4 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Letter from the Editor
I hope you enjoy the stunning cover of our art issue.
Catching a glimpse of wild horses on the beach is a dream
come true for many people, and my hope is that within the
pages of this issue you can live vicariously through Debra
Garside of Alberta, Canada as she photographed four wild
stallions on the beaches of Sable Island. Her photos are
breathtaking and her story is an inspiration for each of us to
experience our own adventure.
Speaking of adventure, our
Sidelines
Dirty Horse & Pony
Contest turned out to be a very big adventure. An adventure
in dirt, that is. Muddy, messy and as dirty as they could get,
the horses and ponies in this contest put their best hoof
forward to show us their own version of horse art. Wait
till you see the photos – especially the winner, an off-the-
track-Thoroughbred who does an excellent impersonation
of a hippopotamus.
Adrienne Wisenberg, of Baltimore, Maryland entered
her retired show hunter Riley in the Dirty Horse & Pony
Contest. Riley had a great show career, and Adrienne said
he frustrated many a groom with his desire to be dirty.
Check out his jumping photo during his show days – a very
clean and sparkling white Riley. Adrienne said now that her
beloved horse is retired, he is allowed to get as dirty as he
wants and it looks like he does. In his retirement photo,
which made me laugh, Riley shows us how happy he is to
be living the life of, well, Riley!
I think our art issue is a real treat, packed with amazing
art, photos and great stories, too. We are also glad to
welcome Fergus to
Sidelines
. If you aren’t familiar with the
long-faced, googley-eyed, goofy horse, then let writer Dani
Moritz introduce you to this funny equine. You will also get
the chance to learn about Fergus’ creator, Jean Abernethy.
Dani and I met Jean in Colorado over the summer and she
is a delight – just like her cartoon creation.
Staff writer Lauren Giannini is back with part two of her
story on Avery Dudasch, a young girl from Colorado who
Sidelines Magazine’s Jan Westmark-Allan (left) and Dani Moritz
(right) in Colorado with Jean Abernethy, the creator of the Fergus
cartoon.
Riley during his show career, clean and bright white.
Photo by Christina Handley Photography
Riley in retirement, taking part in the Sidelines Magazine Dirty
Horse & Pony Contest.
Photo by Kayleigh Cook
lived too short of a life but left her mark on those who
knew her. Avery’s motto, “I Ride To Be Fearless” is one we
should all embrace as we make our way through life. If you
missed part one of Avery’s story, featured in our September
issue, please visit our website at
and read it. I encourage you to have Kleenex on hand as
you read both parts of Avery’s story. I know I needed them.
From stories on the golden age of polo, to a selection of
artist profiles, to a look at the life of para-equestrian Donna
Ponessa, this issue was great to work on and I hope you
enjoy all it has to offer. I am excited that so many of our
readers are Catching the Sidelines Spirit – it’s an adventure
you don’t want to miss out on. Saddle up and come along
for the ride!
Jan Westmark-Allan
Editor-In-Chief
