Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from Legends Horse Feeds

By on Jun 1, 2018 12:03 am -

Oprah’s worst giveaway yet

Well, the floods of Virginia and surrounding states isn’t news, but I’m thinking maybe that my part of VA is just pouring acid rain out of the skies. ALL my horses are covered in hives, even the horses that don’t get hives. I’m just straight up stockpiling all the dex and syringes, anti-hist, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree shampoo I can get my hands on. I know I’m usually complaining that the ground is rock hard and I haven’t seen a cloud in months at this point, but COME ON Mother Nature, let’s just try for some balance here, ok??

National Holiday: National Donut Day!!

Major Events:

Tattersalls: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Results, Live Streaming

Renswoude: Website, Start Times & Results

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

NJ Region’s H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

IEA H.T. & 3DE [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Spring Event at Archer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation is asking for your brains: when you’re done with them, of course. They’re conducting an in depth research project exploring whether repeated head trauma causes neurological complications later in life, specifically whether concussion can lead to the neurodegenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Don’t worry though, they don’t need your brain to be active, they’ve said that they’re “happy to wait until you’ve finished with it”. [Donate Your Brain to Science]

Every year on the first weekend in May, Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, South Carolina hosts the Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event and Horse Trials. Heart of the Carolinas offers USEA Classic Series divisions for Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels and horse trials divisions for the same, including the new Modified level. HOTC is a beloved event for riders up and down the east coast, and the classic series is nothing but a pile of fun for all ages. Not to mention, our very own Leslie Threlkeld is the co-organizer with Cindy Deporter and Erin Kimmer. [USEA Events A-Z: HOTC]

Best of Blogs: Top Ten Tweets from Riders this Week

Hot on Horse Nation: So You Want To Rescue An Auction Horse

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Charlotte Dujardin Goes Cross Country Schooling

By on May 31, 2018 5:00 pm -

Photo via Charlotte Dujardin on Faceook.

Well, that’s one way to celebrate a successful dressage show!

Over the weekend, Charlotte Dujardin took several up-and-coming horses to the Premier League Dressage show at Somerford Park Farm in Congleton, England. Her own and Sarah Tyler Evans’ River Rise Escala (“Maisie”), a nine-year-old mare (Lord Leatherdale x Ferro), took home wins in Inter 1 and Prix St Georges and to celebrate Charlotte took her “for a little play” around the Somerford cross country course:

And we’re off…????????

Posted by Charlotte Dujardin on Monday, May 28, 2018

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Posted by Charlotte Dujardin on Monday, May 28, 2018

Eventing on Wheels! USEF to Host Free Combined Driving Navigator Course in Pennsylvania

By on May 31, 2018 3:00 pm -

Experienced World Championship navigator Kenny Cox is a co-instructor of the course. Photo courtesy of US Equestrian.

Combined driving is one of the wildest equestrian disciplines in existence: it’s essentially eventing on wheels, meaning that all of the nutty things that eventers do while sitting on their horses is done by drivers who are sitting on a carriage, relying on their voice, lines and whip to get the same messages across.

During the marathon phase, or the “cross country” of combined driving, drivers rely heavily on the navigator to both help pick out the route in the hazards and also to help balance the four-wheeled marathon cart. This navigator for Jada Neubauer at the 2011 Live Oak International combined driving event brings us along for the ride:

Go, pony, go! GS Thunderboy Henry, competing in the FEI Single Pony Division, was the fastest pony in the marathon phase of the entire show. This guy is clearly a master at his job and remarkably agile; he stops on a dime and rolls back with the cart to make some of the tight turns in the hazards.

Look like fun? Here’s your chance to give it a go!

In a few weeks, the USEF will be hosting a Navigator course in Pennsylvania for beginners/novices who are interested in learning about the job of a combined driving Navigator. It’s a very involved role and a lot of fun for people who like to go fast on a cross country course. The course is free to attend and only requires a helmet and vest for those who want to practice riding on the carriage after the classroom session.

Consider this your official invite!

What: U.S. Equestrian Navigator Course, taught by USEF Elite Athlete Jacob Arnold and experienced World Championship navigator Kenny Cox

Learn about the role of a Combined Driving Navigator and how to successfully navigate a marathon course. No experience necessary!

  • Learn the basics
  • How to choose routes
  • Marathon preparation
  • Tips while on course
  • Understand the rules
  • Video studies
  • Practical hands-on experience!

When:  Saturday, June 16, 2018, 2 – 5 p.m.

Where:  The Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Pennsylvania

How much: Free! To register, contact Danielle Aamodt at [email protected].

Learn more about combined driving at the US Equestrian website here.

Alex Hua Tian Leads Tattersalls CCI3* After Dressage, Will Coleman 7th

By on May 31, 2018 1:14 pm -

Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro. Photo by Radka Preislerova/Tattersalls.

Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro lead the way for China in The Irish Field CCI3* at Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair on a score of 24.6 at the conclusion of dressage in Co Meath, Ireland.

This is Don Geniro’s first international run since Boekelo last year, when the 11-year-old Hanoverian (Don Kennedy X Gina, by Giorgione) owned by Pip Higgins, Pam Dews and Sarah Higgins also led after the first phase and sat second after cross country.

The horse sadly did not complete at Boekelo, as a lost shoe on cross country and subsequent sore foot forced his withdrawal, so Don Geniro is back with a vengeance at Tattersalls. It’s also a critical run for Alex, who needs a qualifying score here to go on to represent China at the World Equestrian Games.

Ludwig Svennerstal and El Kazir SP. Photo by Lorraine O’Sullivan/Tattersalls.

Ludwig Svennerstal and El Kazir SP sit in second place in the CCI3* on an impressive score of 25.5, a career personal best across all levels for the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Capriano X Katella, by Blanc Rivage xx) owned by Jonathan and Jane Clarke.

El Kazir SP was one of only two horses to make the time on cross country in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* at Wiesbaden earlier this month, and the only horse to finish on his dressage score there. This is another horse in the CCI3* at Tattersalls seeking a qualifier for WEG.

Tim Price and Cekatinka are waiting in the wings after the first phase, sitting third on 27.4. The 11-year-old KWPN mare (King Kolibri X Katinka, by Julio Mariner xx) owned by Joanne Pullan is already a winner at this level, having won Boekelo last year.

Cekatinka is coming off a strong fifth-place finish at Wiesbaden — she was the other horse to catch the time in the ERM class aside from El Kazir SP — and is EN’s pick to take the win at Tattersalls.

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly at Badminton 2018. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly, the sole pair representing the U.S. in the CCI3*, scored 29.0 to sit in seventh place after dressage. “Oboe,” a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality X Omard Clover Queen, by Clover Hill) owned by the Four Star Eventing Group, re-routed to Tattersalls from Badminton after an uncharacteristic early runout and retirement.

The horse stayed in Ireland at Cooley Farm while Will returned to the States to compete his other horses during the past month, so he hasn’t had the most ideal lead-up to Tattersalls. Will estimates the horse has only had a dressage saddle on twice since Badminton!

“He wasn’t quite as good as he was at Badminton, but he also didn’t have the same preparation for this event,” Will said. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He wasn’t as flashy today, but he did a clean test, so I was happy with him.”

This is Will’s first time competing at Tattersalls, and he was quick to point out that it is a fantastic event with a very unique cross country course set across sprawling Co Meath hunt country.

“It’s a very flat piece of ground, and Ian (Stark) has built mounds everywhere. Out of 27 jumps on the course, I think about 15 of them have ditches. You don’t see many courses like that. It’s creative, and all those little mounds mean you have to be in the moment the whole way around. I think it presents a lot of challenges.”

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Aussie Ryan Wood, our honorary American since he is based in the States, is competing in Europe for the first time and sits 23rd on 35.0 with Woodstock Bennett. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Shannondale Sarco X Ponail Belle, by Beau Royale) owned by Curran Simpson is back at the CCI3* level for the first time since winning Bromont in 2016.

“Bennett went as well as he’s ever gone in the ring,” Ryan said. “It’s honestly the best he’s every gone. It’s been a great experience so far but we’ve still got a lot to do.”

Ryan agreed with Will’s assessment that there seems to be a ditch in front of or under nearly every jump on the cross country course: “You wouldn’t want to have a ditchy horse come to Tattersalls!”

“It’s an Ian Stark track. It’s very bold and big, and I’m looking forward to riding it. It starts out with good galloping fences that will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the course.”

Click here to view full scores in the CCI3* after dressage. Dressage continues tomorrow with the CIC3* division, which starts at 9 a.m. (4 a.m. EST). You can watch live for free here.

Many thanks to Lorraine O’Sullivan for providing EN with beautiful images from Tattersalls. Check back to this post later today for images from the dressage action in Ireland. Go Eventing.

Tattersalls Links: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Results, Live Streaming

Who Jumped It Best? Woodside Preliminary Challenge Edition

By on May 31, 2018 10:30 am -

We’re headed to the Horse Park at Woodside for another edition of “Who Jumped it Best?” Preliminary Challenge competitors had their work cut out of them on Ian Stark’s cross country course, starting early with this downhill combination at 4ab. The amazing Sherry Stewart was on course to grab a few pictures from the competition.

Vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture!

The Spring Event at Woodside: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

Whitney Tucker Billete & Karvaleo. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Kelly Dray & Kadence. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Lauren Lockwood & Louis Vuitton. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Michlynn Sterling & Hunter’s Bolero. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Cara Lavigna & Carrik Diamond Duk. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Jennifer Salinger & Cool Running. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Kaitlin Vosseller & Clear Approval. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Caroline Dein & Tropic Star. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Brianna Maroney & Kaala Jaadu. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

 

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

By on May 31, 2018 12:03 am -

Jan & Waterfront at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

This week we are celebrating the life of Waterfront, Jan Byyny’s three-star mount for many years, as he passed away recently. He was owned and loved by Keelin Redmond since he retired from upper level eventing, and died at age 22. Tukie was infamously often a bridesmaid, finishing in second place at numerous international competitions, but persevering with the heart of a lion. He was a horse that absolutely loved the sport of eventing, and gave Keelin many years of laughs competing at the lower levels. Here’s to Waterfront! [Surefire Eventing: Remembering Waterfront]

National Holiday: National Smile Day

Major Events:

Tattersalls: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Results, Live Streaming

Renswoude: Website, Start Times & Results

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

NJ Region’s H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

IEA H.T. & 3DE [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Spring Event at Archer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Thinking about going to Rebecca Farm this summer? It’s time to submit your travel grant requests! The Rebecca Broussard Travel Grants are one of three types of Rebecca Broussard Developing International Rider Grants offered each year thanks to the generosity of the Broussard Charitable Foundation and administration of the USEA Foundation. The Travel Grants will be awarded to multiple riders for the purposes of offsetting travel expenses to compete at the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* or CCI3* held on July18-22, 2018. [Apply Here]

Sponsorship: the holy grail for professional riders. How do you get sponsors, and more importantly, how do you keep them? Yes, being one of the top riders in the country helps, but even if you’re just working your way up the levels, you can pursue sponsorship from a variety of companies, and help them promote their products along the way. Pro tip: get good at social media! [Sponsorship Maintenance]

Summer means more time to ride, and better weather in which to enjoy your equine buds. It also carries some extra new risks for colic, so proper care throughout the hot season is imperative to your horse’s health. Access and consumption of clean water is first and foremost, and keeping a fairly regular schedule during the extreme weather of summer is also important. [Top 3 Tips to Avoid Colic During Summer]

Strong North American Contingent On Tap at Tattersalls

By on May 30, 2018 6:38 pm -

Tiana Coudray and Happenstance in the CCIYH1* first horse inspection. Photo by Louise O’Brien/Tattersalls.

The Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair officially kicked off today in Co Meath, Ireland, and we have an exciting week ahead as some of the world’s top combinations make their case for selection ahead of the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

Sam Watson of EquiRatings declared the entries in The Irish Field CCI3* and George Mernagh Memorial CIC3* the hottest we have ever seen at this event, and we are delighted to have a strong contingent representing North America.

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly are flying the flag for the U.S. in the CCI3*. “Oboe,” a 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality X Omard Clover Queen, by Clover Hill) owned by the Four Star Eventing Group, is re-routing to Tattersalls from Badminton after an uncharacteristic early runout at The Lake.

When he is on form, this horse is a cross country machine. Oboe has made the time at Kentucky, Luhmühlen and Blenheim, and we expect him to catch the time on Ian Stark’s course come Saturday. Here’s where it gets exciting: Oboe delivered a cracking dressage test at Badminton for a personal best of 24.6. If he can replicate that performance again in the first phase, he’s in with a strong shout for a top finish.

Ryan Wood may be an Aussie, but of course we’ll still claim him as an honorary American considering he is based in the eventing mecca that is Cochranville, Pennsylvania. We are delighted for Ryan to be competing in Europe for the first time at Tattersalls, and he brings forward a strong contender for the CCI3* in Curran Simpson’s Woodstock Bennett.

“Bennett,” an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Shannondale Sarco X Ponail Belle, by Beau Royale), is no stranger to the level, having won his CCI3* debut at Bromont in 2016. Following a period of time off for injury, Bennett is back with a bang in 2018.

Tiana Coudray and Under the Clocks are representing the U.S. in the CIC3*, and this is another exciting pair to watch thanks to their speed on cross country. In his two runs with Tiana at this level, “Ninja,” a 16-year-old Thoroughbred (Woodborough X Regal Kate) owned by Jatial Ltd., was one of only a handful of horses to catch the time at Bramham and Barbury to secure top-10 finishes last year.

Tiana also has a horse in the Eventing Ireland CCI2* in Cancaras Girl, an 8-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cancara X Rubina VI, by Narew) she owns with Diana Chappell. Her third and final mount at Tattersalls is Happenstance, her own and Kyrle Arscott’s 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Quality Time, in the Cooley Farm CCIYH1*. The mare scored 29.9 to sit in 14th place after the first day of dressage.

We also have two to cheer for in the CCI1*. Kelly McCarthy-Maine is the sole rider representing Canada at Tattersalls, riding her own Puissance Skys in the Land Rover CCI1*. The 13-year-old mare (Puissance X Skies of Blue, by Horos) scored 29.4 to sit eighth after the first day of dressage.

Texas native Mimi Falb is representing the U.S. in the CCI1* with Kilpipe Jewel. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ghareeb X Diamond Jewel Forever, by Diamond Rock) finished second in this class with Michael Ryan last year, and sits 33rd on 34.3 after today’s dressage.

CCI3* dressage kicks off tomorrow at 9 a.m. local time/4 a.m. EST, with the CIC3* going on Friday. Tattersalls is live streaming wall-to-wall coverage of the three-star classes, so be sure to tune in live. Dressage ride times for pairs that will be shown on the live stream are as follows:

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly: Thursday at 10:25 a.m. (5:25 a.m. EST)

Ryan Wood and Woodstock Bennett: Thursday at 10:46 a.m. (5:46 a.m. EST)

Tiana Coudray and Under The Clocks: Friday at 12:18 p.m. (7:18 a.m. EST)

Keep it locked on EN for full coverage from Tatts. Click here to access start times and results for all divisions. We are delighted to have beautiful photos to share with you courtesy of official show photographer Louise O’Brien. Go Eventing.

Tattersalls Links: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Results, Live Streaming

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: This Beauty and the Beast Pas De Deux Will Blow You Away

By on May 30, 2018 3:00 pm -

Grab the tissues. You may find yourself crying buckets of tears, which was an apparent reaction by spectators to this incredibly well done “Beauty and the Beast” pas de deux. The performance by Molly Ryan and Katherine Abrams also earned them a win at the 2016 USPC Championship, a standing ovation from the judge, and an invite to perform a demo at the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Katherine’s mom, Terry Abrams, says this magical pair doesn’t just go through the motions; they always strive to tell a story through their paired performances. In this test they tell a breathtaking tale as old as time with their well-matched grays, Zodiaco dos Pinhas and Big Bears Royal Finnigan, in a carefully choreographed and costumed (they even exchange a real rose) production of your favorite songs from the Disney classic. Enjoy!

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The horse that matters to you matters to us®. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? We are here to help. Contact Kentucky Performance Products, LLC at 859-873- 2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.

Snowcapped Peaks at Skyline: Take a Spin Around This Scenic Training Course

By on May 30, 2018 1:30 pm -

It’s not everywhere that you can gallop cross-country with legitimate snowcapped mountains off on the horizon — but that’s reality for Area IX eventers who frequent Skyline Eventing Park in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Area IX includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, and while it may be many miles from the cradle of eventing on the East Coast, there’s no denying this region’s unique western charms.

Looking as though you’re equally likely to see a cowboy loping off to gather some cattle, the scenery is certainly dramatic. Let’s flashback to the The Event at Skyline earlier this month and navigate the Training course from astride this plucky gray:

A job well done to Rosie Smith and Seamus, who posted two double-clear rounds to finish second in the Training division! See complete final results here.

Skyline Eventing Park’s 60-acre cross country course was designed by James Atkinson and only opened its doors a few years ago, providing a great venue for Utah’s eventing riders to hone their skills. For more information about Skyline Eventing Park, please visit the website.

So You Want to Get an OTTB, Part III: Creating a Lasting Relationship

By on May 30, 2018 11:00 am -

You’ve done your research, bought your first OTTB and put a solid foundation of exposure and ground work on your horse: how do you move forward now in training? Clare Mansmann takes the OTTB relationship to its next level. Missed our earlier installments? Review Part I: Swipe Right or Left and Part II: The First Few Dates to catch up!

Thank goodness those first awkward dates are out of the way. I, personally, can only be on my best behavior for so long. Let’s get down the fun stuff where you can eat what you want, snort when you laugh, and start telling the truth about your crazy family.

Once the initial evaluation, ground work, and early riding feels settled, and you’ve gotten to know each other a bit more, you’re ready to begin moving forward with training. This early stage is absolutely not discipline specific. Despite our eventing background, the horses that come to us have no obligation to event, or even to jump. We are laying the foundation for a riding career, and the basics are the same. Each one of our horses will wear a western saddle and a loping hackamore and not necessarily at the same time. You should beg, borrow, and steal from every style of riding. We sure do!

Eve, age 5, in a loping hackamore. All photos courtesy of Clare Mansmann

A Healthy Relationship Starts with You

Before committing to anything worth doing, take a picture of yourself riding, draw a circle around it, and begin working on anything in that circle that needs fixing. Ask your trainer for help dissecting the position, fitness, and even emotional aspects of your riding. How is your posture? Is your leg too far forward? Too far back? Are you able to keep a straight line from elbow, to wrist, to the horse’s mouth (hint: this means your elbows should never be straight)? Are you reading books by Museler, de Némethy, Wofford, Dorrance, Podhajsky, and the like? Are you ready to assume responsibility for your horse’s training and any mistakes that can and will occur, and not blame the horse? Can you comfortably and correctly sustain a trot and canter for at least five minutes with no stirrups and a loop in the rein?

The education of the horseman never stops and never fades and is never isolated.

Not Just Tindering

We are working to create a long-term connection, not just a summer fling. For the next year, and even two, your OTTB will be going through all types of growth, musculature changes, changes in their feet, diet changes, and mental changes. Record everything you can because you will be amazed when you look back. Don’t worry if you see other horses moving at a faster pace. That horse is not yours and their time frame isn’t either.

The most important factor to remember is the concept of Forward. With a capital F. Forward does not mean fast; it is the willingness and responsiveness to moving off the aids. The racehorse has been trained in the concept of forward from day one, and everything we do builds on this. This is why we ride for quite a while with a nice loop in the reins, despite external pressures to make the picture sooner.

Eve, working on the lunge.

We have a very strategic purpose, despite seeing constant contact, straight arms, and rein fussing in so many riding videos. These horses are learning a new balance. They’ve been taught to ride flat and low. They lean and flatten into bit pressure, even the ones that seem to hold themselves away from the bit. They’re supposed to: that is how they are asked to increase speed and breeze. We want them to learn a whole new way of doing things, so we are going to ride forward from the leg in every way possible without rein interference.

Sounds pretty classical, right? This isn’t a new theory. We systematically teach the horse to carry themselves in the smaller space of the arena, over the terrain outside the arena, and over fences where the horse surely needs to learn to care for themselves without the rider interfering. If the rider does not hold their own independent balance and hands, they are negatively affecting the horse from creating a poor posture and muscle development to actual nervousness from the horse as they worry about the balance. They cannot do this if we are putting pressure on their front end with our hands, upper body, or both.

Contact, frame, connection, and especially stretch come first from riding forward off the leg, the energy comes over the horse’s back, through the rider, and then cycles back into the hind legs and up around again. The rider, with independent aids, helps to cycle that energy created from the leg to, first, their upper body and balance, and later through the rein connection. If you go straight to rein connection, the horse has missed an important developmental step, and so has the rider. Again, some horses progress through this quite quickly, and some take more time. A good trainer will help guide you and teach you the feel.

 

You have to be kidding me with how good this horse is. About every week I sent a video to Stoney Hill Stables just so Trista and I can talk about how Right we were!! ????????????????????????
#tizsolovino #tbmakeover #ottb #vinocanjump #frenchiecandrive #perfect

Posted by Pacific Farms Incorporated on Saturday, May 5, 2018

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Another important part of a healthy relationship is variety. We all need a little spice in our lives. We start each day with a little ground work to make sure all parts of moving in the right direction. Then some days we work in the ring, moving off the leg forwards, backwards, and sideways. Some days we go for a simple hack on the buckle. Some days we trot up and down hills. There are poles, barrels, jumps, water, ditches, tarps, bareback and backwards. They’ve already done everything on a rope without the rider, so adding the rider should be a simple next step, but if you’re unsure, have your trainer perform the tasks on your horse first before you give it a try. Also, a neck strap is never a bad idea.

Joey Pots and Pans at age 3

Seeing Other People

It should be noted that I do not condone this behavior in humans — but in horses, I am hugely supportive. Horses need to be ridden by more than one person in their training. Humans need to ride other horses in their training. Others will feel holes in your horse that you can’t because they are already your holes. You can correct these in yourself with off-horse exercises and learning from experienced school horses, and another rider or trainer on your horse can help you identify them, and then help correct them in your horse. Seeing another rider on your horse can give you confidence in the horse’s abilities, and therefore increase your confidence in yourself. There’s no room for jealousy in horses.

Remember that this is just the beginning of years of fun and enjoyment together. There will be highs and lows, and everybody has a different journey, but be sure to always evaluate, stay in the present, stay humble, and make every day just a little bit better than it started. It adds up.

Eve and Clare.

Clare Mansmann started riding racehorses in her teens to get fit and ready for an upper level eventing career. It worked, and in the process, she fell completely in love with the breed and the sport. Together she and her husband, Tom, run Pacific Farms, Inc., where they focus their training and lessons on the fundamentals of classical riding in all disciplines, and are passionate about providing the best, most comprehensive education to the transitioning off-track Thoroughbred in order to best serve them and their futures.

Clare and Tom with Noosh’s Tale at the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover.