Sally Spickard is a Korean adoptee living in San Diego, California. Sally joined the Eventing Nation team in 2013 and has subsequently written for Noelle Floyd, Heels Down Mag, and other publications both in and out of the equestrian world. Sally is an eventing fan through and through and enjoys telling the stories of riders who are not well-represented within equestrian media.
The Madden Method is back with a new flat lesson straight from the queen herself. Take a virtual flat lesson with show jumping superstar Beezie Madden as she works with “Coach”, owned and ridden by Katherine Strauss. Beezie starts off the lesson with some flatting on Coach herself, followed by some support from the ground while Katherine rides.
Who says learning has to be expensive all the time? There are boundless opportunities such as this to take a “lesson.” Save this for your next time you need some inspiration to go work on those pretty circles.
Like many of you, I find myself in the midst of a lot of personal reflection in the recent weeks. The events that have transpired since George Floyd’s death have triggered what I hope is a true revolution and shift in perspective within our community. While it’s true that we’re an eventing publication, the reality is that systemic racism and the limits it puts on countless people each day is a very real part of our world, too. The trickledown effects lead us here: to an industry dominated by one majority, many of the rest separated by a yawning economic divide. I acknowledge that we here at Eventing Nation continue to have more work to do in bringing attention to more voices of color and more cultures across our incredible sport.
Bearing this in mind, I’ve decided to use my weekly little space here much as Tilly has: to create more space for amplifying the voices of people of color, bringing awareness to access programs, and asking for your help in alerting us to the stories and voices we need to know about. A singular effort is always better and more successful when turned into a collaborative effort. If you have a tip for a story we should be telling or how we can be better allies, please tip me at [email protected] or the team at [email protected]. Together, we can be a solution.
PS: If you’d like a primer on why all of this is such a prominent conversation right now, read this.
National Holiday: Today I learned that June 11 is known as King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii. A monarch with a vision of unification, Kamehameha the Great brought the Hawaiian islands together as one royal kingdom in 1810, bringing an end to years of turmoil.
Wednesday News & Notes:
I’d love for you to learn about the Work to Ride program in Philadelphia, PA, this week. This program provides access to a “community-based prevention program that aids disadvantaged urban youth though constructive activities centered on horsemanship, equine sports and education.” I first caught wind of this organization, which centers much of its focus on the sport of polo, in a recent Ralph Lauren campaign. Access programs such as these are a wonderful starting point for giving more kids a life impacted and shaped by horses.
Perspective from our brave Gen Z’ers has been cropping up all over the equestrian internet recently. This op-ed from Lauryn Gray published by The Chronicle of the Horse provides a look into the life of an equestrian of color who wants to use her circle of influence to spread education. Take a read here.
US Equestrian chief executive officer Bill Moroney released a letterpositing the organization’s stance and action plan regarding racism. You can also read the USEA’s statement here.
An update has been issued on the ongoing frangible jump fundraiser through the USEA. Currently, the fundraised amount sits just $85,000 short of the original $500,000 goal. Catch up on the latest efforts and how you can be involved here.
What We’re Listening To: In episode #114 of the Major League Eventing Podcast, hosts Karen and Rob chat with five-star eventer Sara Mittleider. Sara rode around Kentucky at just 19 years old and is currently on the USEF Developing rider list. Sara and her husband Attila along with her parents operate Rocky Hollow Farm in Kuna, Idaho. [Listen]
Wednesday Video Break: Go behind the scenes of the incredible Compton Peace Ride organized by the Compton Cowboys in Los Angeles this past weekend.
Ecovet is an entirely different type of fly spray … and you apply it to your horse in a different way, too. With fly season upon us, we’re sharing some tips for how to best apply Ecovet:
Anyone who has taken a trip to the field of dreams that is Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana knows that entries can be as coveted as the first impression rose on The Bachelor. Most years have sleep-deprived eventers clicking the “Submit” button on XEntry at the stroke of midnight, only to find that 600 of their peers are doing the same thing at the exact same moment. Chaos ensues, and many riders find themselves out of luck when the dust settles. But this year, you can rest easy. On the eve of the opening date for the 2020 event, which will see an updated format in light of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers released an updated lottery system to ensure a fair chance for all competitors.
“Good news! If you’re planning to register tomorrow (June 9) for The 2020 Event at Rebecca Farm please be aware that you can enter at ANY TIME on June 9. ALL entries received digitally or postmarked on June 9 have the same chances of getting in. ALL ENTRIES received between 12:01a and 11:59p will be put into a random draw if we are oversubscribed. This will help us avoid crashing XEntry and allow you to enjoy your beauty sleep! We look forward to seeing you all next month!”
With entries capped at 300 this year, entries may very well hit oversubscription. So it’s your best shot to go ahead and enter via XEntry or mail your entry tomorrow, June 9. May the odds be ever in your favor!
Meg Kepferle described it best when she called this past weekend “eventing in the time of [Co]rona”. Eventing kicked back into recognized gear this weekend with three events running, and life looked a little bit more “normal” as I found myself drawn to the score pages to track my friends and peers. Things looked a bit different, but the camaraderie that permeates the eventing crowd never left.
Looking through this weekend’s scores, I see many finishing scores dipping down into the 20s. I know score is only a part of the equation, but if these score trends tell us anything, it’s that maybe some of that quarantine polish is paying off. I truly hope that as we return to competition, you begin to see the fruits of your hard work and of perhaps a bit of time off coming to fruition.
Many hats off to the organizers, volunteers, officials, and competitors who helped keep events safe this weekend. As messy and complicated as some of the new protocols may be, they are necessary in order to continue opening events back up. Let’s work together to make sure we keep everyone safe and healthy as we get back to doing what we love! Looking for some perspective on “the new normal”? Check out this great read summarizing the weekend from Jessica Duffy at the USEA.
Finally, a big congratulations is in order to the earner of our lowest finishing score this weekend. It was a tough competition this weekend with several scores finishing below 25, but it’s Jane Musselman and Engapore who take the honors with a score of 21.4 in the Open Novice at River Glen. Jane has won our officially unofficial award in the past, keep up that great work!
Open Intermediate: Elizabeth Henry and Charlotte La Bouff (22.5)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Erin Pullen and Foreign Affair (35.9)
Open Preliminary: Alex Green Kerby and Fernhill Leitrim Lass (30.2)
Preliminary/Training: Claire Rowlands and Category 5 (30.9)
Open Training: Erin Pullen and Koko Chanel (31.6)
Training Rider Jr.: Adalee Ladwig and Diego (28.1)
Training Rider Sr.: Kaiya Bacon and Iron Invitation (30.5)
Training/Novice: Tate Northrop and Harrison (33.9)
Novice Horse: Megan Edwards and Rock Hard Attitude (29.9)
Novice Rider Jr.: Hannah Brandt and Philosophical (28.3)
Novice Rider Sr.: Alex Sharp and Big Star Bound (28.6)
Open Novice: Jane Musselman and Engapore (21.4)
Beginner Novice Horse: Chelsey Sawtell and Toto’s Weather Tamer (27.3)
Beginner Novice Jr. – A: Faith Newman and Jumble (28.0)
Beginner Novice Jr. – B: Marissa Griffin and Conguistador (24.5)
Beginner Novice Sr. – Marla Doran and Miss Tosonna (28.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Allison Thompson and Miss Mann (28.3)
Starter A: Erin Pullen and Fibonacci (27.0)
Starter B: Audri Hoos and Boo Ribbon (34.0)
Training Horse: Hillary Moses and Cameron (37.1)
Training Rider A: Dana Lortie and Excel Star Midas Touch (27.4)
Training Rider B: Sophia Kager and Little Miss (32.9)
Novice Horse A: Alyssa Phillips and Cornelius Bo (26.7)
Novice Horse B: Alyssa Phillips and FE Celestino (20.20)
Novice Rider B: Elliot Jacobs and Buckharo (35.2)
Beginner Novice Horse A: Lauren Chumley and Scheherazade (26.9)
Beginner Novice Horse B: Donna White and Esprit de Barbereau (26.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Stephanie Senserini and Monbeg Icon (33.2)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Caroline Herr and Jack in the Box (33.3)
Beginner Novice Rider C: Caitlin Schwab and Sky Walker (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider D: Kameryn Stockar and Scandalous Love (33.6)
Intro Horse A: Hannah Keller and Cassia (22.8)
Intro Horse B: Kristen LaDow and Jardin FF (37.2)
Intro Rider A: Erin Beattie and Henry (28.9)
Intro Rider B: Aimee Carson and MHF Christine (33.3)
Intro Rider C: Nicole Yoest and Fergus Maximus (32.3)
Elementary Horse: Kathryn Nelson and Moonshine (24.4)
Elementary Rider: Christina Elliott and The Twilight Zone (21.9)
Ah, eventing in the time of rona. Masks and the hill at plantation certainly highlight lost cardiovascular fitness ……
Feather Creek HT: Final Results Note: Some scores for this event were incomplete.
Open Preliminary: Samantha Tinney and Glenbrook Cooley (38.9)
Open Training: Ellen Doughty-Hume and Summer’s Due (28.3)
Novice Rider: Emily Walden and Doneraile Star (31.3)
Open Novice: Brittany Vinson and Fernhill Royal Decree (25.5)
Open Beginner Novice: Jennifer Brown and Mr. Hughes (34.1)
We wanted to once again shine a light on the efforts of those who bravely stand up for what must change. We first caught a glimpse of @UrbanCowgirl510 Brianna Noble in Monday’s News & Notes, and her statement continues to make waves in mainstream media surrounding nationwide protests against racial injustice and police brutality.
“I’m just another protester if I go down there alone, but no one can ignore a black woman sitting on top of a horse,” Brianna told The Guardian. “I know that what makes headlines is breaking windows and people smashing things. So I thought: ‘Let’s go out and give the media something to look at that is positive and change the narrative.'”
Before we get to the rest of today’s smattering of links, I thought I’d start off by highlighting ways that you can get involved in improving your community for everyone who is a part of it. If you’d like to find a way to get involved, you can find a helpful list of resources here.
We would also love to bring more attention to the efforts of those within the eventing community who are making strides against inequality. If you’d like to share a story with us, email. us at [email protected].
National Holiday: June 3 is also known as Global Running Day. If the shoe fits, I suppose.
Sport Horse Nation Match-Up of the Week: Yuki Igari & Poppin Good Pic. Each week we’re spotlighting a different horse/rider combination who came together through the eventing matchmaking service that is EN’s classifieds site, Sport Horse Nation. This week we’re happy to introduce you to Beginner Novice superteam Yuki Igari and Poppin Good Pic, a Thoroughbred gelding purchased from Courtney Cooper at C Square Farm. “I’m an amateur just having fun, and Poppin Good Pic has been a great teacher for me!,” Yuki says. “He is steady, confident, and athletic … just what I dreamed of. We’ve been to camps, clinics and horse trials from New England to South Carolina. And My dressage instructor is amazed how much he knows and how responsive he is.” Cheers, you two! Have a SHN success story to share? Email it to [email protected]. [Sport Horse Nation]
Horses thrive on routine, and establishing a strong fitness regimen before it’s time to compete again is important for preventing injury and overexertion. US Equestrian provides some tips and advice for bringing a horse back to fitness and getting back into the swing of things here.
Thinking of volunteering as a jump judge when competitions resume? You’ll learn a lot, even if it isn’t your first time judging! Horse & Houndbreaks down some lessons learned as a jump judge, and it should get you itching to get those volunteer hours in.
What We’re Listening To: Major League Eventing Podcast Episode #113. Karen and Rob have a roundtable discussion with three best friends Tamie Smith, Kelly Prather and Frankie Thieriot Stutes to chat about great times together including Luhmuhlen 5*, Tamie and Kelly as 5* grooms and Tamie’s stalking her favorite riders, as well as a more serious conversation about rider accountability and safety in the sport. [Listen]
Wednesday Video – Let’s take a trip down memory lane for Wayback Wednesday, to Tim Price’s Luhmühlen CCI5* win with Ascona M in 2019.
Ecovet is an entirely different type of fly spray … and you apply it to your horse in a different way, too. With fly season upon us, we’re sharing some tips for how to best apply Ecovet:
In light of the coronavirus pandemic that has forced the cancellation, rescheduling, and reformatting of events around the world, the organizing committee at Rebecca Farm today announced some major updates to the 2020 event.
Hosted in Kalispell, Montana and originally scheduled this year for July 22-26, Rebecca Farm is an annual destination event for over 600 competitors and thousands of spectators. This year, however, will look much different as the event adjusts to new social distancing regulations. Notable among the changes are:
No spectators
Only national divisions, Beginner Novice through Advanced, will be run (this event typically hosts a CCI2* – CCI4*S/L in addition to three-day and national divisions)
“The Event at Rebecca Farm will have a new feel this year. This has been a difficult decision, but with the current pandemic situation at hand, we feel that the correct and ‘common sense’ direction to take. We are developing a plan to host a shorter, smaller and more focused competition. We will be using state and local protocols to help guide us through this. Safety is paramount at Rebecca Farm, for both equine and human participants. This also includes our devoted and supportive Flathead Valley Community.
Many of you plan your calendar based on coming to Rebecca Farm. We understand and share in your disappointment as we love to have you all here. The Event is our favorite time of the year. It would be irresponsible for us to host 600-700 horses and riders, thousands of spectators, social functions and a shopping fair during these uncertain times. We are asking that spectators not come out to the Event as we try to keep things safe for everyone.
We plan to run only national divisions, BN-A. This will be the first event for many riders in the west and the courses will reflect that. Our cross country course will be moderate for the levels. Entries will be limited to 300 and the competition will run over three days, Friday July 24-Sunday July 26. All of us are looking forward to hosting a wonderful, fun and safe competition.
Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for more information. We are evaluating as things change. Please be patient as we analyze and strategize in the best interest of horses, competitors, volunteers, owners, officials and enthusiasts.”
If Rebecca Farm is on your calendar, you’ll want to be sure to enter right away once the event opens on June 9. For more updates on the latest changes to the competition calendar due to COVID-19, click here.
With shows on the horizon again, now is the perfect time to think about getting your horses ready for the ring. This week Courtney Carson, head groom at DPEquestrian LLC, shares her tips on mane pulling! #ProGroomTips
Pulling manes is a skill most eventers are at least somewhat familiar with, but it’s not everyone’s favorite task. Whether you suffer from pull-happy fingers and end up with no mane (no, I’m not speaking from personal experience) or aren’t sure how to pull correctly, pro groom Courtney Carson has some advice for pulling best practices in this new video. Watch and learn!
La Biosthetique Sam greets some small visitors. Photo via Michael Jung on Instagram.
Wednesdays used to be my weekly “stalk the ride times” day, so you can imagine I’ve felt a bit lost these last few months. Perhaps some hope is on the horizon? In the meantime, you can find me binging live stream re-runs (even the dressage days, what is the world coming to!) until we have can safely have live events again.
Weird National Holiday: May 27 is evidently National Sunscreen Day. Can we eventers change it to National Weird Tan Line Day? That seems more appropriate…
Tamie Smith is the latest Sidelines Magazine cover! You won’t want to miss the gorgeous photos that accompany the feature on the West coast rider with plenty of insight and wisdom to share with us. [Tamie Smith: Overcoming Uncertain Times]
As morbid as it may seem, making plans for your estate is something you should not procrastinate on. Did you know that barely over half of Americans age 55 or over do not have a will? The Chronicle checks in with some advice on this here.
Are seasonal skin issues plaguing your horse? This can be a frustrating time of year for itchy horse owners. We found some advice on dealing with the “itchies” here.
Wednesday Video Break: ICYMI, relive the action from the FEI Eventing Nations Cup leg at Houghton Hall in 2018
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
Reigning European eventing champion Ingrid Klimke will see some additional time on the sidelines in 2020 after sustaining a thoracic vertebral fracture in a fall during training.
The German Olympian seems to be in positive spirits and grateful for her team at home who is able to keep her horses in their programs while she’s out of action. “Thank you for the many messages and recovery wishes that have reached me in a variety of ways!,” she posted on her Instagram page. “Fortunately I am doing so well and I have to be patient in the near future and can only ‘ride my horses from below’!”
Please join us in wishing Ingrid a positive recovery — we look forward to the day when both eventing and its reigning queen are back in action.
While you’re here, we recommend you relive the 2019 European Eventing Championships, where Ingrid defended her title with SAP Hale Bob OLD. EN reporter Tilly Berendt beautifully capped off the weekend in her final report, which you can read here.
You asked, they answered! Kicking off our #ProGroomTips series is Emma Ford of World Class Grooming for Horses and Head Groom at Phillip Dutton Eventing! Learn more about the order she uses her grooming brushes to get the best results ✨🐴
We all know that great grooming plans a big role into the overall health and happiness of a horse. Even the most sensitive horses often find their grooming routine to be invigorating — but do you ever feel yourself going cross-eyed at the selection of different brush types available?
Seriously — present me with too many options and it’s just a bit of overload. Luckily, there are resources such as pro grooms like Emma Ford and Cat Hill, who created the beautiful grooming bible that is World Class Grooming. In this new video, Emma shows us what her go-to brush and tool order is for everyday grooming. Might as well use this downtime to really get into a great deep-grooming routine!
It’s great to see venues beginning to open back up for schoolings and lessons. My social media feeds are filling back up with gleeful cross country schooling posts, which definitely helps make life feel just a bit normal again. It’s pretty nice, I have to say.
Looking for some advice on reopening your barn after lockdown? The American Horse Council put together some guidelines that you may find useful.
When should you restart your OTTB? Retired Racehorse Project blogger Christine Olsen has some advice for getting that brand new ex-racehorse going in his or her new career.
Worried about losing progress after not riding for a few weeks? Never fear, you are definitely not alone! NoelleFloyd.com spoke with Dr. Jenny Susser, Ph.D. about mentally coping with the effects of the pandemic.
Have a Sport Horse Nation matchup success story? Send a photo to [email protected] to be an upcoming EN banner ad cover model. Faraway shots are the best as it’s a long, skinny banner ad. This week: just to get the ball rolling, we’ve got a pic of EN editor Leslie Wylie with her SHN perfect pony match-up, Princess. [Sport Horse Nation]
What we’re listening to:To celebrate EquiRatings’ fifth Birthday, Nicole Brown talks to Sam and Diarm about the journey so far and plans for the next five years. [Equiratings]
Wednesday Video Break: A new twist on “cool perspective” from Doug Payne and Starr Witness!
First real #jump day back from the 🦠 downtime for the #bigguys. There are only a couple of horses I would trust to give this a shot, the #ginja came through! #asyoudo #closer #jumper #eventing #starrwitness
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
Welcome to EN’s newest series, “So You Want To Be A…”. In an ongoing effort to educate those interested in getting more involved in eventing, we’ll be highlighting jobs and positions that could always use more applicants. Do you have an eventing-specific job that you’d like to learn more about? Tip me by emailing [email protected] and Chinch will get right on it!
Cross country laid out at Virginia Horse Trials. Photo by David Taylor.
So, you want to be a cross country course designer. Great choice! The job of a course designer is no easy task, and it carries a huge weight of responsibility for safety of both horses and riders. A strong understanding of course design leads to safer courses, and all sports can greatly benefit from an influx of fresh thinking.
David Taylor first caught the course design bug after some deep thinking led him to seek out more avenues of involvement in the sport of eventing. “I wanted to be more involved rather than just being a participant who only takes from the sport,” David explained.
This notion led David to reach out to then-president of US Eventing, Rob Burk, to find out about ways to be more involved, to help give back. Rob, always willing to help someone who asks, set David up on the USEA Safety Committee. But David’s interests didn’t stop there. “I wanted to have a more personal impact,” he explained.
Cross country has always been David’s favorite phase, and it’s one he feels he understands well. “Cross country has always felt like it was written in my own language, but I wanted to learn more about it,” he said. “Even if I hadn’t become a designer, what I learned could still help me as a rider and a teacher, so I thought, ‘why not?’”
And so David signed up for a training session that was being held at Sporting Days Farm in Aiken. This is the first step on the road to becoming a course designer, which has three levels of designation through the USEF (“r” for Preliminary and below, “R” for Intermediate, and “S” for Advanced).
A prospective designer must attend a Course Design Training Session before beginning the next required step, which is an apprenticeship. For the “r” designation, the starting point, these apprenticeships must include a minimum of eight hours with two different designers. Passage of a final exam must also be completed before obtaining your first course design letter.
VHT organizer Andy Bowles and FEI course designer John Nicholson. Photo by Brant Gamma.
David completed apprenticeships with Tremaine Cooper, John Michael Durr, and David O’Connor — but he strongly encourages anyone interested in pursuing course design to just simply learn from as many people as they can. “It’s not just about fulfilling requirements,” David said. “You have to want to learn as much as you can from anyone willing to teach you.” He’s quick to name a slew of other well-known designers such as Derek di Grazia and Ian Stark as others who’ve lent him a word of advice or a moment of time.
Indeed, every designer has their own flair, their own signature style. And most, if not all, are usually willing to take on a shadow as they walk around their course or put finishing touches on.
The path to becoming a course designer does take some legwork as well as some personal investment of time and money — but the payoff is well worth it, David says. “It’s rewarding — and maybe a bit nerve racking at first! — to see riders take on the course that you designed, to see them answering the questions you’re asking.”
Once you learn about the intricacies of course design — the way just a few feet of undulating terrain can make or break a question, the subtle manner in which a designer asks horses and riders if they’ve prepared adequately — the possibilities are endless. “The adrenaline I get watching horses go around when I’ve done everything I can leading up to that point is just unmatched,” David said. “You just want the riders to do well and make the right decisions.”
Are you interested in obtaining your cross country course design license? Here are some useful links to get you started:
Holly Payne Caravella’s Never Outfoxed is the perfect leadline ride for Parker Godfrey! Photo via Holly on Facebook.
Happy Wednesday! We’re one more day closer to seeing some competitions resume, and I know I’m not the only one itching to get back to some sort of normalcy. Here’s hoping we continue to make positive progress and we can get back to cross country jumping and competitor parties!
National Holiday: I went with National Fruit Cocktail Day today because, well, you know we could all use one.
US Equestrian president Murray Kessler published a letter to members as we look ahead to a June 1 reinstatement of some competitions. Over 100 rule modifications have been approved in advance of updated protocol for a return to competition.
The USEA is taking a look back at the Young Event Horse archives. You might recognize a few of the names of the class of 2006, the third year of the YEH program. [The YEH Yearbook: Class of 2006]
Looking for a tune-up exercise as you get back into training in earnest? Check out our sister site, Jumper Nation, and their new “Jumper Nation Clinic” series. The most recent exercise comes from Deep Purple Eventing and Emily Beshear, and it’s a great exercise for getting your horse sharp and tuned to your aids. [Jumper Nation Clinic: Emily Beshear]
Does your horse suffer from allergies?This handy infographic from The Horse is good to keep on hand as you navigate any allergy symptoms your horse may be experiencing.
Wednesday Video: This “course walk with a twist” from Alex Bragg is pretty epic.
With so much online content being published while we’re all at home we thought we’d put this little video together. Just for a laugh, watch our virtual course walk which is full of terrible ideas to help you jump a clear round show jumping. Hopefully it will provide you with a little entertainment during this lockdown period 🙃Devoucoux SsangYongGB Dengie Horse FeedsProtexin Equine Premium Equestrian Direct Surfaces Equilibrium Products EquiClass FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Better4Hooves Gatehouse Hats Cannington Enterprises Ltd
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
This week, in lieu of hanging out in a field in Gloucestershire ourselves, we’re going to be sharing some of our favourite Badminton content of years gone by, as well as some new pieces to keep the nostalgia train going strong. This time, we’re looking at Michael Jung’s trajectory from “that pretty good German guy” to “oh $h*t, he’s just won the Grand Slam”, first published back in 2016.
Winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing is no easy feat, as proven by the fact that it has only successfully been done once, by Pippa Funnell in 2003. The Grand Slam was created in 2001, with the prize money being increased to $350,000 in 2008.
Not to say that some haven’t come close. Andrew Nicholson is the most recent to come tantalizingly close, winning Burghley in 2012 and Kentucky in 2013 but then coming third at Badminton.
Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt also gave it a fair shot, winning Burghley in 2011 and Kentucky in 2012 but then finished fifth at Badminton in 2013 (the 2012 running of Badminton was cancelled).
We’ve staked our hopes high on Oliver Townend, who won Badminton and Burghley in 2009 aboard Flint Curtis and and Carousel Quest, respectively. The dream came to a harrowing end in Kentucky in 2010, however, when Oliver had hard fall from Ashdale Cruise Master.
Andrew Hoy is the other to come close winning Kentucky and Badminton in 2006 but losing Burghley that year.
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam. Photo by Nico Morgan Photography.
And so it comes down to a quiet German, one so modest and soft spoken that the label of “The Terminator” hardly seems applicable. The Terminator conjures imagery of a flint-eyed, hard spun individual whose chilly persona matches their accomplishments under pressure. The nickname is reminiscent of “The Iceman,” a name bestowed upon race rider George Woolf, who rode Seabiscuit with ice in his veins.
Yet to meet Michael Jung in passing brings up none of these images. Instead, you hear him speak of his love for his horses, and of how he does his best not to exude pressure upon them for fear of dampening their performances. You hear him speak of how he lets his horses dictate his plans, and how he treats every event — even one as monumental as this weekend — as “practice.”
But time and time again, he enters the arena with crushing pressure on his shoulders, only to deliver a near flawless performance every time. The accolades adorning his CV are overflowing: individual Olympic gold, individual World Equestrian Games gold, and now a Rolex Grand Slam trophy to add to the collection.
Here we go again! #foreverjung Photo by Julia Rau
When I first put Michael Jung on my map, he had just won gold at the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Being relatively new to the sport, I thought, “Huh, this German guy is pretty good.” But left my thoughts at that.
And he kept winning. He made the London Olympics look like a schooling round in all three phases.
Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Then, his name popped up on the entry list for Kentucky in 2015, and we all but knew it would be a showdown between fischerRocana FST and La Biosthetique Sam. As history has it, Sam lowered two rails to eventually give Rocana the win, but we hadn’t seen the last of Michael’s self-proclaimed favorite.
It was hard not to hate him, if we’re being honest. We all strive for greatness within our niches in the sport. It’s hard to look at someone with as much success as Michael has and not feel envious. And if he were any less of a horseman, perhaps we’d be justified.
But to hear him speak for just a few minutes on his horses and on his training (the bits he does let on about, at least) will sway you if you were on the fence. His efforts and hard work behind the scenes have gotten him to this point. He is a true example of a horseman who makes his own way, which is perhaps the most admirable facet of this fairy tale.
When Michael and Sam won Burghley, the Grand Slam question began circulating throughout the eventing community. Could he pull it off?
Pull it off he did, with a handy win in Kentucky from start to finish aboard fischerRocana. A talented mare in her own right, it was scary to think that Sam was waiting in the wings for Badminton as his arguable top horse.
Victory gallop! Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
When cross country began and we saw the carnage that was happening on course, the nerves set in. Would he go the direct route at the Vicarage Vee? Undoubtedly so. Would he make it through that direct route? In fact he did. Would he stop the clock in time to hold his lead?
Even after missing Sam’s final gallop due to a flight mishap on the return from Kentucky, the horse came home absolutely full of run and several seconds under the optimum time.
The man and horse to beat today. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
And even today, the pressure was on. Michael had two rails in hand, and he had lost the win with two rails down in Kentucky last year. Historically, show jumping is Sam’s “weak” phase, if you could call if that. A rail scattered here and there, but those that did fall were expensive, as illustrated by this mural at Badminton.
A photo posted by Eventing Nation (@goeventing) on May 8, 2016 at 6:55am PDT
The crowd held its collective breath with every leap that Sam made. With every canter stride, we all rode alongside Michael. We held our breaths over the treble and over several single fences that had taken hits throughout the day. Yet they all stayed up. Two fences from home, Michael had it in the bag. But we still held our breath, knowing that anything was possible.
He crossed the finish, and the Badminton stadium erupted. Never mind that a hometown British rider hadn’t ridden to the victory. Never mind that we’re essentially accustomed to seeing Michael win time and time again. Never mind. Today, we all rode with Michael Jung and his storybook horse, Sam.
I must be in a particularly sappy mood today, mourning the cancellation of Badminton but also enjoying all the entertainment that Virtual Eventing has to offer. At any rate, this video from the FEI all about Michael Jung’s definite horse of a lifetime, La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, has me dabbing my eyes a bit.
Take a look back at some of the greatest moments in Michael and Sam’s historic careers — then click here to relive their Badminton and Michael’s Grand Slam win at Badders in 2016.
It’s go time for the first ever NAF 5* Virtual Eventing competition, running today through Sunday right in your own living room. A collective charitable effort benefitting worldwide healthcare charities and NHS Charities Together during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtual Eventing has kicked off this afternoon with the “trot up” from the entered riders.
The U.S. is represented in this competition by Hannah Sue Burnett, Katherine Coleman, Hallie Coon, Meg Kepferle, Boyd Martin, and honorary American Joe Meyer. For this competition, riders will “compete” using videos pre-recorded and then run together on a live stream with commentary. Keep an eye out for some other famous faces too, including some former 5* horses back for one more tongue-in-cheek go.
There is also a virtual trade fair happening in conjunction with Virtual Eventing, the deals for which can be found here.
Newest member of the Zaragoza Acres clan, ‘Sovereign ZA’ (Sandro’s Star – Judgement ISF), checks out his future. Photo via Chris Talley on Facebook.
With the news that competitions may soon see a return, it’s got me thinking a little about future goals and learning to be adaptable. While I’m not currently riding/competing, I’m still a very goal-driven person. So when the pandemic lockdown came around, I think it was an adjustment to “realign” my goals for the year. If anything, this time has been an excellent reminder of what we have, what we can do without, and what matters the most and I hope that we continue to remember this even as the world starts to open back up.
National Holiday: May 6 is National Nurses Day, and I know I’m not alone when I say that nurses are among the most important, kindest, hardest-working individuals on the planet. Thank you, nurses!
News & Notes:
Are you ready for Virtual Eventing? The first ever NAF Virtual Eventing competition will kick off today with the “trot-up” happening at 6 pm BST / 1 pm EST. You can watch the live stream and check out the schedule for the competition here. And remember, Virtual Eventing is benefiting charities all over the world, and there’s a massive online auction happening concurrently. Check out all the goods here.
The USEF has some plans for resuming competitions. In a webinar hosted earlier this week, USEF officials outlined some remaining concerns and ways to work around them as the June 1 expiration of the competition ban draws closer.
As we gear up for the reopening of many facets of the country, horse shows have begun planning for what remains of the year. Our sister site, Jumper Nation, published some new protocol released by HITS competitions. These guidelines could be something we see in our own competitions, too.
Surefire Farm Horse Trials, scheduled to take place June 19-21 in Purcelville, VA, is now open and accepting entries. Prompt entries are appreciated so that organizers can plan for social distancing and sanitization protocols. A complete list of policies, including no on-site food and no trade fair, will be on the Surefire website on May 15th.
Wednesday Video Break
Watch the rider draw for Virtual Eventing:
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
Two weeks today would ordinarily have been the day of the world famous Badminton Horse Trials cross country phase – a huge favourite with our followers. Watch the 2018 winning combination of New Zealand's Jonelle Price and Trisha Rickards’ Classic Moet, known as 'the fastest girls in the world' at the time, as they put their all in to this fantastic cross country round. If 2018 is a year you would like to re-watch in full again, make sure you head to our #BestofBadminton highlights archive voting page: bit.ly/BestofBadmintonVote (*Voting now closed*)
We’re two years removed from Jonelle Price’s epic win at the 2018 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials aboard the full-of-run Classic Moet. And what a ride this was!
Jonelle and “Molly” have one of those classic partnerships, one of those where the levels of trust and understanding are simply unmatched. And on a tough Badminton course (as if there is ever anything but), this duo came home just one second over the optimum and would go on to jump clear on Sunday to take the big W.
While we’re sad to miss out on the 2020 running of Badminton Horse Trials, we’re also excited that the organizers have put their heads together and will be re-airing broadcasts from previous years. After soliciting a fan vote, the short list of Badminton events has been created and will now go to a panel of celebrity judges who will decide on the airing schedule. Click here to see what years made the short list.
I’m loving all of the memories dug up and posted on social media these days. I happened upon some old photos from Cindy Lawler on my feed yesterday, some of which were of the program from the 1988 Badminton Horse Trials. I particularly love Cindy’s notes from walking cross country, depicted above, which succinctly sum up Badders in just a few words: “hell of a drop,” “huge drop” and “difficult approach.” We’d say we agree with those, even today!
National Holiday: Today is International Dance Day so …”like no one’s watching” and all that jazz.
Sinead Halpin penned a candid and poignant column for NoelleFloyd.com. Learning how to navigate an entirely unprecedented new reality is a challenge, and Sinead has some helpful reminders about perspective and “riding the wave.” [We’re All Learning How to Ride This Wave]
Back on course at Windurra USA: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday that his administration is lifting some restrictions on businesses related to certain outdoor activities starting Friday. Recreational areas (they name golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds as examples) may reopen statewide and must follow the latest business guidance for mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. A cross country course certainly qualifies as recreational, right? Heck of a lot more fun than a fishing trip, IMO. Boyd and Silva Martin announced today that their facility, Windurra USA, would re-open for schooling on Friday. [Windurra USA Schooling will Re-Open Friday May 1st!]
A special meeting of the FEI Board brought forth some resolutions based on proposals put forth by the Calendar Task Force. As competitions across disciplines scramble to reschedule and otherwise rearrange their year, proposals on how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic have been reviewed. Key takeaways concerning eventing include a postponement of discussion of FEI Championships, confirmation that National Federations and Organizers have not been guaranteed exclusivity for rescheduled dates, as well as timeline requirements for date applications/modifications. You can view the full rundown from the meeting here.
As equine deaths from African Horse Sickness continue to afflict the Thailand community, a vaccine has begun distributing and horses are being kept in strict, netted quarantine to help slow the spread of the midge-borne disease. [AHS Deaths Near 500 in Thailand, Vaccinations Begin]
Wednesday Video Break: USEA President Max Corcoran joined Glenn the Geek on the Horse Radio Network’s “Live at Five” show this week. Max is always a wonderful interview, and this conversation broaches many topics regarding eventing and how the coronavirus has affected the industry:
US Eventing Assoc. President Max Corcoran discusses the way forward for Eventing post Corona. Plus, Glenn addresses how some horse shows are getting their communications all wrong. Monday at 5pm ET on the Horses in the Morning FB Page.
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
Allison Springer and Arthur. Leslie Threlkeld Photo.
It’s relatively easy to open up Instagram and find a slew of new products and pieces of equipment promising to make your horse perform or feel better. And while innovation is a wonderful addition to any sport, it’s equally easy to inform yourself of the primary purpose of each piece of equipment you use and what functions it performs.
The reality is that not every horse needs every tack fad that’s available. Not every horse needs a shimmed half pad, and not every horse needs to go in a five-point breastplate. Making informed decisions on your tack set-up is a vital part of ensuring our horses are comfortable and able to do their jobs without restriction or discomfort.
But sifting through the loads of information (and opinions) that are readily available online can be an enormous task. We tapped World Equestrian Brands owner Robin Moore for some of her best advice on fitting basic pieces of tack.
“The goal is to have the right products for the job at hand that don’t work against the horse,” Robin explained. “There needs to be a purpose for each product.”
One of the best ways World Equestrian Brands has proved its staying power is by not only curating high quality goods but also backing up the function of each product with research. “Shapes and materials really do matter,” Robin said. “The focus of each of the manufacturers we work with is really about in-depth study of materials and design and the best use in function.”
What Should I Know About Saddle Fitting?
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Ginny Nayden.
“First and foremost, it’s about assessing the horse’s topline. Width is easy to determine, but what ends up happening a lot is that a horse may have a long sloping wither but the saddle is a short distance over the wither, so you end up catching the horse at the base of the wither with the stirrup bar, and you get a bit of a fulcrum there. You can see this without even having the saddle girthed, and when you add the girth and rider, that effect is multiplied.
For instance, with Amerigo we have 16 different tree shapes to address the various back types we see. Some backs are quite simple, while others can be quite complicated. The horses don’t lie — they’re either going to go well in the saddle or they’re not, albeit some are quite stoic and hang in there for a period of time. When you put the right saddle on the horse, they start to move their back. Many times the saddle prevents the back from moving. Horses move away from pressure, and if the saddle is for example tight under the stirrup bars or at the back of the panels, the horse can be reluctant or at times unable, to lift it’s back and come through with hind legs.
There are lots of little pieces of to the puzzle, such as a horse with a larger scapula on one side or an asymmetry. These things all affect how the saddle fits, so you really have to take the whole individual horse into account.
Don’t be afraid to stick your hands under your saddle and feel what’s happening under there, you may be surprised! One way to assess is to push down on the middle of the seat with one hand and run your other hand under the panels from the front to the back.
Feel if the saddle particularly tight or loose in one place. It should feel consistent the entire length of the panel. From the outside it may not look bad, but when you put a hand underneath you have a pressure point. The horse also may be displaying clues such as a reluctance to raise its back, or landing flat or hollow and rushing off.”
Half Pads: To Shim or Not to Shim?
Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“One way to answer that question is to check if your saddle is tipping down in front because it’s too wide. If your saddle is low in front it can be because it’s too wide, then that’s a great time to use shims. Keep in mind, it may be low in front because the tree of the saddle is incorrect, putting too much curve at the back of the saddle for the horse, thus tipping it down in front.
The shims are also excellent to deal with asymmetries from injuries, or other conformational issues. The Mattes half pads use a really thin (.5mm) shim so that you can be precise with the amount of correction and use only what is needed. If just one shim is needed or up to four, you can select accordingly. The beauty is the capability of making incremental changes as the horse improves. It’s super useful.
The material is also important. Mattes uses a registered Polyflex® material that is very thin and is designed so it doesn’t ‘bottom out’. Some of the foams are so soft they collapse under pressure. When you think of the dynamics of riding, when a foam bottoms out and is slow to rebound, it’s not great for managing impact. Some materials don’t breathe so it can get very hot or maybe they’re a bit too hard/rigid.
The material of the pad itself should also be prioritized. Mattes is known for its high quality, single hide sheepskin. High quality, dense sheepskin is known for the natural qualities of heat dissemination, breathability, and the ability to eliminate friction and bounce.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure we don’t undo a good saddle fit with a poorly designed or shaped pad. Try to use pads that have a topline shape, that aren’t just flat across the topline. Most pads have made this design improvement. Also, try to avoid seams near the withers, which may unintentionally create rubs and pressure points.”
How Do I Know If I Need a Breastplate?
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“It’s not ideal for the horse if we use a breastplate to keep the saddle from sliding back, but I get it on cross country that a lot of times they are a necessity. However, if you get off and the breastplate is digging in to the horse’s chest, there may be another option to help the saddle from moving, understanding that on some horses even the best fit saddles can move a bit more than usual at the higher levels.
Some horses are built like greyhounds, deep chest, and then rising toward the flanks, and frequently girths slide back with this type of conformation as there is no ‘girth pocket’. As soon as the girth slides back, the saddle goes with it.
There is definitely a relationship between the girth and the saddle dictated by the horse’s conformation. Some of the monoflaps are designed with the billets stitched to the bottom of the flap — and they are true monoflaps: one single piece of leather — however the billets aren’t free to swing and finding the correct girth position can be a challenge. In these cases, finding the right girth is almost more important than your choice of breastplate. It can be a ‘both and’ rather than a ‘one or the other’ situation, where the girth and breastplate need to be addressed (as well as saddle fit of course). ”
How Do I Select a New Bridle?
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
“Some brands are trying to do some really cool and innovative things with bridles, but sometimes in that effort they might fix one problem and make another one. Beware of where the contours of the bridle are and if they are in an appropriate place for the horse’s ears. Sometimes the super wide crown piece cuts back a little too far. Run a finger under every place that the leather touches the face looking for edges or pressure points. There are some good ideas out there, but maybe not totally perfected.
Pressure points are important to avoid. The rings on the Vespucci Figure 8 have a leather fob so they don’t dig in, and they’re positioned in certain ways so the straps go a certain way. Our buckles have a unique shape so the leather lies flat on the horse’s face rather than having a pressure point. Some of those little details are easily overlooked.
Materials and quality of leather come in to play of course. Vespucci uses vegetable-tanned hides from a source in Pennsylvania.”
How Do I Pick the Right Boot for my Horse’s Legs?
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo courtesy USEA/Leslie Mintz.
“Equilibrium Products have done so much advanced testing over the years. Dr. David Marlin in the UK assisted with research, material studies, and so on for both the Tri-Zone® products as well as Stretch & Flex®. They did a study to measure of the impact on a horse’s leg when horse hits a cross country jump, finding out the actual force that the horse incurs on impact. Before this study, there was no real known level of protection that was needed, so some boots had significantly more protection than necessary, which meant quite a hard outer shell, and others didn’t offer enough.
“The information from the study provided Equilibrium the ability to produce in the Tri-Zone® range boots that we know provide the level of protection needed to protect the horse’s legs from concussion and penetration, while also using materials with added benefits that make the boots lighter, softer, cooler and they do not absorb water that also can increase the weight of the boot. A little weight on the leg has great impact on a cross country course. The Tri-Zone® Impact XC Boots as well as Allsports have, with in-depth independent study, been able to build a superior boot that can deliver the variety of properties that should be considered. Equilibrium also just added some fun colors – ticking all the boxes!
It’s important to ask what the purpose of the boot is. Are you trying to protect against concussion and penetration, or are you looking for support for flatwork? Knowing the purpose and the right size for your horse’s legs is important to prevent rotation or slipping.”
Ultimately, with any piece of tack, it’s important to first ask yourself what’s trying to be accomplished and is that purpose actually being accomplished? If the answer is no, then your tack set-up might need a few changes.
Riding with empathy as well as an understanding of biomechanics — what is happening under the tack — for our horses is important, and often times less is more. A horse will always go better in properly fitted tack, so investing the time in making sure that your equipment is not hindering your horse in any way can lead to a happy, willing equine partner.
Most years, we ask readers to share photos of their dogs at Kentucky (see last year’s finalists here) — but this year is a LITTLE different. This year, we want you to show us what funny or helpful things people’s dogs are doing to “help” with barn chores. Click here for details about how to enter.
Therawool Dressage Square Pad. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
Shopping is on the brain this time of year. Couple that with the spring fever that has us feverishly stalking Virtual Vendor Village booths (shop Thursday’s Deals here) AND the fact that we’re also experiencing cabin fever, and you’ve got a whole lot of extra retail therapy on your to-do list.
Luckily, our friends at Fleeceworks have pitched in two $50 gift certificates that they’ll be giving away to lucky winners who subscribe to the brand’s mailing list. Here’s the skinny:
Two $50 certificates will be given away. These certificates can be used for any web purchase (hint: if you’re just too impatient, like me, you can shop all of Fleeceworks’ incredible Kentucky week deals right here), and all you need to do to enter is sign up for the email list by visiting the Fleeceworks website here. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 27.
While you’re at it: Fleeceworks is offering 10% off all orders all week with code LRK3D10; Free Easy Care Bamboo Slippers with orders over $100; 15% off Therawool Quilted Dressage Pad with code LRK3D4; additional deals here.
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Happy what-would-ordinarily-be Land Rover Kentucky jog day! I chose today’s lead photo in honor of the jog queen herself, Lainey Ashker, who has graced the strip many times with her imaginative and fashionable outfits. If I could give you another pair of Dubarrys, Lainey, I would.
If you’re suffering from Kentucky withdrawals this week, trust me when I say that the EN team is with you 100% of the way on that. We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you the best Virtual Vendor Village ever (click here if you haven’t run out of money yet), and there is plenty of vintage Kentucky content coming your way from all outlets to hold you over.
National Holiday: It’s Earth Day! Mother Nature is our greatest resource, and we owe it to her to take the best care of our environment possible. Let’s all do something today to create a habit of reducing waste tomorrow.
News & Notes:
The USEF Network will be doing a live re-broadcast of the cross country phase from 2012 Kentuckyon their Facebook page Saturday at 10 am ET. In celebration of the event’s history as well as a salve for the gaps left behind by this year’s cancellation, you can view on-demand coverage of previous years in their entirety here.
Badminton Horse Trials will also be doing a re-broadcast of previous years’ competitions — and they want your help deciding which years to show. You can vote for your favorite year (and honestly, good luck choosing just three) here.
Do you want to take a virtual lesson with Irish eventing star Jonty Evans? Well, now you can! Jonty is offering virtual lessons to help keep his business afloat during lockdown. Many other riders have opted to offer virtual coaching, too, so be sure to keep an eye on social media for opportunities!
Is your equine first aid kit up to date?Get the rundown from The Horse on what you should have in your kit for treating minor wounds.
Wednesday Video: Improve your shoulder-out with Beezie Madden.
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
When I posted about our Team plaiting/bandaging/etc training last week a few people requested some masterclass videos to give everyone something to work on whilst they're stuck at home. Because we aim to please(!) I'll be posting a series of videos with my very own supergroom, Amy Phillips, the reigning Horse & Hound Groom of the Year and the best in the business.🤩🏆💪
This first video covers plaiting and all the kit you need for the perfect plaits with both thread and bands. I'd love to see some of your own efforts so do post them in the photos below and I will offer a small prize for the best plaits. No excuses now – practice makes perfect!🦄💃👌
Going forward, the #supergroomsunday videos will be posted every Sunday to give you all a new skill to learn or an old one to perfect in the week ahead. This video is a day late because the internet was too slow to upload it yesterday evening! Anyway, we hope you find them useful and that it can help people get something positive from our time in lockdown. If there's any skill you'd particularly like to learn do post it in the comments below.🤔✅⬇️
Dodson & Horrell Devoucoux Lincoln Horse Care Protexin Equine Premium Animalife Vetro Collection – Feel The Difference TruckEast Ltd. Parlanti Roma British Eventing Official Equestrian Team GBR The Pony Club
There’s no better time to put some polish on the skills we all neglect from time to time. After much popular demand, Piggy March (neé French) and her super groom, also known as the Horse & Hound Groom of the Year, Amy Phillips put together a new masterclass all about plaiting (braiding, as we term it here in the U.S.).
Look for more of these great videos to come from the March team. These resources are wonderful ways to help fill up the newly acquired (and very strange) gaps in our schedule — keep an eye on Piggy’s Facebook page for more to come!
