Endel Ots: Heart of a Champion

By Ruby Tevis. Portraits by Melissa Fuller - When dressage rider Endel Ots reflects on his achievements and challenges he’s encountered, there’s one thing he wishes he could tell his younger self. “If I could give younger Endel advice, I would tell him, ‘You’re going to be OK,’” Endel said. “We often label things as bad or good. However, it’s not until later on in your journey when you realize that what you thought was bad at the time was actually the best thing that could have happened to you.”
Tagged under: , ,

Falling in Love With Carson Kressley

by Britney Grover. Portraits by Adrienne Morella - From his laughing smile to his live-out-loud wit, it’s hard not to love Carson Kressley. The fashion expert has become a beloved TV personality whether it’s delivering genuinely constructive criticism as a judge or on a talk show relating the time he wore Gucci leather loafers to the barn. He balances couture with compassion, at once resplendent and relatable.
Tagged under: , , ,

Ryan Pedigo: Part of the Family

By Lyssette Williams, Portraits by Krisin Lee - Putting in a beautiful jumping round at a horse show and winning a ribbon is the sweet reward for countless hours of training at home. For Southern California trainer and horse breeder Ryan Pedigo, that win is the culmination of not only countless hours of hands-on care and training, but also many days and sleepless nights on foal watch.
Tagged under: , ,

The Impact of Coaching Techniques

By Margie Sugarman My trainer, although great, can be quite harsh. Recently we were at a horse show where she loudly and publicly scolded another rider for something she did while showing. What my friend did was in no way dangerous; it was just a minor bad habit that she’s been having a hard time breaking. Now I’m consumed with concern that my trainer will publicly humiliate me over something minor as well. I’m concerned about her attitude toward correcting her riders — can this type of coaching be beneficial?
Tagged under: ,

Grant Seger: Family Horseman on the Adventure of a Lifetime

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.
Tagged under: , , ,

Lexi Wedemeyer: Jumping at Every Opportunity

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.”
Tagged under: , ,

Natascha Gates: Her Fortune Foretold – From Germany to Colorado This Show Jumper Is Living Her Best Life      

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.
Tagged under: , , ,

Bethany Lee: All Roads Lead to My Equestrian Style

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 … [Read more]

Tagged under: , , , ,

Wendy Sasser: “This Horse Gave Me My Dreams Back”

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 … [Read more]

Tagged under: , , , ,

Colleen Brombach: “It’s All About Family”

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 … [Read more]