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Wednesday, December 21 2016 / Published in Weekly Feature

Glen Senk — The Accomplished CEO Shares How Horses Have Contributed to His Business Success

 

Glen Senk and Loyalty

By Lauren R. Giannini

Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek

Glen Senk, the creative talent behind the clothing store Anthropologie, remembers being profoundly influenced by a legend when he was 12. “I rode with George Morris for one year and learned so much from him in a short period of time,” said Glen. “Years later, I carried all that into boardrooms and businesses. I tell him and I tell other people that I learned more from George Morris than I did in college or graduate school.”

Glen’s a three-time CEO: URBN (Urban Outfitters), David Yurman, and most recently, Front Row Partners, which he founded in 2014, thereby beginning a whole new chapter in his business life. Long before Glen became known as a marketing and branding genius, he developed a passion for horses. That’s really where his story begins …

Glen competing at the Hampton Classic.
Photo by Isabel J. Kurek

Early Influences

“George Morris is an amazing human being and, every time I see him, I tell him that he had a profound influence on who I am as a person — lessons like the importance of being prepared, of mental preparedness, of toughness, of discipline,” said Glen. “He taught me to do things right the first time. The importance of practice — I remember doing gymnastics in lessons. George taught muscle memory. He focused on one thing and drilled it over and over again. He wouldn’t let it go until you got it right. His book is called ‘Relentless’ and he is relentless. I learned relentlessness from George Morris.”

Glen grew up in New York in Brooksville, Long Island, and credits his mother for supporting his passion for horses. “I rode with a local instructor for the first few years, but my mother encouraged me to ride with George when I was 12,” recalled Glen. “I rode with him until he moved to Hunterdon in New Jersey. Then, I rode with Victor Hugo-Vidal for the rest of my junior career. That was during the late 1960s and early ’70s, which meant that I had one horse that I showed in hunters, jumpers and equitation divisions — all at the same show.”

His parents were happy to support Glen’s showing, but only if he cared for the horses himself. “That, for me, was part of the joy. I mucked, groomed, braided — I did everything,” said Glen. “I can’t do all that now, because I don’t have the time, but what I learned growing up with my horses gave me the ability to connect with them even when I’m busy with business. I really love to have a relationship with my horses. Now, when I go to Rivers Edge — I ride with Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley— I love taking the time to sit in the stall with them. I love grooming them and just being around them. I still love cleaning my tack. I think my horses like me because they know how much they mean to me.”

Glen and Beholden
Photo by Caroline Ratigan Photography

As a junior, Glen noted that two horses stand out as great. One was Union Jack, whom he retired. The other one, Happy Jack, renamed Tap The Till, went on to partner with Susie Shapiro, wife of Olympic show jumping medalist Neil Shapiro, before competing successfully for another decade on the West Coast.

“I had many good horses as a junior,” said Glen. “It wasn’t like it is now. Back then, nobody paid a lot of money for a horse and the horses did everything — they trail rode and showed in jumpers, hunters and equitation. I grew up riding Thoroughbreds — being soft and tactful is the way I like to ride. I didn’t sit on a Warmblood until my mid-30s.”

When his junior years were up, Glen’s father told him he had to pay for the horses himself. It would be 18 years before he could afford horses on his own. “I rode briefly on the West Coast and trained with Carleton Brooks,” said Glen. “I showed for two seasons at Indio and did the circuit. I had nice horses and did reasonably well. Then I came back to the Northeast U.S. to start Anthropologie.”

As Glen’s passion for horses enjoyed a renaissance, his involvement went far beyond his promise to stick to just one show hunter. His stable grew by leaps and bounds, alongside his aptitude for branding.

Brand Maker

When Glen moved to Urban Outfitters, its subsidiary Anthropologie was a single store “prototype” located in Philadelphia that he grew into a wildly successful global chain.

“It was a labor of love, very creative,” said Glen. “We had about 8,000 employees and I still speak with many of them. We were building something from nothing, doing it in a very honest and creative way. It was profitable with integrity. It was joyful, fun, fulfilling work. After building Anthropologie, I assumed responsibility for the entire Urban Outfitters corporation, which was very different. I also loved the Urban Outfitters brand — youthful and counterculture — as much as I loved Anthropologie.

Glen aboard Declaration — a horse Glen could always count on. Declaration is now retired.
Photo by The Book LLC

Glen admits being a brand enthusiast. “They’re an important part of what I do today,” he said. “I’m a creative person and I love working with people. I believe that brands are more important today than ever. One of the ways you can break through in business is by having a very strong brand that stands for something in a very disciplined and authentic way.”

His résumé reads like a Who’s Who of retail, but his undergraduate degree in computer science gave him the edge. Glen ended up running Bloomingdale’s By Mail after he started at Bloomingdale’s, because he was the only one who understood the database. He also worked for Habitat, Williams-Sonoma (including the brands Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Hold Everything, Chambers and Gardener’s Eden), URBN (Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, BHLDN and Terrain), and David Yurman. He admits having the good fortune to serve on the board of directors for Cooking.com, Bare Escentuals, Tory Burch, Melissa & Doug, and Aritzia, in addition to URBN, David Yurman and Opening Ceremony.

About 15 years ago, via a directorship he had with Bare Escentuals, Glen became acquainted with Berkshire Partners, a private equity firm. That relationship planted an idea that led to Glen starting Front Row Partners whose mission would be investing in growth companies and giving him the opportunity to apply his own business acumen and experience as mentor.

“Berkshire and I talked about doing something like this years ago— some of my most favorite times have been working with other entrepreneurs,” said Glen. “And since I’ve always had a strong feeling where the consumer is headed, we established a partnership to support forward-thinking entrepreneurs with capital and other resources, along with mentorship and guidance.”

Show Time

While Glen doesn’t show his horses hard or often, he still manages to impress the judges. Part of that is due to his compassion and love for horses, and part of it is his early childhood training with George. He’s quick to credit much of his current success to Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley.

“I’ve had 12 amazing years with Scott and Ken — I’m incredibly lucky to ride with them,” said Glen. “They’re wonderful teachers and trainers, and exceptional horsemen. Scott taught me to let each horse show me how he or she wants to go — to really trust and listen to what the horse is telling me, and also to adapt my riding to the horse’s way of going so that the horse is as happy and comfortable as possible. Scott’s a master at bringing out the best in every horse, and that’s part of how he does it. He focuses on the positive in every animal and builds on that strength.”

Glen’s love for his horses is evident each time he enters the ring.
Photo by Isabel J. Kurek

Glen doesn’t think about his “eye for a distance” anymore, because Scott taught him to trust it, to let the horse show him the distance while focusing on his own balance, connection and rhythm. “Glen really loves his horses and always gives them a soft ride,” said Scott. “He’s also been a very supportive owner, giving the horses as much time as they need to meet their potential.”

Glen’s biggest winners include Declaration, Dedication, Highland Park and Loyalty — all Show Hunter Hall of Fame horses. His Beholden was champion or reserve every time he showed as a Green Conformation Hunter. Seven of Glen’s horses are WEF circuit champions, and several have been champion and grand champion at Indoors and Devon, as well as USEF Horse of the Year.

“I love all horses, but I definitely have a type — I’m a sucker for a beautiful horse, and my really special horses are beautiful, inside and out,” said Glen. “They’re athletic and smart. They have a strong work ethic, meaning they have the will to win. They’re fighters in a good way, loyal, and never let me down.”

Glen enjoys a moment with Loyalty, a horse that will forever have Glen’s heart.

One perfect example of Glen’s “type” is Declaration, who showed for eight years, winning show after show, year after year, from the Grand Hunter Championship at Washington International as a First Year Horse to multiple derbies to the Regular Conformation Horse of the Year Award to numerous WEF circuit championships, right up to winning the Amateur Owner Stake at Devon in his very last competition.

“Declaration was the horse both Scott and I could always rely on — that horse never complained. He always knew when it was important. He always took care of his owner,” said Glen. “I’ve been wildly fortunate to have some really special horses. Each one has had a distinct personality, and I love them all as if they were my children, but I love some of them more than others.

“There’s no horse more appropriately named than Loyalty and for that, he will forever have my heart,” continued Glen. “Thinking about Highland Park always makes me smile — his gentle nicker, the way he licked my face as long as I would let him, and his complete conviction that he was put on this earth to be my caretaker. How lucky we are to have these animals in our lives whom we love so much and who bring us so much joy!”

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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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