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
Wednesday, July 28 2021 / Published in Weekly Feature

Bianca Schmidt: Going Farther Than Gold

By Ruby Tevis

Portraits by Melissa Fuller

Over the last few years, Bianca Schmidt has burst onto the dressage scene with a fierce drive to succeed. Not only has the 19-year-old rider triumphed at the North American Youth Championships, Bianca became a USDF Gold medalist as just a teenager. Now, she’s looking forward to returning to the Grand Prix ring as a U25 rider, all while she earns her degree at the University of Notre Dame.

Bianca grew up just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her parents and sisters, Isabella and Priscila. “My parents moved to Minnesota from Brazil a few years before I was born. Because of this, I was raised in a bilingual home with Portuguese being the main language at home and English at school,” Bianca said.

“My family and I are really close, and we spend a ton of time together and support each other in everything we do. Dressage is no exception; it’s a family affair,” she said. Bianca and her sister, Isabella, both fell in love with horses at their first riding lesson. Not long after, Bianca’s family welcomed Petite Noire, their first ever pony.

Despite Petite’s small stature, the pony was quite feisty. “My first recognized show was not what you would normally expect,” Bianca said. “I was 8 years old with my little Petite, and we got eliminated! She bucked the whole time and refused to canter for my Training Level test.” With every excuse to give up showing after that experience, Bianca didn’t dwell on it. In fact, she left fueled with passion to get back out there and try it all again.

Learning the Ropes

Though Bianca had always enjoyed dressage, she discovered the true magic of the sport at age 12 with the help of her former trainer, Anne McKay. “Anne showed me the artistry of dressage,” she said. “It was with her that I fell in love with the discipline and not just the horses. I wanted to learn and improve as much as I could and perform my best. Anne taught me so much about the importance of a strong and stable connection with my horse — and how much there was for me to learn.”

With Anne’s expertise, Bianca made her FEI Juniors debut with her family’s Dutch Warmblood, Octavian’s O’Neill. “My sister had ridden him for a few seasons, but I had just gotten him the winter before show season,” she said. Despite their relatively new partnership, the pair landed a spot on the Region 4 NAYC team in 2016, bound for the Junior Championships at the Colorado Horse Park.

“I had never been to a show that big,” she said. “I was just 14 at the time and I remember my one goal was to finish my test. I did not care what place I got; I was just so grateful to be there. Seeing all the events and disciplines together with so many participants from all across North America was awe-inspiring.”

In 2018, Bianca was partnered with Lou Heart, owned by her mother, Eliana Schmidt, for her final season riding as a Junior before making the leap to Young Riders. “Lou is an 18-hand Hanoverian who acts like a little pony and will always give his best for me,” she said. “When I transitioned from Juniors to Young Riders, it made me grow a lot in my riding, but it was a lot of fun to do tempis and pirouettes in the show ring and not just at home.”

Together, Bianca and Lou have earned three NAYC silver medals and placed third at the US Dressage Festival of Champions in the 2019 FEI Young Rider National Championship. While she is proud of her accomplishments, Bianca credits her trainer Alison Sader Larson for her help every step of the way. “She has been a mentor for me as well as a good friend, and I am so grateful for her,” Bianca said.

A Heartbreaking Loss

Alongside her campaign in the FEI Juniors and Young Riders, Bianca was working hard to earn her USDF Gold medal with her mare Cenna. 

“We earned half of our Gold in the Intermediate I in 2017, but then she had an injury that set us back. After a year of rehab, I rode her to earn one of the two scores in the Grand Prix. Unfortunately, before we could make it to the next show, Cenna passed away,” Bianca said.

Despite a successful emergency colic surgery, Cenna experienced complications coming out of anesthesia that affected her neurological system, which led to the decision to euthanize. At the time, Bianca didn’t know if she would be able to continue riding after such a devastating loss. “I saw Cenna as an extension of me, and when she passed away, I felt like part of my heart was cut out,” she said.

“One day she was in the barn aisle and the next day she wasn’t,” Bianca continued. “It took me a while to be able to walk in the barn aisle without looking at the empty stall and crying, but the love of the sport helped me overcome it.”

Though she was still heartbroken, Bianca pushed through to continue riding. Bianca’s father, Guilherme, was looking for a horse for himself to ride at the time. That’s when Angelo-H, a Grand Prix schoolmaster, came along. “Angelo truly felt like a gift sent from Cenna,” Bianca said.

A few months later, Bianca completed her Gold. “The moment I found out that I got my Gold medal, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It was always a goal of mine to get my Gold medal as a teenager and before going to college.”

Emerging in Dressage and College

With her Gold medal pinned to her lapel and a third place at the Festival of Champions, Bianca was invited to join the USEF/USDF Discover Dressage Emerging Athlete Program for up-and-coming youth riders. “When I found out I was invited, I was beyond excited! I knew the Emerging Athlete Program would help me further my education with horses and become the best rider I can be,” Bianca said.

As an emerging athlete, Bianca has participated in the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic for the last three years. “Every time I come down to Wellington from Minnesota, I’m always blown away by how the clinic is so well run and how much I learn every single year,” she said. “The clinic puts a big emphasis on horse care, and I love meeting other riders from across the country and creating amazing friendships.”

Friendship has always been an important part of Bianca’s life, and it’s one of the reasons she has chosen to live on campus full time at the University of Notre Dame. “I fell in love with Notre Dame on a visit that was actually for my sister, Isabella, who was applying for colleges at the time — but I think I fell more in love with it than she did! I knew I wanted to go to Notre Dame on that day,” she said.

“Notre Dame is such an amazing school with a great educational program and everybody on campus is super nice and supportive,” Bianca said. She’s currently studying psychology and hopes to earn her PhD in the field. “I believe psychology and dressage can match very well for a career in the future, and I hope to be able to blend these two professions together.”

Although she’s busy balancing classes, homework and time to spend with her friends, Bianca has dedicated her mornings to riding five days a week. As the final years as a Young Rider are approaching, Bianca is looking ahead and planning for the future in the U25 division. “This year, I’m focusing on the Young Rider classes, but in the future I hope to compete in the Brentina Cup while I continue my education in psychology,” she said.

“You can go to college and still be competitive in riding if you’re willing to put the work in — and it will pay off in the long run,” Bianca said. She hopes to inspire other young riders by succeeding at both. Ultimately, though, her biggest advice for others is to “never forget how far you’ve come. Take each ‘setback’ as an experience to learn and become a better rider, and make sure you enjoy what you’re doing — don’t lose sight of why you started.”

Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: dressage, nayc

What you can read next

One Breath At A Time
The Glamour and Thrill of High Goal Season
Jumping for Children

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
Hello April!!! 🌻🌷 This month's edition of Si Hello April!!! 🌻🌷
This month's edition of Sidelines is our eventing edition and it will not disappoint! Of the many things happening this month one of the most exciting things coming up is Sidelines will be at The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event held in Lexington KY 🤩

This month's issue of Sidelines features the beautiful and talented Liz Halliday-Sharp and her never-give-up attitude!!

Of the many lessons that Elisabeth “Liz” Halliday-Sharp learned from her father, resilience was perhaps the most important. Liz’s innate ability to overcome adversity has served her well in her quest to become one of the top event riders in the world. Through the highs and lows of a career with horses, Liz’s “can do” attitude has helped propel her through both triumph and defeat. 

Liz, who has won more events globally during the past three years than any other rider in her discipline, continues to set records—with her sights set firmly on the 2024 Olympic Games.

This is truly a can't miss article! Read more in the link in our bio! 

Never miss a moment with Sidelines by following all our social media and subscribing to get your own edition of Sidelines, the magazine for horse people about horse people 🦄

📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller

#olympics #tokyo #sports #tokyoolympics #sport #india #olympicgames #athlete #olympic #figureskating #athletics #horses #fitness  #training #usa #goldmedal  #motivation #athletes #teamusa #skating  #champion #love #sidelinesmagazine
Sports Psychology column🐎 By Margie Sugarman I Sports Psychology column🐎
By Margie Sugarman

I just bought a new horse. I think he’s amazing, but I miss the feeling of just “clicking” with my old horse. I know that it takes time to grow that connection, but do you have any tips that can help me be confident and in tune with my new horse in the short term?

You kick off your sneakers and realize that there’s a big hole in the sole of one shoe. Well, you’ve had them for quite a while and have worn them everywhere, from hiking to riding. They’ve served you well but it’s time for new ones. (It’s time to move on to a new horse.) You turn on your computer and order a new pair. You wait in anticipation. You’re excited, they’re cool looking. (He’s pretty!)

Upon arrival, you quickly open the box and slip your feet in. They’re great sneakers, but they aren’t as comfortable as the pair they’re replacing. They don’t bend as well—the sole is stiff. They don’t feel as comfortable—they have to be broken in. They don’t fit like the others did—the old ones were so well molded to your feet. (He’s a new ride, a different ride. He needs some suppling work.)

Of utmost importance in the human/horse relationship (especially the ones with the strongest bonds) is the horse looking to their owner as the leader and respecting their personal space. This important dynamic comes from groundwork—no matter what discipline you’re involved in. Just as it is with friendships, there needs to be respect. Respect is developed when one is on the ground and not mounted.

The things you do might seem small, but if done consistently and in a positive way, the results are huge. The confidence and trust you develop between the two of you will carry your relationship to wherever you want it to go.

To read Margies full column click the link in our bio! Never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄

Photo by Ali Kelman

#psychology #mentalhealth #love #therapy #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #motivation #psychologist #selfcare #mindfulness #selflove #life #mentalhealthmatters  #mindset #wellness #meditation #inspiration #mind #Sidelinesmagazine
Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! W Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.
 
Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.
 
Kaiman (Dark Pleasure x Gribaldi) earned high scores at his stallion testing and in the young horse classes. He's also the sire of a Licensed Oldenburg stallion. Kaiman's first North American foal crop is arriving now and they are gorgeous!
 
If you're looking for top international bloodlines please check out our 2023 stallion collection, now available fresh, frozen, and by the dose.

Among our stallions are Cum Laude and Kaiman. Cum Laude (Apache x Weltmeyer) is a winning FEI horse and sire of quality dressage horses, breed show champions, and offspring scoring 9.0s on gaits.

Breeding season is underway at Iron Spring Farm! We're proud to offer exceptional modern Sporthorse stallions, with wonderful temperaments and quality gaits to North American breeders.

https://www.ironspringfarm.com/biolink/

@iron_spring_farm 

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #showjumping #photography #caballos #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Jump into Sidelines Magazine!
    Sidelines Magazine is devoted to the people and personalities that make the horse world exciting. The magazine is well known for its outstanding articles and beautiful design, including award-winning editorial, design and photography. The staff, from writers to sales people, have a vast knowledge in the hunter-jumper,

    [Read more]

  • MARIA MENDELSOHN REALTOR
    Equestrian & Luxury Properties 561-758-1605 Wellington & Hamptons www.MariaMendelsohn.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • 2023 Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Returns for 170th Year on June 5-11
  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

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!