102 SIDELINES JANUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
e
From the Football Field to the
Show Ring
By Arianna Delin
Many athletes take up another sport after their professional
retirement, including quite a few football players who have been
seen on the dance floor, putting their quick feet and fast actions to
use. However, there is one player who decided to take a different
avenue than others. His goal: to become an equestrian.
Eric Moore, a former first round National Football League
draft pick for the New York Giants, is now an avid eventer. While
playing for the Giants under the coaching of Bill Parcell, Eric
helped the team capture the 1991 Super Bowl XXV title. After
this accomplishment, he went on to play as a free agent for the
Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins.
“Football was a great experience. If I could have, I would have
played until I was 50,” said Eric.
In 1995, he retired from football. Eric and his wife, Vanessa,
joined the McDonald’s corporation, and are currently the largest
franchise owners in central Indiana.
Vanessa is more than just a business partner to Eric. She
has also had a huge influence on Eric’s equine adventures –
introducing him to riding four years ago.
“I think it was basically
so she could get a second
horse,” laughed Eric. “If I
didn’t like riding, then she
would get a second horse
is what we agreed on. So I
went out one day and loved
it.”
Eric bought his first horse,
an eight-year-old Friesian
named Rolex, so that he
could trail ride and do some
dressage. Eric, who had
never ridden a horse, went
from trail riding to taking
lessons several days a
week.
“I pretty much went from
trail riding right to dressage.
Then, I went and bought
another horse to jump,” said
Eric. “I even went to the
foxhunting event at Traders
Point in Indianapolis. I went
out there with a friend and
was crowned ‘King of the
Hunt.’”
Last year, Eric bought
his eventer, whom he calls
Ferrari, from Courtney
Cooper. The Irish Sport
Horse has competed at the
novice levels and Eric plans
to continue to show him.
“It is a real joy riding him,
as he jumps very well and does a great job at it. We’ve developed
a pretty good relationship.”
This former football star has made an easy transition from the
turf to the saddle and explains that both sports involve focus
and determination. “When you’re eventing and foxhunting, it’s
something that’s challenging. You’re on full alert when riding.
You’re having the time of your life, but riding the correct way the
entire time so that you’re safe. It’s the same with football. It’s not
for everyone,” explained Eric. “You’re at the top of your game.
Anyone can come at you at anytime and whack you. You just have
to play to the best of your ability.”
The 48-year old gets to the barn at sunrise, where he and his
four-legged partners start training. He is looking forward to the
upcoming season, where he hopes to start jumping three-foot
fences and compete more consistently with his two mounts.
The barn may be quite different from the football field, but this
Super Bowl champion-turned-eventer is just as happy galloping
cross-country and trotting down centerline as he was charging
down the field.
Eric has transitioned from the turf
to the saddle.
A former Super Bowl
champion, Eric is now
enjoying life as an
equestrian.
Photos courtesy of Eric Moore
Eric as a New York
Giants football player.
