Vern was born in Brooklyn in 1952. At the age of 9, on the 4th of July, Vern’s father took him to Prospect Park and he has been riding ever since. He learned about the Federation when he was looking for a place to ride. All the cowboys made fun of him when he showed up wearing his English riding attire. Since then his style has changed, but his love of riding hasn’t. Vern earned a degree in animal husbandry specializing in the care of horses from the State University of New York. His biggest influence is his mustang horse, Duke, who keeps him going.