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Oh Carolina!

Setters’ Run Farm is ready, the welcome party drinks are on ice, the courses are being walked, the ring familiarization is a go, and Team EN – headed up by Chinch – is geared up to bring you all of the news and action from what’s sure to be a great competition.

Here’s what’s happening, when:

Today (Wednesday) at 1pm – the complementary 4*-S course walk with Carolina International Rider Rep Ariel Grald.

The center line comes into play tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:20am EST / 6:20am PDT / 1:20pm GMT when the 4* dressage gets underway. Show jumping starts at 10am EST / 7am PDT / 2pm GMT on Friday for the 3* competitors, with the 4* going at 12 noon EST / 9am PDT / 4pm GMT. Ian Stark’s cross country course is the place to be on Saturday, with horses leaving the start box from 8am EST / 5am PDT / 12 noon GMT right through ’til 5pm EST / 2pm PDT / 9pm GMT. The 4* will be out on course from 11:46am EST / 8:46am PDT / 3:46pm GMT.

If you’re not able to be there but have Carolina on your mind, don’t fret. As well as our awesome coverage (if we do say so ourselves) via the EN website and @goeventing – including live updates from the 4* cross country – H&C+ is running a livestream (subscription required).

How many trading cards will Chinch snag? Will I finally beat my husband at Eventing Manager? Who will take home the big one and bag the 4* win? Carolina knows!

Carolina International CCI & H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Cross Country Maps] [Live Scores] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Meanwhile, over in Europe the first leg of the FEI Nations Cup is kicking off in Montelibretti, Italy. More on this in tomorrow’s News & Notes, but if you just can’t wait, here’s some info to get you started:

FEI Eventing Nations Cup Leg 1 (Montelibretti, Italy) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Live Scores] [Dressage Day 1 Live Stream] [Dressage Day 2 Live Stream] [Show Jumping Live Stream] [Cross Country Live Stream]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Carolina International CCI & H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Cross Country Maps] [Live Scores] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Ocala Winter II (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

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

Ram Tap National H.T. (Fresno, [Scoring]CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

International Events

FEI Eventing Nations Cup Leg 1 (Montelibretti, Italy) [Website] [Timetable] [Entries] [Live Scores] [Dressage Day 1 Live Stream] [Dressage Day 2 Live Stream] [Show Jumping Live Stream] [Cross Country Live Stream]

Wednesday News and Reading

Here’s your chance to walk the Badminton course with an Olympic, World and European gold medalist. That’s right, eventing hero Tina Cook will be doing a Badminton course walk on Thursday May 9th. Find out how to ride the famous fences from someone who spent three decades doing just that. Scan the QR code on this Instagram post to book your ticket.

If you’re stepping up to International competition this season, make sure you check out these new CCI1* offerings. There are now seven opportunities for British Eventing members to compete at International 1*, including new fixtures at Alnwick Ford and Catton Park. Here’s everything you need to know.

Will you be watching the Olympic equestrian events this summer? We all know that horse sports are treading a fine line when it comes to continuing as part of the Olympics. One way you can vote for them to stay is by tuning in to the equestrian events happening in Paris. Viewing figures bear some weight when it comes to deciding which sports to include in future Games – alongside financial and environmental considerations, and the ever present social license – so if you want to play your part in keeping us in the game, make sure you’re planning on tuning in.

Will the Kiwis be on the podium in Paris? High Performance Manager Jock Paget thinks so. There’s a confident air in the Kiwi camp, according to Jock. Twelve years after winning team bronze at London 2012, they are so ready to be back in the medals this summer, and Jock says that they’re “up for it”. It’s all to play for in Paris!

Horse trainer, author and 2024 Gaucho Derby rider Warwick Schiller talks about the lessons he learned whilst undertaking the greatest test of horsemanship on earth. This year’s Gaucho Derby threw up all of the stories you would expect from a mammoth 500km trek across the Patagonian wilderness. So much more than a race, the Derby calls for survival skills, fortitude, resilience and horsemanship on an epic level. Warwick describes his experience as a “spiritual journey” and shares the life lessons he gleaned from the trip in the latest episode of his Journey On Podcast. It’s a long listen, so a perfect accompaniment for those bigger barn chores, but not as long as the Derby.

We’ll finish up with fashion news, and horsegirl chic from Bella Hadid. Spotted taking inspiration from her cowboy boyfriend, teaming sparkly sequins with a Stetson (or other brand of cowboy hat that lacks the pleasing alliteration I’ve gone with here), the fact that Bella’s bringing the horseworld to Vogue is pretty cool, no matter what she wears.

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Liz Halliday and Ocala Horse Properties‘ Cooley Quicksilver, Miks Master C, and Cooley Nutcracker shone bright at the Conceal Grand Prix Eventing Showcase! Keep an eye on the Liz Halliday and Ocala Horse Properties‘ team this weekend at the SRF Carolina International CCI4*.

Video Break

Twelve months ago Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake took third in the 3*-S at Carolina International. Fast forward to the Pan-Am Games in Santiago and they delivered an individual gold medal performance. They’re in it to win it in the 4*-S at Carolina this year. Here’s a look back at their cross country round last time they visited Setters’ Run Farm.

Photo by Hoofs and Horns, 1980, Valerie Russell via Equestrian Memories Australia Facebook Page.

With the northern hemisphere eventing season springing into action proper last weekend, it feels like the start gates have swung open and we’re officially on the road to Paris. And whilst we await the season’s results that will bring us ever closer to longlists and shortlists and finally the team announcements for this year’s Games, here’s a flashback to a time before Andrew Hoy had graced the Olympic stage a whopping eight times. Captured at Badminton in 1980, Andrew’s mount Davey had taken him from Pony Club to the top of the sport, quite literally – they won Burghley the previous year – and it was his trusty Stockhorse that would see him make his Olympic debut at the 1984 LA Games. With three gold medals, two silver and one bronze under his cinch already, will Andrew find himself representing Australia at a ninth Olympics this year, and will he be bringing home yet more hardware to add to his shiny collection? It’s all to play for as the world’s eventers strive to be at the top of their game in the upcoming months, and secure their tickets on the flight to Paris. And we’ve got a ring-side seat as they battle it out for the three available spots on the team that everyone wants to be on. Watch this space, and go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. International (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times]

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

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

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

International Events

Land Rover Horse of the Year (Hastings, New Zealand) [Website] [Program] [Equestrian Schedule] [Eventing Schedule] [Eventing Live Scores] [Live Stream]

Wednesday News and Reading

You’ve got to be in it to win it and you for sure want to be in with a chance of winning this awesome giveaway from Fairfax and Favor. As well as a £500 gift card to spend on all the looks you’ve drooled over at 5* Horse Inspections, they’re also throwing in two tickets to this year’s Defender Kentucky 3-Day Event. Make sure your name’s in the hat by following @fairfaxandfavor and @kentuckythreedayevent on Instagram, like this post, and sign up here. Good luck!

You may or may not have noticed the online criticism surrounding the recent Dressage World Cup Qualifier in Amsterdam. There was a fair bit of heated discussion going on regarding the judging and the winner, with a whole heap of people – from journalists to spectators, to people who hadn’t even watched the competition – weighing in with their opinion. 5* dressage judge and former US Equestrian Federation Technical Advisor for Dressage Anne Gribbons has her say on the matter, as well as the use of AI in dressage judging and the impact of social license on the sport.

Horse trainer Carl Bledsoe has been honored by the Humane Society of the United States as its Humane Horseman of the Year. Instrumental in the increased awareness and welfare of Tennessee walking horses in particular, Carl turned around the traditions into which he was born to become an advocate for ethical and humane horse training. As such, the senior director of equine protection at the Society states, “Carl Bledsoe stands as a symbol of change and compassion in the equine industry. Renouncing harmful practices … [he] now serves as a role model for ethical conduct in the horse world. His commitment to the well-being of horses proves that success can be achieved with integrity and respect for equine welfare”. Here’s Carl’s story – from active participant in horse soring to being the voice which has brought about legislation to ban the cruel practice.

There’s no denying that riding is an athletic kind of activity that requires a whole lot of strength, flexibility and fitness if we’re to be fair to our horses. As a 43-year-old returning to the saddle after a rather long hiatus, I’ve been finding out the hard way that riding in the body I have today is very different from how it was in my teenage years. I’ve had to adapt in some areas, work at others and sometimes just accept what is. Every body is different, and how that translates to the saddle will vary too. But we can learn from one another’s experiences as we navigate our own journey. Here’s one rider’s 5 things that improved her plus-size riding life.

Do you have a plan for a potential apocalypse? One thing’s for sure, us horsey folk are highly likely to fare better than most, given our propensity for fixing things, almost unlimited tolerance of pain and discomfort, and highly developed immune systems, amongst a whole bunch of other skills – all detailed and examined in this most enjoyable, dark yet loving tribute to the crazy cohort that we call equestrians.

And finally, here’s your chance to bag a little Heartland, for real. Pre-bidding is now open for the Heartland Fan Appreciation Auction featuring actual stuff from the popular Hallmark show. When I saw this I immediately started plotting ways to raise the cash for the miracle girl saddle – my husband vetoed a remortgage of our house, and as I only have one horse, selling him (horse, not husband – the husband helps pay for the horse so I need him too) wasn’t on the cards, so my next best option was opening an OnlyFans account – but alas (or perhaps thank goodness), it’s not listed. Scrolling through the catalog is a pleasant trip down memory lane regardless, and it sure is interesting to see what’s commanding the bigger bucks.

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How did Liz Halliday find her home in Ocala? With help from Ocala Horse Properties‘ Chris, Rob, and Matt– who Liz calls her brothers. Hear more about Liz’s story with Ocala Horse Properties here.

Video Break

It’s always exciting when eventing makes the mainstream, especially when they actually get things right. (Remember when the Daily Mail captioned a photo of Zara Tindall’s “majestic horse Showtime” with the description “who donned a black hat featuring pointed horns”? If you don’t, here it is. In case you’re wondering, no the horse did not have a horned hat on, merely a bonnet covering his horsey ears.) Well, BBC Midlands did Laura Collett proud by getting not only the name of the sport right, but also doing a decent feature on her and London 52’s success thus far and Paris hopes. Go eventing!

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Happening this week – the 2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services (GPE) Organizing Committee and the Aiken Horse Park Foundation.

Making the podium at all five editions of the event – and scoring a hattrick of wins – Liz Halliday has three chances to defend her title, with Cooley Quicksilver (winner of the 4*S at Kentucky last season), Cooley Nutcracker (winner of two 4*L events in 2023) and last year’s champ (and Kentucky 5* third place finisher) Miks Master C all set to take their turn in the start box. It’s tough to bet against her, but with a super-stellar lineup, the competition is hot hot hot!

We’ll see all the US big hitters – the likes of Phillip Dutton, Will Coleman, Buck Davidson, Will Faudree and Lillian Heard Wood, who all bring two rides, with Boyd Martin and Doug Payne each having three shots at the title. And the list goes on… Maryland 5* winner Austin O’Connor is over from Ireland, and there are not one but two 2023 Pan-Am Games gold medalists in the form of Caroline Pamukcu (individual gold) and Canada’s Coleen Loach (team gold). There are just too many top contenders to mention here – one thing’s for sure, we’re in for a stacked competition and we can’t wait!

The action kicks off with dressage at 8am EST on Friday, followed by show jumping at 3pm. The cross country gets underway on Saturday at 12:30pm. You can watch it all play out live on H&C+ (subscription required) and we’ll of course be bringing you everything you need to know – keep it locked onto EN and follow @goeventing as we dive into the 2024 season.

2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Ride For Charity Teams] [Ride For Charity Online Vote] [Volunteer] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Also of note: Today is National Public Sleeping Day, which, to my understanding, means that it’s entirely legal – and indeed encouraged – for you to take a nap, wherever and whenever the Zs take you. Think staff meetings, while waiting in line, during particularly boring conversations you’d rather not be having – please not in the saddle. Apparently Oliver Townend snatches forty winks between cross country rounds at 5* events, which makes it totally plausible for me to round this off by saying go eventing, and nap.

U.S. Weekend Preview

2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Ride For Charity Teams] [Ride For Charity Online Vote] [Volunteer] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] Schedule – [03/01 8am-2pm EST Dressage] [03/01 3pm-5pm EST Show Jumping] [03/02 12:30pm-3pm EST Cross Country]

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] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

International Events

Portuguese Spring Tour (Mata do Duque) [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Portuguese Eventing Association Facebook Page] [More Info]

Wednesday News and Reading

We’re kicking off today’s News and Reading with a couple of cool opportunities – first up the chance to have your event horse’s conformation critiqued by former USEA YEH Championship judge Chris Ryan. All you need to do is send a conformation photo and short video of your horse – straight on and from the side – being led at walk and trot to [email protected] and it’ll be considered as part of the USEA’s Conformation Critique series. You only have ‘til Wednesday March 6th, so cameras at the ready and have at it.

Next up, bookings are open for British Eventing’s webinar with Sally Mcginn from Mind Oddessey, where she’ll be talking all things reflection. From making balanced reflections and dealing with post competition blues to identifying strengths and working on the gaps, the session sounds like it’ll be super helpful for those of us who are striving towards competition aspirations as well as less competitive but thoughtful riders who use reflection to improve their performance when working towards goals at home. The webinar will take place on March 14th at 7pm GMT and costs £15.

And while we’re on the topic of things coming up – what better way to celebrate an extra day this year than to get quizzy with it? In aid of the British Eventing Support Trust but absolutely open to anyone around the world who enjoys getting quizzical, this leap year quiz night is sure to be a blast – and there’s a trophy at stake. If I win, can I claim it as an eventing win? My general knowledge may not be quite so general as it could be, but I’ve for sure got a better chance of winning a quiz than an event. If you’re up for the competition, you need to register to receive the Zoom link, which you can do right here. The questions will be comin’ at ya from 7pm GMT / 2pm EST tomorrow (February 29th). See you there.

With a bunch of medals to his name, including Olympic gold, US based British eventer and USEF Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law is a voice we listen to when it comes to training tips. 17-year-old Austin Skeens got to do just that in person when he had the opportunity to train with Leslie as part of the USEF E18 training program, and lucky for us, he’s shared what he learned. With tips for all three phases, from straightness in dressage and nailing your show jumping warm up to making good choices for your horse on the cross country, there’s lots here for us all to take away and work on.

Yes, we’re once more revisiting the phenomenon that is Shane Rose’s mankini – which is apparently not one of the silliest riding costumes ever seen. A research poll conducted by the ‘Chillax Institute’ has concluded that the scrap of neon orange was actually a rather fitting choice, given its aerodynamic properties and the weather in Australia at this time of year. And as far as the accolade of ‘silliest riding costume’ goes, Shane’s mankini didn’t even make the top-five on the list. It’s probably time we put ‘mankini-gate’ to bed, but there’s for sure one more laugh to be had in this satirical jaunt.

And finally… Saving the best / weirdest / most hilarious ‘til last, I present to you donkey basketball. Yes, really. It’s basically basketball on donkey-back, and the justification for such an intriguing addition to the sport is the added unpredictability these stubborn equines bring to the game. You will see plenty of planting. You probably won’t see a donkey doing a slam dunk. (If you’re in any doubt that this is a thing, here’s proof.)

Sponsor Corner

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Talk about turnout! 🌾🌿🌱 This 18+ acre farm has all the pasture space your horses could ever need. Featuring a 20 stall barn and an RV hookup 🚐 this property is perfect for someone who wants to build their dream home and keep their horses on property while they do it. Learn more on Ocala Horse Properties’ website.

Video Break

We’re so lucky to be involved in a sport where age and sex pose relatively limited barriers to not only enjoying the sport, but also competing at the highest levels within it. From show jumping legend John Whittaker, who’s still at the top of his game aged 68, to eventing’s own eight-time Olympian, Andrew Hoy, aged 65, and long-time hero Pippa Funnell, who’s smashing it for the horsegirls at 55, there are many shining examples of the longevity that equestrian sports provide athletes. At the other end of the scale are competitors such as Sky Brown, Britain’s youngest ever summer Olympian, who won a bronze medal in skateboarding in Tokyo. Here’s what went down when King of Dressage Carl Hester met the young talent:

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The Ocala Horse Properties USEA YEH Symposium kicked off yesterday and has already been receiving great feedback on social media. Each year, it seems that this seminar (and its educational counterparts put on by the USEA) grows both in scope and in reach to new audience members.

Ocala Horse Partners came on board to support the YEH Symposium this year, which is a line of support that makes great since given their longstanding relationship with the sport as owners for Liz Halliday. Liz herself, along with countless other professionals, has had several horses come up through the levels after starting their careers in YEH program. Another recent success story is that of HSH Blake, ridden by Caroline Pamukcu to individual gold at he 2023 Pan Ams.

The program, intended to be a part of the big picture pipeline of the sport as well as a way for aspiring horse developers to have an avenue to follow, has yielded many future 5* and Championship horses.

You can read much more about the action from the YEH Symposium on the USEA website here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Pine Top Advanced (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]

Wednesday News and Reading

We eventing fans sure do love a live stream and EN’s one-stop hub is where they’re all at. We’ve compiled this list and its accompanying global map to assist you and cut down on confusion and frustration when it comes to eventing live streams. We’ll be updating this as new live streams are added and you can request the addition of a live stream by emailing [email protected]. Eyes on, and go eventing!

Happening tomorrow – Conversations with Team Canada. Join Kyle Carter (Pan Ams and World Championships silver medalist), Tik Maynard (two-time freestyle winner at the Thoroughbred Makeover) and Holly Jacks (5* eventer and Pratoni World Championships team member) as they share their experience, knowledge and insights about developing young sport horses. As well as an informative discussion, there will also be a live Q&A, and as if that wasn’t enough, everyone who registers for the webinar will be entered into a draw with the chance of winning a Lululemon Team Canada clothing pack. Here’s where to sign up.

Top tips from a top farrier. Having got up close and personal with some very exciting hooves – including Tamie Smith’s Kentucky winner Mai Baum, Will Coleman’s Off the Record and Lauren Nicholson’s Vermiculus, as well as being the official farrier for the Tryon WEG – Chris Martelli knows a thing or two about hoofcare. From food and forage, to competition schedules, hoof oil and fly spray, here are his six top tips to keep horses’ hooves in tip top condition.

No matter what activities you enjoy with your equine pal, being balanced as they bend is key to having a horse that moves correctly. This is something I’m working on currently with my new horse, and I have to tell you, it can be a bit of a tricky business. It’s taking time and patience and a whole lot of work – on the ground and under saddle – and both with my horse and on the exercise mat – but all the work is totally worth it and I know we’ll both reap the benefits as we progress in our training. Here’s some sound advice for teaching your horse to bend effectively. And of course, it’s never all about the horse – as riders we need to be just as strong, supple and balanced as we want our horses to be – it takes a whole lotta leg to get that bend going in the right direction! If you fancy dialing up your rider fitness, the Horse Learner Fitness YouTube Channel is a good place to start.

Take a dive into the dictionary entries regarding dishorsing. This week’s foray into the vocabulary of the horse world is all about taking leave of your mount – ‘dismounting’, ‘dishorsing’, ‘hopping off’, or perhaps ‘slithering-to-the-ground-in-a-sweaty-broken-heap’, depending how your ride’s gone I guess.

We finish up here with ‘Ponyhenge’ – a graveyard for rocking horses, of course. Yes, really. It started out with one, then more appeared. Their numbers continue to grow, but no one’s ever witnessed one being dropped off. And yes, they do appear to move around. The mystery continues…

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Ocala is growing! Ocala Horse Properties sat down with John Harms to discuss his plans for a restaurant and retail space in northwest Ocala. Stretching 11 acres in the heart of horse country, the project will feature 100,000 square feet of office, entertainment, restaurant, and retail space. Read more.

Video Break

Back in November,Courtney Cooper announced a scholarship giving two amateur riders the opportunity to train with her for 7 days throughout the upcoming year. Here’s Jen Clapp, winner of one of the 2024 C Square Farm and Excel Star Sport Horses adult amateur scholarships, enjoying a day out at Bruce’s field with Excel Star Saint Nick. Keep your eyes peeled for Jen’s blog about her experiences – coming soon on EN.

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Yes, I’m going to do it – I’m going to bring up that Valentine’s Day conundrum currently infiltrating countless relationships across the globe (shameless hyperbole, I know, but I’m getting into the spirit of the day).

How long into a relationship is long enough before you break out the ‘L’ word?

I’ve been very much declaring my ‘like’ for my new pony for the past three months, prefaced with ‘despite everything’: ‘Despite everything, I really like him’ (accompanied by a rueful grin, but with an unmistakable sparkle in my eye). It just felt a little early for those three small – yet mighty – words.

It only took the briefest mention that my boy might benefit from a short time-out at my trainer’s barn (to work on all the stuff I like him despite), which is thirty minutes further from me than he is usually, for me to tearfully turn to a pile of mush and declare my total and unequivocal love for the little guy. ‘But I love him and he’ll be so far away’ (sob). (I guess I’m not a long-distance relationship kinda gal.)

As it turns out, committing myself emotionally has given our training journey an unexpected boost as I’m now unconditionally invested in our future together, because of – not despite – everything. Hurrah for love!

In all seriousness, spending time with a trainer that’s right for you and your horse is something that, if it’s available to you, shouldn’t be overlooked, no matter how experienced you are or wherever you are in your equestrian journey, as top eventer Andrew Hoy acknowledges (above) – he’s been working with fellow legend Capt. Mark Phillips for more than four decades. I’ll wrap this up with some sage advice from a wise colleague during my meltdown this week: Find a trainer you trust implicitly and then trust the process. And, of course, go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, SC)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Winter I (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

International Events

Portuguese Spring Tour (Mata do Duque) (Feb 17 – 20 and Feb 28 – Mar 3) [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Portuguese Eventing Association Facebook Page] [More Info]

Wednesday News and Reading

It’s just one week until the 2024 Ocala Horse Properties USEA YEH Symposium – a great opportunity to learn everything you need to know about young event horse prospects. From educational sessions covering confirmation, training, jumping and galloping, and masterclasses from some of the best in the biz, the schedule is jam-packed – and there’s the chance to attend a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of the World Equestrian Center. Find out what’s going on at the symposium here and register to attend here.

Steffen Peters is back in the saddle following a health scare and is looking towards Paris and another #ravehorse performance. Taking dressage viral in Tokyo, Suppenkasper has been hitting the ring at HITS Del Mar Dressage Opener CDI in California with German-born U.S. rider Steffen Peters, just two months after Steffen spent time in hospital due to blood clots in his left leg and lungs, which doctors believe was caused by too many hours traveling by air. He’s putting that behind him though as he focuses on Olympic qualification, and will hopefully be bringing the party to the Paris dressage competition in the summer.

When is a horse too much horse? So this is an article that feels like it was written just for me right now. To be honest, if I was an outsider looking at me and my horse (and of the judgy temperament, hey, we’re all human), I would probably be of the opinion that I’ve over-horsed myself. But you can’t know the whole story or see the bigger picture from the outside. This horse game is basically a huge – and incredibly steep – learning curve, that peaks and troughs and plateaus and sends you round in circles and up-side-down. I’ve found that I’m learning just as much about myself as I am about my horse. “Sometimes we end up with the horse that we actually need”, and sometimes that’s a whole lotta horse.

Using mindful pauses can totally change the experience your horse has when doing something new or scary. Horse trainer Warwick Schiller explains his ‘Watch-And-Pause’ method when saddling up, sharing the signs of tension we need to watch out for and how to tell when the horse’s focus has changed, allowing us to continue with the task at hand. Warrick is currently racing across the Patagonian wilderness as he navigates the Gaucho Derby – keep up with the latest race news here.

And finally, skijoring in Salt Lake City. Bringing this – kinda crazy – extreme sport to an urban environment is no mean feat, and included moving 60 trucks of snow from Solitude Mountain Resort into the city. The organizers believe it’s the most metropolitan destination that the sport has taken place in. In case you’re wondering, skijoring involves a horse and rider pulling a skier – think waterskiing, but the boat’s a horse and the water’s snow. Because, why not?

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Looking for a home with a unique flair? This 70 acre farm has it all. Loaded with lush green grass and majestic granddaddy oaks, the home features architectural field stone accents, cathedral ceilings, and more. Check it out.

Video Break

Here’s a little joy / fun / downright weirdness to help you through hump day – a throwback to the other Horse Inspection that happened at the wonder that is Les 5 Etoiles de Pau.

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There’s exciting news from leading Ocala farm realtors, event horse owners, and partners of EN Ocala Horse Properties – they’ve been named as title sponsor for the upcoming USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Symposium.

As well as selling some of the dreamiest equestrian properties out there, the team are total horse guys, and although they’ve personally hung up their competition boots, they remain huge eventing supporters with stakes in a number of US speed merchant Liz Halliday’s rides, such as Luhmuhlen 5* fifth place finisher Cooley Quicksilver (above), who they own alongside The Monster Partnership.

The Ocala Horse Properties USEA YEH Symposium will take place on February 20th at Majestic Oaks Ocala and Redtail Ridge Farm South and will feature a top-class panel of experts and international competitors.

Chris Desino, one third of Ocala Horse Properties, told USEA what being title sponsor of the YEH Symposium means to them: “Our horse program was built upon bringing along young horses to the top levels. With U.S. Eventing on the cusp of international acclaim, we recognize the vital role that programs like this play in shaping a bright future for the sport, and we are more than thrilled to support it.”

Go eventing!

National Holiday of Note: Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. We’re honored to be involved in a sport where competitors of any gender are able to compete as equals, so let’s give a huge shout out to all those who have inspired us, motivated us, and paved the way for us, and who continue to do so. There are so many examples of inspirational women in eventing, and we salute you all.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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]

Wednesday News and Reading

Maxime Livio pays tribute to Boleybawn Prince, who bows out of the sport aged 20. A truly international horse, having been campaigned by Austrian, Japanese, German, Thai and French riders, Boleybawn Prince represented Thailand at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2018 Asian Games with Arinadtha Chavatanont in the irons and has more recently been wowing the indoor crowd going arena eventing with Maxime, regularly topping the podium. He’ll now enjoy his retirement with his owner in Thailand.

Looking for something to listen to as you go about your barn chores? Catch up with Bubby Upton as she talks about her rehabilitation following a serious accident last season and find out what her plans are for 2024, and hear from 2023 winner of the British Eventing Newcomers League, thirteen-year-old Ollie Rowlands, about his goals for the year ahead – all brought to you by Nicole Brown and The British Eventing Show.

Spotted prepping for Paris..? Ros Canter has been working with four-time Olympian and dressage trainer Richard Davison on some tweaks to her tests with her top horses, Badminton and European champ Lordships Graffalo and 5* winner on his debut at the level at Pau Izilot DHI.

Training young horses can be a bit of a bumpy ride. You need a bucketload of resilience and a whole heap of patience just for starters. It’s tough to stay motivated when the going gets, well tough, so here’s some handy strategies to do just that. They may be geared towards working with young horses, but let’s be honest, all horse work can be tricky at times, so there’s something here for most of us, I’m sure.

Meet the very cool OTTBs honored at last week’s Retraining of Racehorses Awards. From having an impact in their community to going on to win in a variety of disciplines, the winners really highlight the potential of ex-racehorses to go on to live fulfilled and happy lives post-track. Find out more and watch the winners’ videos here.

Horses can do ballet. It’s World Ballet Day today so what better day to share this inspiring kids’ book? Jade Leahy aims to promote inclusivity through her stories, raising funds for the Riding for the Disabled Association in the process. Inspired by her real-life horses and her own experiences of disability, Jade’s latest book ‘Horses Can Do Ballet’ is available via her website.

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That chandelier! That geometric fireplace! The black and gold oven! Someone get the fainting couch, I’m about to swoon. Join me in drooling over this Golden Ocala Luxury home.

Video Break

OK, so as mentioned above, it’s World Ballet Day today and the easy option for today’s Video Break would surely be to share a dressage test. But this is EN. Instead, I’ve hunted down this throwback nail polish commercial that features dancers, a dance battle, a horse, and some amusing video editing. Don’t say we don’t give you anything. Enjoy.

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Last weekend eventers went indoors at Saumur in France, and who can blame them given the quite frankly hostile weather we’ve been having this winter. I know that we all love cross country proper, but there’s a lot to be said for indoor activities at this time of year. Watch the full class in today’s Video Break.

Also in today’s news, it’s Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, and, after winning the rodeo when my horse decided he fancied trying his hand at being a bronc the other day, I’d appreciate being wrapped up in the stuff next time I pony up.

And in another (kind of) relevant official day, let’s take a minute to celebrate our horses’ stripey relations for International Zebra Day. Although not technically from the same family – zebra are actually more closely related to donkeys than horses – there’s no denying that they’re still pretty cool. Check out how the two species compare here.

As always, go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs 2024 Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

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

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

Wednesday News and Reading

We’ve had some – admittedly, tentative and fleeting – signs of spring over here in the UK which can mean only one thing: Badminton approaches. Find out how things are coming along on site in Jane Tuckwell’s Director’s Blog.

Skipping out on your groundwork? You’re doing both you and your horse a disservice. As a new horse owner, if I had $1 for every time I’ve been told that groundwork is the key to all the niggles I’ve been experiencing, I could rest easy at night knowing my horse could be well fed for at least the next year. It’s all well and good enjoying your time in the saddle, but the real work begins on the ground, and if you put the effort into building a good foundation, you’ll reap the rewards in every other way you spend time with your horse. Australian Grand Prix dressage rider Nicholas Fyffe explains why groundwork is so important and shares three handy exercises you can work on right away.

We all know that what we put into our horses’ feed buckets comes out as poop, but that’s not all… Whenever I go to my feedstore I’m overwhelmed and perplexed at the vast array of different sacks stacked floor to ceiling. So many choices. But taking a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey kind of approach to picking out a feed isn’t an option – not just nutritionally, but in terms of the massive impact feed can have on behavior too. Here’s a handy guide to what ingredients do what.

All that time at the barn adds up to some pretty neat transferable skills. From cleaning stalls and braiding manes to first aid and being handy with a power tool or two – here’s a look at what trainers think are the most useful barn skills they’ve picked up in their day-to-day activities.

Got yourself a smart cookie? Not sure if your equine pal’s a straight A kind of customer or a class clown? Put them to the test with this fun intelligence test for horses. Apparently I’ve got an Albert Einstein on my hands, which is obviously great when I want him to remember something good, but tricky when it means he’s got the brain capacity to plot multiple ways to use his smarts against me.

And finally, a tale about a horse and a girl. As a first generation horsegirl from a totally non-horsey family, I’m so envious of people who feel that horses are in their blood. For sure, I have horses in my heart, which I’ll take over not having horses in my life at all, and I know that moving forward, my daughter (and potential future grandkids) will be of the horsepeople breed. There’s just something about the love we find at the end of a leadrope, and if you’re looking for a heartwarming read to enjoy with your breakfast, this is for you. (Spoiler alert: it’s a tearjerker so perhaps have a tissue handy.)

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Come home to Ocala luxury! This gorgeous home is located on 4+ acres situated in an equestrian community just 4 miles from the World Equestrian Center. Check out this reel from Ocala Horse Properties to get the inside scoop.

Video Break

Here’s Saturday’s indoor eventing from Saumur for your enjoyment. The commentary is in French, so a chance to brush up before Paris, but let’s face it, horse is a universal language, n’est-ce pas?

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For those of us currently deep in the depths of winter, the thought of tailgating may seem like a far-distant dream, but if there’s anything that can help throw off the winter gloom, it’s a giveaway – even better when there’s the chance to win a premium tailgate spot for cross country day at the best weekend all year. Entries close on Monday 29th, so quick sharp, and go eventing.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

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

Wednesday News and Reading

There are changes afoot for British Eventing members in 2024. From new standards for hats and body protectors, to dark breeches being allowed for all phases at all levels (hurrah!), make sure you’re up to date and ready to go eventing.

Don’t just wing it when it comes to where you plan to go eventing this season. Here’s some handy hints and tips for planning your 2024 eventing season courtesy of CrossCountryApp and 5* eventer Libby Seed. From checking out past stats to giving the types of fences the once over, fail to plan and all that.

Boyd Martin talks mindset in the latest podcast from The Whole Veterinarian. We’ve all seen him taking ice baths, showing up at events with his guru, sweating it out in his morning routine, officiating weddings, sending out personalized video messages, overseeing little Leo’s new Mic’d Up initiative… The guy gives it all. But what’s he learned on his way to the top of his game, and how does he go about staying there? Listen in as he talks mindset, growth, balance and sustainability.

Fancy having a go at liberty training but don’t know where to start? Liberty artist and trick rider Ben Atkinson, from Atkinson Action Horses, shares four basic groundwork exercises to get you going. It’s not just about channeling your inner miracle girl or even teaching your horse some neat tricks – the benefits of this kind of training are multi-faceted and will stand you in good stead whether you’re on the ground with your equine pal or in the saddle. Check out some of Ben’s work below, in today’s Video Break.

Horsey folk across the northern hemisphere are battling some pretty tricky weather conditions right now. From torrential downpours leaving fields submerged, to icy temperatures tempting us to add just one more blanket to our horses’ array, this winter seems to be throwing it all at us and then some. Over in Nebraska, when the mercury dropped to -17 and an all out blizzard hit, one woman decided her horses needed a little home comfort and literally brought them in from the cold.

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Ocala Horse Properties recently listed a property for sale in the gorgeous Lexington Downs community. Featuring a beautiful green home 🌱 and four-stall barn, this home is close to Ocala staples like WEC and the Greenway Trail. Check it out.

Video Break

Relax and marvel at the joy that is Ben Atkinson and his liberty herd.

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While eventers are firing up their steeds, squeezing an extra pair of socks into their boots and piling on the sweaters, ready to take to the training ring in preparation for the new season, it’s cool to see eventing superhorses of yesteryear enjoying life in the slower lane, like Andrew Hoy’s 22-year-old Cheeky Calimbo, above, who’s rolling with the times and living out his best life at Somerby Stables, and Tim Price’s 5* campaigner Bango who looks tip-top at eighteen as he prepares for the season over in Ireland with John Tilley.

As eventing fans, we invest a whole lotta emotion into the horses of our sport – we have our favorites, the ones we covet for our own barns, those we’ve followed throughout their careers, and the ones we root for just because, so it’s important that we get to keep up with them as they continue on their journey after retiring from the top level. Thanks for sharing.

Also, it’s officially Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day. How about it ENers? Are you hanging on and making strides or is it time to let it go and move on? I’d resolved to win the new CSI4* Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix this year (on my 14.1 gypsy cob). I’m sticking with it for now as, quite frankly, I need to cash to pay for the colossal amounts of hay he quaffs.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

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

Wednesday News and Reading

A couple of cool 5* eventing job opportunities are up for grabs. Britain’s Harry Meade has an opening for a live-in work rider and British-based Australians Kevin and Emma McNab are looking for a groom to join their yard. Go eventing!

Calling all Badminton fans. No, not the kind with the shuttlecocks… 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Badminton Horse Trials and they’ll be heading down memory lane to celebrate all the awesomeness that makes Badminton, well, Badminton. Whether you’re a competitor, owner, volunteer or visitor, if you’ve got a story, memorabilia, film content or photograph, the team at Badminton want to hear from you.

Listen in as 5* eventer Elisa Wallace talks to Practical Horseman about her work with mustangs. It’s been very cool to follow Elisa and Dior’s progress as they work towards the Mustang Classic which will take place in September this year. In this podcast, she talks about where it all began a decade ago as well as giving advice about how to get into the mustang thang, should you fancy a walk on the wild side.

From extinction in the wild to a successful reintroduction scheme, scientists are counting on the Przewalski’s horses of Mongolia. Whilst it’s been good news for the wild horses, the same can’t be said for many other species native to the country. But there is hope that the proven example of the Przewalski’s horses can be utilized further, and has the potential to became a worldwide model.

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A staple of the Ocala horse community, Mardanza Farm is for sale! Current winter base for Sharon White and FEI judge & eventer Valerie Pride, this is truly a top-of-the-line facility.

Video Break

It’s eleven in a row for dressage superstars Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and TSF Dalera BB. Currently holding the World Cup, Olympic and European titles, they’re on the Paris (sound)track on one hot winning streak.

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Tickets please! Badminton tickets, that is, which go on sale today.

As the clock struck midnight signaling the end of 2023, I knew that it was time to officially get excited about the 2024 eventing season, and start dreaming about it (literally), but that’s a story for another day, perhaps.

With less than 100 days before the first 5* of the year – Adelaide Equestrian Festival – and 106 days ’til Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, followed 13 days later by the 75th anniversary edition of MARS Badminton Horse Trials, I’m literally counting down the days before we’re back up and running. And as of today, we’re under 200 days out from the Olympic eventing getting underway at the Chateau de Versailles. And that’s just for starters.

Check out some of the biggest equestrian events on offer this year and, as always, go eventing!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has launched the 2024 Athlete Culture survey. If you’re an adult competitor of any sport in the United States, and have experienced abuse or misconduct whilst competing, they want to hear from you. Submissions are anonymous and the results of the research will be made public this summer. Here’s the link if you would like to contribute.

There’s a free online course in horse behavior and safety available for teenagers. Running until March, the course covers a whole bunch of handy topics, from herd behavior and handling, to helmet safety and trailering. Here’s how to join.

Maryland champ Austin O’Connor shares three exercises he does as part of his everyday training with his horses. Eliminate the need for Pony Club kicking with these relatively simple exercises to encourage your horse to respond more effectively off your aids. I can’t promise they’ll guarantee you a 5* win (never say never, though, right), but they will help to get your horse working in front of the leg.

@MissBlackEquestrian talks about inspiring young people, making her competitive debut, and how horses truly are magic. Ashleigh Wicheard’s career is in the racing industry, but being a role model for others is equally important to her. She uses her social media presence to promote diversity in equestrianism, having been motivated to step up following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. She spoke to FEI about the work she does, both in the saddle and out.

And finally, for fun, do horses have eyebrows, nipples… wear pants? And does a pony grow into a horse? All these (totally rational) questions – and more – are being searched on Google, right now.

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I may or may not have just spent a full 45-minutes staring at this gorgeous horse farm 🤤 64 acres. 28 stalls. A ✨ beautiful ✨ covered outdoor arena. A Live Oak-lined driveway. Who wants to buy this for me??

Video Break

What happens when two Olympic eventers (and an Olympic eventer’s husband) get together? Well, if you’re anything like Laura Collett and Hawley Bennett-Awad, you jump out of a plane:

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Since Benedictus WS – AKA ‘the checkered horse’ – took to the center line at the U.S. Dressage Finals in Kentucky a couple of months ago, I’ve been ‘checking’ out the plethora of creative clip jobs popping up on social media. As well as the drip effect more commonly seen on cakes, above, I’ve spotted giraffes and zebras, cappuccinos and superheroes, and perhaps appropriately for the beginning of a new year, a whole horse dedicated to the signs of the zodiac:

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Whatever your chosen style, go eventing.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Sporting Days Farm January Horse Trials I (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Wednesday News and Reading

New year, new job? 5* eventer Kirsty Chabert is looking for a Head Girl/Lad. Find out how to apply.

It’s always a good time to learn from the experts of our sport, which is why it’s worth (re)sharing this throwback article from a clinic with Andreas Dibowski. He talks about the rider’s role in giving their horse the responsibility to get the stride right, developing trust between horse and rider, and how to remain balanced in order to support our horses to be their best – some things to work on as we wait for eventing to kick off in the spring.

I have to admit, my dream of owning a horse doesn’t quite match the reality. Call me naive, but for me, the biggest draw of having my own horse was riding. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking care of him – yep, I even relish my daily fight persuading the ancient wheelbarrow up the impossibly tall muck heap, and poop picking in the dark. What I didn’t realize was that, on top of my responsibilities to my family and other animals, not to mention work, and now my daily horse chores, finding time to ride is like, really hard. Turns out, I’m not alone.

In this interesting insight into the world of cloning, The Washington Post speaks to renowned polo player Adolfo Cambiaso, whose late champion mare was represented on both teams at the Argentine Polo Championship last year in the form of her clones. There’s also an in-depth look inside a horse cloning lab and a visit to the farms where surrogate mares give birth to the next big thing in Argentinian polo breeding. There are obviously ethical questions raised, considerations over the use of clones in competition, and concerns about the long-term risks, not to mention the fact that there are plans for the world’s first genetically modified horse to be born next year.

California State University has teamed up with Wild Horse Fire Brigade to create a five-year fellowship studying wild horses. The aim is to provide education about wild herds in an effort to improve the management of them, and, as well as busting some popular myths and misconceptions, this article provides some interesting links to research demonstrating the benefits America’s wild horses have on the environment, disease control and fighting wildfires. You can find out more about the Wild Horse Fire Brigade here.

If you’re resolved to be more sustainable this year, check out these 50 ways to upcycle your old feed sacks. Number 50 sure came in handy for my New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Sponsor Corner

Let’s talk goals- specifically, goal setting. If you’re not SMART about what your goals are, you’re not setting yourself up for success. Take a look at how to set some SMART goals, equestrian style.

Video Break

The more I do yoga and the more I ride, the more I realize how the two are mutually beneficial, not just in bodily terms, but in the way I connect with my horse, the accuracy of my aids, the power of intention when working with horses… I could go on and on. I do fitness and strength work too, because they’re good for me and help me to improve my yoga and riding, but it’s the yoga and riding that do the most good for all of me. (Please do notice the not so subtle link between yoga and riding I’m unashamedly making here.)

As it’s International Mind-Body Wellness Day today, I’m taking the opportunity to share a yoga for equestrians video created by 5* eventer Emily Hamel. Along with Dr. Tyler Held – writer of EN’s Between the Ears series, Emily hosts The Whole Equestrian podcast – “bridging the gap between riding and wellness”.

And if you’re on board with the whole yoga and riding thing, Adriene Mishler’s annual (totally free) 30 days of yoga is happening on her Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel.