BarnManager Q&A With: Ally Bradley

BarnManager Q&A With: Ally Bradley

Ally Bradley, show groom for Catherine Tyree, a young professional show jumping athlete based out of Wellington, FL

What are three things that are always in your ring bag and why?

My ring bag is a small tack room, to be honest. It of course comes with the usuals, but I will not go anywhere without a stud tree, Advil, or my spare rope halter. All three have proven to be useful on the days that make you say, “Well that wasn’t supposed to happen…”

Photo courtesy of Ally Bradley

What’s something you learned early in your career that has stuck with you?

Early in my career, I was working for Neil Jones while Mavis Spencer was still riding for him. Mavis taught me that there are many ways to do something correctly as long as you keep good horsemanship in mind. There is no one true path to success with horses. You have to leave room for error and stay empathetic with both the horses and humans around you. There has to be a space for differences in styles and personalities. Nothing in the barn belongs in a “box.”

Who inspires you the most in the industry and why?

My industry inspiration would be my childhood trainer, Kathy Slack, who is really more like my mom. When she started her career in horses, it was more of a side gig to teach a few lessons and enjoy her own horses while she worked as a nurse. She bought a small building with land and built the stalls inside the structure herself. Before you know it, she went from two horses to five to 10. Now, 25 years later, between two separate business operations, she oversees 80+ horses and countless riders and students. She does this all while being an incredible mom, instructor, philanthropist, and mentor. Kathy is the coolest person and the one who inspired me to go to Wellington and start grooming. I am grateful to her for everything she has done for me through the years.

What is your best tip for staying organized during a busy show day?

Photo by Lauren White Media

When the days get busy and you start going fast, the best thing you can do is have a clear plan from the get-go. Communication is also important. If everyone is on one page from the moment you feed the horses in the morning to the moment you feed in the afternoon, it makes for an enjoyable experience. If the plan falls apart during the day, it is also important to have a reliable and flexible team of people working with you. I consider myself really lucky to work with the team of people I do. I am quite close and work very seamlessly with my rider Catherine Tyree and my coworker Alex Weinman. We keep it all together by creating a plan every night and sticking to it the best we can. While we are very serious about show jumping, we are also always laughing and having fun. It is extremely important to me to be on a team of people I enjoy working with. If it’s not fun, why do it?

What is one horse show you have never been to but would love to attend?

I have yet to attend Spruce Meadows, and I am dying to get up there. It is such an iconic venue, and I hope to experience it soon.

Photo by Lauren White Media

Mares, geldings, or stallions? Why?

I am just a horse person. I don’t really have a favorite. I fall in love with the personality of the horse before anything else!

If you were a horse, what would you be and why?

If I was a horse, I would hands down be a naughty school pony who lived to be 100 years old.

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!

Must-Watch Live Streams in April

The spring horse show season promises an exciting lineup of events to enjoy starting in April. Continue reading to find out where you can watch some of the biggest jumping, eventing, and dressage competitions for the month.

$500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF): April 2, 2022 – The highlight show jumping event of WEF is the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5*. This will take place on the derby field at Equestrian Village in Wellington, FL.

Where to watch: Wellington International

FEI World Cup™ Finals: April 6-10, 2022 – The 2022 FEI World Cup™ Finals for dressage and show jumping will take in Leipzig, Germany. The dressage team will include Anna Buffini and Ashley Holzer. Misti Cassar, Katie Dinan, Margie Engle, Hunter Holloway, Schuyler Riley, Aaron Vale, Kristen Vanderveen, Alessandra Volpi, and McLain Ward will represent the U.S. Jumping team.

Where to watch: ClipMyHorse.TV

Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Week III: April 6-10, 2022 – The final week of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, located in Katy, TX, features hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. There will be two grand prix classes taking place Thursday, April 7, and Saturday, April 9. Additionally, there will be a National and an International Hunter Derby held on Friday, April 8.

Where to watch: Horse & Country

National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championship: April 14-16, 2022 – The NCEA National Championship is a competition for collegiate riders. It will be held at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Riders competing in the jumping seat discipline are judged over fences and on the flat. Western riders compete in reining and horsemanship events.

Where to watch: Horse & Country

World Equestrian Center – Ocala Dressage III: April 14-16, 2022 – Dressage riders will take the spotlight at World Equestrian – Center Ocala during the Dressage III CDI3* show in Ocala, FL. It is also a USEF/USDF-sanctioned Level 5 competition. The CDI classes will be held in the Grand Arena, with the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* under the lights on Friday, April 15.

Where to watch: ClipMyHorse.TV

Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Miami Beach: April 14-16, 2022 – This beautiful show features five-star, two-star, and Global Champions League show jumping competition right on the beach in Miami, FL. The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami Beach will be the highlight event, taking place Saturday, April 16.

Where to watch: GCTV

Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event: April 28-May 1, 2022 – During the last week of April, five-star eventing competition will take place at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. It is held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The dressage phase will begin on Thursday, April 28, and continue to Friday, April 29. Riders will test out the cross-country course on Saturday, April 30, and show jumping takes place on Sunday, May 1.

Where to watch: USEF Network

 

Have questions about utilizing BarnManager or want to give it a try for yourself? Request a live demo here!

BarnManager is designed to be a part of your team, with the compatibility and credentials necessary to improve communication, simplify the management of horses, and get you out of the office, off the phone calls, and into the barn with the horses you care about! Click here to get a free demo and find out more!