Seriously you guys, TGIF. Photo from “A Pony Known As Satan” FB.

We did it, you guys. We have almost made it to the end of the first week of hell daylight savings time. I don’t know about the rest of you all, but this week has felt like death. The loss of sleep combined with the wacky light at the end of the day (what’s happening) and topped off by some bitter cold that seems like it’s a little misplaced seeing as it’s not “winter” anymore, I’m about toast. I’m like an iPhone running on 10% battery, you should stop asking me to do complicated things like answer questions coherently, and just place me somewhere dark and quiet until I can recharge.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Exmoor H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/RideTimes/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Join Retired Racehorse Project for a Hoedown at Hagyard! The party gets started after Rolex cross country with open bar, catering from Red State BBQ and the musical talents of Steve Norman and the Shades of Grass Band. Join in the Equicizer races, or just bet on them! April 29th, 6pm onwards, at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute across from the Kentucky Horse Park, tickets are $35 for RRP Members and $50 for non-members. Also, let me reiterate: open bar. [Buy Tickets Here]

One of the biggest training hurdles you can face with young 4-year-olds is correctly teaching them to move forward into your hand. Although it sounds quite simple, this fundamental skill must be developed at an early age. It is necessary for them to learn this if they’re going to successfully continue their training progress. International event rider Will Faudree, who has brought many horses up the ranks of eventing, likes to introduce this concept in a simple manner, and one that is easy for the horse to begin to understand. [Young Horse Training: ‘Closing Your Leg Doesn’t Mean Go Faster’]

Hot on Horse Nation: A Salute to the Women of Racing

Give me boots that are stylish enough to wear in town but also useful enough to wear in the barn, and I’m sold. An unabashed boot collector, it’s part of my self assigned job to snoop out great deals on cool boots. These Solstice Classic Tall Leather Boot by Smartpak are definitely on my list, and they just went on a crazy sale, from $189 to $75!! Get you some, girl, treat yo’self. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

KER ClockIt™ Sport – Session of the Week

In the ClockIt session below, the rider is taking their horse through its first conditioning sets day of the spring season. The field had some rolling hill and flat sections within it, as you can see from the blue line on the chart.

As you can see, the horse’s heart rate increases each time it goes up a hill, despite little change in speed. By using a hill, riders can easily raise their horse’s heart rate into a higher conditioning zone without the need for extreme speed.

Multiple KER treadmill studies have shown that exercising horses on an incline greatly increases work intensity as measured by oxygen consumption, heart rate, and lactate production. These studies have shown that at a canter speed, a 1% increase in grade increases a horse’s heart rate 6 bpm—the same effect on heart rate as increasing speed 35m/min on a level treadmill. Therefore, equal heart rates can be obtained by cantering horses on a 6% grade at 490 m/min as from galloping on the flat at 700 m/min.

To see a detailed report like the one above, go to the KER ClockIt website and log in to your account. Once you are signed in, you can view your detailed sessions under the “Sessions” tab.

An oldie but a goodie. Photo via Laine Ashker.

Look, we always joke around here about the Virginia weather, but this is just out of hand. When it’s 65 one day, and literally 20 the next….I just don’t even know how to respond to that. I feel really sorry for the daffodils, it’s terribly unfair to them. I feel sorry for myself, because I thought I was done wearing 5,348 layers while riding. I feel sorry for my horses, who thought it was naked rolling in the mud season. I should have known this would happen when I was enjoying a snow-free February. We jinxed it.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Exmoor H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/RideTimes/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

A bake sale to fund your competition expenses for Rolex CCI4*? Rolex rookie Madeline Backus hails from Colorado, and is heading towards her first four-star this spring with her mare, PS Arianna. To help with her expenses with the whole venture, Madeline is going old school, and having a bake sale at the Exmoor Horse Trials this weekend. She will be selling homemade dog and horse treats, as well as homemade bread (you know you want to carb load for the event!). Make sure you find her if you’re at Exmoor this weekend, and buy some tasty baked goods!

I can’t tell you how many times I talk about leg placement with my students. As any developing rider knows, sometimes your legs go wandering astray from “home base” right behind the girth, and can cause some real problems with your riding. The perfect lower leg is strong enough and effective enough from right behind the girth to provide just the right amount of pressure at the right time. Equitation riders are all over this, and share a few tips and exercises to practice the three leg positions. [Master The Three Leg Positions]

Do you prefer mares? You’re not alone as San Diego based dressage trainer Rebecca Rigdon-Blake is switching it up with a strong preference for the ladies in a sport that historically favors stallions. Rebecca loves mares for herself, but also admits that they aren’t always the most amateur friendly due to their keen memories and sensitive natures. However, she believes (as I do) that we should work harder to be sympathetic to the difficulties associated with working with mares, as they’re not so different to working with women. [Geldings No Longer Preferred]

Best of Blogs: Slow and Steady

Hot on HN: Alternate Careers in the Horse Industry

When Rocky becomes a meme. Photo via Libby Head.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Southern Pines H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Red Hills International CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop March II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News from Around the Globe:

Congrats to Indra Rapinchuk-Souccar for winning our Show Us Your Colors Contest presented by World Equestrian Brands! Indra wins an Equtech Custom Cross Country Shirt, which offers a seemingly endless array of colors and patterns for even the most color-conscious eventer. Click here to read about all the finalists in the contest. Click here to order your own shirt.

Attwood Equestrian Surfaces will be returning as the CIC** sponsor at next month’s Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International CIC and Horse Trial. This is the fourth time they have sponsored a division at the event. “We really love being a part of this competition,” said Nick Attwood, President of AES. The event will be held March 22-26 at to the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC. [Attwood Equestrian Surfaces]

The Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event and Horse Trials announced yesterday that they’re welcoming a new design and building team for the 2017 spring event. Chris Barnard is the new show jumping designer (look for him this weekend designing Red Hills SJ), John Michael Durr will be the cross country designer, and Dylan Barry will be doing the building. The May event features brand new cross country tracks for the Beginner Novice, Novice and Training long format three-day events, as well as the horse trials for all three levels. [HOTC Debuts New Team]

England gears up for their first international event with Burgham in two weeks, with a top class field. Held on the same weekend as Carolina International at the end of March, Burgham has both a CIC3* and a CIC2*. Top riders such as Oliver Townend, Pippa Funnell, Gemma Tattersall, and Nicola Wilson will all be in attendance, using the event as prep for Badminton this spring. [Britain’s Finest at Burgham]

Gemma Tattersall is aiming towards Badminton with Arctic Soul. Last year the pair jumped clean on the final day to catch third place behind Michael Jung and Andreas Ostholt, in the hardest four star in the world. Unfortunately “Spike” was sidelined from the Rio Olympics with a minor injury, but he’s back and better than ever. Gemma has high hopes for her performance this year, as he’s now done several four stars, and knows how to be competitive. [Gemma and Spike for Badminton]

Say goodbye to tedious hoof wrapping, and hello to the Woof Wear Medical Boot. If you’ve got a horse that is plagued by foot issues, and you’re blasting through diapers and vet wrap constantly, you should check out this cool new boot. Designed to help keep medication and poultice in place, while protecting a sore, bruised, or injured hoof, this is your new favorite product. Not for turnout purposes, but great for soaking a horse or keeping them in the stall overnight with some treatment, the Woof Wear Medical Boot is a great new design that’s totally worth checking out. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

The softest bed in the barn. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Every time I do gallops early in the season with Nyls, I think to myself “Could I ever put another human being on you and have them survive this experience?”. The short answer is, no, not really. He has a special talent for combining bolting (forwards and sideways, sometimes at the same moment), propping, spooking, and last but not least, leaping over shadows and/or sticks. He pulls worse than any horse I ever rode at the track, and when the watch beeps that his minutes are up, he stops so suddenly that you’d think the engine was cut. No, I did not train him for these things. Yes, all of my attempts to civilize him have failed. Yes, he is old and knows better.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Southern Pines H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Red Hills International CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop March II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News from Around the Globe:

What’s it like to pursue riding in Nairobi? Ellen Halle works for World Bank, and is currently stationed in Nairobi. She spent the vast majority of her childhood riding horses, but like lots of people, fell away from it in college. Now she has found her passion again in an unlikely place, with a scraggly chestnut thoroughbred mare. Read more for a fascinating perspective from a different part of the world! [Amateurs Like Us: Giraffes on Cross Country]

If you’re a nervous trailer-driver, or just getting ready for the season, H&H has great tips to get you started on the right track. Traveling hundreds of miles around the country with a bunch of horses in tow is the norm for a lot of competitors, but driving your precious cargo can still be nerve-wracking. If you’re a newer driver, you’ll want to check out these steps on how to make sure your experience is a good one. [Terrified of Towing? H&H Tips]

Do you ever feel like you get too caught up in the competition mindset and forget to have fun? If so, you’re not alone. Young professional Ashley Kriegel Trier experienced a come-to-Jesus moment during a Training level show jumping round, and realized that she had forgotten the basis for all of it. All the early mornings, the hard labor 7 days a week, the money and the tears, it’s all because at one point, we thought this was fun. And we need to find that joy again, and not get bogged down by the rest. [Bridging the Gap: Don’t Forget To Have Fun]

Hot on Horse Nation: Mounted Police DO Pull People Over

Thursday Video: Clark Montgomery and Universe doing the Jumpers at 1.3 meters:

An eventer gone rogue. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Ok, so NOW I finally get it. I get the Foxhunting thing. It took me only 29 years and finally having a horse that is genuinely good at it and enjoys it, but now I understand why people are so into it. Yesterday I got the chance to actually shadow the huntsman on a blustery but pleasant day in Virginia, and that was a thrill. I took my red dinosaur, who is embarking on his third career change, and seems to have taken a real shine to hunting. We galloped with hounds swirling around us and jumped all the things!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Congratulations to Taylor Rieck, winner of the 2017 Young Adult Amateur Worth The Trust Scholarship! The Worth the Trust Educational Scholarships are awarded annually to one Adult Amateur and one Young Adult Amateur with the purpose of helping to fund training opportunities like clinics, working student positions and private instruction. Taylor wrote an essay about how she fits her passion for Eventing into her life, and how she hopes to use the scholarship money to go south and train with some four-star riders that she idolizes. [Taylor Rieck Wins Worth the Trust]

The never ending quest to find the perfect XC shirt may finally be at an end. World Equestrian Brands has debuted their Equetech Custom Cross Country shirts that are totally customizable, and you can win one! Simply write a story in 100 words or less why you chose your particular cross country colors and email it to us along with a photo of your colors by March 3! [Show Us Your Cross Country Colors Contest]

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke showed a little horsepower on his first day at work. Confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, Zinke rode into town with a nine-person police escort to the Interior Department’s downtown headquarters on Tonto, a 13-year-old 17 hand ISH gelding (but he looks like an appy to me…). From five generations of Montanans and an unabashed admirer of Teddy Rosevelt, Zinke knows his way around a cow pony. [Ride to Work, Even in Washington]

When I try to get out of a chair after a long time, my knees don’t un-bend that well, and I wonder why I’M not on Cosequin like my horse. I know, it’s sad at 29 that I’m an old cripple. All I know is, I’m not the only one. Luckily, as usual, SmartPak is here to save the day with supplements for the rider! If you’re an old cripple like me, treat yourself 1/10 as well as you do your horse, and get some Grand Flex + HA Capsules so you can be less of a silly hobbling mess. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

KER Product of the Week – EquiShure

When high concentrations of fructans are found in pasture, or large grain meals are fed, horses ferment these highly fermentable carbohydrate “sugars” in the hindgut, setting the stage for hindgut acidosis and potentially resulting in laminitis and colic.

Developed by Kentucky Equine Research, EquiShure® is a research-proven time-released buffer that helps moderate gut conditions by preventing the drastic drop in pH associated with high lactate production. Choose EquiShure to help reduce the risk of hindgut acidosis escalating to laminitis in horses grazing high-fructan pastures or receiving significant intakes of starch-laden grains, including those at risk for or with a history of laminitis.

Throughout the month of March only, receive 15% off EquiShure with code GRASS317.

Donner. I can’t even with this right now. Photo courtesy of Lynn Symansky Equestrian.

I know discussions about the weather are so boring, but seriously I can barely deal right now. Yesterday we had thunderstorms/tornadoes/hail and also it was 75 degrees. You heard me, 75 and hailing. WHAT?! At Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine, Maryland, they had wind so bad that it flipped their big trailer flat on its side. Welcome to March, everybody.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The Professional Rider’s Organization (PRO) announced yesterday that they are implementing a complete rebranding for 2017. Since its establishment in 2009, PRO has contributed to significant improvements in increasing exposure and interest on the professional side of the sport in North America. Over the years, however, PRO has steadily increased membership level options to benefit more than just top athletes. The organization feels it is time now to open up the membership and become a fully collaborative voice between eventing participants, competitions and the sport’s governing bodies. [PRO Announces New Strategy for Inclusiveness]

The never ending quest to find the perfect XC shirt may finally be at an end. World Equestrian Brands has debuted their Equetech Custom Cross Country shirts that are totally customizable, and you can win one! Simply write a story in 100 words or less why you chose your particular cross country colors and email it to us along with a photo of your colors by March 3! [Show Us Your Cross Country Colors Contest]

Jersey Fresh International has announced the inclusion of FlyPups, Inc. into the 15th anniversary festivities for this year’s event. FlyPups, based in Pottersville, NJ, transports dogs from desperate situations to no-kill shelters and foster situations where they can be nurtured and prepared for placement in forever homes. As part of JFI’s schedule of events this year, FlyPups will hold a 5K run, as well as a 1K fun walk to benefit the organization’s operations on Sunday, May 14, at the Horse Park of New Jersey. Athletes, spectators and families are welcome to experience a unique perspective of spring in the New Jersey countryside as they run or walk around JFI’s Cross-Country Course, which will feature many awe-inspiring jumping challenges negotiated by horses and riders during the previous day’s competition. [JFI Partners with FlyPups for 2017]

Incredible US Olympic show jumper Cedric has been officially retired from competition at the ripe age of 19. Ridden by Laura Kraut and owned by Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, the 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Chambertin 3 x Cortina, by Carolus LL) was the “horse of a lifetime” for his rider. Kraut and Cedric were one of the most dynamic and successful show jumping combinations in US history. Cedric made his FEI debut in 2006 as an eight-year- old, and his partnership with Kraut has been nothing short of incredible. Kraut and Cedric were key members of the United States show jumping team that claimed the gold medal in 2008 at the summer Olympics in Beijing. [Cedric Retires]

Clark and his super young horse Engapore at Three Lakes in Ocala. 

Just some dweebs in the sun. Photo by Catherine Marcks.

Yesterday, I did gallop sets in a tank top. And I turned the overhead fans on in the barn. In February. I don’t even know how to process this! My phone keeps telling me that last year this time, we had an ice storm, and two years ago I was still struggling through two feet of snow to get to the barn. I can only conclude that March and April will be hellishly cold and bizarre, because there is no way that we just get to skip winter scot free. It’s just not possible.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Keeping it simple was the theme with Chris Burton for the Young Horse part of the ICP Symposium in Florida. Working with four and five year olds, Chris emphasized that while there are a lot of theories about training systems at a young age, he likes to simplify it a bit. “There is so much to talk about training young horses, but in my mind it is very simple. The horse needs to go forward, it needs to stop and it needs to turn right and left,” said Burton. [KISS Is Key with Chris Burton]

Let’s hop into a time machine and go back into the USEA records and trophy room. The Windy Acres Trophy has been awarded 56 times to the USEA Rider of the Year, but only 16 different people have their names engraved. Bruce Davidson Sr holds the record with a whopping fourteen Rider of the Year titles to his name, but Phillip Dutton is right on his heels with thirteen. The last lady to win was Karen Stives in 1981, and Dennis Glaccum was the first to win with Kilkerry in 1960. [Trophy Tales From the USEA]

Halt Canter at X announced yesterday the recipients of their grants, raised at the 2016 Event at Rebecca Farm. With a grand total of $70,000 this year, the organization has contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars to various cancer halting causes since the inception in 2012. First time recipient Dr. Robert Mutter, M.D. from the Maya Clinic received $50,000 towards his research efforts, and fifth time recipients Dr. Mario Capecchi and Dr Simon Titen of the telomere study in Salt Lake City received $20,000. [Halt Canter at X Announces Grant Recipients]

Did you know that SmartPak does a Canine line? Sure, you’ve bought a dog jacket from them, but they also offer doggie supplements in the same easy format as what you get for your horse! My dog, Polly, does a lot of running along with the horses, and I was feeling guilty as I added joint supplements to my horse’s feed every day while looking at her. She’s 8 this year, so I got her some SmartCanine Senior, which she gobbles up right away with a glob of peanut butter every day. [SmartPak Product of The Day]

Just a bit of completely mad fox hunting to get you going for the day:

Brilliant. Photo courtesy of Amanda Wilson.

This photo of new barn rules has been circulating on social media this week, and I have to say it’s brilliant. The fines are hefty! I do disagree with the horse treats part, but that’s only because I use them in training techniques. As long as they are used intentionally they have good merit in training a horse, but excessive and arbitrary usage of horse cookies makes for spoilt ponies. Pay attention, students, or your lesson could be very costly!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Stable View, Plantation Field, and Fair Hill have partnered together to offer big rewards for young riders at the Preliminary and 1* level this spring. Starting with the Spring Stable View Event in March, the 21 Challenge Series also includes the April Fair Hill HT and the May Plantation Field HT. Prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors on cumulative scores, and will include up to one month’s free board, on site accommodations and training sessions with resident Olympians at Stable View for the 2018 winter season. [21 Challenge Series]

After the incredibly tragic loss of beloved trainer Javier Corradini, friends and family have set up an online fund to benefit his young daughters college dreams. The fund is set up to raise money so Javier and Cate’s two daughters have money for college tuition when they are of age, and will soon be transfered to a 529 college fund for the girls. If you want to do something to help this family, please consider helping precious Georgia and Charleigh have a secure future which includes higher education. [In Memory of Javier Corradini]

Chris Burton is the fastest cross country rider in the world, according to Equiratings. What makes him so darn good? He’s been lending his expertise to riders down in Florida all week, but in this video from Horse & Country, he explains what he thinks makes him excellent at making the time. Hint: it’s about good brakes, and a sharp eye. [Chris Burton Reveals His Secrets]

Tonight. Aiken. Pizza Joint. Be there. A portion of all profits from pizza tonight from 5pm to close will go to benefit the USC Aiken Eventing Team as they gear up to compete at the Virginia Horse Trials in May. If you’re in Aiken spending the winter with your fellow eventer, come out and enjoy a slice of delicious pizza and benefit your community of dedicated horse riders! [Aiken Pizza Joint]

When you’re prepping for your first Advanced… Photo from Chris Talley.

Yesterday was my birthday, which of course meant that I basically did the same thing I do every day (wake up at 6, clean the barn, ride horses for 10 hours, clean the barn, eat food, fall half asleep in a chair) but it was special because I was reminded of all the different people I know from around the world through their Facebook well wishes. Social media can be a crazy place, but on your birthday, it can feel like a whole lotta love. That, and I got exclusively chocolate and/or booze themed gifts, so that feels like love too.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The Farm House Tack shop in Landrum, SC has paired up with Nunn Finer to help Eric and Trayce Dierks. For the next seven days, 30% of all Nunn Finer purchases made through The Farm House will go directly to the Dierks to help with Eric’s medical expenses. Let’s keep that Eventing community love coming! [Farm House Tack Shop]

German eventing team rider Kai Steffen-Meier will teach an Eventing 101 clinic at in Ocala, FL Feb 24-26th. He will focus on how better dressage work improves your cross country riding, and will specifically address amateurs (although not excluding professionals). All rides will be filmed and later evaluated during class room sessions so the riders can learn about themselves while watching their own rides. All levels are welcome. Additional speakers include event horse breeding and training expert Dr. Maren Engelhardt and equine nutrition and lameness prevention specialist Kimberly Kojima. To register and for more information, email [email protected].

In case you missed it, the bitless bridles in dressage discussion continues here. With a member of British Dressage sending in a request to have bitless bridles legalized for recognized competition, both sides of the controversy remain staunchly opposed. On one hand, riding bitless can’t possibly be a threat to those with a bit, but on the other hand, how do you deal with the classical dressage commandment of “acceptance of the bit”? We may never know. [Let’s Discuss Bitless Bridles]

What are the items that you can’t live your horsey life without? I would say right now that Dubarry boots, gloves, good leggings and chapstick are at the top of my list. Also, a horse vacuum because #mudeverywhere. Staff at Horse & Hound know the things that make your world go ’round. [50 Things Horse Owners Really Really Can’t Live Without]

Hot on Horse Nation: Riding The Skywalk

Winter can’t touch me, because I’ve got my Under Armour leggings game going strong. Seriously, I’m wearing these leggings right now as I type this, because not only are they warm as hell to wear during the blustery cold day underneath my riding pants, but they’re comfy as all get out to wear just as leggings around the house! These Under Armour Authentic ColdGear Leggings rock my world. I have three pairs. I wear them all the time. So should you. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

A Troll back in action!

Kate Chadderton killing that reflection game. Photo courtesy of Kate.

Note to self: never, ever assume that a horse you’ve owned for almost 12 years who is going on his 16th year of life has “grown up” and decided to start “acting trained”. This applies especially to those early gallop sets coming out of winter doldrums. Yesterday, it was warm and only marginally windy, and the ground was good, so I hacked over to a turf track down the road and over a river, to have a little fitness day. It’s a good thing nobody was there to witness the atrocities that followed, because the ping-pong zip-line spastic behavior was just second to next. Spook at: clump of grass, spot of weird dirt, open gate in fence line, stump over there, shadow over here, bolt going this direction, balk going that direction. I give up.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

A British rider has petitioned to allow bitless bridles to be allowed in recognized dressage competitions. Tam Russell has called for British Dressage to change their rules about requiring bits for dressage in competition. Unfortunately for her, BD responded thus: “This decision is based on one of the fundamental principles of dressage being built on the acceptance of the bit (while much of the terminology of this relates to acceptance of the bridle, it is widely understood that this is the acceptance of the bit).“To change this principle would have far-reaching consequences, not least that we have to have a competition structure that progresses in to international sport. For this reason alone, we have to align closely with the FEI.” [BD Responds to Request for Bitless Bridles]

Great news for fans of Fresno County Horse Park and Aspen Farms, as Southern California Equestrian Sports has added $2,000 in prize money to the events this year. SCES will be handing out prize money in the CIC* and CIC2* divisions at both Fresno County Horse Park this weekend, as well as the CIC* and CIC2* divisions at Aspen Farms in the second week of June. SCES is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping riders and organizations raise funds to compete in and support their national and international competitions in the US. [SCES Adds Big Prize Money]

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program Youth Ambassador of the Month for February is Morgan Kastner! Morgan is from Minnesota, and at 18 years old, she competes two thoroughbreds in both English and Western disciplines. She is incredibly passionate about the thoroughbred breed, and believes thoroughly in their ability to do any kind of job you could possibly want. [Horse Nation Spotlight]

Laughing at British People Laughing at Us: American Horsey Jargon That Leaves Us Baffled

Best of Blogs: 20 Best Tumblr Posts About Living With Horses 

Welly World from Elisa Wallace:

Icabad Crane reunited with racing trainer Graham Motion. Photo via Icabad’s FB.

Remember Icabad Crane? The original Retired Racehorse Makeover champion? He’s stayed in Phillip Dutton’s barn, and competed through the 1* level with Phillip, but now he is the ride of Olivia Dutton. She has two fabulous OTTBs in her string, with Icabad and Santa’s Playboy both competing at Preliminary this year. Once a horse in the Preakness, now a champion Eventing superstar teaching the next generation!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Ocala Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The Charles Owen Technical Merit award kicks off in February at the Pine Top Advanced HT. Founded by the USEA Professional Horsemans’ Council, the idea behind the award is to provide incentives for amateur and junior riders who demonstrate safe and appropriate cross country riding technique, as well as providing education to riders and trainers as to what constitutes safe XC riding. At each event, riders will be entered to win a Charles Owen Body Protector and helmet bag, and year-end high point winners will receive a Charles Owen Helmet. [Charles Owen Technical Merit Award for Safe Cross Country Riding]

Totilas is slated to make his first public appearance since his messy performance at the Europeans in 2015 and subsequent retirement. The horse that first brought everyone back to the world of Dressage, and dazzled us all for years, he will be shown in hand at France’s major Saint-Lô show, which runs from 18-19 February. Other stallions in the multi-stud affair include the top eventing stallion Contendro, Balou Du Rouet, Catoki and Orient Express, as well as the dressage sires Fürstenball, Soliman De Hus and Vitalis. [Toto Reappears]

After the success of last year’s competition Shearwater Insurance and Tri-Star Eventing are thrilled to announce the return of The Shearwater Insurance Tri-Star Grand Slam. The unique series offers a ‘winner-takes-all’ prize fund of £50,000 for any rider who can win three of the five CIC3* events included in the competition. The events are Belton International, Burnham Market International, Houghton International, Burgham International, and newly added Hartpury International, all at the CIC3* level. [Shearwater Insurance]

Best of Blogs: Dear Horse…Thank You

Team Lee Lee at Wellington Showcase! Photo courtesy of Jennie Brannigan.

Ahhhh today I’m off to join Jenni at the Wellington Showcase!! Unfortunately I will miss the dressage, but I’m getting there in time for the exciting stuff, don’t worry. I’ve packed several different kinds of sunscreen, because I’m ghostly pale from riding indoors with ten thousand layers on for the past few months, but I’m sure I’ll still be turning red. It’s just inevitable! Super excited to spend a few days in the sunshine state, I haven’t been for years. Get ready Jenni, here I come!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Wellington Eventing Showcase: [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stable View Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Sporting Days Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Full Gallop Farm February H.T. [Website]

Galway Downs Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

How does one go about becoming a Technical Delegate? If you’ve ever been interested in getting more involved, officially (pun intended), in the sport of Eventing, here’s your chance. TD Tim Murray explains the process of getting licensed in this USEA series featuring officials of Eventing. Being a TD for a competition is a big deal, with a lot of duties and responsibilities, so learning everything for the role takes some time, but it’s incredibly rewarding. [Get Licensed: Become a TD]

The University of Florida is bringing their game hard with their newly minted Eventing Team. Based in Ocala, of course, the team is made up of twelve members and coached by four-star rider Ashley Johnson. They only just officially formed in the fall of 2016, but they’re looking ahead to great things in the future. Some of the riders have been converted from hunter/jumpers to the dark side (yay!) and they’re already winning events. [UF’s New Eventing Team]

Oh, did you want to see a slideshow of Boyd Martin and WFP hanging out at Stable View this past week? We got you covered. [Time of Your Life]

Hot on Horse Nation: Fantasy Farm Thursday: A $3 Million Horse Farm with a Side of Guac

I feel like my tack room is a constant battle to keep organized, and I don’t think I’m alone. After years of horses, you just accumulate a lot of….stuff…miscellaneous stuff. I have extra boots and blankets that aren’t the right size for my current horses, bottles of potions and hoof polishes with 1/3 left, all that kind of stuff. I got one of these Burlingham Sports Storage Bins at work recently, and holy cow I need like three more. All the stuff that was previously on shelves or stacked in corners can be safely tucked away in these neat bins, and ta-da! My tack room is a cluttered mess no more. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

Relive Wellington 2016 with Doug Payne and Vandiver:

Jenni Autry has been sneaking in a few days of extra sun in Ocala before the Wellington Showcase. Photo by Jenni.

So, I’m going to the Wellington Showcase this weekend, courtesy of my sister hosting me in her house in Wellington, and I’m actually pretty psyched. I haven’t been to Florida for several years now, and I’ve never been to Wellington at all, although I’ve heard many stories. Lots of my friends and family winter down there for almost half the year, as the dressage and hunter/jumper crowd consider WEF to be the holy land, but Eventers don’t generally venture that far. While the winter has been mild so far in Virginia, I really can’t say no to some 80 degree weather. Yes, I will be sunburned because I am so pale right now it’s not even funny.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Wellington Eventing Showcase: [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stable View Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Sporting Days Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Full Gallop Farm February H.T. [Website]

Galway Downs Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

The Wellington Eventing Showcase starts tomorrow morning, with a bigger than ever entry list. With top riders like William Fox Pitt and Mark Todd (on two horses each) battling it out with the best riders in the US, it’s bound to be exciting. Dressage is on Friday, with Show Jumping and Cross Country on Saturday. COTH is live streaming all three phases (holla!) and Jenni and I will be there to bring you up to date as the action is happening. [Wellington Showcase: What You Need To Know]

The ICP and FEH/YEH Programs are teaming up this year to bring USEA members the ultimate educational opportunity in Florida this year. While these seminars are usually hosted separately, this year they have joined forces so that young horse enthusiasts and instructors alike can enjoy top level instruction from Chris Burton, Chris Ryan, Leslie Law, Robin Walker, Marilyn Payne and Susan Graham White. [ICP & YEH/FEH Join Forces for Spring 2017]

Hot on Horse Nation: 5 Ways to Enjoy Winter (That Your Horse Will Hate)

The USEF has announced the launch of their “Elite” program for Dressage in 2017. Established to provide support and resources to horses and riders who have proven themselves competitive internationally, the athletes will work with Robert Dover as a technical advisor regarding specific goals and schedules. In this program, they will also receive training and competition grants to help them reach goals and to increase the influence of US Dressage as a whole for the foreseeable future. [USEF Announces Elite Program]

New Pony! Photo courtesy of Kate Chadderton.

Kate Chadderton celebrated Australia Day this week by welcoming a brand new Australian horse to her herd! Fresh off the boat, this striking looking filly is bred by Finch Farms, in Toowoomba Australia. Her name is FF Fortitude, and she’s by the lauded Holsteiner stallion, Calgary GNZ, known for his jumping bloodlines. Congrats to Kate, and what a way to celebrate ‘Straya Day!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Stable View Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe: 

Congratulations to Michele C., this week’s Fab Freebie winner! Michele is the lucky recipient of a new C4 skinny belt to up her style game this season. [Fab Freebie: C4]

Interested in becoming an Event Organizer or Secretary? While these positions don’t require licensing like a Technical Delegate or a Course Designer, they do require superhuman skills in a lot of other ways. There are a million and one jobs for the Organizer or Secretary of an event, but Molly Bull, a four-star rider married to a four-star course builder, walks us through how to get acquainted with the job, and possibly get involved. [How to Become an Organizer or Secretary]

Area II’s of the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) was such a smash hit in 2016, they’re rolling it out nationwide for 2017. The first roots of the program grew from the many efforts of the late Seema Sonnad, and offers a lot of benefits for both organizers and volunteers. They have an online portal which is also available on iPhone and Android apps, which make volunteering easy, accessible, and fun. Check out the site today! [VIP Program Full Force in 2017]

Hot on Horse Nation: A Tribute to the Horse Significant Other

Best Listicle: 30 Lies Grooms Tell Their Riders

For your inspiring story of the week, check out how Mavis Spencer went from grooming for the stars to competing in Grand Prix herself in a matter of years. Mavis competed as a junior, but upon entering the adult ranks, took it upon herself to become a professional groom for top riders in the show jumping world. She groomed at all the big shows in the US, Europe, and even for an Italian rider at the WEG. Luck and hard work went her way, and soon Mavis found herself promoted from stall mucking to exercising and showing. Now she has a string of her own, and she’s doing impressively well. [One to Watch: Mavis Spencer]

Dogs need blankets too in the winter weather! Good thing SmartPak has an entire section devoted to our doggy companions, as they wisely know that every horse person in the world has a dog (or five). This SmartPak Deluxe Dog Blanket fits everything from Corgis to Great Danes, comes with a fluffy fleece liner, a tough turnout outer layer, and all the cool colors. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

For the first time in almost forever, my news feed on Facebook is not filled with horses. In fact, it was almost difficult to find a photo of horses that would be fun for this news and notes post. While politics are raging, all I have to say is, practice kindness and empathy, even when you don’t really feel like it. That, and look at this picture of my donkey, Pepe, because he is absurdly cute.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Full Gallop Farm January H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Stable View Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe: 

Area II’s of the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) was such a smash hit in 2016, they’re rolling it out nationwide for 2017. The first roots of the program grew from the many efforts of the late Seema Sonnad, and offers a lot of benefits for both organizers and volunteers. They have an online portal which is also available on iPhone and Android apps, which make volunteering easy, accessible, and fun. Check out the site today! [VIP Program Full Force in 2017]

Endurance is under more fire as two catastrophic in Dubai this week at a 40km qualifier race. This brings the total number of deaths to six at this venue since mid-December. The FEI is beginning works with the UAE to address several rules that might be causing increased risk, such as age of horse and rider, and an “elite” rider rule which allows experienced riders to start unqualified horses in championship events which they have never even ridden before. They also believe that over training is a large part of the issues, and are looking for ways to regulate that. [Endurance Rules Under Scrutiny from FEI]

In these times of strife, we need to remember there is a place in Holland called PonyparkCity. If you’re intrigued, read on, because this is quite possibly the best place I’ve ever heard of. Basically, you come to PonyparkCity, stay for a week with your family and live in a cabin THAT COMES WITH A PONY. Like a fully-stocked hotel: clean towels, complimentary shampoo, pony. You get to ride around bareback on your pony all week, and if you need more ponies, you can rent them. CLICK FOR MORE SERIOUSLY. [Horse Nation]

Best of Blogs: Green Plus Green Equals Black and Blue?

Elisa Wallace’s most recent vlog!

Joan Hampf’s farm is right across from Team Dutton in Aiken, SC and she hung this sign to support Lee Lee. Love you Joan! Photo by Doug Payne.

Sometimes, going back to one of your golden oldie exercises with your horses is the way to success. At the beginning of the year, I’m just starting to jump my horses a bit again (as weather allows) and sometimes I feel like I’ve forgotten all my fancy jump exercises. Inspired by a bit of “Whats In Your Ring” and of course “Grid Pro Quo”, I’ll be reminded of excellent standbys, and I’m always rewarded when I spend an hour setting them up and then they work perfectly!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Poplar Place Farm January H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

News From Around the Globe:

Canada’s Graeme Thom has accepted the position as New Zealand’s High Performance Eventing Manager, effective February 1st. Thom was an integral part of Canada’s Eventing High Performance committee from 2005 to 2014, during which time the team earned four medals at various championships. While Thom is delighted to have taken a job with an excellent team, Canadian riders are less enthusiastic about losing yet another great influence in the warfare that is Equestrian Canada these days. [Graeme Thom Becomes NZ High Performance Manager]

The buzz is all about the Emerging Athletes Eventing 25 and 18 Training Sessions this past week, so the USEA put together a little podcast to let us onto the backstage. Featuring Lizzie Snow and Zach Brandt, who were both part of the 2017 Eventing 25 group, they chat about what they worked on with coach Leslie Law, and how it’s helped their programs and their horses. Then, we get the big coach himself on to talk about the goals of the program at large. [Review of Emerging Athletes]

Physiologically, what makes a horse so much more athletic than its size appropriate counterpart, the cow? In other words, why are horses able to do rather amazing athletic feats and a cow of the same size looks like it struggles to canter? Lots of reasons, in short. Horses have a similar heart rate as cattle, but a maximum cardiac output rate that is 2.5 times greater, and lungs that are twice as big, which means they can maximize blood oxygen transport. Look, there’s a lot of sciencey things here that I’m not great at explaining, but this is interesting to look at how and why horses bodies work so well. [Horses Physiological Response to Exercise]

Best of Blogs: Making it to the Thoroughbred Makeover

This horse won the YEH 5-yo class at Burghley last year, a new ride for Buck:

EN’s own Sally Spickard enjoying a Buck Davidson clinic in sunny California. Photo via Sally.

Virginia is cruel in the winter, and not in the same way as many other snowy states. It’s cruel because throughout the winter months, it likes to go from below freezing to over 60 and then back again almost every week. It’s so unpredictably unpredictable, you need all the different kinds of clothes that could be required to cover activities in 25 and raining all the way up to sunny and 65. This means SO many blanket changes that you want to poke your eyes out, and a mass buildup of extra jackets in my car. I am not pleased.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Poplar Place Farm January H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

News From Around the Globe:

The USEF Board of Directors has considered the list for possible fall 4* competitions and come up with a short list. They have concluded that due to changes in date and location for the 2018 World Equestrian Games that the inaugural 4* will be slated for 2019, and will be held at either Fair Hill or Great Meadow. The objective of the application process was to select a venue and management team that is capable of conducting and prioritizing a competition at the CCI4* level, and to ensure that the event fits into the training and competition calendar for the eventing discipline. [USEF Announces Short List for 4*]

 We’ve been doing sales videos all wrong. Enter: the greatest (and maybe longest) sales video of all time. Meet Zack and Walter, one is human and the other is equine. Walter will pick up your hat, drag a canoe, sit down and have a snack with you, and is maybe the most desensitized horse in the world. He is super chill. This video might be long, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t treat yourself. P.S. is Walter maybe the greatest horse ever?? [Extensive & Amazing Sales Video]

Best of Blogs: Love the Horse or Love the Win? A Rider’s Dilemma

One of the best parts of winter is Grid Pro Quo! This week it is with four-star rider and overall incredible lady, Jan Byyny. Jan is the jumping master both in her riding and her coaching. She shows you how to set up a grid that can benefit both the young babies learning their footing and be equally useful for the top level horses coming back into work in the spring. Love this easy and awesome grid! [Grid Pro Quo]

This is priceless….

Lainey and Al just modeling in some cold Virginia weather. Photo by Tylir Penton.

I’ve started pony-ing my horses on trot sets down my dirt road, because frankly, it’s way more efficient. With the footing all gross everywhere else, a lot of my winter is walking and trotting up and down the road, and it’s not bad really. They hardly ever put down new gravel, and when it’s soggy everywhere else, the dirt has a nice give to it. All my horses are used to it, and legged up properly, so they like it. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that Nyls, the warmblood, is WAY more competitive than any of the other horses and can barely be contained when paired with someone else. He tries to beat them at the walk! I guess it’s good motivation for him, because otherwise he’s a bit of a kick along sometimes, but seriously…you’re not a racehorse dude and you’ve never been one, get it together.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Three Lakes January H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

News From Around the Globe:

NPR wants to know, exactly how smart are horses? While the rest of the world still thinks horses might fall somewhere below dogs, we horse people know better. Japanese scientists have taken it upon themselves to measure the cognition of horses, by doing a few experiments with horses and their human counterparts. Their findings point not only to advanced cognition but also to flexible cognition, with the horses adjusting their communicative behavior to the humans’ knowledge state. DUH. [How Smart Are Horses?]

The Event at Rebecca Farm continues to expand, as does their economic impact every year. The 2016 competition brought in $5.5 million in economic revenue to the Flathead Valley, a full 25% increase from 2015, and welcomed over 600 competitors and 10,000 spectators. With attendees coming from 25 of the United States as well as Canada, many visitors stay to enjoy more of the outdoor beauties that Montana has to offer. [Rebecca Farm Impacts the Community]

Scary news from California, as a Brook Ledge trailer full of competition horses was hit by another tractor trailer while driving on the highway. The tractor trailer lost control and swerved into the center divider, bounced off, went back toward the slow lanes of traffic and side-swiped the large Brook Ledge Horse Transportation trailer, ripping a portion of the side. Of the seven horses on board, three were injured, with varying degrees of seriousness. [Horses Injured in Brook Ledge Crash]

Ah, saddle fit, the struggle that plagues so many of us riders. Not every horse (or horse parent) can afford a perfectly customized saddle, but the effects of a poorly fitted saddle can be varied and long lasting. In a society that prefers quick fixes and cheap solutions, saddles and horses are not a good match for this philosophy. Do you invest in a fitted saddle? Or wait for the horse to prove himself? But what if he can’t prove himself with a poorly fitted saddle? [Thoughts on Saddles and Training]

At some point, we’ve all looked for the magical “indestructible bell boot”. Everyone has one of those horses, the one that constantly pulls shoes, the one that destroys bell boots left right and center, or just loses them in the field every day. I’ve had some of these lovely beasts in my care, and honestly, I’ve tried all the bell boots. I feel terrible spending $50 on the nice ones I want to show in, just to have them ripped off in the field. My personal favorite for very hard wearing but still affordable are these Davis Bell Boots, which look unassuming and average, but are anything but. [SmartPak Product of the Day]

Best of #TBT: USCTA 1987 “Tack Madness”