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Monday, September 09 2019 / Published in General

Unbridled with Melanie Smith Taylor

Melanie Smith Taylor with her beloved dachshunds
Photo by John Coons

By Jan Westmark

Melanie Smith Taylor is well known in the equestrian world for her legendary partnership with Calypso, for her team gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and for being one of only two riders to win the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. Despite all of her accomplishments in the saddle, Melanie is also known for her voice. For 31 years, she’s worked for NBC doing color commentary and has covered shows around the world. Her career as an equestrian analyst began in 1988 when a producer for the NBC Olympics asked her to try out as a commentator for the Seoul Olympics. “I was sent to the Badminton Three Day Event in England as my first gig to ‘practice’ and then on to Seoul. I worked alongside Jim Simpson and Billy Steinkraus, who was planning to retire after Seoul,” Melanie said. “Those were big shoes to fill but I learned so much from Billy and the play-by-play announcers I’ve had the privilege to work with. And NBC is now like family.”

What has been your favorite show to do color commentary for?

I enjoy doing all of the shows, but the Olympics has a special feel to it. It’s also the most challenging, as I do my best to be up to speed on dressage and eventing as well as show jumping. It’s always more fun to be on site but because of live stream I often have to do commentary from a studio that’s miles from the event.

Who has been an important influence in your life?

My mother loved all animals and was my biggest influence. I was raised on a farm in Germantown, Tennessee, with horses, ponies, cows, goats, chickens, peacocks, turkeys … you name it.

What was your inspiration behind your book “Riding With Life: Lessons From the Horse”?

My lifelong goal has always been to become the best horsewoman I could be. After I retired from show jumping, I discovered the importance of groundwork and concentrated on developing the mental as well as physical connection with our horses. On Wildwood Farm, with my husband, Lee, we owned and worked with over 100 horses of all age groups. My book focuses on “a day in the life” at Wildwood during those years as well as the lessons learned from the many horses I was fortunate enough to ride throughout my life and career in the horse world.

What are some favorite memories with Calypso?

Calypso always knew when it was an extra-special event. He would just bloom over the warm-up jumps and I knew he was “on.” I always felt we could win any event anywhere in the world, if it were our day. He was just that good. The faster you went, the higher he jumped.

Favorite shows you have traveled to?

I would pick Dublin as my favorite because of all the other horse activities and competitions going on, and also because we won the coveted Aga Khan Nations Cup trophy there.

Have you had funny horse moments over the years?

I was dumped in the water jumps so many times in the early years that all my white breeches were blue! Officials used to stand next to the water jump with a bar of soap and a towel when I came into the ring — especially on Southside.

If you weren’t involved with the horse world, what do you think you would have done?

I do enjoy all sports and was captain of my high school volleyball team … but I could never have morphed into beach volleyball as they don’t wear enough clothes!

If you had a week off, what would you do?

I feel like I’ve had my whole life off, enjoying what I do to the hilt!

Who inspires you?

My dogs. They are such loyal companions and always happy.

Do you have a personal motto?

A plaque I have over my desk reads, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson.

What’s your favorite item of clothing to wear?

Workout clothes and anything stretchy

What three items can usually be found in your refrigerator?

Eggs, almond milk for coffee, and fruit

What’s your favorite meal?

Breakfast: bacon, eggs, avocado and tomato and blueberries

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Tagged under: jan westmark, Melanie Smith Taylor, unbridled

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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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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
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Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

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 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
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