Diane Roth Combines Horse Sense With Fashion Sense

By Dani Moritz-Long Horse. Of the millions of words in the English language, this was Diane Roth’s first uttering — a word, mind you, that completely perplexed her urbanite parents, who found the equestrian term to be nearly as foreign as a word spoken in an entirely different language. Nonetheless, despite her parents’ confusion, horses
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Kelli Cruciotti: Like Mother, Like Daughter

By Dani Moritz-Long Portraits by Shawna Simmons Kelli Cruciotti’s life could be wrapped up in a well-known saying: Like mother, like daughter. While Kelli is the daughter of Serenity Farm’s Cindy Cruciotti and is following in her mom’s footsteps, she is also quickly coming into her own. The ambitious young rider is gaining national acclaim
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Julio Mendoza: Following His Dreams From Ecuador to the U.S. – Dedicated Dressage Rider Brought Home The Gold at the Bolivarian Games

By Dani Moritz-Long “Believe in yourself and follow your dreams.” These are the simple but sage words of wisdom fourth-generation horseman Julio Mendoza’s grandfather left Julio with shortly before passing away. “That’s something I’ve carried close to the heart,” Julio explained. “I’ve had many opportunities and doors slammed in my face time after time in
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Equestrian Dreams Come True for Para Western Dressage Rider Jennifer Flanagan

By Dani Moritz-Long Like so many before her, Jennifer Flanagan was born with the horse bug. She longed to feel the wind in her hair as she galloped through the fields, take in the scent of the velvety coat beneath her and end her day to the comforting sound of horses munching hay. There was
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An Unlikely Fairy Tale: How Olympic Medalist Gina Miles Realized Her Dreams   

By Dani Moritz-Long It was 1984 in Los Angeles when then-10-year-old Gina Miles found herself pressed against the ropes, jaw-dropped as she watched the Olympic eventing teams fly by on the cross-country course. She had never seen anything like it in her life — the speed of their gallop, the scope of their jump —
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Jane Gaston: Art, Horses and Never Giving Up

By Dani Moritz-Long Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek A solid black stallion with an indomitable spirit. A Chincoteague pony born to wild horses. For many of us, these characters defined our childhood. For equestrian artist Jane Gaston, they defined her life. The iconic equines not only bolstered her passion for horses and ignited her love
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A Life-Changing Gift: Anna Rossi’s Trip Around the World

By Dani Moritz-Long Anna Rossi was 12 years old when her parents told her, “You’re not going back to school for a year because we’re going to travel the world.” For many pre-teens, hearing these words would be euphoric. No homework or studying, no middle school drama, and the chance to see the world. But
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The Bet of a Lifetime

By Dani Moritz-Long Former investment banker Leah Lang-Glusic made the bet of a lifetime when she put banking behind her to take on a full-time career with horses. Knowing in her heart the equestrian industry was where she was meant to be, she was eager to begin her professional riding and training career. To start,
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What’s So Funny about Dressage?

By Dani Moritz-Long Comedian Pam Stone has the secret to life: laughter. Whether on stage, writing her syndicated column or in the barn, Pam, who now lives in Landrum, South Carolina, has learned to embrace humor every step of the way. So far this path has worked well for her. It’s led to her headlining
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Brittni Raflowitz Emerges as a Professional Rider

By Dani Moritz-Long Brittni Raflowitz was fortunate to grow up with America’s premier winter circuit practically in her backyard. Now 19 years old, Brittni is an accomplished professional who’s had the opportunity to learn from the best — including McLain Ward and the late Barney Ward. She now trains with Candice King and her dad,
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