Horse Tales with Cat

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There have been many times in the last year that I have been struck by what a gift it is to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with the best that the sport of show jumping has to offer .
 None no more than this last episode. Hot on the heels of my conversation with Norman Dello Joio , I had the opportunity to sit down with Leopoldo Palacios.
What made it even more special is that we were sitting in the stands of the Stadium ring at WEC in Ocala , watching competitors jump one of his courses.
Leopoldo  knows this sport so intimately- it has been his life’s work and he has studied well beyond his craft. His enthusiasm is infectious and his attention to detail unparalleled.
His primary goal is to protect the horses and challenge the riders.
He likens what he does as a designer to making a soup - all the ingredients come together to make the finished product. I thought about calling this episode - The Chef but I didn’t think that quite captured everything Leopoldo does out in rings where he designs.
He jokes that his mentor Pam Caruthers told him not to worry too much about the distances. She told him that  “the riders will always find a way to make it more difficult.”
I learned so much about Leopoldo, his designs, the sport and life from my time with him. I hope that you do too.
This episode is brought to you by the international law firm of Cooley LLP.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters , and high-stakes litigation. 
Our connection to the law firm comes through Cooley Partner and jumper rider Cullen Drescher , who competes in the High Amateur and Grand Prix levels in addition to leading Cooley's Business Restructuring practice from the firm's offices in New York City.

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I have spoken to a number of legends in the sport of show jumping this past year. But I don’t think any have been as thoughtful in their answers as Norman Dello Joio.
 He is quiet in his demeanour but strong in his character and opinions and is very engaging.
He remembers many details of his days of competition and is happy to share the memories but is equally enthusiastic about his transition to the role of trainer . I think I loved most that he really tailors his approach to each horse as each is an individual. He also taught me that the most important skill you can learn with a horse is patience .
Norman clearly values his family and loves running Wembley Farm with his wife Jeannie and son Nick .He is quick to point out that one of his favourite roles is grandfather to his daughter’s two children.
I walked away feeling like I had been imparted some wisdom without even having had to ask.
This episode is brought to you by the international law firm of Cooley LLP.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters , and high-stakes litigation. 
Our connection to the law firm comes through Cooley Partner and jumper rider Cullen Drescher , who competes in the High Amateur and Grand Prix levels in addition to leading Cooley's Business Restructuring practice from the firm's offices in New York City.

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If ever there was a rider to beat the odds, Eric  Lamaze is it.  He has had more comebacks then you can imagine.  A lifetime ban , a brain tumor  , numerous lawsuits. 
Arguably the best rider and chef d’equipe the Canadian Show Jumping Team has ever had, Eric’s success has often been clouded by complications. Because of this , you are always routing for him.
Sitting down with Eric was such a pleasure . He was raw, authentic, honest, funny and vulnerable . 
Despite his success as a rider, he feels his biggest strength is in teaching . I personally think he does both exceptionally well.
Don’t be too disappointed that he doesn’t share more in this episode . This is just Chapter 1.
This episode is brought to you by the international law firm of Cooley LLP.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters , and high-stakes litigation. 
Our connection to the law firm comes through Cooley Partner and jumper rider Cullen Drescher , who competes in the High Amateur and Grand Prix levels in addition to leading Cooley's Business Restructuring practice from the firm's offices in New York City.

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Every amateur rider will relate to Cullen Drescher’s story. 
The pursuit of a dream to ride in the bigger classes while trying to fund it with another full time career. Throw a child and partner into the mix and it really gets interesting.
Cullen’s secret superpower is her ability to focus in on the task at hand to the exclusion of everything else around her. Her other gift is that she truly loves her horses and people and if you are in her inner circle , you are family .
She was raised with a deep respect for hard work  and genuine care for those in her community. I believe those characteristics have contributed to her success in both her law practice and as a competitor in the ring.
She is quick to acknowledge that she doesn’t have it all figured out and that there are many days when she is humbled but she is also driven by a belief that she can achieve the goals she has set for herself.
She is also the first to admit that she couldn’t do any of this if she she didn’t have a trainer who is as committed to her goals as she is.
I hope that you will be as inspired as I was to continue to chase your dreams no matter how old you are.
This episode is brought to you by the international law firm of Cooley LLP.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters , and high-stakes litigation. 
Our connection to the law firm comes through Cooley Partner and jumper rider Cullen Drescher , who competes in the High Amateur and Grand Prix levels in addition to leading Cooley's Business Restructuring practice from the firm's offices in New York City.

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Jenna Friedman-Lopez. If you haven’t heard of her, you will.
If you have ever seen her in the ring, you will remember her.
She exudes such love for her horses and passion for the sport that you know she is destined for greatness.
Jenna is frank, authentic and genuine.
She is candid about sharing how she keeps her head in the game.
She is vulnerable when she shares how it felt to represent Israel in a Nations Cup in Europe when tensions were high in the Middle East.
I walked away from my conversation with Jenna wanting more time.
This episode is brought to you by the international law firm of Cooley LLP.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters , and high-stakes litigation. 
Our connection to the law firm comes through Cooley Partner and jumper rider Cullen Drescher , who competes in the High Amateur and Grand Prix levels in addition to leading Cooley's Business Restructuring practice from the firm's offices in New York City.