Oh I’m sorry sir, did we disrupt your nap? Photo by Eliza Dandridge LaLuna.
That spring grass has hit hard this week, and all my horses come in from their night turnout exhausted from stuffing their faces. Nobody will be ridden first thing, they all pass out immediately after breakfast, and none of them will get up, despite my various encouragements and bribes. Honestly, the level of custom care these ungrateful turds receive is unparalleled, and yet every day they have new demands. I think I’ve created monsters, send help.
U.S. Weekend Preview
FENCE H.T. (Tryon, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
Longleaf Pine H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Plantation Field Horse Trials (Coatesville, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Poplar Place April H.T. (Hamilton, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Spring Bay H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Twin Rivers Spring International (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]
News From Around the Globe:
Kentucky’s coming up quick! Want LRK3DE info each day during competition? Sign up for the free LRK3DE Daily Digest email, which will be sent each day beginning Tuesday, April 25 through Monday, May 1. Find all of EN’s latest coverage, sponsor promotions and discounts, chances to win daily giveaways, and much more! Click here to sign up.
If your grass hasn’t popped like mine, you’ll probably already be looking in to adding some weight this spring. Weight gain can be achieved in horses through accumulation of muscle, fat, or both. The weight gain that covers surface skeletal points, fills out the neck, and gives an overall smooth appearance constitutes an increase in fat tissue. This type of fat cover is considered “body condition,” even though it does not correlate to fitness. Muscle weighs more than fat, so gains in muscle mass may increase body weight and give a stronger, more athletic appearance but will not improve body condition. [Add Some Spring Bulk]
Having a strong position on cross country is game changing. Some eventing riders take the attitude that if their horses can jump and they can stay on, who cares? “I’m not in the hunters. I don’t care how pretty I look.” But it’s not about looking good, it’s about being functionally efficient and correct. The easier you are to carry, the happier your horse is. A happy horse does his job much better. [Develop a Strong Galloping Position]
While you’re at it, don’t forget that all important perfect dressage position for function and soundness. We all want to feel confident in the saddle, have a horse that responds to our aids and to enjoy our relationship with our horse! No matter what discipline or level you ride, correct riding starts with a correct position—it’s the single most important thing you can do to improve your riding. In this article, dressage trainer Amelia Newcomb explains in simple, straightforward language the fundamentals of correct alignment, how common position faults impact your ability to communicate with your horse and, most importantly, how to fix them. [Get that Dressage Position]
Laura Collett may have a gold medal at home, but she’s still schooling baby racehorses:
