Sarah LesslerPeter Lutz and Mary Manfredi are a dynamic duo in the equestrian world. Their 20-year business together has built a reputation of being top-level competitors, trainers, and mentors. Together, they consistently demonstrate dedication and passion for the sport, inspire up-and-coming riders, and develop young, talented horses. The powerhouse team is a story of partnership, perseverance, and a genuine love of the equestrian lifestyle.
WHERE IT STARTED
Peter Lutz’s equestrian journey began in Connecticut, where his early years were rooted in the fundamentals of horsemanship. Peter’s skills evolved rapidly, from Pony Club rallies to trail riding and eventing. At a Pony Club rally hosted at Judy Richter’s Coker Farm in Bedford, N.Y., Peter’s talent caught Judy’s eye. She invited him to ride at her farm, sparking a years long relationship where Peter worked in exchange for lessons and riding opportunities. “From that point on, I was there every day for the rest of my high school and college years,” Peter recalls.
Mary Manfredi’s junior riding career also revolved around Coker Farm. Under the mentorship of Judy Richter, Andre Dignelli, and Kate Stoffel Oliver, Mary juggled grooming, riding, and “pseudo managing” the barn at Coker. It was there, in 1990, that Mary and Peter met. The pair even shared a horse—Mary’s. “She was very nice to share,” Peter notes, as he didn’t own a horse at the time. They traveled to the same shows, competing in Maclay and Medal classes to earn crucial points. “That horse was fantastic,” Mary reminisces. Mary’s junior accolades included a third-place finish in the USET Show Jumping Talent Search–East Finals and a USET Silver Medal for winning 16 USET Medal classes. In 1991, Peter’s achievements culminated in victories at the Rolex/ASPCA Maclay National Championship and the Rolex USET Show Jumping Talent Search East Finals.
Both Mary and Peter went on to pursue academic excellence in tandem with their equestrian ambitions. Mary graduated from Vassar College, while Peter earned a degree from Yale University. Their college choices were influenced by proximity to Coker Farm and their families’ emphasis on education. They credit Richter for fostering a love of learning. “She always encouraged us to do well in school and pursue our education. She really helped make it happen for us,” Peter shares.
After college, Mary’s equestrian pursuits took a back-seat as she lived and worked abroad in Italy and Argentina. Meanwhile, Peter continued riding and teaching lessons during college, eventually transitioning to a professional career with Sam Edelman after graduation. Despite their separate paths, Mary and Peter remained connected. Peter regularly sent post-cards updating Mary on his equestrian adventures, and they met up whenever Peter’s European horse travels allowed. “I was always following the trajectory of Peter’s career while I was on a completely different path,” Mary reflects.
By 2000, Peter’s business had flourished, and Mary had returned to the U.S. at a pivotal moment in her life. At a mutual friend’s wedding, they reconnected. Peter was headed to Florida for the winter and had a few students who needed a coach. Mary stepped in, marking the start of a partnership that has flourished for over two decades.
LUTZ/MANFREDI—THE MODEL PROGRAM
Over the past twenty years, Lutz/Manfredi has built and earned a reputation for dedication and excellence in the equestrian industry. Their business excels in producing top-quality horses and training riders to achieve success at the highest levels of the sport.
Peter and Mary specialize in developing young horses while also helping clients achieve personal goals with their own horses. They enjoy both aspects of their work equally, finding fulfillment in nurturing equine talent and tailoring training programs to meet client needs. While their program initially included young pony riders and juniors to adults, it has evolved to focus on amateur riders excelling in jumpers, along with a recent addition of a family with two talented young child riders. Their notable students include Brianne and Clementine Goutal, Kelly Tropin, and Audrey and Saer Coulter, who they’ve guided from their early riding years to the grand prix level.
Equally rewarding is their work in developing and selling horses. Their approach is rooted in patience and a commitment to long-term development rather than rushing horses to market. “Many quality horses just need time and want to learn to do the job well,” Mary explains. Despite the cost pressures of maintaining horses, Peter and Mary prioritize thoughtful development over quick sales. They often source horses from Europe, leveraging strong partnerships to allow horses to mature their skills abroad before transitioning them to the U.S. for the next phase of training.
This careful approach has yielded exceptional results. One standout is Chablis, a Württemberger horse they purchased as a 4-year-old and developed into a top hunter. “The time Peter took in his development is why he’s as good as he is,” Mary notes. Sold to their student Kelly Tropin, Chablis has earned numerous championships in the 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters and was named WCHR Hunter of the Year in 2021. Kelly refers to Chablis as “the horse of a lifetime.”
Another success story is Excellent, a talented jumper sold to young rider Zayna Rizvi (see EQ Living Rizvi feature here). Together, Zayna and Excellent, a Dutch Warmblood gelding, achieved two individual golds and team gold (2021) and silver (2022) both in the junior and young rider division at the FEI North American Youth Championships.
Currently, Peter is bringing along the KWPN mare, Katriona, a promising jumper now competing at the sport’s highest levels. Mary and Peter take pride in making thoughtful matches between horses and riders, ensuring mutual success. Their commitment to patience and precision continues to define their program and fuel their accomplishments.
THE HOUSE AND FARM
Equestrian Living has long admired the charming property on Hardscrabble Road in North Salem, New York, and was excited to be invited to tour the farm and the historic house, now home to Mary and her parents.
Steeped in history and character, the original functioning dairy farm also became home to the Barnum & Bailey Circus elephants—a unique nod to its storied past.
Since Mary and Peter purchased the house three years ago, Mary and her parents have undertaken what she describes as a “labor of love,” working to preserve its original charm while updating key features. Many of the home’s original elements, such as the vintage wood floors and old steam radiators remain intact. The front has been thoughtfully restored, with special attention given to the porch and steps, maintaining its timeless appeal.
Peter and Mary’s thoughtful and detailed approach to horse and rider development and their passion for the sport ensures their influence will be felt for years to come. Whether in the ring or behind the scenes, their partnership is a testament to hard work, patience, and a true love for the journey.
To read the digital magazine version of this article, click here. To read EQ Living’s past features of the beloved Judy Richter, click here and here. To learn more about Lutz/Manfredi, check out their website, here.