Ariel Grald: Eventing to the Top, From Ponies to The Five-Star Level

By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Allie Conrad In 2011, eventer Ariel Grald felt doubtful of the life path she was on. After earning her bachelor of science in microbiology from the University of Vermont the year prior, she landed a steady job in a research lab. “While in college, I was fortunate enough to have
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Ashley Busch: Living Life at Full Speed

By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Galloping polo ponies and racing stock cars aren’t the only things charging full speed ahead for Ashley Busch. This month, she’ll celebrate her 30th birthday — and Ashley is already living proof that molds are meant to be broken. She started breaking molds when she traded in her
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Lauren Scott: From Her Wonder Horse to the Judging World

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kristin Lee All it takes is one good horse to change your life. For California-based hunter and equitation judge Lauren Scott, the horse who shaped the trajectory of her future in and out of the sport was Something’s Brewing, known as Brew. An unassuming Quarter Horse who stood just 15.1
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Horses and Art: Carrie Nygren’s Tale of Two Passions 


By Shya Beth Carrie Nygren is an equine artist whose passion and love of horses shows deeply in her depiction of them.  With Southern roots in Tennessee, Carrie’s journey into the horse world was a self-made one, and started early. With no formal training, Carrie learned what she could and when she could by soaking
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Jake Nodar’s #Blessed Life: Horse Training and Entertaining

By Susan Friedland Portraits by Anna Smolens Three years ago, a bearded man in a nude leotard and platinum blond Cleopatra wig high-kicked, twirled and did the splits to a Sia song in his bedroom with a white miniature horse joining in the dance. The video clip of Jake Nodar and Tyrion — Jake’s white
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Tanner Korotkin: It’s All About the Journey

By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Fuller Tanner Korotkin owes his life as a successful junior jumper turned young professional grand prix rider to his parents in more ways than one. Yes, they supported his endeavors as so many great parents do. Sure, they also happen to be Alan and Kirsty Korotkin, well-known Wellington trainers,
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Guy & Sharon McElvain: Hearts for Horses

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kristie Nichols There’s nothing quite like life when you have love in your heart. From their very first meeting, Guy and Sharon McElvain have let their hearts lead the way in everything they pursue. Together they are not only carrying out the McElvain family tradition of breeding, developing and showing
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Kerrigan Gluch: From Working Student to Nations Cups

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller  When Kerrigan Gluch was 15, she took a leap of faith. The horse-loving teenager left her family and normal lifestyle behind to chase her dreams of dressage success, gold medals and international competitions.  At 23, Kerrigan’s dreams have come true. Though her career is just getting started, Kerrigan
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Dylan Ryan: Inspiring Riders of All Races

By Lori Ovanessian with Britney Grover Portraits by Lori Ovanessian In the Southern California horse show world, 20-year-old Dylan Ryan is redefining what it means to be an amateur rider. To those who know her, it’s not surprising: She’s spent her entire riding career breaking molds.  As a senior, Dylan has had to fit riding
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Brooks Hull: From Pony Finals to Grand Prix

By Summer Grace On the opening day of the FEI Children’s Nations Cup at the Palm Beach Masters, 12-year-old Brooks Hull mounted a borrowed horse he had only ridden three times. Despite an obvious shiner on his left eye along with the challenge of competing on an unfamiliar horse, the young rider and his new
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