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
Tuesday, July 25 2017 / Published in Weekly Feature

Maddy Goetzmann: Balancing School and Riding

 

Maddy Goetzmann
Photo by The Book LLC

By Dani Moritz-Long

When most of her peers’ minds were consumed with the usual middle school problems like pre-teen crushes and ever-evolving drama, Maddy Goetzmann was focused on something bigger. An avid equestrian since she was a toddler, the young teen invested every ounce of free time she had in the saddle and, when she wasn’t riding, she was dreaming of her equestrian future.

“Balancing riding and school has always been a priority of mine, but I would be lying if I said that I never wished I was at the barn instead of in a classroom,” Maddy admitted. “It soon became apparent to me that riding is always going to be a big part of my life.”

So, through dedication, perseverance and natural talent, she set out to make her dreams for riding a reality. By age 13, the young rider was successfully competing in equitation, hunters and jumpers — placing in Big Eq classes and winning Medal and Maclays.

That’s about the time her parents realized the full potential of their daughter’s gift. “They knew how much I loved the sport, but I don’t think they knew how invested I was,” Maddy said. “Once they realized my full commitment to this sport, they were completely supportive and are to this day.”

Maddy works hard to balance her riding and academic pursuits.
Photo by The Book LLC

Training with the Maddens

That support came in the form of world-class training from John and Beezie Madden — with a few conditions. Even though they encouraged Maddy’s investment in her riding career, family came first, school came second and riding came after. Needless to say, Maddy happily obliged.

Today, at 17 years old, Maddy continues to train with John and Beezie — refining her skills and building her future. At first, Maddy said, she was nervous (terrified, actually) about the prospect of training with two of the world’s premier trainers. But, “Shortly after I started training with them,” she said, “my fears vanished; I quickly realized that they are the most kind and thoughtful people.” In fact, now Maddy says, “I see them as mentors both on and off the horse.”

With the support of the Maddens, Maddy’s career quickly evolved, leaving her managing an increasingly hectic schedule of showing stateside and abroad.

But it isn’t all fun and games. Actively competing under the mentorship of the Maddens means finding innovative ways to balance schoolwork and riding, a difficult feat for most youth balancing their lives as students and riders.

For example, Maddy says, at many shows you can find her hiding away in the bleachers, calculator and textbook in hand as she works through her math problems, or cross-legged on a tack trunk working through her history homework. Not the ideal situation, she says, but well worth the struggle.

“It’s hectic,” she explained of the balancing act. “But, as the years have gone on, I’ve learned to balance the two.”

Maddy, a junior rider, trains with John and Beezie Madden.
Photo by The Book LLC

Academic Needs

Plus, she says, it helps to work with Upper Echelon Academy, an organization that helps riders like Maddy meet their academic needs while they’re on the go.

“Working with Upper Echelon Academy has helped me with all of my schoolwork,” she said. “I don’t know how I would be able to get everything done without their help.”

And when the going gets tough and the stress becomes too much, Maddy remembers the best advice she’s been given: have fun.

“John Madden stresses to have fun,” she said. “I think it’s easy to get caught up in all of the things going around you. It’s easy to get stressed and nervous and make things more complicated than they are. It’s important to remember to have fun because, at the end of the day, you’re doing this sport because you love it.”

In the future, Maddy says she’d love to ride horses for the rest of her life, but, for now, she’ll continue to ride, study and follow John and Beezie’s advice.

 

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: maddy goetzmann

What you can read next

Amira Kettaneh: On a Champion Path
Little Victories at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center
Ailish Cunniffe: Living and Breathing the Equestrian Lifestyle

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
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

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 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • STRESSLESS - THE HOT HORSE REMEDY
    PROMOTE * FOCUS * A CALM MIND * MOOD BALANCE The #1 ALL-NATURAL HOT HORSE FORMULA DEVELOPED BY VETERINARIANS FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE OF YOUR HORSE STRESSLESS THE HOT HORSE REMEDY BY CENTERLINE DISTRIBUTION HotHorseSupplement.com

    [Read more]

  • LA Trailer Sales LLC

    Aluminum Horse & Stock Trailers, Jim & Linda Link

    231 Will Link Lane Iron Station, NC 28080 800.350.0358 www.latrailersales.com Horse trailers, Stock trailers, Step up trailers, Aluminum horse trailers, Gooseneck trailers

    [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

  • 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
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

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!