Presenting The Personalities: Ryan Chambers, Ringside Productions

What about Life Inthe Fazt Lane and Affliction told you they were the ones for you?

It was their beauty, performance, and wonderful temperaments. Affliction is my goofball, until he starts moving, and Life Inthe Fazt Lane (Eddie) is beauty in motion and is so sweet, no one believes he is a stallion. Jesse and I both agree he is a woman’s horse; he’s such a lover.

You have had a lot of success over the last few years in the horse industry; is there a special moment that stands out for you, that was extremely gratifying?

Lately, I’ve taken a break from showing. Watching horses run in the green, grassy turnouts and just be horses is pure magic. We forget they work so hard for us, so my herd and I are just having lots of fun. I am riding and driving, and have babies on the way, but it’s more about the joy and happiness aspect, than showing to win.

What’s next for SCEC?

The center is a destination location in Southern California. We have a whole season of dressage horse shows scheduled, with the best of the best in horses and riders expected, and whether it’s a wedding, party, learning about being a leader, or you want us to take care of your horse while you go to the beach, the mountains, or LA, we can do all those things.

Having traveled the world, what is your favorite city or place you have visited?

Rome, Italy.

What is the perfect day?

Being here with my herd. I am lucky and blessed.

What is one thing our readers would be surprised to know about you?

I am an open book, what you see is what you get.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

That people would be more like animals, specifically horses or dogs; they don’t lie or cheat, they live in the now, and are always excited to see you.

In ten years where do you see yourself?

Doing more of what I am doing now.

How did you get involved with the Arabian horse?

Following college graduation in 2008, I worked for a brief time in the Hospitality field and quickly realized that it was not going to be a career that I could be happy in long term. In 2010, I met Tony Reid, who was a trainer on the Arabian circuit and located just south of my hometown, St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly after meeting, he guided me in the purchase of my first Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. Since the purchase of those first two, we have acquired many more and bred many of our own as well. Today, our Serenity Arabian Stables is home to 20+ Arabians and Half-Arabians.

When did you create Ringside Productions and why?

Tony and I created Ringside Productions to fill a gap in the industry. With the average age of local club members on the rise, we noticed that shows were having a harder time finding volunteers. In the past, most shows relied on club members and volunteers to run the local horse shows. Today, most of those volunteers would rather be back in the show ring on their own horses or volunteering on a much smaller scale. Therefore, clubs are finding it much easier to hire a management group to help bring their vision to fruition and put on a great horse show. We want to help create a great show experience for as many people as we can.

Who was your mentor and what are the job responsibilities of a show secretary?

My mentor was my local club’s previous show secretary, Laurie Persson. Wanting to spend more time with her family, she made 2013 her last year, and at that time, I decided that stepping into this role was something that I could do for my local club. She taught me the ins and outs of the position at other shows and then I dove in headfirst. The typical job responsibilities of a show secretary include processing entries, verifying memberships and registration, handling the financials, submitting results, communicating information to the show committees and judges, and ultimately greeting the exhibitor at check in. I think that a part of my success has been that I find ways to go above and beyond the “normal” duties of a show secretary. Over the years, with my attention to detail, organizational skills and work ethic, I have figured out what works and does not work.

What does it take to be a good show secretary?

I do not know that I have the magic answer to what makes a good show secretary as there are so many different qualities that one could have to be a good one, but for me, it has always been great customer service, attention to detail, ability to multitask and a smile. No matter how long the show, I have always told myself that if I do not have the same attitude on the final day of the show that I had on the first day of the show, I should probably retire. At this point, I do not see that day coming anytime soon.

What services does Ringside Productions provide the shows?

The best part about Ringside Productions is that it is not a one size fits all business. We do offer the entire show management package, but we also offer an ala carte menu. We customize our services to match what each show’s needs are, knowing that not every show is the same. Management services, secretary services, premium book preparation, show scheduling, dressage ride time scheduling, dressage scoring, design services, show marketing and show consulting are some of the services that we offer.

Do you have a team working at Ringside Productions?

Tony, my partner and Co-Founder of Ringside Productions, works with me on every job. If he is not at a particular show working alongside me, he is almost always at the office working on other shows that we have coming up. Bonnie Chatten is our go-to person when we need additional staff at horse shows. She has become an especially important part of Ringside Productions over the past couple of years.

How many shows do you provide services to and how do manage all?

This year we are lucky enough to be providing our services to 23 horse shows across the country. Of those 23, 14 are Class A Arabian shows, seven are Regional Championships and two are National Championships. In addition to the Arabian breed, we also provide services to the International Friesian Show Horse Association World & Grand National Championships and International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association National Championships.

Do you travel a lot?

The short answer is yes. I am on the road regularly for nine months out of the year as my season starts mid-March and has me going every week thru the end of June. Starting back at the beginning of August, I have another ten shows on the backside of the season ending in Ocala, Florida on Thanksgiving weekend.

Do you have a career outside of Ringside Productions?

Other than breeding a couple horses a year, Ringside Productions gets all my time, energy, and attention. I am constantly thinking about what I can do next to take the shows that hire us to the next level.

What is your business goal in 5-10 years?

For Ringside Productions to be a nationally recognized name amongst multiple breeds and setting the standard for horse show secretaries and management teams across the country.

What do you like to do in your free time?

The small amount of free time that I have is always spent with our foals on the farm. I spend as much time with them as I can when they are the most impressionable. The importance of gaining their trust at such an early age goes a long way as they mature.