MIKALI FARMS

I began riding at the age of four at a local stable that was located just one mile down the road from my home. It was here that my love for horses was born!

At Willowdusk Farms, I spent several years riding a variety of different ponies and horses before my parents were kind enough to buy me my first horse: "Fly Away Champ" - a black 15.2hh, AQHA gelding. 

Champ and I soon moved to a new stable at the other end of town so that I could further my education and begin showing.

At Fiddler's Green Stables we began on the Trillium circuit (now referred to as the Silver Circuit). It also introduced me to Pony Club.

As a member of the Saint Lawrence Ottawa Valley (SLOV) Pony Club, I enjoyed great success playing Prince Philip Games. Participating in these Mounted Games I was a member of the National Championship team in 1992. I was also chosen as one of five members from across Canada to compete on the International team in Perth Australia in 1994!

At the age of 16, I moved with Luka (a 17hh, Belgian Warblood gelding by Lys de Darmen) and began training with Bob and Jill Henselwood. 

Under Jill's tutelage, I qualified for the High Junior/Amateur Division at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in my first full year competing at 1.40m. 

During my time at Juniper Farms, I was able to develop and compete with my various horses (Luka, Platoon II, Chakotay, Leobalia and Gloria) from the Low Junior/Amateur Division up to the Rising Star and Modified Grand Prix's. 

Highlights included being selected as the junior representive for Canada at the 'Copa Caracas' held in Caracas, Venezuela (1995) and a memeber of the 1996 Ontario Young Riders Team held at Temple Farms (Chicago).

With more than one million dollars in lifetime earnings, Chianto finally retired from competition at the age of 20.

He is currently enjoying his retirement and living with John Pearce at his home farm in California.