German Rodriguez
German was born and raised in Puerta de la Lima, near Puerto Vallarta, in Mexico. He grew up in a family that always had horses, cows and other farm animals. German started riding and working with horses at a very young age, developing his "horse whispering" skills. When he was 20 he moved to The United States, and worked on a dairy farm in Sacramento, California. In 1995 German moved to, Oregon, in the countryside near Portland. He again worked on a dairy farm.
One lucky day in 1997, German walked into the newly built Heathman Farm in Woodburn, Oregon. He was looking for a job with horses and Thea interviewed German, and had him work with some of the horses. He exhibited an amazing understanding of horses, and was hired immediately. He had to learn the ropes of being a groom and caretaker for international caliber horses, and a strict program developed by Chris and Thea. What we didn't know at the time, was that German is a true horseman. As he fit in and learned the Heathman Farm system, he started working with many young horses from weanlings to 4 and 5 year olds, many stallions, and developed them perfectly until the day they were sat on for the first time. Chris broke and rode the young horses and with German's help it was always seamless. Heathman Farm traveled North America, hitting 48 states, and every southern Canadian Provence. In that time German became notoriously one of the top grooms on the circuit, and now with his wisdom and age is revered by all of his peers. When Heathman Farm moved east and closed up shop, German came with the Stinnett's, and while they had horses at Hunterdon, German still cared for their horses. Eventually Thea and Chris stopped riding entirely, and German was forced to seek other employment. He joined a great family stable in New York State, and remained with them for 6 years.
As time passed, Chris and Thea jumped back into the horse business, buying the new and improved Heathman Farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Thea immediately called German and said to him that she couldn't run a farm without him. Without pause German replied, "I would love to come home." We are fortunate to have him on our team as he is the foundation of the greatness of Heathman Farm.
One lucky day in 1997, German walked into the newly built Heathman Farm in Woodburn, Oregon. He was looking for a job with horses and Thea interviewed German, and had him work with some of the horses. He exhibited an amazing understanding of horses, and was hired immediately. He had to learn the ropes of being a groom and caretaker for international caliber horses, and a strict program developed by Chris and Thea. What we didn't know at the time, was that German is a true horseman. As he fit in and learned the Heathman Farm system, he started working with many young horses from weanlings to 4 and 5 year olds, many stallions, and developed them perfectly until the day they were sat on for the first time. Chris broke and rode the young horses and with German's help it was always seamless. Heathman Farm traveled North America, hitting 48 states, and every southern Canadian Provence. In that time German became notoriously one of the top grooms on the circuit, and now with his wisdom and age is revered by all of his peers. When Heathman Farm moved east and closed up shop, German came with the Stinnett's, and while they had horses at Hunterdon, German still cared for their horses. Eventually Thea and Chris stopped riding entirely, and German was forced to seek other employment. He joined a great family stable in New York State, and remained with them for 6 years.
As time passed, Chris and Thea jumped back into the horse business, buying the new and improved Heathman Farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Thea immediately called German and said to him that she couldn't run a farm without him. Without pause German replied, "I would love to come home." We are fortunate to have him on our team as he is the foundation of the greatness of Heathman Farm.