Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/67357
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meeting our cover star and host of the AVSC Ajax Cup, Antonio Banderas. The event has quickly become one of the hottest tickets in town. What I most cherish about Aspen, and my job, is that I continually meet people who inspire me. For this issue, I got to know acclaimed local photographer John Kelly, who worked with Robert Redford on one of my all-time film favorites, A River Runs Through It. In researching our feature story on the wild-horse debate, we sat in his studio and scoured his stunning images, and I left reminded of my own introduction to these incredibly gifted animals. The first time I rode a horse was by accident. I was visiting a friend's farm in Thomasville, Georgia, and as the guys left for a dawn bird hunt, the rest of us were scheduled for a morning horseback trip. I was 19 and anxious to meet my ride. I had a deep sense of admiration and respect for horses but was certainly not a "horse person," part of that mysteriously skilled clan born to equine understanding. The Denver Art Museum hosted a glamorous gala event for the opening of Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective. Along with publisher Alex Halperin (RIGHT), I was honored to meet Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. While gearing up with a pair of my friend's cowboy boots and a Stetson, we joked about who would get the mangy white horse. He was led to me, but as I looked into his eyes I could tell he was a good one, in spite of his less than handsome appearance. His name was General, and we checked each other out. General knew I was a newbie. Horse person or not, I could sense he was smart that way. After several awkward attempts, I finally saddled up and was ready. Suddenly there was a commotion behind me and I heard hissing. Dust was flying, General was bucking wildly, and I screamed as my grip on the reins tightened. Out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed a rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike. Terrified, I tried to steady myself against General's defiant bucks, tightening my legs against his sides while pulling hard on the reins. And off we went at full gallop. My heart was racing, and I was hanging precipitously to the left of the saddle, barely holding on. By some miracle General stopped as suddenly as he started, and I promptly fell off. I was ecstatic to be on the ground, no matter how I got there. With charismatic polo star Nic Roldan at Aspen Peak's Holiday Snow Polo Party. BELOW: At the Aspen Film Oscar party with Aspen Peak contributors Karrie Sims and Amiee White Beazley. General and I were both breathing hard. Remembering the morning's instruction, I backed away so I wouldn't get kicked. As my friends hustled towards us I looked into General's eyes. For just a millisecond, it felt like he was talking to me. "Yes, I'm okay," I answered him. My friend, whose family owned the ranch, quickly made sure we were all right, and eventually my fear turned to nervous giggles. For the rest of the weekend I was known as "Wild Horse Annie." But what I remember most is what my friend, an older and confident horse person, told me: "Most people fall, Erin. But you've got to get back on that horse." I understand that he meant more than just getting back on General. And I do just that as we ride, slowly, back to the group. Enjoy the issue! ERIN LENTZ 24 ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM