Tyler Buoy
Education and opportunity are irreplaceable in this sport. Whitethorne LLC strives to do its part for the industry.
Led by Georgy Maskrey-Segesman, Whitethorne LLC works to develop the best Grand Prix and Jumper mounts, provide horse rehabilitation and wellness care, and promote growth and development within the sport. With big goals in mind, Maskrey-Segesman, along with her team of experts and riders, sets an exemplary industry example.
Whitethorn, England, where Muskley Segesman spent his childhood, was right next to the stables where he kept his horses. Her bedroom window overlooked a meadow with mares and foals. So from an early age she knew that her horse would become a part of her life. When she turned 10, Maskrey-Segesman and her family moved to the United States, where she continued her riding and developed her sporting affiliation.
“I couldn’t imagine life without horses. I couldn’t imagine having a normal job and not being around horses all day,” she told The Plaid Horse.
In her junior year, she began riding horses with Tom Blakiston, eventually taking on roles as a working student and employee. After earning her business degree, Maskrey-Segesman made plans to attend law school. This prompted her family to consider buying a farm to stabilize her horses while she studied.
In 2001, a property in Somis, California was purchased and named after her childhood home. has made the final decision to pursue a professional career and dedicate himself 100 percent to Whitethorn and the sport.
With a very large property that needed to be taken care of, the first step was to fill the stalls to get the Whitethorn up and running. Julia Balcombe was the first to bring business to Whitethorn, and she brought over 20 horses to the farm. The two of her merged the business about ten years after Balcom moved to her Whitethorne and worked together for 17 years.
“At first, I took whatever came in from the road. Seghesman says. “Whitethorn has become an institute of education because we have so many different horses and you can make really great horses in your own strength.”
In 2014, Karen Healey moved operations to Whitethorne, cementing a pivotal moment in Maskrey-Segesman’s career.
“I sat on the fence and paid attention and listened and learned. I think that’s how my business turned into equestrian competition,” she says. “It was really important for me to sit there and learn from Karen how to do the classic sport. , I decided to put my own twist on it, and I am very much in agreement with the forward-looking style of riding.”
While visiting Germany, Maskrey-Segesman met her current partner, Tjeert Rijkens, around the same time she founded Whitethorne LLC. Sales focused and less customer focused. Today, Whitethorne LLC is primarily focused on sales and the show jumping team, in addition to her Maskrey-Segesman ventures of providing opportunities and promoting education.
Whitethorne LLC Show Jumping Team
In February 2020, Maskrey-Segesman found his rider missing. In addition to finding her talented rider, she was looking for a true jockey with good balance. Mavis Spencer caught her eye. At the time, Spencer was working in the horse industry, but not competing.
“I sat down with her and said, ‘As a coach and as an owner, my biggest dream is to be at the top of showjumping.’ She looked at me like I had three heads and I think she wondered if this was true. We’ve slowly developed a series of really good horses, with a delicate balance of horse sales to keep the momentum going. “
Spencer’s current mounts include 9-year-old Carissimo 25, known as “Curly.” He recently placed 5th in the $138,000 CSI3* Grand Prix 1.50 m and Great He finished 3rd in the $37,000 CSI3* Welcome Stake 1.45 m held at Lakes. Equestrian Festival (GLEF). At the Kentucky Spring Classic, Curley and Spencer competed at the Commonwealth Grand Prix where he finished second. He has also made his eight appearances in the last nine international matches for Spencer.
Concal is a 13-year-old dog raised by Likens. Spencer finished second on the gelding in the $37,000 CSI4* Main Line Challenge 1.45 m and the $37,000 CSI4* Devon Speed Derby 1.45 m at the Devon Horse Show. Most recently, at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, he placed 4th in the $37,000 CSI2* Welcome Stake 1.45m, 5th in the $37,000 CSI2* Two Phase 1.45m, and 6th in the $37,000 CSI2* Speed Classic 1.45m.
Con Calle’s half-brother, Contonio, is another horse bred by Rijkens. Ekarlus is a horse owned by Ken Dicky and has been upgraded to level 5. Then there’s his up-and-coming 6-year-old mare Contra. Her two women who work together have big goals to achieve.
“Georgy is one of the most loyal people I have met in this industry,” says Spencer. “She cares deeply about the horses and people around her and always strives to create opportunities for all of us. Her love of sport and creating opportunities is not limited to us only, she is always looking for ways to make sport more accessible and talk about it Not only that, she puts her ideas into action and has a lot to say for it.I appreciate and respect her as a jockey, partner, mother and true friend.”
“I really hope Mavis can make it to the Olympics. “When it comes to horses, patience and listening are my philosophies. They say what they want, they say what they don’t want. It has to fit in the box, which I think is the biggest.”
Alongside Maskrey-Segesman and Spencer are Whitethorne pros Chelsea James, Killian McGrath and Ivey Burns.
“Everyone has their own area in which they operate and they are doing great work,” says Maskrey-Segesman. “Killian was the first rider at Whitethorn. Went to the Longines Masters in Los Angeles. She went to Spruce Meadows and jumped 1.50 meters on one of my horses. Now she teaches, rides, Ivey helps out with horse shows from time to time, and Chelsea goes to shows and trains.”
take care of yourself and not just yourself
Acting as its own independent entity is the Whitethorn Rehabilitation Program. Although not originally part of the overall plan, the program has evolved into a first-class facility with the most innovative technology for the highest quality care.
“I originally started with a saltwater spa and a horse gym treadmill and purchased these pieces of equipment for my horses,” says Maskrey-Segesman. “I realized I had a 14-slot barn that was doing nothing, so I decided to build an aqua treadmill in the basement and turn the barn into a rehab scenario. This does not mean compromising quality and should be accessible to all for the health and welfare of horses.”
Whitethorne Rehab is not only for horses to recover from injuries, it is also the perfect place for show horses to rest and recuperate after the show season. Whether you want to work out on the grassy pasture, use the salt water spa, or keep fit on the aqua treadmill, this program offers a suitable program for all kinds of horses.
create opportunities
After years of experience in sports and experience in his own business, Maskrey-Segesman realized he could do more to make an impact in the industry. Today Whitethorne offers both the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge and the Whitethorne/Elvenstar Equitation Tournament. This is his two chances for the rider to grow in both education and riding skills.
“I always wondered why there wasn’t more transparency in equestrian competition.
The Whitethorne Equitation Challenge pairs top trainers from outside of California with judges who are jurors for that year’s national championships. The two will judge the class with Scribe, after which the riders will attend a meeting where they can ask questions of the judges. A sports psychologist is brought in to talk to the riders, and a short film is usually shown.
“The interesting thing about this class is that the riders tend to grow. They tend to improve their scores, they tend to learn something, and they really enjoy it,” Maskrey-Segesman said. says. “Trainers win prize money, riders win saddles, and end up with something different, but it’s all about education, growth and learning.”
The Whitethorne/Elvenstar Equitation Tournament is jointly operated by Elvenstar and West Palms Management. This is similar to his USET final, with a flat phase, a gymnastics phase, a show jumping competition phase, and a final phase where the top four riders swap horses. This class is open to juniors to pros and has a prize pool of $20,000.
“I wanted to do something that would get people excited about equestrianism, but mostly I wanted to do something that was beneficial to the sport,” she adds.
In addition to the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge and the Whitethorne/Elvenstar Equitation Tournament, Maskrey-Segesman personally sponsors select groups of riders to make an impact.
“I am a strong believer in giving back. I try to help those in need. I sponsored Emma Pacina for the last two years and one of my fondest memories is It’s been a journey with Emma. It was a huge success for her and me to win the ribbon at the national level. It’s been incredibly rewarding.”
“I feel like there aren’t enough opportunities in the world. I feel strongly that if possible, we should give opportunities to children who need a little help,” she says. I want to have a positive impact on , and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Learn more at whitethorne-llc.com.
Photo © Sara Shier Photography & Bethany Unwin Photography
*This story originally appeared in the September 2022 issue of The Plaid Horse. Click here to read now When Subscribe to issues delivered straight to your door!