StableStrides: Equine-Assisted Therapy as a First Choice, Not a Last Resort

By Britney Grover StableStrides has been an active force for good in Colorado Springs since 1981. Though it’s had several different names and has developed and expanded its programs over the years, the mission has remained the same: using horses to help people. Now, StableStrides has multiple locations fueled by more than 20 horses and
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Unbridled With Boyd Martin

By Jan Westmark Eventer Boyd Martin is a fan favorite who draws a crowd wherever he goes thanks to his great riding, quick wit, easygoing personality and charming accent. Boyd grew up in Australia as the son of winter Olympians Toy and Ross Martin and believes it was an ideal environment for him as the
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Allen Nabors: Leaving Hollywood for Horses         

By Doris Degner-Foster Portraits by Shawna Simmons Allen Nabors has worked for years in movies and television, the most memorable for many fans being his role in “The Big Bang Theory” as Penny’s brief love interest, Doug. But if you meet Allen at a horse show, it’s not likely that he’ll bring up the subject. “It’s something
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Allison Kroff: Learning by Watching

By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristie Nichols There are a few unusual things about Allison Kroff and her path to being a professional equestrian: She entered her first grand prix when she was just 15 years old, even though she didn’t ride, travel or show with a trainer — but that didn’t stop her from
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Ask the Judge: Stephanie Cumming

By Carter Anderson Have you ever wondered what the judge is looking for? Stephanie Cumming has been judging collegiate meets for eight years and has a specific process when choosing the winner. If she’s not in the judge’s booth, you can find Stephanie running her business, Pecan Lane Farm, based in Bishop, Georgia. Her background
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Great and Small: Using Horses to Ensure All Know They’re Great

By Britney Grover Some hope to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. For others, it would be far more valuable to find a horse. Even just a few minutes with a horse can do wonders for someone emotionally, mentally and even physically — especially if that person or child doesn’t
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Tracey Noonan: One Wicked Good Woman

By Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Shawna Simmons There’s something about a horse — and a barn, for that matter — that teaches lessons and builds character. From focus and drive to empathy, the traits honed from a partnership with a horse can translate across a variety of scenarios and spaces. These skills nurture relationships and
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Cliques Versus True Friendship

By Margie Sugarman Margie Sugarman is a leading board-certified psychotherapist and sports consultant based in New York. Margie’s desire is to enhance performance through the connection between the mind and body, and her current client list includes Olympic, professional and amateur athletes across the country. Her experience employing various therapeutic modalities has helped equestrians win classics, junior medals and
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Paige Johnson: Helping Dogs in Need Through Their Voice Rescue

By Julie Unger Portraits by Kathy Russell Eyes are known as the window to the soul, and if you’ve ever gazed into an animal’s eyes, you know this sentiment well. Eyes tell a story, but too often, no one is listening. What happens when you can’t talk, can’t share your story and can’t stand up
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Marissa Degner: One Good Round

By Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Ann Blaine Davidson Many young riders are dreamers. In the mind of an imaginative little rider, a gallop across a field on a pony can become a victory lap at Spruce Meadows. But 22-year-old Marissa Degner describes herself as more of a realist, even as a young girl. “My mother
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