“It’s a defense mechanism not knowing how many horses I own,” laughs Carson Kressley. “It helps protect my fragile psyche. I think I have about seven. We have a family farm in Pennsylvania with around 25 horses, but my...
Jeanne McDonald paved her own path to success with the perfect blend of dogged New England determination, unwavering persistence, and a heaping dose of patience. She’s a Grand Prix dressage rider, a U.S. Dressage Federation bronze, silver and gold...
Julie Goodnight is the real deal.When I first met Julie Goodnight for an interview, I was reminded of how much I love “real” horse people. People who care more about the horse than a ribbon. People who take horsemanship...
Every horse needs a halter, and every barn dog needs a collar. Claire Painter, owner and founder of Clever with Leather in central Kentucky, makes it her daily mission to provide horse owners everywhere with the essentials, along with...
Even in the 21st century, some people still make a living “cowboying" — or working as freelance cowboys.Among these independent individuals—male and female—is an entrepreneurial group known as “day workers.” Instead of working at just one operation, they hire...
A love of horses and art led Leah Kaufmann on an unexpected journey to start an equestrian brand.Leah Kaufmann’s horse obsession developed at an early age. She grew up in Seattle, but her mother passed on a passion for...
I haven’t always been a fearless horse owner, but I’ve had to draw on that persona many times. I first realized that I was changing into a brave person when sitting at my desk in an office in Wisconsin...
When I think about my experience owning two blind horses, I’m instantly drawn to the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”My first horse, Sanibel, started losing her vision at the age of 14. After accepting the...
When Mary Trowbridge learned she was being featured in Horse Illustrated for her work with the Arabian Horsemen's Distress Fund, she was shocked.“This story cannot be about me!” said Trowbridge, founder and board member of the AHDF. However, the...
When self-identified “aging horsewoman” Sharon Roberts made her first social media post detailing how arthritis, balance loss, and weight gain affected her retirement riding plans, she was amazed when the online community jumped in to commiserate and support her....
