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Wednesday, September 02 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Unbridled With Shawna Simmons

By Jan Westmark

Photographer Shawna Simmons is well-known in the horse world for her black background portraits and beautiful photo shoots. Before she was an equestrian photographer, Shawna spent seven years in New York as an assistant, photo retoucher, stylist, editor and fashion photographer. “My first month there, I photographed 32 runway shows at New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park, so I was thrown into the deep end rather quickly. But I absolutely thrived in the fast-paced and competitive lifestyle.”

 After leaving New York City and moving to the D.C. area, Shawna started riding again and shooting black backgrounds at the request of friends. “I thought it would be a good way to pay for my entry fees while I’m at the shows,” she said. “Around the same time, I started shooting for Sidelines, and within six months I had to quit my full-time photography gig at an e-commerce fashion company to take SAS Equine Photography full-time.” 

Sidelines is thankful that Shawna is part of our photographer team — and glad she revisited her fashion past and took the fashion photo on our cover this month.

How did your horse career start? 

I started riding when I was 7, at Columbia Horse Center in Maryland. We drove by it often, and I begged my parents for lessons until they finally agreed. I’ve been hooked ever since!

Who did you train with and what were some big shows you competed at?

I rode with Laura Pickett and Rolling Acres as a kid. We never had the money to really chase points on the A/AA circuit, but I got to go to Vermont in the summer, which was my favorite.

Tell us about the horses you have now.

Giczelle, aka Gigi, is my heart horse that I bought as a yearling and she just turned 7. I plan to do the Adult Amateur/Amateur Owner Hunters with her eventually, but for now I’m taking it nice and slow with her. My other horse is Winny, who I free lease to a farm for beginner lessons. He’s 25 now and an absolute saint!

Tell us about your dog you rescued from Danny & Ron’s Rescue. 

I should say he rescued me. I was walking by the Danny & Ron tent at WEF this March and he practically leaped into my arms! I’m so grateful to have had Rhys during quarantine; he was a lifesaver. His favorite thing to do is pick up huge sticks and carry them home. He’s only 22 pounds, so it’s pretty adorable and my neighbors all laugh when they see him coming down the sidewalk.

When did you first pick up a camera?

I started shooting black-and-white medium-format film in high school at the age of 13. I knew how to develop my own film and prints, and would spend hours in the darkroom.

What do you like best about being an equestrian photographer?

My love of horses, first and foremost. And my connection to each one as well as my connection to each client. I also love being able to tie in my love for styling and fashion on shoots as well.

Is there anyone you dream of shooting (with your camera!)?

Gucci and Ralph Lauren as dream future clients, so I can combine my love of fashion and equestrian.

Tell me about your summer road trip — what did you learn from the experience? 

I loved being able to drive through 10 states in two weeks and see parts of the country I never had the opportunity to see. We got to have sunset drinks on the lake in Traverse City, connect with good friends in Chicago, trail ride in the mountains of Montana, boat on a lake in Washington and sip coffee at Pike Place in Seattle. Not to mention jamming out to music in the car along the way!

What are your goals in the horse and photography worlds?

I’d love to show again with Giczelle. And with my photography business, I want to keep building my brand until I become a household name within the equestrian world. I’d love to take on more corporate brands and high-end fashion and tack brands within the equestrian community. I’d also like to hire a videographer and grow my team as my business continues to grow.

Have you had a funny horse moment that still makes you laugh?

At one of my first horse shows as a kid, my pony stopped at the first jump and I fell off by doing a handstand on the box and landing on my feet! I bowed and walked out of the ring!

What’s your favorite thing about being part of the horse world?

I love the sense of community, camaraderie and support I receive in the horse world as both a rider and a business owner. 

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

I would do interior design. I love it!

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

Definitely travel. I’d love to go to Tokyo next.

Who inspires you?

Other female entrepreneurs who are killin’ it

What talents do you feel you have?

Horse wrangling, art direction, fashion styling and being able to jump off an airplane and go right to work

Do you have a personal motto or catch phrase?

When it comes to business ventures and life in general, “Jump and the net will appear.”

What’s your favorite item of clothing to wear?

A classic black leather jacket

What three items can usually be found in your refrigerator?

Rosé, Korean eye masks and almond milk for my morning smoothies

What’s your favorite meal?

Surf and turf 

What would be the best gift in the world?

Being able to balance my dream career and have a family one day. I hope to have it all!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Being able to edit all my photos in the blink of an eye 

What’s something everyone should try at least once?

Traveling solo. It’s absolutely life-changing! I’ve been to England, Ireland, Scotland and Portugal solo.

How would you like people to remember you?

Someone who is kind and passionate about what I do.

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Tagged under: photography, shawna simmons, unbridled

What you can read next

Harrie Smolders: Life Journeys and Worldwide Success
From Summer Camps to the Step by Step Foundation — Cuqui Hazoury is Helping on Horseback
A Case for Reinstating the Eight-Fault Penalty for Falls 

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❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#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
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
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