Talking About Sara Simons
Click Here To Read The Complete Article From The Equine Chronicle July/August 2013 Issue
By Susan Winslow
Multiple World Champion Sara Simons exudes energy and enthusiasm when she talks about her horses, clients and the business she shares with sister, Jana, and her mother, well-known trainer, clinician and judge Andrea Simons. These dedicated horsewomen are producing world class Paint and American Quarter Horses at their successful breeding, training and sales program in Pilot Point, Texas, carrying on the family legacy started by Andrea and her husband, the late Lynn Simons, one of the most respected and well-loved trainers of his era.
The farm stands three stallions, Zippos Sensation, Original Cowboy and Nite Moves, with Jana handling the breeding aspect of the farm and Sara in charge of training and showing. At thirty-one, Sara has amassed a long list of World Champion titles of her own, and as a professional trainer, she is turning out polished competitors who are consistently winning at the elite levels of competition. A lifelong athlete, Sara grew up in Texas participating in dance and gymnastics with a love of sports instilled by her father. She still carries that same energy, youthfulness, confidence and can-do attitude today.
She recalls, “My parents both believed that horses should be a choice for us. They wanted Jana and me to be well-rounded. Even though we participated in many activities, my love of horses continued to grow as my sister and I showed in Youth competition. Our parents subscribed to the notion that the horses would always be there, and that gave me the freedom to try other things. I’m so grateful that my dad fostered our love of sports and my parents gave my sister and me the freedom to choose our own paths.”
Sara excelled at athletics, and as a six foot All-State Volleyball stand-out in high school she was offered a full scholarship to North Central Texas College, but chose instead to attend the University of North Texas, graduating with a major in Political Science. It was only after graduating from college and competing for a few years as an amateur that she made the choice to join the family business as a professional. She recalls the tragic loss of her father in an automobile accident as a turning point in her life. She says, “Losing my dad was horrific. He was a wonderful man, so well-loved by everyone and such a huge influence in my life. He passed a tremendous work ethic on to Jana and me, as well as a compassion for horses and the foundation of true horsemanship. I rode my last show as an amateur in 2007, and I have never regretted making the transition to become a professional.”
The lessons about hard work and dedication to her craft inspired by her parents have paid off. She also credits close friends Jason Martin and Mike Staples as two strong influences in her riding success. “Mike worked for my family for many years and was one of the hardest working men I’ve ever been around. He helped instill in me the true definition of commitment and consistency. Jason moved here from California when I was 16, and he was instrumental in developing my understanding of the lead change. I can never repay him for the knowledge he has shared with me and his confidence in my ability. My mom is also an incredible horsewoman. She got her first judges card in the Paint industry 35 years ago and she is always working to stay current on the latest changes in the industry in order to keep her judging standard at a high level. Along with APHA, she is carded with AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, and NRCHA and she is an amazing judge.”
With the support of her parents and an unbelievable horse named Mike White, Sara had her first big wins in 1993, taking home the APHA World Championship in Horsemanship and Trail in the 13 and Under division. “Mikey” helped Sara find her niche in the all-around, preferring the multiple challenges and variety in the training regimen. Sara was fortunate to have many outstanding horses after Mike White that influenced her including Sensational Blonde who was one of her amateur horses. She went on to win twelve World titles with her new owner, Chelsea Bain. She says, “I like the challenges of taking a young horse that has done well in Western Pleasure and developing that horse’s natural talent into an all-around horse. I feel like a horse with a strong Western Pleasure background has a more complete foundation that allows them to excel in the all-around events.”
Sara, Jana and Andrea are fortunate to have a unique combination in place at Simons Show Horses: a solid background in breeding exceptional horses and a carefully structured training program. Sara reveals that her formula for success is centered around the horse’s disposition and trainability. “I look for a horse with a good mind first and then consider its natural ability. Willingness and effort on the part of the horse are critical when trying to compete in six or seven classes and still give their best.” The number of champion horses bred and raised on the ranch are living testimonials to the Simons’ dedication to breeding horses with the proven qualities of willing disposition and athletic ability, and developing them in a structured program.
Sara’s clients hail from all regions of the United States, so she has the responsibility for training and preparing each of their horses for competition. Her training methods are based on quality repetition while allowing the horses to build confidence and create a comfort level in their job. Sara develops an individually tailored routine for each horse, while using uniform cues throughout her training process. As a result, her clients are able to pick up where they left off the last time they rode and continue to make progress. This is an enormous benefit to clients who are juggling busy schedules or long distance travel to shows. The additional benefit to Sara’s training regimen is that clients can also move seamlessly into new horses in her program as they are all trained on the same basic premise.
Sara’s number one priority is the success of her non-professional riders. She approaches each show with careful and consistent preparation of the horse, but she tailors her riders’ preparation to the demands of each competition. She explains, “At the local or regional show my clients often feel relaxed, but when we get to the big shows they naturally get more nervous. As a result, my instruction is more specific in an effort to keep them focused. I’m a very hands-on, detailed coach. I put in a lot of hard work to make each client’s show experience enjoyable. It is really rewarding to see them do well.” She pauses for a moment before adding, “And Jason taught me something many years ago that has always stayed with me. He said, ‘When you’re helping people, always start with the positive before giving criticism’ and it’s proven true. I always praise my riders for their personal improvement before discussing what can be improved upon next time.”
Sara’s dedication to her clients and adherence to her carefully developed program have paid high dividends. She says, “My boyfriend RJ King is a real asset to the training program. He is an excellent horseman who works primarily with the Western Pleasure. He was Reserve quite a few times at the Paint Horse World Show last year and we work really well together. Our clients are winning consistently and I feel like we are producing really outstanding all-around horses…the horse that can do it all with a great attitude and athletic ability. In 2011, I rode Taylor and Dennis Prince’s incredible mare, One Flashy Sensation, to the World Championship in Senior Western Pleasure. She is the only horse in APHA history to win every Open Western Pleasure World title including 2 Year-Old, 3 Year-Old and Junior. I will give the majority of the credit to an amazing horse but our solid, consistent training program helped her to excel.” At the same time as she was loping to history in the Western Pleasure, this awesome mare was turning in World Champion performances in Trail, Western Riding, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Hunt Seat Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle as well. She and Taylor Prince have amassed over 12 World titles in all-around events before the mare’s sixth birthday.
Sara’s other clients are piling up the wins, too. Jenni Hanson is currently APHA’s Number One Youth in the Nation 14-18 on InTheSweetShop and Taylor Prince and One Flashy Sensation captured the World Show All-Around Youth titles in 2010 and 2011. Chelsea Bain rode Sensational Blonde to the 2011 World Championship in Amateur Horsemanship, Western Riding, Hunt Seat Equitation and the World Show All-Around Amateur title three years in a row. Renee Jobe took the 2011 World Championship in Masters Amateur Senior Western Pleasure aboard Jet Set Sensation and Marylyn Caliendo and Beyond Sensational were Reserve World Champions in Masters Amateur Junior Western Pleasure. Ali Edison and the 2012 World Champion Junior Western Riding horse Friend With Benefits are a new team coming together nicely this year. “I am so grateful to our clients,” she says. “They are wonderful people and they are like a second family to us.”
Along with her success training horses, Sara has a growing career as a clinician and judge. She is in great demand and will be doing clinics in Sweden, Canada, Washington and Iowa this year along with judging shows in the APHA, NRHA and NSBA. She says, “I judged the NSBA World Show last year and it was an amazing experience – both a great time and a valuable learning tool. I am so grateful to the NSBA for giving me that opportunity and I hope to judge at that level again someday.”
Despite the many demands on her time, Sara leads a full and well-balanced life with her boyfriend, RJ. The couple recently bought a home and dove into renovations with the same gusto they bring to their careers. Sara enjoys traveling, especially to Mexico with clients and close family friends, the Caliendos, who own homes in Oregon, California and Mexico. Closer to home, she enjoys going to the movies with her sister, Jana, and admits that she is a reality tv junkie and dedicated foodie. She laughs when she says, “OK, I’ll admit it. I love ‘Snapped!” but I also love Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network as well as Duck Dynasty. My sister is a foodie, too, so when we travel to new places for shows or vacation, I always check to see what Guy Fieri has recommended for restaurants and we visit them.” Ever the athlete, Sara is a dedicated Dallas Mavericks fan, following in her beloved father’s footsteps. She says, “My dad just loved the Mavericks, so it’s only natural that I do, too. Go Mavs!”
Sara tackles every day with a positive attitude that has taken her, her horses and her clients to the top of world class competition and she thrives on staying busy. What’s next for Sara? She is thoughtful for a moment before saying, “There’s a lot on my plate, but I love what I do. I’m grateful that my parents always stressed the importance of getting a college education, but I am so glad I chose this path. It was definitely the right one for me.”
For more information on breeding, sales or training at Simons Show Horses, visit their website at www.simonsshowhorses.com or visit them on facebook. The farm is located at 9811 Friendship Road, Pilot Point, Texas. Phone: 940-365-9250; email moreinfo@simonsshowhorses.com
