Before the turn of the Century...Celebrating Gina Funderburgh

Gina who? Legally she is Gina Funderburgh but to all of us in dressage she is our beloved Gina von der Burg. If you have ever attended a dressage show at Earl Warren you are familiar with the site of Gina in the golf cart, often with one of her Basset Hounds!

Gina and Buttercup.

Gina met her first horses during family visits to see all four grandparents at their farms in Kansas. She was smitten. Back home in Chelsea, Michigan, Gina’s dad announced one day that he was heading out to get straw at a neighbor’s farm and young Gina agreed to ride along. Before they left that farm, the deal was done. They drove home with a new beloved Hackney named Kingston who became Gina’s best friend well into her teens.

The wonderful Kingston, safe and steady!

Gina’s family moved to Santa Barbara when she was 20. Her first foray into horses here was with a big Appaloosa and a spirited pony that lived next door. Both needed exercise so Gina rode them daily across Montecito via Mountain Drive.

Musically talented, Gina played the flute, and her older brother Mike played the trumpet. The two of them became professional musicians and enjoyed performing around town. Gina also played with the Santa Barbara City College Symphony. Mike is still a professional musician and lives in Hawaii.

In 1973 Gina met Bob Silva, and they were married. Three years later, with a baby on the way, Bob and Gina opened a restaurant in La Arcada. They had two names ready for the little one – Katish if a girl or Garrett if a boy. Garrett was born and the restaurant was thus named “Garrett’s”. The fare included candy, tobacco, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. Garrett’s was eventually sold and relocated to the corner of State and Mission Streets, where it is still open for business today.

Lucky for Gina, a family in Hope Ranch that owned several Polish Arabian horses needed an exercise rider. Gina got the job and bonded with an Arab mare named Fashion. After reading books and watching several videos Gina tried her hand at dressage. Dutch trainer Jan Hansen coached the pair. When Gina and her young family moved to Colorado she took Fashion with her and signed up for dressage lessons there. Upon their return to Santa Barbara, Fashion was fantastic at freestyle, and she and Gina had a successful show career. Gina later bred the lovely Fashion to a handsome Friesian stallion, and the colt was named Elan. He is still Gina’s primary horse. She also owns Rowdy Joe, a talented quarter horse that loves dressage.

Gina with Fashion

Maria Norris and Kip Goldreyer were the primary drivers of dressage shows in Santa Barbara in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Gina learned the ins and outs of dressage show production from them.  

In 1993 Gina began managing the Modoc Arena, with just a single show court for schooling shows. Gina was passionate about organizing and promoting horse shows that were friendly and inviting for all participants. They grew in popularity and before long these shows were relocated to the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Setting up the arenas. Mary Couch, Shane Brown, Rayven Boshco and Gina von der Burg getting it done.

Soon Gina was connected with show managers all over California and founded Blind Faith Equine Productions. Gina and Susie Kuykendall ran multiple dressage shows for 7 years. They eventually joined forces with SBC-CDS.

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Gina von der Burg  with Brent Hicks (Judge) Ellen Corob, (CDS President) and Karen Christensen.

Teamwork is instrumental in pulling off successful horse shows and the groups worked together as the Santa Barbara Chapter became renowned for their high-quality shows with a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Gina von der Burg, Laura Kranzler, Laura Langford, Mary Couch and Karen Christensen, at the CDS awards banquet in Anaheim, CA..

Many of us recognize Leilani Goodwin, Gina’s sidekick. Gina has been fostering Leilani for the last 9 years and during that time Leilani has been a fantastic volunteer at CDS dressage shows, filling many roles with a cheerful can-do attitude.

Leilani Goodwin, Flower, Gina von der Berg and Isabella Kelly.

Gina worked as a bookkeeper, and later in an administrative role at UCSB. She retired in 2018 after 30 years of service there. Gina continued to show, teach and promote dressage throughout this time and has been a consistent and guiding presence in the Santa Barbara dressage community. With her capable leadership and know-how, Gina ushered us to where we are today. The Chapter now hosts the popular May and August Dressage shows at Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Gina has made an indelible mark on dressage in Santa Barbara, and we are indebted to her on many fronts for the community we enjoy here today. We wish Gina well as she continues to celebrate life and enjoy her family and friends, her horses and her Basset Hounds!

Gina on her birthday with Elan and Rowdy Joe, July 15, 2025.