So. I’ve finally been able to snap myself out of the turkey coma I welcomed with open arms for Thanksgiving and button my jeans again…note: I’ve been eating what I like to call “gobbler” sandwiches this past week to drag this holiday out…shredded turkey from your turkey plus stuffing on warmed ciabatta bread pretty much creates the most delicious thing ever (you can add some cranberry on there too if you’re into that 😉 ). Just sayin.

The moral of the story is: Thanksgiving is over (sad face), but that means Chrismukkah is a comin’ (and all the other holidays in between)! So we thought, what better way to celebrate this season than with a CONTEST!?

So… SmartPak wants to see how you can “Deck the Halls & Stalls” with boughs of holly, carrots, ribbon, wrapping paper, or whatever it is you’d like to decorate your barn with this wonderful holiday season.

Here’s your task: decorate your halls & stalls with fabulous equestrian holiday décor, take a photo, and send it to [email protected] by midnight December 15! The grand prize winner will receive a free month’s supply of SmartPaks valued up to $75, and the runner up will receive a free month’s supply of SmartPaks valued up to $50! (I know what you’re thinking – the only thing better than knowing you’re keeping your horse happy and healthy is knowing you’re doing it for FREE!)

So get busy! And we look forward to seeing what you crazy EN decorators can come up with, and your horse is excited to be rewarded by your creativity.  Happy Holidays!

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What’s your wish? SmartPak is not only proud to power healthy horses and happy riders, but hopes to help make their holiday wishes come true. Make sure to visit SmartPak.com today to start your wish list!

If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place, or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] including a quick blurb about this photo’s story and write “The View” as the title.

Today’s view comes from across the pond in Gloucester courtesy of Jules Ennis.

From Jules:

This is Jack checking out the Great Lakes of  England (a turnout field). It has rained so much in Gloucester that the fields, roads and highways have flooded. Last week Hartpury College had to have a “Rain Day” because the floods were so high no one could get on campus.

If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place, or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] including a quick blurb about this photo’s story and write “The View” as the title.

Today (or should I say tonight’s) view comes from Jackie on her lovely fall evening ride. 

From Jackie:

We hosted a hunter pace at our farm and by the time I got around to riding it was getting a little late.  This is what greeted me as I came to the bottom of a hill … a beautiful full moon rising over the pond.  A great way to end a busy day ;).

First of all, what’s with the name “Black Friday”? sounds so dark and ominous… I’d like to put an EN spin on it and how about “Dapple Grey Friday”, “Dark Bay Friday”, or maybe even “Paint Friday”? Because y’all know you probably have a shopping list that consists of 1/4 items for yourself and 3/4 items for your significant other…. or “horse” as the general public would call them.

The other part of this whole charade which utterly perplexes me is this: why on earth would anyone want to deal with all those people in a crowded, tossled department store?

I mean I get it, when everything in the store is 50% off, it’s worth the chaos… I guess… but really it just seems like a ton of work for a discount. I keep hearing commercials that go like this: “doors open at Midnight Thursday, so don’t miss out.” I say: you crazy – the only thing I’ll be doing at midnight Thursday is passing out with a big ole’ turkey coma.

But here’s my conundrum: as much as I can moan and groan in a blog about how I don’t like Dapple Grey Friday and hate the crowd and lines – I still have A LOT of holiday shopping to do, and I have A LOT of necessities to stock up on now that the season has come to an end.

So what’s a girl to do? And here comes the anxiety…

Luckily, I’ve found something I like to call “SmartFriday”. Yup, came up with it alllll myself: SmartPak – the Pak + Friday =SmartFriday. Ta da!

Thankfully, SmartPak understands my full belly and lazy state of mind the day after Thankgiving so they could help a girl out by offering up some horsey discounts so I can set the anxiety aside and set forth towards a successful holiday shopping experience.

So don’t forget to shop smartpak.com for all your holiday needs on SmartFriday because they’ll be offering 10% off all orders over $150 and free shipping. Plus, this isn’t one of those one-day-only stress makers…the sale runs through Monday, 11/26!

KCB Eventing (Jamie Kellock + Lauren Clark + Hanna Bundy = KCB) has started a wonderful blog of their own about their journey to hopefully represent Canada in the FEI Adequan North American Junior Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) and they have kindly agreed to share their road to the NAJYRC with EN! Get to know the girls….

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Meet Hanna:

My name is Hanna Bundy and I’m 18 years old. I am from Toronto, Canada and have been riding my whole life and eventing for the past 5 years. Just over a year ago I started training with Jessica Phoenix and became very focused and dedicated to my future in eventing. Last season I trained in Ocala, Florida with Jessie in hopes of making the North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) CCI* team. Unfortunately that didn’t work out, so we set our sights on a new goal of competing in the 2013 NAJYRC CCI** team. I recently got a new horse that I am so excited about! He is a 10 yo Buckskin Mustang x Quarter horse (funny I know) named Mustard, show name D’Jion. I have had Mustard since the end of August of this year and have successfully done one Preliminary Event where we finished 5th and one Intermediate where we finished 2nd. I am going to Florida again this season and have multiple CIC/CCI**events scheduled. I am so excited for 2013 and can’t wait to try to reach my goal of being on the 2013 CCI** Canadian team for NAJYRC!

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Meet Jamie:

My name is Jamie Kellock and I am 17 years old. NAJYRC has been a goal of mine since I started eventing at the age of 13. This season I have the opportunity to try for the CCI* team on my seven-year-old OTTB named Don’t Blink. I am lucky to have been training with Olympian Jessie Phoenix for the past year and look forward to competing in Florida with her for the 2013 season. I have been competing at the preliminary level for this past season and I am excited to do my first CIC/CCI* in Florida! I feel fortunate to have such a great support system behind me and I am excited to blog about my road to the NAJYRCs along side my best friends!

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Meet Lauren:

My name is Lauren Clark and I am 16 years old. I have been eventing for four years. I have been training with Jessie Phoenix for almost a year and have gained so much from training with her. I am excited to try for the 2013 NAJYRC CCI* team with both my horses. Windsor High aka Bart is a 9-year-old ISH. My other horse Coolum XV aka Benny is a six year old New Zealand thoroughbred. This year I moved both horses up to the preliminary level and I look forward to tackling CIC/CCI* in Florida. I cant wait to share the journey with my fellow bloggers and my support team!

We hope you enjoy following along as these three young ladies set out on some pretty stellar goals for 2013! For now, we’ll leave you with a little video from KCB at the Royal. 

If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place, or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] including a quick blurb about this photo’s story and write “The View” as the title.

This one comes from Jana Kellam while hacking out in Asheville, NC. 

This photo was taken September 9, 2012 while hacking out on The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, where I board my awesome OTTB gelding, Jove. In the distance, you can see the Biltmore House (the largest private home in the US).

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Pollard Eventing launched the Road to Recovery, a campaign to raise awareness for the safe transport of horses and to research improved safety measures for trailers. This initiative follows overwhelming response to the fatal traffic accident in May 2012 in which three international event horses were lost when Michael’s trailer turned over.

Through this campaign Michael has decided his next trailer should be a Jamco, and was fortunate enough to obtain sponsorship from the company in order to hopefully create and provide the equestrian community with the safest trailer on the market. Watch the second half of Pan American Team Gold Medalist, Michael Pollard’s interview with Dave Dalzell, 25 year Jamco team member, on why Jamco Trailers are uncommonly safe.

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Happy Monday everyone! Well, we’ve missed seeing the world through your horse’s ears so we’re bringing it back!

If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place, or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] including a quick blurb about this photo’s story and write “The View” as the title.

Here’s today’s view from Gretchan Pelham who is the Joint Master for the Tennessee Valley Hunt based in East Tennessee.

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Michael Pollard is currently leading the CCI*** division at the Galway Downs International Three Day Event aboard Schoensgreen Hanni with a score of 46.4 and it’s onto cross country today.

Frankie Theriot from the USEA caught up with Michael to chat about Hanni’s journey to Galway and Pollard Eventing’s Road to Recovery to improve trailer safety measures.

Also – some of you may know Michael and Lauren Billys have been battling it out for the title of the Best Dressed Award at Galway presented by Dubarry. Well, since Michael’s Facebook fans have been so generous to vote for him and spread the word, he has announced that if he wins, one of his Facebook fans will be receiving those Dubarrys as a thank you. So the battle still rages, and the winner will be announced at Galway this evening.

For now, please enjoy this video courtesy of the USEA and Dubarry. Go Eventing!

Today marked the start of the 2012 Galway Downs International Three Day Event in Temecula, CA and so, it was time to go for a jog or two…

Eventers have been consistently raising the bar on how to dress properly for a CCI or CIC jog, and Dubarry decided to award the best dressed jogger at Galway Downs with a pair of Dubarry boots this year.

Here are the five finalists:

Lauren Billys and Ballingowan Ginger are competing in the CCI**

Taren Atkinson and Gustav are competing in the CCI*

Jordan Taylor and Cambridge are competing in the CCI**

Kelly Pugh and Spot On are competing in the CCI*

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni are competing in the CCI***. Photo courtesy of StockImageServices.com.

If you’d like to vote for your favorite Dubarry finalist, go to the Galway Downs Facebook Page and simply “Like” your favorite finalist photo. Whoever receives the most votes will be named the winner on Saturday evening.

Go West Coast Eventing!

Possibly more obvious threats like Hurricane Sandy promote the fear of possibly having cross-country courses washed away, facilities flooded and shows potentially postponed. 

But what about the slower, not-so-publicized, long-term threats that gradually sneak up on us and reduce the usability of our equestrian lands? 

We’re talking about how 6,000 acres of open lands are lost to development every day. In response to this increasing threat, EQUUS Magazine and Equine Land Conservation Resource will open an exhibit in Lexington, KY to raise awareness in the equestrian community and beyond.Thank you to our EN Sponsor: KPP for sharing this article with us:

The exhibit Losing Ground: The Greatest Threat sponsored by EQUUS Magazine and Equine Land Conservation Resource opened at the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, KY on October 29, 2012. The exhibit will increase awareness and educate the public about the loss of horse lands, facilities and trails access in the United States. It demonstrates the value of horses, including their economic impact, to our communities and culture, and what can be done to protect these assets, not only for horse land owners, equestrians and equine enthusiasts, but for communities and the nation as a whole. Furthermore, it describes how 6,000 acres of open lands are lost to development every day.  These are the lands we need to raise, ride and care for our horses.  These are the hayfields, the competition grounds, the trails and the pastures that support our rich American equine culture.

Photo by Becky Young

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“It has always been the museum’s mission to look at pressing problems within the equine community, and the alarming disappearance of land for horses has to be near the top of the list,” says International Museum of the Horse Director, Bill Cooke.

The exhibit consists of an extensive mural that dramatically shows the threat of unplanned development on existing horse lands. A video film, produced by Post Time Productions and developed by ELCR, is the visitor’s first view of the exhibit which quickly draws the visitor into the story of American’s love for the horse and the threat to the very land needed to support our equine population. Three interactive kiosks allow the visitor to explore the following topic areas: why horses make good neighbors; loss of land and trails access; and a call to action that describes what individuals can do to get informed, organize and advocate locally and nationally for protection of horse lands, facilities and trail access with the help and resources of ELCR.

As part of the exhibition, visitors receive a complimentary copy of a Losing Ground: The Greatest Threat an EQUUS special report on conserving land and trails for horses, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. “At EQUUS we’ve seen firsthand how important it is to preserve open space and trail access,” says EQUUS editor Laurie Prinz. “And we know that the first step in effective advocacy is informing Equestrians and the public at large about what’s at stake. We appreciate that Pfizer has made possible a special publication highlighting land use issues.”

“As the only national organization working to conserve land for equine related use, ELCR is proud to partner with Equus magazine on this important project that will raise awareness of the need to protect our horse lands now, before it is too late,” says ELCR CEO, Anna Gibson. “The land we save in the next fifteen years will determine the future of our equine culture, lifestyle and landscape.”

EN welcomes Saddle Network to our stable of sponsors.  Saddle Network is designed to protect your saddle from theft.  Read on for more information. 

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by Erin Gilmore

It’s pretty customary that when you leave your house, you lock your door, when you park your car to go grocery shopping, you lock your car. Why this mindless repetition? To keep someone from stealing your stuff. But what about your saddle? How do you lock your saddle?

Saddle theft continues to happen, far too often, to all kinds of riders. And when you’ve spent two paychecks on a custom made and measured buffalo leather saddle that took three months to arrive from France (guilty), the thought of someone lifting it off you is enough to make even a gentle horseman’s blood boil.

Based on actual events

This is where the Saddle Network comes in: what if we could not only prevent theft, but change the way people view theft from reactive, to a proactive community that works together to deter theft from even happening in the first place?

The Saddle Network is a concept that was dreamed up by horse people in California who put two and two together after listening to countless stories from saddle theft victims, and thinking about how modern technology could step in to help.

They combined that technology with the strength of the equestrian community, and came up with this:

The SN tag is a 3 inch space-age piece of thin metal that is permanently affixed to the left flap of your saddle. It has a QR code on it that can be scanned by a smartphone or entered online for information on the saddle’s rightful owner and status.

Placement of the tag is non-negotiable. Proactive is the key, and Saddle Network’s goal is to keep the theft from even occurring. The tags are a visual deterrent, meant to turn away opportunistic thieves who are looking for an easy grab and resell. More than deterring theft, SN aims for the tag itself to become a symbol of cool. Who wouldn’t take the extra step to protect their $3,000 $4,375.99 (sorry Mom) saddle from potential theft?

The SN logic is that in the near future, it’s the untagged saddles that will become the easy targets.

The tag itself has a high-tech look, and is riveted onto the flap much like a nameplate, but that is also the point. As Saddle Network becomes widespread, the holes that a removed tag would leave would also be a clear sign that the saddle is stolen.

Buying a tag isn’t a one off thing, individuals can join Saddle Network, where they’ll be able to archive and tag their tack. Saddle manufacturers can join as well – and guess who has already signed up: none other than Antares Sellier. Big name hunter, jumper, and Western trainers are getting behind the Network too. Eventers, don’t be late to the party, check out the Saddle Network now.

Here’s the bottom line; if tagging your saddle meant the difference between walking into your tackroom one morning to find it had poof! Disappeared, or keeping it within arms reach and therefore available to grace your horse’s back, would you even hesitate to choose the latter?

www.SaddleNetwork.com

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni, survivor of the tragic trailer accident

Michael Pollard received such an overwhelming response to the fatal traffic accident in May 2012, in which three international event horses were lost when his trailer turned over, that he decided to do something with that support in order to benefit the entire equestrian community.

In August, Pollard Eventing launched the Road to Recovery campaign to raise awareness for the safe transport of horses and to research improved safety measures for trailers. With the release of this news, Pollard Eventing again received such a positive outpour of support, including the support of Jamco Trailers.

Pollard Eventing has announced that Jamco Trailers will be its Official Trailer of the Road to Recovery Campaign and the Official Trailer of Pollard Eventing.

“It was always my intention since the accident to look into how we could make trailering safer for horses.  Two of my horses who suffered catastrophic injuries from the accident and had to be euthanized may have survived if we had a harness structure in place,” said Michael Pollard. I’m delighted to be partnering with Jamco because they clearly have the vision and commitment to develop the safest trailers with enhancements that could save lives.”

Jamco will offer discount coupons to customers who have been referred through the Road to Recovery Campaign worth $300 in upgrades. Additional customer incentives will also be offered by Horse First, the Jamco dealer and co-sponsor, that will benefit Pollard Eventing.

“Michael’s ideas for Road to Recovery will revolutionize horse trailering, and we couldn’t be prouder to be his partner in this campaign. While we have always specifically overbuilt our trailers by 30% or more for both safety and durability, there is always room for innovation,” said  Dave Dalzell, National Sales and Marketing Manager at Jamco “We are already working on early concepts with Michael, to keep horses in their stalls in case of an accident, somewhat like what is already done for air transport. These would be products that can be added to any trailer, not just ours, so it can benefit all horses. Longer term, who knows? Maybe we’ll even develop air bags.”

Michael will be working very closely with Dave Dalzell to design the safest trailer possible and test new safety measures with support harnesses. Both Michael and Dave are very excited to bring a new, safe trailer to the market, and hopeful their design will help prevent a tragedy such as the one Pollard Eventing experienced.

The Fair Hill International guest blogging series presented by SmartPak gave riders who are entered to compete at FHI the opportunity to tell their tale and lay all their hard work on the table prior to the event. Katie Ruppel and her mount Sir Donovan (“Don”) will compete in the CCI*** this year.

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From Katie:

Here I am, sitting with a glass of wine not fully believing that I have just entered my third Fair Hill CCI3*. I am at the ripe old age of 25 and it is my last year for the National Under 25 Championships, with my “old” campaigner Sir Donovan who is nearing senior citizen status at the age of 10. Will have to remember to pack our walkers and hover-rounds. And umbrellas. And parkas… oh dear.

Don took us both around our first Fair Hill when he was 7, I was too young and dumb to realize how exceptional a feat that was. It was also the monsoon year, Noah’s Ark could have gotten around faster than we did. I think Don loved it, being from Ireland, he probably felt right at home in the mud and muck. Nonetheless, we jumped an amazing clear round, and 3 years later I like to think I am less young and dumb and able to give it a better shot this time around.

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Katie Ruppel and Sir Donovan at Red Hills, photo by Samantha Clark

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Our second year we did Fair Hill, in 2010, again we jumped clear cross country and improved our effort by finishing 4th in the Under 25 Championship and 7th in the Owner/Rider Championship. That year the going was much better and I wasn’t soaked to the bone every day.

Don and I took a year off from Fair Hill in 2011 and decided to try Galway CCI3* where we jumped double clear around cross country and finished 12th. We had an amazing trip, it was a fabulous event and being in wine country wasn’t too shabby either.

I had not originally planned on entering Don in Fair Hill or any fall 3* for that matter. After a long post-Olympics talk with my coach, Jon Holling, I’ve made the mature decision to move on from Don, to purchase younger horses. It was a bit crushing, like when I was a little kid and I thought my Shetland pony Woody was going to be the next Winsome Adante. I am beyond fortunate that I have another fantastic young Advanced horse waiting in the wings, so it became a matter of which one do I need to sell to further my riding career. I had figured I would spend the late summer and fall at my farm in Ocala and just keep on keeping on….

But….

All it took was one crisp fall day. I think event riders can measure their seasons by “Kentucky” and “Fair Hill” and once the weather turns, you just feel it.. and that one day it felt like Fair Hill. I could close my eyes and see the red and yellow trees, the colors of autumn in Maryland. Suddenly I had the taste of crab bisque in my mouth. I immediately remembered where my sweaters were packed and my internal GPS hit the coordinates for Elkton. It was all over for me and before I knew it I had pressed the “send” button with my entry.

Katie and Don at the jog at Rolex this past year

This year at Fair Hill is bittersweet for me, as it will likely be my last major international event with Don. He is an amazing cross country machine and I would like nothing more than for him to do for someone else what he has done for me. He gave me confidence, gave me experience, gave me everything. Here we are, Don and I, feeling old at 25 and 10, but so much has happened to us between our first Fair Hill and now. We’ve hit every 3* in the country, conquered the Wild West together, twice (we did go to Montana, too!). We ate Poutine at Bromont and did the Dirty Jerz in style by finishing 4th. We’ve been Forked 3 times and we’ve eaten more corn cobs than I care to admit at Richland. That’s just scratching the surface, Don and I have done it all, it just seems fitting that we end up right back where we started… Fair Hill.

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SmartPak is proud to power healthy horses and happy riders who are working to achieve their goals (whether aiming for Fair Hill, simply hoping to back their youngster this year, and everything in between). Visit SmartPak.com today to see how our smarts can support your goals!

The Fair Hill International guest blogging series presented by SmartPak gave riders who are entered to compete at FHI the opportunity to tell their tale and lay all their hard work on the table prior to the event. Lindsey Oaks-Solorzano and her mount Enchantez will compete in the CCI*** this year.

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From Lindsey:

It’s hard to believe that the biggest event of my career is just a week away. It seems just yesterday that I met the scrawny, barely broken, terrified horse that is now Enchantez or “Taylor” as his friends call him. That is not the horse that I hope to bring to Maryland for the Fair Hill International CCI*** next week. The horse that I’ll be bringing is sleek, strong, confident (except when his vet walks into the barn!), and a serious cross country machine.

I met Taylor six years ago when I came to Kentucky to work for Megan Moore of Team CEO Eventing. Poor Taylor was a walking heart attack at the time, having lived out in a field with no human interaction for the first five years of his life, adjusting to the civilized world was pretty tough on him. But I loved him from the moment we met. He was to go through a few riders before I got the ride (read: he unloaded enough riders that no one else was willing to touch him) and after a few months I was able to convince his soon to be owners enough of his talent that my dad (and first owner!) David Oaks, Robbie Faircloth, and Bill Edwards helped me bring him home for good.

Lindsey and Taylor at Richland Park this year. Photo Courtesy of Mike Goodwin. 

Developing a partnership with Taylor has not been easy, we’ve had some, err let’s say baggage to work through. For the first few years simple things like putting a winter blanket on was a two person job. Trying to convince him that our world class vet Dr. Chris Newton was not there to kill him was, and still is, an interesting conversation especially when it’s time for spring shots. He’s always known that he didn’t really need me to get the job done, at his first training he dumped me in the cross country warm up and went out on course without me. At his first prelim I missed to a fence in show jumping warm up and he took us to the other side easily. Then he unloaded me and proceeded to jump the oxer twice by himself! To say that I’ve trained him would be a lie, he’s trained me to always be on my guard!

This year has been the most influential year of our career together. We moved up to the advanced level at Pine Top in February of this year with intentions of keeping the schedule for this year simple. No three day’s in our plans, just going for miles at the level. But after our second advanced at Poplar, it had become apparent to my most trusted advisors that he was definitely comfortable with the new height and technicality and the decision was made to enter Fair Hill International CIC*** that April. The weekend came and he was an absolute star, rocking around the hilly terrain like it was nothing and picking us up a sixth place ribbon at our first CIC***! Decision time dawned again, keep the schedule simple or take the already fit Taylor up to Bromont CCI*** that summer? The decision was made to go, entry sent, trailer packed.

Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be, as some unforeseen events in my life prevented us from making it up to Canada that June. I gave Taylor thirty days off over the summer since we had been out and about since January and brought him back with a new goal in mind: Fair Hill International CCI***. I brought him back slowly, going for hacks daily in addition to slowly increasing ring work. After several weeks we started driving over to the local thoroughbred training center once a week to gallop. The break and slow fitness build up seemed to do his body good, and since coming back we’ve picked up two more ribbons at advanced the most recent a fourth place finish at Poplar Place Farm!

It’s been my dream to compete at the highest levels of eventing since I was very young. I always knew that it would take a lot of hard work, what I didn’t know was that I would learn to have a real relationship with my partner in that pursuit.

Thanks for letting me share a little bit of my partnership with Taylor with you Eventing Nation! If you’re out and about at Fair Hill next week, do come on over and meet my better half!

Lindsey and Taylor taking a break from their gallop sets at Victory Haven Traning Track. 

SmartPak is proud to power healthy horses and happy riders who are working to achieve their goals (whether aiming for Fair Hill, simply hoping to back their youngster this year, and everything in between). Visit SmartPak.com today to see how our smarts can support your goals!

This new weekly series talks about the details that matter when building or renovating a barn or equestrian facility. It’s a known fact that horses know a million ways to hurt themselves, and our best defense is to share our knowledge on how to keep our friends safe. Our colleague, noted equine facilities designer Holly Matt of Pegasus Design Group, has generously agreed to write this weekly column. Have tips you’d like to share? Send them to [email protected].

Everyone knows that sound. The hooves banging up against a wall, the shavings flying, and the groan of effort. (Ah! Fresh shavings!) Which begs the question: are they safe when they roll in their stall? One of my worst memories is finding a horse right after an innocent roll, with his foot shot through under an unsecured sliding door. As his hoof had gone through, the harder he pulled, the more he snugged the door up tight, clamping around his pastern. Fortunately, there were people in the barn to respond immediately, and there was an exterior door through which we could reach him to help. He was not seriously injured, but you can believe that, had it happened at 1 am, he would have been.

So, let’s discuss the detail that counts, the strength and security of your stall system, most notably, the doors on the stall. Nothing is more dangerous than a sliding door that has only one point of closure at the bottom, or worse, none.

When selecting or upgrading your stall system, choose doors with two points of contact at the bottom corners of the sliding door. And look for a door that locks into place, to stay centered between those points. They should be set such that they don’t provide a hazard when the door is open.

This door by MDBarnmaster is a good example of a secure sliding door, with C channel guides on both corners that secure the door to the stall front. It meets the requirements above, with the added perk of lower level stall ventilation that is so important for your horses respiratory health (and far more secure and safe than a stall guard or chain).

You want a well-thought-out barn that provides the safest, healthiest environment for your horse, but you also want upscale details that sets yours apart from just another barn. The MD Estate Series builds upon the solid, proven modular structure of MDBarnmaster, then adds a personal touch. Things like tongue and groove wood interiors, enhanced exterior options and interlocking Armor Grip roofing are just some of the features that make this a true Estate barn.

The Fair Hill International guest blogging series presented by SmartPak gave riders who are entered to compete at FHI the opportunity to tell their tale and lay all their hard work on the table prior to the event. Allie Blyskal and her mount Sparrows Nio will compete in the CCI** this year.

Allie & Neo at Plantation this fall, photo by Samantha

Hello all! My name is Allie Blyskal and I am writing this to bring you the story of Sparrows Nio
and I, who will be competing in the Fair Hill International 2* this fall. I am an “A” graduate of pony club
and have been actively competing in eventing for about twelve years now. We are both very excited
about this opportunity, well at least I am….Neo is probably more excited about the treats and getting all
the attention!

Sparrow’s Nio (Neo) and my story started a little over two and half years ago. I can’t tell a tale
about Neo without first mentioning his half-brother Marshall. Marshall was a Connemara quarter horse
cross. My aunt found him happy, living the good life, in a field and I bought him for a dollar. He was
going to be a fun project horse, seeing as he was as fat as a cow and he was only 15.2 I never
planned on keeping him. The first time we jumped him and he cleared not only the jump but also the
height of the standards my mind began to change.

Fast forwarding a few years I decided to aim for the Fair Hill 2* in 2009. Marshall was a lot of
things but dressage horse was not one of them. Getting qualified for Fair Hill was a task in itself. But we
did achieve our qualifying scores and we were off on the long road trip…….ten minutes down the road.
I often joked that it is easier for me to hack over to the show grounds then load up in the trailer. Amidst
all the excitement I never saw the other passenger in the trailer; a massive nor’easter that decided to
come in and rain on our parade. I do not need to mention to my fellow eventers the misery that being
cold and wet all day brings. Alas this would be the event where the law of averages would come and
bite me with a hard lesson; a simple galloping oxer caused a minor tumble and our first Fair Hill came to
an inglorious and slightly muddy end. Neither Marshall nor I were any the worse for the experience and
came away from the incident with no more than bruised egos.

Allie & Neo at the Hagyard Midsouth CCI1* last fall, photo by Samantha

Our 2009 season ended after Fair Hill but I was more determined than ever so I doubled down
on training throughout the winter and spring. It was in the next spring that I met up with Neo; a lady I
knew owned him and she had sent him down to me for another horse to ride. Like many of the Grange
Finn Sparrow offspring he was known for his tendency to have an exuberant buck and this was causing
issues with his current owner, but I was excited for the challenge.

About a month after Neo had been at our farm, my family and I were out at dinner when a really
bad May thunder storm rolled in. It was a really low storm and I could see very serious lightning was
hitting. We did not get home till after the storm was over, but I was consumed by a strange feeling and
decided to go out to the barn to check on everyone. I could see Neo running in his field and that was
unusual for him since usually he is only focused on one thing…eating. I knew when I saw him running
something was not right. I started looking for Marshall. I could not find him and my heart was pounding.
I saw this white object lying in the field and although I couldn’t clearly see what it was for sure my heart
started to sink. We walked out in to the field and my world came crashing down around me. It was
Marshall laying there. He had been struck by lightning. Needless to say those next couple weeks were
really hard, but there was this very cute pony (I say pony but he is 15.3) in my barn that would always
nicker at me when I came out to feed. If you know the Connemara breed you know they have those big
marble eyes that are just so sweet to look into. My mom and then boyfriend (now fiancé) convinced me
to get back in the saddle and go ride again.

That spring I sat down with my grandparents and they were gracious enough to lend me the
money to buy Neo. We had just developed this connection and no amount of cajoling on anyone’s part
would convince me to look elsewhere for another horse. I just knew that Neo and I were right for each
other. I bought Neo in the spring of 2010 and shortly thereafter we did our first event at Olde Hope
unrecognized horse trials.

Allie and Neo, photo courtesy of Double Clear Photography

I was also so excited because Neo could do dressage! In all my years of coming up through
the pony club ranks and later the levels of the eventing world I had never had a horse that could really
do dressage and allow me to be competitive. I knew from the start that we were beginning a vastly
different journey than any of my previous mounts through the years. He possessed all the sparkle and
flash to post good scores. Because of this we have progressed right up through the levels. Naturally he
has his green moment every now and then, but when he is good, he is really good. We made the move
up to Intermediate this spring. Overall he has not seemed phased by too much. I sometimes forget to
keep in mind that he has only been actively competing for two and half years and that he really has not
seen that much. We ran the Plantation Fields CIC 2* and I was pleased with our results, but I am
looking to put an even better performance in at Fair Hill.

After my forced hiatus from competing at the upper levels after Marshall’s death I am truly excited
about once again riding at Fair Hill. As I said before, the event is literally in my backyard. I have actually
done all my fitness work preparation on the Fair Hill property.

As I have been going to watch this event since I was 10, and now that I get the chance once
again to ride at the big Fair Hill, it just gives me tingles all over. My goal for this year as with anybody who
participates in the wonderful sport of ours is to finish with a happy sound horse. I am excited for the
challenge that will come this year but I am optimistic of a solid outing. It is hard not to get wrapped up
in thinking of dressage score goals and double cleans and leaving all the sticks up, but I am just going to
take the weekend step by step and phase by phase. Sam (my fiancé, 2008 Olympic pentathlete) always
says, “focus on the journey and steps to victory, not the actual victory.” So if anyone is out at Fair Hill on
XC day and see the black and blue colors on a little grey horse that is Neo and I having the time of our
lives!

Allie & Neo on XC, photo by Double Clear Photography

SmartPak is proud to power healthy horses and happy riders who are working to achieve their goals (whether aiming for Fair Hill, simply hoping to back their youngster this year, and everything in between). VisitSmartPak.com today to see how our smarts can support your goals!