EQ F R O M T H E E D I T O R
PHOTO GEORGE KAMPER
WELCOME In our Weddings 2022 feature, the title, “Renewed Excitement,” encapsulates the reinvigorated enthusiasm surrounding the planning and hosting of the special day. Senior editor Jill Novotny has assembled a mix of options and ideas for venues, honeymoon destinations, cakes, and details that give a wedding a unique personality, and included profiles of three couples who creatively wove their love of horses into the festivities. Within the feature, we were privy to David Sloan’s innovative design and behind-the-scenes planning of his daughter Lindsey’s Millbrook, New lanning still comes with a York, wedding. David, a member of our degree of uncertainty for me, Advisory Board, a talented and creative particularly when booking designer, and avid polo player, has showtravel or events far in advance. cased his stunning homes and farms in As someone who prefers Equestrian Living on two occasions. standing on terra firma, I sense Earlier in the year, our travels allowed the ground is still shifting beneath me as us to meet several equestrians achievcoronavirus variants linger. ing the unexpected in their respective The challenges of planning a wedding disciplines. within the last two years manifested themFor our cover story, we met Hope selves in innumerable ways—even causing Arellano, the 19-year-old polo player some brides and grooms to postpone taking the sport by storm. The lively their weddings multiple times. This year, fourth-generation player with pinpoint however, is experiencing a wedding boom focus and determination is one of the projected to be the busiest in decades. In world’s top-ranked female polo profesa recent NPR Fresh Air program, a wedsionals. Hope was eager to have some ding planner whose business jumped 30% fun with the styling of the photo shoot. in 2022 referred to the flurry as “the great As she transitioned into various fashion uncorking.” Similarly, wedding napkins looks and settings and we watched her messaged with “We waited an extra year canter onto the field, we realized that she for this. Party accordingly.” required no is a young woman with extraordinary explanation when displayed at a wedding talent and a career ahead of her with expo. unlimited possibilities.
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10 | EQ UE S T R I A N L I V IN G | J U LY / AU GU S T | 2022
We were also thrilled to meet twotime Olympic dressage rider Adrienne Lyle and her horses’ owner Betsy Juliano, at Havensafe, Betsy’s Wellington, Florida, training farm. The lush, tranquil setting was an idyllic backdrop for our photoshoot. Writer Sue Weakley, who is exceptionally versed in the dressage arena, penned a compelling feature about the successful dynamic of their partnership. And in the creative realm, architect Eric J. Smith flawlessly transforms a South Carolina antebellum plantation into a cohesive 21st-century Low Country estate. Across the pond, collage artist Lola Dupre, armed with scissors, paper, and glue in her Scotland studio, designs intricate works inspired by renowned artists and writers. After an extended hiatus from travel, our EQLiving team was excited to return to Wellington and other equestriancentric locations this year. We’re making plans to visit more intriguing people and locations this summer, which you’ll soon see in future issues.
