Heather Bender: A Life Filled With Extraordinary Adventures

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller Heather Bender could fill a novel or two with the experiences she’s had both in and out of the saddle. Barrel racer, trick rider, jumper, Grand Prix dressage rider, scuba diver and tortoise rescuer are just a few of the roles she’s had over the years. Based out
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Nikki Scarpino: A Student of the Game

By Jennifer Cooke Portraits by Melissa Fuller Nikki Scarpino has a knack for working with difficult horses. Somehow, the challenging, quirky, oddball horses seem to find their way to her. Nikki’s approach to these horses is both sympathetic and pragmatic, and she solves behavioral problems by working through physical weaknesses first. As a U25 dressage
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A Tribute to Tradition

By George Williams There is little doubt that dressage is steeped in deep tradition. Surprisingly, however, there are very few dressage shows that have been recognized by US Equestrian as “Heritage Competitions.” While there are admittedly few of these, one that I am personally fond of—and is perhaps the most famous— is nestled in the
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Hope Cooper: Dressage and Education Run in the Family

By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Hope Cooper has a passion for learning—in the dressage arena, in academics—it’s in her DNA. Her father is a lawyer and her mother, Dr. Jane Karol, is both a Grand Prix dressage trainer and psychotherapist. Growing up at her family’s Bear Spot Farm in Concord, Massachusetts, proved to
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Designing, Dressage and Competing in Israel 

Lauren Sara Wynnewood, Pennsylvania Fashion Designer, Product Designer and Author How long have you been part of the horse world?  I started riding when I was 8 years old and continued through high school. I took a break through college life in New York City, and riding took a back seat to starting my career
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The Importance of Being Proactive

By George Williams     Rumors of photographers lurking in the trees taking pictures of the warm-up spread quickly at a major competition in France last month. Our riders are not used to that kind of unfriendly scrutiny and it was easy for them to be distracted, causing them to become immediately suspicious of individuals occasionally
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Steffen Peters: Grateful to Pursue the American Dream 

By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Lori Ovanessian   It has been said that gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness—and when watching the legendary Steffen Peters ride, one cannot help but feel a sense of joy. A three-time Olympic medalist, Steffen continues to excel in the dressage arena at the age of 57 with no
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Katie Duerrhammer: Driven by Love and Respect for Horses

By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Melissa Fuller   It’s been said that the harder you work towards a dream or goal, the greater you will feel when you achieve it. While FEI dressage rider Katie (Johnson) Duerrhammer’s elegance in the saddle appears to be effortless, her success is, in reality, the culmination of years of
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Blessed Are the Grooms

By George Williams “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman.” Granted, it still might be true in my case, but the old adage is surely outdated and no longer always correct. However, in equestrian sports, it’s fair to say that behind every successful rider there is a fabulous groom. Many years ago, when
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Reflections on Wellington

By George Williams     As I write this, the semis filled with horses are pulling out of Wellington, signaling a sure sign that the season is ending. Although a bit of a blurred whirlwind, what a season it has been!   In looking back, one of the first things that strikes me is that
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