Mar 10, 2009

10 Questions for Tamra Smith

Tamra & Chaos Theory competing at last year’s Jersey Fresh CCI3*. Emily Daily Photo.

Tamra Smith, of Temecula, California, is prepping to make the big trek East for her first trip around the prestigious Rolex Kentucky CCI4* course with her seasoned partner Chaos Theory. Smith and the talented gelding are looking forward to the challenging course in Kentucky, and after a third place finish in the Advanced division at Twin Rivers (CA) last month, the pair seems more than ready for a successful event. Read more Smith, her horses, and some of her best competition experiences.

1. How did you first get involved in eventing?
I started with a local event trainer named Kim Schied.

2. How long have you been riding for?
I’ve been taking riding lessons since I was 8 years old.

Smith & "Buzz" jumped cleanly around the challenging Jersey Fresh CCI3* course last spring. Emily Daily Photo.

3. Tell me a little more about your competition horses (age, breed, experience, etc.). Do they have any funny personality traits?
Chaos Theory "Buzz" is an 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. I have been competing him at the advanced level for 2 years now. He and I were Reserve Horse and Rider of the year in Area VI. He is the sweetest horse I have ever known. He tries very hard to please and takes sometime to trust new people. Michelle Hughes (who grooms and rides for me) has a very strategic plan in handling Buzz. Its almost like he’s the "boss" that everyone tip toes around but once you get to know him he’s the kindest soul you would ever meet.

Miss Congeniality "Genie" or "The Red Head" is a 6-year-old Irish Sport, chestnut mare. That explains EVERYTHING! She is very talented and sometimes suckers us into thinking she’s a princess without us even knowing it. Of course we realize it and get her to come back to reality as fast as possible. She just moved up to Training level, but preliminary is just around the corner.


4. What has been you favorite competition memory this far?
Running the 3* track that Ian Stark designed at Galway Downs. I had the ride of my life.

5. What has been your most embarrassing equestrian moment?
Having a memory fade in show jump at Fair Hill CCI3*

6. If you could liken Chaos Theory to any celebrity, who would it be and why?
Mickey Rourke. Buzz ran advanced before I started riding him and then took some time off. I bought him from some good friends of mine Cary & Jessica Burch and now Buzz is getting his second chance to be great.

7. You are aiming at competing at Rolex in April. Will this be your first trip there? What are you most excited and nervous about?
Yes! It will be my first trip to Rolex. The most exciting thing about riding at Rolex is to be able to run and jump the cross country course. So far I’m not nervous but we will see what happens once I get there.

8. What would be your dream vacation and why?
To buy a yacht for my husband as he loves the ocean and he has sacrificed a lot for my riding career. But that will have to wait another 30 years. Hahaha!

9. If you weren’t an equestrian, what kind of job would you like to have?
I can’t imagine doing anything else, but I think I would be a Child Psychiatrist. Before I started riding full time I worked in the behavioral health field and saw a lot of children from broken homes that could use someone who cared.

10. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advise I’ve been given is, “Always make time for your family and friends!” It’s very hard in this industry not to get caught up in the everyday long tireless hours and quite often I think we forget what’s really important. Our family and friends!

Nov 05, 2024 Interscholastic

Request for Expressions of Interest: USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships Host Sites

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce a request for expressions of interest to host the first standalone USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships in 2026 and 2027. With the success of the inaugural joint championships in 2024, the USEA is confident that the progression of these programs lends to a standalone event for these hardworking students in 5th through 12th grade and undergraduate college programs.

Nov 04, 2024 Convention

USEA Podcast #373: Make a Difference in Your Sport at the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is easily one of the most influential weeks in the sport of eventing in the U.S. and this year it is headed to Seattle, Washington, Dec. 12-15. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown talks about all the details surrounding this year's Convention with USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Lou Leslie. From important discussions around safety and horsemanship to a charity poker tournament and more, there is so much going on in Seattle this year that you won't want to miss!

Nov 03, 2024 News

33 Strength and Fitness Workouts for Horses

The following is an excerpt from 33 Strength and Fitness Workouts for Horses by equine training and conditioning expert Jec Aristotle Ballou. Strength routines and this workout are for horses and riders with a good existing level of fitness who are working toward increased strength and endurance.

Nov 02, 2024 Competitions

Best for Last in the CCI4*-L at the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs

Being the last rider in the final competition of the day can be an unenviable position. Molly Duda felt the pressure all day while gearing up for her ride on her own 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Disco Traveler (Donatelli x Cadence).

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