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.

Debbie Rosen and The Alchemyst at the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We are saddened to report the passing of Debbie Rosen’s longtime upper-level partner, The Alchemyst. The Canadian Sport Horse gelding was 22 years old.

Debbie and The Alchemyst competed at the top levels of the sport from 2007 through 2015, also acquiring two then-four-star completions at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2009 and 2010. The West coast-based pairing was a regular sighting at events scattered up and down California and was a source of deep inspiration after Debbie underwent breast cancer treatment in 2009. Her chemotherapy was completed just a month before the 2010 edition of Kentucky – before that came multiple surgeries – where she would go on to finish 36th overall aboard “Al”.

Debbie sent the following tribute to her friend:

“Al had a buck known coast to coast and made five-star fences feel like cross rails. He both terrified and thrilled me every time I stepped in the tack and I came off of him more than all other horses combined. And yet, when I was chemo sick, he watched over me like a parent and babysat even the smallest of children. I think his youngest passenger was 10 months old.

He lived for the roar of the crowd when he show jumped around Rolex clean and the noise was deafening, you could feel his heart burst with pride.

He loved to travel and one year we drove just the two of us across the country. At one point, the wind was blowing semis over so I pulled to the side of the road and got in the trailer with him. The trailer felt like it was going to rock off its axles but we just huddled up until it was safe to continue. He just patiently waited, munching hay, until we could get on with it. He never saw what the fuss was about, in general.”

The Alchemyst truly became the vessel through which Debbie lived out some of her biggest dreams. In 2015 at the conclusion of his upper-level career, Debbie elected to allow her partner to become a teacher, sending him to reside with Lauren Sherrill. He remained under Lauren’s care, traveling with her from the East coast to California to Arizona, all the way through his final days.

 

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“You taught me more lessons than I ever imagined possible,” Lauren wrote in a statement. “I will forever miss getting to gallop cross country with you. There will never be another like you. What I’ll miss the most, though, are the quiet moments at home. From cuddles in your stall while you napped just before attacking a cross country course, to the bareback trail rides to watch the sun rise or set.”

Please join the Eventing Nation team in sending condolences to Debbie, Lauren, and everyone else who loved The Alchemyst. Please share your favorite “Al” memory in the comments.