Bliss Heers: Everything Happens for a Reason

By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Fuller     Bliss Heers believes everything in her life has happened for a reason—and that includes a horse falling on her.   At 34, Bliss is one of the country’s top show jumpers, being named to the short list for the Tokyo Olympic Team with Antidote De Mars
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Ailish Cunniffe: Living and Breathing the Equestrian Lifestyle

By Jan Westmark Bauer     Ailish Cunniffe, who splits her time between South Salem, New York, and Wellington, Florida, is the perfect example of someone living the equestrian lifestyle. As the daughter of Bonnie and Frank Cunniffe, two lifelong and well-known equestrians, Ailish developed her passion for horses at a young age at her
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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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Being an Empathic Professional to Equine Athletes

By Rob Jacobs     Equestrian sport is unique in that the athletes are both the horse and the rider. Having an animal as an athletic partner adds challenges that may differ compared to other sports with only human partners. As a trainer of both horses and riders, I have found it beneficial to incorporate
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Eventing Fact: You Will Sometimes Fall Off

By Liz Halliday-Sharp In all horse sport, there’s a risk that you might hit the deck. But if you’re an event rider, that is pretty much guaranteed. There’s no doubt that eventers are a hardy breed, and while everyone may enjoy different aspects of the three phases of competition, the reality is that you don’t
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Entrepreneurship for a Bigger Goal: Kelly Artz & Entrigue Consulting

By Britney Grover     While studying for her master’s degree at the prestigious film and TV graduate program at UCLA, Kelly Artz found herself burnt out and depressed. “I just had a day when I asked myself, ‘What do you need to do right now, today, to be happy?’ and the answer was so
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Unbridled With Vinnie Card

By Britney Grover     For most horse lovers, the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, is a dream come true. Many remember the first time they heard the concept of the state-of-the-art equestrian center, with its beautiful hotel overlooking the Grand Prix ring. Vinnie Card certainly remembers—he heard it straight from owner Mr. Roberts,
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Tractor Supply Company presents 34th Annual Music Country Grand Prix

All proceeds to benefit Saddle Up! FRANKLIN, Tenn. (May 11, 2022) – The Music Country Grand Prix, a premier Olympic-style equestrian jumping competition benefiting Saddle Up!, is set to take place Saturday, June 4, at Brownland Farm in Franklin. The Grand Prix gives spectators and patrons the opportunity to witness nationally ranked show jumpers and Olympic hopefuls from
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Stephany Fish Crossman: Bridging the Dressage Gap

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller A stroke of serendipity forever changed dressage professional Stephany Fish Crossman’s life. Little did her parents know that an ordinary trip to a county fair in Bangor, Maine, during the summer of 1977 would leave a lasting impression and spark an insatiable passion in Stephany. “My parents put
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Cutest Horse Races Ever: Leadline Racing at the Aiken Horse Trials

Photos by Barbara Magrogan   Young participants in leadline racing at the Aiken Horse Trials show off their goodie bags.       Imogen Weaver obviously takes leadline trot racing very seriously, led by Regina Welsh and riding Olney Quick Draw McGraw.     Rider Carson Lily Moyer is absolutely adorable on pony Olaf, led
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