Centered Riding Pioneer Receives Seventh Annual Equine
Industry Vision Award
Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse
Publications Honor the Legendary Sally Swift
Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications (AHP) presented Sally
Swift with the seventh annual Equine Industry Vision Award at a ceremonial
breakfast held during the AHP Break from the Gate in 2008 seminar in Saratoga
Springs, NY. Established in 2002, the Equine Industry Vision Award was the
first of its kind to showcase innovation and recognize ingenuity and service
across the entire equine market.
At 95, Swift earned this honor for having a revolutionary impact on horseback
riding worldwide in the twentieth century. Best known as the founder of the
Centered Riding(R) method used by riders across all disciplines, Swift is a
true visionary whose legendary work will continue to impact the equine world
long beyond her years.
“Sally Swift is yet another outstanding example of the innovation, vision and
leadership that the Equine Industry Vision Award serves to recognize,” said
Kathy Miranowic, Equine Products Manager for Pfizer Animal Health. “Her
profound insight on Centered Riding has helped transform the equine world’s
understanding of mind and body in connection with the horse.”
Swift was born on April 20, 1913 in Hingham, Massachusetts to Rodman Swift and
Elizabeth Townsend Swift. She was named after her grandmother, Sarah Rodman
Swift. However, because she had a cousin also named Sarah, her nickname became
Sally3.
Horses were introduced to Swift’s life at a very early age. From the time she
was two or three she would sit on the back of the garbage man’s horse. Then,
once she became a little older, her mother – also an avid horse enthusiast --
rented a horse for a month in the summer. Every summer they would rent the
same horse, Helen Kingbolt. The Swifts kept the horse up on a hill at their
neighbor’s barn where they rented a standing stall. Down the road there was a
side road with no traffic, called Martin’s Lane, where they would take Helen
to ride3.
At age 7, Swift was diagnosed with scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the
spine. >From that time and through her early 20s she worked with a therapist
named Mabel Ellsworth Todd, author of The Thinking Body3. It was
through her work with Todd that Swift began an understanding of body awareness
and imagery that became the Centered Riding(R) method and her life ambition.
After graduating from Milton Academy, Swift taught traditional riding for
twelve years before changing careers. It wasn’t until she retired from the
American Holstein Association, at age 62, that teaching and riding came back
into play2. She planned to teach a few close friends. However, as
she developed her Centered Riding techniques, the demand for Centered Riding
clinics and instructor clinics blossomed. Before long, she was traveling all
over the world teaching many people. Now those teachers are educating new
teachers across the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe.
In 1985, Swift’s groundbreaking book Centered Riding was released. Since then
the book has been translated into fourteen different languages. In addition,
two Centered Riding videos were released in 1986 and are still in the top five
of Trafalgar Square Books’ best selling program. A second book, Centered
Riding 2: Further Exploration, was published in 2002 and has been published in
nine foreign countries1. Together, the two books have sold over three-quarters
of a million copies.
“I am blessed with the feeling that my life and dreams have come full circle,”
said Sally Swift. “Centered Riding is not about lofty ideals or selling books.
For me, Centered represents all that is good in today’s world, and the people
I have come to know through this “centered” journey have become my friends and
family. I realize today that Centered Riding was my vision of what can be when
we tear down the human armor and give a little of ourselves to one another and
our four-legged friends4.”
Swift also worked with the Alexander Technique, which enabled her to discard
the back brace she had worn for many years while riding or performing other
activities. The Alexander Technique is a method of re-educating the mind and
body towards greater balance and integration with special reference to posture
and movement2. This technique didn’t change any of her four basic principles
but rather added significantly to the depth and subtlety of her teaching.
In addition to her teaching, Swift founded Centered Riding(R) Inc., an
organization with members from around the world and a certification program
for instructors of the Centered Riding(R) method. The instructor program, also
founded by Swift, is now taught by Level IV instructors who either apprenticed
directly with Sally (1986-1991) or with at least two level IV instructors2.
“Swift is an inspiration to her peers and aspiring riders around the world,”
said Miranowic. “Her vision and techniques have imprinted the equine world,
while her determination and strength to overcome her personal challenges is
truly admirable.”
The other finalists for this year’s Equine Industry Vision Award included
Matthew Mackay-Smith, DVM, Linda Tellington Jones, G. Marvin Beeman, DVM,
Louisiana State University Equine Health Studies Program and Charlotte
Kneeland. New for 2009, all non-winning nominations, including finalists, must
be re-nominated. To request a nomination ballot for next year’s award, please
contact Chris Brune, Executive Director, American Horse Publications at
386-760-7743 or email AHorsePubs@aol.com.
Nomination information will be available in fall 2008 at the AHP website at
www.americanhorsepubs.org.
1Cook,
Martha. 2008 Equine Industry Vision Award Nomination. 18 Dec. 2007.
2Sally
Swift. 2005.
http://www.centeredriding.org/sallyswift.asp.
3Swift,
Sally. Sally Speaks: Growing Up Sally Swift.
http://www.centeredriding.org/articleshow.asp?story=107&titleimage=
4Swift,
Sally. Sally Speaks: What Centered Riding Means to Me.
http://www.centeredriding.org/articleshow.asp?story=106&titleimage=
Past Equine Industry Vision Award Recipients
Pfizer,
Inc. (NYSE: PFE), the world’s largest research-based biomedical and
pharmaceutical company, also is a world leader in discovering and developing
innovative animal vaccines and prescription medicines. Pfizer Animal Health is
dedicated to improving the safety, quality and productivity of the world’s
food supply by enhancing the health of livestock and poultry; and in helping
horses and pets to live longer and healthier lives. For additional information
on Pfizer’s portfolio of equine products, visit
www.PfizerAH.com.
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