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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Taylor St. Jacques: Equitation Finals and Beyond

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Taylor St. Jacques was captivated by Animal Planet’s series “Horse Power: Road to the Maclay” in 2006. Like many aspiring equestrians, Taylor immediately set her sights on someday winning an equitation final. Big dreams, for a child who had learned to ride just a year prior. Fast
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Jennifer Williams: Gratitude, Passion and Dreams on the Horizon 

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller For Jennifer Williams, it’s all about positive thinking. Instead of measuring her success by wins or losses, Jennifer focuses on one thing only — gratitude. The international dressage rider has earned championship titles, trained multiple horses from the ground to Grand Prix and built a business around her
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Rollingwoods Farm: Three Sisters, One Dream

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Tracy Kujawa The family that works together, grows together. For nearly 40 years, the Wilburn sisters have been producing top Welsh ponies at their Rollingwoods Farm in Olive Branch, Mississippi.  What started out as Dr. Ruth Wilburn’s dream to breed quality ponies eventually ended up as a way of life
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Ashlee Bond: Family, Faith and Changing Flags

By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristin Lee Ashlee Bond is no stranger to success in the saddle. She started competing when she was 6 years old, had five national pony championships by 11 and was winning Grand Prix with national recognition at 16. As a professional, Ashlee has reached the top of the sport including
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Liz Halliday-Sharp: Shifting Gears

By Josh Walker Portraits by Alex Banks Liz Halliday-Sharp’s father, Don Halliday, used to read her a poem called “To Risk” by William Arthur Ward, and she’s carried its powerful message with her throughout her life. She’s not shy about calling herself a busy-brain just like he was. Even as a child, sitting still bored
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Nick Alexander Phillips: Pony Fever to Boutique Breeder

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Lori Ovanessian From pony rides in the park to piaffing on Andalusians, Nick Alexander Phillips has spent his life loving all creatures great and small. Today, along with his partner, Brian, Nick lives his best equestrian life at home on his ranch in Los Angeles County, California. “We have a
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Nick Haness: Creating His Own Paradise

By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Lori Ovanessian Ever since he was a small child, Nick Haness dreamed of a life filled with animals. “I wanted every animal growing up,” Nick said. “We owned a few dogs — but having five boys in the house was probably enough for my parents.”  After years of leasing and
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