For most in the horse industry it’s the thrill of competition that keeps them stepping back into the show pen year after year, but for Hampstead, North Carolina native Amy Mackie Smith it’s about so much more than that.

“You know, interestingly, I am really not an overly competitive person when it comes to ribbons or titles,” she said. “I mostly enjoy showing because I’m around people that have the same passion that I do. I really like learning, so it’s been fun and sometimes frustrating to learn a new event, like Western Pleasure.”

Smith also enjoys raising babies at her Cappall Creek Farm where she and her husband, Kevin, stand American Quarter Horse Association stallion, Iron Enterprise. It was there, at their farm in Maine, that one of her current show partners, WithoutYouAlBeBlue, was born. The Smiths sold the 2013 grey mare by Allocated Your Assets and out of GotBluesInMySky to Kim Wright as a yearling and after a very successful 2-year-old year she decided to sell her. The Smiths knew right away “Beretta” belonged back with them.

“She definitely likes to be treated like a Queen. She’s also pretty lazy and doesn’t like to be rushed,” Smith said. “She pretty much thinks people should wait on her, so we do!”

The team came together quickly and won the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at A Little Futurity. They were also in the Top 5 at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Show in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro and Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle and finished 2016 strong recording third place finishes in both the Non-Pro and Limited Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. In 2017, they returned to the Congress to place 5th in the Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle and 8th in the Open division of the class.

Amy will continue to show WithoutYouAlBeBlue in Amateur and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle classes for 2018 and though she keeps her at home most of the year Smith gets the help from several impressive trainers along the way.

“Over the past few years I have been fortunate to work with some amazing trainers. Nancy Sue Ryan, Colt and Brittany Andrews and Steve and Jennifer Reams were all imperative in my success showing WithoutYouAlBeBlue as a 3-year-old,” Smith recalled. “I’ve kept her at home most of this year, but the Reams are always there to help me.”

This year will be extra busy for Smith as she has also begun showing in Western Pleasure events aboard UR Certainly Invited, a 2010 bay mare by Certain Potential out of Personal Invite, who was originally purchased as a horse for her husband.

“When we moved to North Carolina from Maine in 2015 Kevin got busy and just didn’t have the opportunity to ride as much, or perhaps the golf season was just longer…..but with Kevin and Steve Ream’s push I started showing her and had a lot of fun,” Smith said. “I also learned Western is nowhere near as easy as experienced riders make it look!”

With Steve’s constant support Smith began showing UR Certainly Invited and the slight pushing paid off when they were crowned the NSBA Reserve World Champions in the Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure in 2016. That same year they also took home a championship at A Little Futurity in the Maturity Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure.

“Steve Reams worked really hard to have Jellybean prepared and it just all came together at the right time,” Smith recalled. “I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to work with Steve. He pushes hard but he is always positive in his way of teaching, and patient. I also feel blessed to have Jellybean. She’s such an amazing mare both in movement and mind.”

However, this year will be quite busy for the Smith Family. In addition to her two current show partners Smith has several prospects in the works at trainers across the country. Under the guidance of Steve Reams in Ellerbe, North Carolina is 2017 Congress Champion The Pineapple Xpress who will be shown by Smith’s daughter, Paige; Home By Midnite, a maiden 3-year-old by Only In The Moonlite and our of UR Certainly Invited who both Smith and Reams are very excited about; and Sure A Hot Max, a 2-year-old double registered gelding by Good To The Max. Out West under the guidance of 2017 Congress and AQHA World Show Champion Aaron Moses is Watch Me Strut, a 2015 gelding by Strutin On The Range and out of Congress Masters Top Ten mare RR Certain Blessing, who was born and raised by at Capall Creek. Finally, a 2016 filly by Machine Made is under the guidance of NSBA Hall of Fame trainer Gil Galyean of Purcell, Oklahoma.

This year we have mostly young stock, and more Western which is a first for us,” Smith laughed, “I do have a few Hunt Seat prospects at home that I am looking forward to playing around with as well. Two are by our stallion, Iron Enterprise, and one is by our former stallion Trade Rumors. It’s going to be a very busy year!”

Smith’s goals with horses mirrors her goals in life, to raise happy, healthy babies that go on to be successful, sound show horses and raise kids, that are kind, know the importance of integrity, hard work and honesty and be good citizens. She also similarly juggles her life with her four children, Andrew, 29; Abby, 19; Aidan, 17; and Paige, 11 as she does with her equine children.

“We spend a lot of time juggling shows and Aidan’s baseball games. I love watching him play,” Smith said. “Baseball, whether it’s Topsail High School or the Boston Red Sox, is a huge part of our lives. I also love going out on the boat or jet skis with family and friends and hanging out with my husband. He truly is my best friend and we spend a lot of time together.”