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.
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Practical Horseman.
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This story is from the August 2017 edition of Practical Horseman.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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