Helen Jones and Daphne McNeil are among a team of three who have produced a new horse magazine.23694
By Bridget Brady
THREE friends say they have produced a magazine to cater for the everyday horse lover.
The Cranbourne residents have prepared the first edition of their magazine Equine Excellence, which they will launch at the horse event Equitana in Melbourne next month.
Helen Jones, Daphne McNeil and Andy Cole said they were excited about the finished product.
“A lot of magazines out there are geared towards the elite rider, whereas we are going in the opposite direction,” Mrs Jones said.
“People can expect anything and everything to do with the horse industry.”
Ms McNeil said it was her dream to produce a horse magazine and was inspired to make that dream a reality when her horse, which she owned for about 20 years, had to be put down recently.
Ms McNeil has been a riding instructor and judge at competitions and says she “eats, sleeps and breathes” horses.
“The magazine just evolved really.”
Mrs Jones said her motivation to get involved in the magazine arose from a serious fall from a horse last year that left her arm badly injured.
Ms McNeil is the editor of the magazine and her partner, Mr Cole, is the photographer.
Ms McNeil said Equine Excellence would be very visual and help educate people who may not know a lot about horses.
“The real person who just wants to enjoy horses is not catered for.
“There are some people who never want to go to a show because it is too expensive or are too scared to because of the stigma attached.”
The monthly magazine will cost $6.95 and will be available in newsagents on 1 December.
