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Monday, October 15 2018 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Ken and Emily Smith: Working and Riding Together

Ken and Emily Smith with Catan H at Ashland Farm in Wellington, Florida

By Dani Moritz-Long

Portraits by Shawna Simmons

While working and living together can often be a recipe for disaster, that isn’t the case for equestrian power couple Ken and Emily Smith. The owners and trainers of Ashland Farms, which is based in Wellington, Florida, during the winters and Lexington, Kentucky, in the summers, got married in 1992, have two children and have been working together for more than a decade. Together, they successfully sell top horses and coach clients to national titles at prestigious events around the country.

Not surprisingly, horses are what initially brought the two, who met at a horse show in Cleveland, Ohio, together. With veterinarian Scott Traphagen for a father, Emily grew up with a passion for animals and started showing ponies at an early age. Likewise, Ken was influenced by the equestrian career of his father, John Smith. He started riding when he was young and was shaped by professionals like his dad as well as Howard Lewis and Don Stewart.

Ken and Emily with Catan H

Emily and Ken also passed their equestrian skill and passion on to their two children, Alexandra and Spencer. Today, Spencer is a professional show jumper, while Alexandra, 14, is showing in the junior jumper divisions.

“We love that we can spend so much time together and that we can travel to such nice places,” Ken commented about his family’s joint equestrian adventures.

Emily added, “We love traveling to Europe and all over the U.S. to beautiful horse shows in great towns.”

All in the Family
With the entire family completely bitten by the horse bug, Ken and Emily say working together comes quite naturally. While they certainly do face challenges — like anyone who marries business with family would — their similarities keep them on track. “We really think alike,” Ken said. “Plus, we both really like the horse business.”

Emily added, “It can be difficult to go into business together as a couple; however, the positive definitely outweighs the negative. If each person develops their role to what they do best, they will thrive. Listen to each other. You won’t always agree, but you’re on the same team.”

In their team, Ken rides, teaches, tries to keep up with email and ends his day with one of his favorite quiet-time activities: dragging and watering his ring. Emily, on the other hand, is generally focused on showing clients’ horses, finding new prospects and communicating with Ashland Farms’ students and their parents.

Together, they make a successful team known across the U.S. for their riders and top-of-the-line sales horses, and operate a 48-stall show facility in Kentucky.

Looking back on their career together, the duo says their most proud joint professional accomplishment was coaching their son, Spencer, to win the 2014 Pessoa/USEF Medal Final — which served as the perfect culmination of his junior career. The duo has also led countless riders and horses to successes at prestigious shows across the country and world, from the Winter Equestrian Festival to Devon and everything in between.

But Ken and Emily don’t take all the credit. “We are very fortunate to have a very good and loyal staff,” Ken said. “In this business, it really takes a team to have success.”

 

The Smith’s and Cohiba outside of their Wellington barn

Shared Philosophy
In addition to thinking similarly, Ken and Emily also share similar riding and training philosophies — which further contributes to their success.

Ken describes his training philosophy as, “keeping it simple, working hard and never giving up,” and Emily’s guiding principles very much align with Ken’s mantra.

“My philosophy is that with extreme hard work, dedication, physical fitness and an exceptional team around you, a rider can accomplish their ultimate goals,” Emily said, adding that having an effective and supportive team and the right horse are also paramount to success.

“I believe my understanding of how a student feels, their worries and concerns, enable me to relate to them,” she continued. “I have an optimistic attitude, and I believe in people. I think having a trainer that really believes in you makes you believe in yourself. Not only as a student do you want to succeed for yourself, but also for your trainer, your horse and your team.”

Words of Wisdom
For those looking to embark on their own business as a couple, Ken and Emily have some simple and sage advice.

Ken highlights the importance of aligned thinking and teamwork. “It’s hard work and you have to stick together on the decision-making process,” he said. “Try to work together as a team.”

Ken and Emily with Bentley

The couple also says balance — much like with riding — is paramount to sustaining a positive relationship. “My advice is to have outside interests as well, but it’s so helpful and encouraging to be able to discuss the highs and lows of the day and the excitement you both share with a new horse or the success of a student,” Emily said.

“But,” Ken warned, “try not to take your business problems home with you at night.” There’s a fine line between chatting about the perfect prospect and stressing about the next week’s work schedule.

For more information, visit ashlandfarmsfl.com

Photos by Shawna Simmons, SAS Equine Photography, www.shawnasimmons.com

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: ashland farm, Ken and Emily Smith, sas equine photography, shawna simmons

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Hello April!!! 🌻🌷 This month's edition of Si Hello April!!! 🌻🌷
This month's edition of Sidelines is our eventing edition and it will not disappoint! Of the many things happening this month one of the most exciting things coming up is Sidelines will be at The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event held in Lexington KY 🤩

This month's issue of Sidelines features the beautiful and talented Liz Halliday-Sharp and her never-give-up attitude!!

Of the many lessons that Elisabeth “Liz” Halliday-Sharp learned from her father, resilience was perhaps the most important. Liz’s innate ability to overcome adversity has served her well in her quest to become one of the top event riders in the world. Through the highs and lows of a career with horses, Liz’s “can do” attitude has helped propel her through both triumph and defeat. 

Liz, who has won more events globally during the past three years than any other rider in her discipline, continues to set records—with her sights set firmly on the 2024 Olympic Games.

This is truly a can't miss article! Read more in the link in our bio! 

Never miss a moment with Sidelines by following all our social media and subscribing to get your own edition of Sidelines, the magazine for horse people about horse people 🦄

📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller

#olympics #tokyo #sports #tokyoolympics #sport #india #olympicgames #athlete #olympic #figureskating #athletics #horses #fitness  #training #usa #goldmedal  #motivation #athletes #teamusa #skating  #champion #love #sidelinesmagazine
Sports Psychology column🐎 By Margie Sugarman I Sports Psychology column🐎
By Margie Sugarman

I just bought a new horse. I think he’s amazing, but I miss the feeling of just “clicking” with my old horse. I know that it takes time to grow that connection, but do you have any tips that can help me be confident and in tune with my new horse in the short term?

You kick off your sneakers and realize that there’s a big hole in the sole of one shoe. Well, you’ve had them for quite a while and have worn them everywhere, from hiking to riding. They’ve served you well but it’s time for new ones. (It’s time to move on to a new horse.) You turn on your computer and order a new pair. You wait in anticipation. You’re excited, they’re cool looking. (He’s pretty!)

Upon arrival, you quickly open the box and slip your feet in. They’re great sneakers, but they aren’t as comfortable as the pair they’re replacing. They don’t bend as well—the sole is stiff. They don’t feel as comfortable—they have to be broken in. They don’t fit like the others did—the old ones were so well molded to your feet. (He’s a new ride, a different ride. He needs some suppling work.)

Of utmost importance in the human/horse relationship (especially the ones with the strongest bonds) is the horse looking to their owner as the leader and respecting their personal space. This important dynamic comes from groundwork—no matter what discipline you’re involved in. Just as it is with friendships, there needs to be respect. Respect is developed when one is on the ground and not mounted.

The things you do might seem small, but if done consistently and in a positive way, the results are huge. The confidence and trust you develop between the two of you will carry your relationship to wherever you want it to go.

To read Margies full column click the link in our bio! Never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄

Photo by Ali Kelman

#psychology #mentalhealth #love #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #motivation #psychologist #selfcare #mindfulness #selflove #life #mentalhealthmatters  #mindset #wellness #meditation #inspiration #mind #Sidelinesmagazine
Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! W Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.
 
Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.
 
Kaiman (Dark Pleasure x Gribaldi) earned high scores at his stallion testing and in the young horse classes. He's also the sire of a Licensed Oldenburg stallion. Kaiman's first North American foal crop is arriving now and they are gorgeous!
 
If you're looking for top international bloodlines please check out our 2023 stallion collection, now available fresh, frozen, and by the dose.

Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.

Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.

https://www.ironspringfarm.com/biolink/

@iron_spring_farm 

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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
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