Open house to prelude Jumper Classic
BY MARK CHAG JR.
ATLANTIC NEWS STAFF WRITER
This is the finest facility in all of New England."
So says the illustriously-careered equestrian trainer Louis Terramagra, as he strolls toward the indoor riding center at Silver Oak in Hampton Falls.
Judging from the looks of the property, one would be hard-pressed to say otherwise; it does look like the finest horse riding and jumping arena, both indoor and outdoor, that one could lay eyes on.
Silver Oak is a full service equine facility, with a 100'x200' indoor riding arena, 75 acres of jumper courses and riding space, a heated tack room - and seems to cater to the four-legged guests with a ritzy flair, right down to the spacious matted stalls and automatic stainless steel drinkers that are rigged up to a state-of-the-art water filtration system.
It should come as no surprise that the Jumper Classic has chosen to relocate to Silver Oak this year from its previous home in Massachusetts. It promises to be an event that will likely draw a crowd of more than 12,000 equestrian fans to the area in early September to see some of the finest horses and riders in the world perform.
But the Jumper Classic is still a few months off, and right now Louis is busily preparing for another event, which is fast approaching. On Sunday afternoon, May 18, the gates will be open to the general public, free of charge, to come and learn more about Silver Oak's training, breeding and boarding programs, as well as enjoy refreshments while watching an assortment of professional riding and jumping displays. And there's much more to the open house: It's a chance to see why some of the best riders in the business from across America and Europe call on Silver Oak.
"We're really looking forward to it. It's a chance for everyone and anyone to come by and see what's going on here," Louis says. "We'll have multiple riders riding on my horses and showing them, it's a chance for people to get familiar with them and what we have here."
Louis, a Boston native, is no novice to the equestrian field - having spent the past 45 years not only riding, but training some of the top names in the sport.
Louis himself was mentored by the legendary Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee, George Morris. By 1972, Louis owned the largest equestrian facility in all of New England.
Since then, Louis has since gone on to instruct - just to name a few - Bill Cooney, one of the country's top trainers today; Frank Madden, of US Olympic and television's "Animal Planet" fame, as well as his brother, John Madden, the winner of the 2006 Equestrian of the Year Award; and John Madden's wife, Bizzie Madden.
"She's the third leading woman in the world right now," Louis says of Bizzie's success.
At Silver Oak, Louis hopes to use his horses - most of which come directly from Europe for their exquisite bloodlines - and his decades of expertise to train local youth today to become tomorrow's top world-class riders and jumpers.
"It is a passionate sport," Louis says with no shortage of enthusiasm. "It's perfect for kids. It keeps them busy, it keeps them in shape, it keeps them out of trouble, and it teaches them discipline."
Louis wants to share that passion with fellow equestrian enthusiasts at the open house, whether they are just starting out in the field, or want to polish their skills to a professional level, or simply curious about what its all about.
Louis spends his winters on the Ocala circuit in Florida, training top riders there. This is his first season at Silver Oak, and he appears tirelessly enthusiastic about the months ahead overseeing the equestrian facility.
When the Jumper Classic arrives in September, thousands will toast champagne hosted by none other than New York's Tavern on the Green, and shop at an entire "village" of boutiques from sponsors, while Olympians Peter Wylde, Chris Kappler, Joe Fargis, Nona Garson, Leslie Burr Howard, Kevin Babington and many other world-class riders will saddle up to compete before the ogling eyes of the masses.
In the meantime, the May 18 open house will offer an up-close and personal opportunity for all to come and learn about the amenities, the excitement, and the passion that Silver Oak has to offer.
The Silver Oak Equestrian Center is located at 356 Exeter Road in Hampton Falls. For more information about the upcoming open house, call (603) 775-0600, or email Louis at terramagra@silveroak.com, or Manager/Instructor Ann Hogan at ann@silveroak.com.
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