Biography

Riding History

Eleven years ago Grace had her first opportunity to ride because she had outgrown her current mounts - Mom and Dad! Lauren, Grace's mother, took her to a small Western farm just outside of Spirit Lake, Iowa. The owner and trainer, Connie Nolting, brought a small flea-bitten gray Arabian out of his stall, put him in the cross ties, and handed Grace a brush. "I remember seeing Grace shaking," says Lauren, "and I was concerned. I asked her if the horse was scaring her, and she replied, 'No, Mommy, I've just never been so happy!' Little did I know that would be the beginning of my daughter's career!"

Not much has changed since then. "My happiest moments are always in the presence of horses," says Grace. "They trust me, because I always boldly trust them." Grace says that from the beginning horsemanship was stressed. "I remember more about grooming, tacking up, and just spending time with the horse I was riding. At that point, it was just about me getting comfortable with sitting on a horse in the correct position, so I had plenty of time to love the lesson horses. In return, they took care of me. That has now grown into my competition horses giving me more in the show ring. The more they know they're appreciated, the more they'll try."

At eight, Grace received her first pony. "His name was Helicon Harold, Harold for short. We moved on from the ‘Horsemanship' phase to the ‘Fall Off, Get Back On' phase. That pony had a major attitude, and wasn't at all afraid to throw you into fences, buck you off, rear, kick, bite, run you over, and so on. If nothing else, he taught me how to handle a difficult horse on the ground and in the saddle. He got me through my first year of showing on the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) "A" rated show circuit, and I do have to thank him for that!" It has never been an option for Grace to sell a horse because he is too difficult or not winning. She has always had to tough it out, and learn how to deal with the problems at hand. "Talented horses are often difficult to ride, and sometimes jumpy or mean on the ground. You have to learn how to work for the ‘good days' and accept the 'bad days' as they come. It always pays off, because after you've reached a compromise with the horse, he submits, comes through, and nails everything you ask of him. That's what makes the work so worth it, even if it comes only once in a while."

After Harold's lease was up, Grace's parents decided to lease another pony named Shenandoah Lute Song. "Lute was perfect. She taught me how to judge a distance, get a lead change, count strides down lines, stand up for the conformation model, and get noticed in the under saddle. By the end of the year, we were doing the rated ponies, which was a big deal for me at the time!" Another lease followed Grace's time with Lute. The pony's name was Color Key. "‘Joey' was way cool. He was paint, which is just so different. He didn't move well at all, and we never got a prize in the model, but he jumped so darn cute! We finished off the year at Capital Challenge with several jogs and an eighth place. I was so excited!"

Instead of a lease, trainer Laurie Jueneman and the Van Dykes made a decision to buy Simply Magical. "My Mom knew he was ‘the pony' the minute he walked out of his stall. I rode him, fell in love with him, and we ended up getting him. I never thought we'd get as far as we did. We were World Champion Pony Hunter Rider Zone 8 Champions, Fourth in both the under saddle and over fences at Capital Challenge, and Sixth at Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Winning the under saddle in Harrisburg totally topped it off. We were the best of a lot of top notch riders and ponies. I was thrilled with him!"

Then it was time to move up from the ponies and onto the horses. Shortly after their time in Pennsylvania, Grace's parents purchased Woodley Park. "Woody was, in a word, duh. Not that he was easy to ride...he was a pain in the neck most times! But he was quiet and helped me learn my way around the Children's and Junior's Hunter Rings." Grace was also lucky enough to own Heaven Sent. "Amazing. Sometimes death defying," says Grace and her Mom. "He was fun in that he could run around in the Jumper ring, and then we could go into Equitation mode and do well in those classes, too."

Following a move from the mountains into the Denver area, Woodley Park was sold, and Steve McQueen and Dutch Treat were purchased. "We held on to ‘Fizzy', and he just did the jumpers from that point on. ‘Steve' was my Equitation horse/ Large Junior Hunter. Dutch Treat, who we called ‘Zoe', was sort of a project. She had been doing the Children's Jumpers, but we thought she'd make a cute Small Junior Hunter. I did some Equitation on her, too." Grace, along with many top placings, won two classes at Oaks Blenheim and competed at Junior Hunter Finals on Steve McQueen. She also won a Children's Jumper class at HITS Indio on Heaven Sent. That fall, "Fizzy" was sold, and Orlando was purchased. "We had to take it really slow with Orlando. He was, and still is, incredibly hot and very sensitive. It had been presented that he was a 'made, ready to go' Junior Jumper/ Grand Prix horse. We soon found that wasn't true. He was getting around 3'6" courses. He's still difficult sometimes, but I've learned so much more from him than any other horse I've owned. He had some bad experiences along the way, and I've had to accept his nervousness about certain things, and help him work through it. It was fall of 2006 when all of that patience and hard work finally paid off. His confidence sky rocketed, and the horse I always knew was in there came out. Now he's gone from being confident to being a competitor. It's a relationship we earned together."

Even though Grace was qualified, she decided not to go East in Fall of 2004."I decided not to go to Indoors, but I wanted to do something fun. One of my fellow students was taking care of an Intermediate level event horse, and she let me borrow him for the Pair Pace at the Colorado Horse Park. That's what sparked my switch to Eventing." After selling Steve McQueen, Grace Evented throughout the year, beginning with Dutch Treat, then Orlando. "We found that Orlando loved the variety of Eventing. It was fun for him, because he enjoys doing different things." Grace and Orlando competed at the American Eventing Championships late that summer.

In late 2005, Orlando began showing his scope as a jumper. "He started showing me that he might be able to jump around at Young Riders." But Grace and her parents agreed that they would miss Eventing. "I came up with a goal to be the first to ever bring two horses for both Eventing and Jumping to the NAJYRC. But that meant I would need an event horse." And thus Endeavour was purchased. "I knew him a grand total of two weeks when we finished our first Event. It was just Training level, but it was a good confidence builder. We galloped around Poplar Place at Preliminary level just a few weeks later. It was a crazy summer. Orlando and I did our first Grand Prixs, and 'Mint' took me around my first CIC* Three Day Event." Grace and her two mounts competed throughout the summer, and ended up at the NAJYRC. Sadly, after competing at the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Hagyard's Midsouth CCI* Three Day Eventing Championship, Endeavour died of colic surgery complications on December 27, 2006.

After "Mint's" death, and a several month long search, Open Secret, a young Australian thoroughbred, joined Orlando on Grace's team. "He's a peach. Absolutely wonderful." "Opie" made a mark with Grace with his many top placings. He competed in the Level 4 and 5 Jumpers, Modified and Low Junior Jumpers, Junior Equitation and Medals with top placings until his sale in August of 2008. "As I taught him about the hunters and equitations, I re-learned as well. It was good experience for both of us, and we were very successful. He's great to ride, whether it's in the the hunters, equitation, or jumpers."

Grace has competed in numerous National Standard Grand Prixs since late 2006, with a 10th, 8th, and 12th placing in three, aboard Orlando. She was also ranked 13th Individually at the NAJYRC 2007, and was an important piece of the 6th Placed Team. In August 2008, they returned to the NAJYRC for the third year in a row, this time earning a spot on Zone 8's Young Rider team.

The latest turn in Grace's journey was her purchase of Ophelia. "We literally found her sitting in a friend's front yard. She was well bred, brave, smart, and athletic. We bought her after a quick vet check." Ophelia, called "Missy", has proven a hugely talented jumper. "She can just do it all! She's won classes everywhere from Jacksonville to Devon. I never know what's next...the horses tell me, which makes things very hard to anticipate! Really though, I'm very lucky. I've had so many incredible learning experiences throughout my career. I can't wait for more!"

Training

Grace, unlike the vast majority of Junior riders, does nearly all of her own training. "There were no Jumper or Event trainers reasonably close to our home in Iowa, and over the nine months we were there, I learned how to do it myself." Grace started "self training" in Spring of 2006. "It's been a good learning experience. I know how my horses need to be schooled, prepared for shows, and so on."

Depending on the horse, Grace has a very specific plan. "They all have their care routines with certain supplements, feeds, turn out, and so on. When it comes to riding, if the horse can consistently canter around a course, I rarely jump him. I keep them fit and sharp by riding in the ring, field, and over cavaletti. I'm most interested in building up jumping muscles without the unnecessary pounding of jumping. When I do jump, it's free, through a grid, or around a very short, technical course. This keeps the horses sound, happy, and fresh for the shows."

Teaching

Grace enjoyed teaching lessons and clinics at a barn located in Littleton, as well as at her home before leaving for college. "I love teaching lessons and schooling horses. It is an absolute joy to share my knowledge, and learn from other riders and their horses. Everyone is unique, has their own set of strengths and issues, and that is what makes teaching so interesting."

Trinity Farm

The Van Dyke's Trinity Farm is located just fifteen minutes from the towns of Parker and Castle Rock. "It's a terrific location. We live on twelve acres, but with our neighbor's having eighty, and the Pradera golf course behind us, it feels very open. And yet, we are still very close in. It's only fifteen minutes to run typical errands, and thirty to downtown Denver or Colorado Springs."

Grace's mother was largely in charge of the building of the barn. "She wanted to make sure it was done right, which it was." No corners were cut, especially when it came to stalls. The floors are rubber mats over a clay base. "We knew how important it was that the horses stay on soft footing as much as possible, and designed the stall floors as such.” It was also important that the barn be well ventilated and well lit. The stalls are from Stable Master. They are oversized at 12x12 feet. “The fronts and walls are pine wood to the halfway point, and steel barring to ten feet. There are four foot wide solid divisions in the back corners, so the horses can get some privacy if they want. Our stall doors are sliding and have ‘drop downs’ so the horses can poke their heads into the isle when their doors are shut. Though, most times, I leave their doors open with stall guards up.” Each of the stalls also has a Dutch door. “We leave the Dutch doors open as much as possible so the horses can look outside. They like looking around, and it’s so healthy for them to breathe the fresh air.” The wash rack has it’s own lighting and special “bubble” rubber mats, and the farrier cross ties have two windows that let in plenty of natural light. Lighting is fluorescent, and two commercial fans create a nice breeze on warm days. “The areas where our horses spend most of their time are the areas that need to be the safest and most functional, and that’s exactly what they are.”

The isle floors are textured concrete, and storage, tack room, feed room, and bathroom areas are smooth. “We didn’t want the horses to slip around, so we textured the isle. The smooth concrete is very nice for storage and rooms, simply because it’s easier to keep clean.” The feed room (12x12), tack room (12x24), and bathroom (12x12) are all finished with pine interior and exterior walls. The bathroom also includes a washer, dryer, and medical box. Trunks, saddle and bridle racks, and shelves containing saddle pads and towels are kept in the tack room. “I like having an enclosed feed room. I know the grain and supplements will maintain their nutrients better in a more controlled environment.”

The land and riding areas were designed at the same high level as the barn. The entire property is contained in a four foot high PVC or electric fence to ensure the horse’s safety. The three large paddocks ranging from one acre to three acres are frequently inspected for bad footing or, if need be, fencing repairs. One of the paddocks is also used as a jumping field. “The footing stays nice, and there’s so much room to set open courses. Aside from that, the horses so enjoy jumping over terrain on a grass field.” The Van Dykes also have a 100x150 fenced outdoor arena with all weather angulated sand footing. Grace uses the arena for flat work, lunging, and lessons. When she’s not riding on her own land, Grace likes trail riding on her neighbor’s eighty acres.

When it comes to care, you will only find the best at Trinity Farm. Stalls are cleaned two times or more daily, the floors are always swept and clean, and everything is well maintained. “My horses only get the best feeds, and I have carefully hand selected a daily supplement system from SmartPak. They do a lot and need to be on the best nutritional program.” Horses at Trinity Farm are fed soft, top quality grass hay, and their stalls are bedded in dust-free pine shavings or straw. Grace also has equine professionals such as farrier Dodd Stone, veterinarian Dr. Jessica Dunbar, equine dentist Phil Ratliff, chiropractors Ed Boldt and Jerrod Kennell, and physical therapist Catherine Azar come work on her horses. “Their health and happiness is my first concern, because when they feel good, they perform their best.”

Working at Hunter Valley Farm

Grace is currently a working student for Becky Thornton of Hunter Valley Farm in Knoxville, Tennesssee. "It's a wonderful experience. I'm getting a real taste of what it's like to be a professional. The farm is spectacular as is the surrounding area. My horse is so happy here, too, which makes everything so stress free for me." Hunter Valley Farm offers only the best in board and training. Riders and horses are consistently in the top ribbons at shows, and the environment at home is amazing. "I'm very privileged to have such a wonderful place to be for the summer, and I'm learning so much."

Outside Horses

During high school, Grace had a very tight schedule when only caring for her own horses. In addition to that and her teaching, she found time for singing in the Cherry Hills Community Church choir.

Grace was homeschooled by her mother. "It's the only way we could travel as much as we wanted to. I've been to public and private schools, but I don't feel like I missed out."

Grace still enjoys spending time with her close friends at home and college. She also has been lucky enough to make plenty of friends all over the country at horse shows, and makes sure to stay in touch with them.

"I need riding as much as I need air, but to be able to mix it up and get away for a couple of hours every once in a while is nice." Grace says simply, "I like music that moves you, truly good movies that give you goosebumps, dancing to anything anywhere anytime, and singing while driving in the car. I like working hard, and I like having a good time. Still, though, I'm always happiest when I'm on my horse."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A To be truly good.

Q What is your greatest fear?
A Not trying.

Q Which living person do you most admire?
A God.

Q On what occasion do you lie?
A I don't. I'd prefer to be rude than a liar.

Q When and where are you the happiest?
A On a bareback trail ride with Missy after a long day of work.

Q What do you most value in your friends?
A Honesty.

Q Which talent would you most like to have?
A The talents I have.

Q What is your most treasured possession?
A My Missy! And of course the people I love.

Q What do you regard the lowest depths of misery?
A Holding the lead rope while one of my horses is put to sleep.

Q How would you like to die?
A I wouldn't, but if I must...happily, after a relaxing day of riding and spending time with the people I love.

Q What is your motto?
A "All things are possible through Christ who gives me strength"

Q How did you get started riding?
A I started riding when I was about four years old. I got too big for my parents to keep giving me "horsey back rides", so my mom took me to a little western farm. I took my first lesson with Connie Nolting on a flea-bitten gray horse named Phar Out.

Q What are the accomplishments you are most proud of?
A I won a class on Simply Magical at the 2002 Pennsylvania National. I qualified for the Maclay Medal Final when I was twelve, and the next year competed at the American Eventing Championships. I was the first ever to compete in both Eventing and Show Jumping at the NAJYRC in 2006, and I have returned for Show Jumping in 2007 and 2008 with top prizes. I have had many top placings in Grand Prixs. Ophelia and I won a class at Devon. However, the relationships with my horses top anything I could ever win.

Q Do you want to be a professional rider/ trainer?
A Yes, but I will graduate college first.

Q Do you have a preference between Dressage and Jumping?
A I love them both the same, but in my mind, Dressage needs to come before Jumping.

Q What are your goals?
A The big four; World Equestrian Games, World Cup, Pan American Games, and the Olympics.

Q What is your riding routine?
A It's a mixture of lunging over cavaletti, long lining, free schooling and jumping, barebacking, trail riding, dressage and flat work, and jumping. No two weeks in a row are ever the same. It keeps the horses fresh.

Q What is the hardest thing about balancing riding and work?
A When I don't have class, it's pretty easy, because usually riding is work for me. When I am in class, though, it's really hard juggling class, homework, a job, and riding. I just prepare myself for sleep deprivation.

Q Do you have any hobbies?
A I've enjoyed working out at the gym and singing in the church choir. I also love movies, music, dancing, card games, pool, and spending time with my friends. My favorite thing, though, is swimming!

Q In what horse show would you most like to compete?
A I have a lot of goals, but if I had to choose just one it would be the Olympics.

Q If you had a chance to ride with anyone in the world, who would you most like to ride with, even if it was just for a clinic or for a week?
A My trainers and coaches have included Laurie Jueneman, Randy Henry, James Moore, John McConnel, Debbie Adams, John Staples, Jeffray Ryding, Nick Novak, Kyle Dewar, Alex Granato, Jennifer Rhodes, Lindsey Kendall, and Glee White. I have also been lucky enough to ride with Olympians Darren Chiacchia and Manuel Torres. Top Grand Prix rider Callan Solem has taught me very much. I have also ridden in clinics with Jan Byyny, George Schneider, Karsten Huck, and Bijorn Ikast. Of course, I would be honored to ride with Mark Phillips or George Morris! Jim Wofford, Jos Lansink, and Debbie McDonald also top the list.

Q What is your favorite horse show?
A I love the NAJYRC. You always walk away from the Championships as a better rider.

Q What do you love most about horses?
A Their kind eye, big heart, brilliant mind, and forgiving spirit. Horses will never, ever judge or lie.

Q What is it about the jumper ring that you love most?
A I love how close you have to be with your mount to be truly successful at the upper levels. Winning means nothing if you and your horse didn't really earn it as a team.

Q Who are your major riding influences?
A Full time training hasn't always been an option for me. I rely on my gut, which is simply God's leading.

Q Do you have anything special that you do to help you prepare for horse shows?
A I keep with my routine, and jump some big courses once or twice before we leave.

Q What is your favorite horse show memory?
A It was quite a thrill going clear in Orlando and my third ever Grand Prix! And in our second National Standard Grand Prix, we only had one rail...at the last fence! Laurie, my first trainer, was coached me in one of my first Prixs. I came out of the ring crying, with all of her clients who I had known for years standing there. When we cleared the last fence in the NAJYRC Junior Championship First Individual Qualifying Round 2007, the crowd just errupted, as they did after the First Round on Individual Championship Day. At the Minnesota Harvest we reserved a block of 25 seats just for my supporters and we filled them all. I finished eighth in very good company. They were so proud of me, and I was so proud to have them there witnessing my best Grand Prix finish yet. After the class, I got to sign autographs, and when I returned to my stalls, Orlando was poking his head out over his stall guard, and wearing his ears for pictures! Sure, my "Fan Club" was there, but people I had never seen before wanted photos with the horse who jumped the Grand Prix with the fifteen year old! I was so excited when Ophelia and I won at Devon. It was our first Devon blue, and it was so cool we could do that together. Those were all very cool moments in my career!

Q Why do you have the goals you do?
A Why not? So goes the cliche by Les Brown, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars..."

Q Tell us some things we don't know about Orlando.
A He loves to play with his tongue. He sticks it out when we're riding, but a few horses do that... I have never seen any horse roll their tongue, which he thoroughly enjoys doing in the cross ties! He likes banana flavored granola bars. It's the only thing I can get him to eat while he's on the trailer. The only lateral movement he does really well is shoulder in. His favorite gait is the extended trot, which you can often catch him doing even when he's not under saddle. He dunks his hay in water...I think of it as shrimp and cocktail sauce, but for horses. He loves oats, and his favorite treat is carrot. He'll gladly open his Dutch door, walk out, and eat grass, but wouldn't dare go under his stall guard and into the barn! If he's feeling playful, he'll "trot" around with me in the field. I could go on for days about this horse's little quirks!

Q Tell us some things we don't know about Opie.
Opie sometimes prances when you're leading him or when he's just walking undersaddle, but it never lasts very long, because he thinks it's just way too much work, and doesn't understand why he should use up that much energy. He's the only horse I know that can give Orlando a run for his money. The first time we turned them out together, they basically ran laps, and Orlando kept falling farther and farther behind. I quite enjoyed that, as I can't even wear Orlando out. Opie loves playing with his mouth. He puckers his lips and grinds his teeth quite a lot. He loves his mullen happy mouth loose ring, only for its apple flavor. His favorite treat is Mrs. Pasture's. The bottom half of his mane is naturally curly. He's still learning where all of those long legs are, and how to manage them. If he ever has a rub or a rail, you better slam your heels down and grab some mane over the next fence, because he will NOT be touching it under any circumstances. Roll tops, liverpools, and butterfly standards impress him. He loves people. He'll play with you all day long and follow you around like a puppy dog. Opie's one of the very few horses that will let you open his stall door, crawl under the guard, and curl up next to him...while he's laying down!

Q What are your best qualities?
The thing I like best about myself is the work ethic I have in the equestrian business. Whether it be riding or mucking stalls, I do it to the best of my ability every time.

Q What has been your favorite moment while teaching?
I was teaching a beginner, who had only cantered twice and both times had fallen off. Neither were under my supervision; this was the first time I had taught her. She wouldn't canter on or off the lunge line, and no matter how hard her Mom and I tried, she was too afraid. I can't blame her! I remember learning how to canter, and the first few times I fell off. It's really scary, anyone would agree with me. I thought back to when I learned how to canter. My trainer got on with me double, and we just cantered around a round pen until I got the feel for the rhythm and decided that it's actually pretty darn fun! Now, that was on an abnormally large Arabian. The horse I was teaching the girl on is just north of being a pony, short backed, and just all around little. Obviously this meant that the saddle was, too. But I put my foot in the stirrup, managed to get on, and somehow made room for both of us. I sat behind her, I held the reins with her hands over mine, and her feet in the stirrups. All I was doing was holding her on the horse and getting her to canter. She was terrified for the first lap or so, but soon she relaxed. It was the exact same situation I had gone through when I was her age, and now she canters on the lunge line, no questions asked. It was a great thing taking the fear out of her. Riding is no good unless it's fun, and I'm glad I could put the fun back in it for her. It's also been great seeing kids move out of my program and into a more advanced one with Professionals, buying their first ponies and horses, and taking them to schooling shows. Knowing that I taught them the basics and gave them that little push to go farther is a great feeling. Another one of my students shows in the Children's Hunters, often times with no help from me because I'm at a different show. She just goes and gets it done with some help from her Mom, and always walks away with some good prizes. It's another situation where I taught her the right habits, and she remembers them in the show ring. Just recently, I coached a good friend and student at her first "A" Rated Hunter Jumper Horse Show. She won her first class! It was great seeing her improve from there throughout the two weeks.

Q What kind of horses do you ride or like riding?
A My favorite type is a more refined warmblood. They must be smart, athletic, brave, and submissive, but most importantly, they must have good heart.

Q Have you ever fallen or had a bad accident riding?
A If people say, "You're never a true horseperson until you've fallen," then I definitely qualify! The worst fall I've had was in Colorado Springs 2002. It was totally my fault, as most falls usually are the rider's fault. I came off of my Children's Jumper, Fizzy, while in midair over an oxer and landed square on my left arm. I ended up with a bad break, and was in a cast all summer (not to mention in desperate need for some chiropractic work)! I was a lawn dart off of a mare named Zoe a little later on. We jumped up a bank out of water, and she neglected to pick up one of her front feet, sending me soaring. I still have that dent in my helmet. No worse for the wear, I asked where my horse was, hopped on, and tried again! 2008 was a rough, year, too, with over six falls in under nine months. None of them were too nasty, but I did have some good bruises from taking out a few jumps. The trick is, when you fall off, good, bad, or ugly, to get back on as soon as you can. If you don't, you'll get scared and lose confidence.

Q Tell us some things we don't know about Ophelia.
A We call her Missy, Miss, Miss O, Philly Phil,and Fille (meaning "daughter") in the barn. Yes, lots of nicknames. She loves food. There's nothing she won't eat, but her favorite is Skittles. She jumps me out of the tack at 3'. She LOVES to horse show. Loves it. You dare not try to flat her when there are jumps present because she gets too distracted with them to focus on you! She puckers and kisses you straight on the mouth. She loves geldings and is not a fan of other mares. She's extremely protective of me. She just loves love and anyone who will give it to her.