Horse & Style Magazine Fall 2018

FALL

OUT & ABOUT: LES TALENTS HERMÈS

2018

GIVING BACK: LIVING LEGEND:

THE

THE

WORLD

OF

VILL AGE

THAT

U RYA D I B U I LT

M E M O G R AC I DA • C YS I : LOV E LY LO G I C

NE WPORT BE ACH | ASPEN | PALM BE ACH | 866. 584.2666 | LUGANODIAMONDS.COM

36 84 10

46 69 26

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6 | FROM THE PUBLISHER

For the Love of the Sport & the Horse

9 | GIVEAWAY

12 Days of Christmas

10 | 10

© 2018 HORSE & STYLE MAGAZINE

REASONS

14 | BET WEEN

THE LINES American Pharoah

16 | PRO

Sarah Appel sarah@horseandstylemag.com

POP QUIZ

Jay Duke Equestrian

E D I TO R

18 | OUT

Emily Pollard

20 | OUT

A RT D I R E C TOR

& ABOUT Desert Flight Premiere & ABOUT Menlo Charity Horse Show

22 | OUT

& ABOUT Spruce Meadows

24 | OUT

& ABOUT Split Rock Jumping Tour

26 | EQUESTRIAN

TASTEMAKER

A Collection of What’s Now...

30 | OUT

& ABOUT Old Salem Farm Summer Jumper Classic

32 | NEW PRODUCT ALERT

Danielle Demers E D I TO R I A L CO N S U LTAN T

Jackie McFarland A DV E RT I S I N G & SA LE S

Laurie Berglie laurie@horseandstylemag.com

CO P Y E D I TOR

Pam Maley

Essex Classics ‘Trey’ Performance Sweater

36 | FEATURE

The Well-Appointed Show Setup

41 | TREND REPORT Sensible Stable

42 | THE GOOD LIFE

How to Host a Friendsgiving

46 | ON THE COVER

United States’ Gold Medal Moment…

56 | OUT

& ABOUT World Equestrian Games

58 | ST YLE

PROFILES

Mad for Plaid

60 | LIVING

LEGEND

The World of Memo Gracida

69 | GIVING

BACK

The Village that Uryadi Built

76 | CURATED BY AN EQUESTRIAN Cross Gate Gallery

80 | VENDOR

L.V. Harkness

84 | DINING

SPOTLIGHT

OUT

Safaris Unlimited

88 | DESTINATION

Saratoga Springs, New York

92 | OUT

& ABOUT World Equestrian Center

94 | OUT

& ABOUT Les Talents Hermès

95 | ASK DR. 96 | BEHIND

CARRIE

CO N T R I B U TO R S

Laurie Berglie, Alli Addison, Jennifer Wood, Pam Maley, Lindsay Brock, Claiborne & Lime, Juliet Agg-Manning, Terri Roberson Psy.D., Dr. Carrie Wicks, Ph.D. P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Ashley Neuhof, James Berglie, Simon Strafford, Elizabeth Hay, Sarah Klintworth, Katherine Hay Photography, Kaitlyn Karssen, TalismanPHOTO for GMC, SportFot, Kristen Beinke Photography,Tara Arrowood, Alden Corrigan Media, Mike Sturk, Lindsay Brock/Jump Media, CanMedia, Spruce Meadows Media, Hugo Gonzalez, Pennington, Shawn McMillen Photography, Forever Photography, Christopher Demers, Shoshana Rosenberg, Cansport, 3rd Shutter, Andrew Ryback, Cara Grimshaw, Kaitlyn Karssen, Grandpix P R I N T E D I N C A N A DA ON THE COVER: McLain Ward and Clinta secure the gold medal for Team USA at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina; photo ©Ashley Neuhof Horse & Style Magazine is an equestrian lifestyle publication that is published quarterly and available at participating tack shops nationwide for $10, and while supplies last at large training centers and hunter jumper horse shows. The written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is legally prohibited. Copyright © 2018 Horse & Style Magazine LLC. TM

THE LENS Simon Strafford

LISTINGS STAND IT?

fall 2018 ·

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fall 2018

P U B L I S H E R & E D I TO R -I N-C HIE F

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contents

…to Love Showing at World Equestrian Center

AR D WIN

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contributors

Emily Pollard

Danielle Demers

Laurie Berglie

Alli Addison

Emily Pollard uses her BA in English from Saint Mary’s College of California to teach, write, and edit.

She has worked in the equestrian industry for the majority of her life, as a groom, assistant trainer, barn manager, and everything in between. She trained and competed her horse, Skyler Ace, to the FEI level. She now enjoys sharing her passion for horses with her husband and two young daughters.

Danielle Demers lives in New England with her husband and baby boy. A lifelong equestrian, she has always been inspired by horses. After graduating with a BFA in Painting, she worked to find a way to combine her passions for art, design, and the equestrian lifestyle. Through her work with EqSol, and as H&S’s Art Director, her interests have been melded together more perfectly than she could have imagined.

Laurie Berglie lives in the Maryland countryside where she enjoys renovating her fixer-upper farm, reading horse books, and competing in the hunters. Laurie is also an author of equestrian fiction and maintains her lifestyle blog and Instagram, “Maryland Equestrian.”

She has a BA in English from Stevenson University and an MA in Humanities from Towson University.

Alli was born, raised and still lives on a ranch that has been in her family since 1837, located north of Santa Barbara, CA. Alli holds a BS and MS in Business Marketing from California Polytechnic State University. A lifelong equestrian, she has a passion for riding hunter/jumpers, loves art and the equestrian lifestyle. Alli also enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Pam Maley

Jennifer Wood

Juliet Agg-Manning

Terri Roberson, Psy.D.

An avid former foxhunter, Pam knows well that special bond between horse and rider. With her husband she was co-owner of Dunford Farm, a Thoroughbred farm in Lexington, Kentucky, where she was involved in every aspect of the horses’ lives. Her journey with horses continues as a member of the EqSol Team.

Jennifer Wood is a lifelong horse person. She worked for Olympic show jumpers Anne Kursinski and Margie Engle before entering the public relations field in 2004.

She has since covered World Cup Finals, World Equestrian Games, and Olympic Games.

Wood promotes some of the best equestrian events and companies in North America through Jennifer Wood Media and Jump Media.

Juliet lives in Kenya with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She was brought up in a world of storytelling, around camp fires with the Masai or at home in Nairobi with her father when he came home from safari. She loves to write, and has a food blog (lunchwithjuju.com) and an online food store (greenspoon.co.ke).

A licensed clinical psychologist, Terri Roberson combines her passion for horses with her clinical work in equine-assisted psychotherapy. She currently sits on the board of Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

Over 25 years on the show circuit has given her an eye for equestrian style and provides constant inspiration for her frequent contributions to H&S.

Claiborne & Lime

Lindsay Brock

Ashley Neuhof

Laura Mormann and Antoinette Watson turned their love of entertaining and hospitality into an art form when they founded Claiborne & Lime. Catering to both lifestyle brands and private clients, they specialize in designing intimate, thoughtful gatherings and celebrations. C&L provides peace of mind, allowing clients to be fully present and enjoy their precious downtime with loved ones.

Lindsay Brock is a writer, photographer, and social media guru from Saugerties, NY. A Houghton College graduate, Lindsay studied Writing and Communications, while riding on the hunter/jumper and eventing teams. Lindsay is a full-time staffer at Jump Media, LLC. When not at a horse show, behind a camera lens or fervently Instagramming, you can find her astride her Zangersheide gelding, Justice Z.

A former three-day event rider, Ashley’s love of horses runs deep.

Her photography has taken her around the world and her images have been exhibited in New York City galleries and major magazines.

When she is not behind the lens, Ashley can be found riding her new Thoroughbred gelding and enjoying the outdoors.

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· fall 2018

WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER presents :

W I N T Eof theRseries MI DW E S T USEF "AA" Premier Hunter Jumper Level 4 Nov. 28 - Dec. 2, 2018 Dec. 5 - Dec. 9, 2018 Jan. 2 - Jan. 6, 2019 Jan. 9 - Jan. 13, 2019 Jan. 16 - Jan. 20, 2019 Jan. 23 - Jan. 27, 2019 Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2019 Feb. 6 - Feb. 10, 2019 Feb. 13 - Feb. 17, 2019

Feb. 20 - Feb. 24, 2019 Feb. 27 - Mar. 3, 2019 Mar. 6 - Mar. 10, 2019 Mar. 13 - Mar. 17, 2019 Mar. 20 - Mar. 24, 2019 Mar. 27 - Mar. 31, 2019 Apr. 3 - Apr. 7, 2019 Apr. 24 - Apr. 28, 2019

Jan. 9 - Jan. 13, 2019

USEF Regional II Apr. 10 - Apr. 14, 2019

$25,000 Grand Prix $5,000 Welcome Prix

$7,500 Futures Prix $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Quality. Class. Distinction.

®

Wilmington, Ohio • www.wec.net •

F R O M the

publisher I would be remiss if I started off this publisher’s letter with anything other than saying that McLain Ward’s jump off and the storybook gold medal win for the United States at the World Equestrian Games was THE. BEST. EVER! This September’s WEG at Tryon Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina was the pinnacle of what the sport of show jumping has to offer – suspense, athleticism, and team comradery.

Although I could not be at the WEG in person, I eagerly watched as much as I could from the VIP berm of Sonoma Horse Park in California. And I was not alone in my WEG-watching. As I walked around the showgrounds, I saw quite a few groups of people huddled around a tablet or iPhone, anxiously watching the action unfold.When McLain cleared the final jump in the jump-off and secured the US win, all those clusters in Sonoma cheered and celebrated the victory. It was great to see so much love for the US team, even though we were all so far away.

After that day, it was obvious to the H&S team that the cover story for the fall issue had to be about the WEG and the US team’s win. With Jennifer Wood’s storytelling, and Ashley Neuhof ’s pictures, this cover article makes readers feel as if they are right there in the WEG stands. So whether you missed the WEG and want to know what it was like to be there, or if you were there and just want to relive all the glory, you are going to LOVE this article (page 46).

Speaking of love, Pam Maley does an incredible job of telling the tale of the Crooks family, and the unbelievably generous non-profit work they do to help orphans in Ethiopia. It is also heartwarming to read how the equestrian community worked to support their efforts; it really is amazing how strong a team we can be (page 69).

In this issue Alli Addison presents another story of love and dedication, that of polo legend Memo Gracida. She shares the tale of his young life, polo career, and future aspirations – accompanied by gorgeous photography. This tale will have you realizing that the love of the horse – not necessarily the sport – is what binds us all (page 60).

Also, Laurie Berglie’s Curated by an Equestrian column takes us on a visit to the Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky. Working closely with gallery curator Chelsea Dickson, we spend “A Day in the Life of a Curator.” This piece also illustrates love and passion for the horse (page 76).

The WEG gold medal winning US team from left to right: McLain Ward, Adrienne Sternlicht, Laura Kraut and Devin Ryan; photo © Ashley Neuhof

This has certainly been an incredibly exciting fall season for equestrians. As we send another issue off to print, I realize the big takeaway is that for all of us who cherish the horse – whether as a rider, philanthropist, polo player, art curator, publisher or any other ‘title’ - we are all part of an amazing equestrian community that unifies us. A community I certainly love to be a part of.

Best,

6

· fall 2018

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GIVEAWAY

Starting December 13th and continuing each day for 12 days, Horse & Style will be gifting one of these fantastic items to our Facebook and Instagram communities.Visit horseandstylemag.com on December 13th to learn more!

1

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3

4

5

6

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8

9

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Riatadesigns.com riatadesigns@gmail.com

Sun Protection Made Beautiful

1. 1 Year Subscription to Horse & Style Magazine; 2. 3 Pairs of Boot Socks, Dreamers N Schemers; 3. A Full Size Mask and a Mini Moisturizer, Bibimbap Skincare; 4. Cold Weather Shirt with Hidden Thumb-Hole Feature, Equi In Style; 5. Set of 5 Horse Books, Trafalgar Square Books; 6. Equestrian Competition Journal, View Halloo; 7. Lavender “Trey” Sweater with Grey Elbow Patches, Essex Classics; 8. Let’s Show PJs, Mini Britches; 9. Olympia Sandal in Bridle Brown, Katharine Page; 10. Handmade Needlepoint “For Fox Sake” Pillow, Pip & Roo; 11. Riata Sun Hat, Riata Designs; 12. Sonoma Horse Park Swag Bag fall 2018 ·

9

10

reasons

photos by 3rd Shutter & Andrew Ryback

World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Wilmington, OH, is one of the country’s premier equestrian facilities.

WEC hosts a large number of premier equestrian events throughout the year, and the incredible amenities and climate control make seasonal showing an incredibly enjoyable experience. The ample guest accommodations on the property also mean that when you come to WEC for a show, there is never a need to leave the property. And while there is no need to leave the property, we thought we would share 10 reasons you won’t want to leave.

10

· fall 2018

1. H O M E

IS WHERE THE H E A R T I S : The heart of WEC is seen in the eyes of the crew who are smiling, kind, and happy to host you each day. But with the luxury cabins and the Home Away From Home suites all onsite at WEC, you will be the one smiling as you head “home” each night.

2.

3.

S H O P L O C A L : The Chagrin Saddlery & WEC mobile tack truck has been at every prominent horse show across the country. Now, with a new brick-and-mortar vendor experience at WEC, shopping for your favorite equestrian brands has never been easier!

R I B B O N E N V Y : Showing is about the experience and having

fun, but we all want a little of the glory. What better way to show off a job well done than the gorgeous WEC ribbons?

4.

5.

H O T S P O T : After a long show day, you can find everyone enjoying the full bar, delicious food, and a curated wine list at The WEC Paddock Club. You will also find the grand prix riders playing pool, the young pony riders singing karaoke, and everyone having fun. It is almost more enjoyable than the show!

C L A S S P A S S : With so many exciting classes, and over $333,000 in prize money offered at the fall show series alone, WEC offers a great experience for all its competitors.

The trainers are rewarded as well; there are $10,000 in trainer awards being offered this fall.

6. F A M I L Y

F U N : WEC has plenty of fun activities for the kids, or grown-ups that want to act like kids. Movie nights, dog costume classes, giant obstacles, and private concerts are just a few of the fun events geared towards creating a family-friendly atmosphere.

7.

W H A T W E A T H E R ? Is it below zero and snowing outside? It doesn’t matter because you would never know it while showing at WEC. The arena, stabling, and vendor areas are all inside and climate controlled, making any unbearable weather totally bearable!

8. S P A

D A Y : Hurry-up-and-wait is the name of the game at horse shows, and what better way to pass the time between classes than to get a manicure, pedicure, or blow out?

You’ll find parents, trainers, and the tween squad doing just that at the Cutting Room, an Aveda Salon onsite at WEC.

9.

A RING WITH A VIEW: For the best views, sit ringside in The Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a 210 x 350 climate controlled indoor space featuring spectacular LED lighting, premium footing, heated walkways between arenas, and seating for 1,100 spectators. It is also home to the VIP viewing area, complete with drinks and dining. Watching a horse show has never been this relaxing!

10.

HAPPY HORSE, HAPPY L I F E : Let’s face it – showing is really all about the horses – and the horses love WEC. Great footing, large stalls, and climate controlled living, all make WEC an overall great place to bring your horse during the show season!

B E T W E E N the

lines

by Laurie Berglie photos by James Berglie

A Special Meet & Greet with…

A M E R I C A N P H A R OA H : TRIPLE CROWN C HAMPION Written by Shelley Fraser Mickle 224 pages | amazon.com Kindle: $1.99 | Hardcover: $10.43

A

s the saying goes, “Not all heroes wear capes.” In my case, my hero has four legs, a silky chocolate brown coat, runs wildly fast, and enjoys a heaping bucket of oats. He’s pretty low maintenance, and he doesn’t know just how special he is – because he’s a horse.

And he’s not just any horse – he’s American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown Winner we’ve seen since Affirmed in 1978. I was fortunate enough to have a private meet and greet with my hero on June 6th, which also happened to be the third anniversary of his historic Belmont, thus Triple Crown, win.

It all started earlier this year when I picked up a copy of American Pharoah by Shelley Fraser Mickle. At the same time, I was planning a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, both for Horse & Style work and for my own pleasure, (because Lexington is an equestrian’s mecca). My light-bulb moment came one night when I decided to see if I could coordinate a visit with my hero himself, and by doing so, add a fun twist to my normal “Between the Lines” column.

All the stars aligned and on a sunny, warm June morning, I found myself traversing

down the never-ending tree-lined drive of Ashford Stud, the American branch of Coolmore and the home of American Pharoah. We were met by Marketing Executive Robyn Murray, who graciously acted as tour guide, and she led us to the barn just as the horses were coming in from their morning jaunts in their pastures. She told us that, “Pharoah isn’t quite ready. He had a bit of a roll this morning, so he’s still getting cleaned up.”

“Am I allowed to pet him?” I asked (begged). And before she had even finished her answer of “yes,” I was on him. His coat was so smooth, so soft, and as he turned his head to look at his visitor, his eyes were warm and kind. I couldn’t take my hands off him. Pharoah stood quietly, allowing me to pet him for twenty minutes. Twenty minutes of pure unadulterated bliss. Me and my hero. Me and the horse who had made my dreams come true.

In the meantime, she gave us a tour of the breeding shed, introduced us to their other prominent stallions, Lookin At Lucky, Classic Empire, and Uncle Mo, just to name a few, and kindly answered my many questions about the facility, Pharoah, and life on a stallion farm.

Robyn continued to answer my questions, and I was happy to learn that stud life hasn’t changed Pharoah. He is still the friendly, easygoing guy he’d been at the track – and I was witnessing that firsthand. He didn’t even mind when I threw my arms around his neck for a final hug. I thanked him for being my superstar, for being the one I’d been waiting for all these years.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to meet my American hero. Like a lot of fans of the sport, until Pharoah, I had never witnessed a Triple Crown win. I had gotten my hopes up time and time again, only to have them dashed during the stretch run at Belmont when Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Smarty Jones, so many great horses, failed to capture the crown in the race’s final moments. But not in 2015. American Pharoah proved all the naysayers wrong, the ones who said we’d never see another Triple Crown winner, the ones who said today’s horses weren’t strong enough to go the distance, who said the campaign was too grueling. Then American Pharoah ran and won – decisively. And here I was about to meet him!

Robyn got word that Pharoah was ready for his Horse & Style debut, so we waited outside his barn in the courtyard. My husband was there with his camera and his strict instructions from me to also take photos with both of our cellphones as well.

While I did snap a few, I wanted to live in the moment and not view this magnificent creature through the screen of my phone.

I saw his silhouette first as he was brought out of his stall and into the aisle. I’d watched the replays of his races so many times, (and had seen him in person at the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic), that I’d know him anywhere. And he was walking straight towards me, head high, ears pricked, and utterly gleaming.You’d never know that he had been covered in mud just thirty minutes prior! His groom circled and squared him up in front of the barn. As my husband’s camera click-clicked, Pharoah held his head even higher, standing regally for his adoring audience.

I am so grateful for this experience, for this beautiful memory (and photos). If you’re in the area, you too can meet the champ. Farm tours are held at 3:00 pm every Monday through Friday, but you need to schedule in advance.

If you want to continue to relive the magic that is American Pharoah, I would highly recommend reading Shelley Fraser Mickle’s book, (and there are quite a few others out now as well). Her story starts at the beginning, (Pharoah’s birth), explains the misspelling of his name, and follows his journey to immortality.

“So when it is all said and done, and the story of Pharoah is old and passed down and written into the history of the year two thousand and fifteen, certain things will always be true. No one owned Pharoah.

He was his sole proprietor. If anyone could be listed as his possessor, it would be the wind and the rain, the earth and the sky, his relentless need to run and his majestic frame spurred by muscle and heart.

“For a little while, he simply shared himself with us. For those of us who took the time to look, we were gifted with the renewal of a very important belief: that every once in a while, promises are kept. Every once in a while, perfection and miracles do come along. Every once in a while, an unexpected guest travels through our lives, reawakening us to the goose bumps of wonder.”

Thank you, American Pharoah, for sharing your morning with me, for allowing me to set my hands upon greatness, and for the memories I’ll carry forever.

IS YOUR SPORT Taylor, Harris Insurances Services Worldwide Equine Insurance Specialists THIShorseinsurance.com 800.291.4774 Photo Alden Corrigan Media

P R O pop

quiz

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:

How can you make the most of your jumping lesson?

“Riding is 90% mental, which means attitude is everything. Any rider with a positive attitude and a desire to learn can be assured a successful lesson before they even walk into the arena. Once these elements are in place, a well-educated instructor has the opportunity to produce significant improvements in both horse and rider.

In 2014, I hung up my show coat for good and retired from competition and training to shift my focus to teaching and training. It was a lifestyle change that revitalized my passion for training.Visiting the barns of young professionals or individual riders to help them grow their business and educate both their riders and themselves is something I love.

I approach each lesson with the goal to see change – whether finite or substantial. Whether a rider competes over 1.0m or at the grand prix level, or only hopes to trail ride with their horse, the lessons are not so different. It’s the expectations and technicality that vary. When I teach a clinic, I ask every rider two questions: “What’s your biggest struggle?” and “What’s your biggest strength?” From there, I try to get the most from that horse and rider, and produce a positive result so that both did something they didn’t think they were capable of doing.

After establishing each rider’s goals, I remind them never to underestimate the importance of the warm-up.Walk, walk, walk! Starting slow is an important warm-up for both horse and rider and can even include the course or exercise built with ground poles instead of jumps.

Jay Duke, photo © Forever Photography

 jayduke.com  jaydukeclinics@gmail.com

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Second to an effective and deliberate warm-up, jumping should begin in stages without mentally rushing through an exercise. The focus of every lesson is to ride each individual part of the course or exercise well before putting the pieces together with attention to three details: pace, line (approach), and position (for both horse and rider). Never move on until the previous fence or lines are perfected.

The end result will continually be a successful course or exercise, and improvement on the part of horse and rider.

For me, it’s important to stay inspired when training at home. As a result, I wanted to bring the horse sport industry together with the development of Jay Duke Equestrian’s Virtual Lesson program. It is a subscription-based service that offers my extensive library of flat and jumping exercises, tips, and a few tricks that I have picked up over the years. Subscriptions vary from à la carte, to monthly and yearly options, with mobile-friendly lesson plans delivered weekly via e-mail. They are ready to go straight to the ring with you!

When the show jumping community operates as a whole rather than a group of individuals, magic happens. This reality led me to the development of virtual lesson programs. My hope is that it will benefit trainers, competitive riders, and even those going it alone at home.”

— J AY D U K E Canadian Equestrian Team veteran, senior course designer with Equestrian Canada, and mastermind behind the Jay Duke Equestrian Virtual Lesson Subscription program

Each issue, a new question is answered by an industry professional. Have a question you want answered? Send it to sarah@horseandstylemag.com

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Harvard Hall Owned by Dr. Betsee Parker

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1. A panel of a few people featured in the movie answer the audience’s questions 2. Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff and Amy Barboso pose for a picture before the screening 3. Desert Flight is displayed in the lights of the marquee 4. The pre-screening appetizers delight the attendees 5. Ned Glynn, Sarah Appel, and Mattias Ekeroth smile for the camera 6. Samia Staehle, Desert Flight’s creator, introduces the film 7. Buddy Brown, a key character in the documentary, watches with the audience 8. Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, Elizabeth Duffy and Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn enjoy the party before the show

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Photos © Grandpix

The Art of Donna B

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Donna Bernstein

www.donnabernstein.com

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1. Megan Kerpsack and Calandra have a great round in the hunter ring. The pair did well in both the 3'6 Amateur Owner Hunter 18–35 U/S and the 3'6 Amateur Owner Hunter 18–35 - Handy 2. Taylor Siebel smiles after her winning ride with Fellini 131 in the $40,000 Stephen Silver Grand Prix 3. The set-up for the Lindemann Barnett family is certainly on point! 4. At Menlo, there is shopping, and Hermès is always one of the favorite booths 5. Pure Abundance’s Retirement Garland is an amazing edible arrangement

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Photos © Alden Corrigan Media

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6. Carly Anthony, winner of the $10,000 Rhys Vineyards Ryman Memorial Speed Class, shown here on Ben Rye Dei Follet 7. Augusta Iwasaki and C&G Close Up have a great time in the Rhys Vineyards Ryman Memorial Speed Class 8. Hugh Mutch happily puts up another ribbon to celebrate his team’s successful week at Menlo 9. Demi Stiegler gives Surf’s Up a well-deserved pat after winning the $25,000 USHJA International Derby 10. Best assist over fences goes to Caroline Burke and her pup, Firebreathing Rubber Ducky 11. It is a good thing to get a case of the Menlo blues 12. Patrick Seaton and Carson soar over one of the beautiful Menlo hunter jumps

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1. Sameh El Dahan (EGY), winner of the CP ‘International,’ part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping 2. Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping trophy arrives in Calgary for the 2018 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO5* 3. Canadian athletes and Chef d’Equipe Mark Laskin join Linda Southern-Heathcott (President & CEO, Spruce Meadows) and Marg Southern (Founder & Chair) 4. Juan Jose Zendejas (MEX), winner of the 2018 TransCanada Winning Round 5. Kara Chad (CAN), winner of the 2018 ATCO Founders Classic 6. Kent Farrington (USA) and Gazelle on form to win the 2018 RBC Grand Prix, presented by Rolex 7. Philipp Weishaupt (GER), winner of the 2018 CANA Cup with presenter John Simpson (Chair, Owner & CEO, CANA)

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Photos © Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk/CanSport/Hugo Gonzalez

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8. 2018 BMO Nations Cup Team autograph signing 9. Rowan Willis (AUS), winner of the 2018 Sunlife Financial Derby 10. Team Germany, winners of the 2018 BMO Nations Cup 11. 2018 CNOOC Nexen Cup winner Richard Spooner (USA) 12. The FEI Jog (horse inspection) at the 2018 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ CSIO5* 13. Vladmir Tuganov (RUS) tackles the bank during the 2018 Sunlife Financial Derby

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SPLIT ROCK JUMPING TOUR, SONOMA I N V I TAT I O N A L C S I 2 * – P E TA LU M A , C A

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1. The Split Rock Jumping Tour team and friends pose for a group shot 2. Rich Fellers has a great week at the Sonoma International 2* 3. Beto Gutierrez and Hannah Selleck work the step-and-repeat for the Ride On Charity Gala sponsored by Big Bay City 4. The Stableguard candy bar satisfies even the sweetest sweet tooth! 5. Karrie Rufer gives a double fist pump after her big win in the $100,000 Sonoma International 2* Grand Prix 6. Briana Cuoco, Karl Cook, and Kaley Cuoco walk the carpet at the Ride On Charity Gala. Kaley Cuoco’s non-profit, Big Bay City, sponsored the gala and generously provided Lyft rides for all guests

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Photos © Kaitlyn Karssen

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7. The full bar and pool table are a popular hot spot for riders and spectators 8. The coveted Split Rock ribbons cover an entire table 9. Uma O’Neill and Clockwise of Greenhill Z giving it their all 10. Mandy Porter and Wild Turkey Farm LLC’s WT Leapfrog take 2nd in the $5,000 Animo 1.40m Youngster Bowl, a class designed for 7- and 8-year-old horses 11. Amelia Browne poses in the winner’s circle with her trainers from Sonoma Valley Stables: Ned Glynn, Heather Rhoades, and Kylee Arbuckle 12. Karl Cook and Caillou 24 fly over the signature Split Rock Jumping Tour jump 13. Alexis Georgeson, Sarah Appel, and Meredith Herman pose on the Ride On Charity Gala red carpet

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E Q U E S T R I A N tastemaker

by Alli Addison

It’s time. Bring on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the crisp cool mornings, the sweater weather, the cozy evenings at home, the beginning stages of a winter coat on our equine friends. Bring on the fall fashion (yes, please!), the quickly approaching holiday season, the great outdoors, the autumn colors and festivities. Yes, bring on the fall season. Because, we are sooo ready for you. The transition to this glorious time of year has our team poring over the latest fall styles for both in and out of the saddle, adding accents to our home that beckon us to cozy up and stay indoors, and thinking up ways to experience something grand with friends and family.

For the Home: Cozy Accents Williams Sonoma Home Oversized equestrian prints, the softest 100% lambswool you can imagine, neutral color palettes and so much more in the latest cozy offerings from Williams Sonoma Home are leaving us shouting yes! yes! yes! from the barn rooftops. New Forest Lambswool Collection, $99.00–$399.00: williams-sonoma.com

Cinch It Up C.S. Simko Corset Belt The equestrian set and belts go together like peas and carrots, do they not? Fully functional and entirely decorative all in one simple little piece of apparel, the belt is undoubtedly requisite. Now when a belt brand geared for the equestrian sport market decides to take it out of the box and produces an accessory that is a bit more fashion than equestrian function, our team is wholly on board.

Because, why not?! This fall, C.S. Simko, known for their sleek and classic belts that pair seamlessly with a good pair of breeches, has partnered with Barneys New York to offer a more statement-making fashion piece in the form of a 4.5" wide corset belt.“We were looking to offer something a bit more fun,” explains designer Stuart Simko. “The belt is cut from a single piece of bridle leather that we import from England, and the three straps adjust so that the buckles always stay in the center of the belt.”This beauty possesses all the same style and timeless class as it’s equestrian-minded C.S. Simko siblings, but packs some serious punch when you leave the arena and decide to hit the town. Available exclusively through Barneys New York, learn more at cmsimco.com or visit barneys.com, $495.00.

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Dude Ranches The Wild Wild (and downright fabulous) West Yup.We said it.We’re totally diggin’ on Dude Ranches right now.

When the world goes crazy, its nice to take a moment, get out of your comfort zone, breathe in the fresh air and escape it all. But the dude ranches of today offer so much more than you may think.

It’s a bit of glamping mixed with horses, topped with delicious cuisine, combined with decadent spa treatments, overflowing with adventure, experience, sporting activities and so much more... And we kid you not, it’s a wild west experience on luxury steroids.

Check out The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, the first guest ranch to receive a five star rating from Forbes. Or head to California to immerse yourself in a true family resort camp experience at The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort just north of Santa Barbara, California: theranchatrockcreek.com & alisal.com

This photo & below: The Ranch at Rock Creek

This photo & right: The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort

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For the Home: Art Pampa Horses

On Our Radar Gone With The West Once upon a time in the west...There was a hardworking, hunter jumper riding, wunderkind of contemporary clothing design, wife and mother of two named Carisa Brambles who became deeply inspired by American heritage and the (sometimes rebellious) history of western culture. So inspired in fact that her passion grew and evolved into a lifestyle brand, and movement if you will, called Gone With The West. “Having grown up with horses all my life and competed since I was a kid, I have always considered myself a cowgirl at heart; even if I am in an English saddle most of the time,” explains Brambles, founder and designer of Gone With The West. “I’ve spent the last 11 years designing my contemporary clothing brand Nightcap Clothing, and as the years went by, I found myself wanting to create a sister brand.” In developing this new clothing brand, a task very familiar to Brambles, she sought to create a line and a brand identity that was authentic, casual yet timeless, and filled with purpose. “I wanted Gone With The West to possess a purpose that extends well beyond fashion,” she explains. “I have always supported wild horse rescue and Native American land preservation, but GWTW allows me to dive deeper into awareness, fundraising and more.

I deeply appreciate the horse, and my goal is to create a brand surrounding the lifestyle and feeling that comes with that appreciation.”The recently launched collection is influenced by the culture of the Wild West, the history of Western fashion, and the rebellious women who pioneered the movement, setting the tone for generations to come. Delicately detailed Victorian tops and prairie blouses give the impression of true one-of-akind vintage pieces, while the stunningly embroidered Western buttondowns and tailored high waisted trousers are reminiscent of 1950s rodeo queen culture. And then there’s Carisa’s personal favorite. “I am 100% an English rider competing on the jumper circuit, but I love the juxtaposition of mixing English and Western styles. So you can typically find me in a pair of breeches, tall riding boots and our Saddle Shirt, topped with our raw-edged Aztec Cardigan as we transition to fall,” she explains. Gone With The West is available through exclusive partnerships with Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Planet Blue and on their site: gonewiththewest.com

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For the past 10 years, Argentinian photographer Victoria Aguirre has been beautifully capturing horses near her birthplace, La Pampa. The series of fine art prints, known as the Pampa Horses series, represents a lifelong passion with an animal that possesses a “genuine beauty, freedom and solitude.”Victoria’s interpretation of these creatures is telling, captivating and modern.

Better yet? They make an easy, stunning and affordable addition to any living space. Pampa Horses: pampa.com.au

Oh So Lux Bella Freud’s Lux Pony Club Gah. We are obsessing over Bella Freud’s latest addition to the stylistic high end lineup in the form of Lux Pony Club, inspired by the pony clubs of the 1970s, the posh pony gals and the gypsy lads. Pure cashmere jumpers, chain stitch embroidery, contrasting details and more will leave you pleading for membership.

Prices start at $150.00; bellafreud.com

Get Inspired Behold, The Barn Conversion Who doesn’t love a good barn conversion?! New York-based and worldrenowned design firm, General Assembly, reimagined this old horse barn into the glorious guest space it is today, the Catskills Barn. A harmonious blend of fresh and new finishes combined with original structure and old world material helped to create this standout space, all while managing to maintain its historic integrity. When we came across this project, the wheels in our minds starting turning and we were instantly inspired. And with bedrooms located within the old stables and behind sliding stall doors? That’s a winner in our eyes; genassembly.com (Photo © Joe Fletcher for General Assembly)

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1. Georgina Bloomberg and Crown 5 flying on the Old Salem Farm Grand Prix Field 2. Team Old Salem Farm excited for a great two weeks! 3. With a pat and a smile Katherine Strauss and Capacity celebrate a win 4. Beat Mändli and Simba celebrate a victory in the $131,000 Empire State Grand Prix CSI3*, presented by The Kincade Group 5. Top finishers Beat Mändli (center), McLain Ward (left), and Brianne Goutal (right) after topping the CSI3* Grand Prix 6. Vasco Flores and Balou 660 represent Gotham North at Old Salem Farm 7. McKayla and Linda Langmeier help train a future star in the leadline ranks

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Photos © Lindsay Brock/Jump Media

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8. Old Salem Farm rider Taylor St. Jacques after picking up a win 9. Chablis, ridden by Kelly Tropin, and groom Israel Gomez with their amateur-owner tri-color 10. Old Salem Farm’s famed Grand Prix Field ready for action 11. Capt. Brian Cournane and Armik claim the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake CSI2*, presented by Douglas Elliman 12. McLain Ward and Clinta soar to a victory in the $35,000 Welcome Stake of North Salem CSI3* 13. Michael Fitzgibbon of Douglas Elliman congratulates Beezie Madden and Jiva on a win

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by Laurie Berglie photos by Katherine Hay Photography

ESSEX CLASSICS

‘TREY’ PERFORMANCE SW E AT E R S FOR FA L L

L–R: Emma Seving, Emma Kurtz, Daisy Farish, Chloe White, Amanda Lyerly and Ashley Holtz

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stylish staple in the show ring, Essex Classics is no stranger to creating beautiful shirts for riders searching for the latest trends in both comfort and fashion. Essex Classics was launched more than 30 years ago when everyone wore 100% cotton show shirts with separate chokers. Seeing a need in the market, Essex Classics got its start in 1985 and hasn’t slowed down since.

This Fall, they are pleased to present their new performance sweater collection.

A NEW LOOK FROM A N O L D FAVO R I T E Essex Classics owner and founder, Cathy Sacher, grew up in the fashion industry with her family’s shirt manufacturing company. After college, she went to work in banking, but it wasn’t long before horses pulled her back into their world.

“My lifelong passion for equestrian sport, coupled with having grown up in a family that owns a shirt manufacturing business, presented a perfect opportunity to start a new company making finely-tailored equestrian show shirts.”

Now Essex Classics is a household name among the equestrian set. With impeccable tailoring and an attractive and comfortable fit, the shirts have been very well received for the past three decades. “Within a couple of years, we became the leading show shirt brand as we innovated new fabrications and design features that other companies have since tried to emulate,” notes Cathy. “The introduction of performance coolmax fabrics with interior trims inside the collar and cuffs, the revolutionary wrap collar design to eliminate separate chokers that were often lost or misplaced, and the latest nanotech talent yarn show shirts with

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undersleeve mesh are all cutting edge trends which were started by Essex Classics.” Riders will now be impressed by the technical fabric and state-of-theart material used in developing the new ‘Trey’ sweaters.

comfortable movement. The sweaters are machine washable and quick-drying.

Styling features include elbow patches in contrast knit or suede, contrast tipping detail, and the signature Essex Classics embroidered logo on the left hip.

THE ‘TREY’ P E R F O R M A N C E SW E AT E R This Fall equestrians can look forward to a new performance sweater collection that will be offered in two styles:V-Necks and Quarter Zips. The ‘Trey’ sweaters, (named after one of Cathy’s beloved horses), are made in exciting new technical yarns that offer excellent moisture control; and there is just enough stretch to allow for

Equestrians will love this sweater for its lightweight and luxurious feel, yet it has enough stretch to put on and take off over your helmet. The elbow patch and trim detail only add to their appeal. “I think my favorite thing about these sweaters is that they’re lightweight and comfortable, so they are easy to layer. Unlike cotton, these performance yarns are breathable, wick away moisture, and dry quickly. The

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sweaters also wear well and recover easily after every use, regardless of the weather conditions they’ve endured. Also, after machine washing, they snap back to their original shape.”

Stay warm and stylish this fall season in a ‘Trey’ sweater. Pick your favorite color (black, navy, light grey, lavender, pink, orange, tan, and stone grey), layer it with a traditional Essex Classics Talent Yarn Shirt, and enjoy an elegant look both in and out of the show ring.”  essexclassics.com  @essexclassics  @essexclassics

South Haven Farm

feature

by Alli Addison photos courtesy of Equitex Custom

–THE–

Well-Appointed Show Setup

So, we have to ask. How’s your show setup?

Does it speak to who you are, what your business encompasses and what your program represents? With the year coming to an end and our minds always on how we can improve for the next trip around the sun, our team has been thinking a lot about the importance of a solid horse show setup and putting your best foot out there. We caught up with Katie Cook of Equitex Custom Stable Products to talk about your barn image, tips, trends in the industry and the importance of a well-appointed show setup.

Horse & Style: Let’s come right out of the gate and start with the importance of a solid show setup and what that conveys for a barn and business.

Katie Cook: The equestrian sport is steeped in tradition.With so much of our practices having military roots, it’s no wonder that we as horsemen love things that represent strict discipline, orderliness, attention to detail, and leadership. I think that a pristine stable area, no matter how elaborate or how simple, appeals to anyone who loves horses, because it shows that you care about the well-being of the animals and that you honor and respect the sport in general. Each barn setup at a horse show is a direct reflection of the person running that business.This does not have to mean that whoever has the “most stuff ” or spends the most money is the best at their job! Some of the best trainers I know have a very simple setup, but everything is thoughtfully done and the overall look is attractive because you can see the care that has been taken to put it together. I like to talk to newer barns starting out about their vision for their business.The setup is a huge part of their business’s brand, and can be a marketing tool as well, by attracting clients who have

the same values. A client who cares about horsemanship, organization, and discipline will be drawn to a trainer who puts these efforts into their setup.

H&S: We often hear of certain setups giving the impression of pretension. And we know that is not the case.You’ve always had such a great response to this. Can you please elaborate?

KC: Horse shows have evolved a lot in the past 50 years. In the hunter/jumper world, our shows are mostly week-long, or even months-long, with lots of staff to help with the set up and break down. Owners and competitors are spending so much money to be able to compete, and most everyone involved now feels that their time is precious.

As a result, clients really appreciate – and even require – a quiet, safe, serene place to relax and stay focused. I have many clients who need a room to store belongings, change clothes, study, even sleep! When people are putting so much effort into being at a horse show and making tremendous sacrifices to be there, it’s imperative that they feel good about their experience; and this is all part of it. Some of the most important moments in our sport

happen under those awnings – horses bought and sold, contracts drawn up, deals made, tears shed, goals for the year set, winning rounds visualized and lifelong friends made. It is never about pretension, it is about quality. A similar comparison can be made in how we present ourselves individually.The parallels of an outstanding show setup and a well-dressed individual go hand in hand.

H&S: What are some of the essential elements of a good show setup and what are some of the basics every barn should have?

KC: First and foremost the horses need to be safe and comfortable, so tidiness becomes essential. As we all know, an organized space is crucial when it comes to stable management and horse care, and with the tight schedules of a competition, there is no time to waste searching for things that should be readily on hand. A crosstie space and somewhere to keep tack and feed supplies clean and dry are obviously necessities. From there, I think shade and seating is important for the riders to relax so they are ready to give their best effort later in the saddle. If a barn wants to be recognized, then signage is important and

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I have a lot of fun designing name banners, hanging panels and other types of signs for clients. It’s common here on the west coast for trainers to want a basic setup that includes an awning, drapes and valances to cover at least a first stall for a dressing room, and some seating, like director’s chairs, when they first get started.Trunks for the riders to keep all their belongings are a must-have, and the list of custom equipment like bridle racks, saddle racks, stall guards and bandage slings grows from there. I encourage clients to make sure everything they’re bringing to a horse show is functional in some way.

H&S: What additional elements do you see barns adding right now to separate themselves from the pack?

KC: I think a clear sense of the barn’s “brand” is essential for setting yourself apart.

This all comes together when there are consistent barn colors, a great name and a logo to work with. From there, we help design trunks, stable equipment and blankets all to match. When these elements all come together is when you get that “wow” factor.

When you see a horse wearing a cooler or scrim sheet at the ring and you recognize the logo and barn colors, that’s how you know we got the branding right.

H&S: Any trends you are forecasting for the upcoming season?

KC: Style-wise, I’m seeing a return to scalloped valances which is really fun! But in general I see our clients really wanting to take their setup further by draping the stalls between the horses, hanging stall gates, and

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covering the walls inside their dressing rooms with drapes. Many people are bringing in designers to help with furniture and accessories. Light fixtures under the awning, custom pillows, and more furniture items like console tables and decorative accessories are becoming popular to make the seating area feel really special. I love seeing barns go all out in this area! It really is becoming a home away from home for many people.

Interested in stepping up your show setup game?

Check out the entire line of products and services available through Equitex by visiting equitex.com.

IG: @equitexcustom

S

o, you’ve got your basic show setup in order. What’s next? We’ve included a roundup of design ideas and tips to take your setup to the next level. From the traditional to the contemporary and everything in between, here are the goods to consider for your next show season.

LIGHTING This may very well be the most fundamental component of great design – both in the home, in the workplace and certainly in your show set up. Many barns have incorporated a lighting fixture of some sort into the canopy of their display. And the options are certainly endless. But what to look for, you ask? We suggest, given the size of a typical canopy, choosing a main fixture piece that is 24–30" in diameter, corded and chained (so it can be converted into a plug-in fixture and mounted with ease) and void of materials that won’t weather well (such as fabrics and natural papers). But why not take your lighting a step

further? Plug-in wall sconces pack a major punch when it comes to aesthetics. Add some back panels and wall panels to your setup, and then incorporate pairs of plug-in wall sconces to create ambient focal points, such as on either side of a mirror or piece of art.

G O FAU X O R G O H O M E Green is key in any well-designed space, be that interior or exterior. And by green we mean plant material. And this is no new game-changing idea for the horse-show types.

Nearly every horse show setup we encounter has some level of plant material incorporated into their display. But –­­­ and there’s always a but, the material is often “live” and showing early signs of distress.

This is why we advocate for the faux. But the good faux. And by good, we are talking about outdoor-rated, UV-protected faux botanicals that are about as life-like as they come. Faux plant material has evolved leaps and bounds in the past five years as production technology and materials have continued to improve so that they last longer out in the elements and look better.

From boxwood hedges to topiaries to trees and more, these faux elements can really pull their weight, show season after show season.We suggest incorporating some classic pots and containers with your new found faux plant material to provide an aesthetic foundation.When selecting your containers, keep in mind your barn colors and furnishing design for a complimentary look, and consider containers made out of fiberglass, metal or wood for ease in transportation.The large ceramic pots do tend to get heavy.

New Age Traditional And while we are on the subject of botanicals, every designed space needs some sort of floral element to create that at-home feeling.

Fresh flowers go a long way, but much like the outdoor-rated faux boxwoods and such, faux floral arrangements have also made some considerable improvements in terms of quality over the last couple of years.We suggest placing a couple of faux floral or succulent arrangements in your main awning area and in the dressing room area to help brighten the space. Again, these elements are portable and can travel well from show to show.

FURNISHINGS We like to think of a show setup as a pop-up, temporary living space for riders and trainers.

A place that provides comfort, aesthetics and function, a home base if you will.

When it comes to furnishings, the sky is the limit nowadays. Outdoor-rated furnishings, much like everything else outdoor-rated, continue to improve year after year. Begin your furnishing makeover by selecting an outdoor sofa with performance-grade fabric cushions such as Sunbrella or Perennials brand.You can work with your show setup specialist to maintain some level of continuity with your awning, panels and such.This sofa piece becomes the focal point and primary piece of your horse show living space. For additional occasional-style seating, stick with the outdoor rated chairs or try something a little different, such as leather club chairs.

The overall look will land you right in the winners circle, the durability (when properly stored) is there, and they provide a fantastic juxtaposition to an outdoor sofa piece.

When space is available, we love the idea of layering on additional furniture pieces such as coffee tables, side tables, console tables and more.Tables provide their users with a landing space for both decorative items and necessities (i.e. food).They also assist in “finishing off � a space. For material, if you are considering tables that are not already outdoor rated, choose along the lines of reclaimed wood, metal or natural stone to give yourself a bit more longevity and ease in wear and tear.

ART AND DECOR This is where we fully support going all in!

Make your space feel like home by adding in decorative items such as trays, wool throws, leather pillows, lanterns and battery operated candles, decorative objects and more. Consider statement-making floor mirrors for the dressing area, large scale art pieces centered under your main awning, a rug runner to add some color and texture, and framed prints of your show team for a gallery display.

Dressing Room Inspiration

Refined Elegance

JOIN US!

Ilana Halpern (916) 751-9600

LO C AT E D I N T H E E A S T B AY H I L L S OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

awakeningsporthorses@yahoo.com

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SENSIBLE S TABLE In this world, everyone could use a little more stability in their lives.

And really, what could be more grounding, more sensibility inducing, more balancing, than time spent in an actual stable? Nothing! But to make you feel more stable, your actual stable has to be on-point – and for that Hermès has you covered. From curry combs to rugs, from tack soap to polos, Hermès has created the perfect items to bring some sanity to your stable. Feeling stable has never looked so good.

1. Curry Comb, $135 2. Oxygène Honeycomb Rug, $910 3. Glycerin Soap, $35 4. Groom Boot & Helmet Bag, $3,275 5. Groom Stall Door, $700 6. Loop Polo Wraps, $135

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T H E good

life

by Claiborne & Lime photos by Kristen Beinke

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HOW TO

Host a Friendsgiving Is every room in the house clean? Is the wine chilled? Is the scent of freshly baked goods wafting throughout your home? There are tons of small details that go into entertaining that we might not always take into consideration. Everyone loves holiday festivities – for instance, a ‘Friendsgiving’ event during the Thanksgiving holiday – and spending quality time with family and friends; but when it’s your turn to host, it can be an intimidating task. Today, we’ll be sharing a few no-fail tips on how to make holiday hosting a less daunting process and a more enjoyable experience for your guests every time!

1. B E O U R G U E S T When planning any gathering, always consider your guests first. After all, the point of having a gathering is for your guests to feel comfortable, get to know each other and enjoy all of the things you’ve lovingly planned for them. In this case, ‘Friendsgiving’ was bringing together different groups of friends. So, we decided that a very casual, informal setting would make everyone feel right at home. We also planned meals and activities, consisting of comfort foods, a Moscow Mule Bar, and board games, which would encourage openness (hint: alcohol helps a lot) and interaction. This tone was consistent throughout the evening with each activity, menu, and tabletop choice that was made.

2. THE BOX…THINK OUTSIDE OF IT Holiday events, though fun, can become repetitive. So, to avoid that boring, old dinner, create a theme for the gathering and

allow for some unexpected touches. Just because you’re having a fall get-together does not mean you have to decorate with pilgrims or brown and yellow. Instead, use items in ways other than what they were intended. In this case, instead of using traditional floral arrangements, we opted for a more organic aesthetic. Inspired by the all of the olive trees in nearby Los Olivos, we wanted to bring some of that rustic, wine country landscape to our dinner table.

So we decided to create a table garland solely from olive branches. We always recommend looking in your own backyard or neighborhood to find things that are native to your environment, so that the overall look remains cohesive. In the past we’ve also used eucalyptus, magnolia and bay leaves, which are equally stunning alone or mixed together.

3 . H AV E A P L A N Ladies and gentlemen, plainly put, this is not the time to wing it. Spend some time

making lists of everything you will need.

If you really want to bring your “A” game, create one spreadsheet with categories (menu, décor, table top, etc.) divided into shopping needs and to-be-completed tasks.

Also, be sure to determine beforehand exactly where everything that you will need is located. This is especially helpful when items are only used once a year and you have no idea where the gravy boat is two hours before dinnertime. Then, create a timeline based on your list by working backwards from the time you expect your guests. Always build in a little time for yourself to indulge in a glass of wine or to put your feet up for a few minutes, so you’re fresh when company arrives.

4 . D E L E GAT E A N D O RC H E S T R AT E Luckily, we work in an industry full of creative folks who also happen to be our friends, so admittedly, it was much easier for us to pull together an evening like

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this one. But regardless of that oh-solucky circumstance, the key to effortless entertaining is very similar to muddling through life: ask for help when you need it and be grateful when people deliver! We highly recommend giving tasks to friends who are passionate about entertaining. If your aunt could easily be a Food Network star, ask her for help with menu planning and even for support on event day. If your neighbor has great handwriting, ask them to help out with place cards. In other words, don’t try to do everything on your own! Trust us, you’ll feel better and have more fun throughout the entire process.

5. IT’S THE PERSONAL TOUCHES Whenever we host guests, we look for ways to incorporate personal gestures.

They make guests feel welcome and thoughtfully considered as soon as they arrive. For our Friendsgiving dinner, each guest received a monogrammed napkin, which served as both a place card and favor. It looked great and provided the guests with a souvenir…a win-win!

6. AMBIENCE Two things we always have on hand at every gathering are candles and music.

Lighting oftentimes is overlooked, but nothing says cozy and intimate like sharing a meal over candlelight.

Music sets the tone for the gathering and instantly relaxes each attendee.

With the click of a button, music can even act as a subtle signal for guests to transition from a lively cocktail hour to a relaxing dinner.

7. P R E S E N T , NOT PERFECTION Let everyone serve themselves! By placing food items family style on the table or conveniently nearby on a sideboard, with appropriate serving utensils, extra plates and napkins, you take away the pressure of serving courses or everything arriving to the table piping hot in perfect succession. Sit down, focus on the people who are across the table from you, and revel in the moment.  claibornelime.com

 @claibornelime

 Claiborne & Lime Design & Production: Claiborne & Lime Calligraphy: KA Kalligraphy Chef: Jasmine Croo

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O N the

cover

by Jennifer Wood photos by Ashley Neuhof

I T WA S A M O M E N T T H AT S H O W J U M P I N G FA N S WILL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME. A BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL GREY MARE GALLOPIN G TO A GIGANTIC OXER ON THE RAIL, STRETC HING TO CLEAR IT BEFORE STREAMING THROUGH THE TIMERS. AND, A R I D E R I N A P I N Q U E COAT, P U N C H I N G T H E A I R , L E T T I N G E M OT I O N S TA K E OV E R I N T H E K N OW L E D G E T H AT H E H A D S E C U R E D T H E T E A M G O L D M E DA L .

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McLain Ward and Clinta

Laura Kraut and Zeremonie

In

an improbable situation, the NetJets® U.S. Show Jumping Team finished tied with Sweden after three days of competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG).The odds were small that four riders’ total penalties – on two separate teams – would add up to 20.59.

But they did, giving spectators one of the most thrilling days of show jumping in recent memory and the home team the chance to stand atop the medal podium.

Willow Farms LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner mare. Experience proved valuable, and Kraut put in the first clear round for the U.S. team, her fast time placing her 12th individually after the first day.

THE OPENING ROUND It began on Wednesday, September 19, with the opening speed round, held in a faults converted format. In a new format for WEG competition, the first round (with its complicated coefficient/multiplier to calculate penalties from time) counted toward the team score; in previous WEG championships, the opening round only counted toward individual standings and not team scores.

Similar to the first day of World Cup™ Final competition, the winner of the opening day speed round received zero penalties while fractions of penalties were given down the list to the 124 other athletes that started on the first day.Those scores would be added to the regular faults given in the “Nations Cup” team rounds on Thursday and Friday. As usual, there was a drop score applied each day for the poorest performing rider on each team.

Ward decided to bring Clinta for her first championship appearance after his top mount, HH Azur, incurred a slight injury following CHIO Aachen in July.

The starting rider for the U.S. team was Devin Ryan of Long Valley, N.J., and Eddie Blue, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by LL Show Jumpers, LLC. WEG marked the pair’s first major games experience and they gave a solid performance fresh out of the gate with just one rail down.

“He felt great out there, he felt confident, he felt solid,” said Ryan of his mount of five years. “It was a blast walking through the ring and having the whole crowd and especially the American crowd, cheering you on. It’s unbelievable when I get on that horse, the confidence that I have in him. I think he believes in me that much, too.”

Another championship rookie, 25-year-old Adrienne Sternlicht of Greenwich, Conn., rode her awe-inspiring mare Cristalline, a 10-year-old Bavarian Warmblood owned

by Starlight Farm LLC, to one rail and a slower time.

Olympic team gold medalist Laura Kraut (Wellington, Fla.), riding in her third WEG for the U.S., was paired with Zeremonie, Old

Four-time WEG veteran McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y. rode Clinta, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare he owns with Sagamore Farm, in the anchor position for the U.S. team. The two-time Olympic team gold medalist piloted Clinta to a clear round for eighth place on opening day.

“It was a really hard decision,” acknowledged Ward. “I’d been to that type of championship before with Azur and she performed brilliantly. Clinta is a spectacular talent but had never faced anything like this. While I believed it was always in her to do it, there are always unknowns. I hate unknowns. I like things totally predictable.

I think that’s my greatest asset, that I take most of the margin of error out of play and [am] really consistent. We weren’t able to do that in this situation.

“I’ll always have doubts; I think that’s my nature,” he continued. “You lie in bed the night before and wonder, ‘Did I do this right?’ I sometimes don’t have the internal confidence that people think they see expressed on the outside. I’m always questioning if I made the right choice. But when I make a choice, I believe in it in the end. Though I certainly chew on it!”

With the multiplier applied after the first round, the team’s penalties were 3.64 (Ryan), 4.26 (Sternlicht), 1.87 (Kraut), and 1.08 (Ward). Added together, they totaled 6.59 penalties, which put them into fourth place. While some didn’t notice Sweden lurking in seventh place after the first round with 8.59 penalties – the team boasted four Olympic veterans in Fredrik Jönsson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Henrik von Eckermann, and 2016 individual silver medalist Peder Fredricson – the powers-that-be for the U.S. team sure took notice.

“I was less concerned with who was ahead of us than I was with who was behind us,” said U.S. Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

“When I saw Sweden eight [penalties] behind us on Thursday, I let everybody know there was a potential tie with Sweden.”

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SECOND ROUND As any international show jumping team member will tell you, victory is achieved one day at a time, one round at a time.

On Thursday, Ryan and Eddie Blue put a foot in the water for four faults (the first time they ever faulted at the open water) and Sternlicht and Cristalline had a fabulous round with just a single time fault.

The atmosphere was electric and filled with anticipation…

Sternlicht noted that after getting the butterflies out of the way on the first day, she returned to the ring ready to contribute.

“I think this Nations Cup format is really where we thrive,” she said. “I really thought about taking every fence one at a time. I think that’s where my time fault came, but I was more focused on jumping a clear round because that was what our team needed.”

Kraut had a more disappointing day to provide the drop score with eight faults due to two slight rubs on course. “The show jumping gods just weren’t with us today,” she conceded.

Like his student Sternlicht, Ward added just one time fault to his individual and the team scores with Clinta, and the U.S. improved their standing to the silver-medal position with 12.59 penalties going into Friday’s final competition. Sweden stood on 20.59 penalties, still lurking in the background.

THIRD ROUND With temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, the world’s top horses and riders returned for their third consecutive day of championship jumping over challenging tracks set by Irish course designer Alan Wade.

From the original start list of 25 nations, only the top 10 teams in the standings were invited back to contest Friday’s team final.

Starting out the day’s competition, Ryan and Eddie Blue completed their first round of the day with a four-fault performance.

Sternlicht and Cristalline also had four faults, while Kraut and Zeremonie scored an all-important clear round.

“I knew if we were a disaster or [Sweden was], [a jump-off] wouldn’t apply,” remembered Ridland. “We saw them clear and clear and clear; I knew that this was imminent. I knew we were in position to do what we had to do. I was pretty convinced that McLain’s ride would determine if we tied or won outright.”

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It all came down to Ward and Clinta.

Sweden had an astonishing three clear rounds from their first three riders to remain on 20.59 penalties. The U.S. had 16.59 penalties, so when Clinta dropped a rail early on course, it put them into a tie and forced a jump-off for the gold medal.

“Instantly, I thought, ‘You have to bring this home with four faults,’” recalled Ward after the rail came down. “I knew that we didn’t have the luxury of my being the drop score in that moment.The mare had the fence down because she jumped too high, and there were still a few big oxers to come! Most of the guts of the course was still ahead of me. I knew I had to just dig in and make sure I didn’t have a time fault, bring it home on the four faults, and give us a second chance.”

THE JUMP-OFF The second chance came in the jump-off, in which all four riders from each team returned to jump a shortened course. If a tie still remained after the jump-off, the cumulative times of their jump-off rides would determine the gold medal.

The atmosphere was electric and filled with anticipation as Ryan and Eddie Blue entered the arena for the jump-off. They posted a score of zero faults to match Swedish pathfinder von Eckermann on Toveks Mary Lou. However, Ridland had set a very clear strategy for Ryan’s ride.

“I told Devin to go in there to match the clean, but plus two [seconds],” he said. “Devin said, ‘I’ve never done this before.’ I told him to be two seconds slower but to leave the jumps up and that’s what he did.We needed that round so much. He was clear and 1.89 seconds behind [Henrik]. I joked with him as he walked out that he went too fast! It worked out the way we wanted.”

Afterward, Ryan acknowledged the incredible year he has had leading up to WEG.

“A lot has changed over the past 12 months for me,” said Ryan, who was also runnerup in the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final with Eddie Blue. “It was my breakthrough year. I’ve been working my way up the ranks, building a business, bringing along young horses, and it’s finally paid off a bit. I’ve learned a lot this week. It’s my first real championship and this year is the first year I’ve actually been on a team. This was my third Nations Cup. The team starts with my family, my owners, and all of these guys. It felt good to be able to produce that clean round for the jump-off.”

With that all-important clear round, Ridland knew he could count on his remaining riders to equal faults and make up time, and that’s exactly what they did.

Sternlicht and Cristalline had one rail down for four faults, equaling the four-fault performance of Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana. Kraut and Zeremonie were fast and clear in the jump-off, keeping the U.S. and Sweden tied after a clear round from Fredrik Jönsson and Cold Play.

“Laura was able to go clean and make up the gap [in time] and it left the door open for McLain,” said Ridland.

Once again, it all came down to Ward and Clinta. After Sweden’s anchor, Peder Fredricson and H&M Christian K, were clear in 34.43 seconds, Ward knew what he had to accomplish. He piloted Clinta to a masterful clear round in the fastest time of the day, 32.58 seconds, to win a historic gold medal for the United States. It was the first team gold medal for the U.S. in a world championship since they won in 1986. While faults were equal between the U.S. and Sweden, the cumulative times were 100.67 seconds for the U.S. and 102.73 seconds for Sweden.

Germany claimed the bronze medal, while the team’s new superstar, Simone Blum riding DSP Alice, grabbed gold on the final day after jumping five astonishing clear rounds through the week. After finishing an agonizing fourth in the team competition, Switzerland picked up two individual medals with 26-year-old Martin Fuchs riding Clooney winning silver, while his life-long friend, Steve Guerdat, took bronze on Bianca.

Adrienne Sternlicht and Cristalline

Victorious US Team (L-R): Laura Kraut, Adrienne Sternlicht, Devin Ryan and McLain Ward

As Ward galloped through the finish timers in the team jump-off, he looked at the scoreboard before throwing his fist in the air, patting Clinta, and bringing her down to a walk. He then raised his hands together to the sky and continued to pat her as they exited the ring to the deafening cheers from the stands.

When asked who or what he thought of in those last moments of the jump-off, Ward said, “First and foremost my father, always.

I wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for him. I definitely thought of Hunter [Harrison].

He would have loved that. It was a little bit of a sad situation that Azur got hurt. That was the plan all along and it was a wish of Hunter’s. But one of the greatest things about Hunter was that he wanted me to be successful, whether it was with his horse or not. I knew he would have been proud of that moment.You always think about what the horse has given and all the things that have to come together to get there. That was, for me, a pretty amazing moment that was a lot of years in the making.”

Ridland effused, “The amazing thing was, not only did the sport end up with a jumpoff, which was so highly unlikely, it was a jump-off for the ages. It was a heavyweight championship fight to the end. Nobody was giving up. We matched them horse to horse and rider to rider. This is our sport at its best. It was amazing to watch.”

Speaking afterward through her “tears of joy,” Sternlicht expressed, “I really, really, really don’t want to wake up from this dream. I love this horse so much. McLain is the most unbelievable mentor for me and such an important part of my life. For me, it’s been a battle of overcoming my own mind. I’m so grateful that Robert trusted me to be a part of this team. To be with Laura and McLain and Devin, three riders that I’ve looked up to my entire life for various reasons, it’s invaluable experience. I can only grow from this and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

Kraut reminisced of her last team gold medal-winning performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which was also won in a jump-off, that time against the Canadians, and felt that winning in the United States in front of a home crowd made it even more special.

“It was amazing sport. I don’t think we’ll ever see something like this again,” she said. “Thanks to everyone here and our supporters and owners for this opportunity.

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At my age, it’s great! I’m going to brag; I think we have the best support system in the world, for sure. The list of people that are making this happen for us is endless.

They do everything to make our job as easy as possible and they’re incredible. I still can’t believe it.”

Ward, who was also a part of the jump-off in 2008, noted, “I think the fact that I was the anchor this year, and that I had blown it in the first round by not jumping a clear round, I kind of remember pulling up and looking around in my home country thinking, ‘Boy, if you mess this up twice in your own country, you might not get out of this ring.’ There was a lot of pressure.

The chances that were taken on my student (Adrienne), and Robert believing in my program, I felt a lot of responsibility for that, and knew I needed to finish the job.”

He added, “This is what’s great about America; many different personalities, many different people, trying to be great, fighting, trying to be their absolute best. In the end, I’m so proud of that and to be American today. This is truly who we are.”

It continued to be a great week for the U.S. team with all four riders finishing in the top 16 individually.

The U.S. team strategized to capitalize on its strengths all week. The two veterans mentored the two rookies, and all four riders even shared a house in the North Carolina mountains throughout the championship.

“We were able to really help the riders out in this home country scenario,” said Ridland. “Being the home team, as we found out eight years ago [at the 2010 WEG in Kentucky], is not a built-in advantage. If anything, it’s a disadvantage with the extra pressure and distractions – fans, friends, family, press. The mental aspect of our sport is so tremendous.”

It was apparent that this U.S. team had great camaraderie, aided by Ridland’s leadership, support teams, and by the US Equestrian team and show jumping managing director, Lizzy Chesson. After winning gold, Ridland looked back at the history of the world championships for show jumping and discovered that no team had ever won the title on home turf, until now.

“Talk about history being made,” he said. “That is one of the most historical moments of this championship.”

Individual Gold went to Simone Blum (GER) and DSP Alice

OUT&

about

WORLD EQUES TRIAN GAMES – TRYON , N C

2.

1.

4.

3.

6.

5.

1. Team USA’s Devin Ryan, Adrienne Sternlicht, Laura Kraut, and Robert Ridland intently watch the action on course 2. Individual silver medalists Martin Fuchs and Clooney have a great ride 3. Enrique Gonzalez and Chacna soar as the crowd watches behind them 4. Peder Fredericson jumps the water obstacle with ample clearance 5. Individual gold medalists Simone Blum and DSP Alice celebrate their win 6. Martin Fuchs (2nd), Simone Blum (1st), Steve Guerdat (3rd) pose for pictures on the individual podium

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Photos © Ashley Neuhof

8.

7.

10.

9.

7. Team USA gold medalists McLain Ward, Adrienne Sternlicht, Laura Kraut, and Devin Ryan wave to the crowd 8. Laura Kraut and Zeremonie 9. Adrienne Sternlicht thanks Crystalline with a kiss as groom Emma Chapman stands by 10. McLain Ward celebrates after clinching team gold aboard Clinta

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STYLE

profiles

by Sarah Appel & Terri Roberson

Trendy Trainer Striped Grey Poncho, Rag & Bone, $350 Ocea Over The Knee Western Boot, Marc Fisher LTD, $299 Dre Slim Boyfriend Jeans, Rag & Bone, $210 Cecille Shirt, Fior Da Liso, $160 Gold-Plated Charm Necklace, Ralph Lauren, $995 Mila Pelle Tote, Noel Asmar, $265

With Baker blankets and Kensington rugs, the equines in our lives have had plaid as a fashion statement on lock for decades. Well, after Fashion Week in NYC, it is obvious that we humans get a turn in the tartan, and it has never looked better. Deck yourself out with check in different colors, sizes, and textures to show your love for all things Fall 2018, and maybe get to match your horse a little too.

Ambient Amateur Equestrian Triple Wrap, Vincent Peach, $412 Smocked Checked Jersey Turtleneck, MM6 Maison Margiela, $1,070 High-Rise Flared Jeans, Altuzarra, $695 Roy Mini Embroidered Bucket Bag, ChloĂŠ, $1,750 Equestrian Eternity Necklace, Vincent Peach, $1,250 Stitch Chelsea Boot, AGL, $525

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Jovial Junior Ilana Small Backpack, Frye, $398 Emmett Western Boot, Free People, $238 Zip-Embellished Plaid Twill Skinny Pants, T by Alexander Wang, $375 Crystal-Embellished Suede Choker, Isabel Marant, $415 Twist Knitted Hat, Equiline, $59 Intarsia Wool Turtleneck Sweater, Alexa Chung, $285

Pony Mom Pebble Cuff, Vincent Peach, $132 Darren Deerskin Leather Tote, Rebecca Minkoff, $345 Le Crop Mini-Boot Distressed Jeans, Frame, $245 Ronnie Plaid Poncho, AG, $228 Edie Studded Leather-Trim Wool Fedora, Rag & Bone, $225 Pointed Toe Flat, Rothy’s, $145

Gorgeous Gent O’Malley Round-Frame Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, Oliver Peoples, $475 Jordan Horsebit Burnished Leather Loafers, Gucci, $730 Polo Plaid Tweed Sport Coat, Ralph Lauren, $995 Slim-Fit Cotton-Twill Chinos, Burberry, $225 Woven Leather and Gold Plated Wrap Bracelet, Tom Ford, $450 Intrecciato Leather Chest Pocket Wallet, Bottega Veneta, $590

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LIVING

legend

by Alli Addison photos by Elizabeth Hay and courtesy of Memo Gracida

Memo & Meghan Gracida

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W

E often talk of legends, in both stories and in individuals. We tell the tales of the legends of yesterday and those of today. But what unique and sometimes inexplicable qualities define what it means to become a legend?

Is it pure talent alone? Or is it a formidable combination of innate skill woven with drive, passion and knowledge; layered upon experience, relationships and opportunity; and finished off with unparalleled charismatic personality? We whole heartedly believe the latter.Â

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IN

the world of polo, and certainly in the world of exceptional horsemen and horsewomen, there may be no greater legend than Memo Gracida. In a recordsetting career spanning decades, Gracida embodies the very definition of the term.

This man is pure legend. And his story is one for the books.

The short but sweet story of Guillermo ‘Memo’ Gracida Jr. goes a little something like this: Memo was born in Mexico City, into what is commonly known in equestrian and social circles alike as ‘the first family of polo.’ A dynasty if you will. A life lived among horses and the sport of kings was in his blood, and the achievement of polo immortality was undoubtedly in his future (although it would take grit, savviness and determination to reach that pinnacle). But the short version of Gracida’s tale is that he did indeed reach that pinnacle. Gracida’s international career includes a bevy of record-setting achievements that becomes almost too lengthy to list. But the greatest of those achievements is certainly the 16 U.S. Open Championship victories (the highest record to date) and the most consecutive years as a 10-goal professional polo player (21 to be exact).

In the world of polo, this is about as top as it gets. And what becomes of such an athlete with this unprecedented level of victories? Well, he (or she) is named Player of the Centennial Era and inducted into the National Polo Hall of Fame.Which, by the way, is the first time an active player has ever been inducted. So yes, long story short, Memo Gracida is a polo-playing immortal.

legend?” He smiles an infectious smile with a hint of smirk that could only be a response to my naiveté, and very calmly and warmly replies, “It is very rewarding. And I think it’s an honor, an honor to be part of the history of polo.” So then I hit him with my next naive and obligatory question, which is ‘what has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?’ Memo responds “All accomplishments have value on their own... I think maintaining the 10-goal handicap for 21 years was something I never dreamt of being possible at the beginning of my career.”

THE GRACIDA DYN AS T Y Ah, yes. The beginning years that set the foundation for what would become the world of Memo Gracida and the Gracida Dynasty.

And to properly tell this tale, one must start at the beginning. Many know that organized polo began in B.C. Persia as a training game for battle, which in time evolved into a game of nobility. During the 19th century, when the

perceived as inadequate and inexperienced.

In fact, at the time of the 1946 U.S. Open, these brothers had only ever played against one another and a few local Mexican teams in less-than-desirable conditions. For the Americans, it was certain to be an easy win. But for the Mexicans, it proved to be a true comeback kid story. As leader of the Mexican team, Guillermo Gracida Sr. used these perceived inadequacies to their advantage and pulled off a shocking win, solidifying the Mexican team as a formidable force on the field. What Gracida Sr. also did was create the first of many legends to come, crafting a tale that he lovingly told to his two young sons in repetition, and planting the seed for the next generation of Gracidas; Guillermo ‘Memo’ Jr. and Carlos.

As the child of a professional horseman, Memo began riding around the ripe young age of two or three years old, he recalls. He was playing tournament polo by the age of 10, but it wasn’t until he turned 13 that everything really began to click.

It was during those in-between, pre-teen years that Memo discovered his passion for the game. And it all came to fruition thanks in part to a 1954 Disney live-action movie titled Stormy,The Thoroughbred. The enduring tale of a Thoroughbred rejected as a race horse who transformed into a standout polo pony caught the attention of the young Memo Gracida. As happens with many Disney-backed movies, it’s impressionable young viewer watched the movie and knew instantly that THAT was what he wanted to be. Only difference here is it wasn’t the typical Disney prince, warrior, Demi-God, race car or such. Nope. “I watched this movie, and I knew right then and there, I wanted to be a polo player,” says Gracida.

The film that sparked so much inspiration for the young man has now become requisite in his teachings. “I make all my students watch this movie,” he laughs.

Opportunity “came knocking

for the young Gracida when…

But the longer version of Gracida’s story is much more complex, detailed and poetic than what is described above and what can easily be found on Wikipedia. And would you expect anything less of such a legendary and decorated athlete?

As I sit in the beautiful Tudor-styled home nestled in the middle of the newly acquired Santa Ynez, California polo ranch with Memo and his stunning wife Meghan, I tell him of this label; Legend. I know he has heard this many times before, having been described that way by industry people that are significantly more knowledgeable about the world of polo than I. But I know enough about horses, horsemen and horsewomen, and the common bonds that tie together our endless disciplines, to recognize such a talent. So I ask him anyway, “Memo, do you like being called a

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Brits had occupied India, the game made its trek back to Great Britain to continue use as a military exercise. Once again, in time, the exercise morphed into an elite spectating sport. By the 1800s polo had made its way to the United States and in the early 1900s, after the Mexican Revolution, the sport reached Mexico; and the first Mexican polo team was formed, which just happened to include Memo’s grandfather Gabriel Gracida.

This was the beginning of the Gracida Polo Dynasty. Memo recalls his grandfather as an exceptional horseman, a horse whisperer if you will, and an educator who went on to teach and train his own children, including Guillermo Gracida Sr. In 1946, the Mexican polo team made up entirely of Gracidas (four brothers to be exact) traveled north of the border to compete in the U.S. Open against the Americans.The chances were thought to be slim.The horses were assumed to be inferior. And the players were

Memo Tip: Curl up on the couch, watch Disney’s Stormy, The Thoroughbred and let the education start soaking in.

The years passed, and the practice continued. Memo eventually enrolled in school, with aspirations to become a vet, and worked playing on his father’s practice team. Opportunity came knocking for the young Gracida when he was asked to play on the practice team against the Mexican national team, in preparation for

“All accomplishments have value on their own…

I think maintaining the 10-goal handicap for 21 years was something I never dreamt of being possible at the beginning of my career.”

M E M O & M E G H A N G R A C I DA’ S D E S E R T M U S T S :

“For dinner and drinks, we love to go to LG’s Prime Steakhouse in La Quinta,” says Memo. “The sea bass is unreal.” Also be sure to check out Lavender Bistro which has been voted as one of the most romantic restaurants in the desert valley for modern California fare. And for some R&R? “We love the ultra-pampering spa at the La Quinta Resort,” says Meghan.

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the upcoming Texas-based Camacho Cup. Sure enough, as the practicing rolled on, it became very apparent that the “practice team” far exceeded the national team and in a riproaring whirlwind change of plans, Memo and his practice team members took the place of the A-team and headed off to represent their country as professional players. “We were absolutely the underdogs here,” recalls Gracida. But wouldn’t you know it, just like his father years before, Gracida led his team to victory against the undefeated American team.

With so many opportunities that presented themselves in the many years spanning Gracida’s unprecedented career, this could be labeled as the game changing opportunity. After this big win, it was all uphill from there for Memo Gracida.

After his first big tournament win as a professional, Gracida began to catch the eye of team patrons, sponsors and more. Not only could Gracida play on a competitive and successful level, he possessed the unique ability to strategize a game, build a power house team and develop winning ponies, making him a clear leader with seemingly 20/20 foresight. He openly credits this as another one of his major lifetime accomplishments. “It takes more than one talented player on a team to win. It takes entire organizations, strategies, horses, and balanced team skill sets,” he explains.The years that followed brought U.S. Open wins, Argentine Open wins, British Open wins, and induction into the Polo Hall of Fame. As the story usually goes, the rest is simply history.

THE FUTURE OF POLO So, to someone who has spent a career being defined as a legend, a person who embodies the pinnacle of his sport, I couldn’t help but ask the burning question; What is the greatest thing you can leave behind? “To create a love and passion for horses in the next generation,” says Gracida without hesitation. In fact, he is so quick to respond, that one instantly knows without doubt that THIS is Gracida’s lot in life.

And what better response could there possibly be? In one hand you have one of the greatest and noblest sports in history, known the world over as the sport of kings, and in the other you possess what is needed to continue this sport and to evolve this dynasty: an education and a focus on the next young breed of world class polo players and polo sport-loving spectators.

When asked about the future of polo, Gracida explains that we are in a transitional

moment. “For the future of polo to be preserved, we need to create venues where new blood can enter the sport the correct way, by learning in a safe environment and on nice, safe horses. This has always been my goal when starting new players and patrons.”

So it comes with perfect timing that Memo Gracida is now embracing and forging a new chapter for both himself as a professional and for the sport of polo as a whole. And this new chapter is twofold, beginning with a West Coast polo revolution.

This summer Gracida was named Polo Director for Empire Polo Club in beautiful sunny Southern California. “For far too long the West Coast polo scene has never been seen as on par with the East Coast.

Memo is going to change this,” explains Meghan Gracida. As the Gracidas explain, it’s time to expose the world to the old blood and new blood of the Wild West. And truly, they are onto something. The west offers so much grit and glamour, there is no reason why this edgy locale can’t rival its eastern older sibling.

“Last winter was my first season playing at Empire Polo Club and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had,” said Memo in a recent press statement with the management team at Empire. “I believe that Empire has the potential to be the #1 polo club in the U.S.” And bringing on Gracida as Polo Director is like the icing on the cake, with a cherry on top of course, for the Empire group. Not only will Gracida be working to recruit teams and players, but he will be working closely with the grounds and design crews to help oversee the development of this world class equestrian facility. Big things are in the works for the 2019 season, with the opening of additional venues, including Calhoun Ranch and Empire Grand Oasis. New clubhouses, swimming lagoons, an amphitheater, dining options, newly installed polo fields, indoor arenas, stabling and more are all in the works.

With the winter season quickly approaching, the excitement only continues to build. The 4-Goal season kicks off this coming January through March, followed by the 8-Goal season which begins in February, with games happening every weekend in between.

Memo Tip: Check out empirepolo.com for an insider’s view into Polo’s newest gem of the West Coast. And escape California’s winter H/J circuit for a day or two and have a taste of the wide wonderful world of polo.

Speaking of the future of polo, let’s touch down on the subject of women’s polo and Meghan Gracida. Did you know that women only started playing polo professionally about 30 years ago? And let’s back up, the females of the tribe have been partaking in the sport for centuries now, but it was always believed to be a man’s world and women were not allowed to play tournament polo on a professional level. It was not unheard of for a woman to disguise herself as a man in order to pick up that mallet and play the game.

When Meghan met her future husband, although she worked in the industry (for Platinum Performance), she didn’t have much experience in the saddle. Naturally her interest in the sport was piqued, likely thanks in part to Memo’s never ending conversational enthusiasm for the game.

No joke, after five minutes of talking to the man and soaking in his passion, I too considered hanging up my jumper boots for a pair of polo boots. Meghan soon jumped into the saddle, grabbed onto those reins, and hasn’t looked back since. And she has her sights on elevating the female presence in this sport. “I think that the growth of women in polo is exciting!” she exclaims.

“Being married to Memo (who has always supported women playing the sport), I have heard about the struggles and adversities women faced early on when attempting to share the field with men. Thus I feel a sense of responsibility to carry the torch that women such as Sue Sally Hale, Stormie Hale, Sunny Hale, Caroline Anier,Vicki Armour, just to name a few, lit not too many years ago. These women really paved the way for female players today and it is my hope to continue spreading their passion for the sport.”

And a great job she has done thus far. This summer Meghan and Memo hosted their 2nd Annual Sunny Hale Women’s Invitational in Santa Ynez, California with great success.

And thanks to her husband’s natural ability to teach, Meghan herself has grown to become a talented player on the field.

And how about that second chapter in the Memo’s future of polo? Well, it all begins with a solid education.

WELCOME TO C AMP MEMO Clearly this is a playful term adopted by friends and family, but in its essence, the moniker gives the impression that you come here for fun and you come here for an experience. But on the other hand, this term

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is a bit too casual, as an education by Memo Gracida is so much more than a “camp” could ever be. So we are changing the phrase, and exclaiming with unbridled confidence, “Welcome to Memo University!”

Memo Gracida has perfected the evolution of player to trainer with unparalleled finesse, and his otherworldly track record of producing world class players and ponies is the proof of the pudding. “He’s exceptional at teaching,” says Meghan Gracida.

So students are invited into the homes and into the lives of the Gracidas. These kids become a fixture at the property, and learn the importance of hard work, physical labor, contribution, care and respect. Thus, Memo and Meghan teach their students an immensely valuable lesson. Polo is not just a sport. It is a lifestyle. And it is a lifestyle that deserves gratitude.

Clinics range in duration, but most are two weeks. “We’ve worked with students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to professionals. And this year it seemed that everything was coming to fruition as we began focusing on kids, offering experiences for those between the ages of 8 and 16,” says Meghan. Week long clinics encompass personal sessions, stick and ball, and drills all designed by Memo himself.

But they include so much more. “We are committed to making our clinics a true experience for our guests.”

Memo Tip: With educational opportunities being offered year round, it is best to reach out directly to inquire on which type of experience could best suit you.

This year has clearly brought about some big changes for the Gracidas, with Memo recently taking the Polo Director position at Empire Polo Club, where he will also oversee clinics and continued education in the winter season, offering their first junior clinic and so much more. But the year also brought the purchase and restoration of a stunning ranch property – Meghan and Memo’s new permanent residence – located in Santa Ynez, California: La Herradura Ranch.

“Satisfaction comes from seeing kids learning and enjoying the sport, and having them respond to my teaching,” says Memo. “It’s an incredible motivation for me.” The Gracidas reminded me that polo is indeed a family sport. It is an experience and passion that is LA HERRADURA RANCH passed down through the generations. “My Santa Ynez Valley is filled with horse greatest memories have always been when properties. If you ever have the chance to I was playing with my father, my uncles, visit even one of the many ranches in the my brother and cousins. In polo there is area, you can instantaneously see why the a social component, and there is a area is so enchanting. La Herradura competitive component.” Adding is no exception to this rule. With 45 in the ability to play alongside your useable acres, the ranch features three Satisfaction comes from family only makes the sport of polo barns, a dirt arena, lush grass paddocks that much more special. Gracida as far as the eye can see, stabling and seeing kids learning and has long recognized this element, room for over 100 horses, a large enjoying the sport, and and its fundamental purpose in the open space currently being converted game. Likewise he has known for to a grass field, and a comfortable, having them respond to my a long time now that in order to light-filled and inviting home. The teaching.It’s an incredible help the world of polo grow, these property is ‘elegant simplicity’ to the special elements need to be instilled core and a horse lover’s paradise. motivation for me. into the future generations. With more knowledge and unparalleled “This place bought us,” says Memo. experience than possibly anyone else, And what better locale could you it seems only fitting that Memo Gracida And an experience it is, no doubt. Clinics ask for to lay down your roots?” I asked would help continue this legacy and growth extend beyond daily practice and include the Gracidas “why Santa Ynez,” and part through teaching. excursions, dining experiences, visits to of me already knew the answer. While local ranches, meet and greets with world Memo hails from Mexico City (and has So what is included in a camp experience? renowned horse folk such as Monty lived in so many other fabulous parts of Well, for starters you get to work alongside a Roberts, trail rides, beach trips, drills with the world), Meghan grew up here on the true living legend. “At our schools, we focus other 10-goal players and finishing with a Central Coast of California and knew very on several things,” says Memo. “Learning polo tournament and prize presentation, well the draw of this amazing community. about the horse and the stable is a must, and which they call the La Herradura Classic. It “We want to create a home for ourselves often the first step in teaching for a young is a true family affair, and the Gracidas go here, but we want to create a place for rider or an adult new to polo. We focus over and beyond to make their students feel our guests, our family and our polo very hard on the concept of horsemanship. that family bond. community,” she says. “We want to be able Without it, you cannot foster that love and to offer the Santa Ynez Valley experience.” passion for the animal and the sport. Once What else sets apart the clinics offered by this has been accomplished, we move onto Gracida? The horses. “Polo is a game of Talking to Memo and Meghan about their learning how to play the game.” As anyone horses,” says Memo. “When you provide plans for their new abode and ranch, one who has spent any time in an academic world-class ponies to your students, you can see the excitement light up Memo’s environment, teaching children and young are giving them confidence, security and eyes as he begins describing what the future adults is no easy feat. “Everyone wants the the desire to continue. A safe horse is a holds. “I want to offer a base where we sport and the action of polo,” says Gracida. good horse.” Meghan echoes this same can host exhibitions, charity events, games, “But there is so much more to it than all of sentiment, especially as a newcomer to the clinics and more. I want to bring a bit of that exciting glamour. We want to impart sport, and she does so with such sincerity. the polo glamour and glitz to it all, but with this to the children and the juniors we work “The greatest part of polo is the horses. an understated elegant California spin,” he with. We want them to understand the It demonstrates this mystic relationship continues. Santa Ynez is a true destination, passion, essence and heritage of the game.” between horse and human,” she says. and the Gracidas love sharing it.

“

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M E M O & M E G H A N G R A C I DA’ S S Y V M U S T S :

“There’s so much to do here,” says Meghan. “We love to eat at Bell’s in Los Alamos.The owners, Daisy and Greg, are amazing and the food is exceptional.We also love to take friends and family to SY Kitchen.You can’t beat their handcrafted cocktails. For some retail therapy, my favorite place to shop in the valley is Ladybug Boutique.The owner Lindsay Branquinho is one of my best friends and she sells all the best contemporary brands like Mother for the best denim, Ulla Johnson for the prettiest feminine dresses and Velvet for the lux staple pieces.” For a good date night, Meghan and Memo love venturing into the newly opened and oh-so-hip Skyview Motel in Los Alamos to catch a drink during sunset.

GIVING

back

by Pam Maley

The Village that Uryadi Built Photo ©Sarah Klintworth

5* WEF yadi at the CSIO Jennifer and Ur © Spor tFot oto ph A; US p, Nations Cu

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

(CHINESE PROVERB)

T

he word ‘hero’ is constantly overused these days, to the point where it begins to lose its meaning.

But show jumper Jennifer Crooks redefines it in the fullest sense. She is, in every way, a hero.

A lifelong horsewoman, she is the daughter of an Irish mother and an English father, and she has competed in Nations Cup events as a member of the Irish Equestrian Team. She and her husband Mike met on a blind date while at university in Seattle, Washington, and now run Stella Farm, a successful training facility in Sandpoint, in northern Idaho.

Mike is a veteran trainer of 30 years.

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U R YA D I When we caught up with her, Jennifer, some of her children, and her talented and much beloved show jumper Uryadi, were on their way to compete at Thunderbird Show Park in British Columbia, near Vancouver, Canada.

Uryadi, now 17, will retire soon, and Jennifer plans to retire with her. Having competed in 10 Nations Cups, their last was in 2016. All of us who have loved a horse will understand what she means when she says, “She’ll tell me when she’s ready to retire.”

Uryadi’s story is inextricably intertwined with a remarkable tale of a non-profit that Jennifer started in 2014. The story began in 2003, when she and Mike and their five children traveled into rural China to adopt a child. “Sophie was our first international adoption,” she explained. “When we got to the orphanage, we were overwhelmed by the deep poverty. Babies were dying. I had to figure out how to help.”

When she got home, she was telling the story to a friend who gave her some valuable advice. She pointed out that Jennifer was competing at the national level. But if she and Uryadi could get to the international level, she would have a real platform and a group of people that would be able and willing to support her. So the pair stepped up their game to reach that goal. “Uryadi got me to that level, and I knew it was time. I had no idea how to run a non-profit, but I would learn.”

T H E FA M I LY T H AT KEPT GROWING By this time, Jennifer and Mike had adopted four more children from China, and four from Ethiopia. Of their five oldest, four are biological children, and one – Catherine – is Jennifer’s niece that she and Mike raised as their own. The younger nine are adopted.

The oldest two, Lauren and Sean, now young adults and successful show jumpers, run their own stable in Snohomish, Washington. Of the next three, Catherine, Ciara and Hunter, Hunter competes along with Jennifer, as do Sophie and Ruby, adopted from the People’s Republic of China.

Also from China are Jade, Kai and Holly; Millie, Jonah and Mahlia were adopted from Ethiopia. And just last June (2017), came their newest addition, Tegan, adopted from Ethiopia on an emergency medical visa that saved his life. “He was our surprise baby. He came to the orphanage on the last day of my visit last June. He had neurological issues from cerebral palsy and was dying. With us, he started to come alive, and I just knew he was the littlest Crooks,” she said. Now with 14 children, “I realized that I couldn’t adopt them all.”

U R YA D I ’ S V I L L A G E She named her project Uryadi’s Village, after the horse that made it possible, and decided that Ethiopia would be the focus.

“I had grown up in Hong Kong and made many visits to China. But I found through

my research that Ethiopia has more orphans than any other country – five percent of the population. In a country of 100 million people, five million are orphans. And the Ethiopians are a warm, welcoming people, comfortable to be around.”

At the outset, Uryadi’s Village would reach out to help communities with orphanages that lacked the resources to provide their children with even the basic necessities. In the longer term, the vision would be to ensure that each target orphanage has access to clean water and sanitation, sustainable agriculture, basic medical care, educational opportunities, and economic stability.

Ultimately, they would build strong, selfsustaining orphanages within communities.

Jennifer quickly took responsibility for the care of over 20 orphans two years old or younger in the rural village of Soddo, babies who needed immediate intervention to survive. Uryadi’s Village rented a facility where they could live with their nannies.

T H E H O R S E WO R L D S T E P S U P The progress made by Jennifer and her team over these four short years has been enormous. “It’s because the horse world stepped up,” she says with feeling. “We are 80% funded by the high-level horse world.

When we traveled to competitions, my kids looked like the UN, so I could talk to people about it. I could tell them my story. I’ve held babies as they died. At shows, I don’t talk

Jennifer: “Crooks children all dressed up standing in line in fancy clothes;” photo © Shoshana Rosenberg

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“Let’s create something that’s yours.

We can problem-solve together.”

Photo ©Sarah Klintworth

horses anymore; I’ve gotten to know people on a different level – and there are some pretty great people in the sport.”

Indeed, if you go to the website, uryadisvillage.org and scroll through the ‘Our Kids’ section, their sponsors read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of show jumping. In addition to the riders, horse show management teams have sought ways to help. Blenheim, West Palms, HITS, and Thunderbird do a ‘Jump for the Village’ event as part of the Grand Prix.

Uryadi’s Village donates one of the jumps, and owners, trainers, riders, or spectators can choose to make a pledge of any amount, that applies each time the fence is jumped clean.

Jennifer refuses on principal to spend a lot of money on fundraisers, believing passionately that every penny should go directly to the children. So this type of event is ideal, as the only expenditure is the cost of the jump, and Uryadi’s Village gratefully averages $15,000$20,000 each time.

ruce et h Cup, Sp ueen Elizab anspor t C © o CSIO5* Q ot Canada; ph Meadows

WO L AY TA V I L L AG E – SELF -SUS TAININ G P E R M AC U LT U R E The first self-sustaining village, called Wolayta, is 60%-70% complete, and already functioning. Designed by permaculture expert Warren Brush, it’s completely selfsustaining, providing a model that can be replicated around the world. A group in California has already expressed an interest in studying it.

“The Uryadi’s Village team,” says Jennifer, “came in with an agenda that differed from the NGOs (non-government charitable organizations) that for decades have come in with their hearts in the right place, laden with supplies and donations, determined to introduce our American ways, and unwittingly creating a dependency. Instead, we worked with the local people, and said, ‘Let’s create something that’s yours. We can problem-solve together.’ Everyone on our team watches the documentary NGOs, Inc. every year, just to keep ourselves on the right track. We can’t just come in with our American ways; the community needs to be uplifted, supported.”

Permaculture moves away from the American style of mono-crop farming, actually taking the people back to their roots, with a large variety of food crops, and chickens running around amongst them doing the fertilizing, etc. One acre can grow 70% more food with this style of farming. Wolayta Village has five houses so far, each with a house mother and 12 children; produces nearly all of its food;

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Photo © Sarah Klintworth

Jennifer with husband Mike Crooks; photo © Sarah Klintworth

Toddlers under the watchful eye of their nanny; photo © Sarah Klintworth

ensures clean water; and provides a locally run on-site Health Clinic. The goal is to meet the power needs of the village with renewable energy systems, and the team is currently working to get a solar grant to make that a reality. Also in the planning stages are cottage industries that will help to stimulate the local economy.

family. I visit each of them every time I’m there, and the program has produced such happy results that I really want to grow it.

It’s wonderful to see these bonds develop and to watch these kids blossom. Uryadi’s Village continues to provide food raised at Wolayta, and medical care, for the adoptees.

Permaculture makes that possible.”

The Ethiopian people and the local government are so delighted to have Wolayta Village in their community, that they have recently donated five adjacent acres, making the Village an eight-acre property, which will allow for the building of houses to accommodate 50 more children, in addition to the 73 now in residence.

Another direction Jennifer would like to pursue is a program for special needs children. It’s difficult to adopt them out locally, and the Ethiopian government, for reasons difficult to understand, has closed international adoptions. “We hope that will change soon, but in the meantime, we can bring in therapy teams, and we have an older lady in the village that is our ‘go-to’ for special care. Five of my own children have special needs, but little Tegen needs more support than the others. We have a therapy team that cares for him, and every year his entire team travels to Ethiopia to serve the village. We say that Tegen put together the team!”

AN ADOPTION PROGRAM Like the ripples in a pond, circumstances have taken Uryadi’s Village in directions that they hadn’t imagined. A local adoption program has become a huge part of their mission. Jennifer invited a group of local religious leaders of all faiths to meet with her and the staff. They all agreed that whatever your style of worship, one of the basic tenets of every faith is the duty to take care of our orphans. “Working together, we have already adopted out 15 children to local families,” she said proudly.

“After all, a poor family is better than no

SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP Quite by accident, a school sponsorship program has grown up. Jennifer and Mike bought a house just 10 minutes from Wolayta that was built by a missionary couple whom they met in Soddo. During the ‘where are

you from’ part of the introductions, the two couples discovered that they have homes near each other in northern Idaho, not exactly a populous region. “We have developed a great friendship, very synchronistic. We get together every year,” Jennifer says.

There are three houses near the Crooks’ house, and they have a total of eight children in them, the oldest one 14. Instead of attending the local public school, the children were laborers, working to help the family get by, a story that repeats itself over and over in Soddo households. Jennifer and her team figured out that a child’s income could be replaced with $18 per month, so they began seeking people who might want to be ‘school sponsors.’ A school sponsor makes a monthly donation of $20 to the family, in exchange for the promise that the child they sponsor be allowed to attend school. In no time, the program was off and running, and now has about 90 kids who can attend school because of their sponsors.

Inside Wolayta Village, there are 25 schoolage children in residence. Tuition at the best private school in Soddo is $15 per month, so the Uryadi’s Village team contacted each of their sponsors to ask if they could add an extra $15 per month to their regular contribution. All of them said yes. “We

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work hard to create a special bond between the child and the sponsor. Each child has a picture of his/her sponsor, and the sponsor has one of the child. Every penny that they contribute goes to their little sponsee.”

Moving the Wolayta Village children to the better school has reaped huge rewards.

Behavior problems resolved themselves, the academics are better, and the real added bonus is the boost to their self-esteem, which can have a positive effect in so many ways. There are two deaf (and “crazy-smart,” says Jennifer) children in the village. Their sponsors agreed to increase the contribution to cover the cost of the school for the deaf – a boarding school. The children come home to Wolayta on weekends and holidays, and both are thriving.

WO R K I N G W I T H M OWA Then there’s the partnership that Uryadi’s Village has formed with MOWA, a branch of government that oversees all women’s and children’s issues, among them the trafficking of children, an all-too-frequent occurrence in Ethiopia. When children are turned in to MOWA, or more often found abandoned, MOWA calls Jennifer, and she,

or someone on the staff, goes to get them.

MOWA allows themselves a window of three to four months in which they try to track down the child’s family, but it can be a difficult task, as some of the children were trafficked too young to remember where they came from; they have no memory of family. If relatives can’t be located, the child remains with Uryadi’s Village.

Jennifer related the story of brothers ages four and six, who had been found by MOWA. When MOWA was able to contact the family, they discovered that the boys’ parents had died, and the extended family was unable to care for them; so they came to the village. They soon told the staff that they had an eight-year-old sister that was sold as a housemaid. “When MOWA found her, she was afraid. She didn’t want to come with them; she’d already been trafficked once. Eventually, she let them take her to the village, and when she saw her brothers, she was over the moon!”

A FA M I LY E X P E R I E N C E Last fall, Jennifer and Mike pulled their children out of school and homeschooled them so that they could stay in

Ethiopia September through December (2017). “We were moving out of the rental quarters and into the village,” she said. “I felt like it was important to be there, to work on relationships.”

Her children made friends with all the children in the village and slept in the village with them. “It was a really important time; important for the government to see that we’re not leaving, we’re there to stay. We were able to forge valuable partnerships with the mayor and city officials. And it was a life-changing experience for my children; they became aware of how fortunate they really are.”

Jennifer hopes that other families will bring their children and experience the village. “Being part of it really changes them.” Anyone is welcome to “come hold some babies,” she says. Now there’s an invitation that’s hard to turn down! She gives huge kudos to her husband Mike for his unflagging support, partnership, and encouragement. “He’s a really good baby holder!”  uryadisvillage.org  @uryadisvillage

Jennifer, with staff and children when Wolayta Village was nearing completion; photo © Sarah Klintworth

C URA TED by an

by Laurie Berglie photos by James Berglie

equestrian

A Day in the Life of a Curator CROSS GATE GALLERY I’d been an admirer of Cross Gate Gallery for quite some time, and since I was visiting their home base of Lexington, Kentucky, this past summer, I knew a morning at the gallery was in order. After coordinating my tour, I decided it would be fun to change up my ‘Curated by an Equestrian,’ column just this once. Instead of showcasing an equestrian artist, this issue we are taking an in-depth look at ‘A Day in the Life of a Curator.’ Chelsea Dickson of Cross Gate was wonderful enough to accommodate me and answer my many questions about her dayto-day life in a gallery mainly devoted to all things equestrian.

C

ross Gate Gallery was founded

by Greg Ladd in 1974. As a native of Lexington, Ladd’s vision was to bring the best sporting art in the world into his backyard, the bluegrass region, “The Horse Capital of the World.” The gallery deals in primarily equine-related art, and their inventory spans the 19th and 20th centuries with works by Sir Alfred Munnings, Franklin Voss, Edward Troye, and Henry Stull, among others. They also represent a variety of contemporary equestrian painters. These stunning works of art hang proudly in the gallery, and Chelsea considers herself fortunate to admire them as she goes about her work day. While her official title is “Auction Coordinator,” she wears many hats and finds herself immersed with a multitude of projects that fall outside of the annual Sporting Art Auction held every November.

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Chelsea Dickson, Auction Coordinator

Horse & Style: Tell us a little about your background. Did you always see yourself working in an art gallery?

Chelsea Dickson: I first knew I wanted

to work in the arts when I was about 14.

I initially pursued a career in the museum world, interning at the Brandywine River Museum and the New Britain Museum of American Art. Wanting to know what other fields in the arts were like, I interned with Cross Gate and the Sporting Art Auction, and I was hooked. The fast turnover of pieces ensures there is always something new and exciting to learn about.

H&S: Tell us about your day-to-day responsibilities.

CD: It really changes daily. My title is

technically “Auction Coordinator” for the

Sporting Art Auction Cross Gate organizes annually in partnership with Keeneland Race Course. When I’m not working on putting the auction together, I also manage the gallery’s social media platforms, website, inventory, and exhibitions. I also work in an advisory capacity for some key clients. I really enjoy helping people build their collections.

H&S: How long have you worked for Cross Gate and what’s your favorite part of the job?

CD: I’ve worked for Cross Gate for

nearly five years. I love that every day is different, and I’m always surrounded by beautiful paintings.

H&S: Does your job require a lot of travel?

CD: Yes, it requires a fair amount. I went

to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup with the gallery last fall to help hang paintings in the owners’ suites and turf club. It was really gratifying how amazing the rooms looked after we hung our paintings. I also go to Saratoga every August for the exhibition we do at Fasig-Tipton and to Florida for our winter exhibitions there.

H&S: What’s one of the most challenging aspects about your job and/or working in a gallery in general?

CD: One of the most challenging things

is figuring out what a client is looking for without them directly telling you. It’s a challenge I enjoy because you really get to know the client in the process. And sometimes they surprise you. One client who almost exclusively buys 19th century pieces came in a few months ago and decided she couldn’t live without a 20th century piece that was far more abstract than anything else she owns.

H&S: What’s it like working directly with private collectors? If someone were looking for a particular piece or artist, would you be their first point of contact?

CD: Working with private collectors

is one of my favorite parts of the job.

It’s rewarding when you can call or

text someone to let them know that something you think they’d like just arrived and they respond that they have to have it. I’m sometimes the first point of contact but everyone in the gallery works directly with collectors. We all have built relationships with different collectors over the years.

H&S: How involved are you in determining when/if new artists are represented by Cross Gate?

CD: This is usually a team decision, but my

boss, Greg Ladd, always gets the deciding vote. We already represent so many artists that we have to be really choosy about who we represent. The gallery is big but there’s still a limit on the amount of wall and storage space we have.

H&S: Can you tell us a little about this year’s Sporting Art Auction? Which artists can we expect to see?

CD: I’m really excited about this year’s

auction! It will be November 18th at Keeneland. As always, we have a variety of artists from different periods and with very different styles. We have classic sporting artists like Herring, Troye, Voss, and Andre Pater, but we have several new artists this year. Marcus Hodge, Sergiy Hai, and Diana Tremaine are a few who come to mind.

H&S: Who is your favorite artist (in general) and/or equestrian artist?

CD: I don’t think I can narrow it down to

one! Some of my current favorites are: Jean-Bernard Lalanne. He is a French artist we represent. He came over to the States a few years ago and stayed for the summer. His works are so painterly, and he captures light beautifully. He also paints with a paintbrush that a house painter would use. It’s amazing what he can do with a massive brush.

Franklin B.Voss. I grew up in the MidAtlantic;Voss was the first big sporting artist I remember hearing about. His paintings of hounds, foxhunters, and steeplechases, apart from their beauty, are very comforting to me. He also painted a portrait of my great grandmother, so that definitely gives me a bit of a personal connection.

Wolf Kahn. We’ve only had one of his paintings in the gallery as he doesn’t generally paint horses, but it was one of my favorites. I first saw his work at a gallery on Nantucket when I was a teenager, and I’ve been following his work since. He has a great use of color.

Sir Alfred Munnings. It’s hard to work in a Sporting Art gallery and not love Munnings. He’s the crème de la crème. If

you find his autobiography, take the time to read it. He lived a fascinating life and was blind in one eye!

Andre Pater. We’ve represented Andre for almost 30 years. Every time he brings something new into the gallery or shows me a picture of something in progress on his cell phone, I’m reminded of how talented he is.

H&S: What are some of your favorite pieces currently at the gallery?

CD: This question might be even harder

than the last one! We have a painting of a Crow Indian by a French artist named Hubert de Watrigant, (he also designs scarves for Hermès), that’s going into the auction, and I keep thinking about it. We have a racing painting by Jean-Bernard Lalanne that’s also going into the auction.

I’m sitting in front of it right now, and every time I look at it, I like it even more.

H&S: Are you an equestrian? Do you ride?

CD: I grew up around horses in

Unionville, Pennsylvania, and my whole family is in horse racing. I spent a lot of time foxhunting and playing polo as a kid. Unfortunately, with a full-time job at Cross Gate and a flourishing jewelry business on the side, I really don’t have the time to keep up with a horse. I would love to have more time in my schedule for riding, but it’s not an option right now.

H&S: What do you like to do in your spare time?

CD: I’m in the middle of finishing the

auction catalogue right now so I’m afraid I won’t have much free time between now and November 18, (the auction date). I also have a jewelry business called Cass Dickson that takes up most of my nights and weekends, but I wouldn’t give that up for the world.

When I do get some extra free time, I love going to the races.

Cross Gate Gallery can be found at 509 E. Main Street in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. Visit in person or attend their 6th annual Sporting Art Auction on November 18, 2018, at Keeneland Race Course and surround yourself with all things equestrian and sporting art.

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spotlight

by Laurie Berglie photos by James Berglie

— Lexington, Kentucky —

L.V. Harkness, located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, uses their storied past to embrace change and to plan for the future. The link between past and present lies in their ability to source high quality goods, one-of-a-kind curiosities, and luxurious, customized products for the home.

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A PA S S I O N F O R T H E FINER THINGS Lamon Vanderburg Harkness (L.V.) had a passion for the finest things in life: silver, crystal, boats, and horses. In 1869, at 19 years of age and with a $500 stake from his father, L.V. began his career in land and cattle. He would later become a large shareholder in the Standard Oil Company, a venture co-founded by his father. In 1891, pursuing one of his life’s greatest passions, horses, L.V. purchased Walnut Hall Stock Farm near Lexington. His keen eye and uncompromising tastes transformed Walnut Hall into the foremost Standardbred breeding and racing establishment in the world. While working to improve the Standardbred breed, L.V. could also be found sailing around the world on his yacht, Wakiva, searching for and acquiring fine objects to adorn his multiple homes.

The current shop we know and love opened in 2000, and today L.V.’s great-

granddaughter, Meg Jewett-Leavitt, shares his love of Standardbreds, objets d’art, and his spirit of adventure. Like her progenitor, Meg enjoys traveling the globe seeking the unusual “wants” and unique “must haves” that add so much spice to life. It is with great family pride that she shares these treasures through L.V. Harkness & Co. “Meg’s initial vision for the shop was fine porcelain, crystal, and silver – a tabletop store,” said Laura M. Schnettler, Executive Store Director. “She wanted to bring the finest to Lexington, as there was no other shop that offered such exquisitely-made tableware. After starting with tableware, Meg wanted to offer more services that were a natural extension of the store.

Once you have a beautifully-set table, you must have a beautifully-decorated dining room. We began offering interior design services complete with an onsite fabric work room. We are able to custom

make window treatments, table linens, slipcovers, headboards, and bed linens.”

A FIRSTHAND ENCOUNTER I knew my trip to Lexington wouldn’t be complete without a visit to L.V. Harkness.

While I had been following them for quite some time via social media, I had never had the opportunity to experience the shop and all its wonders firsthand. I arrived in the late afternoon, Starbucks in hand, after spending the morning with American Pharoah and thought to myself, “this day couldn’t get any better!”

To say the shop is magnificent is an understatement. I was lucky enough to be given a personal tour on behalf of the magazine, but of course I browsed on my own for quite some time afterward. If you’re planning a visit, my first piece of advice would be to allow yourself plenty of time to roam through the many different rooms and displays. Everything you could possibly

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hope to find for your home, for a gift, for a bridal registry, etc., is housed in this 10,000 square foot space.

One of the first spaces to catch my eye was the trophy room, which is filled to the brim with trophies and other shiny awards of every shape and size imaginable. “Due to Meg’s involvement in breeding and racing Standardbreds, she saw an opportunity to expand the shop by creating a Trophy Department. After doing research into this business, Meg decided to purchase a metal engraving machine as well as a crystal sand carving machine. We now supply trophies to race courses, sports tournaments, and corporations around the world. Specifically, we have participated with events such as The World Equestrian Games, The National Horse Show, The Breeders Cup, and The Land Rover Three Day Event, to name a few, to develop everything from gift bags to table gifts to trophies. The equestrians who compete in these events first discover us through our trophies they receive. We find that they then come to the store to see what other items we have and are pleased to find such a wide variety of equestrian gifts.”

These products, referred to by the staff as “giftables” was another section that caught my eye. I certainly purchased a few gifts for

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my mom and sister back home, (who were graciously watching my animals while I was on vacation), but I am definitely guilty of purchasing some gifts for myself too! Even though their store contains an assortment of non-horse related giftables, L.V. Harkness is well-known for its equestrian-inspired designs and décor.

“We source equestrian-themed products when we are at market and working with our vendors. We are in the Horse Capital of the World and have deep ties to several equestrian events and communities. We have worked with four major porcelain manufactures to develop six exclusive dinnerware patterns, all of which are equestrian. Our shop’s best-selling items are the merchandise that we design, develop, and produce in-house. Our customers like coming to us to find items that they know cannot be found anywhere else. We have also done several custom dinnerware, barware, and home accessories for equestrians and their personal farms.”

M E RC Y, T H E I R G R E AT E S T AC HIEVEMENT With 18 years of success under its belt, L.V. Harkness has quite a bit to be proud of.

The breadth of the store’s merchandise and services is an accomplishment they reflect

on, as well as sustaining the level of quality and customer service, all while constantly growing as a company.

However, it is something nonbusinessrelated that they consider their greatest achievement. “As a store, L.V. Harkness rescued an abused and neglected horse from the kill pen in January of 2016. Around this same time, Meg Jewett and I were working closely with The Kentucky Equine Humane Center to develop an education program that would integrate into Kentucky’s 4th grade curriculum to educate children on what it takes to care for a horse. Our rescued horse, Mercy, became the inspiration for the program called Take the Reins. The students take field trips to the KyEHC and choose a horse currently under their care and “foster” the horse for the school year. That horse then becomes the cornerstone for that particular class’s program.

“Sadly, Mercy was recently put down due to a bone infection because of the abuse and neglect she suffered before she was rescued. However, saving Mercy and working hard to create and launch Take the Reins is our greatest achievement because we are able to educate the next generation to care for equines so that there will be fewer Mercys who will need to be rescued.”

The Take the Reins Project, sponsored

by Alltech, is an educational initiative which supplements core curriculum in areas of math, science, writing, art, and public speaking.

The horses enhance learning outcomes such as responsibility, care, and the importance of giving back. Each school participating in this project fosters a horse from the Center for one school year with the understanding (and hope) that the horse could be adopted out.

W H AT ’ S N E X T L.V. Harkness is a store that uses its good fortune to give back to the equestrian community.They have high hopes for the future and plan to continue expanding their product lines, services, and philanthropic ventures. “In five years, we see L.V. Harkness continuing its tradition for sourcing the highest quality merchandise for our customers.We are not afraid of change or growth.We are constantly looking ahead to see what we can develop for our customers so that we can continue to grow our assortment to fulfill their needs.”

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L.V. Harkness is located at 531 & 525 West Short Street in gorgeous Lexington, Kentucky.To learn more about their products and services, please visit their site at: lvharkness.com or contact them at info@lvharkness.com.

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DININ G

out

by Juliet Agg-Manning photos courtesy of Safaris Unlimited

When you think safari, you may not think gourmet dining experiences out in the bush, with nary an industrial kitchen in sight. However, Safaris Unlimited aims for the unlimited experience, and when it comes to food, their team takes dining outdoors very seriously.

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W

hen we found ourselves in the wilds of Africa, the last thing we expected was a dining experience that was not only delicious, but surprisingly complex in its preparation.

Safaris Unlimited specializes in entirely mobile safaris in East Africa. Guests are accommodated in spacious canvas tents reminiscent of days of old, with luxuries like down duvets, feather pillows, and dressing tables outside. However, they remain true to the minimalism required by a wholly mobile set up, which moves, lock, stock and barrel, every few days to an entirely new site.

They leave nothing behind apart from a few flattened blades of grass, which will soon bounce back with some rain and sunshine. So how is it that they can produce such delights when it comes to the culinary aspect of safari?

We went behind the scenes to speak with Francis, the cook who has been with them for fifteen years, and whose skill in a bush kitchen is hard to describe.

For the most part, Francis and his assistant Sarah cook on an open fire, and it’s one of the first things they get going when they reach a new camp.

It’s important to be able to call on hot embers, or leaping flames, depending on the dish they are preparing. Alongside the fire, they also have ingenious ‘jikos’ which are locally made mobile ovens that take only a handful of embers to

Francis, Head Cook

warm up. The efficiency of these ovens has made them popular in the safari kitchen, as they not only use little fuel but they cook evenly. Before the jiko, Francis explains, they used to make bread in a saucepan that they would cover with embers, but they had to be very careful with this method as the dish could easily burn, not to mention open embers on a saucepan lid that could pose a hazard to the other staff in camp.

Ingredients for safari have to be handled with the utmost care. The beautifully equipped truck that carries all the safari kit from camp to camp comes with a solar powered freezer which keeps meat and other ingredients deep frozen until required for use; but otherwise, the safari kitchen travels without refrigeration except in the form of coolboxes.

Ingredients like lettuce, herbs and delicate vegetables are kept in a coolbox with an ice-pack, and over the years Francis has developed ways of storing the other ingredients to ensure they remain fresh and flavorful.

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The Safaris Unlimited headquarters lies near what is known as Kenya’s bread basket – an area of incredibly fertile soil and reliable rainfall that creates an abundance of delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs. Felicia and Gordie make it their mission to support neighboring smallholder, organic farms that provide quality ingredients at the very peak of freshness.Their meat and dairy come from reputable sources, many of whom are friends who live in the local area.The beef is strictly grass fed, and in a wonderful circular tale, almost all of it is raised on ranches where the cattle coexist alongside wildlife. By starting with ingredients of unmatched quality and freshness, Francis and his team are able to create beautiful, gourmet dishes unexpected in the bush.Would you believe that one of his signature dishes is a lemon meringue pie? Or that delightful feta and spinach samosas might be one of the nibbles offered to you at sunset, as you sit around a roaring fire watching the darkness envelope your surroundings?

On the days when you might be moving camp – either by vehicle or on horseback – guests need to start the day with a substantial

breakfast – enough that will keep them going until lunch! Fresh fruit, homemade granolas with yoghurts and seeds, eggs from organic chickens, homemade bread with artisan strawberry jam and marmalade, and of course strong, hot Kenyan coffee!

At lunch time, guests enjoy flaky pastry quiches or homemade pizzas, with a zingy rocket (arugula) salad and some artisan Kenyan cheeses, and then in the evening after settling in to camp, there will be delicious nibbles around the fire before dinner, which is always a three-course affair. Wines are brought in from Italy and Argentina to complement the flavors around the table, that might go along the lines of a saffron fish broth, followed by locally grown pork chops with dauphinoise potatoes and steamed greens. Lastly (if you have space!) you might enjoy a banoffee pie.

We went expecting to endure the food and love the riding safari, but we left several kilos heavier having loved both!  safarisunlimited.com

Ready To Escape? Call 754-800-1568 www.beallinclusive.net | info@beallinclusive.net

destination

by Laurie Berglie photos by TalismanPHOTO for GMC

There’s just something about Saratoga Springs, New York. Saratoga – home to the oldest racetrack in the country, natural mineral springs, and a wealth of arts and entertainment – it’s no wonder tourists have flocked to “The Spa” for the last 200 years. It certainly lives up to its motto of “Health, History, Horses.”

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T R AV E L I N G I N S T Y L E I had fallen in love with the town when I visited Saratoga back in 2014, so I couldn’t wait to hit the local shops, dine at their phenomenal restaurants, and attend an event at the Saratoga Polo Association. It was picture-perfect in my mind’s eye. Saratoga in mid-September should be magical with the sun shining and its crisp, autumn air, golden leaves a stunning backdrop across the polo grounds. Interestingly, however, that particular weekend was about 100 degrees, grass and leaves saturated in bright, unrelenting green. While it wasn’t the sweater weather I had anticipated, my husband and I still had an amazing trip.

We loaded up our roomy 2019 GMC Sierra Denali, on loan for the weekend, selected a book on Audible, and hit the road. The spacious crew cab was large enough to accommodate our multiple bags, my husband’s camera cases, and my riding gear. (You never know when you’ll need to mount up and ride off into the sunset)! If I have room in the car, I always bring my gear just in case. I shouldn’t have worried about having space though – not with this truck. It could have comfortably fit a small pony. The interior was plush and luxurious and included premium Forge leather-appointed seating, authentic open-pore ash wood trim, and dark-finish aluminum décor. Definitely not your grandfather’s old farm truck!

Our GPS sent us north from Maryland for the next six hours. Up the New Jersey Turnpike and then northwest into gorgeous upstate New York. I have to say, I had never ridden in a vehicle that turned so many heads. As we journeyed towards our destination, we received lots of stares and thumbs-up gestures, (the only appropriate hand gesture). Once I even looked over to see a motorcyclist, head turned our way, eyes on us and not the road, giving the truck a once over. After making eye contact, he, too, flashed us a grin and a thumbs up and then, thankfully, sped on – eyes firmly on the road ahead.

SA R ATO GA I N S E P T E M B E R After arriving in style to the Pavilion Grand Hotel in the middle of downtown Saratoga, we quickly changed and headed to dinner. I knew exactly where I wanted to go: back to my favorite restaurant from my earlier visit, the Boca Bistro. With its Mediterranean influence, Boca Bistro offers a diverse menu of Spanish cuisine and tapas. Give me all the tapas! The food was outstanding – just as

I remembered it – and I can’t wait to go back and visit for a third time.

The following day was our GMC event at the Saratoga Polo Association. As I mentioned earlier, it was unseasonably warm, but that didn’t stop any of us from having a fabulous time. The event was intimate, casual, perfect. As the guest meetand-greet began, I think everyone could agree that the friendliest of them all was Happy, a Coton Terrier, who was such a fun addition to the group. And before we knew it, lunch was served.

We munched on an asado-style lunch under a posh white gazebo. Sparkling and still Saratoga mineral water, meats, cheeses, salads, and iced tea – anything you could want was there for the taking. It was a chance to get to know one another and also an excellent respite from the hot sun.

After loading up on all the delicious offerings, it was time to get down to business. We were eager to learn about the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali, test drive it with a horse trailer in tow, and then kick back, relax, and watch a polo demonstration.

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A T RU C K B U I LT W I T H EQUESTRIANS IN MIND This truck can do it all. Whether you need a Sunday Funday tailgating vehicle or a workhorse truck to haul hay or your horse trailer, look no further than the GMC Sierra Denali. The Sierra’s industry-first MultiPro Tailgate offers six functions and positions for enhanced second-tier loading and load-stop solutions, a standing workstation, and easier access to items in the cargo box. Oh – and don’t forget the speakers in the tailgate itself.

You can bring the music, thus the party, to your next outdoor event!

After we learned about the newest features, it was time to take these bad boys out for a spin – horse trailer in tow! A bumper-pull trailer was attached, and while we did not have a live horse inside, 1,100 pounds of sand bags were loaded into the trailer to give us a realistic idea of how the truck handles with large (and very precious) cargo. Of course, I jumped at this opportunity and was one of the first to take it out.

I have been hauling horses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for years, and I can honestly say that this was one of the

smoothest rides I’ve ever had.The truck didn’t handle any differently, and I can see how it would be easy to forget the trailer was even there. But thanks to a variety of overhead, side, and rearview mirror cameras, you’ll always be able to see what you’re towing.This truck is an equestrian’s dream; its safety features, supreme functionality, and sleek, stylish design will look right at home at the show grounds.

The last demonstration for the day brought out the polo ponies, and as a lover of the sport, I was intrigued to listen as their coach called out a variety of shots and plays. While I didn’t get a chance to hop on one of the ponies myself, I did manage to score myself a lesson later this winter!

THANKS FOR THE RIDE As they say, all good things must come to an end, but not before one last gathering.

The group dined together on the rooftop terrace of the Pavilion Grand Hotel, and we had a blast celebrating our wonderful GMC experience. I was all smiles because I knew I still had a six hour ride home tomorrow morning, so that was six more hours with my truck. Saratoga Springs, polo ponies, and GMC – thanks for the ride!

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OUT&

about

WO R L D E Q U E S T R I A N C E N T E R FA L L C L A S S I C A N D INVITATION AL – WILMIN GTON , OH

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1. Ireland’s Willie Tynan, his owners and support team celebrate after he rode KEC Kris Kringle and KEC City Limits to a 1–2 finish in the $10,000 Futures Prix 2. Havens Schatt and Spectacular scored well into the 90s across the board to win the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby 3. Lisa Goldman and Sovereign topped the World Equestrian Center $50,000 Grand Prix 4. Stunning WEC Invitational ribbons on display 5. Snowbird and Jeff Gogul secured victory in the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 6.

Tom Foley blazing around the Ride & Drive course to ultimately take the win

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Photos © Andrew Ryback

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7. Lisa Goldman is presented with a custom portrait from Kristi’s Canvas, as well as a membership to Golden Ocala for her win with Sovereign in the World Equestrian Center $50,000 Grand Prix 8. Highly decorated 9. There were lots of great costumes on display during the WEC Ride & Drive 10. WEC Invitational $15,000 Open Welcome winners Willie Tynan and Fancy Girl, owned by MDM Equestrian 11. Ryan Genn and Dieta, winners of the WEC Prix 1.40m 12. Pony rider Emma Crawford gets some ringside coaching from her Dad 13. Jill Gaffney and Jordan jump to the win in the WEC Fall Classic $7,500 Futures Prix

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L E S TA L E N T S H E R M È S AT S O N O M A H O R S E PA R K – P E TA LU M A , C A

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1. Winner of Les Talents Hermès 3'3, Avery Glynn 2. Hermès ribbons and Hermès prizes...what more can you ask? 3. Something orange for everyone – even the horses receive a prize of their own 4. The top ten! 5. Even the ponies partake in Les Talent Hermès 6. Winner of Les Talents Hermès Pony, Mariah Durand 7. Leading the victory gallop to the sounds of “Aux Champs-Elysées,” Vianne Storrs is the winner of Les Talents Hermès 3'

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Photos © Tara Arrowood

A S K dr.

carrie

Q: A:

How do I learn how to bounce back after disappointments in the show ring?

Q:

Working with emotions and disappointment require learning to be resilient and focus on what went well, how deeply you dug to get the job done, and honesty about the experience. So train yourself to focus on what went according to plan, how you handled the challenge, and what you are learning. While having a positive outlook helps, it is also important to honor the other, less comfortable emotions. Take yourself on a time-limited walk or car-sit and let these emotions out. If tears need to flow, allow them. Speak your frustrations to the air. At the end of the 5-10 minute download, wash your hands and face and review all that went well. Be gentle with yourself and avoid the habit of accidentally remembering only the negative side of the experience. When the negative self-talk returns (because it will!) review the frustration and the success. This will train your brain to see the whole picture and allow you to keep learning and growing, rather than getting stuck in a negative thought process that never seems to end.

My daughter rides in the pony divisions and is aiming for pony finals. She thinks that every round has bearing on what kind of rider and person she is and if any mis-steps occur, she is completely negative for the rest of the day. As a parent, how do I support my child with disappointment at horse shows?

A:

Being a parent of a junior on the horse show circuit is very challenging.You are required to put in long days and form your life around the crazy training and travel schedule.You witness your child improving and growing in astounding ways almost daily. It is impossible not to get at least somewhat attached to outcome, even if outcome to you is less about blue ribbons and more about smiles and fun. So the first step is to be aware of your own emotions when your child is successful or challenged because your child inadvertently picks up on your emotions and copies them. This means not getting too excited whether they win, or they make a mistake and get nothing. The second step is to give your child some space to process their feelings, as mom always tends to bring out regressed emotions, making tears flow more easily. Make a plan for how to contend with disappointment and emotions in advance so that they know this is not an opportunity to be sassy or use abusive language with you, as you are NOT their doormat. Let them know your boundaries and that you are willing to support with food (blood sugar usually plays into ego strength), details, support if requested; but ultimately you will give them the space to figure out what they need. This approach empowers your child to have emotions and learn to be responsible for them. Finally, if your child struggles to stop the cycle of self-deprecation, encourage them to instigate a 24-hour break from the thought process, as typically a good night of sleep and a break from the frustration helps put things into perspective.

Dr. Carrie Wicks divides her time between her private sport psychology consulting and family therapy practice, traveling with athletes, and writing. She completed her doctorate in psychology while researching the mental practices of equestrian athletes. Her passions include horses, yoga, mountain biking, skiing, and time in nature with animals. If you would like to ask a question for this column or ask about a complimentary Performance Strategy session, please contact Carrie.

Carrie Wicks, Ph.D. | Photo Š Christopher Demers

carrie@carriewicks.com

|

drcarriewicks.com fall 2018 ¡

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lens

SIMON S TAFFORD Following a 26-year career in the British army, Simon Stafford (Staff Sergeant, Retired) has used his retirement to pursue his creative passion for photography. With tours of duty completed in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Stafford’s superior management, execution, and interpersonal skills now serve him well as a photographer in the fast-paced world of equestrian sport.

In the five short years he has been working as a sport and lifestyle photographer, Stafford has become known for his ‘behind the scenes’ photo essays at major equestrian events including Spruce Meadows, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Ottawa Equestrian Tournaments. His work has been commissioned by Equestrian Canada, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), Horse Sport Ireland, US Equestrian, and the Washington International Horse Show, among others, and he was the official photographer for the Canadian Equestrian Team at the 2015 Pan American Games.

He also works with leading equestrian public relations companies, Jump Media and Starting Gate Communications, to fulfill client photography needs.

A member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists (IAEJ), Stafford’s photography has been featured on the front cover of the mainstream media publications: Open Driver magazine, as well as Horse Sport (Canada) on six occasions.

Profile photo © Cara Grimshaw

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WHERE TO FIND

Equus Now!

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Absolute Horse Inc. 2221 NE 3rd St., Suite B Bend, OR 97701

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Horse Country Saddlery 60 Alexandria Pike Warrenton, VA 20186

Maryland Saddlery 14924 Falls Rd Butler, MD 21023

Calabasas Saddlery

Olson’s Tack Shop

Equestrian’s Concierge LLC

Tack N Rider

Equi-Products

Valencia Saddlery

23998 Craftsman Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302

7600 Lakeville Highway Petaluma, CA 94954

Highway 22X W Calgary, AB, Canada

2105 140th Ave Northeast Bellevue, WA 98005

3031 Fortune Way, Suite A9 Wellington, FL 33414

11355 Foothill Blvd.

Lake View Terrace, CA 91342

www.safarisunlimited.com info@safarisunlimited.com

The best riding safaris in Africa with Gordie Church

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ocated in a popular equestrian area just ten minutes from downtown Aiken, this delightful horse farm offers a like new home and barn on eight acres of coastal Bermuda pasture. Encompassing over 2400 square feet, the contemporary home has high ceilings and wood floors and features a great room with fireplace and formal dining room open to custom kitchen with granite and breakfast bay. There are four bedrooms and two and a half baths, including master suite on main level, a screened porch and attached two car garage. For horses, there is a four stall center aisle barn and board fenced fields planted in established coastal Bermuda with sprinkler system. While the home has community water, a new well supplies water to the barn and fields. Fire Tower www.CarolinaHorseProperties.com Farm is offered in move in condition.

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W E WO U L D LOV E T O C H AT !

laurie@horseandstylemag.com

Made for Manes Horse Show Emergency Kit

Always be competition ready with your Horse Show Emergency Kit! Each kit contains a hair net, safety pins, tweezers, blister pads and more! Available in five unique colors.

100% of proceeds goes to USEF Disaster Relief Fund

@madeformanes

C A N you

stand it ?

We have all heard the expression no hoof, no horse. Well, follow our jewelryloving rationale here… No horseshoe, no hoof; no horseshoe nail, no horseshoe; no horseshoe nail necklace, no remembering to call the farrier; no farrier, no horseshoes… Q.E.D, we must have a horseshoe nail necklace to keep our horses’ hooves healthy! All joking aside, whatever your rationale, wearing this stunning Black Gold Pave Horse Nail necklace from Lugano Diamonds will allow you to subtly and beautifully share your love for the horse, and thus, of course, the hoof.

Black Gold Pave Horse Nail, Lugano Diamonds, price on request Social: @luganodiamonds | luganodiamonds.com

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· fall 2018

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Hermès Allegro jumping saddle flat seat

SUPER SOX, LILLIE KEENAN AND THEIR HERMÈS ALLEGRO SADDLE, THREE MAKE A PAIR.