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Thursday, June 30 2011 / Published in Weekly Feature

A Lions Roar: The Story of Mufasa

by Danika Rice

The name Mufasa is often synonymous with Disney’s The Lion King, released in 1994, a story of a little lion cub’s journey to becoming king of his pride.  In the film, Mufasa is the name of the cub’s father, but it’s hard to not smile at the similarities between the lion cub and the story behind polo’s Mufasa, who has had a remarkable journey to the top, all his own.  About the time the film was taking over U.S. theatres, Mufasa the horse was running on the track in Oklahoma as a three year old.  To say the least, the track was not where this gelding belonged, as his lifetime earnings were a whopping $345 over a two year “career.”

A Career Change

It was at the track that 8-goal professional player Dale Smicklas noticed the striking chestnut with the blaze and a roman nose, and bought him to try his hand at polo.  Dale regards him as “a gentleman from day one,” but circumstance led Dale to sell the horse after only four chukkers to Tommy Biddle, who would later become Mufasa’s best ally and advocate.

Tommy and Mufasa forged one of the most notable player-horse teams in polo that continues to take the field together to this day.  “I remember riding this horse in the pasture of our farm at Gulfstream Polo Club in April of 1995 and really taking a liking to him, riding in and out of the pine trees.

“I made a deal with Dale and started to work him into the little green horse operation that I was trying to start at the time.  By the time I had returned from the summer season I had three young horses which I was determined to play and make at Memo Gracida’s in the fall during his La Herradura Classic tournaments…..Out of the three, Mufasa and a grey named Bob went on to play the high goal for me.”

Playing the High Goal

Playing the high goal, is almost an understatement for the amount of polo that Mufasa and Tommy have played together over the gelding’s remarkable 15 year career.  He has played in seven U.S. Open tournaments over the years, and would have an eighth, except he got loose from a groom on a set and injured his hip running into a stall corner the day before the tournament began.  Tommy says, “He has played every big tournament I have ever been in – US Open, Gold Cup, Camacho Cup, British Open (he was my best horse in England in 2002). He was also was my last chukker horse when we won the Arena Open Championship in Aiken in 2009 and this year I took him to play the Miami Beach Polo Challenge, so he literally has done it all with me.”

 

Tommy Biddle played Mufasa at the AMG Miami Beach Polo 2011.    Photo by Yvette Biddle

Quite the Career

Although Mufasa has not gained many Best Playing Pony awards in his career (only two in his lifetime, to be exact), the longevity and consistency with which he plays has gained him more recognition than a hundred silver trophies ever could.  “He may not win many trophies,” Tommy says, “but he damn well has helped win many games.  Most impressive on my mind was semi finals of 2002 Open against Memo [Gracida] and Mike Azzaro.  They had our Coke team by three going to the last chukker and I made a goal on him, carrying it half the length of the field with someone in my lap.  I then narrowly missed a tying goal on him later in the chukker and also laid a bump on Memo that I think even his ancestors felt.  Could have been the best chukker he ever gave me.”

Dale Smicklas remarks that Tommy and Mufasa were “made for each other from the beginning.  I’ve seen Tommy do some incredible things on that horse, and likewise I’ve seen that horse do some incredible things for Tommy.”

Handed Down to the Next Generation

“The best part of playing him is the confidence he gives me,” Tommy says.  “He’s given me confidence every chukker we’ve ever played together, and continues to give it to me today, even 15 years later.”  These days, you’ll usually find Mufasa as a spare for Tommy’s 16 and 20 goal leagues, or playing for Tommy’s daughter, Lauren, who now shares the gelding with her dad.  “It’s pretty neat to watch Lauren play him because it’s fun for me to watch her experience what I regard as a really cool horse.  I have had a few horses that were probably better than him – Senorita and Limu are the two best horses I have ever owned, but the reliability in Mufasa time after time and year after year can never be replaced.  And now I just share that with Lauren.  I’m proud to own a horse like him.”  Pride indeed, reigns supreme, as the roman nosed chestnut continues playing with Tommy and Lauren in South Carolina, New York and Florida throughout the year.  For this gelding, polo fields across the country serve as his lion’s kingdom to rule.

Lauren Biddle played Mufasa in the Palm Beach Polo women’s tournament in Florida this past season. Photo by Gillian Johnston

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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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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 🦄

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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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