David Jennings with Zoe, left, and Yeti
Photo by Holly Bachor
By Lisa Davis Engel
David Jennings, owner of Full Circle Farm, has been in the irons since he was 5 years old, first as a pony rider and now as a top trainer and grand prix rider. Sidelines magazine caught up with David ringside at the HITS Ocala showgrounds where he will be stabled all winter.
How did you get started with riding?
When I was 5 years old, my mother was taking lessons in Sussex, New Jersey, and I would go along and watch her ride. I wanted to do that also, so I started taking lessons. We moved to McGraw, New York, and my mother and I started to foxhunt together. I was 6 years old when Susan Lowe discovered me on the hunt field and asked that I ride ponies for her. I rode the smalls, mediums and larges, and went to Pony Finals.
Did you ever do any other sports?
I played a little bit of basketball and a bit of football in high school, but horses took too much of my time.
Who has inspired you the most in life?
There are so many, but I think I would have to say Todd Minikus. He taught me a lot.
If you weren’t a horse trainer, what would you do?
I would be a back country fishing guide.
Family?
I have two older brothers who still live in upper New York and neither is in the horse business.
How many dogs do you own?
I own two miniature Aussies, Zoe and Yeti.
Favorite show?
Traverse City, Michigan
What three things are the most important to you when riding a horse?
Ability, brain and rideability
How do you relax?
Fishing
If you could talk to anyone, who would it be and why?
I would talk Ludger Beerbaum. He is one of the most magnificent riders I’ve watched and I would love to get my horses going like he does.
What’s the best feeling you’ve ever had?
In 2014, I rode HH Dauphin for Woodrun Farm in the HITS Ocala Million and placed 13th after only having sat on the horse once before that.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing?
Fishing shirts
If you could tell every hunter or jumper rider one thing, what would it be?
Never stop working hard
How many weeks of the year do you travel?
I’ve owned three farms at one point and for what my business is now, I can’t ever figure out how and why to have a physical place to call home when you’re never there. So, we base ourselves at shows and travel 50 weeks a year.
Where would you like to be right now?
Retired
What is your favorite movie?
“Gladiator”
What is your favorite food?
Sushi
Do you have a “bucket list”? If so, what tops that list?
Go to Hawaii or New Zealand and fish for blue marlin
Do you have a personal motto?
What goes around comes around, which is why my barn name is Full Circle Farm.
