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Tuesday, April 14 2020 / Published in Weekly Feature

Allyson Hall: Life, Horses and Huntley Equestrian

By Alannah Castro 

For businesswoman and lifelong equestrian Allyson Hall, horses have always played the starring role, whether it was behind the scenes of a corporate career or now front and center as the main focus of Huntley Equestrian, a purveyor of equestrian accessories.”

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Allyson was bitten by the horse bug at a young age. “Horses have been a part of my life as long as I can remember,” she said. “There was a barn next door to us growing up. My older sister rode, and I would always go to the barn with her before I started taking lessons.” 

As she grew up, Allyson progressed through the ranks, her junior career spent mainly showing in the hunters. She continued to ride during college, even purchasing her own horse while she was attending Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. 

After graduating from Emory, Allyson went to work for Merck Pharmaceuticals. She worked hard balancing a busy corporate career, her two children and continuing to ride as an amateur. Allyson competed at the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show and The National Horse Show in New York City. Allyson was the winner of the Amateur Owner Hunter Stakes Class at the National Horse Show in New York City in 2003.

“When I turned 40, it was time to make a change in my career,” Allyson said.

While travelling with her husband, who built a business manufacturing outdoor living products, Allyson made valuable contacts in the manufacturing industry in Asia. “During our travels, I would get my riding clothes made in Hong Kong; and over time, I started thinking about whether there was a business opportunity there,” Allyson said. “I understood the
manufacturing part, and I just needed to see if there was a need in the market.”

From this idea, Huntley Equestrian was born in 2013. They launched a full collection, which included leather goods, children and adults’ apparel and accessories. Their main focus has always been providing the finest quality, reminiscent of the artisan masters, at affordable prices. 

“My very first product was the hunter horse bridle. I got lucky: Our first item continues to be our best-selling. As a child, I grew up with the old established brands like Crosby of England, for example,” Allyson said. “Because of this, I knew what good leather and good stitching was because it held up over all the years.

“As I got older, I saw the craftsmanship of handmade bridles, and I recognized that the industry was declining. You didn’t see a lot of artisan leatherwork. Handmade bridles were ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. My goal was to find an opportunity where I could bring in a better price point and still provide that same type of craftsmanship and leather.” 

Allyson and her family now reside in Amelia Island, Florida, and they also own a boarding facility, Towne Hall Farm, in nearby Callahan, Nassau County, Florida. What started as a small six-stall barn has grown into a full-service 11-stall facility, complete with round pen and grass jump field. 

“By offering boarding, I was able to hear what customers look for and what they need for everyday use, whether that was bridles and halters or duffel and grooming bags,” Allyson said. 

Family Time

As with many moms, Allyson’s day starts out driving kids to school. From there, she heads out to the barn to check on the horses, and by early afternoon, she’s in the office before making the rounds to riding lessons for her daughter, Colvin, and golf or basketball for her son, Lowell. 

“I’m brushing my teeth in my office and putting my makeup on in the car. You’re going all day long, but if you enjoy what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work,” Allyson said. “You wake up in the morning excited about what you’re going to get done and what new items you’re working on, updating your catalogue, and work on pricing.” 

Colvin is continuing the family legacy, having grown up from lead line through the pony ranks before graduating to showing her mom’s former Low Amateur horse in the junior hunter 3’3” division.

“I’m the groom, the horse transportation and the organizer,” Allyson said. “I ride on the weekends with her, and I like to help with the flatwork. I’m on the sidelines. I’m grooming and helping and trying to get the horses to the ring.” 

During the summer, Allyson and her family live in Taipei, where the kids attend school and continue to learn Mandarin. Allyson also spends the time overseas travelling to India, China and Vietnam to continue developing Huntley Equestrian products. 

“Traveling and seeing the manufacturing, you really come to see that the world is a big place,” Allyson said. “We’re lucky to be in this business and be able to bring our kids with us to show them what the world is like.” 

Personal Time

Finding a quiet moment during the day is never easy, but Allyson counts her barn time as her time to center herself. 

“The barn is my ‘me time.’  It’s my therapy and my gym,” Allyson said, laughing. “Whether it’s grooming, wrapping, trailering, poulticing, loading hay or taking down the braids.” 

Allyson has also found inspiration from the canine members of her family: Weezie, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Wally, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. 

“The dogs come to the office with me every day,” Allyson said. “This summer, we launched Huntley Pet. We currently manufacture feeders, which are dog bowls that are on an elevated platform, and we’re in production with new dog beds.”

Ultimately, Allyson has found a way to combine her passion for horses, her savvy business sense and her drive to create a unique product and embed it into a thriving business that reaches equestrians everywhere, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Horses are a lifestyle that we work in and we live in,” Allyson said. “It’s always part of our equation.” 

For more information, visit www.huntleyequestrian.com/

Photo by Alexis Malin 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 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
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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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