Bianca Schmidt: Going Farther Than Gold

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Over the last few years, Bianca Schmidt has burst onto the dressage scene with a fierce drive to succeed. Not only has the 19-year-old rider triumphed at the North American Youth Championships, Bianca became a USDF Gold medalist as just a teenager. Now, she’s looking forward to returning
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Max and Tom Wachman: Irish Brothers From Famed Family 

By Louise Parkes Portraits by Lorriane O’Sullivan It’s no surprise that Irish teens Max and Tom Wachman are involved with horses. What is a surprise is their chosen discipline: Showing under their family’s Coolmore Showjumping banner, the brothers competed at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival. With a pedigree like theirs, they seem much more likely
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Aubrey Torrez Believes in the Underdogs

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Hannah Draughan  Aubrey Torrez seeks the silver linings in every situation. No matter the obstacle that lies ahead of her, Aubrey won’t give up on herself or her horses. Aubrey’s determination has led her to find success with the most unlikely of partners — from her one-eyed show jumper that
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Dominic Gibbs: National Champion With A Colorado Heart

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons When Dominic Gibbs won the inaugural $100,000 WEC Premier Cup Equitation Championship at World Equestrian Center in February, he won a car. The timing seemed perfect: With his busy show and training schedule, Dominic travels extensively and his current car was in serious need of repair. Dominic won
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Andrew McConnon: Risk and Reward 

By Lilly Steger Portraits by Shawna Simmons Andrew McConnon discovered eventing at the 2004 Olympics. “I saw eventing on TV at the Athens Olympics, and I thought, Wow, that looks cool!” he said.  Seventeen years later, those Olympians are now Andrew’s mentors and colleagues. The William Fox-Pitt-trained eventer was named to the 2021 U.S. High
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Elyse Hart: Horses, Heroin and Hope

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kristin Lee Elyse Hart owes her life today to hope, perseverance, love and most of all, horses. From her first pony ride at age 4, Elyse ate, slept and breathed all things equine. Simply put, she was hooked on horses. That passion would persist in full force until puberty hit,
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Geoffrey Woolson: Vaulting on the World Stage

By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Lori Ovanessian Most people would find it hard to believe that FEI 3* vaulter Geoffrey Woolson’s first brush with horses left him with a negative impression. “I didn’t like horses,” Geoffrey said. “My first time riding was at the Griffith Park pony rides in Los Angeles, California. The pony bucked
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Erin Stewart: Patiently Expanding the Family Tradition

By Britney Grover Portraits by Kathy Russell For some, the fact that Erin Stewart is an equestrian professional seems obvious. After all, she’s the daughter of renowned hunter rider and trainer Don Stewart. She grew up in one of the country’s largest hunter sales and training barns, watching her dad win class after class at
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Hannah Irons: From Surprise Pony to Gold Medals

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller ‘If you believe in your horse, anything is possible,’ is a lesson Hannah Irons holds to tightly. Since her first ride with Lendon Gray seven years ago, the 2020 USEF Young Rider National Champion has learned what it takes to make it in dressage — a discipline she
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Phillip Dutton and the Family That Fuels His Success 

By Emily Randolph  The far, wood-paneled wall of Phillip Dutton’s barn office is adorned with sizable, framed ribbons — among them, a large green ribbon that accompanied his bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a tricolor award signifying his win in the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Each one is a testament to
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