Dec 11, 2018

Featured Clinician: Lynn Symansky

Lynn Symanksy and Donner at the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

The “Featured Clinician” article series is provided through a partnership between Event Clinics and the USEA.

U.S. Eventing team member Lynn Symansky set aside some time to chat with Event Clinics about community, teaching, and never giving up.

A traditional “A” graduate from the Difficult Run Pony Club, Symansky’s competitive nature and team sportsmanship were fostered through involvement in United States Pony Club rallies and activities. Horsemanship is a key value for Symansky, and has been demonstrated throughout her career up to the four-star level and as a member of multiple United States Equestrian Teams.

At the time of our interview, Lynn had just returned from Massachusetts’ Equine Affaire where her clinic sessions were conducted in front of a full stadium of people. “I enjoy educating others. Clinics are great for helping educate riders that there isn’t one set way to do stuff. As riders, we all need to think outside the box.”

Dana Voorhees Photo.

“I really like working with horses and helping people with those horses. It’s like a puzzle, reading each horse and rider combination and figuring out how to help them to work more harmoniously. Each horse and rider are different and I enjoy helping different pairs work through exercises. What is easy for one pair in one exercise may be difficult for another and vice versa. I enjoy figuring out approaches that will work.”

Regarding her expectations for riders who participate in clinic sessions, Symansky told us, “At the end of the day, we are lucky to be riding horses and doing what we love, as professionals or amateurs. Attitude comes first, 100 percent. I don’t expect riders to show up and be fantastic, but I do expect a good attitude beyond anything else."

A good attitude and tons of patience are much of what contributed to Symansky’s success with Donner, her partner for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon. “I had lots of frustrating times with Donner, but then I would be competitive."

For riders working with difficult horses, Symansky said, “Learn to enjoy the process. You have to really really work on your patience in terms of having patience for the horse you are working with and for understanding where your goal is at the end of the day. Get on the same page as your horse.” Progress isn’t linear. “You feel like you take two steps forward and a few more back. Overall the graph trends upward, but don’t get too caught up in how each day differs."

Symansky and Donner on course at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

“I didn’t go to Young Riders as a kid, and at the time I thought that was a big deal,” Symansky told EC when asked about what advice she might give a younger version of herself. “I got to some really good places without having been there. I learned just as much about working with other people and horsemanship doing pony club rallies.”

If she could, Symansky said she would tell herself “not to get so devastated when something goes wrong. For instance, if a horse is injured and you miss a competition. When you’re younger it seems like the weight of the world lies on that one thing. You get a lot of perspective as you get older. There are always more horse shows.”

Symansky’s career as an equestrian has a long list of highlights, but there was a time when she was on track to pursue a career in law. A major turning point was the decision to gain mileage at the Advanced Level. “Not selling No It Tissant, my first Advanced horse, has certainly helped to get me where I am today. I had an offer to sell him to a professional rider - I was a peanut on a super talented horse and had the chance to make quite a bit of money. I held onto him and was able to gain a ton of experience. Had I sold him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. As a rider, you have to acknowledge what your goals are." She reminded riders to “never give up, even when you have failed 732 times."

Symansky and RF Cool Play competing in the 2018 Jersey Fresh International CCI3*. USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

It seems both horsemanship and sportsmanship are prominent themes in Symansky’s career, and the in the sport of eventing in general. “When competing, I’m riding against my best friends. I want to kick their behinds, but I am so happy for them when they do better than I do. This sport really lets us have empathy for our fellow competitors. The goal is to win, but it’s nice to see others succeed."

“It’s insanely expensive, and hasn’t had a ton of prize money historically. Not that other [equestrian] sports are cheaper, but it’s difficult to make sense of eventing financially. You can appreciate the successes of others because everyone is going through the same experience. I love that everybody is in this sport for the same reason, and it certainly isn’t the money” she continued. “People are in it because they love the game and they love the horses. Everyone is supportive of one another”.

Despite a jam-packed international competition schedule, Lynn Symansky often travels to teach clinics in addition to running a training program based out of Handlen Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. You can find upcoming opportunities to ride or audit a clinic at www.eventclinics.com.

Dec 05, 2023 Education

Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community

To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.

Dec 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Young Event Horse Arden Augustus Exceeds All Expectations for Antenucci and White

Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.

Dec 04, 2023 Young Event Horse

USEA Podcast #349: All About the USEA Young Event Horse Program

Have you ever wondered why professional riders love bringing their horses through the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program? USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown chats with two of this year's YEH Champions, Caroline Pamukcu who won the USEA YEH 4-year-old East Coast Championship aboard HSH Afterglow, and Andrea Baxter who won the USEA YEH 5-year-old Championship with Camelot PJ, to discuss this year's Championships and all of the great things that the program has to offer.

Dec 04, 2023 Sponsor

Gold Sponsor, Rebecca Farm, Returns to Support 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is delighted to announce its renewed partnership with Rebecca Farm for the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. Rebecca Farm, which is owned and operated by the Broussard family, will return as a Gold Sponsor of the event and act as the Official Sponsor of the Annual Meeting continental breakfast. The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place this week on Dec. 7-10 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA