Equestrian Living - May/June 2022

PE O PL E | T R AV EL | D E S I G N | FA S HI O N | S T Y L E | DÉCO R

EQ

EQUESTRIAN LIVING

EQ U E S TR I A N LIV I N G

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EQLiving.com

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FASHION

DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 8, 2022

INSPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS BOYD and SILVA MARTIN

STANDS OUT FROM THE HERD.

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Optional features shown. Always tow within the vehicle’s capacity. See owner’s manual for details. Wagoneer is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

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LAINIE WIMBERLY AND BRIGADOON

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BOYD AND SILVA MARTIN

Brigadoon Show Stables, led by Wimberly and her team, is a testament to the value of a comprehensive riding program, that includes caring for horses, a sense of community, and a focus on horse health and happiness.

PHOTO TAYLOR PENCE / ISG

WINDSOR

38 The 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup was a triumph for the environment, raising significant funds towards ocean research and nature preservation. The stunning event, held in honor of W. Galen Weston, included top-notch competition, a showcase of automobiles, and an elegant luncheon.

BOYD AND SILVA MARTIN

44 EQ visits one of the world’s top eventers and his grand-prix dressage-rider wife, Silva, at their home and farm in Pennsylvania’s Chester County hunt country. The 75-plus-acre facility offers top-level eventing and dressage training, JANICE PARKER: A PRIVATE EDEN

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PHOTO DUSTON SAYLOR

This eight-acre Connecticut farm project was spearheaded by Janice Parker, the highly awarded landscape architect, horticultural specialist, and garden consultant. The details of the farm’s transformation offer insights into her process, strategies, and goals.

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JANICE PARKER: A PRIVATE EDEN

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DISCOVER FOUR FASHION FORWARD COMPANIES FOUNDED AND OWNED

BY WOMEN

64 Meet the founders of four equestrian fashion brands that are pushing the industry forward in terms of design, technology, and workplace culture. Find out how they navigate challenges, what they are working on, and how their work will affect the fashion world for equestrians and beyond.

LISA CURRY MAIR

84 In her colorful pictorial canvases, this folk artist focuses on history to transport the viewer back through time to a peaceful era of country life and equestrian sport.

Legendary Heritage.

Horse Approved.

timberlyne.com

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STYLE

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Cassandra Severino, the founder of Calyse, crafts bags from repurposed leather and well-loved saddles into meaningful keepsakes.

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From saddles to accessories, the House of Guibert in Paris reflects the French brand’s quest for perfection.

FAVORITES

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Peter Wylde, one of USA’s most successful show-jumping riders, shares some of his favorites from books and hotels to restaurants and competition venues.

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In his third book, Begin and Begin Again, Denny Emerson merges his entertaining reflections from a life embedded in the equestrian world with philosophical questions faced by the industry today and offers practical advice honed by his immense experience.

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The Saratoga Women in Business Spectacular, to be held this summer just outside of Saratoga Springs, New York, will be the first of its kind: a horse show created by and operated by women.

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The annual Polo for a Purpose: Passage to India fundraising event, held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, raised over $800,000 for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

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FOOD+DRINK

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Sip the Menlo Five Dot O cocktail while enjoying the thrill of watching top riders compete this summer in celebration of 50 years of the Menlo Charity Horse Show.

PEOPLE

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Meet Lily Rhodes, the para-equestrian influencer who inspires her followers to never give up.

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Pony Up tripod lamp from ToyTigerKids on Etsy. $55.

ON THE COVER

IN EACH ISSUE Model Zainab Jones in Generation Y compression breeches and In Between Midlayer jacket by Yagya.

Photograph by Irika SandstrÖm.

For details about Yagya apparel, see page 80.

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EDITOR’S NOTE 8 Welcome to Equestrian Living.

RESOURCES

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Look for CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 to find the products and services in this issue.

BARN DOGS 98 Meet Moe and Lu, two rescue dogs from Danny & Ron’s Rescue who are now part of the family for Canadian show jumper Erynn Ballard.

Equine sports therapist Charlotte Lloyd Williams discusses the importance of complementary treatments in caring for a horse’s well-being.

DESIGN

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Weathervanes have a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Vintage and modern interpretations of the classic directional ornament point collectors to a plethora of options.

DÉCOR

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Horse-crazy kids will buck for these amazing, cozy, and adorable bedroom décor ideas.

Your barn is the setting of your horse’s story.

We ensure every ride, every bath, every moment is a chapter to remember.

Built Right or Not at All

717.687.0292 | BandDBuilders.com

EQ F R O M T H E E D I T O R

PHOTO C. WYNN MEDINGER

WELCOME entrepreneurs have for their peers and, in some cases, competitors, which also extends to the women suppliers and artisans that produce their impressive collections.

Within the fashion feature, we also have access to the creative process behind the recent launch of Rönner’s Meredith Collection, the brand’s collaboration with international show jumper Editor Stephanie Peters with Boyd, Silva, and Leo Martin at Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

Windurra Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In a departure from the fashion realm, we visit Windurra Farm, the home and ’m certainly not known for my sartorial prowess, but I thoroughly training facility of renowned equestrians Boyd and Silva Martin, in Chester County, enjoy reading about fashion and Pennsylvania. Boyd, who had just made the creative minds behind the ebb and flow of trends that march history by winning the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill event, is one of the top eventers down the runways. in the world. He’s a fearless competitor In this year’s fashion feature, we with a steely focus and a glint of mischief. meet the dynamic women founders and Silva, a champion grand-prix dressage owners of four burgeoning equestrianrider and a highly revered trainer, joined influenced apparel brands and businesses. us on Boyd’s colorfully narrated tour of Collectively, they had clear visions their 75-plus-acre farm. about their core missions and effectively Beautiful imagery also emerges from expanded upon those to launch thriving the pages of this issue. In Janice Parker’s companies turning out stunning, high“A Private Eden” landscape design project performance riding gear and crossover apparel. They have navigated the standard (page 54), she conveys her respect for the environment by transforming a neglected ups and downs of managing a business and weathered the unpredictable effects of piece of farmland into a lush landscape by the pandemic that led to instant pivots in using grids, geometry, and graceful arcs their operations. Individually, our featured amid the verdant framework. And artist Lisa Curry Mair transports us to more entrepreneurs are talented, resilient, and peaceful times through her pictorial canawe-inspiring. vases that capture rural life and traditional I found it refreshing to discover scenes of bygone eras. the level of support and respect these

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We didn’t plan to frame this issue around a theme of inspiring and talented women; instead, it materialized organically. In addition to the women mentioned earlier, you’ll want to read about: Lainie Wimberly, the highly accomplished trainer at Brigadoon Show Stables, Lily Rhodes, an avid equestrian who lost her arm in a tragic accident and has returned to riding and become an inspiring paraequestrian competitor, and an upcoming A-rated jumper competition focused on celebrating the role women play in equestrian sport.

Additionally, we’ve shared photo galleries and colorful descriptions of recent polo events and curated a mix of décor, style, and design ideas to spark the imagination.

As a validation of my interest in fashion, I know that bralettes-as-shirts and mini skirts are trending in 2022 and that neither will be part of my fashion repertoire. I’ll leave those items to the fashion-fearless and instead comfortably outfit myself in something a little more street-to-stable.

Cheers!

EQ S T Y L E

PURPOSEFUL HANDBAGS Cassandra Severino, the founder of CALYSE, crafts bags from REPURPOSED LEATHER and well-loved saddles into meaningful keepsakes.

Saint (left) and Luna

Pamma in neutral

Oldenburg Saddle

Everyday Tote in olive.

Oldenburg x Luxe

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assandra Severino, the founder of Calyse, started her business by making handbags from remnants of automotive upholstery. With an inspiration to create something from what would otherwise be discarded, she combined her passion for art and fashion and began to design handbags. As an environmentalist, Cassandra’s mission is to create sustainable products that are built to last and are earthfriendly. Through commitment and experience, she has become a skilled craftswoman and a fulltime working artist managing a successful business based in Candia, New Hampshire.

Cassandra can also transform a well-loved saddle into one of her signature bags. It’s a perfect way to repurpose an item of fond memories and convert it into a daily and purposeful CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 keepsake.

Oldenburg Saddle

Luna in dune

Old English Tote

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EQ U E S TR I A N EQLiving.com

LIVING

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VOLUME 11 NUMBER 3 EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters SENIOR EDITOR Jill B. Novotny PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper EDITORS AT LARGE Rebecca Baldridge, Carol Cohen-Hodess, Judy Richter DESIGN MANAGER Mary A. Stroup SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB CONTENT Maggie Carty DIGITAL & CLIENT SERVICES Sydney Ellers EDITORIAL MANAGER Theresa Cardamone EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer UK & LONDON EDITOR Bridget Arsenault CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carrie Alexander, Rebecca Baldridge, Janice Parker, Betsy Stein, Charlotte Lloyd Williams, Jennifer Woods, Lily Yampolsky, Phelps Media Group PUBLISHER C.W. Medinger PUBLISHING CONSULTANT George Fuller PRINT John Spittle PUBLIC RELATIONS Carrie Wirth, EQmedia.agency NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Boyd Mulholland

A Decade Afield image credits at NationalSporting.org

ADVERTISING SALES General: 929-262-0347, info@eqliving.com Joyce Jones, 954-796-1809, jones@eqliving.com Dick Holcomb, 770-331-7788, dickholc@bellsouth.net Blaire Baron, 215-439-8259, baron@eqliving.com Europe: Rosa Zampini, zampini@eqliving.com

Celebrating 10 Years of the NSLM’s Museum

June 3–September 11, 2022

EQ LIVING ADVISORY BOARD Bob Cacchione, Connecticut Deborah Deutsch, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Melissa Ganzi, Wellington, Fla. Carson Kressley, New York, N.Y. Peter Leone, Lionshare Farm, Bedford, N.Y. Colleen and Tim McQuay, Tioga, Texas Mindy Peters, Los Alamos, Calif.

David Sloan, Millbrook, N.Y. Renee Spurge, LA Saddlery, Los Angeles, Calif.

Chester Weber, Ocala, Fla.

National Sporting L i br a ry & M use u m Middleburg, VA | NationalSporting.org

EQUESTRIAN QUARTERLY (EQ) became EQUESTRIAN LIVING magazine in 2016 and is published six times yearly. It is distributed at selected equestrian locations, newsstands, and is available for home delivery for $28.95 | Canada $45.95.

Subscribe on page 97 or online at eqliving.com/subscribe Free Digital Subscription and InnerCircle membership: eqliving.com/ic To find newsstands offering EQLiving, visit eqliving.com/where-to-buy To purchase past issues, visit eqliving.com/shop Subscription management and address changes: Web: eqliving.com/manage-subscription Email: info@eqliving.com Tel: 929-262-0347 Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor: info@eqliving.com or Box One, Brownsville, VT 05037 ©2022. All rights reserved, Wynnwood Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in print or online without written permission. ®Equestrian Living, Equestrian Quarterly, and EQ are.registered trademarks of Wynnwood Media.....

Scan to subscribe: EQ was chosen OVERALL BEST EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE in its inaugural year by American Horse Publications.

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EquestrianLivingMagazine

@eqliving

@eqliving

What books are on your bedside table: Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper. She is so sharp. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. Amor and I were friends in high school. His three books are all best sellers.

JO ND

Favorite charity: The Trevor Project because it’s so important. ActBlue because we are at a pivotal moment in our country’s history, and I prefer democracy.

LA

Favorite way to relax: The beach. The sun and waves are tranquilizing. I bought a house in Baja California Sur on the Sea of Cortez. It’s peaceful, quiet, and beautiful.

MY FAVORITES

Favorite fragrance: Terre d’Hermès.

It’s earthy, like me.

LOL.

PETER WYLDE

Wylde has won many prestigious awards in equestrian sport, including the ASPCA Maclay Finals in Madison Square Garden; individual and team silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada; an individual bronze medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Jerez, Spain; and a team gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

MEDITERRAN

If you weren’t an equestrian you might have been: An interior designer or an architect. I love creating exciting living spaces.

OLD DRO VERS

Favorite show/venue: Aachen. Because in all aspects it’s as close to perfect as you can get.

GETTY IMAGES

Favorite TV show: I’m obsessed with Schitt’s Creek, especially Moira Rose. My newest favorite is Hacks, and Jean Smart is brilliant.

ME

Favorite horse and proudest riding achievement: The 2002 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Specifically, Fein Cera (center photo) winning Best Horse in the final. To train a horse that becomes Best Horse at the World Championships is something I’m most proud of.

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Another riding discipline you’d love to try: Eventing.

I’ve done a bit of cross-country jumping with Boyd Martin, and I love it!

AN RD

USEA

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Favorite restaurants: (l to r). The Old Drovers Inn (circa 1997) in Dover Plains, N.Y. Charlie, the maître d’, the roaring fire, and the Yorkshire pudding make for a perfect evening. In Europe, Mediterraneo in Maastricht. The waitstaff, the Northern Italian cuisine, the black and white truffles, and the wine list. My all time favorite meal was at Yakout in

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Favorite hotel: The Inn on Guana Island off the coast of Tortola. Stunning views; impeccable service; and the quietest hotel ever.

Favorite music on your playlist: Pandora. My favorite channels are: Buddha Bar, Hotel Costes, Brandi Carlile, and Joni Mitchell.

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Marrakech. My best MIRADOR friends and I took my Mom for her 60th birthday. The food, the atmosphere created by the legendary Bill Willis, and the laughter made for a magical evening. El Mirador in Todos Santos, Baja. It is a favorite because it has an unparalleled setting on a hill looking out over the Pacific. Epic sunsets, architecture, and food.

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EQ S T Y L E

1.

The All Purpose saddle oriented to jumping in two full-grain leathers tanned in France.

Price upon request.

Crafted in French Pessoa bull leather, the gold/tan Grooming Clutch is idyllic for everyday or a night out. $188.

2.

The Italian made White Horse scarf is printed with an artistic photo in shades of white and gray. $199.

MAGNIFIQUE!

From saddles to accessories, the HOUSE OF GUIBERT, PARIS reflects the French brand’s quest for perfection.

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CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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1. Made of bull leather with signature saddle stitch, the classic Cuff bracelet in kaki exudes chic. $225.

2. The modern Allure bag in MassaÏ is crafted in French Taurillon and features an adjustable strap, back patch, and inside pockets. $428.

3. The 17-inch emblematic light, wellbalanced riding crop in smooth luxury leather. $188.

4. The GNY x GP All Purpose leather saddle combines balance, contact, and comfort—the essential priorities for horse and rider. Price upon request.

5. The highly durable Rubber Grip reins in gold/tan leather combination. $175.

Guibert Paris available at KAVAL (See page 70).

Perfect for everyday, the spacious Pretty Grooming Bag in camel Taurillon leather conveys a sense of luxury. $599.

SETTING THE STANDARD SINCE 1978 Complete design services and fine craftsmanship Custom barns, arenas, garages and living quarters

1-888-354-4740 | www.kingbarns.com

EQ F O O D + D R I N K

LUXE LIBATIONS

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Enjoy this special cocktail at the 5Oth-anniversary celebration of the elegant MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW.

TR UN CO TES SE ORI R H O FAV

THE MENLO 5 DOT 0 One sip and you will find it hard to believe this complex cocktail has only five ingredients.

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INGREDIENTS –2 ounces Empress 1908 Gin –1 ounce freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice –¾ ounce Monin Lavender Syrup –Fresh blueberries –Twist of lemon PREPARATION Gently muddle blueberries with crushed ice. Add gin, lemon juice, and lavender syrup to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glasses. Carefully add crushed blueberries. Top off with a twist of lemon peel.

Created by mixologists Christine Baur, Juno Szalay, and Emmy McCormick.

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ALDEN CORRIGAN

ip the Menlo 5 dot 0 cocktail while enjoying the thrill of watching top equestrians compete for points, titles, and that oh-so-elusive jar of Jelly Belly jellybeans. The beauty and excitement on the polo field at the idyllic Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California, are unrivaled. Visit the 50th anniversary celebration of the Menlo Charity Horse Show this summer, August 9th through the 14th.

The Menlo Charity Horse Show began in 1970 as a one-day show and has grown to become a tradition of outstanding equine competition. The now six-day event was recognized in 2012 as a USEF Heritage Competition and and is designated as the USHJA World Champion Hunter Rider Competition.

The event benefits the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Founded in 1936, the center is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss.

It helps clients reach their highest potential through programs that promote independence and improve their quality of life.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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THE EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE MARKETPLACE Dallas is home to the American Equestrian Trade Association International Trade Show.

The premier global event showcasing equestrian industry products from leading manufacturers across a variety of categories including:

APPAREL • TACK • GIFT • HOME • DESIGN LIGHTING • ACCESSORIES • AND MORE!

AUGUST 25 – 28, 2022 JANUARY 12 – 15, 2023 dallasmarketcenter.com

@dallasmarket

Inspiration Starts Here.

Tucker Tweed Equestrian

EQ F A V O R I T E S

CINDERELLA STORIES OK

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An excerpt from BEGIN AND BEGIN AGAIN by USEA Hall-of-Fame Inductee DENNY EMERSON

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emember Cinderella? The girl with the glass slipper? The girl who enchanted Prince Charming at the ball, disappeared, but then was found?

There are lots of these fairy tales, and they usually end with the same seven words: “And they all lived happily ever after.” And the reason they all lived happily, I suppose, is that there is just the right Prince Charming for the princess, and just the right princess for Prince Charming.

If only it were so with horses, there would be far less disappointment and struggle and frustration and anguish. The reality, with horses, is that while some are Prince Charmings and some are charming princesses, some are more like the ogre in Jack and the Beanstalk or the witch in Hansel and Gretel or the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

The horse stories don’t tell us about that, though, do they? Alec Ramsey loved The Black. The Black, in his own way, loved Alec Ramsey. We imbibe these myths early—the Lone Ranger and Silver, Gene Autry and Champion, Roy Rogers and Trigger.

It’s so easy to grow up with the almost automatic assumption that the right horse is a foregone conclusion. The slipper will fit. The goose will lay the golden egg. And when it doesn’t transpire as we wish, hope, and assume, if the Mr. Right turns out to be, in this case, Mr. Wrong, now what? How can we even tell which horse is right or wrong when we ourselves are 16 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

This excerpt from Begin and Begin Again: The Bright Optimism of Reinventing Life with Horses by Denny Emerson is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books

still inexperienced? How do we know what advice to take and what to discard?

We hear stories about famous riders who were told, “Get rid of that horse,” and who persevered and were glad they did. We hear fewer stories about scared or over-mounted riders who were told, “Get rid of that horse,” and who persevered, got badly scared or badly injured, and got out of horses forever. Those are not feel-good stories. Even when they are true, they don’t become urban legends.

It is a hard reality to accept that more often than not, the right horse will help make one rider while the wrong horse may literally break another rider. So what are we looking for in our search for a horse that will boost us up, and what are we hoping to avoid?

• First, raw, genuine fear is to be fervently avoided.

• Second, run away from a high risk of serious injury.

• Third, do try to get a horse that is nice to ride.

It’s pretty simple. Forget, at least at first, color, beauty, size, age, and breed, and look for a horse that doesn’t scare you, won’t hurt you, and that you like to ride. Really. How basic is that? Safe, sane, and fun.

Start there. Why wouldn’t you?

I know why some of you wouldn’t do the commonsense thing. Here are a few reasons, virtually all of them bad ones.

• You think that somehow riding the tough horses makes you better in the long run.

Continued on page 18

AVAILABLE FOR SELECT PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENTS GEORGEKAMPER.COM | 305 538-2823

EQ F A V O R I T E S

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• You want a “fancy” horse to impress your friends, even if the horse is harder to ride than you are ready to deal with.

• Your trainer or best friend told you to buy a particular horse.

• This is the only available horse and “better this than nothing.”

• You simply can’t tell the difference yet between an easier or tougher horse.

I do believe that it is sometimes true when the former tough, gutsy little kid says, “That pony bucked me off three times a week when I was starting out, and that made me the good rider I am today.” But the operative words are “sometimes true.” Far more often, the riders who get bucked off, spun off, or scared off simply quit riding and do something else. They are lost to horse sports forever, and we never hear their names again.

Beginners make mistakes because that is what beginners do.

And here’s the thing that separates a beginner in riding from, say, a beginner in golf, or a beginner at playing the piano. The golf club doesn’t care if you miss the ball. The piano doesn’t care if you hit the wrong note. They are inanimate objects and don’t respond in a negative way, not the way a horse or a dog or another human might respond if dealt with badly. It stands to reason, then, that since a beginner rider will make mistakes, the ideal horse to begin riding on will be a tolerant horse who lets the rider get away with those mistakes. We want a nonreactive, “low-octane” horse who doesn’t get too bothered when the rider does something wrong, and it is guaranteed that the novice rider will do something wrong. So this is where you should start, by finding a horse with a nice, even, nonconfrontational temperament.

What does “temperament” mean in horse terms? I have used a one-to-10 scale for years, a “one” being an entirely phlegmatic, non-reactive, totally low-key animal, and a “10” being a virtually unrideable hot mess. In broad brush strokes, the 18 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

lower the number, the calmer and steadier the horse. By my calculations, horses that have temperaments in the one-to-four range are likely to tolerate our mistakes.

They are more apt to stand still while we mount and dismount. They don’t jig and dance and prance. They are not inclined to take off suddenly, or to spook and spin out from under us at a kid on a bike or a piece of flapping plastic stuck to a bush. At the trot and canter, these lowerkey horses are not apt to grab the bit and speed up. The ones and twos, on the contrary, are apt to slow down, and even to stop, if we don’t keep urging them to go.

The point here is that a rider is a lot less likely to get scared or hurt on a one, two, three, or four than on a flighty, nervous, reactive seven, eight, or nine. So much of the angst and tension and nervousness that we see every day in the relationships between humans and horses could be alleviated by having the rider who needs a two or three actually ride a two or a three instead of white-knuckling it on an unsuitable six or seven, or God forbid, a flaming eight or nine. Never mind the 10. If you get on a 10, you get a free ride to the emergency room.

Sometimes the green rider is so inexperienced that she can’t tell the difference between a steady horse and a hot one, and this is where it makes sense to get some advice from someone with more of a riding background. But this implies that humans will take good advice.

There’s a sort of joke that goes like this: “The only people who will take your advice are the ones who agreed with you before you gave it.” So, be smart or be otherwise. It’s a choice.

If you get to ride the right horse for your current level, you will have more fun and you will improve faster than you will on a horse that you can’t ride very well.

HEIDI OSGOOD-METCALF

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CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

EQ F A V O R I T E S

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highlight what women bring to the industry as well he Saratoga WIB (Women In Saratoga WIB Spectacular Executive Committee as their many career options. “Our goal is to proBusiness) Spectacular is bringing member Jennifer Hannan mote and showcase women,” she said. “There are so attention to and celebrating the role and Mindful. many possibilities for them in our business, and it that women play in equestrian sport. will be special to have this event and provide these As the first-ever horse show creopportunities.” ated by women, operated by women, benefitting The Saratoga WIB Spectacular has joined forces with women’s health, and showcasing women in business, this oneEquestrian Businesswomen (EQBW), an organization that of-a-kind, extraordinary event is one you will not want to miss. connects equine businesswomen with resources and comHosted at White Hollow Farm, just eight miles from downmunity to foster their professional development and business town Saratoga Springs, the horse show will feature multiple opportunities. rings of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition with feaEQBW and Saratoga WIB Spectacular have put together ture classes and is open to all competitors, regardless of gender. an exciting line-up of events for women entrepreneurs in the The Saratoga WIB Spectacular Horse Show is a USEF ‘A’-rated, industry, career women who support the industry, and women Jumper 3* competition from July 13-17, 2022, in Stillwater, connected to the industry who compete and own horses. With New York. events such as meet-and-greets for riders and trainers, a business Show organizer Adele Einhorn is excited to host the event to 20 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

ALISON HARTWELL

A new Saratoga horse show brings WOMEN TO THE FOREFRONT.

EQ F A V O R I T E S

pleased to work with the organizers to make this a special event where women can come together, learn, and network,” said EQBW founder Jennifer Wood.

“What is special about the Saratoga WIB Spectacular is that it will provide hands-on experience as well as an opportunity for exhibitors at a show to learn and network while at a competition,” continued Wood. “All of the events will be open to anyone, and we welcome people from all corners of the equine industry, from any discipline, or those who just love horses and want to find a way to incorporate them into their career.

Sometimes all it takes is one connection to spark an idea or a change. We hope to be able to provide these connections to contribute fulfillment on many levels.”

If you are interested in attending or joining the network of women who want to connect through the Saratoga WIB Spectacular, fill out the questionnaire and find out more at their website.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 SEAN MCMILLEN

panel, judging and course designing clinics, veterinary and farrier Q&As, and a networking dinner with a keynote speaker, the Saratoga WIB Spectacular is a way for women to meet other business owners, get advice, find mentors, and learn new ways to improve their business.

The meet and greet and Q&A events will give businesswomen a chance to speak with industry professionals in different careers and ask them how they got their start, how they maintain successful careers, how others can become involved in that job, and more.

The business panel will combine women from different parts of the industry to speak more about how they run their successful business as well as the different aspects of entrepreneurship and balancing the challenges of managing a small business.

The judging and course designing clinics are a way for women to receive hands-on experience in those jobs at a horse show to see what goes into the day-to-day responsibilities.

“The Saratoga WIB Spectacular is providing a wonderful opportunity for women in the equestrian industry, and we are so

“Dark Horse at Oak Lane Stable, the third book in a series of horse stories for middle-grade readers, is a multifaceted, compelling tale that lures readers with entertainment value, but offers so much more.”

—Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer for the Midwest Book Review W NE ASE E L RE

“Today’s readers will relate to Cassie’s struggles and triumphs … facing fear instead of trying to ignore or run away from it.

The author is a lifelong horsewoman, and her expertise shines forth in her prose.”

—Maryann Macdonald, Author of Rosa’s Animals: The Story of Rosa Bonheur and Her Animals and over 30 children’s books “Dark Horse at Oak Lane Stable (Book 3) has a hybrid structure that combines a sports story with the hint of Black Beauty. It’s a satisfying story, one that will give you a good look at kindness and courage.”

—Vincent Dublado, Reviewer for The Readers’ Favorite

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EQ F A V O R I T E S

PHOTOS: SARA COLE (POLO) ANNIE WATT (SOCIAL)

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POLO FOR LIFE PASSAGE TO INDIA BENEFIT SUPPORTS PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS

BY REBECCA BALDRIDGE

Photos: 1. PJ Rizzi and friends.

2. Piper Apfel, Barbara Bell Cook, and Brandon Phillips. 3.

Brandon and Oceal Phillips. 4.

Visse Wedell, Richard Brierley, Lucy, and friends. 5. Rita Reik and Katherine Reichert. 6.

Brandon Phillips. 7. Brandon Phillips and Chetan Krishna.

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n late February, Polo for Life hosted its seventh annual Polo for a Purpose: Passage to India charity polo match, dinner, and auction at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington (IPC). This year’s benefit raised a total of $804,251 to benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Brandon Phillips, founder and president of Polo for Life, said, “Our goal is to continue to build Polo for Life and this year’s Passage to India was a major step towards that. During the pandemic, it became significantly more difficult for families to cope with the burdensome financial challenges that come with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. We didn’t host a fundraiser in 2021 due to COVID-19, so this year was extremely important, and I’m thrilled our sponsors, supporters, families, and friends donated to our cause. I am grateful for their generosity, which fuels our ability to continue to help families and support pediatric cancer programs through our partnership with our chosen charities.”

The annual benefit has become one of the premier events of the Wellington social season, as revelers dressed in brilliant sub-continental attire bring a rainbow of color to the polo field. The party began with a cocktail reception and riveting polo

match between 14-goal Dracarys (Chetan Krishna, Horton Schwartz, Martin Valent, and Nic Roldan) and 12-goal Horse Scout (Baljit Sierra, Brendon Stenzel, Brandon Phillips, and Kris Kampsen). Horse Scout may have captured the trophy, but the real winners of the match were the children Polo for Life works so hard to support.

Following the match, guests adjourned to IPC’s Veuve Cliquot Pavilion to enjoy a spectacular Indian dinner and performance by singer/songwriter Ki-Juan before the evening’s main event, a live auction. Richard Brierley of ARBY Auctions London hefted his gavel to offer a spectacular selection of auction items.

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Event sponsor Lugano Diamonds donated an elegant emerald bead and rose-cut diamond necklace sparkling with more than 6 carats of rose-cut Collection VS diamonds and 18 carats of green emeralds set in 18k white gold. Valued at $28,000, the necklace sold for $30,000. A polo lesson for four with Polo for Life’s Brandon Phillips went for $15,000, while a 7-day stay on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island fetched $66,000. One electric-powered Moke, valued at $27,000, went on the block, but enthusiastic bidding saw three of the vehicles go for $32,000 each. Event chairwoman PJ Rizvi jokingly offered a Chick-Fil-A sandwich for bidding, prompting Chick- Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy to kick in two restaurant VIP cards granting the bearer a year’s supply of chicken sandwiches. After heated bidding, the cards went for $27,500 each. The auction raised $350,000, with another $34,000 added from “call to heart” donations.

Said Barbara Bell Cook, executive director of Polo for Life, “We are thrilled with the financial success of this year’s Polo for a Purpose: Passage to India fundraising event. Polo for Life raised more than $800k, which will allow us to expand our programs to help more families in South Florida. Next year, our goal is to raise more than $1 million.

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EQ P E O P L E

MEET LILY RHODES The PARA-EQUESTRIAN INFLUENCER inspires followers to never give up.

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costs of horses, Rhodes’ family also had to manage large medical expenses asociated with her injury. She says, with appreciation, “It is so wonderful and so amazing to have a brand like R.J. Classics supporting me— especially one that’s been with me for so long. The nature of the sport is that it can be very expensive, and there can be some barriers to entry, whether the cost of the horse, the care of the horse, or the equipment, it all really adds up very quickly.”

Rhodes explains, “I was determined to get back in the saddle after my accident, but there was also the battle of medical bills and all the therapies that I was going to need, plus adjusting to such a big life change. I never had to question what I was going to wear to ride, so it was one less thing for me and my family to worry about.”

As a junior in college, Rhodes is focusing on graduation and looking to find her forever horse as well as working on her newfound passion for creating social media content and growing her following. After graduation, Rhodes hopes to work in a role that includes content creation and social media management, specifically for equestrian brands. With her positive spirit, gritty determination, love of the equestrian sport, and the support of her family, friends, and followers, the future indeed looks bright for the inspirational Lily Rhodes. She concluded, “I hope people learn from my story that things always have a way of getting better, and you just have to be patient and work for it.”

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rowing up, Lily Rhodes was an avid equestrian.

Her mother rode western pleasure show horses, and Rhodes grew up riding her mother’s retired horses around her grandparents’ house. When she was 8 years old she started taking lessons at a local dressage barn, and her riding career took off.

Everything changed, however, when she was 14 years old and involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of her right arm. After spending weeks in and out of the hospital battling infections, Rhodes was not sure she would ever ride at the same level again. But perseverance prevailed, and, after months of trial and error and relearning her balance, Rhodes was back to where she was pre-accident: in the saddle, holding both reins firmly in one hand. Soon after, she switched from dressage to hunter/jumper competition, where she discovered her niche and passion for jumping. Today, Rhodes attends the University of Lynchburg and competes on their IHSA team in the Limit division.

Through her social media platforms, Rhodes inspires equestrians of all ages and hopes to spread the message to her combined 50,000 followers: “Life can deal you some really challenging cards, but it’s what you do with those cards and how you play them that matters most.

I want to show people that no matter what walk of life you’re in, things always get better. There are always more things to look forward to, and if you put your

BY LILY YAMPOLSKY PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

mind to something, you’re going to be able to do it.”

Despite her large following, Rhodes admits she still struggles with her confidence in the saddle. Like any other equestrian, she is prone to self-doubt and has lapses in confidence. She explains, “That imposter syndrome always has a way of creeping in somehow. I definitely struggled with it and still do today. So, I’m always working to improve my confidence and realize that even though I am differently abled, I can still give horses the productive ride they need and they deserve. It’s just going to be in a slightly different way.”

Rhodes has been an ambassador for the equestrian apparel brand R.J. Classics since her accident and not only credits them with helping to build her confidence, but also for their support in her riding journey. Besides the

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EQ D E S I G N

19th-century American rooster weathervane. $13,800.*

Vintage and modern interpretations of the classic directional ornament point collectors to a plethora of options.

Canada goose weathervane, circa 1930s. $4,500.*

CONTEMPORARY AND VINTAGE

WEATHERVANES 19th-century English hunt copper weathervane. $3,450.*

19th-century St. Julien weathervane attributed to J.W. Fiske. $32,000.*

Antique running horse copper weathervane. $2,540. Sale price.* *All available at 1stdibs.

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hough the word vane originates from the Old English fana meaning banner or cloth, the first recorded version of a weathervane pre-dates the word. In 50 B.C. a bronze vane topped the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece.

In the feudal ages, weathervanes had the coat of arms of the lord or nobleman.

In the U.S., the first documented weathervane maker was Deacon Shem Drowne, who topped the Province House in Boston with a large copper weathervane in 1716.

Today, weathervanes have found popularity around the world—on old farm cupolas and new construction homes. Antique weathervanes have been auctioned for millions of dollars—a far cry from the simple cloth banners of medieval Europe.

Whitehall Verdigris copper duck weathervane from Menard’s. $319.

American folk art molded tin peafowl weathervane. Auctioned

by Brunk Auctions.

Good Directions 37-inch Blue Verde Copper Whale weathervane. $389.

Painted Metal hound antique New England weathervane. $2,800.*

A.L. Jewell Company peacock weathervane, circa 1870. Auctioned

by RSL Auction company.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 2 7

ST JU ED ST LI

PIERSON ROAD · CALL FOR DETAILS Rare Opportunity with Direct Access to Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, now Wellington International · Newer Build and Meticulously Maintained on 5+ Acres · 24 Stalls with Fibre Ring and Grass Field · 6 Large Paddocks and Walker · Owners’ Lounge, 2 Offices, Tack Room, and Feed Room · 2 Dog Runs · Commercial Laundry · Large Storage Building · 4-Bedroom Apartment with 4 Individual Kitchenettes and 4 Bathrooms Plus Full Kitchen and Laundry

MARTHA W. JOLICOEUR, PA BROKER ASSOCIATE 561 797 8040 www.marthasproperties.com

ST JU

ST JU

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SHADY OAKS · $1,475,000

PALM BEACH POLO · $1,199,000

3-Bedroom, 3-Bath Home in the Heart of Palm Beach Polo · Sunset Views · Privately Landscaped Pool and Spa · Direct Access to Dunes Preserve · Private Courtyard with Wood Burning Fireplace · New Gourmet Kitchen · Impact Windows and Doors To Be Installed

Beautiful Sunset, Water and Golf Course Views · 3-Bedroom, 2.5Bath Single Family Home · Completely Renovated Pool and Patio Area · Updated Kitchen with Newer Appliances · West-Facing Backyard with Plenty of Room For Pets · A Rare Opportunity with Huge Potential

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SADDLE TRAIL · $4,975,000

GREENVIEW COVE · $1,550,000

A Great Find · 5-Minute Hack to PBIEC · Magnificent Landscaping · GGT All-Weather Arena · 13 Stalls Spanning 2 Barns · Gorgeous Tack Rooms · Tastefully Decorated 2-Bedroom, 2-Bathroom Owners’ Home · 2-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom Staff Quarters

Light, Bright and Updated 3-Bedroom, 3-Bath Home · Central Location to All Equestrian Activities in Sought-After Polo West Community · Lovely Pool with Travertine Deck and Great Open Views · Outdoor Entertaining Space with Authentic Chickee Hut

HOME IS WHERE YOUR HORSE IS

THE NEXT MOVE IS YOURS 1111 LINCOLN RD, PH-805, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. .

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HIT THE HAY

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Horse-crazy kids will love these amazing BEDROOM DÉCOR ideas.

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1. Miniature Rocking Horse by The French Bedroom 1.

Co. $70.

2. Just4theArtofit’s Horse Silhouette Metal Art Bookends. $60.

3. A custom equestrian bedroom by The Painting Pony.

4. Custom Farm Bedroom by Briana Williams.

Bedding and curtains by Fickleberry Ranch, $55.

5. Hibou Home’s Gymkhana wallpaper. 11-yard roll, $78.

6. Fun horses bedding set from the Painting Pony with microfiber twin duvet cover. $209.

7. Wildkin horses microfiber kids twin sheet set. $59.99.

8. Pony Beds by Van Sanden $762.45.

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9. Kids Club Horse Show Horses reversible pink kids duvet cover set. $33.82.

10. Herd of horses panoramic wall mural by Wallsauce.com. Starting at $4.92 per square foot.

11, 12. A custom equestrian bedroom by The Painting Pony.

13. Horse stall twin bed by R&B Door Company. $1,900.

14. Wildkin Horse Play area rug. $65.99.

15. Digital DIY print-your-own set of four 8x10 pretty floral horses wall art by Etsy artist ToadandLily. $4.50.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 14

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L A I N I E W I M B E R LY

Lainie Wimberly and Kate Abajian at Brigadoon Show Stables in North Salem, New York.

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BRIGADOON

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BY BETSY STEIN | PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

hree decades ago, Lainie Wimberly and her mom, Sharon, arrived at Nimrod Farm in Weston, Connecticut, for a lesson with Ronnie Mutch. They were pulling their chestnut mare, Brigadoon, in a tag-along trailer pulled by a Buick Electra 225. Months later, the same team and rig took off for the horse shows in Florida.

From these humble beginnings, the mother and daughter team went on to establish Brigadoon Show Stables and have since achieved countless successes.

Fast forward to the end of this year’s Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival. “It really was a fairytale winter,” Lainie says. Among the many ribbons throughout the season, her junior student rider, Rylie True, was Children’s Hunter circuit champion on Carissima W, Reserve Circuit Champion on Chase The Blue, and had three blue ribbons in one week in

the equitation ring on Utrillo Du Soleil. Another of Lainie’s students, Sofia Raymond, daughter of TV-personality Soledad O’Brien, won her jumper-division classic and championship in the last week aboard her horse Bentley.

Lainie’s own accolades over the years include many championships at A-circuit shows and 2002 World Champion Hunter Rider and Horse of the Year. She also piloted Nobleman and Blue Bayou to Horse of the Year awards and Boulevard Dier into the Horse Show Hall of Fame.

Now, with Lainie as head trainer, Kate Abajian to assist her, and Sharon Wimberly as business manager, Brigadoon is thriving. With a comprehensive program for riders of all levels and interests, what sets Brigadoon Stables apart from other show barns is the dedication to teaching horsemanship from the ground up. Lainie explains that it’s a carryover from her background at Nimrod. “We learned and were expected to do it all,” she remembers. Although Brigadoon is a full-service stable, its riders learn to care for their horses as well. “I have seen so much M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 3 3

PHOTOS COURTESY LAINIE WIMBERLY

evidence that this approach helps to create a stronger partnership between the horses and their riders,” she says. “This is a real advantage when we get to the ring at the shows.”

With her Jack Russell terrier at her side, Lainie travels to shows from her home base in North Salem, New York, and in winter, the Brigadoon contingent moves to Wellington.

“What I find I enjoy immensely these days is riding to train and prepare the horses for the students.

It is so satisfying to see them in the ring and watch them be successful,” says Lainie, before admitting, “I would love to have a fancy hunter again someday to show in the derbies. Now that would be fun!”

During the COVID lockdown, Lainie tried to make the most of it, training at home and posting 34 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lainie and her Jack Russell in her 1957 Thunderbird; Lainie aboard Quarterman; Kate Abajian visiting the horses; Lainie celebrating a win.

educational videos that covered everything from exercises and setting up the ring to lessons about horse care with the kids in the barn, and funny beauty tips for stuck-at-home horsey folks.

Somehow with her busy schedule, Lainie finds time to tinker with her mint condition 1957 Ford Thunderbird. She also enjoys target shooting, sporting clays, fly fishing, and antiquing.

Lainie refers to Brigadoon as a “boutique business.” She likes to keep it somewhat small, so she can be involved in all aspects of what it takes to keep the horses healthy and happy and have some fun along with her clients. “We all share in each others’ disappointments and triumphs and help each other along the way,” she says.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

THE LEADER IN

luxury

Featured Listing

15495 Sunnyland Lane | Palm Beach Point Beautiful equestrian oasis nestled perfectly on 5.5 acres. The main house consists of 4 bedrooms each with a custom en suit bathroom. The State of the Art Barn is architecturally significant hosting 13 custom English style stalls. The barn is fitted with cobble stone pavers and has amenity to fit the equestrians’ standards. The barn includes a spectacular Owners Lounge and an exquisitely finished 2 Bedroom Penthouse equipped with a large veranda that over looks the Grand Prix horse ring.

Thomas Baldwin

Broker/Owner c. 561.714.3098 tbaldwin@equestriansir.com

Offered at $10,995,000

12180 S. Shore Blvd. Suite 102, Wellington, FL 33414

David Welles, P.A.

wellesproperties.com | Wellington, Florida

UNDER CONTRACT

La Victoria Farm | Saddle Trail | $23,500,000 7.3 Acres | 28 Stalls | 4 BD Main Home Short Hack To WEF | 7 Paddocks

Mallet Hill | $21,000,000

4+ Acres | 6 BD European Style Home | 10 Stall Barn 260’x140’ Arena | 6 Horse Walker | 4 Paddocks | Hack to WEF

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Skara Glen Farm | Wellington | $16,695,000 21.14 Acre Estate | 14 Stall Stable | New Arena Luxurious Owner’s Quarters | 7+ Acre Grass Field

David Welles, P.A. Global Real Estate Advisor 561.313.9123 dwelles@equestriansir.com

Cypress Island | Wellington | $9,600,000 New Construction Estate Home | 5 Distinct Living Suites Outdoor Entertaining Areas | Cypress Golf Course Views

David Welles, P.A.

wellesproperties.com | Wellington, Florida

46th Lane S. | Wellington South| $5,250,000 10 Acres | 14 Stall Main Barn | 6 Additional Stalls | 4 Horse Walker | Storage Garage | 3 BD, 2.1 Main Home

UNDER CONTRACT

Coral C Stable | Delray Beach | $3,500,000 17 Acres + | 3 Barns | 20+ Stalls | 100'x220' Arena 3 BS Grooms Quarters | 9 Oversized Paddocks

Palm Beach Point East | $3,849,500

5 Acres | 2 Barns | 23 Stalls | 132’x270’ Riding Ring GGT Footing | 10 Paddocks | Owner’s Quarters

UNDER CONTRACT

Halter Road | Paddock Park II |$3,895,000

New Construction Estate Home | Pool | Expanded Patio 12 Stall Barn | 140' x 200' Ring

Consistently Listing and Successfully Selling Wellington.

With over $100 Million in sales in 2021, David Welles is a leader in Wellington’s equestrian property sales represeting both sellers and buyers alike.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR

38 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

ANGELA PHAM / BFA.COM

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WINDSOR

THE 2022 WINDSOR CHARITY POLO CUP

WINDSOR A TRIUMPH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

BY CARRIE ALEXANDER

S

winging his mallet with smooth precision as he galloped down the polo field, W. Galen Weston cut a dashing figure in the early days at Windsor. The amiable Canadian business tycoon seemed just as at home off the field in later years as he worked the crowds at the biennial Windsor Charity Polo Cup. He was always ready with a warm smile and handshake to welcome guests to the Florida residential sporting community he co-founded with his wife, the Hon. Hilary M. Weston.

Equestrian pursuits and philanthropy were two of his passions. So, it was only

fitting that the 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup would pay tribute to Weston, who passed away in April 2021 at age 80.

Team names for this year’s event honored Weston. Max Secunda, polo player and director of equestrian operations at Windsor, explains, “Prince Charles played for Weston’s team, The Maple Leafs, which won the British Open, and later revived Prince Philip’s team, Windsor Park. Those two teams played our most famous match when Prince Charles visited Windsor in the early ‘90s. The colors have not been used since then but were brought back for the 2022

event in memory of Mr. Weston.”

Presented by PNC Bank, the charity event kicked off on February 18 with a players’ cocktail reception at Windsor’s renovated Beach Club. The following day eventgoers sipped champagne, shopped at fashionable pop-up boutiques, viewed a grand display by The Space Coast Region Porsche Club of America, and socialized at an elegant luncheon before cheering on the high-goal match.

Picnicking tailgaters vied for the top spot in an environmentally themed decorating contest.

On the field was a roster of top-notch international players. The crowd was M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 3 9

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RCA is incredibly grateful to be

named a beneficiary of the 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup. This support comes at a critical time for our organization and for the Indian River Lagoon,” said Dr. Edie Widder, ORCA president, CEO, and senior scientist.

Sponsors helped make the sixth biennial event memorable. Private Aviation Sponsor NetJets offered an interactive experience with a mock-up of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet. Luxury Scotch whiskey producer Royal Salute mixed specialty cocktails at the players’ reception and gifted Ferragamo with a special bottle of their Polo Estancia edition.

Luxury automobile sponsor Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi of Melbourne showcased top models during the cocktail party and, at the polo match, led players onto the field in a 2022 Porsche 911. A selection of cars drove onto the field during the half-time divot stomp.

Other signature sponsors of the 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup included: L3Harris Technologies, Beluga Vodka, Lanson Champagne, JUSTIN Wines, Allen Brothers, and artist Dr. Johnson Hagood. Co-sponsors Belle Cose and Paul Morelli jointly donated Paul Morelli’s one-of-a-kind dragonfly necklace valued at over $23,000 as the featured item in the raffle. Windsor Members also generously contributed to the event as sponsors and donors.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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ALDEN CORRIGAN

especially captivated by 18-year-old Hope Arellano, a fourthgeneration polo player and the first female to play at the Windsor event. Playing for the Maple Leafs, she helped secure the W. Galen Weston Memorial Trophy with a score of 7-6 and was named most valuable player. Teammates included Sebastian Koga, Mike Azzaro, and Freddie Mannix. Playing for Windsor Park were Salvatore Ferragamo, Fefu Pansillo, Lucitas Criado, and Pedro Gutierrez.

“We were honored to have one of the most talented female polo players in the world to champion our support of two important environmental nonprofits here in Indian River County,” said Betsy Hanley, president of Windsor.

Co-chaired by Mrs. Weston and Salvatore Ferragamo, the premier charity sporting event raised $350,000. Half will go to the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), which protects and restores aquatic ecosystems. The other half will go to the Environmental Learning Center (ELC), a nature preserve.

M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 4 1

MATT SELL S.COM Reduced

EUROPEAN FLAIR IN WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA This tranquil 10 acre estate has a precious ambiance not seen in Wellington before. If you’ve been searching for a canvas to create that extra-ordinary equestrian compound like no other; the character, charm and European flair of this home will tickle your fancy! The main house is an entertainer’s dream and boasts everyday & catering kitchens, family & formal entertaining rooms, stunning pool and courtyard gardens. The attached 2Br/2Bth apartment with elevator is perfect for guests. The active family members will enjoy the home gym, tennis court, 7.5 car garage and 4 stall barn. If your dream is to design your own equestrian facilities, here is your chance. Now at $6,950,000

Matt Johnson Engel & Volkers Florida Selling Wellington & the Palm Beaches 561-313-4367 • MattSells.com ©2022 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA 10+ Acre Estate

PALM BEAC H POINT ESTATE

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA This private and peaceful estate is situated on 10.83 acres in the heart of Wellington’s premiere gated equestrian subdivision of Palm Beach Point. The main residence has 4 bedrooms all with in-suite bathrooms, plus a pool-side cabana suite with full bath. The home also boasts stone floors, center-island kitchen with gas cooking, a spacious master suite with his and her offices and a home gym. The riders in the family will love the beautifully landscaped 12 stall courtyard barn with 4 wash stalls, lounge, feed & tack rooms. There are also 8 generous sized grass paddocks, round pen and an arena with world class footing lined by beautiful shade trees and viewing gazebo. The property lends itself to a covered arena and or a grass grand prix field. Every detail of this beautiful farm was painstakingly thought through and must be seen to be truly appreciated. Offered at $14,500,000 Matt Johnson Engel & Volkers Florida Selling Wellington & the Palm Beaches 561-313-4367 • MattSells.com ©2022 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

C. W. MEDINGER

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At home with one of the world’s top eventers and his grand-prix dressage-rider wife.

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BOYD SILVA MARTIN

BY STEPHANIE PETERS

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hile preparing for our interview with Boyd Martin, a litany of colorful and admirable adjectives frequently used to describe him came to mind. Resourceful, resilient, and disciplined spoke to his character and successes, but we were also eager to chat with the approachable “fella” who is all that and, considered by most: a bloody good mate to boot.

We looked forward to experiencing the eventing phenom firsthand as we drove through Pennsylvania’s Chester County hunt country, ablaze in fall foliage en route to Windurra, Boyd and Silva Martin’s home, farm, and primary training center.

One of the world’s top three-day event competitors, Boyd is the son of two winter Olympians: U.S. speed-skater Toy Dorgan and Australian cross-country skier Ross Martin. Boyd was raised in Australia and moved to the United States in 2006. Because his mother was American, he has U.S. citizenship and has been representing the U.S. since 2010. Following in his parent’s footsteps, Boyd is a three-time Olympian, most recently competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has finished in the top ten of virtually every five-star three-day event in the world.

Silva is a German-born American Grand Prix dressage rider and a highly regarded trainer. In 2014, she represented the U.S. for the first time in team competition, winning team gold in the Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida, riding her homebred mare, Rosa Cha W. Later Continued on page 48

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ARCHER & BUCHANAN ARCHITECTS

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COURTESY BOYD MARTIN

LEFT: (Clockwise from top) The recently completed 150- by 300-foot indoor arena; the 40-acre cross-country schooling field; a water exerciser; the farm borders 3,000 acres of protected land; some of the original stalls. THIS PAGE: Boyd airborne; the jumper ring.

Continued from page 45

in 2014, Silva sustained a severe head injury while schooling a horse at home.

Although protected by her helmet, the traumatic injury affected her speech, eyesight, and physical capabilities.

Approaching her rehabilitation with tenacity, Silva has made a remarkable comeback to training and riding and has chosen to make brain injury and helmet awareness a personal mission.

She has continued to accrue countless successes at major U.S. competitions, including Dressage at Devon, the Great American Insurance Group (GAIG), and the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships (CBLM) Finals. She is also known for her talent in developing young horses and bringing them up through the levels. “I married well,” Boyd told USA Today. “She is a beautiful, beautiful lady and a great mother.”

W

e turned off the main road and entered through the gates into Windurra. The driveway meandered its way around a 48 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

ABOVE: The basement serves as a kid’s playspace as well as Boyd’s gym.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The cozy home is filled with dogs, toys, trophies, and mementos from around the horse world.

40-acre cross-country schooling course with jumps and obstacles that are every bit the equal of the Kentucky Horse Park’s daunting cross-country course.

As we approached the modest home, a quote from Kat Netzler in The Chronicle of the Horse came to mind, “The buzz about Boyd Martin began the minute he stepped off the plane from Australia in 2006. Who was this rakishly handsome, antipodean-accented 20-something bombing around Rolex Kentucky on a scrappy 7-year-old off-the-tracker? What was Phillip Dutton thinking, hiring as his new assistant trainer a kid best known for his drunken visits to tattoo parlors and horse auctions—from which he always returned with an unintended purchase? And was there any way in hell this character was going to make his

pipedream of riding on a U.S. team by 2010 come true?”

Boyd—yes, he is rakishly handsome—met us at the door and invited us into the kitchen while Silva made everyone top-notch cappuccinos. Boyd explained how they came to find the 100plus acre farm, “Silva is from Germany, and I’m from Australia, and we came over here in 2006 to compete in the Kentucky three-day. There was another Australian eventer who lived about a mile up the road from here, Phillip Dutton. He invited us to stay at his place. And, to make a long story short, I was his assistant trainer for a couple of years, and then we decided that we wanted to get a property of our own.”

Silva interjected, “One day, we had dinner with neighbors whose home overlooked this property, and I immediately said, ‘Oh my God, I love that farm.’ So, the next day, I drove over here, knocked on the door, and asked if they would sell, and they agreed.” The property was primarily a corn farm and only had a small barn for six hunters, but the land was perfect. Boyd said, “It’s funny, when

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I

we looked at the farm, all I was interested in was the topography. I imagined where I could put a gallop track and cross-country course. I might have only looked inside the house once, quickly.

Meanwhile, Silva was inside measuring, but I could care less about the house.

I had a vision of what the land could be, and over the years, we developed it.

Obviously, we couldn’t do everything at once.”

T

hey began with the dressage ring, and Silva stabled her horses at the small barn. At the time, Boyd was renting a barn, which tragically caught on fire and burned to the ground. He said, “All of a sudden, I had to move my 25 horses to this farm, and we didn’t have any stables. A friend of mine called and said, ‘There’s a bunch of temporary pre-made stables that

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ABOVE: Boyd Martin and Testerleg TSF at the Aiken Eventing Prix.

OPPOSITE PAGE CLOCKWISE: Boyd and On Cue at the Aiken Eventing Prix; Boyd and Fedarman B at the Aiken Eventing Prix; Silva and Blueberry Hill in Wellington; Silva and Blueberry Hill earn a win in Wellington at AGDF; Silva and Esperanto in Wellington; Silva and Blueberry Hill at the jog in Wellington.

are just sitting, and the guy that owns them is in prison; here’s the number of his cousin.’ So, I got in touch with the cousin and ended up buying 26 stalls for $10,000. I met the guy at a gas station and gave him the cash. We still don’t know when that guy is getting out of prison or if he ever got his money from his cousin.” They picked up the stalls, leveled a pad for them, and a week later, they were moved in. They made some temporary paddocks with electric tape.

Boyd said, “That’s how we did things in Australia.” Silva rolled her eyes and

PHOTOS BOTH PAGES: TAYLOR PENCE / ISG

I had a vision of what the land could be, and over the years, we developed it.

said, “We’ve still got these ‘beautiful’ stalls. He promised it was only for a year or two, but now, ten years later, they are still here.”

They slowly built the one-mile gallop track, the cross-country schooling course, and the jumping ring. Next, they bought a property next door, an elementary school that had become bankrupt, and they located more stables, classrooms, and apartments on that site.

Boyd said thoughtfully, “You know, we were from humble beginnings, so we knew that to take on a property like this, we had to generate income every which way we could. Obviously, horses in training are a big source of income, also coaching and teaching, dressage, and the jumping and cross country. People ship in and pay to use the cross country and the gallop.” He pauses, “It’s something to be proud of, to be truly generating income from 100 percent of what you do,

ROBERT HANSEN

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I

I met the guy at a gas station and gave him the cash. which is rare in the equestrian world. It’s hard work. It’s a labor of love, and making it all happen is a challenge at times, but it goes to show if you put your mind to it, you work hard, and you try hard, you can.”

B

oyd currently works with Olympic show jumper Peter Wylde (Equestrian Living, November/December 2020) to excel in eventing’s show-jumping discipline. “It’s been great for us because it’s so hard to get someone of that stature and brilliance in jumping training to dedicate themselves to our eventing sport,” Boyd said. “Usually, they’re off jumping in Monaco or down in Wellington, and they don’t really have time to dedicate.

Peter has been brilliant. He comes to the farm here a couple times a month.

“Having dressage here is a huge advantage too, to be honest. There aren’t many equestrian farms with half dressage horses and half event horses at one place.

For the eventing riders to be in the ring with pure dressage horses and riders is a massive bonus. To be around high-level dressage, seeing and watching it, and being next to it every day, definitely rubs off on the eventers.”

We joined the Martins and their son Leo on an ATV to tour the facility. They have two sons, Leo, born in 2018, and Nox in 2015. On our stop at Silva’s dressage barn, she brought out Emma, a pony that Leo was proud to

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ABOVE: Leo riding little Emma.

OPPOSITE PAGE: With sons Nox and Leo.

ride around the ring as both parents wore wide grins. As Boyd drove towards the 40-acre cross-country schooling course, he mentioned that one of his favorite end-of-day activities is jumping on his tractor and rearranging the portable jumps so they’re on fresh ground for the next day’s training. Fixed fences include six open ditches, trakehners, water complexes, coffins, and sunken roads, as well as four keyhole fences that range from beginner novice to advanced size. People come from all over to pay a fee and ride the course or the gallop track. The site

borders 3,000 acres of protected land, and there is an abundance of lush turnout.

Our tour continued past the mile-long gallop track, a grand prix dressage ring with mirrors, a jumping arena, and a new indoor arena, all with premium footing. Additionally, there is a custom conditioning pond with an adjustable water depth and a round pen for training young horses.

Boyd believes in exercising himself as well as the horses.

To accomplish that, he has converted a portion of his basement to a workout area with apparatus that might seem intimidating to the fitnesschallenged. Over the years, he has sustained innumerable injuries, including a broken leg, a broken collarbone (twice), torn ligaments, a separated shoulder, and multiple surgeries. Understandably he made his fitness a top priority to minimize future injuries and maximize performance. His weekly exercise regimen integrates several rigorous training modes, targeting core areas of his body to enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Merely thinking about his disciplined regimen had us exhausted, and we said our goodbyes to the Martins and headed out to The Whip Tavern, a nearby local landmark for equestrians. As we were sitting by the stream enjoying pub fare and tipples, we decided that from the moment the “rakishly handsome 20-something Australian” stepped off the plane in 2006, he has far exceeded his goals.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

ROBERT HANSEN

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JANICE PARKER A P R I VAT E E D E N ARCHITECT: SHOPE RENO WHARTON

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DESIGN MASTER CLASS

LEARN FROM A M E R I C A’ S PREMIER DESIGNER S

e

J

ANICE PARKER is a landscape architect, horticultural specialist, garden consultant, teacher,

floral designer, and speaker. Since

creating Janice Parker Landscape Architects in 1984, she has brought the firm national prominence and has been honored with multiple awards, including the 2016 Stanford White Award for Garden Design, the 2015 Professional Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the 2012 National Palladio Award for Landscape

NEIL LANDINO, JR.

Architecture.

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NEIL LANDINO, JR.

e THIS 8-ACRE SITE began as a neglected piece of ledge-filled Connecticut farmland. The clients desired multiple seating and recreation areas for their young, active family and a contemporary, lush landscape with architectural strength and year-round interest.

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DUSTON SAYLOR

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DUSTON SAYLOR

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MARLENE PIXLEY

e ORIGINALLY PART of a 33-acre farm, landscape architect Janice Parker and her design team worked with the owners to develop a woodland stewardship plan that restored the majority of the woodland and wetland areas.

The new three-cornered mirrored-edged infinity edge pool overlooks a new birch grove below. Pleached linden trees flank grass jointed bluestone paths leading from the spa terrace to the pool and vegetable gardens. An orchard of Malus ‘Donald Wyman’ crab-apple trees transforms the arrival sequence.

e

THIS DESIGN was about editing and discipline. The goal was to employ balance and simplicity in a design that reflects emotion and respect for the environment. Color appears in singular forms—in furniture, paint, and sky.

Planting trees in orchard formation was a respectful way to reveal the farmers’ historical shaping of the land using grids and geometry, with the addition of graceful arcs.

e

A VEGETABLE AND HERB GARDEN was created to include seating and a fireplace. Herbs and annual cutting flowers grow in corten steel boxes connected to the house and terraces. The metal planters continue to weather and add patina as well as a sharp and disciplined edge to the exuberant herbs and flowers.

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NEIL LANDINO, JR.

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NEIL LANDINO, JR. DURSTON SAYLOR

MARLENE PIXLEY NEIL LANDINO, JR.

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The tree farm’s original barn was integrated into the landscape design.

DUSTON SAYLOR

e

THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN creates outdoor rooms with varied seating areas, terraces, dining areas, and recreation spaces. The existing ledge rock was worked into the landscape to reveal the true nature of the land’s archetype. The realized design is based on axial lines, using stone paths and terraces with grass jointing to create a strong, verdant framework. The landscape is connected to the house with a series of soft and hard walkways designed to maximize the vernacular while being mindful of the aesthetic qualities of the space.

Layered plantings of native grasses and carex on the defined edges of the woodland add color and act as a segue CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 to the natural world in all seasons.

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DISCOVER FOUR FASHION FORWARD COMPANIES FOUNDED AND OWNED

BY WOMEN MEET THE INNOVATIVE FOUNDERS OF F.WORDS | KAVAL | RÖNNER | YAGYA

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Float Shirt in white. $500.

Filly Breech in fawn. $375.

At F.WORDS

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F.WORDS FOUNDER KENDEL NEIDERMYER MICHAEL PANICCIA PHOTOGRAPHY STYLED BY JEN PRESS MARDEN

F.WORDS stands for fit, fashion,

function, and flexibility. Fit speaks to the way each collection and each piece supports our clients’ feeling they look their best through all active pursuits. Function speaks to top performance and durability. Fashion is about the details that set us apart. I studied fashion at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and design each silhouette by starting with a sketch. Our brand is dedicated to the principles and craftsmanship associated with a fashion designer’s process.

How would you describe your brand’s core mission?

Our core mission is to create the most elegant performance brand within the equestrian and activewear apparel market.

How much has that mission evolved from your launch in 2017?

The current collection reflects an updated and lower price point, which we have worked tirelessly to extend to our clients without sacrificing the craftsmanship and quality F.WORDS has always embodied.

You’ve successfully merged your athletic career as a competitive gymnast and experience in couture fashion into striking collections. Was that a winning formula from the beginning?

From the very beginning, we were embraced for being cool and forward, and so we received tremendous support from our clients. Word of mouth and a lot of networking has supported scaling the business to what it is today.

Did you encounter obstacles as you introduced your “couture performance apparel” that blends athletic and leisure apparel?

Prior to the pandemic, I traveled almost every week for inperson trunk shows, which were a priority for building a new luxury business. Meeting new clients and building trust in our brand and product gave us needed feedback and a direct exchange with our clients. COVID-19 grounded us for two years, and we needed to conduct 100% of the business via our website/e-commerce and have just started to get back on the road again.

Did you face any particular roadblocks because you were a women-owned business?

There have been many times when men have wanted to know 66 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF F.WORDS

Can you tell our readers what F.WORDS stands for?

Fantastic Shirt in Wedgwood blue. $195.

Filly Breech in Wedgwood blue. $650.

F.WORDS if I’m married with children, implying that a woman cannot be a CEO and build a business if she also has other aspirations and priorities in her personal life. It also implied that I needed a man to support me financially while I built a business in NYC. The internal workings of the high-fashion corporate world are not as woke as may be perceived. My hope for myself and all women is that we don’t have to be apologetic about any of our personal choices. Acknowledging my strengths and maintaining boundaries is key.

Do you try to work with women-owned suppliers and artisans?

Yes, absolutely. Both of our ateliers are female-owned. It’s so important to me that we empower other women in a maledominated industry while providing them the opportunity for financial freedom in their personal lives.

How important is it to you that all your apparel is made in New York City? Has that been a success factor in the appeal of your clothing?

I started F.WORDS with the desire to employ the artisans I had worked with in New York. Many of them were at high risk of losing their jobs when so many designers and brands moved their manufacturing overseas to cut costs. The craftsmanship and dedication to the process have been a hallmark of the brand. Supporting the domestic economy and doing business in NYC has been a priority from the brand’s inception.

How unique is it within the athletic apparel industry to have a single artisan working on one item from start to finish?

Big box athletic and equestrian brands are volume-driven.

F.WORDS is design and quality-driven and therefore requires a process unlike the fast-fashion model defined by mass production. In standard production, one garment passes through a dozen hands, if not more, to complete each piece. One person might be solely responsible for zippers, another for hems, and another for waistbands. This kind of production cuts down on the time it takes to sew a garment and, therefore, the cost. But it also eliminates the passion and quality while increasing wastefulness. We are proudly the only athletic apparel that is created utilizing this one-sewer process for every collection. This manufacturing method is only utilized in couture and made-to-order/bespoke products. We are uniquely able to blend the worlds of couture dressmaking with performance apparel for athletes.

How would you describe the core F.WORDS client?

F.WORDS women are ambitious, bold, confident, radiant, and 68 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

wise. They are educated, creative, supportive, charitable, and maybe most importantly, don’t take themselves too seriously.

Have equestrians embraced the style and performance of F.WORDS?

We launched our equestrian collection in April 2018. We have loyal clients who have embraced the style and performance of F.WORDS for practice and in the competition ring. We’ve expanded our offerings over the years, and many of our clients have shopped with us every season since the initial launch. We are really excited that F.WORDS equestrian will be in stores coast to coast this season and in seasons to come as we’ve added wholesale to our business model.

What key features do you integrate into your equestrian apparel?

Our trademarked stretch seam is unlike any seam in the equestrian market. We worked with an American heritage family-owned sewing machine maker to create a unique machine that creates our F.WORDS stretch seam. It is proven in a lab to be three times stretchier and stronger than anything else on the market. We are also one of the only equestrian brands to use a knit for our breeches. Most breeches stretch even though they are woven, but it means they only stretch so much. Our knit has been created so that you can cut the length of your breech with a scissor, and it won’t require any sewing after you cut it.

It means you don’t need to ask if you need a long or regular version of our breech because you cut it to your perfect length.

We use a technique of sublimated perforation on our show jacket and practice shirt. It is a high-tech process that ultimately creates a seamless piece of cutwork for the garment, which provides strategic air circulation. These are just three of our unique technologies, exclusive to F.WORDS, which we are really proud of creating and utilizing.

Where do you see F.WORDS in the next five to ten years?

We will continue to build on our retail partnerships. We are thrilled to count The Tack Trunk Hamptons, Exceptional Equestrian in Ocala, Florida, JB Creighton in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and the new Sensei Retreat opening this coming fall in the California desert as new partners.

We look forward to increasing our exposure with likeminded retail partners globally. We plan to expand our product offerings to include dressage, Western, junior, and men’s apparel and grow our tennis and golf collections. Ultimately, we want to continue to build the F.WORDS community of women athletes who seek cutting-edge performance and design.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

Above: Vanessa Jacket in navy. $650.

Fabulous Shirt in white. $195.

Hood Breech in fawn. $395.

Below: Follow-through Half Zip in navy. $175.

Hood Breech in navy. $395.

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KAVAL FOUNDER DANIELLE LEVINE

How would you define KAVAL?

allowed us to adapt a lot of things as we go.

retail platform bringing together the best technical riding apparel and lifestyle items for riders and those who appreciate equestrian style. I think of the business almost as a Net-a-Porter for the horse world.

PHOTO FERNANDO SIPPEL

KAVAL is a multi-brand digital

What was the catalyst that generated your business?

I saw an opportunity—a white space—to develop a modern online shopping experience that was authentically rooted in the horse world but would appeal to more than just riders. And I believe there are many people who don’t have access to a great local tack shop but are interested in new brands and styles from around the world.

How much has your business stayed true to your original vision?

Has the customer response steered you in a new direction, or are you adhering to your initial business objective?

Overall, I think we have stayed pretty true to the original vision. That said, we have accumulated a lot of data as to what works and where. For example, people in California don’t always buy the same things as people in the Northeast or Southwest, etc. Ditto for the U.S. versus Europe. All that information has 70 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

Was owning your own business always a goal?

No. I never really saw myself as an entrepreneur. I actually imagined I would find someone with a great business idea, and I would help them build a company around it. So, KAVAL was an unexpected fork in the road.

Have you encountered challenges or obstacles because you are a woman-owned business?

I believe that being a woman-owned business (in a womandominated industry, no less) has a lot of advantages. Many of our brands are led by extraordinary women. It has been a privilege to work with them and the great women in our office and showcase our superstar female ambassadors on horseback.

Talk about girl power! I do think there are also challenges.

When I started KAVAL, I had a lot of serious business experience. Nevertheless, I heard a lot of “it’s so cute how much you like horses” from folks in the broader world. I am not sure that a guy launching a KAVAL for golf would have heard the same thing. But being underestimated allows you to over-deliver easily, and that’s fun.

ROBERT GRIMA | REIN STUDIOS

Equiline Nabel Color Block bomber jacket in olive at KAVAL. (Price available on kaval.com.)

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KAVAL This page: Equiline Edidek Cargo knee-grip breeches in deep sand. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: AA Equestrian sweater with perforated sleeves, in pearl gray.

Stick & Ball Turkish cotton scarf/beach towel/throw in taupe. Makebe Cindy show coat in gray. Equiline Airbag Compatible show coat in black.

(Prices available on kaval.com.)

ROBERT GRIMA | REIN STUDIOS

the fourth quarter.” Meaning Tom stays calm and focused when stress levels rise. It’s food for thought, and I’m definitely still working on principle number three.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of building your business to date?

The customer interaction has been incredible. So many powerhouse, courageous women ride, and meeting them has been amazing. That and the business-building has been intellectually very satisfying. You get a lot of instant feedback online, and I find it interesting to adapt to new information while staying true to your original vision and future goals.

If you had practical wisdom to impart to other entrepreneurial women, what would that be?

When I launched KAVAL, I decided to have three guiding principles. One, keep it simple. Two, be different. And three, be like Tom Brady. The Tom Brady reference dates back to a cold Sunday night months before I launched KAVAL. I was already hard at work and had probably forgotten to eat, so I ran out to get a slice of pizza. As I waited in the shop, the owner’s adult son was staring at the TV screen, watching a New England Patriots game. He said (to no one in particular): “You know what makes Tom Brady great? His blood pressure goes down in 72 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

Shortly before the pandemic, you had a pop-up store on Madison Avenue in New York City. Were customers primarily equestrians, or were they people who liked the appeal and aesthetic of the equestrian lifestyle?

Both! We love introducing the equestrian lifestyle and its brands to non-riders. So many mainstream fashion brands have built big businesses based on the equestrian vibe. I think it’s time for non-riders to access the real, authentic thing.

What would you consider the most significant equestrian-fashion trend shifts since your launch in 2017?

I think the internet has introduced people to newer brands and styles, so riders have become more experimental and openminded. Airbags are a great example.

Is there a significance to the name KAVAL?

Not really. The name is visually symmetric, pronounceable in many languages, and it kind of sounds like cheval in French. But most of all it was available!

Where do you see KAVAL in five or ten years?

I hope the company will cater to many aspects of its customers’ lives. Folks who ride are active, passionate people who travel and typically engage in lots of activities besides riding. The possibilities for expansion are endless.

Are you still finding time to ride?

No! But there is never enough time to ride, is there?

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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VANESSA LENZ NEITHARDT

ROBERT GRIMA | REIN STUDIOS

VANESSA LENZ NEITHARDT

VANESSA LENZ NEITHARDT

RÖNNER FOUNDERS CARIN STELLABATTI RÖNNER, INES RÖNNER, AND JESSICA STELLABATTI RÖNNER PHOTOS NICOLE SCHULTZ

Tell us how Rönner Design got started.

From left: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Carin Rönner with her daughter

the strategy and management of the company, it is very clear that each has a particular strength.

Rönner Design started because Julia Schrimpff Stellabatti, Sebastian Schrimpff, Ines Rönner. my mother, Ines Rönner, had a tack store in Bogota, Colombia, and represented many German Were you emphasizing/celebrating the equestrian lifestyle from riding brands. She has always been very passionate about horses, the onset? Was that your core mission? and my sister and I grew up around horses. This set up the base That was and remains, our core vision. Horses and everything for an initial inspiration. After we both finished university and equestrian are our main inspiration behind the collections. our first work experiences, we came up with the idea of creating There are so many beautiful and graceful faces to the equestrian a lifestyle brand inspired by everything equestrian. We wanted realm. It can be the power of a polo match, the elegance of a to create something innovative and fresh compared to everydressage horse, the tradition of horse races, or the mighty yet thing we saw the equestrian apparel market offered. noble nature of the horse itself. We love the atmosphere that the sport around horses involves. It not only involves the entire Did you and your sister Jessica have similar visions for the brand? family, but it creates a certain magic in the air that you can Yes, the three of us had a very similar vision: Something classic sense in the audience. and traditional yet fresh and different. We noticed everything the other brands offered at that time was solid colors, mostly Was there ever any doubt that you could develop and sustain a black, burgundy, grey, and, very rarely, a print. Our proposition fashion brand as a women-owned business? was more colorful, with prints, and feminine details.

There has always been the challenge of balancing life as mothers Was it established early on what each of your roles would be, such as the business visionary and the creative designer?

Yes, so Jessi went to business school, and I did industrial design first and then fashion design. Although we are all involved in

of young children with the demand growing a company brings.

Jessi has two young girls (6 and 4 years old), and I have three (5 and 3 years old and a 6-month-old baby). We keep ourselves busy and are sometimes overwhelmed, but Rönner is our first baby, and we are so passionate about it. We are also lucky to continued on page 78

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The Geneva Long Dress in black Shutterfly pattern is part of The Meredith Collection, steeped in a celebration of pursuing your dreams. $839.

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RÖNNER

Above: Meredith wears the Los Angeles short sleeve quarter-zip top in taupe Fibonacci pattern. $169.

Opposite, top: The long-sleeved Los Angeles quarter-zip in navy Fibonacci pattern. $199. Below: The Bella Dona blouse in Shutterfly blue blends subtle details with a classic silhouette. $349.

(All from the Meredith Collection and shown with Pikeur breeches.)

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RÖNNER continued from page 74

have the best grandmother in the world, who is a huge help in every respect.

Did you feel supported in the community? Did you face any obstacles because you were a women-owned business?

Being a female-founded business that supports women who are the heads of their homes in Colombia has always been very wellreceived. We feel proud to have a strong purpose and to be able to help. It has given us an extra push of motivation to grow.

Your apparel leans towards the crossover realm for people who embrace the equestrian lifestyle. Would you agree?

With our prints and with everything, it’s basically the idea that you go from the stable to lunches or barn to brunches, and you don’t have to change your breeches because they are actually fabulous. You can throw on one of our tunics on top of one of our sweaters, and you just feel polished and fine to continue your errands.

Where do you see the business in 5 years, 10 years?

You recently launched a collaborative capsule collection with international show jumper Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

Was she familiar with the Rönner brand before you contacted her?

I think at the very beginning, Meredith was not familiar with the brand. We first sent her a set of samples, which she loved, and after that came the idea of suggesting a capsule collection to her in collaboration and inspired by her impressive career.

Was your initial contact with Meredith to ask her to be a Rönner partner rider? So, the collaboration was an unexpected spin-off from that initial contact?

Yes, it was an unexpected but very exciting twist.

Can you share some of the details as the collaboration evolved?

Were her accomplishments as a competitor and her commitment to “believing in your dreams” at the core of the project?

Meredith’s story resonates so much with our story, being a female-founded company, knowing how difficult it is as a woman to balance a professional life with a personal life and the challenges you have. It is especially so for Meredith, with her having so many victories in Germany and around the world in a sport that is often led by men.

She was open to doing the design of the collection, so we immediately started working on it and brainstorming ideas.

She sent me images of her entire private collection of art and pieces of her wardrobe that she loved as initial inspiration, and that was amazing. Then we designed two main prints. One is the Shutterfly print inspired by her horse, a jumping horse. We have artists in the office and illustrators with whom we work.

At Rönner, we always have flowers in our prints, and we try to mix the equestrian with the florals. So that’s how the second print, Fibonacci, came to life. She was also interested in lifestyle pieces, so we have two dresses in the collection, a couple of sport-like training tops, and two blouses. It’s a small capsule collection that will probably be a limited edition.

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We hope to continue growing the business and be able to reach passionate people who love what we do and identify with a brand that matches their passion.

We want to make people feel unique and connected with our pieces and prints with one common ground: the love of horses.

We also hope to continue generating jobs for women in Colombia and continue to be as environmentally responsible as we can. We work with roughly 20 women who make our pieces in safe and responsible environments. It is important for us to know that our pieces are ethically crafted and that we are generating employment in Colombia. We not only care about who buys our clothes but who makes them, and that has become a strong philosophy in our team.

All of our eco fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles, and all our packaging is designed with the aim of being reused.

Another thing that I think is very important to mention is that we are all women. Obviously, the founders were all women, but in the company, we only work with women. My husband always says, “Can you imagine if someone said the opposite?

That would be like a big scandal.”

What have been the greatest rewards of the business thus far?

It is incredibly rewarding to read our customer reviews and realize that our pieces bring joy. We reach myriad clients around the world who speak different languages and live in different cultures but have one thing in common. Rönner is a brand that is unified in the universal love of the horse.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

Opposite: The versatile Top Ten Shirt Dress in the large Shutterfly Rose pattern is a perfect blend of a casual shirt dress and a long tunic.

Belt it and pair with boots or wear it open over jeans. $439.

(From the Meredith Collection and shown with Pikeur breech.)

YAGYA FOUNDERS EMELIE JINHEE JOHNSSON AND MATILDE URDINOLA

Emelie Jinhee Johnsson

Matilde Urdinola

PHOTOS NIKLAS AXELSSON

PHOTOS MADISON MONROE

Responses by Emelie Jinhee Johnsson

Is it accurate that Yagya was founded and based in Sweden?

When did Yagya launch?

Yes. We are based in Sweden, but we try to have an international approach as the majority of our customers are based abroad.

Yagya launched in November 2020.

What are the distinct roles of co-founders Matilde Urdinola and Emilie Jinhee Johnsson?

Matilde Urdinola is the CEO, and I am the creative director of Yagya. Before co-founding Yagya, Matilde had over 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur and in strategic business growth.

She was a founder of a sales agency and a social media agency, and served in various roles on executive boards focusing on growth and sales. Prior to co-founding Yagya, Emelie was a highly awarded international creative director and art director.

She operates at the intersection between strategy, design, and communication—creating brands that are powerful, relevant, functional, and memorable.

What is your personal involvement in the equestrian world?

We both have been riders since we were 6 years old. From riding schools to eventually having our own horses and ponies, we are now finally creating our dream brand for ourselves.

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Do you consider Yagya a women-owned business? How has that formed your collections and core mission?

Yagya is a female-founded company. From the start, we knew we wanted to provide women with the gear that takes them from street to stable.

Your pieces have very classic yet modern cuts. Do you intentionally steer away from embellishments?

We were tired of embellishment and ”sweet” design and wanted something that would fit our personal style and taste.

Do you define your brand as crossover street-to-stable apparel?

We are an equestrian apparel brand first, as each product is engineered with the modern rider in mind. Everything is tailored to fit the high demands of the equestrian lifestyle and is beautiful enough to be worn outside the stable.

Some of our customers aren’t riders themselves; they just buy our apparel because they like it and that makes us very happy too.

Yagya’s reversible Stable Jacket is ideal for chores at the stable. The oversized silhouette combines nylon on one side and plush flannel on the other. $380.

Stay protected from the sun and rain in the versatile Hybrid Stable Hat in tan. $95.

YAGYA

I’ve read rave reviews about your Generation Y Riding compression breeches and that they are incredibly flattering.

How have you accomplished that?

Thank you, it makes me so glad to hear! This might sound like a cliché, but it’s all about the teamwork. We work with the best designer, pattern constructor, buyer, and we source our fabric from Italy. We have a very accommodating factory in Portugal that has helped us a lot. I think we produced about 20 samples before getting it close to right. We are perfectionists when it comes to form, feel, and shape.

Can you elaborate on your aim for people to experience the Rider’s High?

It’s a deeply unique and individual feeling, but it’s the high that gets you ”hooked on horse.” It’s something all riders have experienced and keep on experiencing over and over again.

How would you describe apparel designed for what you refer to as the modern rider?

The modern rider is conscious, loves horses more than anything, and likes Yagya because we bring something new to the traditional equestrian world that has always looked the same.

What key elements distinguish you from other equestrian apparel brands?

Our conscious production, extremely high-quality products, and modern yet timeless design.

What plans do you have for the brand in the next 5 to 10 years?

The plan is to be the most innovative and fashion-forward equestrian brand in the world. We are actually already working on something new and interesting that will be launched in the coming years, but my lips are sealed!

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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Clockwise from top left: Yagya’s figure-flattering In Between Midlayer Jacket (in tan) is meant for layering over a t-shirt or under a jacket, $260; Front view of the brand’s signature Compression Riding Breeches in white. $280; Rear view of the highwaisted, figure-flattering full-grip seat Compression Riding Breeches. Model is wearing her own jacket on this page.

M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 8 3

LISA CURRY MAIR EQUESTRIAN SPORT AND COUNTRY LIFE COLORFULLY EMERGE FROM MAIR’S PICTORIAL CANVASES THAT TRANSPORT THE VIEWER TO A MORE PEACEFUL ERA.

INTERVIEW BY STEPHANIE PETERS

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Village Meet

M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 8 5

Based on a 200-acre farm in Weathersfield, Vermont, Lisa Curry Mair lives the life of a traditional New Englander. Upon intricate and detailed canvases, she infuses her historically researched visual narratives with her animals and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Over the years, she has created more than 1500 handcrafted floorcloths, murals, and paintings, which reside in private homes, historic houses, and museums here and abroad. Her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, Country Living, The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, and other notable publications. (See “Traditional Styles are Young Again” in Equestrian Quarterly, Summer, 2013. https://tinyurl. com/lisa-mair) Equestrian Living had the opportunity to visit with you and highlight your remarkable painted floorcloths in 2013. How would you describe your current area of focus, and what led to this evolution?

Currently, I am focusing on creating complex, layered paintings in mixed media with a general theme of historical and or rural subjects. This has led to a series of paintings of old barns in Vermont and New Hampshire. I have always embraced and celebrated historic crafts, itinerant painters, and self-taught artists, and that has always been reflected in my work on floorcloths, scenic murals, and paintings. Most recently, I have discovered ways to integrate painted papers, photographic images, and antique newspapers to recreate the past. I travel around in search of beautiful old barns in varying stages of disrepair and then research the area for information about who lived there and how the farms were used. Fascinating stories come out about interesting farmers or the way people got around or sold their goods or developed new ways of doing things. As these buildings struggle to stand under failing roofs, rotted timbers, and general neglect, I feel an urgency to tell their stories before they’re gone.

Horses and art have long been an integral part of your life. Does the balance of time with horses and in your studio impact the successful outcome of each?

One feeds the other. Time in the barn and caring for my equines is time for me to connect with what matters most to me. It’s a time to reflect, to observe, and to dream. My 200-year-old barn reminds me how important the past has become, and every day I explore its nooks and crannies, hoping to find more clues about its history. Every time I ride, my goal is to improve upon the previous ride—ditto with my painting. And working in my studio allows me quiet time to think about ways to improve my riding or my horse’s health or how I can incorporate the history of horses into my work.

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Do you have a particular ritual for painting?

I visualize a painting in my mind, playing with composition, color, and light, then I work out details on paper until the scale looks right and the subject “reads” well. Then I go to work on the actual piece. I find it works best if I don’t work it out too much before I start painting. The best pieces happen when I don’t have too much of a plan, and I allow myself the freedom to go where the painting takes me.

What inspires you about the folk-art style? Are there particular artists of that genre that you admire?

“Folk Art” is tricky. I don’t want my work to be cute. I want it to tell a story or evoke a feeling. But it could mean different things to different people. I want people to feel compelled to think about what’s going on in the painting. From there, it’s up to each to make observations, or learn from a piece or have some kind of gut response. Rufus Porter’s murals and Edward Hicks’ paintings inspire me endlessly. I love anything that shows that the artist wasn’t necessarily classically trained but still nails it on getting the point across. Strong use of light and texture gets me asking, “How did they do that?”

Your compositions and imagery have the ability to transport the viewer. Is that your intent?

That is completely my intent! Time travel through imagery and imagination is where I want the viewer to go. The more you look, the more you see and understand!

You suggest your work depicts a “peaceful era.” Do you think that has an even greater appeal given the fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st century?

Absolutely. I suspect the 19th century, which is of particular interest to me, was less peaceful than I like to imagine, but without the constant bombardment of news, commentary, and worry. I like to think life was much simpler, and most people living in the country were able to be more connected to their farms, animals, and communities. I hope my work nudges people gently in that direction.

Does your physical connection to the land, animals, or historic structures generate your pictorial story?

I live at the base of a mountain and share my dead-end road with several like-minded dog walkers every day. The distant views and endless variations of colors, textures, and subjects inspire me daily. The dogs, my horse, and two mini donkeys provide me with countless ideas for paintings. I am constantly snapping shots for reference. When I research farms’ pasts, I find all kinds of stories that inspire visuals for me. continued on page 90

Strafford Town House

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“TIME TRAVEL THROUGH IMAGERY AND IMAGINATION IS WHERE I WANT THE VIEWER TO GO.”

Fox Farm

Solstice Fox 88 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

Lady and Hound

The Farrier

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Bixby Barn continued from page 86

Have you ever ventured far from the rural, pastoral, or equestrian settings for your subjects?

More than 25 years in the floorcloth business had me creating all kinds of motifs. Some were quite modern with bold, contemporary designs. That always made me feel incredibly awkward, and I was always happy to return to traditional themes and historic colors. Currently, I am searching for ways to incorporate scenes from the past to address today’s problems and situations.

Do you have any major shows coming up?

In June, I will be showing a series of old barn paintings in Plainfield, New Hampshire. It will open at the Plainfield Town Hall on June 18th, and the paintings will be on display

90 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

there through the 4th of July weekend. On the 18th, the show is combined with a self-guided driven tour of old barns in Plainfield, with information about each of the barns on site.

What should we look forward to seeing next?

Just recently, a new black Labrador puppy, who I have named Porter (after Rufus Porter), has entered my life. I have already completed three paintings that he inspired, and many more are sure to be coming! I am also working on a mural that will wrap three walls of a late 18th-century colonial’s hallway in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. This one will reflect much of Rufus Porter’s style while including views of Mt. Monadnock and beautiful old CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94 homes in Jaffrey.

EQ P E O P L E

EQUINE SPORTS THERAPY discusses the importance of treating horses with complementary therapies.

CHARLOTTE LLOYD WILLIAMS

sports therapy, have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and have proven helpful in reducing the chances of musculoskeletal imbalances or injuries.

Until recently, our western culture made us susceptible to viewing these therapies as nonsense, but they are fast becoming a fundamental part of caring for the equine athlete, from competition to leisure to retirees.

The equine body is a perfectly balanced work of art. But what happens when the balance is tipped or altered in some way? Muscle spasms are a pain response; muscle atrophy is a muscle in dysfunction. A tight muscle shortens, and a shortened muscle loses range of motion, putting a strain on the tendon that it is attached to as well as the joint which may cause joint inflammation and subluxation (partial dislocation). The same happens when muscles become fatigued or overworked. Muscles work in groups and chains, and when a muscle is out of action, others work harder to keep the group functioning. Then the body enters a cycle of fatigue, impaired function, and circulation resulting in compensatory patterns. In essence, the dysfunction of a single muscle can have a cumulative, large-scale impact on the entire body— not just a single muscle—leading to possible injury, strain, altered posture, change in behavior, or loss of performance. When injury, strain or pathology occurs, the body will rescue itself in whatever way it can, and, as we all know, horses are masters of compensation.

LRG PHOTOGRAPHY

H

orses have been my life, but not always my work.

The 12 years I spent in the U.S. were formative and life changing. I unwittingly arrived wide-eyed and, frankly, clueless at corporate life. During this time, horses were still very much a feature in my life. I spent what time I could riding and later working around horses, first in a hunter-jumper barn and then for several years in a private classical dressage barn.

Stepping into the classical world was a turning point for me and opened a whole other world of horsemanship: the biomechanics of the horse and rider, timing of aids, handling and riding stallions, the benefits of complementary therapies, and the well-being, management, and training of the horse as an individual—from leisure to grand prix. I gained an appreciation of the vast difference teamwork and a supportive and encouraging environment can make to both the horse and rider. It is this philosophy that I strive to apply to my work with horses and their owners.

I returned to the U.K. in 2004 with my Thoroughbred and five other horses as an in-flight groom flying across the Atlantic.

My work as an equine sports therapy practitioner with Casbourne Equine has led me across the U.K. and abroad, from two-horse barns to the 46-horse barn; from youngsters to retirees; from leisure to racehorses in-training, with

Charlotte Lloyd Williams, equine sports therapy and rehabilitation practitioner at The Classical Riding Academy, Molecomb Stud, Goodwood, United Kingdom.

much of my work around stallions, Thoroughbreds, PREs, and those seen as “problems.”

Against many odds and a few meanderings, I found my niche in life.

W HAT IS EQUINE SPORTS T HERAPY ?

Would you turn the page if I talk about the Rectus Capitis muscles or the Brachiocephalicus muscle? But what if I speak about improving stride length; impulsion; performance? Have I captured your attention? A horse whose body is in balance will move with freedom, and therefore performs at its best.

Complementary therapies, in this case

M AY/JUNE | 20 2 2 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 9 1

EQ P E O P L E

EQUINE SPORTS THERAPY

Tension through the jaw and poll?

Tight muscles? Uneven shoulders?

Rotated ribcage or pelvis? Tilted head?

Sudden spookiness? If the head is unlevel, then the eyes and the neurological input is altered. Now apply some of those examples to the comfort of your horse and the affect they would have on your horses’ performance. What would it mean in terms of stride length, impulsion, jumping, lateral movement, right rein vs. left rein, canter leads, circles, self-carriage, walking downhill….the list is endless. How can muscle develop evenly and correctly if the body is misaligned or forced into a position? How can an equine be comfortable when its muscles are burning, in contraction, and/ or spasm? How can they be expected to do what is asked, if they are physically incapable of doing so?

Force and obstruction break the perfect biomechanics of the body.

Equines are no different from us: when you release pain and tension, you allow the entire body to rebalance and function fluidly; you give it the

opportunity to move with ease and therefore to the best of its ability.

Tension is counterproductive to effective balance and the harmony of free movement.

Posture can be changed but conformation cannot, and these two elements should never be confused. Sports therapy may prevent and alter patterns of compensation by addressing alignment, muscle memory, tone and elasticity, connective tissue, and the equine system globally. Sports therapy may hasten healing of the muscle fibers, decrease nerve entrapment, reduce nerve-root compression caused by muscle tension, and stimulate nerves to help rejuvenate an injured part of the body. Stimulation of the nerve receptors have reflex reactions affecting the vasomotor nerves, visceral (internal) organs, pain perception nerves, and the underlying joints and muscles of the areas being treated. Change happens on a cellular level. Given what we ask of our horses, it makes perfect sense to have complementary therapies as part of the care of our horses.

When working with a sports therapist, remember that every horse is unique, and therefore sessions should always be individualized to that horse. It may take several sessions before the body starts to localize to your primary and secondary sites. There may be crossovers in types of treatment. In addition to massage, I may incorporate cranial therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, Reiki, and positional releases and stretching. But a practitioner’s approach should never stop at the horse. There is often a larger environmental picture at play, and making a commitment to change requires a team effort.

Tradition and experience should never prevent us from continually learning and exploring possibilities to further understand our approach of the care and training of the horse. After all, we make every decision for them, so prevention is the best protection.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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MEET MOE AND LU The two tiny Danny & Ron rescues are ERYNN BALLARD’S best friends.

Erynn Ballard is a Canadian jumper and member of the Canadian Equestrian Team. She is one of only four Canadians to win the coveted Maclay championship.

A favorite among her peers and fans alike, Erynn is having a great year, winning numerous grand prix as well as the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award last year. grew up with dogs in a German Shepherd and Labrador kind of family, so we always had big dogs growing up. But my lifestyle would not suit a big dog, so small dogs are a part of our lives. They’re easy to travel with. You can put them in cars, on airplanes, or take them into hotels. My first small dog was Ohno. He became paralyzed when he was four and went through surgery to get his mobility back. He died at 14, so essentially he lived handicapped for ten years of his life.

He was such a strong personality. Your first dog is like your first love. I didn’t think that any other dog would ever replace him or fill the void.

When I knew I wanted a puppy again, I knew I wanted a rescue. Moe, a female, was available, and she was perfect in every way. She house trained immediately, and she is the most loyal dog that ever existed. I never felt like I was comparing her to Ohno. While there are a lot of similarities between the two, she’s so much her own person; she never lived in his shadow. I don’t know what my life would be without her.

I first saw Moe on the Danny & Ron’s Rescue Facebook page and contacted

I

98 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | MAY / J U N E | 2022

Erynn Ballard with Moe and Lu

Kim Tudor. Apparently, Carolina Animal Control got six puppies from a hoarder, and one was a pregnant female that they sent to Danny and Ron to have the puppies and prepare them for adoption.

I got Moe at the beginning of the winter of COVID in Wellington, Florida.

I’ve never been away from home in Canada as long as I was in 2020. I started to behave like a crazy person. I wouldn’t leave Moe alone. If I went out to dinner, I had a time limit because Moe was alone. I’d make sure my garage door was closed 28 times before leaving. I decided that the best solution to Moe being alone was to get another dog, and that’s how I ended up with Lu. She was one of a litter of four that was born at the rescue. She was the runt, and I had talked to Kim about her. Then my

mom sent me a message, “You know what, Danny and Ron have a new litter of small Chihuahuas.”

So I adopted Lu. I don’t even know if she weighs six pounds.

My boyfriend weighs about 300 pounds, and to see the two of them together; they’re such an unlikely pair. I always tell them that they’re soul mates. She’s a dog that’s a little nervous and hard to handle, so she can’t really be off the leash. But she loves to go on walks, and she is good at the barn.

Lu ran away from the farm last year. I don’t know how this little dog ever survived Wellington.

We had search parties out for her, and eventually, I called a psychic in England, Becky Willoughby, who is used by many dog owners here. We’ve used her quite a few times, and nearly everybody has a success story. We all have her on speed dial. She kept saying to me, “She’s in a big field with water and horses.” And I thought, great, we’re in the middle of Wellington with fields and horses, and she doesn’t come when she’s called. She is quite nervous with people. That’s surprising because both my dogs had exactly the same upbringing since the day they were born. Well, the psychic called her to go home, and she showed up.

I think now people want to rescue dogs, certainly in my group of friends.

These dogs sort of find you. Danny and Ron provide an incredible service.

Everybody I know has a success story about them. In most stables you go to, there are more dogs than horses. What would we do without them?

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

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