EN would like to thank Colleen Hofstetter for sending us this fantastic profile of Michigan’s own Robin Walker. Robin is a staple of Area VIII eventing and I’m sure we’ve all seen him around at some point or another on one of his many horses. However, I didn’t know too much about him until I read this piece. Many thanks to Colleen for taking the time to write this, and thanks as always for reading.
Rebekah Simmons with Robin Walker
Maute House Magic with Robin Walker
by Colleen Hofstetter
Robin Walker needs little introduction to US eventing fans – especially if you live in Area VIII, or winter in Florida, or travel the mid-Atlantic and east coast, or stalk the results pages of horse trials! But if you are new to eventing and need an update, Robin can best be described as rider, trainer, teacher, clinician, competitor, breeder, and ICP Level 4 instructor, if not one of the founding forces of the ICP movement.
Robin is one of the better known fixtures of Area VIII and is based at his Maute House Farm (pronounced “Maud-ie”) in Grass Lakes MI. Maute House Farm has been the home of Robin and Connie Walker since 1998 when they purchased it from the estate of the original Maute family. Originally settled over 100 years ago by German immigrants, Robin stated that he and his wife feel honored to be a part of the Maute Farm history and continue to display the original family plaque on the door of one of the outbuildings. Robin’s deep appreciation of the land and of quality horses is obvious when speaking with him; he grew up in England riding and training horses. He eventually moved to the United States and recently became a US citizen! Congratulations Robin!
The Western PA Eventing Association was fortunate to have Robin come to the area recently to work with a number of riders from many backgrounds. Eventers , jumpers, and hunter riders spent two great days at the lovely Stonehouse Farm in Mars PA working with Robin. Stonehouse Farm is a beautiful 60 acre facility owned by Joan Simmons, and both Joan and her daughter Rebekah Simmons train numerous riders in several disciplines, including eventing, H/J, and dressage. Joan is also an ICP Level 2 instructor and Rebekah has successfully competed through the Intermediate level. To say that a great day was had by all is an understatement – beautiful weather, new arena footing, and fun cross country fences – not to mention a delicious lunch – contributed to a relaxing and educational atmosphere.
I was able to steal a few minutes of Robin’s time to ask him all my awe struck questions: in awe – yes! Robin had just returned from Ocala where he and 32 of his horses had been wintering – just the logistics of keeping 32 horses going is mind boggling, especially since they were stabled at HITS, the Florida mecca of continual horse activity. Being directly on the HITS grounds has many advantages, Robin explained. They rent a private jump field which he shares with two other trainers, there is ample opportunity to get ring time by entering H/J classes, a daily groomed track is available for the fast work, cross country schooling opportunities are right around the bend, and travel time to local events is about 30 minutes. Robin’s program has obviously paid off, as he finished up the spring season winning the April 2012 Ocala Horse Properties CCI* on the beautiful mare Someday Never Comes as well as taking first place in the OI division on Florenz, an Oldenburg mare on whom he won the CCI* in KY last year. It seems Robin has a way with the ladies! As with all horses, both of these horses are different. Someday Never Comes is an innately bold and self-assured horse while Robin describes Florenz as being “fragile, not straight forward, but difficult would be too strong a word, Florenz likes to be sure of things,” Robin commented. “She’s not like some of the Irish horses -they may be green, but the answer is always yes,” Robin stated . Such a horse is his mare Someday Never Comes – bold and forward – always looking for the next job. But Florenz likes to take things slow and steady, which is why Robin emphasizes clarity in all his work with his horses. “Make sure the horse understands how to answer the question, then build from there.”
Robin Walker and Florenz win the CCI* at 2011 Midsouth Team Challenge, photo by Samantha Clark
That sentiment was echoed throughout the clinic weekend. Robin consistently urged the riders to be clear, direct, and immediate in their reactions to the horse. “Why wait until the horse has made the same mistake 4 or 5 times?” he asked one rider. “You’re asking the horse to do a job, but you’re not doing yours.” Another goal in working with riders is to get riders to think on their own. Robin stated “I am not here to listen to the sound of my own voice! Once the bell rings you are on your own.” I also asked Robin how he prepares for a clinic, to which he replied that he does not have any “pat” exercises that he uses. He likes to set up exercises based on what he sees of the participants during warm up time. He repeatedly reminded his riders that there are “no dumb questions” and to “show me your worst” thereby getting a sense of where to start with each rider. Robin, a very soft spoken English gent, was easy to speak with, very witty with that understated British humor, and very receptive to discussion throughout the clinic.
Jumper rider and trainer Annette Danehy of Double Springs Farm in Saxonburg PA rode with Robin to gain experience with some of the cross country exercises. With the increased inclusion of ditches and banks in the jumper ring, she felt a clinic with an event trainer would give her horse some exposure to new concepts. “I wanted to ride in a group with instruction so that my horse could be with other horses – he watched everything closely and then did what was asked!” she stated. Annette also stated that riding with Robin was very empowering as he didn’t spoon feed everyone and that he worked for each person individually – each exercise was dependent on what the horse needed. Event rider and trainer Rebekah Simmons rode several horses and used the clinic to bring along her young horse Glenlivet and to gauge current training levels for her Intermediate campaigner Coltrane. Rebekah also agreed that Robin’s work with her over the weekend gave her that extra little “something” that allows us to push a bit harder and add the next degree. She is currently making plans to spend some concentrated time at Maute House Farm this summer to keep her horses fresh during a busy competition season.
When not teaching, training, and competing, Robin works closely with Area VIII organizers to keep the horse scene in MI growing and expanding. Robin has a close connection to the Richland Park Horse Trials, one of Area VIII’s premier venues, and next to Rolex probably draws more people than any other event in the Area. He met with owners Bob & Kay Willmarth early on to help plan the venue and Shepard along the project. Robin was also able to make an important connection for the Willmarth’s when he introduced them to the eminent course designer Mike Etherington-Smith, who designed the original courses at Richland Park. Robin attributes the success of the venue to the top notch efforts that the Willmarth’s have put into it; additionally, Bob and Kay continue to make improvements every year to ensure the safety of the horses and convenience for the competitors. Near to Robin is another venue, Hunter’s Run, and there is also an H/J circuit. Robin stated that access to a variety of places to go and things to do with your horse makes his program “value based”. He feels that the horses and riders remain fresh and happy when there is a wide variety of activities in which to participate; it also helps to make sense of the costs associated with owning horses when riders and owners can participate in the many fun aspects of owning horses.
Speaking of horses and owners, we chatted briefly about the emerging concept of horse syndication. Currently Robin does not have any syndicated horses. He stated that he feels fortunate to be working with the owners of the horses he currently has and he stressed that the owners are involved in all aspects of their horse’s training and competition schedule. Robin’s plans for the future include continued development of his horses – some of whom may stay at their present levels and some who will soon be moving up. A particular goal is to have some of his horses at the 4* star level either back in the home land of England at Burghley or Badminton or here in the US at Rolex.
Robin is also continually looking for a way to include a spring 2* in the Area VIII calendar, a necessary opportunity for the area that is currently not available. Like many eventing enthusiasts Robin is also keenly aware that the upcoming change in team coaching will be an interesting endeavor and is confident that the program will continue to evolve. However the national and international scene shapes up, Robin is happy to continue to develop his successful equestrian program. He thinks that the original Maute homesteaders would be fascinated by all the activity and joy surrounding the piece of land they journeyed so far to settle and bring to life! The current owners of Maute Farm, Robin and his wife Connie, are certainly reaping the benefits of hard work, knowledge, and dedication!
