By Doris Degner-Foster Portraits by Kristie Nichols A serious relationship between an amateur English hunter-jumper rider and a true professional cowboy may seem unlikely, but for Laura and Dan Keen, it works. Together they run L & D Sport Horses near Austin, Texas. They married last October — but have been together for the last

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Mary Eufemia grew up successfully showing hunters and equitation in Illinois before becoming a professional rider and trainer in Florida. In 1980, she and her husband, Kevin, founded Ravenwood Farm near Clearwater, Florida, to breed, train and show top hunters. Mary added judging to her resume, procuring her

By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Shawna Simmons Back when the horse show scene was relatively small in Birmingham, Alabama, there was a little girl who dreamed of bigger things. This was where Allison Majerik Black grew up, and thanks to her mother, loved horses and nursed that dream of bigger and better horse shows. Her

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Standing by the pony ring at a horse show can give you a glimpse into life as a pony rider. It’s a world of young riders who are talented, determined, fearless (or at least they seem to be) and who are paired with pint-size equines that often have

By Carter Anderson Liza Goodlett’s four years on the UGA Equestrian team were fast and fun, and she made friendships that will last a lifetime. Now, Liza’s tackling the professional world while holding onto the lessons she learned as a collegiate equestrian. When she accepted her new position at Charleston Shoe Company, Liza said that

By Britney Grover Portraits by Adrienne Morella Dudley Macfarlane has been a dedicated horsewoman her entire life, even while juggling her Wall Street banking career and raising three boys. In 2013, she and her horse Authentic won the Washington International Horse Show Adult Amateur Hunter Championship, and last fall she and her “horse-of-a-lifetime,” Roland Park,

By Tafra Donberger Photos by Shawna Simmons Competitive edge: It’s what many equestrians have in spades. It’s a drive to do the best, to always do better, to keep improving. For show jumper Haley Gassel, the drive to compete keeps her always looking to and preparing for the next event, whether horseback or in the