Vanessa Whitell: Finding the Feeling Through Equine Art
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Shya Beth What sets dressage rider and artist Vanessa Whittell apart from the crowd is her ability to paint not just the image she sees, but the feeling of the piece through the paint. It’s one thing to be skilled at sketching the design and composition, choosing the right paints, mixing and blending to
- Published in Weekly Feature
A Tale of Two Kiwis: The Wordley Martin Story
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Amanda Picciotto Feitosa Getting to the top of any industry is a mix of determination, expertise and a little bit of luck. Fellow equestrians know adding horses to that equation makes the climb for success even more unique. That’s the case for Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin, two international show jumping athletes who grew
- Published in Weekly Feature
Unbridled With Mary Choate
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Ruby Tevis Mary Choate’s impact within the horse show community stretches far and wide. She’s a second-generation steward—inspired by her father, Tom Brennan, who was a steward for USEF and FEI. Mary was raised in a family of eight children on her parents’ farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. In middle school, Mary began hunt
- Published in Weekly Feature
Making Mistakes Is Part of Riding
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Rob Jacobs I remind my students that human error occurs, and mistakes are guaranteed to happen whether a rider is learning how to demonstrate a proper “jumping position” or if that rider is preparing for the Olympics. I have had more success giving my students a true understanding of mistakes that are within their
- Published in Weekly Feature
The Challenges of Dressage Judging in Eventing
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Liz Halliday-Sharp The dressage phase in eventing is very tough. Not only does the rider need to be accurate and precise, but teaching a fit horse to be relaxed, trained and rideable in the ring when they are ready to run and jump is no easy task. I also believe that it’s a challenge
- Published in Weekly Feature
Rivervale Farm Raises Appaloosa Sport Horses in the Middle of Cowboy Country
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
Craig Heckert and Patty Larson, Rivervale Farm Nisland, South Dakota Sporthorse breeder How long have you been part of the horse world? Craig and I have been involved in the horse industry our entire lives. Craig was involved in Quarter Horses and I with Appaloosas. My family switched to Warmbloods in the late ’80s and
- Published in Weekly Feature
Kirsten Hannah: In the Saddle and Behind the Lens
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Hannah Waroway If Kirsten Hannah isn’t riding in the show ring, you can find her on the sidelines behind a camera. Kirsten is a junior at North Carolina State, an accomplished equestrian and the owner of a successful photography business—something she started at just 14 years old. Her life is
- Published in Weekly Feature
Turning An RV Business Into an Equestrian Empire
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
Gigi Stetler Wellington and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida RV Sales of Broward How did you become part of the horse world? I was obsessed with horses from the time I was 11. I would see them in a pasture when I was going to and from school every day. My parents were divorced by the time
- Published in Weekly Feature
Brett Ingram: Learning and Riding Around the World
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Brett Ingram has made a lifelong commitment to his equestrian education. From catch riding as a teenager to training carriage tour horses in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, then across the world to the Westphalian Riding School to earn his German trainer certification, Brett’s desire to learn
- Published in Weekly Feature
Looking Forward to An Exciting Year of Dressage Shows
Monday, January 30 2023
by Ruby Tevis
By George Williams Another year is here and 2023 is looking to be an exciting year for dressage. Because the Paris Olympics are in 2024, we will have the Pan American Games and the European Championships in early September in Riesenbeck, Germany. These two important competitions will determine what other nations will qualify to send a
- Published in Weekly Feature