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May 2024 | SIDELINESMAGAZINE
hat do a cultural anthropologist
and an equestrian have in common?
One answer would be Dr. Aubrey
Graham. Aubrey went from specializing in
humanitarian aid in the Congo to mastering the
art of re-training off-the-track Thoroughbreds
(OTTBs) to be the best that they can be. “I
used to conduct anthropological research in
conflict zones as a way of looking for purpose.
It might sound crazy, but finding ways to help
and re-train Thoroughbreds—and the people
around them—has fulfilled that pursuit and
showed me what happiness can look like along
the way,” Aubrey said.
Aubrey grew up in the small town of Chester,
Connecticut. “I didn’t grow up in a horsey family,
but I’m named after my great-grandfather who
rode Tennessee Walkers,” Aubrey said. Despite
not hailing from a family with an equestrian
AUBREY
GRAHAM
FINDING HAPPINESS
IN THOROUGHBREDS
AND ANTHROPOLOGY
Story and photos by Jennifer DeMaro
EVENTING
Aubrey Graham, with Curlin Lane,
at her Kivu Sporthorses & Training,
LLC, in McDonough, Georgia.