Classic Eventing Nation

EN Gives Thanks: Thank You, Craig

By on Nov 24, 2018 5:00 pm -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories.

Photo by Lucky Finn Photography.

As I reflect on this past year, there is so much to be thankful for that it makes my heart full. Simple things that are the “big ones” — like having healthy children, a great family, and a roof over my head. I have a healthy (most of the time) horse, lots of wonderful friends, a job that somewhat supports my horse habit, and my own health (well, with some creaks and groans from my 56-year-old body) that allows me to pursue my horse dreams. In thinking about what to write for this contest, those things all come immediately to mind. I am beyond blessed, and I wish all those things for all of you out there, too.

What I’d really like to do though is highlight one individual who I am thankful for, and I know that those of you who know him would agree. My constant companion, significant other and cheerleader Craig Harris is simply a wonderful human, who supports me and many of my friends as we compete and have fun on the Area 1 circuit.

He’s unfailingly positive and cheerful, and enormously helpful not only to me but to anyone who is associated with me. He’s always there to run and get a forgotten arm band, or crop, or number, or jacket for anyone who needs help. He walks horses, walks courses, and keeps his mouth shut when he encounters a jump that might be a little large (he learned that lesson after walking the course at Millbrook with me and commented, “wow, that jump is HUGE!,” giving me an instant heart attack as I contemplated the fact that I’d actually have to jump the thing). He gets up early, packs food, helps pack the trailer, and takes care of both my horse and I through thick and thin.

What people don’t know is his story. His story makes it even more remarkable that he is so wonderful, as he has absolutely no reason to be so cheerful and positive. Craig was married to the love of his life for many years. Karen was the barn manager at a local barn, and owned a special draft cross mare named Tsunami. They had one child, a son, who became a talented and capable sound engineer in Boston after attending college there. They had a wonderful family life. Craig was the volunteer scorer for the many horse shows that the barn put on. Karen was the show secretary and announcer. What a team they were! They were beloved by all who knew them.

One fateful day eight years ago, Karen had a seizure while working at the barn. She had a congenital kidney disease that threatened her health, and sometimes caused seizures. She was airlifted to the hospital in Boston, never to recover. Craig had to make the horrible decision to take her off life support, and she passed away peacefully. It was devastating. Unfortunately, more tragedy was in store for Craig. He subsequently lost his son as well, leaving him alone with his whole family just simply gone. It was a scenario that no one can imagine facing, and shouldn’t have to face. Every day my heart breaks for him that he can’t see, talk to and love the two most important people in his life.

Craig inherited his wife’s horse when she passed away. Tsunami (“Nami”) became Craig’s solace. They would go on walks, he would take care of her, and shared her with many riders at the barn. He didn’t know much about horses, but threw himself into learning. Craig eventually decided that he would learn how to ride Nami, with expert instruction from Mary Ann Davis at his barn. He has done a tremendous job learning. Most of us learned to ride as kids, when falling off didn’t matter and we bounced back. Craig was learning in his late 40s! His falls hurt more, and he even broke his leg in four places in one fall, requiring surgery and plates. Did he give up? Nope! He recovered and picked back up where he left off. He rides dressage, and hopes someday to learn how to jump.

He has educated himself about eventing, and loves to accompany me to every show to help and cheerlead. He has dried my tears, mucked my stalls, and celebrated when we had our modest successes. He is always there, and our horses have brought us even closer. I couldn’t ask for a more fun, funny and loving companion on this crazy roller coaster we call eventing. I am so thankful the universe brought him to me, and I can’t say enough about what an amazing human being he is.

In the end, it’s not about what we own, how much money we make, or how successful we are. It’s about connection and love. I am so lucky that Craig chose me and to have him in my life. I hope my story resonates with readers, and helps them appreciate the Craigs in their lives. We couldn’t do this sport alone, and having a community of supportive folks is so important. I know that the support of all of our eventing friends keeps Craig afloat in the dark times, and I want to say that I am thankful to all of you for your friendship, kindnesses, and love.

Happy Thanksgiving, and go eventing. With your besties. Stay grateful.

EN Gives Thanks: Thankful for Giving Up

By on Nov 24, 2018 3:00 pm -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of the stories here. 

Photo courtesy of Lucky Finn Photography.

I could feel all the adrenaline, pride and passion build up inside my body, ready to be released. As we approached that final jump, found the perfect distance, and soared over it and past the finish line, it all hit me. I bent down to hug Baloo’s neck, tears stinging my eyes. The amount of pride and gratitude I felt in that moment was unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life. That was why I started riding again — because nothing else in my life had ever made me feel that amount of passion.

As I began to think about how lucky I was to be doing what I was doing, and how proud I was to have accomplished the goal that I just accomplished, I had to hold back tears. I had just completed my first recognized event on my dressage score, in second place. It may not seem like much, and I’ll agree, it’s not huge. But it’s something that had been my goal for four years — four years with three different horses, six different trainers, three different barns, a year-long break from riding, and a lot of fear and doubt — which made this very small goal seem as huge as competing in the Olympics. Because accomplishing this goal made me realize something so much bigger. It made me realize I was so thankful for quitting.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Dennehy.

The reason why I stopped riding was because I doubted myself, I doubted my ability to succeed, I doubted my passion, I doubted my ability to overcome nerves and fear. And the reason why I started riding again was because I regretted giving up. I regretted giving up on this sport that is my passion, and the goals that motivated me everyday to keep pushing through life. I regretted so much giving up on all my goals, as small and short term as completing a  recognized event or moving up to Novice, and as big as completing a four-star or representing the USA on a team.

But as much as I resented myself for giving up on my goals and for being a quitter, something I never thought I’d be, I’m thankful I gave up. I’m thankful I gave up early on when I didn’t have much to give up or lose out on. Because giving up made me realize that I never ever, under any circumstances, ever want to do that again. Completing my first recognized made me realize that the regret is so not worth being safe and taking the easy way out. It made me realize that accomplishing my goals is worth all the heartbreak and disappointment. It made me realize that no matter how big my goals may seem, and how scared I may be to chase them, I’m going to do it anyway so that I never feel that regret again.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Dennehy.

I’m thankful for quitting because it’s made me a better rider and a different person. I’m one who works harder and has more determination. Sure, I may doubt myself from time to time, but who doesn’t? At the end of the day, watch me get knocked to the ground and I’ll get up fighting. Witness me fight through any obstacle I come to. I haven’t lost my desire to succeed in this sport even after long days working in 110 degree weather and 10 degree weather, in torrential downpours, thunderstorms and snow. I haven’t changed my mind even after falls and setbacks. I want this sport and everything that comes with it, I want the heartbreak and setbacks, I want the pride and the accomplishments. I want the hard work and the pain, I want the adrenaline and the tears of joy. I would rather fall off a million times, get eliminated at every show, break every bone in my body, muck stalls until my hands bleed, and work until my body gives out, than ever feel the regret that I had when I gave up on my dreams the first time.

Photo courtesy of Melinda Dennehy.

I’m thankful I gave up and for a year lost out on what it’s like to walk into the barn and feel like I’m home, and to laugh hysterically with my barn family at 7pm in 20 degree weather, because you really can’t get through what we get through without a little insanity. I’m glad I got to realize that there is nowhere I’d rather be at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning than getting ready for a show, or at 8 p.m. on a Friday night than at the barn. I’m glad I got to realize that, yes, this sport is full of very high highs and very low lows, but that they’re so worth it. It’s a sport of disappointment and heartbreak. It’s a sport where one tiny miscalculation can end in elimination, serious injury, and sometimes even worse. It’s full of refusals, rails, spooks, horrible dressage scores, falls, and elimination. There are days where you feel like you’re on top of the world, and days where you find yourself literally laying on the ground. There are days you bring home ribbons, and days where you bring home dirt stained breeches. There are days where everything seems to be going perfectly, and days where you can’t get your horse to stop spooking for even half a lap around the arena. But those moments are what make the good ones so worth it.

So this year, after all the highs and lows, there’s nothing I could possibly be more thankful for than this sport, my horse, and for giving up that one time. I’m thankful for the drive and determination I have to succeed in this sport. I’m thankful for the sport that gives me a reason to exist, the sport that makes me who I am more than anything else in the world. I’m thankful for the sport that gives me a clear purpose in life, as I know I would be lost in life without it. I’m thankful for the overwhelming fire inside my soul that seems to ignite everytime I step in the barn, sit on my horse or think about my goals. This year I’m thankful for my passion that brought me back to this sport, and that continues to fuel me everyday. I’m thankful I gave up, so I could finally see once how strong that passion is, once and for all.

EN Gives Thanks: A Challenging Dream Come True

By on Nov 24, 2018 1:00 pm -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of the stories here. 

Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail. Photo by EquusPix.

In 2018 I am thankful to learn that when you put together years of willingness, experience and a bit of luck together, it is possible to make a challenging dream true.

Being born and raised in a country with a lot of equestrian tradition like Mexico, but little eventing, made it very challenging for a teenager crazy about it. Having been raised in a dairy farm with older brothers horses available made things smoother to start competing in show jumping and dressage, as the little eventing was controlled in those days by the military just organizing two three-day events a year. Finally in my twenties and thanks to a group of civilians as crazy as me about eventing, we started organizing and competing horse trials the way it is done in the discipline advanced countries. Then my good friend Juan Gonzalez invited Bruce Davidson to teach a clinic in his place, happening that I had a good young thoroughbred mare named Anjana that Bruce liked very much, telling me that I would consider taking her to the U.S. and aiming to compete at Radnor CCI1*. That was in 1992 and I was 30 years old, the dream started to take form; I started eventing internationally.

I have kept traveling to the U.S. to compete since then, although buying another young thoroughbred mare named Snow Creek in 2009 from Phyllis Dawson led me to her friendship and coaching for almost 30 years, that has allowed me to learn and improve my eventing skills, preparing me to represent Mexico in Fair Hill 2003 FEI Pan American Eventing Championship and San Salvador 2002 and Veracruz 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, winning a team silver in the last one. As well as completing 49 FEI events with three CCI1* wins, two at home and another one in the USA.

As an event horse breeder and young event horses fan, I always have been curious about the systems used in different countries. Lion d’Angers World Young Event Horse Championship has been used a step for a lot of the most successful event horses in the world through the years, so when my great friend and Ocala coach Debbie Adams’ horse DA Duras went to compete there ridden by Kelly Prather in 2015 I travelled to help and cheer them, getting to know all about that legendary competition, deciding that some day I had compete there.

The first step was to get the proper type of horses and thinking what would be the most feasible economic way of doing it. I bought from their breeder Bernard le Courtois two 3-year-old mares with some of the recently most successful eventing bloodlines, with good movements, jumping ability and enough Thoroughbred and Anglo Arabian in their pedigree; Caminka Mail x Jaguar Mail – Taminka Mail x Lord Z and California Mail x Quite Easy- Varnalissa Mail x Kalaska de Semilly. Then I decided to send them to young French trainers Nicolas Pertusa and Samantha Pertusa-Leper who had trained my friend from Venezuela Elena Ceballos’ fabulous horse Nonoir du Moulin, with the plan to train the young mares and compete them in the French young event horses classic cycle, developing them with my Lion d’Angers target always in sight.

Both mares in their first training and competition year was uneventful, getting qualified for the 2016 Pompadour France Young Event Horse Championship. I was able to attend it and watch Nicholas placing them in the top 10 out of almost 50 4-year-olds and getting the coveted “Excellent” status. At this age they are judged for conformation, then their movements are just evaluated before jumping a few show jumps that increase during the course in size a difficulty and the following day they have to tackle a Training level size and difficulty fences in Pompadour racetrack infield.

In 2017, their 5-year-old year they kept competing with Nicholas in the 5-year-old eventing classes, qualifying again for the Pompadour France Young Event Horse Championship, where they completed, although did not get in the top placings.

Finally 2018 was the year of my planned take over their ride. They competed with Nicholas in the 6-year-old eventing classes and ended up completing the Jardy CIC1* with him in mid-July. Just before that I spent my first week riding and training them myself at Ecuerie Lepertusa, Santes, Nord du France. Things went quite well, although I had to adjust a little bit my usual riding style to the classic French system, based in the Ecole Nationaux de Equitatcion Cadre Noir French classic school, riding them forward, but with very quiet strong leg aids with the leg just behind the girth, high hands very still hands with the thumbs up and not wrist twisting. As the performance was good and safe especially in the cross country, the decision was made to enter and compete them myself in Le Pin CIC1*.

Mid-August I joined Samantha who drove my two mares along with her CIC2* horse to the legendary Haras du Pin, Basse Normandy, where the 2014 WEG  cross country was held. It was an event with CICs at 1, 2 and 3 star levels and more than 350 horses from more than 15 different countries running over six days.

The first thing that I found very different from the events in North America was a CIC1*cross country track that was increasing in difficulty as the course progressed, allowing the young horses to build up confidence. Also, the announcers were saying each horse’s breeding and breeder almost every time they mentioned each of them. I had a very decent dressage test on California Mail in the mid-30s on Friday and a bit of a tense one the following day on Caminka Mail.

As my first cross country ride on Monday was California Mail, who is a bit stronger, I decided to play it safe going slow and making sure that we jumped every fence properly. Then, having already gone around once, I decided to go for time with Caminka Mail and we were inside the time. My first taste of the French way of going across the country, making the transitions very subtle without losing too much time setting up and making the long distances in the combinations easily.

Show jumping was on Tuesday in a fabulous large arena just below the chateau with perfect footing and a challenging design. California just pulled down the last vertical, achieving the coveted qualifying score for Lion d’Angers that has to be a FEI Minimum Qualifying Score but with no more than four faults over the show jumping obstacles. Although Caminka Mail jumped out of her skin, being short coupled made a bit difficult for me to keep a quiet balance, resulting in pulling down two rails. After that weekend I decided that California Mail was going to be my horse for Lion d’Angers, as we matched really well, even under stressful competition conditions.

Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail at Le Lion. Photo by EquusPix.

Next time out was Waregem CIC1* in Belgium, just about an hour away from my mares home base. The event is held in a compact but efficient way at the Waregem racetrack and riding club grounds, running CICs at 1, 2 and 3 star levels also, but this time in just four days. I competed just California Mail, doing dressage on Friday afternoon — a little bit tense and not forward enough. Show jumping the following day mid-afternoon had a lot of atmosphere and a tiny warm up area in an indoor literally packed with horses, some of them, like Ingrid Klimke’s 7-year-old stallion a bit wild. We again pulled down on fence due to missing badly a distance an over that was the in of a line that caused a lot of trouble.

Next day we had to drive to run the cross country in a different property about 20 minutes away. It was raining the whole time and the cross country course design was designed more the normal style I am used to, but very twisty and going in and out of the woods several times, making the optimum time difficult to achieve. We were able to get another Lion d’Angers qualifying score, just in case it was needed to guarantee that we could be selected in a normally overbooked entry list. Finally, on the first week of October I received the email from the Mexican Equestrian Federation saying that my entry had been accepted!

A flew into Paris and took a train to Lille on the Friday before the Young Event Horse World Championship. I had a pair of very good dressage lessons with Samantha and an excellent although challenging jumping lesson with Nicolas. We drove the eight hours from Santes to Lion d’Angers with California with the excitement building up as we getting close to the fabulous Isle du Briard home of the also legendary Haras du Lion d’Angers, that does not have stallions any more, but is a multi uses super equestrian facility. Unloading California and setting her in one of those stalls made me goosebumps. Although I had competed against the likes of Michael Jung, Ingrid Klimke or Andrew Hoy in the previous two events, doing it at Championship level was unbelievable.

The first big learning was next day in the First Horse Inspection, as instead of following the initially issued numbers or the represented country first letter following the alphabet, they just issued last minute a random countries new list, thus having to rush a little bit. Later on, after a good dressage lesson with Samantha, we walked the cross country course for the first time. The first surprise was that it was  8’ 57” and just 29 jumping efforts; a course with maximum distance and the lowest allowed number of jumping efforts for a CCI1*, thus giving the young horses a chance to open the gallop and relax in between several fences complexes. Also the course built up technical difficulty  jumps dimensions little by little, allowing to grow in confidence. Of course, the jumps are almost all thematic and beautifully made, making Lion d’Angers what I call the “eventing Eurodisney.”

As my dressage time was scheduled for early Friday morning, we were able to polish a little bit more our dressage work together and walk the cross country course twice, as well as watching some very nice dressage tests from other horse and riders both in the one-star as well as the 7 year-old two-star. What to say about the food in the continental Europe events, that is varied and very good.

I had an early start on Friday morning for my dressage test, but trying to mix my usual warm up system with my new learnings helped in having a relaxed California but not enough in front of the leg, that made our test not as forward as it should have been, thus getting punished by the Ground Jury with a score in the high 30s.

Cross country day came quickly, the good thing was that I was well prepared mentally and eager to go to my favourite phase to enjoy going over that truly nice course riding a very scopey, confident and clever mare. In the warm up everything was perfect, with California truly relaxed and very forward thinking. The previous day Nicolas had told me to remember to go, go, go … all the time and I did just that from the start box until after the very last fence. Crowds were huge and very noisy all over the course, but nothing distracted us from doing an almost foot perfect round. We only missed a pair of distances, getting a bit too close to the second fence in turning lines, but California’s power and skill solved both tight situations. I can very vividly remember jumping down the daunting hut from its roof and making my mind very quickly to take the direct option in the third to last fence that was a turning question from a roll top four turning strides to a huge right handed corner, showing myself that I was riding a true championship potential mare, getting easily inside the time.

Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail. Photo by EquusPix.

Next day, they changed the countries order for the Third Horse Inspection, but this time I was aware that it may be that way, so I was ready on time and California sailed through it.

The show jumping course was not huge, but all the overs were square. The surprise came when we changed from the firm warm up area footing to the soft and holding grass in the main arena that killed quite a bit horses forward motion even if they were in front of the leg. It caused us to pull down two fences, something very unusual for the scopey California, but it affected more some other horses in front of us, making us finish 24th out of 41 starters. Not bad for a 57-year-old amateur rider that catch rides for competitions his own horses. One more eventing dream accomplished.

What is the next dream to make a reality? Maybe the Lima 2019 PanAm Games. I have the horsepower with Unanyme du Loir and Racques Biats. And of course Lion d’Angers 7-year-old YEHWCh with California Mail. I am already working on it, because I believe that is the only way to may dreams possible.

EN Gives Thanks: Counting Your Blessings, Part II

By on Nov 24, 2018 11:00 am -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of them here. 

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Morey.

Tiffany Morey: This year I am thankful to be lucky enough to have a life with horses in it. Although they have a way of making things more interesting and complicated at times, there is nothing like the companionship and love of a horse to make everything better at the end of a long, hard day. Happy Thanksgiving and go eventing!

Photos courtesy of Jeanna Epping, with extra thanks to JJ Silliman for the photo of Jeanna pushing her stroller.

Jeanna Epping: I am so thankful for my crazy this year. For all the members who help in the crazy that is my new life and all the members who at least don’t comment on my crazy (in public). I spend my days (poorly) balancing my 14-month-old, my eventing and horse career, my bartending job, and my family. Finnic is the best baby I could ever ask for and allows (most days) me to get everything I need to get done at the barn with him in tow. My circus is quite the show, and the barn family is always helpful and never judges when I push the stroller halfway across the farm with horse in tow so I can ride in the arena. My faithful dog Lincoln is always there to lend a happy (muddy) face when needed. This is the front stage view of the circus.

Behind the curtains is a very very patient husband that helps keep it all together. He never says no when I have a crazy idea on how to get it all done or judge the amount of coffee I consume or the fact the barn might be swept when the kitchen is not. I may not have reached any of my goals this season or even completed a single event with my horse BUT we showed up and we did it! Hopefully next season is smoother and more accomplished, but I’m so thankful for the process right now.

Photos courtesy of Nicole Virden.

Nicole Virden: The beginning of 2018 was a rough one. I was having some serious health issues that started impacting my ability to work as a nurse, and the side effects of the medications my doctors gave me started to cause rapid weight gain with little symptom relief. As I headed into Spring, I was depressed and starting to feel hopeless. I lost my dear Aunt unexpectedly… and I lost the ride on my lease horse (on top of everything else). I was devastated.

Then my miracle happened: I met my new health coach and gained a new horse-friend in the process! With her help, I set out on accomplishing some new goals … get healthy, get fit, and get riding! As the pounds started coming off, I test-rode a mare that ended up being a great fit. She was feisty and fun, and even with my experience, she gave me a challenge! I just needed to find a barn to move her to. My friend came to the rescue again, offering me a spot at her private boarding facility.

What am I thankful for? This year, it seems I’m thankful for everything! I’m thankful for my wonderful friend and coach, my new barn friends and my wonderful trainer! I’m thankful for the sweet mare I get to ride every day, and the progress we are making. I’m thankful for my husband who supports and understands my horse addiction and its role in helping me heal. I’m thankful for my improving health and fitness. As I look ahead to 2019, I’m excited to continue my journey in health and horses, in the show ring and beyond. So much to be thankful for, I feel truly blessed!

Photos courtesy of Sara Kolenda.

Sara Kolenda: What am I thankful for? The forgiveness of my horse. The trust my horse has in me to navigate over the terrifying obstacles and scary terrain that we eventers tend ask without even thinking of the horse’s perspective. I’m thankful that God gave us the gift of these incredible creatures. And I’m thankful for the love my horse gives me in return. Love shown in nickers and excitement when I walk in the barn. The love that brings me out of the darkness of my depression on those long, hard days. The love that has built a bond so strong that we can conquer anything. These are a few of the things I am thankful for, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day I am alive.

#SmallBusinessSaturday With Draper Therapies, Saratoga Horseworks & Wilker’s Custom Horse Products

By on Nov 24, 2018 9:00 am -

Courtesy of Draper Therapies

Especially as we start to shop for the holidays, it’s easy to forget that some of our favorite equine businesses are small companies with just a few employees, and our favorite products are the result of hard work and innovation by just a handful of individuals. Our sponsor Draper Therapies is certainly one of those small businesses, partnering with two other small businesses in Saratoga Horseworks and Wilker’s Custom Horse Products to produce our favorite equine therapy products. We caught up with all three companies to chat equine small business and the unique challenges they face — just in time for #SmallBusinessSaturday!

Our panelists:

  • Becky Shipps of Draper Therapies: “Draper Therapies makes equine, human, and canine therapy products featuring Celliant®, a recently FDA approved fiber that helps combat muscle fatigue. We’re based in Canton, MA are are a part of the Draper Knitting Company, a 180 year old family owned/operated textile manufacturing company.”
  • Kate Stephenson of Saratoga Horseworks: “Saratoga Horseworks Ltd specializes in custom horse clothing (from dress sheets to fly sheets) and accessories, such as our popular Saratoga Bandages, K9 Kooling Coats, Storage Bags, and more. We’re based in Amsterdam, NY.”
  • Kristyn Rogers of Wilker’s Custom Horse Products: “Wilker’s Custom Horse Products has been a manufacturer of saddle pads and leg wraps since 1974. We are located just south of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee. Consumers can find our products in many local tack shops (a map of our dealers is available here) or can purchase a small selection of items directly from us here.”

Becky on Draper Therapies working with Saratoga Horseworks and Wilker’s Custom Horse Products:

“Draper Therapies has been working with Saratoga Horseworks since our inception. Quite literally, our equine line would not be possible without them! They make our polos (and Perfect Polos!), saddle pads, stable sheets, coolers, quarter sheets, hock boots, quick wraps, and dog coats. Their specific knowledge about equine garments makes them invaluable to us – they have the brilliant combination of horse AND textile knowledge to help us develop new products that are not only functional but that are beautiful and last a long time.

“Draper has been working with Wilker’s for two years now. We originally started working together on developing what is now our No Bow Wraps, and now we have started developing other products (look for an XC pad from Draper that is cut and sewn by Wilker’s soon!). When I start developing a product I look around and see who is producing the best products in that category. Wilker’s is a trusted name that has been around forever and their no-bows have been a staple in just about every barn I’ve been in so I was thrilled that we got to work with them to incorporate our fabric with Celliant® into a product that was already tried and true. The sales have spoken for themselves – our No Bows are a HUGE customer favorite and I love hearing all the stories of how the wraps are helping horses stay on the top of their game.”

What are some of the unique challenges you face as a small equestrian business?

Becky: “Being seen! Even though the equestrian market is small in the scheme of the world, it’s always bustling and there are so many brands competing for attention. Always being creative, innovative, and staying one step ahead is tricky, but staying hungry is how small businesses survive. And it’s fun to be creative!”

Kate: “One of the biggest challenges we face is the competition with less costly imported brands and products. This is a two-part issue, as not only can imported products be marketed at a lower retail price, but the lower cost of production means these companies can spend more on marketing and promotion. Consumers may not realize that all of the big marketing they see does not always translate to a better product. Another challenge along these same lines is that brands that produce internationally do not always have the same level of regulations, which again makes it cheaper to produce while sacrificing sustainability, workforce safety, and more.”

Kristyn: “As a small business, it can be difficult to compete with lower prices of foreign-made goods. We believe that the high quality of our products, as well as our vast range of custom colors and options, sets us apart and keeps customers coming back to Wilker’s.”

What’s your unique niche in the market and how do you address that need?

Becky: “Our products are unique because they’re not exactly what you think of when you think of a “medical device”. We’re really changing the way people think about alternative therapy products and how they can be integrated into daily care of all horses, not just senior or injured ones. Being small has been helpful because it allows us to build a strong relationship with each customer. It starts when they first find us and we explain how the product works. It grows when they have questions or need help ordering and, with the help of social media, the relationship continues to be interactive as we release new products and information about our brand. As a brand we try to be helpful and friendly, so after awhile many of our conversations with customers end up sounding like two old friends catching up! We truly love our customers and are grateful that we can always be a friendly and familiar face in the equestrian marketplace.”

Kate: Our “niche” is creating high-end custom horse clothing with impeccable quality and attention to detail. Being a small business allows us to offer an incredibly personalized buyer experience for our consumers, something that we believe is key when it comes to creating one-of-a-kind items. With a small work force, we can also better insure that each and every blanket meets the highest of standards when it comes to quality and appearance.

Why should consumers “shop small” this holiday season?

Becky: Because small businesses take pride in their work. That item that you bought from a small business someone took the time to dream up, design, then make, package, market, etc possibly all by themselves. They will always go the extra mile to make sure you’re as satisfied and as proud of your purchase as they are of their creation.

Kate: We think it is important because you are not only supporting a small business, but also supporting our workers here in the USA, American suppliers of materials and raw goods, and the community as a whole. When you shop small, you set off a chain reaction that reaches far beyond just the company you have purchased from!

Kristyn: We encourage consumers to shop small this holiday season because you’ll have a memorable and personable experience. Many tack shops offer far more than just the products on their shelves; they offer services and benefits that make shopping with them a more hands-on experience, ensuring you have exactly what you’ll need to for a fun and safe ride.

Courtesy of Draper Therapies

Support small business this holiday season and shop small! Check out our sponsor Draper Therapies for their unique therapeutic products, plus partnering businesses Saratoga Horseworks and Wilker’s Custom Horse Products.

Go small business, and go riding!

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Nov 24, 2018 12:01 am -

Wishful thinking… Photo courtesy of Andi Davison.

While entry fees may not be on sale, pretty much everything else from every equestrian business ever is this weekend. This whole weekend after Thanksgiving has become quite an event in terms of shopping and I’ve pretty much had to lock my credit card away in a drawer to keep from buying myself presents. But really, they’re not actually for me … they’re for my horse … so that’s fine, right?

National Holiday:  Small Business Saturday

U.S. Weekend Action:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

The medal-winning event horse with a spooky connection to his rider’s family

Sharpen Your Show-Jumping Skills

A Window Into Your Horse’s Sole

Horse-riding simulator helped hospitalized older people 

Christoph Hess: The Importance of the Stretch

Saturday Video: Some no-sew braids to try out:

How to do Lackie/Banded Plaits – No Sewing Required!!

This is a very quick and easy method of creating lovely plaits without any sewing. Goodbye ugle bobble plaits, this method gives a much better finish and is as easy as pie! Perfect for thick or thin manes, it's particularly great for events where you don't want to spend more time plaiting than you will riding or if you really struggle with sewn plaits so would like an easy alternative.

Posted by Nags To Riches Equestrian on Monday, May 21, 2018

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the (Four) Stars

By on Nov 23, 2018 6:00 pm -

“Um, over here, my son.” The (rather suspect) Creation of Crisp: a little-known piece from EN’s shrine to Eventing Jesus.

Happy Friday, denizens of the Eventing Nation, and welcome to your extra-special double-feature video offering. This week, we’re getting the rare and exciting opportunity to dive into the busy Sussex operation of Eventing Nation’s new favourite eventer, Tom Crisp. You might remember Tom as the man who offered up so many powerful words of wisdom for us after finishing sixth at Pau last month — a result that made him the only rider to complete all four European CCI4* competitions this year.

Some of you may also remember Tom for a slightly different reason. Four-star, you say? How about PHWOAR-star, ha ha ha, ha ha… don’t worry, I’ll see myself out.

Anyway, we see you, loyal readers, and we want to give you what YOU want, for we are a fully functional democracy, and definitely never a well-meaning but verging on tyrannical eventing-crazed dictatorship. Never! You asked for Tom, and we’re delivering him on a metaphorical plate, thanks to budding filmmaker Safiya Hodgson, who has kept herself seriously busy this year balancing work experience on Tom’s yard with the creation of two brilliant videos about everything she saw and learned while she was there.

In part one, meet Tom and discover his journey to the upper echelons of the sport…

…and in part two, take a tour of Team Crisp HQ, where you’ll get an insight into the running of a bustling top-level eventing yard, which still manages to maintain a down-to-earth, family-centred ethos. The lynchpins? A great team, as you’ll discover, which is led by head girl Amy Akehurst.

Need any more convincing? You get to take a look at Tom’s second job, too — he’s a retained firefighter. You are welcome, ladies.

Happy Friday!

EN Gives Thanks: An ‘Ahmazzzing’ Year

By on Nov 23, 2018 3:00 pm -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of the stories here. 

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

While some years in eventing are blah, and some are ahmazzzing, this year was simply beautiful. I am so thankful for the many things that have transpired in 2018, most of all, I am thankful that I found a wonderful home for my eventer, Max, who deserves it so much.

Max was sold to me as an experienced eventer, who I was planning to move up to Training level. Well, instead, we made it to Novice level and in between, he had quite a few injuries. Max had trouble with his splint bones. He broke his left from splint bone during the first year I owned him. I sent him to surgery and he healed right up. After the required rehab, we were back at it, until he popped another splint on the other front leg. So, he had that one surgically removed and the requisite six months of recovery, again. So, I was really excited to resume riding and achieving our goals. Alas, it was not in the cards. He popped a splint on his hind leg. I rested him and yet, it still grew and seemed to irritate him. There was lots of time off, lots of hand walking, and lots of time to think of how to handle the situation. I am thankful for the wonderful vet I have and the doctors in Ocala, also who were so helpful.

Eventually, I decided to just put out some feelers to see if anyone would like a trail horse. I posted an ad which was seen by a good friend and she answered it. Max was soon on his way to Kentucky! He is living there happily and is being spoiled rotten! I am thrilled that he was able to find such a great home.

Photo by PhotoXpress.

In the meantime, I was looking for a new trailer and while I was checking out one that was in a nearby town, my friend told me, “Hey, this lady also has a horse for sale! Let’s go look at him!” I told her neither one of us needed another horse, but nonetheless, we went to the paddock out back and both fell head-over-heels in love with him! He was such a gorgeous, sweet, flashy horse! I ended up buying the trailer AND the horse!

What a diamond in the rough he turned out to be! On our first outing, while I was riding my other horse, Simba. I invited my former student, Kate to ride him. She fell in complete love with him! I asked her if she wanted to show him dressage in the little schooling show I was practicing for- and  she did! So, she rode him in his first dressage class, and he jumped out of the ring! (Did I mention he was a former jumper?) They seemed to get along quite well, so I told her if she wanted to event him at the next event, if she took some jumping lessons, she was welcome to.

She jumped at the chance and after two jumping lessons, she went to the schooling show and won her class! She was now converted to dark side — eventing! We planned to do another show called the “Battle of the Barns” and it was a great experience! We dressed up the horses and ended up having a blast! We came in 7th overall, which was pretty neat. I have never seen such amazing costumes! The venue was so wonderful at Florida Horse Park! They are always making such cool improvements to it!

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

Another thing I am thankful for this year is getting to see my friends from Florida Horse Trials Association (Amanda, MaryAnn, Carol and Sonia) compete in the Southeastern Schooling Show Championships at Chatt. Hills! They were all so happy and it was great to see them! What a beautiful course, too. I treasure the friends I have made in my sport! It’s full of great, fun people.

Lastly, I am happy that I was able to attend the Ocala Jockey Club show: as a spectator one day and as a volunteer the next day. As a spectator, I witnessed some amazing cross country riding! Also, I participated in the Hat Contest and wound up winning second place! Woohoo! The next day, I was excited to volunteer as a cross country jump judge at the scary “Bear Trap” combination! It was an exhilarating experience seeing that top level of riding, agility and competition!

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

As the year comes to an end, I can’t wait to think about how lucky I am to live in Florida — able to participate in great shows, see amazing riders and volunteer in a sport that is exciting and rewarding. While the state sucks at elections, it really does well with horse sports! There are a variety of things to do with horses down here — hunter paces, trail rides, eventing, you name it — Florida has it!

I feel very fortunate and grateful that my horses are happy, sound and sane. I certainly am looking forward to 2019!

EN Gives Thanks: 22 Years … and Still Counting

By on Nov 23, 2018 1:00 pm -

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories.

Photo by Pete Landon.

I’m thankful for twenty two years … and still counting.

It is your typical love story: he was a deep red 6-year-old OTTB that the kids at the barn were a little scared of. I was just out of college, about to start grad school, had no money, and would ride anything anyone would let me.  When I finished school I took over ownership.

I had previously done equitation and hunters but the spring in his step was not going to fit that type of round. So we played around for long while until we found eventing. At home I could get some decent flat work, but no matter how many field trips we took I could never settle him down off-site for a pretty dressage test. I tried to convince him it was not a timed event, but he figured that if the other two phases were; than this one must be as well. But that was OK; I knew he would bring me home safe from cross country. By then I had a full time job, a husband, and a kid so that was more important.

Photo by Ashley Branford.

He is my best friend and closest confidant.  I can’t even count the number of hours we have spent together; the good, not so good, and everything in-between.  The past two years I’ve been lucky enough to have my daughter on her pony next to me a lot of that time.

I’m thankful for twenty two years … and still counting but slowing down.

Photo by Jan Pickering.

28 is tough when you’ve always played in the pasture and been ridden your entire life. Arthritis, deteriorating teeth, and Cushing’s don’t help. This summer we rode a couple times a week. But when were stuck in the indoor it is more difficult. It isn’t large and that makes for a lot of corners. His balance isn’t as good. He trips. But he’s stuck with me and we will still spend time together. He seems to be OK with a good brushing, treats, and then going back out to play.

Photo by Megan Bond.

At some point our time together will end. I know that. I will pretend to be strong and, if need be, make the tough but compassionate decision. It will crush me. But I will be thankful for all those years.

Deals & Steals 2018: Thanksgiving Weekend, Black Friday, Cyber Monday

By on Nov 23, 2018 8:35 am -

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for — Black Friday is HERE! EN couldn’t exist without the support of our amazing sponsors. Please show them how much you love EN by shopping their Black Friday sales! Some are also running their sales through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. Scroll down to check out all the deals.

DRAPER THERAPIES

HORSEWARE IRELAND

This weekend only: Trade in your old turnout from any brand and get $100 off a new Horseware
Rambo turnout and see your old turnout go to a new home with a horse in need. Offer expires Monday.

Horseware’s Turnout Trade-In

MAJYK EQUIPE

All participating retailers will be offering a free hanging boot bag with any full set of front or hind boots (some exclusions apply) PLUS a free pair of stirrups with any pad or girth ordered.
Majyk Equipe will also be donating $5 with every order to the California Wildfire Relief Fund through the end of the year.

Shop at majykequipe.com

NUPAFEED

Nupafeed Magnesium Daily Liquid – 5 liter – $155 each – SAVE $40!

Nupafeed Magnesium Daily Liquid – 3 liter – $100 each – SAVE 35!

Offer only valid on Cyber Monday. Limit 6 per customer. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Payment must be received in full. Free shipping still applies to orders over $300. Sale ends 11/26/2018 at midnight. No coupon needed.

Shop at nupafeedusa.com

KENTUCKY EQUINE RESEARCH

KER’s performance collection (which is basically everything) is 15% off until the end of the month with promo code 15OFF.

Shop the KER Performance Collection

SMARTPAK

15% off and orders over $75 ship free. Use promo code Holiday18

TOTAL SADDLE FIT

WORLD EQUESTRIAN BRANDS

World Equestrian Brands is offering 20% off all online orders through Cyber Monday. Offer not valid on saddles or Outlet items. This sale does include custom orders. May not be combined with any other offer. Enter coupon code “BlackFriday” at checkout.