Equestrian Living - September/October 2023

Live In Ariat

Our fall Countryside collection brings effortless sophistication to every occasion—from hikes in the country to evenings in town. Each one-of-a-kind piece blends 30 years of equestrian design with modern, sustainable materials you’ll reach for again and again.

EQ’S ANNUAL GOLD LIST

74

PHOTOGRAPHER GEORGINA PRESTON

THE

INN AT WILLOW GROVE 38

Architectural history meets modern luxury in Virginia wine country. Editor-at-large Rebecca Baldridge brings along a city friend for a weekend discovering why the area is an all-season destination for lovers of world-class local wines, innovative cooking, striking scenery, and colonial history.

HANNAH

SELLECK 44

As she hits her stride, Hannah Selleck sits down with Equestrian Living to discuss her career, goals, setbacks, and successes. With determination, hard work, and a blossoming relationship with her talented horse, she has her eyes set on the top of the sport.

EQ’S ANNUAL GOLD LIST 54

Now in its 10th year, the Equestrian Living Gold List is America’s leading survey of equestrians’ favorite brands, people, places, fashion, lifestyles, and more. Did your favorites take gold, silver, or bronze?

EPICUREAN EXCELLENCE 68

Chefs and sommeliers demonstrated their food and wine expertise amid equestrian elegance at the Ocala Food and Wine Festival at the World Equestrian Center.

GEORGINA

PRESTON 74

An interview with photographer Georgina Preston offers insights into the process she uses to capture the emotions between animals and humans. With a painterly style, her photographs evoke the rich history of horses in art.

ON

DEPARTMENTS

FAVORITES

12

Elizabeth Welborn, the founder of Stick & Ball, shares her favorites from books, cars, and TV shows to hotels and more.

16

Photographer Mark Jump recalls the day he captured the essence of hunting.

36

Sophisticated hors d’oeuvres, a Connecticut oyster bar, bottomless mint juleps, and a best hat contest made Martha Stewart’s Derby Party in Bedford, New York, a one-of-a-kind celebration.

D É COR

14

The timeless look of Kilim adds sophistication to interior spaces.

FASHION

20

Relaxed and romantic cottage-core apparel pays homage to the idyllic rural life.

BOOK 22

Read an excerpt from Never Burn Your Moving Boxes by Jolyn Young.

FOOD + DRINK

26

A favorite of equestrians, the Village Pub of Woodside, California, shares a recipe for their popular buckwheat crêpes.

STYLE

28

Brit & Blue’s signature duck cloth jacket merges bespoke tailoring and versatility.

GIVING BACK

32

Strides for Equality Equestrians aims to encourage riders to stand together to fight for equality and justice in the equestrian industry.

EQUESTRIAN PROPERTIES

A consistent Gold List winner as the event most voters wish to attend, CHIO Aachen, in Aachen, Germany, is considered the most prestigious horse show in Europe.

For complete Gold List results, see page 54.

IN EACH ISSUE

EDITOR’S NOTE 8

Welcome to Equestrian Living RESOURCES 94

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

BARN DOGS 98

Beastie, a rescue dog who belonged to the late Judy Richter, is almost home again.

81

Fabulous farms and ranches.

SCIENCE

86

With advancing technology, it’s possible to have the foal you want without the stress or risks of breeding your mare.

EQUESTRIAN TECH

90

Ride iQ, an app developed by equestrians Jessa and McKinsey Lux, provides audio-based, in-the-saddle coaching.

Icaught myself taking second glances at my quilted vests and fleece zip-ups that hang in my closet, awaiting the first hint of crisp fall air. I’ve had my fill of sweltering summer days and look forward to wearing comfy sweaters accessorized with requisite scarves and leafcruncher boots. I’m not alone in my anticipation. Suddenly, everything is infused with pumpkin— whether in the culinary, décor, or fashion realms.

The season also signifies the publication of EQLiving’s annual Gold List. Now in its 10th edition, the list encapsulates the heart and soul of equestrianism. It’s become a compendium of excellence in categories that range from favorite getaways and athletes to competition venues, tack, and show wear. It’s always a fun read with an element of surprise. This year, we’ve added a brief history behind a few of the favorite brands that continue to win gold year after year.

We typically include a few reader’s feedback questions on the Gold List ballot to see how we are doing at Equestrian Living and to gauge how the magazine is perceived. Given what we do, we sometimes find ourselves in a vacuum, so reading the unexpected comments to our questions was delightful. We always welcome letters telling us what we get right and where we fall short. And to those who responded to “What is your favorite EQ issue?” with “It’s impossible

to choose” and “All of them!” you’ve motivated us to strive to meet or exceed those expectations.

Beyond the pages of the Gold List, EQLiving’s editor-at-large, Rebecca Baldridge, enjoys an afternoon at Martha Stewart’s Kentucky Derby party and then heads south for a colorful jaunt to Virginia. When not partaking of The Inn at Willow Grove’s accommodations and extensive amenities, she discovered the region’s unexpected blend of equestrian elegance and fine wine culture amid sprawling estates and rolling hills of tended vineyards.

And on an epicurean excursion, contributing writer, Sarah Lessler, samples the surfeit of chef’s and sommelier’s flawless creations and pairings at the Ocala Food and Wine Festival held at Ocala’s World Equestrian Center. EQLiving’s photography director George Kamper brought the pages to life, capturing the culinary artistry where plates became a canvas of vibrant hues and textures.

After some scheduling ingenuity, we arranged a time to meet with show

jumper Hannah Selleck in Wellington, Florida, and again as she wrapped up a memorable competition month at Spruce Meadows in Canada. Bolstered with newfound confidence and a string of recent successes, she waxed rhapsodic about the trust in her new partner in the ring, a scopey gray 12-year-old warmblood gelding.

In an interview with photographer Georgina Preston, known for her exquisite natural lighting, she acknowledges her ability to capture captivating images while riding. Her love of horses, travel, and photography created a niche for her, catching the attention of and shooting for Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, and other high-end fashion brands.

The balance of this issue is filled with an inviting mix of décor, fashion, and what’s on trend in style, equestrian tech, and books to read.

I look forward to attending some of the fall season’s lineup of horse shows. Dressage at Devon, which won gold in the favorite dressage event category, is on my list. There’s a bit of a mystique about the weather on that last weekend of September and grumblings from competitors that it’s either cold, rainy, or foggy. To that (as someone who won’t be competing), I say “perfect.”

From left: Cloud 39 and Hannah Selleck, Equestrian Living photography director George Kamper, Equestrian Living publisher C. Wynn Medinger, Equestrian Living editor Stephanie Peters, hair and makeup artist Leslie Munsell, CEO of Beauty For Real. Equestrian Living contributing writer Sarah Lessler.

I have included a check for: (USA only; other countries please use website)

VOLUME 12 NUMBER 5

EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie B. Peters

SENIOR EDITOR Jill B. Novotny

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR George Kamper

EDITORS AT LARGE Rebecca Baldridge, Carol Cohen-Hodess, Judy Richter (2015-2022)

DESIGN MANAGER Mary A. Stroup

SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB CONTENT Maggie Carty Golon

DIGITAL & CLIENT SERVICES Sarah Lessler

EDITORIAL MANAGER Theresa Cardamone

EQ SPECIAL EVENTS Jennifer Pearman Lammer

UK & LONDON EDITOR Bridget Arsenault

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bridget Arsenault, Rebecca Baldridge, Maggie Carty Golon, Erica Hess, Mark Jump, Sarah Lessler, Mary Manfredi, Kim Tudor

PUBLISHER C.W. Medinger

PUBLISHING CONSULTANT George Fuller

PRINT John Spittle

PUBLIC RELATIONS Carrie Wirth, EQmedia.agency

NEWSSTAND DISTRIBUTION Boyd Mulholland

ADVERTISING SALES

General: 929-262-0347, info@eqliving.com

Joyce Jones, 954-796-1809, jones@eqliving.com

Dick Holcomb, 770-331-7788, dickholc@gmail.com

Blaire Baron, 215-439-8259, baron@eqliving.com

Europe: Rosa Zampini, zampini@eqliving.com

EQLIVING ADVISORY BOARD

Bob Cacchione | Melissa Ganzi | Carson Kressley

Peter Leone | Victoria McCullough | Colleen and Tim McQuay

Mindy Peters | David Sloan | Kim Tudor | Chester Weber

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

SUBSCRIBE

Coupon at left or: eqliving.com/subscribe

For free digital subscription and InnerCircle membership: eqliving.com/ic

To purchase past issues or find newsstands offering EQLiving, visit eqliving.com/where-to-buy

Subscription management and address changes: Web: eqliving.com/manage-subscription Email: info@eqliving.com Tel: 929-262-0347

Editorial inquiries and letters to the editor: info@eqliving.com or mail to Box One, Brownsville, VT 05037

©2023. All rights reserved, Wynnwood Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in print or online without written permission. ®Equestrian Living, Equestrian Quarterly, and EQ are registered trademarks of Wynnwood Media.

Build them a place to remember.

What books are on your bedside table: Buddah’s Office, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Leather Braiding, Claim Your Confidence, You Are a Badass at Making Money, and This Naked Mind.

Favorite fragrance: Sana Jardin, Sandalwood.

MY FAVORITES

Favorite food to cook at home: Risotto made with whatever I have fresh and never without Angelo’s Omnivore Salt.

Favorite source for fashion: Stick & Ball.

ELIZABETH WELBORN

Favorite TV show:  It’s Yellowstone.

Favorite charities: Giant Steps Therapeutic Riding, For the Bayou, and St. Jude’s. St. Jude’s helped my niece and so many thousands of other children. I began For the Bayou years ago to help preserve Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands.

Favorite show/venue: Genghis Khan Riding Retreat, Orkhon National Park, Mongolia, playing polo, riding under the stars, and galloping on the steppe.

Founder & Creative Director, Stick & Ball Elizabeth is a designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Originally from Louisiana, she resides with her children in Marin County, California, where she combines her business acumen, love of design, sustainability, fashion, food, and horses in her luxury lifestyle brand, Stick & Ball.

Favorite horse : (above) Mono , my Argentine polo horse.

Favorite car: Range Rover Sport.

If you weren’t an equestrian you might have been: A sailor. I love racing in the San Francisco Bay.

Favorite place to live: It’s between Jackson Hole, Wyoming, San Francisco, and Careyes, Mexico.

Favorite music on your playlist: Lissie (Carving Canyons) , Chris Stapleton, and Yellowstone, the playlist.

Favorite restaurants: French Laundry in California and Fluhalp in Zermatt, Switzerland.

Greatest extravagance: Polo. From the tack to the horses...I even created a fashion business inspired by the sport.

Favorite escape/hotel: Careyes, Mexico, and Amangani, Wyoming.

CAREYES

Must-have items when traveling: Stick & Ball Weekender, Ridgeway Hemp Skin Love Stick (from polo player friend Beau Staley), Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stick, Stick & Ball cream Alpaca Wrap/ Throw.

JACKSON HOLE

FRENCH LAUNDRY

THE ARTISTRY OF KILIM FABRIC

KILIM ADDS SOPHISTICATION and texture to interior spaces.

Weaver Green’s Nomad Tarifa Cushion is 100 percent recycled and extra tough for indoor and outdoor use. $99.

Mindthegap’s handknotted Yadigary Anatola Turkish Kilim Rug brings orange and red hues together to create a vibrant statement. $3,663.

The Signature Stool by George Smith is suitable for classic and contemporary interiors. $3,418.

The Nomad Taurus Cushion by Weaver Green in blues and reds is in a flat-woven, dhurrie-style weave. $99.

A FAVORITE SHOT!

MARK JUMP is a nationally known fox-hunt and sporting-event photographer living in North Carolina. In the winter months, he travels to capture hunts, and in the spring and summer, he ventures to carriage events and sailing regattas to capture memories for his clients.

Itravel extensively during the fall and winter to photograph fox-hunting clubs and have photographed Erin Stormont riding Finnis Chrome Magnum on multiple occasions as part of the Mecklenburg Hounds Hunt. At this hunt, she showed up riding side-saddle, and I captured what I feel is the true essence of traditional fox hunting: A trusty horse. A meticulous turnout. And a flask.

CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

Photographer MARK JUMP recalls the day he captured the essence of hunting.

50TH STREET • $12,000,000

20 Acres in Wellington’s South End • Manor House With Private Entrance and 3-Car Garage • 8-Stall Barn With Another 8 Stalls Possible • 6 Lush Paddocks • All-Weather Riding Arena • Oversized 3-Bay Storage Building • Riding Track Encircles This Equestrian’s Dream Property • Adjoining 10-Acre Farm Also Available for Purchase

PALM BEACH POINT EAST • $8,200,000

10 Acres on Stables Way • 16-Stall Barn • 4-Horse Walker • Round Pen • 5 Large Paddocks • 3-Bedroom, 2.5-Bath Pool Home With Garage • Custom-Built 4-Bedroom, 5-Bath Staff House • Grass Grand Prix Field • Easy Access to Showgrounds

COTTAGE-CORE STYLE

Relaxed and ROMANTICIZED APPAREL pays homage to the idyllic rural life.

1. Handknit from a lightweight alpaca blend, the Clove Pullover by DÔen features intricate detailing inspired by the classic tree-of-life pattern. Includes a peplum ruffle at hem and scalloping at the neck and sleeve. $245.

2. Ariat’s Sausalito Coat in oatmeal features fringed lapels and a front body and sleeves in ethical wool blend. Back panel is 100% recycled nylon with PrimaLoft insulation. $244.95. Shown with Clarion Blouse in bird print. $124.95.

3. The Larkspur Blouse in ivory toile in 95% rayon and 10% polyester by Ariat, includes a sleek hidden-button placket and waist-tie closure. $106.95.

4. Free People’s Ottoman Slouchy Tunic Sweater in nutmeg boasts a sleek mock neck and relaxed oversized fit. $168.

5. The Balmoral Field Coat in Hailes green tweed by Holland Cooper is a modern sophisticated version of a traditional field coat with added design features such as bellow-style pockets and storm flaps to make this an everyday country go-to. $1,083.

ELKO COUNTY SUMMER

An excerpt from NEVER BURN YOUR MOVING BOXES by Jolyn Young.

Ty Van Norman and I stopped our horses on a little sagebrush-covered hill. Ty was my boss, mentor, and one of the few local ranchers willing to hire a woman. We looked up the mountain toward the rest of the crew—a combination of cowboys from his ranch and Mitch’s. I swung my leg over the back of my saddle and stepped down to air out my horse’s back at the same time Ty did.

I unbuckled the back cinch and let the thick piece of leather dangle beneath my horse, Jubilee. I loosened the front cinch so it hung several inches below his belly, then stood at Jubilee’s hip and lifted the back of my saddle. I’d already turned him so that the slight breeze blew directly underneath the wool saddle blanket and cooled the sweaty surface beneath. I rested my elbow on the gray gelding’s hindquarters and leaned on him, cocking one leg at the knee.

It was mid-summer in the high desert. The grass was still mostly green but turning brown and crunchy. Thistles had passed full purple bloom and dispersed their fluffy white seeds into the air to drift and replant elsewhere. The mountains in front of us rose up like a great earthen wall, full of jagged canyons and rocky cliffs. Below us lay the foothills, and beyond them were native meadows and creeks still running with snowmelt. Another line of jagged mountains formed the far side of the valley to the west.

Ty was the first to break the silence.

“I feel bad for Jim,” he said. “It must be hard to do a day’s work with blue balls.”

My head snapped around to look at my boss in surprise. He didn’t usually make jokes, especially off-color ones. Suddenly I felt like I did in second grade when Chris Clark passed me a love note on the school bus and all the other kids made fun of me. I’d naively thought that no one else had paid attention to my and Jim’s attempted, failed, and now maybeon-again romance. But at age twenty-four, I should have known that full-grown adults could tell when a full-grown man was interested in a woman.

I forced a chuckle to mask my embarrassment but couldn’t think of a witty retort to deflect the attention. Ty and I stood beside our horses for another few minutes, then pulled our cinches tight and remounted to join the rest of the crew. I adjusted my carefully coiled rope over my right thigh and smiled to myself. Maybe I’d tell Jim about Ty’s joke when we talked later. He might get a kick out of it.

I nudged my horse into a run and started swinging my rope. Jubilee was known to buck when riders leaned out to throw a loop to catch them off balance at the exact moment they were most vulnerable. The other cowboys told me this, but today I didn’t care about the risk of personal injury. I was hot, thirsty, and determined to catch that runaway steer.

I was also tired of not “necking” stuff outside.

This excerpt from Never Burn Your Moving Boxes by Jolyn Young is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

The Ultimate Equestrian Estate

This remarkable 77 acre Covenant estate, comprised of 7 parcels, will transcend your expectations with multiple residences, two state-of-the-art barns, riding arenas, several pastures, tree-lined trails, 15 acre bass-filled lake, tennis court, and more. The 15,000 SF main home is a classic Santa Barbara style with an understated elegance and a 2-bedroom

guest house adjoins the fully equipped game room with bowling alley, bar, and gym. Strategically developed to achieve the ultimate in privacy, yet conveniently located just minutes to downtown, airports, shopping, golf, beaches, and showgrounds, this is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Offered at $98,500,000

LUXURY LIVING IN RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIFORNIA

BURN YOUR MOVING BOXES

If you’re going to be a cowboy, you need to be able to rope cattle around the neck or by both hind feet as needed. Roping an animal’s feet after somebody else has necked it is physically easier on your horse and less mentally stressful for the roper, since you don’t have to move at breakneck speed to catch the animal. So far, I had been a fulltime “heeler,” too timid to run up behind a fast cow and throw my rope at a full gallop. So many things could go wrong—my horse could step in a badger hole and fall down, I could get bucked off, or (worst of all) I could catch the cow but lose my rope and look dumb in front of the crew.

Then one day I overheard Ty tell someone that he seemed to be the only person on the ranch who was able to neck stuff outside. The shame at possibly being considered a coward was worse than the potential danger. It was time to step up my roping game.

That day at the Holland Ranch was my chance to prove myself. I kicked Jubilee until he brought me into position directly behind the fat Hereford yearling, my left hand steering the reins and my right arm swinging my rope as hard as I could. A semi-truck and trailer roared past barely twenty feet away as we ran full-tilt down the shoulder of the highway. I stood in my stirrups, leaned over the saddle horn, and launched my rope. The loop circled around the steer’s neck on the first try. I quickly dallied my rope around my saddle horn and reined the big gelding to a stop. Through no skill of my own but to my great fortune, he never once tried to buck.

The steer stopped to face me when my rope came tight. Now what?

Determination had helped me catch the steer, but I had no clue what to do with him after that. I glanced behind me toward the rest of the cowboy crew. Hopefully one of them would come help.

Just then, Jim rode into view. He crested a swell in the sagebrush flat with his hat pulled down tight and his rope in his hand, loop built and ready to swing. He saw me right away and trotted over, riding tall and straight in the saddle. His horse carried his head up with his ears pointed forward.

“Good job,” Jim said. “Now, to lead him, just kick your horse up right beside the steer. Keep a little slack in your rope. If that steer wants to trot, you just trot with him.”

I followed Jim’s instructions and we headed toward the wire gate on the other side of the highway. When the steer walked in the direction I wanted him to go, I gave him some slack in the rope so he could catch his air and be rewarded for going the right way. When he stopped, I stopped my horse and waited for the steer to move toward the gate. Then I steered Jubilee beside him so the loop around his neck would loosen and he could get some more air and another positive reinforcement. I didn’t say a word, just followed Jim’s instructions and led the steer across the blacktop like I roped and led cattle every day.

As we approached the gate, Ty rode his horse up alongside me and threw another head loop on the steer to offer additional support leading the captured escapee to his new home. I looked straight ahead and kicked the gray horse onward.

Jim rode up behind us and started swinging his rope. I didn’t look back like an experienced cowboy would have. I was sick and tired of acting timid and

“I felt like I did in second grade when Chris Clark passed me a love note on the school bus and all the other kids made fun of me.”

GRACE YOUNG

Jolyn Young

Welcome

being the backup help, so I locked my eyes on the wire gate up ahead and spurred Jubilee with both feet. Nobody was gonna have to tell me to hurry up that day.

Suddenly shouts of “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” rose up behind me, followed by laughter. I turned in the saddle to look back. Jim had his rope dallied to his saddle horn, firmly attaching him and his horse to the steer I was leading. His horse had assumed a crouched position as he tried to stop the steer, but he wasn’t able to since I was still forging ahead in the lead. I stopped my horse just before we pulled Jim through an H-brace made of two upright railroad ties with a horizontal piece wedged between them in the fence corner.

“Don’t forget to look back once in a while!” someone called out. I laughed along with the crew. I was also secretly impressed with Jubilee. He’d never faltered or lost stride even while dragging a fat red steer and a horse ridden by a tall cowboy. That horse was a powerhouse. (And he hadn’t sent me flying.)

It was Saturday night, and Jim and I were eating dinner together. We were at Lone Mountain Station this time, a solitary outpost consisting of a restaurant/bar/RV park thirty miles north of Elko. Jim bought my dinner even though we weren’t on an official date. He’d also bought dinner for the rest of the crowd because he was generous whether drunk or sober. I liked sitting beside him at the bar while we ate salty tomato-encrusted prime rib and garlicstudded Basque beans.

Jim pounded whiskey, I sipped wine, and we both downed a shot of bourbon when Rolly bought a round for the bar. It looked dark and beautiful in the clear glass, but it tasted like regret and exploding campfires. I had no idea how anyone in Kentucky managed to sell that stuff by the barrel, much less turn a profit and attract repeat customers.

Jim and I slipped out to the parking lot together after a while and left our friends to shoot pool and slide empties across the bar for a refill. The soft

Continued on page 92

PROUDLY CRAFTED IN THE USA BLACKWOODSTALLS.COM

Stalls | Gates | Windows | Dividers

“‘I’m just gonna go ahead and say this,’ he announced. ‘I’m in love with you.’”

ELEGANT EDIBLES

A favorite of equestrians, the VILLAGE PUB of Woodside, California, shares their popular buckwheat crêpes.

CRÊPE

Yields: 14, 2-ounce crêpes

INGREDIENTS

1 cup buckwheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 pinch kosher salt

3 whole eggs

2 ¼ cups milk

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Zest from one navel orange

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 ounces Grand Marnier (orangeflavored liqueur)

PREPARATION

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

2. When you’re ready to make crêpes, thin the batter with small amounts of milk as needed, using less milk for thicker crêpes and more milk for thinner ones.

3. Over medium-high heat, heat a 12-inch crêpe pan or non-stick skillet. Lightly grease the pan with butter or pan spray (preferable), then pour in enough batter (about 2 ounces) to thinly coat the bottom of the pan. Swirling the pan as you pour the batter will help ensure an even coating.

BUCKWHEAT CRÊPES WITH FRESH RICOTTA AND STRAWBERRIES

4. Cook the crêpe for 1 to 2 minutes on the first side, until golden-brown and lifts from the pan easily. Flip the crêpe over and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes on the other side.

5. Transfer cooked crêpes to a plate, stacking them on top of one another, and keeping a towel over them. Use cooking spray between each layer to help prevent sticking. Set aside until ready for assembly and plating.

MACERATED STRAWBERRIES

Yields: About 1 quart strawberries

INGREDIENTS

1 quart strawberries, trimmed, washed, and quartered ½ cup granulated sugar Juice and zest of one lime

PREPARATION

1. In a medium-size bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest. Gently mix, allowing the sugar to evenly coat the

strawberries. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

FINAL PLATING

1. Spoon 2 ounces of the ricotta farce into the center of the crêpe.

2. With a spoon or offset spatula, spread across the crêpe creating a rectangle in the center.

3. Fold each side of the crêpe inwards maintaining the rectangular shape. Top with macerated strawberries, and finish with pine cone or maple syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy.

RICOTTA FILLING

Yields: 14, 2-ounce portions

INGREDIENTS

24 ounces Bellwether Farms Jersey cow’s milk ricotta

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Zest from one lemon

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 egg yolks

PREPARATION

1. In a mixing bowl, bring all ingredients together and mix until fully incorporated.

Located just south of San Francisco in the idyllic town of Woodside, The Village Pub opened its doors in 2001 and quickly secured its reputation as one of the top restaurants in the Bay Area. It has received one Michelin star for 15 consecutive years. The wine list, which features over 3,500 labels, has received Wine Spectator’s highest honor, a Grand Award, for 11 consecutive years. Shortly after opening, Chef Mark Sullivan was selected as one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs.” CONTACT INFO | PAGE 94

OBJECT OF DESIRE

Described as the finest duck cloth jacket in the world, BRIT & BLUE’S SIGNATURE JACKET flawlessly merges bespoke tailoring with versatility.

Women’s Details

Men’s Details

The refined Signature Jacket constructed of seven-ounce duck cloth fabric, reflects the founders’ appreciation of British bespoke tailoring and the hardy spirit of America’s heartland.

Both men’s and women’s custom jackets are available with a variety of options for jacket, interior lining, suede trim, and button colors.

Ready-to-wear jacket: $1,250. Custom jacket: $1,500.

1. Men’s Signature Jacket with slanted lower pockets and contrast stitching.

2. Women’s Signature Jacket with slanted lower pockets and light blue lining.

Wellington, Florida SOLD

This private and peaceful estate is situated on 10.83 acres in the heart of Wellington’s premiere gated equestrian subdivision of Palm Beach Point. The 5BR home also boasts stone floors, center-island kitchen with gas cooking, a spacious master suite with his and her offices and a home gym. The riders in the family will love the 12- stall courtyard barn, 8 generous grass paddocks, round pen and arena. The property lends itself to a covered arena and or a grass grand prix field. Every detail of this beautiful farm was painstakingly thought through and must be seen to be truly appreciated. Offered at $9,800,000

5.24 - acre equestrian estate with 4BR/5BTH home with open concept living with expansive walls of glass & views to outdoor spaces. The center-island kitchen offers Porcelanosa cabinets, quartz countertops, gas cooking, double ovens & large walk-in pantry. The master-suite showcases a luxurious dressing room & bath with a double sided gas fire feature, digital shower & soaking tub. Entertain poolside at the summer kitchen or on the 2nd story sundeck. 8 stall courtyard stable & stunning tack room & viewing lounges, jumping arena, exercise track, hotwalker & treadmill. Offered Furnished at $9,500,000 - SOLD

Private equestrian property with 3Br/3Bth home plus bonus room on 5 acres with a 7-stall center-aisle barn, round pen & beautiful grass paddocks in a gated equestrian community. A prime location near all of Wellington’s competition venues. A must see. Now Offered at $2,199,000

13.79 acres situated in a prime location in the heart of Loxahatchee Groves. Cleared and fenced, this tract is comprised of 3 individual parcels with access off both E & F Roads with a new 35’ wide concrete culvert for large horse trailers or semi-trucks. There is a 5Br/2Bth income producing home onsite, perfect for staff housing or business offices. Custom build your private equestrian estate or develop into 3 farm sites. Now Offered at $1,850,000

Selling Wellington and the Palm Beaches M +1 561-313-4367

matt.johnson@evrealestate.com

Learn more at mattsells.com

Training Facility on 14 acres

Situated on 14-acres this training facility boats a courtyard barn with 24 stalls, 2 tack & feed rooms & 8 wash racks. The mirror image floor plan is perfect for your private horses and boarders. You'll enjoy the covered riding arena, grass riding fields, 4-horse walker, and 13 grass paddocks. The property features a 3Br/2Bth apartment and a 4Br/2Bth apartment. There is plenty of room to add an outdoor arena, grass Grand Prix field, and your custom estate home. This is perfect facility for jumpers or dressage and there is additional acreage available. Previously brokered at $4,850,000, now offered at $3,950,000!

Selling Wellington and the Palm Beaches M +1 561-313-4367

matt.johnson@evrealestate.com

Learn more at mattsells.com

MATT JOHNSON . ENGEL & VÖLKERS FLORIDA

This page: Ever So Sweet Recipient Helen Casteel. Opposite from left to right: Elizabeth Morier. Anu Joshi.

Strides for Equality Equestrians

(SEE) is a groundbreaking organization committed to promoting equality and diversity within the equestrian community. Its mission is to support organizations that provide access to equestrianism for young people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Horse sports of all kinds have a rich history tied to non-white equestrians, from the Black cowboys of the American West and the Blackfoot of the western plains to the Kazakh nomads of Mongolia and the Bedouin of Arabia. Yet, in America today, the number of white equestrians tops 75 percent, according to recent U.S. Census data. Black riders make up less than 5 percent of that number.

SEE emerged as an initiative in July 2020, driven by Heather Gillette and Anastasia (Stacy) Curwood. Recognizing the lack of diversity within equestrian sports and inspired by discussions on racism and equality, they began to discuss what could be done. An eventer, as well as a Ph.D. in history and Director of African American and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky, Stacy offered a unique perspective bolstered by her own experience and her academic understanding of racism in this country.

Building opportunities and expanding the reach of equestrian sport.

BY JILL NOVOTNY

S STRIDES EQUALITY

She emphasized the need not only for allies but for active supporters. “We need people to stand shoulder to shoulder to fight for equality and justice. Not quietly, not anonymously, but loudly and proudly,” said Stacy. Heather, a longtime ally of BIPOC equestrians, called Stacy and proposed creating a project to inspire this change. With that phone call, Strides for Equality Equestrians was born. They started by asking, “What can we do to move the conversation forward? What needs to happen to make this time different? What would actually help?”

At first, the goal was to promote inclusion and allyship in the eventing community, amplifying the voices of BIPOC equestrians and building partnerships with local organizations. The group also recognized the importance of education and awareness to address systemic racism within the equestrian world.

SEE established the Ever So Sweet Scholarship in partnership with the United States Eventing Association Foundation. It aims to provide fullyfunded internships to riders from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to train with upper-level professional rider Sara Kozumplik Murphy. The scholarship, funded by Edy Rameika, supports recipients in a comprehensive, high-performance training program at Overlook Farm Equestrian Center in Virginia for three months, followed by two months of training with Sara in Florida during the winter. Covered expenses include board and training for the horse, regular lessons, housing, living expenses, competition fees, and coaching. Through this immersive experience, participants gain valuable skills, make professional connections, and contribute to fostering inclusivity within the equestrian sport. The scholarship is unique in its scope, offering unprecedented access to

Continued on page 88

Equestrian Living magazine’s Photography Director, George Kamper, travels the globe capturing arresting images for top-tier travel and leisure clients in search of the unexpected. Kamper’s images reflect the idyllic intersection where creative excellence merges with expertise.

GEORGE KAMPER photographer | director georgekamper.com

305.528.2823

917.776.0441

MARTHA STEWART’S DERBY PARTY

BY REBECCA BALDRIDGE PHOTOS: PETER T. MICHAELIS

Sophisticated hors d’oeuvres, a Connecticut oyster bar, bottomless mint juleps, and a best hat contest.

Come the first Saturday in May, there’s no place to be other than the legendary racetrack and host of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, Churchill Downs. At least that was true until this year, when a perennial friend of the Bedford Riding Lanes Association, Martha Stewart, took matters into her capable hands, hosting Bedford’s party of the season to benefit this well-loved organization. Says our hostess, “I was thrilled to host the Bedford Riding Lanes Association and their annual Kentucky Derby party this year. I was so pleased to support their mission to preserve and maintain the historic horse-riding trail system here in Bedford while also fostering their equestrian and pastoral

traditions for the enjoyment of our entire community.”

Only at Martha’s could guests enjoy sophisticated hors d’oeuvres, a Connecticut oyster bar, and bottomless mint juleps in an atmosphere designed to delight to any equestrian. Stylish guests enjoyed the pre-race show on big-screen TVs strategically placed throughout the stable’s courtyard as several majestic Friesians supervised bartenders pouring 19 Crimes, Martha’s chardonnay. Following the race came the evening’s next most anticipated event, a contest for the best hat. Judges had their work cut out for them, as guests took the competition seriously, sporting hats with exceptional creativity and style on display. North Salem resident Barbara Gatfield captured the honors with a feathered creation of her own design and construction.

The author wearing a hat by Kokin of NYC with Martha.

This spread, clockwise from upper left: The Inn is a sophisticated blend of colonial and contemporary style; The 1770s mansion is a stunning example of colonial architecture; Vintage’s main dining room.

A PERSONAL TRAVEL DIARY

BY REBECCA BALDRIDGE

THE INN AT WILLOW GROVE

Where architectural history meets modern luxury in Virginia wine country.

They say Virginia is for lovers, and indeed the romantically inclined could not find a more perfect destination than the Inn at Willow Grove. However, the platonic traveler should not take this statement as discouraging. I press-ganged one of my best pals into a girls’ trip to Virginia wine country, and it happens that the Inn and surrounding countryside offer myriad delights to keep

a couple of city gals eating, drinking, and making merry.

We arrived around 4 p.m., the 1770s manse aglow in the late afternoon sun. A welcoming row of rocking chairs on the porch beckoned, causing me to deeply regret the November cold. Rambling gardens, old-growth trees, and flagstone terraces conjured visions of lazy summer afternoons and long, cool drinks. We were shown to the Butler’s Cottage, adjacent to the main house, where a latticed

patio added to my regrets regarding the weather. But once inside the cozy cottage, it became clear that the Inn offers a plentitude of charms suited to the colder seasons as well.

Acozy sitting room with overstuffed leather chairs and a broad sofa invited me to sit a spell and enjoy a glass of Virginia wine, but it was the bedroom that truly won me over. A majestic four-poster was the focal point, its height requiring a running start to vault aboard. I reclined against a clutch of needlepoint pillows as I ignited the gas fire with a remote control. There is little that gives me keener pleasure than a high thread count, and as I snuggled into the comforter, there came a squeal from the bathroom. “The floors are heated! The bathroom is the size of a NYC studio!”

I longed to nap in front of the fire in this SS Normandie of a bed, but a dinner reservation at Vintage, the Inn’s fine dining destination for gourmands throughout the wine country, precluded such a luxury. With a décor that blends colonial brick walls, open beams, and a massive fireplace with sleek yet warm modern furnishings, the restaurant offers just the right atmosphere for fine dining. A varied wine list and knowledgeable server augured well, and I was still swooning from seared foie gras with anise bread pudding when my smoked tenderloin arrived. My fish-loving friend waxed poetic over her paprika-rubbed monkfish, and we were so stuffed that

Iwe made do with espresso rather than dessert.

After a tranquil night aboard the four-poster, our charming waiter of the previous night appeared at our door with piping hot beignets and coffee, compliments of the Inn. Sated with sugar and caffeine, we made it to the spa just in time for our 10 a.m. massage appointment. The Inn at Willow Grove provides every possible amenity to keep a girl blissfully relaxed, but there was wine country to be explored!

First on the day’s agenda was a wine tasting at the Barboursville Vineyards, where winemaker Luca Paschina introduced a flight of red, white, and sparkling wines and explained how classic Italian winemaking methods have been applied to Virginia grapes. While we were deeply impressed with Octagon, the estate’s prestige wine that blends Bordeaux, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, we left with several bottles of the affordable and delicious Petit Verdot to enjoy back at the Butler’s Cottage in front of the fire. Following a drive through the rolling hills of the wine country, we stopped for an early dinner at Forked on Main in downtown Orange. While this modern American eatery offers a wide variety of

This page, from top to bottom: Hot beignets start the day on a perfect note; A tranquil spot to chill following a massage; In warm weather, an al fresco drink is obligatory.

It happens that the Inn and surrounding countryside offer myriad delights to keep a couple of city gals eating, drinking, and making merry.

This page, clockwise from upper left: A stylish welcome at reception; Climb aboard for a restful night; Casual dining in contemporary style; Enjoy a sparkling wine from Barboursville Vineyards poolside.

dishes to tempt a sophisticated palate, it seemed fitting to start with a Southerninspired appetizer of pimento cheese and fried pickles, followed by fried shrimp with cheddar cheese grits.

Our final day promised less focus on sybaritic delights and more on culture. Montpelier, the home of President James Madison, Father of the Constitution, and the architect of the Bill of Rights, is just a short drive from the Inn. We enjoyed a guided tour that offered fascinating historical details about Madison and his famous wife Dolley, as well as tales of the many famed colonial figures who frequented their home. The Virginia Thoroughbred Project, a 501(c)3 organization that offers a home to retired racehorses, is also located on the estate. We followed up our history lesson by

visiting the residents and learning more about the organization’s efforts to retrain, rehome, and provide a tranquil retirement for these deserving animals.

The last stop on our Virginia adventure was for lunch at the well-known Grelen Nursery. The name is slightly misleading, as it’s much more than a nursery—it’s an exceptional wedding and party venue with a charming restaurant that also happens to sell trees of all sizes, including Christmas trees and pick-yourown fruit in season, and offers hiking trails and picnic areas as well.

I suppose one might say Virginia really is for lovers—it’s an all-season destination for lovers of world-class local wines, innovative cooking, striking scenery, and colonial history.

This page, from top to bottom: Montpelier, home of President James Madison; A wistful lady in stone at the Grelen Nursery; Historic ruins at the Barboursville Vineyards.

KLG-KENNETH GARRETT PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY BARBOURSVILLE WINERY

This page, clockwise from upper left; Happy horses at the Virginia Thoroughbred Project; The Grelen Nursery is an elegant venue for a wedding or just lunch; Barboursville Vineyards.

APRIL BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY

BY BRIDGET ARSENAULT PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

HANNAH SELLECK

AFTER A HUGE SETBACK, HANNAH IS FINALLY HITTING HER STRIDE.

Hannah Selleck could easily have given up. Now 34 years old, with a degree in communications from Loyola Marymount University and having started an MBA at the prestigious Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, no one would have questioned if Hannah had traded her pristine white breeches for patent heels and a MacBook Pro.

But the combination of supple leather and the clatter of horses’ hooves reeled Hannah back to face the tough competition of the sport’s elite. In the summer of 2018, while competing at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, Hannah shattered her tibia and fibula after her magnetic stirrups failed to release correctly when her horse abruptly stopped at a jump. The outcome was a six-hour surgery, intensive physical therapy, and an utterance from a doctor that she might “never run again.”

But she didn’t quit. Far from it. “I think when someone says you can’t do something, grit and determination kick in, but it wasn’t easy,” Hannah reflects.

A sense of self and perseverance are traits Hannah developed early. Perhaps learned from her parents, the actor Tom Selleck and seasoned ballerina Jillie Mack—two careers that don’t come without hard work and resolve. Additionally, both her

parents were interested in the equestrian world. “My dad knew how to ride,” describes Hannah. “He had learned how to ride western quite well for acting, and he really took time and learned—he’s a good horseman.”

On the other hand, her mother picked up the sport alongside Hannah. “We learned together, and maybe, for a while, my mum was even more into it than I was.” (Hannah was only 4 years old when she first landed in the saddle.) But soon, it was Hannah begging to spend afternoons at the nearby Foxfield Riding School in Westlake Village, California. “She’s ultimately a dancer,” describes Hannah of her mother. “So, she only did it short term.”

For Hannah, the sport stuck, and the early brushes with fear and tumbles didn’t deter her. She navigated her way through the pony ranks, gradually gaining confidence and courage to ride the spirited glossycoated show ponies that were winning. The switch flipped for Hannah. “It was suddenly okay; I’ve got to do this. I want to be in there. I want to have a piece of it,” admits Hannah.

Make no mistake, Hannah has unequivocally “been in there” doing the hard work for years.

Her upward trajectory continued as she accrued a string of successes in junior championships, winning the Platinum

My dad had learned how to ride western quite well for acting. He really took time and learned—he’s a good horseman.

Hannah and Cloud 39 in Wellington, Florida.

Top: Jayman Built Cup 1.55m 5* Qualifier Spruce Meadows’s North American Tournament.

Lower and opposite: ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup 1.60m 5* Spruce Meadow’s North American Tournament.

Continued from page 46

Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent

Search, and moved into her amateur career, making her mark in the openjumper rings with her first grand prix win in 2010 in California aboard Tosca van het Lambroeck, a Belgian Warmblood mare. By 2012, Hannah was riding as a professional and earning top-five finishes in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and at numerous U.S.-based competitions, aboard a string of high-performance horses.

Ultimately, Hannah has plotted her own path up through the top level of the sport, from the grueling early mornings to the heavy training schedule (for both her and her horses) and weathering the tedious lulls between time in the ring.

“Wins feel like the reward for doing the work and the assurance to keep trying when you have failed hundreds of times before,” says Hannah. “Winning made me fall in love with this sport. What first attracted me was my love of the animal—of horses—and once I felt the rush of winning, I was hooked.”

MEET CLOUD 39

This year, after competing in the Florida circuit, Hannah competed in New York at the Old Salem Farm spring shows before settling down at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, for several weeks of high-level show jumping. And this is where the magic became visible. To everyone who has been watching this

developing relationship between Hannah and Cloud 39, the 12-year-old scopey grey warmblood gelding she recently purchased from her coach Mario Deslauriers, their bond is palpable. Last year, Hannah had the unexpected opportunity to ride Cloud into the ring for an awards ceremony at Spruce Meadows while Mario was stuck in the International Ring. “I could feel Cloud was big and comfortable just from the walk,” Hannah notes.

While at Spruce Meadows, this impressive horse and rider team convincingly navigated their way into the 5* competitions. Hannah attributes the results in the ring to the alchemy of her partnership with Cloud 39. “Having a horse with that kind of experience gives you confidence,” Hannah admits. That said, Cloud 39 is not without his quirks and eccentricities. “He can be a little wild at home,” she laughs. “Sometimes, he doesn’t steer well and won’t go on the bit. He’s difficult in a good way, and he always does the right thing.”

The duo’s shared inner competitive drive was on full display throughout the month-long 2023 Summer Series at Spruce Meadows, earning their first 5* grand-prix starts and ribbon finishes. In the first week, they jumped the 2* division jumping clear rounds over the 1.40m with two time faults in the 1.45m. “I withdrew from the 2* Grand Prix that first week due to the poor air quality (from the fires) to protect Cloud’s health and welfare, but rode during the rainstorms during the second week,” Hannah muses. “Having the opportunity to jump in

It was suddenly like, ‘Okay, I’ve got to do this. I want to do this. I want to be in there. I want to have a piece of it.’

KIM

GAUDRY

these stormy weather conditions gave me so much confidence in the horse who remained brave and powerful. I didn’t realize at the time that competing in these conditions would be useful for my confidence in what was to come in the weeks ahead. I actually moved up into the 5* that week, placing fourth in the 1.50m.”

As the jumps got higher, the mutual trust between Cloud 39 and Hannah grew deeper. They rode double clear with a fifth-place finish in the 1.55m 5* Jayman Built Cup, far exceeding their expectations. “And with that result, Mario said to me, ‘I think you have to jump the Queen’s Cup. Get the experience while you have it, and don’t worry about the result,’” Hannah explains.

To compete in the $1 Million 1.60m ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup at one of the biggest venues in the world was a pivotal experience for Hannah. Laying down two solid rounds with four faults each earned the pair an 11th-place finish. Her quick climb and placing in one of the biggest grands prix in the world was quite unique. “It was a dream just to be out there. And something I had maybe written off, thinking I might not get the opportunity on a horse capable of this level,” reflects Hannah. “Walking in for the prize-giving ceremony with Cloud in his cooler for this class was incredible. I would never have guessed it if someone had told me

before how the end of the circuit would go,” Hannah says, her voice filled with excitement.

The partnership of Hannah and Cloud 39 has gained attention and admiration from her peers in the equestrian arena and beyond and generated accolades on social media. “Can’t wait to see what happens next on your journey. Keep riding and aiming high,” writes one person. “It is so beautiful to watch you gracefully jump with such power, courage, and authority,” notes another.

One thing that remains consistent is Hannah’s positive attitude and composure. For every challenge thrust at her, she finds a solution.

So, for the foreseeable future, Hannah will be forgoing patent heels and skewing towards breeches and tall boots with horses at her side. “There is nothing more present than those moments in the show ring. Everything else in the mind is quiet, and it’s all about each jump right in front of you,” Hannah shares. “Finally, I’m starting to hit my stride.”

Equestrian Living’s London editor, BRIDGET ARSENAULT, holds a Master’s degree from Oxford University. A longtime journalist, she worked for Vanity Fair for over eight years and is currently the London editor of Air Mail and a lifestyle editor at Forbes.com. She writes for British Vogue, New York Magazine, Travel+Leisure, House&Garden, Refinery29, and Departures.

I would never have guessed it if someone had told me before how the circuit would end.

Now

GOLD LIST

FAVORITE HANGOUTS

A favorite meeting place for East-Coast equestrians is Ralph Lauren’s POLO BAR, a classic New York City restaurant with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. The décor is inspired by Ralph Lauren’s love of the sport of polo, with dark wood paneling, leather banquettes, and equestrian artwork.

FAVORITE YOUNG ATHLETES

2O23 FAVORITE ATHLETES

FAVORITE JUMPER RIDER

Repeat winner McLain Ward is a true legend of show jumping. He has won more championships than any other American rider. He is a five-time Olympic medalist, winning team gold medals in 2004 and 2008 and team silver medals in 2016 and 2020. He has also won individual silver medals at the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 World Championships and recently won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rome in 2023. He is an inspiration to riders of all ages and genders, and he continues to set the standard for excellence in the sport.

Visit McLain’s farm: eqliving.com/mar-apr23

● McLAIN WARD

● BEEZIE MADDEN

● LAURA KRAUT

JUMPING

26-year-old HUNTER HOLLOWAY had a successful junior career, winning the ASPCA Maclay Championship and the Washington International Equitation Championship in 2016. She is the youngest person to win a national standard grand prix at age 12. Recently, she had a third-place podium finish at the 2023 World Cup Finals in Omaha, Nebraska.

● HUNTER HOLLOWAY

● MIMI GOCHMAN

● ALEX MATZ

DRESSAGE

16-year-old KAT FUQUA, the daughter of grand-prix dressage parents, was riding almost before she could walk. Kat trains grand-prix dressage, shows baby grand prix (I-2), and also competes in grand-prix jumpers. She has over 40 grand champion and champion hunter titles, 2 Hall of Fame titles, and was an FEI Nations Cup Dressage Young Rider’s Team USA Bronze Medalist.

● KAT FUQUA

● CHRISTIAN SIMONSON

● ERIN NICHOLS

EVENTING

23-year-old MIA FARLEY is a fast-rising eventing competitor who started riding at 3 years old. Her mother was a trainer, so she grew up around the barn. Mia was raised in San Clemente, California, and headed east to work with David and Karen O’Connor’s team and competed with two horses this year in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

● MIA FARLEY

● ZOE CRAWFORD

● CASSIE SANGER

US EQUESTRIAN

SHEREEN FUQUA ERIN GILMORE

DRESSAGE

STEFFEN PETERS was born in Wesel, Germany, in 1964 and started riding at age 7. He began competing internationally at 16 and moved to the United States in 1985 to pursue his riding career. Now based at his 22-acre Arroyo Del Mar training and boarding facility in San Diego, Peters has achieved great success at the highest levels of competition, including competing in five Olympic Games, winning team bronze medals in 1996 and 2016, and team silver in 2020.

● STEFFEN PETERS | ● LAURA GRAVES | ● ADRIENNE LYLE

EVENTING

BOYD MARTIN is a three-time Olympian and two-time Pan American Games medalist. He has won over 40 grand prix events, including the 2021 Pan American Games team gold medal, and is a six-time USEA Rider of the Year. Martin has succeeded in the face of incredible obstacles, including broken bones, a burned barn, and his wife’s traumatic head injury, proving no amount of adversity can stop a true champion. Visit Martin’s farm: eqliving.com/may-june-22

● BOYD MARTIN | ● PHILLIP DUTTON | ● WILLIAM FOX-PITT

REINING

Horses were the way of life for MANDY McCUTCHEON’S parents, reining legends Tim and Colleen McQuay. Mandy began showing in reining at 12 and topped her first NRHA Futurity in 1993 on Hollywoods Striker. Now, her total stands at three NRHA NonPro Futurity wins, four NRHA Derby titles, and three National Reining Breeders Classic championships, and in 2021 she hit the $3 million Rider Milestone. Mandy and family are also actors in the TV series “Yellowstone.” Visit McCutcheons: eqliving.com/winter-201314

● MANDY McCUTCHEON | ● TIM McQUAY | ● TOM McCUTCHEON

POLO

IGNACIO “NACHO” FIGUERAS is a 6-goal polo player and the face of Ralph Lauren’s Black Label fragrance and clothing line. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1977 and began playing polo at age 9. Nacho has won numerous polo championships, including the 2002 and 2008 Argentine Open. He was named the Most Stylish Man in the World by GQ magazine, inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame, and is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He is also a philanthropist and works with several charities. Visit Nacho and family: eqliving.com/oct17

● NACHO FIGUERAS | ● NIC ROLDAN | ● HOPE ARELLANO

MIDDLEBURG, VA

THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE

WOODSTOCK, VT

RANCHO SANTA FE, CA

FAVORITE FOR YEAR-ROUND LIVING FAVORITE YEAR-ROUND

A repeat winner, this charming equestrian town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is brimming with historic landmarks, local art and culture, and fine cuisine. Equestrian Living readers chose MIDDLEBURG as the best place to live for its lovely weather and the abundance of horse sporting activity, from show jumping to fox hunting. Despite its small size, Middleburg’s annual calendar includes numerous nationally renowned equestrian events, from the Middleburg Spring Races to the nation’s oldest horseshow in the neighboring village of Upperville.

● MIDDLEBURG, VA

● RANCHO SANTA FE/SAN DIEGO, CA

● LEXINGTON, KY

FAVORITE FOR SUMMER LIVING

Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Middleburg offers worldclass equestrian competitions, fine dining, and award-winning local wines.

● MIDDLEBURG, VA

● WOODSTOCK, VT

● LEXINGTON, KY

WELLINGTON, FL

FAVORITE FOR WINTER LIVING

Wellington, Florida, draws riders from around the world for top-level competitions in every discipline.

● WELLINGTON, FL

● OCALA, FL

● AIKEN, SC

LILA PHOTO

INN AT RANCHO

SANTA

FE

WOODSTOCK INN

RACHEL MAY

FAVORITE EQUESTRIAN REALTORS

FAVORITE EQUESTRIAN REALTORS

EAST

KRISSY BLAKE

Sotheby’s International Realty

Greenwich, Connecticut

SOUTH

CRICKET BEDFORD

Thomas & Talbot Estate Properties

Middleburg, Virginia

FLORIDA

MATT JOHNSON

Engel & Völkers

Wellington, Florida

CALIFORNIA

SEAN CADDELL

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

Encinitas, California

Voters chose these equestrian real estate experts (in alphabetical order) as the best in their regions.

SALLY SLATER

Douglas Elliman Real Estate Bedford, New York

RUTH KENNEDY SUDDUTH

LandVest

Boston, Massachusetts

GLORIA ROSE OTT

TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Middleburg, Virginia

CINDY POLK

Compass

Middleburg, Virginia

MARTHA JOLICOEUR

Douglas Elliman

Wellington, Florida

DAVID WELLES

Equestrian Sotheby’s International Realty

Wellington, Florida

CATHY GILCHRISTCOLMAR

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

Rancho Santa Fe, California

CAREN KELLEY

Compass Equestrian Real Estate Group

San Diego, California

FAVORITE EVENTS AND VENUES

WISH LIST

Again in 2023, the equestrian event most voters wish to attend is the CHIO AACHEN (Concours Hippique International Officiel) held in Aachen, Germany, each summer. Founded in 1898, over 350,000 spectators attend each year. Considered the most prestigious horse show in Europe, it features competitions in show jumping, dressage, eventing, four-in-hand driving, and vaulting. The show also features a trade fair and a variety of other events

● CHIO AACHEN, GERMANY

● THE OLYMPIC GAMES

● LONGINES MASTERS, PARIS

JUMPING

Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), North America’s largest and most prestigious equestrian event, has over 20,000 horses and riders competing in show jumping, dressage, and eventing.

● WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL (WEF)

● UPPERVILLE

● DEVON

DRESSAGE

For more than 40 years, Dressage at Devon has brought top competitors, horses, trainers, and judges from around the globe for one of the highest-rated international dressage competitions.

● DRESSAGE AT DEVON

● ADEQUAN GLOBAL FESTIVAL

● WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER, OCALA

EVENTING

The Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event is a prestigious competition held annually in Lexington, Kentucky. Top riders vie in three phases of competition: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

● LAND ROVER KENTUCKY 3-DAY

● MARYLAND FAIR HILL 5*

● GALWAY DOWNS

REINING

Since its first competition in 1999 at the Horse Park at Woodside, California, the San Francisco peninsula has been home to the prestigious and family-fun Reining by the Bay event.

● REINING BY THE BAY

● THE RUN FOR A MILLION

● NATIONAL REINING BREEDERS CLASSIC

OTHER FAVORITE EVENTS

Several events are standouts to Gold List voters because of their special ambiance, unique traditions, and the quality of competition.

● MENLO CHARITY HORSE SHOW

● BLOWING ROCK

● OLD SALEM

WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL (WEF)

LAND ROVER KENTUCKY 3-DAY

DRESSAGE AT DEVON

REINING BY THE BAY

DRESSAGE

ALDEN CORRIGAN

WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL

RED BAY GROUP

LENORE PHILLIPS

FOR ROLEX

ARIAT

Ariat is once again a major Gold List winner, taking five categories of boots and clothing. The company was founded in 1993 as “The New Breed of Boot.” At the time, performance footwear technology was transforming mainstream sports like basketball and track and field; however, equestrian boots remained unchanged for over a century. That was until Ariat co-founders Beth Cross and Pam Parker recognized the opportunity and changed the sport forever by being the first to integrate athletic footwear technology into boots for equestrians.

ENGLISH SHOW CLOTHES

● ARIAT

● TAILORED SPORTSMAN

● EQUILINE

CHILDREN’S CLOTHES

● ARIAT

● KERRITS

● R.J.CLASSICS

TALL BOOTS

● ARIAT

● VOGEL

● PARLANTI

PADDOCK BOOTS

● ARIAT

● BLUNDSTONE

● PARLANTI / FAIRFAX & FAVOR (TIE)

This year, Ariat celebrates its 30th anniversary, still under the leadership of Beth Cross as CEO. Her initial goal was to build the #1 equestrian brand in the world. Today, Ariat has 1,000 employees worldwide and can be found in over 65 countries. The company’s portfolio of products has grown to include English, Western, work, and lifestyle footwear and apparel.

CEO

Ariat takes its name from Secretariat, the greatest racehorse of all time. His athleticism and non-stop competitive spirit make him an enduring inspiration for the company.

Beth Cross and Biscuit.

Ariat introduced the Champion Field Boot in 1997, the first offthe-shelf custom riding boot.

RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren, the renowned American fashion brand, has long drawn inspiration from equestrian style, infusing it with a classic, sophisticated aesthetic. Established in 1967, the brand has become synonymous with timeless elegance and a distinctive blend of equestrian and preppy influences.

In 1972 , Ralph Lauren introduced his first equestrian-inspired collection, aptly named "Polo." The collection featured clothing and accessories that exuded a refined, sporty aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the world of polo. The logo, a polo player atop a horse, became instantly recognizable and symbolized the brand's equestrian roots.

Over the years, Ralph Lauren expanded its product offerings to include a wide range of apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and fragrances, all showcasing the brand's signature equestrianinspired style. The brand’s success extends far beyond the equestrian world, as the brand has become an integral part of popular culture and has dressed numerous celebrities, athletes, and even American Olympians.

FASHION FOR THE STREET

● RALPH LAUREN

● BARBOUR

● ARIAT

EQUESTRIAN DÉCOR

● RALPH LAUREN

● HERMÈS

● HORSE AND HOUND GALLERY

The first Ralph Lauren New York City flagship store that opened in 1986.

JEWELRY AND LEATHER GOODS

HERMÈS

Hermès, the iconic French luxury brand, has a deeprooted history in the equestrian world. Established in 1837 by Thierry Hermès, the brand began as a harness workshop in Paris, specializing in creating exquisite equestrian equipment.

Thierry’s attention to detail, craftsman -

LEATHER GOODS

● HERMÈS

● COACH

● LONGCHAMPS

JEWELRY

● HERMÈS

● DAVID YURMAN

● LUGANO

ship, and dedication to quality quickly gained recognition among the equestrian community, establishing Hermès as a leading name in the industry.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the company ventured into other luxury goods while maintaining its strong equestrian heritage. Hermès is celebrated for its highly coveted handbags, such as the Birkin and Kelly bags, known for their impeccable craftsmanship and exclusivity. The brand also offers exquisitely designed accessories, including silk scarves, ties, fragrances, and home goods.

See EQLiving’s visit to the private Hermès Museum in Paris. eqliving.com/augsept-2016/

WIKIPEDIA

FAVORITE TACK SHOPS

WET WEATHER BOOTS

● DUBARRY

● HUNTER/WELLIES

● L.L.BEAN

FAVORITE TACK SHOPS

● DOVER

● SMARTPAK

● MARY’S TACK & FEED

DOVER SADDLERY is a leading retailer of equestrian products, founded in 1975 in Wellsley, Massachusetts. The company has since grown to having retail stores across the United States and was chosen by Gold List voters as their favorite online tack store. Dover Saddlery offers horse owners a wide variety of products, including saddles, tack, clothing, and accessories.

The shops most mentioned by voters.

(In alphabetical order)

CAROUSEL SADDLERY, PORTOLA VALLEY, CA

CHAGRIN SADDLERY, CHAGRIN FALLS, OH

DOVER SADDLERY, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

ELLA, PALO ALTO, CA

EQUESTRIAN’S CONCIERGE, PETALUMA, CA

FARM HOUSE TACK, LANDRUM, SC

FRANKLIN SADDLERY, FRANKLIN, TN

HADFIELD’S, WELLINGTON, FL

HORSE CONNECTION, BEDFORD, NY

HORSE COUNTRY, WARRENTON, VA

MANHATTAN SADDLERY, NYC

MALVERN SADDLERY, MALVERN, PA

MARY’S TACK & FEED, DEL MAR, CA

MIDDLEBURG TACK, MIDDLEBURG, VA

STRAFFORD SADDLERY, QUECHEE, VT

TACK BOX, MIDDLEBURG, VA

TACKERIA, WELLINGTON, FL THE TACK ROOM, CAMDEN, SC

TACK SHACK OF OCALA, OCALA, FL

VALENCIA SADDLERY, LAKEVIEW TERRACE, CA

ENGLISH SADDLE

● HERMÈS

● STUBBEN

● CWD

HELMET

● CHARLES OWEN

● SAMSHIELD

● ONE K

WESTERN BOOTS

● ARIAT

● LUCCHESE

● FRYE

MOST POPULAR ISSUES

As Equestrian Living approaches 12 years of publishing, Gold List voters consis

tently chose the annual design and travel issues as their favorites. Enjoy a look back at the top ten with their web links.

CHARITY

● EQUUS FOUNDATION

● EQUESTRIAN AID FOUNDATION

● JUSTWORLD

THE EQUUS FOUNDATION is recognized as one of the most influential equestrian charities in the country. Their mission is to protect horses from peril and strengthen the bond between horses and people. Their programs offer endless opportunities for new careers for horses in transition.

THERAPEUTIC RIDING

● VINCEREMOS, LOXAHATCHEE, FL

● SPROUT, ALDIE, VA

● GIANT STEPS, PETALUMA, CA

Since 1982, the VINCEREMOS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER serves people with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities in Palm Beach County, Florida. They offer a variety of programs, including adaptive riding, equineassisted therapy, and hippotherapy.

DOG RESCUE

A repeat favorite of EQLiving readers, Danny & Ron’s Rescue began in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina by aiding dogs left homeless by the storm. Now, they rescue hundreds of puppy mill dogs, bait dogs used in dog fighting, and dogs from shelters—often moments away from euthanasia. They supply vet care, pet food, and supplies to older adults living in poverty.

DANNY & RON’S RESCUE

● KINGSTON

● GMC/CHEVY

The RED FOX INN is located in the heart of Middleburg, VA, a charming town known for its horse country lifestyle. It has been welcoming guests since 1728 to its 22 guest rooms, suites, and cottages, each with its own unique character.

FAVORITE INNS/HOTELS

● RED FOX INN, MIDDLEBURG, VA

● SALAMANDER RESORT, MIDDLEBURG, VA

● EQUESTRIAN HOTEL, OCALA, FL

DREAM ESCAPES

● CASTLE LESLIE, IRELAND

● GIRAFFE MANOR, KENYA

● ROYAL ASCOT, UK

A repeat favorite, CASTLE LESLIE is a 19th-century castle located on a 1,000-acre estate in County Monaghan, Ireland. It has been in the Leslie family for over 350 years and offers a variety of accommodations, including 21 bedrooms in the castle, 50 bedrooms in the adjoining lodge, and 10 cottages. It is a popular wedding venue and has hosted weddings for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The estate is also home to a world-class equestrian center, which offers a variety of activities for horse lovers, including polo, show jumping, and carriage driving. It also has a spa, a golf course, and a shooting range.

SPRUCE MEADOWS

EPICUREAN EXCELLENCE

AT OCALA’S WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Quality, class, distinction. The World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, Florida, embraces these three words as its core values. I can say without hesitation that those three words could not be more accurate in describing WEC. I have been coming to WEC since its opening in 2021 for horseshows, and I was always impressed by its property, design, and functionality for both the horse and the rider. Still, my unique experience at the 2022 Ocala Food and

BY SARAH LESSLER PHOTOS GEORGE KAMPER

Wine Festival, experienced with Equestrian Living’s photography director, George Kamper, brought my appreciation to another level.

The Ocala Food and Wine Festival offered the opportunity to experience this world-class equestrian complex from an entirely different perspective, that of a guest on a non-horseshow weekend, there to enjoy the facilities, amenities, food, wine, and entertainment.

Simply stepping into the main lobby at The Equestrian Hotel is breathtaking on its own. The truly remarkable space is sophisticated

Chefs and Sommeliers demonstrated their food and wine expertise amid equestrian elegance at the Ocala Food and Wine Festival.

yet warm and inviting. Throughout the lobby and hotel, endless equestrian memorabilia, artifacts, and trophies emphasize the importance of horses and equestrian sports to the world. The grandeur of the main lobby, boasting high ceilings, walls ornamented with gold-framed paintings, distinctive lighting, and lush materials, instantly elevates one’s mood. This place is special, particularly for an equestrian.

My weekend began with The Equestrian Hotel luncheon in the Paris Room, where I had the pleasure of meeting WEC’s in-house culinary team, master sommelier, and director of hospitality. I learned about the

passion that went into the vision and execution of creating WEC by the Roberts family. A few of the chefs were some of the Roberts’ first hires when starting to staff WEC

The food display at this luncheon, and every event throughout the weekend, was a work of edible art. The design and presentation of food and drinks were a feast for the eyes, rich with vibrant colors, intricate plating, and artistic arrangements. The imaginative settings included floral accents, blueberries delicately sprinkled in gold, and pops of unique color.

A visit to the Calluna Spa at WEC was a sumptuous indulgence. As a declared novice in spa experiences and a new mom sore from breastfeeding, trying to get back in shape, and riding daily, I

The Equestrian Hotel is nestled in the center of World Equestrian Center’s 380-acre property, boasting 248 rooms and seven restaurants, four of which are in the Equestrian Hotel.

was eager for a massage. To my delight, my massage therapist was also a fellow equestrian who just “got it.”

The first night of the weekend kicked off with a buzzing atmosphere at the Welcome Notes Tasting Party, with endless food and wine stations that ran the gamut from sparkling rosé wine to bite-sized perfectly seared scallops. LoCash, a rocking country band, provided excellent entertainment. Rounding out the night was a Tacos and Tequila after-party. I can’t imagine what more a first-time mom could want on one of her first nights away from her new baby.

Day two was an experience I wouldn’t soon forget. From my early morning run around the

magnificent property to the Taste of Ocala celebrityled food demonstrations and break-out classes, I was amazed by the facilities, the talents of the chefs, and my inexplicable ability to keep finding room for more food.

As day transitioned to night, I briefly retreated to my hotel room, now my design inspiration for my home, appreciating its effortless balance of modern aesthetics and equestrianinspired elements. I needed a short respite to prepare for my evening’s seven-course meal, prepared by WEC’s Executive Chef Vincent Cani, partnered with Cristina Mariani-May of Castello Banfi, who

Top row, left to right: WEC’s culinary and hospitality executive team; WEC Master Sommelier, Roland Micu; WEC Director of Culinary, Ryker Brown.

skillfully paired each course with Banfi wine. As guests savored the evening’s delicacies such as polenta crisps topped with cotechino and beluga caviar, and branzino garnished with pomegranate and salsa verde, each complemented with a carefully paired wine, I took in the convivial conversations and laughter that go hand in hand with great food, great wine, and perfect company. This evening hit all the marks and then some.

It’s a rare occasion that I can set aside time to immerse myself in multi-day events unless they are horse shows. My intuition told me to jump at the opportunity to attend WEC’s fullspectrum food and wine experience, where I

could elevate my palate, relax amidst luxe surroundings, and release any tension in the serenity of a spa. Without question, my intuition did not disappoint.

The World Equestrian Center and the Ocala Food and Wine Festival provided “Quality, Class, and Distinction” in every aspect of the weekend and embodied those words with everything from hospitality, culinary excellence, knowledge, and design.

The third annual Ocala Food and Wine Festival returns to The World Equestrian Center from November 3-5, 2023. It is a weekend not to be missed.

Top row, left to right: Samuel Edwards; WEC Pastry Chef, Yohann Le Bescond; WEC Executive Resort Chef, Vincent Cani; President and CEO of Banfi Wines, Cristina Mariani-May.

GEORGINA PRESTON

CAPTURES THE EMOTIONS BETWEEN ANIMALS AND HUMANS.

INTERVIEW BY STEPHANIE PETERS

Georgina Preston is a British portrait, fashion, lifestyle, and documentary photographer. She is renowned for her enigmatic portraits of people in subcultures and her ability to capture moments in time with an atmospheric aesthetic.

She travels worldwide for her work, recently commissioned by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to spend time in Kenya photographing their elephants in emotive scenes.

Preston’s horsemanship skills and her niche ability to photograph and document experiences while riding have led to high-profile commissions from Jakotango in Patagonia, Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina, George Scott Rides in Andalucia, and Offbeat in Kenya.

Her fashion work encompasses luxury brands such as Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren. Her private client commissions include Ascot Racecourse, Virginia Gold Cup, Rose Cameron Rides, and more.

Previous projects on grittier subjects, such as Devonshire Pub, the Northmore Arms, and Swindon Greyhound Stadium, allow her to explore subcultures from a less commercial perspective and intention.

Preston is currently completing her master’s in photography at the University of West England and creating a photobook on fox hunting, juxtaposing contemporary elements with age-old practices of the sport and serving as a catalyst for conversation.

Horses and visual references to the sporting life thread through much of your work. Which passion came first, horses or photography, and was it your goal to merge the two? Tell us a bit about your history with horses.

I was fortunate enough to grow up around horses and fell in love with photography in my early teens, so it was a natural progression to blend the two together. Discovering beautifully timeless and aesthetic scenes out hunting in rural England was undoubtedly what inspired my creative photographic path; old-school characters, beautiful tailoring, immaculate horses, rolling landscapes, and gritty horsemanship were all reminiscent of a bygone era and such an emotive, unique, and fascinating subculture, which had a seriousness to its tradition that made it feel significant. These scenes looked so painterly. I was utterly inspired to capture them photographically.

For equine portraiture, I draw inspiration from the obvious and inimitable George Stubbs, framing horses by trees or lakes in dramatic lighting with a proud stance. However, my

hunting photography is more comparative to the likes of Gilbert Holiday. For example, in his painting Love in the Mist, he encapsulates the atmosphere, emotion, and camaraderie of hacking home in the glow of dusk, wet and muddy on tired, steaming horses. I document evocative moments where shared experiences of the day’s events are discussed on the hack home. These are the elements I try to represent through my documentary photography, not the clean and perfect at the start of the day but the real heart of the action.

Your work has a decidedly authentic and enigmatic aesthetic. Do you migrate towards images that present the day-to-day in its most natural form?

While I am drawn to the authenticity of real-life moments, I do selectively choose genuine characters, backdrops, and features to build compelling visual stories and actively avoid including modern signifiers. My imagery is candid and spontaneous, reflecting genuine interactions and emotions. My interest lies in capturing the relationship between humans and animals, as it serves as a universal language that bridges cultures.

Your fox-hunting scenes in Europe benefit from the inherent beauty of the sport. Still, the lighting presents an added element of drama. Is this managed on location or in post-production? I do very little in post. My eye is particularly drawn to light, and it’s what I enjoy playing with the most. Hunting lends itself to early morning starts and foggy, moody evenings. I shoot in all weathers; some of my most compelling work is in fog or rain, dusk or dawn. The nature of documentary photography, especially when you’ve ridden hours away from civilization, is that you can’t bring any lighting; you have to work with what you’ve got. Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you aren’t, but I use the weather and light to create painterly, evocative, dramatic moments.

The images from the Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina are exceptional. Were you there as a photographer, participant, or both? Are there challenges to doing both simultaneously? At that ride, artist Madeleine Bunbury was beautifully posed with a single tree, a vast sky, and dramatic background behind her. Was that a serendipitous photo op or a planned composition?

I’m lucky enough to have been commissioned to photograph some incredible travel experiences all over the world, such as riding safaris in Kenya, Egypt, Spain, and Argentina. I ride while photographing, which has become a bit of a unique selling point. This offers an intimate, participant perspective of what guests experience. I visited Estancia Los Potreros with my best friend and great muse, the talented artist Madeleine Bunbury. As we rode together, and if I saw a feature, light, or

“The nature of documentary photography, especially when you’ve ridden hours away from civilization, is that you can’t bring any lighting; you have to work with what you’ve got.”

angle that caught my eye, I would ride ahead or direct her, but beyond riding early in the morning or the evening to get the best light, everything else was spontaneous.

Even your fashion imagery is steeped in strong equestrian and sporting overtones. Is your expertise in this environment sought out by brands linked with the lifestyle?

In April, Carolina Herrera commissioned me to ride alongside and photograph some incredible women, such as Christy Turlington, Delfina Blaquier, and Poppy Delevingne, at George Scott Rides in Andalucia. This was the perfect example of the two worlds of fashion and equestrian travel coming together and using my eye and ability to photograph while riding to fuse the two together.

What image characteristics set you apart from other photographers working in this niche?

Growing up alongside horses and working with them, I think I avoid the obvious and notice more subtle details and moments. Having a thorough understanding of the depth and complexity of the relationship between humans and horses.

I am currently studying for my master’s at The University of West England (UWE). One thing a university education has

given me is an insight into many different genres of photography, and it has trained my eye to be open-minded. My work matured, and my storytelling evolved. I have studied a broad scope of photographers and applied that to my equestrian-based imagery, which is what perhaps sets it apart from more generic horse-related work.

Can you describe the perfect photography assignment?

Anything that combines travel, traditional cultures, and horses, such as the Palio in Italy, riding in Pakistan with Bertie Alexander, who hunts the Peshawar Vale, or perhaps the Nomad Games in Mongolia. Photographing emotive, enigmatic imagery for worthy causes is incredibly rewarding; I recently was commissioned by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to photograph their incredible work with elephants and other animals in Kenya, and getting to see the amazing things their team does firsthand was incredibly powerful. Perhaps I should get in touch with the U.K.-based Brooke equine charity that focuses on the welfare of horses and donkeys. Shooting with Carolina Herrera was an incredible experience that will be hard to top as it combined my love of fashion and equestrian travel.

RED GATE FARM

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

—50+ Bucolic Acres

—69 Stalls

—Outdoor Ring

—Indoor Ring

—Main House 10,800 sq.ft

—Grand Prix Field

Arare opportunity to acquire a TURN KEY equestrian property in Fairfield County with a main house set high overlooking the 54+ bucolic acres and the Aspetuck River. The equestrian facility includes 3 barns with 69 stalls, wash stalls, tack rooms, laundry, rubber flooring, full haylofts, grand prix/derby field, indoor & outdoor rings, round pen, apartments for staff, office/viewing room, gym, paddocks, fenced pastures & equipment garages. Accessed by a long driveway set high on a hill is a luxuriously appointed stone manor home with an 18’ grand entry, formal living room, dining room, kitchen/family room, bar, 4 bedrooms, 5.1 bathrooms, 6 fireplaces, walk-in wine cellar & elevator to all 3 floors. Absolutely beautiful and an exceptional opportunity. $12,250,000

KRISSY BLAKE Senior Global Real Estate Advisor

203.536.2743

krissy.blake@sothebys.realty

krissyblake.com

Greenwich, CT 06830

Grand Prix Village | Offered at $11,975,000

Wellington, FL 20 Stalls | 7 Irrigated Paddocks | Owners Quarters | 2 Bedroom Staff Quarters | Separate Feed, Tack & Storage Rooms | Commercial Grade Laundry | Near New South Gate to WEF

David Welles P.A.

WELLINGTON, FL

Skara Glen

OFFERED AT | $18,975,000 21 ACRES

Palm Beach Point | Offered at $6,975,000

Wellington, FL 5 Acres | 23 Stalls | New 136’ x 270’ Arena with GGT | 9 New Irrigated Paddocks | 2 Tack Rooms & Laundry | 3 Bedroom Staff Quarters | 1 RV Hook-up | Near New South Gate to WEF

Global Equestrian Real Estate Advisor | Wellington, FL

561.313.9123

david.welles@sothebys.realty

wellesproperties.com

David Welles P.A.

EMBRYO TRANSFER

With advancing technology, it’s possible to HAVE THE FOAL YOU WANT without the stress or risks of breeding your mare.

BY MAGGIE CARTY GOLON

Do you have a special mare you would love to have a foal, but she has a full competition schedule? Would you prefer to avoid the risks associated with an older mare delivering a foal?

Veterinary medicine and technology have developed new techniques allowing superior equine genetics to continue without interrupting showing or putting stress on an older mare. Equine reproduction specialists are having more and more success with embryo transfer and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

The embryo transfer process begins by breeding a stallion to a donor mare and then transferring the resulting embryo into a reproductively sound recipient mare, which carries the foal to term and nurses it until weaning.

On day 7 or 8, embryo collection takes place using gentle non-surgical techniques, and if an embryo is recovered, it is promptly prepared for transfer into the recipient mare. Usually, the transfer process is managed with your veterinarian and the recipient herd manager to ensure your recipient mare’s body is at the same place in her ovulation cycle as the donor mare. When techniques are processed correctly, the results are an embryo recovery rate of approximately 75%.

Another procedure to consider is ICSI. Unlike embryo transfer, the donor mare is not traditionally bred.

Oocytes (eggs) are harvested from the donor mare, and a stallion’s spermatozoa are collected and injected directly into the oocyte from the donor mare. The egg and sperm are then cultured via “in vitro incubation” or maturation of an embryo in an incubator. Once that embryo develops for seven or eight days, it is transferred to a surrogate/ recipient mare who carries that pregnancy and gives birth to that foal. ICSI is an excellent option, too, if a breeder would like to freeze embryos to have future foals.

The equine industry typically uses embryo transfer and ICSI to produce foals from mares with limited reproductive capacity (mares with unclear fertility issues or simply older mares) or performance mares that need to remain nonpregnant in order to continue their training and competition schedules.

Many breed registries permit the registration of embryo-transfer-born foals, and a growing number of breed associations now allow the registration of multiple foals born in the same year. Numerous breeders have produced multiple foals from a single donor mare during a breeding season due to the breed registries’ relatively recent increase in recognition of these animals.

Both procedures allow for a reproductively sound mare to carry and care for a foal while allowing the donor mare to continue showing or avoiding pregnancy.

Do you have a special mare you would love to have a foal, but she has a full competition schedule?

Luxury isn’t a price point, luxury is the experience.

Sean Caddell, a distinguished global real estate advisor, boasts unparalleled expertise in equestrian, new development, and luxury coastal properties in San Diego. With over two decades in the industry, he has emerged as a sought-after authority.

Sean’s career is infused with a passion for architecture and design, enhancing his service delivery. He redefines luxury, emphasizing immersive living spaces and personalized care over price.

Mastery of client needs and the dynamic real estate market sets Sean apart. His dedication to excellence and top-tier service breeds loyalty among his clientele.

Beyond real estate, Sean is a committed philanthropist, actively championing the Ocean Discovery Institute as a Cabinet Board Member and preserving equestrian interests as an Advisory Board member at Del Mar Horse Park. Notably, he’s set to CoChair the 2024 United States Equestrian Team West Coast Gala, embodying his leadership and devotion.

Sean excels in digital and print marketing strategies across local and global domains. He’s recognized on television for sharing industry insights.

A San Diego State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Sean honed communication skills in the financial sector before real estate.

Sean Caddell’s passion for architecture, design, and remarkable outcomes solidify his standing in global real estate. Unwavering dedication, extensive knowledge, and exceptional service establish him as the ultimate asset for unparalleled representation.

Luxury Equestrian Estate

STRIDES FOR EQUALITY

passionate and talented riders who most likely would not have had the opportunity. This kind of representation and inclusion creates ripple effects throughout the industry.

A new addition, SEE’s Leg Up Scholarships offer a variety of opportunities for riders from diverse backgrounds to train with top professionals and advance their equestrian goals. Scholarships typically cover the cost of instruction for two to five days or event entry fees.

Access Grants and the national Access Directory are other crucial components of the organization’s mission. By offering financial support and creating a comprehensive directory of equestrian access programs, SEE aims to create equitable opportunities for BIPOC equestrians. These initiatives not only provide social and economic support but

also foster a sense of community among like-minded organizations.

SEE also established the Professional Pathways Program, which supports those

BIPOC individuals with like-minded professionals. Through internships, apprenticeships, working student positions, and other opportunities, SEE helps applicants gain valuable skills and establish meaningful connections within the industry.

aspiring to pursue careers in equestrian sports. The initiative aims to advance economic justice by ensuring equitable access to professional advancement opportunities. It works from the ground up to increase diversity among equestrian professionals by connecting qualified

The organization’s commitment to building a more inclusive equestrian culture extends beyond financial support and access programs. They also engage and educate through the development and publication of educational content. This content covers a wide range of topics, including anti-racism, informed allyship, organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion work. The organization also celebrates the history of BIPOC equestrians and strives to elevate their visibility in the equestrian world.

MULTIPLE PARCELS AVAILABLE

RANGING FROM 72 - 160 ACRES

Inquire for more details or visit: northpassranch.com

Charlotte Durham Broker 406.581.8891 c@charlottenco.com

North Pass Ranches

Welcome to North Pass Ranch. Comprised of over 1,500 acres of awe-inspiring views, lush meadows, and pure mountain air, this idyllic community is situated just 15 minutes from Downtown Bozeman, yet feels like the secluded mountain oasis Montana dreams are made of. Thoughtful amenities on site include a full time ranch manager, stocked ponds for fishing and casting lessons, over 10 miles of developed horseback riding and hiking trails, plus abundant wildlife in every corridor - elk, moose, deer, and bear abound.

MAGNIFICENT EQUESTRIAN LOG RANCH

9126 Gold Mine Road, Loveland, Colorado | $4,975,000

Immerse yourself in luxury with this extraordinary 73-acre equestrian log ranch in the heart of Colorado. The residence, crafted from Canadian fir logs, offers a gourmet kitchen, a lofted primary suite, and state-of-the-art amenities. Beyond the home itself, this property boasts comprehensive equestrian facilities, making it an ideal haven for horse lovers. Immersed in tranquility and scenic beauty, the expansive estate ensures utmost privacy with 35 acres fully fenced, providing an unparalleled outdoor experience complemented by stunning 360-degree mountain views. Whether you’re a horse enthusiast or simply someone who cherishes a life of comfort and elegance, this property promises a unique living experience that blends the grandeur of nature with the finest in modern luxury.

ANNE CARLSON REALTOR®

M: 612.272.0738 | anne@luxurymountainliving.net

ACCESS OLYMPIC-LEVEL LESSONS

Ride iQ, an app developed by equestrians JESSA AND McKINSEY LUX, provides audio-based, in-the-saddle coaching.

BY SARAH LESSLER

Jessa and McKinsey Lux, sisters and co-founders of the equestrian app Ride iQ, are astonished by the overwhelming success and positive feedback for their creation. Former competitive event riders, they returned to their parents’ home during the pandemic after careers in finance and marketing. Recognizing a chance to innovate in their beloved field, they united their skills and passion for horses to blend technology and equestrian sport. Their journey aims to provide riders with professional knowledge and insight.

“Ride iQ exists to democratize access to the best coaches,” Jessa emphasizes. With a clear vision, the Lux sisters aimed to create a mobile app that provides unlimited lessons and a supportive community. Their goal was to offer instruction precisely when riders need it most: while riding. Unlike other platforms relying on pre-recorded videos watched when out of the saddle, Ride iQ takes a unique approach. It’s an audiobased app delivering Olympic-level coaching and guidance directly to the rider’s ear while riding.

To start, Jessa and McKinsey tapped into their network of professionals and riders, making calls and attending conferences to kickstart their journey. Recognizing the uniqueness of equestrian sports, where riders often lack in-person instruction, they heard widespread frustration and self-doubt from fellow riders about their rides between lessons. This led them to question the status quo and

ponder how to address these issues.

With numerous app ideas, and initially just the two of them, Jessa and McKinsey focused on getting their platform off the ground. They seized serendipitous opportunities to involve experienced engineers in the development process. “Creating the right team is tricky, especially when dealing with a niche community,” they say. “We want to make sure the people we’re adding to the team are as passionate about this topic as we are. We want to match their understanding of equestrian sports and their expertise in the business world.” App users became employees, and the teambuilding process unfolded organically for Ride iQ.

Launched in 2021, Ride iQ offers over 400 lessons on its app and releases new ones every Tuesday, experiencing significant success, especially among adult amateur riders. These riders often face a solitary journey with aspirations of success and strong connections with their horses. Ride iQ provides a supportive

community, exclusively positive and understanding of their unique journey.

Ride iQ offers unique usability, with trainers often assigning specific lessons from the app to their students before their next in-person session. Jessa and McKinsey explain, “Trainers say they feel confident knowing their students are having productive rides in between lessons, and they are showing up to their next lesson having made progress.” The app also includes a social aspect, allowing riders to connect with others in their area and share tips. Additionally, Ride iQ provides valuable out-of-the-saddle components, including rider fitness videos and a sports psychology series.

Over the past year, Ride iQ achieved recognition in the tech world. It won the top prize at the 2022 Denver Startup Week annual pitch competition and secured a spot in the prestigious 13-week accelerator program, Techstars-Boulder. The app was also honored as one of Colorado’s top 23 startups of 2023 by the Denver Business Journal. Jessa and McKinsey express their astonishment and excitement at the extraordinary recognition Ride iQ, an equestrian sports program, has received in the tech industry. The two have set forth on a journey to make a platform where equestrians can access top-quality training and knowledge and be part of a like-minded community. Jessa and McKinsey are feverishly working on the constant betterment of their program for its users.

PHOTO MIPSY MEDIA

yellow light from inside the restaurant slipped out the windows and fell onto the wooden porch, but the icy white starlight took center stage this far from town. There were no other buildings for miles in any direction. There was nothing but pale green sagebrush desert unfolding into the night around us, the Milky Way above, and the two of us below.

We sat side by side on the edge of his pickup bed, with our legs dangling over the missing tailgate. We didn’t touch or make eye contact. I gazed across the parking lot and highway into the rolling hills that I knew lay tucked behind the inky wall of darkness.

The conversation turned to when I’d roped and led the steer alongside the highway a few weeks before.

“You did a good job,” Jim slurred. “I’s so fuckin’ proud of you.”

“Really?” I said. I sat a little straighter on the cold metal of the pickup bed. “Thanks. And thanks for your help, too.”

Iknew Jim was drunk, but the compliment still glowed in the dark. His words affirmed my decision to leave my hometown and ride for my wages. Because while money in the bank was nice, everyone knew that earning the respect of your fellow cowboys was the true reward of a saddle tramp.

Before the warmth of his praise had time to cool, Jim dropped another bomb I wasn’t expecting.

“I’m just gonna go ahead and say this,” he announced. “I’m in love with you.”

“Oh?” I said and looked down. “Thank you.”

I knew it was cliché to express gratitude when someone said he loved you, but it was all I could think to do. I was still mostly sober, a condition not generally conducive to midnight-parking-lot confessions of love. I wasn’t even sure if Jim’s profession was a reflection of his true feelings or just a sappy side effect of too much beer and bourbon. At this point, his brain was basically that exploding campfire.

I stared into the darkness beneath our feet. Somewhere down there was gray gravel and desert sand, probably a few cigarette butts. I smiled. I’d never swapped the L-word with a man before and suddenly found myself halfway there with Jim. I wondered if he would remember saying it the next morning.

GEORGE KAMPER

LEBANON | CT

$1,999,000 | MLS#170465560

Vogel Team | 860.614.0666

NORWELL | MA

$2,155,000 | MLS#73133352

Liz McCarron | 617.347.4140

EQ RESOURCES

WHERE TO FIND IT

DECOR

Page 14

The Artistry of Kilim Fabric Familyhandicraft etsy.com/shop/familyhandicraft

George Smith georgesmith.com MindTheGap mindtheg.com

Weaver Green weavergreen.com

FAVORITES

Page 16

Mark Jump Photography markjumpphotography.com

FASHION

Page 20

Cottage-Core Style Ariat ariat.com

Dôen shopdoen.com

Free People freepeople.com

Holland Cooper hollandcooper.com

BOOK Page 22

Never Burn Your Moving Boxes

Jolyn Young Trafalgar Square Books 2023 horseandriderbooks.com

FOOD + DRINK

Page 26

The Village Pub Woodside, CA thevillagepub.net

STYLE

Page 28

Object of Desire Brit & Blue britandblue.com

GIVING BACK

Page 32

Strides for Equality Equestrians stridesforequality.org

THE INN AT WILLOW GROVE

Page 38

Barboursville Vineyards bbvwine.com

Grelen Nursery grelennursery.com

James Madison’s Montpelier montpelier.org

The Inn at Willow Grove

innatwillowgrove.com

Virginia

Thoroughbred Project

virginiathoroughbredproject.org

GOLD LIST

Page 54

Favorite Hangouts Buck’s of Woodside buckswoodside.com

Kaluz, Wellington kaluzrestaurant.com/ kaluz-wellington Polo Bar, NYC ralphlauren.com/ global-polo-bar Red Fox Inn, Middleburg, VA redfox.com

Favorite Realtors Cricket Bedford homasandtalbot.com/ Agent/Cricket_Bedford

Krissy Blake krissyblake.com

Sean Caddell seancaddell.com

Cathy Gilchrist-Colmar ranchcoastrealty.com

Matt Johnson mattjohnson.evrealestate. com

Martha Jolicoeur marthasproperties.com

Caren Kelley equestrianre.com

Gloria Ross Ott/ Rachael Duvall tinyurl.com/53svemue

Cindy Polk horsefarmsandcountryhomes.com

Sally Slater sallyslater.elliman.com

Ruth Kennedy Sudduth ruthkennedysudduth. landvest.com

David Welles wellesproperties.com

Favorite Shows and Venues

CHIO Aachen chioaachen.de/en

Dressage at Devon dressageatdevon.org

Menlo Charity Horse Show menlocharityhorseshow. com

Reining by the Bay reiningbythebay.com

Winter Equestrian Festival wellingtoninternational.com

Favorite Apparel, Tack/Tack Shops Ariat ariat.com

Charles Owen charlesowen.com

Dover dover.com Dubarry dubarry.com/us Hermès hermes.com/us/en

Ralph Lauren ralphlauren.com

Favorite Charity Danny and Ron’s Rescue dannyronsrescue.org

EQUUS Foundation equusfoundation.org

Vinceremos vinceremos.org

Favorite Dream Escape Castle Leslie castleleslie.com

EPICUREAN EXCELLENCE Page 68

Ocala Food and Wine Festival ocalafoodandwinefest.com

GALLERY Page 74

Georgina Preston georginapreston.com

EQUESTRIAN TECH Page 90

Ride iQ ride-iq.com

BARN

Page 98

Beastie is Rescued Twice

Danny and Ron’s Rescue dannyronsrescue.org

CELEBRATING 65 YEARS

SEVEN DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS OF SUPERSTAR HORSES, ENTERTAINMENT & FUN

THURSDAY MARS BARN NIGHT

OCT 26

Western-themed Contests & Prizes • $78,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake

$40,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class • Plus, surprise events!

FRIDAY MILITARY NIGHT

PRESENTED BY BOEING

OCT 27

$78,000 International Jumper Speed Final • WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase

Guy McLean, famed horseman, entertainer and bush poet

SATURDAY WORLD CUP NIGHT

OCT 28

PRESENTED BY EXPERIENCE PRINCE GEORGE’S WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase • WIHS Equitation Finals

$450,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Washington CSI5*-W

KIDS’ DAY LEARNING & FUN FREE!

PRESENTED BY DELTA AIR LINES

OCT 28

Saturday 10-2 Prince George’s Equestrian Center • Rain or Shine

BEASTIE IS RESCUED TWICE

JUDY RICHTER’S dog is almost home again.

Mary Manfredi spent her junior career was as a working student riding, grooming, teaching, managing, and training at Coker Farm with Judy Richter (see Jan/Feb 2023 issue). After graduating from Vassar College in 1994, Mary moved to Rome, Italy, and later to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon returning to the United States in 2000, Mary started working with long-time friend Peter Lutz. While Mary primarily focuses on training Lutz/Manfredi students and horses, she has a long list of accomplishments as a rider. Here, she and Kim Tudor of Danny & Ron’s Rescue tell the story of Judy’s dog, Beastie.

KIM TUDOR

Beastie was one of a litter of newborn pups that we rescued from the Humane Society in Camden, South Carolina. The litter became known as the “Disney Puppies,” each named after a Disney character. Judy Richter was a big fan of our Danny & Ron’s Rescue Facebook page and was always looking for senior golden retrievers, not Jack Russells. Still, Beastie was taking a long while to find the right home, so Judy decided she wanted him, basically sight unseen. We transported him to Coker Farm in November 2020. Judy loved her “little rascal” and always sent

me photo and video updates. After Judy passed away, her son, Philip, called me to see if Danny and Ron could find Beastie another home. Philip was traveling with two of his own dogs already (see Nov/Dec 2021) and knew we would be better qualified to find him the best home. So I posted Reece (Danny and Ron changed his name) on my personal Facebook page because I wanted him to go to a friend, somebody who knew Judy. When Mary Manfredi sent me a private message, I was just thrilled.

Judy was my second mom. I started at Coker Farm with Judy when I was around 16 as a working student. She was my mentor and coach. We traveled the world together. Judy is really one of the most special people in my life, and we’ve stayed in touch forever.

The entire team at my farm has been trying to get me to get a dog since my dog Nolan passed away a few years ago, but there was no dog that I really wanted. Then, I found out that Judy’s dog was up for adoption, and I said, “I’m getting a dog!”

Reece is amazing. When he first arrived, he was quite shy. But now it’s incredible. Every day he’s getting bolder and more comfortable going to the barn. He’s found his home. Not to sound too sentimental, but I walk around my farm with Reecie, and I think about Judy.

I have to say that I’m most grateful for Kim Tudor and Danny and Ron. I think it’s just magic what they do. Kim, I cannot thank you enough. I cannot say how special you are for what you do with these dogs and how many lives you’ve touched.

Now mine is one of them.

MARY MANFREDI

Mary Manfredi and Reece.

ARRIVE AT YOUR BEST

Cultivate complete wellness with the Gulfstream Cabin Experience featuring 100% fresh air, abundant natural light, an ultralow cabin altitude and a smooth, quiet ride.