SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Thursday, August 13 2020 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Saving Florida Horse Farms

Name: Busy Shires Byerly

City/State: Micanopy, Florida

Occupation: Director of Conservation Strategies, Horse Farms Forever

How long have you been part of the horse world? 

My whole life! My twin brother and I were raised on a horse farm near Alachua, Florida, by my mom, Cyndy Shires. In the 1970s, my mom organized the very first horse trials in Florida and we held horse trials and clinics at the farm for 20 years. I have so many happy memories growing up on the farm and it’s my favorite place in the whole world. 

Horses have taught me so many things about life. Most of all, I’ve learned about the power of intention. If you ask a horse to move forward and you don’t really mean it, they will just ignore you. A horse can read your mind! 

What part do you play in the horse world? 

As the director of conservation strategies for Horse Farms Forever, I’m working with community leaders and landowners to establish a rural land management plan in Marion County’s comprehensive plan to help protect the nearly 1,200 horse farms in the county. In addition to protecting the land for farms, this will help protect the horse industry, which contributes over $2.6 billion to the county’s economy and employs more than 20,000 people. 

There is nothing like Marion County in the whole state of Florida. Without horse farms, there are no horses, and Ocala would look like any other urban city. Horse Farms Forever is dedicated to preserving the horse farms to ensure that what makes our community unique is protected.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do?

I have 16 years of land preservation work experience and my favorite part of the job is working with families to protect their land for future generations. As I was growing up, I watched the scenic countryside began to be broken into smaller tracts of land and developed. This inspired me to pursue a career in land conservation.

What’s your biggest achievement?

One of my favorite projects was working with Kerry Heubeck, the son of Elmer and Harriet Heubeck, to protect 800 acres of Quail Roost II farm in Citra with the nonprofit land trust Conservation Florida.

What are your goals for the future?

My dream is to start a classical riding school at our family farm.

What is the best thing about your life?

Being a mom to my beautiful 6-year-old daughter. She inspires me every day and we share a love of horses.

Best kept secret about what you do?

I publish audiobooks of classical horse books at audiohorsebooks.com.

For more information, visit www.horsefarmsforever.com/

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: florida, horse farms, real estate, spotlight

What you can read next

Andie Sue Roth: Enjoying Every Step of the Journey
My Ride with the Law (at Rolex!)
Brian Feigus: Succeeding by Being Himself

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capita Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capital Challenge Horse Show has officially begun! Not able to attend the 2023 Capital Challenge Horse Show? 🏆 No problem! Watch all 11 days of competition for free with the live stream, sponsored by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency Inc., on capitalchallenge.org or usefnetwork.com. 🎥
Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Bl Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help! Whether you need help with a single subject, SAT prep, or transitioning to online school, Blue Ribbon will tailor a unique program to the needs of every student athlete, grades K-12. The exclusive education services provider at HITS Ocala since 2019, Blue Ribbon offers in-person tutoring services throughout the duration of the winter circuit, in addition to our virtual services via Zoom year round, anywhere, anytime! Are you showing at WEC this winter, but looking for affordable, fun, and individualized in-person support? Have no fear! In-person tutoring is available anywhere in the Ocala area, and everyone is welcome to attend our programs at HITS. Our tutors are kind, qualified, and understand the needs of competitive student-athlete equestrians. The founder of Blue Ribbon Scholars is an amateur jumper rider who holds a BA from Yale University and Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt. You will be in good hands! Message, email, or call us today to learn more about how we help you accomplish your goals. blueribbonscholars, hitshorseshows #sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses #wellington #wef #florida #college #school #blueribbonscholars #hitshorseshows #hunterjumper #showjumping #hunterjumpersofinstagram #tutoringforathletes #tutoringservices #backtoschool #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianlifestyle #horseshowlife #studyhardplayhard #homeschooling #ocala
📣Exciting News!! 📣 Sidelines Magazine is gr 📣Exciting News!! 📣 Sidelines Magazine is growing! Thanks to our success we are expanding our sales force and are looking for talented sales people‼️ Come join the team!! 👉For more information email editor@sidelinesmagazine.com
“There is no quick fix when it comes to horses,” said Samantha Wolfram, a 22-year-old equestrian professional. “You can’t flip a switch and the horse comes out broke and is easy to ride.” For most equestrians, this statement is a testament to the grit and reality of the horse business—there are no easy roads to establishing your career. But for Samantha, using her risk-taking, talent and ambition while riding and living abroad is helping set her up for success. Growing up an only child in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Samantha received her first pony at the age of 2 thanks to her mother, who was a horse trainer. “My mom got me a pony like what you see at the fair. However, he was a bad pony—or what I like to call ‘character building,’” she said. Her early start riding was a gift unto itself and by 5, Samantha was jumping crossrails. She was committed to riding until the age of 8, when another sport became her focus. “I was at an age where I wanted to fit in, and being a crazy horse girl did not help with being popular,” Samantha shared. Get to know Samantha in her recent feature "Finding Success in America and Overseas." And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine. Link below!👇 https://sidelinesmagazine.com Follow Samantha on Instagram samanthawolfram 📸Photos by Kirsten Hannah, kirstenhannahphotography.com #sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Broward RV
    Camper Rentals for Equestrians, South Florida 3030 Burris Road Davie, FL 33314 Campers, Camper Rentals

    [Read more]

  • Old Spring Manor
    Old Spring Manor White Hall, Maryland Young Welsh Ponies Fitting + Training + Sales oldspringmanor@gmail.com www.oldspringmanor.com 561-797-9199-Shelly

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • October 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!