We all know about horse farms that regrettably have been sold for development in the face of ever- increasing suburbanization.
The 350-acre Wildwood Farm, 20 miles from Memphis in Germantown, Tenn., would have seemed a likely candidate for that fate, but owner Lee Taylor was determined it wouldn’t happen to the property where his family had started an American Saddlebred show stable in 1934.
Lee Taylor and one of the foals bred and raised at Wildwood.
The farm evolved over the years and in 2017, Wildwood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lee, an avid polo player, made use of the property for his sport, with special attention to caring for the deep-rooted Bermuda grass turf. Wildwood even hosted the U.S. Polo Open Championships in 1968.
In later years, he and his wife, Melanie Smith Taylor, dedicated themselves to learning about improving the horse/human connection, bringing in specialists such as Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman for clinics. An organized foundational program, Wildwood Horsemanship, was developed to gear all activities on the farm as a continuous study of the nature of the horse and the nature of the land.
Lee had wanted the farm to be preserved and go to charity after he and Melanie passed on, but ran out of time to make a decision on its future when he died of cancer in 2005. He was just 64, leaving Melanie the responsibility to carry out his wishes for the farm’s future.
Finding the right fit for Lee’s vision wasn’t easy. Melanie persisted in insuring that the property not only would stay intact, but also be used for causes dear to Lee’s heart.
Lee “wanted to be sure the farm continued to be enjoyed by me and the Wildwood family for the duration of my lifetime,” said Melanie.
“But he also hoped it would be a gift that keeps on giving and growing through scholarship, guardianship and friendship.”
A member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic gold medal show jumping team and now an analyst for NBC during the Olympics, Melanie gives numerous clinics that are geared to helping riders upgrade their skills in the saddle, while teaching them how to truly connect with their horses, especially emphasizing the importance of groundwork.
Melanie, who grew up in Germantown, remembers the equestrian-oriented area from her childhood as “the kind of place where a summer morning meant you jumped on your horse or pony after breakfast and took off for a friend’s house or the penny candy store a couple of miles away. You might not return home until dark.”
Through the years, despite development in the region, Wildwood remained a constant that harks back to those days and embodied the things that meant the most to Lee.
During Melanie’s mission to find a suitable future for Wildwood, in she began talks in 2015 with the University of Tennessee about a partnership. It came to fruition last month, as a letter of intent was signed that enables the university’s Martin branch to make Wildwood “a living classroom” for equestrian and agricultural pursuits.
Kerry Witcher, UT vice president for development and alumni affairss; Randy Boyd, UT president; Melanie Smith Taylor and Keith Carver, chancellor of UT Martin.
Although an appraisal of the property has not been completed, University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd said it is clear that the donation of Wildwood will be the largest gift received in the 225-year history of the university, calling the property “an oasis” amidst the region’s increasing urbanization. Randy and Melanie clicked immediately after he discovered they shared a mutual love of dachshunds.
Acknowledging the Land Trust for Tennessee plan for conservation, Melanie said the arrangement for Wildwood, “reflects a seamless transition from past to present to future” that will protect the property and benefit future generations through education.
It’s an idea that could be replicated in different forms around the country, insuring that some farms targeted for development could stay green in a partnership with a university or other institution dedicated to agriculture and horses.
During the signing ceremony, UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver cited the Taylor family’s “multi-generational devotion to the preservation of Wildwood” and its landmark brick 20,000-square-foot, 32-stall barn, where Melanie and Lee were married in 1989.
Melanie and Lee Taylor.
Melanie will continue to pursue her interests, while enjoying “a front-row seat” to the benefits of Wildwood for students studying agriculture and those on UT Martin’s NCAA equestrian team, Keith said. He mentioned expansion of the horsemanship program and increasing internship opportunities, providing clinics and expanding soil and natural science research programs.
Summerfield (Skey) Johnston, a close friend of Lee’s who met his wife at Wildwood, has pledged $1 million seed money through his Tucker Foundation to go toward the capital campaign of $8 million for the facility’s endowment.
The transition will start with construction of a classroom and a laboratory for UT Martin’s vet tech program and agricultural research program. Melanie will be a part of this and would like to add a horsemanship component and eventually get that into some of the vet schools.
“Many kids now don’t grow up on farms like we did,” Melanie noted.
“They aren’t comfortable around horses. The whole idea of the groundwork is to connect with the horses, so they are relaxed and comfortable. When vets are working on them in stressful situations, you want the horse to be calm.”
She noted about the arrangement with UT Martin, “The exciting thing is that during my lifetime, I’ll be able to enjoy being a part of it.”
And she knows this is just what Lee would have wanted.
“He loved this farm so much, he felt like it was paradise on earth,” she said.
“And to be able to keep it intact for perpetuity is just beyond my greatest dream.”
Expect medals in the Paralympics from the U.S. para dressage squad that was named today. Michel Assouline has done a great job coaching the team and putting America on the map in this discipline. Laureen Johnson will serve as team leader.
Riders heading to Tokyo include Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc; Rebecca Hart and El Corona Texel, with Fortune 500 as a direct reserve; Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 and Roxanne Trunnell with Dolton.
The three combinations who will represent the U.S. in team competition will be determined after the completion of the Individual tests Aug. 27.
Two combinations have been named as team alternates and are listed in selected order:
Sydney Collier and All In One and Charlotte Merle-Smith with Guata.
After Garant’s “extraordinary effort” for the U.S. team in the first round of today’s Nations Cup in Rotterdam, rider Beezie Madden; her husband,John, and owner Abigail Wexner have decided to withdraw him from consideration for the US Olympic Team.
“We all believe strongly in Garant’s future as a championship horse, but know it’s not the right time for him yet. We hated to let our country and teammates down today, but the only thing more important than the team is the horse,” said a statement from John Madden Sales..
“I love Garant and wouldn’t trade him for any other horse in the world. He is healthy and sound, but just is not quite ready for what the Olympics would ask of him. We have to put his best interests first,” said Beezie, who has ridden on every U.S. Olympic team since 2004..
She had a rail and a time fault for a total of 5 in the first round, and did not return from the second round. Teammates Adrienne Sternlicht (Benny’s Legacy) and McLain Ward (Contagious) both were clean in the first round but had eight penalties in the second. Rookie Lucy Deslauriers came through with a double-clear on Hester as the U.S. finished seventh with the Dutch team claiming the win.
Rotterdam is the last trial for the U.S. squad, which is slated to be named in a few days. At the moment, Kent Farrington and Laura Kraut look like a lock for the team. It would be hard not to include someone as experienced as McLain, even if his horse has had a few bobbles. The big question is whether Jessie Springsteen will get the nod or now, given her Rotterdam performance, Lucy is put on board. The team is three members with a traveling alternate who can be substituted during certain times in the competition. Show jumping begins in August, while the Games get under way July 23 with dressage and eventing on the agenda first.
A legend several times over, show jumper Harry de Leyer died yesterday, according to his daughters, Christine.and Harriet.
Harry de Leyer walks out of the ring at Madison Square Garden during Snowman’s retirement ceremony at the National Horse Show. (George Axt Photo)
A ferocious competitor in the show ring, a longtime trainer at the Knox School and a resistance member in the Netherlands during World War II, he was best known for his partnership with Snowman, an $80 ex-plow horse he rescued from a trip to the slaughterhouse and turned into a national champion who captivated the country.
Harry was a showman as well as a horseman, known for throwing his hunt cap into the air after a clean round. Always a crowd-pleaser, he did so much for horse sport by connecting with the fans.
He relationship with the horse of a lifetime was turned into an award-winning documentary “Harry and Snowman,” directed by Ron Davis, which received wide acclaim. The rider and his one-of-a-kind mount also were the subject of a book, “The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, the Horse who Inspired a Nation,” written by Elizabeth Letts.
Arrangements are in process for Harry, 92, who had been in a Virginia nursing home.
“Unfortunately Luke 140 looks like he has tweaked his leg on his last gallop,” said Boyd, explaining why the horse who was his humber one mount for the Games isn’t going to Japan.
“.My gut feeling is that if I push on with him towards the Tokyo Olympics that it could turn into a bad injury.,” noted Boyd, who will be riding the second of his two back-up horses, Tsetserleg, on whom he earned double gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.
“Luke is a young horse and has a huge future ahead of him and I believe its better to save him for another day,” Boyd explained.
“This is a heartbreaking decision, as Luke has been in fantastic form in his training in the build up towards Tokyo. I am very grateful that I have a tremendous replacement horse in Thomas (Tsetserleg) who is also in sizzling condition. I would like to thank and tell the group of owners behind Luke how sorry I am.”
Boyd at Thomas fell near the end of the course at the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star in April, which is why he wasn’t the selectors’ number one choice for the rider.
But they think Boyd is so important to the team that he was named with two direct reserve horses. On Cue, the mare on whom he finished fourth at Kentucky as the top-placing American, is still waiting in the wings if necessary.
There will be spectators at the Olympic Games, as five agencies, including the International Olympic Committee and the government of Japan, decided today to permit a limited number of fans in the stands up to a maximum of 10,000 people.
That means the faces the athletes see will not be photos on cardboard (as seen at the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star in April). That will add to the atmosphere as the competitions take place, and come across to add a sense of excitement for those watching on television. However, spectators will not be allowed to cheer–speaking in a loud voice or shouting is prohibited. Instead, the authorities will establish “new safe and secure ways of cheering and supporting the athletes”.
The long-awaited decision on fans has a number of caveats, however. The spectators will be Japanese–foreigners were banned months ago.
If a state of emergency or other priority measures aimed at preventing infection are implemented at any time after July 12, restrictions on spectator numbers at the Games will be based on the state of emergency or other relevant measures in force at that time. If there is a change in infection status and the capacity of the medical care system, the five agencies will meet to consider further measures. Masks should be worn in venues at all times. Congestion will be guided by announcements; and visitors will leave venues in a staggered manner. Spectators will be requested to travel directly to venues and return home directly.
The limit on the number of fans will be set at 50 per cent of venue capacity, up to that maximum of 10,000 people, although for some reason, students and supervisors in school programs will not be counted “as they are not spectators.” Huh?
The situation will be monitored in Japan and abroad, including the status of the different variants of the coronavirus, and all necessary action will be taken promptly. Depending on the Covid situation, the Japanese parties will look at either cancelling or reducing the scale of any live sites and public viewing events to minimize the movement of people and review any other Games-related events .A framework will be implemented to keep monitoring the status of infections and medical care, using expert advice. Vaccination of those involved with the Games will continue.
After seven years in Tewksbury, trainer Sara Schmitt next month is moving her operation to a larger venue at Riverfield Farm in Annandale, which was a top hunter-jumper operation when owner Karen Peterson Da Prato ran it as a show stable..
The versatile Sara, who specializes in both dressage and driving, needed more space after seven years at Centerline Farm, so the facility a bit further west next month will offer room for driving in particular on seven times the acreage she has at present, in addition to more than 30 stalls.
Sara called her Tewksbury operation Sara Schmitt Dressage, so guess what the name of her business will be in Annandale? That’s right, Sara Schmitt Dressage.
“My name is my brand,” she explained.
“I keep reinventing everything and doing something new because it’s fun.”
A believer in broadening the experience her students and others receive, She notes clinics will be a feature at the new venue. Olympian Tina Konyot is coming next month and the August clinic with another veteran U.S. dressage team member, Pam Goodrich,is full. Also featured in August, Tracey Morgan is offering a driving clinic on dates yet to be announced.
Sara’s stable remains involved with driving. Assistant trainer Maggie O’Leary won the training level single horse division at the Elk Creek Combined Driving Event earlier this month. She also.got her USDF dressage gold medal this year on a horse Sara trained to Grand Prix, a 19-year-old Friesian/Arab cross.
The multi-dimensional Sara, who earned a Pony Club HA as a teen, keeps busy with judging, and is working toward her 3-star FEI license.
“I’m judging a lot and I’m really learning something,” she observed.
“I think it brings something back to the table when I teach.”
Sara, always energetic, still finds time to be in the saddle, working most recently with Julia Greifeld’s six-year-old Westfalen, Sunflower at Third Level with an eye toward going higher. That horse also will be ridden by Sara’s para-dressage student, Alanna Flax-Clark. Sara meanwhile is still enjoying her two-time world championships pony, a Morgan named High Country Doc. She sold him in 2005, but he came back to her for his retirement.
Ask Sara about long-term ambitions, and she ponders what appears to be a novel question for her.
“Do I have big hopes of going to the Olympics?,” she asks.
“No. But I would like to try to do another team (in driving)” said the former national singles driving champ and veteran of four world championships in that discipline.
“Not this year, but maybe in two or three years. Why not?”
The nominated entries from Britain for its dressage team include (no surprise) multi-gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin with Mount Saint John Freestyle, and Gio as a direct reserve, which would keep her in the picture if Freestyle couldn’t go.
Her mentor, Carl Hester, the man who got British dressage in a position to earn team and individual gold at the 2012 London Games, was named on En Vogue (with Charlotte listed as one of the owners, as she is for Gio). The actual team won’t be named until later this month, but you know Charlotte and Carl will be on it.
Germany is in an overwhelmingly powerful position for Tokyo, owning the top four on the ranking list (Isabell Werth is numbers one and two). Charlotte is number five. And with three-member teams, Germany would seem to have an edge. But Britain shouldn’t be counted out as a contender, depending on how astronomical Charlotte’s scores are. And then there is always the individual medal fray.
The Vaulting World Cup™ Final will be held in Omaha in 2023, along with the jumping and dressage Cup finals, which were first held in the city during 2017 The competition April 4-8 marks the first time the vualing finals have been held outside Europe.
The dressage and show jumping Cups were a sensation when they were held in Omaha four years ago, although skeptics had wondered about the choice of the Midwestern location. They wound up raving about the well-organized competition, which made many converts to horse sport as a spectator event in a new location.
The U.S. was supposed to have a dressage and show jumping finals in Las Vegas in 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid.
The Mercer County Park Commission’s stable, 431 Federal City Road in Pennington will mark Juneteenth (June 19th) with a special celebration from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in America.
There will be an opportunity to learn about the contributions of Black Americans in the West of yesteryear, as Buffalo Soldiers and Pony Express riders, as well as the history of Black jockeys. There will be demonstrations by Black equestrians, including the Crazy Faith Riders, a nonprofit, faith-based riding club in central New Jersey that brings together a diverse community with a common interest in horses. They will perform between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission is free.
