Joie Gatlin – Sponsored Rider

Joie Gatlin (Joie Gatlin-Morley Abey Show Jumping) is no stranger to competing at the highest international levels. As a junior, she won the USET Medal Finals as well as other national championships. As a professional athlete, she has represented the United States in World Cup competitions, the Nations Cup, and in the Olympic trials. As a role model, she applies her talent, focus and determination to teaching professionals, juniors and amateurs, as well as developing young talented jumpers into Grand Prix show jumpers.

1. At what age did you begin riding, and what riding style did you begin with?

I was on a horse at the age of two, there in the backyard. My style was bareback and by the seat of my pants. I didn’t formally start doing English until I was 10.

2. What is the best training tip you received from a trainer?

A very hard question, because I think it takes a lot of training tips. If I had to pick one, have good corners.

3. What is the worst training tip you received from a trainer?

I don’t know if it’s a tip or an observation, but jumping too many jumps in the warm up ring. I am a big advocate for less is more, so jumping too many jumps in the warm up ring just takes away from your jumps in the show ring. No trainer has ever told me to jump more jumps in the warm up, so I guess this is more of a good tip to avoid poor training.

4. What training technique is your go to tool for preparing yourself and your horse(s) for a show?

My go-to tool is gymnastics. We set a lot of them at home both for myself and for our clients. They really help the form and technique of the horses so that they can be sharper in the show ring.

5. What do you consider your biggest riding strength?

I would say my leg and position.

6. What has been your biggest riding challenge?

I would say that when you get a horse going well and receiving good ribbons, that expectation of having to keep that level up.

7. If you could ride anywhere in the world where would that be?

I love riding in CA and North America. But if I could spend a long period of riding and developing, it would be in Europe. Just for fun? I’ve ridden in the mountains for 8 hours with my dad, my butt was so sore.

8. Do you cross train/trail ride with your horse(s)?

Yes, we’ve got some great trails around our property in San Juan Capistrano and it’s a nice change for the horses to get outside the barn a bit.

9. If you were to dress up your horse(s) for Halloween what would you both be?

I think Batman and Robin.

10. What books on riding would you recommend?

I think it’s always interesting to browse through books. The one I like a lot is Linda Allen’s book, 101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider, because it’s a lot of different gymnastic exercises and it’s simple and you can follow it nicely.