Equestrian Quarterly, Winter 2012-13

CELEBRATING

COUNTRY LIFE

E Q U E S T R I A N Q U A R T E R LY

E Q U E S TR I A N WINTER 2012 | 2013

$6.95 | $7.95 CAN

Q U A R T E R L Y

Winter Warmth: The Five Best Horse Towns to Escape the Snow

W I N T ER 2 0 12 | 2 0 1 3

EQ TAKES YOU INSIDE WELLINGTON VERMONT WASSAIL | FASHION | FABULOUS FARMS | A RT S | S T Y L E

DISPLAY UNTIL FEBRUARY 19TH

Candace Bushnell: From Sex and the City to a Farm in the Country

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Maxi Marine Chronometer 43 mm - 266-67-3/43 Self-winding chronometer certified movement.

Water-resistant to 200 m. 18 ct rose gold case.

Available on gold bracelet or rubber strap.

F O R A C ATA L O G , C A L L 5 6 1 - 9 8 8 - 8 6 0 0 O R E M A I L : U S A 1 0 8 @ U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M W W W . U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

Inside

WINTER 2012 | 2013 ISSUE

F E AT U R E S

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C A N DAC E BU S H N E L L . . . F RO M S E X A N D T H E C I T Y TO A FA R M I N T H E C O U N T RY Candace answers a few of Editor-at-Large, Ann Leary’s questions about her life with horses.

38

EQUUS An insightful interview with Tim Flach, the eloquent equine photographer behind the Hermès ads.

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HUNTER’S JUMPERS Join EQ for a personal tour of CEO Hunter Harrison’s family farm and growing horse business.

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SUN HORSE RANCH Meet Jes Maharry, the top jewelry designer for Rober t Redford’s Sundance catalog at her idyllic studio and ranch near Santa Barbara, CA

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W I N T E R WA R M T H Tired of the snow and ice? Take a look at our warm-weather destinations and find a sunny getaway for you and your horses this winter.

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EQ visits Candace Bushnell’s farm in the country.

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W E L L I N G TO N Discover the rich history of Wellington and how it evolved into the center of the equestrian world during the snowy months. Hear from top competitors, take a look behind the gates, and visit some of the area’s iconic farms.

WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 1 1

Inside DEPARTMENTS

WINTER 2012 | 2013 ISSUE

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54

D ESIGN Look inside an amazing indoor arena inspired by the nest of its former inhabitants, a family of storks.

A RT S Marcia Spivak, rider-turned-sculptor, brings her passion of horses to her steel-working studio.

39

10 Editor’s Note 16 Science Discover genetic research that could change the future of harness racing.

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FAVORITES Make room for a new tool in your tack trunk: your smart phone.

Check out EQ’s top 10 apps for horse people and how they could help you at the barn or show ring.

22

PEOPLE Designer David Yurman recounts some memories of riding as a child and talks about his horses today.

24

STYLE The top jewelry designer for Rober t Redford’s Sundance catalog, Jes Maharry finds inspiration in her life-long love of horses.

26

FA S H I O N How much of your own style shows in your riding clothes?

With a widening variety of colors and materials, it is more possible than ever to be comfor table, confident, and unique in the show ring.

86

T R AV E L Witness a cozy New England winter solstice tradition where horses are the stars in Woodstock, Vermont.

30 Peter Leone: The Lion’s Roar 90 Robert Ridland Meet the next U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe.

94 Marketplace and Directory 97 Resources (Look for to find the products and services in this issue.)

98 Barn Dogs Meet Clover, recently adopted by a successful young rider.

O N T H E C OV E R : Charlotte Jacobs, a high-school junior and winning jumper, in Wellington, Florida. Meet Charlotte and her “Barn Dog” on page 98.

(Photo: James Parker & Kathy Russell | The Book)

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CORRECTION: In the previous issue of EQ, we credited a photo of the Solvang, California windmill to Kur t Fischer.

The photo was actually taken by Debra Tuttle.

Welcome W

STEPHANIE PETERS EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

e all know the expression that time passes more quickly as we get older. I know it has been my experience. It seems only weeks ago I was reviewing the pages of our Inaugural Issue of EQ while escaping the heat with a refreshing summer drink (OK, my new favorite, a Pimm’s cup.)

But now thoughts of the winter holidays are already encroaching, along with the apprehension of the frigid months that follow. If you are a northerner, you are all too familiar with the endless grey skies and mounting snow.

Why not plan to escape the stark months of winter? Our Winter Warmth feature will tempt you into visiting one of our five favorite getaway options. Take your horses, join your friends, and ride in the sun ’til your heart’s content.

If Wellington is at the top of your list, you will enjoy our in-depth look at the rich history and equestrian community that is flourishing in this unique, star-studded town. We were invited behind the gates, into the homes, and around the stables of some of Wellington’s most prominent residents.

Our EQ team has also been busy meeting with fascinating people north of the MasonDixon line and across the pond.

Meet author Candace Bushnell at her farm, view the exquisite equine images of photographer Tim Flach, and tour Hunter Harrison’s home and Double H farm. Visit Robert Redford’s Sundance jeweler Jes Maharry, who is already enjoying the winter warmth of California’s central coast, at her idyllic Sun Horse Ranch, and there’s so much more!

WE ASKED AND YOU RESPONDED

We asked subscribers and businesses to provide feedback on our Inaugural Issue. Some of you were asked to respond to a short survey with targeted questions about the design, size, cover, and content.

10 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

We’re proud that our readers overwhelmingly rated EQ as “excellent,” and we thought it would be interesting to share some of the accolades as well as a few comments indicating room for improvement. Here are a few: “Thank you so much for putting out this magazine. We were long overdue for something like this.”

“Absolutely gorgeous cover-to-beautiful-cover!!

Can’t wait for the next issue. Even my not-so-horsey husband enjoyed reading it, especially the piece about “The Barn People.”

“I like the idea of having a magazine that explores the style, arts, and homes of the equestrian world. Nice to see, for a change.”

But before you think we’ve become smug, some commented: “Too big to read in bed” and “aimed at the 1 percent...I think you could turn Equestrian Quarterly around with a bit of tinkering.”

There was also much discussion of our “matte” cover coating. Some of you hated it and wanted the traditional gloss, but the majority liked its unique feel and protective properties.

Our team is inspired by your feedback.

We’d love to hear from you by email or on Facebook. It motivates us to continue with our vision, enhance what is working, and “tinker” with what didn’t hold up to scrutiny.

Cheers for the holidays!

gET invOlvEd aT

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EQUESTRIAN

Q U A R T E R L Y

®

WINTER 2012 | 2013 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters EDITOR AT LARGE Ann Leary DEPARTMENTS EDITOR Jill B. Medinger DESIGN MANAGER Mar y A. Stroup PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper EDITORIAL MANAGER Rose DeNeve EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Brad Elliott, Abigail Googel, Sarah Lessler, Peter Leone, Renee Spurge, Sue Weakley INTERNS Abigail Googel, Taylor Laatch, Erin Leon, Cher yl Movsesian, EQUESTRIANQUARTERLY.COM TECHNOLOGY SERVICES Allora Media, Mark Coleman, Matt Tarsi, Joe Pitassi PUBLISHER C. W. Medinger ADVERTISING SALES (West) Carolyn MaHarr y, 310-218-2355, maharr y@wynnwoodmedia.com Lara Ulrich Leone, 856-296-7636, leone@wynnwoodmedia.com (East and Equestrian) Linda Andersen, 603-718-1478, linda.andersen41@gmail.com (Wellington) Christian Palmer, 612-618-8216, clpalmer287@gmail.com CONSULTANTS George Fuller, Kristin Ackerman PR/PRESS INQUIRIES Carrie Wir th, Phelps Media Group, Wellington, FL, 561-753-3389 NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Teri Combs, RCS Magazines, Richard Trummer, Cur tis Circulation Co. PRINT & DISTRIBUTION Eric Medina, Publication Printers, Denver, CO EQ ADVISORY BOARD EQUESTRIAN REAL ESTATE Tracy Brindle, Luxequestrian.com TWO SWANS FARM Carol Cohen, Wellington, FL THERAPEUTIC RIDING Patty Coyle, PATH, Pegasus, Brewster, NY CHERRY KNOLL FARMS Margaret Duprey, Wellington, FL FUTURE CONCEPTS J. Stanley Edwards DRESSAGE Katja Eilders, FEI Master German Classical Dressage, CT GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB Melissa Ganzi, Wellington, FL TACK & ACCESSORIES & FASHION Tabitha Knaub, LA Saddler y, Los Angeles, CA OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST/SHOW JUMPING Peter Leone, Lionshare Farm, Greenwich, CT HUNTER/JUMPER TRAINER AND REINING LEGENDS Colleen and Tim McQuay, Tioga, TX INTERIOR DESIGN & STYLE M. Dougie Mutch, ASID, Gracie Street, Wellington, FL USET FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER Robin Parsky, Rancho Santa Fe, CA COLLEGE RIDING Sue Payne, IHSA Region President, Smith College, MA OLYMPIAN AND PRESIDENT OF PHELPS MEDIA GROUP Mason Phelps, Wellington, FL HUNTER/JUMPER WEST Chris Pratt, Los Angeles, CA EQUESTRIAN FASHION Renee Spurge, LA Saddler y, Los Angeles, CA COMBINED DRIVING LEGEND Chester Weber, Ocala, FL EQUESTRIAN QUARTERLY is published four times yearly and is distributed at selected equestrian locations, newsstands and available for home deliver y for $18.95/$21.95 Canada. equestrianquar terly.com/subscribe or EQ, Box One, Brownsville, VT 05037 Subscription management and address changes: www.equestrianquar terly.com/subscription Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor : info@equestrianquar terly.com WYNNWOOD MEDIA LLC 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10003 © 2012 All rights reser ved, Wynnwood Media, LLC . No por tion may be reproduced in print or online without written permission. ® Equestrian Quar terly and EQ are registered trademarks of Wynnwood Media.

Scan to SUBSCRIBE and get EQ delivered right to your mailbox

CURTIS CIRCULATION COMPANY

12 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

WYNNWOOD MEDIA LLC

Design An absolutely amazing indoor arena.

JAROSLAV MALÝ, SGL PROJEKT

For 30 years, Stork Nest Farm in the Czech Republic had been abandoned and the buildings quickly decayed. The only solitary residents who remained were the storks living in a well-built nest on the chimney. THE STORK’S NEST BECAME A SYMBOL for the architects, who created an award-winning landmark in homage to their home.

The Stork Nest Farm, located in Semtín, Czech Republic, 50 kilometers south of Prague, was designed

by SGL Projekt Architects. The suppor ting structure is made of glulam timber beams, and the external cladding is made of translucent polycarbonate. The 200 tons of oak logs

wrapping the exterior give the structure an expressive appearance and also provide shading. A central sky-light serves for ventilation of the internal space by natural air flow.

PAGE 97.

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GGT FOOTNG™ AND KETCHAM GROUP A WINNING COMBINATION

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88 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

609 738-3025 www.theketchamgroup.com

Science

Scientists find THE PACING GENE. Does that mean that some horses are born to win?

BY JILL MEDINGER

H

ave you ever felt that your horse was made to do his job? It turns out some horses are actually genetically predisposed to succeed in harness racing, a discovery that could change the industry.

Scientists at Sweden’s Uppsala University have recently discovered a single gene that determines a horse’s locomotion, and whether a horse can “pace,” a gait separate from the walk, trot, and canter of the average horse. Pacing is a motion in which both legs on the same side move forward at once, and is a movement that some horses simply cannot achieve. As such, the discovery could prove to have dramatic consequences on the sport of harness racing, where pacing is required, and a break to the gallop results in disqualification.

A S I N G L E G E NE

The team compared the genetic code of a group of horses, and discovered that there was just a single change in the genetic code of the horses that could pace – a key gene known as DMRT3.

In an interview with The New York Times, the lead researcher, Leif Andersson called it a “sensational finding.”

Andersson and his team began by looking at Icelandic horses, who are known for their comfortable ambling gait, called tölt. From there, they began studying horses with this extra gait, such as the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Paso Fino. It turned out that every horse that demonstrated this extra gait also had this particular genetic mutation. No horses showed the gene without showing the ability to pace.

When they began to study the Swedish harness racing horses, the mutation was linked 16 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

“Training a horse for two years is a costly practice,” Andersson said.

“If a horse doesn’t have the best constitution, it’s a waste of your money.”

to higher race performance, breeding values, and increased prize earnings over a horse’s career.

In an interview with ScienceOmega.com, Andersson elaborated the importance of the study on our knowledge of the evolution of today’s horse, “The gait of the horse is important to the ways in which we can use it. The driving force behind this would have been that humans thousands of years ago or more noticed there were some horses with a different gait that made riding smoother and easier. That was an advantage in a time when there were no cars and people were spending days and days on horseback. If it produced a smoother ride, that trait would be favored.”

IMPROV I N G T H E O D D S

Though genetics cannot predict the outcome of a race, it can help owners and breeders of harness racing horses to determine their potential, and can therefore save the money that would need to be invested in years of training the wrong horse. “Training a horse for two years is a costly practice,” Andersson said. “If a horse doesn’t have the best constitution, it’s a waste of your money.” Scientists have already patented a DNA test to identify the DMRT3 variant, allowing horse buyers to know before purchasing whether the horse has the increased likelihood of pacing and therefore success as a harness racer.

The findings also have important implications for human medicine, including treatment for paralysis and spinal cord injuries. The discovery has given the medical community a wealth of new information regarding locomotion, and about how the spinal cord controls the movement of the legs.

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Favorites 3. EQUITRAIL (IPHONE, $4.99, V. 1 . 1 )

T H E A P P S TORE TACK SHOP As new apps are constantly being added

to the Apple and Android stores, horse owners have put their heads together to create some clever and inventive uses for smart phones and tablets in the barn, during lessons, or at the show ring. From calculating a horse’s weight to learning a dressage test, your smart phone can now take its place in your tack trunk between the poultice and saddle pads as a useful tool.

1. STARTBOX (IPHONE $4.99, V.1.0) Startbox, though still relatively small, has already changed the way many people horse show. Giving you on-the-go access to entry lists, ride times, and results, the days of “hurry up and wait” may soon be over!

This app can be used for any number of outdoor sports, but is just right for the avid trail-rider.

The GPS tracks you in real time, pointing out places of interest along the way, and placing any pictures you take right onto your map. Save your routes, share your rides and pictures, and never get lost again!

10 Great Apps for Horse People

4. MYH O R S E ( A N D RO I D & I P H O N E , FREE, V. 1 . 9 )

2. COURSEWALK (IPAD & IPHONE, $9.99, V.1.9) Going over the course in your mind the night before a show, do you ever wish you could walk the course just once more? This app allows you to do just that, with every feature you could

hope for, including photos of each jump placed on a GPS map, an elevation profile display, and even a 3D flyover of the course. Next time, get to the in-gate prepared and confident!

This is a simple game that’s perfect for pony kids, but fun for adults as well. You choose your horse, compete in jumping competitions, and play games in the pasture and the barn. Despite

the silly graphics, it is addicting for adults, and great for occupying youngsters when they are finished with their ponies and you still have some more barn work to do!

5.HORSE RID E R S O S ( A N D RO I D & IPHONE, $7.95 , V. 1 . 0 5 ) Though many of us hate to admit it, horse sports are among the most dangerous, and trail rides and hunter paces can take us to remote locations where there is even more chance of running into

trouble. Horse Rider SOS is a tool intended to provide an alert system when a rider is thrown or is left unconscious, so that the rider’s exact location can be tracked and assistance can be sent.

Continued on page 20

18 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

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Favorites

Continued from page 18

6. CABALLO HORSEMARKET (IPAD & IPHONE, FREE, V.1.3) Linked to CaballoHorseMarket.com, this is a useful app for those looking to buy or sell any type of sport horse. With a relatively attractive interface, the app allows you to browse horses by breed, riding style, or popularity, and the search function makes more specific inquiries

easy. When you find the horse you’re interested in, listings have pictures, prices, pedigrees, and many even include YouTube videos, allowing you to see your potential horse in action.

9 . G O H O R S ES H OW ( I P H O N E , F R E E , V. 1 . 0 ) This is an informative web community for the APHA, AQHA and ApHC. The wealth of information they make available includes schedules, results, news, and highlights. This horse news app is based on the website GoHorseShow. com, where there are plenty more tools for the showing equestrian.

10 7 . I H O R S E R I DER (IPHONE, $24.99, V. 1 . 2 ) Though the price tag might make you think twice, this app offers what much more expensive books and lesson programs might, and you can have it in your pocket at the barn. The exercises focus on the

fundamentals and on ways to create a trusting relationship with your horse. The real value of this app is the personalized help you can get via email from the trainer behind the program, who can guide you and your horse through each of the lessons.

Great Apps for Horse People 10. HORSE 360 (IPHONE,$1.99, V. 1 . 5 )

8. EQUISKETCH RECORDS (IPAD & IPHONE, $4.99, V.1.5.7) After organizing appointments, travel, finances, and millions of other things, it was only a matter of time before the organizing capacity of the iPhone was specialized for barn management. Not only does this app help you manage your horses’ needs, from farrier, dentist, and vaccination schedules to weight tracking and nutrition, but it also

20 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

helps you track the riders at your barn, their contact information, lesson planning, and memberships. This allencompassing program even allows you to manage the shows you hope to attend, including class schedules and results.

Of a large crowd, this app has really emerged as the end-all stable management tool for smart phones.

Horse 360 is an educational app, including anatomy charts and quizzes, that can help you to know your horse better. The best function is “Vet Talk” mode which allows you to be clear and efficient in conversations with your vet about your horse’s health.

Hand-made

Hand carved amethyst horse head set in 14K white gold with 1/2 carat of diamonds.

(This is a one-of-a-kind piece) $2,750

in our shop

Choose from thousands of exquisite pieces in stock.

Western saddle slider-pendant, 14K yellow gold, hand engraved and set with 1/2 carat total weight of white diamonds and the seat is set with black diamonds. $5,750

Western boot pendant in 14K yellow gold and diamonds, rubies and sapphires on front and the back hand engraved with a floral design. $4,750

or bring in your old jewelry and work with one of our talented designers to create your own unique design!

Great looking and very wearable horse head bracelet, 14K yellow gold.

Horse heads set with sapphire eyes and white gold rings set with one carat of fine diamonds. Heavy weight (47 grams) $6,750

Stirrup earrings, available in 14K white or Yellow gold.

1/5 carat of diamonds set in base of stirrup, pierced post.

Designed to be worn all day. $950.

Set with 2 carats of white diamonds, this 14K English hunt boot pendant in white gold with yellow spur and stirrup is very impressive.

Reverse side is 14K yellow gold for a more traditional look. $4,250

14K yellow gold jump bracelet set with 1.75 carats of fine diamonds.

Each jump different. Very substantial at 40.8 grams. $5,750

www.vandell.com Wellington publix Courtyard 561-753-7937

royal palm Beach Costco shopping Ctr 561-784-5220

“Always buying gold and silver for the highest prices.�

People Horse Sense: Designer DAVID YURMAN on the Equestrian Life.

AS TOLD TO HANNAH ELLIOTT

Taken from a conversation Hannah Elliott had with jewelry magnate David Yurman about his passion for horseback riding. Here’s part of the chat, recounted in David’s own words.

T

he start was – I guess I was 9 years old – with my dad.

He rode. He liked to dress up in the riding jodhpurs and the gray and brown tweed jackets. He looked the proper English horseman. He rode English, so I learned between 9 and 15 how to ride English. I learned what the proper seat was, all the etiquette.

It was scary because the horses were big, and my father was like, “Eh, you’ll figure it out. You’ll catch up.” And I was like, “Oh my god, I can’t stop the horse.

He’s running away!” And he said, “Don’t worry, there’s an ocean between here and there, Dave.

He’ll stop.”

It was sort of tough love.

“You’ll figure it out.”

My dad rode every Saturday, and I rode with him. It was 7:30 out the door, on the horse by 8:30.

Home by 12, 1 o’clock and stopping off at a little deli along the way. It was a tradition we had.

I stopped when I was 18, 19.

Then, about 1984, I was in my 20s and met a bunch of guys in the jewelry business. I heard them talking about trail rides, and I was like, “That’d be great.”

It was trail rides in New York, upstate. We did it every year. You just load up and you pack in. I still ride with them.

Twenty-seven years we’ve been doing this. Same group.

22 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

I WA S L I K E , O H M Y G O D, I C A N ’ T S TO P T H E HORSE. HE’S RU N N I N G AWAY !

I have three horses. I have one that still is competing.

He’s trained, ready to go. He’s a great horse. Not a good horse – a great horse. A full-bred American quarter horse: Chicken ­Enchilada – he’s 10 years old. We call him Cluck.

The discipline of riding a really well-trained quarter horse is like the difference between driving a beautiful Mercedes and then you get into a Bugatti or a Lotus Elan or a racing Porsche. Very highly tuned, and you know what the signals are.

They call it “reining,” but what is interesting is that a horse doesn’t really move off your rein.

Your reins are almost always loose; your suggestion is verbal and leg. And the mind. You don’t even have to move your body. I can think “right,” and he’ll move for it. They pick up everything.

They hear your heartbeat. They know what kind of state you’re in.

There’s nothing like it.

The rulebook says you must show that your horse is willingly guided. I love that term. I use it with my son: “I’m trying to willingly guide you.”

It’s the same way for someone in merchandising. I don’t want to tell them, I want to guide them: What if we do it this way?

The horse analogies in life are very strong. If you are in concert with your horse – or someone who is managing merchandising – you want to willingly guide and have a dialogue.

Courtesy Forbes Magazine.

WORLD DRESSAGE MASTERS CDI5* PALM BEACH WELLINGTON CLASSIC DRESSAGE SUNSHINE CHALLENGE CDI3* PRESENTED BY

WELLINGTON CLASSIC DRESSAGE

THE WORLD RETURNS TO PALM BEACH JANUARY 23rd - 26TH, 2013 At the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center 7500 Forest Hill Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Limited Tables and Seating Available Purchase Tickets and Further Information Online | internationalpoloclub.com Phone | 561-282-5334 561-282-5301 Event and Show Schedule Online | wellingtonclassicdressage.com Phone | 561-227-1525

Style for Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog and collaborator with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),* has designed an exquisite array of equine-inspired jewelry. Her lifelong love of horses is her constant inspiration for the ever-growing collection. Wear them and feel good all over!

(See page 56 for more about Jes and her charitable work.)

J ES M a HARRY, THE TOP JEWELER

M O O N L I G H T DA N C E B R AC E L E T This knotted leather bracelet has a peaceful essence. The sterling silver running horse charm is etched with an expectant mother on the back, throwing her heart to a moonlit sky. “Give Love” is inscribed. Signed

by JES. Length: Adjustable up to 8" L. Limited Edition

7 M Y H E A RT GOES ON N E C K L AC E In 14k yellow gold, a tiny heart charm accompanies a one-pointed horse running full speed ahead.

These two charms symbolize the resilient heart – picking up and going forward. 14k yellow gold link chain.

Lobster closure. Signed by JES. 16.25" L.

Stylish Ways to Wear Your Passion!

L AV E N D E R F IELDS F O R E V E R B R ACELET

WILD AT HEART CUFF Wild horses converge with dancing hearts on this sterling-silver cuff bracelet. Hearts abound and freeform squiggles glow with good energy.

Signed by JES. Fits up to 8" wrist.

Exclusive, Limited Edition.

24 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

“All creatures great and small need love.

Have compassion” is engraved on the back of her sterling-silver horse charm. Created with blue beryl, ametrine, and pearl beads.

Sterling silver wire and lobster closure complete. Signed. 7.25"-8" L. Limited Edition.

F RO L I C K I N G SPIRIT RING

Jes’s sculpted horse charm joins 3 strands of amethyst, chalcedony garnet, pearls, and ancient Venetian glass trade beads, with “Never Give Up,” “Grace,” and sprinkles of tiny silver beads and charms. Sterling silver toggle closure completes. 7.25" L.

*The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers, and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting people, the places they live, and the natural resources we all depend on.

ENJOYM E N T BRACE L E T

Rare blue tourmaline nests in an 18k yellowgold bezel engraved with a horse, dog, donkey, and cat.

The 14k yellow-gold band is inscribed “Hope” and “Courage.” Sizes 5-9.

Limited Edition.

SUNSHINE G O L D This 14k yellow-gold band features a free-spirited horse, the ocean, a butterfly, a feather, a good luck eye, hearts, stars, and a rose for beauty. Signed. Sizes 5-9.

Exclusive.

SEE PAGE 97 FOR PRODUCT RESOURCES.

Fashion CONVENTIONAL or COURAGEOUS

BY RENEE SPURGE

who always plays by the rules, but still enjoys coloring outside the lines. Unfortunately, I have learned that in the hunter world, while the actual rules do not specify a particular color or style, the “unwritten” rules are much more discriminatory, making the hunter crowd averse to coloring anything that isn’t navy.

I CONSIDER MYSELF THE KIND OF WOMAN

T

he words “traditional” and “classic” get thrown around quite a bit when customers tell me they are looking for a navy hunter coat. However, if your goal is to stay true to the traditions of the hunter sport, then you should really be looking for a tweed coat!

By contrast, the jumper arenas are vibrating with color, allowing riders the freedom to personalize their attire with fun and sporty options. I love that I can spot my favorite riders by the distinctive colors of their coats, their fabulous custom boots, or their stylized helmets.

Since most of our equestrian fashion hails from Europe, and hunters are as foreign to them as dressage is to most of the world, the fashion-forward imports hitting the U.S. are designed with the athletic jumper in mind and not the more conservative style of the hunter community.

When your business is fashion, however, you have a responsibility to continually challenge your perspective as well as that of your customers, always looking for the next fresh and exciting design to hit the market while still keeping the rider polished and show-ready.

For example, Animo, the flashy and innovative Italian line has caught on like

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wildfire with our customers, and has crossed over to all riding disciplines, including hunter equitation. And the reality is, many of our riders have won their equitation classes with outfits similar to the ones shown here, proving that your riding ability must shine through no matter what color or style your hunt coat.

But Animo is not the first brand to marry fashion with function, and many companies, including Pikeur, Kentucky, and Cavallo have been using stretch fabrics, velvet collars, and Swarovski crystals to embellish their coats for years.

Animo Lenny Limited Edition Show Jacket Stand out in a traditional navy color with crystal accents. A classic cut with modern antimicrobial technology woven into the machine-washable stretch fabric.

One of my favorite coats this year is from the German designer Iris Bayer, whom Vogue called “Germany’s most innovative designer of riding fashion.” And next year, look out for the stunning line from Winston Equestrian, an up-and-coming Belgian company that is sure to be a big hit with the U.S. equestrian fashion industry.

Continued on page 28

designed by the experts. built by cr aftsmen.

Lee, craftsman 11 years

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Fashion “By contrast, the jumper arenas are vibrating with color, allowing riders the freedom to personalize their attire with fun and sporty options.�

Continued from page 26

A DV E RT I S E I N E Q M AG A Z I N E

Most people who ride horses have ridden their whole lives, and what they choose to wear in the show arena says as much about their passion for the sport as it does about who they are in their everyday lives.

Whether you like to color inside or outside the lines, just remember to always stay true to your own personal style when dressing for your next show. It is not the color or style of a hunt coat that ultimately wins a class, but the confidence and ability of the person wearing it!

I N F O @ E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY.COM +1 212 699-3636

Animo Lady Killer Show jacket A jacket created for the woman who loves an unconventional look without being over the top! Bluette stretch fabric with contrasting tan suede collar and cuffs is designed with a figure flattering off center zip closure.

SEE PAGE 97 FOR PRODUCT RESOURCES.

Owners Renee Spurge and Tabitha Knaub

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LA Saddlery has opened the California equestrian market to companies from all over the world.

They present new clothing lines that challenge the traditional riding outfit with fresh ideas, high-performance fab-

rics, and fashion-forward details. The main store is located in the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, California and the mobile boutique frequents many of the top California horse shows. www.lasaddlery.com

Wellington Classic

YOUR DESTINATION FOR DRESSAGE at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center West Palm Beach, Florida

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PHOTO BY SUSANJSTICKLE.COM

The Lion’s Roar The word from PETER LEONE and LIONSHARE FARM

T

Lincourt Gino: My Partnership With an Exceptional Horse

here are some horses in this world that just love show jumping. They may not be as conventionally perfect in their form or way of going as others, but what they have is the will to try. Lincourt Gino is such a horse.

Last August, Monica Carrera came to Lionshare Farm with her two horses, Tiffany and Gino. Then Monica suffered an injury and had to take six months out of the saddle. The more experienced horse, Tiffany, did dressage for five months. Monica gave me the opportunity to see what the 8-year-old Gino could do.

Never once did he disappoint.

TH E T E A M TO WAT C H

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PARKER-RUSSELL, THE BOOK

I had heard that Christine McCrea had told reporters that we were the horseand-rider team to watch out for when she won the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier on Friday. Gino and I had put in two clear rounds and earned a thirdplace finish.

Then on Sunday, Gino and I had a faultless first round in the American Gold Cup, the $200,000 World Cup event. It felt good to be in the jump-off with three of the best riders in America – three of the best riders in the world: Beezie Madden, Kent Farrington, and McLain Ward.

I watched Beezie very closely. She had an unfortunate rail. I watched Kent.

He had an unfortunate rail. So, I switched from poker to chess. I went quite fast G I N O G A L L OPS TO – I thought I was very fast – but I went A G R E AT S TART Peter Leone and Lincour t Gino win the 2012, $200,000 American around to the Liverpool, the second to last I started in the 1.40-meter in Wellington, Gold Cup in Nor th Salem, New York. jump, to maximize the probability of and by the time I finished Wellington, we going clear and put just enough pressure on McLain to force were clear in a big 1.50-meter Grand Prix. Then we were him to go inside and make a mistake. second in the Live Oak International at Chester Weber’s And we were the only double clear! The win was my in Ocala.

“There are second American Gold Cup, and it was a great way for Gino The best approach for Gino’s personality and breeding to end the season. I’m so grateful to the Carreras – Monica – he’s Irish – is to go for a nice gallop over a 1.40-meter track some horses and her mom and dad – for giving me the opportunity with and get in the groove, and then go out and ask the big quesin this world Gino. He’ll have some well-deserved time off – for now. Who tion. At his first big track at the World Cup in Bromont, knows what the future will bring?– With Carrie Wirth.

I thought, “Geez, maybe he’s a 1.60-meter horse.” Maybe. that just love We did HITS Saugerties – the National Grand Prix, the Jumper Classic – a big National Grand Prix, then show jumping.

Southampton. He was wonderful. Ribbon, ribbon, ribbon in Lincourt Peter Leone is an Olympic equestrian, the three classes he went in. In the Pfizer Million at HITS trainer, producer of hunter/jumper Saugerties, he had the last jump down, but he really jumped Gino is such instructional DVDs and author of a class round. There was only one show in which he didn’t Peter Leone’s Jumping Clinic: Success a horse.” get ribbons the whole year.

Strategies for Equestrian Athletes. He owns and operates Lionshare Farm When they’re careful like Gino, you don’t really know in Greenwich, Connecticut. Leone was if they can jump the big tracks until you get there. He is a a member of the 1996 Silver Medal typical Irish horse – huge heart – he loves the game of show United States Olympic Show Jumping jumping, but he does it his own way. He jumps every jump Team and winner of numerous national just a little bit different, but he loves going out there and and international Grand-Prix show jumping competitions. doing everything he can to jump clean.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation Gl ad s ton e • Ne w Jerse y • Un i t ed S tat e s

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Jessi

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visits the author at her cozy Connecticut cottage and talks about her life with horses

ANN LEARY

Candace Bushnell...From Sex and PHOTOS: RICH POMERANTZ

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Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed, international best-selling author of Sex and the City, Summer and the City, The Carrie Diaries, One Fifth Avenue, Lipstick Jungle, Trading Up and Four Blondes. Sex and the City, published in 1996, was the basis for the HBO hit series and two subsequent blockbuster movies. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television series on NBC. Recently, both The Carrie Diaries and One Fifth Avenue were optioned for yet more television shows.

D

o you recall the first time you sat on a horse? How old were you?

Ha – I love that question. When I was four we moved to a new house in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The people who lived across the street had Morgan horses, but they also had a tiny Shetland pony, which I would lure to the fence and then try to get on its back. I think I probably made a hackamore out of string. Luckily the neighbors

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Candace and her dogs, Pepper and Prancer, on the garden steps leading to the pool house.

Inset: The pool house’s fireplace proudly displays her winning ribbons.

were best friends with my parents, so they thought it was funny. Finally, the man dug up an old Western saddle and put it on the pony, and I used to ride it around the field. It would run around squealing, and I must have fallen off quite a bit.

I don’t know where this riding bug came from, but I used to beg my mother every day to let me ride. I thought if I didn’t ride, I’d die.

My parents really didn’t understand, but at last, when I was seven, my mother told me we were going to do something really special – we were going to a stable where I would have a riding lesson. (I have two younger sisters; although they’d evinced no interest in horses, they were co-opted into this experience as well.)

My mother never did anything by halves, so we went to a second-hand tack shop and bought little jodhpurs and field boots and hats. This was all so deliriously exciting.

The stable was in the next town in Marlboro. Our instructor was Spanish – Mr. Alvarez – who seemed very old and wizened but he was probably only forty.

I rode an enormous black horse, and I remember doing cavalettis right away – probably on our second lesson. After

It was idyllic riding, though. It seemed like everyone I knew had a horse. There were miles and miles of trails along the Connecticut River.

It wasn’t unusual to ride 30 minutes to your hour-long lesson and then ride home. We used our horses like cars. We went on picnics and took them swimming.

a few months, my mother realized that this horse obsession wasn’t going away, so we leased a tiny black pony named Mini, who was 12-2 hands.

All my friends rode, and we were fearless. I used to jump Mini three feet. I took him to my first horse show – a very local, backyard affair – and won two blue ribbons, probably on the cuteness factor alone.

Did you have any other childhood horses?

What kind of riding did you do?

Eventually we moved into another house that had a three-horse barn and pastures. My sisters and I each had a horse. My horse was named Harry – he was a quarterhorse who could jump a five-foot straight rail from a trot. I was in Pony Club, so we did dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping. At that time, Glastonbury Pony Club had just won the national Pony Club championship so we were considered the best Pony Club in the country. It was very competitive, but not the way it is today – these were mostly middle-class kids on 15-hundred dollar horses. You can barely board a horse for a month for that price today.

Vintage horse prints ornament the walls of Candace’s early 1800s home, which was originally a cottage on Frank McCourt’s farm.

Inset: The pool house sits atop a new garage.

T

he head of our Pony Club was a woman named Jan Conant. She’d written a children’s book called Half Pint, about her adventures running a stable on the Cape when she was 18, and she was an amazing artist. She was also a top-notch horsewoman; she had several riders who went to the Olympics.

I was both terrified and fascinated by her, and I could never tell whether she liked me or not, although I would live on her farm for a couple of weeks each summer and ride two or three times a day, while also cleaning the stalls, etcetera. I’d go with my best friend and we were always up to all kinds of tricks – one time we gave this really snotty girl Ex-Lax gum. Terrible, but we laughed about it for days.

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Jan Conant was great friends with Bill Steinkraus, who had a stable with brasses that were polished every day – one of those kinds of places. He had Olympic dressage horses, and one afternoon Jan Conant took me with her to ride.

I did passage and piaffe. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve ever had.

What made you return to riding and what kind of riding do you do now?

Do you compete?

You’re an iconic New Yorker – your bestselling books Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, Summer and the City and of course Sex and the City all take place in Manhattan. When did you move to New York and did you continue riding during your years in the city?

I sold my horse a month before I went to college.

I’d kind of had enough of riding – I’d been doing it every day for ten years. It was starting to get dangerous.

The jumps on the cross-country courses were getting bigger and wider; suddenly you needed a much more expensive horse to not only compete but to stay in one piece. So I gave it up, although I’d ride occasionally at Claremont Stables in Manhattan. I actually met one of my first boyfriends riding the trail in Central Park.

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The home is compact, so Candace uses the pool house she added to the property for entertaining.

Inset: Prancer is alert and attentive.

I was spending a lot of time at my house in Connecticut writing books. I’d finish working around three in the afternoon, and then I’d watch Dr. Phil and Judge Judy. I realized there had to be a better way to spend my time, so I decided to start riding again. Then, of course, I got hooked again. If you grew up riding, the mere smell of the barn brings back a cascade of memories. It’s like going home.

I try to ride four or five days a week, depending on my schedule and the weather. In the summer, I’ll compete in local dressage shows. Last summer I did third-level, although my poor horse got a Lyme Disease tick, and so the end of the summer was a wash. But hopefully we’ll be back next summer.

Would you ever consider writing a novel set in the horse world?

Yes, I’d like to. I’m always bugging my editors about it, but they say the audience is too small.

The tiny town of Roxbury, Connecticut, has been home to more than its share of creative people. Composer STEPHEN SONDHEIM; sculptor ALEXANDER CALDER; writers ARTHUR MILLER, WILLIAM STYRON, GAY TALESE, and FRANK McCOURT; and actors WALTER MATTHAU, DUSTIN HOFFMAN and RICHARD WIDMARK all have lived within a mile or two.

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TIM FLACH IS PROBABLY BEST KNOWN TO EQ READERS AS THE PHOTOGRAPHER OF ICONIC ADVERTISEMENTS FOR HERMÈS.

E Q U U S EQ INTERVIEW BY JILL MEDINGER

Tim Flach’s book Equus received awards and rave reviews from critics worldwide when it was published by Abrams in 2008. In it, the London-based artist/photographer celebrates the animal whose history is so powerfully linked to our own. From the exquisite Arabians of the United Arab Emirates to Icelandic horses in their glacial habitat, from the soulful gaze of a horse’s

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“TH E Z O N K E Y WA S R E A L LY B A S E D O N THE I D E A T H AT W E C R E AT E T H I N G S J U S T B E C AU S E W E C A N .”

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lash-lined eye to the thundering majesty of mustangs racing across the plains of Utah, Flach’s images provide a unique insight into the physical dynamics and spirit of horses everywhere.

Tim Flach’s photographs will be featured at the Osborne Samuel Gallery in Mayfair, London, this winter. EQ recently interviewed him at his London studio.

W H AT I S YO UR CONNECTION TO T H E H O R SE?

The horse is steeped around my family, every generation. My parents played polo and my mother hunted when she was younger. My grandmother even played polo in India. I’d been looking at photographing animals, and it just felt that, as a subject, horses are inextricably linked with our culture. The earliest visuals in the caves of France were equine-related.

Even before equitation and the domestication of horses, the horse was already so significant.

To me, it was such a great subject to explore.

H OW D I D YO U DECIDE WHAT TO PH OTO G RAPH?

I wanted to explore the different cultures, but through the horses rather than the people.

That was my clear distinction. I wanted to

explore the landscape and the horse as an expression of the idea that a horse has been bred specifically by us and within different environments. I asked myself, “What are the significant breeds?” And then I chose where to photograph them. I went to the United Arab Emirates and approached the Royal Yards, who were very cooperative. And then I worked with New Market here in England to look at race horses . . . then the very unique wild horses of Mongolia – Przewalski’s horses, and so on.

There’s a natural tendency for people to have a particular interest in a certain breed or in a certain group of breeds. What I need to

do as a visual person is to be aware of the tendency that people have to transform these images into meaning, based, of course, on their unique journey.

DO YOU HAVE A PRECONCEIVED PHOTO IN YOUR MIND, OR A SKETCH, BEFORE YOU SHOOT?

I think that’s a very interesting question, and I think it is one that is fundamental to the creative process. How much do you plan and how much reveals itself to you during the creative process? Picasso spoke of his own work and said “I don’t search, I find.” You set up a situation: let’s go and explore an Andalusian, let’s say, to represent the “idea” of an Iberian Horse, or a Lusitano. And then when you get there, you’ve got these beautiful stallions with long manes.

Then I spend some time and learn a bit about their behaviors, and I find out that, by using a carrot, I can end up with this thing that looks like a ball of mane. It’s about letting things reveal themselves, not being too prescriptive or presuming too much. I have a framework, but I have to be able to not just look, but to see.

When I photographed Icelandic horses, I showed the landscape of them going through ice floes. If you think about it, I would be missing a major trick, wouldn’t I, if I didn’t show the landscape. Not just because they are probably the most northerly kept horses, but also because there is a story behind the landscape: those horses are isolated. No horses can be brought into Iceland from outside, and no horse that has left can come back. So, you have 800 years of a bloodline import ban. To explore the idea of purity and genetics, and a specific type of movement of horse, it all goes back to the idea that the location was specifically unique to that breed. So, to not show them in their landscape would be to miss the plot, wouldn’t it?

AFTER DOING THIS, HAVE YOU GROWN AN AFFINITY FOR ANY PARTICULAR BREEDS?

I think I was more excited by people’s passion for their horses. When I was working with a zoologist in Mongolia, chasing wild horses across the landscape, with cowboys in the Rockies rounding up mustangs, or watching somebody showing miniature horses, I was excited by the individuals and their commitment, not so much by a particular breed. But there were breeds, like the Arabian, which I did feel an affinity for, because they’re so responsive, and they have so much importance as a progenitor of so many of the great breeds.

Continued on page 95

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“A HORSE HAS BEEN BRED SPECIFIC ALLY BY US AND WITHIN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS.”

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“A WHITE NECK, THAT LOOKS LIKE A MOUNTAIN. NOW THAT IMAGE, FOR ME, DRAWS A SENSUALITY. PICTURES ALLOW YOU TO WONDER.”

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HUNTER’S JUMPERS H U N T E R H A R R I S O N M OV E S TO T H E N E X T P H A S E A S H I S DAU G H T E R A N D S O N - I N - L AW M A N AG E D O U B L E H FA R M .

BY STEPHANIE PETERS PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

H

unter Harrison and Double H Farm are well known in the horse world. He is chairman of the National Horse Show Association of America and one of show jumping’s most important sponsors of the last decade. He also serves as special liaison for horse show management to the North American riders group and has been an advisor or sponsor of WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 4 7

The home is obviously HARRISON’S PRIDE. Built from local stone, it is environmentally friendly and climate‑controlled by a state-of-the-art geothermal system.

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Cayce Harrison and Quentin Judge married on the Grand Prix field in a breathtaking wedding.

Spruce Meadows, The Alltech National Horse Show, The Global Champions Tour, The American Gold Cup, and the Winter Equestrian Festival.

PHOTO COURTESY HARRISON FAMILY

T

he EQ team was excited to meet Harrison at his home in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Harrison is, as Ridgefield magazine has said, “a big man in many ways.” He’s tall, with a deep voice and an easy southerndrawl. He welcomed us with a warm smile that immediately put us at ease.

Double H Farm began in 2002 with its home base in Wellington, Florida (see photos, top center page 72-73). It was originally a private show stable for Harrison’s daughter, Cayce, when she was riding as a junior. Moving from hobby to a business venture, Double H Farm has developed to include breeding, buying, and selling horses, as well as supporting international show jumpers.

When we visited, Harrison had retired as CEO of Canadian National Railway (CN),

training, breeding, and sales programs in 2008. Quentin and Cayce married in October 2011 on the Grand Prix field in a breathtaking wedding.

It’s been a good year for Quentin. He’s had multiple top finishes, including the International Bromont in Quebec and the Orangeville Show Jumping Tournaments in Ontario. At the American Gold Cup in September, Judge and HH Rosine de Beaufour finished second in the 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Final. He is representing the United States for the first time this year at the Nations Cup competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil began riding for the farm in 2006 and is still showing several of their top horses around the world. A highlight of the summer was the Olympic Games in London, where one of Double H Farm’s top stallions, HH Rebozo, traveled to compete with Pessoa and had great results. Pessoa was also the flag bearer for Brazil at the opening ceremonies of the games. In October, he won the French Grand Prix Ville de Caen on a Double H mount.

where the press had named him “railroader of the year” as well as CEO of the year. Following his service at CN, he retired to Connecticut and Florida, where he dedicated himself to running Double H Farm.

But this June, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) named Harrison its new president and chief executive officer, drawing the long-time railroader back out of retirement to lead what was once his biggest rival.

So with Harrison now at CP, Cayce and Quentin Judge began to run the farm’s

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DOUBLE H WAS ORIGINALLY ONE OF CONNECTICUT’S OLDEST DAIRY FARMS After moving to the property in 2005, the Harrisons added more stalls to the existing barn and created the Grand Prix field. Later they added a foaling barn with 14 stalls and two apartments.

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A FAMILY AFFAIR Cayce and Quentin live in the original Revolutionary War home on the property.

Cayce’s sister, Libby Julo and her family live in a home completed in 2010 (upper left and lower right). Hunter’s prized golf room, with putting green, simulator, and a museum of memorabilia (upper right). A bright, welcoming media room is on the lower level (lower left) and accesses a fullystocked wine cellar (left).

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Below, from left: Rodrigo Pessoa, Quentin Judge, Jeannie Harrison, Hunter Harrison, and Cayce Harrison.

Horses from left: HH Cantate, HH Let’s Fly, and Night Train.

Our visit began at the barn, which, Harrison explained, was once part of one of the oldest dairy farms in New England, known locally as the McKeon Farm. “We bought the property from Sam Edelman (of the Esprit and Sam & Libby shoe brands) in 2003, and we put our own spin on Sam’s plan for the property,” he says. Now there are 22 stalls in the main barn and 41 across the property.

Harrison’s granddaughter, also named Hunter, joined us as we visited the “party barn” upstairs, outfitted with pinball, a pool table, and views of the fields and indoor ring. Harrison proudly pointed out the gold medal from the Athens Olympics won by the great horse, Sapphire, which was owned by Harrison at the time and ridden by McLain Ward. The beautiful room is filled with wallto-wall trophies, medals, and awards won by Cayce, Quentin, and Double H horses.

Next we clambered aboard a four-seat Polaris ATV, and, with Harrison at the wheel, began an ascending tour of the 97-acre property. We were amazed by the landscaping and details as we wound our way past the 135 by 280 foot outdoor ring with perfect ESI

The ATV climbed the hill past waterfalls, stone verandas, and lush perennial gardens until we reached the timber and stone residence. The home is obviously Harrison’s pride. Built from local stone, it is environmentally friendly and climate-controlled by a state-of-the-art geothermal system.

As we walked through the house entertained by Harrison’s humorous guided tour, we passed through indoor and outdoor kitchens; dining, living, and cinema rooms; and a wine cellar. But Harrison’s eyes lit up upon entering his favorite space – his golf room. It features a large putting green, golf simulator, and a veritable museum of memorabilia, including a flag from the Masters, signed caps and balls, and photos of Harrison playing with a who’s who of the golf world. “I was a two or three handicap about 20 years ago, before Cayce’s riding got in the way,” Harrison remembers. “I used to call the horses ‘our little league.’”

And now, with yet another CEO job and a quickly-growing horse business, Harrison, Cayce, and Quentin will find little time for golf.

PHOTO COURTESY HARRISON FAMILY

A PERSONAL TO U R

footing . . . then the impressive 3.5-acre grand prix field, complete with two open waters, double liverpools, a table bank, a slide bank, a grob, a ditch, and a hedge jump. The field is overlooked by a viewing stand and edged in magnificent stone work.

GOOD NEIGHBOR

After we passed the foaling barn, we came upon another, smaller barn and learned why Harrison is such a well-loved neighbor. An adjacent neighbor asked if he could buy a small piece of Harrison’s land to have room for his own barn.

“I told him, ‘tell me how much it’s worth, do the contract, and I’ll sign the papers,” says Harrison. “We’ve been friends ever since.”

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The Zen of Fluid Motion SCUL P TO R M A R C I A S P I VA K C A P T U R E S T H E FR E E - F L OW I N G E N E R G Y O F H O R S E S

BY ABIGAIL GOOGEL

T

Take Take one one look look at at Marcia Marcia Spivak’s Spivak’s sculptures, sculptures, and and it it is is clear clear that that she she has has captured captured the the free-flowing free-flowing motion motion of of horses horses in in frozen frozen still still life. life. Her Her steel steel horses horses both both emanate emanate and and evoke evoke emotion, emotion, combining combining tenderness tenderness with with strength strength and and anatomy anatomy with with abstraction. abstraction.

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Opposite Page: “Lyric Suite,” found steel sculpture This Page: Artist Marcia Spivak poses with found steel sculpture, “Horse of a Different Color,” At right: “Grazing Bay,” Linear horse sculpture

B

“ I STARTED OUT R I DING AND S CULPTING, AND I WAS PROBABLY R I DING MORE T HAN I WAS S CULPTING. THEN I T WAS SORT OF 5 0 /50. NOW I AM S CULPTING MOST O F THE TIME.”

y the age 3, Marcia was already captivated by the beauty of horses, while her older sisters were petrified of the large animals. At age 6, she began taking riding lessons; at 15, she acquired her own horse and continued to ride all through her college years. Now, after sending her son off to college, she spends more time sculpting than riding. “I started out riding and sculpting, and I was probably riding more than I was sculpting. Then it was sort of 50/50. Now I am sculpting most of the time. I have developed a passion for the process that parallels my passion for horses,” says Marcia.

Marcia’s passion for sculpting is rooted in the medium.

Introduced by a friend to the art of welding and steelwork, Marcia claims that she “totally fell in love with the medium – it’s the strength of the medium, the power of it, the way that you can heat things and bend things and that it’s structurally sound.” Working spontaneously, she begins the creative process with a loose internal structure, gradually adding found metal and allowing each horse to evolve on its own . She claims that she has developed a visual language of her own that enables her to see a piece of steel and know where it must go.

Though Marcia is constantly tweaking her pieces, moving each leg forward and back until she is completely satisfied, it is not just the final outcome of her work that she is interested in, but also the process. She uses mid welding, which is performed through heat and electricity. “I love everything about it,” Marcia notes, “You get into a Zen state and just become immersed.” While one might think a sculptor would enjoy creating many different objects,

Marcia is interested only in horses. Until she has explored all of their intricacies and completely mastered the “anatomy of the gesture of the horse,” she will continue with her singular focus.

When asked about the frozen movements of her steel horses and their athletic form, she says, “I used to ride Saddlebreds, and then Morgans, and now I look at pictures of dressage horses and I see that there is something else – that they share that strength of the neck and that beauty of motion and that certain grace and elegance that I enjoyed when I was riding.” She notes that her favorite part of the horse to design is the neck because it has areas that are simultaneously very strong and very soft, and that “there’s a certain grace and self-possession” to the neck that appeals to her. Aside from a horse’s neck, she finds its muzzle and hindquarters to be the most amazing and intriguing to create.

Though striving to make her sculptures look somewhat realistic, Marcia says that it’s most important to “have a certain degree of artistic license where I can have an elongation of form, like long, long legs... Sometimes the heads are small, and it’s just appealing.” Marcia exercises this license in all shapes and sizes, creating everything from small horses to those that are life-size. Though she prefers working on larger pieces, the needs of smaller galleries have driven her to create smaller ones as well. To date she has produced upwards of 30 sculptures and continues to receive commissions for more. Busy at work, sometimes seven days a week, Marcia is constantly engrossed in her sculpture. “There is a lot involved in selling and showing, moving things and building,” remarks Marcia. “It has kind of taken over my life – in a good way!”

PAGE 97.

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56 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

Sun Horse Ranch W h e re c ap t i v a t i n g jewelr y i s s t r u n g f ro m t he hear t

BY STEPHANIE PETERS

A

rtist, environmentalist, and jewelry designer Jes MaHarry is a study in boundless energy, compassion, and creativity — qualities that are obvious within the first few minutes of meeting her.

EQ visited Jes MaHarry at her studio on Sun Horse Ranch in

Ojai, Calf., just outside of Santa Barbara. She and her husband purchased the ranch in the late ’90s and have turned it into a property reflecting the beauty and spirit of Jes’s jewelry: eclectic, free-spirited, approachable, and soulful.

PHOTO MEGAN BOWERS

Parts of the ranch are dense with tropical palms, citrus trees, and butterfly bushes. Walking paths are lined with fragrant lavender and Texas sage. Tomato vines, pepper plants, and herbs flourish in the organic gardens. Amidst the grounds are subtle signs of the creative WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 5 7

PHOTOS JES MaHARRY JEWELRY

Jes claims that the “quintessential free spirit” of horses provides her with endless inspiration.

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person that resides here – a small rose quartz heart strategically placed in the arch of a stone wall… a whimsical birdhouse tucked into an eclectic mix of plantings. Taken together, these elements give the place an untamed yet nurtured character of utter beauty.

And then there are the animals. So many, all rescued, and all thriving under the love and care of Jes, her family, and staff. Many are permanent residents, while others are being fostered until they are healthy enough to be adopted. Jes provides medical care for all of her animals, including the temporary residents who often arrive extremely ill. She introduced us to Beauty, a dog that arrived with numerous degenerative conditions, one of which had crippled her and kept her bound to a small wheelchair. Jes explored medical options with veterinarians who determined a mix of homeopathy, acupuncture, and vitamin B shots could improve her condition. After a period of treatment Beauty responded and now walks on her own.

Opposite page: Several of the lucky residents of Sun Horse Ranch. Inset photo of Jes MaHarry with one of her Gypsy Vanners.

This page: Fragrant paths of lavender wind through the ranch. A quar tz hear t tucked into an entrance arch. Jes’s love of color captured on a studio door.

J

es’s love of horses came at a very early age. Her family claims the first word she uttered was “horse.” She isn’t exactly sure where this passion came from, but her dreams were filled with images of Indian princesses on horseback and the colorful racing silks of jockeys. Sketchbooks filled with drawings of horses followed, and continue to this day. Jes claims that the “quintessential free spirit” of horses provides her with endless inspiration.

Her sketches of horses – now joined by those of dogs, dolphins, goats, sheep, and other animals – are incorporated into her highly sought original creations.

It’s plain to see that Jes MaHarry’s deep affinity for animals drives a huge part of her creativity. And nowhere at Sun Horse Ranch will you see that demonstrated more than in the studio where she produces her magnificent jewelry. (See Style, page 24 for more of Jes’s work.)

The studio literally takes your breath away.

There is an endless sea of color and texture. Sun floods in through the windows, creating a light that bounces and floats around the room. Gems sparkle from bowls, and strands of beads of every imaginable color, texture, and size glisten from hooks and dowels. Jes jokingly refers to this vibrant area as the “kryptonite” room.

To an observer, the studio might convey a certain sense of chaos. Every surface is covered

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with the elements that eventually combine to become an original piece of Jes MaHarry jewelry. Within arm’s reach Jes can access a daunting selection of African trade beads or authentic antique Venetian, Dutch, or Russian glass beads.

Next to those might be an assortment of fresh water, south sea, or Tahitian pearls and an array of semi-precious gems including garnets, emeralds, and rubies.

Amazingly, Jes knows where to locate anything and seems at ease with the relaxed layout of her studio. She says most of her inspiration and magic happens here; with candles burning, music playing, and the peaceful quiet of night.

I

n the studio next to her, highly-skilled craftspeople and metalsmiths help to perfectly render Jes’s prototypes and meet the ever-growing demand for her individually constructed pieces. Adding to her demand is an impressive list of celebrities who have discovered and purchased her work including, Jennifer Aniston, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, Courteney Cox, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, and Anne Hathaway.

As an unexpected surprise, Jes was recently commissioned by the Vatican to design a medallion of peace for the Pope and members of the Benedictine order. She created an exquisite silver dove as her central theme.

Even with her success and growing popularity, Jes claims “there is a bigger reason why I’m doing this than just making jewelry.” After seeing the numerous letters of appreciation from customers who have been inspired by her jewelry,

60 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

or witnessing the healthy menagerie of rescued animals on her ranch, it would be hard to disagree.

Along with Jes’s commitment to excellence in the creation and construction of her pieces, she insists on dealing in fair trade and other ethical practices in the procurement of her gems and beads. She states, “I am a huge believer in knowing who I buy my stones from. It’s very important that I know I’m not buying something for which blood has been shed.” Jes believes this positive ethic cycles back into her work and can be perceived by the individuals who wear her creations. She feels she has a loyal following because of the love she puts into every aspect of each piece.

Jes’s success wasn’t immediate. It took years of hard work and perseverance. She started out very small, literally buying one bead at a time. Gradually, pairing the help of her family with her extraordinary talent and positive attitude, she eventually submitted her jewelry samples to actor and environmentalist Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog, a showcase of highly creative, hand-made jewelry, furniture, home furnishings, and clothing. Proceeds from the catalog go towards supporting American craftspeople, the Sundance Institute for development of new artists in film, music, dance, and theater, and efforts to enhance and preserve the environment.

Jes’s instincts were correct, and she received the call she had been waiting for. Her first catalog commission was for seven rose-gold rings. They all sold in the first week. An invitation to Sundance in Utah quickly followed and Jes was asked to bring “everything you have.”

That was 10 years ago. She is now Sundance’s top-selling jeweler and has been featured on the cover more often than

This Page: An impressive selection of beads, stones, and precious gems. Opposite page top: Strands and strands of beads offer endless design options.

Highly-skilled ar tisans help to keep up with the increased demand.

Opposite page bottom: Three exclusively designed pieces for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC.) Jes expresses her shared passion for today’s environmental issues through her imaginative use of symbolic images, such as owls and trees, and her selection of distinctive blue stones that represent ear th.

any other artist. “Everyone at Sundance is so nice, Jes says, “It’s been an interesting journey and a complete Godsend.”

Jes recently collaborated with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)* to create and design an exclusive jewelry collection. For every purchase made from this collection, 10 to 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to NRDC’s campaign efforts – Jes’ favorite nonprofit. Passionate about preserving the health and well being of the planet, our four-legged, finned, and winged friends, and the environment from which she draws much of her artistic inspiration, Jes is deeply honored to team up with this national nonprofit organization.

Jes feels the reasons her customers are loyal to her brand are two-fold: They get to wear a unique piece of jewelry, and they know they are making a positive difference in human or animal rights or an environmental issue.

Throughout the years, the most common comment she hears is her jewelry “makes people feel so good.”

To view the Jes MaHarry collections and various charity lines, visit: www.jesmaharry.com

*The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers, and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting people, the places they live, and the natural resources we all depend on.

More information at: www.nrdc.org

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WINTER WARMTH

W I N T E R A

fter the novelty of the first few coatings of snow and fireside hot chocolates have lost their luster, you may be consumed by thoughts of mild temperatures, endless sunshine, and the ritualistic shedding of fleece layers.

Join like-minded equestrians already en route to warmer pastures–leaving their northern neighbors to shovel, shiver, and plow.

Whether it is the howl of the hounds, the roar of polo fans, or the rhythmic sound of a soft trot through the pines that you savor, we’ve got an ideal warm spot for you!

BRRRRRRR!

WINTER WARMTH

W A R M T H

5

EQ’S EDITORS AND ADVISORS FIND THE

FIVE BEST TOWNS IN AMERICA TO ENJOY WINTER SUNSHINE WITH YOUR HORSES.

BY STEPHANIE PETERS, AND JILL MEDINGER

I W I S H I WA S TALLER!

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WINTER WARMTH

Aiken

PHOTO FRANK DIBONA

FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE, PRISTINE BEAUTY, AND A RICH EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE

Aiken County is also one of the few counties in the country with four nationally recognized hunts. Aiken Hounds is the only drag hunt and is held in Hitchcock Woods. Carriage driving, thoroughbred horse training, cutting, reining, and other big rodeo events round out the full spectrum of Aiken’s equestrian disciplines.

PHOTO GEORGE BUGGS

O

nce known as the “Sports Center of the South” and, more recently, the “Winter Colony,” Aiken serves up a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, pristine beauty, and a rich equestrian heritage. It’s not unusual to see trickor-treaters on horseback or two-button crosswalks for pedestrians and riders in its adorable downtown. Familiar names such as Vanderbilt, Von Stade, Phipp, and Hitchcock first recognized Aiken’s appeal in the mid-1900s.

Historically, Aiken has been a favorite winter destination for equestrians. The weather yields no extremes in any season. The ground rarely freezes, and the ideal, sandy footing is gentle on a horse’s hooves.

Hitchcock Woods, a 2,200-acre long-leaf pine forest with 70 miles of trails, is just outside of downtown and idyllic for equine pursuits and competitions of all sorts.

Unique to Aiken is the variety of horse disciplines available and the extremely high caliber of trainers, professionals, and amateurs involved in its equestrian community. An array of activities for horse lovers abound – for spectators and competitors.

VISITIN G A I K E N

There are three-day eventing competitions, hunter/jumper and open-jumping Grand Prix events, and polo with tournaments ranging from low goal to Gold Cup. Aiken is both the fall and spring base for polo on the East Coast.

They’ve been playing polo here for 130 years and expect to continue with their passion for the sport well into the future.

AIKEN, SC

$$

58 33

94 70 8 MOS.

AV E R AG E J A N UA RY DAY1

AV E R AG E J U LY DAY1

CHARLOTTE 85

ATLANTA

26

COLUMBIA

20 75

AUGUSTA

$550K

MONTHS OF COMFORTABLE RIDING1

20

DINING, A RT S , C U LT U R E 2

9

MEDIAN H O R S E FA R M PRICE3

HORSINESS INDEX 4

95

AIKEN 26

CHARLESTON

N E A R E S T A I R P O RT AUGUSTA , 19 MI.

1. The Weather Channel; days between 45 and 85 degrees; 2. EQ editors; 3. survey of equestrian realtors

64 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

After a day of riding, head to historic downtown for a relaxing, elegant dinner at Prime Steakhouse. Lisa Hosang (above inset) of the Carolina Real Estate Company claims its “steaks are to die for!”

Hotels and charming bed and breakfasts offer an abundance of southern hospitality. The Willcox hotel, with its first-class service and gracious accommodations, was voted one of the best hotels in the world in 2012 by Conde’ Nast’s Travel and Leisure.

Steeped in Aiken history, Rose Hill Bed and Breakfast envelops its guests with ambience and timeless elegance. Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill or The Restaurant at the Willcox, are also great dining establishments.

Stay a week, a season, or year-round, but be sure to discover the unique charm, personality, and active equestrian lifestyle of Aiken.

WINTER WARMTH

Ocala

I

rivers, and freshwater springs.

Thoroughbred horses are big business and an integral part of this region of Florida. The industry impact is estimated to be in excess of $1 billion. Other popular breeds in Ocala include Arabians, Morgans, Quarter Horses, Draft horses, and hunter/jumper breeds.

Ocala’s Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) presents one of the most popular hunter/ jumper shows in the United States. The twomonth event (January 16-March 17) hosts competitors from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.

In addition to hunter/jumpers, expect to see a colorful mix of other disciplines. Numerous equine champions come to Ocala to compete in roping, reining, polo, dressage, OCALA, FL

$$

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92 71 7 MOS. AV E R AG E J U LY DAY1

DAYTONA BEACH

GAINESVILLE OCALA

40

75

A’S RID

95

8

MEDIAN H O R S E FA R M PRICE3

HORSINESS INDEX 4

N E A R E S T A I R P O RT GAINSVILLE, 36 MI.

western pleasure, eventing, and more.

The Florida Horse Park, covering 500 acres near Ocala, is quickly becoming the centerpiece of Florida’s equestrian-lifestyle community.

The park hosts international caliber events and draws competitors and spectators from around the globe.

VISITIN G O C A L A

For a bed and barn experience with or without your horse, take the short 30-minute drive to the lush setting of the Grand Oaks Resort.

Choose from an array of beautifully appointed accommodations that all include traditional southern hospitality, private cottages, and your own private barn for your horses. Take a journey through time at the Florida Carriage Museum, located right on the resort property.

And then, after a satisfying day of golf, a carriage ride through the live oaks, or competing at the highest level, you’ll want to enjoy a unique dining experience. Expect an unhurried evening at Mark’s Prime Steakhouse, where they consistently serve “Steaks with Passion.”

If you’re looking for a casual atmosphere with a menu that runs the gamut from award-winning prime rib to fish and chips, Horse and Hounds Restaurant and Pub is the place.

K

TP

275

DINING, A RT S , C U LT U R E 2

ORLANDO 4

O

TAMPA ST. PETERSBURG

$800K

MONTHS OF COMFORTABLE RIDING1

FL

f shaded lanes, sprawling horse farms, and picket fences appeal to you, and the welcome sight of blooming azaleas and dogwoods seem preferable to drifting snow, consider spending time in Ocala. For some, Ocala, flaunting its Queen Anne and Tudor style buildings, conjures up images of “Gone with the Wind.”

Celebrity and champion riders recognize the unique appeal of Ocala. Chester Weber (above inset), Ocala native and combined driving international champion, elaborates. “Ocala is the home to southern hospitality south of the Georgia border, he says. “Unlike much of Florida, Ocala’s roots are southern, with magnificent live oak trees, sweet tea, and warm hospitality.” When asked what makes living in Ocala so wonderful, he comments, “The majestic live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, the rolling hills, horse people whose first careers were horses, Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, and access to great veterinary care and hospitals.”

The abundance of sunshine and moderate temperatures are just part of the appeal of Ocala, which is often referred to as the horse capital of the world. The area is rich with rolling green fields, the Ocala National Forest, outstanding golf courses, sparkling

MY ELISABETH WEBER

PHOTO MICHAEL STEIGHNER

LIVE OAK TREES, SPRAWLING HORSE FARMS, SWEET TEA, AND WARM HOSPITALITY

1. The Weather Channel; days between 45 and 85 degrees; 2. EQ editors; 3. survey of equestrian realtors

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WINTER WARMTH

Santa Ynez

PHOTO JONATHAN DAVIDSON

INTOXICATING VIEWS, WIDE-OPEN SPACES , POLO FIELDS, AND VALLEY VINEYARDS

T

his is one of the last bastions of equestrian lifestyle in California,” claims Carey Kendall (above inset), real estate broker, ranch owner, and long-time resident of the Montecito-Santa Barbara area.

Santa Barbara is known as the jewel of the U.S. West Coast, with a climate that rivals that of anywhere in the world. The surrounding ranch land in the Santa Ynez Valley is breathtaking. Views of wide-open spaces, fields, and vineyards met by majestic mountains in the distance add to its allure. Reasonably short drives to Los Angeles and Carmel and only a five-hour drive to San Francisco make this an appealing and accessible destination. “It’s no wonder this area is flourishing,” comments Kendall.

Kendall describes the lifestyle as “early California Rancho–slow and easy with a lot of grace. It’s the kind of place that is rarely found today, where millionaires and billionaires drive their old trucks and mingle with everyone in town.” The vineyards are nationally recognized and rival those of the Napa Valley – without the crowds and tony prices.

A variety of horse disciplines gravitate to the Santa Barbara-Santa Ynez region. Polo is

66 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

prominent and can be enjoyed at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, the premier equestrian polo club in the western United States.

The area is also a favorite of hunter/jumpers, dressage, all disciplines of western saddle, and thoroughbred racing, and it has recently begun to enjoy a significant return of Arabians. Add to this the reputation of having the best equine clinics in the country for all disciplines, and you have an ideal location for avid horse lovers.

Equestrian pursuits are only part of the attraction of this idyllic area of California.

An abundance of other activities are equally as enjoyable.

Take a unique tour of a lavender, alpaca, or ostrich farm. Celebrate the rich multi-cultural heritage at prominent Native American museSANTA YNEZ, CA (SANTA BARBARA)

$$$$

66 40 AV E R AG E J A N UA RY DAY1

101

1

91 53 9 MOS. AV E R AG E J U LY DAY1

MONTHS OF COMFORTABLE RIDING1

SANTA YNEZ

101

1

MALIBU

DINING, A RT S , C U LT U R E 2

8

5

154

SANTA BARBARA

$2.5 MIL

SANTA MONICA 405

MEDIAN H O R S E FA R M PRICE3

HORSINESS INDEX 4

N E A R E S T A I R P O RT SANTA BARBARA , 19 MILES

1. The Weather Channel; days between 45 and 85 degrees; 2. EQ editors; 3. survey of equestrian realtors

ums, or visit a Spanish mission dating back to 1804.

Even the savviest of shoppers will be content with the endless choices of fashionable boutiques, specialty shops, and antique stores.

VISITIN G S A N TA Y N E Z A N D SANTA B A R B A R A

Hotels, cozy inns, and bed and breakfasts offer lodging options for everyone. Near Santa Barbara, enjoy Bacara, with its secluded setting, world-class spa, and intoxicating views of the Pacific coastline, or settle into the Santa Ynez Inn, an intimate Victorian inn just minutes from the valley’s vineyards, historic museums, galleries, and spectacular golf courses.

Whether it’s been a rigorous day on the polo field or a casual trail ride in the Santa Ynez foothills, you will want to unwind over a delicious meal. Trattoria Grappolo, a charmingly informal Italian bistro, is the place to go with family and friends for an authentic Italian meal.

Or reserve a table at Bouchon, where waiters serve delectable meals in an inviting ambience, prepared with fresh-from-the-garden ingredients and locally harvested seafood. And be sure to sample some of the region’s quality Chardonnay, Syrah, or Pinot Noir.

WINTER WARMTH

Southern Pines

PHOTO ALEX MANNE

STEEPED IN HISTORY, SOFT SANDY FOOTING, LONG-LEAF PINES, AND A VIBRANT TOWN

I

f you are looking for a friendly, vibrant town with a thriving equestrian community during the frigid months of winter, look no further than Southern Pines.

Deep in the heart of the Carolina Sandhills sits the quaint, flower-lined village of Southern Pines. Steeped in history and rich in traditions, it is sprinkled with an array of shops, antique stores, restaurants, and parks.

Many of the historic buildings and private residences reflect the colonial revival style of Aymar R. Embry II, a noted New York architect who landed in Southern Pines in the 1800s.

At the heart of the equestrian community is the 4,000-acre Walthour Moss Foundation, a true nature sanctuary unspoiled by development and surrounded by horse farms. Imagine the subtle scent of pine as you canter along a trail with soft, sandy footing, beneath a canopy of signature long-leaf pines.

Jo-an DeSell, local resident and owner of DeSell and Company Realty Group, proudly states, “The Southern Pines lifestyle and equine community is a dream come true for all horse people. Whether you’re here for the Walthour Moss Foundation that is dedicated to horse and rider or the quaint yet diverse small town

atmosphere – the area is truly heaven on earth!”

A solid mix of disciplines is flourishing in the Sandhills, including eventing, dressage, hunter/jumper, carriage driving, and polo. The Carolina Horse Park hosts the annual Stoneybrook Steeplechase, and horse racing can be enjoyed in nearby Coke County. For more than a century, Southern Pines has been home to the Moore County Hounds, the oldest fox hunt in North Carolina. Witness the blessing of the hounds on Thanksgiving morning, when the hunt holds its opening meet.

Southern Pines horse country also hosts some of the best trainers and breeders in the world. The Sandhills are home to some of the most advanced veterinarian technology, and the SOUTHERN PINES, NC

$$$

66 40 AV E R AG E J A N UA RY DAY1

91 53 9 MOS. AV E R AG E J U LY DAY1

RALEIGH 85

77

485

440

73 74

74

40

1

CHARLOTTE 220

$1 MIL

MONTHS OF COMFORTABLE RIDING1

87

95

DINING, A RT S , C U LT U R E 2

9

MEDIAN H O R S E FA R M PRICE3

HORSINESS INDEX 4

SOUTHERN PINES N E A R E S T A I R P O RT RALEIGH, 59 MILES

1. The Weather Channel; days between 45 and 85 degrees; 2. EQ editors; 3. survey of equestrian realtors

Equine Health Center at Southern Pines, a satellite of the North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, offers worldclass facilities for horse care.

If golf is another indulgence, neighboring Pinehurst is considered variously a golfer’s mecca or “the golf capital of the U.S.” Pinehurst boasts more than 40 championship courses available to challenge players at any level.

VISITIN G S O U T H E R N P I N E S

Visit and enjoy authentic southern hospitality at one of the area’s charming hotels. The Jefferson Inn, touted as the only boutique hotel in the area, offers an intimate, luxury environment, while preserving the rich history of Southern Pines.

Known as the “Queen of the South,” The Carolina-Pinehurst Resort is a true homage to the genteel southern elegance of a bygone era. Enjoy a relaxing treatment at the hotel’s tranquil four-star spa, or visit with friends on one of its sweeping verandas.

Relive the foxhunt or the back nine while dining in the historic 1895 Grille located at the Holly at Pinehurst. It is the only fourdiamond restaurant in the area. The restaurant prides itself in exemplifying southern hospitality and service.

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WINTER WARMTH

Wellington

INSIDE AMERICA’S WINTE R H O R S E C A P I TA L

BY SUE WEAKLEY

L

ike a young, flavorfully crafted wine, Wellington rose from the fertile South Florida soil to bear fruit, ripen, and ferment into a full-bodied experience unlike any other. Bordering the Florida Everglades, the area was plucked from its swampy roots

by New Yorker Charles Oliver Wellington, when in 1951 he bought 18,000 acres in Palm Beach County. Then, soon

“AS SOON AS THE WEATHER COOLS IN

NOVEMBER, YOU REALLY START TO GET

THAT INCREDIBLE AIR OF EXCITEMENT THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE

ONCOMING SEASON.” C AROL COHEN

COURTESY MATT JOHNSON

Visit Carol Cohen’s Two Swans Farm, Page 78

WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 6 9

WINTER WARMTH IN WELLINGTON “ T H E WEATHER MAKES WELLINGTON THE PRIME P L AC E TO BE FOR THE WINTER. YOU ARE GUARANTEED S T RONG CONTENDERS, AND WE ALWAYS HAVE A

SHOW JUMPING IN WELLINGTON: “WELLINGTON IS THE PERFECT

JAMES PARKER & KATHY RUSSELL | THE BOOK

FUN TIME.” LAURA KRAUT

PLACE TO GO AND COMPETE IN THE WINTER.”

the State of Florida passed legislation to drain off the water, transforming the soggy swamp into fertile farmland. Instead of a vineyard, the area became the world’s largest strawberry patch, with 2,000 acres of strawberry fields.

Wellington’s property soon became know as the Flying Cow Ranch, a nod to the owner’s initials and his penchant for airplanes. In the early 1950s, fewer than 100 people called this area home.

After Wellington died in 1959, his son, Roger Wellington, developed some of the land in an effort to raise capital for estate taxes.

Development slowly blossomed as equestrians favored the ideal winter climate in South Florida, but Wellington remained a sleepy village nonetheless. “In the early, early days, you had to go all the way to the turnpike on 70 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

PAIGE JOHNSON, INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX RIDER

T H E FAC E S O F W E L L I N G TO N (Opposite): 1. Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club. 2. Mason Phelps and Carson Kressley at IPC. 3. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Favourit at World

Okeechobee – a dirt road – to get to a restaurant,” Olympic equestrian and Wellington businessman Mason Phelps remembers.

Wellington began to ripen and grow in the Florida sun, and its reputation as the winter home of North America’s equestrian elite grew as they flocked to the area for “the season.”

Polo, the sport of kings, soon became the king of sport for those wishing to see and be seen.

“Everything happened at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, and it was huge,” Phelps continues. “You’d have a grand prix going on Continued on page 74

Dressage Masters. 4. Georgina Bloomberg. 5. Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal of G&C Farm with daughters Maria Emilia, Andrea Carolina, and Victoria Elena.

6. Matt and Annette Lauer, honorary chairman of the fundraiser for the USET Foundation at WEF in January 2012. 7. Sam and Libby Edelman, of the Esprit and Sam & Libby shoe brands. 8. Venus Williams and Chukker at IPC. 9. Cara Raether aboard Lyonell. 10. Tom and Jeannie Tisbo, Bruce Springsteen, Hunter Julo, Hunter Harrison, Kaitlin, Keith and Ginger Creel. 11. Jeff Hall, a seven-goal professional polo player and Piaget team member. 12. Visse Wedell, Wellington Realtor and top amateur hunter rider.

LILA PHOTO

REBECCA WALTON PHOTO

PHELPS MEDIA GROUP

JENNIFER WOOD MEDIA

GEORGE KAMPER PHOTO

LILA PHOTO

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MENT OF WELLINGTON. IT’S NOT ONLY LIVING WITH THE HORSES ON OUR PROPERTY, BUT ALL OF THE EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITY AROUND US.” GUSTAVO MIRAB AL OF G&C FARM

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GEORGE KAMPER

“I LOVE THE HORSE ENVIRON -

WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 7 3 JAMES PARKER & KATHY RUSSELL | THE BOOK

JAMES PARKER & KATHY RUSSELL | THE BOOK

GEORGE KAMPER

WINTER WARMTH IN WELLINGTON

POLO IN WELLINGTON: LILA PHOTO

“THE POLO HERE IN WELLING TON IS THE BEST OF THE BEST.” NIC ROLDAN, THIRD-GENERATION

Continued from page 70 in one spot, you’d have a big polo game going on in another spot, you’d have the ladies from Palm Beach in their floppy hats all come out in droves. It was very high society.” During the late ‘70s, the area attracted royalty and celebrities who came out en force for Sunday afternoon chukkers. “There were people like Merv Griffin, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Prince Charles, Lady Diana, Tommy Lee Jones, William Devane, Mary Lou Whitney−the who’s who of Palm Beach,” Phelps remembers.

Polo brought out the most fashionable of the society-page set, who donned designer duds and glittering jewels to make a splash in the local social scene. Bob Cacchione, formerly with Cartier and executive director and founder of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, remembers how the exclusive jeweler helped 74 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

POLO PLAYER

kick off the start of the Palm Beach polo season one year.

“When Billy Ylvisaker started Palm Beach Polo Club, Cartier had a store on Worth Avenue [in Palm Beach],” Cacchione remembers. “I told Ralph Destino, the president and chairman of Cartier, ‘I’m going to sponsor Palm Beach Polo.’ So Billy and Ralph wanted to launch Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in New York City in November before the start of the season.”

STREET POLO

Cacchione stops, smiles, and laughs as he recounts the story. “I brought in two polo players,

Craig Millard and Tom Goodspeed, and we played polo on Fifth Avenue in New York,” he continues. “We parked on Fifty-second Street with the horses, and there was a party going on at Cartier. When the light turned red, I threw the ball out onto Fifth Avenue, and the two players and ponies go out there. They were stick and balling on Fifth Avenue!”

He smiles and laughs out loud. “The light turns green, they stop and wait on the sidewalk. The light turns red, out we go again.”

He pauses for effect. “That’s how Cartier launched Palm Beach Polo,” he concludes.

Polo’s lure has prompted many aficionados to make their homes in Wellington – a town firmly calling itself a village, priding itself on good schools, good food, and good horses. Melissa Potamkin Ganzi, heir to an auto dealership fortune, is a polo player and

WINTER WARMTH IN WELLINGTON

DRESSAGE IN WELLINGTON: GEORGE KAMPER

“NOW WE GET TO TURN THE TABLES ON EUROPE. IT BALANC ES THINGS INTERNATIONALLY WITH OTHER COMPETITIVE

patron of the Piaget polo team; her husband, Marc Ganzi, is a patron of the Audi polo team.

Together the Ganzis are considered the “first family” of Wellington polo. They moved to the area in 2001 in search of educational opportunities for their children and are today firmly entrenched in village life. Melissa and Marc Ganzi’s own Grand Champions Polo Club is where the International Gay Polo Tournament has been breaking cultural barriers and creating awareness within the community, and she supplies the field, the professional players, and the ponies for the event. “The Gay Polo League event every spring at our Grand Champions Polo Club has become something I look forward to, and it always leaves me with positive memories,” Melissa Ganzi proudly explains.

“Watching the show made me realize what a special place Wellington truly is.”

NATIONS IN DRESSAGE.” TUNY PAGE, FEI GRAND PRIX RIDER.

Nic Roldan, a third-generation polo player born in Buenos Aires, was raised in Wellington. The winner of the crown jewel of polo, the U.S. Open, Roldan makes his home base in the village. “The polo here in Wellington is the best of the best,” he says.

“Most of my great memories have taken place here in Wellington, from all the great school memories growing up to winning the U.S. Open here at Palm Beach Polo in ’98.”

WELLINGTON IS JUMPING

Gustavo Mirabal, whose G&C Farm sponsors show-jumping pros like Rodrigo Pessoa and Luiz Miguel Martinez, also moved his family to

Wellington from his native Venezuela. Mirabel and his wife, Carolina, built their dream home and farm to help exceptional riders in the highest levels of show jumping, and they are proud sponsors of the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup. “It’s thrilling to see all of the nations competing, and when I see the Venezuelan flag in competition, it’s a very emotional moment for me,” Mirabal explains.

Show jumping is a highlight in the heady bouquet of the Wellington season. Sam and Libby Edelman, of the Esprit and Sam & Libby shoe brands, say their fond memories include when, in the winter of 1994, the Sam & Libby horses set a record by winning four Grand Prixes. And then, in the winter of 1995, their famous Grand Prix horse, Honeymoon, jumped an impossibly difficult four-jump combo down Continued on page 77

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the middle, after which the mare was chosen for the Pan-American games.

Competition is key in Wellington, with ribbons, trophies, and prize money the successful harvest. “I would have to say my favorite memory of Wellington was showing up to compete for the first time,” says professional show jumper Cara Raether of Trelawny Farm.

“It was 1992, and I had never seen anything like the Winter Equestrian Festival. It was so exciting to see and compete where all the top Grand Prix riders were. Being able to see them up close, not from the stands−that was what eventually made me want to be a professional show jumper.”

“I love being in Wellington in the winter for the obvious reason, the weather, as well as the overwhelming horse community,” she bubbles. “You can watch show jumping, dressage, and polo all in the same weekend! There is nowhere else where you can see all that!”

Olympian Laura Kraut agrees. “The weather is one of the most prominent things that makes Wellington the prime place to be for the winter,” she says. “Not only is it a great place to prepare and stay up to par with competition, but you are guaranteed strong contenders, and we always have a fun time.”

Cayce Harrison of Double H adds, “I love Wellington because it provides us the chance to stay in one place for nearly six months, while still participating in top level competition.

During the spring and summer, we travel so much that six months in Wellington, where we can live in our home, see our friends, and be on a normal schedule, is a treat.”

The Wellington season is full of showjumping action, and the finale is held toward

the end of March in the international ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, during the FEI Nations Cup and the FEI World Cup qualifier.

Another engaging Wellington jumping event is the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge. Offering a tantalizing twist on fundraising, the event was the brainchild of Mark Bellissimo, the managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners LLC. The Great Charity Challenge is a relay-style

“I LOVE BEING IN WELLINGTON IN THE WINTER...

YOU CAN WATCH SHOW JUMPING, DRESSAGE, AND POLO ALL IN THE SAME WEEKEND. THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE ALL THAT!” C ARA RAETHER TRELAWNY FARM

jumping competition melding teams of two junior/amateur riders with one Olympic or world-class rider. The 32 rider teams are randomly paired with 32 charities serving Palm Beach County. Show-jumping superstars such as McLain Ward, Pablo Barrios, and Amy Millar have participated in the past.

Every charity is guaranteed to win at least $10,000, and, in 2012, the winning team was awarded $150,000. The 2013 Great Charity Challenge is slated for Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

N EVER A DULL MOMENT (Opposite): 1. Mermaids in the IPC infinity pool. 2.

HUNTERS HAVE BUSY SEASON

One of the most recognizable images in show jumping.

Aside from attending non-stop charity events in the community, the show hunters have plenty to keep them busy during the season as well during the 12-week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

“I enjoy the competition,” says Louise Serio, owner of the Derbydown show-hunter barns in Kennett Square, Pa., and Wellington. She says she enjoys the excitement of a new season starting and the thrill of showing first-year horses.

“My favorite memory is winning the $50,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby on Castle Rock,” she adds.

3. Megan Martin rides the wild bull in the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center’s “buck off.” 4,5. Gay Polo tailgaters themes include the Titanic and a safari. 6.

The International Polo Club (IPC) is home to the only high goal season in the U.S. 7. Charlotte Dujardin, Steffen Peters, and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén on the podium after Peters won the Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle. 8.

The entertainment gets hot at the World Dressage Masters. 9. The show-jumping finale is held toward the end of March in the international ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, during the USEF National Show Jumping Championship.

CLASS I C A L R I D I N G TO O

The South Florida show season for dressage is no less exciting for the classical riding crowd. Margaret Duprey, a Wellington resident and owner of Olympic show jumper Cedric, ridden by Laura Kraut, and the retired FEI dressage star, Otto, ridden by Todd Flettrich, loves watching the competition as well as reuniting with old friends. “For me, it’s nice to be able to see my friends from the dressage, hunter, and jumper worlds, and to reconnect after everyone has scattered in 50 different directions for the summer,” she explains. “There are people here from all over the world, and it’s a great place to get together with friends to watch worldclass competitors.”

In fact, international dressage competitors have traveled to the area for the past two years for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5, hosted by Wellington Classic Dressage at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. “The World Dressage Masters has been the crown jewel of the Wellington Classic Dressage circuit,” says Anne Gribbons, former technical advisor to the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team.

“It brings enough riders from Europe to make it a very exciting competition. It’s been very well run for the past two years. They take the facility at the Jim Brandon Center and make it intimate−cozy and exciting at the same time. The place has been packed the past two years, which gives it a really good atmosphere. It prepares horses for indoor shows like they have in Europe.”

In 2012, Olympic Games gold medalists Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin joined Olympians Steffen Peters, Adrienne Lyle, Tina Konyot, Minne Tilde, Ashley Holzer, Jacqueline Brooks, Per Sandgaard, and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, along with superstar dressage riders Todd Flettrich, Heather Blitz, James Kofford, Pierre St. Jacques, and Anja Plönzke. “The Masters is such a well put on competition,” says Todd Flettrich, an FEI rider at the WDM for the past two years.

“They really try to make it a special event with the set-up and the decor. It feels like you are on stage!” The 2013 event will be Jan. 23-27, at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Palm Beach County.

Twelve weeks of dressage events held in conjunction with the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) include the highly anticipated Adequan Global Dressage Festival, starting in February and ending in mid-April.

Continued on page 84

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“ F O R T H E PA S T T WO YEARS, I H AV E H O S TED S T E F F E N P E T E R S AND HIS H O R S E , R AV EL. T H AT ’ S R E A L LY B E E N A GREAT M E M O RY F O R ME. C A RO L C O H EN

COURTESY MATT JOHNSON

BY SUE WEAKLEY

Behind the Gates

BY STEPHANIE PETERS AND SUE WEAKLEY PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

U S DF SILVER MEDALIST CAROL COHEN HAS BUILT AN E LEGANT, EUROPEAN-STYLE HORSE FARM WITH E X Q U I SITE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, YET IT EXUDES A WARM, RELAXED ATMOSPHERE

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I

n Wellington, where hedges have become art forms and formidable gates are as ornate as a queen’s tiara, it was EQ’s great fortune to be invited beyond the magnificent entrance into one of Wellington’s premier properties – Carol Cohen’s Two Swans Farm.

In contrast to the imposing 20-foot double Pecky Cypress doors that guard the entrance, Carol, with her Chihuahua Sabrina at her side, greeted us with unabashed enthusiasm and gracious hospitality.

Carol, a USDF silver medalist, makes Two Swans Farm her home, with her daughter Rebecca. Carol’s late husband, Alan Cohen, was the co-owner of the Boston Celtics and the New Jersey Nets.

Rebecca, 16, recently made her debut performance at the Prix St. George level at the New England Dressage Association Fall Festival. After her stellar performance aboard her Westphalian gelding, Downtown, she was selected to participate in the Elite Young Riders Clinic with Jeremy Steinberg in Alpharetta, Ga.

First impressions can be misleading, and Two Swans is no exception. Carol Cohen has built an elegant, stately, European-style horse farm with exquisite attention to detail, yet it exudes a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

“I have lived in Wellington year-round since 2007,” Carol said as she welcomed us inside.

“First of all, there’s always an incredible air of excitement when you are anticipating the coming season. As soon as the weather cools the first week of November, you really start beginning to get that level of excitement that goes

along with the oncoming season. My choice is dressage, but hunters are coming in, jumpers are coming in, polo is coming in. It gets really exciting and it’s so wonderful every year when you welcome everybody back and everybody gets together. A lot of lifelong friendships have been cultivated over the years.”

Befitting the Two Swans name, two pristine ponds border each side of the entrance drive, populated with families of graceful Black and Trumpeter swans. Carol introduced us to the newest, Issac, aptly sharing the name of the WINTER 2 0 1 2 | 2 0 1 3 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 7 9

MY FAVORITE HORSE Impresario (Rio). I call him my diamond necklace because Rio was a birthday present, and I had the choice of jewelry or a horse. There was no contest; I chose Rio so he’s my diamond necklace!

He was part of the Gold Medal team at the 1996 USA Pan Am Games, and a well-known team Grand Prix horse. He’s now 23 years old and living la Vida Loca at his retirement home, Mountainview Ranch in Virginia because it is just too hot here.

little family, and keeps our memories of Alan fresh.

MY FAVORITE GETAWAY Aspen. I started skiing as a kid, and have been traveling to Aspen for 25 years. I have wonderful memories, with my late husband Alan and our daughter Rebecca. It’s become a tradition in our

until I was released two days later. The Nanny had also taken care of children on the Harry Potter set. My daughter was very impressed!

MY FAVORITE HOTEL The Dorchester in London. I got really sick in London with a virus and had to be hospitalized.

Rebecca was 12 years old; they got her a Nanny and a driver and they took very good care of her

For at least five months, four equestrian disciplines compete weekly, dressage, polo, hunters and jumpers. There is not any place internationally where you have this many world-class equestrians competing within a fivemile radius. It is the Rome of the sport horse world.

Also Aachen, Germany.

I love this show. It’s the

Favorites CAROL COHEN

MY FAVORITE HORSE EVENT The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.

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best of the best, and run perfectly. I like Olympia as well; it’s great entertainment.

MY FAVORITE CHARITY Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Foundation. We help subsidize needs within law enforcement departments. For instance, buy-

ing special bullet-proof vests, or a puppy for the canine unit, or donations to the equine unit.

Anywhere we can help, we do. We are just a year old and already making an impact. It’s been very exciting to be a part of the foundation from the beginning.

MY FAVORITE WEBSITE 2pointcontact.com, dressage-news, euro-dessage and dressagedaily. I like to keep informed about my sport. I’m a reader so I download 40 mostly non-fiction books a year.

MY FAVORITE HORSE MOVIE Black Stallion, Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, and Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron.

We took Rebecca to this movie 11 times and then watched it on TV maybe a million more.

tropical storm that arrived the day after he was hatched.

The farm sits on 10 private acres. The design is reminiscent of European-style stables with 12 generous stalls surrounding a spacious courtyard. Argentinean granite cobblestones cover the walkways throughout the exterior, adding the same grace and permanence found in Old World barns. There is also an impressive covered arena beautifully integrated with the other buildings, and tastefully appointed apartments for grooms and guests. A separate pony stable, with eight stalls scaled to pony-proportion, offers the same accommodations and vantage points as their taller peers.

IT’S IN T H E D E TA I L S

Facilities for the horses, grooms, vets, and farriers reflect the same attention to detail. They are intelligently designed, spacious, and easily accessible. A unique tack room was professionally decorated with Toile wallpaper, a sculptural chandelier, and antique furnishings. Carol and her daughter Rebecca’s extensive selection of boots line the floor, exhibiting their shared love and passion for riding and competing.

“My daughter is a dressage rider,” Carol says.

“She’s 16. She’s been on the back of a horse since she was 2. I’m very proud of her.”

For the past two years, Two Swans has hosted a Steffen Peters clinic. “And also his horse, Ravel, was at my farm at World Dressage Masters for the last two years, so that’s really been a great memory for me,” Carol reflects. “It’s been a lot of fun, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely.

He’s won World Dressage Masters for the last two years, and for those past two years, he’s been at my farm!”

As we continue our walk, the exterior charm and elegance melds seamlessly into the private residence. Warm, Brazilian cherry floors complement Carol’s tasteful blend of furnishings and sophisticated collection of contemporary art.

The interior living spaces transition easily onto private, pergola-covered terraces and patios.

What about summer? we ask. “After the excitement of the season, everyone is totally exhausted,” Carol adds. “It’s really nice to be quiet. That’s what I like about the summers here. It’s quiet. I hate the weather. But I do love that it’s quiet and there are lots of people that are here year round now – many more than there used to be. So, I get to hang out with my girlfriends, and it’s time off for the horses.”

We decided that her friends were lucky indeed. Carol Cohen exemplifies that behind these grand Wellington entrances live energetic, accomplished people who take immeasurable pride in their family, friends, animals, and farms.

COURTESY MATT JOHNSON

SUMMER IN WELLINGTON? I LOVE THAT IT’S QUIET, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE YEAR ROUND NOW – MANY MORE THAN THERE USED TO BE. C AROL COHEN

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Cornelia Guest Comes Home THE AUTHOR, PHILANTHROPIST, ANIMAL-ADVOCATE, AND DESIGNER RETURNS TO HER ROOTS

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REMEMBERING WELLINGTON “I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT MEMORIES OF WELLINGTON. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.” CORNELIA GUEST

Her love of animals, her commitment to animal causes, and her sense of style led her to design a line of accessories. The buttery-soft, cruelty-free handbags and accessories were featured at a February trunk show at Hunt Ltd. in the International Club during the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Guest was on hand to catch up with her horse-show friends.

She created a splash, and the popular handbags nearly sold out. The handbags are so popular at Bloomingdale’s that they are temporarily sold out. The smart collection includes woven bags and wallets and a clever iPad bag with an adjustable cross-body strap.

There is good reason why Donna Karan named Guest one of the Women Who Inspire. She has created a vegan chocolate chip cookie to support her dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Her commitment to wholesome eating is evidenced by her upcoming book, Simple Pleasures: Healthy Seasonal Cooking and Easy Entertaining.

Guest and Mason Phelps brought the popular Denim and Diamonds event to Wellington in 1996. It was inspired by an event the pair teamed on in the 1980s, the Newport Round-Up in Rhode Island. Denim and Diamonds entertainers through the years have included the Pointer Sisters, Donna Summer, Grace Jones, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Gloria Gaynor, Lynn Anderson, Chaka Khan and Taylor Dayne.

As Phelps remembers, “The event was so popular it outgrew its tent and had to be moved to the Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds, with over 2,000 attendees.

Guest continues her fundraising and philanthropic efforts, and her passion for animals and nature is reflected in every aspect of her life. Her mission is to encourage and inspire people to be conscious of daily choices.

She is an active advocate for the Humane Society of New York and the Grow NYC Board. She is a supporter of New Yorkers for Marriage Equality and hosted the 2010 New York City flagship event for the cause with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Guest’s inspiration and her life’s work were developed, in part, in Wellington. And Wellington is happy to have her back.

PAGE 97 BRUCE WEBER

C

ornelia Guest practically grew up in Wellington.

She stabled her horses at Jane Ebelhare’s Show Barn at Palm Beach Polo, showing in the winter circuit, watching her father, Winston Frederick Churchill Guest, throw out the ball for young polo players and trotting along Wellington’s roads on her pony.

“I have a lot of great memories of Wellington,” she says. “It was incredible.” She was recently back in town to connect with horse friends and showcase her exclusive line of cruelty-free handbags and accessories.

Guest, who rode and showed extensively, was in the saddle before she could walk. Her mother, the American fashion icon C.Z. Guest, brought her to Wellington during the season. Smitten with horses, she dyed her ponies’ manes and tried to sneak them into the house to feed them carrots.

She competed as a junior in the Florida circuit.

World-class coach and rider Katie MonahanPrudent served as her trainer and mentor.

“Katie was so hard on me. I see her with her students today. It seems like she was much tougher on me. I think of her as a big sister,” shared Guest. Guest and Monahan-Prudent remain close.

Guest took some time off from the horse world but she missed the life. She resurfaced in training with British Olympic silver medalist show jumper Tim Grubb. Her all-time favorite horse is a big gray horse named Nicholas, who took her from adult jumpers to high amateurs.

BY SUE WEAKELY WITH CARRIE WIRTH

WINTER WARMTH IN WELLINGTON

Horse-Country Travel

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BY JILL MEDINGER WELLINGTON, FL

$$$$

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MONTHS OF COMFORTABLE RIDING1

FLORIDA’S TPK

ome to the one of the world’s largest and longest-running horse shows, Wellington has long been a premier destination for equestrians. While cold weather falls upon most of the country, the area hits its peak in show season, as temperatures hold steady for predictably ideal conditions.

Some of the biggest and most prestigious events in show jumping, polo, and dressage are held in Wellington every year, drawing large numbers of top competitors to the area and bringing with them an eclectic mix of lifestyles.

To Wellington’s east, just across the Intracoastal Waterway bridges on what is known simply as “the Island,” lies Palm Beach.

With beautiful beaches, fine shopping, and classic charm, Palm Beach is home to a long list of celebrities and CEOs. Defined by the 1920s architecture of Addison Mizner, Palm Beach is a window into the lifestyles of the rich

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N E A R E S T A I R P O RT PALM BEACH, 9 MI.

1. The Weather Channel; days between 45 and 85 degrees; 2. EQ editors; 3. survey of equestrian realtors

and famous, both old money and new, where business tycoons and celebrities cross paths with heirs to some of America’s greatest family fortunes while shopping on Worth Avenue, “the Rodeo Drive of the East.”

While the affluence of Palm Beach is on full display, Wellington, in contrast, has quietly drawn a crowd whose lush farms are tucked away. When visiting Wellington, if the endless

string of breathtaking farms, exciting competitions, and gorgeous horses grows tiresome, a half-hour’s drive east will have you sunbathing on the beach.

Deep-sea fishing cruises are nearby at the Ft. Lauderdale docks.

Or if you prefer, you can spend a day at one of the area’s beautiful golf courses. Palm Beach County has more courses than any other county in the nation. The famous public course, Binks Forest, is unique among Florida courses for its lush foliage and tall pines lining the fairways.

Of the many private clubs in the area, the Palm Beach Polo Golf and Country Club is a landmark of luxury in Wellington, with two clubhouses, eight polo fields, an olympic-sized swimming pool, and two croquet lawns.

Whether you prefer the “country life” of Wellington, or nearby Palm Beach and it’s old-fashioned glamour, a home in the area is a wonderful way to enjoy horses and the equestrian lifestyle throughout the winter months.

E Q V I S I T S W ELLINGTON WHERE TO STAY The Hampton Inn and Suites The in-Wellington favorite of the horse show and polo crowd, and the best hotel in the village, the Hampton Inn has 122 guest rooms and suites, including accessible rooms. Included is a free hot breakfast, Internet, and combined gym and fitness center.

The Breakers Palm Beach has lured generations of travelers to its idyllic, Italian-­ Renaissance setting. It features a Mediterranean-style beach club reminiscent of St. Tropez,

one-half mile of private beach, five oceanfront pools, and four whirlpool spas. There is also an oceanfront spa; 36 holes of championship golf; 10 lighted ­Har-Tru tennis courts and instruction by certified professionals; and 10 onsite boutiques, including Guerlain, Ralph Lauren, and Lilly Pulitzer.

Ritz Carlton Palm Beach Much smaller and more intimate than the Breakers, the RitzCarlton Palm Beach offers seven acres of lush tropical gardens and an exclusive beach, making it an ideal destination for a romantic weekend

or a family getaway. The hotel has recently had a $130-million makeover.

Four Seasons Palm Beach Another intimate and luxurious beachfront option, with 210 rooms in a U-shaped, four-story complex. A magnificent swimming pool, centrally located in the cour tyard, is just steps away from the Atlantic.

Casa Grandview West Palm Beach Even smaller, the circa 1925 award-winning AAA 4-Diamond historic inn, cottages and suites resor t combines an historic past with modern day luxuries, featuring 17 rooms, and is located in the trendy Grandview Heights Historic District. The boutique style residences combine the latest technology to create an

ambiance of relaxation and sophisticated style, with all the comfor ts of home surrounded by a cozy Caribbean-like island atmosphere with a Mediterranean flair.

WHERE TO EAT Oli’s Fashion Cuisine A “little strip-mall gem” that is easily overlooked, Oli’s is a Wellington favorite. Co-owners, Executive chef Dustin Parfitt and President Juan Gando, chose Wellington as the location of their first restaurant with the vision to bring Palm Beach-Style dining to Wellington.

The Player’s Club A local landmark, located on the grounds of the Polo Club, chef Charles Campbell brings fine American-style dining–pasta, steak and seafood–to Wellington.

Stonewood Grill and Tavern If you’re looking for a great steak or the freshest seafood in town, the Stonewood Grill and Tavern oak-grills each steak to lock in its juices and enhance its natural flavors.

Café Boulud is located in the historic Brazilian Cour t Hotel, steps from Wor th Avenue in Palm Beach. The French-

American menu parallels the famous Café Boulud in New York, with personal touches added by chef Jim Leiken.

WHERE TO SHOP Worth Avenue in Palm Beach has approximately 250 high-end shops, boutiques, restaurants, and ar t galleries, including Giorgio Armani, Neiman Marcus, Car tier, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Hermès, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Chanel, Brooks Brothers, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, Lana Marks, and Lacoste.

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WINTER WARMTH IN WELLINGTON

Continued from page 77

each venue brings a different yet complemenMann, director of the animal health division of Vinceremos, Susan Guinan. Vinceremos has ® tary atmosphere to dressage enthusiasts.

She Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, makers of Adequan, been serving Palm Beach County for 30 years, says the Global Dressage facility, in the heart says that the brand has supported the WEF for ever since executive director Ruth Menor of Wellington, is most international in flavor. several years. “The new dressage complex in started the program. The therapeutic center “It has a more intense flavor, and is a lot more Wellington will attract the top horses and ridtoday has more than 160 students taking ridelectric,” Page explains.

The Jim Brandon ers from around the globe,” he says. ing lessons on 22 horses every week.

Equestrian Center, owned by Palm Beach A highlight of the dressage season has been Wellington is quick to lend a hand to County, she believes is slightly more casual and the Challenge of the Americas, a one-of-a-kind charities and those less fortunate, especially very nice. “It’s got great competition, includinternational Grand Prix musical freestyle chalwhen it comes to equine-related events. Lynn ing the World Dressage Masters, but it’s a little lenge called “dancing for women around the Coakley knows that first hand as president of less of a pressure cooker,” she says. Finally, world.” The event raises money for the Breast a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality she says that the venue at Equestrian Estates Cancer Research Foundation. In 2013, it will of life for horses, promoting the use of horses is charming. “It feels to me like a country be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center to enrich the lives of those in need, and edufair.

It’s fun and expansive and March 9. cating the public about the horse’s ability to they have a beer garden at “There are few, if any, places throughout empower, teach, and heal. one end.” the world where an audience can delight in the “The EQUUS Foundation has awarded performances of such a large and over $2 million in grants to horse distinguished group of riders and charities across America, thanks their magnificent mounts as at the almost entirely to the generosChallenge of the Americas,” says ity of the guests attending our DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER, Mary Ross, chairman of the event. two annual fundraising events,” “High performance Grand Prix Coakley explains. One of the WE TRAVEL SO MUCH, riders from North America and events is a luncheon held in the THAT SIX MONTHS IN WELLINGTON, overseas are in town for Florida’s Virginia hunt country; the other WHERE WE CAN LIVE IN OUR HOME, winter equestrian show season, and is the Fête Cheval Étoile held durthey are the backbone of the chaling the WEF at the Palm Beach SEE OUR FRIENDS, AND BE ON A NORMAL lenge competition.”

International Equestrian Center.

SCHEDULE IS A TREAT.” FEI Grand Prix rider Tuny Page, The next Fête is scheduled owner of Stillpoint Farm, has been for March 8, 2013, and promC AYCE HARRISON, DOUBLE H FARM living in Wellington year-round ises dazzling entertainment, for about 12 years. She serves the music, and dancing, featuring Page says with so many people in town, dressage community on the USET Foundation equestrian horses. one of the best ways to stay connected to the board of trustees and the USEF high perforcommunity is by lending a helping hand. mance and active athlete committee. “The most IT’S AL L A B O U T C O M M U N I T Y One of her favorite charities is the Vinceremos important thing about Wellington’s developWhen it comes down to it, community is key Therapeutic Riding Center, whose signature ment is that it has taken giant steps forward,” for Wellingtonians. No matter the sport, no event during the season is an annual auction, Page explains. “With that comes the trappings matter the ups and downs, horses are the reason dinner, and dance.

The Feburary 8, 2013, of significant prize money, excellent horses and for “the season.” event will be the safari-themed “Explore the riders, and good judges. Now we get to turn “For me, when I go to Wellington, I love to Possibilities.” Its highlights include the finals the tables on Europe. It balances things intersee not only the show jumpers, but the entire of a “buck-off” competition, in which teams nationally with other competitive nations in horse community, including dressage and polo,” vie for bragging rights and huge silver belt dressage.” says Charlie Jacobs, president of the Boston buckles for mastering a mechanical bull, and Bruins Foundation and an International Grand both silent and live auctions. For the auctions, NEW GLOBAL Prix (jumping) rider. “It’s wonderful for me to members of the community donate everything D R E S S AG E F ESTIVAL share the sport with my children. There is a real from three days at the Masters golf tournaPage says the sheer number of horses in the community of horsemen and women who love ment to a four-day fishing trip at the Flying D area can easily support all three dressage show the sport as much as we do, and they share the Ranch in Idaho, to a year’s membership at the facilities in Palm Beach County: the Global same passion, values, and goals that we do in International Polo Club.

Dressage Festival Show Grounds, the Jim trying to find the best care and environments “We are all about possibilities, not disBrandon Equestrian Center, and the Horse possible for our horses. It makes Wellington the abilities,” says the director of development for Park at Equestrian Estates. She believes that special community that it is.”

84 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

Travel

Horses are the Stars of the WASSAIL WEEKEND in Woodstock, Vermont.

BY BETSY STEIN

1

2

3

4

1. Dressed formally in a tuxeudo and on roller skates, Bill Luth has pulled “clean-up duty” at the rear of many years of parades. 2. Victorian-era dress is the recurring theme of the day. 3. Members of the North Country Hunt participate annually in the group competition. 4. Emily and Jamie Fields, Phoebe Novello and Sue Greenall pose in their snowman outfits.

5. Crowds assemble early and line the streets along the parade route. 6. Draft horses pull a wagon full of singing Santas toward the village green.

6

5

F

or 26 years Woodstock, Vermont, has celebrated the winter solstice with a Wassail Weekend. The village voted “prettiest in America” is tucked in the middle of Vermont horse country, with beautiful shops, restaurants, and galleries filled with equestrian and sporting art. A Rockefeller homestead, now a national park, overlooks the village. The town has carefully preserved its heritage – a large portion of the village is included in a protected historic district. Many of these beautiful, finely preserved homes are open for self-guided tours during the wassail festivities. The houses are decorated for the season and provide a glimpse into Vermont Christmas past.

86 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

The highlight of the weekend is a unique wassail parade through the center of town with over 50 horses, riders, and carriages decked out in holiday costumes and period dress from the early 19th century. The Green Mountain Horse Association and High Horses Therapeutic Riding work together to organize participants as they assemble to parade down the decorated Main Street past the village green. “We brainstorm new costume ideas each year, then work together making them. It’s a great festive activity for the entire horse community,” explains Jamie Fields of Hartland, Vermont.

The green fills with people eating, drinking, and singing around a huge bonfire as the horses pass by. Onlookers cheer for their favorite team,

and judges choose the costume winners for the year. Shops along the street are also decorated, with open doors, music spilling out into the streets, and holiday wares inside. “I don’t know of anything else like it in America,” says spectator Kim Macey from Newtown, Connecticut.

“It’s well worth a trip to Vermont this holiday season.”

The name wassail has its roots in a Danish phrase introduced to England during Saxon times – ves heill, meaning “to drink to the health.” In those days, when singers went door to door caroling during the solstice, they were given a warm ale, known as wassail, brewed with spiced apples and sugar.

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People Meet ROBERT RIDLAND the next U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’ Equipe AN INTERVIEW WITH KENNETH KRAUS

O

Is one of the biggest issues a lack of a feeder system if you will, from the minors to the majors, so to speak?

KENNETH KRAUS

The United States Federation’s Executive Committee approved Robert Ridland as the next U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’ Equipe/ Technical Advisor beginning in 2013, when George Morris retires after six years of service.

Ridland, of Irvine, California, has a vast scope of knowledge and experience. He represented the United States on two Olympic teams, he is a course designer, competition manager and has served on the FEI Jumping Committee and on the USEF Board of Directors.

His company, Blenheim EquiSports, manages horse shows in California in addition to having run three Rolex/ FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. the following are excerpts of an interview by KENNETH KRAUS for PhelpsSports.com.

That may be an aspect of that for sure, it’s… the bottom line is that the emerging professionals and the professionals of the future do not have the same opportunities we had when we were at that same stage. And, our current professionals, who are at the top of their game, do not have the same advantages as their counterparts in Europe. That is a huge disadvantage, and that is what we have to address.

McLain Ward said that one of the things that impressed him most

Rober t Ridland and Michel Vaillancour t.

about you was the fact that you are very aware of the fact that Show Jumping is a Eurocentric sport. What is the an-

bviously George Morris, Frank Chapot and

swer to that and the Super League dilemma?

Bert DeNemethy have left indelible marks as

You’re jumping the gun. That is an answer that will have to come from all of us. We have to first address the core issues and we all have to be on board for where we are trying to get to. Then you strategically dissect the issue and figure out how that should be accomplished. McLain is correct, I have made it no secret at all that this is the core responsibility for everyone of us, from the riders to the federation level whatever, and I believe that in the modern world and in the state that our sport is in now, at every level the coach has to fight this fight. Fighting this fight is a team effort, we have to do it, but the voice of the coach has to be heard at the Federation level. I have always been very involved in the Federation side of the sport since the early 70s when I was the rider rep on the US Olympic Athletes Advisory Council.

You have to have your voice heard in that you can’t just be dealing with the athletic field, and as a coach you can’t only be good at the X’s and O’s. We are very good at the X’s and O’s, but so is our competition. We have to take the fight at every level.

Chefs. Is that intimidating to you, having such big shoes to fill?

Well, to use an analogy, I look at it as having to fill Phil Jackson’s shoes, when he left the Lakers. I don’t find it - to be honest I don’t find anything intimidating. However, they are huge, huge shoes for sure. But,we have to forge ahead with what our priorities are. To me, we have to address the issues in the sport. And, it is a different world from when Bert was the coach, when Frank was, and even when George did it. We have to address some major issues for our sport here in North America. It’s going to be our only shot to do it. We have to come up with a short term plan which is for the next four years, and focus on getting the medals we want to get in Rio, but more importantly we have to try to do our part to lay the groundwork for the next 20 years in our sport. There are some troubling signs in our sport, in my opinion, and I said this during the interview process, we truly cannot be burying our heads in the sand to what the world has out there. We are in a perilous situation in some aspects of how the future of the sport in our country is going to end up. We need to address them, and that time is now.

90 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

“I LOOK AT IT AS HAVING TO FILL PHIL JACKSON’S SHOES, WHEN HE LEFT THE LAKERS.”

That’s a tough fight, dealing with the people in Europe, isn’t it?

Continued on page 92

FROM JUMPING, TO DRESSAGE, TO POLO…

assion

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INAUG U R A L I S S U E | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RT E R LY | 9 1

ROBERT RIDLAND

Continued from page 90

SILVER HILL FARM WEST WINDSOR VERMONT

It’s a tough fight for sure, because we are trying to alter the status quo - their status quo and/or the status quo of the sport, which is one in the same. With that being said, I spent so many years as a rider watching Bert, and how he conducted affairs in Europe. He was always respectful of where we were, we never, when we take a fight anywhere, whether it is on the field of play or at the higher level of the sport, do the ugly American thing. I won’t stand for that.

“IN EUROPE IT’S CHEF D-EQUIPE, That’s never what we, as a IN AMERICA IT’S COACH.” country, or we as a team, have stood for. It was never the way that Bert or Frank or George operated. When we are over in Europe we are guests over there. We fight hard, but we are respectful of where we are and where the sport was born. There is no question that it was born over there, it wasn’t born over here like basketball. Likewise later on, when I was fortunate enough to be on the jumping committee, I spent four years on that committee and many other committees, and we are not going to in this war, if you will, by swinging a sledge hammer around and acting like the big bully—that’s not going to do it. It needs to be an approach that is respectful of the sport worldwide, and respectful of the way things should be. I am comfortable in that arena. Some of my best friends are over in Europe, and I have had, over the years, good relations with the FEI and a lot of interaction with the FEI. Reasonable solutions can come from reasonable people.

Many folks said this is beyond a one man job. In fact, I was told that you feel the same way. What are your thoughts on that?

DAYS ON MARKET

It is very much part of what I said in both the interviews. I feel, because of what we have already talked about, that the priorities go far beyond x’s and o’s.

They go into reforming the balance of the sport. Chef d’Equipe to start with, I have to say and half kiddingly, this is the COACH of the US Team we are talking about and in any other sport. What is a Chef d’Equipe.

I took French in high school; I am fairly competent in the language. Over there, it is Chef d’Equipe, but here it is coach.

You have had some great things happen in your life.

Where does this rank on the excitement scale?

After the day that Peyton was born and the day that I married Hillary, it’s kind of up there. It is definitely up there. I had a fun day yesterday, I got hit with reality about four hours into it, that I did actually have a schedule that I was supposed to adhere to, and I immediately took off to LAX.

92 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

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There’s one picture that is the neck of a horse. It’s one of the older images, taken just before I started the book. A white neck that looks like a mountain. Now that image, for me, draws a sensuality. Pictures allow you to wonder. If you don’t show all of the subject, and just concentrate on a part, that’s the meaning of the term “less is more.” You don’t necessarily have to have more to give people a richer association. You can take landscapes to show the history and the breeding, or the embryos to explore the economics of embryo transfer and function. Or you can enjoy just the wonderment of exploring details, like the eyelashes or the mane. A mane almost could remind you of something from your ski holiday. It is still a horse, it’s not that it isn’t the mane of a horse, but you give yourself the liberty to wonder. I think that’s quite an important place to be.

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That was actually done at the Royal Yard, and they’re halter horses. That particular horse, JJ Ballerina, was a very well-known show horse; he even has his own fan club. What I wanted to create was an ambiguity that the window was almost like a painting behind the halter horse, which is not ridden, it’s like a supermodel.

And also, it was a gesture back to “Whistlejacket,” painted by Stubbs, where the scene in the background was the wall, and the sclera of the eye was showing. So, I was consciously playing on those different layers.

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My book is called Equus, so I thought it shouldn’t just have horses, it should reflect other members of the group, such as zebras and donkeys. It was really based on the idea that we create things just because we can. There isn’t a lot of function in a zonkey (a cross between a zebra and a donkey); they’re not usually a very calm animal. It almost looks manipulated, but they’re real.

TELL US ABOUT THE HERMÈS AD S .

We photographed the one with the lighthouse in Brittany, and I think we were forewarned: This is going to be challenging. We had model makers build the actual fence that you see. And of course, the lighthouse is really there. Everything you see in the window and the animal was really there. And it was really precarious to manage a horse in that environment. Really, it was right on the edge, I’d say. I think it probably does look like it’s real, because it is. We also had to build a part of a yacht, but we had to make it so that we could load the horse up. The one on the rooftop was done in a studio, because we had to set up a whole environment. It would have been impractical to try to get a horse on top of a roof, but we did get it onto the yacht we made. As you can imagine, when you have sails flapping around, it can be quite problematic with horses.

WHAT CAMERA DO YOU TAKE ON VAC AT I O N ?

I don’t take a camera, actually. I’m a great believer in the direct experience. You should experience things first. I’m not sick of taking pictures, but I’m more interested in engaging with what’s around me.

95

96 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

Resources

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Barn Dogs

I

decided in March to donate all of my prize money to Danny and Ron’s Rescue because my family and I have a huge love for dogs. Danny and Ron needed that extra support and donating my prize money has really helped the cause and helped many dogs, so I am really happy to be doing it for them It’s a great cause and they are doing an amazing thing. Doing this makes me feel really good and gives me an extra reason to go out there each week and do my best.

I have been lucky enough to win at a number of prestigious High Junior Jumper events at the top horse shows in the nation, as well as placing in grand prix events in Saratoga and Vermont. This summer I won

98 | E Q U E S T R I A N Q UA RTERLY | WINTER 2012 | 2013

JAMES PARKER & KATHY RUSSELL, THE BOOK

Every year millions of unwanted dogs are euthanized for unnecessary reasons.

Young rider CHARLOTTE JACOBS chose to use her success in the show ring as a way to help stop this unnecessary cruelty. This year, she decided to donate all of her prize money to Danny and Ron’s Rescue, a no-kill rescue organization that has placed over 5,000 dogs in loving homes.

the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) Show Jumping Team Gold Medal and Individual Bronze Medal with my horse Kachina.

GOOD LUCK FOR BOTH CLOVER AND CHARLOTTE

My family and I have adopted two dogs from Danny and Ron’s rescue, including Clover, who we took to the NAJYRC for good luck.

Clover has the best attitude and she still acts like a puppy and has lots of energy. It’s really fun to find a dog like that. I won a High Junior Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival and won the SSG Gloves Rider Bonus, so I decided to donate all of that money when I adopted Clover this year.

Ron Danta, Co-Founder of Danny and Ron’s Rescue noted, “Charlotte’s donations have saved hundreds of dogs’ lives. It shows how mature Charlotte is, that she wants to give back to a cause that is going to save a lot of animals’ lives. It’s a very moving thing for her to want to make that step and give her prize money to the rescue. I think it’s a wonderful thing that she has that much heart and compassion for animals; it’s something we really admire.”

During 2012, Jacob’s success in the show ring has helped raise over $20,000 for the organization. Her parents, Louis and Joan Jacobs, have also decided to donate and are currently working on a new state-ofthe-ar t website for Danny and Ron’s Rescue. To learn more about Danny and Ron’s Rescue, PAGE 97.

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