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Monday, May 16 2016 / Published in General

Living the Eventer’s Dream Skyeler Voss Enjoys Life at Morningside

Skyeler at Morningside Photo by Tim Icke

Skyeler at Morningside
Photo by Tim Icke

By Lauren R. Giannini

Skyeler Voss loves her morning “commute” — a short walk from home to her office at Morningside Training Farm in The Plains, Virginia. “It’s an eventer’s dream come true,” she said. “Lots of space, rider-friendly, and beautiful. We’re so happy here.”

As head trainer, Skyeler works alongside an amazing support team: Morningside owners Najaf and Leslie Husain, Connor Husain, Erin Murphy, Cali Johnson, her husband Clayton Voss and their daughter. Life couldn’t get much better. Then, last October, the U.S. Equestrian Federation announced that Morningside had been recognized as an official USEF Elite Training Center.

“It has been very exciting. Morningside hosted the summer training sessions for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team before the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2016 World Equestrian Games,” said Skyeler. “We had the team every day at our facility, which was an incredible opportunity for our resident riders to see training at the pinnacle of our sport. It allowed Connor and me to experience the inner workings of the U.S. team and to be part of the sport at the highest levels.”

For four years, the pace has been all go. “I’ve been very busy building Morningside Eventing,” Skyeler said. “Connor and I own Morningside Eventing LLC, which controls all the boarding operations on the farm. I also run my own separate teaching and training business, which has grown exponentially since moving to Morningside. I teach up to 35 lessons a week to competitive young riders and adult amateurs from Area 2.”

Riding Genes

Skyeler, left, with Katherine Pitcher and Trance at the U.S. Pony Club National Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo by John Pitcher

Skyeler, left, with Katherine Pitcher and Trance at the U.S. Pony Club National Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Photo by John Pitcher

Skyeler grew up surrounded by horses at her family’s Angelica Run Farm in Vienna, Virginia. Gifted with a 5th birthday pony from her Aunt Patty, two years later Skyeler joined the Difficult Run Pony Club and fell in love with eventing. A three-time winner of the U.S. Pony Club Cavalry Award, she rode on the Area 2 team at three North American Junior and Young Rider Championships: CCI* team bronze in 2000, CCI** team bronze a year later, and in 2003 CCI** team gold, finishing sixth individually. In 2004, Skyeler won the coveted Markham Trophy as the highest-placed Young Rider at the Foxhall CCI***.

In 2006, she turned professional to teach and train, launching her business at Angelica Run. Five years later, she needed more space. Connor, who helped scope out potential properties, recalled, “The minute I saw Morningside, I knew this was the place.”

The big move took place in March 2012. That July, Connor Husain, under Skyeler’s tutelage, won the 2012 CCI** individual gold medal and led Area 2 to team silver in his only year competing in the NAJYRC.

Teaching From Firsthand Experience

Skyeler’s eventing mentors include Jim Wofford, Stuart Black, Phillip Dutton, and Jan Byyny with whom she continues to ride. Her dressage guru is Grand Prix rider Sallie Spenard, who competed in eventing. Her parents, Nancy and the late and very missed Tim Icke, provided an amazing family environment as well as balance between real life and the horses. Skyeler had to work her way up through the levels, attend college, keep up her grades and be a good person.

“I have always wanted my students to learn the way I learned — to work hard, be humble about their successes and to be gracious, win or lose,” said Skyeler. “Young Riders was so influential to my career. It introduced me to my best friends and mentors who I still have today. My experiences as a competitive Young Rider fueled my love for teaching and mentoring this age group of event riders. They’re so impressionable and I love to teach them. Due to my involvement with the Area 2 Young Rider Advancement Program program, I have a young string of talent at the moment. Many have the potential to be not only stars in the sport but also well-rounded horsemen who will have long careers in the business.”

She counts herself lucky to train Connor throughout his childhood and his young rider years. Connor, Skyeler’s assistant trainer, and Erin Murphy help with teaching and training rides. “Because they have been with me since they were very young, the teaching strategy and team dynamic remain cohesive,” said Skyeler. “Lynn Symansky [longtime friend and 2011 Pan Am team gold medalist] and I coach the Area 2 Young Rider Advancement Program, which holds training sessions and fundraisers for the ambitious young rider contingent in the area.”

MTF Cooley Caliber and Skyeler competing at Morven Park Horse Trials. Photo by Valerie Durbon

MTF Cooley Caliber and Skyeler competing at Morven Park Horse Trials.
Photo by Valerie Durbon

Biostar Benefits

About six years ago, Skyeler took Sallie Spenard’s advice to contact Tigger Montague, founder of Biostar, to discuss her incredibly hot Advanced mare, Tika. Biostar would become one of Skyeler’s first sponsors.

“Tigger recommended Equilibrium for stress support, comprised of real and whole foods,” said Skyeler. “It was the first product that ever had any effect on this mare. I used Equilibrium religiously with Tika throughout her upper level and International career, especially during travel and intense competition. Due to my success with Tika on Equilibrium, I incorporated this product into my competition regime for numerous other horses.”

Skyeler has always worked with off-the-track Thoroughbreds and started them on second careers. Many carried baggage from their lives on the track. “I use Equilibrium on all of them as they transition to eventing,” she said. “Many of Biostar’s other products for maintenance and health issues have been beneficial to the Morningside team. I’m incredibly lucky to have Tigger’s help, support, and friendship, and I have enjoyed watching Biostar grow and offer a large selection of whole food products while representing them in the eventing world.”

 

Connor Husain, on the chestnut, and Skyeler Voss, on the gray, gallop through the water at Morningside Farm. Photo by Lauren R. Giannini

Connor Husain, on the chestnut, and Skyeler Voss, on the gray, gallop through the water at Morningside Farm.
Photo by Lauren R. Giannini

New Horizons

Skyeler’s business grew rapidly after moving to Morningside. She thinks her hiatus from Advanced levels contributed. “I had some bad luck with injuries that sidelined my upper level talent,” she said. “I used this time to focus on my teaching and student base and also to build a string of quality young horses. I began riding for the breeding farm, Wit’s End Eventing. That has allowed me to take on some incredibly talented, American-bred youngsters. While it’s a slow and steady progress back to the Advanced level, I feel like I have the young horse power behind me to get back there.”

Granted, motherhood added a new, exciting dimension to the Voss dynamic. “Life changed dramatically for me with the birth of our daughter, Brinley Alise Voss,” said Skyeler. “I have spent my entire life immersed in the horse world, and starting a family created a balance that has been welcomed by my whole family. Having another life that depends on you puts a new sense of perspective on all the daily horse issues that seemed so monumental in the past.”

Stand anywhere in the great out-of-doors at Morningside, and you’ll see what greets Skyeler every day, with each lesson she teaches and every horse she rides. At Morningside, the sky’s the limit.

Visit www.morningsidetrainingfarm.com

About the writer: Lauren R. Giannini is an award-winning journalist and avid photographer, specializing in stories about the equestrian world, wildlife and conservation. Lauren lives in the heart of Horse Country Virginia, watched over by her CEO (canine executive officer), a rescue who sums up perfectly the term “hybrid vigor.” Lauren’s pleasures and pastimes include horses, travel, especially to Kenya, and writing about wildlife, conservation and eco-tourism. Books are next on her to-do list.

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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

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Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
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An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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