Elliette Baker

By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller Alex Volpi got her first glimpse at equestrian life when she was a child living in London. “My best friend in school had two ponies and we would ride out in the countryside on the weekends. Riding a pony in big, open fields was a dream come true for me as a 9-year-old girl,” Alex said. After a five-year stint in London for her father’s career, Alex and family moved back to California’s Bay Area.

By Margie Sugarman “There is no other feeling in the world to compare with it if one loves a great horse. It gives a thrill that nothing else ever can. It cannot be put into words, because words cannot express it.”—Samuel Riddle When the time comes to part with a pony or a horse that’s been a significant part of one’s life, many questions arise. These questions challenge us to examine ourselves and our beliefs. They’re facts that come into play when making life-altering decisions.

By Rob Van Jacobs Equestrian sport gives us many opportunities to practice skills that we of course need for the sport, but also skills needed to navigate the world successfully. I wanted to share my thoughts on resilience this month. To be resilient is to be able to recover and bounce back after experiencing challenges.