Christian Rogge: From the Top of the Sport to Fatherhood
Friday, September 13 2019
By Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Kristie Nichols For Christian Rogge, 2019 has been a year of new adventures. In January, Christian and his wife, grand prix rider Hailey Henderson-Rogge, welcomed their baby son, Hans, into the world. “I’m pretty sure Hailey already has a pony for him,” Christian laughed. “Hopefully the kid likes horses.” Science
- Published in Weekly Feature
Kirsten Ostling: The Ins and Outs of Equitation on the Flat
Friday, September 13 2019
Southern Methodist University junior Kirsten Ostling didn’t always know the ins and outs of the flat ring like she does now. Like most collegiate Equitation on the competitors, the format is something they pick up within the first few weeks of practice. Kirsten credits the smooth transition to her time with Val Renihan at Findlay’s
- Published in General
Kendel Neidermyer: From Front Flips to FWORDS
Tuesday, September 10 2019
By Doris Degner-Foster Portraits by Michael Paniccia Kendel Neidermyer has successfully fused couture fashion design with active sports clothing, including riding apparel. Although she doesn’t ride, she considers herself a part of the horse community. “I had this moment in the first recognized show that I attended — it was the Longines Masters in New
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Unbridled with Melanie Smith Taylor
Monday, September 09 2019
By Jan Westmark Melanie Smith Taylor is well known in the equestrian world for her legendary partnership with Calypso, for her team gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and for being one of only two riders to win the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. Despite all of her accomplishments in the saddle,
- Published in General
McKinley Harvey: These Boots are Made for Dreaming
Tuesday, September 03 2019
By Amy Hempe Portraits by Bianca McCarty McKinley Harvey developed her work ethic at an early age. “When I was a little girl, I’d get up at 5 a.m. to take care of my horse. Nobody else in my family rode, but I knew this was what I wanted,” she said. That determination has stayed
- Published in Weekly Feature
Yulia Bratkovskaya: Modeling An Equestrian Life
Thursday, August 29 2019
By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Lori Ovanessian Five years ago, Yulia Bratkovskaya moved from Russia to the United States to springboard her riding and training career. What she didn’t expect was the circuitous journey she ended up on. “I started riding in a very intense Russian Olympic Reserve school at the age of 6,” Yulia
- Published in Weekly Feature
Course Walk with Heather Caristo
Wednesday, August 28 2019
You and some of the ponies you have ridden in the past are still discussed by young riders aspiring to become professional equestrians. What made some of those ponies special? Throughout my junior years, I was presented with the opportunity to ride many different ponies. I also had the good fortune to be able to
- Published in General
Will Simpson: It’s All About the Horses
Thursday, August 22 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristin Lee The pressure was on Will Simpson at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: All he had to do was jump clear with Carlsson vom Dach and the U.S. Show Jumping Team would bring home gold. All his years of dedication and hard work had brought him to that moment,
- Published in General
Laura and Dan Keen: A Marriage Made in Horse Heaven
Thursday, August 22 2019
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
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Unbridled with Ivan Rakowsky
Thursday, August 22 2019
By Jan Westmark Show jumper Ivan Rakowsky was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. His riding career began with pony rides on the weekends and progressed to riding lessons at a barn about an hour from the city when he was eight years old. His talents were spotted by a few people who let
- Published in General