“My name is Karen Healey. I was the owner and sole proprietor of Karen Healey Stables, a top show barn in Southern California. During that time, my students won over 100 Medal Finals both locally and on the East Coast. Since closing my barn about 6 years ago, I’ve changed my focus to giving clinics and judging. Last weekend I had the pleasure of working with Avery Socks while giving a clinic for Alicia Saxton at Oceancrest Farm.
I found Avery to be an exceptional student. She has a wonderful natural feel and was very interested in everything I had to say. For someone who started this discipline rather recently, she truly understood the basics of horsemanship. I never had to repeat what I was asking her to do because she grasped it immediately. I think Avery would be an asset to any team or organization she would be a member of.”
~ Karen Healy
“Avery Socks is truly an exceptional individual. I have been the head trainer and business owner of Oceancrest Farms for seventeen years and have had the opportunity to coach many riders in my time. Avery stands out as an individual with drive, dedication, passion, hard work, humility and sportsmanship. Avery moved to our program relatively late in her riding career compared to other riders who started competing consistently on the “A” show circuit when they were in elementary school. Avery however has wasted no time in her incredible acceleration to bring herself on the same playing field as those who have been doing it for many years longer. In less than one season Avery has gone from the idea of starting in the equitation to move up to the 3’6” level competing in big nationally ranking medals such as the Dover. She qualified for, and will be traveling to, the National Horse Show in Lexington, KY this October to compete in her first national final, the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Eq Championship. Her talent, hard work and dedication to all aspects of the sport and horsemanship are truly wonderful to watch.
In addition to her natural talent and quick trajectory Avery brings a lovely teamwork oriented aspect to our program. She is always offering to help around the barn, moving jumps, cleaning the arena and taking videos of other riders for review. She and her barn mates help on Sunday’s taking care of the horses, making sure they get fed and their legs unwrapped. Avery is always there with a kind word of encouragement and recognition of other riders in the barn. Avery simply put is a true team player. Our barn will lose some light when she goes on to shine somewhere in college. She is an asset to any team.”
~ Alicia Saxton; Head Trainer and Owner, Oceancrest Farms, Encinitas, CA.
“I have worked with many skilled riders throughout my years, but Avery offers something unique. She exhibits a wonderful blend of natural skill, pure determination and love for horses. Avery entered the competitive world of equitation on a horse that was also learning the job which is not the easiest path to take, but Avery was up for the challenge. Working closely alongside her as she developed her horse into an extremely skilled and competitive 3’6’ equitation horse has made me very proud. She has shown great feel and coach ability.
Avery has achieved remarkable success this year, not only qualifying for various medal finals on the West and East coasts but also easily advancing to the 3’6’ medals where she has been collecting points toward even more medal finals. I am so proud of Avery and look forward to see all that she will accomplish.”
~ Alysia Lynch-Sherard; Trainer at Oceancrest Farms, Encinitas, CA.
“Teachers, trainers and coaches of all sports appreciate one quality in a student athlete. Desire. Without it, you won’t advance far. But with desire, an athlete opens the way to truly find out what kind of performances are in them.
Avery Socks has desire. I’ve had the chance to coach her, and she pairs that desire with a quiet focus and an effort to listen. She tried a few sports growing up and told me when she found horses, her desire to become an equestrian was strong and clear.
Sport horses can become performers in their own right, but they need riders who show up every day with the passion to show horses the way. Avery Socks is well on her way to be that kind of leader for her horse.”
~ Craig Harrison, Horseman with more than 25 years experience specializing in the development of sport horses and riders