Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 19, 2018–Elizabeth Juliano became the sole owner of Salvino on Friday after completing the purchase from the original group of Americans who acquired the Hanoverian stallion three years ago as a United States team prospect for rider Adrienne Lyle.

Adrienne and the 11-year-old Salvino in three 2017 CDI Grand Prix competitions–one in Wellington and two in Europe–have already become one of six combinations on the U.S. Elite list heading to the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina in September.

“I think you don’t often get an opportunity in life to get a horse with such potential, trained and ridden in a situation of great familiarity and in which I have complete confidence,” Betsy told dressage-news.com after closing the deal on Salvino.

“All of the ingredients are there to make the situation as good as it could be.

“I’ve also had the chance to watch not only Adrienne but also other excellent U.S. team riders and one of the greatest joys of my life is to be part of that effort. Whether we win or lose it is always a thrill to have riders competing under the U.S. flag.”

With the purchase of Salvino, Betsy further establishes herself as a major force in high performance American dressage.

The successful self-made businesswoman also owns Horizon, the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare also ridden by Adrienne that is expected to begin competing at Grand Prix later this year, and two 13-year-old Hanoverian geldings being trained by Jennifer Baumert–Handsome, competing successfully at small tour, and Riccidoff.

Betsy is also a significant financial supporter of Laura Graves who with Verdades is ranked No. 4 in the world, was on the U.S. bronze medal team at the 2016 Olympics, the 2014 World Games, 2015 Pan American Games gold medal team and was reserve champion at last year’s Omaha World Cup Final.

Betsy of Gates Mills, Ohio and Wellington had high praise for Akiko Yamazaki, the owner of the top horses of Steffen Peters, whom she credits with making possible the original purchase in 2015.

“I really want to acknowledge and thank Akiko because it was she who made this possible,” Betsy said. “Even though she is completely committed to Steffen, it was her vision to acquire a team prospect for Adrienne to ride, and a horse of which the rest of us could have ownership. This gave me the chance to gradually acquire more shares, and as of today I own 100 per cent.”

She spoke highly of the original partners in the syndicate, Jen and Bruce Hlavacek, owners of Weltino’s Magic that Steffen rode for team and individual gold at the 2011 Pan American Games, and Elma Garcia and her husband, Jim Cannavino, who moved from the West Coast to be near the Tryon International Equestrian Center that will host the WEG.

“Blessed,” was the way the 33-year-old Adrienne of Ketchum, Idaho and Wellington described her feelings after the arrangements were wrapped up.

“I am so fortunate that our paths crossed several years ago and led to what has become an incredible owner/rider relationship,” said Adrienne who rode Wizard for the U.S. at the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Games.

“Betsy’s contribution to the sport of dressage in general is great, and her support of me and the horses I ride for her is unbelievable. She is an owner who truly loves the whole training process, and will be by the ring watching her horses develop every day. The whole process of developing a dressage horse is what I love about the sport, and it is great to have a like-minded owner who gets joy out of the journey.

“I also want to thank Akiko and every member of Salvino Partners that made it possible for me to begin my partnership with this incredible horse.

“I will never forget the day I got a phone call from Bruce Hlavacek telling me there was a group of owners that wanted to syndicate a horse for me. It is an absolute incredible honor and I am thankful to them all.”

Bruce Hlavacek said he is “thrilled that Betsy has decided to take on the ownership of this wonderful stallion. Our original mission of bringing a viable horse for Team USA has been accomplished.

“Betsy is in the East Coast and is in the position to lead a strong team around Salvino in this important WEG year. A horse and rider require a strong team behind them which includes the owner, coach, vet, groom, farrier and everyone that is involved in the endeavor.

“Betsy has been playing a key role with other Team USA horse and rider combinations already and will no doubt continue to lead Team Salvino toward more success.”

Part 2: Betsy Juliano applies the skills that made her a successful businesswoman into a powerhouse owner and supporter of dressage.