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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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, … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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, … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature
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 … [Read more]
- Published in Weekly Feature