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Kate Samuels
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Kate Samuels

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About Kate Samuels

Kate Samuels is an avid 3-Day Eventer who currently competes at the Advanced/3* level with her wonderful Selle Francais gelding, Nyls du Terroir. A rider since the tender age of three, she is a young professional in the sport learning as much as she can from various mentors, both equine and human. Kate has worked for Eventing Nation since 2011, and has enjoyed every minute of it. She brings a lifetime of experience with horses as well as a wealth of knowledge gained through competing at the top levels of the sport. When not riding through the boiling hot, freezing cold, rain or snow, Kate enjoys baking pies, photography, and finding ridiculous videos on the internet.

Eventing Background

USEA Rider Profile Click to view profile
Area Area II
Highest Level Competed Advanced/CCI4*

Latest Articles Written

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Dec 8, 2022 12:03 am -

Horses are majestic. Photo by Afton Stables.

Stable View is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2023 since hosting their first recognized event in 2013! To properly celebrate you and your horse(s), the venue is offering a training incentive for competitors who complete all three schooling shows in January leading up to the new USEA/USEF Aiken Opener on January 21-22. On January 4th, they’re hosting a schooling jumper show, on January 11th, a schooling dressage show, and on January 14th, a winter combined test! It looks like the perfect way to practice your skills, and they’re offering half price entry on the CT for competitors who compete in all three.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

News From Around the Globe:

It’s USEA Convention week! USEA members from near and far are getting ready to converge on the historic city of Savannah, Georgia this week for the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention! With four full days jam-packed with educational seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings, the convention is sure to excite all members of the eventing community that will be in attendance. [USEA Convention Fast Facts]

We’re sad to report that Salinero, Anky van Grunsven’s 2004 and 2008 double Olympic champion, passed away this week. Originally started as a show jumper, the gelding showed promise on the flat, and was trained by a few riders until finding his match with Anky in 2002. They made their Grand Prix debut that year, and Salinero rose to the occasion to fill the shoes of the great Bonfire in Anky’s barn. Despite controversy surrounding her use of rolkur in her training, Salinero helped her become the first dressage rider to win three Olympic individual gold medals. [RIP Salinero]

Best of Blogs: Equine Roots of Idioms to Surprise 

The famous Endo the Blind has made history with three Guinness World Records. At 22-years-old, the Appaloosa gelding and his owner Morgan Wagner have trained for years to compete alongside sighted horses and do extensive liberty work. He has garnered the titles for the highest free jump by a blind horse (3ft 5in), the most flying changes by a horse in a minute (39), and the fastest time for a blind horse to weave five poles (6.93 sec). Endo was diagnosed with recurrent uveitis at eight years old, and Morgan worked hard to build his trust and his confidence. [Endo The Blind Wins Guinness World Records]

 

Please enjoy Cambalda rocking around Training level in his “retirement”!

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Dec 2, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of Team Brakewell.

We’re saddened to report that the great Over To You passed away this week at the grand age of 34. Jack was a stalwart competitor on the British Eventing Team for many years, and was spicy up till the end of his very long and beloved life with Jeanette Brakewell and team. He won an astounding eight championship titles, including an individual silver at the 2002 WEG, and made an appearance at seven total British championship team events, making him the most capped British eventing horse of all time. We loved watching you years ago, and we’re glad you got to live an incredible retirement, Jack!

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

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

News From Around the Globe:

Peeked inside our Holiday Gift Guide yet? It’s packed full of gift ideas for all types of riders, plus more than a few shopping deals to take advantage of! Click here to view the Guide — and don’t forget to support Give Back Week through December 4.

Fans of the FIFA World Cup, now is your time. The most popular sport in the world, soccer, could have something to offer equestrian sport: feedback on footing. Many soccer fields and stadiums utilize a tool that looks similar to a lawnmower for objective feedback in five areas: shock absorption, hardness, energy resistance, rotational resistance, and vertical displacement. Soccer professionals seek to assess these areas in an effort to address injury prevention, ball performance, and promotion of surface uniformity. The HiPSter machine also may be of use to help assess the quality of riding surfaces, said Dr. Menke Steenbergen of Ipos Technology in the Netherlands. The information the machine offers may lead to better equine performance and fewer musculoskeletal injuries. [How Can Soccer Teach Us More About Horse Footing]

Horse Nation writer Katelin Parsons reflects on her experience with kissing spines surgery and shares what she’s learned since having her horse undergo the procedure. It has been almost two years since her horse had surgery to correct kissing spines. In that time, she learned so much. If she could go back, she would not put her horse through surgery again. Surgery is extremely invasive and it is much more likely to be successful if a horse is rehabilitated slowly and correctly. If a horse continues to move in the same manner that it did before surgery, the kissing spines can redevelop. On the other hand, if a horse is taught proper movement on the lunge line and under saddle, kissing spines can be prevented and even reversed without surgical intervention. [Why I Regret Putting My Horse Through Kissing Spine Surgery]

There was a standing ovation as Nicola Wilson took the HorseDialog Inspiration of the Year title at the 2022 Horse & Hound Awards. The eventing European champion walked on to the stage this week, with her husband Alastair, nearly seven months after she was seriously injured in a fall at Badminton Horse Trials. Nicola spent more than four months in hospital undergoing intensive physiotherapy and rehab, and returned home in September. This week, she shared a video of herself walking at home. [Nicola Wins Well Deserved Inspiration of the Year Award]

Best of Blogs: Helping Old Horses Gain Weight Before Winter

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Dec 1, 2022 12:03 am -

Tis the season to get baking! Photo courtesy of SmartPak.

Tis the season to bake tasty treats for those you love in your life….your horses of course! It’s like kismet, actually, as I was looking for a quick and easy to make for my horses and my clients horses, and our friends at SmartPak popped up on my Facebook feed with this wonderful cookie recipe. Don’t worry, you barely need any skills in the kitchen, and just a few basic ingredients. Check out this recipe for No Bake Maple Banana Oat Horse Cookies.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

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

News From Around the Globe:

Peeked inside our Holiday Gift Guide yet? It’s packed full of gift ideas for all types of riders, plus more than a few shopping deals to take advantage of! Click here to view the Guide — and don’t forget to support Give Back Week through December 4.

In an ever-changing world, we must constantly reevaluate what we consider “normal.” This is particularly applicable to equine practitioners who are now routinely asked to appreciate situations previously thought to be atypical that have now become standard, usual, or expected. What is abnormal for one animal may well be acceptable in another. It is the job of vets to help muddle through the murky waters to ultimately decide if the patient in front of us is normal. Abnormal is just a term to describe something that deviates from usual, is viewed as undesirable or worrying in some way, or is simply uncharacteristic of a particular patient. [What is Normal in Today’s Sporthorse?]

Horse & Hound has announced their 2022 award winners for a variety of categories. We’re delighted to see Vanir Kamira top the horse of the year list, buoyed by Piggy March’s win on her at Burghley this fall. Laura Collett unsurprisingly wins rider of the year, and best of all, Nicola Wilson won for the Inspiration of the year. [H&H 2022 Year-End Awards]

Terry West added another accolade to her most lengthy and diversified resume when she was announced as one of the newest inductees into the Maryland Horse Show Association Hall of Fame Sunday. West, one of the first black female jockeys, was a competitor on the racetrack for more than two decades before transitioning to the hunter-jumper industry, in which she continues to compete today. She has served as a board member of the MHSA and has been active in retraining off-track Thoroughbreds for the hunter and jumper rings, competing on numerous occasions in the Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show at Pimlico Racecourse. [Terry West Inducted into MD Hall of Fame]

Equine nutritionists and veterinarians have long been preaching the importance of forage in our horses’ diets. We know ample, good-quality forage is crucial to their digestive health, but why? The horse family Equidae adapted extremely well to grassland as they evolved from browsers to grazers over millions of years. This is evident in their rich fossil record, which reveals equids’ teeth, feet, and more adapted to give them an evolutionary advantage over other herbivores. [Why Forage First?]

 

Boyd Martin Riding School is back in session!

 

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Nov 25, 2022 12:03 am -

Thanksgiving at Windurra! Photo by Silva Martin.

 

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

News From Around the Globe:

Hello Black Friday, our Holiday Gift Guide has landed! We’ve picked out a few of our favorite gift ideas for all types of riders and partnered with some awesome brands to bring you special deals and promotions. [Start shopping]

In 2018, There were 42 young horses contesting YEH 5-year-old Championships between the East and West Coast Championships which were held in Elkton, Maryland, and Woodside, California, respectively. Following 2018’s YEH finale, many of the graduating class of the 2018 USEA Young Event Horse Championships have worked their way up through the rankings as they establish themselves as upper-level event horse prospects. [YEH Yearbook: Class of 2018]

Winter is the perfect time to work on some details with your riding, one of which is certainly position and rider biomechanics. Mary Wanless, an internationally renowned dressage coach and rider biomechanics specialist, shares some useful advice on how correct biomechanics can positively affect performance. [13 Facts About Rider Biomechanics]

Best of Blogs: Thankful For A Thoroughbred

After watching the annual Presidential Turkey Pardon earlier this week, a Florida trainer was inspired to grant clemency of a different kind. On Wednesday, Alice Abrahams led her fleet of multi-colored lease ponies, three in each hand, to the largest, nine-acre field on her Ocala-based Palm Lane Farm property. There, she removed their halters, handed each a jumbo carrot, and sent them on their merry way.“Nobody’s earned it more,” Abrahams said. “No more little heels banging them in the sides, or pulling on their mouths over cross-rails. No more having to wait out the waterworks when the kiddos take second place, or when they throw a tantrum when it’s time to apply more sunscreen at the show ring. From now until January 1, 2023, my ponies are officially unclipped and off the payroll!” [Ponies Pardoned for Thanksgiving]

 

Turkey Day News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Nov 24, 2022 12:03 am -

Happy Snoot Day! Photo by Kate Samuels

Happy Turkey Day! I hope that everybody gets to spend today with some pony nose kisses, maybe a little stall mucking for cardio, and then an absolutely unreasonable amount of food. Turkey is great and all, but honestly I live for mashed potatoes and stuffing, I mean I could survive on that for at least a month and be totally happy. I might not fit into my riding pants afterwards, but you know, there are trades to be made.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

News From Around the Globe:

Our Holiday Gift Guide has landed! We’ve picked out a few of our favorite gift ideas for all types of riders and partnered with some awesome brands to bring you special deals and promotions. [Start shopping]

Did you know that the jump on course that gives you nightmares is named after a drainage ditch in Prussia? Yeah, me neither, but apparently the Trakehner comes from the Trakehnen area of East Prussia in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the jump design comes from teaching war horses to leap over fenced drainage ditches on the battle field. You too can learn fascinating and ridiculous stories about eventing fences to bore your family with today at dinner. [Jump Names Demystified]

Horses very rarely misbehave simply to be bad, and more equine professionals are coming to realize that. Oftentimes what people perceive as “naughty” behavior is the horse trying to tell his owners and riders that he’s hurting. Many owners and trainers underestimate how much pain a horse is actually feeling – even when they aren’t performing up to their usual standard. When called out to assess a horse that is “grumpy,” “lazy,” or even “misbehaving,”. [Decoding Poor Performance: Lameness, Behavioral, or Something Else?]

As somebody with a firmly NOT retired 21-year-old in my barn, I am coming to love these super senior horses who just love their work. Eye Candy (Escudo II x Goldstern by Grenadier), a 1999 Hanoverian began his classical dressage training in Vechta, Germany, with Catherine Haddad Staller in early 2003.  Eye Candy was purchased by Robin Mattson in October of that year.  Eye Candy remained in Germany in training with Staller until the fall of 2005, when Robin  imported him to the United States.  Over the next 17 years, Robin and Eye Candy progressed through the levels to Intermediare I, earning their USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. Although in perfect health, Robin felt Eye Candy had earned his retirement at 21, but after visiting him in his field, she found that he was far from ready to hang up his bridle. [Ageless Eye Candy]

Movie recommendation of the week: EO. Kinda like Eyore but EO. The donkey’s name is EO, and as the action begins, he is part of a small circus act with a loving young woman trainer. But when the circus goes broke, EO is sold off to farmers. They don’t treat EO badly but the donkey remembers a happier, earlier life and soon escapes, beginning a journey across modern Europe that carries EO from forests and towns, to villas and scrap heaps the size of small Alps. [Donkey Movie For the Holidays]

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Nov 17, 2022 12:03 am -

Haven’t we all been there? Photo courtesy of FHC.

Several of my horses have, ahem, winter girths and summer girths. Why, you ask? Well, just the reason most girls have pants that aren’t always the same size. When you’re fighting fit and ready for a competition, you might slip into your little black girth, but in the winter when you’re a bit puffy and you’re mostly hacking after vacation, you’ll need some kind of comfortable elastic girth that’s maybe a size or two larger. I’d rather have fat winter horses than the type that requires a thousand calories a day, but it does make my tack room a bit full.

U.S. Weekend Preview

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

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

Peterson Smith Barnstaple Educational Three Day (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

Establishing a soft yet effective position requires repetition, hard work, diligence, and a lot of patience. Remember that when you see riders with incredible body control from upper level riders that position and effectiveness is the product of years (sometimes decades!) of work and practice. We’ve got ways to help you better understand how you can make progress in your own position, which is one of the biggest assets a rider can have, no matter their goals. [Strong Core, Still Leg, Soft Hands]

Good feel is key to much of what you do with your horse. It’s that, often seemingly magical, ability that the best riders possess to really sense what is happening underneath them, and, as Geoff Teall shares in his book, “You must immediately start developing an awareness of the concepts, if you ever want to ride effectively, effortlessly and invisibly.  Feel and lightness are closely related to each other. In order to be an effective rider, you need to learn to feel just the right amount of hands, legs, seat and weight. The more you can feel what that right amount is, the more lightness you will have in your riding.” [Developing Lightness & Feel]

Though muscle is recognized and appreciated for its importance in the physical prowess of horses, the role of muscle in maintaining normal protein metabolism throughout the body is likely undervalued. The horse’s body is composed of thousands of proteins that are in a constant state of turnover, breaking down and synthesizing simultaneously. Because muscle is the main reservoir of amino acids in the body, and amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, basic knowledge of protein and amino acids is essential for all horse owners interested in nutrition. Using a simple Q&A format, here’s your chance to learn more about protein in equine nutrition. [Protein, Amino Acids, and Exercise]

Best of Blogs: In Defense of Unmounted Lessons

Our community is mourning the sudden loss of Rob Bowersox this week, and everyone in Eventing will miss his infectious enthusiasm for the sport of Eventing and everyone he met. A memorial mass will be held next Tuesday for those who are able to attend, and in lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Fair Hill International Green to Gold. [Robert John Bowersox]

 

 

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Nov 11, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of Nicola Wilson.

It’s so absolutely lovely to see updates of Nicola Wilson out and about, and her regular videos on her progress make my heart smile. She must be an astoundingly positive and hard-working person to progress as she has following her accident at Badminton this spring. We all know that eventers are tough and resilient, but Nicola really seems to never stop smiling, which is extremely admirable. Keep a look-out for an exclusive interview with her from Eventing Nation soon!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Dutta Corp. Tryon International Three-Day Event (Mill Spring, NC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Shannon Brinkman Photo] [Live Stream] [Scoring] [YR Team Scoring]

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

River Glen Fall H.T. (New Market, TN): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Montelibretti CCI4*-L: [Website] [Schedule/Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

The warm-up ring is often the busiest and sometimes most nerve-wracking area of any given competition. With riders and horses of all levels sharing the same space, it can appear as either a finely-orchestrated, balletic ensemble or a chaotic, three-ring circus designed to jangle the tight nerves of a novice competitor. While the warm-up is an essential part of every ride, its techniques can be difficult to master as they can vary greatly, depending on the needs of each individual horse. Allie Knowles has horses of various ages, breeds, and capabilities in her program, and she knows a thing or two about designing an effective warmup. [Warming Up with Allie Knowles]

Have a brand that NEEDS to be on everyone’s holiday list this year? We’ve just opened up spots for our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide with Horse Nation. Info/book your spot here.

We are just days away from one of the biggest events on the global equestrian calendar, with the 2022 FEI Awards Gala on Sunday. The FEI Awards nominations are as impressive as ever, with the winners selected by fans who cast their votes for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom, FEI Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity Awards. The 20 shortlisted candidates from 15 countries include World champions, highly accomplished up-and-coming young athletes, grooms, inspirational equestrians, judges and charities. Who will win this year?? [Nominations for 2022 FEI Awards]

Finding that a particular horse (or maybe all horses!) are jumping you out of the tack, making it difficult to stay with them over fences? Perhaps you’re even falling off? A horse with a powerful or unusual jumping technique can sometimes make it really tricky to stay secure in the saddle, especially as the jumps get higher.  Although improving your jumping technique takes time and dedication, there are a few things you can do to help you stay firmly in the tack. [Stick In The Tack Over Jumps]

 

I’ve never had so much ASMR pleasure from watching a real custom western saddle made:

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Nov 10, 2022 12:03 am -

A fun jump into the water at Tryon CCI4*-L! Photo courtesy of USA Eventing.

The eventing season wraps up this weekend, with our last major event at Tryon already underway. November always brings mixed feelings for me, because each year with horses is such an extraordinary journey of learning, failing, succeeding, and muddling about searching for a way to become a better horseman. This year for me hasn’t been much in terms of competition, but a lot in terms of learning, so overall I consider it a success. I’m looking forward to turning that improved knowledge into competition success next year, and can’t wait for the spring season to arrive!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Dutta Corp. Tryon International Three-Day Event (Mill Spring, NC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Shannon Brinkman Photo] [Orders of Go] [Live Stream] [XC Course Maps] [Scoring]

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

River Glen Fall H.T. (New Market, TN): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring]

Major International Events

Montelibretti CCI4*-L: [Website] [Schedule/Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

Have a brand that NEEDS to be on everyone’s holiday list this year? We’ve just opened up spots for our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide with Horse Nation. Info/book your spot here.

It’s the final CCI4*-L of the 2022 season and 18 horse and rider pairs have made the trip to North Carolina for the Tryon International 3-Day Event and The Dutta Corp./USEF CCI 4*-L Eventing National Championship. In addition, the TIEC will also host an additional 196 competitors for their CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, and the three USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships presented by USEA divisions- the CCIJY2*-L, the CCIJ1*-L, and the CCI3*-L. [Tryon Fast Facts]

It’s often said that four-leaf clovers bring good luck, and Valerie Vizcarrondo Pride is particularly adept at finding them. The Maryland-based FEI five-star rider, trainer and “S” judge—and owner/operator of the aptly-named Blue Clover Eventing—is chasing dreams and creating her own luck as she excels in the grueling sport of eventing. “I guess if I had a super-power, it would be x-ray vision,” Valerie says. “I can actually look in a field and spot a four-leaf clover anywhere.” [Chasing Dreams, One Step at a Time]

If you’re in Florida this winter, don’t miss the Winter Wonderland at WEC. This family friendly event is back for the second year, and the WEC Grand Plaza will be covered in the glow of more than a million lights. Starting November 25, Winter Wonderland will spread Christmas cheer Thursdays through Sundays from 5pm to 9pm leading up to Christmas Eve. The halls of the Grand Plaza will be decked with all the traditional regalia of the season, along with larger-than-life ornaments and a Christmas tree maze, dedicated kid’s zone and a 45-foot walk-through Christmas tree. Families can meet Santa Claus, send letters to the North Pole, and even get tickets to share breakfast with Jolly Old Saint Nick. [Winter Wonderland at WEC]

Sponsor Corner:

Heading to Aiken this winter? You’ll be the envy of your barn buddies back home with venues like Stable View so close by. Check out the pro schooling option below, and if you’re in the area don’t miss the next Eventing Academy and Schooling Day, November 18, 19 (Schooling Days) and November 20 (Eventing Academy Horse Trials)

 

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Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Nov 4, 2022 12:03 am -

Nothing like the Blue Ridge Mountains at VHC. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation.

Ok, it’s the first week of November and I was wearing a tank top yesterday, and quite warm at that. I don’t want to complain about the weather too much, but as somebody who works outside I feel like that’s the tradeoff for not having coworkers to complain about. I’m ready for sweaters and vests, because to be totally honest, I love having pockets where I can stash my phone, my earbuds, and of course hundreds of horse and dog cookies. Girls really get the short end of the stick when it comes to pockets, and so we are understandably pumped about pocket season.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs International Three-Day Event (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

The VHT International & H.T. (Lexington, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

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

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

Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (Tyler, TX): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

What happens when you show up to do a training ride and ride the wrong horse? Not only that, but you manage to get on a horse that has been barely started, and has been sitting on vacation for six months. Well, for Catie Cejka, a hilarious mistake led to a successful partnership with a chestnut mare named Valiane. Recently, this unexpected chestnut mare topped the rankings for the USEF Four-Year Old West Coast FEH Championships, with Catie at the helm. [The Wrong Chestnut Mare]

The 2022 Eventing Nation Blogger Contest is underway and we’re pleased to welcome 8 finalists forward to the third and final round of competition.Here’s where you, our readers, come into account! You’ll be helping us select the winner of the 2022 EN Blogger Contest, who will earn eternal EN karma as well as some cold hard cash to pay a vet bill or something equally unsexy. The ask is simple: use the scoring widget below each entry to share your opinion. We’ll factor in this popular vote when making the final decision — but let’s face it, Chinch gets the final call. [EN’s Big Bad Blogger Contest!]

Our entire riding careers, we’re told to keep our shoulders back, heels down, eyes up, hands soft “the list goes on.” Have you ever taken the time to sit back and really examine why we’re told to do these things? There’s often a misconception of what body control really is and riders become so focused on checking off the boxes of “good equitation”that they don’t fully understand the function of each part of their riding position. Body control is not just making sure our body checks off the boxes of a perfect position, but rather a way of riding that allows us to have an accurate feel and control of our horse without inhibiting their movement. [Body Control & Why It Matters]

Best of Blogs: Lessons In Listening with Kim Walnes & The Grey Goose

It’s Breeders’ Cup weekend and the mile-and-a-quarter Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic is the big event on the card! There are eight entries this year – see who’s running and vote for your favorite here! [2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic Entries]

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Nov 3, 2022 12:03 am -

Just a baby horse learning to jump. Photo by Emily Zhang.

I think my favorite part of training horses is the baby parts, and when they start to figure out the pieces and put them together. Above you’ll see my most recent project, an eight-year-old OTTB named Beep, who raced successfully through his 7 year old year and retired without a blemish on him. For the first few months he was definitely convinced that the racetrack was somewhere around, but this fall he has finally realized that his life seems to be a bit different, and a lot slower. I’m having so much fun introducing him to eventing. Plus, he’s a plain brown horse, which is my favorite!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Galway Downs International Three-Day Event (Temecula, CA): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

The VHT International & H.T. (Lexington, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

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

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

Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (Tyler, TX): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

The 2022 Eventing Nation Blogger Contest is underway and we’re pleased to welcome 8 finalists forward to the third and final round of competition.Here’s where you, our readers, come into account! You’ll be helping us select the winner of the 2022 EN Blogger Contest, who will earn eternal EN karma as well as some cold hard cash to pay a vet bill or something equally unsexy. The ask is simple: use the scoring widget below each entry to share your opinion. We’ll factor in this popular vote when making the final decision — but let’s face it, Chinch gets the final call. [EN’s Big Bad Blogger Contest!]

Horses, submarines, ROTC, oh my! Perhaps not a combination you might expect, but for college student Helen Lohr it’s just perfect. Attending Auburn University, Helen combines riding on the equestrian team with her duties in the naval ROTC. In fact, she finds the lessons you learn on horseback as excellent training to become a leader in the military. [Naval ROTC Equestrian]

Piggy March returned from Le Lion D’Angers with some thoughts. Between the disorganized travel issues in France, and irregularities in the dressage judging that had competitors chatting in the barns, the young horse championships were not without their drama. Before she retires for the season, Piggy lends her opinion on this as well as other international events this fall. [Opinion: Piggy March]

Learning Opportunity of the Day: Improving The Crest Release

With the 2022 Breeder’s Cup right around the corner, it’s a good time to take a look at the one, the only, the queen — Zenyatta. Foaled April 1, 2004, Zenyatta is no April Fool’s joke. In fact, this champion, standing at 17.2, was the first filly to win the Breeder’s Cup Classic when she bested a field of 12 other horses in 2009 and was named Horse of the Year in 2010. Now, 13 years later, we look back at Queen Z with an incredible video. [Hot on Horse Nation]

 

 

 

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Oct 28, 2022 12:03 am -

Fall in my neck of the woods. Photo by Kate Samuels.

I’m reminiscing on the time that I was lucky enough to go to Pau, and how nice it was to go to the south of France when it was already frigid at home! I am also distinctly remembering that every day in the press tent, I ate my personal weight in cheese and bread and candy and literally nothing else. All of this was procured in the Pau market of my dreams, where there were too many amazing choices of delicious items. Okay, well obviously now I have to go back because of the cheese.

U.S. Weekend Preview

FEH & YEH Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championships (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Les 5 Étoiles de Pau:[Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [Save 15% on H&C+ Annual] [H&C+ Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide to Pau] [EN’s Instagram] [Visit Kentucky Performance Products]

News From Around the Globe:

Caroline Martin is heading back to the states after her life-changing trip of learning with Pippa Funnell. While her week at Pau wasn’t meant to be, she did have an overall amazing time studying, learning, and competing in England thanks to the Wilton Fair Grant. Her recent results at Le Mondial du Lion in both the divisions were impressive, and she says that she improved more than ever imagined, and this grant from the USEA has changed her life. [Ringside Chat with Caroline Martin]

The 64th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) makes its highly anticipated return to the Washington, D.C. area from October 24 through 30, 2022. Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious, competitive, and entertaining equestrian events with competition for international, professional, amateur, junior, and child riders. Highlights include the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington, and the WIHS Equitation Finals and Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships, plus popular community and charity events, including Kids’ Day and Barn Night. [Check Out WIHS]

I love a good spooky story, as long as I’m in a well lit house with a dog and several other people to protect me, because turns out I’m extremely easily spooked. Halloween is upon us, so torture yourself with these three stranger than fiction equestrian horror stories. [Spooky But True]

Best of Blogs: Peace in NowhereLand

Best of Blogs Pt 2: I Didn’t Tell My Parents I Bought a Horse

Making your own upper level horses is not for the faint of heart. After selling her older four-star horse last spring, Ashley Kehoe imported her now 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding Daktaris from Germany with hopes of producing him through the levels to be her next upper-level mount. “He was young and wild, but had a lot of talent,” Kehoe reflected. She trusted her friend Svenja Eckart’s assessment of the horse and her word that Kehoe would love him, so she took a gamble and bought him off of a video. Her partnership with him paid off with a win in the Training Three-Day at Midsouth. [Daktaris Finds a New Gear]

 

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Oct 27, 2022 12:03 am -

Perfect Patty goes from Five-Star to Foxhunting! Photo by Susan Clarke.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my relationships of trust between my horses, and how my view on consciously cultivating this has changed over the years. Even as a teenager, I always loved working with the horses that didn’t really trust other people, but looking back now, I made soooo many mistakes out of ignorance and/or emotional dis-regulation. Mistakes are part of the learning curve, but I look at the horses I have now and wish I could have done better. That’s what our horse journey is all about right? Improving all the time and chasing that high of the “aha” moment!

U.S. Weekend Preview

FEH & YEH Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championships (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Les 5 Étoiles de Pau:[Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Save 15% on H&C+ Annual] [H&C+ Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Ultimate Guide to Pau] [EN’s Instagram] [Visit Kentucky Performance Products]

News From Around the Globe:

If you read nothing else this week, make this your one article. There have been serious discussions about the safety of Eventing for decades now, and we’ve made great leaps with rules, regulations, course design, and jump building, but the final key is rider responsibility. The question is, how can you possibly regulate that? At the end of the day, it comes down to personal responsibility to know that just because your horse is qualified to move up, it’s not ready. Just because your horse didn’t have five rails, maybe it’s still struggling with the height. [Five Questions Between Safe and Sorry]

When a former five-star horse and a life-long septuagenarian combine forces, great things can be accomplished. Roisin O’Rahilly has ridden her whole life, but her most recent accomplishment is being named the third-ever USEA Century Ride Award recipient. This award celebrates horse and rider pairs who complete an event with a combined age of 100 or more. After placing first in their Beginner Novice division aboard, Rachel Jurgen’s, 26-year-old former five-star Thoroughbred, Ziggy, at the Five Points Horse Trials in September, O’Rahilly, age 79, checked another goal in the saddle off of her list – and she doesn’t aim to slow down any time soon. [Five Star to Century Ride]

We’ve seen the East Coast YEH championships, but now we have the West Coast finale! With stacked fields in the five-year-old, four-year-old, and FEH classes, it’s going to be an exciting weekend to catch some future stars. [Fast Facts: YEH West Coast]

It is finally “Spooky Season” and Halloween is right around the corner! Costumes for horses and their humans can be fun, cute, or clever. The creativity, enthusiasm, and sometimes downright brilliant horsemanship that equestrians put into creating their costumes is a joy to see every year. However, costumes can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and unwelcome. Costume decisions can be harmful or offensive to others if they appropriate or mock a culture or faith, promote a stereotype, or are racist. With the help of The Inclusion Playbook, the USEF put together a brief guide of common costume pitfalls to avoid when dressing up. [Costume or Cultural Appropriation]

 

Road to Le Lion: Keynote Dassett Takes on France

By on Oct 21, 2022 9:00 am -

Lucia and Keynote Dassett. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

Last fall, Lucia Strini was just getting back in the saddle after the birth of her second child, and certainly wasn’t planning her first trip competing abroad. However, a fated trip to Dassett Eventing in England for her sister, Benita, resulted in the purchase of Keynote Dassett, and their journey progressed all the way to FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion in France this week.

“Wilson”, as he is known around the barn, is a 7-year-old KWPN gelding sired by Vigo D’arsouilles, out of a Cardento mare named Bubble Gum. His young horse career was slightly stymied by event cancellations due to COVID, so by the time the Strini sisters found him as a 6-year-old, he was relatively green, having only completed a handful of preliminaries.

“Benita went over to Dassett Eventing to try him specifically for me, and called me within five minutes to tell me that he was perfect,” says Lucia, with a smile on her face. “He’s been everything Kate Rocher-Smith said he was, maybe just a little sassier.”

Wilson settled in at Ecurie Livio. Photo courtesy of Lucia Strini.

Jumping talent is surely not something that Wilson lacks, and despite his relative lack of experience, he has taken to the upper levels of the sport with ease and gusto. However, sometimes tamping down the enthusiasm is a challenge, as it often is with big-time horses.

Lucia spent last winter getting to know her new mount, and came out in January to cruise around a Training level at Grand Oaks in Florida. They quickly popped up to Preliminary, ending the spring season with an FOD at the Virginia Horse Trials CCI2*-L.

As she found herself with three spectacular 7-year-olds in her barn, (Kevin G and FE Caspian right alongside Wilson) the thought of tackling Le Lion slowly entered her mind.

“I’ve been trying to produce upper-level eventing horses for my whole life, and how often do you have this kind of chance?” Not many riders can boast that kind of choice, and so the dream of competing abroad became a real plan.

When it came down to choosing which young horse would be most suited, Wilson won out because of his incredible ground-covering gallop, and her confidence in his jumping ability. He isn’t actually the biggest of horses, however when he goes cross country, you can see him grow and expand with each jump.

Lucia and Dassett Keynote had moved up to Intermediate this summer. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

“He’s a funny horse, and very sensitive, so I’ve had to learn a lot to ride him the way that suits him,” says Lucia. “He has a big ego, and expresses his opinions on a lot of things. He gets quite wild in the warm-up, and I’ve had to experiment with some alternative routines like warming up far away from everybody to keep the lid on.”

Even though the opportunity for a CCI3*-L at Fair Hill is much more convenient — and does feature its own Young Horse Championship within the 3* division — the chance to go to Le Lion is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Lucia. Thanks to the support of her family, many supporters, and loyal sponsors, she was able to make this dream a reality. The entire Plain Dealing Farm family will be joining in on the experience, with her parents, husband, and two kids arriving in time for dressage today (October 21).

This will be the first competition abroad for Lucia, and she’s spent months analyzing old courses and rounds from previous years at the championship, and has decided this is the perfect opportunity to experience a big European competition for herself.

“I’m not going there to win,” she says, “Obviously an FOD would be amazing, but it’s really more for the experience, and delivering a performance that is positive for both of us.”

Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.

The pair flew over to France last week, accompanied by her sister/stand-in coach/emotional support human Benita, and #supergroom Sarah Choate, who has been working for Plain Dealing Farm for seven years. Ahead of the competition, they based out of Ecurie Livio alongside Liz Halliday-Smith’s mount, Shanroe Cooley, who is also headed to the same competition.

With four American riders on the list for the 7-year-old 3*-L this week, Lucia and Wilson might fly under the radar a bit, but this exciting pair is certainly one to watch for the future.

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Oct 21, 2022 12:03 am -

Ice packs have multiple uses! Photo courtesy of SEU FB.

How exciting is it to see an American on top at Mondial du Lion! Caroline Martin has certainly found an amazing group of young horses to keep in her string, and having pretty much tromped us all in the four and five-year old YEH classes in the US, she’s spending time in Europe to train and improve. Seems like it’s working, as she’s currently winning the 6-year-old CCI2*-L division with HSH Connor! Can she reproduce that today with HSH Blake in the seven-year-old division?

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL): [Website]. [Entries] [Live Stream] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Farm Mini Event (Medford, NJ): [Website]

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

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” H.T. (Landrum, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & H.T. (Gaithersburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Windermere Run H.T. (Kansas City, MO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships at Mondial du Lion (Le Lion D’Angers, France): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Schedule] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

Carl Hester shared his expertise on how to produce a nice young horse. After all, I think he has had pretty good success with his program. His horses only work four days a week, and only about 20 minutes of proper work at that. He’s unique in the dressage world that he has mandatory hacking days, for all ages of horses, but especially young horses. [Precision & Expression with Carl Hester]

For Katie Bystrom, becoming an equestrian was destiny. “A love of horses is in the DNA of the females in our family,” Bystrom shared. Her mom grew up riding with her grandmother on the family farm in Indiana and eventually, Bystrom would follow in the same path, pursuing her love of horses at a young age out on the trails with her mom. She’s logged over 70 hours of volunteering already this year, but also expects her students at Back Run Eventing in Washington to donate their time to competitions. [VIP Volunteer: Katie Bystrom]

I don’t even know how to explain this…but some guy decided that horses need designer sneakers. I have so many questions. [Fashion Sneakers for Horses]

Dating as far back as anyone can tell, the fashion world has been drawn to the iconic equestrian look. Some brands, like Ralph Lauren and Hermes, have built their entire high fashion brand around their equine foundation. Last year, Tory Burch was thrilled to announce the newest idea in boots—convertible ankle to knee high boots. And y’all… they were half chaps and paddock boots! Not a new concept to us at all. [Everyone Wants To Be Us]

Ever thought about ditching the hair nets and going to a dude ranch? Honestly, me too. Many times. Vyla Carter lived our dreams and left the A-circuit show ring and applied for a job on a dude ranch in Wyoming. And she landed it! I’m so jealous. [How I Found My Passion For Riding Again on a Dude Ranch]

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Oct 20, 2022 12:03 am -

Le Lion literally could not be more picturesque.

One of my bucket list events to attend, either as a competitor or a spectator, is definitely Le Mondial du Lion. The jump designs on cross country every year are out of this world. I can think of lots of classic jumps that we see at well-known competitions like The Head of the Lake, or Huntsman’s Close, but waiting for the artistry and the surprise of Le Lion is unmatched. My high-school friend and fellow Charlottesvillian, Lucia Strini, is taking on her first

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL): [Website]. [Entries] [Live Stream] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Flora Lea Farm Mini Event (Medford, NJ): [Website]

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

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” H.T. (Landrum, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & H.T. (Gaithersburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Windermere Run H.T. (Kansas City, MO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships at Mondial du Lion (Le Lion D’Angers, France): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Schedule] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

William Fox-Pitt has a new ride, and he’s fairly accomplished already. Ten-year-old OTTB Santini’s last outing on the track was running a respectable fourth in this year’s Grand National in April. He has since transitioned quickly into his new job, and recently competed in his first horse trial. William rates the horse very highly, and says despite his late start to the eventing scene, the horse has potential to be a real upper level contestant. [WFP Rides Grand National Racehorse]

In September, the USEA announced that the Redfield King’s HX Group’s 7-year-old gelding, King’s Especiale was the likely recipient of the 2022 Holekamp/Turner Grant and The Dutta Corp. prize. The reserve for the grant would be Caroline Martin’s other mount intended for entry, HSH Blake. Now, Caroline Martin and her team have elected not to run King’s Especiale at La Mondial du Lion after a minor health setback, and have subbed in HSH Blake, who will now be the likely recipient of the 2022 Holekamp/Turner Grant. Learn more about this promising pair here! [HSH Blake Subs In for HSH King’s Especial]

Riding unmotivated horses can be quite frustrating. Every five strides your instructor tells you to add “more leg”, or every time you try to relax your leg your horse does less. You are stuck squeezing, which then makes it impossible to sit well. Bigger spurs work one time, then you need even bigger ones.  Good news: It IS possible to turn things around and have a more willing horse. However, it will be a team effort. You will need to think about what you can do for your horse at least as much as you are thinking about what your horse needs to do for you. Creating a willingness to apply effort comes from the inside out. We need to gain our horse’s trust, win his heart and educate him with fairness. [Don’t Call Your Horse Lazy]

 

Best of Blogs: Horses That Inspire Community

Book Review: The Year of Horses

Horses were essential to everyday life in medieval Europe, but what do we know about how they were cared for and trained? A seminar on November 24 will explore that very topic. During this seminar, the speakers will explain the “what” and “how” of horse care and training in medieval Europe based on contemporary hippiatric texts, administrative documents and practical experiments. [Exploring Equestrian Arts in Medieval Europe]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dressage Day Two News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Oct 14, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of MARS Maryland 5* FB.

If you’re all dressage-d out today, you can watch another kind of magic with Elisa Wallace’s mustang demonstration! She uses relational horsemanship methods to train some amazing things with very little (or no) tack. Can she jump big jumps bareback with a rope around their neck? Yes. Can they passage on command? Also yes. She has them in every color, so keep an eye on the main arena for your full mustang madness.

US Weekend Preview

Pine Hill Fall H.T. (Bellville, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place Farm October H.T. (Hamilton, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

MARS Maryland 5 Star:: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule ] [Drawn Order] [USEF Network Live Stream (North America)] [H&C+ Live Stream (Worldwide)] [Form Guide] [Digital Program] [EN’s Coverage]

Strzegom October Festival, Poland: [Website] [Entries] [Start Lists/Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

If you can’t be there in person, a virtual course-walk will have to do. Check out Ian Stark’s second MARS Maryland 5* at Fair Hill, where he’s kept a few of the hot favorites from last year, but changed it up plenty as well. Don’t worry, the crab makes an appearance, and there are lots of fun challenges ahead for the competitors tomorrow. [Fence by Fence Cross Country Preview]

Mia Farley rounded out the top three at last weekend’s Morven Park CCI4*L with David O’Connor’s thoroughbred, Phelps. Purchased for “basically a dollar” through a tip from Joanie Morris, Mia has been partnered with the 9-year-old thoroughbred since the age of five, and has produced him under David’s thoughtful guidance. Now he gets to enjoy two months off before aiming for another CCI4*L in the spring. [Phelps the Underdog Delivers]

Best of Blogs: 20 Things That Scare Amateurs More Than Goblins or Ghosts

From a polyvagal standpoint, nipping activates the muscles around the mouth, which (like eating, lip play, etc.), can be an attempt at self-regulation (mouth muscles —> cranial nerve stimulation —> vagus stimulation —> downregulation). Similar to thumb sucking, emotional eating, substance abuse, etc., though those behaviours are a bit different as they involve suck/swallow, which nipping does not. But from the standpoint of what is being accessed, it’s stimulating the ventral branch of the vagus, which is part of the social engagement system. Which speaks to a potential need or bid for connection. Rethink “biting” horses in the video below.

 

Dressage Day One News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Oct 13, 2022 12:03 am -

Chinch is ready to supervise the action this weekend. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Dressage begins! Honestly, I’m still not accustomed to the idea of a fall five-star in the US, but as only the second annual Fair Hill 5*, I think I’m excused. The weather this weekend looks delightful, with all of the best parts of fall, and even a little rain Friday night to make the footing perfect for cross country! Last year Ian Stark said that his course was intentionally soft just to see how it went, so I’m prepared for some real action this year.

US Weekend Preview

Pine Hill Fall H.T. (Bellville, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Poplar Place Farm October H.T. (Hamilton, GA): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

MARS Maryland 5 Star:: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule ] [Drawn Order] [USEF Network Live Stream (North America)] [H&C+ Live Stream (Worldwide)] [Form Guide] [Digital Program] [EN’s Coverage]

Strzegom October Festival, Poland: [Website] [Entries] [Start Lists/Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

After the first inspection, we are sadly down two entries. Liz Halliday-Smith’s lovely gelding Deniro Z didn’t make it through the jogs, and Leslie Law withdrew Voltaire de Tre. If you want to see pretty pictures of the horses, we’ve got all you need. [Wednesday Inspections]

Don’t forget to sign up for our 4 Days of Giveaways with Ride iQ, World Equestrian Brands, and Horse & Rider Books, which kicks off tomorrow. You can click here to sign up, even if you aren’t here in person, and you can also sign up for notifications on our course walk with Kyle Carter and Sharon White Friday afternoon. We hope to see you there!

Eventing Nation is once again delighted to have collaborated with the Maryland 5 Star Event Committee to bring you the digital program and form guide for the MARS Maryland 5 Star presented by Brown Advisory. Inside you’ll find all the details on everything you need to know to have a great time at Fair Hill this weekend or to supplement your at-home viewing.

The topic of value in a boarding barn has been coming up a lot lately. What makes a place worth a certain amount and, outside of the cost to the proprietor, what should influence what one charges for board? Beauty is the eye of the beholder, of course, but there are certain, definable features that make boarding facilities attractive to horse owners. [What Creates Value in a Stable?]

Hot on Horse Nation: A Shifting Paradigm of How We See Lameness

 

@practicalhorseman John Michael explains why cross country fences appear to be different heights and how they can be used in different divisions. #horsetiktok #horsetok ♬ original sound – Practical Horseman OnDemand

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Oct 7, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of Team Price.

Talk about power couples! Tim and Jonelle Price are your new FEI World Number 1 and Number 2 in Eventing, which is no small feat. Whatever their program is, we need a masterclass. How do they consistently produce horses that are competitive and sound (for years!) at the absolute top level? How do they blow our socks off on every cross country course making it look easy? Are they humans? These are the questions we must have answered.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Morven Park Fall International CCI4*-L (Leesburg, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. (Nashville, TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Ocala Fall H.T. (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Radnor Hunt H.T. (Malvern, PA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. (Mooresboro, NC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Woodside Fall H.T. (Woodside, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L: [Website] [Entries] [Leaderboard] [Schedule] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

News From Around the Globe:

And just like that, it is time for the Morven Park International! The prestigious event will take place Thursday, October 6, and run through Sunday, October 10 in Leesburg, Virginia. This is the event’s second year offering the CCI4*-L division, in addition to their CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, and CCI2*-S divisions. That’s not all! The historic grounds at Morven Park will also host national divisions at the Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels. [Morven Park CCI4*-L Fast Facts]

Have you signed up for our course walk with Ride iQ at Maryland 5 Star? Even if you aren’t able to attend the walk, you’ll still want to sign up as we’ll be kicking off daily giveaways with World Equestrian Brands as well as Horse & Rider Books on Thursday, October 13! [Sign up here]

Rosie Smith took third place at this year’s AEC in the Training Rider division, but she didn’t even start riding in the English world. Smith actually started riding western at age three and she got her first pony when she was eight. By complete coincidence, Smith’s piano teacher had horses and had stumbled upon an internet ad for a cheap pony. The deal was if Smith’s parents bought her the pony, the piano teacher would let her keep it at her farm. Any horse person would know that those two words (cheap + pony) are a recipe for disaster, but luckily Smith’s parents weren’t horse-people and so they bought the pony for Smith to do 4-H with. [From Reining to Eventing]

Shane Adams lost his horse Mongo while camping in Utah’s West Desert….eight years ago. This week, the pair were reunited. Mongo was tied up outside the tent when a herd of mustangs went galloping by, and Mongo decided to join their ranks. Shane returned to the desert every weekend for three years in search of his beloved horse, but eventually gave up. However, BLM rounded up a herd this week, and lo and behold, Mongo was there. [Eight Years Running Wild]

Sponsor Corner: Join Zoetis Equine through October 10 in the inaugural Seen Through Horses campaign. Seen Through Horses is a peer-to-peer awareness and fundraising campaign composed of 50+ nonprofits, mental health specialists, celebrities, influencers, and other individuals who share the unified goal of increasing awareness and promoting programs/services incorporating horses for mental health and personal growth. The campaign will coincide with #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek, October 3rd-10th.

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Oct 6, 2022 12:03 am -

Adriaan Smeulders’ Ekow was feeling it yesterday. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ah October, the month that literally never stops giving. Morven Park and Boekelo this weekend, Fair Hill next weekend, Le Lion soon after that….the action quite literally never gives up the ghost! We’re about to see a lot more of these funky fresh jog photos (my personal favorite) and of course some lovely fall foliage to compliment the sparkling coats of fighting fit ponies. Let it commence!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Morven Park Fall International CCI4*-L (Leesburg, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (South Royalton, VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. (Nashville, TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Ocala Fall H.T. (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Radnor Hunt H.T. (Malvern, PA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. (Mooresboro, NC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Woodside Fall H.T. (Woodside, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L: [Website] [Entries] [Leaderboard] [Schedule] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

News From Around the Globe:

Speaking of Boekelo, we all want to know more about Fedarman B, Boyd’s flashy mount for the event this weekend. Boyd and Bruno canter down the centerline today, and their performance will carry the memory of Annie Goodwin for each step. The Goodwin family has entrusted the ride to Boyd, who helped Annie with her jump training as she was bringing Bruno along, and they seem to be a good fit. However, the quirky gelding definitely took some convincing when it came to changing riders. [Behind Stable Doors: Fedarman B]

Have you signed up for our course walk with Ride iQ at Maryland 5 Star? Even if you aren’t able to attend the walk, you’ll still want to sign up as we’ll be kicking off daily giveaways with World Equestrian Brands as well as Horse & Rider Books on Thursday, October 13! [Sign up here]

An unforgettable extended canter, two-time tempis and a passage which had the 11 thousand-strong crowd clapping in time… Glamourdale was present at the FEI Dressage World Championships and oh so correct. The KWPN Dutch black stallion radiated power under the petite and elegant frame of Charlotte Fry, who has proved to be the perfect partner for this new Dressage World champion. A title he was born for – ‘Glammy’ has come of age on a global stage and boy did he deserve it. [FEI Horse of the Month: Glamourdale]

The MARS Bromont Rising U25 program has announced it’s first-ever West Coast location, the 2022 Galway Downs International event held November 2-6, 2022 in Temecula, California. Ten applicants will receive grants of up to $2,500 to assist with travel expenses and entry fees for the West Coast event. Expert instruction will be provided by German Olympian Bettina Hoy both in dressage and show jumping, as well as a cross-country course walk. In addition, a Centerline Workshop will be provided by Gray where riders will discuss ringmanship and Dr. Mark Hart and Jim Wildasin, both previous owners of horses representing Team USA internationally, will give a presentation on how young riders can attract owners and sponsors. [MARS U25 Grants Go West]

Best of Blogs: Amateur is a Word Worthy of Respect

Friday News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Sep 30, 2022 12:03 am -

Thinking of applying for the SEE Ever So Sweet Winter 2022 award but have questions? Want to hear about the experience straight from the participants? Then you’ll want to join the live Instagram session this Sunday, October 2 at 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST (@stridesforequality on Instagram) roundtable with all three ESS awardees! They’ll be chatting about the scholarship, the equestrian industry as a whole and deciding what paths to take, and much more. The video will be made available afterward if you can’t attend in person, but you should really make the live session if you can. You can also apply for the SEE Ever So Sweet Scholarship here if you’ve got the interest!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA): [Website]

Fleur de Leap H.T. (Folsom, LA): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Jump Start H.T. (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Spokane Sport Horse 8th Annual Fall H.T. (Spokane, WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Sundance Farm H.T. (Plymouth, WI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Tomora H.T. (Greeley, CO): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

A Craigslist find is one of our favorite storylines, and a half-broke cart horse is a good place to start. When Angela Carter brought a 4-year-old draft horse off Craigslist, she was taking a gamble that the greenbean would someday replace her retiring lesson horse. The Ohio-based trainer never would have predicted he would carry her to all three of her USDF rider medals and vault her into social media stardom. [From TikTok to Grand Prix]

As Hurricane Ian bears down on Florida, approaching Category 5 strength, the horse-centric Ocala area is in its current path. In response, World Equestrian Center—Ocala opened its doors and now is sheltering 3,000 animals—its maximum capacity—in its sturdy cement-block barns. Almost a self-contained town, between its expansive stabling and arena complex, hotel (now also at maximum capacity with people sheltering there), veterinary hospital, restaurants and other on-site amenities, the facility best known for the many shows it hosts is temporarily home to a veritable zoo ranging from horses—minis to Clydesdales, and all sizes in between—and donkeys to a tortoise named Turbo and a kangaroo named Spanky. [WEC Opens the Doors for Hurricane Evacuees]

No hoof, no horse, ain’t that the truth. Depending on what environment your horse lives in, what their breeding is, and how they are put together, managing to keep your horses hooves healthy for years can be a challenge. Management is certainly the most key factor, and having an intelligent and creative farrier on your team is just as important. Personally, I also think patience and prioritizing health over competition goals is also integral. [3 Key Tips for Healthy Hooves]

Think about it. After a hard run or workout, what do you do to recover? Maybe you take a hot bath with epsom salts or use some muscle relief gel on the sore areas. Whatever it may be, the same concept translates to our horses. Standing wraps are an excellent way to treat, protect, support, and prevent. Whether you want to use standing wraps as added protection in the stall, while traveling, or just as a supportive compressive layer, learning how to do standing wraps can be the ultimate game changer in your horse care program. [Standing Wraps: A Necessity or Not?]

 

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Sep 29, 2022 12:03 am -

What’s the problem here? Photo via @fallontonight IG.

I will never understand people who DON’T want to look at photos of pets. I don’t care who’s pets they are, they can be mine, yours, a random stranger, whatever! If you don’t want to go out to dinner and exchange stories of dogs and horses and also look at the corresponding photos, don’t come to dine at my house, because that’s what we do.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA): [Website]

Fleur de Leap H.T. (Folsom, LA): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Jump Start H.T. (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Spokane Sport Horse 8th Annual Fall H.T. (Spokane, WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Sundance Farm H.T. (Plymouth, WI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Tomora H.T. (Greeley, CO): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Cooley Quicksilver may be a five-star celebrity these days, but his beginnings were more humble. Found by Liz Halliday-Sharp and Richard Sheane as a skinny and unassuming five-year-old in Ireland in the spring of 2016, “Monster” was originally just going to be a simple project. However, he turned out to be both one of Liz’s highest performing horses, as well as the most challenging to train on a daily basis. Her faith paid off, however, and they’re aimed at their 4th 5* in a few weeks at Fair Hill. [Believing in the Horse Nobody Believed In]

The USEF announced the five lucky recipients of the USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarships for graduating high-school seniors. Created to support students who are committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college through an equestrian-related degree, volunteerism, or internship; riding on an intercollege equestrian team; or other equestrian-related activity, the scholarship awards a $1,000 grant to each recipient to be used towards education expenses at their respective college or university. The winners are Kendall Austin, Augusta Rose Lewis, Ian McFarlin, Christina Spiliotis, and Clara Jean Thompson. [Higher Education Scholarship Winners]

Having a vet who wants to help you sustain long-term soundness with your sport horse is invaluable. Liz Arbittier, VMD, CVA, has been working with equine athletes for over two decades. Dr. Arbittier has worked with all levels of event horses including those competing at the Pan American Games, the World Equestrian Games, and the South American Games. Her long-time focus – whether working with international competitors or starter event ponies – is maintaining the aging athlete and helping riders and trainers to develop annual plans that ensure their equine partners are peaking at optimal moments. In her extensive experience in the field, Dr. Arbittier identifies three essential practices for maximizing horses’ longevity and soundness: routine consultations for early intervention; good home management; and excellent farrier care. [Maximize Longevity & Soundness]

Hurricane Ian, now a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, is bearing down on Florida’s south western coastline. Ian’s initial path had him crashing in a bit further north near Tampa, and then traipsing across the state directly over Ocala.  The World Equestrian Center in Ocala has opened their facility for evacuees, of the equine variety and other species. Furthermore, they did so for free and provided shavings on site for just $5 a bag, delivered to your stalls. Horse Nation blogger Morgane Schmidt has hunkered down at the WEC, and reports on the action from there. [WEC Opened for Hurricane Evacuees]

Take a ride around Stable View’s CCI3* course!

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Sep 22, 2022 12:03 am -

Photo courtesy of Stable View Farm.

It’s Oktoberfest! Well, at Stable View this weekend anyway. They have some super exciting new features this year, including creative prizes for Furthest Traveled, Best Groomed Horse, Lowest Dressage Score, and Competitor on the Most Horses, and more! They have a new food court featuring Ronnie’s Ribs, Roasted and Toasted, Ice Cream Island, Mobile Coffee Shop and Lobster Dogs Food Truck & Pub. Get your culture in by watching the Aiken Symphony Orchestra put classical spins on mainstream music, relax in the rider lounges with free snacks, coffee, tea, and water, and keep your horse cool as a cucumber with equine misting stations.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Oktoberfest (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (Allentown, NJ): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Larkin Hill Fall H.T. (North Chatham, NY): [Website] [Scoring]

Meadowcreek Park Fall Social Event (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Scoring]

Old Tavern H.T. (The Plains, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Ballindenisk International CCI4*-L: [Website] [Entries/Times]

News From Around the Globe:

When Sweden instituted a ban of the whip at the beginning of the 2022 racing season, racing official Dennis Madsen was pretty sure what would happen, which was nothing. The races would still be competitive, the betting wouldn’t be impacted and there would be no issues when it came to safety. Five months into the racing season in Sweden, Madsen, the head of horse racing for the Swedish Horse Racing Authority, who was a speaker at this year’s Jockey Club Round Table, says he has been proven right. “There has been no negative impact on racing at all after we took away the whip,” he said. [Sweden Makes a Seamless Transition to Whip-Less Racing]

Aspects of a horse training method made famous by Monty Roberts, author of the The Man Who Listens to Horses, have been called into question by research at the University of Sydney. Two main features of the method, also known as round pen horse training, are that it depends on the human trainer being able to communicate with the horse using ‘horse’ , and that it is a humane form of training. Our study casts doubt on both those claims. [Researches Urge Horsemen to Rethink the ‘Monty Roberts’ Method]

The best way to describe Tryon Riding and Hunt Club’s (TR&HC) Morris the Horse Trials is “strengthening its roots as it looks to the future.” This year’s event on October 22 & 23 at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) marks 47 years of the competition set in the picturesque North Carolina Foothills. Part of Morris’s “roots” are exemplified by this year’s organizer Molly Bull and technical delegate Erin Stormont, both of whom grew up competing at this same event. [Eventing in Small Town North Carolina]

Researchers have created a scoring system that evaluates the level of bonding humans have developed with their horses. Stephanie Evans, MSc, HCPC, MCSP, ACPAT Category A, RAMP, of Hartpury University in the U.K., explained that understanding attachment could reveal more about the psychological advantages humans gain from interacting with horses, as well as help researchers explore how bonding affects performance and welfare.“Human attachment to animals has been shown to have numerous benefits, including positive physical, social, and psychological outcomes,” said Evans. “And the human horse-human and horse-rider relationship is considered a cornerstone of successful partnerships.” [How Bonded Are You To Your Horse?]

Best of Blogs: Yearning for Bliss Deep in Mongolia (the first part of the blog is here if you didn’t read it before)

 

Dressage Day Two News & Notes Presented by Zoetis

By on Sep 16, 2022 12:03 am -

 

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There’s a common practice when walking your cross country course to envision your exact plan and how you will ride and how your horse will jump. And then, there’s what this guy is doing, which I can only assume finishes with an Olympic level high dive off the bank and down to the skinnies. Hopefully he expects to land feet first instead of a perfect swan dive, but maybe he is just doing some yoga up there.

Want more Pratoni news? Head over to our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for Eventing, and be sure to sign up for the #Pratoni2022 Daily Digest email, which will be delivered straight to your inbox each day through Sunday, September 18.

FEI World Championships for Eventing: [Website] [Definite Entries] [FEI TV] [ EN’s Ultimate Guide ] [EN’s Form Guide] [Timing & Scoring] [Daily Digest Email] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Preview

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, WA): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring]

Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Goshen, KY): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Marlborough H.T. (Upper Marlboro, MD): [Website] [Entry Status]

Otter Creek Fall H.T. (Wheeler, WI): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Stone Gate Farm H.T. (Hanoverton, OH): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Tryon Fall H.T. (Mill Spring, NC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

Blenheim Palace International (Oxfordshire, England): [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

Looking for an up close and personal preview of the cross country course tomorrow? Yeah, we got you. Let’s just say, we’re proud of our efforts in the sand box, but we’re also glad that we’ve got a group of serious cross country horses on our team for the action tomorrow. [Pratoni Cross Country Preview]

Now that you’re inspired by watching dressage at Pratoni, you’ll surely realize the importance of developing the walk in your test. The walk movements are often double coefficients, and nothing is more challenging than getting a fit event horse to truly chill out and let go of tension in their backs while walking. Check out these awesome over-the-back suppling exercises that you can incorporate into your walk work today. [Supple Through The Back at The Walk]

This summer, five USEA Emerging Athlete 21 (EA21) Clinics took place across the country giving young riders the opportunity to hone in on their horsemanship skills, improve their consistency in the saddle and show ring, and create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent. The USEA caught up with many of the riders from the two East Coast sessions to hear their takes on the USEA’s newest program. [EA21 Recap: East Coast Edition]

Age ain’t no thang to 34-year-old Over To You, who you might remember from your childhood stories of eventing war horses. Paired with Jeanette Brakewell, Jack was the winner of eight championship medals, and his very first was at no other venue than Pratoni in 1998. He still sports four shoes, has all his teeth, and may be liable to kick up his heels (and possibly you) when feeling fresh coming in from the field. [Over To You: Age Doesn’t Matter]

 

Amazing news from Nicola Wilson!!