New Year, New Quadrennial, New Era
Monday, January 27 2025
By George Williams
Perhaps more than most people, I’m looking forward to the new year—on many different levels.
Let me start by saying that this is the start of a new quadrennial, in equestrian sport. Now the focus is fully … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Unbridled With Scott Fitton
Monday, January 27 2025
By Britney Grover
Scott Fitton grew up as one of six children in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where his equestrian career began thanks to a palomino pony called Trigger who lived at the end of the street. “We used to climb … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Jumpstart 2025 With a Plan
Monday, January 27 2025
By Valerie Pride
And just like that—2025 is upon us! Thinking about the year ahead can be exciting and a little overwhelming. You are not alone! Let’s talk through a few strategies I use this time of year to mentally … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Barbara Chappell: Loving Life and Ponies
Wednesday, January 22 2025
By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Jordan Koepke
Barbara Chappell wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Instead, she was handed a pitchfork as soon as she was old enough to help on her family’s Holly Hill Farm. Barbara … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Sarah Bachor: Oxers to Oncology
Sunday, January 19 2025
By Sarah Welk Baynum
Portraits by Lindsay McCall
If you watch Sarah Bachor riding in the competitive hunter or equitation classes she does today, you’d never guess this caliber of showing is relatively new to her.
Though Sarah started riding … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Vicky Castegren & Hyperion Stud: Creating a Legacy
Friday, January 17 2025
By Britney Grover
Vicky Castegren learned to ride and care for horses over the course of summers spent at Camp Farwell in Vermont from the time she was 9 years old. She expanded her knowledge and experience at Stoneleigh-Burnham … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Leslie Butzer: Cloning and Breeding at Ponies & Palms
Tuesday, January 14 2025
By Jessica Grutkowski
Portraits by Molly Kennedy
Leslie Butzer founded Ponies & Palms Show Stables—aptly named, as a pony breeding operation based in Boca Raton, Florida—in the 1990s with the goal of breeding championship hunter ponies. “When I first … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature
Laena Romond: Riding and Running
Monday, January 13 2025
By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Sophia Donohue
Laena Romond has been lucky to have a team behind her every step of the way of her riding career. From her family to the Mount Holyoke IHSA team to the team … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Debby Buck DeJonge: Writing Saved a Riding Life
Wednesday, January 08 2025
Horses are in Debby Buck DeJonge’s blood. “My grandfather was in the Danish cavalry and migrated to America, where he became a famous racehorse trainer, even counting War Horse’s daughter as one of his steeds,” she said. Since Debby’s first … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature
Amber Birtcil: The Power of Yes
Monday, January 06 2025
By Helen Townes
Portraits by Lauren Ann Wagner
Talent, hard work and never saying no: these have been the key ingredients to West Coast eventer Amber Birtcil’s success as a competitor and trainer. That included saying yes to the rigors … [Read more]
- Published in General, Sidelines Feature, Weekly Feature