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Friday, July 17 2015 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Living a Legacy: Spencer Smith

By Lindsay Brock

Spencer at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Spencer at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Ask the average teenager what they want to do with the rest of their life and the answer doesn’t usually include following in the footsteps of their parents. But, for 18-year-old Spencer Smith, horse sport is exactly what he has in mind for his future. The son of Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farm in Wellington, Florida, Spencer was on the back of a horse since before he can remember. He was a polo player by the age of 6 and a successful children’s and junior show jumping rider well before his 18th birthday.

While getting him into the tack was a simple task, it took a little persuasion to get Spencer into the show ring. That persuasion came by way of his father in the form of his first children’s jumper, a chestnut gelding named Markies. The 24-year-old mount carried a then-12-year-old Spencer to the Washington International Horse Show in 2009, where they won the $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship. That event sealed his fate in the family business and he’s been collecting ribbons, trophies and competition success ever since.

“Markies was really competitive and taught me everything I know about the jumpers,” said Spencer. “To be honest, I was more into polo as a younger rider, but the feeling I had after the Children’s Jumper Championship sparked my passion for the sport.”

That passion played a role in Spencer rising to the top of the prestigious 2014 Pessoa/USEF Medal Final at the end of a successful junior career. He also experienced an exciting 2015 season at the Winter Equestrian Festival, jumping Wyndmont’s IV Ever to a leading rider title in the $10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Young Rider Nations Cup — helping to secure a win for Team U.S.A.

“Winning Medal Finals and the Young Rider Nations Cup definitely tie as the best moments of my riding career so far,” Spencer said.

Spencer may have stood atop his first podiums in the past several months, but they are far from his last, as his immediate goals include moving into upper-level Grand Prix and FEI competition as well as being selected for future Nations Cup teams.

 

Spencer wearing Kingsland equestrian apparel.

Spencer wearing Kingsland equestrian apparel.

Winning in Style

Accomplishments inside the show ring have brought Spencer recognition from the sidelines of late, leading him to accept several sponsorships in recent months. One, which was finalized in Wellington during the winter circuit, is with international apparel brand Kingsland Equestrian.

Kingsland Equestrian, based in Norway and wildly popular in European markets, announced a global expansion at the end of last year. After establishing a North American headquarters in Wellington and partnering with retailers, Kingsland is dedicated to advancing their sponsorships within the U.S., most specifically with up-and-coming American riders.

Spencer was flattered by the prospect of becoming a Kingsland rider, and being a part of their promotions to North American audiences. “Kingsland built a huge empire in Europe — you see their clothing in the barns, on the spectators and in the ring,” he said. “To be a part of that, along with their other really good sponsored riders, is an honor for me.”

During the Young Rider Nations Cup, Spencer was joined by Gianluca Caron, Kingsland North American manager.

During the Young Rider Nations Cup, Spencer was joined by Gianluca Caron, Kingsland North American manager.

Most recently, Spencer has been joined by fellow young rider Sophie Simpson and breakout dressage star Laura Graves to represent Kingsland on the North American competition scene.

A Kingsland retail customer well before the sponsorship, Spencer feels their product aligns well with his own personal style in and out of the show ring. “I’m attracted to anything classic — dark coats, tan breeches — and Kingsland works well with that look,” he said. “It’s especially exciting for me to represent them when there are so many top American young riders to choose from.”

As Spencer leaves his junior riding career behind, he’s well-equipped for a successful and competitive career with major sponsors and a resume in tow that would make even a seasoned horseman envious. But, with a lineage steeped in sport, he’s not only making a name for himself among professional equestrians, he’s carrying on a family legacy.

 

Spencer at the Ashland Farm setup during WEF.

Spencer at the Ashland Farm setup during WEF.

Five Things About Spencer Smith:
1. If horses weren’t in his future, Spencer would probably get involved in real estate.
2. Spencer’s favorite horse shows are the Stephex Masters in Belgium and the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
3. Besides Kingsland Equestrian, Spencer is also sponsored by EquiFit, Devoucoux and Parlanti.
4. Spencer’s favorite piece of Kingsland gear is the Winter Bomber Jacket.
5. Spencer was born three days before Thanksgiving.

Photos by Lindsay Brock

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Tagged under: ashland farm, spencer smith, wellington, young-rider

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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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