Scenes from My Latest H&R Road Trip
Texas trainer Charlie Cole keeps tortoises at his ranch as well as world-level equine champions. Photos by Cappy Jackson.When I go on road trips for Horse & Rider, like the one I did last month to Texas, I expect to see certain things: accomplished trainers, gorgeous horses, pro-level tack and equipment, maybe a trophy room or two.
But I can guarantee that my stop at Highpoint Performance Horses, home of world-champion training partners Charlie Cole and Jason Martin, yielded a first--namely, an introduction to the hobby of tortoise-keeping.
Besides their barns filled with famous performance horses, like Harley D Zip and Show Diva, Charlie and Jason also maintain a stable for their exotic reptiles. Among its residents are two female Galapagos tortoises, each about 20 years old, and a bevy of other tortoises (babies, in this case), small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.And to think that someone asked me just the other day when I plan to retire. Retire? When work-day surprises like this one still are out there? Don't be looking for my exit to the rocking chair anytime soon!
posted by Juli Thorson @ 2:42 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
You must find surprising things at your locations all the time. Although I'm sure this must be close to the top of the list. (the babies are cute!)
H&R question: How is the cover photo picked? Is it known beforehand which story will be reflected on the cover?
IMO H&R usually has the most attractive cover of the 3 (non breed specific) horse mags I regularly read.
First and foremost, an H&R cover photo must fit the vertical cover template, with room at the top for the logo, and room down the left for the cover lines. This doesn't happen by accident; all cover shoots are planning with this in mind.
Then, the photo needs to be arresting in some way--a) so it'll stand out on the newsstand, and b) compel people to pick up the issue and thumb through it. (You can't sell someone a magazine from a newsstand if they won't actually reach out and pick it up!)
A cover horse doesn't have to be a show horse, but it has to be good looking, gleamingly clean, and otherwise attractive.
All issues are planned a long time in advance, so yes, it's generally known beforehand which stories will be reflected on the cover. But we may do a test layout with several different images before picking the final one.
We keep records of how well specific issues sell. Interestingly, considering that we have more women readers than men, the weakest sellers tend to be covers that show women riders. Close-up horse heads tend to sell the best.
Tortoises! On a horse farm?!
How neat!!
Wonder what the horses think of them?
Geeze, looks like you could saddle and ride that thing! LOL
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