Author Archives: Thomas Gumbrecht

Before the morning of July 28, 2001, I had never before awakened to the scene that was playing out although I had been seeing it over and over in my...

It's always something of a shock to the system: that first ride of the season after what felt like a repressively long winter. It had been a few months since...

Dear Lola, I have a confession to make. The day after I brought you home from the auction, I was angry and resentful. Not toward you, but at the man...

The other day I woke up at dawn with mixed feelings of exhilaration and concern. I was going to be riding a new horse with a new-ish trainer. To provide...

We've all had it drilled into us: "Don't stand behind that horse, don't walk too close to that horse, don't pass so near to that horse, you'll get kicked!" We...

Aly Raisman is an Olympic gold medalist, and was captain of the gold medal winning US Olympic Gymnastics Teams in 2012 and 2016. Anyone familiar with her story has likely...

I just came back up to the house after putting my horses to bed, and I lingered a few extra minutes to feed a few carrots and take in the...

These days it's pretty easy to become world-weary, and for many of us our respite is found in the barn, which can seem like an impenetrable world of peace and...

Like most everyone else on the morning of September 11, 2001, I can clearly remember exactly where I was and who I was talking to when I heard the news....

Living on Long Island (only one hour east of Manhattan) riding in New York City's famed Central Park was one of those those things on my to-do list for a...

There are few things in the news that affect horsemen more than reading about yet another barn fire in which multiple horses have perished. More so than from other tragedies,...

Many of us have had to deal with a spouse or significant other in planning the allocation of time, money and resources to our equestrian passion. I got lucky. Though not...

I've been feeling a little guilty lately because I haven't been able to maintain my riding and competing at the level I once did. I have increased responsibilities at home...

I'd like to sincerely wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the horse show moms who tirelessly support their young riders in the often expensive, sometimes frustrating, always passionate...

Should I keep my horse at home? Many horse owners have considered that question at some point in their lives. To those expecting an in-depth analysis of the financial and...