THIS WEEKEND: Improve Your Score with USEF “R” Judge Steve Heinecke Clinic

Robindale Farm and Sock Inc. are pleased to present an opportunity for hunter and equitation riders of all levels to improve their results in the show ring with the “Improve Your Score with USEF “R” Judge Steve Heinecke” clinic on Sunday, Dec. 18!

With limited spots available, the two-session, one-day clinic will begin with demonstration rides along with scoring and commentary from nationally recognized “R” judge and trainer, Heinecke. In addition to insight into how a judge scores over fences and handy rounds, Heinecke will explain what judges look for in the under saddle with a mock hack class. Questions from riders and auditors are welcome. Each session will focus on improving participants’ scores in the hunter and equitation rings by applying what was discussed during the initial Q&A and demo session earlier in the day.

This is a great opportunity to ride with a highly sought-after judge and trainer right here at home! Riding spaces are $75 (lunch included) and will be organized according to fence height. Spaces are extremely limited! Please email Carolyn Rechkemmer at robindalefarm@gmail.com for more information and to sign up. Auditors are encouraged and pre-registration of auditors is not required, but is appreciated.

To learn more about Sock Inc. and Steve Heinecke click here and find Sock Inc. on Facebook here.

Steve Heinecke grew up in Connecticut and began riding at the age of 6. He developed a passion for the sport almost immediately and, throughout his highly successful junior career, competed in the junior jumper, hunter and equitation disciplines with trainers Timmy Kees and Jeffrey Welles as well as Barney and McLain Ward. Under their careful guidance, Heinecke went on to claim numerous champion titles at some of the most prestigious horse shows across the country including the 1983 Connecticut Hunter & Jumper Association Junior Medal Final, the 1985 Rolex-Maclay National Equitation Championship at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden, the New England Equitation Championships and the Devon Horse Show.

Since then, Heinecke has gone on to establish himself as a highly competitive professional hunter rider, trainer and judge. He has helped develop and produce some of the top junior and adult riders and horses in the nation under his tutelage.

 Heinecke and his students have claimed championship honors in the Small Junior, Large Junior and Amateur-Owner divisions, among others, at shows such as the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Capital Challenge Horse Show, National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show, Devon Horse Show, Winter Equestrian Festival, Tryon, Atlanta, Blowing Rock, Lake Placid, Kentucky, Old Salem, U.S. Junior Hunter National Championships and the Hampton Classic. Throughout his professional career, Heinecke’s won the USHJA National Hunter Derby in Kentucky and the USHJA National Hunter Derbies in Tryon.

 As a trainer and professional rider, Heinecke has had the privilege to work and compete with some of the most decorated equine athletes in the sport such as Glen Owen, Popeye, Water Ship Down, Speechless, Hakim, Take Away, Pedro, Lands End Mad Hatter, Cortina, Highlight, Akinda, Mayfair, Betty Boop and Cool Blue, to name a few.

 He’s trained top riders such as Alise Oken, Lucille Oken, Paige Wilson, Madison Johnson, Victoria Press, who he helped guide to victory in the $50,000 Hampton Classic Hunter Derby in 2013, Jenny Belknap and Jane Olson Fisher.

Today, Steve owns and operates Sock Inc., based in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where his keen insight and eye for detail inspires his students to be competitive riders as well as horsemen. Steve looks forward to growing his business and continuing to compete, train and judge while also spending cherished time with his children Olive and Charlie, and partner Ken, of which his business is named after (Steve, Olive, Charlie, Ken = Sock Inc.).