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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | November/December 2026
S I D E L I N E S • 2 0 2 6 H O R S E P E O P L E O F T H E Y E A R
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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | November/December 2026
WENDY DOULTON LATHAM
Wendy deserves Horsepeople of the Year recognition because she took a leap of faith and
stepped away from the corporate world to build something of her own. She turned her passion
for horses into a business that creates innovative products for both horse and rider, and has
grown it into a thriving brand while leading a small but incredibly dedicated team.
What I admire most about Wendy is that she never forgets to give back. Wendy is always looking for
ways to support young riders, up-and-coming professionals and the dressage community as a whole.
She celebrates others’ successes, creates opportunities where she can and genuinely wants to see
the sport grow. Her impact extends far beyond her business and that’s what makes her so deserving
of this recognition. There aren’t enough words to use that truly capture her kindness, empathy and
how much she believes in everyone around her and goes above and beyond to support them.
~Ashley Dewitt
Wendy’s presence in life and dressage is exuberant and joyous. This attitude is reflected in her
bold, fun and beautiful Halter Ego products. She is always the first one there to support all
aspects of the sport, from amateurs to Olympians. In support of the young riders, just one ask
and she goes beyond with amazing donations, huge discounts and moral support. We couldn’t
be luckier to have someone like Wendy supporting the next generation of dressage riders!
~Kelly Battle, Region 9 NAYC Coordinator
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Wendy from
two different sides of Halter Ego, both as a
sponsored rider and as someone who works
alongside her behind the scenes. It’s given me
a unique appreciation for just how much of
herself she pours into this brand and, more
importantly, the people who are a part of it.
What I admire most about Wendy is that
her passion for Halter Ego has never been
limited to creating beautiful products or
building a successful business. She genuinely
cares about the people wearing them, the
horses we love and the sport that brings us
all together.
I’ve seen firsthand how personally
invested she is in the riders she supports:
Their accomplishments are her
accomplishments, their excitement is her
excitement, and she’s always looking for
another opportunity to encourage someone
or give back to the community.
I think it’s easy to measure the success of
a brand by what it sells, but it’s much harder
to measure the impact it has on the people
behind it. Wendy has managed to build
something that goes well beyond breeches
and bridles; she’s built relationships, created
opportunities and made people feel that they
belong to something.
To me, that’s what makes her so deserving
of this recognition. Her support of the
equestrian community isn’t a business
strategy, it’s simply who she is.
~Elyse Hart,
FEI Dressage Rider & USDF Silver Medalist
I am proud to nominate a truly inspiring
woman, Wendy Latham, who embodies
a deep passion for horses, exceptional
entrepreneurial spirit and genuine
friendship. As a dedicated horse owner,
wonderful barn pal and accomplished
businesswoman, she transformed her love
of the equestrian world into a successful
English riding apparel company that she
founded and developed through her own
vision and hard work. Her dedication,
creativity and commitment to excellence,
both in business and within the equestrian
community, make her a remarkable role
model and a truly deserving nominee.
~Karen Stone