Known as one of the most successful trainers of young riders in the country, Stacia Klein Madden began her career as a successful junior, winning the 1987 ASPCA Maclay National Championship and placing in the USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final and USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East. She turned professional in 1988 and developed a passion for working with young riders.

• Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Current homebase: Colts Neck, New Jersey
• Specialty and training facility: Hunters, jumpers and equitation. Owns and operates Beacon Hill Show Stables out of Colts Neck and Wellington, Florida.
• What first drew you to horses: “Growing up, my best friend lived on a farm at the end of the street, and I would always go down to play with all the animals—the rabbits, pigs and horses. We would take her pony out for trail and sleigh rides. One day, my mother decided I should probably learn how to ride properly and enrolled me in weekly lessons at Grandview Stables in Indianapolis.”
• Favorite horse/pony growing up: “My very first pony, who I think we bought for $500. Her barn name was Angie, and her show name was Three’s Company. She was a buckskin medium-sized pony with three white socks—and yes, I named her Three’s Company because that was my favorite TV show at the time.”
• Career highlights/favorite memories: “As a junior, winning the ASPCA Maclay at Madison Square Garden in New York City, for sure. I also have thousands of fond memories of going to horse shows in a two-horse trailer with my mom driving the motor home and all of our friends staying in hotels together and watching our videos on the big video cameras that you would have to schlep around and plug into the TV to watch. As a professional, I thankfully have many favorite moments with my riders.”
• Mentors: “Val Renihan was my trainer for most of my junior career, and John and Beezie Madden really helped shape the way I run my business as a professional.”
• Most influential horse in your career: “I would say Logan when Brianne Goutal had him. He taught me to cherish the horse who makes the least amount of mistakes. I don’t look for all the chrome in a horse after working with Logan.”
• Competition superstitions: “I try not to make big changes at championships and stick with what got us there!”
• When you’re not coaching, where can we find you? “I love to travel and be open to new opportunities. I recently got back from the Galápagos Islands.”
• Four-legged family members (besides horses): “I have a wonderful Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Zara. I’ve had Corgis in my life since I was 15 or so.”
• Favorite eats: “I enjoy a nice steak dinner.”
• Favorite book and/or movie: “My favorite book is ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ by Mitch Albom, and for movies, ‘Dirty Dancing,’ of course!” For those not in the know, the movie helped Stacia mentally prepare for her winning performance right before the 1987 Maclay Finals. She and fellow rider Molly Ashe Cawley were sharing a hotel room across the street from Madison Square Garden—and since both were huge Patrick Swayze fans, they were thrilled “Dirty Dancing” happened to be on their hotel TV. Even more kismet—during a jumper class the night before the Finals, Stacia had gone back to the room to go to bed when Molly called the room. Swayze, a passionate and accomplished equestrian, was at the show. Stacia raced back hoping to get a glimpse of the actor and ran smack into him getting off the elevator. “I still remember he was wearing an eggplant-colored shirt, black jeans and cowboy boots.”
• Mares or geldings? “Nothing beats a great mare, but I probably work with more geldings.”
• What’s kept you involved in the sport for so long? “My passion for the horses, the sport and seeing my riders grow in and out of the show ring. I also love working with unknown horses. Another thing I love about this sport, is that riding has so much to do with life lessons. You learn how to work with a living, breathing animal; how to deal with your peers and work with a coach; and how to navigate the ups and downs of a competitive show environment. Especially for younger riders, it also teaches about scheduling and the importance of properly caring for your animal. It’s so fascinating to be a part of a young person’s career, not just as a young rider, but to help them develop and see the changes they go through. And I think the passion they have for their horses is a big part of that; it gives them self-confidence and really helps show them the way.”
• Learn more: beaconhillshowstables.com

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