Olivia Hoecker is quick to tell you – Pine Meadow Quarter Horses is more than just a farm; it’s a family, a family of which she is extremely proud.

Hoecker fell in love with horses at an early age but never dreamed she would own the successful operation she has literally built from the ground up. In 1998 the first barn was erected on a piece of property in Tipp City, Ohio, marking the official founding of Pine Meadow Quarter Horses.

There was the usual excitement that comes with the realization that your dreams are becoming a reality but a year later Hoecker started feeling like something was missing.

Then, in 2000 the first group of Pine Meadow foals were born, sparking the passion for breeding that embodies Hoecker even today.

To the Winston Salem, North Carolina native, the true joy lies not in a bronze trophy but in watching her babies mature into show horses capable of excelling first in Western Pleasure classes and ultimately in a wide variety of competitive events.

“Our program has been fortunate enough to produce horses that have gone on to ultimately become Congress and World Champions,” she explains. “But more importantly, they have gone on to become great horses in and out of the show pen.”

Hoecker has satisfying memories of her childhood and knows first hand the feeling of a great horse. Her own first memory of a life with horses is sitting on the back of a gentle giant of a draft horse named Charlie, owned by her own grandfather.

“I was hooked,” she admits. “It’s been a love for horses ever since.”

Hoecker’s family moved to Bevercreek, Ohio in time for her to attend and graduate from Bevercreek High School. Afterwards, she attended Wright State University where she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting and Finance. She is the manager of Corporate Tax and Treasury for Robbins & Myers Inc., a leading supplier of engineered equipment and systems for critical applications in global energy, industrial, chemical and pharmaceutical markets. She plans to retire this year and says she will focus her time and attention on Pine Meadow Quarter Horses and the American Quarter Horse Association, as an owner, breeder and exhibitor.

“I think there should be more classes for first time exhibitors and more sponsored social events so new members feel welcome,” she says. “Perhaps, a hospitality committee could structure a way to contact new members and seek them out at shows. Also, sponsor events where new exhibitors and judges can get together informally to get feedback on what the judges look for in the various classes.”

As a member of the AQHA, National Snaffle Bit Association, American Paint Horse Association, and a general animal lover Hoecker is always looking for ways to help improve the health and welfare of horses.

This year Hoecker is showing Multiple World and Congress Champion Radical Rumors, a 1997 bay mare by Radical Rodder and out of Platinum Flash, in Novice Amateur and Amateur Select Western Pleasure. At the beginning of 2012 the Kimmel family of Ohio gave Hoecker the opportunity to purchase this once in a lifetime mare. “They wanted her to have a good home which she will have for life,” she insists.

Hoecker says she just loves riding Radical Rumors and is constantly working toward the goal of becoming more in sync with her. Their hard work paid off when the new team was named Circuit Champions in Amateur Select Western Pleasure at the Florida Gulf Coast in Venice this past January.

“She loves her spa treatments at the Sanctuary of Ocala,” Hoecker says. “And she gives me great rides for apple nuggets.”

Radical Rumors is just one of the many great horses that are a part of Pine Meadows Quarter Horses. In 2011 Jay Starnes, of Summerton, South Carolina, rode Hoecker’s 2008 red roan stallion Strutin on the Range (by Openrange)  to a Congress Championship in Green Western Pleasure. Last year the team finished as Reserve Champions at the Congress and placed third at the AQHA World Championship Show in Junior Western Pleasure.

In 2011 Hoecker’s other stallion, Hez Plum Poison, a 2010 bay stallion by Diesel Only, won the Open Western Longe Line at the Congress.

“He is being trained and shown by Josh Robertson of Reddick Florida, and I have high hopes for this young sire,” Hoecker says.

Working hard toward goals in and out of the show pen keeps Hoecker motivated to show. But she says the support she receives from her family is just as important. Hoecker has three daughters, Debbie, Susan and Tracy; and one son Ken. All four are in awe of her accomplishments in the Quarter Horse industry. When she’s not working or at a show Hoecker enjoys spending time with her seven granddaughters and three grandsons, who love to visit and spend time with the horses.

“They all marvel at the big animals and love to give them treats,” she says.

As passionate as she is about her career and horses, Hoecker says family comes first. Holiday get-togethers, birthday celebrations and family vacations never go unforgotten.

Her most treasured memory is of the Alaskan cruise she recently  took with her family.

“The scenery was absolutely beautiful,” she exclaims. “We visited small towns like Skagway and bigger ones like Vancouver, which was pretty awesome.”

Hoecker has had the opportunity to visit many European countries for either business or vacation. She’s been to England, Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. She has also traveled to several exotic destinations such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Morocco, China, India, Belize and San Juan. But she will never forget the trip through Alaska with her family.

“I got to enjoy the beauty of Alaska with my entire family, making it a trip that was simply unforgettable.”