Natascha Gates: Her Fortune Foretold – From Germany to Colorado This Show Jumper Is Living Her Best Life
Monday, November 11 2019
By Doris Degner-Foster. Portraits by Kristie Nichols - When 16-year-old Natascha Gates and a friend went to visit a fortune teller in her home country of Germany, she was told that she would go far away to find happiness and her life’s love, but she didn’t actually believe it and promptly forgot about the experience. Natascha had other things on her mind. She was about to leave school and begin training for a career in the horse industry. Natascha with grand prix prospect China Blue, a 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Christian, owned by Nancy Gooding of Plum Creek Hollow Farm.
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Christian Rogge: From the Top of the Sport to Fatherhood
Friday, September 13 2019
By Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Kristie Nichols For Christian Rogge, 2019 has been a year of new adventures. In January, Christian and his wife, grand prix rider Hailey Henderson-Rogge, welcomed their baby son, Hans, into the world. “I’m pretty sure Hailey already has a pony for him,” Christian laughed. “Hopefully the kid likes horses.” Science
- Published in Weekly Feature
Frederique Poulain: “I Always Wanted to Paint Horses”
Monday, June 24 2019
By Lyssette Williams Portraits by Kristie Nichols For Frederique Poulain, being a professional artist isn’t a job but a way of life. While some people drag their feet getting into the office five days a week, Frederique happily works seven. Her studio, nestled in the coastal town of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is her sanctuary. There
- Published in Weekly Feature
Daniel Bedoya: Riding For A Living From Bolivia to Texas
Friday, June 21 2019
By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Kristie Nichols It began some 3,600 miles away from Houston, Texas. It began, even, before Daniel Bedoya was the proverbial twinkle in his parents’ eyes. You might say Daniel’s love of horses began with his father, Daniel Bedoya Senior, who began riding horses when he himself was 10 years old
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Rochelle Costanza: Living and Loving Eventing
Monday, May 13 2019
by Kathryn McMackin Portraits by Kristie Nichols When you ask a professional in the horse business — especially eventing — what it takes to succeed in the industry, you’ll often hear these distinct characteristics in response: willingness to learn, a strong work ethic and perseverance. Those same traits perfectly describe Colorado eventer Rochelle Costanza. “Eventing
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Allison Kroff: Learning by Watching
Monday, April 15 2019
By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristie Nichols There are a few unusual things about Allison Kroff and her path to being a professional equestrian: She entered her first grand prix when she was just 15 years old, even though she didn’t ride, travel or show with a trainer — but that didn’t stop her from
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Jessica Greer: Colorado Dressage Trainer Is Never Done Learning
Wednesday, January 09 2019
By Alannah Castro Portraits by Kristie Nichols For as long as she can remember, Jessica Greer has been horse obsessed. Like so many young girls who are born with the horse bug, she spent her childhood looking for any and all signs of horses wherever she went. A surprise on her ninth birthday, however, would
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Carli Kirsch: Shining Bright in the Heart of Texas
Sunday, November 04 2018
By Darlene Ricker Portraits by Kristie Nichols If you go to North Houston Horse Park in Houston, Texas, most days you can expect the unexpected. Everything looks the way it would at a top-notch equestrian facility like this, but what you hear in the arena can be surprising — unless you know trainer and grand
- Published in Weekly Feature