ProEquest's Moments That Mattered in 2013

The end of the year inevitably spurs all types of lists, looking back, and rounding up of the previous 12 months’ highlights and memorable moments. Read on for ProEquest’s very own top moments of 2013, via the photos that streamed on our ever popular Facebook page. Click each photo to go to the original post and see the comments:

George Morris Cowboys Up
At the 2013 George H. Morris Horsemastership Sessions in January, a participant’s horse demonstrated an unusually strong opinion on the matter of going forward when George stepped into the irons. You can guess who won this discussion.

The Skeleton Horse
In February, this photo went viral and was even published in The Chronicle of the Horse magazine. Englishwoman Gilian Higgins came to WEF to give her unique demonstration on the anatomical structures of horses and riders by painting this pair and sending them over some jumps during Saturday Night Lights.

Due Deference to the Master
Come March, the USA’s top horsemen and women lined up to give George Morris an official send off as he handed over the reins of Team USA’s show jumping program to new chef d’equipe Robert Ridland. This shot captured the emotion of the moment perfectly.

Ride the Bucks
Mr. Whoopy may not have captured the blue ribbon, but you couldn’t tell the 3rd place finisher in the inaugural Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix that he wasn’t a champion as rider Duncan McFarlane navigated his trademark bucks during the victory gallop that concluded the 2013 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California.

Back to Back Champions
After Beezie Madden won the 2013 World Cup Show Jumping Final in April, she and 2012 Champion Rich Fellers jokingly posed for this photo. Back to back, get it?

How to Make a Young Fan's Life
One of McLain Ward’s trademarks is tossing his ribbon to spectators after he wins a grand prix. Being in the right place at the right time helped me record this moment; after McLain won the Grand Prix of Devon in June, he threw his ribbon to this lucky little girl. She won't forget that night for a long time!

Ponies in the Mud
This year ProEquest expanded our reach to cover more of the events and issues in the pony world. The pony divisions could stand to raise a few more tough mudders like Taylor St. Jacques, who powered through very stormy conditions in June at Lake Placid. We’ll continue to follow the pony divisions in 2014. 

Reed’s Princess Wave
She could have been a beauty queen . . . when Reed Kessler won the $50,000 Lafarge Cup at Spruce Meadows in July, she demonstrated how to use the princess wave to full effect. With a massive social media following, Reed continues to be one of the most popular success stories in American show jumping. Who knows what she’ll win next year…

Georgina’s Baby Bump
In September, Georgina Bloomberg got everyone’s attention by jumping in the FEI World Cup Qualifier whislt visibly pregnant. With the wind snapping her hunt coat back at just the right moment, the baby bump was put on display (along with Georgina’s solid equitation) over the top of this massive triple bar.

Nayel’s Big Payday
Flying East for the weekend paid off big for California-based Nayel Nassar when he won the $1 Zoetis Million Grand Prix at Saugerties, NY in September. After winning $350,000 and the biggest title of his career thus far, he couldn’t stop smiling.