A Genuine Leader with the Courage to Be Herself

In genuine leaders, purpose aligns with personality.

Maddy Zanetti was a “horse-crazy” girl growing up, and is now the co-owner of Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile.

Maddy follows her heart. When she was told the world wasn’t ready for a person like her yet, she responded, “This is who I am. I’m ready, and I believe in myself.”

Finding Where She Fits In

For her 14th birthday present, Maddy picked out her first horse, a quick quarter horse cross with a confident air, and named him Flye. That was 2005, the same year Maddy started working at Impressions of Saratoga, the downtown shop she had stopped in often on her own to talk about horses with owner Mare Barker and employee Kim Tribley (who is now the owner of Coffee Planet in Ballston Spa).

“They were always happy to see me and made me feel welcome,” said Maddy, adding, “That’s still a really big part of what we do. It’s very comfortable and inviting there.”

A Hunger To Excel

In addition to working, Maddy became Student Council President before graduating from Saratoga Springs High School in 2008. She won the prestigious Yaddo Award (like her grandmother and brother before her) and brought Flye with her to SUNY Geneseo.

Despite carrying a full course load, Maddy was restless, so she became a Sports Medicine Student Trainer and was active in the Sports Medicine Club, which she said was fun because it afforded her the opportunity to attend a variety of the school’s sporting events.

What Maddy really wanted to do however, was get back to her hometown. As a result, she graduated a year early, earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in just three years.

“Being at Geneseo showed me how much I love Saratoga and how special of place Saratoga is,” she said.

Leading With Generosity

Maddy is passionate about buying local and giving back to her community. She volunteers with organizations including the Saratoga Historical Society, serves on the Discover Saratoga and Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation boards, and is former president of the Downtown Business Association (which she has been affiliated with since 2012).

“I’m used to hard work and stepping up. I have the passion and commitment to take on the responsibility. I’m not afraid to tell people what needs to be done, and I do set a very high bar,” she said.

Often the youngest and the only female in the room at meetings, initially, Maddy wasn’t as confident as she is today, she said, and sometimes kept quiet instead of speaking her mind.

The Underdog Gets The Upper Hand

Today, Maddy engages with others in an authentic and open way but the story of an underdog who prevails continues to resonate with her.

Maddy authored Upset – The Original Dark Horse (2018) and Jim Dandy – A Dark Horse on a Dark Day (2020) to tell the stories of two horses who defied expectations at the Saratoga Race Course a hundred years ago.

“I told the stories so much to people coming into the store, I decided to write the books, but I am surprised by their following. It’s really humbling to see people enjoy them so much,” she said.

More Surprises In Store

An even bigger surprise for Maddy was how well she hit it off with Zach Novick, who lived in the apartment above Impressions. The couple was married in 2016, and their son, Tommy, is now four years old. Maddy enjoys reading to him the same book she loved as a child, Mrs. Mack by Patricia Polacco (a story about kindness, overcoming fear, and a horse named Penny). Today, Maddy’s horse Flye is 23, and has been joined by two more horses; Upset and Poppy.

Often seen riding her bucket bike downtown, with their two dogs, Smitty and Thatcher, in the back, Maddy said life is a balancing act. It’s one she is still figuring out by following the advice her dad gave her (and it’s what she signs in all of her books) - always do your best.

“I’m also very lucky to have a very supportive family, a network of friends and coworkers,” she added.

Because of their excellent character references, she received a mortgage from Adirondack Trust for her first home at age 23, while still a single woman. Now, her family helps care for Tommy while she is working.

In 2024, Maddy will become full owner of both stores, while Mare Barker transitions into retirement.

“We’ve worked together for 18 years, and she tells me, now, I’ve got to find my ‘Maddy’ (someone as passionate as I am) but I haven’t found them yet, ” said Maddy, adding that, “No matter what, I’ll manage, and Mare and our staff will always help .”

“I’m still young and there is still so much to come. I haven’t had my moment yet.”