Dr. Scott Swerdlin: A Vet with a Vision

By Lindsay Brock Dr. Scott Swerdlin is living a dream he never knew he had. Today, he sits at the helm of Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC), one of the world’s most renowned equine veterinary facilities, but Scott was once just a boy with a passion for polo. While he admits his early introduction to
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Christian Simonson: Riding High and Flying the Skies

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller When Christian Simonson puts his mind to something, he’s sure to achieve it. An exceptional student, avid mountain biker and young pilot, Christian succeeds in many areas, but his biggest passion is the sport of dressage. As the son of his Dutch equestrian mother, the multitalented 18-year-old and
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Richie Moloney: The Quiet Man of Irish Show Jumping

By Louise Parkes Portraits by Melissa Fuller Richie Moloney doesn’t like to brag, but then you don’t need to sing your own praises when you’ve achieved success with the minimum amount of fuss. His natural talent has seen the 39-year-old Irishman collect some of the biggest prizes on the U.S. show jumping circuit, including the
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Britaney Courtney: Chasing Dreams and Reaching Goals

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shelby Phillips Britaney Courtney believes in chasing dreams. For her, that means balancing life as an equestrian entrepreneur whose business has already expanded across three continents. It also means encouraging others to chase their own dreams, believing in others as others have believed in her. “My grandfather was probably one
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Steve Paulson: Adventures In Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Horses

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Lori Ovanessian From the moment Steve Paulson sat in a saddle, he’s had a magical connection with horses and excelled at whatever equestrian discipline he pursued. Polo, reining, three-day eventing, liberty, dressage, Roman riding — Steve’s tried it all and done it all well. Nicknamed “Six Week Steven” by friends
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Gleneayre Equestrian Program: A Continuous Circle of Improving Lives

By Britney Grover A single interaction with a horse can change a life; being involved with horses can shape a life. That’s exactly why Ellen Healey founded the Gleneayre Equestrian Program. “The idea started with children who had been exposed to horses in some way and then for whatever reason had to give them up,”
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The Amayas: Forging a Family at Stonehenge Stables 

By Emily Randolph  In 2006, Victor Amaya was at a European horse show, socializing with fellow riders, when he suddenly heard a familiar name coming from the big-screen TV nearby. The TV was airing live coverage of the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, and, although Victor hadn’t been paying much attention to
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Getting a Start in the Hunter-Jumper World

By Andrew Welles  Coming from an area where the sport isn’t very concentrated, how did you get started? I started riding very locally in Minnesota and it was actually through a friend of mine on my soccer team. I would get rides home from soccer practice with him and while he took riding lessons, I
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Tom Foley: Capturing the Luck of the Irish

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kristie Nichols It’s been said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Show jumper Tom Foley may have the luck of the Irish flowing through his veins, but it’s his hard work and determination that have so far defined his career. His drive and hunger to pursue his dreams
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The Trainer in Each of Us

By George Williams So, here’s the question: If you’re a professional, do you consider yourself a trainer? Or are you a coach, or an instructor? Or both? Or all three? These three terms have a tendency to be treated as all the same thing. In my opinion, they are not the same. The USEF has
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