Equestrian Sports: Interview with Melanie Smith Taylor

By: Nestor Imberti Posted: 13/03/2020

Melanie, world equestrian champion

Melanie Smith Taylor’s most important achievements were: to became one of only two riders to ever win the Triple Crown of Show Jumping - the American Invitational, the International Jumping Derby, and the American Gold Cup - and the only person to win all three on the same horse.

From 1982, when she won the World Cup Final, she was named the US Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year and inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. In the Los Angeles Olympic Games (1984) she completed her show jumping career with a team gold medal.

Nowadays, Melanie serves the horse world as a clinician, a television broadcaster for major events, including the Olympics and World Championships, and a recognized judge for hunter/jumpers and hunter seat equitation.

Melanie is the author of the book Riding with life – Lessons from the horse and she continues to participate actively in the equestrian world.

The interview done by the Content Team of Ampascachi Horse Riding is divided into three parts:

1. The first one includes those questions regarding her life in connection with horses and sports practice.
2. The second one is focused on the present situation of the level of professionalism in equestrian sports.
3. And in the third one we ask Melanie about her book “Riding with life – Lessons from the horse”.

Interview with Melanie Smith Taylor

FIRST PART

Melanie please tell us, how did your relationship with horses start?

I started riding practically in the womb. I have ridden as long as I can remember.

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When and how did you decide to take up the practice of equestrian sports?

My mother taught riding on our ponies and horses and I lead all her classes. My interest continued to grow and take off and I never looked back.

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You won a gold medal in the Olympic games of 1984, can you tell us what that competition was like, what you remember about it, what you felt on that day, and what that prize meant in your sporting career?

The Olympic Games was the realization of a lifelong dream for me. It is the ultimate goal for any elite athlete. I will never forget standing on the podium and hearing the National Anthem. I felt so proud, fortunate and appreciative of all the people in my life who helped me reach the height of my career. It gives me goose bumps to this day to think about it.

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Are you an enthusiast of horse riding in the countryside or horse riding tourism?

I love training horses in arenas and also riding through the countryside. I don’t like to ride in the same place 2 days in a row.

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Does your family share your passion for horses?

My mother was the horse person in our family and I followed in her footsteps.

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Do you tame and train the horses for competitions, or work with horses already tamed by somebody else?

I have always trained my own horses for competition.

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Are you still in contact with equestrian activities and riders’ training? Could you tell us more about that?

Yes I am a hunter /Jumper judge with our National federation. I teach clinics around the country and internationally as well. I have been the Equestrian commentator for NBC tv for the past 31 years since I retired from competition.

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strong>Many people would like to interact with horses, but they are afraid of riding. How would you encourage them to get on a horse?

Make sure you start on a quiet school horse with proper instruction and you will be fine.

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As a woman, was it difficult for you to be accepted in the equestrian sports world?

It was difficult to break through the male barriers at first to make the US Equestrian Team but perseverance and competition results became difficult to ignore in the end.

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Since we are breeders of Peruvian Paso Horses in Argentina, we can’t avoid asking if you know this breed and if you’ve ever ridden a Peruvian Paso. Would you like to do so in Argentina?

I am familiar with the Paso Finos as they compete at our local horse show. They look like a lot of fun and very smooth to ride! Visiting Argentina and riding Paso Finos would be a blast I am sure.

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PRESENT SITUATION OF THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM IN EQUESTRIAN SPORTS

Melanie, could you tell us about the present situation of the level in equestrian sports? In other words, have the training techniques and the way of teaching horses to enhance their performances been improved, as compared to the time when you were competing?Has there been an increase in the number of equestrian athletes and which discipline has had the highest growth in the number of enthusiasts?

I believe the interest in Equestrian sports continues to increase in all breeds but especially in the hunter jumper world. As the number of talented riders increases, it is becoming more difficult to find enough top horses for them.

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In what ways has the professional riders’ training improved, regarding their theoretical and practical education in equestrianism as compared to the past?

I believe the riders of today pay a lot more attention to their physical fitness than in decades past. You will find most riders at the gym on a regular basis.

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Is the scientific knowledge about horse behaviour and the theory to address its training sufficiently disseminated within equestrianism?

There are groups of clinicians that address horse behaviour specifically and others just include it in their regular evaluation of their horses.

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Why are there so many opinions regarding the issue of how to tame horses in global equestrianism?

There are many different systems of starting horses but I believe in the quiet approach that recognizes and appreciates that the horse is guided by his survival instincts. We have to learn to think like a horse to understand the horse and converse with him in his language.

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What would you tell a young horse enthusiast who wants to become a professional rider in any equestrian sport discipline? What should they do? Where should they start?

Find a great mentor and spend time learning the trade from a top professional with integrity.

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What riders from the past influenced your sports education and career?

My mother most of all. She was a great horsewoman.

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MELANIE AS AN AUTHOR

You wrote an outstanding book called “Riding with life”. Who is it aimed at?

“Riding with Life: Lessons from the Horse" is for any and all horsemen whether you are a weekend trail rider or a serious competitor.

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Finally, Melanie, do you think that scientific research has made progress in the study of horse behaviour and the way that horses best learn to respond to the rider’s cues?

No I believe horses have lived and thrived throughout history by their instincts, senses and feel. They are flight animals used to living in a herd. Whether born in domesticity or in the wild, horses are wired the same to be prepared to flee from what they perceive as danger at any moment. Thus a horse’s balance is his #1 primal instinct so that he can always feel secure and at peace. We must stay aware of their need to always be in balance and to be that place of peace for them.

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/ Photos: http://melaniesmithtaylor.com /

Thank you very much, Melanie! We appreciate your attention and cooperation on doing this interview, answering the questions of our blog team.

At the same time, we hope that our readers have enjoyed reading this interview and that those answers will be useful for them.

Are you passionate about horses, too? Do you want to learn how to train them?

Download our free ebook Horse training step by step. When you see how your horse learns and begins to understand your signs and aids, you will be filled with joy.

And if you want to be a professional horse trainer and get field-based training, you should check out our training program. You will have the opportunity to live in our equestrian centre and experience our full training process with young horses.

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