NWHS Publisher Lives it
by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher
My love of horses started at a very young age. I was so obsessed I had to draw horses, read about horses, and dream of someday having a horse of my own.
I was ten years old when I got my first horse, Brandie, an ill-tempered bay gelding that challenged my very love of horses. He reared, balked, and bucked me off at every opportunity. It took me a year to conquer his behavior and finally begin to enjoy him. My neighbor, Megan, had a buckskin gelding. Megan and I became friends and rode for hours after school, participated in 4-H, and dreamed of living on a horse ranch. It was a good life.
I never outgrew horses, no doubt to my parent’s dismay. No cars, boys, or anything else could draw my attention away from having a horse. Even today, so many years later, my home is adorned with art by Remington, Fred Stone, and many other favorite horse images. Even my dishes are of a cowboy flavor. It’s difficult to explain, but horses become so engrained in your life it’s hard to think about anything else.
I’m so fortunate to work with this magazine. It has opened up many opportunities and I’ve made lifetime friends as a result of owning the magazine. Being the publisher has allowed me to learn how horse people live and think. They are a group of people that, for the most part, have a cowboy ethic that shines when times are tough. I know; I’ve been on the receiving end.
In looking for a change in the magazine I discovered the desire to bring more “lifestyle” into the magazine — more profiles, more information on clothing, housewares, guest ranches—anything that enhances the life we live with our horses. I welcome your thoughts and ideas so please email me at [email protected].
Finally, please enjoy our cover story on page 6 about a magical experience with horses. Odysseo by Cavalia is making an appearance in Vancouver, BC. Be sure and take an evening to enjoy this amazing show.
For now, I’m going to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and dream of horses.
Quote: “Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.” ~ Author Unknown
Originally Published February 2017 Issue
Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages. Now 29 years later, it’s an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses!
Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.
