Harding, Tokaruk to be featured in premier equestrian publication
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer
Aiken continues to attract the best equestrians, and two of the community's elite will be featured in one of the most respected equestrian publications, Practical Horseman.
Training pieces featuring Shawna Harding and Michael Tokaruk will appear in the magazine in 2009. The interviews were conducted over the phone, and a photographer came to Aiken to photograph the two horsemen.
"We did training pieces with both Shawna Harding and Michael Tokaruk," said Margaret Rizzo, editorial coordinator of Practical Horseman. "We do training pieces each month, and we cover as many disciplines as we can."
Harding continues to enjoy success in the United States after eight years in Europe.
Harding and her 9-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, Come On III, are currently first in the nation for Intermediare I, Dressage Horse of the Year, Intermediare I, Musical Freestyle and the Intermediare I, Musical Freestyle Challenge divisions.
She's also enjoying success with Tonya Rowe's Hanoverian gelding Rigo and is currently in second place in the rankings for the United States Dressage Federation's Horse of the Year at Second Level.
"Practical Horseman is a broadly-read magazine that's been around for many years," said Harding. "There are a lot of good things going on at the national level and internationally. I'm happy to be in Aiken. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The article is about responsiveness, accepting aids, the clear communication between horse and rider. The series of photographs are in correlation to the points made in the article."
Strong character, a desire to win, a commitment to his sport, horses and students and his personable approach have made Tokaruk of the Aiken-based Tokaruk Show Stables a logical choice to be featured in the magazine.
"We selected Michael because his name kept on coming up; we like to feature young and upcoming riders who have good reputations," said Rizzo.
In addition to being an outstanding hunter/jumper rider, Tokaruk has established an excellent reputation as a trainer, instructor and clinician.
The horseman said the article stays as true as it can to the trainer and rider so their voice is coming out in the piece.
"It's really the premier English training magazine," said Tokaruk. "It's definitely an honor to be included in the group of trainers who offer their expertise in the magazine. I'm taken aback and flattered; it's really neat. It's an honor and a thrill to be selected to be in the magazine. Hopefully, I'll get to do it again in the future."