Gavin is a uniquely well-rounded horseman.

Originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, Gavin started riding horses at the age of 8 and managing a boarding business at age 12. At 18 years he made his full-time career in horses, eagerly taking on a variety of jobs within the horse industry to reach his goal of being an International jumper rider.

Soon after graduating from high school, Gavin launched into horses full-time with a two-year job as a working student for a Canadian show jumping team member in Vancouver. For several years after, he exercised racehorses, started thoroughbreds, and taught riding lessons. In addition, while Gavin was in Canada, he developed his own style of working with young horses using the round pen and traditional round pen philosophy and techniques.

After moving to Virginia in 1995, Gavin rode for a number of sales and training stables. In one of these positions he worked for and trained with an International-caliber dressage trainer and rider for a year. Additionally, throughout his career, Gavin has worked with renowned International level show jumping professionals to perfect his passion for riding at the Grand Prix level.

Gavin started his own business in 1998. He began working primarily with young hunters and jumpers, earning a reputation for starting youngsters and fixing difficult horses. Beginning at local hunter and jumper shows, news of Gavin’s talent for training horses spread. He moved up the show ranks as horses, green and made alike, were sent his way to train and ride.

Today, Gavin continues to show horses successfully on the “AA” circuit in classes ranging from Baby Green Hunters to Grand Prix Jumpers. Taking a step back from coaching and training outside horses to focus on his own career and equine partners, he rides at the FEI level for Canada and hopes to someday fulfill his childhood dream of being on the Team.

It has become well-known in the hunter/jumper world that Gavin has a gifted eye for a horse. He makes several trips a year to Europe to import elite Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation horses for the American market. His being an excellent judge of horseflesh also transfers well to the judge’s booth at horse shows, as he has his “R” Judging Licenses for Hunter and Hunter Jumping Seat Equitation.

While he has worn many hats in his life and business, including his familiar cowboy hat, he most values his roles as a family man and as a man of Faith.

Alden is a Virginia Horse Country native from a long line of horsewomen in her family. Her childhood days in the saddle were spent with the Middleburg Hunt, with whom she has her colors— read more about Alden’s Foxhunting roots.

She began competing regularly at shows in the Hunters and Jumpers as a teenager after she got the “bug” on the riding team at Foxcroft School. Alden has competed up to the Grand Prix level in show jumping and currently enjoys competing in the Amateur Owner Jumpers and Hunters.

Alden and Gavin own many sale and competition horses together, and Alden often travels on the GMS buying trips to Europe, providing valuable perspective on the requirements and tastes of the American Amateur market. She is Gavin’s main groundperson and also contributes to the GMS operation through marketing and bookkeeping.

Photography by Ringside Media, Andrew Rybeck & Callie Broaddus