Horses, Success & Humility
By Mark Deane | Photo by Joanne Maisano
W
hen Atoka, Virginia, resident Mike Smith was named the 2016 Virginia Steeplechase Owner of the Year, the award represented not only Smith’s life-long love of horses, but also the values and work ethic that his family had instilled in him. Smith reflected that the story of his journey toward the Steeplechase Owner of the Year award began with his grandfather in the 1940s. Smith’s grandfather, Clyde A. Smith, was an entrepreneur who put into practice the adage that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Clyde drove a pickup truck through Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, and collected refuse, including livestock carcasses, bones and grease, which he recycled into products to sell. Built in Winchester, Virginia, from those humble beginnings, Valley Proteins Inc. opened its doors in 1961. Since then, Valley Proteins Inc. has become the second largest rendering company in the world and has been operated by three generations of Smiths. Smith has fond memories of growing up in Winchester and has been enamored with horses and the Middleburg hunt country since childhood. “I loved to ride and travel with my horses to the Middleburg area,” Smith said. “I fell in love with the farms on Zulla Road and Atoka Road, and I started dreaming at an early age of owning a farm there one day.” Smith recalled being spellbound by the annual Upperville Colt & Horse Show, which he credited with ensuring his life-long love of the horse business. Unfortunately, Smith’s riding career was cut short when he suffered a back injury at a young age. “It was so difficult for me at that early an age to feel that I had to give up my main passion,” Smith said. “My father could see my frustration, so he bought me an interest in a racehorse that ran at Charles Town, West Virginia.” While the first horse was quite successful, other racehorses that followed were not. Smith, college bound, focused his attention on his studies as he attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Smith admitted that he initially chose Shepherd University simply because it was close to home. However, he credited the col-
lege for keeping him humble and preparing him for the business world. As life for Smith went on, college studies turned into the beginning of his business career, and the years brought marriage and the start of his family. Still, Smith’s love of horses remained, and he yearned to work with them again. “I realized that racing horses for money was difficult,” Smith said. He decided to focus on breeding horses, which satisfied his desire to be around the animals and kept his expenses in check, since he could do the farm work himself. While he considered his small breeding operation a success, Smith gradually phased out the venture, changing his focus to show horses as his own children became old enough to ride and compete. Enjoying his children’s success rekindled Smith’s own passion for competition, and the family’s show travels led him back to the Middleburg area. Smith purchased a steeplechase horse from Middleburg resident Zohar Ben-Dov and the horse went on to be awarded Hurdle Horse of the Year. With typical humility, Smith said, “I give Zohar and his trainer Neil Morris all the credit for that award.” Pleased with the horse’s success, Smith left the horse in training with Morris, who was based at Ben-Dov’s facility in Atoka. Traveling Atoka Road to watch his horse train, Smith’s old childhood dream of owning a farm on that beautiful stretch of hunt country was reawakened. As it happened, Ben-Dov had a 100-acre farm for sale, which he offered to Smith. Unfortunately, Smith was in the process of divorce, so the timing was not right. Smith passed on the opportunity, but the thought of the farm stayed with him. Smith said, “The farm was amazing, and I looked at it each time I drove by to visit my horse in training.” Seasons passed and brought changes. Smith remarried and, encouraged by both Ben-Dov and his wife, Wendy, Smith
purchased the 100-acre farm, christened Poplar Grove. Recently, Smith added to his childhood dream by acquiring the neighboring 270-acre Atoka Farm. He noted, “I bought the farm primarily so that I could preserve the beauty of the land and, of course, have a place for my horses.” Currently, Smith has 18 horses, some in partnerships that have proven very successful in competition through the Olympic level. Speaking with Mike Smith, I was struck by his humility and his gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way throughout his life. He was quick to credit others for his success: his parents for always giving him a sense of purpose and an understanding of the value of hard work; his wife, Wendy, for creating such a positive atmosphere in their life together and always encouraging his appreciation of the gifts he’s been given; and his extended family. Smith said, “My main concern, other than my family, is the welfare of my 2,000 employees (working for Valley Proteins Inc.); I try to treat them like my own family.” He added, “Also, I try not to let my passion for horses get out of control!” Smith makes sure to give back to those who have had such a positive influence on his journey through life. He serves as president of the board at his alma mater, Shepherd University. With his brother, Smith started a scholarship in their father’s name at the university. He also serves as president of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, which played such a large part in creating his love of hunt country and the horse business. Smith hopes newcomers will visit the Middleburg and Upperville areas and come to love it as he does. ML Mike Smith with his wife, Wendy.
APRIL 2017
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