Believing in Her Plan
The spectators who gathered ringside were silent as Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin entered the arena. The overnight leaders in the 2018 Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI*** had more than a rail to spare in their show-jumping round. As Stutes and the rangy, jet-black gelding galloped through the finish line at last October’s competition in Elkton, Maryland, the crowd erupted into cheers while she pumped her fist in triumph. The amateur eventer, mother and entrepreneur from Occidental, California, had traveled across the country with her quirky but talented horse to win the U.S. Equestrian national championship.
The Early Years
Stutes, now 31, wasn’t born into an equestrian family, but her love of horses was evident early on. “I was an energetic kid, and my mom sent me to pony school when I was young, trying to find something to tire me out,” she recalls. Stutes enrolled in a riding and horsemanship program for young riders at Yves Sauvignon’s stable in Santa Rosa, California. During her 15 years with Sauvignon, she started in eventing with several ponies, first in the pony-school program and then later her own horses.
“She’s always had an outgoing, bubbly personality and was a real go-getter,” says Sauvignon. “[She] was always drawn to tough ponies and loved the challenge. I’d say she’s a bit
