Agents Who Ride: Elliman Equestrian Caroline Holl

When she is not working closely with clients to buy and sell property across Manhattan, Caroline Holl is an avid equestrian who rides and competes both in Palm Beach and the Hamptons—including this week’s Hampton Classic Horse Show . Holl, who began riding as a child growing up in England and Switzerland, shared some memories and insights about her equestrian experience with Elliman Insider . How long have you been riding? I started riding when I was 8.  I grew up in London, so it was mostly trail riding in Hyde Park. I had very little formal training as a kid, but I was pony-obsessed from day one! I quit riding for a decade and started again in my late 20s, which is when I really started jumping. Photo: Sophie Elgort for KAVAL How long have you been riding at The Hampton Classic? I first showed at The Hampton Classic 15 years ago.  It’s my favorite show of the year and a great opportunity to catch up with all my horse friends who don’t live in the Hamptons.  The vibe is always amazing, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to see some of the world’s best riders compete right in my backyard. It is the perfect end to a Hamptons summer! Are there any lessons you’ve learned from riding that has helped you both personally and professionally? Riding is filled with huge highs but also many lows. It is an incredibly humbling sport that constantly requires you to expect the unexpected and adjust to the unforeseen.  Learning to cope with this translates well to other aspects of life and especially to real estate, which is always a roller coaster ride. Tell us something about your riding discipline that a non-rider might never notice. A big part of success in the show ring comes from the bond and trust between horse and rider. You can have the most amazing horse and the most amazing rider, but if they don’t have a special relationship they won’t reach their full potential together.