We’re kicking right along with our giveaways from our very generous sponsors, and anyone who uses or is interested in Cosequin will love this one! Today, we’re teaming up with Cosequin to give away a container of Cosequin ASU 500 gram and, to a second winner, a container of Cosequin ASU Plus 525 gram.
Cosequin is one of the most widely regarded products for joint support for your horse, and you’ll be quick to see why once you begin using this great product! You can learn more about Cosequin here.
To enter today’s giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter before midnight tonight. We will announce the winner in tomorrow’s News & Notes post. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
Wednesday Videos from Kentucky Performance Products: Learn the Masterson Method
We’re all about education here at EN, and we found a great playlist from Absorbine which focuses on movement issues. Equine bodywork specialist Jim Masterson focuses on a different area of the body for each exercise he does, which can help pinpoint issues and alleviate discomfort.
There are five videos in all contained in this playlist, each one containing several educational tidbits on the inner workings on our horses. As it goes, horses are so much more than what meets the eye, and understanding the anatomy and makeup of our horses can help us identify and treat issues.
A Few More #GOTD Exercises from Laine Ashker
Laine Ashker continues to post new ideas for grid exercises to cure that winter boredom. These are great exercises for riders at any level — you could even make these grids into pole gymnastics for a greener horse or rider! Whether you are working on your position, your horse’s technique and footwork, or a combination of both, gymnastic exercises are a great way to accomplish your goals.
And just for fun, here’s a look at Laine’s upper level partner, Anthony Patch, out stretching his legs!
EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a Shoulder Relief Girth from Total Saddle Fit
Graphic via Total Saddle Fit.
We’ve got a great prize lined up for you in today’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! If you haven’t heard the buzz surrounding Total Saddle Fit’s popular Shoulder Relief Girth, you’ll definitely want to read up on it. We have reviewed this girth in the past and were thrilled with the results — we think you will be, too!
The Shoulder Relief Girth is a saddle-fit girth that redirects the billet line of your saddle to prevent it from interfering with your horse’s shoulders. An anatomical and ergonomic design allows maximum use of your horse’s shoulder under saddle and increases the comfort level in the girth area.
We’re super excited to team up with Total Saddle Fit for this giveaway, so enter below before midnight tonight and check tomorrow’s News & Notes to find out if you are a winner!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: How to Cope with Shortcomings
Diane Portwood recently started a new video blog chronicling her experiences as a young rider and college student. She’s just released a new vlog on the subject of dealing with being, in her words, a “complete failure.” Here’s what she has to say:
In this vlog, I talk about dealing with the sport when things aren’t going your way, or as I more eloquently titled it, ‘How to Cope With Being a Complete Failure.” It chronicles the struggles I faced at the ripe old age of seventeen with having both of my horses incur potentially career ending injuries shortly after starting my working student stint at Five Ring Stable and how/why I kept a positive attitude during the ordeal. Due to finals week, it is basically me talking for fifteen minutes (which is unfortunate, I know, I know), but I think the message is important, especially for other young riders.
Many thanks to Diane for taking the time to make these vlogs!
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EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a Saddle Pad from Success Equestrian
Graphic via Success Equestrian.
The search for the perfect saddle pad is seemingly endless. There are endless options out there for each discipline, and it’s definitely a matter of personal preference as well. We here at EN have had great experiences with the Success Equestrian line, which offers hunter, jumper, dressage and cross country pads featuring no slip design and supreme comfort.
The no-slip saddle pads address a very common problem of saddle slipping and stability while at the same time maintaining a ‘traditional show ring quality’ appearance. The saddle pads keep the tack in place, including the pad itself, without the need for extra pieces of rubber stripping or chamois pieces.
The special open cell foam in the seat adds extra stability and shock absorption. The flexible air flow no-slip grip is strategically built into the pad only where it’s needed eliminating unnecessary sweating on the horse’s sides. Best of all, the whole pad is breathable and washes great. We’ve reviewed the monoflap cross country pad, and you can read all about our experience here.
Today we are teaming up with Success Equestrian to give away a saddle pad of the winner’s choice! Use the RaffleCopter widget below to enter before midnight tonight, and then check tomorrow’s News & Notes post to find out if you are our lucky winner.
Good luck!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
Monday Videos from Tredstep Ireland: Ingrid Klimke Visits Canada
Ingrid Klimke visited our side of the world this weekend, teaching a clinic at Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon, Ontario. The Ingrid Klimke Experience was hosted by DMF Productions, and both eventers and dressage riders participated to learn from a true master of both sports.
Included on the rider list was Canadian eventer Selena O’Hanlon, who partook aboard Foxwood High. Here she is handling one of Ingrid’s famous cavalletti exercises:
Foxwood High @ Ingrid Klimke clinic. Love this horse to the moon and back❤️
Posted by Selena J O’Hanlon on Monday, December 7, 2015
Many thanks to Anna Szczurko, who posted several more videos of various groups throughout the weekend:
If you were in attendance at this clinic this weekend and would like to submit a clinic report, please email it to [email protected].
Jacob Fletcher Believes in a Systematic Approach to Success
With the recent naming of the 2016 Eventing 25/18 Training Lists, there are a lot of talented young riders who are ready to take the eventing world by storm. This winter, we’ll be spotlighting the E25 and E18 riders as they prepare for their training sessions with Leslie Law.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Spend any time at all in a conversation with Jacob Fletcher, and he will happily tell you about his time in Europe last year learning from Kevin McNab. Jacob brought home with him an arsenal of knowledge, and immersing himself in the training system utilized by Kevin McNab has prepared him for a successful career here in the States with his own horses.
Jacob is a full-time student at the University of Arkansas, but he splits his time between school and competitions and training for his horses. Jacob was recently named to the 2016 Eventing 25 training list and will once again be able to participate in lessons and seminars with Developing Rider coach Leslie Law.
“(Leslie is) very personalized and really works with you,” Jacob said. “I had a great experience with him last year. His system really works with mine, so instead of deconstructing what I am doing he provides helpful tips to build on it.”
Riding with Kevin, Jacob adopted a more forward riding technique which has brought several riders success. Jacob acknowledges that every rider has a different style and system, but he’s integrated a style that he feels works for him and his horses.
Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“I really liked Kevin’s riding style — it was very soft and forward, and he’s had great results with it,” Jacob explained. “I was a bit hesitant about it at first, and here in the States it’s not as heavily favored. But you see the results that Kevin, Jock Paget and Chris Burton are having and it’s hard to argue with. I think there are times when no one will argue that you need to be in a more defensive position, but I think (the forward riding seat) is about producing horses too. Your horses don’t worry about you getting into a defensive position and learn to carry you on a bit more.”
Jacob has observed that Leslie often uses this position as well, which has worked really well for their training together. “He still tells me to sit up every once in awhile,” Jacob laughed. “He had me work a lot last year on the automatic release. Especially with Domino, who can be a bit frisky at the beginning of the year, I would have trouble with turning questions. I’d jump with a looped rein and long release and would pick up the contact at the back of the fence. Leslie taught me how to use the auto release so that the contact was held in a soft, consistent way, so there was no argument on landing.”
Jacob has begun planning the next season with his two top horses, as well as some younger ones coming up through the pipeline. Despite not having the weekend he wanted at Galway Downs in October, Jacob remains positive and has a clear plan for what he wants to improve in 2016.
Jacob Fletcher and Fly Away Ferro. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“Atlantic Domino has really proven that he can do a test,” Jacob said. “He show jumps clear almost every show, and on cross country he’s either brilliant or we have a blip. I think we’ll just be working day and night to improve his consistency. I think he can be really competitive. I think it’s reasonable to want him to achieve a top placing at a CCI3* next year — we’re thinking Bromont at this point.”
“(Fly Away Ferro) is just eight and has progressed really quickly,” he continued. “He had just done his first one-star at the beginning of this year. He still gets quite hot and strong in the ring, so I’m still working on developing him. I’m hoping he will also be very competitive. Leslie and (regular coach Mike Huber) have been really helpful with his dressage, so I’m aiming to squeeze some better scores out of him.”
Jacob will spend time driving back and forth from school in Arkansas to Florida for training and is also exploring the option of traveling back and forth to Aiken and Georgia. Even with a busy schedule, Jacob knows that Leslie and Mike will always be there to assist him in whatever way they can. “I’ve really appreciated the Developing Rider program,” he said. “I send Leslie videos probably every week of myself riding and talk to him every other week throughout the year. It’s not just one week of intensive training, it’s the entire year that is personalized for each rider.”
EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a One K Defender Air Helmet!
Image courtesy of One K Helmets.
Happy Monday, EN! We’re kicking off an exciting week of holiday giveaways, and if you’ve missed out so far, keep entering! Today’s prize is a good one: a One K Defender Air helmet! It’s always important to #mindyourmelon when it comes to horse sports, and One K gets that style and safety should go hand in hand.
We recently reviewed several One K helmets, and the Defender Air was definitely a big hit for us. Between the custom fit air pockets that allow you to truly achieve the best fit to the stylish appearance that goes well in a schooling or show environment, this helmet is a winner that ticks all of the boxes. You can read our review here.
One lucky winner will receive this classy helmet, so use the Rafflecopter widget below to submit your entry. Entries will close at midnight tonight and we will announce the winner in tomorrow’s News & Notes. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin
Happy holiday season! It’s an exciting time of year for those of us who are horse shopping. In light of the holidays, several OTTB organizations are offering some massive deals on their available horses. Second Stride, Inc. in Kentucky is offering waived adoption fees for approved parties for the month of December and New Vocations is knocking 50% off all adoption fees for approved applicants this month as well. Now is your chance to get a great horse at a steal!
As always, purchasing a horse is always the least amount of expense. For that reason, many organizations require an approved application before you can select a horse. This ensures that even at a low cost the horse is still going to a capable home.
Here’s a few horses available from Second Stride and New Vocations this month. Act quickly if you are interested — they won’t last long! We make no guarantees on the availability of the horses we feature.
Photo via Second Stride Inc.
Our first horse is available through Second Stride. Lucygotgame (Proud Citizen – Fast Included, by Include) is a 2009 mare who raced 41 times, winning three times and winning over $50,000 during her career. She last raced in September of this year at Churchill Downs and is now looking to move on to a new home where she can show off her athleticism.
Lucygotgame stands 15.1 hands and is said to be bold, forward thinking and athletic. She’s ready for her new home where she can put that athletic ability to good use!
Lucygotgame on Second Stride Inc
Photo via Second Stride Inc.
Highrate (Exchange Rate – Belicia, by Unbridled’s Song) is a 4-year-old gelding also available through Second Stride Inc. Standing 16.1 hands, Highrate raced three times, placing once. He also raced at Churchill Downs and has not raced since 2014.
Highrate’s description says that he performed well for his first ride on the farm and even did some ground poles on his first try.
Highrate on Second Stride Inc.
Photo via New Vocations.
This handsome guy is named Olmstead, and he’s currently available through New Vocations’ Lexington, Ky. location. Olmstead (Cocky Sox – Krug Catch Up, by Yellow Max) is unraced and is said to be a barn favorite with his lovable personality. He’s described as being suitable for a more lower level career, and he’s already making great progress with his retraining during his stay with New Vocations.
EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a Prize Bucket from Kentucky Performance Products
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Performance Products.
We are rocking and rolling with our 12 Days of Christmas giveaways, and we hope you’re enjoying them as much as we are! Continuing right along, today we are giving away a great big bucket full of Optimal Joint Support products from Kentucky Performance Products. Here’s what’s in the bucket:
1 – 1.16 lb. jar of Joint Armor – Complete joint supplement, maintains fluid motion and soundness
1 – 1 gallon jug Contribute – Omega-3 fatty acid supplement, supports reduce levels of inflammation
These products retail for right around $142 on a normal day, so this is a great opportunity to stock up if you’re today’s winner! The prize bucket also includes two coupons for 25% off TWO future online orders, hat, set of mugs, pens, note pads, and lip balm.
So, without further ado, here is your widget for entering — remember, entries close at midnight tonight and we’ll announce the winner in tomorrow’s News & Notes. Happy entering!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
State of Pennsylvania Threatens Legal Action Against Newlin Township
We stand in support of Newlin Township horse farms! Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.
Forward progress has been made in regard to a year-long conflict in Chester County, PA’s Newlin Township. Last year, the Township passed a new ordinance that would affect equestrian property owners and riders alike. The ordinance, among other things, proposed a strict set of regulations that would limit equestrians who patronized the area or ran businesses there.
The new ordinance would require 3 acres first horse and 2 acres every horse thereafter vs. the current 2 acres first horse and 1 acre per horse thereafter. The new ordinance also imposes regulations for manure piles (already covered at the state level), sets potential requirements for landscaping and screenings on property perimeters, restricts hours of operation, sets rules around holding shows/clinics and seeks to enforce steep slope requirements on pasture land.
Blue Hill Farm, home to Jessica and Missy Ransehousen, along with several equestrian farms were directly affected by the passing of this ordinance. However, the latest update in this saga is the fact that the state is now threatening legal action against the Newlin Township Supervisors, therefore taking the side of the horse and property owners. The attorney general is now requiring that Newlin Township revise or rescind the ordinance in order to avoid legal action.
Suzanne Bush of the Pennsylvania Equestrian has written a comprehensive review of the current state of affairs, which you can read here. One argument against Newlin Township is that the proposal violates the 2005 Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment (ACRE) Act, which was intended to provide protection for agricultural operations.
Lisa Thomas, of Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services, wrote the following:
Members of the community who filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office received a letter dated 11/5/2015. Susan Bucknam, who organized an investigation into the passing of the disputed Newlin Township Equine Ordinance of 2014, has served the township with a letter requiring that they rescind the ordinance or face legal action.
Suzanne Bush from the Pennsylvania Equestrian Newspaper was present at the last township meeting where the board of supervisors refused to open discussion around the Attorney General’s letter. Suzanne has written a comprehensive article including her interview with the head of the Board Of Supervisors, Janie Baird.
The next board of supervisors meeting is 12/14/15 and we are hoping to see full support from our community members at this meeting. In an interview with Suzanne Bush, Janie Baird responded that they don’t intend to put this on the meeting agenda, as the Attorney General’s office took their time serving the requirement to rescind the ordinance or face legal action.
Equestrians and supporters in the area are encouraged to attend the next board of supervisors meeting on December 14, and we will continue to track updates from these proceedings as they become available.
[Equestrian Zoning Ordinance May Affect Popular Neilson’s Hill]
EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a Pair of Tredstep Ireland Azzura Pro Breeches!
Graphic via Tredstep Ireland.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at EN, and we’re sharing the love today thanks to Tredstep Ireland, who is generously offering up a pair of Symphony Azzura Pro Breeches as the second prize in our 12 Days of Christmas giveaways.
The Azzura Pro is a stylish but functional breech that can easily take you from the schooling ring right into the show ring. A part of the Symphony line, Azzura Pro presents the latest technologically advanced materials in the form of silicone, which is integrated into the knee patch. This provides an enhanced grip and shields from saddle friction while increasing flexibility and movement in the knee area.
Treated with Schoeller Nanosphere self-cleaning technology, Azzura Pro is perfect for riders both in and out of the ring. These breeches also feature Tredstep’s Motion Fit design combined with Tredstep Evolution fabric. This results in a range of high performance breeches which are dynamic yet traditional, stylish and beautiful.
Simply use the Rafflecopter widget to submit your entry! Remember, these are one day only giveaways, so be sure to get your entry in before midnight tonight. We’ll announce the winner in tomorrow’s Links post. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: More Pole Exercises to Spice Up Training
Leichtes Training um die Pferde auch durch den Winter fit zu halten..Easy training for the horses…Entraînement facile d’hiver pour les chevaux….
Posted by Horsephysio on Friday, November 27, 2015
We recently found a few new pole exercises that may be helpful to add to your winter (or any season!) training routine. Here’s another one to add to the mix from Horsephysio. Featuring both diagrams as well as demonstrations, this video contains several new tools for you and your horse.
Enjoy these exercises, and be sure to let us know how they work for you!
EN’s 12 Days of Christmas: Win a Prize Pack from Absorbine
Happy Holidays, EN! We’re bringing back our ever popular 12 Days of Christmas giveaways this year, and we’re kicking things off today with an awesome prize back from Absorbine.
Whether your horse has been naughty or nice this year, Absorbine has the perfect selection of prizes for the lucky winner. We’re teaming up with Absorbine to give away a Winter Muscle and Joint Package, which includes:
Absorbine Flex+Max pellets
Bigeloil Quilted Poultice Leg Wraps
Hooflex Ointment
Hooflex Thrush Remedy
Absorbine Veterinary Liniment
Seriously, our horses get more royal treatment than we do. How is this fair? Well played, horses. Well played.
To enter our first giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Each giveaway will end at midnight, so get those entries in quickly! Check tomorrow’s News & Notes to find out if you’re the lucky winner. Good luck!
Disclaimer: Information given in the Rafflecopter widget, including email addresses, may be shared with the corresponding sponsor at their request. You will also be signed up for our weekly EN eNews email newsletter, if you aren’t already. Don’t worry — you’ll just wonder what you’ve been missing out on — and you can unsubscribe if you don’t want it.
A Horse of a Different Color: There’s An App For That
"A Horse of a Different Color" features horses and ponies that have been successful in the sport of eventing while representing a unique breed. Do you have a horse that you think would be a great feature subject? If so, email [email protected].
Lindsay Barrack and There's An App For That at Pine Top. Photo courtesy of Hoofclix.com.
Lindsay Barrack was not horse shopping when she met “Chappy’s” former owner. The Thoroughbred/Appaloosa cross had successfully fox hunted, but his owner was going to college and needed to find a new home for him. In a twist of fate, Lindsay offered to help a friend, who owned a local tack shop, with their holiday sale. On the day she was helping, Chappy’s owner happened to also be working.
Lindsay got to talking, and agreed to try the horse. “I had just sold my mare,” she recalled. “And I was planning on focusing on my students for awhile, so I really wasn’t in the market. But when Chappy came to my barn and I tried him, I didn’t want to let him go home.”
And so, There’s An App For That found a new home in an eventing barn after stealing Lindsay’s heart. Now 16 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down, campaigning at Training level and eyeing a potential move up to Prelim before his career is over.
“He’d done a little bit of hunter/jumper, but he primarily fox hunted, which is why he is so good on cross country,” Lindsay said. “I just got really excited after I rode him.”
Chappy became a confidence booster in Lindsay’s barn, taking students around jump courses and even taking a student around Beginner Novice and Novice this year as a packer. For Lindsay, he’s been a breath of fresh air after she worked with a few more “difficult” horses in the past.
“You can tell how confident he is on cross country,” she said. “He doesn’t look at anything. For my student who leased him, she had adopted a kind of defensive riding style from riding a stopper before. It was hard for her to understand how to be more ‘graceful’ to the fences, and he really helped her with that. It was really cool to take a step back and watch that progression.”
Lindsay and Chappy at Pine Top. Photo courtesy of Hoofclix.com.
Chappy’s sire was a Thoroughbred with racing lines and his dam was an Appaloosa. He’s a registered Appaloosa, and he’s definitely built more like his dam than his sire, Lindsay says. Aside from his build, though, he’s shown no limitations when it comes to sport.
“He’s actually a really nice mover on his own,” Lindsay said. “Probably one of the best in our barn! He’s been so sound and honest for everyone.” When it comes to fitness, Lindsay keeps him on a routine of trot and gallop sets, but he pulled up from his last Training run at the Thanksgiving Pine Top still ready to go around again.
“He’s more fit than I am at this point, I’d say,” Lindsay laughed. “I broke my pinky a few months ago, and it needed surgery so I was off for awhile. We came off cross country at Pine Top and he could have gone again but I was done. He’s a total machine — if I could describe him in one word, it would be ‘rockstar.'”
Lindsay bases in Tallahassse at Mahan Farm and trains with Hilda Donahue, who is confident that Chappy will be Lindsay’s one-star horse in the near future. “I think it would be an absolute great end to his career if we got him there. We’ve schooled some Prelim stuff and he had no trouble with it. I think we’ll just need to focus on getting him more conditioned so that he can make the time at Prelim. The biggest challenges will be the speed and the dressage.”
Lindsay plans to take Chappy to the new event in Florida at Three Lakes this winter and formulate a plan to move him up when he is ready. “He’s super capable, and he’s in the best shape of his life. It’s just one of those things where I wasn’t expecting this to happen, and he just kind of fell into my lap.”
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Diane Portwood’s Young Rider Vlog
Area III young rider Diane Portwood and her mare, Cinerescent, won the CCI2* at NAJYRC this year and are campaigning their way toward the Advanced level as they look ahead to 2016. Diane recently began a video blog series chronicling her season and her preparation for the upcoming year. She stays busy as a student at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), where she studies chemical, environmental and biological engineering.
We’re excited that Diane has graciously offered to share her vlog series with us as she works with her upper level mare as well as searches for a new OTTB to bring along, all while triple majoring at a big university. I’m tired just after writing about that!
You can follow along with and watch other videos from Diane on her YouTube channel here.
Mia Farley Sets Her Sights High for 2016
With the recent naming of the 2016 Eventing 25/18 Training Lists, there are a lot of talented young riders who are ready to take the eventing world by storm. This winter, we’ll be spotlighting the E25 and E18 riders as they prepare for their training sessions with Leslie Law.
Mia Farley and Fernhill Fine Diamond at Galway Downs. Photo by Vanessa Hughes / Lady Photographic.
15-year-old Mia Farley has been on the ride of her life these past few years, most recently named to the Eventing 18 Training List for 2016, her third year on this list of talented young riders. Mia is not one to take things for granted, though, and looks forward to continuing her upward progress with her Irish mare, Fernhill Fine Diamond.
“I didn’t have (Fernhill Fine Diamond) at the time of the first training sessions last year,” Mia said. “So I was able to ride (Judy McSwain’s) Fleeceworks Cinco, who I really enjoyed. (Eventing 18 coach Leslie Law) really helped me, and he has also had a big impact on Fern and I this year.”
Fernhill Fine Diamond, a 7-year-old purchased earlier in 2015, has become Mia’s primary partner, culminating their first season together with a top 15 finish in a large CCI1* division at Galway Downs in October. They collected several top placings at the Preliminary level this year and also finished seventh in their first CCI1* together at Rebecca Farm in July.
“Leslie had told me that he hoped we would show some improvements with our leg yields and her dressage work after a clinic we did in August,” Mia said. “He was able to see us improving at Galway and was very pleased.”
As a member of the Eventing 18 squad, Mia has been appreciative of Leslie’s availability as a coach, even when he doesn’t live in the same area. “He is super supportive,” she explained. “Even though he only sees us a few times during the year, he always recommends that we email or call him with questions. He goes out of his way to help us.”
Mia hopes to continue building on Fern’s talent when Leslie returns to the West Coast in 2016. “Now that our dressage is beginning to improve, I’m hoping to do some more jumping this year,” she said. “Sometimes she can get a bit heavy, and the jumping lessons I’ve done with him before have helped.”
Mia trains with Ginnie Bryant on a regular basis and feels that her access to great training has really helped her and Fern’s relationship progress. Looking ahead to 2016, Mia has yet to nail down a final plan but would love to include Young Riders on that calendar.
“We’re thinking of either Young Riders or AECs,” she said. “I would love to also step up to Intermediate and conclude the season with the CCI2* at Galway. I think being named to the U18 list will really help me again this year with moving up and I feel very fortunate to have been named for 2016.”
Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: This New Amazon Commerical Features a Lonely Little Mini
What happens when an adorable little pony has trouble making friends in his new home? In this new commercial for Amazon Prime, we see this scenario play out with an idea that saves the day.
Watch the commercial and tell us you don’t agree with the solution! ‘Tis the season for adorable commercials featuring lots of ponies — if you see one you think we’d like, share it with us at [email protected]!
Don’t Forget These Great Deals on Cyber Monday!
Our awesome sponsors here on EN offered some really fantastic deals for Black Friday, and these special offers are still going through Cyber Monday today, Nov. 30, which gives you good motivation to get your shopping started off right. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if you’re shopping for yourself!
It’s a great time to be a Point Two customer, as they’re continuing their streak of steep discounts and promotions with a Black Friday deal good for 40% off all vests and accessories while supplies last. This is a big promotion and you can get a new vest at a big discount. The only thing not covered in this deal are the five-year service plans, which are also a great idea to add on to any vest.
If you’re a SmartPak fan (and who isn’t?), now is a great time to stock up on the essentials and get some holiday shopping knocked off with a 15% sitewide sale as well as free shipping on orders over $75. We know you’ve got a SmartPak wish list already built, so why not get a chunk of that taken care of with this sale?
My MOJO is now a daily part of my wardrobe.
Our friends at MOJO are also offering a great deal this holiday season. Simply enter the code ENblkfriDEALS to receive 20% off any purchase through December 3. It’s a great time to check out MOJO wristbands and halter/collar patches at a big discount.
Be sure to stay tuned for our upcoming 12 Days of Christmas giveaways right here on EN! Happy Holidays!
Product Review: Flexible Fit Equestrian Mix and Match Bridle
Photo by Sally Spickard.
There is something about opening up a box full of brand new leather. The smell is intoxicating, and the great quality leather just feels like butter in your hands. This is how I felt when I received a package all the way from Australia from Flexible Fit Equestrian.
Flexible Fit was born of the concept of well-fitted, quality tack for our horses. And that thought process is evident when you first look at their equipment lines. The first item I tried was a Mix & Match bridle — essentially, you can buy a complete bridle by fitting it to your horse’s measurements and selecting the parts that will provide the most comfort.
Instead of a “one size fits all” concept using Cob, Full Size and Oversize terms, Flexible Fit will guide you through measuring your horse for each piece of the bridle, enabling you to truly achieve a custom fit without the hefty price tag.
I had sent my measurements for my horse to Flexible Fit, and right out of the box the bridle fit beautifully. The padded, thick noseband is different from what I am used to, but I quickly saw how much more comfort it seemed to provide and was sold. I love how the bottom of the noseband is also padded so that the pressure from the closure is not an issue.
Photo by Sally Spickard.
The noseband also comes with a removable flash attachment — I don’t use a flash on my horse, so it was nice to be able to completely remove the attachment rather than have a loop hanging off of the noseband at all times.
The bridle is also a monocrown, which I love for the alleviation of poll pressure and, therefore, comfort for the horse. I’ve only ever ridden my horse in a monocrown bridle, but he really seems to go quietly in it and doesn’t fuss when I put it on.
As far as the quality of the leather is concerned, it’s to die for. Right out of the box, it’s supple and soft — but not soft to the point where you feel it will fall apart with heavy use. I ride in this bridle daily, and even use it on multiple horses sometimes, and have not seen any signs of wear or damage yet.
Photo by Sally Spickard.
And let’s just talk about the reins. I tried the rubber reins, and they are literally unlike any other rubber rein I’ve had. I’m a big fan of this material, and it’s very flexible while still providing tons of grip. These are probably my favorite reins ever, and it’s hard to do them justice in a photo!
These reins, though. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Flexible Fit Equestrian is currently distributed through Australia, but they are working on opening operations here in the States! In the meantime, they do offer flat rate international shipping, so it’s a great option for a custom fit bridle that’s oozing quality and class.
If you’re convinced, we are partnering up with Flexible Fit this week to give away a Mix and Match bridle of your own! Head over to this week’s Fab Freebie to enter now.
Fab Freebie: Outfit Your Horse with a Flexible Fit Equestrian Bridle
Photo by Sally Spickard.
Just in time for the holidays, this week’s Fab Freebie is a great idea for a gift for yourself and your horse! We reviewed the Mix and Match Bridle from Flexible Fit Equestrian, and you definitely need to check out this awesome company from Down Under.
Hailing from Australia (but working on U.S. operations!), Flexible Fit Equestrian offers a truly custom fit bridle without the hefty price tag. The products are made from amazing, supple leather and are designed with the ultimate comfort of the horse in mind.
Check out our review here, and if you’re dying to get your hands on some new leather swag, then enter this week’s giveaway and check out News & Notes on Friday to see if you are the winner! Good luck!
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Sunday Video: Ride Around Luhmühlen with Michael Jung and Sam
In searching for epic helmet cams to share with you on this cold (at least in the Midwest!) Sunday, we stumbled on this great find thanks to helmet cam company Cambox ISIS. Michael Jung donned one of these cameras while out on course at Luhmühlen earlier this year, where he and La Biosthetique Sam finished in third place overall.
I don’t know about you, but the ride looks just as smooth from this perspective as it does from other angles — just another Ze Terminator trademark!
Stable View
Success Equestrian
FutureTrack
Sport Horse Nation
