Untacked

68 ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 U n tac k e d number of supporters, and she's quick to credit others in the horse community for the success of the park. "A lot of people helped to make it what it is, with great goodwill. linda Allen worked on it, larry langer, david o'Connor. i have an extraordinary staff. ere have been some terrific helping hands for which i am very grateful, because as an art historian, this wasn't exactly my area of knowledge," she says with a laugh. Allen, a renowned fei and olympic course designer, worked side by side with Krieble in the evolution of the park. "i was most impressed with her because she was very hands-on," Allen recalls. "she was very committed to making it work and turning it into something valuable for the entire community—the local community as well as the larger horse community." "helen was, in every sense of the word, a pioneer," agrees langer. "i think it's accurate to say that Colorado was not at first ready for a visionary like helen, and she had to prevail over some 'immovable' objects. But prevail she did, and she grew the Colorado horse park to be a world-class facility in the center of the country." for most people, a project of this mag- nitude and scope would likely constitute the crowning achievement of their lives. Yet even in the thick of it, Krieble considered the development of the horse park a side project when compared to her biggest pas- sion. "i'm not fascinated by equestrian centers," she admits with a chuckle. "so while we did it and did it to the best of our ability—to serve the equestrian world, and i think we accomplished that—it was not my main focus in life. Although i really enjoyed it!" Krieble's primary passion, ignited many years ago by the example set by her father, is public policy and reform. all in The Family Krieble inherited her interest in policy from her father, dr. robert h. Krieble, a chem- profiLE "I think it's accurate to say that Colorado was not at first ready for a visionary like Helen." —lArrY lAnger SToCkIMaGeSerVICeS.CoM PHoTo Helen Krieble (far left) has thrice hosted the FEI north American Junior and Young rider Championships, an event which plays a pivotal role in the education of future stars. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (left), pictured here at the 2008 NAJYRC at the Colorado Horse Park, went on to represent the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games. MollIe baIley PHoTo

• Cover