AndalusianWorld Magazine Dec 2014 | Page 5

Highlights Winter is here! Whether or not you enjoy the snow, there is no denying that December is a special time of year. All around the world, people in the northern hemisphere are celebrating a return to the light. We gather in gratitude with friends and family, to reflect upon the trials and triumphs of the year behind us, and greet the gathering dawn of a new year as the days begin to grow longer amidst the very depths of midwinter. For those of us in the horse industry, it is a time for rest and celebration following a busy summer. It is a time to rest in the deepening darkness; to plant seeds of hope for the coming year as the days begin to grow longer. For Kevin, Amber, and myself, it’s a time for dreaming and planning. The Iberian community itself has been experiencing something of a deep freeze in recent years, but the time has come for us to gather together and look forward to the warmth of the lengthening days ahead. We as a community have a lot to be proud of as 2014 draws to a close, and quite a lot to look forward to in 2015. Just one year ago, we were laying out our best ideas for what would become the Inaugural Andalusian World Cup; crowded around a kitchen table with our pens out, and laptops aglow. Our ideas for a unified, world-class, and all-inclusive Iberian show came to life before our eyes in September of this year, and we have you to thank for that. We were overwhelmed with positive feedback, and we can hardly wait to unroll the surprises we have in store for next year. I hope that you enjoy this last, and special edition of Andalusian World Magazine in 2014. Curl up with some cocoa, take your time, and enjoy it! It is filled with new articles, the results from all the shows since August, and beautiful new stallion pages. One year ago today, our readers opened the digital pages of the first magazine, and nine months later, we opened the doors to the first Andalusian World Cup. Thank you for coming along for the ride, It’s been a great year, and it will be even better in 2015! ~Kate Amateur Spotlight Katie Berger Questions & Answers Innaugural Andalusian World Cup Las Vegas Living Legend Bruce Howard Working Equitation Haras Cup Event Gallery LESLEY HARRISON Behind The Art Artist Interview AMBER LENTZ Iberian Halter Training Part 2 5