Allison Black: Sweet Home Alabama, With Horses
Thursday, August 15 2019
By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Shawna Simmons Back when the horse show scene was relatively small in Birmingham, Alabama, there was a little girl who dreamed of bigger things. This was where Allison Majerik Black grew up, and thanks to her mother, loved horses and nursed that dream of bigger and better horse shows. Her
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Celebrating the Power of Pony Riders
Wednesday, August 07 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Standing by the pony ring at a horse show can give you a glimpse into life as a pony rider. It’s a world of young riders who are talented, determined, fearless (or at least they seem to be) and who are paired with pint-size equines that often have
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Haley Gassel: Show Jumping, Bodybuilding and a Passion for Excellence
Monday, July 22 2019
By Tafra Donberger Photos by Shawna Simmons Competitive edge: It’s what many equestrians have in spades. It’s a drive to do the best, to always do better, to keep improving. For show jumper Haley Gassel, the drive to compete keeps her always looking to and preparing for the next event, whether horseback or in the
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Sarah Lockman -Dressage Rider’s Journey From “Pinch Me” Moment to International Stage
Wednesday, July 10 2019
By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Kristin Lee Sarah Lockman has always been one to set goals. While only in Pony Club as a girl, she knew that she wanted to one day represent the United States on an international level. So when she caught the eye of Olympian Debbie McDonald at her first CDI event,
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Robin Parsky: Owning Horses for Team U.S.A.
Monday, June 10 2019
By Britney Grover with Marianne Taylor Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Robin Cleary Parsky was only 6 years old when she had a clear vision of what she wanted to do with her life: own horses that represented the U.S.A. in international competition. Her course was set after she saw a screening of Walt Disney’s
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Southern Reins: Changing Lives One Ride at a Time
Tuesday, May 28 2019
By Britney Grover On the first Saturday in May, horse fans gather around the country to celebrate the first race in the Triple Crown. Near Memphis in Collierville, Tennessee, the annual Jockeys & Juleps event features big hats, bourbon, bluegrass and a live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby. It’s been named one of the top
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Rochelle Costanza: Living and Loving Eventing
Monday, May 13 2019
by Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Kristie Nichols When you ask a professional in the horse business — especially eventing — what it takes to succeed in the industry, you’ll often hear these distinct characteristics in response: willingness to learn, a strong work ethic and perseverance. Those same traits perfectly describe Colorado eventer Rochelle Costanza. “Eventing
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Lisa Lourie: The Determination for Business and Breeding at Spy Coast Farm
Monday, April 29 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek As a mother and ICU nurse, Lisa Lourie’s journey with horses began when her daughter started riding at 8 years old and Lisa decided to take up riding alongside her. Soon they purchased their first horse and pony, and began looking for a horse property. In 2003,
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Adrienne Sternlicht’s Star-Lit Path to Self-Confidence and Success: Beating Mental Blocks to Claim the Team World Championship
Tuesday, April 09 2019
By Britney Grover Adrienne Sternlicht knows it takes more than wishing on a star to be successful. She knows it takes hard work, dedication, strength, talent, top trainers and the right horse. Mounted on her “horse-of-a-lifetime,” Cristalline, and trained by top competitors like Linda Langmeier, Laura Kraut, Nick Skelton and currently McLain Ward, Adrienne has
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Unbridled with Beezie Madden
Thursday, April 04 2019
By Jan Westmark Social media influencers are all the rage now, but show jumper Beezie Madden has been influencing generations of young riders since long before social media existed. When young riders were asked who they looked up to the most in the equestrian world, Beezie was at the top of the list. Speaking of
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