“I have had the privilege to coach Presley Smith for the last three years. She is a true competitor, full of grit, extremely coachable, and is willing to put in the work. She is a young rider to track through her junior riding career.
Presley’s path has been full of family support, but hasn’t been easy or handed to her in any way. She started out with a fairly naughty pony who would have deterred a lesser competitor from the sport. She took the challenge head-on and pulled out some good wins with the pony and learned significant grit.
Her fabulous gelding Navigator came to us with a huge heart and an unbeatable jump, but needing a lot of finessing and learning how to be a partner. Watching them at their first show two years ago and then at Maclay Finals this year was a complete 180. I helped, but Presley put in significant energy, patience, consistency, and belief into their partnership to make it where it is today.
Presley has been part of my young horse’s team from before she was backed and was even the second person on her. I’m hoping you see them in the show ring this summer and eventually in the Jr. Hunters when the mare is ready. Presley will not shy away from a challenge and is committed to seeing things through.
I am proud of what Presley has done with her horses, but I am also extremely proud of her ability to pivot and ride other horses to the same skill level as her own. Presley is one of the most coachable kids I have worked with. She takes the adjustments you give, understands them, and puts them into practice well. We always work on little tweaks in lessons; I generally don’t have to repeat myself at all. One other example I’m particularly proud of; Presley coursed a client’s horse at home which she had never ridden before. This horse is bold, powerful, and is learning how to go around calmly and slowly. I gave her the few pointers I thought were most important to help him go around well and turned them loose. She figured him out in two jumps, and coursed around beautifully. This is not an exception for Presley, she is generally that good at figuring out the new horses quickly; in part because she watches and learns, in part because she listens, also in part because she has had to work so hard to help produce her own Big Eq horse.
Presley has a great competitive mentality. She is focused, determined, and works to meet her goals. I’ve seen her go from stressed and frustrated, then decided to flip a switch, turn off the anxiety, focus on her class and come out on top. At the CO Maclay Region Final this year she drew going first; she put a lot of pressure on herself to do well but had it in her head she would watch some of the more seasoned competitors go; when she saw she needed to go first, she got worried, then took a breath, locked in, rode her plan very specifically and no one could beat her. She has the ability to push the anxieties away and perform.
Presley is one of those competitors who deserves to be noticed. She showed as 13 in 2025, put down a good showing her first Maclay Final, and will continue to be on the up and up. You will see her at a variety of shows this coming year, you may see her on more horses, she is a competitor to watch. Her drive, true competitor mindset, follow-through, and coachability combination are rare. Put her on your watch lists for 2029.”
~ Megan Downey, Trainer and owner, Empower Equestrian, Parker, Colorado
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Presley Smith at the Colorado Horse Park shows the past year. She not only is a very talented rider, winning the Maclay regionals this year and going on to compete in the finals, but she exhibits exceptional sportsmanship. Presley always has a smile on her face and leads by example. She is friendly and encouraging to fellow exhibitors. I have been impressed by her communication ability. Unlike many her age, she asks her questions looking you in the eye and speaking clearly.
Presley would be an asset to any riding program. This summer when her usual horse was hurt, she was loaned a horse at the last minute. She had no experience with the horse prior to that day, yet rode it with confidence. Her positive attitude and aptitude will take her far in life. I haven’t met a finer example of a young lady in a long time.”
~ Lois Rush , In Gate, Former High School Teacher