20 SIDELINES JUNE 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
TheNewman’s at Kathy’s Induction into theVirginiaHorse
ShowsAssociationHall of Fame, December, 2013.
many yearswith theBlueRidgeandPiedmont Foxhounds.
Being George’s first student wasn’t the only “first” during
Kathy’s young equestrian career. As a young 20-year-old, Kathy
worked for Paul Mellon and Charles Englehart in Aiken, South
Carolina. She was one of the first female race horse exercise
riders at the Aiken Training Track. She also rode in her first flat
race that year. Upon returning to Upperville, Kathy continued
training and showing hunters, and began training for Three-Day
Event competitionwithOlympianJamesWoffordatwhatwas then
Colony Farm inMiddleburg.
Kathy became a hunter, jumper and equitation professional
trainer at the age of 21.
“
All of my trainers were detail-oriented
people, which influenced my system of training,” she said. “I’m
focused on the basics for both horse and rider. If a rider has a
flawed position, it’s hard to get the job done. A good position
means great body control and an independent hand and seat. I
think time with gymnastics and good flatwork with the horses is
essential.”
Kathy focuses on the quality training of horses and riders,
rather than the quantity of horses and riders in her stable. Her
system is methodical, and starts with teaching her students the
importance of developing good equitation — a strong, correct
position. With a good sense of philosophical humor and a bit of
George Morris’ classic demeanor, she instills in her students a
hardwork ethic and the constant reminder that first place ribbons
don’t necessarily mean one is a good rider. Kathy stresses the
importance of focusing on the process of becoming an effective
rider and training the horse to be a long-time competitor. Kathy’s
riding lessons have also been life lessons and values that many
of her students continue touse in their lives. Aquote she loves to
use when her students become impatient is
:
Rome was not built
in aday!
TheBacksideof theShowScene
While still in her 20s, Kathy began volunteering for the
UppervilleColt andHorse Show (UCHS), which included serving
asvicepresident for twoyears. Shewent on toserveaspresident
of the UCHS for 10 years, serving on the board of directors for
many more, managing the Upperville Junior Horse Show and
course designing for UCHS. “At the time I took over the horse
show, the community was no longer very involved,” she said.
“One big complaint was that they didn’t know a lot of the people
whowerecompeting.Mymainprioritywas tobring thecommunity
back. I came upwith the idea for a class called the Silver Foxes,
which was for senior riders who were no longer competing but
were still involved in foxhunting. It wasagreat crowdpleaser. The
late Elizabeth Plaskitt, Bunny Nesbit and I started the Friends’
Luncheon tobring the local communityback to theshow. Thiswas
a success and soon the showwas the place to be in June.”
She continued, “My dreamwas to create a unique atmosphere
and we dressed up the show rings with hundreds of plants and
flowers. My other priority was for Upperville to be recognized
nationally and not just as a nice Virginia show. To achieve this,
I promoted the show tomany of my friends outside of Virginia to
get more national participation. In the end, the horse show was
back on its feet financially and the community was involved and
supportive.”
During this decade in her life, Kathy also became a hunter/
jumper course designer for “A” shows, earned an “R” judging
license in Hunter Breeding and “r” judging license in the hunter
and equitation divisions.
Looking to theFuture
In her 30s, Kathy met two people who became very important
inher life, personallyandprofessionally.Mimi Abel Smithbecame
a faithful client for decades andGerryNewman, an internationally
renowned steeplechase rider, becameher husbandandbusiness
partner when they establishedAllwynCourt.
In 1990, her daughter, Katherine Sandra Newman, was born
and soon developed her mother’s passion for the show ring and
bothparents’ passion for foxhunting. Kathywasanavid foxhunter
Kathy, right, winningaWorkingHunter ClasswithAshfordCastle
at TheNational HorseShow at MadisonSquareGarden.
Kathy leadingKatherine, age 3, inTheUppervilleColt andHorse
Show LeadlineClass.
