What an issue!  Victories, defeat (elimination, actually) controversy, insight, gossip85 and educational opportunities. Wow.  Where to start?

The easiest place is with our cover story, Rodrigo Pessoa.  Contributing editor Erin Gilmore caught up with him at WEF, where he won or was in the top placings all season long. He is most definitely an interesting, and complicated young man.

Next is Sapphire’s controversial elimination from the World Cup.  Thanks to Phelps Media Group, and especially to Kenneth Kraus and Rebecca Walton, who were on the scene in Switzerland, we have two exclusively-in print- to-Sidelines interviews that Kenny did with McLain Ward and George Morris.  Rebecca did an outstanding recap of the whole situation so if by some chance you missed the uproar in April, this is the place to catch up.  For full interviews, be sure to visit PhelpsSports.com.  (I might also mention that Kenny took the beautiful photo of Rodrigo that graces our cover.  We owe you guys!)

Rolex!  Lauren Giannini was there, again, working her legs and fingers to the bone, photographing, writing, blogging (see Lauren Gallops at www.sidelinesmagazine.com) and distributing magazines.  William Fox-Pitt took home the watch, leading from start to finish.

Crab Orchard won their third USPA Open championship, handily defeating the Audi squad on a rainy day.  David Lominska and Alan Fabricant took some wonderful photos of the action I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

Jan Westmark shows her talents for interviewing juniors yet again as she introduces us to Ricky Neal,  who is definitely a young man on his way up in the horse world.  Remember you read about him first here on the pages of Sidelines.

Junior Perspective columnist Catie Staszak had her camera along for the WEF and shares her photos – and plans for the future.

And speaking of plans, if you or your high-schooler is thinking about college but doesn’t want to give up riding, check out our special Education section and discover how many variations on the theme of college/ride/show there are out there.

There’s more, of course.  This is just a smattering of what you’ll find in this issue.  Put the cat on your lap, the dog at your feet, and perhaps a glass of wine on the table at your side85 and enjoy.

Until next time,
Cornelia Henderson

P.S.  Do go to www.sidelinesmagazine.com for all our blogs – Lauren, Erin, Audrey, Christy and Stephanie will keep you up to date and involved in ways we just can’t do on the printed page.