Bloodlines ring true–for both horses and humans. Given her family background, it’s no surprise that Samantha Dailey is passionate about agribusiness and real estate.
The only child of Hugh and Valerie Dailey–longtime Marion County fixtures in banking, Thoroughbreds and real estate–Samantha was raised on a working farm. Located in Anthony, the 70-acre family operation is appropriately named 3D Farm after the three Daileys.
Her mother, Valerie, was breeding mares, boarding horses and teaching riding lessons when Samantha was young. Although she grew up in a horse-centered world and began riding at a young age, she also developed a strong interest in raising and showing cattle. As a result, 3D Farm soon became home to a herd of Angus and Angus-cross cattle.
“I got involved in 4-H projects and showed cattle, lambs and rabbits. I was very involved in the Southeastern Youth Fair.”
“I got involved in 4-H projects and showed cattle, lambs and rabbits. I was very involved in the Southeastern Youth Fair,” says Samantha.
She attended the University of Florida, graduating in 2017 with a degree in Animal Science and then stayed to get her master’s in Agriculture Business.
It was college that reintroduced her to riding.
“I didn’t have a riding horse again until I was in college. Ranch Horse was offered as a class at UF. It was all about working cattle, roping, etc. It was a fun class that everyone wanted to take,” says Samantha.
Signing up for that class prompted her to further pursue ranch riding.
“I was literally scrolling through Facebook, and trainer Victoria Boies of Lopin’ N Ropin in Reddick was offering ranch riding lessons. I took a chance with those lessons, and it worked out,” says Samantha, adding that this led her to buy her first horse.
After graduating college, Samantha worked at Seminole Feeds as a sales rep. She also became a REALTOR® and worked part time in that field. She briefly moved to Colorado for what she thought was a dream marketing job, but it turned out her heart was in Florida.
“After returning home from Colorado at the end of the summer of 2022, I worked to further my education and obtained my Broker Associate license,” says Samantha, who then became a full-time member of the Showcase Properties team.
Her riding adventures continued to expand upon returning to her hometown.
“This October marks two years since I started taking lessons in ranch riding, so I needed some goals. This is the first time I’ve ridden with a trainer. Since I didn’t show as a kid, this is all new,” says Samantha, who is competing now and making the most of living in the Horse Capital of the World®.
“I’ve been showing at Florida Horse Park in their Let’s Go Show series, which includes Western, English and some driving classes. It’s a great facility and pretty competitive. It lets me get my feet wet. This September, I’ll be showing at WEC in an AQHA show.”
“I’ve been showing at Florida Horse Park in their Let’s Go Show series, which includes Western, English and some driving classes. It’s a great facility and pretty competitive. It lets me get my feet wet. This September, I’ll be showing at WEC in an AQHA show,” she notes.
During the summer months, Samantha is at her trainer’s barn early and is usually riding before 8am.
“Depending on my real estate work, my riding schedule can change. I typically always have my boots and a pair of jeans in my car just in case I can get in a ride or lesson,” she smiles.
Samantha built a house in the same neighborhood as the family farm where she grew up, so farm life remains part of her daily routine.
“All my cattle are there, along with mom’s broodmares. I have about 25 head of cows, mostly purebred Angus, including a few of my old show heifers. We breed them every year and sell the weaned calves at the livestock market,” says Samantha. “I’m up early every morning and head over to the farm to check the cattle and feed the horses.”
True to her roots, she remains active in the local ag community and supports local 4-H and FFA programs. She serves on numerous committees for the Southeastern Youth Fair and also serves as an Ocala chapter board member for the Coastal Conservation Association’s annual banquet.
Samantha revels in the fact that horses are now front and center in her life. It’s been a full-circle journey and she’s loving the ride.
– by Cynthia McFarland
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