PrintSam Barish was an unlikely convert into the dressage world. A fusion energy physicist at the Department of Energy, he was introduced to the sport by a girlfriend about 40 years ago. He started attending shows with her and decided if he was there, he might as well do something useful. Those early forays into volunteering led to bigger positions, and Barish held the U.S. Dressage Federation presidency from 1999-2009 and also served as president of the Potomac Valley Dressage Association for five years.
Despite his lack of riding experience—Barish said he’s been on a horse fewer than a dozen times—he has enormous respect for the sport. “Even though I’m not a rider, I think well-done dressage is beautiful,” Barish said. “I have great appreciation even for a very well done training level test. I can find it inspiring.”
Barish is devoting his newfound free time to his work at the Department of Energy as the stellerator and innovative confinement concepts program manager and his hobbies—playing tennis competitively and cheering on high school, professional and college basketball games. He’s not giving up dressage entirely, though, and he’ll still announce at shows and serve as a non-voting member on the USDF Board of Executives.
Name: Sam Barish
Home base: Rockville, Md.
Age: 66
What three things can be found in your refrigerator at any time?
Apples, grapes and water.
What will you miss most about being USDF president?
The opportunity to improve and have a positive impact on dressage in the United States.
What was the most important lesson you learned the hard way?
To be effective in leadership positions people have to like you, and it took me a long time to learn that. I was probably in my 50s when I learned that one. I always tried to do what I thought was the right thing. I didn’t care if people liked it or didn’t like it. Even if I turned out to be right, if people didn’t like working with me, I couldn’t be effective. To achieve my goals I had to be more likable. I may not be the most likable person now, but I’ve tried to be more friendly and congenial.
What word or phrase do you overuse?
Outstanding.
When was the last time you rode a horse?
I’d say about 15 years ago. I don’t know how to ride, and I’ve never known how to ride, so being on horses isn’t something I know very much about even though I know something about the sport of dressage.
What was the last book you read?
You Cannot Be Serious by John McEnroe. Many, many years ago when he was in his prime you probably heard he was the worst ever in the history of tennis as far as behavior on the tennis court. One time when an umpire made a call he didn’t like he screamed, “You cannot be serious!” He said a lot of things worse than that.
What is your drink of choice?
A fruit smoothie.
What electronic device could you not live without?
My cell phone. I have a simple one. I don’t do any text messages; I just make and receive calls and listen to voicemail.
What is the most important characteristic in a successful dressage horse?
I’m not a rider, and I don’t come from that much knowledge. But to me, it seems that the mind is absolutely critical. If the horse doesn’t have a good attitude toward his work he’s not going to make it in dressage.
