Classic Eventing Nation

#FlatworkFebruary Excerpt of the Week: Developing Ideal In-the-Saddle Posture

By on Feb 1, 2019 11:00 am -

‘Tis the season to hit the refresh button on your flatwork foundation! You’ll see the extra effort pay off not just in improved dressage scores, but in improved performance in the jumping phases as the year goes on. Has your practice plateaued? Struggling to feel inspired? In partnership with Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com) and our sister site Horse Nation, we present #FlatworkFebruary, a month-long series of book excerpts from leading dressage experts around the world. 

This week: How does one achieve ideal posture on horseback? By practicing — on the ground! This excerpt from The Dressage Seat by Anja Beran, respected German dressage trainer and international author, details a great standing exercise.

Illustration by Susanne Retsch-Amschler.

The following practical exercise describes step by step how to develop the erect posture you desire in the saddle. Practice statically—not on the horse. Control of this posture on a horse or in dynamic movement requires a longer period of practice.

Standing Exercise

1. Stand sideways in front of a large mirror so that you can visually check and observe every step.

2. Place your feet parallel and a little wider apart than your shoulders with knees slightly bent. This corresponds to the sitting position on a horse.

3. Place your hands on the sides of your pelvis and move it forward and back without moving the rest of your body. For this selective pelvis tilt, imagine that your pelvis is a bowl filled with water, and dump the water out forward and backward.

4. Find the middle (neutral) position where the water in the imaginary bowl is level. That is the natural position of the pelvis, from which you can move forward or backward, and to which the pelvis returns again. This is the primary movement in riding. The pelvis connects you to the movement of the horse.

5. Lift your sternum diagonally forward and up. Imagine that your sternum is pulled diagonally forward and up by a string.

6. Put your hands on the sides of your rib cage and breathe deeply in and out to feel the movement of the ribs. With a deep exhale, the ribs close and the position is held by the tension of the upper abdominal muscles, and the sternum is pulled as much as possible diagonally forward and up. In this way you are essentially breathing over the stomach (diaphragm) into the sides of the chest and the back area of the ribs (the back). The middle “building block” is held “plumb” and remains exactly above the pelvis building block.

7. Let your arms hang loosely beside your body, with the shoulder joints in a relaxed neutral position and the shoulder blades pulled down. Imagine that you want to stick your shoulder blades in your back pockets. From the side, your shoulder girdle should now be directly above the pelvis without being behind it. There should not be any rotation in your body.

8. Straighten your head by taking the chin back a little (a slight double chin). The head is now in a neutral position between tending forward and backward. The neck vertebrae as well as the vertebrae of the chest are stretched upward while still maintaining their physiological curvature.

You are now in “erect posture.” All of your movements come from this position. The component parts return to this neutral position after all movement. This posture enables the greatest possible mobility in all directions. An additional advantage is that your muscles aren’t in a shortened position before a movement. This enables the rider to move optimally and to tense or relax with intention.

If you are in a bad position to start with, you will reach the endpoint of your motion quickly. The movement isn’t smooth and incorrect loading creates tension with possible damage to discs and joints. Since it is also unpleasant for the horse when the rider is tense, he is resistant.

Riding consists of a constant exchange of impulses and signals from both parties. Habitual posture errors and deviations from an erect posture must be analyzed and can be corrected with appropriate and usually simple measures.

An excerpt from The Dressage Seat by Anja Beran, reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).

Event Rider Masters Announces 2019 Series Calendar

By on Feb 1, 2019 8:00 am -

The 2018 Event Rider Masters series podium: Tim Price, Chris Burton and Laura Collett. Photo by Anna Franklin/Event Rider Masters.

Six legs, five countries, four days of three-phase competition condensed into two days, and one big winner … we begin the countdown to the 2019 Event Rider Masters season with the release of this season’s calendar. This glossy, prize-monied CCI4*-S (formerly CIC3*) series includes two new European locations, further expanding this showcase of the sport to global audiences.

2019 ERM dates and venues:

  • Leg 1: The Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials (GBR) — May 11-12, 2019
  • Leg 2: Internationales Wiesbadener Pfingstturnier (GER) — June 7-8, 2019
  • Leg 3:  Concours Complet D’Arville (BEL) — June 22-23, 2019
  • Leg 4: The Jardy Eventing Show (FRA) — July 13-14, 2019
  • Leg 5: Millstreet International Horse Trials (IRL) — August 24-25, 2019
  • Leg 6: The Finale – Concours Complet International Lignières en Berry (FRA) — October 5-6, 2019

New for 2019, the number of riders accepted into each ERM Leg has been reduced from 40 to 30 riders. This will be the 26 highest ranked riders from the FEI World Rider Rankings at the time of entry, plus four wild card riders. The 2019 series will adhere to new FEI Rules for Eventing —  view a guide to new 2019 rules here.

2019 should be an exciting season, with Australia’s Chris Burton seeking to defend his 2018 title, and runner-up Laura Collett (GBR) and third-placed Tim Price (NZL) hot on his heels. 2016 ERM Champion Oliver Townend (GBR) and 2017 ERM Champion Gemma Tattersall (GBR) will be looking to fight their way back onto the podium as well, but it’s a fresh new year and it’s anyone’s game.

As always each leg will be broadcast live via ERM’s social channels and via website with eight highlights shows including a series preview and season review show available on TV in 101 countries. Learn more by visiting the website here.

[2019 ERM Series Calendar]

Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

By on Feb 1, 2019 12:03 am -

TBT to the RRP. Photo by Nicole Patenaude.

February! Welcome to February! The month of Valentine’s Day, the transitional month between winter and spring (can you see my fingers crossed here?), the shortest month of the year, and some other things like my birthday or whatever. Although, I just passed my birthday milestone last year, and this one isn’t that exciting, so maybe let’s just skip over this next one?

National Day: National Freedom Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Get your tickets for the Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field! Held in just a month on March 1-2, this international competition with a prize pot of $50,000 will feature 40 of the best event riders from around the world. Not only will you see top U.S. riders like Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton and Andrew Hoy riding, but we’ve heard through the grapevine that a certain Terminator might be in attendance as well? Get. Your. Tickets. Now! [Grand Prix Eventing]

Is 2019 the year of the Modified level? Methinks yes. Southern Arizona Eventing Association (SAzEA) just announced the addition of the Modified level to its second annual Horse Trials on March 23-24, 2019. After a successful first year and thanks to the continued support of the donors and sponsors this will be the first Modified offered in the South Western U.S. and the second on the West Coast. “Growth of the sport in Arizona and the West is important to the SAzEA Board of Directors, we are excited to offer this new level and to continue to expand our event for the growing area,” stated Marian LaLonde, President of SAzEA. [Modified Level Expands to Both Coasts]

Former dressage superstar Totilas is set to make his first public appearance since 2015. Last seen at his final competition before retiring four years ago, the 19-year-old stallion will appear alongside his progeny at the KWPN stallion show in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. Showcasing both his sons and grandsons, it is a delight to see this inspiring stallion and show off what he has accomplished in the breeding shed. [Totilas to Appear Alongside Sons]

Hot on Horse Nation: Meanwhile, In Canada….

The moment you’ve all been waiting for: Clydesdales 2019 Super Bowl Ad

*Note* this isn’t about beer, it’s always been about the Clydesdales, right?

#ThrowbackThursday Videos from SmartPak: If Horses Were People – Blanketing Edition

By on Jan 31, 2019 5:00 pm -

The polar vortex has descended and our horses are bundled up within an inch of their lives. What better time to break out this classic SmartPak video series?

Yeah… we humans can be a little bit ridiculous when it comes to blankets. Did you know that SmartPak has a blanketing guide that can help us feel a little less neurotic? While you’re at it, be sure to check out SmartPak’s winter clearance blanket event for up to 70% off blanket purchases!

Go Eventing.

How Zone Training Can Transform Your Horse’s Fitness

By on Jan 31, 2019 2:30 pm -

Is your horse truly fit enough for cross country? I decided to take the guesswork out of my horse’s fitness plan by using a heart-rate monitor. Photo by Xpress Foto.

Studies show that once a horse’s heart rate reaches 150 beats per minute, his muscles slowly start to produce lactic acid, which ultimately creates fatigue. Once a horse’s heart rate reaches 175 to 180 bpm, or 80% of his maximum heart rate, the lactic acid levels spike sharply. It’s critical for event horses to train under these conditions so they can power through that lactic acid production on cross country.

Eventers have long understood this basic principle, which is why we include galloping in our horse’s fitness schedules. But how can you know if your horse is actually reaching and ultimately staying in the target zone when lactic acid production occurs for the required amount of time to guarantee proper conditioning?

The answer is simple — train with an equine heart-rate monitor, track your horse’s heart rate and adjust his fitness plan accordingly. If you’ve never used a heart-rate monitor before, it might seem like a daunting prospect to incorporate one into your everyday routine, but a new company called Hylofit is making it easier than ever.

Since their launch last year, Hylofit has been on a mission to help all riders — from professionals who compete at the biggest events in the world to amateurs with a goal of running a Beginner Novice Three-Day — to train smarter and “know your ride.”

Setting up Hylofit is super easy and only takes a few minutes. I had never used a heart-rate monitor prior to using Hylofit, but I didn’t have any issues following the step-by-step guide. Once you attach the heart-rate monitor to your horse’s girth, all you need to do is sync it to the Hylofit app on your phone, get on and go.

Hylofit also provides you with a guide to zone training to help you develop your horse’s fitness plan, which is super helpful in taking the guesswork out of the process for newbies like me who have never used a heart-rate monitor.

Zone 1 is up to 60% of the horse’s maximum heart rate. This is a very light intensity effort level — think warming up, cooling down and hacking.

Zone 2 is up to 60-70% of the horse’s maximum heart rate. This is a light intensity effort level used for strengthening and conditioning, like trot sets.

Zone 3 is 70-80% of the horse’s maximum heart rate. This is a moderate intensity effort level where you can hear the horse’s breathing begin to increase. Training in this zone builds stamina.

Zone 4 is 80-90% of the horse’s maximum heart rate. This is the zone in which lactic acid production begins to occur.

Zone 5 is 90-100% of the horse’s maximum heart rate. This is the zone your horse will reach when running cross country at a competition.

Hylofit can also sync to an Apple Watch.

Hylofit tracks the time your horse’s heart rate stays in each zone during your rides, so you can monitor fitness gains and losses over time and make smart decisions about how to tailor your horse’s fitness schedule. After your ride, you can review all the data and analytics on your phone or on the Hylofit website.

As a newcomer to training with a heart-rate monitor, I’m excited to be using Hylofit as I aim for my first CCI2*-L (formerly CCI*) this year with my horse, Imperial Striker, better known as Derry. I’ll be sharing our results here on EN as we both get fit together. Yes, Hylofit also tracks heart rate and fitness for riders!

Click here to read more about using a heart-rate monitor to better understand your horse’s fitness. Hylofit also has a number of fantastic educational articles on their website. Stay tuned for my next blog sharing my results.

#DogsOfEN: Upper-Level Potential

By on Jan 31, 2019 1:30 pm -

Horses get all the credit for jumping skills, but always on the sidelines, there is a dog taking careful notes.

A few examples of the Eventing Nation’s finest five-star pup power:

View this post on Instagram

#futureprospect #gouda #cheesedoghasgotitall

A post shared by Kim Severson Eventing (@kimseversoneventing) on

Honorable mention to this very talented and well-trained cat:

Well-played, all of you. And now the rest of your dog-and-pony-show pics!

Go Eventing.

Who Is Your Eventing Guardian Angel?

By on Jan 31, 2019 11:30 am -

Laura Harris’ eventing guardian angel? Tim Gunn. Who is yours? Photo courtesy of Laura Harris.

Sometimes, occasionally, from time to time, it has been known to happen that things don’t in fact go according to plan. What does the eventer do? She does not cry, he does not complain, they might grab a cold one afterwards, but the eventer finds a way.

Resourcefulness is a hallmark of eventing. The eventer spirit is something enviable. Riders who love the thrill—even though it may make them pee their breeches occasionally—they still get out there and do what they love and scares them in the same breath. With horses that might or might not be of known breeding, age or history, everyone is chasing the same riding high. Three phases to perfect, one chance to get it right. For many of us, it isn’t about the satin, it’s about the number, not the letter. It’s about going out and having a good time. It is about that chance to fly.

But it’s a lotta work to prepare for that flight. In fact, help just might be needed—a flight attendant perhaps? Not just anyone will do, you need to find that person that works for you.

I picture my eventing guardian angel as Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. He is sophisticated, classy and elegant. A spiffy dresser if nothing else! It almost sounds like he would be a Hunter Guardian Angel, right? Polished and perfect. However, he is known for a particular phrase and in that mantra is pure eventer: make it work!


Eventing Guardian Angel Tim Gunn, EGATG if you please, would have you smartly dressed for dressage, braids coifed and leather polished. He mostly likely minored in quarter marks in Angel School. You walk the cross country and stadium courses, and discuss where he may need to be on standby. A good “MAKE IT WORK” at the water may be just what you need.

The magic of EGATG is he teaches you to believe in yourself. He has faith in you when YOU have faith in you. Fortunately, or unfortunately perhaps, he leaves the decisions up to you. It’s not his job to make it work or find the ride, it’s yours. He supports thought out educated risk-taking. And by god, if you disappoint him, a unicorn loses its horn!


Much like Santa, EGATG knows when you’ve been good or bad. Have you put in your gallop sets? Did you learn your dressage test? Can you still math and know your striding? He mightn’t punish you, but you will get a disapproving look only rivaled by bunnies or cats.

When you receive approval, it will be adorably smug, as in, of course, you are washing your pads in a timely manner and promptly cleaning your bridle after use. EGATG is all about self-discipline and personal accountability.


Maybe EGATG isn’t for you? Perhaps you would fare better with EGA Jeeves, whose machinations ensure that you unwittingly always manage success in spite of yourself. Or maybe EGA Tony Stark with all the tech and sarcastic commentary you could ask for. EGA Bruce Lee – “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” EGA Aretha Franklin, R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Whoever you relate to and helps you make your game stronger, play on!

Go Eventing!

Stable View Winter Horse Trials Recap + Photo Gallery

By on Jan 31, 2019 8:00 am -

Open Prelim A winners Andrew McConnon and Bossinova. All photos courtesy of Stable View.

Even amid the polar vortex, 156 competitors braved the cold in pursuit of prize money totaling up to $15,000 at Stable View Winter Horse Trials, held Wednesday, Jan. 30, in Aiken, South Carolina.

The event hosted Preliminary through Beginner Novice levels, with two large and competitive Open Preliminary divisions. This was the first outing of the winter season for many Aiken-based professionals. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners in every division went home with a
prize money check, and the first place winners also received a $100 FITS voucher to be redeemed at FITS’ new retail outlet in Aiken.

Three dressage rings ran throughout the morning with the sunshine keeping the grass in great shape despite the freezing temperatures.

A photo gallery of the action, courtesy of Stable View:

The show jumping start times were delayed slightly due to frozen footing, but Chris Barnard’s course provided an appropriate test of both horse and rider as the competition heated up throughout the day.

The cross country course, designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller, ran over portions of both the old course at Stable View and the newer Eventing Academy area, and featured the wonderful sandy footing Stable View has come to be known for. Technical questions and combinations required riders to be at the top of their game if they wanted to go home with some prize money, especially in the larger divisions!

The cross country course, designed by Mogie Bearden-Muller, ran over portions of both the old course at Stable View and the newer Eventing Academy area, and featured the wonderful sandy footing Stable View has come to be known for. Technical questions and combinations required riders to be at the top of their game if they wanted to go home with some prize money, especially in the larger divisions!

Riders enjoyed taking advantage of the Rider’s Lounges to warm up with a complementary cup of coffee and snack.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Photo courtesy of Stable View.

The smiling faces at the in-gates, warm-up, bit-check, and cross country fences help to create a warm environment even with the chilly weather. Without the support and loyalty of sponsors and volunteers, these events would not be possible.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Open Preliminary A: Andrew McConnon & Bossinova
Open Preliminary B: Waylon Roberts and Fortunate Rebel
Preliminary JR/YR: Katherine Christopher & Frodo of the Shire
Preliminary Rider: Morgan Batton & Toby the Coal Man
Open Training: Lindsay Beer & El Caballero
Training Rider: Elizabeth Welker-Ebling & Santana II
Novice Rider: Campbell Jones & Aura CF
Open Novice: Waylon Roberts & FE Lobo
Beginner Novice Rider: Nancy Z. Wilson & Lagerfeld
Open Beginner Novice: Alison Eastman-Lawler & Lexington II

Full results are available here. For more information about Stable View, visit www.stableviewfarm.com.

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services

By on Jan 31, 2019 12:03 am -

I would REALLY like to be able to ride my horses with some kind of regularity, but between the freezing rain and the just plain freezing frozen ground, not much action has been going on around here. I’ll get a few days of good riding in, and then a proper cold front or a deluge will come my way, and my schedule gets all messed up. Please, please tell me that February will be better? Please?

National Holiday: National Backward Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

It’s never too early to start planning ahead for the 2019 American Eventing Championships. This year, eventers from all over the U.S. will descend upon the one and only Kentucky Horse Park in the last week of August. From Beginner Novice to Advanced, all galloping across hallowed ground. Do you know what you need to qualify? Check the rules and regulations now. [2019 AEC Qualification Guidelines]

Not planning on the AECs this year? How about attending the European Eventing Championships instead? Held on the same weekend this year in Luhmühlen, Germany, you can get your tickets now. Take some friends! They’re surprisingly affordable, and you can be assured of one of the most memorable experiences of your life. [Buy European Eventing Championship Tickets Now]

Hot on Horse Nation: What We Can Learn About Parenting From Riding

Wouldn’t it be nice if all horses came running to you whinnying like they do in Hollywood? T’isn’t so, movie producers. I’ve had my fair share of uncatchable ponies and horses in my lifetime, and I know I’m not alone in developing some very serious techniques to increase my chances of success. (TBH, mostly my approach is to send “I’ve got ALLLLLLL day” vibes into the universe and hope that works. Play it casual, Kate!). [Horse vs Human: 14 Signs You’ve Gone Into Battle With the Uncatchable Horse]

If you happen to be in Wellington tonight, don’t miss the Hylofit Cocktail Party! Held at the Taylor Harris Beach Bar at the Palm Beach Masters show grounds, there is a happy hour with open bar to learn all about the newly launched Hylofit system. Eventers are raving about it already, so if you’re in the area, don’t miss out! [Taylor Harris & Hylofit Happy Hour]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Course Walking Tips with Guilherme Jorge

By on Jan 30, 2019 5:00 pm -

Brazilian course designer Guilherme Jorge is well known in the show jumping world, and eventers had the opportunity to test themselves over a Guilherme original at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. He also designed the CSI3* Grand Prix course at the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

FEI TV caught up with Guilherme at this week’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup NAL in Guadalajara, where he designed the feature $100,000 CSI4*-W course (watch the class in its entirety here). In this video, he explains what riders should focus on when walking their show jumping course.

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