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Wednesday, January 06 2016 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Tiz a Celebrity Sighting

By Susan Friedland-Smith

Susan and her Tiznow baby, Tiz A Knight. Photo by horseswholove.com

Susan and her Tiznow baby, Tiz A Knight.
Photo by horseswholove.com

Living in Southern California, once in awhile I cross paths with notable individuals. Like the time I saw Kobe Bryant at my fitness center working out. Another time I was shopping and I kept looking at a fellow shopper, a woman I was convinced I knew. I couldn’t quite place her, but she was so familiar. Was she a friend of a friend? Did she go to my church? Then I realized, “That’s Rita Wilson!” As soon as I made the connection, I remembered who her famous husband was, glanced at the tall man wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses standing next to her, and inwardly freaked out, “That’s Tom Hanks!”

I’m not the kind of person to go up to a celebrity and fawn all over him or her. I try to have appropriate boundaries to give them privacy as well as to protect myself from looking like a weird groupie. I had a celebrity encounter last spring that was more thrilling than Kobe, Rita and Tom. And I might have acted like a teenager, just a little. What made the celebrity encounter all the more sweet was knowing that we’re family. In a way. Let me back up several months.

Tiz My New Horse
When I bought my ex-racehorse Knight about a year ago, it was love at first (email) sight. I remember downloading his photo on my computer, and as it loaded slowly from bottom to top and the dark brown body began to fill in on the screen, followed by the adorable face with the white blaze, I was hooked. I knew his name was Tiz A Knight. I thought the name was cute, but that didn’t mean anything to me.

Somewhere in between meeting Knight the first time for my test ride and his pre-purchase exam, I discovered that he was sired by a celebrity! Knight’s dad is the famous Thoroughbred stallion Tiznow, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic back-to-back years in 2000 and 2001 (still the only horse to have won that race twice). I got the chills when I Googled “Tiznow” and realized he had a lengthy Wikipedia entry, not to mention a captivating documentary “Tiznow Wins It for America.” I saw the online image of the prominent dark bay with white on his face that was so similar to my own horse. The family resemblance was undeniable.

I did a little more Internet digging and discovered Tiznow, “the leading link of the sireline of the great Man O’War,” was standing at stud at WinStar Farm in Kentucky. Flash forward a few more months and thanks to Sidelines, I attended the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Through a mutual connection, I made arrangements to visit the farm while in the area. I had a date to meet Knight’s famous dad! I had heard that people travel from all over the country to visit Tiznow and some write him letters while others bring him gifts. I was about to join the ranks of the super fans on my pilgrimage to see the prominent stud.

Tiznow, who lives at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2000 and 2001. Photo by Lee Thomas

Tiznow, who lives at WinStar Farm in Kentucky, won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2000 and 2001.
Photo by Lee Thomas

Celebrity Stallion Meet and Greet
I journeyed to Bluegrass Country with the same level of anticipation Elvis fans have en route to Graceland. When I stepped into WinStar’s gorgeous stallion barn, bright rays of the sun streaming through the windows, my heart leaped. I saw Tiznow in his stall, and almost laughed aloud. He had the longest forelock, which was somewhat disheveled — the same forelock as my gelding Knight! And Tiznow’s stall demeanor was so normal, I was taken aback. I guess I figured he’d be standing regally in the center of his stall with a spotlight descending on him. The stallion was more or less just hanging out in the stall like any horse in any other barn across America. At one point he even began fluffing up his layers upon layers of straw.

“Do you want to feed him peppermints?” my WinStar host asked and I assented cheerfully, following her into the barn kitchen to get the candy. She introduced me to a few employees, saying that I owned a Tiznow gelding as a riding horse and that I had said he was the sweetest horse I had ever owned. The workers chuckled and one joked, “Are you sure Tiznow’s the sire?” Apparently he has kind of a reputation for being too smart and wanting to do things his own way. For example, they said when the jockey would try to use the whip on him, he’d intentionally go slower. Smart horse.

We walked up to his stall door again. Tiznow heard the crackling of the candy wrapper and was very alert, looking at me, the giver of treats. I don’t remember exactly what I said to him (I was a little starstruck) but something to the effect that he was very handsome and I asked if he wanted a treat. I held my hand out flat, and he carefully grabbed the peppermint and began to chew.
I gave him another mint but didn’t pet him even though I wanted to. I don’t have much stallion experience and based on what I’d heard of his personality, he was a bit intimidating.

Tiznow, the sire of Susan’s horse Tiz A Knight. The family resemblance is undeniable. Photo by Lee Thomas

Tiznow, the sire of Susan’s horse Tiz A Knight. The family resemblance is undeniable.
Photo by Lee Thomas

Like Father Like Son
While I ambled down the aisle gazing at other celebrity studs such as Distorted Humor, Take Charge Indy, and Gemologist, Larry McGinnis, WinStar’s Breeding Manager, stopped by. Larry has worked with Tiznow since the famous bay began his breeding career. He shared Tiznow stories like the time a mat accidentally got caught on the stud’s shoe and instead of panicking, he just stood still until he was freed. I shared Knight stories like the time he didn’t flinch when a news crew helicopter flew just a few hundred feet over our arena while we trotting around. Like father like son.

Larry asked if I knew the name of Knight’s dam. I gave it to him, indicating I would love to meet her some day (she lives in Kentucky at another breeding farm). Larry excused himself for several minutes and then returned with a piece of printer paper — a report containing the exact date and time of Knight’s conception! It was such a cool surprise my eyes misted and I hugged him. I remember thinking from a racing standpoint, Knight undoubtedly dashed many dreams as he was unable to live up to the speed and greatness of his sire, yet the twist in his story is that for me, the well-bred underachiever is the fulfillment of a dream. My mediocre ex-racehorse delights me whether in the crossties, on the trail or in the arena. Tiz a Knight makes me feel like I’m always in the winner’s circle.

Tiznow and I shared those simple moments together, me gawking at him and taking a few pictures just like a tourist in Los Angeles might do if she saw a star in public. One day I’ll have to return to Kentucky with my pictures and see if he’ll sign it with a Sharpie or put a big hoofprint next to his image. In all seriousness, the thrill of meeting Tiznow is a memory I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. But an even greater thrill than that is what he unknowingly gave to me — my sweet and smart dark bay gelding with the familiar white markings, Tiz A Knight.

 

About the writer: Susan Friedland-Smith, a middle school history teacher who has been horse-crazy since girlhood, lives in North Tustin, California, with her budding equestrian husband, golden retriever and Doberman. Knight, the ex-racehorse, has recently joined the family and is the main character of Susan’s blog Saddle Seeks Horse, which chronicles her amateur adventures of balancing a green rider hubby and green horse. Follow her blog at susanfriedlandsmith.com for all things OTTB or see what’s up on Twitter @SaddlSeeksHorse and Instagram @SaddleSeeksHorse .

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Tagged under: kenetucky, Knight, man o'war, Susan Friedland-Smith, thoroughbred, tiznow, winstar

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Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
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☎️(714) 357-2714

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

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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
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