Heidi Hanson (l) receives instruction from championship rider Wilhemina “Willie” Horzepa as she, along with fellow students from the Norwegian Equestrian Team, participate in a three-day clinic hosted by Horzepa at her family farm in Millstone. SCOTT FRIEDMAN I t seems that “Wild” Willie Horzepa’s acclaim in the horse world has reached beyond the national level to become intercontinental renown.
The 21-year-old horse prodigy, whose illustrious career in riding began at the tender age of 3, hosted the Norwegian National Equestrian Team this weekend at the Horzepa Farm on Forman Road in Millstone for part of a three-day clinic.
“How many people can say the Norwegian Equestrian Team is coming all the way to the United States to be trained by a 21- year-old,” Willie’s proud father Bob asked rhetorically.
Not many, but then again, Willie can lay claim to a lot of statements others couldn’t match, whether among peers or those who have been riding much longer than she.
Ingred Snoen maneuvers around a pole as she and teammates from the Norwegian Equestrian Team, Bergen, Norway, take part in a clinic led by Willie Horzepa. SCOTT FRIEDMAN It all started, according to Bob, when a wee Willie approached her father with the wish of many a young girl.
“At the age of 3, Willie looked me in the eye and said, ‘Could I ride horses?’ ” he said. “I said, ‘Sure, when you get older.’ And she stared right through to my soul and said, ‘Daddy, I mean now.’”
Like many daddies would, Bob gave in and took young Willie for lessons. Her first time out, the instructor put Willie atop a former racehorse named Noble.
“And she just got on and rode off in perfect form,” he said, sounding as impressed as he was that day so many years ago.
The years between have held no shortage of proud moments for the family. When Willie was 5, she, along with her now 18- year-old sister Mary Elizabeth, won state championships in conformation. At 9 years old, Willie took home four state championships competing among college freshmen.
“She was up against guys with beards,” Bob said, adding, “People would come up and touch the pony and touch Willie like she was Jesus of Nazareth.”
By age 10, she was named the Monmouth County Driving Champion in 4-H — an organization in which she and her sister garnered many awards over the years — with her father in tow next to her in the cart, because she was too young to drive alone.
“I was scared, but she wasn’t,” he recalled.
When she was 15, Willie became the 2005 United States Equestrian Foundation’s (USEF’s) Leading Owner Pony Jumper, more than doubling the points earned by the second-place finisher. The same year, the star rider earned a bronze medal in the Junior Olympics in Lexington, Ky.
As her father will attest, despite Willie’s amazing record for a rider of any age, she remains remarkably low-key about her accomplishments.
“To me, it’s not personal success really, it’s a partnership,” she said. “If I make a mistake and the horse saves me, I thank the horse. You really have to appreciate the animals and what they do.”
While that may be true, what Willie fails to mention is that her horses may also have her to thank for their success. Since childhood, she has been retraining horses to bring them along to a level where they can compete and win jumping and barrel racing contests among higher-class opponents.
According to Bob, the family could never afford to purchase high-priced horses at auctions, so instead, they bought those priced in the hundreds instead of tens of thousands, and the girls brought them along to become successful.
However, Willie said she prefers to work with younger horses instead of trying to retrain older ones.
“It’s not really fair to try to change a horse,” she said, adding that some of those she works with are former thoroughbred racers that didn’t make the mark. “People give them a bad name because they do have so much spirit, but they just need more time.”
Although she may downplay her ability with the animals, it is important to note that many of the horses Willie has molded into champions have been deemed by other trainers as too difficult to ride, and had essentially been written off before she took their reins.
“They just had the natural ability,” Bob said of his two daughters.
So much so, in fact, that before the girls were old enough to attend school, they were being accosted by bettors at Monmouth Park to pick winners, he said.
Perhaps it is Willie’s affinity for, and patience with, her horses that helps them to exceed the performance of others and even break records.
“Being around them my whole life, it just kind of becomes instinct,” she said.
Bob recounted a jump she made during the Gold Coast Classic at Wellington, Fla., when she was 14. The announcer noted that, at 17 seconds, it was the fastest jump he had announced during his 20-year career. Willie took first and second in the event, and Mary Elizabeth followed up in third place.
“When you watch Willie jump, she just goes hell-bent for leather,” he said.
Obviously, all of this success took time and dedication, things both Willie and Mary Elizabeth were afforded through being home-schooled. This allowed them to travel the country when needed, and of course, to devote hours each day to perfecting their skills.
Willie earned a GED in lieu of attending high school; Mary Elizabeth is a senior at Allentown High School.
Today, “Wild” Willie’s passion for the sport still cannot be bridled. This year, she fulfilled yet another goal by riding in the professional Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove.
“That was fun, because that was something I always wanted to do,” she said, adding that she plans to take part in more of the events, which require speed and agility.
In addition, she wants to show in more mini prixs with her horse Arriba, to pursue her real passion, which is jumping. She also hopes to take some thoroughbreds to the Garden State Horse Show, May 2-6 in Augusta.
A larger and longtime goal has been to compete in a grand prix event, which would require finding a reasonably priced horse fit for the task, or bringing one along, she said.
Along with working as assistant trainer at Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts Neck six days a week, Willie also runs the family’s namesake Horzepa Farm along with her sister, where they train horses and provide lessons, particularly to youngsters ranging in age from 5 to 14, with whom Willie said she enjoys working.
“It’s nice to have them around the barn,” she said. “Most of [my students] are very good and they want to help.”
She not only teaches them the riding aspect of horses, but also all the skills involved with caring for a horse from start to finish.
“They take these little kids and they make them like champions,” Bob said.
As if all of that wasn’t enough of a full plate to manage, Willie also travels to Pennsylvania once weekly to check out horses for potential purchase.
Fortunately for her, Willie’s fiancé, Scott Curtis, pitches in, as it would appear he’d have to if he hoped to spend any time with the focused horse devotee.
“He helps me with everything,” she said, adding regarding her schedule, “I’m insane, pretty much.”
It may be that very “insanity” that left the Norwegian team thirsting for more of her training after last year’s session, which happened by accident.
A scheduling snafu last year at another farm got the team referred to Willie for a Western riding clinic, during which she instructed them in barrel riding and pole bending.
“They liked it so much last year, they wanted to come back for three days,” she said. “They had a blast. They were great to work with.”
Willie informed her father of their arrival in her signature, nonchalant style.
“I just found out yesterday,” he said late last week. “She said, ‘Dad, the people from Norway are going to be here Sunday,’ ” he said, adding that he quickly set about arranging a barbecue lunch for their arrival.
Willie pointed out that while the high school-age team members speak English, they are not necessarily fluent, which makes it necessary for her to do more showing instead of telling with technical terms.
After lessons on Sunday and Monday, she said she planned to close out their visit with a big trail ride through Millstone Thursday.