Dara Knot! Photo courtesy of Babette Lena.

A familiar field is sporting a new name! Welcome Dara Knot to the Eventing family! Babette Lena has announced the new name for the Aiken venue, and we are all delighted to see where this new chapter takes us all. As Babette explains it, “the Dara Knot is the Celtic symbol for inner strength, and comes from the Gaelic word ‘Doire’, which means ‘Oak Tree’—representing wisdom, power, endurance and strength. This property embodies all of those qualities, and as we take stewardship of and build on the farm’s strong foundation we felt this name was the most respectful direction we could take. It just seems to make sense as the best way to honor and respect the legacy of Paradise Farm.” Also, small note, due to the predicted ice storm in Aiken this weekend, the open house for the farm will be delayed a bit.

U.S. Weekend Preview (woohoo!):

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Additional Volunteering Opportunities: [Ram Tap January Combined Test – Fresno, Ca.]

News From Around the Globe:

Did you know? EN’s News & Notes is always open for news items. Is your facility hosting a clinic? Want to announce a schedule change or other update? You can submit your news item by emailing [email protected] (note: sale ads and working student/groom openings are not permitted — check out Sport Horse Nation for these services — and inclusion in News & Notes is subject to editor discretion).

The Ocala and Aiken migration is well underway, and many eventers are high-tailing it south for warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get a jump start on prep for the upcoming season. Whether it be for a long weekend or a few months, a trip south can be a memorable one that also makes a difference by providing opportunity to focus on and enjoy your horse. If you haven’t made the trek yourself, there are a lot of questions to answer and the process can be overwhelming. So we’re tapping into the think tank that is our EN community. We want to know: what’s your best advice for a first-timer heading south this winter?

Your farrier needs your help. After all, you need his help too! We don’t talk enough about safety in farriery and the necessary precautions required for farriers to work effectively and with the least risk. Farriers should communicate with horse owners and barn managers about safety issues because many of them really do want to improve situations; they just don’t know how. [From the Farrier: 8 Tips for Safer Shoeing]

Attendees of the 2022 USEA ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida on February 8-9 will get a first look at the all-new USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels. This educational tool was developed over the course of two years and is loaded with materials and resources targeted for all levels of eventing professionals, instructors, and coaches. The ICP Symposium has undergone a reboot and will feature an interactive and inclusive format that encourages participation and input from active professionals at all levels through a hands-on live teaching session. While geared towards eventing professionals, the ICP Symposium is open to all who wish to attend and will feature relevant information that all riders and eventing enthusiasts can learn from. [ICP: Be The Best Instructor You Can Be]

Welcome to Myth Buster Monday (even though it’s Thursday whoopsie), where Horse Nation will be diving into different equestrian myths and providing research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: chiropractic care in young horses. Is it harmful for young horses to have their bones and joints manipulated while growing? Read further to find out! [Chiropractic for Young Horses?]

Horse people know what’s up. Photo by Nat Balsley.

Well, 2021, I don’t know if we can say it was fun, but now it’s over. Almost. Please do not bring any more 2020 energy into the new year, I think we’ve all had plenty now, and we would love to move along with our lives safely and with health and happiness. To no more insane global disasters, and to many more pony kisses and cat naps. That’s all folks! See ya in the new year!

News From Around the Globe:

Working with a young horse on improving their bend around turns? Young or green horses are fond of what I call “motorcycling” around the turns, and that’s because it takes significant strength and balance through the topline to hold an inside bend. Five-star rider Jordan Lindstedt has some excellent tips and training methods to help you teach your horse how to bend better for next year. [How to Teach Your Horse to Bend]

Considering that we participate in a sport where we still mount from the left because that’s the side we carry our swords, and that we’ve managed to keep a sport meant to test the bravest cavalry horses in the Olympics alongside skateboarding and three-on-three basketball, one might be forgiven for assuming that riding is, perhaps, a bit slow to evolve. And while, sure, horse sports don’t change quite as quickly as fashion or music, we’ve still got our own trends. You haven’t worn your puke-green breeches in a few years now, have you? And picking a drop noseband over an anatomical bridle marks one not as a thrifty re-user of well-kept tack, but as someone bordering on militantly traditional. [What’s In and What’s Out for 2022]

Everyone in eventing knows the name Phillip Dutton – but, have you heard of the little pony that could named Phillip Buttons? When Lilyanna Wood first saw the then 6-year-old German Riding Pony by Makuba, she knew the gelding was meant for her. Wood is no stranger to producing eventing mounts, but the start of her relationship with the pony she now affectionately calls Spike for his sassy personality was unique. [What’s In a Name: Phillip Buttons]

Knowing when to give up on racing dreams is a tough one for those in the thoroughbred industry.  Dr. Patty Hogan, equine surgeon and founder of Hogan Equine Clinic,  says there are three primary situations that should prompt a trainer to retire a horse, two of which are obvious and one of which is trickier to assess. When a horse is untalented for racing, it’s both clear to most trainers and not a fixable issue. Similarly, when a horse suffers a serious injury that makes it unlikely for him return to his previous level of racing, it’s clearly time for retirement. Where trainers can run into problems is deciding when a horse with chronic issues needs to find a second career. In many cases, she worries trainers can fall prey to what she calls ‘One Last Race Syndrome.’ [Vet Warns Against One Last Race Syndrome]

Video:

What Christmas looks like to horse people. Photo courtesy of Kate Brown.

This last week of December always feels like some kind of fever dream, and quite honestly it’s a trick for me to even remotely remember the days of the week. The idea of starting a whole new year can be overwhelming in a multitude of ways, as people share their goals for next year, and look back on what was yet another strange year of life in 2021. Anyway, I just hope I get a better grasp on the passage of time, and specifically days of the week, next year.

News From Around the Globe:

Earning national recognition in the sport is a victory that takes years of hard work, and for some, the hard work started with the YEH program. Increasing in popularity since its creation in 2004, the mission of the program is to identify upper-level event horses during their 4- and 5-year-old years. A true testament to the program’s success, this year, two YEH graduate horses represented the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics, the historic winner of CHIO Aachen was a YEH graduate, the USET Connaught Grant Recipient was a YEH graduate, and almost every national year-end leaderboard has at least one YEH graduate ranked in the top 10. [Leading YEH Horses of 2021]

Do you have a grumpy-faced horse in the barn? Lots of times we label them with undue names, due to their expression in the stall, but they are just trying to communicate something and we’re missing it. Tristan Tucker, an Australian Grand Prix dressage rider who is specialized in natural horsemanship, shared an interesting post on Facebook about horses that make grumpy faces and how we as humans should respond to it. [How to Positively Reinforce a Grumpy Face]

We love nothing more than snooping around in famous barns, and even though he isn’t an eventer, Peder Fredericson took the No 1. spot in the 2021 FEI Longines Show Jumping rankings, after an individual silver and team gold with All In at Tokyo. So, he’s like, pretty good, I guess. He also has a super cool facility on the southeastern coast of Sweden. [Inside World No 1’s Barn]

Best of Blogs: Ticking an Ocala Winter Off My Personal Bucket List

Video: 

Holiday pony! Photo by Captivation Photography.

Today is a day for half horses, half baking. I’m making classic mince pies, and some super fluffy parker house rolls. I meant to get really festive this year and actually make a ton of proper holiday cookies, but alas, the time never appeared on my schedule to get really into it. The weather has been too nice to stay inside and bake!

News From Around the Globe:

Tis the day to look at cute photos of horses and dogs in holiday festive wear! Luckily for you, we have not one, but TWO different links with reader submitted photos that are just too adorable for words. [Holiday Horse Photos] [Holiday Pets Gallery]

Struggling with controlling your hip angle over fences? Every rider has a different style over jumps, but some positions are more functional than others. Beezie Madden gives advice on how to correct a too-closed hip angle over jumps, and why it happens. [Jumping Clinic with Beezie Madden]

The rider/trainer relationship is a crucial relationship in the enjoyment and success of riding horses. So what happens when it’s just not working?Sometimes problems arise when riders rely on their trainers more than they should. While a trainer serves as the ultimate supporter, teacher and mentor (and should be appreciated as such), when is it time to consider alternative options? [Alternatives to Having a Trainer?]

The mystery of breeding horses has long been the subject of study. New research shows that a mare’s attraction to a stallion—specifically, to his body odors, or “MHC”—affects pregnancy success rates. And, researchers found, mares appear to prefer stallions with MHCs that differ from their own. So in other words, opposites attract, even in the horse world. [Equine Opposites Attract]

And in closing this Christmas Eve, I don’t even know how to explain this video, but here you go:

Horse people will understand.

Yesterday, I thought I would take a nice little group hack with my thoroughbred Turkey, my student’s thoroughbred Bird, and my 20-year-old “retired” advanced horse, Nyls. While Turkey was in fine form showing off some of his best above-the-airs combined with his impressive lateral work (unprompted, of course), the “retired” horse also spent most of the time trying to show off to the young bucks. Bird, the winningest thoroughbred I’ve ever had in my barn, walked quietly the whole time and I imagine was rolling his eyes at their idiocy the whole time.

News From Around the Globe:

Canadian horseman Tim Worden, PhD, and international show jumper Sean Jobin shared their evidence-based approach to horse management during a free webinar presented by Haygain and Ontario Equestrian in November. From simple journal-keeping to analyzing high-speed video and complex performance data, Dr. Worden and Sean advocate tactics that ensure the horse’s mental and physical “batteries” are fully charged to attain peak output. Their methods incorporate advances in human athletic performance and encompass reducing injury risk and extending career longevity. [Evidence is Everything in Sport Horse Management]

Trying to get some high level show jumping training this winter? The Babington Foundation is offering lessons with show jumping’s elite through an online auction. Proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a private lesson on your own horse in Wellington, Florida, with premier Olympians and Nation’s Cup athletes will help Kevin’s recovery. Bidding ends February 22nd, 2022. Athletes include Ian Millar, Beezie Madden, Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Kevin Babington, Nona Garson, Schuyler Riley and more! [Bid on Private Lessons With a Top Show Jumper]

Best of Blogs: Jitterbug’s 2021 Letter to Santa

21-years-old and still keeping up with the young guns! Days after she and her 21-year-old Farley 4 swept the small tour at the World Equestrian Center Dressage V CDI-W in Ocala, Florida, Chloe Fullar said she still is pinching herself to be sure she’s not dreaming. The victory was an emotional one for Fullar, 37, who sold a pair of earrings she had inherited from her grandmother to pay the entry fee and travelled over 1,000 miles from her home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, to compete in her first CDI. [Legal Drinking Age For Horses New Fashion]

Iron horse Neville Bardos teaches yet another rider! 

Just some ponies looking forward to a good time! Photo courtesy of Zoetis Equine.

Every year when December is surprisingly warm and pleasant (at least in Virginia), we get weirdly hopeful that we’re just going to have a mild winter. Turns out, we humans have a shockingly short memory, because every single year January and February in particular come around and absolutely murder us horse people. My birthday is in February, and even then, that month makes me almost lose the will to live. So, with that being said, I will happily take these weird 70 degree days a week before Christmas.

News From Around the Globe:

If you’ve been out on the eventing circuit in the past 8 years or so, you’ll recognize Pebbly Maximus. Although small in stature at barely 16 hands, Rory never had less than the largest heart. With an easily recognizable big blaze and four white knee socks, Rory competed through the now-four-star level with Caroline Martin (sporting rather shorter stirrups than usual), and then went on to “retire” to Prelim and Intermediate with Maia Kantorowski, and helped both girls build confidence as riders. Rory is just one of those magical horses that loves the job, and teaches all his riders to love it equally. [Horse Heroes: Pebbly Maximus]

Looking for a fun, easy way to strengthen your position and improve your jumping rounds? This hourglass exercise is simple to set up and beneficial for any riders with at least some experience cantering small courses and jumping bounces (no-stride combinations). Shaped like an hourglass, with a double bounce in the middle and bending lines to four single verticals in the corners, it will develop and strengthen your basic position and make you a more effective, reactive rider. [Time For The Hourglass]

Thoroughbreds are known for their speed, athleticism, and grace, but unfortunately they are also known for having less-than-durable hooves. Often you’ll hear the terms, “thin-soled,” “brittle” or “shelly” describing the thin nature of the layers of keratin that make up the Thoroughbred hoof, and it’s usually true. While some have more issues than others, Thoroughbreds just tend not to have the same durable hoof of other breeds. Thoroughbreds are bred with so many things in mind – speed, precocity, conformation. Unfortunately, good feet are pretty low on the list. [Dealing With Thoroughbred Feet]

Speaking of Thoroughbreds, lots of people transition racehorses into sport horse careers over the winter as the tracks close down. But transitioning them from race life to “normal” life is a special skill that takes time, care, and knowledge about their previous life. In this companion video to the BloodHorse magazine feature, Jen Roytz shares tips on successful transitions for off-track Thoroughbreds and how the early days of the transition are key. [Early Days Critical to OTTB Transitions]

I’m not crying, you’re crying! 

Congrats to Woodge & David on their new puppy! And the engagement. Photo courtesy of Woodge.

Honestly, Stable View, could you get any better? Yesterday they announced that in 2022, they will be providing light snacks and beverages, available in two Riders Lounges, for competitors during recognized events and Eventing Academies where more than 100 riders are present. They sincerely hope the added perk of food and beverages makes competition day that much more enjoyable at Stable View, and honestly, I can say I have never been happier than when I’m receiving snacks and drinks. You can peruse the full menu for future events here.

News From Around the Globe:

For years, Andrea Kutsch filled stadiums with spectators as she demonstrated remarkable transformations in “problem horses” using the Natural Horsemanship training methods she’d learned from leaders in the field. But something was bothering her—a feeling that had been with her since her childhood days, watching Icelandics in a field and coming up through a traditional German riding system.  Despite the strides made in improving the horse’s well-being through the worldwide adoption of Natural Horsemanship techniques, she knew that the methods were still missing something. They still trained horses looking at every situation from the human perspective and were dependent on a trainer’s natural feel. This meant that, for the horse, there was stress involved in the training process. In addition, positive results gained by a professional often couldn’t be replicated by a horse’s owner; what the horse learned from one person wouldn’t transfer to others. [The Horse is Right, No Matter What]

In February 2020, a county animal control officer, accompanied by a veterinarian and sheriff’s deputies, served a warrant to seize neglected horses from a property in Winlock, Washington. The scene rescuers faced upon their arrival was nothing short of horrific: Thirteen emaciated horses plus the skeletal remains of three more, including a skull with a halter still attached inside a garbage can. Of the horses officers rescued that day, two were in such poor condition they were later euthanized. Among the 11 survivors, the average body condition score was just 1.5, and experts warned foster caretakers that the animals might not make it. But one year later, Mac Daddy J, a bay gelding rescued on that fateful afternoon, carried his new owner around her first-ever jumping competition and helped her qualify for the Washington High School Equestrian Team State Championships. [From Rescue to Ribbons]

Best of Blogs: Horse Show Reprise (A Redemption Story)

When treating joint pain with injections, practitioners generally reach for the corticosteroids first. But more veterinarians are choosing to treat with non-steroidal intra-articular therapies (NSIATs). That’s particularly the case for those who specialize in horses and primarily deal with lameness issues, according to results from a new survey. Autologous conditioned plasma (also known as platelet-rich plasma, PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS), autologous protein solution (APS), cellular products like stem, stromal, and progenitor cell therapy, and polyacrylamide hydrogel are relatively new injectable joint therapies for horses. Scientists still don’t fully understand their use and benefits in the horse, but the fact that increasingly more practitioners are offering them suggests people find them helpful. [Non-Steroidal Joint Injections Gaining Popularity]

Book Excerpt of the Day: The Hairs of a Caterpillar

Please enjoy this extreme throwback to Jackie Kennedy Onasis galloping full speed over some slightly large cross country fences:

Horses are so majestic. Photo by Sarah Western.

I have a neighbor across the river from me who’s house looks out over one of my fields, and a while back she mentioned just how MAJESTIC my horses looked frolicking in the field. Now, I don’t know if she is just near-sighted, or she’s never really paid attention, but I can tell you that my horses are very rarely majestic. If they are frolicking, they’re probably also bucking and farting and slipping in very dorky ways. Muggles really are delightfully mesmerized by what we know darn well is a goofy, dramatic, poop machine that is more often than not afraid of a weird stump in the woods.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Have you tried any regenerative therapies on your horse? Regenerative therapy is an umbrella term encompassing any method that encourages the body to self- heal. Because it is drawing on its own properties, healing tissue more closely resembles native tissue than weak, disorganized scar tissue typically seen post-injury. Therapies include platelet rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS), and stem cell therapy (SCT). [Regenerative Therapies Help Horses Heal]

Maryland is going all in on big equestrian events next year. The Washington International Horse Show has announced that the storied and prestigious equestrian event has officially applied to the USEF and FEI for a change of venue to return home to the greater Washington, D.C. area and to upgrade the show to the FEI 5* level, continuing as a member of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League in 2022. Pending FEI and USEF final approval, the 64th edition of the historic competition will be held October 25-30 at The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro. The Show Place Arena will be transformed with the support of Prince George’s County, The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, and the State of Maryland to provide the outstanding exhibitor and unique spectator experience WIHS has always provided, including world-class footing, hospitality, entertainment, food, and shopping. [WIHS Relocates to Maryland]

Along with the startling removal of Erik Duvander as US Eventing coach, we will say goodbye to Peter Wylde. Peter has been helping coach the US Eventing team in the showjumping phase for the past two years, and was informed via email that his contract would not be renewed. However, Peter has formed some genuine connections in our Eventing world, and hopes to keep working individually with several of the riders. However, he believes that US Eventing is due for a reorganization: “What I’m hoping is that rather than paying a big salary to us trainers, they are going to give grants to top riders to help them pay us trainers. Then they can choose who they want to use.” [Peter Wylde’s Contract Not Renewed]

How is it already December?!?! For those of you, like me, who wait to the last minute to shop for the holidays, here’s a gift guide for your favorite English rider. Because sometimes it’s hard not to be biased when writing gift guides, you can trust that these are coming to you from a trainer’s mouth – they are all things that have been approved by Nation Media writers across the board. Oh, and there’s a last-minute guide at the bottom, so don’t panic – there are options, even if you’re reading this on December 24^th! [Equestrian Gift Guide]

Best of Blogs: Improving Self-Carriage & Self-Confidence

A new arena in the works at Stable View! Photo courtesy of SV FB.

Stable View is such an incredible facility, and they are constantly on the search for improvement for riders of all levels. Taking into account the increasingly demanding requirements of National and International competitions, they are in the process of designing an additional Attwood Arena. For show jumping, the arena will be wide enough to take three stadium standards with room for three trainers to provide instruction. For dressage, there will be space for a full size court with room for a judge’s car.

The present size is 70 meters X 36 meters, approximately 230’ X 118’. The new arena will be positioned at the front – on the old Dressage Field – and on the left of the present arena. There will be four access points, N, E, S and W. There will be direct access to the present arena via an existing entrance. No trees will be cut down. They are hoping to have it all finished in January of 2022!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

In 2009, the gelding Well Armed streaked past the finish line in what was then the world’s richest Thoroughbred race—The Grade 1 Dubai World Cup. The 6-year-old bay, owned by WinStar Stable, would race one more time before retiring. Today, you can sometimes see the tall bay gelding under Western tack being ridden around the Rafter C Ranch in Flower Mound, Texas, by owner Bill Casner. Both look comfortable in their attire, and the now-16-year-old gelding seems to be loving his new life. During his career on the track, Well Armed earned more than $5,000,000, but now he’s a cow pony. While it might seem crazy to imagine a multimillion-dollar-earning Thoroughbred roughing it on a ranch, it’s actually not all that uncommon. Truth is, horsemen are starting to look at OTTBs for more than just three-day eventing or show jumping. [OTTBs Make Racehorse to Ranch Horse a Reality]

Snow Leopardess, a fifth-generation home-bred belonging to William Fox-Pitt’s mother Marietta, became the first mare to win the Unibet Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on Saturday. In atrocious conditions – testing ground and strong winds – she jumped from fence to fence under jockey Aidan Coleman. The pair led from The Chair to the finish in the 3m1f race, and held on gamely from the Sandy Thomson-trained Hill Sixteen to win by a nose. Her story is a long and inspiring tale of comeback and perseverance. [Fox-Pitt Homebred Wins at Aintree]

It’s super cold outside. You could ride … but, well, it’s super cold outside. Fortunately, riding is just one of many enjoyable and enriching activities we can do with our horses. So, when that winter wind howls and the freezing rain comes blowing in from the side and you can’t even feel your toes and hands enough to find your stirrups and reins, you’ve got some other choices. [The Smart Equestrian’s List To Beat Winter Blues]

You are never too young (or too old) to ask for a pony for Christmas. Many of us still have that on our holiday wish lists, year after year. Though a horse is a special gift any time of year, there’s a little extra magic to come out on a cold December morning and see the red bow around that pony’s neck. Adult amateur riders from The Plaid Horse Adult Amateur Lounge share their stories of holiday horses. [When Santa Brings a Pony]

Horses have adapted in many ways over millennia to be able to escape from predators and survive in the wild. They have long faces that house intricate structures for a strong sense of smell, skin so sensitive it will twitch when a fly touches it, and a set of some of the largest eyes in mammals. But there’s one sensory organ that’s often overlooked: vibrissae, better known as whiskers. These long hairs on the muzzle and around the eyes are useful sense elements for horses, but many riders trim them for a tidier appearance. While horses can survive without their vibrissae, the trimming of them is starting to be seen as a horse welfare issue as people learn more about their function and extrapolate research done with other species to horses. [Getting a Feel For Equine Sensory Hairs]

Trust Boyd to give us a good fall video:

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Beach sunset ears. Photo by Allie Conrad.

Lately, there has been a plethora of photos of horsey friends riding their horses on the beach and having an unreasonably good time. All I want for Christmas is the chance sometime soon to take my horse and gallop on a beach, can somebody help me make this happen? Sadly I do not live anywhere near a beach, nor do I even know how to go about finding a beach that would allow a wildebeest horse running pell-mell.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Concussions are often more dangerous than we give them credit for. “I had no idea that I had a concussion until I got sick at night and woke up with a bad headache that wouldn’t go away,” said eventer Mia Farley who fell at an event a few years ago and ended up with a bad concussion. This story isn’t uncommon – concussion symptoms may not show up for hours or days after the impact. “Riders think ‘I have to be knocked out to get a concussion,’ or ‘I have to land on my head.’ Which is not true. You can land hard on your feet and it can still shake up the brain. It has nothing to do with losing consciousness. People also need to realize that the majority of concussions don’t happen in competition – they happen at home,” said Dr. Mark Hart, the U.S. Equestrian Team Physician and FEI Medical Committee Chair. [The Invisible Injury: Concussions]

Amateur riders, take note! Rules for amateurs riding in USEF sports has changed, effective as of December 1st. The USEF Board of Directors met on November 22, 2021 and approved the following Extraordinary Rule Changes. Read on to find out if any of them affect you. [Amateur Extraordinary Rule Changes]

If you want to know the best way to clip your horse, take a look at this archive video of Mary King and her former groom Jodie Summers clipping out the late Kings Temptress, for some expert advice on what to wear, where to do it and how to get it right. Before you start though, make sure you’ve got the best clippers for the job and decide which type of clip you’re going to do and draw on the lines with chalk if that’s helpful. [How to Expertly Clip Your Horse]

While it’s known as the season to be jolly for the majority, equestrians are still battling foul weather and dark nights while trying to prepare for the next competitive season. However, just because you have a horse in your life doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the festivities, even if you are fitting it all in between the chaos of caring for your number one. [4 Things All Equestrians Can Relate to During Festive Season]

Best of Blogs: How An Average, Working Amateur On a Budget Ended Up Importing

Best of Blogs Pt 2: Watching & Learning

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This true. Photo courtesy of Equestrian Memes.

December?! It’s December already. HOW?!?! If 2020 was the slowest year in the world, 2021 seems to have gone by in a total flash. I feel like yesterday it was March, and now it’s almost the holiday season, which means next time I blink, it will be 2022 and I’ll be filling out all of my checks incorrectly for a few months. Everyone is heading down south earlier and earlier every year, so Virginia is starting to feel a bit quiet, and I am excited next spring for the action to start back up!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse December H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

An Andalusian might not be your first pick when selecting an eventing prospect, but Romeo has proven to be a very successful one. Eventing is a discipline well-known for being inclusive of many unique and unfamiliar breeds. While dressage and show jumping tend to favor warmbloods and various western disciplines feel the same with the quarter horse, event riders are famous for competing on horses of different breeds and varying ages. Since the discipline asks so many individual questions, it seems to be an area where there is no stigma on what horse you ride in on. One such horse is a 9-year-old Andalusian PRE gelding named Romeo. [A Breed Apart]

Is your horse getting a little wild on cross country? Maybe you’ve got an OTTB, or even just a very enthusiastic warmblood, but we’ve all ridden horses that get strong at the gallop in various situations, but outside of exercising at the track, it’s hard to figure out the right way to handle it. Luckily for you, we’ve got some excellent tips on how to control and communicate with your horse at the gallop. [Control a Galloping Horse]

Silly Quiz of the Day: What Horse Breed You Are Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Ready for your weekend horse entertainment? Appalachia Last Chance Rescue is a docuseries that features the Heart of Phoenix as they prepare for their annual training challenge event. The West Virginia based equine rescue group organizes the ATFO each year to help solve the problem of abused and neglected horses in the severely economically challenged regions of Appalachia and beyond. Equal parts harrowing and hopeful, this series closely follows the group’s progress as they take in horses found in heartbreaking conditions, while working to gain their trust as well as restore their health. [Hot on Horse Nation]

Eoghain wore his Thanksgiving feast on his face (like many of us). Photo by Afton Stables.

Every year, my biggest question for November is, why oh why do we NOT eat stuffing and gravy and mashed potatoes all year ’round? Honestly, Turkey is fine, and all the other stuff is great too, but my favorite is stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. After Thanksgiving, I promise myself that I’ll make stuffing more often, but somehow it never occurs to me by the time I get through the holidays, but 2022 is going to be different, I swear!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Ride Times] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

We know what you’re all here for this morning, and that is equestrian Black Friday sales. In fact, I even tried to count the number of equestrian links with sales for today, but I gave up after I got into the nineties, so let’s just say there are more links than you could ever desire. So many are from our amazing sponsors here at EN, so eat your little capitalist heart out and shop till ya drop! [2021 Equestrian Black Friday Sales]

What happened to serviceably sound horses? For lower level pursuits, and with proper management, horses with imperfect vetting records can still have perfectly good lives. Vetting a horse with a specific purpose in mind makes more sense than vetting a horse to do Novice level with five-star qualifications, but not everyone does that. One vet explains how she sees the issue in this blog. [What Happened to Serviceably Sound?]

Are you practicing enough trot jumps? Many people don’t realize just how beneficial they can be. Even if you don’t do them in the show ring they can be a valuable part of your training program. In fact, I’ve seen many horses grow a 5th leg and trot jumps on cross country at a high level.  Trot jumps are also excellent for working on a young horse’s balance and timing over small jumps while his canter is still developing. [Take Advantage of Trot Jumps]

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can officially talk about Christmas, right? Get a little DIY this winter with some equestrian themed tree decorations. [9 Ideas for a Horsey DIY Christmas]

An idyllic start to the morning. Photo courtesy of Silva Martin.

As the baker of the family, it’s more or less required that I bake several pies for Thanksgiving. So every year, I have to dream up something that’s more incredible than last year, which means the pressure builds and the expectations are high. This year, I decided to kill the competition and make Christina Tosi’s “crack pie”. Why is it called that? The ingredients are inexplicable, I couldn’t describe what it tastes like if I tried, but it has earned it’s name honestly. If you have a chance, make it, and you’ll fall in love. And be addicted, and unable to stop eating it.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Ride Times] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The incoming Burghley Horse Trials course-designer and director have shared early thoughts on what fans and riders can expect as plans continue “full steam ahead” for next year’s event. Derek di Grazia, whose designing credits include the Tokyo Olympics and 10 years of Kentucky CCI5* tracks, will be the brains behind Burghley’s 2022 course as the fixture prepares to return following a two-year hiatus. [Burghley Horse Trials Full Steam Ahead]

Alexandra “Alex” Philpin says she needs to get a real job. She’s been an eventing and dressage competitor, an instructor for 30 years, a barn manager, a British Horse Society instructor, and a groom for eventers, dressage and para-dressage horses at the international level. Originally from Wales, she was teaching and competing clients’ horses in England when the opportunity arose to move to the United States. She took a teaching job to Mill Creek Equestrian Center in Topanga, California, and while working there, received a phone call from Karen O’Connor asking if she’d like to groom and manage the O’Connors’ barn. There began her journey into international grooming, and it hasn’t stopped. [Philpin Travels the World In Search of a “Real Job”]

Best of Blogs: How the Equestrian Community Can Be More Size Inclusive

Jim Wofford thinks that dressage training with event horses is great…up to a point. Modern riders completely understand the need to use dressage to train their jumpers on the flat; that’s not the problem. The problem arises when riders try to apply the principles of dressage directly to jumping. Read on to see his thoughts on the matter. [What’s The Point?]

Ginny Leng narrating her winning 1985 Badminton round with Priceless? The perfect way to start the day!

Paradise Farm under new ownership! Photo courtesy of Babette Lenna.

The famous Paradise Farm in Aiken, South Carolina, is now under new ownership! The lovely Babette Lenna and a group of investors have purchased the 88-acre property well known in the eventing community and hope to continue it’s positive influence as they progress. They plan to continue to build on the foundation created at the farm over the past 30 years. With a full cross-country course from BN to Preliminary, three competition rings, amazing riding terrain, close proximity to dirt roads to hack on, and 18 stalls with huge paddocks the farm has everything. While they do not plan to host a recognized event for now, they look forward to expanding the property’s role as a solid resource and venue for the entire Aiken equestrian community.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

SAzEA Fall H.T. (Tucson, Arizona): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. (Fresno, California): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Are you transitioning a racehorse into a sporthorse this winter? While you’re not alone, and this may not be your first time, some tips from the co-founder of Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue may be helpful. Beverly Strauss rehomes about 100 racehorses every year through her organization, starting in 2002, so she has some pretty good ideas about how to properly turn a racehorse into an event horse, or any other kind of sport horse. [7 Tips for Transitioning Horses Off The Track]

Good grooming tips from a top groom never go awry. Denise Moriarty grooms for  Olympic show jumper Kent Farrington now, but her horsey upbringing had far more humble roots. She got her start caring for lesson ponies at Turlough Equestrian Center, an Irish riding school, and roaming the countryside aboard young horses. She moved into young rider classes with her Connemara pony Prince Owen before giving up riding while she studied veterinary nursing and earned her masters in agricultural science. Her first job in the United States was grooming Marilyn Little’s show jumpers and event horses, but with show jumping her first passion, Moriarty found a job with Farrington and has been by his side for nearly a decade. [Grooming Tips With Denise Moriarty]

Best of Blogs: Learning Lessons, Keeping Perspective At Dressage Finals 

Winning a CCI4*-L on your dressage score is no mean feat. But Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 did just that at Tryon last week. On the strength of the only double-clear cross-country round in their division, Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 on Sunday won the Dutta Corp./USEF CCI4*-L National Championship, held at Tryon International Equestrian Center. Despite being held on cross-country and Baughman losing track of where they were against the clock, the pair ultimately were the only ones to finish Capt. Mark Phillips’ track without time penalties, moving them from third after dressage to first after cross-country Saturday. Another double-clear round in Sunday’s show jumping competition secured their win on their dressage score of 29.4. [Watch Why They Won]

Jana Flagler was a horse-loving child born into a non-horsey family. While her parents dreamed Flagler would one day be a concert pianist, which she wholeheartedly admits she is not, Flagler wanted to ride and jump horses from the first time she saw someone jumping on television. As a teenager, Flagler got that opportunity thanks to the Huber family who ran Tipasa Farm in Oklahoma at the time. “I did anything that needed doing around the barn to get opportunities to ride,” Flagler shared. “And I would ride anything. I only cried once— the day my newest ‘project horse’ was a 15h Appaloosa polo pony who was five feet wide with a stringy tail and no forelock.” [VIP Volunteer: Jana Flagler]

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SEU accurate as always. Photo by Hannah Mulliner.

Unofficial promotion for my favorite Facebook Group, Sh*t Eventers Unite, as they’re raising money for the holiday season for World Horse Welfare by selling really fun branded goodies like sweatshirts, bumper stickers, hats, rucksacks, and even really nice thermal coats. Get one for you, and definitely one for a friend, and benefit horses worldwide by contributing to the charity efforts!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

SAzEA Fall H.T. (Tucson, Arizona): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. (Fresno, California): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores] [Volunteer]

News From Around The Globe:

Quiet hands are key for athletes who reach the top of any equestrian sport. Their hands follow the horse’s head movement, maintaining the same amount of contact on the reins at all times. It’s no wonder that Beezie Madden can tell us how this can be achieved. “For the most part, it comes down to three things,” Madden said – basic position, basic flatwork and trusting the horse. [Riding With Quieter Hands: Beezie Madden]

How do you stay on top of your biomechanics at home riding alone? What if you don’t have a trainer on the ground? What are some ways you can pick up on little asymmetries or bad habits in the saddle? For part 2 of this short series on rider biomechanics with Noelle Floyd, you’ll get some excellent cues that will come in handy for building on the observations of Part 1. [How Do You Feel Asymmetry In The Saddle?]

Team GB’s Olympic eventers have been shortlisted for Great Britain’s Choice Award for their gold medal-winning performance in Tokyo. The award honours the “most memorable moment” from this summer’s Games, with 14 nominations in the running. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class, Laura Collett and London 52 and Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser led throughout in Tokyo to take Britain’s first eventing team gold since 1972, ahead of Australia in silver and France in bronze. [Vote Now for Team GB Eventers]

Is your horse girthy? When tacking up many horses over my career, horses acting girthy has always made me suspicious. It’s not just a weird behavioral thing, it’s an expression of pain that we haven’t sorted out. I’ve long held the theory that girthy behavior correlates to either front end lameness, or ulcers, and now I’ve finally been vindicated by a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis. If your horse is girthy, don’t just ignore it, instead, you might consider looking into it more thoroughly. [Reasons for Girthiness]

Worrying about losing to a rider, or being beaten by another, is a common mistake many riders make. Wondering if you’re going to beat someone or be beaten by someone else is just as common. Together this kind of worrying and wondering is called the opponent effect and is one of the most obvious – and overwhelming – causes of show jitters and performance anxiety. [Pressure Proof with Daniel Stewart]

Video: Cathy Wieschhoff shares her process for trailer self-loading. Good boy, Waffles!

HUEY. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Honestly, I think fall might be my favorite time of year. I’m going to put my head on a chopping block and say that I don’t hate daylight savings (this one anyway), and I really really love the crisp weather that comes along with it. That, and the colors are just insane right now with green grass and bright foliage. I mean look at this picture! I will never apologize for slowly turning EN into a Huey fan page, but the fall colors and the sly side-eye totally do it for me here.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Tryon International Three-Day Event (Tryon, Nc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, Fl.): [Website] [Volunteer]

River Glen H.T. (New Market, Tn.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

If you’re not obsessed with Laura Collett after this year, what are you even doing?? Now that she’s been part of the British Gold Medal Olympic Team with her unbelievably handsome London 52 (who also won Pau 5* last year), she’s been thrown onto a bigger stage of interest. FEI caught up with her for some questions about her life, and found some facts you may not know about her as a person, and a rider. Also, one of her side gigs is schooling racehorses over jumps, so please enjoy the video below of all the outtakes, and I dare you not to laugh. [5 Things To Know About Laura Collett]

Remington XXV has lived a lot of lives in his 25 years, and he’s not done quite yet. Originally a foxhunter, Remi completed four five-star tracks with Boyd Martin in the irons, and was his reserve horse for the 2012 Olympics and the 2010 WEG. After that, he competed through Advanced with Caitlin Silliman, and competed at the 2015 NAYC with Camilla Grover-Dodge. He’s been turned out for a few years on retirement, but now he’s been called up to the big leagues: trying to tame Nox Martin. [Three Careers, Two Martins, One Remington]

Are you a horseless rider in need of a fix? Luckily for you, we’ve found an expert on the matter, and she’s discovered a few ingenious ways to keep your sanity in check with horse time even if you don’t own one. From virtual lessons, to book recommendations, and even virtual master class subscriptions, you can spend plenty of time this winter getting pony miles. [How To Keep Horseless Riders Learning]

Jayven Kilgore has been selected for the Metropolitan Equestrian Team’s Equine Opportunity Program. The Equine Opportunity Program allows riders across the country to become as creative as they want through our educational and equestrian programs. Students have the ability to ride in any discipline and work towards their goal no matter their riding level or location in the country. The EOP riders have the drive and ambition to make their dreams a reality. [EOP Grant Winner Jayven Kilgore]

I may have watched this video crying laughing 40 times in a row, no apologies.

 

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Dreaming of Ireland right now tbh. Photo by Carrie Meehan.

There are two things that set my I-need-a-new-horse-but-not-really senses tingling: the annual fall thoroughbred sales off the track for the winter, and this week’s Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale in Ireland. One is clearly more in my theoretical budget (aka not much) and another is more like a daydream. Maybe one day, I’ll have a horse that is purpose bred and fancy, but so far, I’ll continue drooling online over the pretty free jumping photos and daydream for another year.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Tryon International Three-Day Event (Tryon, Nc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, Fl.): [Website] [Volunteer]

River Glen H.T. (New Market, Tn.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

The last long-format of the season runs this weekend at Tryon. Over 200 entries have flocked to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina for the annual Tryon International Three-Day event which will run CCI*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, and CCI4*-L divisions over the course of four days November 10-14. [Tryon Fast Facts]

The Area IX Championships took place in Mount Pleasant, Utah at the Event at Skyline in September of this year. The showgrounds were busy with five Championship divisions in addition to their nine horse trial divisions running over the course of the weekend, but competitors were thrilled with the atmosphere and experience at the competition. Five new Area IX Champions were crowned for 2021, and the USEA caught up with each of them to chat about their victories. [Riders Reflect: Area IX Championships]

Ready to pump up your winter training with some online XC training courtesy of Lucinda Green? She’s offering an incredible opportunity to learn how six of the best cross country riders in the world train their horses for confidence and cleverness at different levels. Starting this month, each month will have a different webinar with a different rider. Tune in for tips from Piggy March, Boyd Martin, Ingrid Klimke, Shane Rose, Pippa Funnell, and William Fox-Pitt! [Lucinda Green’s XC Academy]

Read up on your rules: US Equestrian Eventing has several standard rule changes approved for the 2022 competition year coming into effect on December 1, 2021. A complete list of the approved rule changes can be found here. Also, effective December 1, 2021, is the addition of an Annex 5 which will house the USEF/USEA Eventing Competition Standards — they can be viewed here. The current USEF Eventing Chapter can be found on the USEF website here. The Eventing Annexes can be found here. The complete 2022 USEF Rule Book can be found here. [USEF]

Hot on Horse Nation: Of Veterans And Horses, Part 1

 

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Throwing it back to RRP. Photo by Nicole Patenaude.

Winter has arrived this week in Virginia, in true Virginia style with no warning whatsoever. We went from wearing t-shirts last week to digging out all of the apparel for the deepest of winter. I’m now suited up in my walking sleeping bag, which is actually a riding sleeping bag, thank you very much, and everyone can make fun of me all they want because I’m cozy and that’s my priority. Funny profession for somebody who would really rather be snuggled up on the couch with a few blankets all winter, but here we are.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Galway Downs International (Temecula, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Schedule] [Volunteer]

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

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Fall H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (Tyler, Tx.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

Longtime Area I event trainer, Chronicle of the Horse advertising account manager, and founder of “Buck Off Cancer” Jess Halliday died on Oct. 26 after a hard-fought battle with colon cancer. Here, her friend, fellow eventer and Chronicle colleague, Caitlin Calder, shares her memories of Jess and the legacy she leaves. “While no amount of time with Jess was ever going to be enough, she did more, taught more and loved more in her short 33 years than most would be able to in a hundred. She showed me and so many others what it means to be an amazing person, incredible friend and to live life with abandon. Jess’ motto was always, “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” She was that and so much more to the countless kids who came through her lesson program: a coach, a friend, a role model. Her barn became a haven to so many young riders who shared her same passion.” [Remembering Jessica Halliday]

Remembering Ragtime Rebel: We have been following the exciting partnership of Jon Holling and the OTTB Ragtime Rebel on EN via their blogs on EN for some time, and are sad to report his loss due to a tragic accident earlier this week. [RIP Ragtime Rebel]

THE CUTEST. Photo by Kate Samuels.

This week, while the fall colors were at their peak, I did a photo shoot with my friend and her magical unicorn, Huey. He was the perfect model with maximum snuggling and a lot of posing and gazing into the distance. His sparkling white coat, while something I do not envy on a daily basis, looked amazing for the photos and I truly had such a good time creating some fun images for her to look back on for years to come. Look at that photo, can’t you just feel the pony love??

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Galway Downs International (Temecula, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Schedule] [Volunteer]

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

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Fall H.T. (Altoona, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (Tyler, Tx.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

News From Around the Globe:

The final FEI event in Area VI gets underway this week in Temecula, California. For the 11th year, Galway Downs International is offering their CCI4*-L in addition to a CCI3*-L, CCI2*-L, a Modified/Training Challenge, Training/Novice Challenge, and Novice/Beginner Novice Challenge, and Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary horse trial divisions. [Galway Downs Fast Facts]

Icabad Crane is on to his third career at the age of 16. After a 33-race career on the track for Graham Motion, Icabad went to Phillip Dutton, won America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred in 2014 at RRP, competed through CCI2*, gave Olivia Dutton a few years of training, and even became Evie’s at home schoolmaster. However, after a pasture accident in 2018, his career as an event horse was winding down, and now he’s loving life as a pony horse for Graham himself. [Icabad Crane Starts New Career]

Debbie Adams is the woman behind the many successful “DA” horses out on the eventing circuit, but you may not know her.  Debbie has done just about everything in the sport from riding at the advanced level, Event organizer, judge, trainer, & more.  Listen in to hear all about Debbie and the many hats she wears in the equestrian world. [Podcast with Debbie Adams]

Best of blogs: Every Equestrian Has Opinions about Pentathlon

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Oh okay, Thibault Fournier, we see you. There’s clipping for a five-star, and then there is literally clipping the five-star’s logo onto your horse. Thibault isn’t competing at Pau this weekend but that didn’t stop him from showing a little pride in France’s only five-star, and hopes that his skilled clip job will bring luck to the home team all weekend long.

U.S. Weekend Preview

The VHT International & H.T. (Lexington, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

FEH & YEH Young Event Horse Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championship (Paso Robles, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Volunteer]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. (Sherborn, Ma.): [Website] [Entry Status]

Major International Events

Les Etoiles de Pau CCI5* (France) : [Website] [Schedule & Start Lists] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

As winter approaches, it’s time to evaluate your equestrian goals for next year. We should take a moment and think about what we want out of the next few months with our horses. Do we want a blue ribbon or do we want our horses—and our riding—to improve? Are we just riders or are we horsemen? For sure, all of us are drawn together by our love of horses. It amazes me how my life is guided by my consuming love for horses. If you are like me, it is a rare day that goes by that you don’t pause for a moment and lovingly stroke a horse standing next to you or touch that warm velvet just above his muzzle. [Are You A Rider, or a Horseman?]

We have a big week ahead at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI5*, which kicks off with the first horse inspection on Wednesday. Tilly Berendt is on the grounds at Pau for EN and will be bringing you full reports each day. An additional asset for those of us following from afar: Horse&CountryTV will be exclusively broadcasting all three phases of the competition. For H&C+ and H&C+ Gold Members: The event is free to watch– simply log in to your account to gain access. Non-Members: Click here to purchase a pass, good for 90 days, for just $7.99. OR click here to sign up to H&C+ from as little as $9.99 to watch the entire event and enjoy all the benefits of a membership.

Dressage riders have failed a second time to persuade the FEI to allow top hats to be worn at major shows. Despite formal proposals from stakeholder groups and the European Equestrian Federation, the FEI has decided the multi-discipline, pro-helmet vote of the 2019 General Assembly will stand. Fans of the top hat suggest it should be allowed for over-25s only, at 4* and 5* level shows, major championships and the Olympic Games. It would be worn during the test only by those who prefer it, with the safety helmet worn at all other times including prize-givings. My personal hot take? Don’t you dressage riders have anything more important to care about than an ancient fashion ritual? [Mind Your Melon]

Podcast of the Day: Interview with Jessica Halliday + Tribute 

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Yesterday the eventing community lost another amazing individual, and we all mourn Jessica Halliday. Jess was a role model, a coach, a big sister to many young riders, an incredible equestrian, and a true force of nature. Her family has formalized Buck Off Cancer as a non-profit, and will provide information later regarding how to donate to this foundation in lieu of flowers. As Jess would say, 3…2…1… Have a great ride! And Buck Off Cancer!!

U.S. Weekend Preview

The VHT International & H.T. (Lexington, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

FEH & YEH Young Event Horse Last Chance Qualifier & West Coast Championship (Paso Robles, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Volunteer]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. (Sherborn, Ma.): [Website] [Entry Status]

Major International Events

Les Etoiles de Pau CCI5* (France) : [Website] [Schedule & Start Lists] [Live Stream]

News From Around the Globe:

“We’re here today because we want to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible, and we want to work together to make that a reality.” With those words, Hadley Zeavin set the tone for a bridge-building workshop that helped equestrians recognize biased or harmful language and gave them a range of scripts to interrupt it. The Monday night webinar, titled “Interrupting Bias and De-Escalation Techniques for Equestrians,” was an installment in the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Community Conversation series. [USEF Diversity & Inclusivity Webinar]

We have a big week ahead at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI5*, which kicks off with the first horse inspection on Wednesday. Tilly Berendt is on the grounds at Pau for EN and will be bringing you full reports each day. An additional asset for those of us following from afar: Horse&CountryTV will be exclusively broadcasting all three phases of the competition. For H&C+ and H&C+ Gold Members: The event is free to watch– simply log in to your account to gain access. Non-Members: Click here to purchase a pass, good for 90 days, for just $7.99. OR click here to sign up to H&C+ from as little as $9.99 to watch the entire event and enjoy all the benefits of a membership.

When David Silver, the founder of Detroit Horse Power, was an elementary school teacher with Teach for America in Detroit, he regularly found himself telling his class stories about horses. The equine-centric vignettes provided a way to communicate the values and social-emotional development that research has linked to success. Perseverance, empathy, responsible risk taking, confidence, self-control… all of this was easy for him to convey — if he used stories about horses. The challenge, though, remained that most of Silver’s inner-city students had never interacted with horses. As he explained, “It felt incongruous that horses taught me these lessons, but the kids in Detroit were not able to even imagine interaction with horses, let alone in a deep and meaningful way.” [Hot On Horse Nation]

If you were involved in equestrian sports at all last year, you probably noticed how COVID incentivized the industry to make a few changes in day-to-day business operations. The United States Eventing Association (USEA) caught up with the STRIDER leadership team to learn more about recent industry trends after their trip earlier this month to EQUITANA USA at the Kentucky Horse Park. [Post-COVID Horse Industry Trends]

Yoga with Jonelle Price? Yes please. 

Halloween came early at Stable View! Photo by Sparky Photography courtesy of Stable View.

Oh boy, this week the clipping requests came in hard. I returned from Fair Hill to find that every horse in Virginia (apparently) grew a huge fluffy coat when the temperature dropped, and since then, I’ve clipped two horses each day, and I’m basically booked for the next few weeks to keep doing that. Gonna get some good use out of my cute rain suit!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, Fl.): [Website] [Livestream] [Entries/Scores] [Volunteer]

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. (Fresno, Ca.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (Lexington, Ky.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Holly Hill H.T. (Benton, La.): [Website] [Entry Status]

Tryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” Trials (Landrum, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & H.T. (Gaithersburg, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Windermere Run H.T. (Kansas City, Mo.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

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Looking for some excellent tips for improving your dressage tests? Marilyn Payne is one of the most experienced and respected ground jury members in eventing. She has adjudicated at every top event in the world, including two Olympic Games. Here are her top tips on how to impress the dressage judges – at any level. [10 Tips to Ace Your Dressage Test with Marilyn Payne]

Since the Modern Pentathlon at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, a photograph of Annika Schlue riding Saint Boy has been circulating the internet. It shows her shoulders tensed, eyes scrunched closed as she sobs in distress at the loss of her Olympic dream. The horse’s head is up in the air, teeth barred, eyes white with fear. It’s a terrible image, a snapshot of a woman and a horse sharing a moment of torture. But how can we learn from that, and help the modern pentathlon evolve into a better sport for horses? [Learning from Saint Boy]

Is your horse really in front of your leg? Like, really? This concept can be tough to wrap the mind around because it’s one of those things in riding that is better felt than explained. Once you feel it – and especially, once you feel a horse that isn’t – you’ll know it. But think of being in front of the leg as a horse that is self-propelled – a horse that maintains his gait and energy without nagging from your leg. This is the prerequisite for the “leg to hand” connection as Equestrian Masterclass instructor, Mette Larsen, explains in her course, “Dressage Fundamentals for All Disciplines”. [How To Test if Your Horse is in Front of Your Leg]

On Cue’s baby, On Cue Too is ready to start her eventing career this weekend at Waredaca!

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Custom FLAIR! Photo courtesy of Maryland Five Star.

I’ll see you all later today at the Maryland Five Star! I’m bringing ten pounds of custom trail mix (don’t @ me, you’re just jealous) and maybe like, a few gallons of margaritas for my hardworking media team, my best walking shoes, and some serious camera gadgets so I can keep you all updated live on Instagram through the weekend.

Also, check out these custom Maryland Five Star FLAIR strips courtesy of our wonderful sponsor FLAIR! Each competitor was given one of these custom strips so they can rock around cross country on Saturday in style, and more importantly, while improving their breathing and reducing fatigue during intense exercise.

Don’t forget to check out our Maryland Form Guide, filled with all the info about every single horse in the 5*, and useful if you’re watching from home, or lucky enough to witness it in person.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries] [Friday 3* Dressage Start Times] [Friday 5* Start Times] [Digital Program] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage] [Daily Digest Email Sign-up] [EN’s Twitter] [EN’s Instagram]

Ocala Fall H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entry Status]

Pine Hill Fall H.T. (Bellville, Tx.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Did you know we’re running some awesome giveaways and other activities this week at Maryland? A course walk this afternoon with Ema Klugman, a giveaway on Instagram for Fairfax & Favor as well as an Athletux ear bonnet (Frilly Fillies) and jump pad (Fleeceworks) bundle. Click here to learn more!

Dressage is already underway at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, but what everybody is most excited to see is the cross-country. Longtime attendees of the venue’s previous four-star long won’t recognize much on Ian Stark’s course. It’s an entirely new route in a new location, running from Fair Hill’s steeplechase track out to the Sawmill Road Field, where cross-country is held for national-level horse trials, before looping back to finish at the steeplechase course. Stark has said he likes to build horse-friendly courses with “rider frightener” fences, and there are plenty of those to be found on the 11-minute track. [Walk the Maryland Five Star Course]

We aren’t in Kansas, anymore Toto. And Fair Hill doesn’t look like the Fair Hill of yesteryear. If you’re lucky enough to attend the event this weekend, you’ll see that the changes are massive. And if you’re staying tuned remotely, COTH has kindly provided a virtual walk around the new fantabulous facilities.From plentiful shopping to a dog jump course, there’s nothing you’ll want to miss. [Take A Walk Around MD5*]

Alongside the 5* and 3* action at Maryland this week, there’s also the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships running. Yesterday, the 4-year-old winners were crowned, and you can catch up on that action here.

A fundraising campaign has been launched aiming to create “a lasting memorial” for the four event horses killed in a road collision. The Archie Legacy, founded by Pammy Hutton and Islay Auty, with support from eventer Nick Gauntlett, will raise funds towards an ongoing breeding project using frozen semen from Nick’s stallion Party Trick, who died in the accident on the way to Blair Castle International Horse Trials on 24 August, along with Sophie Hulme’s Ice Cool Cooley, Charisma TH and Farytale Cooley. The aim is to breed a son or daughter of Party Trick, a Sports Horse Breeding (GB) champion stallion by Chilli Morning, who could go on to compete at future Olympic Games. [The Archie Legacy]

Best of Blogs: Honoring Your Mental Health is Good Horsemanship

Check out this cool video from MD5* with some of the leading riders this weekend!