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Friday, November 01 2013 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Brandon Phillips: Handsome & Heartfelt

By Sarit Schneider

 

He is the Hottest - The Sidelines Magazine Hottest Horseman of 2013!  Photo by Barbara Bower

He is the Hottest – The Sidelines Magazine Hottest Horseman of 2013!
Photo by Barbara Bower

Brandon Phillips is not only easy on the eyes; he is also an extremely talented polo player. With almost 20 years as a professional polo player and a 5-goal handicap, he has captured some of the sport’s most coveted trophies. Yet, his life has not always been perfect. In fact, Brandon has faced more in his 36 years than most of us will in a lifetime.

 

Brandon was born in King City, Canada, just outside of Toronto. Growing up, he was extremely athletic and could always be found playing one sport or another. As most Canadian boys do, Brandon loved iced hockey, but also split his time between soccer, rugby, basketball and polo.

 

“Because polo is not very common in Canada, people are often surprised that I play it professionally,” said Brandon. “It was actually a natural fit for me because I was surrounded by horses from an early age.” His father and brother played polo as amateurs at the Toronto Polo Club, two of his uncles were Olympic show jumpers and his mother foxhunted.

 

Brandon rode his first horse when he was only 18-months-old and started working with stick and ball at six. At the age of 11, he played his first match at the Toronto Polo Club, becoming the youngest polo player there at the time. Everything seemed to be falling into place for Brandon as he led a fun and busy teenage life.

 

Then, everything changed. In June of 1992, Brandon’s world was turned upside down. He woke up one Sunday morning with severe swelling and an aching pain in his right leg. Having played a polo game the previous Wednesday, a rugby game on Friday and an exceptionally rough game of soccer the night before, he attributed the pain to a sports injury. Worried after the swelling did not go down, Brandon’s parents took him to the hospital. It turned out that they had more reason to worry than they knew.

 

Twenty hours later, Brandon was diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Doctors found a grapefruit-sized tumor wrapped around his left ureter, the tube that connects the kidneys with the bladder. It had shut off his left kidney and hit the lymph nodes, preventing his leg from draining fluid. This buildup of fluid was causing the aching in his leg. Though Brandon’s parents did not tell him at the time, the doctor’s prognosis was six weeks to live. He was only 14-years-old.

 

“I was scared like any other 14 year-old would be, trying to process what was happening and the road I had ahead. But I was determined to beat it,” Brandon recalls.

 

From that moment, Brandon was suddenly forced to grow up faster than those around him. Soccer practices and school dances were replaced by doctor visits and intensive chemotherapy sessions. His friends and family were with him every step of the way, and their encouragement and love enabled Brandon to find the strength to keep battling. He lost weight, lost hair, but never lost his spirit or hope for a better tomorrow. “Through it all, I never accepted death as an option; instead, my biggest grudge was missing soccer season,” said Brandon.

 

After five grueling months, Brandon beat the odds and went into remission. He was eager to return to the life of a normal teenager and rejoined his school basketball team that November. Though now physically healthy, the emotional effects of the cancer lingered. Brandon was left with an altered outlook that would change the course of his life forever. Those months spent in a hospital bed fighting for his life made Brandon realize how precious each moment was. Once he recovered, he made sure not to take anything for granted and was thankful for every new day. He vowed to dedicate his life to doing what he loved — playing polo.

 

Brandon threw himself into polo as his participation in other sports slowly dwindled. Todd Offen, a Canadian polo player with a successful career in the United States, became Brandon’s idol. When Brandon was 16, Todd invited him to New York to attend the U.S. Open. This was his first experience watching high goal polo, and he was in awe of the power and strength of the players and the level of excitement to the game. It motivated him to push his own limits, aspiring to become a high goal player one day.

 

The launching pad for Brandon’s career occurred in Connecticut in 1994 when he was exposed to top polo players and when he impressed Peter Brant. The following winter, Brandon was invited down to Wellington, Florida during his break from school. When he arrived, Brandon was put into a practice with Peter. Afterward, Peter approached Brandon and asked him to stay and play the 22 Goal at White Birch Farm. Unbeknownst to Brandon, the trip had been arranged as a tryout. In February 1995, at the age of 17, Brandon Phillips was officially a professional polo player.

 

Brandon began his career traveling back and forth between Florida and Canada. He spent the winters of his final two years of high school in Florida playing polo and working with tutors to complete his schoolwork, then returning to Toronto in his downtime to attend class and visit friends and family. He played 22 Goal for one month before being hired for the 26. That year Brandon played in the Gold Cup and then that summer in the U.S. Open in New York, where he had once been so inspired. His dream had become a reality.

 

After leaving White Birch Farm, he worked for Memo Gracida, another polo player who helped give him his start. For almost four years, Memo served as a mentor to Brandon as they traveled and played polo together. Under Memo, Brandon improved both his game and his confidence. One day when Brandon was 4-goals, Memo suggested it was time to take his career to the next level. Out of his 20 horses, Memo offered Brandon six of his choice to be paid off as he could, allowing him to go out on his own and advance as a player.

 

Since then Brandon’s career has flourished. Those six horses have turned into 20, and he has never looked back. He has won the USPA Silver Cup, the Gold Cup of the Americas, and the C.V. Whitney Cup, as well as making it to the finals of the U.S. Open once and the semi-finals twice. He continues to push himself  and hopes to one day win the U.S. Open, where he can hopefully continue his dream and inspire future polo players just as he was inspired.

 

With all of the success, Brandon continues to remember the catalyst that changed the course of his life and maintains his positive attitude along with his ambition to live each day to the fullest. His journey has made him the person and the player that he is today. He strives to be a role model on and off the field by dedicating much of his time to philanthropy by supporting charities such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which has made Brandon the Honorary Chair of its inaugural Polo for a Purpose event on January 4th.

 

“I feel that my experiences give me a unique perspective and chance to connect with and help others,” explained Brandon. “Being able to tell my story and show that there is always a chance for survival helps me remind those battling cancer that they should continue to believe in their own futures.”

 

Brandon’s adolescent years were an emotional roller coaster that thankfully had a happy ending. His strength and determination in the face of peril is inspirational, and his story encourages people to treasure each moment and fight for their dreams.

 

About the writer: Sarit Schneider is an account manager at Sirota Public Relations. Originally from Georgia, she now lives in New York City with her boyfriend and her dog, Stewie.

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Tagged under: Along for The Ride, Brandon Phillips, editor, horse-magazine, horses, Hot Horseman, Hot Horsemen, jan westmark, polo, Sarit Schneider, Sidelines Magazine Hot Horseman 2013, sidelines-magazine, Sirota Public Relations

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Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

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 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
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! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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
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