Tami Hoag

More Bold Moves for Bi-Coastal Writer/Rider

In 2001, Hoag once more uprooted her life, packed up her horses, and moved to Los Angeles.  “I was in love,” she says, with a shrug.  “What can I say?  It turned out the guy didn’t deserve me, but I found the one place on earth I most belong.  I love LA,” says Hoag, “ Even now, five years later, every day I look around and think look where I live”.

Hoag’s horses are stabled at Lynn Cardoso’s beautiful Iron Horse Ranch nestled in the mountains above Malibu. Tami describes the horse haven as a 14-stall barn full of amateur ladies! "It's a wonderfully supportive group of strong, accomplished women from various walks of life.  We have a great time going to the horse shows together. "

In California, Hoag trains with Aaron Wilson, whom she describes as “a very good trainer and an avid student of the sport”. “Aaron is always furthering his education in order to further ours,” says Hoag, “He’s an excellent teacher and pays attention to every detail. I can’t be lazy or sloppy. He doesn’t let me get away with anything, not one wrong stride.”

In California, Hoag competes on the California Dressage Society circuit. “It’s a really competitive circuit. Nearly the entire Olympic team lives here,” says Hoag, “It’s tougher to qualify for CDS championships than for the USDF regionals”.

For three winter seasons, Tami has brought her top FEI horses to South Florida to compete on the Florida Winter Dressage Circuit. In Florida, Tami trains daily with her mentor and friend, Betsy Stiener, and Hoag strongly believes in Betsy’s Equilates system of cross training for riders using Pilates. "I believe it's important to maintain a high standard of competition in the company of the best riders around, riding in front of the top judges.  That kind of pressure pushes me to focus all the more, and to really stretch and grow as a rider.  In the winter months, Wellington is the place to be." This past season, Hoag purchased a home in the Polo Club in Wellington, so she is perfectly positioned to continue to take advantage of best dressage competitions on both coasts.