MA Media

20/08/2024

The September/October 2024 issue of Young Rider is hitting mailboxes and newsstands, and it's packed with ideas for young horse lovers to hone their passion. I highlighted a few inspiring organizations you can join with or without horses that I highly recommend.

Groups highlighted:
Harness Horse Youth Foundation
IEA - Interscholastic Equestrian Association
4-H
Amplify Horse Racing
The youth associations as part of breed organizations such as: AJPHA, AQHYA, NRHYA, AMHAY, AMHyA, AHYA

If you have a horse-loving child in your home or family, I recommend getting them their own subscription to this magazine!!

15/07/2024

Breyerfest 2024 wrapped up over the weekend in Lexington, Ky., so I can finally share that I was asked by Breyer Model Horses to write a few of the bios for the newest releases (which were to be unveiled at Breyerfest).

As someone who grew up collecting these beautiful model horses (and now a mom passing on that love to her daughter), I greatly appreciate the honor. Thank you, Breyer! I can't wait to see these guys on the store shelves!

11/06/2024

Transitioning an off-track Thoroughbred from the world of horse racing to a more leisurely or competitive career requires careful attention to every aspect of his care, especially his nutrition. Just like retired human athletes, these horses need a diet that supports their new lifestyle while helping maintain their health and vitality. Hay stands as a cornerstone in their diets, providing essential nutrients and fiber crucial for digestion and overall well-being.

For the Retired Racehorse Project:
https://www.therrp.org/education/care-nutrition/feed-weight/selecting-the-best-hay-for-your-ottb/

20/05/2024

Every summer I look forward to attending the American Horse Publications annual seminar for a number of reasons: the ability to network, the ability to learn new skills and ideas, the ability to promote my work and my potential and the ability to see friends from near and far. This year I was invited to speak on a panel to share my experience with expanding my horizons as a freelance writer. We also celebrated the last seminar with AHP's esteemed leader, Chris Brune, as executive director (enjoy retirement, Chris). And, as good equine media, we cheered for a safe and exciting Preakness Stakes.

For my three articles that were named finalists for the Equine Media Awards, I brought home two second places and an honorable mention. I am so grateful for the editors giving me a chance to contribute to their publications and to my sources for their time and allowing me to share their stories. I look forward to do even more for you this year and in the years to come.

To the women that approached me this weekend, sharing their stories and how they've followed my career for years and thanked me for inspiring them, I want to thank you. I was taken aback by how many people that I didn't know (yet) knew me and said they looked up to me. That was never something I imagined I'd hear, but I am so grateful for that. You inspire me. Together, we can keep making this industry a great one.

16/05/2024

𝐀𝐇𝐏 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭!
I'm headed to Lexington to attend the American Horse Publications annual seminar!

My third and final (that I know of) finalist article is one that might be a repetition of topics for me, but it's such an important one, and I'm so lucky to have great connections with intelligent and passionate people to help me reach different audiences in new ways. I'm certain this article wouldn't be the same without Rebecca Gimenez Husted helping me! Here is the third article that is a finalist for the Equine Media Awards, published by The Equine Chronicle:

Within almost 30 days at the beginning of 2022, two Midwestern farms experienced every barn owner’s absolute worst nightmare. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, 113 deadly barn fires occurred in 2021. Between 2018 and 2021, the average number of animals killed in barn fires each year topped 748,000 animals (this includes chickens, cows, pigs, horses, llamas, etc.).

“I was living in an absolute nightmare..."
https://www.equinechronicle.com/lessons-learned-barn-fires/

13/05/2024

𝐀𝐇𝐏 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭!
Just a few more days before I'm back in Lexington attending the American Horse Publications annual seminar!

Here is the second article that is a finalist for the Equine Media Awards, published by the Retired Racehorse Project's former print publiation, Off-Track Thoroughbred:

The stereotypical Western movie shows cowboys chasing cattle and climbing up treacherous terrain aboard their trusty stock horse—perhaps an American Quarter Horse or a Paint Horse—but a stocky looking horse. Horses sporting heavy, leather-laden saddles hold bits with shanks on the ends protruding from their mouths look more rough and ready for anything, rather than slick and fast.

At least, that’s what we’re used to seeing on the Western side of things. Lately, though, there’s been an insurgence of a new royal pedigree amongst the working type, thanks to the increase in popularity of the Thoroughbred showing true versatility and excelling in Western events not only at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover event, but on ranches out West and in rodeo arenas across the country.

However, when it comes to taking a retired racehorse from the fast-paced world of track life and slowing it down, it may be one of the more trickier transitions.

Choosing a Western Prospect
When it comes to choosing an OTTB Western prospect, the most obvious choice, when it comes to conformation and the body of the horse is the height of the horse. A Western horse is typically shorter, between 14-15.2 hands.

“We don’t need to go over big jump, obviously,” says Jody Busch, owner and head trainer at Jody Busch Horsemanship in Saskatchewan, Canada. “If you’re going to be trail riding or working cattle, you’ll be doing a lot of opening and closing of gates, so you’re getting off and on the horse a lot. You want something that’s not going to hurt your knees or break your back.”

Stockier horses fit the Western lifestyle better than longer, lankier horses. Horses with a shorter back and shorter croup will have the ability to stop and make sharp turns easier. Busch likes to look at horses that have more of a fast twitch response, much like sprinters, because they can move and react quickly.

“It might be hard to look at a horse fresh off the track because they’ll be in running shape, so you’ll have to really look at their bone structure,” suggests Robin Stang, an AQHA Professional Horseman and Thoroughbred Makeover Judge. “But you can tell a lot by their hind end if they’ll make a good stock horse.”..

09/05/2024

𝐀𝐇𝐏 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭!

In just one week I head back to my "second hometown" of Lexington, Kentucky, for a couple of days of what I like to call "career rejuvenation and inspiration"--otherwise known as the American Horse Publications Seminar! This year, I'll be speaking on a panel as well as leading a table during the networking lunch. And, to top it off, three of my articles that I entered are finalists, including this one:

From the NRHA - National Reining Horse Association Reiner Magazine, May 2023:
If there’s one word that strikes a chord in the reining community following the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s “pivot.”

Reiners pivot all the time in the arena while doing warp-speed turnarounds. Pivot can also mean completely changing the way in which someone does something.
In recent years, there has been an increase in pivoting for NRHA affiliates as they tried to navigate restrictions and regulations during the pandemic, and now a changing economy in the aftermath.

For two affiliates in particular — the Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association (EPRHA) and the Montana Reining Horse Association (MRHA) — pivoting exhibitors’ and sponsors’ expectations, and creating a new mindset has helped the groups
thrive.

https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=55500&i=790401&p=44&ver=html5

04/05/2024

My annual Kentucky Derby post, from the first time I was lucky enough to work for the BloodHorse photographer team. It's a weekend of inspiration--from the horses to watching the best in sports media do their jobs.

Best of luck to my photographer and media friends today! I hope you get *THE* shot and celebrate with the best bourbon!
Anne M. Eberhardt Photography
Rick Samuels Photography
Skip Dickstein
Paulick Report
BloodHorse
ESPN

01/05/2024

Who isn't captivated by the sparkle, the bright colors and the danger?? Thank you to Kelsey with the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders for spending the time to help with this article with Young Rider!

It’s easy to be captivated by trick riding: Picture bright, sparkly outfits adorning athletic riders with fancy horses galloping around the arena. Rarely does the rider stay in the saddle for longer than a second: She’s flipping over the horse, hanging off the side and then standing on the seat of her saddle, yet the horse never slows down.

Find out what it takes to start trick riding, including how to get started and if it's suitable for you and your horse ➡ bit.ly/4aAsR6i

Trixie Chicks Trick Riders

19/04/2024

Thank you to Dr. Ricks and Lisa Szwejbka at the Brazos Valley Stallion Station for giving me some of their valuable time to be a part of my article for Western Horseman.
(The handsome red roan foal helps make it even better!)

11/04/2024

Honored to have three of my pieces chosen to be a finalist for the 2024 AHP Equine Media Awards! 🫶

AHP Announces the 2024 Equine Media Awards Finalists The eagerly awaited announcement of the finalists is over for 78 members who entered 453 entries in the annual AHP Equine Media Awards competition

03/04/2024

It's fun to take part in April Fool's Day as part of the Tough1 Team. And then we turn it around to be educational. 😎🌑

20/03/2024

This was a really interesting piece to write because I had never thought about why spays weren't as popular in horses as they are for cats and dogs. 🤔

Published on Paulick Report:

Spay surgeries are common in cats and dogs -- why don't experts suggest them more often for horses?

08/03/2024

Thank you to Horse & Rider Magazine for resharing one of my most favorite articles to write on this International Women's Day!

Women horse trainers in the Western performance arena began breaking glass ceilings three decades ago, and the trend continues today.

28/02/2024

In my 18 years of working in the equine media industry, I've been lucky to have my byline published in many of the industry's respected publications. However, there's always been one that I have not contributed to, but I always wanted to. Finally, this year, I can cross off one of the longest-publishing and most respected publications off my list. March was my debut in Western Horseman.

Thank you to the staff at Brazos Valley Stallion Station for helping me highlight the awesome work they do during foaling and breeding season.

23/02/2024

This popped up in my TimeHop!
I moved to Amarillo with a Corgi puppy, a cat and the hope that I could make my goal of being in the equine media world a reality. Both pets have since passed, but here I am...still trudging through the waters of staying relevant and balancing life to stay in my beloved equine media industry.

Here's to 18 years.

11/02/2024

I've had a lot of fun working with my newest client so far, and we're just getting started! The All Star Reining Stakes Stallion Auction ends tonight, and then we prep for the big show in July!

‼⏰𝑻𝑶𝑫𝑨𝒀 𝑰𝑺 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀!!!⏰‼

Bidding is only open until 7 pm EST!

Get your chance to breed for a star!

https://www.32auctions.com/allstarreining2024

07/02/2024

I love hearing about how some of the industry's top groups plan and drive focus. In the latest podcast with the AHC, I get to talk with USEF's Tom O'Mara about their goals for 2024 and how they are looking to improve horse sport for everyone.

Give it a listen!

𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭
𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝟏𝟎: 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐅, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥

The US Equestrian (USEF) Board President Tom O’Mara joins Julie and Megan to discuss a variety of topics including the 2024 USEF Annual Meeting, social licensing and the future for equestrian sport in the United States. As Board President of the USEF, O’Mara shares the strategic plan for the association and how important it is for horse owners and enthusiasts to follow the federation as it leads the way for all disciplines and breeds in the U.S.

“We’ve done a lot of work, and I think we’ve done a lot to be able to talk about how the future is today, … and it’s time to start thinking about it,” says O’Mara.

LISTEN:
https://horsesinthemorning.com/for-the-usef-the-future-is-now-for-february-6-2024-by-the-american-horse-council/

31/01/2024

Months of work (years for my coworkers, I just joined in late) have come to fruition! If you do ANYTHING related to the horse, this is a must have tool in your arsenal. Work in politics? Go to horse shows? Ride the trails? Work in media? Or just love the horse? This study is what you need to help us keep the horse at the forefront of everyone's minds.

Results from the 2023 National Equine Economic Impact Study Released

The findings of the highly-anticipated 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey have been officially released by the American Horse Council (AHC). The results shed light on the significant and robust contributions of the equine industry to the U.S. economy. The survey offers a comprehensive overview of the economic impact and trends within the equine sector and highlights how it reaches far beyond the pastures and ranch land across the country.

https://horsecouncil.org/press-releases/results-from-the-2023-national-equine-economic-impact-study-released/

26/01/2024

Professional trainers spend their lives in the saddle. Every day they're tightening a cinch, wrapping a leg, cleaning a bit. They know when there's something that could use a little improvement. And so many understand the importance of having a back-up plan.

For this , I wrote about some NRHA Professionals who have "side gigs" developing new products to help their fellow trainers.

From the Spring 2023 issue of ProTrainer Magazine:
https://issuu.com/nrha/docs/spring_2023_pro_trainer/18

09/01/2024

Someone please go and tell me how this was!! This is a great opportunity brought to you by amazing women. Don't miss out!!!!

07/01/2024

There are few groups that do as much for new freelance writers as The Freelance Remuda. This is sure to be an amazing, inspiring and invigorating event that I highly recommend!

👩🏻‍💻Let's talk about freelancing! 📸

Join The Freelance Remuda co-founders Abigail Boatwright Communications & Kate B Creative with friends and peers Jennifer Denison & Chris Dickinson Photography as they share advice and give you hands-on experience during The Freelancer's Guide to Content Creation Retreat, March 21-24, in Fredericksburg, Texas 🎊

The four long-time media pros are bringing their skills to the table and collaborating to create a one-of-a-kind retreat for aspiring freelancers and content creators in the equine industry! 🐴

For more information ➡️ https://bit.ly/3PsfoE9

American Horse Publications Equine Photographers Network

04/01/2024

🎤🎧 New Podcast Alert!!
We had a (very capable) guest host step in for me, but this is a new marketing initiative that I'm very excited about!

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲: #𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞𝟒𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

There are 34 million horse enthusiasts in the United States, yet only 1.3% own a horse and 16% participate in the industry, but don’t own horses. How do we bridge the disconnect so the horse industry can grow?

You’ve heard us sign off that we’re , but what does that mean? The Marketing Alliance’s Jen Grant and Christy Landwehr join Julie and guest co-host Emily to discuss this exciting vision as we kick off 2024 and we try to take the horse curious and turn them horse crazy. In the Legislative Update, Julie discusses the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act and the Explore Act, which covers expanded long distance biking on trails and sharing trails and the effect of safety of multi-users on the trails.

𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑵 𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬: https://www.horseradionetwork.com/2024/01/from-horse-curious-to-horse-crazy-here4horses-for-january-2-2023-by-the-american-horse-council/

02/01/2024

Happy New Year! Here's to so many things in 2024 that I can't wait to share with you!

29/12/2023

Not going to lie, it's kind-of fun debunking viral social media posts. Thanks to friend and equine nutritionist (and fantasy football rival) Kristen Janicki for helping with this article on Paulick Report:

A viral Facebook post suggests that a horse choked because alfalfa pellets weren't soaked long enough; one nutritionist says that's not the only factor.

08/12/2023

Growing up with horses, I knew it helped build who I was, but I've never really thought how. I'm excited to follow along with Caitlin's study to see how it comes out, and I hope you are, too! Tune into the latest American Horse Council podcast with Horses in the Morning.

Celebration of the Horse: Day 5

Think about it: If you grew up with horses, how do you think they influenced your life today? Julie and Megan talk with PhD candidate Caitlin Lunzmann, who is currently studying at the University of Florida and looking at that very question. Her thesis focuses on studying the impacts of horse experiences on youth development in terms of leadership, emotional intelligence, and social skills. She’s looking at the impact that horse-human bonds have on competencies like self-awareness, emotional intelligence, ethics, confidence, and ability to build trust and how experiential learning opportunities horses provide and developing how they can be applied.

👂 to the latest AHC podcast: https://horsesinthemorning.com/horses-and-youth-the-impact-the-horse-has-on-authentic-leadership-development-for-december-5-2023-by-american-horse-council/

08/12/2023

I've been in charge of writing the blog posts for Tough1's website once we finally got the redesign live. It's been fun to write things for stable management, horse health, tack and equipment and some fun stuff as well.

Who's performed all of these tasks to prepare their barn for the winter:
https://www.jtidist.com/blog/21-ways-prepare-barn-for-winter.html

01/12/2023

Occasionally, a horse comes along that gets more than cow tails wagging; he gets tongues wagging, and Stevie Rey Von is that horse right now! It was fun to talk with his owners as they celebrate his achievement of being the youngest National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Sire in the latest issue of the Reined Cow Horse News.

Read Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 28, No. 6, November/December 2023 by Cowboy Publishing Group on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications...

30/11/2023

I'm so proud to get to work with a group such as the ITA! Very passionate people who work hard for more than just themselves, but also their neighbors and their horses.

The Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance is dedicated to supporting the horse racing industry in Indiana and the region through helping aftercare programs, therapy programs, ministries, scholarships as well as educational opportunities. All money raised from our annual Stallions & Services Auction goes right back into the industry each year. On this , we urge you to support groups that make a difference in your communities, whether it's horse-related or other.

Watch our social media for the announcement of our 4th annual Stallions & Services Auction, which will be held online on Monday, December 18 from 9 am to 5 pm EST. Donations are still being accepted for stallion seasons and services for the horsemen.

24/11/2023

I feel like helping to educate about barn fires is a passion project for me lately. Thank you to Kristy Doyle and Christine Cagle for sharing their heart-wrenching stories, and to Rebecca Gimenez Husted for always being willing to be straight-up with me and encouraging me to write in a more direct way than I have in the past.

Lesson Learned: Barn Fires

Within almost 30 days at the beginning of 2022, two Midwestern farms experienced every barn owner’s absolute worst nightmare.

On January 6, 2022, Springcliff Farm in Martinsville, Indiana, lost 26 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse broodmares–ready to foal–when the Hoosier Heritage farm went up in flames in the early morning hours.

On February 5, 2022, Kristy Doyle’s barn in Ellsworth, Illinois, burned down on a particularly frigid winter night, killing 13 Quarter and Paint Horses.

Experts say the best defenses are early detection, planning, and building a team for prevention, which you can learn about in a revealing article by MA Media here ⬇:
http://www.equinechronicle.com/lessons-learned-barn-fires/