A Talented Duo: Cole & Liz Baker

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124 – March/April, 2023

By Minae Kroeze

Eyes are on the ground, but no heads are in the clouds at Cole Baker Show Horses. “A talented duo” are words that are often used to describe Cole and Liz Baker.  Other words might be humble, honest, and loyal. The gifted pair own and operate Cole Baker Show Horses based out of Dunnellon, Florida, located in the southwest corner of beautiful Marion County.

Cole Baker Show Horses operates out of a 26-stall show barn with an outdoor arena, round pens, and a state-of-the-art European hot walker on a picturesque 25 acres. But it isn’t the breathtaking landscape that keeps the clients coming back and the blue ribbons coming in; it is the hard work of Cole and Liz and their team of assistants including J.D Koffel, Lacey Olejar, and Kayla Kohler, as well as Jose Rodriguez and Ruben Martinez. When asking Cole to talk about himself, he is quick to credit his wife, Liz, and then his amazing team and his loyal customers.

High School Dreams Turn to Reality

Cole’s involvement in the equine industry is longstanding.  When many were still trying to figure out what they wanted to be when they grew up, Cole was already making it happen.

“I worked for a couple trainers in high school and then went to work for the Hannagen family, and then the Butzow family before starting my own business in Illinois,” he says. He adds that he ended up in Florida after moving to Ocala to work for Mary Roberts.

Cole and Liz have been at their farm for ten years. His family, along with their team, live on the property.

“Liz and I love farm life and the peace and quiet,” he says. And while raising his children on the farm–instilling the values and work ethic that accompany such a life is among one of his favorite things about the lifestyle he and Liz have chosen. Another great aspect about being a horse trainer for Cole is seeing a young horse or person develop their skills and talents. This is evident based not just on Cole’s long list of accomplishments, but the high praise his clients give him and his team for developing perfect matches and attaining goals that might seem just slightly out of reach.

A Matchmaker

Click here to read the complete article
124 – March/April, 2023