Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue: Stubbornly Advocating for Misunderstood Animals

By Britney Grover In the equestrian world, horses have a cousin far too often overlooked: equus asinus, or donkeys and burros. Mark and Amy Meyers were once among the many who didn’t know anything about donkeys, but taking in just one 20 years ago has turned into saving the lives of over 10,000 and leading
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Julie Ulrich: Four Lifetimes of Horses

By Lauren R. Giannini Portraits by Shawna Simmons Former grand prix jumper rider Julie Ulrich holds an unofficial Ph.D. in horses. A firm believer in the importance of flat work, she can ride and train at the highest level of dressage and show jumping. Based in France for many years, she’s going to spend half
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Mimi Wroten and the Sweet Briar Vixens Take on the NCEA

By Carter Anderson The Sweet Briar Vixens, of Sweet Briar College in Virginia, have completed their first year as a National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) team with Head Coach Mimi Wroten leading the way. Mimi is excited to add to the accolades of Sweet Briar’s successful first season. She hopes that other equestrian teams will
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Angel Heart Farm: Joy and Ponies for Children with Cancer

By Britney Grover Portraits by Hannah Draughan It was just a walk-trot class at a class A Arabian show, but Kira and Krystal Annie EN looked fit for any world stage. With fancy bows attached to her riding helmet, Kira fit in with all the other kids. As the judge moved down the line, he
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Maggie Jayne: Life in a Horse Show Family

By Alannah Castro Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Maggie Jayne grew up in a horse show family — and wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s easy to see why, when one considers she’s grown up in a well-known family of equestrians who have competed at top levels of the sport, earning titles in divisions
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Theresa Sanders: Adventures Riding the Dartmoor Derby

by Pam Lazor It all started a few years ago, when Theresa Sanders’ non-horsey sister told her she had read a travel magazine article about the Dartmoor Derby in England — four days of challenging rides on horseback through the picturesque countryside of Dartmoor National Park. Theresa, a cardiology nurse and research supervisor at Emory
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Mint Julep: The Sweet Taste of Kentucky

By Bob Bell Each year when I arrive at Churchill Downs for the Oaks and Kentucky Derby in May, the first vendor I see is the one selling the mint julep in the official souvenir glass. Of course you start your morning with the sweet taste of Kentucky. Best known as the official drink of
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Laura Bowery: Balancing Life, Horses and Children

By Heather Wallace Equestrians know true balance appears effortless to the observer, but it takes a lifetime of dedication, training and practice to master. How do you balance a successful equestrian business, competitions, teaching and motherhood? Show jumper Laura Bowery knows. Laura has made a name for herself in the show jumping world. She joined
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Katherine Newman: Born To Ride

By Lauren R. Giannini Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Katherine Newman was born to ride. She grew up foxhunting and showing, a wonderful and effective equestrian education, and there’s no denying that she’s very successful in the show ring. It’s all about the horses: Katherine loves all of them, but several remain especially close to
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Unbridled with Louise Serio

By Lisa Davis Engel Top hunter trainer Louise Serio of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, a National Show Hunter Hall of Fame inductee at the prestigious Devon Horse Show, has won multiple hunter championships and most recently, the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular in Wellington. Owner of Derbydown, one of the foremost show hunter
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