Flying Changes Magazine

14/10/2022

Is stress over money taking the joy out of horses? You're not alone. We love an expensive sport and navigating finances in the equestrian world can be tricky and come at a high emotional cost. But it doesn't have to.

Educating yourself on your personal and business finances and learning more about how your relationship to money affects how you engage with the sport is a crucial first step. There are SO many ways to empower your position and improve your finances that doesn't involve simply saving more and spending less.

is demystifying equestrian finances in their Horses and Money workshop this month. With a panel of experts from business owners, riders, financial experts who understand horses, and riders at the top of the sport, this workshop focuses on the practical and emotional side of paying for horses with automations, game plans, and tools to help organize and clarify the trickiest aspects of your finances.

Your financial position won't change without a CHANGE IN YOU. Check out this fantastic workshop and empower yourself with more knowledge from the best in the field. Click here to save on early registration and to learn more about what will be available in this wonderful workshop: https://www.horsesandmoney.com/a/2147521722/3YVkrL6t

25/07/2022

Local business! Sunstone Clipping out of Bend, Oregon offers a variety of services for equine body clipping. Need a touch up before a show? Body clip for winter? Don't want to deal with pulling a mane? Call Madi!

02/05/2022

It's wonderful we can still share news from our clubs, like this Member Spotlight on the fantastic LPSDC Volunteer of the Year, Jennifer Gillum. From Lea McCullough, President of LPSDC in 2021: “Jennifer was an easy choice for me to be our Volunteer of the Year. In every way she stepped up and volunteered her time and energy to serve as our show manager at several shows including the end of the season Championships." It's great to feature such dedicated and valued club members. Here is a little more about the wonderful, Jennifer Gillum: https://www.flyingchanges.com/lpsdc-member-spotlight/

Member Spotlight on Jennifer Gillum Jennifer was our Volunteer of the Year for 2021. A LPSDC member for more than ten years, she enjoys the people in the club, and seeing new people join. “It is kind of like family,” she says. She also loves being part of the show process, and helping people; we...

27/04/2022

Please read this important update from the magazine as our publication will no longer be distributed in print. The website will remain live and will post articles, news, and event updates while it continues to serve the community. Enormous thanks to everyone for your support during this change. Read the full announcement, here: https://www.flyingchanges.com/a-note-from-flying-changes/

Dearest Readers, Flying Changes has had a wonderful and tenured history, and it has been a pleasure working on it these last two years, making it a more modern and relevant publication. I have loved being a part of the community in this way, servicing riders, trainers, barns, and clubs in the Pacifi...

13/04/2022

Our cover story this issue showcases Erin Lane, a young professional with big dreams. Erin is not only the producer of well-known equestrian media company Noëlle Floyd, assistant trainer at Starnes Equestrian, but is also an essential community member on Instagram via , and ALSO has her sights set on a new venture dedicated to helping others break into non-traditional equestrian careers... And these aren't even her biggest goals.

What sets Erin apart is her unwavering, almost tunnel-vision drive to bring her long-time equestrian career dreams to life while also making certain that she has a positive and long-lasting impact on the community that has shaped her life. And don't forget, her love of horses.

Learn more about this up-and-coming equestrian powerhouse here: https://www.flyingchanges.com/profile-erin-lane-dreaming-big-and-making-it-work/

You might recognize Erin Lane from her career as an equestrian media producer. (You’ve probably seen her running around Thermal or WEF with a camera crew in tow and an extra large matcha in hand). Or maybe you’ve stumbled upon her Instagram account, , where she shares vulnerab...

05/04/2022

We love an inspiring story! In our latest issue, Sarah Crampton writes about Julie Williams' rescue horse, Montana, who went from a distrusting ranch horse to Champion in Eventing and Dressage. Here, we look at a story that exemplifies what makes our equine partnerships just so special. Read the full piece, here:

Written by Sarah Crampton The five-year journey of training Montana was an unhurried one that at times required some detours along the road to becoming a successful sport horse. Montana was found tied to a hitching post with other ranch horses in – you guessed it – Montana, by Julie William’s ...

01/04/2022

This fantastic duo was seen on our cover last year when we wrote about Jessica Crannell the incredible Towerview Theo and how draft horses are excelling as sporthorses. Towerview Theo is available as a stallion for breeders looking for talented draft and draft mixes, and we couldn't miss an opportunity to show you this stunning photo, on page 11 of our most recent issue. Are you looking for a stunning draft for breeding? Don't pass this guy up!

28/03/2022

Oh, the subjectivity of a Hunter round. Why was one horse pinned higher than the other? Both were clear and well-ridden. Both horses jumped nicely and were good movers... so what happened?

In our excerpt from the fourth edition of Judging Hunters and Hunt Seat Equitation, author Anna Jane White-Mullin walks readers through what makes an ideal hunter round. She breaks down, which is worse: a long spot or a chip? And how do you pin according to each? Take a look at this wonderful sneak peek inside the judges booth and learn how to unpack your own hunter and equitation rounds: https://www.flyingchanges.com/judging-hunters-and-hunter-seat-equitation/

Big thanks to Horse and Rider Books for this fantastic and educational excerpt! Buy the full text and elevate your rounds to the next level by visiting their website at www.horseandriderbooks.com

Photo by: Lili Weik

By Anna Jane White-Mullin Frank Madden writes in his intro to Judging Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation: “Judging Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation, now in its fourth edition, has been a useful tool for judges and exhibitors since it was first published. Explaining the judging standards of the s...

25/03/2022

We have some stellar profiles in this issue, among them a wonderful piece on Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services. This 60 stall barn and 140+ acre property in Newberg, Oregon, acts as home to an equine hospital and ambulatory practice, which has grown to six full-time veterinarians and 16 full time staff. It also houses a 9/16 mile licensed thoroughbred training track that is used to prepare young horses for racing.

Started by Dr. Jack Root, his lifelong passion for the science and practice of horse health and care developed from over nearly four decades of hands-on work as an owner, breeder, trainer and equine veterinarian. Dr. Root and his wife Cookie run the farm and it was a pleasure getting to know them in this article.

Read it all, here: https://www.flyingchanges.com/profile-oakhurst-equine-veterinary-services/

Written by Ben Root Oakhurst Thoroughbreds (Oakhurst) was originally founded as a thoroughbred horse farm in 1996 by owners Dr. Jack and Margaret (Cookie) Root. Jack and Cookie were drawn to the Chehalem Valley by the beautiful landscape, rural feel yet close proximity to immediate family, growing a...

17/03/2022

We are so lucky to work with Sports and Performance Psychology Darby Bonomi, PhD. Each issue she highlights an aspect of our sport to help us improve our mental game. This issue she talks about comparing ourselves to others and how our expectations and goals often shift to unreasonable places when we arrive to a horse show. She writes: "My experience is that riders often come to a show with a singular focus on winning and quickly lose track of where they—and their horses—are on their own path. When the blue eludes them, they often become negative and unreasonably self-critical."

Learn more about staying focused on your own path. Turns out, it allows you to perform better, relax, AND have fun, even when the stakes are high. Thank you, Darby, for these pieces of wisdom! https://www.flyingchanges.com/aspirations-expectations-and-staying-in-our-lane/

(Photo provided by Dr. Darby; credit to Grand Pix)

With Sports Psychologist Darby Bonomi PhD Darby Bonomi PhD is a Sport and Performance Psychologist. She works with equestrians in all disciplines, as well as other athletes, to achieve optimal performance in and out of competition. We are thrilled to include this ongoing element in our publication t...

15/03/2022

Our March/April issue is here! Starting with our stunning cover, talks about dreaming big and finding your place in a complex industry. Inside, we visit the judge's booth to find out more about demystifying hunter rounds with an incredible excerpt from , AND we visit Oakhurst Veterinary, a family business with deep ties in horse racing and breeding. This and so much more! Read the full issue online at our website or buy a copy at your local tack store.

09/02/2022

How important is saddle fit to you? In our Jan/Feb issue, saddle fitter Christine Murray of Horse and Human Harmony shares her knowledge and experience with readers. Find out why understanding your horse's conformation, job, and saddle is so important to your ride. Visit our website to learn more about the value of a good saddle fit and to read Christine's story. You can also book a visit to your farm!

28/01/2022

Welcome Noah Rattner, the new USDF Region 6 Director. He shared a few words with the magazine to start the year: https://www.flyingchanges.com/usdf-regional-6-letter-from-regional-director/

26/01/2022

In this month's Training Tip we ask four top dressage riders for their tips and tricks on perfecting the sitting trot. Learn more about troubleshooting this dressage essential from Tedi Paasch, Heather Oleson, Bernadine Diers, and Ernst Herrmann: https://www.flyingchanges.com/training-tip-the-sitting-trot/

21/01/2022

We love this piece! Oregon rider Adison Stark applied to the Gochman Grant in 2021 and was chosen as one of a few select riders to attend Pony Finals. The grant generously funds the journey, and provides a wonderful opportunity for USHJA riders under the age of 18 to participate. Here, Adi writes about her experience, what the application process is like, and how other interested riders can apply. Thank you, Adi, for this wonderful essay and congratulations on a fantastic time at Pony Finals last year. Read all about it, here: https://www.flyingchanges.com/the-gochman-grant-a-riders-journey-to-pony-finals/

By Adison Stark, 2021 Grant Recipient Adison Stark applied to the Gochman Grant in 2021 and was chosen. The Grant generously selects a few riders to attend Pony Finals with all expenses paid. Here, Oregon-based rider Adi Stark writes about her experience, the Grant, and how other young riders can ap...

17/01/2022

How have you started off the new year? In our latest issue, Sport and Performance Psychologist Darby Bonomi reminds us to stay connected to the joy in our sport. She writes: "I work with far too many riders who are disconnected from happiness in the saddle. Instead, they are stressed, anxious, competitive, and perfectionistic." We so easily forget the joy and happiness our animals and time at the barn brings to our lives. And, if you need a better reason to stay focused on joy, Dr. Darby reminds us that focusing on joy expands positive experiences AND improves riding. Want to learn more? Read the article here and commit yourself to a season of joy! https://www.flyingchanges.com/a-season-of-joy/

Sport and Performance Psychology With Darby Bonomi PhD Happy New Year!  To ring in the New Year, let’s talk about joy! What? You’re thinking…the holidays are long gone! Aren’t we over the season of joy?  How about this year, we set an intention to make every season the season of joy.  Why...

14/01/2022

Our first issue of 2022 is here! Flying Changes Jan/Feb is on shelves and in tack stores now.

11/01/2022

We love a trainer profile! In last month's issue we took a closer look at Jennifer Williams, a PNW dressage rider who is making her mark on a world stage. Training out of Summervale farm until she moves to Florida to compete in the winter, Williams gushes about Olympic qualifiers, the Nation's Cup, and her pipeline of promising young horses. So wonderful to see local riders making it big. Read all about it, here: https://www.flyingchanges.com/trainer-spotlight-jennifer-williams/

by Sarah Crampton Jennifer Williams, of Summervale Farm in Roy, Washington, has enjoyed an incredibly successful show season with Millione, an 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Together they earned the 2020 Grand Prix National Championship, and rode in the US Dressage Shortlist Observation Event....