Assistant trainer Macie Soderquist lives in Sabina, OH, where she specializes in riding horses. She particularly enjoys helping clients with horsemanship and showmanship. Originally from Seattle, WA, she attended SMU and was on the equestrian team. “I’ve always loved horses and begged my parents to put me in lessons ever since I could talk. I got riding lessons for my sixth birthday, and the rest is history!”
We talked to Macie to learn more about her background and future goals.
GHS: Hi, Macie! So, when did you start showing horses?
Macie: I started showing at 4H shows when I was around 9. At 11 or 12, I began showing at Paint shows in Washington and on the West Coast, with the occasional trip to Tulsa or Fort Worth. At 14, I moved to Carly and Wade’s and showed at APHA shows with them for the rest of my youth career.
GHS: What do you like about horses and showing them?
Macie: I love watching people and horses improve. Since Wade primarily works with two-year-olds, I see the progression from their first days under saddle to years later as broke all-around horses. Watching the rider learn how to show with even more finesse and feel every time they go into the pen is something I enjoy. It is also interesting to know what horses are bred for and then watch them grow into that over time.
GHS: What are your favorite accomplishments in the show arena?
Macie: One of my favorite accomplishments in the show pen was winning the showmanship at the Paint World Show in my last year of youth. I had been reserve there a few times, but I had never won anything. Finally, my last year, it all came together.
Also, I just showed HP Sleepy For Sure to a sixth place in the Level 2 Senior Trail at the AQHA World Show. Bunny has been in the barn for a couple years now and she is a very talented trail horse. She is a smart and careful horse, so I knew if I put her in the right spots, we could have a good go. The world show was the first time I’ve ever shown her so I was very nervous, but excited. I loved my sidepass and my first right lead lope. The course was set tight in a few spots so I was happy that all of our transitions were good. I was also super pleased with my back at the end. That had been challenging for me warming up, but we did it just fine in the show pen.
This was also my first time showing the trail as an open rider so I was proud of how I did. Being in the top 10 amongst other horse trainers that I have looked up to for years was an incredible feeling. I was so grateful for the opportunity to show Bunny and I’m looking forward to the future.
GHS: Who are some of your biggest mentors?
Macie: My biggest mentor is Carly Parks. She took me under her wing ten years ago and made me into the horse person I am today. Her work ethic and patience with people and horses are something that I strive to achieve. Whenever I think I’m tired, I look at her and realize I can keep going. She was my mentor when I was her client, and she continues to be my mentor now as I’m learning how to prepare horses and riders to show.
GHS: What advice do you have for young trainers?
Macie: My most significant advice for young trainers is to always have a positive attitude. I would also encourage anyone who wants to go into the horse industry to do it. Many people warned me against becoming an assistant because it isn’t for the faint of heart, but I have never been happier. If you have a passion for this, there’s no better job.
GHS: Can you tell us about some of your favorite memories from the industry?
Macie: This isn’t necessarily a memory from the industry, but my favorite memory since being an assistant was this past Congress. It was my first time working at the Congress, and we had such a great show. Everyone always talks about how extraordinary the Congress is, and I never fully understood it until this year.
GHS: How did you come about working for Carly and Wade? What do you like about working for them?
Macie: I started working for Carly and Wade because I was their client and knew I wanted to be a trainer one day. It was the obvious next step when I graduated from college since I knew them well and admired their program. I like the variety of information I learn from them. Wade has taught me a lot about the fundamentals of training horses. He also has an incredible feel and can quickly pinpoint what’s happening. He’s intuitive and capable of explaining what’s happening in a way that’s easy to understand. I have learned a lot from him. I enjoy learning more about the intricacies of horse training and coaching from Carly. She will give a lesson or ride a horse until perfection. I have learned that “good enough” should not be in your vocabulary. I also love how invested she is in her client’s success. She is their biggest fan.
GHS: What is one thing people probably don’t know about you?
Macie: I am very outdoorsy. My family is not interested in horses, and I grew up in Washington, so I spent much of my childhood hiking, snow skiing, and wake surfing.
GHS: What would you like to see improved in the industry?
Macie: I would like to see greater acceptance and appreciation across disciplines. We are all trying to be successful at our craft. We love horses, and we should respect that about one another.
GHS: Tell us about your future goals.
Macie: I want to do some more showing as a professional.
GHS: Thanks, Macie!
