If you are watching the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle or Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Futurity this month or at the Quarter Horse Congress, it will be easy to spot Amanda Smith.

She will be the one with the big smile on her face, courtesy of her show partner, Shop Class (Rusty).

Smith’s trainer, Farley McLendon found the 2019 sorrel gelding, sired by Mechanic and out of Hoos Skyline, for her last year and it took only one test ride for the New York native to know that “Rusty’ was the one for her.

“When Amanda cantered off and smiled, I  knew he was the one,” McLendon said. “Rusty has presence, self-carriage and more of a kick ride. He’s perfect for a Non-Pro.”

Smith agrees.

“He is so gentle and kind. He wants to please and I believe he loves the show life,” Smith said. “He is easy to ride. Just thinking about him puts a huge smile on my face.”

Just two months after making Rusty her own, the new team placed in the top 15 in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress. Rusty also placed in the top 15 in the Open Hunter Under Saddle Maturity with McLendon in the irons as well as in the Junior Hunter Under Saddle with Brian Isabell aboard.

This year has been nothing short of remarkable so far. Rusty and Smith won the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the March To The Arch in Fort Worth and then followed that up with a win in the 5-Year-Old & Over Level 1 Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the Premier.

Smith is no newcomer to the show world – she competed as a youth. But this time around it’s different.

The daughter of David and Cynthia Smith, she grew up in Syracuse, New York and graduated from Marcellus High School in Onondaga County.

Smith’s family owned horses while she was growing up and at age 6 she started her show career at little Summer Circuit Shows in Upstate New York.

“My first show horse was Jessie,” Smith said. “He was a big red Quarter Horse. I took lessons at a local stable that was very family oriented and fun. We would all attend the summer circuit weekend shows.”

When she is not showing, Smith’s job as president of Jag Environmental in Syracuse, keeps her quite busy.

“We specialize in asbestos abatement and demolition,” she explained.

It’s through her job that Smith met her husband, Tim Niedzwiecki, who works in the same industry. They split their time between Saratoga, New York and Naples, Florida.

“I knew Tim for a while before we dated,” she said. “He was always a very kind and positive person. He inspires me every day. We got married in Key West in December of 2022.”

In fact, it was her husband who encouraged Smith to return to her passion for showing horses three years ago.

So after an 11-year break, Smith purchased Shocking Hot Chips, a 2018 bay gelding, sired by Extremely Hot Chips out of Boom Shock Alocka.

Together they earned several circuit championships and year-end awards. Next Smith teamed with Al Southern Couture, a 2019 grey gelding, sired by Its A Southern Thing out of All About Couture. Together they won the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the Premier last year in Lexington, Kentucky; earned numerous circuit championships and finished the 2023 show year fifth in AQHA Amateur Hunter Under Saddle standings.

Now, teamed with Rusty, Smith has found her groove.

“It is very rewarding,” she said. “I dreamed of showing at this level as a little girl and admired the people who did. It is hard to believe that I am able to and I am beyond grateful to have the support and the means to be a part of this amazing sport.

Rusty plays a big part in that. Smith describes him as a kind, gentle giant who is strong, consistent and always kind. 

McLendon says Rusty has been great since the first day he joined her program.

“He’s strong and has both gears,” she explained. “His personality is sassy and he knows he’s special.”

Now, a year later, McLendon just tries to keep him happy.

“He’s easy to prepare and he loves Amanda,” she said.

That translates into success in the show pen.

“I am a lot more relaxed this year and able to have fun,” Smith said. “I used to be so nervous going into the show ring. I think finding the right horse for me has really changed the showing experience.”

In fact, these days, the hard part is being able to juggle her work with her show career.

“If I had it my way, I would just ride horses all the time,” Smith said. “Thankfully, I have created a system to work on the road and I have a great office staff. My husband is also extremely supportive and as busy as he is, he makes an effort to come to each show, even if it’s for a day.”

She also gives a lot of credit to her trainer and barn family for the rewards she now finds at horse shows.

“I am fully enjoying myself,” she said. “I have an amazing trainer and supportive barn family. It makes the experience enjoyable. It is nice to have a barn family in your corner and want success for one another.”

Smith is just enjoying the ride.

McLendon says Smith clicked with Rusty right from the start and has worked hard for the success they have achieved.

“She has a lot of presence and listens well,” she said. “She is getting more and more confident and comfortable and looks like she belongs. It’s taken a little bit to get the mental game strong but it’s there.”

For the rest of this year Rusty will be shown at all the majors, including the NSBA World Show, Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show by Smith in Amateur and Non-Pro events; in Open Hunter Under Saddle classes by McLendon and in Limited Open by Isabel.

“I really hope Amanda can win the Congress,” McLendon said. “Next year we hope to add the Driving and maybe a little Hunter Hack.”

“I show first and foremost for fun and because I love horses,” she said. “I also love to set goals and try my best to meet them. My goals last year were met, so having a good ride is important to me. I want to come out of the show ring smiling and know we both did our best. Of course, trophies and belt buckles are always a plus!”