Andre Dignelli: “Life is a Competition” This top trainer puts his best foot forward every day. By Tricia Conahan
PH Was it hard to be a working-class kid breaking into such an expensive sport?
AD We came from a working-class family. What we were lacking in money we made up for in love and support. I viewed the kids who had more as being a real opportunity, even when I was a kid. They had fancy horses and often extra horses and I got to ride them and help train.
I also think that being around these kids was the start of my American Dream. I would see them drive up to the barn in their BMWs and I would say to myself, “That’s not just for them. That’s for me, too.” I wanted to have it all. Live in the big house on the hill and have a big stable and have top horses.
PH To what do you attribute your success?
AD The real reason is that I found something I love doing. It never really felt like work. Because of that love I was willing to work 24/7 to do it. It’s no secret that I have a real work ethic and a vision and I am very organized. But it started from a love of horses and love of owning a farm and teaching. I never really wasted a day worrying about how I was going to get here or what I was doing. I knew what I was doing with my life.
Also, I have a very even temperament. I am very steady in the best of times and in the worst of times.
PH How do you feel about win-ning? About losing?
AD I realized at an early age that life is a competition. I think my success has been because I really have a burning desire to win. Without the competition part, it would be hard to get out of bed in the morning.
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Practical Horseman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av Practical Horseman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Winning a Day With Wofford and White
Contest winner Liza Green and nine friends spent the day learning from renowned eventers Jim Wofford and Sharon White in a uniquely formatted clinic.
Cross Country With Jim Wofford
Silverbacks Of The SportThe great eventers of the past still speak to us.
Educating The Next Generation
The Maplewood Horse Industry Training Program is schooling future horsemen one day at a time through its two-year course.
My Life
Competing Against Cancer By Monica Oliver
Making Their Horses — And Their Mark
Show-jumping partners Enrique Gonzalez and Eduardo Menezes hone their craft for identifying and developing talented young horses while ascending the sport’s international rankings.
Ride Your Hunter Round Like A Pro
Wow the judge with this top hunter rider and judge’s show-ring tips. Part 2: Practice track-riding skills and finish each round on a good note.
Leg Before Rein
Learn this grand prix jumper’s cure for the most common rider fault.
Win A Day With Boyd Martin
Solidifying rider positions and focusing on rhythm and balance were key points during this Olympic eventer’s clinic for a contest winner and her friends.
Show-Jumping Warm-up Strategies That Work
Eventer Buck Davidson and the U.S. Eventing Team’s Show Jumping Coach Silvio Mazzoni share warm-up tips.
Developing Collection Without Resistance
A positive approach to tackling the top of the Training Pyramid.
