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1
Sunday, May 10 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Georgina Bloomberg Is Living Her Best Life and Making a Difference in the World

By Britney Grover

Portraits by Shawna Simmons

In the show jumping world alone, Georgina Bloomberg’s list of accomplishments is impressive — and nowhere near completed. 
She’s both the owner of and rider on the Global Champions League team New York Empire, has a slew of top placings in grand prix and has been instrumental in U.S. victories in multiple Nations Cups. Add to that her long list of other endeavors, including founding The Rider’s Closet, writing a series of horse-related novels, supporting the Humane Society and many other philanthropic organizations, adopting dozens of dogs and rescue animals all while raising a son, and it’s hard not to be awestruck.

But in talking to Georgina, it’s hard not to be inspired.

When the conversation is interrupted two minutes in because a dog — one of seven — is throwing up on the carpet, it’s immediately evident that Georgina doesn’t just advocate for rescuing animals, she lives it and loves it. She speaks quickly, like the New York City native she is, giving free rein to her passion, determination and down-to-earth personality. The more she talks about animals, riding and her son, the easier it is to see why she was awarded the 2019 EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award at the US Equestrian annual meeting in January.

After listening to her talk about what she’s overcome to get where she is and her dedication to making a positive impact, the world looks like a new place: a place where, no matter one’s challenges, there is so much good that can be done.

Never Give Up

Though Georgina started riding when she was just 4 years old, unlike many top riders she had no natural talent. “I was a terrible rider when I was a kid but I wanted to win and had to figure out how to do that without the natural talent that some other kids had,” she said. “I think that made me learn to work harder and fight for things more, and I’m so glad things didn’t just come naturally or easily to me with riding. Not only did it make me learn how to be a gracious loser, something that is necessary in this sport, and appreciate when I do win, but it also taught me to work hard, never give up and fight for things.”

At her first show with her large pony, Kid You Not, the pony ring was a smaller section of a large sand ring, separated from the junior hunter ring by just a rope.

“My pony didn’t get lead changes and after a jump he landed on the outside lead and I tried to force a change out of him,” Georgina said. “He stuck his head down, bucked and leapt to the side, straight over the rope and into the junior hunter ring. They had to hold up the jog that was going on for their class, and I had to trot the full length of the ring to the in-gate in front of all the older kids, whom I idolized, trying not to make eye contact with any of the trainers who were staring in disbelief at me. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”

That was a small thing compared to other things Georgina has pushed through to pursue her riding career, many of which would have made others quit — and understandably. Born with a spinal compression issue called spondylolisthesis, she struggled her entire life with horrible back pain as well as an increased risk of fracturing. Despite the pain and the fear, Georgina was committed to riding.

She followed up her success in ponies and child rider classes by focusing on show jumping and winning the USET Talent Derby in 2001, then began training with Jimmy Doyle in 2002. Georgina has trained with Jimmy ever since their initial success, winning team gold at the FEI North American Young Riders Championships in 2002 and individual gold in 2003. In 2005 she competed in her first FEI World Cup Final and started riding — and winning — on Nations Cup teams.

Especially since Georgina had chosen a riding career over art school, she wanted to put her all into it. Her back issues became not just a problem with riding but with her quality of life: She couldn’t stand for more than 20 minutes without having to sit down, and she couldn’t ride more than three horses and still be able to walk the next day. In order to ride and train more and in the hope of a life without back pain, Georgina had an intensive surgery in 2011 — and she says it was one of the best things she ever did.

Now, Georgina has no back pain. Her riding career has blossomed with Nations Cup and grand prix wins around the world. She’s focused on riding, with goals to qualify for the World Cup Finals and be a contender for the Olympics. “I have good horses and things are going well; for me right now I’m trying to put the riding first because I know how fragile that is,” she said. “I know that there are times in your career when you have great horses, you’re healthy and things are going well. I know you really need to take advantage of that and put your all into it, because it can turn around and change in a moment.

Filling Needs

Throughout her career, Georgina has had many times where things weren’t exactly “going well” in her riding, whether it was her back or her horses or just that things didn’t seem to fall into place. But she has never been one to sit back and feel sorry for herself. Instead, she throws herself into other pursuits. She’s authored young adult novels, founded The Rider’s Closet charitable organization, supported many causes including animal rescue and of course been raising her son, Jasper.

Though Georgina has always been careful not to pressure Jasper into riding, loving and respecting animals is mandatory in her household. Rescue animals who live with her currently include a pig, a goat, a rooster, a pigeon, several horses, a retired New York City carriage horse, two cows, two mules, three minis, “a couple of permanent foster dogs” and Georgina’s five dogs.

“Five is my number that I can take care of the way I know they deserve to be taken care of,” she said. “I always have one or two that are older, sick or have special needs and need more time and effort put in, so five is my usual crew. If one passes away, I immediately go and seek another one — I understand people who need to take time to grieve, but for me, adopting dogs isn’t something I’m doing for myself or my own feelings: I’m doing it because there are animals out there that need me. They need me to put my emotions aside and to open up my home if I have a space for them.”

That same mentality extends to her farm: Any unused space is space that should be used to help an animal in need. “They’ve always come to us in different ways,” Georgina said. “Sometimes we look for them, sometimes people ask us to take them and sometimes they just walk onto the property. Word’s gotten out in the animal kingdom.”

The goat was hit by a car in Charleston and a friend helped Georgina save him from being put down. The pig was at a pound in New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy when Georgina was there volunteering. A rescue found a cow at the slaughterhouse who was about to give birth, and her son is now a year old and living on Georgina’s farm, Gotham North in North Salem, New York. “The rooster, I kid you not, actually walked onto our property and decided he was going to live here,” Georgina said. “We didn’t adopt him; he adopted us.”

Setting an Example

The same rescue group that found the cow called Georgina about a mini who, unlike most minis, could be ridden by Jasper at that time. “I asked Jasper if he wanted a pony for Christmas. He was sitting there playing with a toy monster truck and he said, ‘No, I’m ok,’” Georgina laughed. “I told him, ‘You’re getting a pony for Christmas — you’re the only kid in America who doesn’t want a pony for Christmas.’ So we adopted him.”

Despite his momentary fascination with his car, Jasper ended up enjoying Teddy. Now, Jasper has outgrown Teddy and Teddy is semi-retired, but Jasper just may have gotten the horse bug. “Now that he’s gotten a taste of it, he wants to learn how to canter and he wants to learn how to jump,” Georgina said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to last and I don’t know if he wants to show, but I like the fact that he wants to learn to ride and be around horses.”

He has a stellar example. Between showing, taking care of the animals and being a mother, Georgina’s life is full — she’s focused on taking advantage of where she is with her riding, but works hard to make sure Jasper and the animals get the care and attention they deserve, and helps all she can along the way.

“I will never be remembered as the greatest rider or horseman and that’s ok with me,” she said. “I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, did her best and made a difference in the world. If I can inspire some others to realize that they don’t need to be like anyone else and that they can do good things in the world no matter what their circumstances, then I have succeeded.”

 

Photos by Shawna Simmons, www.sasequinephotography.com

Georgina is wearing dresses from Ella-Rue (@shopellarue). The white gown is a Swanns Point Lily Tulle Dress and the red gown an Alexis Laurel lace gown. Georgina is wearing shirts by Nouvelle Palm Beach (@nouvellepalmbeach). Leather pants, leather jacket and jewelry by Fab Finds by Sarah (@fabfindsbysarah). Riding jacket by Amino, boots by Der Dau and breeches by Ariat. Wardrobe styling by Alexa Johnson and Shawna Simmons. Photo assistant Madeline Gammill. Hair and makeup by Gina Simone, instagram.com/gsbeaute

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Tagged under: animal rescue, georgina-bloomberg, show jumping

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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 
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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! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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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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