Be Aware of What You’re Building

By Rob Jacobs If you have followed my writings throughout the year, you would have noticed the theme this year has been how to accomplish your individual goals within the equestrian industry. I can always remember feeling as though I would have to build the life I ultimately wanted for myself. It was clear the
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Hannah Sue Hollberg: Coming Back From the Brink

By Sarah Eakin Portraits by Melissa Fuller Overcoming adversity goes with the territory for professionals in any equestrian discipline given the unpredictable nature of the beast. Three years ago, event rider Hannah Sue Burnett, now Hollberg, saw her career capsize after a fall—not while competing, but in the inauspicious circumstances of a dressage warm-up ring
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Hope Cooper: Dressage and Education Run in the Family

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Hope Cooper has a passion for learning—in the dressage arena, in academics—it’s in her DNA. Her father is a lawyer and her mother, Dr. Jane Karol, is both a Grand Prix dressage trainer and psychotherapist. Growing up at her family’s Bear Spot Farm in Concord, Massachusetts, proved to
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Bailey Robinson: Ponies on Her Mind

By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristie Scholten In some ways, Bailey Robinson owes her riding to her parents. Her mother, Wendy Hartman Robinson, grew up showing ponies and hunters on the East Coast. Bailey’s father, Mikal Robinson, also came from a horsey family and has trained horses all over North America. In other ways, however,

The Impact of Thoughts

By Margie Sugarman I fell off at a big show I qualified for last year. I thankfully qualified again this year, but I’m so nervous to attend. I’m afraid I’m going to remember the fall when I’m there. I’m afraid I’m going to fall off again and show people I don’t deserve to compete there.
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Believing in the Horse Nobody Believed In: Cooley Quicksilver

By Liz Halliday-Sharp I have had many young horses in my time, and one thing I’ve learned is that it’s rarely the perfect, easy baby that becomes the next superstar. In fact, I’ve always considered it a positive to have the well-behaved youngster throw a little bit of attitude my way, as I believe that
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Unbridled With Steve Stephens

By Britney Grover Steve Stephens knows a good jump course—he competed over hundreds, winning events like the American Gold Cup and Nations Cups around the world. Since the ’80s, Steve has been putting his interest in jumps and courses to use as a course designer and with his business, Stephens Equestrian Designs. It’s easy to
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Ava Barnes: A Heart for Horses and Horses for the Heart

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Anyone who’s had the privilege of loving a horse knows the magic of their presence. Twelve-year-old pony rider Ava Barnes was drawn to horses from the very beginning. She couldn’t predict the success she’d find in the show ring, or that horses would become the glue holding her
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Luca & Ella Endzweig: Twin Sisters Enjoying the Pure Joy of Ponies 

By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Fuller At first meeting, twin sisters Luca and Ella Endzweig might appear quiet and reserved. Get to know them, and their personalities are as different as any two 10-year-old girls.  “They’re super different—Luca is a little more reserved and composed, and Ella’s a bit more free-spirited,” said the twins’
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Kesia Finley: Overcoming Obstacles to Pursue Her Passion

By Shya Beth  Even though Kesia Finley’s path to the world of horses and art was paved with obstacles and heartache, you could say she was destined to bring her artistic talents to the world. In March of 2020, right after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when Kesia was furloughed from her job, her
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