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Wednesday, January 08 2020 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Mona Snell: Through the Eyes of an Artist & Horsewoman

Under the tree waiting

By Shya Beth

No two living things are exactly alike and that’s what Wellington-based equine artist and entrepreneur Mona Snell captures effortlessly in all of her paintings. Working in pastels and oils, Mona uses each brush stroke to carve out a hint of her subject’s personality, whether the horse is with us or long gone.

Born in 1951 in Illinois, her passion for horses and art continued throughout her childhood and youthful adult years. Mona worked as a groom for Russell Frey and Val Renihan, and also studied art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Like most destined equine artists, Mona drew horses constantly when not riding. “I would have to say I’ve been horse crazy all my life,” she said. “I always wanted a horse when I was little and would read all the horse books, drawing the horses that I would someday own — the breed, color, everything!” Although Mona has ridden many different types of horses in the hunters and amateur owners, her heart lies true to Thoroughbreds and jumpers.

Peeping Tom

When asked who inspires her both in art and life, Mona’s list is long and full of well-known names, both equine artists and other famous creatives. “Fredrick Remington, Charles Russell and Mary Cassatt come directly to mind,” she said. “I did a portrait of Mary Cassatt’s grand-nephew! His name was Sandy Cassatt, and he ran the breeding program at the Horizon Thoroughbred Farm in Illinois. He commissioned a portrait of himself as the master of the hounds for a club in Virginia and a portrait of his wife as well.

“I’ve done workshops with Julian Merrow-Smith, Dean Fisher in Italy, equine artist Jill Soukup at Chico Basin Ranch in 2017. That was the best week of my life, with such an amazing artist. We stayed in yurts, rode and painted from life. Swimming with the horses, no electricity, no TV, no internet — it was heaven!”

Wellington Entrepreneur

As well as being a part-time artist, Mona is well known in the Wellington show circuit as a dependable, hardworking property manager/caretaker, keeping a watchful eye on the equestrian homes. Since moving to Wellington, Florida, in 1997, Mona is living her dream life in one of the largest equine-centric locations in the world.

“When the Winter Equestrian Festival first started down here, many exhibitors rented their lodgings as very few owned homes or barns at that time,” she said. “Many permanent residents offered their homes for the two- and then eventually three-month periods to exhibitors on the show circuit. The owners would move out, and riders would move in. It was a win-win for both sides.”

Once the showing seasons started to get longer, people realized this was going to be a permanent fixture and started to buy farms, and that’s when Mona’s first client contacted her. Soon after being asked to manage her friend’s home in the Polo Club, Mona created Willoworks LLC. Her horse, Willow, aka Someone Moore Famous, inspired her business name, holding a special place in her heart. Mona’s last horse died seven years ago.

Hitching post

As far as her unexpected business venture, it has continued to grow. From one, three then five properties, Mona’s clientele expanded rapidly until she was managing 54 properties at once. “I really like this because you basically make your own hours. However, there are many stresses during hurricane season that come in the job description. I’ve gotten much better at managing stress over the years, but when you’re looking at a Category 5 storm looming right around the corner, there isn’t enough meditation to calm you down!” she divulged.

Wild horses

Of course, once the winter season rolls in, things pick up. “I’m fortunate to have worked in the horse industry and know many of the top riders, trainers and horses in the show jumping and dressage worlds, both as a horse person and an artist,” Mona said. From jumping, dressage and polo, there is never a dull day in one of the most competitive places in the horse world. “I get to see the greatest riders and horses, and you can’t get much better in terms of high-level competition: CSIO 3*, 4* and 5* competitions on a weekly basis in different disciplines. This doesn’t happen everywhere and it makes it really special here.” By March, Mona is ready for everyone to leave and the season to be over. “Time to have my quiet village back and be able to actually find a parking place!” she said.

When asked what a typical day looks like, Mona replies that each day is an individual. “There are no typical days. Wake up, feed and walk the dogs, head out to check on houses and more than likely meet a subcontractor or two. Think about all the little things in your home and multiply that by 26,” she said with a laugh.

Although Mona might be a property manager by day, by the time the sun starts setting she is away working on one of her paintings. “I am always working on a painting. Right now I’m doing a commission portrait of a couple as a surprise gift, then another of a dog as a Christmas gift. I love doing horses as well as cats, dogs, humans and landscapes.” From Mona’s use of lights, darks and rich, warm tones of the leather bridle, you feel like you already know her subject, even if you just saw it through her painting. An artist has truly achieved greatness when they can portray their subject in such a manner.

Roxanne

“I’ll probably die unknown, but that’s all right,” Mona concluded. “I don’t do art to gain recognition. I do it because I love it and I have to do it for me. I’d love to try sculpture eventually, but right now my time is so precious I just want to enjoy painting.”

Follow Mona Snell’s equine art on Facebook at Willoworks LLC and on Instagram @Monasnell

Photos courtesy of Mona Snell

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.mo

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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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