High Caliber Stables

Written By Eva Mores – Horse Lingo, LLC
July 7, 2014

cal·i·ber
noun \?ka-l?-b?r
: level of excellence, skill, etc.

(As defined by Merriam-Webster)

Mary & Evan Orr

High Caliber Stables, located in Greensboro, NC clearly lives up to its name – Owners Evan and Mary Orr provide a level of dedication, integrity, and skill to their clients that is arguably unsurpassed.  Located on 73 acres with 3 riding arenas, one being inside and nearly the size of the arena at the WNC Ag Center, the ambitions of Mary and Evan have no bounds!  In addition to developing a training program that earned them the 2012 UPHA Young Trainers of the Year Award, they offer youth riding camps, adult riding clinics, and host a Fall Fun Show.  High Caliber is also known for their Mid-Atlantic Event that they host in the winter.  This is an opportunity to bring together fellow trainers to present their sale horses in a fun and welcoming experience. This past year, they also hosted the ASAC Stallion Auction during the event, raising money for the Carolinas Futurity.  Most recently, High Caliber Stables, shared their outstanding facility with the Make A Wish Foundation, hosting a Derby Day, dinner, and silent auction to raise $200,000 for the foundation.  Building this multidimensional program with attention to details in all areas is what defines High Caliber Stables.  Training horses and instructing riders isn’t just a job for Mary and Evan Orr – It is their life.  With pride, they bring their honesty and hard work to the table everyday to do the most they can for their horses, their clients, and the breed.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Event

Mary and Evan Orr met when they were students at William Woods University.  Evan was the first male accepted to the University, when it became co-ed in 1997.  They became best friends in college, and actually didn’t begin dating until after graduation, while Mary was working on her Master’s Degree in Education.  Evan gained training experience working for Pratense Farm, Glenmore Farm, and West Wind Stables.  Mary had worked for Marilyn Macfarlane early in her college career, and while she enjoyed the Kentucky experience, it was when she went to work at West Wind Stables during following summers that she knew that North Carolina was where she wanted to be.  After they were married, Mary and Evan went to work for Cash Lovell Stables for five years prior to opening High Caliber Stables.  Having their own farm had always been a dream of theirs and was actually named on their honeymoon.

High Caliber Stables, doesn’t actually get its name from the exceptional program that Mary and Evan Orr have built in just 6 short years…it was named after Mary’s horse High Caliber.  This was a horse that had helped Mary through a difficult time in her life, when her 16 year old brother passed away when Mary was 14.  Her experience with her horse and her trainer throughout that time is where her connection to kids and desire to make a difference in their lives is rooted.  On their wedding day, High Caliber passed away.  Mary didn’t know that she had lost him until they were on their honeymoon.  It was then that they decided if they were to open their own barn someday, that it would be named for this once-in-a-lifetime horse.

Evan Orr and new foal

When they first started working together, Mary admits that she hated it.  However, the Orrs quickly found a way to ‘divide and conquer.’  While they are best friends, Mary states that they are lucky to be very different.  They are able to bounce ideas off each other and continue to become a better team, working together and not apart.  Evan handles the training of the young horses as well as the business end of High Caliber, and Mary focuses her efforts on the lesson program as well as prospecting and pairing teams of horses and riders.  It is this aspect of her job that she clearly exudes a passion for.  She says that she loves the challenge of pairing horses and riders and enjoys not only instructing the amateur and juvenile riders, but training their horses as well; working from all angles to develop these teams.  Mary and Evan are also very interested in promoting the American Saddlebred, and do so through their lesson program and breeding.  Their desire to see the breed continue is demonstrated through a lesser known aspect of High Caliber – their breeding program, partnering with Jack and Donna Finch.  Evan is highly involved in the starting and sale of these youngsters.  Currently, High Caliber has about 10 new foals and much excitement awaits as they start to develop and enter the show ring.  Mary mentions that one of the highlights of her season so far was watching their CH Our Charming Lady baby, Sedgefield’s Leading Lady, go into the ring for the first time at Midwest Charity.  Seeing this next generation coming into its own is a thrill.  Mary also mentioned how much she enjoys seeing her young riders begin to form a team with their horses: Ellie Kangur and CH Peanut Butter, McGee Bosworth and Moonlight Memories, and Allie Poovey in her final year in the 13 & Under Five-Gaited division with Callaway’s Gabriel.  Allie has been riding at High Caliber since the age of five!

 

Ellie Kangur & CH Peanut Butter McGee Bosworth & Moonlight Memories Allie Poovey & Callaway’s Gabriel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clearly the connection that Mary and Evan share with their barn ‘family’ is also critical to the achievements of all.  Mary states that they are “fortunate to have a group that supports them through highs and lows and who allows them to not only train their horses but to be a part of their lives.”  Mary cites this connection as critical to her being the best trainer and instructor she can be.  The High Caliber group has a lot of fun and has made a tradition of Friday night lessons.  They have 15-25 riders, ranging in ages 6 to over 60.  This allows Mary to teach them to ride with people of all ages and skill levels, creating a similar experience to that of the show ring.  After the lesson, they all go out to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner.  Mary describes their clients as a loyal group, who welcomes new members.  When new clients come to their barn, they usually stay.

In addition to a great program and fantastic clients, behind the scenes, High Caliber has a great support team.  They have excellent grooms that have been with them from the start, with Pablo Guido serving as the Head Caretaker.  They also have on staff, Meredith Ross, Assistant Trainer and Instructor as well as Lauren Blue, who is the Lesson Program Coordinator.  She came highly recommended for the position by Gayle Lampe.  Allison Deardorff, a close friend of Mary’s, has offered additional help essential to keeping High Caliber running at home and at shows this season.  Both Lauren and Allison are William Woods graduates as well.  Gordon Ingram is their farrier, who is dedicated to the program and will attend horse shows to meet the needs of High Caliber.  The horses are cared for by Carolina Equine Veterinary Practice, and Mary cannot say enough about the support they provide.

With Lexington on the horizon, High Caliber is ready to go!  They will be bringing 18-20 horses and Mary and Evan are excited to see this year of growth for their clients continue.  When asked what is her favorite part of Lexington Junior League, Mary responded that there is no single favorite feature, but that it is her overall favorite show because it is so rich in history.  In the limited time they have to grab a bite to eat, Mary and Evan plan to go to Ramsey’s and Columbia Steakhouse.

Evan Orr Mary Orr

 

 

 

 

 

 

An interesting occurrence that happens to the Orrs at many shows, is that they tend to get a song stuck in their head for the duration of the show…and that becomes the theme song for the week.  This dates back to their first Louisville as owners of High Caliber Stables.  Mary was feeling quite nervous and was experiencing a bit of self-doubt.  Josh Turner happened to be giving a concert, and Me And God came out loud and clear.  As the week progressed, this song continued to make its way to Mary and Evan, on the radio.  And so it was the first High Caliber Stables show ‘theme song’ which gave them the support they needed as they began to make their own way in the industry.  Stay tuned, as we follow High Caliber Stables this week at Lexington Junior League…Looking forward to following their amazing string of show horses and finding out what their theme song is for this week!

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