(Editor’s Note: The following Q&A took place between the Walking Horse Report’s editorial director Sadie Fowler and youth rider Abi Smith.)

WHR: If you were meeting someone new for the first time, how would you introduce yourself?

Smith: I wouldn’t really introduce myself and shake hands with them first thing. I’d hope they would speak to me first and I would get to know them before telling them about myself, but when I do tell them about me … I would mostly tell them about the barn, horse shows and my horses. Sometimes I like to talk about art and trail riding. 

WHR: Tell me about your journey into the horse world. How did you get started?

Smith: For me, the horse world has always been there, being the daughter of a trainer. Riding has taught me a lot about responsibility and that even if the kids at school think that spending time with horses and caring about them so much isn’t normal, it doesn’t matter because it is important to me. 

WHR: What about the walking horse attracts you the most?

Smith: Everything, from the way they are built to the way they move. I love it all!

WHR: Who is your favorite horse of all time? 

Smith: Dance All Night, without a doubt. She was my first fairy tale dream horse.

WHR: What do you most enjoy about the show horse industry in terms of what it provides you with things like friendships and new experiences?

Smith: What I enjoy the most is the opportunities. It has brought me friendship with so many horse owners and I’ve also gotten to work at a couple horse barns over the summer to give me more experience. 

WHR: Who is your trainer and describe to me what he or she is like, from your perspective as a student of riding. 

Smith: My trainers are my father Tim Smith, Bailey Momb and Joe Lester. Bailey and Joe have the kind of friendships me and my best friends do. They have been really nice to me and taught me a lot. My dad always pushes me and tells me what I need to hear.

WHR: What has been your most special moment in the show ring?

Smith: When I won my first set of roses at the Money Tree Classic on A Guilty Pleasure. 

WHR: Tell me about your world outside of horses.

Smith: I love art. I am now in seventh grade and I’d love to be a vet when I am older.

WHR: What is one new thing you’d love to learn? 

Smith: I’d love to learn to speak Italian and other languages.

WHR: Who is someone you admire and why?

Smith: I admire Patti Pollack, mostly because she is so successful yet not afraid to be herself.

WHR: If you could have dinner with one famous person who would it be and what would you have for dinner?

Smith: I would have dinner with Michele Morgan (American actress) and I would have steak and fries.

WHR: Who is your favorite American president and why?

Smith: Barak Obama because he was the first African American president.

WHR: What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone brand new to the horse industry?

Smith: Block out whatever you hear behind the rail and focus on your trainer and your horse.

WHR: What is one of your goals for the upcoming year?

Smith: I would like to have at least two Celebration wins. A non-horse goal is to get an A in math.