Photo via Deonte Sewell on Facebook.

When he was a freshman in high school, Deonte Sewell made a piece of artwork depicting Phillip Dutton jumping a ditch and wall at what was then known as Rolex Kentucky. This manifestation of the eventing bug was just an idea in Deonte’s head in that moment. Little did he know that, nearly a decade later, he’d find himself working for Phillip himself as a vital member of the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s everyday team.

It’s been a winding road for Deonte, but the depth and variety of experience on his impressive resume has helped him end up where he is now. And he wants other aspiring riders and grooms to know that they, too, can find their pipe dreams becoming very real with just a bit of dedication and polish. We asked Deonte for his perspective on finding success working for professional riders. What have been some of the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way?

Deonte has been an integral part of programs including Tom Proctor Racing, Sara and Brian Murphy, Justine Dutton and Chris Barnard, and many others before and in between. This variety has given him an expansive view of the equestrian world and what it takes to navigate its inner workings.

Seeking Out the Right Positions

“When I would look for positions, I sought out a lot using Facebook. I had an idea of what I wanted prior to looking, but I also tried to have an understanding of the status of my knowledge and experience. Will I fit the part? Is the rider willing to train someone who doesn’t have as much experience? Those were the biggest things I looked for, and most of the time you’ll find the rider is more than willing to teach you.

I always felt like I didn’t have what it took, and the truth is you won’t really know until you get there. Most of the time, the riders will have a judgement of your general idea when you’re talking to them. If you show you’re persistent and willing to learn, that will make them eager to give you an education.

The upper-level riders, they’re just humans! They’re very nice. Just ask them, you never know! Some people prefer you to be up front and bold about it, I think that shows guts and that you really want it. The more you put out there, the more people will see how badly you want it.”

Photo via Deonte Sewell on Facebook.

Work Ethic

“To me, it’s really not a matter of the work being ‘hard’ or ‘easy’. It’s more how efficient am I going to be in the barn? That’s the biggest thing. Are you fast or slow? Do you try to look for more work when you’re done with your task? And if you don’t know what to do, are you asking questions about what’s next? Are you paying attention to the details and flow of the day? The more ambitious you are about getting things done, the more you’ll figure out.

Some days, you’ll be at the barn before 4 a.m and won’t get home until after 10. If you truly want this as a lifestyle, this is just a stepping stone to what’s to come. You’ll either push through or you’ll realize that it isn’t for you in the first few months. If there is a trial period, always take it!

Working Well as a Team

“Everyone has their roles in the barn. There will be people who’ve been there for years, and when you’re just coming in they’re going to have the advantage of experience. This can be discouraging, but you should more so understand the hard work they’ve put in to get where they are. I look at (Phillip’s head groom Emma Ford) and think about how much she has seen and done, and I only want to learn from her. The reason they are where they are – and this includes the riders – is that they put the time in.

You can’t look at your coworkers as competition. Efficiency is key in the barn, and if you have conflict it can really kill that. Any corrections are meant to make you a better horseman and a better rider.”

On Learning from a Variety of Programs

“Everyone has different ways they do things, and everyone has different explanations as to why they do it. I always look at how different things work for different horses and file them away for later down the road when I might have a horse that this method would work for.

Brian Murphy would always tell me to think of each program like a tool chest. To take it in and put it away for later in life when you may need it.

Last summer, spending time at (Justine Dutton and Chris Barnard’s Notting Hill Stables in Ocala) really helped my education. I always felt like show jumping was my weakest phase, so spending that time understanding a bit more what Justine wants in the show jumping, getting the feel of it through the course design of Chris Barnard, and riding proper show jumpers was really helpful. Now I feel I’m starting to get where I’m more confident than I was.

All of this has really helped me at Phillip’s because a part of my job is that I do get to ride some of the horses. Having all of that education is nice because now I can sit on the greener horses and still be able to do a job and understand what Phillip wants me to achieve.”

Check Your Direction

“I didn’t think this is where I would end up, but at the same time, I always said this is where I would end up. I used to joke about working for Phillip, but I was also serious about pursuing this career and so I was willing to work for anyone as long as it put me in the right direction.

You can learn something from anyone. It’s all about the experience. I had to set short term goals of what would put me where I wanted to go. The rider’s job is to mentor you so I was able to really lean on the people I’d worked for for help.

And it’s really nice being a part of their career. It’s really rewarding because you see how hard they work, and it gives me confidence that I’m heading in the right direction.

At the end of the day, Deonte says, he had no option but to work to get where he is now. As difficult as the going can get, he says it’s the most rewarding for him to be able to say “I worked for this”. “What is going to make you the better horseman?” he asked aloud. “Do that. That builds character.”

A bird’s eye view of the TerraNova Equestrian barn in Myakka City, Fl. Photo by Jana Bannan Photography.

A state-of-the-art facility has emerged on the Gulf side of Florida, just to the southeast of Tampa near Sarasota. Designed with no expense spared and horses in mind, TerraNova Equestrian in Myakka City is a dream project for owner-operators Hannah Herrig and Zach Ketelboeter. Enlisting the help of eventing professional Sara Kozumplik Murphy and an “A” team of designers, builders, and crew members, the team at TerraNova plans to offer a true eventer’s paradise that puts the horse first and welcomes more riders into the sport.

It began as a simple idea. Hannah and her husband, Zach, are both eventers, starting out under the tutelage of Brad Hall in the Midwest. Hannah and Zach knew they wanted to go into business with horses, but Hannah’s parents, Steve and Natalee Herrig, encouraged them to dream bigger.

No detail has been spared in the exquisite main barn at TerraNova. Photo by Jana Bannan Photography.

“The project has gone a lot of different ways,” Hannah explained. “Our first goal or dream was to do sales and training, and we had started designing our dream barn. But my dad is an entrepreneur and is always thinking of big ideas. He really pushed us to think bigger.”

As the boundaries grew, the TerraNova project began to take on a life of its own. The family found a 250-acre plot of land in Myakka City, bordering the Myakka River State Park, and set about creating the facility of their dreams. Next door sat some 1100 acres that contained some basic infrastructure for an equestrian residential development that had fizzled out. Now, TerraNova has opened its doors as a riding stable with a world-class show venue in the works. TerraNova will also oversee the residential development, where plots of land are currently for sale and more infrastructure is under construction. The facility will host its first USEA-recognized horse trials October 8-10, 2021.

Hannah Herrig and Sara Kozumplik Murphy. Photo courtesy of TerraNova Equestrian.

The barn, the work of architect Annie Caruthers in collaboration with B&D Builders and The Decorators Unlimited, is a stunning piece of art with no detail left unfinished. For all of the immaculate looks and polish, however, the facility still maintains its horses-first priority. Through the expertise of other industry professionals, the Herrigs saw TerraNova’s true form taking shape.

While competing at the American Eventing Championships in 2016, Hannah, who first met Sara Kozumplik Murphy through Brad Hall while attending the University of Florida, began brainstorming with Sara about the facility she’d dreamt up. What emerged was a common desire to build a facility that was the best place for horses, riders, and spectators alike.

Photo by Jana Bannan Photography.

“We’re really trying to focus on all three angles,” Sara said. “It’s going to have way more open space and will be much more horse friendly than some other facilities.”

Sara worked her network, connecting Hannah, her family, and Zach with Sharn Wordley (of Wordley Martin Equestrian) for footing, Captain Mark Phillips for course design, Eric Bull for course construction, and other industry leaders including Craig Martin, Shelley Page and Max Corcoran. The result? A true all-star team with a breadth of experience and vision to turn the TerraNova dream into a reality. “The big vision is that we wanted to have a state-of-the-art facility without it being a concrete jungle,” Sara explained.

Short term, the facility is now open for boarders and training – Brad Hall comes to town regularly to teach, as do several other clinicians – and the goal of the team is to execute the events on its calendar well before moving on to bigger challenges.

“We are cognizant of the fact that though there is a dream team, we need to get our feet wet and do a good job the first couple of years,” Sara said. “Honestly, running Beginner Novice through three-star our first year is big enough!”

Photo courtesy of TerraNova Equestrian.

Long term, the goal is to build out an Advanced/4* course. While Florida is notoriously flat, TerraNova will feature some rolling terrain thanks to some excavating ingenuity that created more berms to elevate the land. At the same time, the team knows they don’t need to rush. “We’re okay with the understanding that this is all a few years away,” Sara explained. “We know we don’t need to have every single goal accomplished right at the beginning.”

TerraNova Equestrian has grown out of a passion for the sport, Hannah says. “Our mission here is just to make it the best place we can for horses, riders, and spectators and to grow the spectatorship of the sport. Whether you’re running Beginner Novice or three-star, we want everyone to have an excellent experience here.”

Sara echoes this sentiment, praising the community-focused approach of the team. “One thing that has really struck me about Hannah is that while, yes, we are building for the elite level, the core feeling is that this is somewhere you can go to do your first cross-rail or your first Beginner Novice. It’s not just for the top echelons of the sport. They truly want to build an inclusive community dedicated to growing the sport from the grassroots on up.”

Stephen Bradley and From. Photo by Michelle Dunn.

Stephen Bradley’s longtime partner, From, a Russian Thoroughbred gelding owned by Charlotte Harris, has passed away at the age of 28. Together, Stephen and From competed in Brazil at the 2007 Pan American Games and also completed Kentucky three times, finishing in the top 10 twice. Stephen and his team released the following statement:

It’s with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved From.

Stephen and From, a 1993 Russian Thoroughbred, traveled the world together, including being on the Gold Medal team at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He completed the Kentucky CCI4* (now 5*) three times, placing 5th in 2004 and 9th in 2008. Throughout it all, he was always cheered on by his supportive owner Charlotte Harris, and his best friend and stablemate Brandenburg’s Joshua.

“From had a personality that was as big as his talent. I am so thankful to have been a part of his life, and am grateful to everyone that made that possible.” Stephen recalls, “Even when they were both competing at the highest level, From and Brandenburg’s Joshua were always turned out together and traveled together. Having them both going at the same time was one of the highlights of my career.”

From was so lucky to have Tracy Mathews caring for him for the past several years. While he was initially meant to be Tracy’s partner in the hunter ring, he made himself at home in her barn and never left.

Tracy shared, “From was a legend for sure, and hands down the nicest horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding. Many thanks to Stephen and Charlotte for entrusting me with this special horse for so many years.”

And we would all like to thank Dr. Theiss for her quick response when From started to colic, and making his passing peaceful.

Go hug your horses today! And if you have a favorite From memory, please share!

The Eventing Nation team sends its condolences to all of the team that loved and cared for From throughout his life.