For Heidi Humphries of Zen Elite Equestrian Center, the driving motivation behind her involvement across the equestrian disciplines is her deep and unrelenting love of horses. At her core, it’s who she is, and what she’s built at Zen Elite is a direct reflection of her philosophy and passion.
“I wanted to build a place where the horses always come first, and where the people surrounding the horses felt supported, appreciated, and inspired,” said Humphries, as she discussed her inspiration behind the vision of Zen Elite. “High performance sport can be incredibly demanding, and I’ve always wanted Zen to be a place where excellence and ambition could co-exist alongside relaxation, gratitude, and genuine care for horses and for athletes.”
What was once a dream, has now become a staple of ownership, training, and support for USA Dressage, its programs, and athletes. Humphries’ dedication to the discipline can be felt from the national levels all the way through major international championships. Her impact growing the sport, while fostering a positive and nurturing environment where both athletes and horses can thrive is testament to a clear vision turned reality.
“What makes me most proud isn't how much Zen has grown, but how it has grown. I look around at the horses, riders, grooms, veterinarians and everyone who has become part of this family, and I feel incredibly grateful. We have some extraordinary horses and athletes, but even more importantly, we have extraordinary human beings,” she said.
“When I watch one of our Zen combinations enter an arena, I don't just see those six or seven minutes in front of me. I see everything that came before them,” explained Humphries, describing her joy watching Zen combinations compete. “I see the countless hours of training. The early mornings. The difficult days. The tiny breakthroughs. The setbacks. The decisions made to protect the horse. The grooms caring for them late at night. The veterinarians. The coaches. The entire village behind that horse and rider. Then you watch them ride down the centerline at one of the greatest competitions in the world, and all that history enters the arena with them. That's what gets me.”
The dedication and commitment of ownership at the top levels of sport can be tremendously rewarding, while also extremely daunting. According to Humphries though, when the opportunity to represent your country on the world’s biggest stages is presented, it brings all the highs and lows into equal balance.
“When a horse and rider represent the U.S. on a team, suddenly it feels like they're no longer just ‘ours.’ They represent something much bigger. You're supporting your country, your sport, and a whole community of people who have helped that combination reach that moment,” explained Humphries. “That's one of the reasons I love supporting our teams beyond just the horses we own. If we can help create an environment where our American athletes feel supported, celebrated, and able to concentrate on performing at their best — that means a tremendous amount to me.”
It’s no secret horse ownership and continued support at the top international levels can be costly, but for Humphries, there’s so much more than just financials playing a role in supporting and encouraging athletes, both human and equine, to reach their full potential.
“I think ownership at this level comes with responsibility, too. Yes, there is financial support involved, but I think the emotional support matters just as much,” said Humphries, as she described her relationship with Zen’s athletes. “These athletes carry enormous pressure. I want our riders to know that our belief in them isn't conditional on a scoreboard. We're proud of them because of the work, the horsemanship, and the people they are, not simply just because of where they finish.”
Humphries, who has experienced major championships with U.S. Dressage as an owner with Adrienne Lyle and Helix at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, will now mark her first FEI World Championships as an owner, this time behind Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian representing Zen Elite in Aachen, Germany. While Humphries won’t be in attendance, as a conflict with her daughter’s white coat ceremony for her hard-earned medical degree overlaps with the championship timetable — as much as it’s possible — her heart will be in two places at once.
“This one makes me emotional to even talk about. When I imagine Christian and Felix entering that arena, I already know what I'm going to see. I'm going to see all the countless hours Christian has put into becoming the rider he is. I'm going to see the hard work and the patience. I'm going to see the gentle care and reassurance Felix receives during stressful or difficult moments, and all the people who helped them both get here. The appreciation for these riders and horses just flows right out of my eyes. Christian has worked so hard for this.”
Simonson, who made his senior team debut for the U.S. Dressage Team in 2023 at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, will represent Zen Elite for the first time in a championship setting in Aachen, aboard the horse maybe not everyone expected, but one who has only continued to give. Simonson’s relationship with Fleau de Baian has been years in the making; establishing trust, building confidence, and accomplishing it all with empathy and perseverance — truly embodying the Zen Elite philosophy.
“One of the things I admire most about Christian is he is incredibly ambitious, while also being an extraordinarily sensitive human being. That's a rare combination. He wants to achieve at the highest level, but he hasn't lost his sensitivity toward his horses or kindness toward the people around him. There is something extraordinary about an animal giving us their trust and allowing us to be part of their journey,” described Humphries when talking about “Felix” and Simonson.
Humphries isn’t in it for the recognition or the results. While they are, of course, an important piece of the puzzle, her true motivation lies in being able to provide absolutely anything and everything to the horses who give their all and ask for so little in return.
“They don't care about rankings. They don't know how much they cost. Although, they do seem to know when their mom is coming around the corner with treats,” she laughed. “But they know whether they feel safe. They know whether they're treated kindly. They know their people, and that keeps everything in perspective for me, and ultimately, that’s what Zen is about. Yes, we want to compete at the highest level; yes, we want to win; yes, we have enormous dreams, but really, I want us to enjoy the journey because that's what is so rewarding with horses.”
While the pressure and anticipation of watching your horse and rider head down the centerline, whether in person or from afar, can be overwhelming and emotional, the process, the people, and the animals who make it possible have profoundly inspired Humphries, who’s leaned into the purpose and joy of lifting others up to fulfill their dreams.
“One day you look up, and the young rider you've watched work tirelessly for years trying to reach their goals, is riding down the centerline for the U.S. at a World Championship,” she said. “In that moment, you realize the journey to get there was the extraordinary part all along.”
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About USET Foundation
Behind every U.S. athlete competing at this week’s FEI World Championships in Aachen is a dedicated support network that helps them perform at their best. As the philanthropic partner of US Equestrian, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation provides critical funding for USEF High Performance and Pathway Programs, ensuring athletes and horses receive top-level support as they develop and compete on the world stage. Unlike in many other countries, the U.S. does not receive government funding for equestrian sport, making this support essential for athletes to train, travel, and succeed internationally while also building a talent pipeline for the future. As we celebrate U.S. equestrian sport in Aachen, we also look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics and encourage you to visit www.uset.org to learn more and donate to the Pathway to the Podium campaign.