By Britney Grover
Jan Westmark Bauer has been editor-in-chief of Sidelines magazine since 2012, which means she has put out 164 issues. “That’s a lot of stories, which means I have talked to so many horse people over the years and have learned about their lives,” Jan said.
Jan caught the horse bug early, despite coming from a “non-horsey” family. “My mom liked to tell the story that instead of walking around the house, I would crawl and whinny like a horse,” Jan said. “She and my dad were dumfounded by their odd child, but started me in riding lessons when I was 5.”
From there it has always been horses for Jan, who got her first pony at 10—“a Welsh cross that was mean and liked to bite me, but I didn’t care—I loved him with my whole heart”—and then discovered her love of jumping. “My friend Brenda—who is still my friend today—and I would set up jumps in the woods, swim our horses in ponds and ride for countless hours,” Jan said.
While earning her degree in advertising and journalism from the University of Florida, Jan enjoyed showing and eventing her Connemara pony. She eventually moved to Wellington and ran her own hunter-jumper barn. Her connections in the horse world have been invaluable to Sidelines, and her talent, dedication and heart have made Sidelines magazine what it is today.
Jan Westmark Bauer with Tater Tot, at Will Baker’s barn in Ocala, Florida.
What did you do when you moved to Wellington and bought a horse farm?
I taught lessons and took my students to horse shows. I fondly remember the days of Littlewood and trailering in to show for the day. My daughter Abby was able to grow up as a true barn rat and rode and showed in the hunter-jumpers, and we were blessed to have an amazing group of “barn girls” I am still in touch with today.
What’s it like in your Sidelines world?
I talk to someone from my Sidelines staff almost every day, whether it’s a staff member, a writer or photographer. Because we all work remotely, I haven’t met most of them in person—even after working together all these years. But when I’m at a horse show and I get to catch up with someone that works for Sidelines, it’s always wonderful.
How do you stay connected with the horse world?
My cell phone is my lifeline to the horse world, and I never know who will call me each day—from a pony kid hoping to be featured in the magazine, to a television star who is also an equestrian, to Olympic riders. Many years ago, my phone rang and the name that popped up was “Beezie”—no last name needed!—and the person I was standing with was blown away that an Olympic rider was calling me. While it’s part of my job, it has been an incredible ride to meet so many amazing people over the years.
What do you think is the funniest thing about Sidelines?
My photo on the Letter From the Editor page. The photo was taken in Wellington, Florida, in 2012 by Lauren Giannini, and I’ve never changed it. Do I look like that anymore? Of course not—in fact, my hair is going gray fast, and I’m embracing the color. Is it going gray because it’s genetic…or because of Sidelines? I think putting out a monthly magazine might just be the answer!
What are some of your favorite experiences you’ve had through Sidelines?
Every spring my husband and I head to Ocala, Florida. We go to HITS Ocala, Live Oak International and the World Equestrian Center. Bill Rube, whom I met when we did a story on him in Sidelines, always invites us to sit at his table at the World Sport Horse Sales auction, which is a wonderful event. I get to visit with many riders we have featured in the magazine over the years and Bill introduces me to many up-and-coming riders, which is great. In fact, in our October issue we had a story on Saralynn Darmstatter, whom I met last year in Ocala. She is living her best horse-girl life, something I have always aspired to do, whether with my horses or through the magazine.
If you had a week off, what would you do?
I wouldn’t know what to do, because running a magazine has been a seven-day-a-week job! My husband, Jerry, and I do take vacations, but my computer always goes with me. We also have great internet in our car—so even if we’re driving 15 minutes to the store, I take the computer and work!
What three things can always be found in your refrigerator?
This is a question that Bob Bell wanted to ask when we started the Unbridled column. I always read each answer with interest and thought if I ever had to answer that question, I wouldn’t be able to! I’m not a great cook or a foodie, and so many people have had great answers. So my answer: iced tea, almond milk and cold coffee, which makes it sound like I don’t eat food at all! Nothing could be further from the truth: I love food, but mainly I love chocolate, my favorite food group.
