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c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m w i n t e r 2 014 59 for seven years in the 1970s, this was a fantastical real- ity, a remarkable convergence of talent that resulted in unprecedented success. is was Winter place farm. "it was an amazing place. never before and never since has there been any place even remotely like it," said ridland. "We could have fielded two nations Cup teams with all the riders there." not many would have picked the flat farm fields of the eastern shore of maryland to build what would for a time become the Camelot of the hunter/jumper world. Known for its soybeans, chicken farms and waterfowl, the region doesn't have the rich horsey heri- tage, of, say, middleburg, va. But the eastern shore, more specifically the area of ocean City and salisbury, md., is where James Caine made his fortune. it's where his daughter, Bradley Caine, fell in love with horses. And so it was where James built Winter place farm and created a golden era. "it was a little bit like Field of Dreams—he built it, and they came. We brought the world to us," said ronnie Beard, who, as resident trainer, was the con- ductor of the symphony of talent that collected at Winter place. At its peak, Winter place housed 70 horses, comprising a legendary string that included national championship hunters like gozzi, royal Blue, old dominion, magic parade, rivet and perfect stranger. Jet run and southside, jumpers who went on to the olympic games and World Cup finals glory, got their start there. traurig, taylor, prudent and ridland all rode for Winter place—for a time all at once. ey were joined by mike elmore, matt Collins, Jane Womble gaston, norman dello Joio and scott nederlander. Articles appeared in magazines like Practical Horseman and Horse Play showcasing photos of the spectacular barn and indoor and lauding the successes The horses of Winter Place enjoyed an indoor swim- ming pool and this therapeutic whirlpool. PHoto Courtesy of BrADley CAine "It was a little bit like field of dreams—he built it, and they came. We brought the world to us." —ronnie BeArd