Sydney Shulman
If you've attended the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, during the high season months, chances are you are familiar with the speed demon winner Sydney Shulman. Show jumping is her day job, which she takes very seriously and is a super force to be reckoned with. Every time Syd steps into the ring everyone watches, because more likely than not she will win or beat you. And you kinda want her to. Because she is so good at it. I’ve been around a bit longer than Sydney, as she is only 25 years old. The feeling she gives me is comparable to when I was her age and would watch riders of my generation, like Kent Farrington, go into the ring. You started to root for them because you knew they were going to be great and start a winning legacy that would create a worldwide fan club.
What strikes me the most about Syd is her lightheartedness for life. She wants to win every time and will sometimes risk a mistake on course in order to do so. She is willing to put herself out there in order to beat the class. Some of us riders have that one thing holding us back, that strive for perfection, but Sydney just leaves it all on the table and her blue ribbons are starting to prove that system is unbeatable. And I have to say that when she wins, it’s pretty close to perfection.
Growing up between Greenwich and Palm Beach, and spending most of her free time with her big, open-hearted family, she has started somewhat of a cult following on her personal Instagram page @syd_shulman_llc not only because of her winning rides, but because of her skills in the kitchen. I sometimes have no idea how she whips up these meals everyday and eats all of this food. But I look forward to seeing what she’s making and definitely find inspo from her stories. A stone cold winner in the ring and a warm inviting chef in the kitchen. Sydney truly has mastered such a balance at such a young age, it’s a pleasure and honor to be around her whenever I can.
As told by Sydney...
I run our family’s showjumping business http://www.backcountryfarm.com with my mom Jill Shulman, and my best friend Gabby Hero. It’s the best of both worlds. I get the knowledge, experience and wisdom from my mom, while getting to spend all day/everyday with my best friend of 15 years! Win win! My cooking inspirations are my mom and my sister- Both of them are like ballroom dancers in the kitchen! I always joke it’s my fallback career. I love cooking so much, but I love eating more!!!
Riding for Team Isreal I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs this season. I had my sight set on trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics this year, and with the sudden change in my life’s plan, I’ve really started to hit it hard in the kitchen. I’ve even been doing socially distanced drop offs to my friends in Wellington!!!
Here are my go to recipes that keep me on going on a weekly basis:
Rigatoni alla vodka- when I crush it and feel like I gotta reward myself!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bonappetit.com/recipe/rigatoni-with-easy-vodka-sauce/amp
Chicken piccata- when I need a pick me up if I ride average and want something healthy but comforting
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chicken-piccata-2/amp
Chicken lettuce wrap- when I win and am determined to be healthy but eat a lot of something good
Brown butter choc chip cookies - when I’m terrible or everything goes wrong in a day and I need comfort - this is the cure
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