The Work it Takes: Scott Lico's Path to Becoming a Professional

Scott Lico was 19 years old when he nervously arrived at his first George Morris clinic. When he drove in, he could see that Morris was already in the ring, setting jumps for the day ahead. Lico ran into the ring to help, all the while hoping he wouldn’t fumble a jump cup, his step, or some unknown etiquette.

Luckily, it all went smoothly, and every year since, he’s returned to clinic with Morris. But it wasn’t until this most recent year that one very big “aha” moment occurred.

A Late Start
The young professional got a late start in riding at the age of 14, inspired by a trail ride he took on a family vacation. When most people were already jumping 3’6”, he was learning his diagonals.He had the good fortune to live down the street from Elvenstar, in Moorpark, California. Elvenstar’s Jim Hagman is widely known for giving riders a solid start to their careers, and he took Lico under his ring. Lico was a teenager when he picked up riding, inspired by a trail ride he took on a family vacation. 

Within a year, he had fallen in love with horses as well as the sport of show jumping. Hagman guided him along the way to his first jumps and his first shows. "Jim did a great job giving me confidence in myself as a rider. He made me believe that I could go far in this sport and I am very thankful for his guidance in my early years." Within just two years into his riding career, Lico was competing in the 1.20m divisions.

He eventually moved on to train with Karen Healey, and “that’s when things started getting real serious.”

Karen forged a strong work ethic in her students, teaching them discipline, precision, refinement, and attention to detail. Lico’s riding rapidly progressed and for three consecutive years he found himself ranked top ten in PCHA for Amateur Jumpers. The following year, Scott began competing in his first Grand Prix’s.

It was during Healey’s annual clinic that Lico got to know Morris. A natural student, Lico joined the masses that study Morris closely. “His clinics have been a huge part of my riding career,” Lico says. "Morris is a living legend and getting to work with him has been an absolute privilege. But the last couple of years have been very special to me,” Lico continues. “My students got to participate in his clinics and were used quite often as the proper examples. To watch them ride with him and to hear the man I grew up idolizing, and still do, tell me that I have done a great job with my students was a very rewarding experience. One I will never forget."

It was a significant moment – that of stepping away from the place of student and being recognized as a professional horse trainer by the man he spent so much time looking up to.

Finding His Way
Now at age 34 and with seven years under his belt as the owner of his own business, Lico is carving out his own niche at the helm of Scott Lico Stables. With a barn of 10 to 15 horses, he enjoys focusing on every student and keeping his aspirations high. Just this year his student, Katharine Carroll, was selected and participated in the Emerging Athletes Program Nationals Training Session.

If Morris has inspired Lico to reach for the big goals, it’s his horse that has taught him the most along the way. Lico’s hope for the future lies in Monte Carlo, an 8 year old Holsteiner that Lico is pointing towards the 1.30m division this year.

Lico and Monte Cristo compete in Del Mar

Lico bought the young gelding two years ago in Germany, but upon mounting up once the horse arrived in the U.S., Monte Cristo proceeded to buck Lico off. That day and for many days after, he imitated a bucking bronco, pitching Lico into the sand at least once a week. One fall even resulted in a broken collar bone!

“George said that a lot of the really good horses are quirky, and if they’re good horses you just deal with it,” Lico said.

So he dealt with it. With the help of Hector Uribe, Lico got Monte Cristo on the right track, and he’s hoping that this year will be a successful one.

“I have a great horse in Monte Cristo and I'm planning to bring him up to the top level in the sport, do well, and get some recognition," Lico says. "I have high goals in this sport and it's a very difficult task for any rider to accomplish without the support of horse owners and sponsors."

Lico is hoping to attend the George H. Morris Gladstone Program this year. "As riders, trainers, and horseman, we must always look to learn in order to progress. George has a way of getting riders to think and listen to their horses, which in fact, are the best teachers in the world."

As he heads to HITS Thermal to compete in the second half of the circuit, he’ll surely have the lessons of Morris circling in the back of his mind, while he listens to the horse underneath him with every step forward. 

A successful show for Scott Lico Stables!