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Wednesday, December 24 2014 / Published in Weekly Feature

Horse Heaven: From the Movies to Wellington

Kerstie during a photo shoot for Nicole Thompson Designs, a custom handcrafted jewelry and tack designer

Kerstie during a photo shoot for Nicole Thompson Designs, a custom handcrafted jewelry and tack designer

By Kerstie Allen

 

When I’m not galloping around the polo field, I like to catch up with friends who ride in other equestrian disciplines. While still seeking the adrenaline rush of playing polo, I also enjoy being a stunt woman and specialty rider in the movies and for television shows.

 

Early call times, often at 3 or 4 in the morning, having to dress up in awkward and oftentimes uncomfortable costumes and sitting hours on set waiting to be told what to do and hearing the word “action” are offset by the joys of a full gourmet food wagon that’s available to us 24/7. I guess you now know the secret that the way to my heart is through my stomach!

 

Western movie sets require a large amount of horses much like playing polo. In the interest of the horses’ safety, each horse only works a few hours on set. An interesting tidbit you may never have noticed is that most movie horses are solid colors. This is done intentionally so they can be doubled by one or more other horses while on set. I know they aren’t fooling any of you, though, as you can tell the difference between horses at a hundred yards.

 

I recently did a western series for HBO and after riding in my period costume the first day, I give credit to women who back in the day had to ride for days in corsets, petticoats and stockings on an A-frame western saddle! But once again my discomfort was offset by having a first class seat watching some of the most famous stunt men and women in the world and their amazing trick horses at work.

 

Kerstie gallops down the beach during a photo shoot.

Kerstie gallops down the beach during a photo shoot.

Problem horses that rear, paw and lay down, the ones you and I couldn’t give away if we wanted to, are seen as stars in the movie business. The horses really enjoy their work and add a majestic, action-packed element to the movie. It’s always inspiring to see and meet horse people who handle and train horses in a different field. I always manage to learn something new and interesting that I can apply to my daily routine that only serves to make me a better horsewoman.

 

The idea of directing horses with different aids and especially liberty work is always fascinating to watch. Polo horses are clipped and shaved, so if you see me galloping down the polo field with a mane flying it’s probably not a young green horse, but one of my movie horses!

 

My favorite two hot spots for polo and show jumping are Indio, California, and Wellington, Florida. After spending my summer and fall in California, I decided to head to the East Coast to visit my friends and once again experience the horse heaven that is Wellington. After 3,000 miles, 12 horses, eight states, three blowouts and one dog, I finally arrived in Wellington.

 

January in Wellington is the start of a three-month wonderland for horse enthusiasts. Every day is a horseman’s paradise. Words really cannot even describe what I mean. World class horses and facilities are all within one fairly small town. Most of the biggest names in dressage, show jumping and polo riders and their mounts are there within a few-mile radius. It’s a veritable Who’s Who of equestrian all stars!

 

It’s a Disney World of barns, arenas and polo fields. I believe there are approximately 60 polo fields within the city limits. It’s the most amazing equestrian city I’ve seen. Every barn is bigger and more glamorous than the next, all still within a 15-minute drive to the warm, blue ocean water of Palm Beach. A visit to Wellington between January and March is a must. The amount of activities, shows and horse events are endless.

 

I’m constantly reminded of a powerful quote that you should never really forget — “Not all those who wander are lost.” See you soon …

 

About the writer: Kerstie Allen is a native of Melbourne, Australia. Her passion for horses has taken her on a worldwide adventure exploring and mastering nearly every discipline in the equestrian world and opening doors of opportunity for women everywhere. Follow Kerstie’s adventures at: Twitter: @kerstiea; Facebook fan page: kerstie allen; and Instagram: allenkerstie.

 

Photos courtesy of Kerstie Allen

Life as a stunt woman!

Life as a stunt woman!

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Tagged under: high goal polo, kerstie-allen, passion-for-polo, polo, sidelines-magazine, stunt woman, wellington

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Jan Lukens has always felt blessed to be an artist Jan Lukens has always felt blessed to be an artist, turning his observations into works of art, but it hasn't always been easy. “My biggest challenge starting out was fitting in to the equestrian world as an artist, not a rider. Although I spent the better part of two decades exhibiting 15 weeks a year at national horse shows, there’s a massive 
difference between an artist who paints horses and someone who has been climbing into the saddle since they were 5 years old, surrounded by all aspects of the horse 
world.”

A prolific painter working mainly in oils, Jan’s original and commissioned works of art hang in the collections of the likes of individual gold medalist Joe Fargis and Rodrigo Pessoa, as well as many other Olympians and owners. One of the most influential 
moments in Jan’s career was in 2014, when Ralph Lauren acquired two of his equestrian paintings. “I was still recovering from the 2008 recession at that time. There  is a unique part of a painter’s reputation that is based on who has purchased or commissioned his art, and when I promoted that sale, my phone didn’t stop ringing for a 
year and a half.”
For more information visit janlukens.com

Read Jan’s full article at the link in our bio. And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 

 #Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
Calling all trainers and professional riders! St Calling all trainers and professional riders! 

Struggling to keep up with your social media and the barn? Reel editing got you overwhelmed? Is your #Hashtag - trending audio - sponsor tagging being neglected? 

Entrigue specializes in equestrian social media and rider management! We help equestrians handle the daily posting to Instagram and Facebook, handle boosting and engagement ads, and can help trainers and barns maximize their sponsorships, keep websites up to date, and PR! Your barn is a business too and as a rider or barn your digital hoof print counts!

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#equestrian #sponsoredrider #socialmedia #equestrianmarketing #equestrianreels #horsesofinstagram
Yay for June! We have another great edition for yo Yay for June! We have another great edition for you all that we can't wait for you to read. Up first are Evan and Ashley Donadt a dynamic duo that has won the hearts of many! Stay tuned for many great stories like this by following us on Instagram and Facebook or subscribing to get your very own copy of Sidelines Magazine!

What happens when a horse-crazy equestrian girl meets a never-touched-a-horse-before guy? If you’re Ashley and Evan Donadt, it might just be the beginning of a happily-ever-after that includes a solid dressage program and extremely popular social media channels featuring good-natured humor and horses.

Ashley, a lifelong equestrian, began her horse experiences with the local 4-H club, progressed to lessons with the local dressage trainer when she was 10, then her own pony when she was 11. Conversely, Evan grew up in Massachusetts, without any horse experience to speak of. The odds of them meeting were fairly low, until fate landed them both in Southern California.

Evan knew from the start that spending time with Ashley meant spending time at the barn. In fact, Ashley told him straightaway, “The horses come first always; you’re going to be second!” Evan wasn’t deterred, and instead found the loophole: spending all his own free time with her at the barn.

Read Ashley and Evan's full article in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! You can also click the link in our bio. Don't forget to subscribe to get your very own copy delivered right to your door! Thank you Evan and Ashley for allowing us to share your story!
📸Portraits by Jeni Jo Brunner

#sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
As we head into June we wrap up our May women entr As we head into June we wrap up our May women entrepreneur, edition. We were so lucky to be able to feature so many amazing women within the Horse industry. We have one more to share with you, and if you missed any of the women entrepreneur stories head to our website for all of our past issues! Enjoy! 

Hurry Up and Wait” is a familiar saying at hunter-jumper competitions. Unlike other disciplines, where 
riders are assigned specific ride times, hunter-jumper riders typically must check in with the starter at 
the in-gate throughout the day to determine when they will show. In 2019, Emma Fass decided to put 
her computer science background to use in the show industry and created RingSide Pro to allow riders 
to be “ringside” wherever they are.
Throughout high school, Emma competed at horses shows on her horse Son Of A Sailor, aka Ernie, 
oftentimes trailering Ernie into the show for the day with her mom. “That was stressful because we 
didn’t know how the show was running until we got there. Even once we were on the show grounds, we 
struggled to find information. It’s a hike to the rings and the speakers in the barns tend to be 
unreliable,” Emma said. “I would think to myself, There’s got to be a better way.”

For more information, visit www.ringsidepro.com

Read Emma’s full story at sidelinesmagazine.com, and never miss an edition of Sidelines magazine by subscribing. 

@ringsideproinsta @emmafass 
📸Photos by Kirsten Konopnicki, kkonophoto #Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
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