Loving Life and Working Hard, From Softball to Horses

Sydney Wilson Alpharetta, Georgia Hunter rider and Dover Saddlery employee How long have you been part of the horse world?  I’ve been riding for fun for about eight years and competitively for about two years. I had a babysitter who had a horse and would take me to her barn when I was 6 years

On the Road With Blueberry Hill

Ardath “Ardie” Kingslee Hastey  Georgeville, Quebec, and Ocala, Florida Owner and Founder of Blueberry Hill How long have you been part of the horse world?  Since day one, I’ve always had a love for animals. When I was 3, my babysitter used to put me on their fat, old retired gelding, bareback. I would sit

The Ins and Outs of Indoors

By Chrissie Kear I hear riders talk about “Indoors” all the time. Can you explain what it is and what shows are considered Indoors? Indoors is essentially the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), historically held in downtown Washington, D.C. but held in Tryon, North Carolina, this

Glenn & Joan Petty: Horses and Community Create a Horse Show Family

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Pam Jensen Glenn and Joan Petty have never met a stranger. For the past 30-plus years, they have welcomed everyone who attends their horse shows with open arms and their signature Southern hospitality. Whether you enter their show grounds as an exhibitor, vendor, spectator or facility worker, you leave as

Hillary Dobbs: Teamwork and Family Make the Best of Many Worlds

By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Fuller Once, Hillary Dobbs envisioned a life as a professional show jumper. After an impressive Junior career under the tutelage of Missy Clark and John Brennan, her early professional career got off to a promising start—with dozens of Grand Prix wins, multiple Leading Rider awards from national shows and
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Harmony Reigns in U.S. Dressage

By George Williams Many of us were drawn to dressage by the artistic ideal of striving to create such a perfect harmony between horse and rider that they truly merge and perform as one. Unfortunately, more often than not, we as riders fall short in this endeavor.  However, at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, there

Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show: Showing With a Purpose

By Britney Grover In September, Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show celebrated its 10th show—and a return from the COVID-19 pandemic cancellation last year. What began as a celebration of Thoroughbreds, held each year at the Fair Hill Training Center racetrack in Elkton, Maryland, has become not just a beloved hunter and jumper show but a strong
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Tracy Fenney: Leading by Example

By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Kristie Nichols Scholten Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio once noted, “A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example.” Tracy Fenney embodies the essence of the “Yankee Slugger’s” quote, setting an example for all equestrians through her quiet and humble leadership. In 2020, the US

Melanie Doughty: Studying at Home and Riding Abroad

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller  For Melanie Doughty, balance is more than a principle of dressage; it’s a way of life. As a top FEI Young Rider, owner of two horses, sorority sister and international business student at Rollins College, Melanie juggles everything with grace. This summer, Melanie built upon her resume of
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Sterling Malnik: Success in Three Rings 

Story & Portraits by Ruby Tevis For Sterling Malnik, growing up in Palm Beach County, Florida, was the perfect place for a horse-loving girl to spend her childhood. With five siblings and four half-siblings, Sterling’s childhood was never short of company—or horses. From Pony Finals to hunter derbies, equitation cups to the Junior jumpers, 15-year-old
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