Bob Bell, Samantha Charles and Bradley Spragg
Bob Bell has announced that he and Bradley Spragg of Classic Publishing, a division of Classic Company Ltd, have acquired Sidelines magazine. Bell will serve as president and Spragg will act as publisher for the magazine. Sidelines is an equestrian-focused publication that has been often referred to as “Peoplemagazine” of the horse world. The publication and website feature the personalities and competitions central to the horsey set.
For decades Bell has produced top hunter/jumper horse shows in the southeast. His popular events include shows in Gulfport, Mississippi; Pensacola, Florida;
Atlanta and Charleston. He has been in discussions with former Sidelines owner Samantha Charles since late August and is pleased with the prospect of the new venture.
“I am ready to start working on a new chapter of my life,” said Bell. “The acquisition of Sidelines means working with my friend Bradley (Spragg) and working within a sport for which I have a great passion, I think this will be fun.”
Spragg is a friend of Bell and a successful trainer in Atlanta. He looks forward to working on the publication.
“Horses, people and style have always been my true passion,” said Spragg. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to combine them in this adventure in journalism.”
Charles developed the magazine 28 years ago. She is thrilled with the acquisition and believes the team of Bell and Spragg will take the magazine to the next level.
“I am so excited, I keep pinching myself,” Charles shared. “After starting this business and running it for 28 years, you can imagine how attached and emotionally invested I am, so it was difficult to think of passing it on to anyone who wouldn’t love Sidelines as I have and understand its potential.”
Bell and Charles have worked together for many years. “I just love Bob’s enthusiasm about the horse world,” Charles said. “He is connected, totally invested in and is an integral part of the horse show world. He is the perfect leader; a person everyone loves and respects. I am very lucky and so is Sidelines.”
