The Best is Yet to Come
by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher
Ever wish you could hit a reset button and go back in time? I’ve done a lot of reminiscing recently and find myself looking at all the things I could have done differently in my life. But then I discover that my life today is shaped by my history. My experiences make me who I am. When I started the magazine in 1995 I never imagined the experiences I would have or the amazing people I would meet.
My life’s ambition was to work with horses. I just never dreamed it would be in the capacity of a magazine publisher. Even though things have changed dramatically in the magazine world, and we rely on smart phones to buy things online and connect with people instantly, one thing remains the same—we all want connection and to feel that we belong. No matter how technology advances, there’s nothing like a hug, a handshake, or eye contact to help us feel connected to another person.
I trust that the feel of a book or magazine in our hands keeps us engaged in a more relaxed manner. My connection to my community is changing but there needs to be some familiarity with the way things have always been. While I need to embrace change and evolve with the times, I never want to lose that personal connection by talking to someone on the phone rather than texting, or shake their hand at an expo or horse event. (Well, I’m more of a hugger.)
I look forward to bringing you The Northwest Horse Source for years to come. I’m not sure what form it will be in, but I do know it will be rich in history as well as information for today’s horseman.
My challenge to you as we embark on a new year is that you go for your dreams and embrace all the amazing things our world has to offer. Information is now at our fingertips and should theoretically save us time, so let’s use it to our advantage! Think how amazing it is to go on an adventure with your horse and be able to capture the experience on your smartphone. How unbelievably cool is that?
I’m excited to bring you the January Breeding and Buying issue of the magazine. We are featuring an exciting event coming March 2-4 at the Clark County Event Center. Read about the coming Washington State Horse Expo on page 6. I look forward to seeing you there!
Quote: “There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” ~ Ralph Blum, Screenwriter
Originally Published January 2018 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.
