Grant Seger: Family Horseman on the Adventure of a Lifetime
Tuesday, December 17 2019
By Britney Grover. Portraits by Shawna Simmons - Grant and Rebekah Seger are in the middle of an adventure, complete with unlikely romance, courageous risks and unexpected twists, all while championing values in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their tale revolves around horses — and each other. Though Rebekah is more warrior princess than damsel in distress as she helps run Grant Seger Sporthorses in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raises their young family, Grant is the underdog hero: competitive yet honest, working hard with what he’s given and defending family values as he strives to make it in the show jumping world.
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Lexi Wedemeyer: Jumping at Every Opportunity
Thursday, December 12 2019
Story and photos by Lori Ovanessian - Some life stories are generations in the making. This is true for 27-year-old Alexandra “Lexi” Wedemeyer. She was destined to ride: Her grandfather had a ranch in Montana where her mother, Connie, grew up and horses were part of their everyday life. Her grandfather was tough and her mom recalls a time between 4-H and rodeo days where her father traded farm supplies for another farmer’s horse, handed it to her and said, “Here … make this your next barrel racer.”
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Natascha Gates: Her Fortune Foretold – From Germany to Colorado This Show Jumper Is Living Her Best Life
Monday, November 11 2019
By Doris Degner-Foster. Portraits by Kristie Nichols - When 16-year-old Natascha Gates and a friend went to visit a fortune teller in her home country of Germany, she was told that she would go far away to find happiness and her life’s love, but she didn’t actually believe it and promptly forgot about the experience. Natascha had other things on her mind. She was about to leave school and begin training for a career in the horse industry. Natascha with grand prix prospect China Blue, a 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Christian, owned by Nancy Gooding of Plum Creek Hollow Farm.
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Bethany Lee: All Roads Lead to My Equestrian Style
Tuesday, November 05 2019
By Britney Grover Photos by Shelby Phillips There are two things Bethany Lee has always been passionate about: horses and style. “When I was 5 years old, my mom would find me sitting in the middle of my closet, with five or six layers of outfits on my body at any given time,” she said.
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Wendy Sasser: “This Horse Gave Me My Dreams Back”
Friday, November 01 2019
By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Kristin Lee Late night 1984, 12-year-old Wendy Sasser sat with eyes glued to the television watching as equestrians competed at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Wendy had always loved horses, but that summer moment further fueled her passion. “Watching the Olympic equestrian events inspired me,” Wendy said. “Abdullah and Touch
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Colleen Brombach: “It’s All About Family”
Wednesday, October 16 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristie Nichols Colleen Brombach knew she wanted to be a horse trainer by the time she was 8 years old — before she ever learned to ride. “As a kid I used to go play out in the open fields, running around pretending I was a horse. I told myself,
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Carly Anthony: Enjoying A Fashionable Life From College to Grand Prix
Monday, September 23 2019
By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Kristin Lee You would never guess that there was a time when Carly Anthony was a timid rider. The winner of multiple USET awards, a successful NCEA equestrian with a national title and All-American honors and currently finding success across the nation, this forward and fashionable equestrian can still humbly
- Published in Sidelines Feature
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
- Published in Sidelines Feature
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
- Published in Sidelines Feature
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
- Published in Sidelines Feature