If I had a nickel for every time I’ve witnessed a woman or a girl whispering, gushing, smiling or musing about a horse–I’d be the wealthiest person on Earth.
We womenfolk have a relationship with horses that’s so deeply-rooted, so intimate, that I daresay that there’s a connection between the DNA. This is not a snipe at men, absolutely: I know many brilliant horsemen, men who truly, dearly and absolutely love horses.
But I must report as a woman,, that it’s a relationship beyond anything human–or mortal, for that matter. The connection between my soul and that of any horse, anywhere, is not exclusive to me. I am not a superior life form, that I intuit horses thus–I know scores of other females who love them to the point of crying, as well.
And it is for these women that I have joined forces with some remarkable babes to march into 2013 with some gifts that we hope will inspire, cajole, encourage and bless both women and men, as we grow the sport of horse racing, together…
I won’t go into details right now–because I can’t–but I’d love to share with you the fact that, after 10 years of dreaming about it, f!lly Magazine is about to be foaled.
In February of 2013, we’ll rocket out of the gate at a retailer or race track gift shop near you. The brief explanation is that f!lly is about women in horse racing. The coolest part is that the publication is entirely by, for and about females in horse racing. Every writer, photographer, artist and medium-wig (we have no big-wigs yet)–is a female. A woman or girl who loves horses, and horse racing. The age range of contributors to this first issue is eight-to-60.
We hope that you’ll come along for the ride: the only direction we can go is forward, the only direction, up. Every issue will celebrate females from around the world who participate in Thoroughbred and/or Arabian horse racing. (Note the “and/or”–because there are some incredibly busy women who do both!) Of course we’ll cover the famous, the insanely-well-accomplished women of racing–but we’ll also introduce you to up-and-comers, dreamers, fans and those who are making their mark, right now.
I’m excited about this, because it’s been a dream in my heart for a decade. And because, as the great Hall of Fame Trainer, Leroy Jolley, has said often (as recently as last week)–in order to grow horse racing, it’s absolutely essential to market the sport to women and girls. And to market it to us intelligently. (I don’t know about you, but I don’t go to a race track for a medical exam or to be treated like frosting on a cake.)
Six years ago, Mr. Jolley told me that “Every girl wants a pony. Every woman wants a pony in the eighth at Saratoga,”–and he’s right. Growing the sport intelligently really is just a matter of introducing females to The Horse, and letting them take it from there. Women are pretty smart; if you give us the tools, we can figure out how to build the thing.
We created f!lly Magazine to feed that recognition-starved part of every girl and woman who loves horse racing, and those who want to know more. Who craves a career in the sport–but who doesn’t know how to find it, or whom to ask. Who’s a fan, and wants to go to the track with other women who love it, as well. This magazine aims to be the go-to source for females who are fanatical about the sport, and for those who want to learn about our rich heritage as hrosewomen.
But more than that, even, f!lly is positioned to be the springboard of many products, services and creative works–and conferences.
On October 4th, 2013, the renowned horse-centric city of Saratoga Springs, New York, USA, will host The Gathering of the Herd–the women’s conference on horse racing.
f!lly Magazine will host this historic event, and you’re all invited. Take a moment to chew on this: women of all stripes in the sport will lead seminars and panel discussions from that Friday through Monday, October 7th. (The dates were chosen to lead into the probable date for the October Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Mixed and Horses of Racing Age Sale, which no doubt will take place on Tuesday, October 8th.)
The weekend will feature goodies of all kinds…surprises, and surprise guests…resources for women in racing, and classes for those who wish to be. We’ll host an awards banquet on Sunday night. (Mr. Jolley will be one of three recipients of a very special award.) We’ll open with a welcome reception, and close with a networking luncheon on Monday afternoon. We’re excited, just planning the thing: we hope that you will clear your calendars, take the time off of work and be part of this ground-breaking conference.
The conference is open to all women and men, of course! We don’t want to be accused of chauvinism.
🙂
We at White Horse Media–parent company of f!lly Magazine–have laid the foundation for some news-worthy publications, events and products–which will be unveiled during the course of the next year. It’s appropriate that our historic magazine will be unveiled in 2013–the 150th Anniversary of Saratoga Race Course. (American’s oldest and most beautiful racing venue–the oldest sporting venue of any kind in the US.)
We hope to work with our friends at Saratoga.com on these projects, all mutually-beneficial. We’ve received some encouraging words from many people, and look to the future with great joy.
Whether you’re a female or male; pumped for The Gathering of the Herd next October; or wish to join our stable as a subscriber, advertiser or retail outlet–you are heartily welcome to our community. When women get together to make something new, there’s an energy that can be felt. When women and men work together to assure that 51% of the population is given full play in a sport, medium or other endeavour–everyone wins.
Come, join our herd, in all the ways that you will benefit: whether in a business relationship; as a fan, colleague or reader. Contact me anytime at my designated email address: WhiteHorseMedia1@yahoo.com.
Thanks, friends, for your enthusiasm about all these things, and for working with us, always, to make the sport more nurturing for the horses, and more egalitarian for women and girls.
Peace.
