German born Canadian Evi Strasser has been taking her "tyme" to nurture the great talent in horses and riders at her Good Tyme Stables in St. Adele, Quebec, Canada. Looking back on 2012 Strasser and her team have had a tremendously successful year with daughter Tanya making her mark in the youth riders' division and Good Tyme horses taking the spotlight all over the world.
While Strasser has been competing the Oldenburg gelding Action Tyme (by Argentinus) on a light show schedule in 2012, the petite blond aims to make a strong come back at Grand Prix level in 2013 with her new shining star, the 10-year old Oldenburg gelding Renaissance Tyme (by Royal Diamond x Dream of Heidelberg).
"Just like Quantum Tyme, Renaissance Tyme will be my next great horse," Strasser told Eurodressage. "All of them are so special and it takes time, consistent training and allowing them to grow up. If you go too fast, you will break them mentally and there is no way of return. I say no to pressure and take it really slow. I try to learn from my mistakes and move on to the future. I will take all the time a horse needs."
Evi's training philosophy is also reflected in the name of her stable, Good Tyme Stable. "It's all about time. The spelling mistake actually came from an artist in Montreal who wrote our first name plays. They were all named with a Y," Evi explained. Her ex-husband Murray Shostak, who is father to Evi's daughter Tanya, is in the film business and named the farm accordingly.
2012 has been a successful show year for Evi, Tanya and for all the horses Good Tyme Stables has produced. Richard Davison's British Olympic individual horse Hiscox Artemis (aka Foto Tyme, by Florestan x Delphi) spearheaded this success by finishing 5th at the 2012 World Cup Final and 26th in the Grand Prix Special at the 2012 Olympic Games. Tanya Strasser competed Ruby Tyme (by Rohdiamant x Akzent II) in the North American junior divisions and aboard Dancing Tyme (by Don Cardinale) she was the youngest rider at the 2012 North American Young Riders Championships, where she won team bronze and finished 8th individually. With her strikingly grey Renaissance Tyme Evi finished second at the CDI Devon.
"It was so exciting to place third with Renaissance in his first ever Grand Prix in Florida," Strasser explained. "Four horses from Good Tyme Stables were short or long-listed for Canada this year: Nancy MacLahlan with Deniros Tyme, Gary van der Ploeg with Degas, and myself with Action Tme and Renaissance Tyme. I'm so proud of all these achievements."
Tanya's two former FEI Dressage ponies are continuing a show career at the highest pony level as well. French Clarissa Stickland has been competing the strapping Cappucino Tyme at the CDI Vidauban and CDI Pompadour in Europe, while Canadian pony rider Hannah van Koughnett has taken over the reins on Nemo Tyme.
Evi spots young horses in Germany which she selects on quality gaits and rideability. Their easiness under the saddle and smooth training are proven by the fact that many young riders are able to steer their Good Tyme horses straight into the ribbons. The 21-year old Layne Sandercott and Rolex Tyme (by Rosario x Landfriese) won their first big Championship in the USA as amateur third level champions. Her trainer Maureen Sterling and Rhyme Tyme (by Royal Diamond x Sandro) placed third at the RMDS Open Third Level Championships. Canadian Liz Steacie and Luca (Tyme) earned a 3rd place in the small tour at their first CDI3* in Saugerties, NY.
While Renaissance Tyme will be Evi's main focus in 2013, she has several more talented horses coming along for the FEI level. "Rigaudon Tyme and my 8-year and De Luxe Tyme are both schooling the Grand Prix now. I also have the rising 7-year old Super Tyme, which has super talent for piaffe and passage as well as top gaits. Action Tyme will make his debut with Tanya in the spring. We couldn't have accomplished any of these successes without the help of my great supporter Karen Soupcoff."
Next week Evi, Tanya and 10 horses are leaving Quebec, Canada to travel south to Florida for the 2013 Dressage in Florida show circuit.
For more information about Good Tyme Stables, visit www.goodtymestables.com
Photos © Sue Stickle - Astrid Appels
Related Links
Karen Soupcoff To Support Evi Strasser as Competition Rider
Evi Strasser, 2005 Dressage Canada Owner of the Year
Rider in the Spotlight: Evi Strasser, Having the "Tyme" of her Life