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Thursday, October 01 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Upcycling Reins and Giving Back

Kathryn McMahon

Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Owner, Stitching Fox needlepoint shop, and executive director, Green River Foundation

How long have you been part of the horse world?  

My love of horses has been lifelong. I was raised in Augusta, Georgia, graduated from Sweet Briar College in Virginia and then spent the better part of my 12-year career in New York City working for Hèrmes. I was fortunate to have wonderful riding instructors in all three of these life stages. A riding accident in Central Park ended my riding days, but my fondness for horse sport continues.

What part do you play in the horse world? 

I am the executive director of the Green River Foundation (GRF), a 501(c)(3) in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Working side by side with equestrians and like-minded individuals, GRF works to address the pressing challenges faced in the rural communities of North and South Carolina. Also, I just opened a new small business at Tryon International Equestrian Center, Stitching Fox, a needlepoint shop. We carry a large selection of equestrian and fox-themed needlepoint. Stitching Fox is proud to support Green River Foundation through the creation of Green River Bags, whereby upcycled leather and vintage or heirloom reins are transformed into chic, functional leather bags and accessories.

Tell us more about the Green River Bags.

Green River Bags are handmade by Jessie Fletcher at Down South Leather in Campobello, South Carolina, a woman-owned business. Jessie and I have partnered to design high-quality, upcycled tote bags that use equestrian leather tack as straps and details. Green River Bags are sold at Tryon International Equestrian Center through Stitching Fox and available in-store and online at www.stitchingfox.com. Customizations available include custom lining, hardware and straps. Ten percent of all sales are donated directly to Green River Foundation.

How are Green River Bags made?

Old or broken reins that aren’t being used anymore are donated to GRF for a tax deduction and crafted into gorgeous bags. The reins are upcycled into bag straps and the bags are constructed with upcycled top grain leather. They’re created with a custom lining and are available in three sizes.

What’s the best thing about your life?

The best thing about my life is where I live and who surrounds me. I love living in rural North Carolina. It’s where I met my husband and where I feel most at home. I’m grateful for our community and that I’m able to give back. I’m especially passionate about empowering young women to set and achieve goals, and I serve on the Girl Scouts “Peaks to Piedmont” Board. I find my career and volunteer work very fulfilling.  

Best kept secret about what you do? 

Some afternoons at Stitching Fox, when the light is right and I can watch the horses in Ring 2 schooling through my shop window, I sit at the table in the back, put my feet up and stitch. I smile and think to myself, this is my life!

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: equestrian, fashion, handbag, reins, style, upcycling

What you can read next

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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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