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many now.” “Don’t you know that the internet is replacing the printed magazine?” A rumor was also circulating at that time that a sport horse magazine was going out of business just as I was getting ready to launch Warmbloods Today in March of 2009. Was I nuts, I wondered? I forged ahead anyway, believing we could create a magazine that was truly different. I was convinced there was an


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important niche to address—a communications gap that existed among the people surrounding these special horses in the various disciplines. Surely we could learn from one another, I thought. Almost nine years later, we’re very much alive and achieving what I set out to do, to make a difference in our industry. But I’m not going


to sugarcoat the challenges we faced. In the first two years, I was under immense pressure to keep the magazine afloat; launching it was a huge financial strain and I had many a sleepless night as I wondered how I was going to pay the bills. I wondered if I was strong enough to see this venture—my dream—through. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Tat popular adage is a good reminder that as equestrians we will face obstacles and


setbacks with horses, whether mental or physical. It’s inevitable. But just how tough do we need to be? Attributes like thick-skinned, resilient, super-dedicated come to mind, but let’s not forget patience


and humility as well. Tis issue showcases some excellent examples of how riders (and horses) have come back to shine aſter some seriously tough luck. First, we congratulate young eventer Madeline Backus who finished her first Rolex Kentucky aſter an amazing rebound with her mare. Tey had endured 18 months of rehab at one point in their partnership, and Madeline’s dedication paid off. Teir inspirational story starts on page 18. On page 29, Shelley Fellers describes how she suffered three different injuries of her own, along with her horse’s. Teir resiliency was put to the test, a test they passed with flying colors, and they are back in the grand prix ring this year. Tere are times our governing organizations have gotten tough and made changes and introduced new rules. We welcome Summer


Stoffel, our new rotating columnist for Warmblood Whoas (page 66), who brings to light some new and important changes in the USHJA. I urge you to take two minutes to learn what’s going on to improve the integrity of the sport, which is good news for both hunter/jumper breeders and competitors. Two issues ago, Boyd Martin stressed in his column (March/April 2017, page 90) how important downtime and rest is for you and your


horse. When we learned that Warmblood breeder Rose Sullivan took time off from her busy farm to visit Cuba for a month, we had to hear more. Her fascinating story starts on page 23 and includes beautiful photographs and intriguing insights into Cuban culture and horses. We round out this issue with the first of a two-part series on achieving true lightness with your horse, brought to us by J.P. Giacomini,


along with a reader’s report on the German author and veterinarian Gerd Heuschmann, who is coming to the United States frequently now to conduct clinics. Te Danish Warmblood breed has an interesting, successful history of bringing top bloodlines to the world stage in a relatively short amount of time. And how about using your mobile phone more effectively by downloading an app or two? On page 35 we present ten useful apps just for equestrians. Looking back, tough times oſten lead to better times…we persevere, we question, we learn, we adjust. Sometimes it’s simply a matter


of waiting, patiently, as situations can oſten sort themselves out without us interfering. Te challenge, of course, is to figure out the best approach. If you’re reading this, I’ll bet you’re as passionate as I am about all things equestrian and are strong and resilient enough to overcome all


types of challenges. So without further ado, let’s get going. Enjoy the issue,


Liz Cornell 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.


10 July/August 2017


ublisher’s Welcome


When the Going Gets Tough


ine years ago when I came up with the concept of a new magazine about Warmbloods and sport horses—reaching riders, trainers and breeders—I was initially hit with a handful of naysayers quick to discourage me. “Oh no, not another horse magazine! Tere are too


Ed Haas


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