148 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Dani Moritz
Lincoln Russell is one of those people who doesn’t require
much down time. How could he – when he spends all of his time
operating his training business, coaching for Converse College
and hitting the show circuit? It’s a good thing Lincoln enjoys his
time at the barn because he’s (almost) always there!
Luckily for Lincoln, his wife, Suzanne, also shares his passion.
They truly are a match made in heaven – each as horse-crazy as
the other, with a slew of professional equine ambitions keeping
them busy.
For Lincoln, horses have been a part of his entire life. In fact,
you could say they’re in his blood. Lincoln, who made his grand
prix debut as a 17 year old, was born into a family with a passion
for horses. “My grandfather was a professional huntsman for
Sedgefield, Waterloo and Mecklenburg Hounds, my father is
currently a professional horseman who still rides in the grand
prix. Almost everyone in my family is a professional in some part
of the horse industry: hunters, jumpers, flat racing, steeplechase
racing, racehorse consignment, huntsman and houndsman. I
have no idea what my life would be like if I had not been born into
a horse family, I don’t know anything different.”
He added, “We have two sons, Jake and Allister. As part of the
family heritage, they both know the industry and can ride, groom
and manage our farm, but they really are both more focused on
running cross country and finding their careers outside of horses.”
Together, this husband-and-wife duo operates their training
business, Lone Oak Farm in Tryon, North Carolina. Lincoln also
doubles as the head equestrian coach for Converse College.
When it comes to the Russell household, there’s obviously no
shortage of time spent in the barn.
“Thank goodness we are both professionals because
sometimes we have to divide our time between IHSA shows and
e
USEF competition,” Lincoln said.
Lone Oak Farm, operated out of Frank Monterisi’s Finally Farm,
is situated in the heart of hunting country. It offers full training and
boarding for competitive hunters and jumpers – boasting plenty
of space and easy access to FENCE, Harmon Field and Green
Creek Equestrian Park, as well as the FETA trail system and all-
weather riding arena. According to Lincoln, the training business
attracts a wide range of equestrians – from pony to grand prix
riders.
Converse College, on the other hand, is located in Spartanburg,
South Carolina. It is the perfect place for Lincoln to help young
talented riders come up through the ranks. Currently, the team
consists of approximately 20 young women. “All of the girls
compete at all of the IHSA shows and having a small team of hand
picked riders makes it easy for us to divide our time between them
and our other competing clients,” Lincoln said.
Keep up with the Russell family and the Converse College
Equestrian Team, by visiting
and
.
The Converse College Team with coach Lincoln Russell,
top row.
Photo courtesy of Converse College
Lincoln Russell: Always On The Go
Lincoln and Richard Kosa’s Winona O M2RS.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Russell
Lincoln Russell
Photo courtesy of
Lincoln Russell
