28 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Katie Shoultz
Jeanne Smith of Landrum, South
Carolina is a veritable source of
inspiration, a true horsewoman.
Nestled in a place of overwhelming
beauty, Jeanne has carved out not
just a business of riding and training
at Clear View Farm but a creation
of lifelong relationships with horse
and rider.
Having grown up in New York and
transplanting to the South, Jeanne
retains a hint of an accent coupled
with a no-nonsense attitude; but
delivers her insights with all the
southern warmness of a homemade
biscuit. No joke, this lady is truly
one-of-a-kind.
Starting Out
In 1978, Jeanne attended a
Gordon Wright clinic in Long Island,
New York. Gordon, a legendary
fgure, brought along a number of
successful riders, including Archie
and Hugh Dean, Bill Steinkraus
and George Morris. In the fall of
1978, Jeanne arrived at Gordon’s
farm in South Carolina as a working
student. As Jeanne recalls, Gordon was a memorable character
with a defnite program. “Oh boy, he was extremely tough, very
deliberate, sometimes rough. You learned to get some thick skin,
which was good, because the horse business itself makes you
have a hide like a rhinoceros.”
His system has been referenced numerous times by George
Morris and has become an integral part of the American forward
riding. “He had his system and once you put it into action light bulbs
went off. He always, always cared about your position.” Looking
back, much of his wisdom made a lasting impression. “I remember
going to horse shows with him and he would say ‘darling, if you
don’t learn what to do, learn what not to do.’ It was years later that
I recalled these words, and they really made sense.”
When the opportunity presented itself, Jeanne was able to
obtain fnancing with a very modest amount in her bank account
to purchase the farm in 1980. “It never dawned on me that I could
fail. It was an opportunity that wouldn’t happen in this day and age,
and looking back on it, I know how crazy it sounds.” More than her
can-do attitude, her dogged work ethic brought her aspirations to
life. “I would work 16 hour days. My time off was a quick nap – if
I got lucky. A big night for me was an English muffn topped with
tuna.”
Honing Her Skills
Decades later, Jeanne continues to work with the same tenacity
and ambition. If she’s not teaching and training, Jeanne can most
likely be found in the judge’s seat. Having received her USEF ‘r’
license several years ago, she’s judged numerous local, IHSA
and IEA shows. “I’ve got a great perspective because I’ve ridden
all those horses. I know how each type goes. Being a trainer and
competitor for so long, it’s seeing it from the other side.” And she
also has garnered knowledge to take back to her clients. “If there’s
one thing I’ve learned from judging, it’s that you need to keep a
positive attitude on course and make the best of it. You can make
a mistake or two and still do well.”
Her dedication and zeal for the sport remains evident. “It’s been
my passion for as long as I can recall. It’s all I’ve ever done.” A
shining example was her recent trip to the prestigious Hampton
Classic horse show this summer. “I hadn’t made it up to that show
in years and I got to sit in the VIP section there at the hunter derby.
I’m perched on the ledge with my notepad making my marks
and I couldn’t take my eyes off the class. I didn’t want to miss a
thing!” When asked what she would be doing if not in the horse
world, Jeanne doesn’t have a quick answer. “Maybe a chef,” she
concedes.
Looking Forward
During her years in the industry, Jeanne has also established
a reputation for having a stellar eye to match horse and rider. It’s
her gift. “I just have a feel for the horse and where the rider is. My
mindset has always been to buy for the client and not for myself.
I just can’t explain it.”
As for the future, Jeanne plans on pursuing her USEF ‘R’
license. A mainstay in the hunter/jumper industry and loved by
her community, clients, and horses - Jeanne has certainly made
an indelible mark.
About the writer: Katie Shoultz is a freelance writer and
photographer residing in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jeanne in the ring with Timber Point at the 2011 BRHJA Mother’s Day Show.
Photo by ErikOlsenPictures.com
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