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Monday, January 30 2023 / Published in Weekly Feature

Unbridled With Mary Choate

By Ruby Tevis

Mary Choate’s impact within the horse show community stretches far and wide. She’s a second-generation steward—inspired by her father, Tom Brennan, who was a steward for USEF and FEI. Mary was raised in a family of eight children on her parents’ farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. In middle school, Mary began hunt seat lessons and showed in hunters, jumpers and equitation with her first horse, Golden Fred. In 1980, Mary married her husband, Ben, and purchased a farm in Indian Land, South Carolina, where they would raise their son and daughter.

“My dad encouraged me to become a steward, and for that I am grateful,” Mary said. “My husband, Ben, has been extremely supportive, enabling me to pursue my career as a USEF and FEI steward.” Today, Mary and Ben have been married 42 years, and live in Heath Springs, South Carolina, about 25 miles south of their first farm. Now a grandmother to five grandchildren, Mary enjoys traveling and spending time with her family as they, too, have found a passion in horses.

Recently, Mary had the opportunity to work at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas alongside Production Manager Allen Rheinheimer. “My daughter, Kennedy Snyder, is his assistant,” Mary said. “To spend time with Kennedy and be involved in the NFR ‘behind the scenes’ was phenomenal.”

As Mary looks back on her career, she can’t help but feel grateful for the experiences she’s had, the friendships she’s made, and places she’s traveled, all because of her love for the sport. “I have had the good fortune to work at many wonderful shows over the years,” she said. Those shows include the World Cup, Devon, Pony Finals, Hampton Classic, The National Horse Show, Las Vegas National, WEF and many, many more. “Wow, how lucky am I?”

What are your best early memories of riding or with horses?

We had Shetland ponies, a lot of them. We rode them Western, bareback and hooked them to a cart. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I took hunt seat riding lessons and my dad bought me a school horse named Golden Fred. He was a saint of a horse.

Any favorite horses over the years?

My favorite horse was a horse named Blackout. He was trained by George Wallace. I was very grateful that my parents supported me and afforded me with such a nice horse. I took lessons from Nora Cook in Charlotte, North Carolina. I competed in Equitation, Junior Hunters, Green Hunters and rode on an occasional trail ride. We competed at many shows and even qualified for Devon, Pennsylvania National Horse Show and the National Horse Show (when it was at Madison Square Garden). When I aged out of the Junior Division, Blackout continued to be shown by some of my sisters and brothers. 

What is your favorite thing about being part of the horse world?

I cherish the friendships that I have made. I always look forward to spending time with colleagues and the different people I have met through horses. I am also fortunate to experience all levels of competition, from beginners to Olympians. 

If you could tell every rider one thing, what would it be?  

As a steward I cringe when we (stewards) are referred to as “police.” As a steward, I would hope to be identified as an advocate of the sport and safeguard the welfare of both horse and competitors.

If you had a week off, what would you do?

Ben and I would spend the time with our grandchildren. They are so much fun. 

Who inspires you?  

Easy—my family. 

Favorite clothing? 

Barn clothes, jersey, blue jeans, boots

Something people don’t know about you?

My husband and I have owned and operated a cow-calf operation for years. We have two Angus-cross cow herds and bulls. I love this part our lives and being involved in the daily care and work this industry requires. We are proud of the calves raised on our farm. We are also blessed to have our son Brennan’s expertise and he lends a hand when needed.

What would be the best gift in the world?

I think there are two: the gifts of time and knowledge. As I have progressed in years, I realize how fast time flies by. Since I come from a large family, the few times we can get together are cherished. I never stop learning. We are constantly learning.

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Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
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
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

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 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#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 #sidelinesmagazine
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

#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
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
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