Deborah Ettenger: A Special Horse Changes Lives

By Doris Degner-Foster Deborah Ettenger knows firsthand how the power of horses can help people, as she dealt with both physical and mental challenges. When her late husband was battling cancer and subsequently passed away, Deborah credits horses and riding with helping her persevere. “Going to the barn and focusing on me and the horse
Tagged under: , , ,

Ponies, Pencils and Preservation

Name: Caroline “Mosie” Pennington City/State: Washington, D.C. Grade: 6th How long have you been part of the horse world? I’ve been around horses my whole life. Our family has a racehorse farm in Virginia with breeding, training and re-training operations. My mom also rides and was responsible for putting me on my first pony at
Tagged under: , , , ,

Maddie Tosh: Lead Line to Pony Finals

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Horses have always been a part of Maddie Tosh’s life. Her dad — and trainer — is acclaimed hunter rider and trainer Hunt Tosh. Now 14, Maddie has grown up learning the ins and outs of riding, showing and horsemanship. When she first began showing, Maddie admits she
Tagged under: , , ,

Amelia Fucito: The Healing Power of Horses

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller To a spectator on the sidelines, Amelia Fucito is just another horse-loving kid taking her trip around the ring, but to her parents and her trainer, every jump she clears is symbolic of the challenges she’s overcome in life. At 15 years old, Amelia has gone from a
Tagged under: , , , ,

Jenn Gates: Learning From Life, Riding and Medical School

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Jennifer “Jenn” Gates has a lot to be excited about. She’s engaged to the man of her dreams, she’s balancing her passion for riding with her studies at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) and she recently acquired grand prix superstar Darry Lou from Beezie
Tagged under: , , , , , , ,

Nick Wagman: Reaching Dressage Dreams

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller For Nick Wagman, dressage is all about the journey. From his first ride at summer camp to going down centerline chasing Olympic dreams, Nick’s love for horses has always been top priority. By the middle of the 2020 winter season in Wellington, Nick and his mount Don John,
Tagged under: , , , ,

Dianna Babington: Overcoming the Unthinkable

By Troy Anna Smith Portraits by Shawna Simmons When Irish Olympian and grand prix show jumper Kevin Babington suffered a life-altering accident at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Long Island, New York, wife and business partner Dianna Babington suddenly found herself coping and balancing a new lifestyle as best she knows how. “I’m a
Tagged under: , , ,

Karen Polle: The Olympic Hopeful With Wings 


By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Shelby Phillips When the Olympic Games roll around, there aren’t many athletes in the world who could say they haven’t imagined what it might be like to compete there. As the ultimate expression of athletic ability and pinnacle of achievement for so many, there are untold numbers of children who
Tagged under: , , ,

Tamie Smith: Fearless in the Face of Uncertainty

By Britney Grover Portraits by Lori Ovanessian As a top eventer in the U.S., Tamra “Tamie” Smith had just as much reason as anyone to be disappointed when the 2020 Kentucky Land Rover Three-Day Event — along with so many other competitions around the world — was cancelled and the Olympics postponed. “After my horse
Tagged under: , , ,

Georgina Bloomberg Is Living Her Best Life and Making a Difference in the World

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons In the show jumping world alone, Georgina Bloomberg’s list of accomplishments is impressive — and nowhere near completed.  She’s both the owner of and rider on the Global Champions League team New York Empire, has a slew of top placings in grand prix and has been instrumental in U.S.
Tagged under: , ,