In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part two. Read part one.

When Shane Brown went horse scouting in Texas for three clients last June, he did not realize he was bringing his 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships partner, Wind Er Up Wimp or “Denny”, back to Colorado with him. Even Brown’s aspiring client, and Denny’s owner, Susan Geiger was in for a surprise. It all started at the 2011 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup when Geiger observed Brown, and Sheryl Mease’s Houston Shine, capture the World Championship Freestyle. During this time, Geiger made a comment to Brown that she wanted a horse that could compete at an international level. 

“A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted a horse that wasn’t a ‘project horse’. Shane found Denny at Belar Farm and decided that we would fit well together. I trusted his judgment,” reflected Geiger.

Denny was not in Colorado for more than a week before he headed to Oklahoma City, Okla. to compete in the 2015 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. Brown’s assistant trainer Emily Emerson competed with him in all four levels of the Open division.

“Denny hadn’t been shown a lot prior to me getting him. He had a few things that needed work; he’s a very physically talented horse who loves to compete. As a rule, he only gives as much as you ask for, but the more you ask the more he gives,” said Geiger.

With anticipation, Geiger finally got to ride Denny at the 2015 Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association Summer Slide Show. However, following the competition, she did not get to ride him again for another six months, as she was needed in Wisconsin to tend to her mother who was experiencing serious health issues. It was during her time away that she handed the reins to Brown, who turned Denny into a better horse.

“When I came back, I saw huge development in his spins; he had a very fast rough spin, and Shane smoothed it out in terms of getting them more cadenced. Denny realized he didn’t have to give Shane 110 percent; he just went along as Shane asked for more. He kept turning into a better and better horse. His stops are phenomenal. The faster he goes the better he stops. Now, he’s just as responsive, but not overly sensitive. He has more confidence in himself and us as his riders,” said Geiger. 

Denny kept improving the more he competed. In March, both Brown and Geiger competed with him at the 2016 Cactus Reining Classic. Brown and Denny earned a first-place finish in the Ancillary Open division. Following competition, and remembering Geiger’s goal, Brown encouraged her to get Denny’s passport because he thought Denny had potential to compete at the international level. As a result, Brown and Denny competed at the 2016 National Reining Breeding Classic and Selection Trial for the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships. They placed second overall and were the top U.S. combination. 

“I kept the thought of Susan’s goal in my head; she had the interest, and the opportunity came up. She had the horse that was of age and eligible. He is a good, sound horse and definitely an athlete. This was something she wanted to do, so it was all one step at a time,” said Brown.

Although Geiger dreamed of having a horse compete in an international-level competition, it was not something Brown thought much about in the beginning of his career. Once he had the clientele and horses that could compete at that level, it became more realistic. Now, Brown will get his chance on the world stage. He will join U.S. teammates Troy Heikes, Kari Klingenberg and Nick Valentine in Switzerland for a chance at a Team Gold medal. Brown worked for Heikes when he was beginning his career, and Heikes played a major role in his decision to become a horse trainer. Competing with him in a major world competition has come full circle.

“Troy and I talk a lot. The fact that he has done this before, the team is drawn to his experience. One of Troy’s attributes is he is a really good teacher so he’ll be able to help the team out greatly. This competition will present a different set of challenges, and it’s going to be a different experience. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of representing the U.S. and going with my fellow teammates; that’s a different part that we don’t get to do in most of our competitions,” said Brown.

Brown has the upmost confidence in the 2009 Quarter Horse stallion. “He’s a very sound horse and a huge stopper, so I don’t have to be overly concerned about what the ground is or isn’t like. He didn’t start showing until he was five, most start showing at three, which will probably help him because he hasn’t been there so many times. He’s still waiting and listening and not telling me what to do,” said Brown. 

Geiger is incredibly proud that her horse and trainer are competing at the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships. It is an item she can check off her bucket list. No matter the result, she knows she will come home with her fun-loving horse and skillful trainer. However, there is a chance medals could accompany her. Winning them runs in Denny’s family.  His half-brother Yellow Jersey was part of the Gold medal winning U.S. team and won an Individual Bronze Medal with Mandy McCutcheon at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2014.

“I can’t think of anybody that deserves it more than Shane. It’s his time. I am beyond excited that my horse made the U.S. Team, and I don't think that this would have happened without Shane as my trainer. I am also very aware that this affects his other clients as well, and that it is because he has such a good assistant trainer in Emily Emerson that he is able to take the time to go to Switzerland,” explained Geiger.

The 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships take place August 11-13 in Givrins, Switzerland.