Samantha Takacs: Education First, On and Off the Horse

By Sarah Welk Baynum

Portraits by Emily Dehoff

At every stage of Samantha Takacs’ life, one constant has tied it all together—horses. What started as catch-riding ponies in her younger years led to success competing on the national stage and with Dartmouth’s NCEA team. Her journey is one of resilience and balance, as she juggles her commitments while continuing to grow on every front—in the classroom and in the show ring.

Horses entered Samantha’s life in her childhood on her family’s farm in Oldwick, New Jersey. “I’ve been around horses for as long as I can remember, thanks to my mom, Maria Takacs,” Samantha said. “She didn’t come from a horsey family herself, but she fell in love with the sport as a kid, and her parents were very supportive. When I was little, my mom was showing in Amateur Hunters and had a successful career with her horse, Mombo. I feel so lucky being raised around horses—it was such a special way to grow up.”

With her mother’s help, Samantha learned how to ride at their farm on Freckles, her first pony. “Eventually, my school friends wanted to ride too, and my mom decided to give up her Amateur status around that time to become a Professional. She started her business, Heathersfield Farm LLC, on our property. After school, my friends and I would take lessons together. Those afternoons are some of my best childhood memories.”

As Samantha grew, so did her riding ambitions. By the time she was in first grade, she and her mother connected with David Belford and Chris Payne of New Hope LLC. What began as her mother riding with them soon blossomed into one of the most influential partnerships of Samantha’s early riding career.

“They played such a major part in my riding growth. At the time, Dave and Chris weren’t really working with many pony kids—they mostly focused on horses and adults—but they were kind enough to work with me. Everything just grew from there,” Samantha said.

Catch-Riding Success

By the time Samantha was 13, she had already logged countless hours riding with New Hope. Yet in 2018, her pony career took a defining turn when she was paired with Corinne Bevis’ pony Galianna at Pony Finals.

“Galianna was a medium green pony from the West Coast that hadn’t really done much before the show, and I hadn’t ridden her until the week before,” Samantha said. “Somehow, everything just fell into place that day, and we ended up as Grand Green Pony Champions at Pony Finals. That moment opened so many doors for me to catch-ride on other ponies—I’d say it was one of the biggest turning points in my pony days. I’ll always be thankful for Chris and Dave, because they gave me so many opportunities as a kid—and some of my most fun memories, too.”

After Pony Finals with Galianna, Samantha’s catch-riding opportunities quickly grew. What began with Chris and Dave soon expanded as other people recognized her talent and offered her ponies to ride. One of the most memorable came when Dave gave her the reins of a pony named Brighton, owned by Ellie Sadrian—a partnership that brought her some of her biggest Junior wins.

“Brighton was one of the best ponies I ever rode. I got to show him at all the big venues—we were champions in the Large Pony Hunters at Devon and Washington, and reserve at Harrisburg. That was definitely one of my best catch-ride opportunities,” Samantha said.

Even with her dedication and success in the show ring, Samantha consistently prioritized academics. “It was always super important to my parents—and to me—that I had a good education,” Samantha said. “All through my pony showing days, I still went to a real brick-and-mortar school, Far Hills Country Day, during the week. Then, my very supportive parents and grandparents would help me travel to shows on the weekends. It gave me the best of both worlds.”

Since many of Samantha’s horse-show friends were enrolled in online classes, she asked her mom if she could do the same and stay in Wellington. “She said no, but looking back, I’m actually grateful because I made some of my best connections through school, and it taught me how to juggle multiple things at once. It also taught me organization and communication skills from a young age, and I’m super thankful for that.”

When it came time to attend high school, Samantha made a choice that set her apart from many riders competing at her level: She left home in New Jersey to attend Berkshire School, a boarding school in Massachusetts. “I attended the same school for 11 years, from pre-k to eighth grade, until it was time to go to a new school because Far Hills didn’t have a high school,” Samantha said. “I knew it meant I wouldn’t be able to ride every day, but academics were also important to me. My parents always encouraged me to make my world bigger, and this felt like a way to do that.”

From Catch-Riding to College

While at Berkshire, Samantha rode whenever possible, often traveling on weekends to train at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York, approximately an hour and a half away. Her time there refined her abilities, as Heritage is widely respected for producing top equitation riders. “Getting to sit on so many different equitation horses and jump challenging tracks made a huge impact on my riding. It was a big team effort—my mom, my school advisor Andrea Bowlerand many others helped me get to lessons and shows. I’m so grateful for them.”

Samantha faced a new challenge when considering college—balancing her dream of attending a smaller liberal arts school in the Northeast with the opportunities offered by the larger and more established Division I equestrian programs in the South. Ultimately, Dartmouth proved to be the perfect fit.

“I wasn’t sure at first if I wanted to ride in college, because I always imagined myself at a smaller liberal arts school in the Northeast,” Samantha said. “But after visiting some of the big Division I programs, I realized I did want to ride in college. Dartmouth felt like the best of both worlds—it had the academics I wanted and the smaller school vibe, and the equestrian team was new to the NCEA format. That was exciting because it meant I could be part of building something new.”

Early in her Dartmouth days, Samantha found more than just a team—she found lasting friendships. Meeting Riley Dickman, who would become both her best friend and a key teammate, made the transition into college riding even more meaningful. “One of the best parts of being on the team has been riding alongside Riley,” Samantha said. “She wasn’t sure if she was going to try out for the team our freshman fall, but I begged her, and of course, she made it. The team was so welcoming, and that first year we achieved so many milestones—from our first NCEA wins to qualifying for nationals for the first time.”

Adjusting to the college competition format also brought new challenges and opportunities for Samantha. “I knew college riding would be a transition. The real challenge was learning the flat patterns, which were entirely new for me. At first, I had to study them intensely, but it became a fun way to push myself. What I’ve found I love most about collegiate riding is the team aspect—now, I’m competing for something bigger than myself.”

Even as a first-year rider, Samantha earned Dartmouth’s first NCEA Second Team All-American on the flat. Looking back, Samantha reflects that every mount—whether easygoing or difficult—helped shape her into the adaptable rider she is today and built the foundation for her collegiate success.

The countless horses and ponies she rode not only challenged her to keep improving but also prepared her for the college format, where riders are often asked to compete on unfamiliar horses with little opportunity to practice beforehand. “When I started getting the chance to ride different ponies, that’s when I really saw my riding improve,” Samantha said. “With catch-riding, you typically have to get on the horse or pony you are showing for the first time that same day, which has been valuable for me in the NCEA format.

“Every animal I got the chance to ride growing up helped me develop into the rider I am today, and I think some of the green and more difficult ones made just as much of an impact as the successful ones,” Samantha continued. “Now, in college, that still applies, because every single horse we get the chance to sit on has a different way of going, and learning to adapt to a new horse right away is what makes you a better rider.”

Collegiate Success

A new string of historic firsts marked Samantha’s sophomore season at Dartmouth. The team went undefeated in the fall, setting the stage for another trip to the national championship. Along the way, Samantha won six of her head-to-head matchups over fences during the regular season, with just one loss and one tie. She earned four Most Outstanding Performer honors and capped the year as Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Fences Rider of the Year, an Ariat First Team All-American and a member of the All-ECAC First Team.

“Nationals were such an exciting experience,” Samantha said. “We didn’t bring our own horses like some of the other schools, which definitely added to the pressure, but we got the chance to practice at some local barns in Ocala before the competition. On the first day, we faced Lynchburg, who had beaten us before and won nationals numerous times. Beating them that first day gave us the confidence we needed to realize that we really could win the whole thing. Then, in the finals against Charleston, it all came down to Riley winning the last point on the flat. The joy we felt in that moment, when we knew we won, was incredible. The atmosphere is so different from a normal horse show—everyone was cheering and screaming. To be part of that team spirit on such a big stage was unforgettable.”

Despite her dedication and success on the equestrian team, Samantha is equally committed to being a well-rounded student. At Dartmouth, she has fully immersed herself in academics, campus life and new opportunities, all while successfully balancing her numerous responsibilities.

“I’m a politics, philosophy and economics major, and that’s been such an exciting part of my life outside of riding,” Samantha said. “I’ve always loved school, so being at a place as rigorous as Dartmouth has been rewarding. I appreciate that my major allows me to combine different interests, and I’ve learned a great deal both in and out of the classroom. I’ve also become involved in other aspects of campus, such as my sorority, which has allowed me to meet people from diverse backgrounds. Balancing it all takes organization, but growing up riding and going to an in-person and boarding school prepared me for that. I actually like keeping a full schedule—it pushes me to try new things and make the most of every opportunity here.”

As Samantha looks beyond college, she envisions a future where riding remains a part of her life, even as she pursues a career in finance. “Because of Dartmouth’s quarter system which requires students to take a term off from school, I’ve been lucky enough to be down in Wellington this winter and it has been such a great opportunity for me both riding and career-wise,” Samantha said. While interning at a financial firm in West Palm Beach during the week, Samantha is able to show on the weekends with Chris Brown and the team at Greenwood Farm. She has earned multiple championships this season with Richard Slocum’s Hollywood Tango and Sara Hogan’s Tiny Dancer. “My dream after graduation is to work in finance, hopefully in New York, and then eventually return to horses. Getting the chance to show again this winter has really reminded me how much I love the sport, and has made me realize that horses will always be part of my life in some way.”

Follow Samantha on Instagram @samtakacs1

Photos by Emily Dehoff, Instagram @emilydehoffphotography