My “pardners“ and I make up the “Fab 4,” an equestrian riding team specializing in accurately portraying our female western heroes in parades. As Annie Oakley, Dale Evans, Belle Starr and Sacagawea, we recently won first place in the...
One of several beach towns along this Pacific coast peninsula, Long Beach boasts a small town feel.
Last year I was desperate. I’d owned my dear QH gelding, Drifter, for nearly seven months and we just couldn’t get it together. I have to work him in the arena in the six months of cold, wet North West weather and in summer, I wanted to trail ride and horse camp. I was a...
For all of us in love with horses and wanting to improve our riding and horse care, my friend Carol Wilson sends us details regarding the NW Horse Fair Expo and an opportunity to enter the Wind Rider Challenge for those of you within trailering distance of Albany, Oregon. I...
Get ready for riding season at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo in Albany, Oregon
I had the pleasure of visiting Nova Scotia, Canada this fall. I had no idea what to expect of the topography, cuisine, culture or temperament of the people - which to me at this point in my career as a journalist is the greatest...
The Nova Scotia people are a delightful bunch; open, friendly and proud of heritage.
Just twenty minutes out of Salt Lake City and you can head into the mountains. It’s a refreshing change from the seemingly endless sprawl of strip malls and fast food joints the Olympics ushered in along the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. And for this country girl, it’s...
Michelle rides in Utah's Snowbird ski area amidst spectacular scenery and gracious hosts.
This time we take a break from the trail to bid a fond farewell to a pioneer saddle designer and maker who never did anything half-way! My friend Dave DiPietra sends us this touching letter with the passing of his dad, John Paul DiPietra.
This time we take a break from the trail to bid a fond farewell to a pioneer saddle designer and maker who never did anything half-way!
In the gorgeous farm country just outside Portland, Dream Ridge Stables offers trail rides with a difference. Focused on safety first, a short lesson is included with every ride. When you head out on your carefully-matched mount into the huge indoor arena and into the...
An interview with Karen Brauer of Dream Ridge Stables in Redland, Oregon
“Excuse me,” the tall woman behind me at the UPS store said,” are you sending that box to Synergist Saddles in Wyoming? Sorry to listen in but I heard you say it’s a saddle form and I just knew it had to be for a Synergist Saddle!”
We chatted about how much she loved...
Michelle's saddle fitting journey with Syngergist Saddles
Photos courtesy of Michelle Winner unless otherwise noted.
After Saborea concluded, Michelle visited Old San Juan, took surfing lessons, danced to salsa, and flew to El Yunque Rain Forest for horseback riding, of course!
Photos courtesy of Kurt Winner, unless otherwise noted.
Most think of the vast southern Washington beaches as a place for a family vacation. Lots of commotion and smiles of course, but it can also be a place for a relaxing stay, with some planning. A few months ago my...
This month Michelle takes us to the Washington Peninsula for beach riding and lots of food and sightseeing.
