Upper-level eventer Anna Loschiavo shines at Majestic Oaks Horse Trials

REDDICK, FL (352today.com) – Upper-level eventer Anna Loschiavo was among those competing this past weekend, Jan. 11-12, at the Majestic Oaks 3-Day Event Horse Trials in Ocala.

Loschiavo and her business partner, Stephanie Jackson, run Chase Hollow Farm, operating out of Bradford, VT and Ocala. They manage horses in training and provide coaching for students and clients.

Ocala’s extensive equestrian facilities have drawn Loschiavo and Jackson to the area for over a decade.

“The area has beautiful farms, beautiful soil, and obviously the weather,” said Loschiavo. “The way that the whole community has developed to provide us with a lot more training facilities and things that are local. You don’t have to drive four to 12 hours to get somewhere. We’re 15 minutes down the road from this competition. And this facility has improved every single year. The owners have done a phenomenal job making it better and better for us to come down to give our horses and students the miles in competition and training, even if you’re not here to compete, to get the training to get better and be more successful; to get up for your next step.”

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The logistical challenges of competing in eventing, particularly over long distances, can be daunting. However, Ocala’s proximity to top-tier venues like Rocking Horse in Altoona, the Florida Horse Park, and Majestic Oaks makes it easier for both horses and riders.

“I think between our whole crew we have probably four trailers, so when we travel, it’s like big waves going up the coast,” said Loschiavo. “We go to a lot of the local events in Florida. We consider Rocking Horse local. We just go and do day trips to that. If we’re going to TerraNova, it’s usually an FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), so we’re stabling down there. When we’re up north, it’s a lot more travel to get the upper-level horses out in the summertime. We’re like 12 hours at a time, whereas down here, the Florida Horse Park and Rocking Horse run an advanced and TerraNova runs a 4-star. Everything is right at your fingertips.”

In their barn, Loschiavo and Jackson have several promising horses, including Loschiavo’s Irish sport horse gelding, Fernhill Maverick, who has moved up to the 3-star level, and a talented prospect named Dallas.

“Dallas isn’t at the upper levels yet, but he’s a blink of an eye away from it,” said Loschiavo. “He has all the scope and the potential. He did a bunch in the show jumping, just like my Maverick horse did. He’s really super, and we have some youngsters that we’re bringing along that are competing today. Everything’s for sale, but we like to try to keep them, develop and hang onto them for a little while.”