SEP Member of the Month

Kris Ries and Frisco Bay
By Anne Chunko

Kris Ries grew up near Hanover, Penn., home of Hanover Shoe Farms. “I saw the horses in the field every day and always dreamed of the day when I would be able to have one of my own,” Ries said.

Despite her parents’ assurances that she would “grow out of it,” Ries said she never did. Ries, now an adult with children of her own, began looking for her own horse in 2002.

“When I saw Frisco on a website for sale, and saw his dam was a Hanover Shoe Farm horse, I fell in love immediately,” Ries said.

Frisco Bay, originally named Hills Hydrofoil, is by Precious Bunny and out of the mare Helen Hanover. The petite bay was a half-brother to Cagey Hero (p,4,1:56h, $252,417) and Hilliard Hill (p,5,1:53.4,$344,237) and Frisco Bay brought $16,000 as a yearling at the Kentucky Standardbred sale in 1994.

Despite the talent others saw in him and good family connections, “Frisco” never showed interest in racing. When Ries saw him being advertised, she went to take a look at him and bought him on the spot. At that time he was being used primarily for pleasure riding.

For the past year, Ries and Frisco have been taking weekly lessons in huntseat equitation. They have been active members in the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Ohio for more than a year, participating in shows, trail rides and other events sponsored by SPHO of Ohio.

Though Ries enjoys the shows and trail rides, she said she best enjoys just spending time riding in the arena with friends. “It’s my quiet time away from kids and work,” she explained.

Ries and Frisco continue to work to improve their partnership. Lessons have improved the canter work and Reis’ confidence.

“I think the biggest thing Frisco and I have had to work through over the years have been my nerves,” Ries said. “He is very sensitive, and if I am nervous, he picks up on it immediately.

“The thing I had to realize was that I had to trust my horse and be confident in his ability,” she added. “Since my realization of this, Frisco’s ‘spooking and shying’ have all but completely disappeared.

“Frisco knows more than I do,” she added. “I can’t say I’ve taught him much, but he has taught me a ton. He is always willing to try and gives 110 percent.”

In March 2004, Ries and Frisco participated in Standardbred retraining clinics given by Robyn Cuffey at Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. Despite her nervousness at the large crowds of people and horses, she and Frisco took full advantage of the opportunity and showed the audience how quickly Standardbreds learn.