Sandy Ferrell – Too Tough For Cancer
Monday, October 23 2017
By Lauren R. Giannini Sandy Ferrell is a well-known professional rider-trainer on the AA circuit with many wins including the World Championship Hunter Rider title. She loves to teach, and her riders range from teenagers to ages in the 70s. She described herself as extremely upbeat, happy-go-lucky and fairly goofy, then added, “I’m a fun
- Published in General
Washington International Horse Show Honors Local Riders in Memory of Friends Lost to Breast Cancer
Thursday, October 20 2016
By Lauren Fisher Five years ago, Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) President Vicki Lowell founded a special award in memory of longtime friend and trainer Laura Pickett, who lost her fight against breast cancer at just 52 years old. Inspired by Laura’s enthusiasm for life and horses, Vicki donated the Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence
- Published in General
How Speaking Up Saved Bill Sipp’s Life
Friday, October 07 2016
By Doris Degner-Foster Bill Sipp wasn’t afraid to talk about a personal matter to a woman friend, and it may have saved his life — a life that’s too much fun to leave yet. Bill’s riding career began because his wife, Julie, wanted to vacation in Ireland and ride horses. Before departing they both
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Lou Cirignano – Riding and Thriving Through Cancer
Wednesday, October 05 2016
By Susan Friedland-Smith Lourdes “Lou” Cirignano assumed she needed to wear a more supportive bra for horseback riding in 2013 when she developed a stubborn rash that wouldn’t go away on her left nipple. The spunky brunette from Lake Forest, California, a devoted wife and mother of two adult daughters, tried changing bra styles and
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Eventer Beth Perkins Still Has That “Get Up & Go”
Monday, September 28 2015
By Lauren R. Giannini It’s always horses for Beth Perkins. They’re the driving force on which she thrives — her work, her play, her passion, and her earliest memories. Beth started riding before she could walk. Horses are in her genes, thanks to Essie and Read Perkins, who bred, trained and sold event horses, competed
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Mary Jastrzemski — A Real Survivor
Monday, September 28 2015
By Doris Degner-Foster Mary Jastrzemski began riding in a western saddle placed over a five-foot wooden coop jump. With her drink and some cookies within reach, 3-year-old Mary could “follow along” in the riding lesson with her mother at Quantico Marine Corps Base. She had no way of knowing then that horses and riding would
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Raising Money for Breast Cancer Research One Piaffe at a Time
Monday, September 28 2015
By Arianna Delin Imagine walking into a venue and seeing a sea of pink — pink clothing on all of the attendees, pink linens and even pink gift bags. Of course, this is a breast cancer event, but not just any event. As the horses and riders begin to enter the main arena, you realize
- Published in Weekly Feature
Cantering Through Cancer with Faith, Friends and a Filly
Monday, September 21 2015
By Susan Friedland-Smith Twenty-four year old Alanna McPartlin discovered she had more than just a sunburn while applying lotion across her pink chest where her V-neck shirt had exposed her skin during an outdoor concert. As her left arm grazed her breast, she detected a bump she hadn’t noticed before. It was two and a
- Published in Weekly Feature
A Courageous Tale of Two Women
Monday, September 21 2015
By Pam Maley and Jackie McFarland A test of courage is not often a challenge we seek in life. But when faced with a life-changing adversity, suddenly that difficult test is smack in front of our face, without much chance for preparation. Two heroic California horsewomen, Gail Morey and Kristin Crosland, have not only shown
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight