Q&A With Tori Corts
Photo Credits: Sporfot
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from New York.
When and where did you start riding?
I started riding when I was about 12 years old. My mother rode and really wanted my sister and I to know how to ride. I had a pony for about a year and then got my first horse to do the Children’s Jumpers.
Can you list some highlights from your junior and amateur years?
My junior years were a lot of fun! I had two horses named Quali De BD and Orkaan that I showed in the Children’s Jumper Division. I won a lot on both of them and they helped me move from the Children’s to the Junior Jumper Divisions. The highlight of my junior years would probably be getting my mare “Rockstar” (who I still own today) and being able to compete in the High Junior Jumpers here at FTI WEF and The Hampton Classic Horse Show.
What horses do you currently ride and show?
This year I have six horses. I’ve been showing my stallion, Ultimo Van Ter Moude, who is 15 years old, and Rockstar, who is 11 I,n both the Medium and High Amateur-Owner Jumper Divisions. I have Bodyguard as well, who is an 11 year old gelding. I have shown him in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Classes and currently show him in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers and sometimes in the Grand Prix classes’s up north. My newest addition is Paparazzi who we bought at the Fences Auction in Francetwo2 years ago with the help of Bernard Demetes, who bred my horse Ultimo Van Ter Moude. He is now fiveyears old and I plan to start showing him this year at FTI WEF in theAdequan 5 Year Old Young Jumper Division. Classic is a seven- yea-old gelding who will be doing the 7Adequan /8 Year Old Young Jumper Division. The last is a nine-year-old stallion named Quite Capital III who I hope to show in some of the Suncast® 1.50m classes here at FTI WEF.
How and why did you and your family create Falkirk Farm?
My father is a developer and my mother is an interior designer so they built our barn together on the property where we live in New York. We also own a golf course and a country club on the same property so it all sort of works together. We have a lot of brides who come to the farm to take pictures and have had a few wedding ceremonies there as well, which are fun!
Is there a special four-legged friend or specific event that changed your life and made you want to do the horse show circuit?
All my horses have changed my life for different reasons. I am very competitive by nature and I am thankful to have horses that have not only had the capability to compete at this level, but the heart to consistently do it. I know they all really try their best for me.
Where do you see yourself in a few years?
I am currently going to school at The Gemological Institute of America and plan to be a certified Gemologist. In a few years I see myself working with the horses, but also opening a jewelry store somewhere in Florida. When I am in New York for the summers I will ride and work for my uncle’s jewelry store, Barry’s Estate Jewelry. I think keeping a balance between work, school, and riding is difficult, but something that is very important.
What are you riding goals?
I try to set my goals with my horse’s best interest in mind. I don’t believe in rushing or pushing a horse. A well-managed and confident horse is what I like to achieve. It’s the least we can do considering what they do for us.
Are you excited for FTI WEF 2013?
I am very excited about the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. It is an incredible place to be able to show. Not only are the grounds and rings amazing, but there are always new and exciting events happening. The charity classes are wonderful and the $100,000 Trump Invitational this year was spectacular! Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival have done so much for our sport and continue to do more every year. It’s really nice to see our sport being promoted at this level. For such a difficult sport, I don’t believe it gets the recognition it deserves in the United States. I am happy to see that ESP and FTI WEF are changing that.
How did FTI WEF Week 1 go for you?
FTI WEF Week 1 went very well. Ultimo was 2nd in the Animo USA Medium Amateu-Owner Classic on Sunday and third in the Animo USA Amateur-Owner Jumpers on Friday. This horse show series is great because it is 12 consecutive weeks long. However, the first week is always the most exciting! Seeing everyone and their horses on the constantly improving show grounds Week 1 always makes me look forward to the next 11 weeks.
Where will you be located this season?
I am located at my farm in Palm Beach Point where I live with my brother, dogs and horses. The farm is hacking distance to the horse show, which is nice. The farm is a very relaxing environment for the horses.
What are your goals for FTI WEF specifically?
My goals this year for the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival is to have fun and keep my horses happy and sound. I would also really like to be able to do some of the Sunday, Suncast® 1.50m classes!
FTI WEF 