About Anni
An Accomplished Competitor with a Passion for Teaching
Rider, Trainer, and Competitor
Anni Grandia is a lifelong horsewoman, accomplished event rider, and passionate trainer dedicated to developing both horses and riders to their fullest potential. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the sport, she has competed successfully at the national and international levels, earning recognition for her skill, determination, and ability to bring out the best in her equine partners. With years of experience in the saddle, Anni combines proven training methods with a thoughtful, individualized approach, creating an environment where horses thrive and riders build confidence.
Building Community Through Horsemanship
At Grand Farms, Anni leads a training program that balances competitive excellence with horsemanship and care. From coaching riders at their very first shows to preparing horses for the upper levels of eventing, she brings knowledge, patience, and a contagious enthusiasm to every lesson. Her commitment extends beyond the arena—she believes in building a supportive community where riders grow together, learn from each other, and celebrate the journey as much as the results.
SUPPORT ANNI
Through our partnership with Southern California Equestrian Sports, Inc. (SCES), a 501(c)(3) organization, your contributions are fully tax-deductible while supporting Anni’s training and competition expenses.
The Horses
From seasoned competitors to rising stars, Anni’s string of talented horses showcases power, personality, and limitless potential.
HSH Bold Decision (“Armani”) – The Cross-Country Machine
HSH Bold Decision, better known as Armani, is a 2015 Irish Sporthorse gelding imported from Ireland in the fall of 2022. Sourced by Kelly Hutchinson of HSH Sporthorses and originally produced to Preliminary by Mike and Trish Ryan, Armani arrived at Grand Farms already showing his class. Standing a commanding 17 hands, he is every bit the cross-country machine—powerful, bold, and happiest when galloping and locking onto his next fence. Armani wasted no time proving himself stateside; in his first season with Anni, he successfully moved up to Intermediate, claiming a win at Aspen Farms OI in September 2023 and following it with a strong 4th place finish in the CCI3*-S at Spokane Sport Horse in October. With eyes on the future, Armani’s 2026 goals include a move up to Advanced and a completion at the CCI4*-S level.
But Armani isn’t just all horsepower and talent—he’s also a barn favorite thanks to his charming personality and unforgettable forelock. When he first arrived, his mane gave him the look of a schoolboy with a rough bowl cut, but with time his forelock has grown into the most lush and enviable locks on the team. Between his talent, his character, and his signature forelock, Armani continues to capture hearts both in and out of the arena. Armani is proudly owned and supported by Vaughn Bay Sporthorses.
Mistral (“Rolo”) – The Rising Star
Mistral, affectionately known as Rolo, is a 17-hand dark bay 2016 German Sporthorse gelding who joined the Grand Farms team in February 2022. When he arrived from Germany, Rolo was still quite green, so Anni gave him the gift of time—nearly 18 months of slow, thoughtful development to allow him to grow both physically and mentally. That patience paid off. In their second year together, Rolo confidently stepped up to Preliminary and tackled his first CCI1*-S with ease. Around the barn, the running joke is that he’s the “high school athlete who never had to study until college”—talent comes naturally to him, and the sky truly is the limit. Rolo was sourced by Olympian Tamie Smith, and it’s clear he’s an exciting addition to Anni’s competition string.
Of course, no barn favorite is complete without a nickname, and Rolo’s is “Spiderlegs.” With his rangy stride and occasional habit of feeling like he’s going in eight directions at once, he often brings to mind a daddy long-legs—an especially fitting moniker with Grand Farms also being home to the Haunted Forest. Despite the nickname, Rolo’s gallop is pure class, making distances to jumps look effortless. Combined with his bravery and expressive movement, he has all the makings of a top horse. Looking ahead, Anni has her sights set on moving him up to the CCI3*-L in the coming season.
HSH Cellesto (“Cornflakes”) – The Overachiever
HSH Cellesto, better known as Cornflakes, is a 16.2-hand bright bay 2018 German-bred gelding with a big personality and an even bigger jump. Imported to Ireland as a rising three-year-old, he caught the eye of Kelly Hutchinson, who purchased him as an event prospect. Cornflakes competed in the Young Event Horse 4-year-old divisions in 2022 and was actually the very first horse Anni tried in Ireland while searching for an experienced addition to her string. At the time, he was a bit too young for what she needed—but fate had other plans. Just months later, Cornflakes popped up in Florida, where Kendra fell in love with him, and soon after he made his way home to Washington. Since then, he’s proven himself to be one of the most exciting young talents in Anni’s program.
True to his barn nickname, Cornflakes is a little goofy but also an incredible overachiever. In the dressage arena he’s still learning how to channel all his power, but when it comes to jumping he never does anything halfway—rather than just clearing the poles, he often looks like he’s trying to jump the standards too. That enthusiasm has already translated into results: a 7th-place finish at the 5-year-old Young Event Horse West Coast Championships and a confident completion of his first CCI1*-S in his debut U.S. season. With his scope, movement, and personality, Cornflakes has all the makings of a future star, and the team couldn’t be more excited to be part of his journey.
Get Involved
Interested in getting involved with any of these horses? Reach out for information on syndicate shares and other ways to support Anni’s competition string. Whether you’re looking for partial ownership, sponsorship opportunities, or want to follow along on the competition journey, we offer various levels of involvement to suit your interests and budget.
We’re always looking for quality young horses and owners seeking professional development partnerships. Have a prospect or looking to get involved? Let’s talk.