Sally Swift


Huckle Hill Press
P.O. Box 67273
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Women Riders Who Could … And Did:
Life Stories of Top Level Equestriennes

Are you curious about how your favorite horsewomen made it to the top echelon of their sport? Are you someone who couldn’t leave the barn as a kid — Whose best friend was her horse? Have you always admired the beauty and athleticism of horses, but were never exposed to horseback riding? Whether you’re a former Pony Club or 4H enthusiast, keen to venture into this compelling athletic activity as an adult, or an aspiring equine professional, these stories and photographs will delight, inform, and inspire you.

You’ll learn the secrets of:

  • How Olympic show jumping competitor Anne Kursinski got the courage to leave her native California as a teenager and move to George Morris’ barn in New Jersey and start to syndicate Olympic-level horses.


  • How top-earning jockey Julie Krone overcame obstacles both personal and professional to get to be a Triple Crown winner.


  • How Lindy Burch became the “First lady” of Western cutting, one of only a handful of pro competitors.


  • How the late Sally Swift mastered her scoliosis to create a revolutionary way of teaching horseback riding called “Centered Riding,” now taught all over the world.


  • And nine more stories of stand-out women from Western and English riding traditions, who tell their stories of how they achieved with little or no support.



“Karma Kitaj’s book is a perfect example of hearing your own horse stories from other horsewomen that you can truly admire! If you are looking for inspiration, confidence, or need to take charge of your life through and with horses, these top horsewomen will set the guidelines. Please encourage the younger generation to read this book as these powerful women will give them tools to continue the dedication needed to succeed with horses for our future equestriennes.”

– Lynn Palm, 2007 AQHA Horsewoman of the Year, one of the top clinicians in the U.S. by Horse & Rider,AQHA Female Equestrian of the Year, over 34 World and Reserve World Champions