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Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 31, 2025 12:01 am -

Please join us in welcoming the newest eventer baby into the fold! Blake Selen Pamukcu was born to Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu on January 29, and we’re already smitten! We know Caroline’s hankering to get back in the saddle, but we genuinely hope she’s enjoyed her time to prepare for and welcome her first child. Let’s hear it for all of the horsey super-moms!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

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

News & Reading

Today is the FINAL day to enter our raffle for Strides for Equality Equestrians! You could win a private lesson with British 5* winner and Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his clinic in Ocala, FL in March. Click here to learn more and get your raffle tickets. The winner will be drawn and announced on Monday, February 3. Good luck to all!

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final, which will take place during the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds on Aug. 26-31, is the highlight of an already jam-packed championship schedule. This year, the championship will be hosted at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, giving West Coast-based, upper-level eventers the “home field advantage” during this exciting showdown. Read more here.

Having trouble lengthening your body in the saddle? It’s a lot easier said than done, to be sure. Practical Horseman has some tips that are useful for everyone here.

It’s not every day you get the chance to learn from an Olympic gold medalist, and that’s exactly what happened when British Olympian Laura Collett visited Aiken, SC for a clinic this month. Read the full report on the clinic and what Laura helped her students learn here.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Stable View is adding a new twist to its popular Eventing Academy program in 2025! Instead of having points accumulating for Year-End Awards, riders will qualify to compete in the Eventing Academy Championship November 14th-16th. To qualify riders (with the same horse) must place 1st-6th at minimum at one previous Eventing Academy beginning December 2024. Riders (with the same horse) may also qualify by competing in at least five of the six shows leading up to November. These include the 2024 December and the 2025 February, March, July, August, and October shows.

The November event will also have normal divisions for those who don’t qualify for the championship. The Championship divisions will have up to $20,000 in prizes including vouchers, cash, and swag. VTO Saddlery will be sponsoring half of these prizes.

Leading up to the Championship Event each eventing academy will have its own unique twist. These themes will be announced on each show’s opening day. The prizes, Graze and Gazes, and some of the Cross Country Jump Decorations will be related to the theme.

The February 14th-16th Eventing Academy’s theme will be Valentine’s Day.

Click here to learn more about the Stable View Eventing Academy.

Video Break

Tune in for some “office hours” with 4* eventer and Road to the Horse champion Tik Maynard:

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 30, 2025 12:01 am -

We are counting down the days to the Setters Run Farm Carolina International, which has just opened for entries this week and will take place at Carolina Horse Park (Raeford, NC) March 13-16. EN is proud to host the media experience for Carolina each year and we look forward to joining you for one of the key Kentucky and spring Long format preps on the calendar. If you’re hankering to enter, your show secretary will appreciate you! Click here to view the omnibus and entry information.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

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

News & Reading

We’re down to just a couple of days left to enter our raffle for Strides for Equality Equestrians! You could win a private lesson with British 5* winner and Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his clinic in Ocala, FL in March. Click here to learn more and get your raffle tickets.

The U.S. Equestrian Federation’s board of directors has approved additions to the prohibited substances rule. The rule additions, which were approved last week during the organization’s annual meeting, will go into effect April 1. See more here.

In this reprint from The Plaid Horse, blogger Jamie Skubal muses on the idea of the “older horse” stigma, calling back to big names in eventing such as Lenamore, the Olympic partner of New Zealand’s Caroline Powell. Read the piece here.

Balance and stability are fundamental to success in eventing, where precision and control are demanded across three distinct phases. At this year’s USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, Bates Saddles’ expert presentation on saddle fit and rider position highlighted a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of our sport: how small adjustments to our equipment can lead to significant improvements in our riding. Read the recap here.

Horses on all-day pasture have more opportunities than stalled horses to meet their behavioral needs. Here’s what you need to consider if you’re thinking of transitioning your horse to living out 24/7.

Video Break

Watch Will Coleman clean up in the jumper ring with Hyperion Stud’s Comme Again HS:

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jan 29, 2025 12:01 am -

It’s high training session season and this week we’ve been following the USEF development program as they work in Ocala, FL with coaches Leslie Law and Ian Stark. Each year, US Equestrian identifies horse and rider combinations it feels could benefit from additional training and preparation to one day represent the country on the world stage. You can view who made the training lists for 2025 here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

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

News & Reading

Hunters Run Farm (Metamora, MI) is adding a Modified level this year, but they need your help to push the project past the finish line. Donations are being accepted via The American Horse Trials Foundation, and you can learn more about the project here.

In 2024, USEA Young Event Horse graduates participated in major events around the world, including the Paris Olympics, the FEI Eventing Nations Cups in Millstreet (Ireland) and Aachen (Germany), five-star events in the U.S. and England, and the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships (France). Several graduates also rose to the top of the USEA year-end leaderboards, proving once again that the YEH Program continues to identify some of the country’s next rising stars. Read about their adventures in globetrotting here.

Thierry Touzaint, who led the French eventers to the podium on home turf at the Olympics in 2024, has opted to move on to other projects after helming the team since 2013 (and on two other occasions prior). There are a few candidates in the mix and rumored to be potentials to fill the vacancy, and you can read about them here.

The results of a major study into public attitudes on equine welfare and drivers of trust in UK horse sport have been released by leading organizations in Britain’s equine sector who joined together to commission the research in recognition of evolving social values around the involvement of animals in sport and leisure. Read the findings here.

Video Break

Why are half-halts so incredibly important? Amelia Newcomb breaks it down:

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 28, 2025 12:01 am -

Looking for a fun thing to do over Valentine’s weekend this year? Bundle up and head over to Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) for their Hot Pink X-Derby on February 15 and 16! Loch Moy Farm and its team work hard every year to create a calendar that features not just top-level FEI and recognized events, but also plenty of accessible and educational activities designed for everyone. The Hot Pink X-Derby will make use of the venue’s arena infrastructure and is a great opportunity to get some rust knocked off over cross country and show jumping fences. You can learn more about this and other events at Loch Moy Farm here.

Events Opening Today

Carolina International CCI & H.T. (NC); Ocala Winter II (FL); Ram Tap National H.T. (CA); Pine Top Spring H.T. (GA); Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH Qualifier (KY)

Events Closing Today

Rocking Horse Winter II (FL); Ram Tap H.T. (CA); Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (SC)

News & Reading

Are horses and riders fit enough at the 5* level? This was the topic of a panel session mediated by German Olympian Bettina Hoy during the FEI Eventing Open Forum earlier this week. ““One thing that has come up in a lot of our committee meetings when we talk about previous five-stars and championships, is that we do notice a lot of the horses and also the riders are actually not fit enough. They have the MER [minimum eligibility requirement], but the level of fitness seems not good enough,” Bettina said. Horse & Hound reports more here.

Uncertainty surrounds the Irish eventing calendar this year after disagreements between Eventing Ireland and a group of Event Organisers (EOGs) that has resulted in a flurry of public statements outlining a potential withdrawal of several events from the 2025 schedule. Eventing Ireland’s board released this statement on Monday.

Some of the top 9-year-olds in the world have been tapped by EquiRatings as horses to watch in 2025, and one of them hails from the U.S. Find out who EquiRatings is keeping an eye on here.

Can horses get depressed? It’s a different process to determine this in comparison to humans, who can fill out a questionnaire or sit down and voice their emotions to another, but how do we make this determination in horses? Horse Sport dives in here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

Impaction colic is a real threat during the winter when conditions are dry and horses are drinking less water. Here are three easy tips to ensure your horse Is getting enough water this winter!

Tip 1: Provide moist feed when possible.
Tip 2: Keep drinking water from getting too cold or freezing.
Tip 3: Ensure horses are consuming adequate levels of salt.

Click here to download an infographic for your feed room. The more you know!

Video Break

A different view, from the vital seat of the navigator on a combined driving course at TerraNova this past weekend!

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jan 27, 2025 12:01 am -

There’s much to learn when it comes to caring for horses, and we’re fortunate to have groups like the USEA Grooms’ Association, which hosts educational seminars in Ocala and Aiken each winter. Each session focuses on a different aspect of horse management and is open to anyone to attend for a nominal donation to the Grooms’ Association. This week in Ocala (January 28), you can attend one of show jumping course designer Chris Barnard’s popular seminars on theory, design, materials, rules, and much more. This seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala in Indoor 2 (see a site map of WEC Ocala here).

Also on January 28 at 6:30 p.m., but happening in Aiken at Bruce’s Field, a seminar will be held on The Importance of Good Feet and the Art of a Good Farrier, featuring Red Oak Equine co-founder Dan Martzall CF.

To see more information and schedules for future sessions, visit the USEA Grooms’ Association on Instagram here.

U.S. Weekend Results

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (FL): [Website] [Scores]

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

We are very much in the digital era when it comes to managing our businesses and our competitions. How can we expect to see benefits from making use of digital tools? By expanding the convenience factor associated with entering and managing events, unrecognized or not, the sport becomes accessible to a wider range and greater number of people. STRIDER’s Natasha Sprengers-Levine writes more here.

It’s no secret that burnout is a very real thing that those working in our industry suffer from regularly. Balancing a career, in many cases a family, the benefit of the horse, competitive aspirations, and scraping enough money together day in and day out to keep the whole wheel spinning — it’s enough to cause anyone to spin out, even just a little. A summarization of one researcher’s finding about this subject can be read here.

Can social media be used to create a better dialogue around social license and equestrian sports? Social media is a volatile environment, but it can also be a forum in which opinions can flow and constructive dialogue can effect real change. But that takes a responsibility from each and every one of us. Read more thoughts on how social media could be leveraged to build a more sustainable future for our sports here.

The BridgeUP GiddyUP program in Tennessee is showing the community around it just how incredible horses can be for all. A writer for The Plaid Horse traveled to Tennessee to meet this group, and the lessons he took away can be read here.

Video Break:

Cowboy dressage at Ben Hobday’s, anyone?

Sunday Links

By on Jan 26, 2025 12:01 am -

Some data from EquiRatings starts us off this Sunday as we take a look at the top FEI scores earned by U.S. riders in North America in 2024. Who will top this year’s list? We’re eager to find out!

U.S Weekend Events

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

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

Links & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month. Entries close soon!

The Queen hosts celebration to thank Paris Olympic and Paralympic riders

Pressure Proof Tip: Tomato Salad?

The Effects of Longeing on Your Horse’s Joints

AMA: How Should I Correct My Horse’s Mistakes?

The “Barbie Movie Monologue” For The Modern Equestrian Women

Video Break

Ingrid Klimke has a new dancing partner!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 25, 2025 12:01 am -

Another great educational opportunity is on tap if you’re in the Ocala, FL area! Join Will Coleman’s team for a seminar on Targeting Performance Training in Equestrian Athletes. This evening session will provide insight on how to level up your athletic game this season, both in the saddle and out. It will take place on January 31 at 6:30 p.m. ET at 1720 SE 16th St Ave #302 Ocala FL 34471.

U.S Weekend Events

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

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links & Reading

Bringing the Fun Back to Eventing has 2024 USEA Adult Amateur of the Year Arden Wildasin in the Right Headspace for First Five-Star Attempt

Understanding Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD)

The Pros and Cons of Alfalfa: Could Your Horse Benefit?

Suspension for farrier who held horse still to hit him in the head with a hammer

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Did you know? Amerigo Saddles recently introduced the Sinergico panel featuring the brand new XF-Support™ membrane. With 6% more contact surface and 25% less thickness, it offers a more optimized setup for superior control and balance. Check out Amerigo here.

Video Break

Join course designer Jay Hambly on the latest episode of The Jon and Rick Show, where you’ll hear from Jay on his attendance of the FEI Eventing Open Forum last week:

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 24, 2025 12:15 am -

Please join us in congratulating Liz Halliday, who was honored at the USEF Annual Meeting yesterday with the awarding of the International Equestrian of the Year honor. Liz joined an esteemed group of nominees for this year’s award, taking home the honor for, among many other accomplishments, her contributions to the U.S. Eventing Team in Paris. Liz has shown us just how determined and resilient she is throughout her ongoing recovery from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a cross country fall at AECs in August, and we continue to send her love and strength as she continues to fight her way back.

#KeepFightingLiz!

U.S Weekend Preview

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

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

News & Reading

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 licensed official development grant application. The grants, first awarded in 2022, were designed to aid equestrians who desire to become a licensed official in addition to current licensed officials who wish to advance their knowledge and license level. Grants are intended to reduce financial barriers for USEF or U.S. FEI officials to complete application requirements such as traveling to apprentice at a competition or attend a licensed official clinic. Read more on the application process and requirements here.

A recent study in the Equine Veterinary Journal highlights that 76% of surveyed equine veterinarians have faced bias based on gender, appearance, age, or disability. Gender bias was the most prevalent, with many female vets reporting that clients preferred male practitioners. This discrimination exacerbates existing challenges in the profession, such as lower compensation compared to small animal practice and difficulties in maintaining work-life balance due to demanding emergency duties. These factors contribute to the ongoing shortage of equine veterinarians. Read more of this in-depth dive on Paulick Report here.

One of the biggest hurdles equestrian sports face is attracting attendees to their events, in particular attendees who are not directly involved in the sport already. Maryland 5 Star President and CEO Jeff Newman feels sports betting is one way eventing can draw new crowds that can support the sport in the U.S. Read a recap of his remarks given at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention last month here.

It has been two weeks since the devastating fires in Los Angeles began wreaking their path of havoc, to date destroying 12,000 homes and businesses, scorching nearly 40,000 acres, and claiming at least 27 lives. For many who lost everything, the path forward remains unclear, even as the smoke starts to abate and officials begin to allow some residents back into evacuated neighborhoods. Read the story of one program facing uncertainty here.

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Recap a great weekend of eventing to kick off the Aiken season at Stable View last weekend! Visit the Stable View calendar here to plan your next trip.

Video Break

Get some packing tips from the USEA Grooms Association:

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 23, 2025 12:01 am -

Wherever you are, we hope you’re staying safe in the extremes of weather we’ve already seen in this first month of 2025 (is it too late to cancel our free trial?). Our friends in the southeast part of the U.S. have seen record-breaking snowfall in places we’re unaccustomed to seeing the cold white stuff, such as New Orleans and also eventing hub Aiken, SC. Stay safe and warm out there, everyone — only a few more weeks of winter to go!

U.S Weekend Preview

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

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

News & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

Young show jumping star Skylar Wireman joined Caroline Culbertson on the most recent episode of the Horse Person podcast, and you won’t want to miss the interview. Learn about Skylar’s journey up the ranks and how she and her mother managed an expensive sport on limited funds in the episode here.

Also new on the podcast airwaves this week, a new episode of Major League Eventing with 3* rider Ashley Trier. Ashley shares her story of being from a non-horsey family and tricking her mom into letting her ride a horse at a local Western barn. By 10 years old, she bought her first horse and then eventually found her 3* horse Maybelline Covergirl. Listen to Ashley’s interview here.

The USEA is proud to announce the first class of USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Judges have completed their certifications through the YEH New Judge Education Program, which was led by YEH faculty member, Marilyn Payne. Three new judges will now join the ranks assessing talent for the future, and you can read about them here.

A recent Horse & Hound investigation highlights ongoing gaps in equine traceability, despite measures like mandatory registration and e-passports in the Thoroughbred industry. Issues such as fragmented records and altered identities continue to put horses at risk, echoing concerns raised by the 2024 RTÉ Investigates documentary, “Horses – Making a Killing.” The investigation revealed inhumane treatment and systemic failures, prompting calls for unified solutions to prevent vulnerable horses from slipping through the cracks. Read the exclusive here.

Video Break

When dressage and reining meet:

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jan 22, 2025 12:01 am -

UK readers, this one’s for you! World Champion and Olympic medalist Ros Canter is inviting you to her yard for some insight into how she trains, works with her horses, and sets her operation up for success. This event will take place on February 8 beginning at 4 pm local time. VIP and general admission tickets can be booked here.

U.S Weekend Preview

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

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

News & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

It’s the story we’ve all been waiting for. After images and videos of a young girl riding a horse to safety during the raging California wildfires, the equestrian community at large wanted to know more. The Chronicle of the Horse got the full story from 16-year-old Kalyna Fedorowycz, who rode the Fresian-Warmblood gelding Sovereignty to safety. Don’t miss it here.

We’ve mentioned the British Eventing Support Trust many times here on EN over the years, but what does your donation to this organization do? Learn more about BEST and how it helps its members here.

Nazila Hejazi and her 20-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Tessa, may have made for an unconventional pair at the USEA Area VI Championships, held in October at Galway Downs (Temecula, CA) but they didn’t let that hold them back. It’s uncommon to see a horse in their twenties still competing in eventing, and even more rare for a gaited horse to compete in a jumping sport. Read their story here.

Video Break

A new tip from 5* rider and FEI judge Valerie Pride, focused on instilling confidence on cross country with your horse!

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 21, 2025 12:01 am -

Several U.S.-based athletes attended the weekend’s FEI Eventing Forum, held in Lausanne, Switzerland to discuss important matters within the sport of eventing. On topic for discussion were things such as the proposed changes to the eventing format for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, a rule change proposed to the existing flag rule on cross country, risk management measures, and more.

We’ll have more coming from the Eventing Forum in the coming days (and stay tuned for a press release from the FEI recapping the sessions today), but for now we’ll give the mic to Phillip Dutton, who was in attendance and shared his thoughts on social media. You can also review the Eventing Forum topics and recordings of sessions here.

Phillip’s thoughts can be found in the post embedded above or directly on Facebook here.

Events Opening This Week

Sporting Days Farm March H.T. (SC); Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. International (GA); SAzEA Spring H.T. (AZ); Southern Pines H.T. I (NC); Full Gallop Farm March I H.T. (SC)

Events Closing Today

Pine Top Intermediate (GA); Ocala Winter I (FL); Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. – Late Entries (CA)

News & Reading

In honor of Martin Luther King Day on January 20, the USEA DEI Committee penned a thoughtful piece on how to honor his legacy through small acts of kindness within our sport. Read it here.

Chronicle of the Horse blogger Jamie Sindell took pen to paper to expand on how horses gave her young daughter a sense of empowerment. This is surely a sentiment many of us can relate you, and you’ll find some reflections to take to heart within your own journey here.

German Olympian Jérôme Robiné is ready to take a new role within the sport this year as he steps in as co-U25 coach alongside Andreas Dibowski. You can read Jérôme’s thoughts on this new era in an interview with Buschreiter here.

Should you adjust your horse’s diet during their winter time off? Get some help from an equine nutritionist on feeding during this transitional period here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

Last week, we introduced you to the all-new offering from Kentucky Performance Products, AirWise! Multiphase research trials conducted at the University of Georgia demonstrate the benefits of AirWise in supporting a return to normal airway function in these horses.

AirWise is s synergistic formula developed to support healthy airway function in horses showing signs of inflammatory airway conditions. Learn more about it here.

Video Break

Take a walk down memory lane with some footage from the 1974 World Championships held at Burghley.

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jan 20, 2025 12:01 am -

How cool are these custom shoes created from Becky Moody’s Jagerbomb’s kicks worn during the Paris Olympics this summer! That’s a keepsake to hold onto for life. If you take a scroll through the Polished Shoes Instagram, you might spy a few more famous pairs of customized shoes!

U.S. Weekend Results

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (SC): [Website] [Scores]

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

We’ve all been taught that a horse in a forward way of going is going correctly, but when you stop to think about it, what details go into achieving this? Eric Smiley breaks it down in this excerpt from his book, The Sport Horse Problem Solver.

After a banner 2024 and the hard work that went into those results with the big picture in mind, amateur rider Arden Wildasin is eyeing her 5* move-up this year. She sat down with The Chronicle of the Horse to dive into her career thus far and how she’s prepping for the step up. Read the interview here.

British Eventing (BE) and The Pony Club are delighted to announce a new collaboration to better align their events, minimize scheduling clashes and enhance the value of membership for their communities. The initiative aims to reduce financial and logistical barriers to encourage broader participation in the sport, demonstrating the dedication of both organizations to educate, inspire and support young riders, nurturing future generations and ensuring the sport’s continued growth and sustainability. Read more about this new collaboration here.

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

Video Break

Catch up with Elisa Wallace’s latest vlog, featuring Wyeth the mustang:

Sunday Links

By on Jan 19, 2025 12:01 am -

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Have you gotten your tickets for the 2025 Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC – February 28-March 1) yet? We’re just over a month out from what has unofficially become the opening of the season, featuring many big names and often even some international visitors!

You won’t find a much more spectator-friendly event here in the U.S., and Grand-Prix Eventing is a perfect way to introduce someone new to the sport of eventing and to take it in in a condensed, thrilling format. Tickets and VIP options are available here.

U.S. Weekend Events

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

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (FL): [Website] [Ride Times]

Links & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

2024 USEA Volunteer of the Year Susan Hart Makes USEA History with Gold Medal Achievement

Are these our Los Angeles 2028 Olympic eventing individual medallists?

Investigating Prebiotics’ Role in Managing Equine Leaky Gut

Video Break

A celebration of the wonderful ponies who give us the horse bug!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 18, 2025 12:01 am -

Another perk of taking a casual African safari in the offseason? Swimming! 5* rider Will Rawlin decided to take a quick dip while on safari and shared the photo series with us, and Laura Collett was there too! The FOMO continues!

U.S. Weekend Events

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

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. (FL): [Website] [Ride Times]

Links & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

Six 9-year-old horses to watch in 2025

5 Tips For Cross-Country Riding from the USEA ECP Symposium Day 3

Like Father, Like Daughther: Phillip Dutton and Olivia Dutton

It’s January, And I Feel Like Cold Garbage. Help Motivate Me.

Social Facilitation and Better Performance

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Now is your chance to save on new tall boots for the season! While supplies last, Evolution and Progress boots are on sale at 50% off list price. Don’t wait, pick up yours here.

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Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 17, 2025 12:01 am -

It’s high clinic season here in the U.S., and one of the latest international riders to join the list of visitors is Olympic individual gold medalist Julia Krajewski. Julia will be teaching a clinic in Ocala, FL January 27-31. There are a limited number of spots available for lessons, and auditing is also available for a fee. For more information, please contact Chris Talley at 484-798-9834.

And another rider coming stateside — and another Olympic gold medalist (twice over!) — in Britain’s Tom McEwen. Tom is visiting the West coast for his tour, making stops at Cellar Farm in Petaluma, CA (January 21-23) and Galway Downs in Temecula, CA (January 25-26).

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

Exciting news! The beloved Essex Horse Trials will make its return in 2025, a positive development after the community worried the event had run its final competition in 2024. The sustainability of running at two venues, a longtime format of Essex, was challenging for organizers. Thanks to the help of multiple supporters, including Olympic dressage judge Marilyn Payne, who stepped up to helm the organizing of the event, have made this year’s event possible. Read more from Nancy Jaffer on this story here.

Some interesting reading on the topic of nosebands has also hit the internet this week. Welfare critics have voiced concern that tight nosebands cause stress, but a recently-published project led by Dr. Hilary Clayton didn’t back up that perception — at least, not in one set of circumstances. The study focused on noseband tightness, which of course has been a major topic of discussion, particularly given the context of a new noseband measuring tool debuted by the FEI this year. Read the summary here.

Meanwhile, the use of spurs and whips has also been limited by British Showjumping, The Pony Club in Great Britain, and British Riding Clubs, which now dictate that a whip may only be used to back up leg aids, and not as punishment or discipline. As for spurs, The Pony Club has laid out new rules that take effect this month, which now require a rider to have passed their C+ test or an assessment showing that they understand spurs’ use and have a stable enough lower leg to wear them appropriately. Read the full breakdown here.

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

It’s time to kick off this year’s Stable View Eventing Academy series! Entries are now open for the February Eventing Academy, which will take place February 14-16 and will, naturally, have a Valentine’s Day theme. You can learn more about Eventing Academy events, which include a day of cross country schooling before an unrecognized, no-pressure competition, here.

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What at the five primary rider responsibilities? Bec Braitling breaks them down:

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 16, 2025 1:30 am -

Another great example of the eventing community shines bright today with the latest post from Phillip Dutton and his family! Pictured above are Evie Dutton and Lee Lee Dutton with Rochelle Woodeshick, the owner of Tack Butter. Rochelle has donated a portion of proceeds from Tack Butter sales to aid in Lee Lee’s ongoing recovery from a riding accident in 2017. If you want to help out, pick up some luxurious Tack Butter here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Committee regretfully announce that the 2025 YEH Symposium, planned for Monday, Feb. 17 in Ocala, FL, has been cancelled. Following the great success of the event in 2024 and due to unforeseen changes in venue availability, the YEH Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming educational event to ensure that the quality of the symposium is not sacrificed. Read more about this development here.

From Starter all the way to the top of the sport, the rider’s ability to identify and influence the rhythm, relaxation, balance, straightness, and adjustability of their horse is key, whether you’re riding on the flat or over fences. That was the big focus on Day 2 of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium, held at Galway Downs. Read up on day two’s lessons here.

When EPA Elegance and her owner Shannon Daily ended up with a cheering section, complete with handmade signs, when they crossed the finish line as winners in the training/novice division at the Calais Horse Trials, held Nov. 23 in Powhatan, VA, it marked the end of a year-long nightmare that “Hazel” almost didn’t survive. Read the full story here.

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And just like that, it’s helmet cam season again! Ride along with Elisa Wallace and Tullymurry Fifi for their pipe opener at Majestic Oaks last weekend:

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jan 15, 2025 12:01 am -

In the spirit of eventing and community, Pau winner from 2024 Caroline Harris announced that she will be running the Bath Half Marathon this year in support of the British Eventing Support Trust and Saffron Cresswell, a young event rider who was paralyzed from the chest down in a fall while competing at Bramham International last summer. You can read more about Saffron’s rehab journey here. If you’d like to contribute to Charlotte’s endeavor, click here to learn more.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

In times of natural disaster, marginalized communities are often hit the hardest. Abriana Johnson has collected a directory of GoFundMe accounts dedicated to helping displaced Black families in the LA area after devastating wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and livelihoods. Click here to view the list.

On a pack trip in Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains in 2018 with her family, Australia-born Zara Bewley encountered many memorable creatures—moose, mountain lions, and bears. But it was Sam, a stoic 4-year-old blue roan gelding she rode during the journey, who made the biggest impact on her life. Read the story of the “ultimate amateur partner” here.

Get some quick facts about this week’s USEA Eventing Coaches Program Symposium held at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA here.

The annual Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction blazes into Carolina starting February 1! Always a popular local event for equestrians and non-horse people alike, the Painted Ponies help raise funding for the Carolina Horse Park Foundation each year. Click here to learn more about this year’s Auction.

Do horses actually enjoy being touched? Researchers looked at how therapy horses reacted to various types of patting on various body parts, when tied up or loose. Horse Sport reports more here.

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Prepping for your first FEI event this year? Go you! Here are some useful tips and tricks from Ride iQ and Jon Holling:

https://www.youtube.com/live/nlJYksir9Xw?si=Lb7NBmqNknq1ILHL

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 14, 2025 12:01 am -

As the wildfires in Los Angeles, CA continue to burn, several outposts for assistance have been set up to aid those affected. At the time of writing, the Palisades fire just to the north of Santa Monica is at 14% containment, while the other major fire, the Eaton fire to the north of Pasadena, is 33% contained.

Calabasas Saddlery is one such outpost, setting up a donation site where a large number of items is available for pickup by those displaced or otherwise affected by the fires. Additional donations are also being accepted for distribution into the community. You can find a list of what’s available and what is being accepted above or by clicking here. The Chronicle of the Horse has also compiled a list of ways to assist equestrians here.

Events Opening This Week

Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (SC); Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (FL); Twin Rivers H.T. (CA)

Events Closing Today

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA); Sporting Days Farm February H.T. II (SC); Three Lakes Winter I at Caudle Ranch (FL)

News & Reading

The FEI has proposed a working group in collaboration with other national federations, including USEF, to conduct further research into air vest technology. As air vests become more prolific outside of eventing, the need for additional research into manufacturer claims and efficacy of the vests has grown stronger. You can read more about this initiative and its goals here.

Tune in for the latest episode of the USEA podcast for a dive into all things rider fitness. Featuring host Nicole Brown as well as Olympian Boyd Martin and equestrian fitness coach Tony Sandoval, the episode will provide you with some insights on making 2025 your strongest year yet. Listen here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Count down to this year’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials, the first CCI5* on the UK calendar that will be here before we know it! Preview the various ticket offerings and need-to-know dates here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

New product alert! Kentucky Performance Products is pleased to announce AirWise™, a research-proven supplement designed to support normal airway function in horses facing respiratory challenges. AirWise is formulated with a diverse blend of potent antioxidants and micronutrients. These work synergistically to support a return to a healthier respiratory system in your horse. The end result: Helping horses perform at their best.

Learn more about AirWise here.

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Peter Wylde was kind enough to brave the cold in Pennsylvania and help me jump all of the horses. Conner aka Commando 3 is fired up for a big year!!

Posted by Boyd Martin on Monday, January 13, 2025

Nothing like the help of an Olympic show jumper to tune up your horses for the season! Here’s a look at Peter Wylde jumping Boyd Martin’s Commando 3 (owned by Yankee Creek Ranch) at Boyd’s home base in Pennsylvania.

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jan 13, 2025 12:01 am -

If your horse had a New Years resolution, what would it be? If we had to guess, probably something along the lines of “figure out a way to get dressage eliminated from eventing” or “make my mom understand that feeding times are simply suggestions” or “attempt to coat my ENTIRE body and not just one side with mud.” What would you add?

U.S. Weekend Results

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

Looking back, where were the Paris individual medallists three-and-a-half years before their podium moment? EquiRatings dives into the data behind the top finishers in Paris and what the implications are looking ahead to Los Angeles in 2028 here.

Bringing your future eventing prospect with you to a horse trial as a non-compete can be a wonderful educational opportunity for horses not used to the hustle and bustle of the show grounds. However, horses must be registered with the show office as a “non-compete” horse in order to be allowed on grounds. Bringing horses to an event to school, provide lessons, or to campaign for sale without registering them as a non-compete horse is strictly prohibited. Brush up on the rules surrounding non-compete horses in this Rule Refresher from the USEA.

How to identify and manage hoof abscesses—a common condition that often appears out of nowhere, with some tips from Practical Horseman’s Vet On Call column here.

The world’s official oldest horse has passed away at the age of 36. Read more here.

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Training up some future champions at The Billy Stud for some very important business!

Sunday Links

By on Jan 12, 2025 12:01 am -

Who are these pals at Phillip Dutton’s? None other than Phillip’s Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Mighty Nice, and his Tokyo horse, Z, enjoying their time in retirement as pasture mates! Way to live up that well-deserved retirement, friends. We love to see it!

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Links & Reading

No, You Don’t Have To ‘Push Through Your Fear’ In Order To Get Over It

Through the Lens: 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp

Tackling Equine Gastric Ulcers

Jumping Lessons: One Exercise, Four Trainers, Four Ways

British Eventing National Championships return to Hartpury for 2025

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Tune in for a fascinating rider biomechanics ride review with rider biomechanics coach Suzanne Galdun and Ride iQ:

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 11, 2025 12:01 am -

In 2024, we bid a very fond farewell to the beloved Blair Castle International in Scotland, which ran for the final time in 2024 after being a major part of the eventing calendar for over three decades. The team at EN would like to extend our gratitude to the hard-working individuals who worked tirelessly to put on one of the best events in our sport.

The competition calendar will not be left with a void in the literal sense, however, as Scone Palace in Perthshire, located further south of Blair Castle, will take over the competition from 2025 forward. You can read more about this transition here and here. The first Scone Palace International will take place August 21-24. Learn more about Scone Palace International here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

Links & Reading

How To Help Equestrians Affected By LA Wildfires

‘To Say That It Felt Apocalyptic Is Putting It Lightly’: From the LA Wildfires

2024 RevitaVet USEA Young Rider of the Year Molly Duda Has Weathered the Ups and Downs of Top-Level Sport and Come Out Stronger

Improve your horse’s rideability and straightness with Harry Meade’s three-fence jumping exercise

The Connection Between the Rider’s and Horse’s Backs

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

What some ins and outs on your 2025 list? World Equestrian Brands has some for you!

IN
– XC boots that protect from impact and penetration
– XC boots that don’t rub
– XC boots that are lightweight and help legs stay cool

OUT
– XC boots that are stiff and cause rubs
– XC boots that add weight when going through water
– XC boots that trap heat

Find boots that are definitively IN on World Equestrian Brands here.

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New year, fresh start, still no idea how to remember my dressage test (but that’s a problem for next year) — who can relate?

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 10, 2025 12:01 am -

Another offseason, another year in which we are somehow NOT on safari holiday with Laura Collett (maybe next year), but we’re enjoying living vicariously through her and several other top eventers who have journeyed to Africa for a horseback safari tour. The FOMO is real!

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

News & Reading

Equestrian Australia is seeking a new Eventing High Performance Operations Coordinator to provide ongoing support to its eventing program at the top levels. Job duties include managing the eventing National High Performance Program’s operations and logistics, managing International eventing entries, FEI registrations and Passports for athletes based offshore, and other personnel support responsibilities. You can learn more about the position here.

Former Will Coleman 5* ride Tight Lines has entered his medal era, this time with #supergroom Erin Jarboe in the irons. “Phish” may be retired from eventing, but he still shows off in the dressage ring with Erin these days as she works toward her USDF Bronze Medal. Catch up with the Colemans, Erin, and Phish here.

Clinic alert! Belgian chef d’equipe and 5* rider Kai Steffen-Meier is coming stateside for a clinic in Ocala this winter. The clinic will take place at Redtail Ridge South January 27-28. Interested parties should contact O’Neal Equestrian here. Click here to learn more information.

Can any horse go barefoot? To explore the science behind hoof care, horseshoes, and farrier work over the last 50 years, Noëlle Floyd turned to one of the most accomplished farriers in the industry, Stephen Teichman, whose resume includes shoeing horses for kings and queens as well as at six Olympic Games and six Pan American Games. Read the piece on Facebook here.

How did a show jumper wind up as a part of the Beyoncé Bowl during her halftime performance at a recent Houston Texans game? The Chronicle of the Horse dives into a great story of connections and opportunities here.

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Today is the final day to submit your late entry for the Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. next weekend (January 18-19)! This event offers recognized divisions from Starter through Preliminary, with courses rated as easy to average in the USEA Omnibus. It’s a perfect opportunity to kick off the season in a welcoming and lower-pressure environment. Also on tap are Stable View staples such as the Graze & Gaze offering of refreshments on Saturday evening, an Adult Team Challenge sponsored by Sunheist, and a $15 yoga class on Friday evening. You can enter here ($50 late fee applies). For more information on this event, click here.

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Andrew Hoy shares some insights on finding your distance to fences:

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 9, 2025 12:01 am -

Multiple major fires continue to burn in Los Angeles, CA this week, where strong winds and dry conditions have fueled the rapid spread of wildfires and forced residents from their homes. The fires have claimed the lives of multiple people and have also displaced animals. At the time of writing, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, one of the largest facilities in the metropolitan area, remained safe and was an evacuation center for those fleeing the fires. The facility is located in Burbank, to the east of the fires, but the situation continues to develop and change and strong winds will continue to affect containment at least through today. The Chronicle of the Horse reports more on the effects of the fire on the equine community here.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will share verified ways to help as we find them.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

News & Reading

Travel the world, be around top sport, see your horses performing on the world stage. No one ever claims that a grooms’ life is an easy one, but this should be an attractive career. And yet we still hear too many stories of burnt out, exhausted grooms. In the latest blog from the International Grooms Association, an IGA member (who wishes to stay anonymous) shared how this issue has affected her life. Read it here.

The USEA recently asked its members on social media to tell them about their 2024 successes. Amateur rider Alyssa Schaefer (Petaluma, California) wrote in about her year with her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Fuego (Furst Romancier x Stanzie). Read her blog here.

Some British Olympians were not named to the government’s New Year Honours List, setting off an expression of opinions on the decision to award some Olympians and not others. Horse & Hound explores this development here.

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Learn how to introduce a liverpool to your jumping with 5* rider and FEI dressage judge Valerie Pride: