April/May 2016

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40 AMAZING ESCAPES FOR HORSE LOVERS COUNTRY LEGEND CHARLIE DANIELS DRESSAGE STAR AND ENTREPRENEUR CHARLOTTE JORST

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 6

EXCLUSIVE GEORGE MORRIS BOOK EXCERPT

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FEATURES A P RI L | M AY 2 0 1 6

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CHARLOTTE JORST’S LAGUNA BEACH HOME

CHARLOTTE JORST

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Dressage rider Charlotte Jorst has seen her career grow exponentially. Her positive attitude and determination have led to phenomenal success in the arena and her entrepreneurial pursuits.

AMAZING ESCAPES FOR HORSE LOVERS

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This diverse range of travel destinations will satisfy anyone consumed by wanderlust with a healthy dose of memorable experiences.

PERSONAL TRAVEL DIARY: LA BAMBA DE ARECO, ARGENTINA

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Writer and equestrian Annie Penfield pens a colorful narrative about her recent visit to an elegant estancia in the Pampas of Argentina.

NASHVILLE

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Known as Music City, this energetic Tennessee town boasts a big-town personality with small-town hospitality. It’s a city where music is magic and the experience is sublime.

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CHARLIE DANIELS

CHARLIE DANIELS

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Considered partly western and partly southern, Charlie Daniels, of the Charlie Daniels Band, is most at home at his laid-back Nashville ranch.

BELLE MEADE

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The beautifully restored mansion and grounds of Belle Meade preserve the unique character of a southern plantation while paying homage to its rich Thoroughbred roots.

RECLAIMING BEAUTY

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Designer Annie Brahler, known for her ability to transform the ordinary to extraordinary, converts a utilitarian barn into a stunning showplace.

RIDERS UP

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Artist Sandra Oppegard’s paintings vividly capture the exhilaration and subtle nuances of Thoroughbred racing.

4 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2016

Equestrian Facilities

Old World Skill & Craftsmanship

Quality isn’t a goal; it’s a way of life.

At B&D Builders, we believe that the success of any building project rests on quality materials, professional service, craftsmanship and expert engineering. We are committed to bringing you quality in our attention to detail and our eye for design, giving you a building that performs for many years to come. You can depend on B&D Builders for professional planning, scheduling and management of your project.

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EQ I N S I D E

DEPARTMENTS A P RI L | M AY 2 0 1 6

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EQ ESSENTIALS

FASHION

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Fashion advisor Karen Klopp helps us plan for the unexpected.

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20

Colorful kid’s rain boots are making a splash.

STYLE

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The art of the written note is always in vogue.

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Classic jewelry designed with timeless appeal.

FAVORITES

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Equestrian Angela Nuñez enjoys the benefits of yoga on horseback.

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FOOD/DINING

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102

Southern Pines Chef Warren shares a favorite seasonal recipe.

PEOPLE

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An engaging excerpt from George Morris’ new autobiography.

98 ON THE COVER

IN EACH ISSUE The Per Aquum Desert Palm resort in Dubai offers guests luxury accomodations, polo and other equestrian pursuits, and a desert safari to a Bedouin camp.

6 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE 8 Welcome to Equestrian Living.

RESOURCES 105 Look for to find the products and services in this issue.

BARN DOGS 106 A deserving pup finds a home in the English countryside.

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES

81

Real estate feature section: fabulous farms and ranches.

DESIGN

98

Architect John Blackburn offers design techniques for weather extremes.

GIVING BACK

102

Thunder, the Denver Broncos’ mascot, has jobs on and off the field.

True champions are created through hard work and determination.

A commitment to excellence produces winners and so it is with precast concrete fencing. Driven by quality and results, our concrete rail fences are as strong as they are beautiful. That’s why equestrian Adrienne Lyle at the TYL Dressage Center in Wellington, Florida has partnered with Superior Concrete Products. Through determination, both are dedicated Secure your surroundings.

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USA Dressage Champion & Olympic Team Member Adrienne Lyle with Superior Concrete Rail Fence

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

WELCOME

A

Dressage rider Charlotte Jorst (left), and deputy editor Jill Novotny at Charlotte’s Laguna Beach, California, home.

8 | EQU E S T R I A N L I V I NG | APRI L / MAY | 2016

n event this week inspired me to contemplate the word privilege.

It’s a word with dual meanings and several connotations. Like it or not, right or wrong, the definition referring to advantage or entitlement is all too often associated with equestrian sport.

But it is the alternative meaning of privilege—that of honor—which far surpasses the shroud of elitism that typically cloaks the sport’s culture.

Honor shone brightly on equestrians around the globe this week as they came together as a united community in staggering numbers to pay tribute to a young Australian rider who was fatally injured in a fall during the cross-country portion of an eventing competition. Her name was Olivia Inglis.

Olivia’s local community set up a Twitter hashtag, #RideForOlivia, with expectations that a few hundred people would respond to their request to send photos of themselves with their horses.

The final tribute would be a visual mosaic incorporating the hundreds of submitted photos. They underestimated.

Within days, 8 million people, predominantly equestrians from every corner of the world and every discipline, came together on social media to post condolences and photos. I was astonished by the extraordinary scope of support and generosity of heart within the equestrian community, and the galvanizing effect of a 17-year-old girl halfway around the world moved me in a profound way.

I noticed countless equestrians whom we’ve featured on the pages of Equestrian Living participating in RideForOlivia, and it reminded me how fortunate we are to

meet and have the opportunity to share unique equestrian stories on the pages of our magazine.

In this issue, you’ll meet Charlotte Jorst, a dressage rider and entrepreneur, whose unflinching determination and positive attitude yields tremendous success in and out of the arena. Our deputy editor met with Charlotte at her spectacular, cliff-side home in Laguna Beach, California.

We kick back and visit Nashville, Tennessee, that perfect place where smalltown charm and traditions meet up with big-city dreams and opportunity. It’s down home and uptown. It’s roping and cutting and strumming and picking. It’s comfort food and haute cuisine, and it’s arguably one of the best live-music scenes in the country. It’s a town that Charlie Daniels, one of Nashville’s premiere musicians, calls home—and you’ll meet him too.

We’ve also published our third-annual travel feature that presents truly tempting options—both on and off the luxurytravel radar. I’ve added a few to my bucket list, and I suspect you’ll do the same.

We’ve rounded out this issue with an interesting mix of artists, designers, writers, culinary wonders, and various objects of desire.

HIT TING OUR M AR K

We eagerly awaited reader’s feedback on our first issue of Equestrian Living. With the exception of a very few comments, we received resounding approval. Thank you.

Presenting the engaging stories and visual narratives assembled by our creative team of writers, photographers, and artists continues to be a privilege and an honor.

www.KarinaBrez.com | 561.400.4085 Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Wellington, FL | Old Salem Farm Spring Show , Salem, NY Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, NC | Hampton Classic Horse Show, Bridgehampton, NY American Gold Cup, North Salem, NY

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A S H I O N

EVENTING WE WILL GO STYLISH

and PRACTICAL fashion options for Mother Nature’s whims.

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J. Crew: 1-5, 7-9 Hunter: 6, 7 1. Navy and white Cotton Jackie Cardigan. $75.

2. Sam sunglasses in tortoise black. $118.

3. Navy and white Cotton Jackie Shell. $52.50.

4. Paulmann Panama Hat with striped band. $65.

5. Excursion Vest in navy. $120.

6. Women’s original Low Wedge Rain Boots in midnight/mineral blue. $136.99.

7. Waterproof original Clear Poncho in tarp blue. $230.

8. Leather backpack in sweet caramel. $238.

9. Navy Minnie Pant in stretch twill. $69.50.

BY KAREN KLOPP

am a huge fan of the eventing world, having tons of friends and family involved at many levels in this exciting and fascinating sport. It boggles the mind how the same brave steed and rider can perform the precision moves required by the exacting parameters of dressage, go flat out at breakneck speed across the countryside flying over an assemblage of obstacles designed for visual and physical challenge, and end the competition composed and confident, boldly performing a pattern of intricate jumps in the show ring.

It is not surprising that the discipline was first introduced at the 1912 Olympics, then known as the Millitaire, and open to Army officers mounted on 10 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

Karen Klopp, or KK to her friends, is a writer, award-winning documentary film producer, life-long conservationist, traveler, board member, event chairman, wife, and mother of three.

She also founded What2WearWhere.com, a luxury lifestyle brand and website that helps today’s busy women dress for all of life’s events, sports, and travel. She has contributed to Quest magazine, More magazine and the Huffington Post and has appeared on radio and Good Day New York, offering practical advice to the age-old question, “What do I wear?”

their chargers. The competition mimicked military training of the day for precision, speed, and fitness.

One of the most popular venues to witness this spectacle is the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event taking place in late April at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. As a spectator, you are close to the action, both in the stands and on the course, to witness the heroic cross-country sprints. Packing your bags efficiently in a single color scheme can provide you with chic selections to mix and match for a variety of events. We all know that Mother Nature can be a little whimsical in the spring, so we have chosen pieces to layer with ease, keeping you smartly and PAGE 105 stylishly on course.

EQ A P R I L / M A Y

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LIVING

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VOLUME 5 NUMBER 2 EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters DEPUTY EDITOR Jill B. Novotny PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper EDITORS AT LARGE Georgina Bloomberg and Ann Leary DESIGN MANAGER Mary A. Stroup SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Carly Neilson EDITORIAL MANAGER Rose DeNeve ASSISTANT EDITOR Abigail Googel EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer CONTRIBUTORS John Blackburn, Karen Klopp, Holly Matt, George Morris, Dot Moyer, Angela Nuñez, Annie Penfield, Meg Weir INTERN Yeting Shen PUBLISHER C.W. Medinger CONSULTANT George Fuller PRINT John Spittle, Lane Press TECHNOLOGY Matt Tarsi NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Richard Trummer, Curtis Circulation Co. GLOBAL PARTNER PUBLICATIONS EQUISTYLE, Germany; HORSEMANSHIP, China ADVERTISING SALES NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Debb Pyle, 434-806-6685, pyle@eqliving.com EQUINE & WESTERN REAL ESTATE, Rodney Brooks, 510-695-5254, brooks@eqliving.com REAL ESTATE & SOUTHEAST, Joyce Jones, 954-796-1809, jones@eqliving.com SPECIAL ACCOUNTS, Dick Holcomb, 770-331-7788, dickholc@bellsouth.net EQ ADVISORY BOARD Bob Cacchione, Founder IHSA Carol Cohen, Dressage, Wellington, Fla. Deborah Deutsch, Polo, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Melissa Ganzi, Polo, Wellington, Fla. Peter Leone, Lionshare Farm, Greenwich, Conn.

Colleen and Tim McQuay, Reining, Tioga, Texas Mindy Peters, Arabians, Los Alamos, Calif.

Chris Pratt, Hunter Jumper West, Los Angeles, Calif.

Renee Spurge, Fashion | LA Saddlery, Los Angeles, Calif.

Chester Weber, Combined Driving, Ocala, Fla. EQUESTRIAN QUARTERLY 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 $19.95 | Canada $36.95.

Subscribe at eqliving.com/subscribe or EQ, Box One, Brownsville, VT 05037.

To purchase past issues or find newsstands offering EQ, visit eqliving.com/where-to-buy Subscription management and address changes: eqliving.com/manage-subscription Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor: info@eqliving.com ©2016. All rights reserved, Wynnwood Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in print or online without written permission.

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EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE in its inaugural year by American

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Horse Publications.

CURTIS CIRCULATION COMPANY

12 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

She’s Walked In Your Boots More than just a dedicated real estate advisor, Carol Cohen is a fellow equestrian who has personally bought and sold two of the area’s most distinguished equestrian estates. She knows real estate from the both sides of the fence.

Carol is deeply committed to the Wellington equestrian community. A former hunter jumper rider turned FEI-level dressage competitor, Carol is a founding sponsor of the Global Dressage Festival and the inspiration behind the Global Dressage Visionary Awards.

Carol knows horses, houses and Wellington! Whether you are interested in purchasing the property of your dreams or listing your current home to serious inquirers, contact Engel & Völkers real estate advisor, Carol Cohen.

Carol Cohen • Phone +1 561-756-4844 • Fax +1 561-791-2221 www.carolcohen.evusa.com • Wellington, Florida • Carol.Cohen@evusa.com

©2016 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | S T Y L E

DEAR FRIEND The art of the HAND-WRITTEN NOTE is always in vogue.

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1. Felix Doolittle’s Delftware Horse, cotton writing paper. Boxed in 20 sheets with matching envelopes. $65. 2. The Peerless 125 Platinum Plate medalist fountain pen by Cross. Carries a wide 18k gold nib. $550. 3. Montblanc Meisterstück Platinum Line 149. Deep black precious resin with platinum details. Finished with a handcrafted 18k gold nib with rhodiumcoated inlay. $985. 4. Graf von Faber-Castell 2016 Pen of the Year. Platinum-plate finish. Black lacquer with flamed-maple paneling. Handmade in Germany. Price upon request. 5. Set-of-10 Rocking Horse notecards and matching envelopes adorned with gold and detailed engraving

by Dempsey & Carroll. $40. 6. Morning Ride cotton writing paper by Felix Doolittle. Boxed in 20 sheets with matching envelopes. $65.

7. Graf von Faber-Castell Intuition fountain pen in ribbed terra. Hand made in Germany. Price

upon request. 8. Montblanc Bohème Doué Moongarden features delicately lacquered, red-gold colored leaves on a gray-toned metal surface, complemented by a handcrafted retractable gold nib. $1,015. 9. Mandarin HorseEngraved set-of-12 notecards and hand-lined envelopes by Connor. At select Barneys New York stores. $85. 10. Engraved equestrian correspondence cards featuring a sophisticated steed by Crane & Co. Set-of-10 with lined envelopes. $29. 11. Parker Premier deep black lacquer fountain pen with golden trims. Rich, glossy finish with 18k gold nib. $360. 12. English Saddle vertical correspondence cards with silver stirrups by Dempsey & Carroll. Boxed with hand-lined envelopes in set-of-10. $45.

13. Engraved Equestrian Note by Crane & Co. paired with hunter green envelope lining. 10 per box. $29.00.

PAGE 105

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THE FOX HUNT DIARIES

DON’T DREAD WINTER.

2015 GOLD LIST: THE BEST OF EQUESTRIAN LIFE

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AMAZING ESCAPES FOR HORSE LOVERS COUNTRY STAR CHARLIE DANIELS

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EQ P E O P L E

GEORGE MORRIS

UNRELENTING An exclusive excerpt from GEORGE MORRIS’ new autobiography, UNRELENTING.

Reprinted by permission of Trafalgar Square Books.

STARTING WRIGHT: HOW GEORGE MET GORDON… AND THE REST MADE HISTORY.

F

lying Banners, a 16.1 hand three-quarter-bred brown mare with a white star, became mine in the end of 1949. She wasn’t particularly fancy to look at, but what a wonderful jumper! I began learning to jump bigger fences on her and get a feel for timing. Otto Heuckeroth would take us out in a group on long cross-country rides over fences, some of them incredibly lasting four hours or more. One of these cross-country rides earned the ominous nickname “the Terrible Three and the Gory Four.” I can still recall the steep uphill jumps and downhill drops over stone walls, jumping four to four-foot-three in height—it took guts! Flying Banners made me brave because she was an absolute jumping machine.

It’s hard to imagine now, but at only 11 years old, Otto encouraged me to jump quite big fences and even show in the Open Working Hunter Division.

Flying Banners somehow carried me as a boy over those four to four-foot-six courses. For a timid boy with shaky nerves, it was playing with fire, and as the summer continued, a few mistakes

16 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

led to me losing confidence little by little. The jumps were more and more imposing. I felt so fearful at times that I wanted to quit riding altogether.

O

ne of Gordon Wright’s 12 commandments for a teacher says, “prevent physical fear,” since it is impossible to learn with it. He was right. I had stopped learning and been consumed with fear of getting hurt over those big jumps.

A few of the older kids I knew from the Ox Ridge Hunt Club, like Glenna

Lee Maduro (later, de Rham) and Victor Hugo-Vidal, rode with Gordon Wright at his Secor Farms, which was about half an hour down the road in White Plains, New York. Gordon had developed a reputation as a teacher for serious young riders. Glenna’s mother, a very good horsewoman herself who likely witnessed my deflating confidence over fences, took my mother aside and suggested that she take me down to ride with Gordon Wright at Secor Farms.

Gordon was a brilliant instructor with a gift for communication and an understanding of the psychology of the horse-rider relationship. He grew up on a ranch in Utah, skilled at riding anything he could throw his leg over, including broncs and bulls. As a young man, Gordon secured work with rodeos and carnivals with his early specialty of riding two horses standing up on their backs. He later joined the Army cavalry in the early 1920s, and while on leave from the Army in 1927, he entered a competition at Madison Square Garden in Fred Bebee’s World Series Rodeo.

Dazzling the crowd, Gordon won a $600 prize! Weighing the limitations and danger of rodeo riding next to the potential for a successful riding stable in the New York area, he took a risk and used his prize money to finance the purchase of a stable in Bronxville, New York.

Gordon quickly became known as the

EQ P E O P L E

“The jumps were more and more imposing.

I felt so fearful at times that I wanted to quit riding altogether.”

G

AT HOME WITH

GEORGE MORRIS EQ photography director, GEORGE KAMPER visited the Wellington, Fla., home of the equestrian legend for some PERSONAL PORTRAITS.

eorge H. Morris is a legend in the show-jumping community and needs no introduction to many EQ readers. Over the course of his career, he has been highly successful as a rider, coach, clinician, author, and judge.

Morris was one of the top junior riders of his time. He won the prestigious 1952 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Championship and the AHSA Hunt Seat Equitation Medal Final when he was only 14 years old. He went on to be one of the best U.S. representatives the sport has

ever seen, riding for the United States on eight winning Nations Cup teams between 1958 and 1960. He helped his team win a gold medal at the 1959 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Morris trained numerous riders at Hunterdon Stables in New Jersey. His students have won medals in the 1984, 1992, 1996, and 2004 Olympic Games.

With Morris at the helm as the U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe, from 2005 to 2012, the team won the gold medal at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics, and also won individual and team silver medals at the

2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Morris has often been referred to as the founding father of hunt-seat equitation and his teachings, technique, and style are revered around the world. His book, Hunter Seat Equitation, originally published in 1971, is often recognized as the definitive work on the subject and is now in its third edition. He has also authored several other books and videos on riding and judging, including George Morris Teaches Beginners to Ride, A Clinic for Instructors, Parents, and Students, and The American Jumping Style.

After he retired as Chef d’Equipe, Morris set his sights on developing the future of the sport by conducting clinics around the world. He focuses on helping riders develop correct form and function and currently travels widely teaching clinics. One of his main events is the Gladstone Program, established by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. It is an intensive week of training and education for exceptionally dedicated and talented show-jumping riders who are serious about their interest and desire to pursue a path that will prepare them for international competition.

See the EQ feature AT HOME WITH GEORGE MORRIS, A PHOTO GALLERY BY GEORGE KAMPER. eqliving .com/morris/

well-loved, premier New York-area riding instructor in the 1930s and moved his business to a new stable called Secor Farms in White Plains. Being a Jewish cowboy from out West, there was some bias against Gordon because he wasn’t what the social elite called “Our class, Dear,” but he was so gregarious that few

could resist his charms. Women competed for his affections and men crowded around to play cards and drink with him.

When World War II began, Gordon returned to the cavalry and served at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he received the most sophisticated jumping training available in the country at the time, through

the methodology developed by Colonel Chamberlin. As a second lieutenant, Gordon soon began riding for the United States in international competition. After the cavalry disbanded in 1948, there was no representation in international competition by an official U.S. team.

Continued on page 18

A PRIL/MAY | 201 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 1 7

EQ P E O P L E

“(Gordon) started me from scratch, literally from a standstill... and taught me basics like keeping my eyes up and focused ahead.

His very methodical and technical approach rebuilt my riding and my confidence.”

However, Bob Henry and his wife, Betty Jane, who rode at Secor Farms, worked with Gordon to incorporate the United States Equestrian Team, and Gordon rode on the team in 1949 and held training sessions for team candidates. People had a love-hate relationship with Gordon; he was rough around the edges with stable management and wasn’t as polished as others would’ve liked. Later, the leadership of the USET was taken over by some who felt Gordon wasn’t the right choice.

B

y the time my mother began driving me to White Plains for lessons, Secor Farms was already very well established. We used to joke around and call it “Sucker Farms” because while the Ox Ridge Hunt Club charged only three dollars for a riding lesson, it was a whole ten dollars a lesson with Gordon! The stable itself had three levels stacked one upon the other, with the top floor housing the well-cared-for, glossy show horses. Even as a boy, I noticed how the standards fell off on the lower floors of the barn. After Otto Heuckeroth’s top horsemanship and care at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club, I could see that some of Secor’s horses suffered from a level of neglect.

Upon arriving at Secor Farms for my first lesson, I was instructed to get on an old school horse, Silver King. He

18 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEORGE H. MORRIS.

Continued from page 17

Riding Flying Banners on the outside course at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club (1950).

Bareback jumping on Flying Banners (1949).

had probably foundered and wasn’t good for much more than slow gaits and tiny fences, but it was the perfect way for me to relax and start at the beginning, learning Gordon’s methods. He started me from scratch, literally from a standstill on Silver King, and taught me basics like keeping my eyes up and focused ahead. His very methodical and technical approach rebuilt my riding and my confidence.

Gordon talked my father into sending Flying Banners to Secor Farms for me to ride, but not long afterward she succumbed to the poor care and got botulism from moldy hay. My poor mare was sick for months and nearly died! All the ladies at Secor felt so sorry for me that my horse was sick and smothered me with their attention. As soon as she was well enough to travel, we sent Flying Banners immediately back to the Ox Ridge Hunt Club and Otto Heuckeroth’s excellent care. Otto resurrected her and I continued to ride her there, even as I was taking lessons down in White Plains with Gordon.

I

n the early days riding at Secor Farms, Gordon had a student named Mrs. Thomas Manville, the wife of a businessman who ran the H.W. Johns Manville Company, a famous chemical manufacturer.

Mr. Manville’s British (and much younger) wife, Georgie, was paired up with me to ride in semi-private lessons with Gordon.

EQ P E O P L E

UNRELENTING by George H. Morris with Karen Robertson Terry, is the legendary rider, trainer, and coach’s autobiography.

Not only does it provide a fascinating tour through the international show-jumping scene over the past six decades; it shares the very private side of a man notorious for his public persona.

Published by Trafalgar Square Books of North Pomfret, Vermont. horseandriderbooks.com

Even though she was much older than I was, Georgie and I became close friends. As he taught us in the ring, Gordon would call her “Big George” and me “Little George.”

Over time, I could tell that Gordon had grown fond of Georgie and they had a twinkle in their eye for one another. Months later, we were at the Boulder Brook Horse Show and heard terrible news: Georgie was in her car on the way to the show and had somehow opened her car door accidentally at a traffic light, slipped out of her seat, and was run over by her own car.

I still remember how Gordon was very shaken up by the news that she had died.

Squadron A had a big April horse show and I planned to show Flying Banners. My father, being a member of this prestigious gentlemen’s club,

Morris (far left) Gordon Wright, Glenna Lee Maduro, and Cynthia Stone, hunt-team winners in 1952.

couldn’t wait for me to ride and jump in the Open Working Hunters like I had back at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club shows the previous year.

He no doubt had visions of watching me jump those huge fences while he looked on proudly, surrounded by his friends. As the show was approaching, Gordon fell ill from malaria and was in bed recovering for weeks afterward.

When Gordon heard that I was going to ride in the show, he sent strict orders to my father from his hospital bed that I was not, under any circumstances, to jump higher than three-foot courses.

That’s just one example of the strength of Gordon’s care and attention to detail that his pupils benefitted from and I was very fortunate to call him a mentor.

A PRIL/MAY | 201 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 1 9

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A S H I O N

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5. Lavender horse Junior Girls Welly rain boots by Joules. Hard-wearing rubber with sidebuckle detail. $44.95. 6. Rain Boot Stripes by BOGS. The 100 percent waterproof boot features a sure-footed outsole and a foot bed that keeps feet dry and fresh. $50.

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PAGE 105

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

YOGA ON HORSEBACK The benefits of practicing YOGA ON HORSEBACK are endless.

A

BY ANGELA NUÑEZ

yogi’s goal is to quiet the mind. Once “eyes up, heels down, hands quiet” becomes second nature, we riders should aim to quiet our minds as well. My journey to finding peace began with horses, and it continues with my yoga practice—both on the mat and on horseback. I began practicing yoga on horseback out of curiosity. My passion for both yoga and horses fueled a question in my mind: what would happen if I combined the two?

P U T T I N G E G O A SI D E

Horses and yoga taught me to put my ego aside and listen to a deeper wisdom, which means accepting my body as it is each time I practice on my mat. If my balance is a little off or tension is present in certain muscles, I accept it and do my yoga to the best of my ability. A yoga practice includes not just the asanas (physical poses), but also pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation.

When I find myself struggling during pranayama or meditation, I remember NOTE: It is very important to have someone on the ground holding the horse when attempting any of these postures.

22 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

“QUIETING YOUR MIND WHILE RIDING IS A GIFT TO HORSES.” that accepting my breath and mind as they are, is a better way to find peace than fighting against all the thoughts buzzing around in my brain. When I’m riding or practicing yoga on my horse, I also work towards that same calm, quiet place within. And when I find it, my horse can tell. He relaxes and softens instantly.

Quieting your mind while riding is a gift to horses. They can sense when our energy is scattered and when it is focused

and calm. When I first began practicing yoga on my horse, my mind wasn’t very calm. I was a bit nervous—after all, the things I was attempting to do with my horse were unprecedented for us. Snowy, my horse, has a naturally calm demeanor, but he has his way of letting me know when he doesn’t like a pose. I’m always very mindful of him, making sure that I’m not causing him any discomfort. As a lifelong horsewoman, not only can I read my horse’s body language, I can feel his emotions, and I know he can feel mine.

I’ve had Snowy since he was born, and our bond is very close.

When he does become uncomfortable, he gets fidgety, which is his way of letting me know he doesn’t like what I’m doing.

As soon as he does, I stop attempting the pose that was making him unhappy.

Most of the time, however, Snowy stands quietly, and he genuinely seems to enjoy our yoga sessions. We each go into a positive and calm state of mind—our own meditation.

M EDITATION IN M OT I ON

Meditation in motion is how I think of my yoga practice on horseback. I start by doing groundwork with Snowy, followed by a few minutes of mounted work at the Continued on page 24

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EQ E S S E N T I A L S | F A V O R I T E S

HORSE POWER

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walk and trot to make sure his back is warmed up, relaxed, and lifted. I always use a bareback pad during my yoga sessions with him to provide padding for his back. Practicing seated poses is my favorite way to begin, because it allows my body to warm up before moving on to more challenging poses. As I focus on keeping my breath slow, even, and deep, I move through seated versions of warrior I and II, triangle, and pigeon. Next I move through cat/cow, tiger, and cobra poses to warm up my spine. If everything feels good up to this point, I move on to downwardfacing dog, dolphin, mountain, standing backbend, and a series

IN YOGA AND HORSEMANSHIP THE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO GROW.

One great performer deserves another.

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YOGA ON HORSEBACK Continued from page 22

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of other challenging poses. When Snowy and I are having a really good day, I’ll work on a variety of arm balances, including crow, side crow, and fallen angel. Some of the challenging standing poses I practice on Snowy include tree, dancer, and warrior III. This list of poses is not exhaustive. I’m always trying new poses as my strength and balance increase, but I don’t practice all of the poses I’ve mentioned in one session.

T

he experience of savasana (corpse pose) on horseback is hard to beat. It is by far my favorite pose to do with Snowy. Although this pose is not physically challenging, it is mentally demanding. During savasana, a yogi’s aim is to find complete peace in the mind. When it’s time for savasana, I lie back, completely supported by Snowy, and I match my breathing to his. I ease into silencing my mind with much less effort than when I practice the same pose on my mat.

The benefits of practicing yoga on horseback are endless. My balance and strength have improved immensely. My

relationship with Snowy has deepened, and we trust each other more than ever before. Practicing yoga on a horse instead of a mat also offers instant feedback on your state of mind. If your thoughts are all over the place and you’re not feeling centered, your horse will let you know. Once you finally take that deep breath of relaxation, your horse will too. Not only is Snowy my yoga partner, he is my yoga mirror. He reflects back to me my inward state of being.

In yoga and horsemanship, there is always room to grow.

I currently have my 200-hour yoga teacher certification and my sights set on a 500-hour certification in the future. I also hope to teach horse yoga to others. In my riding, I spend most

of my time on the trails. I enjoy the beauty of the Virginia countryside, but I also enjoy progressing in my natural horsemanship skills and continuing to deepen my relationship with Snowy. Yoga is a journey into the self, and horses are a mirror for the inner self. The two are complementary, and I encourage you to remain open-minded in your yoga practice and your horsemanship.

My journey of exploring my yoga practice on my horse has taught me that there’s always room for more courage, more trust, more compassion, and more growth. Where will this journey take me in the future? I don’t know, but I’m excited to find out.

Angela Nuñez is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and lifelong equestrian.

She has experience in hunt seat, dressage, stock seat, eventing, and fox hunting. She

currently resides in the beautiful countryside of northern Virginia, where she is busy teaching yoga and working as a barn manager.

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Charlotte and her mount, Vitalis, share a laugh.

Her shirt, from Kastel’s Charlotte collection, has mesh inner sleeves for comfort and offers protection from the sun.

28 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

A SMILING SUCCESS

BY JILL NOVOTNY

CHARLOTTE JORST

C

The Danish-born dressage star and entrepreneur is positively passionate. ompared to

many top riders, Charlotte Jorst began riding late in life. She was 35 when she bought her first horse and began taking lessons. “As a child, I had ridden the Norwegian fjord horses bareback, but that was it,�

Charlotte told Equestrian Living (EQ) as we visited with her at her stunning oceanside villa, Rockledge, in Laguna Beach, California.

The villa, a 100-year-old National Historic Site and a second home for the Jorsts, is an intriguing PHOTO COURTESY CHARLOTTE JORST

maze of gardens, 12 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and numerous balconies that winds up the steep cliff by the Pacific. It was carved out of the rock, and handcut stairs descend to 100 feet of beach. Over the years, Rockledge has welcomed Hollywood royalty. Actress A PRIL/MAY | 201 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 2 9

S

“Skin cancer is a growing threat, especially for young women.”

Bette Davis met her third husband here, and Errol Flynn was known to visit.

Jorst currently trains her horses at a nearby stable outside of San Diego.

When she’s not by the beach or traveling the world to compete in the highest levels of dressage, she lives primarily at her ranch in Reno, Nevada.

As anyone who has met Charlotte can attest, her energy is infectious. She radiates positivity and a glow of contentment. Her drive to succeed seems to extend to every part of her life, from her tremendously successful business ventures to her riding career.

She and her husband, Henrik, originally moved from their homeland of Denmark to New York City, where, from their apartment, they built Skagen Designs. The business grew to become a hugely successful company known for its sleek watches embodying the best of minimalist Danish design.

When she decided to resume riding, Charlotte chose to take dressage lessons.

“I looked at the hunter jumpers, but I felt like the timing wasn’t right. I really wanted to ride competitively. I wanted to be good, and I want to go to the Olympics—that’s my goal. The timing for me was just much better in dressage,” she explained.

After Skagen was acquired by Fossil, the world’s largest watch company, in 2012, Charlotte was suddenly free to pursue her riding career in earnest.

30 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

CW MEDINGER

S U C C E S S I N TH E SA DDL E

She began to buy horses that would become her teammates in her climb to the top of the sport: Kastel’s Nintendo and Kastel’s Adventure. This year in Wellington, Jorst competed successfully on Kastel’s Akeem Foldager, who arrived from Europe early last year. Her most recent addition to the team, Stanford, is a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding. She treats her horses with the respect and appreciation of teammates, and works together with them as athletes to become a stronger, better team with each ride.

Jorst also competed on a 16-year-old named Asterios, whom she had ridden earlier in her career before he suffered an injury. “I promised to get him back,” she said, “and we did. I rode him in the Intermediate I, and we won the best score in the country. It was a really moving thing, a wonderful moment.

“Those are the things that make the journey worthwhile,” she added. “When you make a promise to your horses and you fulfill it—that’s as satisfying as anything. It’s really amazing to be able to do that.”

Over the past year, her career has grown by leaps and bounds. “2015 was really a year of firsts,” Charlotte beamed. “I competed for the first time in Wellington, in Europe, and in New York City. It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that was the best, because each thing we did was just better than the last. It’s just been unbelievable.”

Continued on page 35

ROBERT HANSEN ROBERT HANSEN

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ROBERT HANSEN

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SUSAN STICKLE

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S

“Sometimes you forget to just stop and think...it makes me realize how much we’ve done. It’s been fantastic.”

Charlotte ended sixth in the rankings in the U.S. last year after winning the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Grand Prix with the highest score in the country for an adult amateur. She also competed in the grand prix at Nations Cup in Europe, where the team won the bronze medal.

“At the Festival of Champions in Wellington, I went for the first time last year, and I was completely nervous.

I was like a deer in the headlights,” she laughed. “So now I really look forward to going back and showing what we can do.

We’ve done so much, and I’ve learned a lot.”

Charlotte’s season at WEF has been remarkable. In early March, the USEF announced that Jorst a will be representing the USA at this year’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden.

large proportion of equestrians,” said Charlotte. “People think that in normal clothing, they’re protected. But it’s not enough. Most people don’t know that harmful UV rays aren’t blocked by a normal shirt.”

With her Danish design heritage, it was important to her that the clothing was not only comfortable and protective, but also stylish and innovative.

“Kastel is going fantastically,” she said. “It’s growing by leaps and bounds in the U.S., and we’re going to Europe as well.”

FAM ILY TIES

DA N G E RS F ROM T H E SU N

Charlotte’s fair skin and long exposure to intense sunlight while riding resulted in her developing skin cancer.

“I thought, ‘what can I ride in that will keep me both protected and comfortable?’ I looked everywhere and there was nothing. I knew other people must have this issue, so I came up with this special

Opposite: Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo have enjoyed a remarkable season of competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Florida, competing, celebrating, and modeling Kastel’s clothing line.

fabric,” she explained. “I’m allergic to many kinds of weird textiles, so I had to search hard and I finally found it.”

This led to her founding Kastel Denmark, a clothing company that features a sleek line of cool and stylish riding apparel. But her primary focus was to design comfortable clothing that offered much-needed sun protection for equestrians who are frequently exposed to significant amounts of harmful UV rays.

“Skin cancer is a growing threat, especially for young women, a population that happens to make up a

Charlotte’s oldest daughter, Camilla, is a hunter jumper rider who now works with Kastel to help spread the word about the company’s products and the dangers of sun exposure for equestrians.

Though Charlotte is constantly smiling, laughing, and emphasizing the positive, it is clear that she has a serious drive and an indefatigable determination to succeed. Her sights are set on competing in the Olympics, and she is constantly working toward that goal.

Charlotte’s wild success in both business and riding can be attributed to her passion. “Sometimes you forget to just stop and think,” she admits. “You’re always looking for the next thing, the next challenge. It’s actually quite good to talk to Equestrian Living. It makes me realize how much we’ve done. It’s been fantastic. And the year ahead is sure to be PAGE 105 just as exciting.”

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THIRD ANNUAL TRAVEL GUIDE

SERENITY OR ADVENTURE: FIND YOUR ESCAPE

UTAH See Page 44

A M A Z IN G E S C A P E S ARGENTINA See Page 46

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DUBAI See Page 40

F O R H O R S E LOV E R S IRELAND See Page 42

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ICELAND ADVENTURE

ew travel destinations offer the adventure, the history, and the spectacular beauty of Iceland. The black ashes of recent volcanic eruptions and the bubbling hot springs remind visitors of the true power beneath the earth’s surface, while tall snow-capped mountains and lush meadows beckon them to explore further.

Horses were brought to the island over a thousand years ago by the Vikings, and the animals have been isolated there ever since. As a result, the Icelandic horse is unique, known for its flowing mane and its tölt, a smooth running-walk gait.

Experienced horseback riders are invited to join Adventure Women on a custom-designed riding trek. Offered only to women, the trip includes three nights at an Icelandic farm and two nights at a

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GLACIERS AND VOLCANOES ON THIS WOMEN-ONLY ODYSSEY

guesthouse in the countryside. The daily rides, which are quite strenuous, range from 12 to 20 miles per day through valleys, mountains, lava fields, and rushing rivers.

Each woman rides up to six different horses during the trip, though the entire herd of nearly 70 horses accompanies the group most of the way. To end the week, the itinerary also includes a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon mineral hot pools, where guests can experience a well-deserved massage.

To experience Iceland is to gain insight into the past in a way no longer possible in many other parts of the world. Iceland’s isolation has left much of the evidence of its long history intact, while the processes that formed our planet are so clearly and pristinely displayed. What better way to explore it than the way it was done for over a thousand years: aboard an Icelandic horse?

PAGE 105

HOMESTEAD RESORT, VIRGINIA

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elebrating its 250th year, the Omni Homestead has seen centuries of history, eras of war and peace, and visitors of all kinds, including some of our country’s founding fathers. The luxurious resort is also a National Historic Landmark, having welcomed its first guests a full decade before the American Revolution.

In 1766, the Homestead was just an 18-room lodge located on a 300-acre tract owned by Thomas Bullitt. Over the years, buildings and wings have been added and, of course, updated. Today, the resort encompasses 2,300 acres and has 483 guest rooms.

The historic ambiance and cozy rooms are rivaled by the extensive list of indoor and outdoor activities available. Summertime offers sportsman fly-fishing, hiking, and archery. Winter activities include skiing, snowmobile tours, and ice skating.

LUXURY ABOUNDS AT THIS BIRTHPLACE OF SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

The resort owns 48 horses and offers horseback riding and carriage rides throughout the year. The equestrian center, situated about a quarter-mile from the front entrance, welcomes guests to meet the horses, and those with reservations can take trail rides through the clean, mountain air of the Alleghenies.

The resort also offers lead-line rides for children.

Situated above a natural mineral spring, the spa at the Homestead incorporates the healing benefits of hot baths into the various treatments offered in its 28 treatments rooms.

The spa’s river reflexology walk, which is fed by the hot springs, boasts a naturally pressurized deluge shower. Thomas Jefferson sought relief for his rheumatism in the springs for over three weeks, taking the waters two times per day. He described the springs and resort as “of the first merit.” High PAGE 105 praise, indeed.

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PER AQUUM DESERT PALM, DUB AI

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our full-size championship polo fields surround this manicured estate, just 15 minutes from downtown Dubai. You can watch the highest levels of the sport of kings being played October through April, directly from your room’s wide windows. Or if you’d prefer, catch a sunset chukker from the rooftop terrace.

Here, the mix of European and Arabian influences is a notable break from the conventionally opulent luxury hotels that dot the city. The Per Aquum Desert Palm merges classic forms of local architecture with avant-garde design to create an oasis of lush green fields and shady palms in the ancient sun-soaked desert.

Service and dining are of the highest levels, provided by polo-shirt-clad attendants.

Venture just outside to search for bargains at the souk or cruise the Dubai Creek aboard a traditional Arabian dhow.

A UNIQUE MIX OF EUROPEAN AND ARABIAN STYLE

Or climb into a vintage Land Rover for a desert safari to a Bedouin camp inside a royal desert retreat and dine under the stars, while lamps flicker over the sand.

Equestrian style is on full display at the Per Aquum Desert Palm. “A giant statue of a horse’s head in the outer courtyard sets the tone: this is a hotel obsessed with all things equine,” says The Telegraph in its review of the resort.

“There are polo magazines in reception, by the pool, and in the rooms; pony statuettes in the lounge; even the phone pads have pictures of polo players on them.”

Not only can you witness world-class horse sports, but as a guest you have access to a huge number of horse-related activities at the breath-taking equestrian facilities. The 300-stall stable offers riding and polo lessons, and three tracks loop the grounds for riding, jogging, and cycling.

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CONNEMARA , IRELAND

or many equestrians, Ireland is a mecca of horsemanship.

Breeders, trainers, riders, drivers, and adventure seekers have long gravitated toward the country’s equestrian culture, unique breeds, and beautiful landscape. Another dream shared by many riders: riding on the beach. To complete this equestrian bucket list, look to the west coast of Ireland in a region known as Connemara.

Connemara Equestrian Escapes offers custom itineraries for horseback journeys, ranging from three to seven days, that follow the wild atlantic way, with the breath-taking grandeur of the region’s mountains, lakes, and coastline and the promise of plenty of beach riding.

The company is run by a family that breeds and competes horses. Their homebred Connemara ponies are produced specifically for extra height, kind temperament, sure-footedness, and sometimes quirky personalities. A selection of Irish draft horses,

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RIDE ON THE BEACH WITH THE HELP OF SUREFOOTED CONNEMARA PONIES

renowned for their strength and intelligence is also available for taller riders.

Founder Cáit Goaley explains, “These trips are an opportunity to lap up the peace, tranquillity, and everything else this special place has to offer with the help of our honest and surefooted Connemara ponies and Irish draft horses.”

Most vacations begin at Cáit’s luxury farmhouse on the shores of Lough Corrib.

Other accommodations along the route include some of Ireland’s highest-rated resorts: the Renvyle House Hotel and Resort, the Cashel House Hotel, and Ballynahinch Castle, all unique and incredible historic resorts. Luxurious yet cozy, these lodgings will ensure a memorable stay.

In addition to the trail adventures, some guests choose to include intensive cross-country clinics or a hunting break. Recently, the company also launched their equine-assisted wellness retreat, which offers non-riders the benefits of the calming presence of a PAGE 105 horse.

THE FOUR SE ASONS , LANAI, HAWAII

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n a 90,000-acre secluded island just nine miles from Maui, the Four Seasons Lanai is a paradise of old Hawaii. Untouched by fast-food restaurants and traffic lights, the island is a lush and natural oasis, where relaxation and luxury meet natural beauty and the rich traditions of island life.

Set atop a red lava cliff, the resort has just reopened after comprehensive renovations. The newly refurbished interiors are inspired by Hawaii’s diverse and storied influences, with details like walls lined with artisan-produced lokta paper from Nepal and mahogany floors covered by hand-woven wool rugs.

Rooms offer an incredible level of technological comforts, from fully integrated intuitive lighting, temperature, service, and privacy controls to 75-inch platinum-bezeled televisions and an in-room iPad Air.

RELAXATION, LUXURY, AND THE RICH TRADITIONS OF ISLAND LIFE

Relaxation is the top priority of this island oasis. The spa offers Hawaiian rituals, including kalu au pai, a mini treatment that begins with the exfoliation of the feet followed by tapotement, or pai, on the soles of the feet to stimulate the flex points with kala au, small sticks made from guava wood that grows on the island.

The oceanside paradise borders a marine preserve that teems with colorful reef fish and protected species like spinner dolphins and green sea turtles. Laze on the white sand beaches or play a round of golf on the award-winning golf course, which offers a happy hour during sunset. Guests can enjoy the beautiful ocean vistas off the back nine while sipping a specialty cocktail.

Travel 15 minutes upcountry, and you can enjoy horseback riding and lessons in a dramatically different environment of lush vegetation and high views.

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AMANGIRI, UTAH

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n the otherworldly landscape of southern Utah, a unique resort blends seamlessly into the vast desert. It offers easy access to some of America’s most magnificent National Parks and protected areas, including Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, the Grand Canyon, and Monument Valley.

Amangiri is an Aman destination, one of a group of luxury hotels and resorts in 20 countries around the world.

They are renowned for their design, space, and privacy. Aman’s destinations are located in some of the most diverse and awe-inspiring natural or historic landscapes. Each instills a sense of peace and a connection to the natural environment.

This jaw-dropping resort, like the surrounding landscape, is dramatic and majestic, yet intimate. Its ground-hugging design uses clean lines and natural materials to mirror the serenity of the stark desert scenery. Wide glass doors and skylights contrast the

DESERT RESORT OFFERS SERENITY AND ADVENTURE

cool, remote escape of the shady caves near the canyon wall.

Looking for adventure? Early morning hot-air balloon flights launch directly from Amangiri and soar over Lake Powell, the Vermillion Cliffs, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

The resort’s extensive trails and expert guides offer horseback riding adventures for all levels. Paleontological interpreters will accompany you to explore and even excavate fossils and dinosaur tracks at the nearby Tibbet Spring Bone Bed Quarry. Navajo guides take you to slot canyons and introduce you to ritual dances and storytelling.

For those in search of tranquility, the desert spa aims to reflect the healing traditions of the Navajo through the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. Treatments include massages, scrubs, wraps, PAGE 105 and flotation therapy.

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LA B AMB A DE ARECO, ARGENTINA

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n an elegant estancia in the pampas of Argentina, two worlds meet: the quiet, working world of the gaucho and the fast, hard-hitting play of polo.

Several friends and I arrive at La Bamba de Areco in the heat of a February summer, having just completed over 200 miles of biking through the Mendoza and Salta regions of Argentina for a deserved rest at this colonial estate. We’ll be cherished guests for a luxurious stay while being plied with delicious food, quick-footed horses, and generous hospitality.

We had driven the 120 kilometers from Buenos Aires and entered the South American pampas—the grasslands—home of the grand estancias and the hard-working gaucho. Leaving the paved road, we navigated the muddy trenches of recently rainedon dirt roads, passed through a pair of iron gates, and were greeted by resort staff at the entrance to a grand stone house. Formerly a postal stop on the

The travelers: Jamie Fields, a gaucho, Annie Penfield, Alexis Waller, and Ana Ines.

Royal Road in the 1860s, the building has been transformed into a boutique hotel with a menu of plush amenities.

Hours later, I am happily on the back of retired polo pony, Agatha, walking behind a gaucho, who is dressed in his uniform of loose pants, silver belt, white shirt, straw hat, Vans shoes, and of course a cigarette; he speaks no English. I shift in the sheepskin-covered cattle saddle, press my feet into the leather stirrups, hold my reins in my right hand, and ride the dirt lane in the intense sun of a blue-sky day.

La Bamba de Areco serves as the base for the international polo team of the same name, and we soon pass the empty shed-row stalls of the polo barn. The property includes two polo fields, and guests can watch matches or daily practice sessions during the season. Now, at the height of summer, the polo ponies are turned out to pasture to rest before the season resumes in March.

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Continued from page 47

Rounding the corner of the barn, we stride onto the manicured polo field. The gaucho picks up a canter. He doesn’t look over his shoulder, but I am sure his eye is on us and his thought lingers: can they ride?

We lope the perimeter of the field, continue down a tree-lined grass avenue, and pull up to a sudden halt at a gate. Seeing that we are not only still mounted but also right on his tail and grinning madly, the gaucho leans over to loop the chain off the post and presses his horse’s chest to push open the gate. Again we are off at the canter, passing herds of cattle and shiny, chubby, polo ponies at pasture. a Bamba is a working ranch. The gaucho opens a holding pen and releases a small herd of cows and calves. With no direction (again, he doesn’t speak English), we move behind the herd to keep them in a pack and push them across the pasture towards the open gate. The sun is intense, and Agatha is slicked in sweat. A light

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A demonstration of the special trust between a gaucho and his horse.

breeze ruffles the knee-high grass around us, and, once the herd enters the new pasture, we turn back and search the tall grass for a missing calf.

The gaucho is an emblematic part of South American tradition since the 1600s.

The word gaucho perhaps has its origins in the Quechua word for orphan, huachu, or in the Arabic chauch, meaning cattle herder. The Moorish influence is obvious in a gaucho’s horsemanship and customs. Nowadays he is a horseman who lives on an estancia and takescare of the cattle. His inseparable companion is his criollo horse, a legacy from Spain bred on Argentine soil since the 17th century. Gaucho and horse work together from sunrise to dusk. On festive days both dress up, the horse in its silver-decorated tack and the gaucho with knife or facón.

During our stay at La Bamba, we witness a training demonstration of gaucho style. First, he stands like a scout upon the saddle, then he drops behind his horse and crawls between its legs to come to rest on the ground at its hooves. He places a hoof on his

chest as the horse stands by quietly chewing. This trust between horse and gaucho is implicit during gaucho games, in which gauchos gallop while standing on their horses’ back, or compete in equestrian skills, or simply demonstrate the rapport required in everyday working-farm tasks by leaning to the ground and pulling a calf into the saddle. Oh—and yes—that missing calf was recovered and carried to pasture to rejoin the herd.

After our ride, we rest by the pool and await the lunch bell to call us to the open-air pavilion for a multi-course meal prepared on the huge wood-fired parrilla (barbeque). Platters of grilled meat and vegetables with homemade bread and tasty chimichurri sauce circulate the table. The grand finale to the meal is crepes, filled with dulce de leche, covered with sugar, branded with the La Bamba logo, and topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Following lunch we visit San Antonio de Areco, one of the oldest towns in Argentina, only 13 kilometers (about 8 miles) away. Narrow cobbled streets, iron gates, flowering trees, murals, churches, bars, and museums distinguish the town. The shops open only in

The author, ANNIE PENFIELD, part owner of Strafford Saddlery in Strafford, Vermont, is a rider and writer, whose work has appeared in several literary journals. She has an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

She lives with her family and horses in Vermont.

the late afternoon. We explore a tack shop and marvel at the skill of the local craftsmen. We admire the fine weave of a crop and the silver and leatherwork of a decorative gaucho bridle.

Evening at La Bamba brings cocktail hour, a fourcourse meal, and conversation with fellow guests from around the world. At this point, we have only tasted a small portion of what this grand estancia has to offer. Excursions by carriage or mountain bike, Argentinian bowl games, hot stone massages, fly-fishing, and numerous other options offer an unforgettable and restful experience. After a fine Mendoza Malbec, we are content to retreat across the courtyard to our high-ceiling bedrooms. I fall asleep surrounded by horses: a polo-pony portrait on the wall, a photograph of a horse’s face above my headboard, a window to the polo field, leather stirrups decorating the dresser, and a bedside table piled high with books on polo, gaucho traditions, and Argentine history. All these elements of grace and sweat, history and luxury, polo and cattle, are the sensory experience that is La Bamba.

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ituated on the second largest island in the sunny Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique, the AndBeyond Benguerra resort is a gateway to an underwater paradise of marine life. Set in a protected conservation area, the resort offers pristine reefs teeming with life. A deep lagoon, unaffected by the tides, makes for perfect swimming and snorkeling.

The lodge is sheltered by a canopy of casuarina pines that opens up to panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. While the island is fringed with golden, sandy beaches, its interior is a lush patchwork of forests, wetlands, and freshwater lakes. Explore the

RIDE BAREBACK INTO THE AZURE WATERS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN

island on foot or horseback, uncover traditional culture at the local village, or climb soaring sand dunes.

The resort can offer you a castaway picnic, with incredible ocean views and romantic total seclusion.

Horseback adventures allow guests to spend late afternoons cantering along the water’s edge, exploring the island’s hidden tracks, or indulging in a gentle wander along endless beaches. In tune with nature, horseback riding is the perfect way to absorb the beauty of Benguerra.

You can ride bareback into the azure waters, splashing and laughing, as you float along into the waves aboard your island horse. Afterwards, hop off and allow your horse a sandy roll on the beach.

BENGUERRA , MOZ AMBIQUE

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NAYARA SPRINGS , COSTA RICA

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he ultraluxe Nayara Springs sits under the misty Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Accessible only by a 200-foot-long footbridge, the secluded resort is for adults only and attracts honeymooners and horse lovers from around the world.

The rainforests of Central America are dense with vegetation and animal life. Huge, colorful plants line the stone pathways of the resort. Chirping frogs and the steady thump of warm rain on your villa’s terrace will lull you to sleep in your extravagant four-poster, kingsize bed.

Outside, an infinity pool merges into the forest, allowing swimmers-turned-birdwatchers to spot

ESCAPE TO THE RAINFOREST FOR LUXURY AND SECLUSION

toucans, hummingbirds, and macaws. Relaxation abounds in the spa’s unique open-air bungalows, which offer volcanic mud treatments, or in a complimentary yoga class conducted in an incredible all-glass pavilion.

Riders of all levels can enjoy horseback excursions into the rainforest, crossing rivers and traversing coffee plantations and dense jungles. Depending on your need for speed, walk or gallop with your guide across pastures or through the jungle to the volcano.

Other adventures include zip lining, whitewater rafting, and eco-tours that cross the numerous Arenal hanging bridges in a 600-acre nature reserve.

A hike to the nearby Chato Peak, a dormant twin to the Arenal Volcano, will take you to a splendid crater lake and the La Fortuna waterfall.

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TURTLE ISLAND, FIJI

t is a few hours until the sun will rise on Turtle Island, Fiji, and in the darkness of my bure, I am slipping into my jeans, a bikini top, and a long-sleeved coverlet­—odd attire for a beach vacation but the perfect mix for this equestrian who is going to find herself combining this salty, ocean vacation with her great love of horseback. My “bure mama” arrives to take my fiancé and me to our horses, who will guide us through canopies of mahogany trees to the ocean and beaches of the Fiji Islands. Yesterday’s footprints in the sand are washed away and replaced by the shoeless prints of our horses as they carry us down the beach to a table set for two, where a delicious champagne breakfast awaits.

Turtle Island is nestled in the Yasawa Islands in Fiji and is privately owned by Richard Evanson and his family. Evanson grew up in the U.S. in the Pacific Northwest, where he was proud to call horses and cattle a part of his life. Now a world away, he owns an island where 14 couples can reserve villas, lie on a private beach for the day, and enjoy their own exotic, romantic, picnic luncheon with delicacies such as

LEAVE HOOFPRINTS ON THE BEACH OF A BLUE LAGOON IN FIJI

lobster and champagne. The island’s blue lagoon is recognizable from the Brooke Shields movie that once made these beaches famous.

Amidst the snorkeling, spa treatments, and sand and sun, Evanson and his family stay true to their roots of stomping hooves and the smell of leather. You can ride through 100,000 mahogany trees and a dense rainforest to a beach. Guided by horsemen at your side, you’ll feel as though every care in the world has disappeared as you breathe in the salty air. You’ll watch the horses break coconut shells with their hooves and drink the milky liquid within.

Later, as my trip draws to a close and a seaplane arrives to carry me back to the mainland, it seems only fitting that the same horses that had carried me to my sunrise breakfast came trotting out of the rainforest and onto the beach to bid me farewell.

They stood looking into the ocean waters for a brief moment before galloping back down the beach, once again leaving their hoofprints in the sand.

MEG WEIR currently lives with her fiancé on her family farm in Edmond, Oklahoma. An avid lover of travel and horses, she dreams of the day she can return to Turtle Island.

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FROM PREVIOUS

EQ LIVING FEATURES

30 MORE EQ FAVORITES KAKSLAUT TANEN FINLAND See the Nor thern Lights from your glass igloo.

ST. MORITZ SWITZERLAND The famous winter resor t with snow racing and polo.

TWIN FARMS VERMONT A 5-star luxur y inn in Vermont horse countr y.

TENAYA LODGE CALIFORNIA The place to stay at Yosemite, winter or summer.

HOME RANCH COLORADO A beautiful ranch in a beautiful Rock y Mountain set ting.

SQUAW CREEK CALIFORNIA World-class resor t near beautiful Nor th Lake Tahoe.

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LODGE AT GLENDORN PENNSYLVANIA 1500 acres of nature at your door.

ST. REGIS ASPEN COLORADO Polo, mountains, and the luxur y lifestyle of Aspen.

DOS BRISAS TEXAS A winning blend of a beautiful set ting and rustic flavor.

GLENEAGLES SCOTLAND Golf, horses, and much more at this timeless resor t.

SELMAN MARRAKECH MOROCCO A unique palace of alluring charm.

RANCH AT ROCK CREEK MONTANA A private stream-side cabin.

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IL BORRO TUSCANY The Ferragamofamily’s restored 700 acre estate and villa.

GRAND OAKS FLORIDA Bring your horse with you for a long winter getaway.

TANQUE VERDE ARIZONA 150 horses wait to take you on a ranch experience.

BLANCANEAUX LODGE BELIZE A getaway in a tropical paradise.

CASTLE LESLIE IRELAND A sought-after luxur ycastle experience.

DOMAINE DE LA BAUME FRANCE Provence with horses and luxur y.

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PATAGONIA CHILE Explore the amazing landscape on horseback .

GIRAFFE MANOR KENYA Giraffes vie for your attention at the breakfast table.

CASA DE CAMPO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC A golf and equestrian resor t.

LUXURY AT SEA Make an unbridled escape aboard an equestrian-themed yacht.

ELEPHANT POLO INDIA Play a chukker of unforget table polo in Jaipur.

DOHA QATAR Horses have been par t of the culture for many centuries.

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PALM BEACH FLORIDA An unequaled array of equestrian events, shopping, and beaches.

MIRAVAL ARIZONA Spa that promotes a healthy lifestyle through horses.

SALAMANDER VIRGINIA An iconic equestrian luxur y resor t destination.

DOG MOUNTAIN VERMONT A chapel dedicated to man’s best friend, his dog.

RED HORSE INN NORTH CAROLINA A small foothills inn per fect for horse lovers.

WOODSTOCK VERMONT Horses are the stars in this beautiful New England village.

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There are always exciting shows in Nashville.

Here, Keith Urban.

Tennessee may be known for Jack Daniels Whiskey, but other small craft distillleries also thrive. Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery, where Bill Nelson (above) and his two sons, Andy and Charlie, create hand-crafted, Tennessee sour-mash whiskey.

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The famous Grand Ole Opry.

M U S I C

C I T Y ,

U S A

HORSES, MUSIC , FOOD, AND FUN

NASHVILLE

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isitors are greeted by Welcome to Music City signs at seemingly every corner—and for good reason. The vibrant Tennessee

city of Nashville is the second-largest music-

Nashville is known as the home of country music, but it is also hosts over 300 health-care companies.

production center in America, following only New York City. Because it is considered the mecca of country music, many record labels have located their offices and recording studios in the Music Row area of the city. It is the home of the ABC TV show Nashville as well as the Country Music TV network and Gibson Guitars’ headquarters.

Many of Nashville’s tourist attractions are centered on music—there is the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum. There are endless lists of music clubs and honky-tonk bars and streets to explore in East Nashville, which is often compared to New York’s Greenwich

The Franklin Rodeo is the largest east of the Mississippi, welcoming over 18,000 screaming western fans.

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Village in the 1960s. East Nashville wasn’t always the center of the city’s country counterculture. Rolling Stone magazine notes that, “Fifteen years ago, if you wanted to find classic twang or the most interesting original music, you went to Lower Broadway, now the town’s tourist mecca.”

R

esidents like Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, and Reese Witherspoon certainly add stargazing as another favorite Nashville visitor activity. It’s as good as Los Angeles; however, there are unwritten rules here. Nashville blogger Dan Morris warns, “The nice thing about being a celebrity in Nashville is the way you’re treated by the locals. Most people don’t bother the celebrities, but instead give a nod or an appreciative statement. So if you’re in Nashville and you do spot a celebrity, do as the Romans do, and let them enjoy their lifestyle as well.”

Whom might you bump into?

Well, the Hollywood Reporter explains that the area draws a creative crowd.

“Music City power-couples such as Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black mingle freely with civilians,” it notes. “It’s not unusual to run into Carrie Underwood at the Publix grocery store Opposite: Clockwise from upper left: The Iroquois Steeplechase has been Nashville’s rite of spring since 1941 and attracts more than 25,000 spectators annually. Brownland Farm, one of America’s largest privately owned horse-show facilities, was begun by Sissie Anderton (seated at left) 53 years ago. Robin Anderton, her eldest son, runs the farm along with his wife, Michelle Anderton. The 350,000 square-foot Country Music Hall of Fame offers world-class exhibit galleries, the 776-seat CMA Theater, and the Taylor Swift Education Center.

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in suburban Franklin, or Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman at Whole Foods or Sanctuary Yoga. ‘Keith and I love living in Nashville,’ says Kidman. ‘It’s a totally musical city.’ Mary Steenburgen, who lives there part-time with husband Ted Danson as she pursues a second career as a songwriter says, ‘I love the fact that you can have sophisticated food one meal and the best comfort food—meat and threes—the next.’”

This area of Tennessee is also home to equestrians and events dedicated to virtually every horse breed and discipline.

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL TO RUN INTO CARRIE UNDERWOOD AT THE GROCERY STORE IN FRANKLIN.

The Iroquois Steeplechase attracts more than 25,000 spectators, who cheer horses and riders over hurdles and timber on a manicured turf track. The event has partnered with the world-famous Cheltenham Racecourse in England through a $500,000 bonus challenge to any horse that can win both the Ladbrokes Group 1 World Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Iroquois Hurdle Stakes in Nashville.

For Western fans, the Franklin Rodeo is one of the largest rodeo events east of the Mississippi, replete with bareback riding, team roping, barrel racing, and 18,000 screaming fans.

Brownland Farm, also in Franklin,

is entering its 53rd year and is one of America’s largest privately-owned horseshow facilities. It holds 10 AA-rated hunter jumper shows each year.

Brownland is known for its southern hospitality, and exhibitors agree that it hosts the friendliest shows around.

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ithout a doubt, horse-centric Franklin is a wonderful town. It is about 20 miles south of Nashville and is home to many of the area’s sprawling horse farms. Its famous main street and charming, vibrant downtown are filled with unique shops and a colorful array of restaurants. In fact, the American Planning Association named it one of the country’s top 10-best neighborhoods. Garden & Gun magazine called Franklin the best southern town, and Money magazine chose it as one of America’s 10-best places to retire. A drive along Franklin’s country lanes, which meander past miles of freshly painted horse fences brings Lexington, Kentucky, to mind.

PLANNING YOUR V I SI T

Nashville’s major attractions—such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame—are well known.

Nashville travel books and guides help tourists sift through the daunting variety of restaurants and clubs, but we dug a little deeper during our interviews and learned about some sure bets and hidden gems from the locals.

Charlie Daniels says when he’s in town, he rarely leaves his ranch. But when he does, it’s for a steak at the Palm Restaurant on Fifth Avenue. Daniels’ ranch manager, Thurman Mullins, says, “The Cock of the Walk near Opryland is A PRIL/M AY | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 5 7

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known for catfish, shrimp, and chicken, and the waiters flip the corn bread at your table. A lot of Opry performers eat there. Acme Feed and Seed Restaurant on Lower Broad near the river had been a feed store for years and opened as a restaurant last year. It has country-themed decorations and good food.”

For good music and drinks, Thurman adds, “Nashville is noted for honkytonks, and there are plenty on Lower Broad. Most have live music, and often there are TV, movie, and video tapings taking place. Legends, Second Fiddle, the Stage, and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge are among the most popular with both tourists and locals. Folks tend to roam from one to another sampling different bands and brews.”

Another oft-mentioned favorite is the Bluebird Café, a 90-seat iconic club featuring acoustic music performed by its composers.

hunt field.” As to music in the Franklin area, she says, “Just opening only a mile from Brownland Farm is Jack and Jameson’s Smokehouse, a family-friendly restaurant and live music venue owned

by Steve Burton, Jonathon Jackson, and Rick Shannon. This is going to be the place to hear great live music without having to drive to Nashville.”

ichelle Anderton of Brownland Farm offers her thoughts on the Franklin area.

“You don’t need to go to Nashville,” she says. “For starters, nothing beats the atmosphere of downtown Franklin, and you can’t go wrong with any of the food choices there. I’d have to say that Red Pony is one of my favorites because of the eclectic menu. I also really enjoy Mack and Kate’s Cafe for their southern shabby-chic charm and the best shrimp and grits around.” When asked where English riders hang out, Michelle says, “Hands down, Sperry’s Restaurant. They not only have the best appetizers, like the prime-rib sliders and baked brie, to go along with a good pour, but they are horse people and welcome people straight from the show grounds or the

KENTUCKY, TO MIND.

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W H ERE TO STAY

Gwyneth Paltrow is said to frequent the boutique Hutton Hotel, an upscale, ecoconscious hotel (it has no incandescent

A DRIVE ALONG FRANKLIN’S COUNTRY LANES BRINGS LEXINGTON,

lights and offers electric-car charging stations.) Also popular and with a completely different vibe is the huge Orpyland Resort, one of the largest hotels in the country, boasting 17 restaurants and over 2,800 rooms.

SH OPPING

Nashville offers as unique and eclectic a group of shops as any town in America.

Three of special interest include Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery, where Bill Nelson and his two sons, Andy and Charlie, create hand-crafted Tennessee sour-mash whiskey. Personal tours and tastings are available with prior reservations.

Nashville is Reese Witherspoon’s

Opposite: Top Row: Two lodging choices, the huge 2,800-room Opryland resort and the boutique Hutton Hotel.

Second Row: Live performers at the famous Bluebird Cafe; Reese Witherspoon’s Southerninspired shop, Draper James.

Third Row: The famous main street of downtown Franklin, Garden & Gun magazine’s “Best Southern Town.”

hometown, and she has opened a southern-inspired retail brand, Draper James, with a flagship store on 12th Avenue South. “I grew up in Nashville and vividly recall shopping with my mom and running into everyone in the neighborhood,” says Reese. “We’re so excited to give our customers a place to stop in, sip some sweet tea, and truly enjoy their visit.”

The 3,000 square-foot store was created to emulate a modern Southern woman’s home. The front windows feature blue- and white-striped awnings while the back entrance mimics a classic mudroom. A focal point of the store is the marble cash wrap, reminiscent of a kitchen island, complete with bar stools and two china cabinets on either end.

After the closing of many independent bookstores, author Ann Patchett opened Parnassus Books on Hillsboro Pike. She told the New York Times, “I have no interest in retail; I have no interest in opening a bookstore. But I also have no interest in living in a city without a bookstore.” Parnassus has become a grand success, and, Patchett says, “Owning a bookstore means you can tell people what to read.”

So whether you are looking for a funfilled vacation destination with a rich mix of unlimited music, great meals, and equestrian activities, or selecting a new hometown for your family or a retirement haven with a temperate climate, put Nashville high on your list, y’all.

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The rescue story of a FILM ABOUT A RESCUED HORSE that’s really swell and we love it.

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HOME ON THE RANCH

CHARLIE DANIELS PHOTOS: GEORGE KAMPER

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he Encyclopedia of Southern Culture says, “Few individuals have symbolized the South in popular culture as directly and indelibly as Charlie Daniels.” In fact, Daniels is both partly western and

partly southern. His signature bull-rider hat and belt buckle; his lifestyle at Twin Pines Ranch; and his love of horses, cowboy lore, the heroes of championship rodeo, western movies, and Louis L’Amour novels identify him as a westerner. But he is a southerner by birth, and his music—rock, country, bluegrass, blues, and gospel—is quintessentially southern.

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Opposite: Charlie gave the Equestrian Living crew an imprompu fiddle concert.

Right: Charlie with TP New Beginnings, a 3-year-old paint stallion with a name honoring the rebirth of his herd following a barn fire’s aftermath.

The Charlie Daniels Band’s biography notes, “Even his bent for all things Western is Southern, because his attire, his lifestyle, and his interests are historically emblematic of the southern working class’s solidarity with the ‘lone cowboy’ individualism of the American West.”

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harlie was born in 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was raised on Pentecostal gospel music, local bluegrass, rhythm and blues, and country music on the radio.

Shortly after graduating from high school—and as a talented fiddle and guitar player—he formed a rock-and-roll band and hit the road. In Texas, he met music producer Bob Johnson, who urged him to move to Nashville, where Daniels recorded Nashville Skyline, New Morning, and Self Portrait with Bob Dylan. By the early 1970s, Daniels began to make his own records, and he soon signed the richest contract given to a Nashville act at the time. By 1981, the Charlie Daniels Band had twice been voted the Academy of Country Music’s touring band of the year, and has had gold, platinum, and multiplatinum albums. In a career that spans 50 years of record making and more than 20 million records sold, he has often appeared on television and in movies and has won multiple awards from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the Gospel Music Association—and even a Grammy.

Below: Twin Pines had as many as 80 horses at one time, but the herd by now has been reduced to 14. Ranch manager Thurman Mullins has been with Charlie since 1979.

A classic Charlie Daniels Band performance like The Devil Went Down to Georgia belongs to no specific music genre. Is it a folk tale? A southern boogie? A country fiddle tune? An electric-rock anthem? The answer is, yes.

“I used to say, I’m not an outlaw; I’m an outcast,” he laughs. “When it gets right down to the nitty gritty, I’ve just tried to be who I am. I’ve never followed trends or fads. I couldn’t, even if I tried.”

When you meet Charlie, you’ll find him humble and far more interested in talking about his charities than his accomplishments. One is the Journey Home Project, a nonprofit that benefits armed-forces veterans by partnering with organizations that, he says, “do the most good with the least overhead.”

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nother favorite subject is his beloved Twin Pines Ranch near Nashville. He and his wife, Hazel, bought the property in 1976 and built the house in 1979. “I always wanted a log house,” he says, “and we designed and built it for ourselves—not to impress anyone else.”

Although he and Hazel enjoyed riding the fences, Charlie decided he wanted a real working ranch. By 1979 they were adding acreage and a new barn and arena.

Ranch manager Thurman Mullins explains, “When I first went to work with Charlie in 1979, we had a bull and about 10 cows on roughly 70 acres.

Now the ranch is about 400 acres. We

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have nine ponds ranging from one to five acres, and we raise hay on 90 acres. We rotate the cattle and horses on six separate pastures to give the grass time to grow back. We have enough land to run American Horned Herefords in numbers and generally have 80 to 100 head. We like them; with our bloodlines we have easy calving, fast weight gain, and there’s a good market on them.”

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hurman recalls 1979.

“Charlie told me, ‘I want horses I can ride, and I want cattle I can rope.’ That was his deal.

He wanted a working ranch,” Thurman explains. “So by 1980, we moved to the Corriente breed.”

Corriente are primarily used as sport cattle for rodeo events, and they are descended from the animals brought to the Americas by the Spanish in the late 15th century. Because of the cost and difficulty of finding suitable cattle to use for practice roping and cutting, Charlie decided to raise his own. He was the 34th member of the North American Corriente Cattle Association (NACA), and Twin Pines Ranch had one of the best herds of Corriente cattle found anywhere.

Until 2008, we primarily ran Corriente,” Thurman continues. “We were the first breeders east of the Mississippi and the largest for several years. At one point we averaged over 400 head. I was on the NACA board of directors for six years and president for two years. Lately, we’ve been dispersing our Corriente and rebuilding our Hereford herd.”

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Thurman pauses as a rather large and dangerous-looking animal wanders by.

“That’s our bull, old Domino. He’s just a puppy,” Thurman chuckles. “He’s a direct descendant of John Wayne’s great bull, Lucky Domino DHU F216.”

When asked why only some of the cattle have their horns, Thurman explains, “The cattle without horns are cows we bought from where they dehorn them. Those you see with horns were born here. There are a couple of

SADLY, THE RANCH’S BARN BURNED TO THE GROUND AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

reasons we leave their horns on them.

One is predators, coyotes, and occasionally stray dog packs. Now, they’re not going to mess with her,” He pauses to gently stroke the head of a nearby cow, then adds, “She’ll kill a coyote. She’ll put her horns to work and start kicking. The other reason is that if I need to doctor her, I can easily throw a rope around her horns.”

In 1981, the ranch purchased an American Quarter Horse Association

Opposite, clockwise from top left: The log home that Charlie and Hazel built in 1979; the band’s tour bus; the ranch’s office and tack room is filled with memorabilia; Charlie relaxing on the home’s porch, overlooking the cattle, horses, fields, and ponds; a detail from the home’s pool area.

(AQHA) mare named Huggie Bear who

was in foal to Sun Fritz by King Fritz.

She had a beautiful colt that they named TP (Twin Pines) King Bear. Charlie and TP King Bear appeared on the cover of Western Horseman in 1987, and the stallion became the foundation of the ranch’s current stock.

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adly, in January 2011 the ranch’s primary barn burned to the ground and was a total loss. Thurman recalls, “In the barn at the time were all our stallions; our favorite mare TP Pokey Huntus, who was in foal to TP King Bear; Charlie’s favorite roping horse, TP Goomer Brown; and all our 2010 foals. The barn, all of its contents, and 30 years of memories were all lost that night.”

As Charlie climbs on TP New Beginnings, a 3-year-old paint stallion whose name recalls the rebirth of the herd following the fire’s aftermath, Thurman talks about some of the horses that have resided, or still reside, at Twin Pines. “Old Freckles lived into his 30s,” he says. “There ain’t no telling who his daddy and momma was—but he’s my favorite horse that’s ever been on the ranch. You could put a beginner on him in a roping clinic and he would babysit; you could haul him to a roping competition and win money on him. It was like he knew who was on him. Most horses, if they feel you’re a little bit nervous, they get a little bit nervous too. Freckles was just the opposite.”

Continued on page 104

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A SOUTHERN PLANTATION DEDICATED TO THOROUGHBREDS

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elle Meade is a tiny threesquare-mile city that is surrounded by Nashville.

Small in size but vast in the flavor of a bygone era, the idyllic hamlet includes a diverse mix of architecture that ranges from mid-1800s estates to English tudor and mid-century homes. With a population of only 2,900 and a median income of $230,000, Forbes magazine selected Belle Meade as one of the best places to retire rich.

The town originated in 1806 when John Harding, a southern planter, purchased 200 acres, built his home on a hill, and named the farm Belle Meade, or beautiful meadow. Harding added Thoroughbred boarding and breeding to Belle Meade as the popularity of Thoroughbred racing expanded west from Virginia and the Carolinas.

As early as 1816 he placed advertisements in Nashville newspapers listing Thoroughbreds standing stud at his farm. He soon began to race his horses on local racetracks, and he registered his own racing silks with the Nashville Jockey Club in 1823.

John’s son, William Giles Harding, worked with his father’s training horses and made Belle Meade a world-renowned Thoroughbred stud farm through blood horses and the science of selective breeding.

William was keenly interested in all aspects of breeding and racing, and his horses raced at all the area tracks.

By 1860, Belle Meade had grown to

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BELLE MEADE PHOTOS: GEORGE KAMPER

over 3,500 acres, and from 1867 to 1868 Harding won more purses with his own horses than any other American.

By 1883 William Giles Harding had passed the operation of the farm (and one-third interest in the blood horses) to his son-in-law, William Hicks “Billy” Jackson.

Jackson had a flair for marketing, and he brought Belle Meade international fame by purchasing a world-famous Thoroughbred, Iroquois, in 1886 to stand at stud. Iroquois had been the first American-bred and -born horse to win the English Derby, and Jackson demanded a remarkable $2,500 stud fee.

In the late 1800s, the unique beauty of an old Southern plantation led Belle Meade to become a popular destination for many famous guests, including President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland, Robert Todd Lincoln, Adlai E. Stevenson, and Generals U.S. Grant and William T. Sherman. But by 1906, a weakened economy led the family into serious debt and all the land and the Belle Meade Mansion were sold.

Today, the plantation grounds, mansion, stable, outbuildings, and winery have been beautifully restored and are open to the public. Tours are provided by trained, costumed guides. And as extra fun, you can even tour the estate on a Segway.

PAGE 105

Left: Jenny Lamb, director of interpretation and education at Belle Meade. Opposite: Top row: The entrance hall features paintings of the famous Thoroughbred, Iroquois; the stables.

Middle Row: Details abound in the mansion; the aisle of the stables; visitors can tour on Segways.

Bottom: The mansion house.

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Reclaiming

BEAUTY Annie Brahler, designer and owner of Euro Trash, scours unexpected places to bring visual interest and authenticity to her interior design projects.

PHOTOS BY BJĂ–RN WALLANDER

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I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with Annie Brahler after becoming enamoured with her unique approach to her projects and the fascinating measures she takes to adhere to her design ethic. — S. Peters Can you briefly describe your core design philosophy?

I started my design and import company, Euro Trash LLC, 15 years ago with the firm belief that everyone deserves to live beautifully. That is not to mean that one needs to be surrounded with expensive things, but rather to find the beauty in things that are available to them, be open to creative solutions, and give themselves permission to explore their own personal style rather than be dictated to by the mass market.

Tell us a little about the stable project.

The stable on my client’s property started out as a typical, completely utilitarian metal pole-barn. When we built the main house for the family, I purposely designed it in such a way that the horse barn related to the front of the house so my clients would feel connected to their beloved Arabians.

When considering how to solve what became an aesthetic issue after that decision was made, I came up with the idea that we clad the entire structure, both inside and out, with reclaimed wood and stone we salvaged from civil war armory and barn tear-downs. We salvaged and collected for a full year prior to the projects. The existing structure was so sound that it provided the perfect canvas. Â A PRIL/MAY | 201 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 6 9

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“Authenticity means the appreciation of natural materials such as real stone, real wood, and metals that aren’t faux painted.”

What were the criteria for the stabledesign project, and what were your primary design objectives?

I wanted the stable to have a visual warmth and to feel as if it had been on the property for years. The existing metal building gave me the necessary function my clients needed, and I had to make it something that felt like it had a history.

Was the stable designed as shared living spaces for the horses and owners?

The stable had a tack room and office that was formerly just a metal room with a cement floor. I added a reclaimed beadboard ceiling, wood floors, and paneled walls and shelving to make the space welcoming and to showcase my client’s collections.

I understand you designed a stone cottage on the same property. Did you try to incorporate the same aesthetic?

The stone cottage that we positioned directly across from the stable was built from the same limestone we used to clad the stable foundation and to build out the limestone wash bay. The thought behind incorporating some of the salvaged limestone on the stable project was to tie in the architecture of the other buildings on the property.

You seem all about authenticity. Can you elaborate?

To me, authenticity means the appreciation of natural materials such as real stone, real wood, and metals that aren’t faux painted to look like something they are not. I would rather take the time to dig through flea markets, eBay, and Craigslist, looking for real copper fixtures, for instance, than pay a crazy price for something that has been painted to pretend to be copper.

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“I think the key element in any interior is that the space be made personal to those who use it.”

Annie Brahler

Do you get many requests to design equestrian-inspired spaces, even by non-equestrians?

So many people love horses, even if they don’t ride themselves. They are incredibly beautiful creatures and offer creative inspiration to so many people.

What would you consider key elements that help give interiors personality?

I think the key element in any interior is that the space be made personal to those who use it. Something can be visually appealing, but the magic happens only when the space relates to the inhabitant intimately.

It is my job as a designer to find that connection that makes a space personal to the owner.

I know our readers will be curious about your company name: Euro Trash. Can you explain its origin?

I named my company Euro Trash as an intended tongue-and-cheek nod to those around me who buy into the belief that expensive means beautiful and that name brands mean value. I don’t like those rules and do not play by them. I find beauty in unconventional places all the time—even in dumpsters­­—and I will never apologize for that.

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RIDERS UP Artist Sandra Oppegard captures the nuances of Thoroughbred racing in vivid detail.

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RTIST SANDRA OPPEGARD gained in-depth knowledge of Thoroughbred racing from working with her racehorsetrainer husband as well as by visiting numerous tracks around the country. She originally worked as a freelance illustrator for 23 years following her graduation from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. During that time, she worked for an impressive list of corporate businesses, ad agencies, and design studios.

Sandra imbues her racing scenes with authenticity as well her great affection for the colorful life of trainers, grooms, and exercise riders. Her watercolors—known for their incredible color and equine imagery—have become a favorite with people working in the horse business. They have commissioned her to paint horses, dogs, people, and racing silks. She produces work at her studio in Lexington, Kentucky, and on location at various tracks.

Oppegard is currently a member of the American Academy of Equine Art, the Plein Air Painters of the Bluegrass, and a signature member of the Kentucky Watercolor Society. She has exhibited extensively and continues to receive accolades and countless awards.

Kentucky Homes and Gardens recently published a feature article on Sandra and her beautiful work.

Sandra’s most recent one-person show was at the Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky. The gallery, located in the Thoroughbred capital of the world, is renowned for its high caliber of equine-related sporting art and touted as one of the premiere sporting art galleries in the world.

PAGE 105

A LITTLE KEYED UP 13" x 20" watercolor A PRIL/MAY | 201 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 7 5

DEL MAR PADDOCK 16" x 25" watercolor GROOM 10" x 13" watercolor

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ENTRIES AND CLUBHOUSE AT KEENELAND, FALL 18" x 25" watercolor

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AMERICAN PHAROAH, THE KENTUCKY DERBY Set of 3, 11 1/2" x 14 1/2" each watercolor

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AMERICAN PHAROAH, THE PREAKNESS STAKES Set of 3, 11 1/2" x 14 1/2" each watercolor

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BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC NOVEMBER 4, 1989 GULFSTREAM PARK 14" x 18" oil on canvas

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A M E R I C A’ S F I N E S T H O M E S , FA R M S , A N D

RANCHES FROM EQUESTR IAN LIVING

EQU E STR I A N P R O P E RT I E S EQLiving.com

April/May 2016

A M AGNIF ICE NT 375-AC RE EQU EST RI AN ESTATE IN AIKEN , S .C .

MEADOW HILL FARM SEE PAGE 82

A L S O : FAVO R I T E B A R N - D E S I G N B O O K S | S AV I N G H O R S E T R A I L S

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

MEADOW HILL FARM

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eadow Hill Farm’s location in picturesque Aiken, South Carolina, is the perfect choice for any equine enthusiast. This 375acre meticulously maintained estate was built to suit any equestrian pursuit.

The 6,000-square-foot manor house is enhanced by a gourmet kitchen, stone fireplaces, and a multitude of unparalleled finishes that steep the residence in comfortable luxury. The granite and wood kitchen, family room and the master suite all open onto the patio and pool. Infrastructure includes high-speed internet, multiple phone lines and whole

PHOTOS (AND PREVIOUS PAGE): BRENT CLINE

A 375-acre equestrian estate in AIKEN, with 3 polo fields, 44 stalls, and much more.

house audio. The residence features 3 bedroom suites, 5 fireplaces, an exercise room, a 3-car garage, and a separate guest apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a full kitchen, and a living/dining room.

The estate includes 2 1447-square-foot cottages with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, kitchen, great room, and porches, plus 3 mobile homes, each with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Of the 3 regulation polo fields, 2 have in-ground irrigation and removable boards; either would make an ideal grand prix or derby field. The third is a practice field (no irrigation). A 32-stall centeraisle main barn has an indoor wash stall as well as 2 outdoor wash stalls (all with

hot/cold water), laundry, bathroom, airconditioned clubroom, and tack room.

The Carolina barn is a 12-stall shed-row barn with feed and tack rooms and outdoor wash stall. Immaculate 4-board poplar fencing and no-climb wire fencing surround 10 pastures and 17 paddocks, all sprigged in Russell Bermuda grass. There is ample equipment storage, generators, a hay barn, round pen, shop, and storage sheds. The barns are built with large stalls, to a standard suitable for any equine discipline. This estate could host a multitude of events, shows, clinics, circuits, or tournaments with the class and elegance needed to attract competitors of international caliber. Additional acreage available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: DAVID STINSON, REALTORÂŽ

142 Laurens Street NW Aiken, SC 29801 82 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

www.dstinson.net 803 640-0123 or 803 644-1721 aikenhomes@me.com

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

HISTORIC CASTLE HILL | KESWICK | VIRGINIA “The very floorboards of Castle Hill echo with the footsteps of history. James Madison danced in the parlor to the fiddle playing of Thomas Jefferson. British raiders left their mark on the house; and the gilded age literary phenomenon, Amélie Rives, held court here and married a Russian prince. Few Virginia houses have richer or more sensational history than Castle Hill.” ~ Donna Lucey, Author Archie and Amélie.

600 ACRES - UNDER CONSERVATION EASEMENT - PRISTINE CONDITION - NESTREALTY.COM/CASTLEHILL

Bob Headrick

Associate Broker BHeadrick@NestRealty.com Mobile: 434.242.8501 Office: 434.566.0121 126 Garrett Street, Suite D, Charlottesville, VA 22902

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

PROTECT YOUR TRAILS Support your TRAIL SYSTEM by developing a local trail organization.

BY DOT MOYER

This article has been condensed from the Equine Land Conservation Resource, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping protect and conserve land for equestrian uses.

See the full article, which includes much more detailed information, at elcr.org.

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n 2001, my quest was to find horse paradise. I moved myself and my horses south to an equestrian area, tempted by the miles of trails advertised in the listings.

What the listings failed to mention was that the unprotected trails were disappearing rapidly.

My first step was to volunteer with a trail organization that had made progress in slowing the loss. Subsequently, our trail mileage has increased, our trails are more connected, our number of involved landowners has doubled, and permanent trail protection has been established on important hub trails.

Given the dismal national trends in maintaining trail networks, the question often asked is, “How did you do that?”

There are many ways to build a successful trail system and organization, but this is how we did it.

R E C RU I T S T RON G L E A D E R S

It takes committed, talented, and positive people to make a trail system work, especially in its early stages. Be ruthless about who you get and keep on the 84 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

board. Good people do not like to waste time. They want to see results—not listen to complaints and gossip or handle minor issues.

Everyone on the board should be there for a purpose. Do they have good local connections? Are they well respected, effective, and resourceful? Can they represent large landowners and/or different areas of the trail system? Do they have heavy equipment and know-how? You need lawyers, financial people, insurance professionals, realtors, business people, donors, writers, graphics people, and techies. Effective people are usually busy and in demand, so get on their dance card early. Large landowners, especially, should always be invited.

A VISION

Every organization has to have a vision of what it wants to be before it can sell itself. Find that vision first, and stick with it. Our original founders wanted to preserve the area’s tradition of friendliness and open riding. This vision guided the decision to create a nonprofit organization where landowners are voting members, but riding membership is open to anyone willing to make a relatively small contribution and follow our simple rules.

MA K E LANDOWNERS HAPPY

It is all about your landowners. It is

their land, and nothing happens without them. Recognize that their interests and concerns are the most important thing.

Building trust is essential. Landowners generally have three main concerns you must address: 1. How will their land and the people and animals on it be impacted by riding? Even if they have horses and ride, landowners have legitimate concerns about their property, damage, litter, animals, and people, and that they will be treated with courtesy and respect.

The best way to ensure this is to establish reasonable, understandable usage rules and enforce them fairly, uniformly, and consistently. Having the landowners’ participation in developing the rules helps them realize that they retain control over their land and gives them ownership of the system.

Riders must be convinced of the importance of putting the landowners’ interests above their own. A rider’s failure to live by the landowners’ reasonable requirements is the fastest way to lose trails.

2. Why would I want to allow these people on my land? Reasons will vary depending on the individual. You will have to be prepared to answer that question differently for each landowner. Focus on their interests and concerns. Some arguments to support the trail system that have been Continued on page 88

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

T

The Belmont Equestrian Estate RANCHO SANTA FE CALIFORNIA The Belmont marries unparalleled luxury and comfort with a world class equestrian facility! Old world charm and understated grandeur is reflected throughout the meticulously groomed 8 acres, approx. 16,000 sq. ft. main residence, detached guest house, Olympic size dressage arena, 2,300 approx. sq. ft. barn and amazing rock quarry pool, waterfall and pavilion. Welcome home to this serene and private approx 26,547 sq. ft. family estate that embodies the Rancho Santa Fe lifestyle of timeless elegance and equestrian tradition.

Gloria Shepard & Kathy Lysaught 619.417.5564 Cell • gloria@gshepardhomes.com 858.922.9668 Cell • santaluzkal@gmail.com CalBRE #’s 01040966 & 01213489 ©2015, NRT Incorporated. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Owned and Operated by NRT, Inc. ALL INFORMATION DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED. VRM (Value Range Marketing): Seller will entertain offers within the listed range. Photo #3 by PreviewFirst.com ESSD275LYSA

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E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

Saddle Trail - This private 5-acre property has a residence that includes four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a large kitchen with gorgeous views overlooking the pool area. The property currently has a 5-stall barn, large grass paddocks and riding arena with the ability to have up to 20-stalls. Offered at $5,999,000 Matt Johnson +1 561-313-4367

Las Palmas Ranch - Custom-built home affords six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and a gourmet kitchen. A private rooftop sundeck overlooks the heated gunite pool complete with a Jacuzzi. Equestrian facilities include two matching barns with a total of 20 stalls, tack rooms, groom’s quarters. Offered at $7,950,000 Darren Marrotta +1 917-575-6361

Palm Beach Polo ∙ Winding Oaks - This lovely 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom Winding Oaks home is perfect for entertaining. The house includes an open kitchen with a breakfast bar, a 6 burner gas cooktop, as well as an informal dining space that has sliding glass doors that open up to the outdoor space. Offered at $1,800,000 Amy Carr +1 561-662-0728

Southfields - This lovely home in the charming Southfields neighborhood offers five bedrooms and five full and one-half bathrooms. Vaulted ceilings and sky lights open the space up and make the house bright and comfortable. The property is set on an acre of land, with mature trees, excellent views, and a pool with spa.

Offered at $1,595,000 Amy Carr +1 561-662-0728

Aspen Glen - Private 15 acre custom designed home with top equestrian facilities, unmatched in quality, design & finishes. Every detail was meticulously considered. Stunning stable with exposed wood beams, grooming bays, wash & storage areas. Riding arena with underground watering system, hot walker and round pen. Beautifully landscaped with private hacking paths throughout which compliment the subdivision’s trail system. Three grooms apartments and separate ancillary buildings with veterinary / farrier rooms, feed storage and multiple equipment bays. The main residence features cathedral ceilings, fireplace with floor to ceiling stone chimney, wood & marble floors, elevator, screened balconies and infinity pool with private water vistas.

Offered at $11,000,000 Matt Johnson +1 561-313-4367

Palm Beach Polo ∙ Las Casitas - This private end unit has been fully renovated and is move-in ready. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open floor plan, this charming home is offered furnished. Beautiful wood floors flow throughout the main living areas, with carpet in the bedrooms. Offered at $735,000 Amy Carr +1 561-662-0728

Wellington Equestrian Oasis - Stunning 15 acre equestrian estate in a private gated enclave. Designed with an eye for detail and tranquility, the property offers a 4Br/4Ba main residence, 2Br/2Ba manger’s home with two additional staff apartments, totaling 4 bedrooms. The equine amenities offered are a 12 stall stable, jumping arena, grass grand prix or hunter field and wonderful turnout paddocks. The infinity edge pool, yoga & Pilates studio and the flow of this home offer a Zen quality never been seen before in the area. A true masterpiece.

Offered at $9,800,000 on 10 acres or $11,000,000 on 15 acres Matt Johnson +1 561-313-4367

The real estate agency with the international network: wellington.evusa.com

©2016 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

Grand Prix Village - The gorgeous two-story barn includes 16-stalls, four wash/groom stalls, two tack rooms, laundry room with commercial grade Miele equipment, a feed room, fly spray system, and half bath.

The second story holds a modern and sleek owners’ lounge with two sets of French doors that open to balconies. Offered at $23,000,000

Grand Prix Village - There’s a 16-stall barn that includes a half-bathroom, two tack rooms, two feed rooms, and wash stations. A one-bedroom grooms’ apartment is on the second floor of the building, and includes a full bathroom and kitchen. Connected to the barn is a full owners’ home with vaulted ceilings and a gourmet kitchen. Offered at $13,950,000

Grand Prix Village - With six-acres of land, an 18-stall center aisle barn, gorgeous lake views, and hacking distance to the Winter Equestrian Festival, this property has everything a discerning equestrian could desire.

There’s a spacious owners’ lounge with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Grass Grand Prix field and all weather ring in place. Offered at $12,750,000

Across from Horse Show - 4.5 acre farm boasts solar tunnel lighting, solar panel power, gorgeous bamboo wood Rower & Rub Stalls, Nelson automatic waters, and a luxurious detached owners lounge overlooking the ring. The home has a pool with outdoor kitchen and balcony that overlooks the farm.

Offered at $12,750,000

Grand Prix Village - Situated on 4-acres of lush land, is an amazing 20-stall barn with 4 wash stalls, 2 tack rooms, a laundry room, and a feed room. The owners’ lounge has a beautiful fireplace as the focal point, as well as a kitchen with great room for entertaining and a wonderful view of the 220’ x 120’ competition ring with superior custom footing. Offered at $11,900,000

Palm Beach Point - 5 bedroom, 6 bathroom masterpiece with state-of-the-art amenities, soaring ceilings, and spectacular architecture. The 11-acre compound boasts a first class equestrian facility designed by a renowned equestrian. Magnificent 14stall barn with grooms’ quarters, professional ring with all-weather footing, and 10-oversized paddocks. Offered at $11,500,000

Saddle Trail - Customizable 30 stall farm with 3bedroom, 3 bathroom pool home on 6.25 acres in Saddle Trail. This superbly designed professional farm is complete with a huge sub-irrigated (Riso System) Ring with Martin Collins CLOPF Footing, grand prix jump field, lounging ring and a 6 horse covered walker.

Short hack to WEF showgrounds. Offered at $8,000,000

Las Palmas Ranch - 24+ acres in gated Las Palmas.

Close to the WEF and Global Dressage. This custombuilt home includes 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths and gourmet kitchen. Brilliantly appointed with Stone, Granite and Hardwood throughout. The property has a total of 20 stalls between two barns, grooms quarters, Bermuda grass field and bridle path. Offered at $7,950,000

Saddle Trail - 30 stall equestrian facility with 5bedroom, 3.5 bath pool home on 6.2 acres in Saddle Trail. Farm is complete with a new Olympic all weather sub-irrigated ring, grass jump field, 6 horse Kraft covered walker and a detached storage garage. Offered at $7,250,000

Carol A. Sollak, P.A. • Phone +1 561-818-9476 • Fax +1 561-791-2221 www.carolsollak.evusa.com • Wellington, Florida • Carol.Sollak@evusa.com

©2016 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Carr Sollak Realty, LLC licensee of Engel & Voelkers Florida Residential, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S PROTECT YOUR TRAILS Continued from page 84

convincing in our area include: preserving tradition and a providing a community asset; protecting a place to enjoy a traditional hobby; and maintaining a horse culture, which can be important to the community. Trails are a huge amenity to real estate and generally raise property values, and they can be a big draw to the area, creating jobs. Trails impact other organizations too—the carriage club, the hunt, the hunter pace are all beneficiaries, as are the neighbors who walk in the area.

If the trails disappear and the horse people leave, the type of community you have will change, and land may be more likely to be developed. Having a community asset like a trail system preserves low density for everyone’s benefit.

3. What is their legal liability? In an era of rampant litigation, liability is the single biggest obstacle to creating and maintaining a trail system. This is a very serious consideration for every landowner and should be treated with great respect.

Because laws vary by state, you need to get your own attorney.

We use a three-pronged strategy of prevention, legal savvy, and insurance to limit our landowners’ liability to the best extent possible.

P RE V E N T I O N

Good risk management is key. Look at your highest risk factors and limit them effectively. Usage rules can reduce risk dramatically. Helmet use is a must.

Closing trails when they are dangerous (poor footing, storm damage, alternate uses like a foxhunt, or deer-hunting season) and notifying riders about problem areas will all limit the opportunity for accidents and injuries.

Our standard is that an advanced beginner ought to be able to safely navigate our trails, and if they are dangerous and we cannot fix them, those trails do not need to be on the system.

Risk management not only prevents accidents but demonstrates that we have 88 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

acted with due care if we were involved in a liability suit.

L E GAL SAV V Y

Again, specialized professional help is a must, but in a nutshell, legal liability for accidents/injuries depends on whether the landowner was negligent. Negligence depends on a determination of what law applies; what is the legal duty of care to the injured party under the law; has the duty been met; and (in some states) did the injured party cause or contribute to the accident.

This is how we deal with these legal issues. We try to identify and understand applicable law. We strive to comply with the language and court rulings relating to recreational use statutes, which establishes a much lower duty of care by uncompensated landowners. Our goal is to meet the requirements of equine activity statutes, even if we are not sure they apply to landowners or how to meet the posting requirements. We include it with the annual membership and post it on important trailheads.

Our rules agreement and waiver stipulate that rules violations are contributory negligence by the rider, and accidents resulting from violations are foreseeable risks assumed by the rider.

We move the relationship from the jurisdiction of negligence law to contract law by requiring all members to sign an

inclusive liability release each year. This also applies to guests each time they ride.

This releases for liability for negligence, holds harmless, and indemnifies the landowner, the trail system, the officers and directors, contractors, etc. and accepts the standard care provided by the recreational use statute as the applicable level of care required.

Riders only have landowner’s permission if they abide by our rules agreement.

Breaking the rules downgrades a rider’s status from authorized user to trespasser.

Trespassers are owed little duty of care.

We require riders to sign and return the rules agreement, which establishes reasonable rules for their safety. If they break them, that is their choice, and they are trespassing.

INSURANCE

Good liability coverage in adequate amounts is expensive and difficult to find. If individual coverage for landowners is unattainable, there are other things that can be done. First, see what that lawyer or insurance person on your board can do. At the very least, consider club insurance to pay your landowner’s legal defense fees and get directors and officers insurance (if you incorporate) to protect board members.

Dot Moyer, a lifelong equestrian and trail rider, is on the board of directors of a nonprofit trail association formed in 1993 to preserve her area’s equestrian trails. The association, located in a growing area of western North Carolina, faces the typical problems causing trail losses everywhere. Currently, the association’s 180-plus voting landowners host approximately 400 riding members on 150 miles of trails connecting about 1,500 acres of private property.

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

F I N E PRO P E RTI E S

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E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

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A rare opportunity to own a work of art, this is one of the great equestrian estates of the world, with over 38,000 GBA sq. ft. of museum quality construction, secluded on 50 acres in a prime Midwest location.

In addition to the mansion, there is a guest apartment, a separate 5,567 sq. ft. stone home with 3,329 sq. ft. of finished basement, a 6,720 sq. ft. stable and many acres of emerald green lawns, studded with huge towering trees, a 7 acre private lake, incredible landscaping and gardens.

Built by craftsmen equivalent to those employed by the Astors or Vanderbilts, this stone mansion has all the elegance and grandeur of a bygone era. This estate has a total of 16 fireplaces, 16 bedrooms, 26 bathrooms, grand entertaining areas, a conservatory, and a lower level entertainment wing.

Elevator to all 3 levels. Stables and paddocks.

Also available is a separate 25 acre world class equestrian facility which may be purchased with Freeland Farm.

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

Marilyn Hoffman and National Champion Stallion, NNL Ultimate Bey

Hoffman International Properties 214-698-1736 www.MarilynHoffman Realtor.com

E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

Hoffman International Properties has set world records in the sale of equestrian properties, including the sale of a $20,000,000 estate that was sold for the full price in only 24 days. Marilyn Hoffman sold this Midwest estate sight unseen .

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Meadowland Farm

This 82 Landmark Kentucky farm has one of the great Kentucky mansions, a 14,000 sq. ft. neo-classical mansion, a 1885-circa historical guesthouse and a state-of-the-art equestrian facility with 48 custom stalls, a 240’ indoor driving arena and a 270’ outdoor riding arena.

Only $3,900,000 Furnished

www.Meadow-land.com Hoffman International Properties

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E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

EQ U E S T R I A N P R O P E R T I E S

FAVORITE BOOKS EQ Living editors choose four favorite BARN DESIGN books.

HEALTHY STABLES

BY DESIGN

by John Blackburn and Beth Herman

S

ubtitled A Common Sense Approach to the Health and Safety of Horses, this book by Equestrian Living’s friend, architect John Blackburn (see page 98) is unique. It combines both scientific principles and good design to promote the health and safety of horses.

Stunning, image-driven chapters elaborate on the genesis of each design, including the needs and requirements of individual horse owners and how environmental, code, municipal, and sometimes formidable landscape factors challenge, drive, and shape each design. Blackburn turns traditional sheltering practice for horses on its ear, introducing the concepts of aerodynamic ventilation, strategic natural light, and passive solar heating and cooling to barn designs.

HORSE STABLE AND RIDING ARENA DESIGN

STABLES Beautiful Paddocks, Horse Barns, and Tack Rooms

by Eileen Fabian Wheeler

by Kathryn Masson

W

hether you are a veterinarian consulting on how to maintain the integrity of the grain and water in a horse’s stall, or an agricultural engineer designing a new state-of-theart equine shelter, or simply a horse owner who wants the latest, safest, and most upto-date information on manure management—this book will provide the information you need. It covers everything from preferred building materials, lighting, flooring, to the design and management of a riding arena. The pages are filled with clear illustrations and information on many other topics such as ventilation, fence planning, fire safety, feed storage, bedding requirements, dust control systems, and a myriad of ideas designed for the comfort, safety, and health of your horse.

| 2016 | 2016 94 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | FEB AP RIRUARY L / MAY/ MARCH

ULTIMATE HORSE BARNS

by Randy Leffingwell

T

his beautiful book offers a lavish tour of some of the most notable stables in the country. It covers horse country across the United States—from the East Coast, to Bluegrass, to prairie and mountain ranches, to the West Coast. It traces the origins of 25 stunning stables. Featured barns include a farm in the countryside near Saratoga Springs, New York that incorporates a 1830s-constructed main barn.

It originally housed draft horses and now accommodates retired race horses turned into polo ponies. On the other side of the country is a worldrenowned Arabian breeding farm with Mediterranean architecture in Santa Ynez, California. Its stable courtyard and stone fountain are reminiscent of Moorish palaces.

E

ach of the 18 masterpiece horse barns featured in this book is a structure that embodies the owners’ love and appreciation for horses. The common thread through all these barns is that each is both innovative and beautiful. Author Randy Leffingwell has selected barn designs that react to specific concerns—a clever response to site challenges; meticulous attention to detail; equine health and safety; or significant historical context. The barns serve a range of purposes, from havens for private owners to successful breeding and training facilities to historical landmarks. The book captures the architectural beauty of these impressive structures as well as the love and passion the owners have for their PAGE 105 horses.

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E Q U E S T R I A N P R O P E RT I E S

EQ E S S E N T I A L S | D I N I N G

A TASTE OF SOUTHERN PINES CHEF WARREN,

of the highly acclaimed Chef Warren’s Bistro, shares one of his FAVORITE SEASONAL RECIPES. TUNA WITH BARLEY RISOT TO Tuna should be bright red and shiny. Reject any tuna that is browning, dull, or slimy. The tuna should have a crisp sea aroma. Any odor is a reason to shop elsewhere. If you must shop today for tomorrow, wrap the tuna in plastic, then place into a zipper bag. Store the tuna on ice in the refrigerator.

Serves 4 Four 6-ounce portions tuna 12 ounces raw barley 2 shallots 1 clove garlic 1/4 cup white wine 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

C

BY HOLLY MATT

2 tablespoons chopped tarragon

hef Warren’s charming bistro in downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina, serves up a broad spectrum of traditional, French-inspired cuisine prepared with fresh and exotic ingredients from their urban farm.

“One of my favorite dishes this time of year is tuna with barley risotto. I picked tuna because most of us have accessibility to it in local shops, and it is a quick, easy cook and high in protein,” says Chef Warren. “In this country, barley is under appreciated. I like to think of barley as earthy, meaty pasta—delish and versatile. Adding a salad to this entree truly makes it a complete meal.”

“One of my favorite dishes this time of year is tuna with barley risotto. I picked tuna, because most of us have accessibility to it in local shops, and it is a quick, easy cook and high in protein.”

Chef Warren

Chef Warren’s exterior.

Holly Matt enjoys the equestrian life in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She is head of Pegasus Design Group, an equestrian architectural firm.

For the salad, I like just the local greens tossed in a light red wine vinaigrette. I’m a big fan of adding diced Granny Smith apples to the salad, for a bit of crunch.

Preparation

Warm up the grill. Season the tuna with salt and pepper and lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

2. Prepare the barley. Rinse the barley in a strainer under hot water until the water runs clear. It’s always a good idea to look for twigs and pebbles in any agriculture product.

3. In a medium-size pot over medium heat, warm a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the diced shallots and chopped garlic until a wonderful aroma wafts its way through the kitchen. Add the barley and stir. Add the white wine and enough water to cover the barley by 1 inch; allow it to come up to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Let the barley cook until it is slightly chewy, like perfectly cooked pasta (about 20 minutes), adding more water if needed.

4. Drain any leftover water and add the heavy cream. Returning the pot to the medium heat, add the parmesan cheese and the tarragon; adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Hold the barley warm on the corner of the range.

5. Fire up the grill. Grill the tuna for 3 minutes or so on each side, depending on the thickness and how you’d like it cooked.

I’m a rare fan—it gives the tuna a nice creaminess.

6. To plate dinner, place 1/4 of the barley on the bottom of a plate, slice and fan the tuna on top. The salad goes on top of the tuna.

1.

Enjoy with a crisp white wine.

PAGE 105

A PRIL/M AY | 20 1 6 | EQ L I V I NG .CO M | 9 7

EQ D E S I G N

DESIGNING for EXTREMES Plan now for next winter’s SNOW AND ICE.

BY JOHN BLACKBURN

C

oming off the heels of a truly epic storm for the Washington, D.C., area (and most of the East Coast), I thought I’d take a moment to address how design techniques can help barns weather extremes.

In the United States, the upper Northeast through to the Midwest are prone to experiencing weather extremes in the form of snow and ice. While we cannot entirely weatherproof a barn, we can make it more resilient to some of the more damaging effects of weather.

The roof of a barn needs to be able to withstand the weight of snow or effectively shed it; prevent or reduce the formation of ice dams; redirect roof avalanches from sliding into high traffic or poor drainage areas; and reduce associated noise that could frighten the horses.

Water can build up under shingles Interior heat melts snow

Warm air rises from inside Cold air refreezes water and forms ice dam

SNOW AND ICE

Well-designed natural ventilation can help prevent ice dams that can damage roofs and buildings.

ROO F D E S I G N A N D MAT E RI A L S

In addition to contributing to the Bernoulli principle (which pulls air up and through the barn), that I incorporate for natural ventilation, steeply pitched roofs also contribute to effective, gradual snow shedding and the redistribution of snow load. Ideally the pitch should be between 4/12 and 6/12 to get the optimal shedding effect, although we generally try to keep pitches at 7/12 or more to take full advantage of the chimney effect and Bernoulli principle for natural ventilation.

98 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

Roofing material will also factor into how the snow will be shed. Metal roofs are excellent because they are smooth and slick. They will also stay colder longer, reducing the likelihood that snow will melt and form ice dams (more on this below). Snow will shed from a metal roof even if the pitch is lower. Shingled roofs, however, will slow down the shedding process by holding on to the snow and allowing it to stay in place and accumulate. Consider a steeper pitch if you prefer a shingled roof, as it will facilitate the shedding process over the rougher material.

Architect John Blackburn grew up with horses in eastern Tennessee. His architectural firm, Blackburn Architects, was established in Washington, D.C., in 1983 and has become one of America’s best-known firms specializing in equestrian projects. John’s book, Healthy Stables

by Design, has become a standard in the field of horse-stable design. (See page 94)

Now, you might be saying to yourself, “Well, the snow is off the roof, but it’s all over the place. Now what?” Including strategic roof overhangs will complement the steeper pitch by helping to distribute shedding snow away from exterior walls and out of traffic and poor drainage areas. Be wary though—snow sliding off roofs can be noisy and frightening to horses, not to mention dangerous if it falls on you. Snow guards on the roof can help reduce the noise associated with shedding snow and keep huge sheets of it from falling on (and potentially harming) two- and four-legged passersby. Gabled dormers over entryways can also be useful. They help to direct snow off to the sides.

Ice dams are another unfortunate side effect of snow-laden roofs. An ice Continued on page 100

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation Gl ad stone • Ne w Jerse y • Un i t ed Stat e s • USE T.org

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Please help us make sure our United States Equestrian Teams have the support they need on The Ride to Rio! USET.org (908) 234-1251

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media ecca Walton and Group inkman, Reb Shannon Br , e r o m l i G rin E y b s o t o Ph

EQ D E S I G N PHOTOS: KEN WYNER

Continued from page 98

dam forms when the underside of the roof gets warm enough to thaw the bottom layer of snow sitting on the other side.

The water makes its way down to the eave where it refreezes, eventually growing into a mound of ice.

As the ice dam gets larger, it can pull the roof’s shingles and edges up, allowing water to get through and into the insulation and walls. Water damage then wreaks havoc on the interior of the barn. The ice dam could also break off the eave and take pieces of the roof with it or fall on passersby.

Certainly, there are ways to deal with ice dams once they’ve formed, but natural ventilation can help prevent them upfront. Natural ventilation keeps the underside of the roof within 10 degrees of the outside temperature. This aides in keeping that critical layer of snow on top from thawing and running down towards the eaves.

S I T E P L A N N I NG FOR W I N T E R

Site and circulation planning can help prevent or reduce the impact of icy conditions around equine walkways.

In the interest of horse safety, I try to 10 0 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

Blackburn-designed Beechwood Stables, located in Weston, Massachusetts, features steeply pitched metal roofs with snow guards and dormers to facilitate and distribute shedding snow.

design site circulation so that horses need not move over asphalted areas intended for trucks and service vehicles. There are other benefits associated with this practice: asphalt is generally not great for a horse’s knees, but it is particularly problematic when wintery conditions lead to the formation of black ice—a thin sheet of ice over the asphalt that can be imperceptible to horses or people walking on it. Horse pathways in and around the barn should include porous footing that absorbs and carries moisture away quickly.

Presently, I know of no way to prevent pastures from freezing over, but you can maintain a dry paddock or “sacrifice” lot where your horses can be turned out when pastures have been affected by inclement weather. Paddocks with considerable slope can be particularly hazardous when they freeze over. That’s when a level, dry lot can be very useful.

As many on the East Coast found out this past winter, there is only so much preparation you can do in a couple of days before a storm hits. You, your horses, and your barn will benefit from built-in preparation.

PAGE 105

BLENHEIM

EQUISPORTS

the place to be in 2016 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO • DEL MAR • LAS VEGAS SHOWPARK.COM APP

EQ G I V I N G B A C K

THUNDEROUS VICTORY Denver’s FAVORITE BRONCO is actually three gray Arabians.

THRE E T HU NDE R S

Three purebred Arabians have been cast to the mascot role that debuted in September 1993. The organization had asked Sharon Magness-Blake, a Colorado Arabian breeder, if she had a white horse.

She chose a multiple-time U.S. national champion stallion named JB Kobask to play the role. “He was smart, a lovable handful with a sense of humor,” she said.

After his retirement, Magness-Blake chose one of her pleasure horses, a young 10 2 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I VIN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

Sharon’s husband, Ernie, who clears the pathways on the sidelines between the cameras and players.”

In addition to the numerous jobs that Thunder and his team accomplish on the field, they spend much of their time and effort outside the stadium. Magness-Blake is a civic-minded woman who is involved in a wide variety of nonprofit endeavors. Thunder has been a special guest to benefit organizations such as the Children’s Hospital, the Denver Rescue Mission, and the American Heart Association. MagnessBlake is also co-founder of a charity called Western Fantasy which raises a million dollars annually for Volunteers of America. At their annual fundraiser, she and Thunder ride around tables full of cheering guests with the American flag while God Bless America plays.

Thunder also hosts an annual Christmas party for 300 children from local Boys and Girls Clubs, which include picnic lunches, face painting, balloon animals, gifts from Santa, and of course, a photo with the mascot.

ERIC LARS BAKKE/ DENVER BRONCOS

T

he Denver Bronco’s victory at Super Bowl 50 this winter can certainly be attributed to the hard work of Von Miller, the game’s MVP, or to the knowledge of veteran quarterback Peyton Manning.

But perhaps it came in small part from the good luck offered by the team’s mascot, a gray Arabian named Thunder, who gallops up the field after each Denver touchdown. “He wears his blanket inside-out,” Thunder’s rider and trainer, Ann Judge, told ABC News. “It’s considered good luck.”

gelding, to continue in his footsteps as Thunder II. Just a few years later, she foresaw the need for a third horse and began training Thunder III, who is now lovingly known as Tres.

Thunder’s duties include leading the team out onto the field at home games and cantering the length of the field after each Denver touchdown. His first away game was 1998’s Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego, after which he returned home to lead the victory parade for 600,000 Denver fans.

Team Thunder, a crew that constantly accompanies the star equine, includes a bodyguard and handlers who help guide Thunder and shovel anything that he might leave on the field. “We have a great team,” explained Judge. “In addition to Sharon and myself, there is

HOME ON THE RANCH

CHARLIE DANIELS Continued from page 65

Thurman pointed to other horses grazing nearby and remembered horses that are now only memories. “Major is the horse Charlie learned to rope on,” he says. “There was Try Pat; he had over 300 points on him, on halter, on Western, on reining, roping, and cutting—he could do it all.

My favorite stallion was Pancho San Bar, whose sire was the great Peppy San. Pancho’s mother was an own daughter (sic) of Doc Bar. We still have horses with Pancho’s and King Bear’s bloodlines. The barn fire set us back, but we are rebuilding the herd.

There’s Manassas; he does either end, heads and heels, and he’s currently my favorite. Twin Pines Taz is a young gelding named after Charlie’s long-time friend and piano player who died the year before Taz foaled. There’s Candoos Dixie Belle, our best mare, in foal to the great Freckles Fancy Jake.

“Charlie really enjoyed roping and cutting. He was a serious competitor as a heeler in team roping, and he won more than one buckle. We pursued cutting and reining seriously with horses in training in Tennessee, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, and South Carolina. Charlie’s favorite stallion was TP King Bear, who cut and roped and spent his entire life at Twin Pines. He is the sire of TP New Beginnings, the only stallion we have out of TP King Bear.”

Thurman continues, “Right now, there are 14 horses at Twin Pines. They are AQHA and American Paint Horse Association (APHA) horses. At one time we had as many as six stallions and 50-plus brood mares, colts, fillies, 10 4 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I VIN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

over quantity. We want to be a player—we’re not going to be a dealer—but we’ll hopefully be a player.”

Thurman smiles and says, “No one could ask for a better boss or friend than Charlie Daniels. He lets you know what he wants done and leaves you alone to make it happen. The same goes for his wife, Hazel.

Charlie puts the Lord first, his family a close second, and his friends a close third. I’ve heard it said that Charlie doesn’t look down on anyone, doesn’t look up to anyone except the Lord, and looks everyone else in the eye.

He definitely lives the ‘cowboy way.’”

A geldings, and other mares. The most was 80-plus.”

Charlie talks of the future. “We’re going to do some breeding,” he says.

“We’re not going to get head over heels into it and have 75 horses on the ranch any more. We’re going to go for quality

fter riding New Beginnings up the hill to an old barn that seems somehow familiar, Charlie gives an impromptu fiddle concert during our photo shoot. It seems that the reason much of the ranch looks familiar is from the many TV commercials filmed here, including Wrangler, Chevy, Purina Dog Chow, and Busch Beer, as well as a Wrangler country christmas TV special and Tanya Tucker and other music videos.

Later in the day, while relaxing on the log porch overlooking the beautiful ranch, Charlie smiles and says, “There’s the tennis court, there’s my golf area, my shooting range, and, of course, the horses.

When I’m not on tour, weeks go by and I don’t ever leave the ranch. This is my favorite place on earth.”

PAGE 105

EQ R E S O U R C E S

WHERE TO FIND IT Look for the symbol throughout the magazine to find out about featured products and services.

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FASHION Page 20 Kid’s Boots Boden bodenusa.com BOGS bogsfootwear.com Hunter us.hunterboots.com Joules joulesusa.com Kamik kamik.com L.L. Bean llbean.com FAVORITES Page 22 Yoga Horse Yoga Girl horseyogagirl.com STYLE Page 26 Jewelry David Yurman davidyurman.com Gucci gucci.com Hoorsenbuhs hoorsenbuhs.com Loriece loriece.com Ralph Lauren ralphlauren.com

CHARLOTTE JORST Page 28 CharlotteJorst.com Kastel Denmark kasteldenmark.com TRAVEL Page 36 AdventureWomen adventurewomen.com Amangiri, Utah aman.com/resorts/amangiri andBeyond Benguerra andbeyond.com/benguerraisland Connemara Equestrian Escapes connemaraequestrianescapes.com Four Seasons Lanai, Hawaii fourseasons.com/lanai La Bamba de Areco, Argentina labambadeareco.com Nayara Springs, Costa Rica nayarasprings.com Omni Homestead, Virginia omnihotels.com/hotels/ homestead-virginia

PER AQUUM Desert Palm, Dubai minorhotels.com/en/peraquum/desert-palm Turtle Island, Fiji turtlefiji.com NASHVILLE Page 54 Brownland Farm brownlandfarm.com The Country Music Hall of Fame countrymusichalloffame.org Draper James draperjames.com Gibson Guitar Factory gibson.com The Grand Ole Opry opry.com Greenbrier Distillery greenbrierdistillery.com The Iroquois Steeplechase iroquoissteeplechase.org Johnny Cash Museum johnnycashmuseum.com Parnassus Books parnassusbooks.net Dining Acme Feed and Seed Restaurant theacmenashville.com

The Cock of the Walk cockofthewalkrestaurant. com Mack and Kate’s Cafe mackandkatescafe.com The Palm Restaurant thepalm.com Sperry’s Restaurant sperrys.com Entertainment The Bluebird Cafe bluebirdcafe.com Legends legendscorner.com Second Fiddle thesecondfiddle.com The Stage on Broadway thestageonbroadway.com Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge www.tootsies.net CHARLIE DANIELS Page 60 Charlie Daniels Band charliedaniels.com Twin Pines Ranch charliedanielstwinpinesranch. com

BELLE MEADE Page 66 Belle Meade Plantation bellemeadeplantation.com RECLAIMING BEAUTY Page 68 Annie Brahler/Euro Trash eurotrash.us GALLERY Page 74 Cross Gate Gallery crossgategallery.com DINING Page 97 Chef Warren’s Bistro chefwarrens.com DESIGN Page 98 Blackburn Architecture blackburnarch.com BARN DOGS Page 106 Carl Hester carlhester.com Danny & Ron’s Rescue dannyandronsrescue.com

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EQ B A R N D O G S

CARL AND COOKIE The champion Olympic dressage rider takes a DESERVING PUP back to his English-countryside home.

BY JILL NOVOTNY

B

ritish champion dressage rider Carl Hester was enjoying the weekend at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, when he came across the Danny & Ron’s Rescue booth.

He and his friends, all dog lovers, immediately stopped to look.

Carl met Cookie, a terrier mix with a horrific story. She had been tied up on a chain in her owner’s back yard for almost seven years. Rescuers had found Cookie in terrible condition, her skin ravaged by unchecked fleas and ticks. Their hearts broke for the sweet older dog. Without hesitation, Carl decided to bring her home.

Carl is one of the world’s top dressage riders. He won gold for the U.K. at the London Olympics in 2012 with teammates Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer, and more recently won the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Grand

Cookie had been tied up on a chain in her owner’s back yard for almost seven years.

Prix Freestyle at the Olympia Horse Show in London. His farm (or yard, as he calls it) in England is a perfect picture of English country life. The stables are built in a traditional courtyard design with a lovely archway and clock tower. The spacious buildings are outfitted with modern equipment, and a bit farther down the lane are incredible facilities for indoor and outdoor schooling.

“Cookie will love a life in the countryside at my farm,” Carl told Kim Tudor, executive director of Danny and Ron’s Rescue.

Finding a way to make the trip has been slow, but there is no doubt she will end up where she belongs.

“With our help, she’ll find a way to her new life!”

Tudor said.

Cookie is being fostered in Wellington by a young rider who missed her labrador at home in Washington. By the time Cookie arrives in England, she will be accustomed to horses and show life as well as the freedom and snuggles she surely deserves.

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10 6 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | AP RI L / MAY | 2016

Hermès Allegro jumping saddle flat seat

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