Classic Eventing Nation

Aiken Comes to Life on Bruce’s Field Cross Country

By on Mar 2, 2019 10:36 am -

The Wilcox. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Taking a walk around the cross country course at the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field is a lot like seeing the dollhouse of your dreams come to life. Course Builder Eric Bull has outdone himself. The detail of the fences is outstanding — it’s like a teeny tiny city that is so quintessentially Aiken. Let’s take a tour around the city for ants, erm, the cross country course.

First the nitty gritty: the course starts around the track before winding through three of the main arenas. There are 22 jumping efforts with an optimum time of 4:12 across 2200 meters. All the fences represent some part of Aiken, and we start with a bomb, a literal bomb at the Savanah River Nuclear Solutions fence.

Stay for a while at the Palmetto Golf Club. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Now we sit on the porch for a drink at the Palmetto Golf Club, before worship at Saint Mary’s Church. Next riders take a hack through Hitchcock woods where they’ll find a life-size Fox Squirrel.

For all of you out-of-towners, you can come and go through the Aiken Train Depot. There’s so much more: The Wilcox, The Battle of Aiken and the Post Office. The sweet southern town really comes to life across Mark Phillips’ course. Check out the gallery below to really appreciate the detail.

Eleven pairs withdrew this morning, including third-placed Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Many are planning to save their horses for Red Hills next weekend. The first horse will be out at 2:35 p.m. Don’t forget to tune in for commentary from our very own Jenni Autry joined by Alex O’Neal! You can watch it on EQTV or right here on EN.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Cross Country Order of Go, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

 

Joanie Morris Resigns: ‘The Job Has Been the Greatest Privilege of My Entire Life’

By on Mar 2, 2019 8:15 am -

Joanie Morris has announced her resignation as USEF Managing Director of Eventing. Photo by Uptown Eventing.

It is the end of an era as Joanie Morris, USEF Managing Director of Eventing, has announced her resignation. Joanie assumed the role in 2012 following David O’Connor’s appointment as International Technical Advisor and coach for the U.S. eventing team.

Joanie oversaw the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team through the 2014 World Equestrian Games; the 2015 Pan American Games; the 2016 Olympic Games; Erik Duvander’s appointment as U.S. Performance Director for Eventing in 2017; the 2018 World Equestrian Games; numerous Nations Cups both abroad and on U.S. soil; and every major international competition that featured U.S. athletes in North America and around the world over the past six years.

“The job has been the greatest privilege of my entire life. I have experienced more highs and lows than I ever thought possible. The medals are how we are judged in public, but it’s actually the day-to-day struggle that has made it all worth it. Those are the memories that I’ll carry forward. It’s a job that is completely all-consuming and needs 100-percent commitment from the person who is doing it. I’ve been fortunate to have it be my life for nearly six years,” Joanie said.

“I never thought I’d work for USEF forever. For me, the timing is right to take the next step. I’d like to see what other opportunities are out there for me. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my husband (Richard Picken) and at our farm, and enjoying what life has in store for me next.”

To say Joanie has been an indispensable part of the U.S. team would be an extreme understatement. Boyd Martin once described her as “a diamond” to the team, and that is perhaps the best way to succinctly summarize the way in which she has impacted the USEF High Performance program.

USEF announced today that the organization is now accepting applications for the position of Managing Director of Eventing. While Joanie’s position will officially end on April 1, 2019, USEF confirmed that she will still serve as Team Leader for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, in order to oversee the execution of team operations.

The full job description for USEF Managing Director of Eventing is listed below:

US Equestrian seeks a highly effective leader with an astute and excellent understanding of FEI and international equestrian sport to fill the position of Managing Director of Eventing. This position will work hand-in-hand with the Eventing Performance Director to prepare and lead the U.S. Eventing Team for Olympic Games and World Championships, while also overseeing the development of emerging talent through identifiable pathways to ensure sustainable success for the future.

A key leadership position within US Equestrian’s International Disciplines’ Sport Department, the Managing Director of Eventing spearheads all US Equestrian initiatives, governance, and programs related to U.S. Eventing and works closely with internal departments and the U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) in order to grow the sport of eventing across all levels within the U.S. This position will oversee all US Equestrian programs related to eventing; serve as the lead liaison to the Eventing Sport Committee; manage the Elite and oversee the Development programs; manage the team selection process; prepare and manage the eventing budget; and oversee logistics and selection for team and individual funded travel, among other duties.

Applicants looking to apply for the Managing Director of Eventing position should be performance-focused and willing to approach challenges from a variety of angles. Individual must be a detail-oriented manager and a clear communicator and have a good understanding of the eventing landscape within the U.S. In addition, applicants should be prepared to build effective relationships with a broad group of stakeholders while being energetic, resilient, committed, and reliable.

A bachelor’s degree and three to five years of professional experience in sport is required.

To apply for this position, please click here. 

Please join EN in thanking Joanie for her years of service to the USEF High Performance Program.

Go Eventing.

Watch the Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field Live Stream + Replays

By on Mar 2, 2019 7:30 am -

The inaugural $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing Invitational is underway at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, South Carolina. The entry list is a who’s-who of American five-star eventing, with a guest appearance from William Fox-Pitt who is catching a ride on Sandro’s Star — can’t wait to see that! Thankfully, we’re all able to follow the action live via EQTV‘s live stream broadcast.

The competition will run in a showcase format, with dressage and show jumping held on Friday, March 1, followed by cross country on Saturday, March 2.

FRIDAY
Dressage: 7:30 a.m. – 2:01 p.m. EST
Show Jumping: 4 – 6:03 p.m. EST

SATURDAY
Cross country: 2:30 – 5:26 p.m. EST
Presentation of Awards: 5:30 p.m. EST

Our own Jenni Autry is leading the live stream commentary along with special guests, with Shelby Allen reporting in with recaps of each phase, so keep it here for all the latest! Go Eventing.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Cross Country Order of Go, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

REPLAYS

Dressage Part 1:

Dressage Part 2:

Show jumping:

Cross Country: 

Saturday Links Presented by Nupafeed USA

By on Mar 2, 2019 12:01 am -

Misty morning dressage warmup in Aiken. Photo by USEA Volunteer of the Month, Margaret Potorski.

During yesterday’s livestream, Jenni made a great point about events such as this weekend’s Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field and the previously run Wellington Showcase: not only do they provide a little more exposure for our sport, but it’s helpful to the riders and horses to have an early-season (think, pre-Kentucky) event with lots of atmosphere that they can bring their top horses to. Since the Wellington Showcase hasn’t run for the past two years, it’s great to have something similar back on the calendar. Doesn’t hurt that it’s benefiting local charities either!

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Cross Country Order of Go, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

National Holiday: National Old Stuff Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Full Gallop H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

US Equestrian Seeks Managing Director of Eventing

No Excuses Here: Amateur Rider Kristen Paysinger Balances Dressage, Eventing And Shifts In The Emergency Room

Inspiring young eventer wins 2019 Hannah Francis Award

Final farewell to four-star event horse with a ‘heart of a lion’

Problems in the Horse’s Hip and Pelvis

Saturday Video: Looks like we have a dressage judge in the making!

Coach Nox giving dad some pointers.

Posted by Boyd Martin on Friday, March 1, 2019

Team Nupafeed® USA Welcomes Liz Halliday – Sharp
Nupafeed® USA would like to welcome Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp to Team Nupafeed® USA. Liz was sponsored by Nupafeed® UK for years even before Nupafeed® Supplements were available in the USA. We are very excited to add her and her lovely string of horses to Team Nupafeed® USA and look forward to a successful future together!!

Still On Top: Liz Halliday-Sharp Leads After Show Jumping in Grand-Prix Eventing

By on Mar 1, 2019 7:35 pm -

Liz Halliday Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The usually “lazy” Fernhill By Night was feeling himself this afternoon in the show jumping for the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. He and his jockey, Liz Halliday-Sharp, kept hold of their dressage lead after skipping around Michael Vaillancourt’s track.

“He jumped amazing,” Liz gushed. “Richard Picken helped me in the warm up. It’s rare that the horse even has a rub in the warm up, but he did rub one, which I think actually helped him. I think because he had that little touch it was on it — but he is a brilliant jumper. Unless I ride like an idiot, he jumps clear.”

For the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin x Argentina XII, by Argentinus) to be as successful as he was today, the key is carefully crafting his competition season.

“We don’t run him a lot anymore. He was amazing last season because we only ran him about every 8 weeks, and then he comes to the party really excited and ready to fight for it. Hopefully that will carry into tomorrow,” Liz explained.

With a hefty purse on the line, Liz confirmed with EN that she’s going for the win tomorrow. “He’s a big horse, and he’s not the world’s nippiest creature, but he can gallop. I think he’s up to it. Hopefully we’ll keep kicking, take a few risks and do the best that we can.”

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shelby Allen.

For Doug Payne, this weekend with Vandiver is a sweet homecoming. After winning the Carolina International CCI4*-S (Formerly CIC3*) last year, the 15-year-old Trakehner (Windfall x Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx), who is owned in partnership between Doug, his wife, Jessica Payne and Debi Crawley, dropped of the radar. Doug explained that they took the time to explore a stifle issue that had always nagged “Quinn.”

“It was a bit of a long journey. It’s been something that I think has actually gone on for a very long time. He had some irregularities in his right stifle, so we went in with a scope right around Kentucky last year, with Dr. Peroni at UGA. We were able to clean it up, and it’s honestly the best he’s felt since I’ve ever ridden him,” Doug said.

Back and feeling better than ever, Quinn had a clear round to remain on his dressage score of 30.8.

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus, Jacqueline Mars’ 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Serazim X Wake Me Gently), settled right into third after a brilliant effort in the first two phases. “Bug” also stays on his dressage score of 30.9.

Looking forward to his 12th birthday this year, Lauren says that this can be a magical year for some horses. “I’ve always found that once they turn 12 they’re getting so much stronger. His jumping has gotten to a different level this year, so I’m excited. He’s certainly come out feeling more mature and really understanding what his job is,” she said.

William Fox-Pitt and Sandro’s Star. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Celebrity entrant William Fox-Pitt ends the day in fourth place aboard Sandro’s Star. William said the round wasn’t “as smooth as he wanted,” but since he had his first ride on Sandro only three days ago, I think we’ll forgive him this time.

He and the 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Sagnol x Poetic Patter xx, by Nostalgia’s Star xx) owned by Hannah Salazar produced a lovely double clear round for a two-phase score of 31.3.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Carlevo climbed from 8th to 5th after a double clear round with Buck Davidson in the tack. The 12-year-old Holsteiner (Eurocommerce Caresino x Ramatuelle, by Levernois) owned by Carlevo LLC carries 32.1 points into the final phase.

Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Looking down the leaderboard, Allie Knowles and Boyd Martin share a tie for sixth on 32.7 aboard The Sound Prospect Syndicate’s Sound Prospect and Christine Turner’s Kyra, respectively. Felix Vogg and Jürgen Vogg’s Colero are 8th after one pesky time penalty added .4 to their score. Jennie Brannigan delivered a clear round with Nina Gardner’s Cambalada for 9th and Boyd Martin makes a second appearance for 10th with Ray Price, who is owned by the Ray Price Syndicate.

Keep on eye on this space for much more from Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. We’ll take you around the Aiken-themed cross country course tomorrow morning before all the action kicks off at 2:30 p.m.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

 

 

Liz Halliday-Sharp Claims Dressage Lead in Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Mar 1, 2019 2:19 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Like a fine wine, Fernhill By Night keeps getting better with age. He and Liz Halliday-Sharp often lead the pack after dressage, and that was once again the case today at the $50,000 LiftMaster Grand-Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field. The 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin x Argentina XII, by Argentinus) owned by Deborah Halliday, was the first and only competitor to knock into the 20s on 28.7.

“I thought his trot work was good today, he can be a little bit flat sometimes because he drops me and he actually had a lot of lift today which was nice,” Liz said. “A couple bits I could have done better — both my right half passes were not as good as they should have been, so I think we lost a couple marks there. But I don’t think this is going to be a dressage competition.”

Liz sharpened up for the season with some pure dressage at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this winter, where she and “Blackie” tackled their first Prix St. Georges. “I finished fifth in the open, which was not terrible, I didn’t totally embarrass myself, I wasn’t last,” she laughed. A massive accomplishment, we’d say!

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The World Equestrian Games partnership of Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg were first to go, setting the bar for the group on 30.2 points. The triple winner of the Wellington Eventing Showcase, Boyd looks to extend his showcase reign in Aiken this weekend with Christine Turner’s 12-year-old Trakehner (Windfall x Thabana, by Buddenbrock).

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shelby Allen.

After a competition break in 2018, Doug Payne and Vandiver have come back swinging. The 15-year-old Trakehner (Windfall x Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx) sits third on a dressage score of 30.8. Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus secured fourth place, and Jacqueline Mars’ 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding (Serazim X Wake Me Gently) carries 30.9 into this afternoon’s show jumping.

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will Coleman and The Off The Record Syndicate’s Off The Record, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (VDL Arkansas X Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio), are fifth after earning a 31.1. Allison Springer and William Fox-Pitt share a tie for 6th place on a score of 31.3. Allison rides Business Ben, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred (Artie Schiller X Min Elreeh, by Danzig).

Spectators were delighted to welcome William Fox-Pitt to Aiken, and they lined the fence to watch his ride with Hannah Salazar’s Sandro’s Star, an 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Sagnol x Poetic Patter xx, by Nostalgia’s Star xx) who is usually piloted by Chris Talley.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Buck Davidson piloted Carlevo into 8th on a score of 32.1, and the Swiss transplant Felix Vogg is 9th aboard Colero, an 11-year-old Westphalian (Captain Fire X Bonia, Bormio xx) owned by Jürgen Vogg.

Tenth place is shared between Allie Knowles and Boyd Martin. Allie is riding Sound Prospect, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred (Eastern Echo x Miner’s Girl, by Miner’s Mark) owned by the Sound Prospect Syndicate, and Boyd is riding Kyra, a 12-year-old Canadian Warmblood (VDL Ulando H x Wellsley, by Welstern) owned by Christine Turner.

The fantastic ground crew is flipping the main arena now, and we look forward to the start of the show jumping at 4:00 p.m. It’s pouring buckets now, but the hourly forecast says it may clear before the jumping starts — fingers crossed! Don’t forget to tune in for commentary from our very own, Jenni Autry! You can watch it on EQTV or right here on EN.

Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram, Twitter

 

Friday Video from SmartPak: Surviving the Golden Button Steeplechase

By on Mar 1, 2019 1:30 pm -

“Bad news for the down-dumbing, time-serving, health-and-safety nicks, for the country that brought you cheese-rolling, the Cresta run, and walking slowly towards the enemy has come up with another semi-suicidal sport, and it has the innocent-sounding name of the Golden Button.”

Spanning three miles of Ledbury hunt country, and covering 22 colossal fences, the Golden Button Challenge isn’t for the faint-hearted — in fact, it’s earned the reputation of being Britain’s toughest hunt ride. This year’s iteration took place on the 23rd of February, and 62 brave — and perhaps slightly bonkers — starters came forward to give it the old college try. After a little bit of rough and tumble (and just one minor injury, to a rider), 33 of them would cross the finish line.

The Golden Button is a steeplechase in the most classic sense: there’s no racetrack, just open country crisscrossed with sprawling ditch-and-hedge combinations and looming gateways. Riders know where they need to start and where they need to finish, and what happens in between is up to them. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it draws in some of the UK and Ireland’s finest under-the-radar cross-country riders.

I caught up with Jemima Taylor to find out more about the madness that ensued between starter’s orders and the final flags. Jammy lost her Golden Button v-card in fine style last week – she not only completed, but finished 25th, riding her own Kitkat. 20-year-old Jammy is, perhaps, the perfect model of a Golden Button entrant — that is, she can ride enviably well, and she’s completely and utterly nuts. In 2016, she decided she wanted to find a creative way to raise money for two worthy charities, the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance and the James Wentworth Stanley Memorial Fund, which raises awareness of mental health issues and works towards suicide prevention. The idea she landed on? Ten days of bareback hunting. We’re not talking about a couple of hours of meandering along at the back of the field, either — Jammy stayed out for up to seven hours each time, jumping the biggest fences each day had to offer aboard her feisty little mare. She raised £10,000 for the charities.

“I hadn’t had an adrenaline kick like that since doing the bareback hunting, and I thought, ‘well, how mad is it? I might as well give it a go!'” says Jammy of her decision to enter the Golden Button. To do so on the tricky mare she’d produced from a five-year-old, she thought, would be even more special.

“Kitkat had been sent over from Holland, and it’s safe to say we bought a mentally deranged mare! It’s taken about six seasons of hunting for her to finally calm down.”

Jammy had attempted to event Kitkat, to no avail: “One weekend you could get a great dressage and a double clear, and then the next weekend, she’d buck round the dressage test or refuse to go into the showjumping warm-up, so we decided it was getting too expensive. We ended our eventing career on a cricket score because she napped halfway around the showjumping course and then refused at the easiest cross-country fence. But once she’s on the hunting field or doing a scurry, then she’s at her prime and will jump anything you put in front of her.”

This isn’t to say that the Thoroughbred cross has become anyone’s ride.

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Clearly she'd rather still be on holiday 🐎

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“God forbid you try to take her out hacking alone,” says Jammy wryly. “She’ll throw a temper tantrum like no other. But for me, she’s the horse of a lifetime and is the most fearless thing. She’s only 15.2hh, but she has scope to burn and she’s out-jumped a lot of horses that are at least a hand bigger. Although, if you ask someone else to jump a crosspole on her, she won’t have any of it.”

And so the gutsy combination headed to big hedge country, ready to test their mettle. I need a stiff drink just thinking about it, but then, I suspect I’m not a prime candidate for the Golden Button.

“Surprisingly, I wasn’t that nervous — once I was on and we were walking around the paddock, I just got tunnel vision and only wanted to get round clear and in one piece,” explains Jammy. “When you’re actually on the course, it really is every man for himself. I honestly couldn’t stop smiling the whole way round — once I’d got through the finish line I forgot everything that had just happened!”

So what’s next for Jammy and Kitkat? Well, they haven’t got any more seriously mad adventures lined up — not yet, anyway — but they’re planning to fit in some nice, sedate sort of activities together. Like team-chasing. And hunt scurries. We’ll wait at the bar.

Get Your Advanced Kentucky Tickets Today! Prices Increase at Midnight

By on Mar 1, 2019 10:00 am -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

You know you gotta be there, it’s the beginning of the month, maybe you just got paid … carpe diem! Today is your last chance to get 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event tickets at advanced purchase pricing. Advanced prices end at midnight tonight, Friday, March 1.

Ticket options include single-day, three-day (Fri-Sat-Sun) and four-day general admissions, as well as group sales, hospitality packages, cross country tailgating packages, and glamping. You can also go ahead and reserve your headsets as well as purchase programs and preferred parking.

All grounds admission tickets include general parking and admission to the Kentucky Horse Park and International Trade Fair, but do not include access to the competition in the Rolex Stadium. Reserved grandstand seating is sold separately from grounds admission.

Tickets are also available for the $225,000 Kentucky CSI3* Invitational on Saturday following cross country —  tickets are $5, with $1 going to the 2019 official charity, plus tax and fees. Hospitality packages are also available. You can purchase those tickets separately here.

Ticket options and extras quick links:​

The 2019 event takes place April 25-28 at the Kentucky Horse Park. You can view the provisional schedule here.

Order your tickets today at www.KentuckyThreeDayEvent.com/tickets!

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Mar 1, 2019 12:03 am -

Preach on random dude on cross country, preach on!#travelswithamy #outstandinginafield #eventing #throwbackthursday @KyThreeDayEvent

Posted by AK Dragoo Photography on Thursday, February 28, 2019

Yesterday, I asked the universe if spring was really upon us, and I truly enjoyed a perfect spring day with delightful weather. Today, it is raining and snowing and sleeting. Really, I brought this on myself. I’m so sorry.

National Holiday: National Horse Protection Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

It’s happening: Jonty and Art are returning to competition! Jonty Evans announced that he and Cooley Rorkes Drift will return to eventing at Belton this spring, and he positively can’t wait. He just jumped his first cross country fences this week with Art, and says the horse feels great. What a recovery story! [The Return of Jonty & Art]

Dressage is becoming more and more important in our evolving sport, from Beginner Novice to 5*. If you’re interested in improving your scores, you better check out this article from Christoph Hess on how to become a great dressage rider and build a correct training system for all your horses. I like this article because he emphasizes that first and foremost, the rider must always admit that they made the mistake, not the horse. Bye bye, ego! [Ride Like a Professional Dressage Rider]

Most eight-year-old girls are bopping around on tiny ponies, but not Maia Fletcher. This ambitious little horse enthusiast is obsessed with Shires. That’s right, the biggest horses she could possibly find. In fact, she’s been riding them since she was three. And holy cow is it a cute match. [Meet the Eight Year Old Shire Rider]

Hot on Horse Nation: 18 Horses Celebrating Their Birthday

Want to Use a Heart Rate Monitor But Not Sure Where to Start?

By on Feb 28, 2019 6:32 pm -

Want to train with a heart-rate monitor but not sure where to start? EN is here to help! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Are you interested in incorporating a heart-rate monitor into your horse’s training this season but not sure how to get started? While the prospect can seem daunting, it’s actually more simple than you might think. If you’re on the fence, a great place to start is by learning more about training with heart rate.

As a first-time heart-rate monitor user myself, I turned to the Hylofit website to learn more before I started using it, and I’ve compiled a resource guide of articles for those of you on the hunt for more information. The Hylofit system provides real-time heart-rate data directly to your phone or your trainer’s phone, which provides a way to see how the horse’s body is responding to work in the moment. Using Hylofit can help you answer questions like whether your horse is finding the work easier or harder than you expected.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to use Hylofit is to see whether my perception of how hard my horse is working matched what the data actually shows. If a horse’s heart-rate is spiking during a simple trot or canter set, that could indicate a larger issue, or potential injury, is on the horizon. Using Hylofit gives you this insight and more.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Start Here

Why Should I Use Heart Rate Zones to Train With My Horse? How do heart rate monitors work? Why is it important to train with a heart rate monitor? How do you maximize training sessions with a heart rate monitor? Why is it important to know your horse’s resting heart rate? This article answers all these questions and more.

How Zone Training Can Transform Your Horse’s Fitness: If you missed this article on EN, we took an in-depth look at Hylofit’s zones, which use an algorithm to determine how hard your horse is working. The zones are color coded and numbered to make them easy to understand and use.

Required Reading

Dr. Tim Worden, a biomechanics advisor for Hylofit, specializes in the translation of human high-performance training theory and techniques to horses. He wrote a fantastic three part article series for Practical Horseman during the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. All three parts are well worth the read.

Part 1: Producing a Top Horse

Part 2: The Art of the Deal

Part 3: Performance Enhancements

Key takeaway: “Similar to the fitness technology revolution in human athletes, horse activity monitors have the potential to unlock previously unknown training insights. This information can be used to help guide training as it provides a direct measure of how hard a horse worked on a given day, and subsequently, how they responded to that work.”

Using Hylofit

Easy setup: This video shows how easy it is to attach the heart-rate monitor to your horse’s girth and sync Hylofit to your phone. It’s a quick and simple process.

Rider alerts: Hylofit also launched rider alerts this month, which allow you to customize the heart rate, zone intensity, time and distance you want to achieve during a ride, and then a voice will alert you to when you hit those targets. Watch below for a demo. It’s definitely as cool as it sounds!

Click here to view more demo videos on Hylofit’s YouTube Channel. You can also follow along with other riders who are using heart rate to train on Hylofit’s Instagram.

Still looking for more information? There are a slew of testimonials, reports and educational articles on the Hylofit website. You can dive in here.

Are you ready to take the plunge into the world of training with heart rate? Click here to order Hylofit.