Son carries on moms legacy of dressage shows at White Fences

When Adam Pollaks mother Ingred Lin passed away in 2009 after a long battle with breast cancer, the popular dressage shows shed revived at the White Fences Equestrian Center in Loxahatchee were left without a leader. Pollak stepped up and took the reins, even though he was not an equestrian himself. Under his guidance, the Welcome Back to White Fences series has grown and held its own alongside the new Global Dressage Festival in Wellington.

I went to school for engineering, Pollak said. I have a mechanical and aerospace engineering degree. I like running the facility and the shows. Horseback riding itself isnt my thing, but I dont think it factors in that much. Sometimes, because Im not involved and Im not a horse person, I have a different view. People tell me that Im a great horse show manager. I think its partly because I have no vested interest in the shows.

White Fences Equestrian Center offers the friendly, easygoing atmosphere of a community horse show along with dressage tests all the way up to fourth level. Many trainers hack to the show with their students from farms in the White Fences neighborhood. The White Fences shows give amateurs and trainers trying out young horses an alternative place to take dressage tests that isnt as formal as what theyd find in Wellington.

I think its important to offer a variety of venues, Pollak said. Weve kept the prices the same or lower than when my mom first started the shows. Its a community atmosphere. There is a house here and its my home. It carries that feeling throughout the facility. It feels like a personal place, not just an impersonal show facility.

The White Fences shows are well known for having free lunch, snacks and drinks. Pollak has continued that tradition. He thinks food is a great way to bring people together and create camaraderie amongst all the competitors.

There is no such thing as a separate VIP area here, he said. You cant be adult amateur-friendly when you have certain people sitting in a catered tent while others have to wait at a food truck. It creates a hierarchy and caste system where some riders dont feel as important. Here, everyone has free lunch together whether its the local backyard rider doing their intro test or the Olympian doing their Grand Prix test. Everyone is at the same level.

Theyre eating the same food and sitting together. It creates a friendlier atmosphere.

The Welcome Back to White Fences series fulfills a need for a calm place where amateurs can practice and pros can perfect their technique without expense and pretense, he said. The Global Dressage Festival has its place. Its often a goal for many riders to build up the confidence and skill to show in Wellington.

Global is a great facility, Pollak said, but its very intimidating and expensive for a lot of the riders. Its good to have a little variety.

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Son carries on moms legacy of dressage shows at White Fences