University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Hannah Smith
December 21, 2023 | Equestrian, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Georgia equestrian rider Hannah Smith loves the busy life she has as a student-athlete. She likes a full day and checking things off her list.
A senior from Winston-Salem, N.C., Smith is savoring her remaining time with her teammates, with the horses in the barn out at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, and on the Georgia campus. During a Quick Chat, Smith talked about her busy days, what it's like to ride in different seasons, her favorite horse, and much more.
Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: As we sit out here on a beautiful and peaceful afternoon at the equestrian complex, it would be nice to hang out here all day. But as a student-athlete, your days are typically quite busy. Do you like having the full schedule that you usually have?
Smith: I'm definitely one that loves being busy. I love getting to go from one thing to the next and kind of stay focused. It's a lot of fun to do that.
Frierson: Have you always been that way? Or did that develop since you came to college and had more on your plate?
Smith: I think I've always been that way. I'm the oldest of four (children), so I've seen my mom handle that my whole life. Just the nature of being in school and balancing riding throughout high school and in college, and maintaining the student-athlete piece throughout all of it, has been what's made it an easier transition. And I've grown to love it.
Frierson: The equestrian schedule starts in the heat of September, goes through the winter, and wraps up in the spring. While I know you all will have to bundle up a bit when you're practicing or competing on the colder days, I have no idea if the really hot or cold days affect the horses and how you ride them. Does it change anything?
Smith: It definitely does, but I think it depends on the horse. For us, we're riding whether it's hot or cold, so other than what you wear, it doesn't change much. But some of the lazier horses prefer the colder temperatures because it's not quite as hot and they're a little bit more comfortable.
On the flip side, some of the horses that are maybe a bit more fresh, when the cold temperatures hit, they're like, ooh, this is fun. It depends on the horse, but there definitely is a transition when the weather changes.
Frierson: When you first get into riding, how long does it take to develop the ability to get a read on how a horse is going to react, or just get a read on their personality?
Smith: It's not necessarily a number of years, it's more just the experience you have on different kinds of horses. I think it's something that you develop over time, and the more different horses you ride, the faster you adapt. That's what you're always having to do, figure out what's underneath you pretty quickly.
Frierson: Does coming out here each day mean something different to you now compared to when you first got to Georgia?
Smith: I've always loved the horses and I've always loved coming out here. Being by your teammates and getting to do what you love every day, it's just as much of a privilege now as it was the first day that I got here. At the same time, I don't have that much time left (at Georgia), so I'm trying to hold onto the little moments. I'm maybe staying a few extra minutes here or there, rather than rushing home to the next thing.
I'm trying to appreciate the little moments more that I have with my teammates. I'll always have the horses, but I won't always get to be surrounded by my teammates.
Frierson: Do you know what's next, after college?
Smith: I think I'm going to ride professionally. That's always been a goal of mine, ever since I was little. Getting the experience and guidance of a lot of different people throughout my riding career has definitely been a privilege, so that's what I'm looking to next.
Frierson: Who is the funniest person on this year's team?
Smith: I think Cadence (Eger), one of our freshmen, is hilarious. She's come in and really dove in head-first as far as interacting with everybody. She's one that makes your day at the barn, and I always laugh whenever I get to have a conversation with her. She keeps the mood light.
Frierson: The last time we did one of these, Maggie was your favorite horse in the barn. Is she still your favorite?
Smith: She is actually retired and with a close friend of mine, so she's still one of my favorites. But of the horses that are here, Miso is one of my favorites. She's a fairly new one, and Sally has always been one of my favorites. It's hard to pick because we're so fortunate to have so many great horses.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
Georgia equestrian rider Hannah Smith loves the busy life she has as a student-athlete. She likes a full day and checking things off her list.
A senior from Winston-Salem, N.C., Smith is savoring her remaining time with her teammates, with the horses in the barn out at the UGA Equestrian Complex in Bishop, and on the Georgia campus. During a Quick Chat, Smith talked about her busy days, what it's like to ride in different seasons, her favorite horse, and much more.
Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: As we sit out here on a beautiful and peaceful afternoon at the equestrian complex, it would be nice to hang out here all day. But as a student-athlete, your days are typically quite busy. Do you like having the full schedule that you usually have?
Smith: I'm definitely one that loves being busy. I love getting to go from one thing to the next and kind of stay focused. It's a lot of fun to do that.
Frierson: Have you always been that way? Or did that develop since you came to college and had more on your plate?
Smith: I think I've always been that way. I'm the oldest of four (children), so I've seen my mom handle that my whole life. Just the nature of being in school and balancing riding throughout high school and in college, and maintaining the student-athlete piece throughout all of it, has been what's made it an easier transition. And I've grown to love it.
Frierson: The equestrian schedule starts in the heat of September, goes through the winter, and wraps up in the spring. While I know you all will have to bundle up a bit when you're practicing or competing on the colder days, I have no idea if the really hot or cold days affect the horses and how you ride them. Does it change anything?
Smith: It definitely does, but I think it depends on the horse. For us, we're riding whether it's hot or cold, so other than what you wear, it doesn't change much. But some of the lazier horses prefer the colder temperatures because it's not quite as hot and they're a little bit more comfortable.
On the flip side, some of the horses that are maybe a bit more fresh, when the cold temperatures hit, they're like, ooh, this is fun. It depends on the horse, but there definitely is a transition when the weather changes.
Frierson: When you first get into riding, how long does it take to develop the ability to get a read on how a horse is going to react, or just get a read on their personality?
Smith: It's not necessarily a number of years, it's more just the experience you have on different kinds of horses. I think it's something that you develop over time, and the more different horses you ride, the faster you adapt. That's what you're always having to do, figure out what's underneath you pretty quickly.
Frierson: Does coming out here each day mean something different to you now compared to when you first got to Georgia?
Smith: I've always loved the horses and I've always loved coming out here. Being by your teammates and getting to do what you love every day, it's just as much of a privilege now as it was the first day that I got here. At the same time, I don't have that much time left (at Georgia), so I'm trying to hold onto the little moments. I'm maybe staying a few extra minutes here or there, rather than rushing home to the next thing.
I'm trying to appreciate the little moments more that I have with my teammates. I'll always have the horses, but I won't always get to be surrounded by my teammates.
Frierson: Do you know what's next, after college?
Smith: I think I'm going to ride professionally. That's always been a goal of mine, ever since I was little. Getting the experience and guidance of a lot of different people throughout my riding career has definitely been a privilege, so that's what I'm looking to next.
Frierson: Who is the funniest person on this year's team?
Smith: I think Cadence (Eger), one of our freshmen, is hilarious. She's come in and really dove in head-first as far as interacting with everybody. She's one that makes your day at the barn, and I always laugh whenever I get to have a conversation with her. She keeps the mood light.
Frierson: The last time we did one of these, Maggie was your favorite horse in the barn. Is she still your favorite?
Smith: She is actually retired and with a close friend of mine, so she's still one of my favorites. But of the horses that are here, Miso is one of my favorites. She's a fairly new one, and Sally has always been one of my favorites. It's hard to pick because we're so fortunate to have so many great horses.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
Players Mentioned
Jumping Seat
/ EquestrianGeorgia Equestrian vs Baylor - Postmeet Video Recap
Friday, October 03
Georgia Equestrian Season Preview
Thursday, October 02
Georgia Equestrian Red&Black Scrimmage Postgame Interview
Saturday, September 20
Georgia Equestrian NCEA Championship vs SMU Highlights
Monday, April 21