2022 Horseperson of the Year
Jo Egenes
In 1965 at the age of 29, I was in Dublin, Ireland, at the Royal Dublin
Horse Show. For the first time, I saw riders jumping horses over fences.
Right then and there I came down with a severe case of wanting to learn
how to do that. That’s where this journey started….
Growing up in a small farm town in West Central Illinois, Rushville,
the closest I ever got to a horse was going with my grandfather as he
drove his horse to his farm or getting to ride a friend’s horse in the
pasture.
The journey to Woodside and Olive Hill Farm:
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Teaching for the U. S. Air Force in the dependent schools in England and Germany.
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Marrying an Air Force pilot, Lloyd, from California in 1964.
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Leading a small group of college students for the Experiment in International Living, which was the forerunner of the Peace Corps. Destination: Ireland.
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Teaching at Westmoor High School in Daly City.
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Riding lessons at Mar Vista Stables in Daly City.
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Meeting Katy Farquharson, who was a teacher at Aragon HS in San Mateo and taking jumping lessons from her student at the Stanford Barn.
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Buying my first horse and learning how to take care of her while boarding at Roy Markegard’s farm on Tunitas Creek Road south of Half Moon Bay.
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Taking jumping lessons at Stanford with Jack Melville who ran the Stanford Barn.
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Discovering Woodside, the Little Store, Fox Hollow at the Playpen, which was home to the Los Altos Hounds.
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All this while living in San Francisco, teaching in Daly City and commuting seven days a week to Tunitas Creek.
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Then, buying the old Zwierlein Barn with its five additional stalls brought down from Tanforan Race Track when it had closed. This resulted in a total of 17 stalls in two barns. (1969)
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Of course, then came the horses. I brought three horses to Woodside and having no experience in taking care of a farm or a horse.
I think the world “determination” best summarizes this journey, and it came from what
Jack Melville would say to me in a jumping lesson as I came down to maybe a two-foot
fence, heart in my mouth. I was a beginner as was my horse because the only horses I
could afford were off the racetrack. Jack would say “get determined.”
This journey was done on a shoestring propelled by lots of determination and many
wonderful mentors who helped me along the way…kind, patient, encouraging people
who helped me up when I was down (literally and physically) and sent me on my way
telling me they knew I could do it. My husband Lloyd, Roy Markegard (Tunitas Creek)
Jack Melville (Stanford), Bob O’Neil, and Al Orsini (the farm in Woodside). To them
I will be forever grateful.
I’m still at Olive Hill Farm where I am boarding several horses. I’m not jumping any more but still enjoy a trail ride or a workout in the ring on “Flora.”
The horses began this journey for me and still give me great
pleasure. I have them to thank for the great wealth of
friendships they have brought me over the years.
So, my friends, come by and say “hi” at Olive Hill Farm.


