Unbridled With Kat Fuqua
Friday, December 06 2019
By Jan Westmark - Kat Fuqua was destined to be a rider. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, with grand prix dressage parents and a barn filled with talented horses, Kat started her riding career when she was only 1 year old. “My mom and dad got me miniature ponies and after that I just kept on riding,” she said. Now 12 years old, Kat has reached a level of accomplishment in her riding that keeps her in the winner’s circle, all while traversing the world of middle school. At the 2019 Pony Finals, Kat and Prestige, her 8-year-old Belgian Riding Pony, captured the Marshall & Sterling/USEF Pony Medal Finals. Not only is she a pony wonder-kid, Kat has also moved into the equitation and junior hunter rings with trainer Jimmy Torano. Sidelines had a chance to catch up with Kat at her Collecting Gaits Farm outside of Atlanta to find out more about her ponies, her horses and her life.
- Published in Weekly Feature
The Power of Thoughts
Thursday, November 07 2019
By Margie Sugarman I found some not-so-nice comments about me and my horse on a message board. I know who wrote them — there’s a particular group of women in my region I avoid as much as possible, but now my confidence is shattered. How do I ignore their cruel words and ride my best,
- Published in Weekly Feature
Michele Hollis: Equestrian Doctor and Doctor to Equestrians
Monday, October 28 2019
By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Armed with a little black bag and an iPad, Michele Hollis, M.D., is bringing medicine to the places equestrians need it most: barns, ring side, you name it, she can help where you’re at. As a doctor who is an equestrian herself, Michele knows exactly how a
- Published in Weekly Feature
Mary Helen Shaughnessy Knows WIHS From the Ground Up
Saturday, October 19 2019
By Lindsay Brock Mary Helen Shaughnessy has experienced the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) from many different angles — as a wide-eyed junior rider watching her heroes and as a nervous competitor at the in-gate. She’s also traveled the world exploring various roles in the show jumping industry. All those experiences came full circle in
- Published in Weekly Feature
Steve Messenger: Immortalizing Horses Through Art
Monday, September 30 2019
By Shya Beth Show jumping throughout the years has changed into a global, larger-than-life sport, and the same could be said about Steve Messenger’s colossal equine paintings. Steve has an uncanny ability to collect emotions together on his canvas, bringing his images to life in ways only a truly knowledgeable and talented artist can. Steve
- Published in Weekly Feature
Christian Rogge: From the Top of the Sport to Fatherhood
Friday, September 13 2019
By Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Kristie Nichols For Christian Rogge, 2019 has been a year of new adventures. In January, Christian and his wife, grand prix rider Hailey Henderson-Rogge, welcomed their baby son, Hans, into the world. “I’m pretty sure Hailey already has a pony for him,” Christian laughed. “Hopefully the kid likes horses.” Science
- Published in Weekly Feature
McKinley Harvey: These Boots are Made for Dreaming
Tuesday, September 03 2019
By Amy Hempe Portraits by Bianca McCarty McKinley Harvey developed her work ethic at an early age. “When I was a little girl, I’d get up at 5 a.m. to take care of my horse. Nobody else in my family rode, but I knew this was what I wanted,” she said. That determination has stayed
- Published in Weekly Feature
Yulia Bratkovskaya: Modeling An Equestrian Life
Thursday, August 29 2019
By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Lori Ovanessian Five years ago, Yulia Bratkovskaya moved from Russia to the United States to springboard her riding and training career. What she didn’t expect was the circuitous journey she ended up on. “I started riding in a very intense Russian Olympic Reserve school at the age of 6,” Yulia
- Published in Weekly Feature
Mary Eufemia: An Eye for Fancy
Tuesday, August 20 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Shawna Simmons Mary Eufemia grew up successfully showing hunters and equitation in Illinois before becoming a professional rider and trainer in Florida. In 1980, she and her husband, Kevin, founded Ravenwood Farm near Clearwater, Florida, to breed, train and show top hunters. Mary added judging to her resume, procuring her
- Published in Weekly Feature
Liza Goodlett: Success After Life as a College Equestrian
Friday, August 02 2019
By Carter Anderson Liza Goodlett’s four years on the UGA Equestrian team were fast and fun, and she made friendships that will last a lifetime. Now, Liza’s tackling the professional world while holding onto the lessons she learned as a collegiate equestrian. When she accepted her new position at Charleston Shoe Company, Liza said that
- Published in Weekly Feature