by Shya Beth

Many people often wonder about time. What is the invisible thing that continuously moves forward that we call time? It is real?

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst. – William Penn

While we may never have answers to these questions, one of the closest things to actually “seeing” time is looking at Christian Hook’s otherworldly paintings of horses. If there ever was a perfect mix of realism, abstract and the essence of time, Christian’s paintings are made of that mixture. With his own way of layering paint onto his canvas, it feels like you are looking a horse, a person or a landscape over a period of time. Many artists try to capture the moment, the split-second, but Christian manages to capture years all on one canvas.

Read more: Christian Hook: Painting The Essence of Time

by Abi Kroupa

From the rolling hills of Lexington Kentucky to the bustling Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, the U.S. has destinations for all types of equestrians. Whether you desire to compete at top equestrian venues or to ride miles of trails in a state forest, we are sure you can find the perfect setting for you and your equine family members in one of these horse-friendly towns.

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington was the first city outside of Europe to hold the World Equestrian Games in 2010. It is home to the United States Equestrian Federation and to the 1,200 acre Kentucky Horse Park which attracts millions of visitors a year. In Lexington, more money changes hands over the sale of horses than any place in the world. It is not at all uncommon for horses to fetch millions of dollars at the annual Keeneland Sales. Keeneland is the world's largest and most prestigious Thoroughbred auction company. Kentucky is one of the best places to raise and own horses in the U.S. Underground water passes through a massive limestone shelf that lies beneath the surface and nourishes Kentucky's signature bluegrass pastures and soil. These rich grasses grow strong, healthy horses, unlike anywhere else in the world.

Read more: Top Equestrian Cities in The U.S. To Call Home

In Theaters starting May 1st, 2020. Follow the film on: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The film tells the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely race horse bred by small town Welsh bartender, Jan Vokes (Academy Award® nominee Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream in the hopes he can compete with the racing elites. The group's investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks with grit and determination and goes on to race in the Welsh Grand National showing the heart of a true champion.

Read more: Dream Horse, Starring Toni Collette - Movie Trailer

Charros, a pillar of Mexican culture, will honor their equestrian traditions this September in the state of Jalisco. More than a form of rodeo, charrería is a way of life and is designated an UNESCO-designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. There are numerous activities travelers can participate in to experience a taste of one of Mexico’s oldest cultural traditions.

Charrería, Mexico’s national sport and an UNESCO-designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, will take center stage in the state of Jalisco this September when Charros de Jalisco, Mexico’s first-ever competitive charro group, celebrates its 100th anniversary. More than a form of rodeo, charrería is a way of life in Jalisco, originating from Mexico’s herdsmen culture of the 1500s and passed down through generations. Travelers interested in experiencing a taste of one of Mexico’s oldest cultural traditions can participate in the following activities:

CHARRO CHAMPIONSHIP

Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital city, will host the Charro Championship September 10 – 20 at Lienzo Charro Jalisco arena. During this 10-day competitive event, visitors will have the chance to watch Jalisco’s top charros perform impressive feats including lasso work, horse training, bull riding, and the “El Paso de la muerte” where riders jump from a trained horse to a wild horse at a gallop. Escaramuzas participate in all-female competitions that feature eight riders dressed in traditional attire performing choreographed, synchronized routines, all while riding side saddle.

Read more: Mexico's Charros de Jalisco Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

by Brittani Moncrease

MEMPHIS, Tenn. When it comes to Elvis, there is no separating the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll from his cowboy demeanor. 

Elvis kept multiple horses at Graceland, and horses remain important to the Graceland estate. 

A local former teacher takes care of the horses.

“She’s a chemistry teacher and here she is in the barn. This is what’s so great, I think. Who does that?” asked Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s ex-wife.

Who does that? Alene Alexander does. She has worked at Graceland for 38 years now.

Read more: Meet the Former Teacher Who Also Serves as Graceland’s Long-time Horse keeper

by Heather Wallace

Sitting on the unique mix of grass, rock, and sand, I look out in the distance. I’ve traveled the world but nothing before could prepare me for the view. As I sift my fingers through the ground, it strikes me that it likely holds secrets of nomads and travelers. Did they feel the same thing? Were they struck by how small they felt, looking 50 kilometers or so into the horizon as the sun began its lazy descent? Did they feel alone? Or, like me, did they instead connect with themselves and imagine the possibilities?

Perhaps some travelers would be bored, staring at seemingly nothing as they rode the sturdy Mongolian horses for an entire day without spotting another human being.

I look to the south while sitting outside the door of my ger, a large round tent commonly used as a residence by the nomads, at basecamp. The doors always face south or southeast. There, the herders check the traditional horse line and begin to loosen the horses from the line for the evening, giving them freedom to wander and graze in the night. Some wear hobbles and others are haltered two-by-two to prevent them from going too far from camp. If there is water nearby the horses are content to stay close, and I look forward to hearing them outside the ger while I sleep. I make a note to wear my headlamp if I need the bathroom so I don’t accidentally run into one and scare the both of us.

Read more: Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman's Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia

This horse property maximizes acreage with a thoughtful layout. This dreamy horse property is located in Mercer Island, Washington. The entire five-acre estate was designed by McClellan Architects. The tight semi-urban lot was challenging to work with, but the layout was executed flawlessly. It’s comprised of an arena, barn with adjacent sacrifice areas, a large service and utility garage, a private residence, caretaker’s residence, a play lawn, vegetable garden, chicken coop, service court, sculptural rain garden, and four separate pastures, all enclosed by a perimeter paddock track.

Read more: Tour a Modern Equestrian Estate in the Pacific Northwest

The Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA) is returning for the 65^th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The world’s largest, family-friendly horse show runs Thursday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 23 and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators.

“More than 2,400 Arabian horses from all over the globe will participate in this year’s event,” said Taryl O’Shea, executive director of the AHAA. “The competition includes a wide variety of class events where more than $3 million in prize money is offered, as the best of the best vie for the coveted title of Scottsdale Champion.”

Spectators can also browse the amazing Shopping Expo with more than 350 unique commercial exhibitors overflowing with treasures, baubles, bangles and one-of-a-kind beads for every taste and budget. The trade booths will offer everything from lavish jewelry, clothing and works of art, to boots, saddles, gifts and trinkets. Additionally, the international cuisine court will feature more than 50 food vendors.

Families will have several free activities to choose from including ice cream socials, ceramic horse painting, art contests, behind-the-scenes barn tours, educational round pen demonstrations, and the opportunity to meet an Arabian horse.

Read more: Arabian Horse Show Brings $98M Economic Impact to Scottsdale

by Ben Coxworth

It was four years ago that Brooklyn-based metal sculptor Adrian Landon presented us with a life-size Mechanical Horse that actually galloped on the spot. He's now taken things quite a bit further, with a giant flying horse that spouts flames as it runs.

Unveiled this September at the 2019 Burning Man event in the Nevada desert, the new piece is known as Wings of Glory. Landon tells us that the mythological horse depicted is a female pegasus named Nebula Rider.

Designed using the Rhino 3D CAD system, then constructed over a three-month period with help from engineers Tom West and Benjamin Bohn (among others), the sculpture has both a wingspan and height of approximately 35 ft (10.7 m).

It's made mainly out of laser-cut/welded steel and hand-hammered aluminum, and is powered by a single 2-hp motor that was obtained from a used 1980s-era golf cart. Along with a BMW rear differential, this allows the horse to slowly gallop in place, and to flap its wings.

And yes, at night, the wings, neck and tail shoot flames. This feature is made possible via a network of gas lines running to propane tanks located in the base of the sculpture.

Read more: Flying, Flaming Horse Rides High at Burning Man