Passage Magazine November 2014 | Page 5

Olympian Lisa Wilcox has been one of the best representatives for the U.S. dressage team overseas. Eight years ago, she returned home to set up her business in Florida. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. You have accomplished so much in the world of International Dressage competition already, what are your new goals? I have several very talented horses now, my current goal is to try to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Since returning to the US from Europe, have you enjoyed any downtime? I’ve spent the last 8 years since returning to the US from Europe growing my business Lisa Wilcox LLC in Wellington, Florida. It’s taken all of this time for me to develop the successful business I have now as well as develop my new GP horses. I found I had a bit of ice breaking to do here in America after having spent most of my dressage career in Germany.....I’m sure I must have seemed like a complete stranger to most. I’ve also finally found the perfect situation for me when it comes to training facilities through simple trial and error. I now run my business out of a beautiful private farm belonging to my one of my clients. Peaceful and serene are the words that come to mind describing it and it’s only 10 minutes from the new Global Dressage facility. Can you tell me a little about your current horse line up? My current horse line up is very exciting indeed! I have 2.5 GP horses at the moment. Pikko Del Cerro, an 11 year old stallion by ( Pik L x Rohdiamant), owned by Anne Sparks of Horses Unlimited, Denzello an 11 year old gelding ( De Niro x Rohdiamant), owned by Betty Wells, and Galant ( Escuro x De Niro) 8 years old and owned by Jacqueline Shear, Galant has learned the one tempis, I am confirming the piaffe and passage with the goal of introducing him to the GP in 2015. I also have Gallant Reflection, a 5 year old stallion (Galant du Serein x Rohdiamant), owned by Anne Sparks, whom I plan to qualify for the 6 yr old Championships in Lamplight, Chicago in 2015. Finally, I have Catherina an 8 year old mare (Sandro Hit x DiMaggio), owned by Anita Fiakow, with whom I plan to qualify for the Developing Horse Championships held in Lamplight, Chicago in 2015. Interestingly enough each of these horses I’m competing now have blood lines stemming from Gestuet Vorwerk’s stallions (Rohdiamant and DiMaggio)! Lisa Wilcox and Relevant. I love my life....it’s perfect now!!! As far as downtime is concerned, living in Florida feels like downtime to me. My fiancé and I live on the intracoastal in Highland Beach, Fl. complete with a boat slip. We often take the boat to dinner after work, this is as good as resort living!! You have, obviously, ridden many amazing horses during your career, which one was your personal favorite to date? Relevant will go down into history as being the horse that took me to a WEG, a European Championships and an Olympic Games not to mention being ranked #2 in the World ranking list on Reli! I owe a lot to Relevant. Having said that I had wonderful horses during my stay at Gestuet Vorwerk, each and everyone of them were special to me. 5