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Wednesday, November 16 2022 / Published in General, Weekly Feature

Unbridled With Mary Knowlton

By Britney Grover

To say Mary Knowlton’s life has revolved around horses is an understatement. She’s worked her way through the horse industry, including over 40 years running her Knightsbridge Farm, earning her “R” hunter and equitation judge’s card and “r” jumper judge’s card, and serving on governing boards. She’s been the USHJA President since 2016, now serving her second term, and is also the head of risk management and compliance for Princeton Show Jumping—a second full-time job she took on early this year, closing Knightsbridge Farm to do so.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., no one in Mary’s family was remotely associated with horses: Her father was head of the manuscript division at the Library of Congress, and her mother was the undergraduate dean of nursing at Catholic University. Her two sisters became a gerontologist and an attorney. “Clearly, I am the black sheep of my family,” Mary said with a smile. She now lives in Freehold, New Jersey, while being thoroughly involved in the entire horse world.

How did your horse career start?

Apparently my first word was horse. I have always wanted to work with horses, and I am lucky enough to get my wish. My childhood trainer taught me to teach and I never looked back.

What’s your best early memory of riding?

I remember struggling to learn to sit the canter. My instructor tried so many different strategies and it seemed that I would never get better. One day a lightbulb went on in my head and I could sit! It was the greatest feeling. Thank goodness for the patience of instructors and school horses.

Any favorite horses over the years? Why are they your favorites?

Two really come to mind: My first love was a 3-year-old Thoroughbred named Rhapsody. I had no place riding her—I was an untalented 12-year-old—but that horse was magical and kind. The second is my first really successful pony, Half Pint. I was a young trainer who had just moved from eventing to hunters. I had no idea that the deck was stacked against my conformationally incorrect pinto (way before pinto was cool) pony. Half Pint could jump but she got moved back in every conformation class and never got a good hack ribbon. But the kids and I loved her and believed in her, and we showed her at Pony Finals and Washington. She even had a song written about her. She taught many children to excel at riding.

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

The sense of community

How did you get to where you are in your career now?

My parents taught me to never be afraid to ask questions or get my hands dirty. I started at the bottom of the horse industry and just kept working. Along the way, I discovered skills that I never suspected I possessed. I’ve managed to find jobs that use my analytical skills, my love of horses and my passion for teaching.

If you weren’t involved with the horse world, what career do you think you would have picked?

As a child, I was laser-focused on working with horses and so I wouldn’t consider any other job—much to my parents’ dismay. As an adult, I’ve run into so many jobs that I’d love to try. I would enjoy being a labor arbitrator, a physical therapist, an elementary school teacher or an investigator.

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

Believe in yourself, but listen to your horse

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

Garden and read books

Where is your favorite place you have been? Where would you like to go but haven’t?

My favorite place is the Pacific Northwest. I would love to go to Greece.

Do you have a personal motto or catch phrase?

I have two: “Horsemanship and sportsmanship make you a winner in life,” and, “The only place hand comes before leg is in the dictionary.”

 

Who inspires you?

My students and my horses

 

What talents do you feel you have?

Listening, empathy, analysis and mentorship

What’s your favorite item of clothing to wear?

The most comfortable thing in my closet on any given day

What’s your favorite meal?

Breakfast, without a doubt

What three things can always be found in your refrigerator?

Carrots, water and club soda

Favorite type of pizza?

Fig, arugula, goat cheese and balsamic vinegar—I can’t eat regular pizza.

Something people don’t know about you?

I was in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” for music.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

To fly

What would be the best gift in the world?

More time to be with those I love

Mary Knowlton

Photo courtesy of the USHJA

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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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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
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