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ublisher’s Welcome
Two Heads – Or More
hen it comes to horses, are two heads better than one? Conventional wisdom says yes. But I’ll add a caveat here: two heads are only better if both are competent and respectful. Let’s consider one example: To advance the training of our horses, having a qualified coach on the ground to instruct
and guide us is absolutely critical. And as the rider/trainer in the saddle, we have to set our egos aside (sometimes a challenge), accept criticism and execute guidance and instruction to the best of our ability. If nothing else, for the horse’s sake, two heads are best. Now what if that coach is your spouse or significant other? For many of us, that would be a recipe for disaster. But for some it is a
huge success. One of my favorite phrases is “every trainer needs a trainer,” and even Olympians are not excluded. Steffen Peters, our four-time
dressage Olympian, is arguably one of our best riders ever. He has a regular coach, none other than his wife Shannon! On page 36 you’ll find an interview with Shannon, who isn’t afraid to share just how they manage their “working” relationship. Another couple to admire is the Pollards, top eventers who’ve recently rebounded from losing high-level horses in a tragic
trailer accident last spring. In their story (page 19) we learn how they manage multiple companies, along with training, competing, breeding and raising four small children. Another great example of “two heads” working in sync, who’ve rebuilt their eventing business amazingly fast. So if two heads are better than one, does that mean four heads are better than two and eight heads better than four? Some say no,
since potential pitfalls abound when there are “too many cooks” who can “spoil the broth” in the kitchen. (Gotta love those old English proverbs!) But when it comes to the syndication of event horses, many will say an enthusiastic yes! We are entering the age of the sport horse syndicate: a group of passionate owners who share in the expense of the purchase,
maintenance and showing of a top, or potentially top, horse who is partnered with a very good rider. Syndicating a horse is not a new concept; race horses have been syndicated for years. And there are some, not many, jumping and dressage horses in syndications today. When it comes to sport horses, in my opinion the eventing community leads the syndicate race by a mile. Did you know that two of
our 2012 Olympic event horses were owned by syndications? Kudos to the special committee called the EOTF (Eventing Owners Task Force) that works closely with the USEF to help match talented event horses and riders. From what I hear, they have done a tremendous job in a few short years of facilitating numerous syndications. Tis recent growth of eventing syndicates prompted Warmbloods Today to interview leading eventers with syndicated horses. Turn to page 90 to read how it’s been working out for them. I wish I had enough space in my column to touch on every article in the issue, since there are many more interesting features I hope
you’ll enjoy. (Okay, I do recommend you check out Scot’s Warmblood Whoas column—it’s one of my favorites.) And, as always, we’d love to hear your feedback on how we’re doing. When a new year rolls around, traditionally we pause to reflect on the previous year and attempt to set new goals and resolutions
for the next. For Warmbloods Today, 2012 was another great year of steady growth, and our upcoming year—our fiſth—is looking even brighter. But I can’t take all the credit. It’s taken a team of writers, editors, designers, administrators and salespeople to contribute to our success. In our case, numerous heads are way better than my one. Whether you train, breed or adore these wonderful horses, may 2013 be a banner year that brings you success, health and happiness.
And we’ll continue to do our part, bringing you inspirational features, analysis, opinions and humor about our wonderful world of sport horses. You can count on it.
Liz Cornell, Publisher
editor@warmbloodstoday.com
Our Mission: Warmbloods Today is the leading magazine in North America focused on the entire spectrum of Warmblood breeds. It’s a place where people from all aspects of the sport horse community can come together: amateurs, owners, trainers and breeders. Each issue contains interesting, informative and often heart-warming stories of peoples’ experiences with their horses, along with thought- provoking opinions from various professionals and amateurs. We cover all horses from European descent bred for the sports of jumping, dressage, eventing and driving including the Iberian breeds and American Warmbloods.
12 January/February 2013
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