There’s a new horse magazine in the barn! Connecticut Horse launched this summer with its first bimonthly issue. A sister publication to the 15-year-old Massachusetts Horse, the brainchild of Publisher Stephanie Sanders, will publish its second issue at the end of August. Up until last year, Editor Karena Garrity was freelancing horse articles when she had an idea.

“I wrote an e-mail to Stephanie saying I had this idea that would be my ultimate job,” Garrity said recently by phone. “I explained to her the idea for Connecticut Horse magazine and she said ‘I already have a business plan all set. Let’s do it.’”

Working with Sanders, Garrity pulled together a group of freelance writers and county desk liaisons to gather Connecticut-exclusive features, profiles, news, an extensive events calendar, and to populate the “Overherd” column, which gathers successful brags, to create unequaled equine content for those in the Nutmeg State.

“By creating one central area where you can go to find information on your discipline, lessons, a farrier, insurance, or shows, it helps to bring the horse community together,” Garrity explained. It’s also a one-stop place for horse products and services.

Each issue has a variety of features and regular columns that cover all breeds and disciplines. Horse Sense and Right Lead are written by professionals in their field and feature articles on medical knowledge, training techniques, or something more specialized like horse massage. The magazine’s Lend a Hoof section highlights the work and needs of nonprofit organizations, such as those dedicated to rescue and therapeutic riding. The July/August issue puts Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue in the spotlight.

There are farm, horse people, and horse features inside the 44-page publication covering hunter/jumper, dressage or western disciplines, among others. Joining the regular contributions are a main feature and a professional profile. The premier issue has five different vignettes on “A Horse of a Lifetime” and a profile on Jordan Raquel Teixeira, a gymkhana and barrel racing champion. The Mystic Valley Hunt Club rounds out the farm feature.

Dream Job

Garrity has been a part of the state’s horse community as long as she can remember, starting her love affair with horses when she began riding at 6 years old. There wasn’t much time for horse shows, however, since her mother and her were busy showing purebred dogs like boxers, Shelties, and Akitas. Garrity was handling her Shetland sheepdog Zachary in Junior Showmanship and even put the difficult Companion Dog Excellent obedience title on him by the time she was just 12 years old. But horses remained her first love. As a teenager she landed at Flight Way Farm in Chester, where she has been riding ever since. Today, as editor of Connecticut Horse, she says she has found her dream job.

Subscriptions are $20 per year for the six print editions. In this era of constantly shrinking magazine ad revenues and circulations, I asked Garrity, “Why create a print magazine now?” When talking to people she discovered there was not much out there that contained a vast amount of news, features, event listings, or much detailed horse information. As far as print goes, “Some people still like to read print magazines,” she said. “They want something they can read at a horse show while they have some down time.” Having a print publication not only gives people a break from the computer screen, but allows distribution at retail outlets like area Agways, feed and supply stores, tack shops, and other establishments that cater to the horse community. In addition, advertisers get the best of both worlds as their ads appear in print and online.

Partners Program

One benefit for area clubs and associations is they can join the magazine’s Partners Program. Joining is free and includes a reserved editorial space in the magazine for organization news, a ten percent discount off display advertising, and a link to their website on the online partners page. In addition, any club member receives a free subscription for one year when they pay their dues to the participating club. This works well to increase visibility for the magazine, as well as gives clubs an added incentive for new members to join. The Newtown Bridle Lands Association is one its newest partners.

If you have news about events, horse shows, clinics, or just want to promote your students brags, you can reach out to the county liaisons to be included in the Overherd column. Each county has a dedicated liaison and can be found on the website. You can also find advertising rates as well as read the online magazine at connhorse.com. Happy riding and reading!

Lisa Peterson, lifelong horse lover, equestrian and owner/breeder/handler of Norwegian Elkhounds, has worn many hats as journalist, columnist, blogger and podcast host. She lives in Newtown with her husband and three dogs. Contact Lisa via lisa@lisaunleashed.com or at her blog lisaunleashed.com.