When interviewing someone about their accomplishments it can be hard to decide what to focus on. Is it the tangible success; the points, the ribbons and the championships? Or is it something more intangible; the smiles, the hopes, the goals and dreams? How about the magical bond between horse and rider?
With a horse and rider team like Laura Wingrove and her Arabian gelding, SS Silver Man+ (Kheir Sandman x Silver Tiarah), it is easy to focus on all those aspects as Laura and Silver appear to have it all.
I first met Laura at the AAHABC Fall Frolic in 2003 at Chilliwack Heritage Park, in B.C. At the time Silver was being presented with his Legion of Honour Award. The two of them were impeccably turned out and had to ride the whole arena by themselves while the announcer went over their accomplishments. Let’s just say it was a long ride for the two of them. At the time of receiving their Legion of Honour award they had amassed over 75 points. Now they have a mere 127.5, not an easy thing as most riders will attest to. These points were awarded in various disciplines, such as Dressage, Hunter Pleasure, and Show Hack.
Laura was born and raised in Port Coquitlam, B.C. She first started riding at the age of 10, getting into the sport with a little help from her best friend, who gave her a riding lesson for her birthday. Being bitten by the horse bug early on, she leased her first pony and started taking English lessons. As her riding improved quickly she entered her first schooling show when she was 11. Outgrowing the leased pony she progressed to a bigger horse, one that was quite speedy who just loved to gallop. Laura credits much of her confidence and riding ability to this half-arab quarter horse gelding. Finally convincing her parents to buy her, her very own horse, Laura was disappointed when the half-arab pinto mare she was riding failed the vet check.
After and exhaustive search spanning over six months, she had looked at somewhere around 100 horses, and still had not found the perfect fit. Getting desperate at this point, Laura and her mother went barn to barn asking if they had any horses for sale. With her mom at the end of her patience, she told Laura if they did not find a horse at this time she would be taking a break from riding. It was at this last barn where Laura found Silver, SS Silver Man, a B.C. bred eight year old Arabian gelding. It was simply love at first sight. Standing near the fence petting is pretty grey face, Laura over heard that this horse was for sale! At that instant she just knew that he would be hers regardless of whether he was broke, lame, or even ride-able. The first time Laura rode him in western tack and she could barley make him jog, but he certainly knew the word Whoa! Her coach at the time advised them not to buy him, stating he was too stubborn and too much for a 12 year old girl who barley stood 4’5”. Laura did not care as she knew in her heart that her and Silver were meant to be and the two haven’t looked back since.
Laura starting training Silver for the English disciplines as soon as she brought him home, concentrating mainly on dressage. Five months later they started competing in open competitions, which eventually lead to the local Arabian shows.

Laura started taking lessons with Brenda Driediger at Dogwood Arabians in Aldergrove, B.C. in the summer of 1998. She is very quick to give Brenda full credit for Silver’s successes. They did very well in their first year of “A” class competitions, receiving a 70% and 71% in basic level dressage tests. By the year end hi-point awards banquet they received Champion in Open Dressage. They carried on their winning streak and were soon competing at the Region 17 Championships in 2000 and received four top fives and three reserve championships. With the continuing help and guidance of Brenda, the two of them keep up winning pace.
In 2001 Laura and Silver were part of the Arabian youth team that won champion not only for Region 17 but also for all of North America! This was the first time ever a Canadian team had beat all of the American teams! The team consisted of Jenna Bevan (AD Torsion+//), Stacey Tidmarsh (Knight Twister+/), Laura Wolsey (Bit O’ Echo+/), Heather Glascock (Sonny Drift+/), and Lauren Wispinski (RK Colossus++) the coach was none other than Brenda Driediger. The total point accumulation was well over 300!
In 2002 Laura and Silver made it all the way to Canadian Nationals in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was actually Laura’s grad present from her parents. There they competed in Open Dressage, Hunter Pleasure JTR and JOTR, and Show Hack JTR. Unfortunately due to stiff competition they came home empty handed but have wonderful memories and new goals for the future.
So what is the next thing for these two? Western Pleasure is the new discipline to try and both seem to be enjoying it. The have competed in three shows so far, and although they have not won any classes they are not far off and have even tackled new classes like trail.
Once Laura had Silver up and running she decided she needed a new challenge. In September 2002 she purchased another grey Arabian gelding by the name of FF Silver Bullet, sired by a local stallion, The Silver Ghost. Bully as she affectionately called him, needed to be started and Laura was the one to do it. At three and half years old, Laura started him slowly English and was able to take him to a couple of schooling shows, getting hi-point at his second show ever! Once she had him well started she offered him for sale. He was purchased by a young girl who went on to further his career in hunt seat and jumping. Laura’s next challenge was a spunky GH Venture son, RK Sterling Venture. Sterling is coming along nicely and has competed in a few schooling shows, making his debut on the arab circuit this summer, where he received a 72 in sport horse in-hand. Laura is planning on doing a basic dressage test with him, as well as halter, sport horse in-hand, and hunter pleasure at the up coming AAHABC Fall Frolic.
So what is next for a rider like Laura?
Well, life is bound to intervene for a while as she starts nursing school this fall, for a four year program. Laura plans on keeping Silver forever and riding as much as possible but does not want to slow down Sterling’s promising career and has decided to sell this gorgeous gelding. There is only so much time in one day, even for a young person like Laura.