Why did Chris name his program Generations Show Jumping?

This answer has many layers. Here are the highlights:

Generations Show Jumping LLC is named for the generations - of people and horses - that shaped who we are today. At its core, it honors our head coach's family, especially his parents, who introduced him to riding as soon as he could sit in a saddle. It's an expression of gratitude for the beautiful life they brought him and his sister into and for the values, discipline, and love of the sport that were instilled from the beginning. 

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The name also reflects a deeper lineage of horse(wo)men that traces back to his family's Irish roots. For generations, the human-horse link have been lovingly passed down from parents to children, and continues to influence the horses we are drawn to and the way we train them today - particularly Irish Sport Horses and lines connected to Chris' father's Olympic stallion, Flexible. 

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Finally, Generations speaks to perseverance. Similar to the horses we cherish the most - often smaller in stature, but immense in heart - Chris' family earned their place in the sport purely through hard work and genuine love for their equine partners. Today, as Chris builds the program alongside horses like Dawsons Gold, Generations Show Jumping represents both where we come from and the next generations we are proud to develop.

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How can new riders assess the quality of a trainer and their program?

First, understand that you are you and your horse(s)' best advocate and remember, "the instinct is to look for answers, but the questions teach us the most" (quote from Ryan Holiday). Go into these decisions informed and inquisitive. Your horse, mom, sponsor, and future self will thank you. We’ve compiled a list of questions from different categories to help you assess the quality of a hunter jumper program as well as its ability to meet you and your horse's needs. 

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LEADERSHIP

• Has the trainer had success riding and/or coaching at the level you aspire to ride at? Just because someone has ridden at x level does not mean they are proficient. Data matters. Remember, you can look at riders’ show records through USEF (see their competition history, horses, etc.).

• Has the trainer ridden horses differing in size, blood, age, quickness, ability, etc.? 

• How does the trainer describe their own coaching style? Does this work with your learning style?

• Who rides the horses in training and how often?

VALUES

• What informs their decisions? What are their top three priorities? Offer hypothetical scenarios.

  • If a horse becomes lame, what do the trainers do? Do they investigate and communicate? Do they medicate, or mask the injury? Do they consult a trusted veterinarian? Do they offer rehab?

  • If a horse isn't going well, how do they handle this? Do they consider and adjust the horse's exercise regimen, context, feed, etc.?

HORSE CARE

• How do they prevent injuries?

• Do they offer rehab? If so, have they facilitated successful rehabilitations. Ask for examples.

• What does the program feed and do to prevent stomach ulcers?

• Do they employ an experienced farrier, hauler, equine dentist, and go-to veterinarian?

FACILITIES

• What is the footing like? Sand? Wood products? Fiber? Rubber? A mixture? How is their footing maintained?

• Are there indoor and outdoor riding options?

• Are there lush paddocks for grazing?

• What are the stalls like?

• Can students trail ride?

• Is riding the only means of exercising the horses or does the facility offer complementary opportunities?

LOGISTICS

• What does their pricing structure look like? What is included in the monthly training fee?

• Are hauling services in-house or outsourced? If outsourced, who and why?

• Do they have domestic and international connections for horse sales and purchases?

IMPACT

• Do students feel like they grow in this program?

• Is the lesson content inspiring?

• Do students feel challenged?

• Do students feel supported?

Does Generations Show Jumping have any horses for sale?

Yes, we typically have a select group of sales horses that fit a variety of jobs and are ready to form new, fulfilling partnerships. Please refer to our sales page or contact our head trainer, Chris, for more information. 

How would you describe the barn culture at Generations?

We thought you might ask, so we dedicated an entire page to introducing you to:

• the type of students who thrive here

• our values

• the vibe of the barn

• the way we work

• what sets us apart from other programs

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To summarize, we serve motivated, hardworking students who treat others - animals and people - respectfully. The barn is a focused workspace where riders connect with, learn from, and encourage each other. Our system is built upon an equine-centric™ foundation that has been practiced and proven by generations of horse(wo)men.​

Who rides with Generations Show Jumping?

At present, our students are primarily:

• ambitious adult amateurs

• aspiring professionals

• active professionals

Learn more about the personality types and values of riders who tend to excel in our program on our barn culture page.

What are the benefits of a Eurociser (walker) in working with show jumpers?

The eurociser is a critical component of our program. Benefits include:

1. Rider-free exercise​​

2. Complement to flatwork and fitness regimen

3. Controlled, safe exercise for successful rehabilitation (adjustable speed, automatic change of direction for balanced workouts, etc.)

4. Low-impact exercise on off-days to keep the horses' legs nimble and flexible

5. Group exercise (horses are herd animals; togetherness makes them feel safe)

How does footing impact a horse's soundness and performance?

First of all, footing changes depending on the sport that horses are training for. For example, reiners desire a loose sand for extended, sliding stops. Unlike our western peers, we do not want our horses to slip; we need them to be able move in an agile fashion, changing directions with ease. As they push off, the earth needs to remain stable underneath them.

At the same time, we need our footing to provide shock absorption. The horses we ride usually weigh between 1100 to 1400 lbs. When a horse is landing off a jump at speed, there is immense force behind it. Ideally, their skeletal structure and joints are not bearing the entire weight of that force.

Preferably, a cushioned surface would increase the time it takes for them to stop and spread the contact area, further reducing pressure on any singular point. However, we (show jumpers) do not want footing that is so soft and elastic that it hinders our horses' ability to generate upward force.

In summary, show jumpers require balanced footing - stable yet forgiving:

• Texture & Traction

• Shock Absorption 

• Durability

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Lastly, the combinations of materials you choose need to hold up against repetitive use, weather, and time. As a curator of footing, you need to understand what kind of maintenance is required to get the most out of the materials for the longest period of time - before you need a refresh. 

Building show jumping footing is a tricky science and requires attentive maintenance and premium materials. It cannot be treated as an afterthought. For years, our program and our horses have excelled on Texstride footing, an affordable yet extremely durable option. We believe the health and performance of our horses are are a testament to its value. If you have any questions or would like a consultation, please feel free to reach out to our head coach, Chris Fellers.

What brand of grain do you feed and why?

We feed our horses Purina products. We trust Purina with equine nutrition because. . . 

• They invest in the science of feed development

• They employ knowledgable representatives who are trained to assist in designing custom feed programs for horses with unique dietary needs, from developing young horses to senior equines

• They offer a proactive approach to maintaining gut health along with maximizing performance

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If you have any questions about our experience with Purina's feed, we are happy to answer them and can put you in touch with their local rep.

Who makes your saddles and tack?

Chris rides in Voltaire saddles and tack. In his experience, Voltaire's products offer:

• Comfort

• Durability

• Innovative design

What are lessons like at Generations Show Jumping

Duration: 1 hour - 90 min

Number of students: 1 - 4 riders, grouped by skill level 

Content: Lessons are primarily focused around flatwork with enough jumping to keep the riders sharp and the horses fit for competition

Audience: students' loved ones are welcome to watch from. . . 

• the comfort of the heated observation room, overlooking the indoor arena

• under a sunshade with a 50-yard-line-view of the outdoor arena

What is average age of a show jumping horse in your barn?

Chris' barn hosts horses at the very beginning of their competitive careers (four-year-old horses) all the way up to 20-year-old show horses, who are still sound and enjoying their careers.