Joe Fargis, a Show Jumping legend, was part of three Olympic teams, and earned a gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games aboard his famous bay mare, Touch of Class. He competed for the US in the FEI World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, and more than 30 FEI Nations Cups. We caught up with Joe between riding and training during the Lexington National Horse Show at the Virginia Horse Center.
VHC: Which of your achievements is most important to
you?
Joe: The last one, an EAP Clinic. For me, it’s
always the last one.
VHC: What is the best part about being a clinician?
Joe: I LOVE to teach. I love to pass on what I
know to younger people.
VHC:
Do you have any advice for up and coming young
riders in the industry?
Joe: Never give up! The horse business is a
hard business, you’re overworked and underpaid. You must love it.
VHC: What is your best tip on finding a distance?
Joe: Repetition. It’s best to set up a small
line and go through it repetitively and don’t take the same horse through it
every time. Ride as many horses as possible.
VHC: How has horsemanship changed from when you began riding to today?
Joe: When I began riding in the 50’s we
were taught to enjoy riding. Winning wasn't the goal, learning was the goal.
Horses have become expendable and it is now more of a function of money. Then, you
had one horse and worked on how to better it.
VHC: What is the best way to overcome a temperament problem with your horse?
Joe: The best way to overcome a temperament problem with your horse would be to work with him not against him, and learn to read your horse. It’s much better to move slowly rather than quickly.
VHC: What is the most challenging aspect of a round?
Joe: Control between the fences; the approach is the problem, not the jump.
VHC:
What satisfaction do you get from riding?
Joe: Any good response from the horse is
satisfaction. I love animals and being outside vs. inside, that helps too.
