Charlotte Dujardin welcomes her first child, Isabella! Photo courtesy of Charlotte.

Have you ever had a horse that, despite what everyone else thinks, you just fall in love with their totally weird personality and like them even more because nobody else does? Just me? Actually, thinking back over my entire riding career, there is a strong theme for this exact horse and my inevitable ensuing love affair. I almost never genuinely like the horses that are beloved by all others, but I get aggressively attached to that one weirdo, and I make it mine. I have a horse in my barn like this right now, and I’ve been fighting it, but honestly he’s the highlight ride of my day, not because he’s doing amazing fun things, but because I just have fun on him. All the weirdos, send them this way!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Full Gallop Farm March I H.T (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Volunteer]

SAzEA Spring H.T. (Tucson, AZ) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Southern Pines H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except maybe wave it at that annoying deerfly. In this excerpt from his book The Sport Horse Problem Solver, former international eventer Eric Smiley explains the essential quality of forwardness and how to prepare the horse to expect you to look for it in all that you do together. [That “Forward” State of Mind]

Throwback Thursday: Remembering Shutterfly

It’s important to scientifically confirm what horse owners “know” because sometimes what we know is wrong, even if it’s common practice. Without scientific research, for instance, we might still be withholding water from dangerously overheated horses for fear they may colic or tie up simply because “everyone knows that.” For example, research conducted in the lead up to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta found that not only will drinking or being bathed with cold water not harm hot horses, but it helps them recover from exertion and prevents potentially deadly heat stress. [What We Know We Don’t Know]

Best of Blogs: Thoroughbred Logic: Transitions and the Post

Mustang fans will be glad to hear of the success of animal welfare advocates in recent budget changes. The 2023 budget signed by President Biden allocates an additional $10 million to the Wild Horse and Burro program. It also instructs the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to implement a humane and sustainable approach to wild horse and burro management, shifting the agency towards reliance on fertility control. Lethal management and sale to slaughter of these animals are prohibited under the budget’s terms, as well. [ASPCA Applauds Horse Friendly Laws]

Just a derp enjoying twirlers. Photo by Grace Evelyn.

It’s literally the first two days of the third month of 2023, and I’ve already lost track of how many times I have reported mischief on my farm. Specifically, the varied escape hijinks planned and executed by my very-much-not-retired-but-still-obviously-bored 22-year-old ex-4* horse, Nyls. Last night, I received a knock on my cabin door, and a report of horses running down the driveway. Honestly, I don’t even rush anymore because I know exactly WHO it is, and he will be caught when he feels like being caught, so running after him doesn’t make a difference. Jumping out, picking locks on stall doors and field gates, luring friends into bad behavior if he can…sounds like a great night to Nyls!

U.S. Weekend Preview

$50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Live Stream] [Scores] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Volunteer] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Will Faudree has had his fair share of setbacks in his career, but he keeps on truckin’. In 1999, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, in 2004 his barn caught fire, in 2015 he broke his neck, and last year he shattered his foot in a cross-country fall. The foot was slow to recover, mostly because all of us equestrians push the boundaries a bit, but Will is back in action with both Pfun and Mama’s Magic Way, his two experienced 5* horses. Keep an eye out for him this weekend at Bruce’s Field! [Will Faudree’s 2023 Comeback]

How much can special shoeing decisions affect your horse’s movement? In this article, a veterinarian offers insight into how good farriery and strategic shoeing can affect movement. Shoeing can improve how a horse moves in the show ring in a few ways. When we can consider horseshoes’ impact on movement, we must consider three factors: conformation, hoof trim, and type of horseshoe. Read more and examine them separately so you can understand how each factor contributes to the whole. [Shoeing Improve Movement?]

Best of Blogs: Does Size Matter?

Last week, Florida jockey Manny Jimenez jumped an alligator in a race at Tampa Bay Downs. Riding Papa Jimmy, Jimenez took evasive action when he saw the alligator crossing the track towards an infield pond. He decided to swing wide, and jump the tail end instead of the biting end, and lived to tell the tale. [Florida Man: Horse Version]

 

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I mean….I can’t. Photo by Lee Ann Zobbe.

I love this photo so much because it shows how much top level riders truly love the starter phases for both horses and riders. Sara Kozumplik is well known for her passion and enthusiasm, and how better to help a naughty Haflinger learn to go over the log than running and leaping over it yourself. They always say, teach by example!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Pine Top Advance H.T. (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

As complex as eventing can be through the various lines and tracks presented to horses and riders in the jumping phases, gridwork can help make things simpler when in the heat of the moment of a competition, clinic, or lesson. Regardless of the level, gridwork teaches horses and riders to establish the rhythm they will need and the feeling they get from successfully riding a line of jumps. Level V USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Certified Coach Sharon White loves grids because they “do the work for you”. [Understanding Gridwork with Sharon White]

As science, medicine, and equine sports grow, so does the realm of alternative healing therapies. Various forms of massage, laser therapies, PEMF, and chiropractic are gaining popularity for horse management, there are definitely ways to improve the performance and happiness of your horse through incorporating them into your life. When deciding whether or not one is right for you, it’s important to understand what each can do and its focus. Here’s more information on seven of the more popular alternative treatment modalities! [7 Equine Alternative Healing Therapies]

Oh hi fellow audiobook addicts, here are just 10 Horse Audiobooks For Your Next Drive

Girl, I could write a BOOK on how to clean a stall efficiently and well. But, who would buy it? Fellow poop slinging professionals such as myself would have no need for a step by step guide, and everyone else would think I was insane. On the off chance that you are in the “continuing education” phase of your manure mucking career, this article should suit nicely. [Stall Cleaning Tips]

NO REGRETS. Photo by Kate Samuels.

It has now been almost two months of 2023, and I have several more Equine Houdini tales to share. In his 22nd year of life, Nyls has truly rekindled his passion for escaping any and all containment attempts by pathetic humans. Twice yesterday he careened around the farm partying it up. Once while I was IN THE BARN he unclipped his stall guard and passaged his way around the barn. The second time, his nimble lips undid yet a different door handle, and I returned from buying nice western alfalfa in town for his ungrateful a$$ to find him covered in red clay eating new grass on my lawn. Do. Not. Believe. Them. When they tell you that your horse will “grow out of it”. As a friend said, “Age is just a number, immaturity is forever.”

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Pine Top Advance H.T. (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Horses are able to distinguish between certain letters of the alphabet! In a study published in Animals, and carried out by Clara-Lynn Schubert, Barbara Ryckewaert, Carlos Pereira and Tetsuro Matsuzawa, it was found that four out of five horses learned to discriminate five letters: O, B, Z, V, and X. [Horses Are Smart as Hell]

If you’ve ever lit a scented candle to help yourself relax after a long day, you may not be surprised to learn that the smell of lavender can help calm stressed horses. Researchers at the University of Arizona measured cardiac parameters in eight dressage horses before, during and after they inhaled humidified lavender essential oil. Each of the horses was also tested with plain water to serve as a control either one week before or one week after the lavender trial. The experiment was then repeated with the chamomile essential oil. Read more to discover their findings! [Smells That Calm Horses]

Podcast(s) of the Day: Equus Barn Stories

Are you an Adult Rider interested in competing in the Adult Team Championships at the USEA AEC this Aug. 29–Sept. 3, 2023, at the Kentucky Horse Park? Start building team camaraderie and get valuable competition experience at your Area’s Adult Team Challenges! View the list of ATCs here to see what is being offered in your area in 2023. [ATC Challenges by Area]

Best of Blogs: Thoroughbred Logic — Don’t Move

As a horse owner, you know if your horse is the boss or at the bottom of the pecking order when he interacts with a herd. But keep in mind that herd dynamics — and therefore your horse’s place in the herd — can change. Just because he was the leader in one situation doesn’t mean he’ll act the same within all herds at all locations. If you find your horse acting differently at a new barn, his past and present herd interactions may be the key to understanding his behavior. [Changing Herd Dynamics]

The beautiful Stable View! Photo courtesy of Barry Oliff.

Stable View is taking its responsibility very seriously as it offers top riders and horses what is potentially their final training opportunity prior to Kentucky. With their spring 4* on April 7th, it will serve as a last outing for many Kentucky-bound pairs, and they’ve decided to double down on their turf management to ensure the best possible experience for all the horses. Not only are they carrying out soil tests every year and customizing the program, but they’ve got Mike Boekholder on the team, who measures moisture, density, compaction and rebound, as he does at Fair Hill 5*.

Last year Stable view purchased a Verti Drain, which is an excellent aeration machine that breaks up compaction, increasing water absorption and improving grass roots development. They use two types of Bermuda grass, which are both designed for sandy soils. In addition, they have installed over a mile and a half of underground irrigation, meaning that the entire 85-acres of cross country course can be successfully irrigated! Nobody does it better than Stable View, so be sure to head on over there if you can!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm February I H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

For the sixth time in his career, Boyd Martin took to the stage at the USEA Convention to accept the Windy Acres Farm Trophy and the title of World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year. Claiming this title just once is an honor in itself, but to be announced as a six-time recipient is a true testament to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes all year round to conclude the season in such high standings. For Martin, the old saying, “teamwork makes the dream work,” is nothing but the truth when looking back at the 2022 season, which would not be possible without the massive team that stands behind him each and every day. [Behind the Scenes with Boyd Martin]

Interested in riding with Phillip Dutton? Good news for you, Tryon International Equestrian Center is hosting a rare clinic with the Olympic rider. The clinic is on March 13th, and you get a discount for entry if you sign up before the first of March. [Phillip Dutton Clinic]

The Chronicle of the Horse has dug up another old interview with Jimmy Wofford. We will honestly never get bored of Jimmy quotes, and I loved reading more stories from his life. [Free Rein with Jimmy Wofford]

Over the last month, U.S. Eventing hosted its annual series of training sessions in Ocala, beginning with the Emerging Training Session from January 16-19 and ending with the Development Training Session and Elite and Pre-Elite Training Sessions from January 30 through February 2. The programs are part of the U.S. Eventing Pathway, which is focused on developing combinations to deliver sustainable success in team competition at the championship level. Let’s look back at a review of the action in each of the sessions. [Training Sessions Review]

Normal behavior. Photo courtesy of Kate Samuels.

As you can see, being a weird horse girl is a lifelong affliction. Pictured here is 13-year-old me, hanging upside down on the neck of my first (and clearly very forgiving) horse after a series of less tolerant ponies. He was an off-the-track Thoroughbred, and my shenanigans did not amuse him. I realized upon seeing this photo that not much has changed in my life, and I’m still clambering all over my horses in absurd ways, and they still tolerate me.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs 2023 Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm February H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Amanda Walker took a chance when she bought Runaway Romeo in 2018. Their first ride was not auspicious, and mostly included a lot of running sideways. “Roman” had been found at an auction a month earlier by Julie Copper of Copper Horse Crusade, an Ohio-based organization that saves slaughter-bound horses, and he was still skin and bones when Amanda took him. Unsure of his past, she worked for years to earn his trust, and now the two are successfully competing and winning at the Novice level. [Rescued Runaway Romeo Finds His Calling]

Interested in meeting the horses in Tamie Smith’s string? If you’re near Galway Downs this weekend, you’re in luck! Next Level Eventing is hosting a meet and greet with lunch provided by EquiFit tomorrow at Kingsway Farms. Do some pony petting and get some lunch! [Meet NLE Horses]

In news of sh*t we just shouldn’t have to tell you, a harness trainer in NZ was banned this week for injecting his horses with vodka. Phillip Burrows admitted to injecting a horse with 30 milliliters of vodka and to tubing it with a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, Epsom salts, brown sugar and water. Somehow, this man truly believed that shooting this into their veins would be a performance enhancer. I can’t. I just can’t. [Don’t. Inject. Horses. With. Vodka]

Stephanie Tassos-Reimers has always been a rider, but came to eventing after trying a lot of other disciplines. Once she got into eventing, she didn’t hold back: Around careers in energy trading and commercial development, Tassos-Reimers has competed through the intermediate level, groomed at the country’s biggest events and volunteered for the Area V Council and her local Greater Houston Combined Training Association, as well as pursuing her technical delegate’s license and her ‘r’ judging license. For her contributions to the sport, Tassos-Reimers was recognized with the 2022 USEA Amateur Impact Award during the USEA Convention. [Amateur Impact Award Winner]

Horse courtesy of William Funnell, photo courtesy of Carl Hester.

I love that Eventing has gotten so competitive that many of our riders worldwide are branching out into other disciplines in order to hone their craft. What I’d really like is for other disciplines to catch on to the trend as well! Carl Hester is best known for his dressage success, obviously, but good riding is good riding, and he can look perfect over a jump as well. We can all learn something from riding different horses in different situations, and even Olympians aren’t exempt.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (Altoona, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

It was the year of Will Coleman in 2022, with Dondante bringing home the USEA Horse of the Year title. Will Coleman had a huge 2022 with his string of horses, including a team silver medal at the FEI World Eventing Championship in Italy on Off The Record and top four-star placings with Chin Tonic HS, but it was Dondante whose consistency paid off to earn the USEA Horse of the Year title. While “Al” doesn’t always get the spotlight due to his stablemates’ accomplishments, he firmly established himself as a five-star contender in 2022. He won Carolina CCI4* in the spring, and was 7th at Kentucky and cruised around Maryland easily. [Dondante Brings Home the Awards]

Podcast of the Day: Emma Lomangino & The Journey to 5*

Finishing as the highest placed American in FEI rankings at number five isn’t a bad way to cap off your season. If you’re not sick of hearing about all of Will Coleman’s success yet, COTH caught up with him to learn about his reflections on the season, his hopes for 2023, and how he spends his winter “relaxing”. [Questions for Will Coleman]

Best of Blogs: What Makes a Horse Gaited?

The Virginia Horse Center has secured the date for their spring horse trials! They announced that national and FEI level eventing continues at the VHC under the name of Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VHC Eventing) May 25-28th, 2023. Through the leadership efforts of VHCF Board President Roxanne Booth and CEO Glenn Petty, VHC Eventing has received unanimous approval from the USEF to hold Beginner Novice through Intermediate level horse trials plus CCI 1*L, CCI2-S, CCI3-S and CCI2-L. Leading the team of industry experts is Event Organizer Joanie Morris and the course building team of Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert, who are busy constructing over 100 new cross-country jumps. [The Future of VHC]

An unrepentant failure of a retired horse. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Nyls, as many of you may remember, was my partner at the Advanced/4* level for many years, and this year he turns 22. This seems impossible, as I’ve had him from the age of 4, and he’s defined my life. However, semi-retirement is not to his liking (he would prefer to be doing Advanced still) so he’s rediscovered an old beloved habit from his younger days: jumping out of the field. In the new year of 2023, he decided January 15th was a good night, and escaped once again. Look at him, does he look like he regrets his decisions? Like he’s sorry in any way for continuing to terrorize me? No. He does not.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Grand Oaks H.T. (Weirsdale, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Ariel Grald has rocketed to the top of the eventing world, thanks to fantastic partnerships with her horse and owner. A horse-crazy kid, a microbiology degree, a chance encounter with the owner of a lifetime, and a whole lot of hard work and humble grit. Just ten short years after Annie Eldridge partnered with Ariel, they were competing at the World Equestrian Games. Ariel has been quietly picking away at 5* events with Leamore Master Plan, her first horse at that level, and finished last year with an 11th place finish at the WEG in her first Team appearance. [Ariel Grald’s Fast Moving Career]

Your bodyworker wants you to know that it’s super easy to spot horses that are trained with too much compression of the neck. The parotid gland is the hidden indicator of training quality and we just weren’t paying attention. When you don’t see them, it is most likely a good sign. Parotid glands are usually clearly visible on horses that tend to move in a short, tense, and compressed frame. This can be caused by bad training, and some horses may offer this frame themselves – in both cases the horse needs to learn to trust the rider and reach to the bit in a soft and balanced way. [The Invisible Gland]

The revamped USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP — formerly known as ICP) is hosting an educational symposium at Barnstaple South in Ocala, FL this week. Participants are certified or pending certified coaches who participate in seminars, lessons, and demos from world-renowned pros in order to bolster their tool box for students. [Keep Up with ECP Symposium Coverage]

Best of Blogs: Unboxing Old Breyer Horses

Riding along with your vet is invaluable experience. I did it during the summer in my high school years, and besides getting to snoop in other people’s barns (my favorite!), you learn so much. Not just medical stuff, but you learn about horses, owners, riders, managers, and so much husbandry to help you on your way as a horseman. [6 Non-Medical Things I Learned From My Vet]

If Olympians can volunteer, you can too! Photo courtesy of Lauren Nicholson.

Lauren Nicholson and longtime friend Hannah Sue Hollberg got together last week before the official start of the eventing season to volunteer at a schooling show at the Florida Horse Park. Volunteering at an event is a great way to get more involved in your area while giving back to the sport! It takes a large number of volunteers to make each event happen and without them we wouldn’t get to keep doing what we love. Head to Eventingvolunteer.com to find out what events in your area need some extra help this year!

U.S. Weekend Preview – First Events of 2023!

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap Horse Park Combined Test (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

We all have grand plans, but sometimes life gets in the way. At least that’s how I feel about keeping my tack trunk organized. There are always 1,000 things to accomplish at the barn, and the day is never long enough. But some equestrians have managed to keep everything nice and tidy—at least long enough to take a picture. For the rest of us, here’s some inspiration and relaxing photos for us Type-A folks who feel more at peace with the world when everything is in its place. [Relax with Pictures of Perfect Barn Organization]

Get ready to laugh and cry with this podcast from Major League Eventing devoted to remembering Rob Bowersox. With riders and coaches from all reaches of the United States joining the podcast to share stories of their time with Rob and Karen. [Podcast of the Day]

As eventers, most of us are side-experts on the thoroughbred industry, or at least getting an OTTB and retraining it. Knowing how to train them for a new career is one thing, but you have to also understand what their bodies went through as a racehorse. With lots of miles on the track, even young thoroughbreds may need special attention, and knowledge about common areas of concern. [Experts Weigh in on OTTB Joint Care]

Best of Blogs: Grieving For What Might Have Been

Grooms have been sharing the huge positives of what they do, “the best job in the world”. We’ve all heard reports on the industry’s staffing crisis, and many grooms have got in touch about bad experiences, and what needs to change for equestrianism to attract and keep the best employees. But grooms across the world are speaking out about how much they love their job, and encouraging others to think about it seriously as a career. [Grooms Speak Out]

Just a pupper watching over the barn. Photo courtesy of Christine Price Ruffin.

Last week, we were all freezing our butts off and breaking ice out of buckets in Virginia. This week, my horses went out naked overnight (big mistake, much mud), and I’ve been sweating in a t-shirt. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s quite as unpredictable in other states, or if Virginia just has to keep us on our toes, but it’s a wonder we survive any of it. Florida next year, I keep telling myself.

One more week before you see scores here!!!

News From Around the Globe:

A USEA year-end honor was never the specific goal, but it came about organically as Donna Miller checked off each box on her training list with her Connemara stallion, Coud’Poker Tartifume. On a rapid ascent from unstarted 7-year-old to FEI two-star competitor in three years, “Cooper” ended 2022 by bagging the Theodore O’Connor trophy as the Smartpak USEA Pony of the Year. “He’s like a little sports car. He’s amazing on cross-country,” she said. “We can make time because he is not only fast, but as I walk the course, I look for shortcuts. We can literally come off a turn, sit up and jump without a huge set up. He’s really quick and has really figured it out. I had to learn how to go with it and trust.” [USEA Pony of the Year]

What are your “riding pain points”? Noelle Floyd’s Equestrian Masterclass is gearing up for some new content this year and wants to know what you want to see. [Take the Quiz]

Perhaps one of the most quoted lines from The Princess Bride — and there are many, so that’s saying something — is Iñigo Montoya‘s response to Vizzini’s overuse of the word “inconceivable.” In the equestrian world, we find ourselves thinking this A LOT. There are a ton of terms that equestrians — or wannabe “equestrians” — use on a regular basis that don’t quite mean what they think it means. [I Do Not Think That Means What You Think It Means]

Best of Blogs: A Horse By Any Other Name

Best of Blogs Pt 2: The Connecting Power of Talking About Hard Things

Acquiring a working student position is a rite of passage for serious equestrians. I learned more in my year of working for a 5* eventer than ever before, and formed life long relationships. Becoming a working student is an exciting step in a young equestrian’s riding career. These positions provide great opportunities to learn both in and out of the saddle. As in any new job you may be a little nervous at first, so BarnManager came up with some helpful suggestions. [Top Tips for Being a Working Student]