Horse Nation Staff Give Thanks

We have a lot to be thankful for this year: the Horse Nation staff takes a moment to say a thank-you on Thanksgiving to the important people and horses in their lives.

Thanksgiving is a time not only to eat lots of food with friends and family and trawl for deals on all of that expensive tack you’ve always wanted for Black Friday — it’s a time to reflect on the year, give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy and appreciate just how lucky we are to do what we love with the most noble animal on earth. Happy Thanksgiving from our team to yours!

Candace Wade: I’m thankful for my patient, enthusiastic riding instructor that has me out on the baby-cross country field. I am also thankful for my husband who never peeps about the money I spend on riding — even though we don’t own a horse.

Leslie Wylie: I feel especially blessed this year to be surrounded by such an incredible herd of family, friends, co-workers and, of course, horses. Life is so much more fulfilling when you feel supported; the good times are better when you have loved ones to share them with, and the rough stuff is made a little smoother when you’ve got a friend to call or a horse’s neck to hug. My husband Tommy and I are excited to announce that our herd is about to grow a little bit bigger, as we’re expecting a baby boy next April. Due date: the second day of Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage, naturally! Nothing like a dressage live stream to soothe the nerves while one is in labor — that will be something to be truly thankful for, indeed.

Meagan DeLisle: This year has been full of so many blessings, some of which were originally handed to me as blessings in disguise. As always, I am eternally thankful for my always supportive husband, Wayne, who only mildly cringes each time I fall or sign a check for the farrier. 2018 was a special year in that I got to mark so many things off of my bucket list, one of which was competing at the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. And to make the event even more special, I was able to compete with and finally meet my internet bestie and coworker, Kristen! I am so grateful for my Nation Media family, their unwavering support and Kristen’s sage advice regarding proper comma placement and those stinking possessives. Working with Nation Media has made many of my biggest dreams a reality and I can’t thank this team enough for that opportunity!

Photo by Allison Howell

Kristen Kovatch: I’m so thankful this year for all of my colleagues and friends across Nation Media for reminding me what a great community we’ve built. For me, it really hit home earlier this autumn at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, hacking around the Kentucky Horse Park with field hunter/competitive trail Meagan DeLisle of Jumper Nation and eventer Kate Samuels of Eventing Nation — the first time all three sites had ever been represented simultaneously in person. We had never met before face to face, but here we were riding and talking and laughing together like we had known each other all our lives. Back at home, the rest of the team was cheering us on every step of the way, regardless of discipline. That’s a special community, and one that I’m so thankful to be part of.