By Britney Grover
Horses have been central to Teddi Ismond’s entire life. By the time she was 8 years old, Teddi was traveling to show all over the East Coast from where she grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio. She learned from the best of the best and was introduced to being a professional through her parents’ show stable, where she started her teaching career.
Teddi has produced many hunter, jumper and equitation champions over the last several decades. In addition to training, Teddi also spent over 40 years traveling the country as a USEF ‘R’ hunter and equitation judge and giving clinics. Today, her students continue to bring ribbons home to Hunting Valley Farm, now located in Aiken, South Carolina.
Tell us about your family.
My parents owned an electrical contracting business and also started Hunting Valley Farm Show Stables in Hiram, Ohio. They owned several horses including Grand Prix jumper The Cardinal and, in the hunter world, Gozzi, as well as several more. It was the family business, so I taught for them and trained with Bernie Traurig, who was working for my parents at the time too.
My mother was the first person to have a clothing store, called The Blue Ribbon, which she brought to all the horse shows in her camper before campers were popular at the shows. My parents sat on the board for the Chagrin Valley Horse Show and held many exhibitor parties for those shows.
Now, I have two adult children: My daughter is in the business with me teaching, riding and managing the show barn and my son has an interior design business.
How did your horse career start?
I started riding where everyone in Cleveland did back then, at Red Raider Camp, when I was 5. My real career began after training with George Morris for eight years, from age 10 to 18. He was also very instrumental in teaching me how to be a teacher and trainer. After my Junior years, I rode with Bernie Traurig, who taught me how to train horses to bring them along to be winners in the show ring. At 23 I started my own business in Virginia and have been training students and horses ever since.
What are your best early memories of riding?
My best memories of riding were showing at The Garden when it was actually in New York City.
Any favorite horses over the years?
There are too many to mention and for all different reasons, they were and are my favorites.
What is your favorite thing about being part of the horse world?
The friends I’ve made, and the sheer magnificence of what these horses do for us
If you weren’t involved with the horse world, what career do you think you would have picked?
Horses have been my passion since I was little, so really nothing ever entered my mind about doing anything else.
If you could tell every rider one thing, what would it be?
Don’t interpret mistakes as failure: They are simply there for you to learn from so that you can become a better rider. Your worst show day can be your best learning day.
If you had a week off, what would you do?
Go up to the lake and hang out on the boat
Where is your favorite place you’ve been?
Scotland
Where would you like to go but haven’t?
I haven’t sailed through the Greek Islands yet.
What’s something you’ve done that not many people have?
Flown in a glider
Who inspires you?
My teachers, who taught me to be curious and to think outside the box
Outside of horses, what do you like to do?
Sail
What’s your favorite meal?
Sushi
What three things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Salmon, alkaline water and cantaloupe
What’s something people don’t know about you?
I’ve been a forum production supervisor for Landmark Worldwide, which is a personal and professional growth, training and development company focusing on people achieving success, fulfillment and personal goals.
What’s something everyone should try at least once?
Sailing in the Caribbean
Photo: Teddi Ismond
Photo by Kacy Brown
