Tala Marshall is one of the most respected professionals of the modern Equine world. With three World Championships under her belt, she is known for her quiet, well rounded horses. She is still considered an Olympic level competitor with international caliber training abilities. Her notable career was put on hold last year after a tragic Cross Country accident that killed her Olympic hopeful horse and nearly left the accomplished equestrian paralyzed. Her recovery required several surgeries, all of which were considered extremely successful and the equestrian world eagerly anticipated her return to the show ring. Unfortunately the show world was much disappointed when she announced her retirement several months after being released from the hospital...
Where is Tala now? I can't tell you that. Why? Because I don't know. Tala was always very secluded and self disciplined. She kept her personal life carefully sheltered from the glow and publicity of the show world. Her dedication to her work was surpassed only by her love of horses. She never considered her career to be job, but merely a hobby she loved. Wouldn't we all like to be successful at something we love?
Tala's retirement was based only in part on her unfortunate accident. She has decided that it is time to pursue other interests in here life. Years of the show world have left her irritable and exhausted. As much as she misses her horses and the thrill of competition, I assure you she is thoroughly enjoying her retirement. And she does not wish to be disturbed!
Tell you more about her? I'll tell you what I can without disturbing her privacy. Tala Marshall was born on August 2, 1976 to thrilled parents Jessica and Matthew in Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up on the Marshall/Justice Ranch co-owned by her family and their business partners. She started riding horses almost before she could walk and horseback riding soon became a way of life. In her early teenage years she deviated from the western world of her family's ranch and ventured into the english equine world. Her trainers soon discovered that she had a distinct talent for the Jumping and Eventing disciplines and it wasn't long before she became the trainer instead of the student.
Tala won her first Grand Prix level jumper show at the age of 19 and it was all uphill from there. Her successes piled up on each other and soon she was a sought after trainer and any horse she had raised and trained quickly became a hot commodity in the show ring. (And they still are.) But I promise you, she never once let her success go to her head.
Five years later she founded the RavenLoft Equestrian Center, based on the money from her insurmountable winnings. The center was located in a rural region of Georgia and was noted for it's finely bred show jumpers and dressage horses. The RavenLoft center is still open now under a different name and ownership. It was sold several months after her accident.
Tala's unfortunate incident at the Rolex Cross Country event was just that, a terrible accident. It was the fault of neither horse nor rider. It was simply one of the unfortunate mishaps that are part of the inherent risks of the equine profession. She dearly regrets losing her horse, not because of his value, but because he was a good friend. I can assure you that she did successfully recover from her traumatic injuries and they have not hindered her from pursuing other aspects of her life. She is still doing well and is happy with her current situation. I can tell you nothing more.
Who am I? I'm Morgan... I'm just a close friend.
