Get to know Mill Creek equestrian coach Jordan Schmidt
HOSCHTON, Ga. — 鈥淚 began riding at seven years old at a farm in my childhood neighborhood,鈥� recalls Jordan Schmidt, 鈥淭he riding bug hit me hard from the very beginning, and horses have been a part of my life ever since.鈥�
Now Jordan Schmidt is the Head Coach of the Mill Creek Equestrian Team. She has led the school program for five years but has been a riding instructor in the community for nine years. Her life and history in the sport has made Jordan an incredible leader.
Jordan got her first pony, Comet, at 11 years old. At 13 she got what riders call their 鈥渉eart horse.鈥� Jordan and horse Jeremy showed together for years. After college she was afforded an internship at a thoroughbred breeding farm in Kentucky. Then, a year into law school, she took a job as a farm hand while considering her future. In time, she ended up with a few great clients that she was able to build a program around.
With that background, Horsemanship is the foundation of Jordan鈥檚 Mill Creek Equestrian Program. 鈥淭his means that all my riders are expected to care for their horse, tack, and farm to my very high standards,鈥� she shares. With Jordan, your riding lesson begins the moment that you get out of your car and ends when you return to it. Rarely does she have to follow behind her riders, because they take pride in their work both in and out of the saddle.
It goes without saying, the sport of riding does not rely on a bat or ball. Instead, athletes are working with a 1200-pound animal with a mind if its own. Every ride comes with the risk of disappointment. Jordan does her best to point out to her team that they can learn from every ride and apply it to the next one. 鈥淲e are always learning. I remind my riders that every time they sit on a horse, they need to be grateful, because that in and of itself is something that few people get to experience.鈥�
Jordan鈥檚 biggest coaching inspiration is her own father who was a football and soccer coach for 47 years. Coming from being an individual rider, she has leaned on his advice when it comes to team dynamics. Says Jordan, 鈥淗e may have never ridden a horse outside of a vacation to a dude ranch when I was 14, but he is the coach I aspire to be for my riders.鈥�
At the team鈥檚 last horse show they honored all the seniors. 鈥淚 stood beside four riders who all had a variety of paths in the horse world, but who had all grown into such mature, effective, and empathetic riders and young women. I was in awe,鈥� Jordan shares. It was a moment where she could reflect on how far the program has come. Many of the riders have been with her since they were in middle school (the Mill Creek team includes middle schoolers), so it was a meaningful moment.
鈥淎 lot of people talk about 鈥榢ids these days鈥�,鈥� says Jordan, 鈥渂ut being around teenagers has taught me a whole new level of empathy. They are aware, intelligent, studious, but they all have their own struggles and personalities. They have taught me to love fiercely and adjust my coaching style to each individual. They are the most accepting group and give me great hope for the future of the sport.鈥�
You can catch the Mill Creek Equestrian Team in action at the Regions Finals on February 19th聽at Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia.
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