OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Amanda Steege’s path to a career with horses seemed almost inevitable.
Growing up on her parents’ Red Acre Farm in Stow, MA, Steege was immersed in the world of equestrian life from an early age.
Building a Foundation: Family Business and Early Lessons
“My parents’ farm has about 35 horses, and my mom teaches beginner and intermediate riding lessons to kids who don’t have their own horses,” said Steege. Her mother works with about 70 students weekly and coaches an Interscholastic Equestrian Association team. “My dad has a business similar to mine, where he has clients with their own horses that he trains for shows. He also showed horses and coached juniors and amateurs.”
Steege and her younger sister, Casey, were deeply involved at the barn, gaining hands-on experience that shaped their junior riding years.
A Brief Detour: Considering Life Outside Equestrianism
Though now a celebrated professional rider, Steege once considered a career outside the equestrian world. “I went to school for four years at Boston College, I would help my dad in the summers, but I didn’t do a ton of riding, during the school year,” said Steege. “I wasn’t sure when I went to school. [Working with horses] is fun, but it’s a labor-intensive business, and watching my parents do this all the time, I wasn’t totally convinced, that that was the way I was going to go. But being away from it a little bit at school made me realize it was what I wanted to do.”
Launching a Career: From Freelance to Entrepreneur
After college, Steege started her professional journey working with her father and freelancing before growing her own client base. As her business expanded, she relocated to New Jersey, where she has rented space at Pinnacle Farm in Califon since 2002.
“I had some clients who had sent some horses to Massachusetts, who lived in New Jersey,” said Steege. “I was destined to be a Jersey girl. I’ve been in New Jersey in the summer since 2002.”
Embracing Ocala: A Second Home for Equestrian Success
Her love for Ocala began in the late ’90s and grew when she bought a townhouse there in 2007. Now based at Ashmeadow Farm, Steege competes in Ocala’s winter circuits at HITS and the World Equestrian Center (WEC).
“It’s so exciting now being in Ocala with the World Equestrian Center and HITS, and seeing how much Ocala has grown. Having the World Equestrian Center in Ocala is amazing. HITS has upped their game,” shared Steege. “But what I think is so exciting is driving around this part of town and seeing how some of these old thoroughbred farms that have fallen by the wayside have been scooped up and are being modified and being turned into hunter/jumper farms, dressage farms, western discipline farms, all different disciplines.”
The Bond That Defined a Career: Balou’s Legacy
Throughout her career, Steege has had the privilege of riding many exceptional horses, including Candlelight. However, it was Balou, a horse with whom she shared an extraordinary bond, that accompanied her to horse shows for 13 years and brought her significant success.
“Lucy Davis Arena took over the reins on Balou and was very successful in the amateurs [division],” said Steege. “She still has him at her farm and still rides him. He’s retired from competing. It’s sort of my business model. My business has always been designed to be somewhat small, boutique-like, but we usually have 16 to 20 horses. When I first designed it, I was thinking eight to 12. I really enjoy starting young horses, developing them, competing them, and bringing them up through the ranks in the hunter divisions. Ultimately, those horses turn into horses for my amateur clients to ride and show. If it’s not a match for that particular client, then we end up selling them.”
Finding Fulfillment in Developing Talent
Over the past decade, Steege has found great success in developing horses that have gone on to thrive with other professionals and amateurs, a rewarding new aspect of her business that she has grown to enjoy.
Look for part two of Ben Baugh’s interview with Amanda Steege tomorrow.