U.S. Equestrian Team