Sarah Tubman’s Dressage Journey

The One-Eyed Horse That Started it All

Long before the medals and the international arenas, Sarah Tubman (née Lockman) was just a horse-crazy kid growing up in Gardnerville, Nevada, a quiet town where cattle outnumbered people. “It’s hay, cows, farmers — those kinds of things,” she recalls. “Not much going on, but a great place to grow up.” It was not exactly a breeding ground for elite equestrian sport but where her roots and rise to the world stage would begin.

Her mother, a South African fashion designer, grew up on a large cattle ranch where they trained racehorses, making horses a natural part of her upbringing. She harbored a dream long before Sarah was born: a daughter named Sarah who would ride horses. Her father, a Wisconsin native with no horse experience whatsoever, would unknowingly set that dream into motion in the most unexpected way. While Sarah and her mother were visiting family in South Africa, her dad seized the moment. Flipping through a Penny Saver-style newspaper, he purchased what he thought was the perfect first pony for Sarah for a mere $500.

What he brought home was not quite what her mother had envisioned. Instead of a polished white hunter pony, Sarah and her mother returned to find a one-eyed, 32-year-old Quarter Horse mare, complete with Western tack no one knew how to properly use. “My mom cried,” Sarah laughs, “but I don’t think they were happy tears.” Still, that horse set the course for everything that followed.

From that moment on, Sarah was unstoppable. She would sneak into the paddock, climb onto the pony while it lay down, and somehow end up riding despite barely being tall enough to reach the stirrups. By the time she started competing in local shows, her feet had to be strapped into the stirrups with blocks and rubber bands just to keep her secure. It wasn’t polished, but it was passion. “I have been riding and competing since before I could really walk and a horse-crazy kid right from the get-go.” she says.

Sarah Tubman and her husband, international FEI judge and Grand Prix rider Lee Tubman, run a top-quality, high-performance program out of a state-of-the-art facility, Donato Farms, owned by Jeff and Jessica Friedrich.

Finding Her Path in Dressage

Her early years were a patchwork of disciplines: Western pleasure, equitation, trail and eventually jumping. By age 8, she had joined Pony Club, where she discovered eventing and with it, her first Olympic dream. “When I was 10 years old, I said, ‘I want to be a horse trainer, and I’m going to go to the Olympics.’ ” A declaration she made to her trainer at the time, who told her to go to school and take a more traditional route. Now, years later, Sarah gives her own students the same advice, with a keen smile. Knowing today what her trainer knew then: that this is not the easiest path. But, Sarah has never wavered. The goal was set, and she committed to it fully. “And, I’ve never looked back since,” she says.

By age 15, she had moved out of her home to pursue riding opportunities in Northern California, chasing experience wherever she found it. She became known as the fearless rider willing to get on anything: green horses, difficult horses, horses others avoided. That willingness became her edge. A pivotal moment came when a close friend tragically died in a cross-country accident. It forced Sarah to reevaluate both the risks and the realities of making a living in the eventing world. Around the same time, she began working at a highend dressage sales barn in Southern California, where she was exposed to a completely different level of horses and business.

For the first time, she saw the possibilities. “I realized dressage could be not just a passion but a career,” she says. She made the difficult decision to sell her eventing horses and commit entirely to dressage.

“When I was 10 years old, I said, ‘I want to be a horse trainer, and I’m going to go to the Olympics.’” — Sarah Tubman
2023 Pan Am Team Gold – Dressage

Building a Dressage Business from Nothing

When Sarah launched her own business in 2012 at age 24, she had no clients, no safety net, just relentless determination. Sarah began cold calling horse owners, offering to train and sell their horses for little to no upfront cost, proving her worth through results. It was a bold strategy, but it worked. Slowly, her reputation and business grew. Then, it exploded. At its peak, she ran one of the largest dressage operations on the West Coast, with over 50 horses in training and a reputation built on transparency, integrity and relentless work ethic. She regularly brought a large team of horses to regional championships.

Her program stood out not just for results but for its branding, professionalism and team culture.

But behind the success was a deeper strategy. “My goal was always the Olympics,” she says. “So, I had to figure out how to get there without waiting for someone to hand it to me.” “My parents always pushed us; if you’re going to do it, be the best. Don’t settle. If you want it, make it.” She was building a business strong enough to fund her own path. She reinvested everything into young horses, developing them with the hope that one might become her partner on the world stage. “The Olympics aren’t just going to fall in my lap,” she says. “I was never the type to sit around and wait for someone to hand me a horse; I was going to figure out how to get there myself.”

Partnerships That Changed Everything

A twist of fate brought Gerry Ibanez into Sarah’s life at just the right moment. A newcomer to dressage, he had recently purchased a Friesian horse and placed it in her training program. He was an older gentleman who was never flashy in appearance and approached the sport with humility. Gerry would become Sarah’s sponsor and unwavering supporter. He believed in her before the world fully caught on and admired her work ethic. At first, Sarah hesitated to accept help. She was determined to build her career on her own terms. But when she came across a horse she believed could take her to the Olympics, she knew she would need to act quickly and she would need support.

Gerry was her first call. It turned out to be the only one she needed. He made a life-changing offer; he would back her Olympic pursuit. That moment changed everything. Gerry started Summit Farm in Murrieta, California, a place where, together, they built a program aimed at international success.

While the original horse didn’t pan out, that partnership led Sarah to her mount First Apple, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Vivaldi out of Oogappel (by Partout). From their very first ride, Sarah knew. “I just started crying,” she recalls. “I said, ‘this is it, my horse.’ ” Within a year, the pair went from relative unknowns to international champions, winning Individual Gold and Team Silver at the 2019 Pan American Games. For Sarah, it was a dream realized and a glimpse of what was possible. “It was addicting,” she says. “Once you feel that, you want it again.”

Tragically, shortly after their success, Gerry passed away suddenly in the winter of 2019. It was a devastating loss, both personally and professionally. Honoring Gerry’s legacy and his desire to partner with Sarah in reaching her Olympic dream, Gerry’s family continued to support Sarah and Apple’s journey. Today, she carries that legacy forward every time she rides.” When I ride Apple,” she says, “I ride for Gerry.”

Sarah Tubman and First Apple earn Team Silver and Individual Gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.

A New Chapter in Wellington

Today, Sarah is based in Wellington, Florida, one of the world’s premier dressage hubs. She and her husband, international FEI judge and Grand Prix rider Lee Tubman, run a top-quality, high-performance program out of a state-of-the-art facility, Donato Farms, owned by Jeff and Jessica Friedrich.

Days at the farm begin early, often with Sarah helping feed and prep the barn herself along with her husband. Hours are spent riding, teaching and fine-tuning every detail. Sarah’s favorite moments are often the quietest ones. Evenings are reserved for hands-on care, laser therapy, stretching and quiet moments with each horse. “That’s my happy place,” she says. “It’s peaceful and my time to bond with the horses.” She finds these moments are not just routine but essential. Allowing her to understand each horse’s body and mind on a deeper level, reinforcing the partnership that defines her riding.

Just as important as the horses is the environment surrounding them. For Sarah, a successful barn is not just about performance, it’s about people. She has intentionally cultivated a culture where everyone is aligned, supportive and invested in a shared goal. She expresses that many of the people she works with are not just clients “They’re part of the team,” she says. That team-first mentality shows up in every detail: from the immaculate condition of the barn to the collaborative coaching approach she shares with her husband Lee, to the sense of pride each person takes in the program. “It’s about having people who support you even when you’re not in the room,” she explains.

“That’s my happy place. It’s peaceful and my time to bond with the horses.” — Sarah Tubman
Of the evenings, which are reserved for hands-on care, laser therapy, stretching and quiet moments with each horse.

Meet Sarah Tubman’s Horses

Sarah’s daily rides are primarily centered around a select group of horses. At the heart of that string is First Apple. Now in the later years of his career, Apple remains the emotional and competitive cornerstone of her journey — the partner who carried her to gold at the Pan American Games in 2019 and 2023. “He is still competing at Grand Prix, albeit on a lighter schedule,” she says. “He’s still incredible, but now, it’s about taking care of him and appreciating everything he’s given.” More than just a medal-winning partner, Apple set the standard for feel, for connection and for what Sarah now seeks in every top horse she rides.

Lyamora, affectionately known as Luna, is a 2026 Dutch Warmblood mare by Ferguson out of Zamora (by Contango). She represents something personal, development from the ground up. Sarah has had Luna since she was just a 3-year-old, guiding her all the way to Grand Prix level. Now 10, Luna has already proven herself in the international ring, posting scores above 70% at Intermediate II and stepping confidently into the top tier of the sport. “She’s one of those horses that’s been built, step by step,” Sarah explains. “That’s really important to me.” In a new venture, she has bred Luna. The foal is expected in 2027 out of a surrogate mare.

“I’ve never bred before, so we’ll see,” she laughs. The sire is Barton VDL, a striking 2016 Dutch Oldenburg stallion by Bordeaux out of Honigbluete (by Sir Donnerhall I) with an established breeding career and hundreds of offspring in Europe. Sarah hopes this pairing will combine the very best of both horses. Barton is also one of Sarah’s new rides. Discovered during a trip to Europe, Barton was an immediate standout. “It was love at first ride,” she says.

“He has everything you want in a Grand Prix horse.” With three exceptional gaits, natural sensitivity and a powerful work ethic, Barton is already proving himself in the young Grand Prix ranks, scoring in the high 60s and low 70s.

Then, there is Gørklintgards Smarties, a 2016 Danish Warmblood gelding by Gørklintgårds Santos out of Melena (by Michellino). When Sarah first tried him, as a 7-year-old, his raw talent was undeniable. His piaffe, in particular, was extraordinary. “I’d never sat on a horse that could piaffe like that,” she says. But talent came with volatility. Early days with Smarties were, in her words, challenging. He was hot, reactive and difficult to manage. “There were moments I thought ‘maybe this isn’t the right horse,’ she admits.

Instead of walking away, she leaned in, bringing in trusted coach Daniel Bachmann, incorporating extensive groundwork and committing to a long, patient process. That patience has paid off. Today, Smarties is scoring above 70% at Grand Prix and has transformed into a legitimate international contender. “It’s one of the most rewarding journeys I’ve had,” Sarah says, “Because it wasn’t easy.”

RS Damon, a 2011 Wurttemberger gelding by Don Diamond I out of Mazurka H (by Metteur) is also one of Sarah’s Grand Prix mounts, owned by Donato Farms and the Friedrichs. The pair have successfully competed together in the Concours de Dressage International (CDI) at Grand Prix. Known for their freestyle set to oldschool rock and roll, they are a standout combination, particularly under the lights on Friday nights at the Global Dressage Festival.

The Power of “Slow Is Fast”

At the core of Sarah’s training approach is a deceptively simple idea: “Slow is fast.” In a sport often driven by timelines and expectations, she resists the urge to rush. Instead, she focuses on building horses correctly from the ground up, so that when they reach the top levels, they are not just capable but confident and happy in their work. “I want to produce horses that love their job,” she explains. “That’s success to me.”

Sarah credits the riding skills she has today to her unconventional path: from Western pleasure classes to Pony Club eventing, from off-the-track Thoroughbreds to international Grand Prix mounts. That span of experience is something she now considers one of her greatest superpowers. “I’ve ridden everything,” she says. “And, every horse teaches you something.” Her unique adaptability and willingness to take on challenges has shaped her into a problem-solver: someone who can meet a horse where it is, rather than forcing it into a rigid framework.

She also credits all her trainers along the way that have helped shape her riding style. Today, she continues refining her craft by surrounding herself with top-level guidance, including her husband, who coaches her daily. “If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone, it’s to get the best help you can — as often as you can,” she says. With her sights set on a score of 80% at the Grand Prix and building an environment where that level is the standard, she is surrounding herself with and learning from those who have achieved it. “If you want to compete with the best in the world,” she says, “you have to train like it.”

At the core of Sarah Tubman’s training approach is a deceptively simple idea: “Slow is fast.”

Redefining the Dream

Though the Olympic dream still drives her, Sarah’s perspective has evolved. “It used to be Olympics or nothing,” she admits. “But now, producing happy, high-quality Grand Prix horses, that’s success.” It’s a shift grounded in experience, loss and perspective. She’s no longer chasing validation, she’s building excellence.

And, to the generation to follow, “There’s always a way,” she says. “You just have to find it.” From a one-eyed pony in a backyard to standing atop an international podium, her journey is proof of something powerful: where you start does not define where you can go. Sarah represents something different: possibility. The kind you cannot buy. The kind you earn, and the kind we cannot help but cheer for. Her story is far from finished, and in the quiet moments, long after the crowds have gone, in a spotless barn under the Florida sky, her pursuit continues: one horse, one ride, one detail at a time.

This athlete is a sponsored endorsee and actual client.