Meet Alec Lawler: A passionate equestrian and show jumping enthusiast. In the captivating world of equestrian sports, where grace meets adrenaline, one name stands out: Alec Lawler. From his earliest memory of setting eyes on a horse, Alec's journey in the realm of Show Jumping has been nothing short of remarkable. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the life and experiences of a dedicated horseman, entrepreneur, and a true advocate for the sport.
Join us as we uncover Alec's inspiring story, from his humble beginnings as a young horse enthusiast to becoming a respected figure in the competitive world of Show Jumping. He shares his insights, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way, offering a glimpse into the passion and perseverance that drive his successful equestrian career.
Tell us how you started with horses?
When I was 5 years old my parents took our family to a dude ranch in Idaho. I had to be 6 years old to ride the horses, but I somehow managed to beg and plead my way into them letting me ride. I remember absolutely falling in love and thinking the whole road trip back to California about horses, what I could name them and having one of my own. This love didn’t slow down, as I then pleaded to take riding lessons once home. My parents let me start in the lesson program at the Menlo circus club and my career built from there.
Why did you decide to start your business?
I worked several years in some of the most competitive stables with some of the world’s most successful riders. I was able to watch and learn from Olympians Harrie Smolders, Eric Lamaze and Norman Dello Joio early in my career out of college. At this time I was simply trying to be a sponge. I felt as though I got my classical education at Stanford, but I did not have a complete education in the sport of Show Jumping. It takes many years of working with these animals and learning different philosophies to figure out which one works best for you. There is not one perfect system, and that is what makes this sport so interesting. Everyone has their different strengths and weaknesses, and you must build a program and team to get the most out of what you have.
After working for 4 years out of college I felt I was ready to start doing more on my own. I had developed connections in Europe and had learned from some of the best in the business- it was time to take the leap and see what I could build for myself.
How do you think your background has impacted the success of your business?
I think my time living overseas was vital for my business. Not only was I able to learn from some of the best, I was also able to build connections and relationships that I still use today. One of the most important parts in our industry is having access to the best horses. On top of that, having access to those horses at the right price ensures the success of my business long-term. Horse buying in general comes with so much risk, as there are so many things that can go wrong in a hurry. Whether it is behavioral issues or a freak accident, horse owners are always one little incident away from having their whole investment go down the tube. Having friends I can trust in Europe allows me to reduce this risk as much as possible and have full confidence in what horses I’m buying for myself or to sell to clients.
Describe a situation where you faced failure and the lesson you learnt from it?
Signing up for a life in Show Jumping means signing up for a life full of failure. The best riders in the world lose at a way higher rate than they win. The most experienced horsemen still misjudge horses or find themselves going down the wrong direction in training or competing. There is no crystal ball and endless uncertainty when dealing with an animal that we can never fully understand. I’ve tried in my whole career and life to do the best I can and to help others to the best of my abilities. But like with anything, no matter how hard we try and how good our intentions are, we are bound to miss the mark, make mistakes, and fail. The key thing I’ve learned through the difficult times in my career is to give myself grace and accept these failures as a natural part of life and learning experiences. It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up. Resilience is key, and perpetually trying to learn from failure allows me to keep moving in the right direction stronger than ever.
What are the Rewards and Challenges of Pursuing a Career in Equestrian Sports?
There is nothing better than getting to work outdoors and with animals. Animals keep you grounded and if you keep your ears open, they can teach you something new every day. The only downside to a life in horses is that it gets extremely difficult to maintain any kind of life balance. I certainly have been guilty of going way too hard and burning out. These horses require constant care and compete all over the country. It is easy to get caught in the rat race and never allow any time for yourself. I’ve had to learn the hard way how to slow down a bit and get back to a more sustainable day to day pace in Show Jumping.
What are some key takeaways you would like to share?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is to give myself and everyone around me compassion and grace as they navigate through the Show Jumping industry. There is constant uncertainty, financial stressors, and difficult relationships to manage that can grind people down. It’s easy to get caught in survival mode without taking a second to slow down, reevaluate and take care of yourself. Trying to focus on taking care of myself and finding the right balance for me, has allowed me to be more present with my horses. Taking on too much, cutting corners with the horses and in life always comes back to bite you in one way or another. Making sure that I only take on what I can do to the absolute best of my abilities is important, so I feel satisfied and proud of the work I do every day.
What do you envision for the future of your business?
I plan on doing things on a much simpler and smaller scale. I’m going to focus on quality instead of quantity and try to optimize my business in ways to try to reduce unnecessary spending. I’d like to sell safe and appropriate horses at competitive prices while still developing my own for the sport. I’m hoping that if I really take the time to do right by my horses, we’ll have a happier and more successful stable from the hoof up.
A Vision for the Future: Alec Lawler's Quest for Equine Excellence
As we conclude our conversation with Alec Lawler, it's evident that his journey in Show Jumping is far from over. With a profound commitment to quality, compassion, and a dedication to constant improvement, Alec envisions a future where his stable thrives, his horses flourish, and his legacy in the sport continues to grow.
His words remind us that in the world of Show Jumping, the path to success is often marked by setbacks and challenges. Yet, it's the resilience and unwavering love for these majestic animals that keep riders like Alec Lawler in the saddle, ready to face whatever obstacles may come their way.
With Alec's emphasis on balance, self-care, and doing right by the horses, we are reminded that in this high-stakes arena, it's not just about the wins but the profound connection between horse and rider. Alec Lawler's journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of equestrian excellence.
.jpg)
