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Monday, September 28 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Nancy Smyth: Bringing Horses & Art Together

By Shya Beth

Nancy Smyth has been surrounded by horses and art all her life. From growing up in the natural beauty of New Jersey to living in the equally beautiful — but slightly more humid — state of Florida, it doesn’t matter if there are mountains or everglades on the horizon. As long as horses are there, Nancy’s palette and brushes are sure to follow.

Catching the horse bug at an early age, Nancy’s pony experience started when she was about 2 years old, being led around on a pony. That stable is gone now, replaced by a large shopping mall, but those memories are still vivid in her mind. 

“Horses have been a huge part of my life,” Nancy said. “I have photos of me as a toddler all decked out in my cowgirl vest and hat in the driveway of our home. 

An Equestrian’s Mind

Drawing from a young age, Nancy’s first horse, an Appaloosa named Jody, became the subject of her portraits when she wasn’t riding.

“Jody was my present when I graduated from high school,” Nancy said. “I worked after school to pay his bills, and he was the best first horse I could ever have asked for.”

Whether she was exploring the valleys and mountains on trail rides or training in the ring, Nancy has used her skills and knowledge of horses to assist her with training and riding throughout her life. 

She has owned Appaloosas, Hanoverians and off-the-track Thoroughbreds, and has ridden dressage, hunt seat and Western. Dressage is Nancy’s current challenge, and one that she enjoys learning while also bonding with her horse. 

“During college, I rode hunt seat and worked with Jack Benson at his Briarwood Farm in Oldwick, New Jersey,” she said. “Years later, my horse and I were in dressage training with Chistophe Theallet at Waterbury Dressage in Warwick, New York. I was fortunate to have taken clinics with esteemed trainers such as Michael Godfrey, Isabel Judet, Lendon Gray and Gail Carmona.” 

After attending college and graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Montclair State University, Nancy entered the corporate world and realized that she wasn’t going to have much time for her artwork. She would create a portrait every so often for her own enjoyment, which was enough to keep horses and art close in her mind and spirit.  

“My enjoyment comes from learning and riding,” Nancy said. “My dear friend Ailene Cascio has been my eyes on the ground for many years, helping me polish up my riding and keeping me on course with practicing dressage. When it came down to showing my horses, I let the professionals do that. I love to learn and continue to become a better rider.”

Life Through Art

Artists tell stories with their paintings and Nancy is no exception. “I’ve always tried to tell a story in my art that others can relate to,” Nancy said. “Commissions range from a personal portrait of a client’s horse to candid shots of a young child and her pony.”

One of her favorite works of art is a pastel called “Waiting,” depicting a dressage horse tacked up without his rider. His rider was fighting cancer, which is shown by the pink ribbon on his saddle pad, and he is patiently “waiting” for her return. 

“This piece was my own personal story that I wanted to tell. I used my horse Luc as the model for this portrait. Luc was a huge part of my life for 24 years and he taught me so much about riding. All of my horses hold a place in my heart,” Nancy said. “But he was my horse of a lifetime.” 

“Waiting” and other artwork has been exhibited in art competitions and have won various awards. One of her proudest moments is when she won the Art Spirit Gold Medal award in the 84th National Exhibition for the American Artists Professional League in New York City. Nancy’s works also grace many homes in the U.S. and abroad. 

Starting a new Journey 

Moving from her home of New Jersey to Hobe Sound, Florida, has had its ups and downs. “I recently moved out of the state where I had lived all of my life to take care of my elderly parents,” Nancy said. “I’ve been fortunate to have made many new friends through our common love of the horse. Before my move to Florida, my dear friend told me that no matter where you relocate to, if you’re ‘into and around horses’ you will always make new friends. And her advice was spot on!”

Continuing to be involved in the equestrian community has been a great part of Nancy’s new journey, from meeting new riding buddies to expanding her art portfolio. 

“Being around horses has given me the opportunity to study them up close, observe their characteristics such as conformation, movement, muscular and skeletal forms, hair growth patterns, color variations and facial expressions in order to hone my skills and train my artistic eye,” Nancy said, adding that this has been instrumental in helping her create realistic depictions of horses in her artwork.

“Although I’m actively creating art later in my life, I now have my perfect career, one that makes people happy while allowing me to do what I love: be around horses and make my art,” she said. “Growing as an artist has been a lifelong journey.” 

As the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our everyday lives, Nancy is waiting it out like thousands of other equestrians. “I’m lucky for sure,” she said. “Since I’m staying home much more than I used to, I have more time to delve into new mediums such as oil paints and watercolors.”

As far as her plans for the future are concerned, Nancy can’t wait to return to riding and training. For now, she’s working on her equine and dog portraits.

“My plans are to grow my art business, hone my craft, get my work out for the public to see,” Nancy said, “and use the talent that has been given to me to bring happiness to people’s lives through my art.”

For more information, visit www.nancysmythfineart.com and @smythfineart on Instagram.

Art Of The Horse is the world’s first equine art platform, established in 2014 by Shya Beth. With weekly articles featuring up-and-coming as well as world-renowned artists, exhibitions and art news, Art Of The Horse is the premier source for all things equine art. Visit artofthehorse.net 

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Tagged under: art, artwork, dressage, equine art, painting

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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

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
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
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
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