Agree! I used to not want to miss an issue…I’ve had the renewal notice in the “ehhh” pile for awhile.
I gave up on PH back in the middle 90’s and DT in about '05.
I like finding copies of vintage magazines from 70’s. I had several Horsplay issues that had coverage of the 1978 eventing world championships in KY as well as articles about Ralph Hill and Sergeant Gilbert and Torrance Watkins and Red’s Door. I have since passed them on to another COTHER. It was interesting to see the ads. Warmbloods were pretty much non-existent. Most sport horse stallions back then were TBs and QHs with a smattering of Arabians.
[QUOTE=jen-s;8005759]
Thanks! I just bought it! :D[/QUOTE]
[CLAPPING!] I’m glad you got it! A treasure. :yes:
I have had to cut it out because it was getting out of hand but I have bought dozens and dozens of old horse magazines of varying kinds – SPUR, CLASSIC, PH, Chronicle, Horse (kind of a mini magazine from the late '50s and '60s), a few Thoroughbred Records from the 50s – on eBay.
I LOVE them – there is something about a magazine, with the ads and the old-school fonts and vintage graphics and everything that just really gives you the feel of stepping back in time. And I treasure them all the more because unlike books, magazines tended to get beaten up and discarded more readily.
A few months ago I bought a single copy of Practical Horseman – the stallion issue of December 1973, when underneath PRACTICAL HORSEMAN on the magazine cover, it said in parentheses (“incorporating the Pennsylvania horse”). Before it morphed into PH, it was The Pennsylvania Horse. I have a handful of those too. :yes:
You should feel free to scan selected photos or pages from your new, old PH and share them with us. :yes:
For old fans of the late, great Dressage & CT, publisher Ivan Bezugloff’s old book company, Xenophon Press is still in business. They still have many of the magazine’s favorite writers, including some late and posthumous works by Jean-Claude Racinet. Check it out if you get the chance!
[QUOTE=HappyTalk;8006151]
I gave up on PH back in the middle 90’s and DT in about '05.
I like finding copies of vintage magazines from 70’s. I had several Horsplay issues that had coverage of the 1978 eventing world championships in KY as well as articles about Ralph Hill and Sergeant Gilbert and Torrance Watkins and Red’s Door. I have since passed them on to another COTHER. It was interesting to see the ads. Warmbloods were pretty much non-existent. Most sport horse stallions back then were TBs and QHs with a smattering of Arabians.[/QUOTE]
RE. Horseplay: Do you have the one from '87 with the Betty Skelton side-saddle article?
The nut in the bowler hat jumping aside straight-on ballistic into the camera was me! 
I remember when DT was named Dressage and CT, that was when it was a true informational magazine with in-depth articles. For those that never got the opportunity to read one, worth finding one. I dropped PH and DT years ago, hardly anything to them and not worth the money. PH in the late 70’s used to be a nice thick magazine loaded with lengthy articles.
I occasionally pick up a British horse magazine , loaded with articles and some super monthly give aways to their readers, like saddles, tack, clothes,boots!
After D & CT turned into Dressage Today, I tried to hang in for awhile but the real nitty-gritty “how-to” that Ivan published was replaced with the standard “interview with BN rider” stuff that read like celebrity worship for fangirls. Think I cancelled after a year . . .
Was Dressage and CT the one with the funny last page called “Follow the Bouncing Hunt Cap?” That was a great magazine. The copy editing was a little spotty and the layout was not very polished (I assume they were working with a small staff) but the articles were great. I remember a series on throughness with Sylvia Loch.
[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;8006158]
RE. Horseplay: Do you have the one from '87 with the Betty Skelton side-saddle article?
The nut in the bowler hat jumping aside straight-on ballistic into the camera was me! :D[/QUOTE]
Is there a photo available somewhere? :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=Windsor1;8006152]
[CLAPPING!] I have had to cut it out because it was getting out of hand but I have bought dozens and dozens of old horse magazines of varying kinds – SPUR, CLASSIC, PH, Chronicle, Horse (kind of a mini magazine from the late '50s and '60s), a few Thoroughbred Records from the 50s – on eBay.:[/QUOTE]
Oh CLASSIC! I remember that one too. Grandma had that one from day 1 as well. I remember most vividly the issue where the cover story was: The Lipizzan I Saved From Drowning
[QUOTE=kinscem;8005295]
Sad, but I will let my subscription of 8 or so years quietly go.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, it probably won’t go that quietly. I had the same sort of experience that findeight did, and that was years ago. Eventually, they will give up.
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;8006944]
Oh CLASSIC! I remember that one too. Grandma had that one from day 1 as well. I remember most vividly the issue where the cover story was: The Lipizzan I Saved From Drowning[/QUOTE]
I got a few issues from my very first riding (saddle seat) teacher, and then bought most of the rest of the copies that were published a decade or so ago.
It was only around about three years and was a real horsey hodgepodge (in a good way) of a magazine!
[QUOTE=cllane1;8006924]
Was Dressage and CT the one with the funny last page called “Follow the Bouncing Hunt Cap?” That was a great magazine. The copy editing was a little spotty and the layout was not very polished (I assume they were working with a small staff) but the articles were great. I remember a series on throughness with Sylvia Loch.[/QUOTE]
That was Hunter and Sport Horse magazine! Unfortunately it is not in print anymore. I really enjoyed that magazine. While it wasn’t “how-to,” the articles weren’t mindless and simple either. I have about a year’s worth of it saved at home from picking them up for free at various shows. I love flipping through them from time to time.
Follow the bouncing hunt cap was a great piece! There’s a couple versions of it; I can remember the hunter course, cross country, and dressage, and other humorous pieces they published.
[QUOTE=SmartAlex;8006938]
Is there a photo available somewhere? :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Yeah, but not online or I’d post it. If I tried to do stuff like that today, I’d break into 3 pieces and have to be picked up with the flat shovel. :lol:
Switch to The Chronicle
I’ve finally had it - I’ve subscribed since the 70’s (and they are all boxed away somewhere…) and I am particularly fed up with the constant barrage of renewal notices despite the fact that the subscription is no where near ended. I have called, written, sent back EVERY notice - on their marketing dime and boldly written that I feel harassed and I object to such a waste of money. I feel like starting a campaign with ALL of their advertisers and repeating same such.
The Chronicle just sent me a come back subscriber offer that was too good to refuse! And I just got my new first issue. The change from exclusive East Coast show reports and mutual back patting to real equine journalism makes it now more timely and appeals to a broader range. Maybe a surge in subscribership will enable even more production, They certainly have drawn in top journalistic talent! and artists, I always love their flair to include top art.
LOVELY!! article in the new issue. Well written full of sage advice and knowledge entitled “In Parenting and Horse Training, A Mom Discovers It’s Business, Not Personal!” with interviews with Debbie McDonald, Scott Hassler, and Buck Brannaman - all parents themselves.
Let me pick a few things to share. Hassler says that kids and horses are not saying “No” they are saying “Help me.” And " if you yell at them they’re not going to come forward again. Some horses need security, some need clear rules" - like kids.
McDonald says “Try to correct a mistake, but don’t hold a grudge. Because if you hold a grudge, you’re just waiting for them to make that next mistake and get after them.”
Brannaman says “What you want in your child is no different than what you want with a young horse.” He says" On a bad day it’s a dictatorship, and on a good day, it’s an enlightened monarchy."
An article by Denny Emerson, one by Michael Pollard, an article by Armand Leone questioning the epic one way sponsorship of jumper riders.
Everything timely and written at the top of the game.
OK, you’ve talked me into trying The Chronicle. I just bought a 6 month subscription, hoping that it has more substance to it now than just reporting about show results.
I was sorry that Horse Journal died. I did like the product reviews, and it did provide some useful information.
Ditto about the mainstream horse mags… full of repetitive (season to season, as well as among the various magazines) non-information. Equus at least runs the Dr. Deb Bennett articles, which are always worthwhile (in fact I pull them out of the magazine to save in a binder!)
[QUOTE=Windsor1;8006152]
[CLAPPING!]You should feel free to scan selected photos or pages from your new, old PH and share them with us. :yes:[/QUOTE]
Of course! I also found an eBay auction with some of the Mike Plumb’s Horse Journals and they should arrive by Thursday, weather permitting. Looking forward to some fun reading while it’s too cold to ride.!
[QUOTE=cllane1;8006924]
Was Dressage and CT the one with the funny last page called “Follow the Bouncing Hunt Cap?” That was a great magazine. The copy editing was a little spotty and the layout was not very polished (I assume they were working with a small staff) but the articles were great. I remember a series on throughness with Sylvia Loch.[/QUOTE]
No, that was Hunter and Sport Horse. Loved that mag. They had a good stallion issue. Are they still around?
(Whoops - sorry - posted before I read KindredSpirit’s reply.)
I stopped subscribing years ago - probably at least 20. Same for Dressage Today (though not so long ago). FWIW, SOMEONE at our barn does still subscribe, and they kindly recycle to the other boarders. So…I read GM in PH, the Dressage today equivalent, and pass it on to the next person, who basically does the same. The rest - especially PH - is pretty much a “no thanks. Booorrring.” A shame really. I only get two horsey mags now: COTH and, because I HAVE to, the Appaloosa Journal. (Have to be an ApHC member to be eligible for USDF All Breeds.) The Journal is even worse for an Appy lover: Filled with Quarterloosas - heck, some of them are so close to purebred QH (whatever that means!) that they might as well be appendix registered. I pretty much riffle through it, to see if there are any REAL Appies around, then recycle it.
Christmas 2013 I purchased my first year of PH because they had a $10/year sale. Apparently they tried to renew me in February after only receiving two magazines and I started getting payment notices that turned into collections notices which turned into threats. I had to call three times to finally get this all to stop. I probably would have renewed another year just for giggles but I was so annoyed with having to deal with their billing department and lack of customer service that I decided not to.
