Maria Costa: A Life Based On Horses
Monday, July 11 2022
By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Melissa Fuller In the fast-paced world of Grand Prix show jumping, Maria Costa is a rising star. At just 29 years of age, the Wellington-based pro already has a long list of accomplishments, including multiple Grand Prix victories and several Nations Cup appearances. This past winter, Maria and her longtime
- Published in Weekly Feature
Amira Kettaneh: On a Champion Path
Monday, June 13 2022
By Victoria Sheehan Portraits by Melissa Fuller Amira Kettaneh looks out of the truck window as the New England landscape blurs by. Luckily, she doesn’t get car sick anymore and the eight-hour roundtrip commutes don’t seem that bad. As her father drives, she usually uses the time to study. She and her
- Published in Weekly Feature
Bliss Heers: Everything Happens for a Reason
Wednesday, June 08 2022
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
- Published in Weekly Feature
Reflections on Wellington
Tuesday, June 07 2022
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
- Published in Weekly Feature
2022 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Induction Gala — Wellington, Florida
Thursday, May 26 2022
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Induction Gala, held in March in Wellington, Florida, inducted Olympic veteran Beezie Madden, media executive and fundraiser Mason Phelps, Jr., Olympic rider Margie Engle and McLain Ward’s two-time gold medal Olympic mount, Sapphire. The induction dinner also recognized 10 others in attendance who have previously been inducted into the
- Published in Sidelines Spotlight
Dressage in Two Worlds: Entertainment and Competition
Sunday, March 27 2022
By George Williams Wild and crazy are not the first words that pop into your mind when thinking about dressage—yet that’s what sometimes seems to happen during the evening of the Challenge of the Americas held in March each year in Wellington, Florida. It’s a classic example of dressage tossing its hat into the entertainment
- Published in Sidelines Feature
Anna Buffini’s Childhood Dreams Are Coming True
Sunday, March 27 2022
By Ruby Tevis Anna Buffini with FRH Davinia La Douce in Wellington, Florida. When Anna Buffini was 3 years old, she made it her dream to become an Olympian. It’s a big goal, but for Anna it was only natural—her mom was an Olympic volleyball player, her dad was a collegiate soccer star—athletic success
- Published in Weekly Feature
Tanner Korotkin: It’s All About the Journey
Monday, August 24 2020
By Britney Grover Portraits by Melissa Fuller Tanner Korotkin owes his life as a successful junior jumper turned young professional grand prix rider to his parents in more ways than one. Yes, they supported his endeavors as so many great parents do. Sure, they also happen to be Alan and Kirsty Korotkin, well-known Wellington trainers,
- Published in Weekly Feature
Ingate
Wednesday, July 25 2018
Todd Minikus and Mama Lee celebrating her 90th birthday! Lee Schiavi started spending her winters in Wellington and became a spectator fan of show jumping. One rider in particular became her favorite — “the gutsy, unstoppable Todd Minikus.” When Lee (better known as Mama Lee) was asked what she wanted for her 90th birthday, she answered,
Ryan Beckett: Always Up for a Challenge – Hiking, Biking, Riding and Learning from Real Estate to Reality TV
Friday, June 22 2018
By Britney Grover Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek Though he laughingly refers to himself with the age-old adage “jack of all trades, master of none,” Ryan Beckett’s affinity for stepping out of his comfort zone has given him a list of impressive, if eclectic, accomplishments. A successful Wellington realtor, Ryan has also competed in an
- Published in Weekly Feature