Janet Ferraro: From Fashion to Fine Art of Horses

By Shya Beth Horses have been the main focus of Janet Ferraro’s art, and the process of painting clients’ horses is almost as sacred as the strong bond of love between horse and human. Being an artist is being asked to convey the beauty and spirit of this divine creature for each person, and that’s
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Allie Heninger: The Autoimmune Equestrian

By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Anderson Many horse-crazy individuals know that with hard work, determination and a little creativity, they can pursue their horse dreams whether or not they’ve got the money for the most expensive horses. That was eventer Allie Heninger’s plan—until her body began attacking itself. “Some of the toughest challenges I’ve
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The Future Champions Competition

By George Williams   Every June, young equestrians from approximately 22 countries around the world gather at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany, for the Future Champions competition. Over the course of five days, athletes ranging in age from 12 to 21 compete in dressage and jumping. There are team competitions: Nations Cups for FEI Children,

Unbridled With Bob Cacchione

By Elliette Baker   Bob Cacchione founded the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) with just a couple of kids and a dream to make riding fair and affordable. From meeting presidents and celebrities to attending the Olympic Games across the world, Bob has lived a life many of us dream of—and he says he owes
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Routine Builds Consistency

By Rob Jacobs   Routine may or may not be something that is a part of your experience as a young equestrian. The equestrian sport takes an enormous amount of focus. I expect a certain level of focus from my horses depending on their training level. I try to give my horses the same level
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Frangible Pin Rules and What They Mean for Eventing

By Liz Halliday-Sharp In the cross-country phase of eventing, we’re used to seeing frangible devices on multiple jumps. This technology was designed primarily to limit rotational falls and to help prevent serious injury to both the horse and rider. In very basic terms, the jump is supported by a “pin,” which should allow the top

Rebecca Hart: Three Favorite Moments on Her Way to Para Dressage Success

By Lindsay Y. McCall Portraits by Melissa Fuller   Rebecca Hart, a prominent para dressage rider, is honest and open when reflecting on her journey. As she overcame anger and found a sense of belonging through horses—winning numerous accolades and representing the United States on the international stage—she both found and revealed her resilience and
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Mia Gonzales: Cookies for a Cause

By Britney Grover   Mia Gonzales’ equestrian journey began with “My Little Pony” cartoons, but she hopes it will continue with her own ‘little pony’—or horse—in real life. The 14-year-old from San Ramon, California, is the founder and owner of Caballo Cookies, selling fresh, small-batch treats for horses. She’s working hard toward owning her own
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Jessica Burkhart: Riding by Writing for Young Equestrians

By Britney Grover   Jessica Burkhart’s story might have been typical: She was “bitten by the horse bug” early on, grew up reading every horse book she could, and climbed fences to spend as much time as she could with them. Despite growing up in a family that didn’t have the money to pay for
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Jennifer Bliss: Sharing Her Horse Dreams With Her Daughter

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Alex Scribner   Growing up on her family’s farm in Bedford, New York, hunter professional Jennifer Bliss lived out every horse girl’s dream. “Our barn was literally attached to our house. I would go out in my pajamas every night to check on my ponies,” Jennifer said. “It was a
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