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Friday, September 16 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Nikki Scarpino: A Student of the Game

By Jennifer Cooke

Portraits by Melissa Fuller

Nikki Scarpino has a knack for working with difficult horses. Somehow, the challenging, quirky, oddball horses seem to find their way to her. Nikki’s approach to these horses is both sympathetic and pragmatic, and she solves behavioral problems by working through physical weaknesses first.

As a U25 dressage Grand Prix competitor and a doctoral student in physical therapy, Nikki is immersing herself in the study of biomechanics. Her days are filled with riding and caring for horses, and her evenings are spent studying. With a perspective and maturity beyond her 23 years, Nikki understands that becoming a great rider and trainer is a lifelong process.  

Nikki is in the horse world for the long haul. For her, dressage is about figuring out a complex puzzle. She specializes in working through the physical challenges of both horse and rider to create a strong, athletic horse-and-rider pair. She has already competed at the top levels of the sport, being named to the Young Rider team in 2018 and 2019 and qualifying for the Brentina Cup in April on her Hanoverian mare Lambada 224, or Lamb. Competition is just part of the journey for Nikki, and she has a clear vision of where she is, where she wants to go and how to get there. Her words to live by are: “Always be a student of the game. Always want to learn and get better.”

Problem Solving with Biomechanics

Nikki has found that fixing the physical issue will fix the behavioral issue. “PT (physical therapy) gives you a good understanding of biomechanics. If you’re sore, you compensate. Horses do the same thing,” Nikki said. “I want to have a better understanding of rider biomechanics and how the human body works, so I could be more effective in helping riders as well as horses. When you get sore, you compensate. We need to be sympathetic to that. As riders, we need to understand what a horse’s weakness is. And we need to help them strengthen, without pushing them to a point where they get sore or resentful.”

Her scientific approach to dressage also helps with teaching riders. “If you see someone leaning to one side, or having trouble getting the bend, you can see that it’s the rider, not the horse,” Nikki said.

Lamb has been an influential teacher. For the first several years after Nikki bought her, the mare often expressed herself through quirky antics such as leaping through the air or with an opinionated buck. “For the first several years after I had her, she wasn’t the easiest to ride. She tried to buck me off every day for a solid year,” Nikki said. “It took me a while to figure out saddle fit. She is so particular and so sensitive. She taught me how to manage a horse from start to finish. She’s tough and will fight for you and give you her all. When you tack up, it’s game time.” 

Overcoming Setbacks

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Nikki. At the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) in 2019, she was the anchor rider for her team. Their training and preparation went well, but something changed during the test. Knowing something wasn’t right, Nikki made the decision to withdraw. Her instincts were correct: The mare had an SI (sacroiliac) injury and needed time and care to rehabilitate. “That was hard—you work so hard to get someplace, and on the biggest stage of that year, all of the sudden it ends and there’s nothing you can do except choose the best interests of the horse,” Nikki said.

Nikki admits she puts a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect, both in school and with riding. Figuring out a healthy balance is a challenge and she draws on her family for support. Her father, the athletic director for Palm Beach State College, was influential in training her with an athlete’s mindset. His mantra sticks with her: “If you want it, you work hard for it.”

Her father instilled in her that there are a lot of pains in life, including physical and emotional pain. “But the biggest pain is the pain of regret,” Nikki said. “Even if you do it and you fail, at least you know. Try to never have the pain of regret. That has stuck with me and has helped me get through times when I’m busy and things are chaotic.”

Nikki has had her own rehab journey. Two years ago, she was riding a young, reactive horse. The horse’s antics didn’t unseat Nikki, but she injured her hip and had to have surgery. The recovery took place as she was applying to graduate programs in physical therapy, cementing her resolve to learn more about biomechanics.

How It All Started

Nikki’s mom purchased two Connemara foals when Nikki was a baby, and she grew up riding the ponies. Her first competition was as a 4-year-old in a leadline class on a 4-year-old pony named Shadow. She laughs, knowing now what a bold move that was. 

Connemaras are known for their jumping ability, but not her pony Shadow. “I probably had the one Connemara pony in the world that didn’t like to jump,” Nikki said. “She set me on this dressage path, and I really enjoyed dressage from a young age.” A typical stubborn pony, Shadow taught Nikki a lot about perseverance. “I still have Shadow and she’s out in the field, living her best life,” Nikki said.

The 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games were pivotal for Nikki, then 11 years old. She watched the jumping events, but it was the dressage freestyle competition that impacted her the most. Seeing Totilas and Fuego II compete made a lasting impression on Nikki. “I already wanted to compete in the horse world, but this was the moment I knew what I wanted to do.”

Going into her freshman year of high school, Nikki took lessons at Knoll Dressage with Tamra Brown and Anne Gribbons, riding lesson horses. She wanted a horse that she could do the Juniors and Young Riders with. Anne was working with Alyssa Pitts and Lambada in Washington state. Anne was impressed with the mare’s abilities but suggested that for Alyssa, who is 6 feet tall, the match wasn’t an ideal fit, so the decision was made to sell the 15.3-hand mare. At the same time, Nikki had mentioned to Anne that she was looking for her next dressage partner. On Anne’s suggestion, the 5’2” Nikki flew to Seattle to try Lambada out, and the two hit it off. “It was the perfect timing,” said Nikki. She tried her, loved her and brought her home to Florida.

Anne also trains Anna Marek, and when Nikki was in her first year at the University of Florida, Anne made the connection with Anna so that Nikki could continue her dressage training while earning her undergraduate degree.

She continued training with Tamra, Anne and Anna, and brought Lamb up to Grand Prix. “She is the sweetest horse ever on the ground. But as soon as you tack her up, it’s game time, it’s go time, it’s all business,” said Nikki. “Lamb is very special to me because I’ve had her since she was a 6-year-old, and we’ve come up the levels together.” 

This is their first season at U25 Grand Prix, and the pair is experiencing many “firsts” together as they train and compete at this level. Her long-term goal? To consistently produce horses through the levels from 3-year-olds to Grand Prix.

Outside of the dressage world, Nikki is a horse racing fan. Jockey Mike Smith is a figure that she looks up to. Two of her favorite Mike Smith quotes are: “It takes that long to get that good,” and, “You’re not going to become a good rider until your 30s.” For the 23-year old Nikki, already competing at Grand Prix, these are words to live by. For her, it’s clear that the end game isn’t competition. It’s developing a strong bond and close connection with the horse. 

Follow Nikki on Instagram @nikki_scarpino

Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com

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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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