Lynette Partridge-Schneider, Equestrian

Residing in Illinois, USA, Lynette Partridge-Schneider is a World-Class equine judge, horse expert and equestrian. The founder and proprietor of Quail Ridge Equine, Lynette continues to share her passion for horses…

Welcome Lynette!

When was your first encounter with a horse?

The family story is one that says one of my first words was horse or “hor ‘ee”.  If horses were involved, I was in.  It seems I had horses in my blood from the day I was born and I have yet to outgrow the feelings horses give me.  I rode my bike to riding lessons and finally got my own horse when I was ten years old.  My first horse was a palomino Quarter Horse named Sheba.  Sheba taught me so much and was a major part of a lifetime of loving and working with horses. There was a connection with horses that have never been broken and has only grown stronger.

What is your riding discipline?

When I ride for fun, I ride western.  Growing up, I was blessed with the opportunity to ride and receive training in many disciplines.  I have had the privilege to learn and ride:  hunt seat, saddle seat, hunter over fences, western pleasure, reining, reining cow horse and pleasure driving.  As I mentioned before, if horses were involved, I was ready to learn and be involved.

What is your favorite breed of horse?

My heart will always have a special place for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with many breeds of horses.  My first apprenticeship was with Morgan horses, I also rode Saddlebreds in college and other breeds along the way.  Each breed has their own special quality and I enjoy learning about each and every one of them.  I have always felt the love of horses, all horses, and the desire to learn and appreciate the individual breeds aids me as a horse show judge and a certified equine appraiser.

As a horse show judge, what do you look for in a winning horse?

No matter what breed or discipline I am judging, as I have multiple breed cards as well as open all breed and discipline cards, I look for the best representative of the breed standard in the discipline of participation.  Every breed has a rule book that a judge studies and puts a picture in their head of what are the breed characteristics that make up the standard and the rules that apply for a specific discipline according to the breed.  There is always one horse that will stand out and have the look of “I am the winner” for a specific breed.  Even when there is more than one – there is one that jumps out and stays there in a manner of “look at me” I am the representative of the breed.

Where is your favorite arena?

WOW!  This is a hard one.  After several World Shows and State Fairs, along with numerous breed and open shows, I have had the chance to judge horse shows from New York to Iowa and then to Texas and the many states in between.  I have judged mostly in the mid-west and eastward.  Each arena has been special, for the people I have met and the horses I had the opportunity to judge.

Any funny anecdotes about horses/judging?

Horses are smarter than we humans give them credit for.  Each has their own personality.  I have owned and worked with some interesting horses.  A stallion I raised from a weanling was a great sire and loves the babies.  I have seen him in the pasture lying down and the foals climbing all over him.  He was such a sweetheart. When judging, I enjoy working with the youth and judging showmanship classes.  The biggest thing I have seen with new exhibitors is that many forget to breathe.  I stress at clinics to have fun, breathe and relax.

While judging a show recently, specifically, a hunter jumper class, one of the horses approached the first fence and looked good, then stopped and leaned.  The rider encouraged and the horse jumped the first fence and proceeded to the next fence, where the horse stopped, leaned and this time the fence fell, and the horse walked through. The rider continued to put the horse in a hunter pace to the next fence and again, the horse stopped, was never ugly or tried to truly refuse, just stopped and leaned.  Again, the fence fell and the horse walked through.  It was getting humorous as it looked like the horse was doing this on purpose and the poor rider held her cool while continuing to attempt to do the course.  From the point of the judges, the horse just found an easier way to make the course work for him.

You are a published freelancer; any books in your future?

Currently, there are books planned and in different stages of completion.  I have had many articles published on rehabilitation of horses, showing, picking the right horse and other topics published in national and international magazines, websites and other media outlets.  I did contribute to a book called “Mares” that was written and compiled by Betsy Kelleher.  With all the encouragement I continue to receive, I will be sharing my knowledge in book form very soon.

Do you have advice for novice equestrians?

First and foremost is to have fun with your horse, no matter the discipline or activity.  Learn as much as you can.  Attend clinics, ask questions and practice, practice, practice.

What does horsemanship mean to you?

Horsemanship in the dictionary is shown as the “art, ability and skill in handling and riding horses.”  To me, horsemanship is this and so much more.  It is being a team with the horse, working as one, like true dance partners in step with each other.  Horsemanship and horseman or horse persons show a true love of horses for the unique animals they are.

Follow Lynette....

http://www.quailridgeequine.com
www.LynettePartridge-Schneider.com
www.LynetteSchneider.com

A Glimpse of Lynette's Qualifications 

Qualifications of the Appraiser

H. Lynette Partridge-Schneider

Member...

American Society of Equine Appraisers

American Society of Agriculture Appraisers

United States Equestrian Federation

Illinois Horse Council

American Horse Council

American Paint Horse Association

American Quarter Horse Association

National Foundation Quarter Horse Association

Palomino Horse Breeders Association

Southeastern Foundation Quarter Horse Association

Illinois Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association

Illinois Racing Board Licensure

Georgia Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association

Missouri Fox Trotter Association

American Driving Society

Carriage Association of America

Gypsy Vanner Horse Society

Open Horse Show Association – Judge (Senior)

American Halter Horse Association – Judge (Senior)

American Shetland Pony Club "R", American Miniature Horse Registry "R",
American Show Pony Registry "R", National Sport Performance Pony Registry "R" - Judge

Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association – Judge (Master)

Gypsy Horse Registry of America, Inc. – Judge (Senior)

Walking Horse Owners Association, Inc. – Judge (Senior)

Education

Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management and Administration – (studies begun, not completed, through Canyon College)

Post-Baccalaureate in Chemistry/Biology – University of Georgia

Bachelor of Science Degree – Georgia Southern University

Continuing Education Courses – University of Georgia & University of North Carolina

Continuing Education and Certification Courses with International Society of Appraisers, American Society of Appraisers, American Society of Agricultural Appraisers and Breed Association Judging Seminars, Etc.

Background & Experience

Thirty+ years of involvement with the equine/livestock industry which includes:

Owner of Quail Ridge Farms (Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds)

Judge – American Halter Horse Association, American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse Registry/ American Show Pony Registry, Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association – Judge (Master), Gypsy Horse Registry of America, Inc. – Judge (Senior), Open All-Breed and all discipline Horse Show(s) through North Carolina, Illinois and Purdue Multi-State Certification Classes

Agent and Broker for clients looking for show prospects (buying and selling)

Presenter of seminars and educational clinics for Clubs, Stables and Individual(s)

Licensed for the race track through Illinois Racing Commission

Local Club(s):  Show Committee, Judge, Ring Steward, Score Keeper & Points Recorder, Tack Inspector (open shows, club shows, performance disciplines & eventing)