Opportunities for Young Riders in the Hunter-Jumper World 

By Andrew Welles  From your experience as a trainer, what are ways young riders can grow in their training if they don’t have the means to have a string of horses of their own?  Take advantage of every opportunity the sport offers you. If that’s a riding opportunity, make sure it’s with good horses that
Tagged under: , ,

Unbridled With Harold Chopping

By Jan Westmark Harold Chopping grew up in Canada, where he had a successful career in both the hunter and jumper ring. He represented the Canadian Equestrian Team on multiple Nations Cup teams, competed at three World Cup Finals, and was the alternate for the Barcelona Olympic Games.  Harold moved to the United States and
Tagged under: , ,

Britaney Courtney: Chasing Dreams and Reaching Goals

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shelby Phillips Britaney Courtney believes in chasing dreams. For her, that means balancing life as an equestrian entrepreneur whose business has already expanded across three continents. It also means encouraging others to chase their own dreams, believing in others as others have believed in her. “My grandfather was probably one
Tagged under: ,

Dreaming of Horses, Training and Following in Her Parents’ Footsteps

Katie Lenkart Delano, Minnesota Working student at Ashland Farms How long have you been part of the horse world? Both of my parents are trainers, so I’ve been part of the horse world for as long as I can remember. I was quite literally “raised in a barn.” What part do you play in the
Tagged under: , , ,

Jumping Cross-Country – Part 2 with Boyd Martin

Last month we talked about jumping single fences, water and banks. This month we’re talking about ditches and jumps that include ditches. Like most cross-country obstacles out there, the main key to introducing your horse to jumping ditches is confidence. This begins with understanding: The horse needs to have a clear understanding of what a
Tagged under: , ,

Jake Parker Wymard: Representing Working-Class Young Riders

Jake Parker Wymard is a professional rider and trainer at Ashcombe Sporthorses, a business that he owns and operates with his mother, Ginger Parker, and Erika Sentz — but he feels his role in the horse world is very different from his title. Splitting his time between Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, and Ocala, Florida, Jake feels
Tagged under: , ,

Steve Paulson: Adventures In Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Horses

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Lori Ovanessian From the moment Steve Paulson sat in a saddle, he’s had a magical connection with horses and excelled at whatever equestrian discipline he pursued. Polo, reining, three-day eventing, liberty, dressage, Roman riding — Steve’s tried it all and done it all well. Nicknamed “Six Week Steven” by friends
Tagged under: , , ,

Gleneayre Equestrian Program: A Continuous Circle of Improving Lives

By Britney Grover A single interaction with a horse can change a life; being involved with horses can shape a life. That’s exactly why Ellen Healey founded the Gleneayre Equestrian Program. “The idea started with children who had been exposed to horses in some way and then for whatever reason had to give them up,”
Tagged under: , ,

Daniel and Cathy Geitner: Building a Business and a Family

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Shawna Simmons If you asked Daniel and Cathy Geitner, ‘Were you raised in a barn?’ They both would proudly answer, ‘Yes!’ Not only were they raised there, they have chosen to raise their two children, Wyatt, 15, and Lilly, 13, in the environment they know best, at their DFG Stables
Tagged under: ,

Chloe Smyth: Eventing With Hounds, Horses and Heart

By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Kristin Lee After meeting eventer Chloe Smyth, it’s easy to see that she lives, breathes and dreams horses. Chloe has funneled her deep passion for the animals into a climb up the levels in the eventing world, but it’s her varied background, in combination with an exceptional work ethic and
Tagged under: ,