Letter from the Editor

This is our biggest issue ever. Seems I say that almost every month, and every month, we outdo ourselves85 again.

One of the reasons we keep getting bigger and bigger is advertising. Our clients know that Sidelines is the best way to reach the horse show, dressage and polo worlds (let's not forget eventing and foxhunting, too) and with each increase in number of ad pages, we have more and more edit. This is definitely a win-win for all of us. I love leafing through the real estate ads, checking out new fashions and saddles and other horse related products while I'm taking a final look at 'the book' before it leaves my hands for good.

This issue has lots of great stories, and leading the way is Jan Westmark's interview with the man of the hour, Mark Bellissimo. I greatly enjoyed reading what he has to say, and learning that his plans for better and better are coming to fruition. Everyone showing at WEF is thrilled with Mark and his crew, and I know our readers will enjoy the insight to this most interesting fellow.

Jimmy Toon is quite the character, and Jennifer Wood's Five, um, Six Questions for him was fun reading.

Fred McWane takes us on a tour of Brookgreen Gardens, and new contributor Susan Walker shares with us her hunt's 50th season celebration. Terry Conway takes us on a little adventure with the Cheshire Hounds for good measure.

Dressage enthusiasts will enjoy Mary Hilton's interview with Todd Flettrich and his observations on competing in Europe as a relative newbie to that scene. Columnist Ann Reilly spreads her wings and shares the tale of Gray Fadden, who overcame her personal fears to launch a successful showing career.

As usual Lauren Giannini covers lots of ground: from the Rose Parade in California to superwoman Brenda Bower Herzog, who's faced more obstacles than can be imagined.

We catch up, a little belatedly, on the snow polo tournament in Aspen and the Joe Barry tournament at International Polo Club. David Lominska and Alan Fabricant took the photos and caught the excitement for us.

All in all, there's something for everyone in this issue. Hope you enjoy!

Until next month,
Cornelia Bernard Henderson