Classic Eventing Nation

ELD Enforcement Delayed Until Sept. 30, 2018

By on Apr 20, 2018 3:00 pm -

Are you up to date on all the latest changes regarding the ELD mandate that would require commercial motor vehicles to carry an electronic logging device and comply with time restrictions? Here are all the developments from the past month.

Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Amidst other equine industry-related headlines coming out of the giant $1.3 trillion omnibus bill approved early in April — namely, continued protections for wild horses and the continued defunding of horse slaughter facility inspectors — new developments in the ongoing ELD mandate saga slipped under the radar.

In short, Congress passed a temporary enforcement exemption for the livestock industry from the ELD mandate. Enforcement has been defunded until September 30, 2018 for livestock haulers, which allows industry leaders, including equine organizations as well as wider agricultural organizations, to educate all haulers on the scope of the mandate and who specifically is affected. This exemption also provides more time for industry leaders to potentially work out more livestock-friendly rules and regulations.

This exemption came just weeks after the Department of Transportation issued a 90-day exemption of enforcement for livestock haulers, of which commercial horse haulers are considered, on March 13, 2018. Through this 90-day period, haulers were required to carry a notice of exemption. As of the exemption passed in the omnibus bill, it’s unclear whether haulers still need to carry the waiver document; it may not be a bad idea to have a copy on hand.

For readers new to this story, the “ELD mandate” refers to the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century,” or MAP-21 bill, which transitioned the commercial motor vehicle industry from paper log books to electronic logging devices (ELD). The ELD automatically records driving time and alerts a driver when he or she is over a legally-set hour limit: 11 hours on the road in a 14-hour stretch, with a mandatory 10-hour rest period. Infractions can be viewed on the ELD during a traffic stop or truck inspection and drivers can be fined.

While the intention of this law is to increase safety by limiting the hours that drivers can be behind the wheel, it also poses obvious negative implications for all livestock haulers, including equine — imagine being forced to pull over at a rest stop for a mandatory 10-hour break with your horses still in the trailer due to unforeseen delays.

The ELD mandate also created confusion with just who exactly was considered a commercial hauler. Recreational horse haulers under a certain combined weight were exempt, but the guidelines for determining commercial status based on the size of one’s rig were vague and poorly defined.

The ELD mandate does not change these classifications nor change the laws for what has been required all along, but it does make it easier for law enforcement to see if a driver is in violation.

Whether this law ultimately ends up being changed to be more friendly to livestock haulers or commercial motor vehicles do need to comply by September 30, 2018, anyone who hauls their horses should familiarize themselves with this issue:

As Inmidair Retires, Jan Byyny Reflects on Her Horse of a Lifetime

By on Apr 20, 2018 12:47 pm -

Jan Byyny and Inmidair on their way to winning Fair Hill International CCI3* in 2013. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jan Byyny is retiring her four-star partner Inmidair after the 19-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding aggravated an old tendon injury at Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials last month.

Inmidair, who was imported to the U.S. as an unraced 7-year-old (Wallenda X Jasmine June, by Pompeii Court), had been steadily making a comeback from an injury sustained in 2014, when he and Jan were listed as alternates for the U.S. World Equestrian Games team.

His fans were delighted to see him return to international competition for the first time in three years in the Nations Cup at Great Meadow CICO3* last year. Inmidair, better known as “JR,” looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, finishing seventh in an elite field at Great Meadow with only cross country time added to his dressage score.

Jan discovered after Great Meadow that he had hyperextended a tendon in his right front leg, but the injury healed so quickly that she thought perhaps she could give it one more shot in 2018.

“I knew it was probably more of a pipe dream, but that’s how I function. If you don’t have dreams and you don’t think you can do it, then why are you doing it? I began to think that if he was able to stay sound, the 2018 WEG might be possible,” Jan said.

“We went to Wellington this winter to get going and polish his dressage and show jumping. His first event of the 2018 season was a canter around Sporting Days in the Intermediate/Preliminary, which he won by 11 points, but he re-injured the tendon in his right front.”

Jan subsequently decided to retire JR from the upper levels, though she is remaining open to the idea that he might still be able to compete at the lower levels with a young rider or amateur once the tendon heals.

“I will let him tell me what he wants to do,” Jan said. “He’s always been a horse who loves a job, and I can tell you he just loves the sport. Maybe he doesn’t need to be ridden every day, but he loves the attention and having a job. Honestly, why would he do it if he didn’t love it?”

Jan Byyny and Inmidair at Kentucky CCI4* 2014. Photo by Alec Thayer.

Starting a partnership

It is the end of an era for Jan and JR, whom she met 10 years ago. Angela Lloyd competed the horse to the CCI1* level in New Zealand, finishing second in the Taupo CCI1* in May 2006. Nicole Shinton imported him to the U.S. soon after.

JR competed several times with Nicole, as well as fellow Canadian Kyle Carter, at Novice and Training levels over the 2007 winter season in Ocala. When Nicole decided to transition away from eventing to competing in pure dressage, JR went to Will Coleman to be sold.

“I liked him and decided to vet him,” Jan said. “Christiana Ober took back X-rays and called me and said, ‘You can’t buy this horse — he’s got the worst back I’ve ever seen!’ But I really liked him and figured I could manage that, so I offered less than the asking price, and they took my offer.”

Jan and JR competed in their first competition together in the Preliminary at Plantation Field Horse Trials in Unionville, Pennsylvania in 2008, which he won.

The following spring in 2009, she aimed him for the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials in Allentown, New Jersey. On the way to Jersey Fresh, she stopped at Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in Pennsylvania for lessons.

“JR was super spooky, and Phillip wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. But he was amazing in the two-star and finished fifth,” Jan said. “He had made a really weird noise the last two minutes of cross country, and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It turns out he had flipped his soft palate, and that required him to get his strap muscle cut.”

With his soft palate issue behind him, JR went on to compete in his first Advanced at Maui Jim Horse Trials in Wayne, Illinois, that summer in 2009, where he finished fifth with only cross country time penalties added to his dressage score. Jan planned to aim for Millbrook Horse Trials next, but things went awry on her way to New York.

“I stopped at Phillip’s again for lessons. I had Syd Kent, JR and Why Not with me. A man was working outside the ring and started his chainsaw, and Why Not spooked, bolted, slipped and fell on me, breaking my foot in nine places, which kept me from competing for a while.”

Jan decided to have Phillip compete JR while her broken foot healed, and he took the horse to Richland Park for his second Advanced.

“There was a massive corner on course, and I remember Phillip asking me — because he didn’t know the horse all that well — how he should ride it. I told him to go straight! After that, Phillip told me JR was one of the best cross country horses he’d ever ridden.”

Phillip and JR went on to win the inaugural running of the CIC3* at Plantation Field International in the autumn of 2009 on their dressage score of 46.2.

Jan Byyny and Inmidair at Fair Hill 2013, the year they become USEF National Three-Star Champions. Photo by Jenni Autry.

A life-changing injury

Jan returned to competing over the winter of 2010, but her entire world changed at Pine Top Advanced, where a fall in the Preliminary division dissected her carotid artery, resulting in a minor stroke that caused damage to the language area of her brain. She also suffered a severe broken arm.

JR once again went to Phillip to compete while Jan faced intense physical therapy. Phillip and JR were fifth in The Fork CIC3*, won the Advanced at Fair Hill and placed second in the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh in 2010. JR also made the journey out to Montana with Phillip to compete in the CIC3* at Rebecca Farm, where they finished fifth.

Determined to return to riding and ultimately competing despite her injuries, Jan made her comeback in 2011 with JR. They had top 10 finishes in the CIC3* at both Richland Park and Plantation Field before they went on to the CCI3* at Fair Hill International.

While Jan and JR led going into show jumping, things did not go to plan during their round. “We had a big miss at the second jump and took the whole jump down aside from the bottom plank,” Jan said. “I don’t think he ever really saw the jump because it was on a bend going away from the in-gate.”

Adding a second pole down later on course saw Jan and JR finish third at Fair Hill, still a very strong result that landed them on the long list for the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 London Olympics.

The following month in November, JR broke his coffin bone while turned out in his field, requiring six months off to heal.

Despite a delayed start to their spring season in 2012, Jan was determined to give it her all in the lead up to London. She went to Bromont to contest the CIC3* and make her bid for the Olympic team with JR, but a drive-by on cross country at the chevron coming off the bank cost them 20 jumping penalties and ended their chances of going to London.

Jan Byyny and Inmidair at Kentucky CCI4* 2013. Photo by Jenni Autry.

An unlikely comeback

The following season in 2013 marked a milestone for JR, as Jan was aiming for his first CCI4* at Kentucky. She arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park ready to put in a competitive performance in the horse’s debut at the level, but in her first ride she realized something was wrong.

“When I started to ride him, he sounded like he was roaring. Dr. Susan Johns told me to ride my dressage test and see how he was. After, she scoped him and discovered that the whole left side of his throat was paralyzed. JR had been given a shot of Gentocin before we left, and the needle nicked the nerve that sits right behind the vein that controls the larynx.”

Jan withdrew JR before cross country at Kentucky, wondering if the paralysis in his throat would ever allow him to compete at the highest level of the sport again.

As he had so many times before, JR battled back from injury, proving that a horse with a heart as big as his can overcome unthinkable obstacles.

Just four months after his throat paralysis, Jan and JR returned to the Fair Hill International CCI3* and once again found themselves in the lead after cross country. She could afford one rail down in show jumping to still win, which she did. JR was crowned the 2013 USEF National CCI3* Champion.

It was an incredibly emotional win for Jan and all those who had willed her on to recover from her injury at Pine Top three years earlier. There wasn’t a dry eye in the press conference at Fair Hill on that breezy autumn day in Elkton, Maryland.

While Jan’s boyfriend, Tom, was at Fair Hill to see her win — and march her on a two-mile walk before show jumping to get her head right — her parents, Dick and Jo, unfortunately were not.

“My parents have been through so much with me. They are like parents should be — they are my biggest supporters, which goes for my brother, too. He had qualified for the Kona Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, and they were in Hawaii with him during Fair Hill,” Jan said.

“For me to come back to that level of riding after my stroke, when I didn’t even know if I could keep riding, and not have them there to see me win was gutting. It still breaks my heart that they didn’t get to see me win.”

Jan Byyny and Inmidair setting a dressage record at Carolina International CIC3* in 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Defying the odds again

JR came out the following spring of 2014 in top form, set a 40.5 dressage record in the CIC3* at Carolina International — which stood until Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border set a new record this year — and finished fifth.

A seventh-place finish at Kentucky CCI4* — with her parents there to cheer them on in person — saw Jan and JR named alternates for the 2014 U.S. World Equestrian Games team.

“Because JR was listed as an alternate, I was given a grant to do either Blenheim or Burghley. On our last gallop before the mandatory outing for the team, he injured his deep digital flexor tendon in two places in his foot, and just like that, we were out,” Jan said.

“He was on stall rest for nearly nine months, but the injury wasn’t healing. Dr. Johns worried if I turned him out he would rip the tendon and I’d have to put him down. I knew I owed it to him to make him sound enough to be in a pasture.”

Jan and her vets, Dr. Kent Allen and Dr. Susan Johns, conferred with Colorado State University veterinarians Dr. Kurt Selberg and Dr. Katie Seabaugh. They devised a plan to send JR to Colorado State, where Jan’s father received a discount on his surgery and subsequent care because he was part of the university’s faculty.

Dr. Laurie Goodrich operated on JR and oversaw his rehabilitation. “When they did the MRI after the surgery, they said his progress was ‘impressive.’ That sums up that horse. Everything he does is impressive,” Jan said. “Dr. Goodrich said to me, ‘I’m not your vet in Virginia, but I’m going to tell you — this horse is going to come back to the top level.’”

One year later in 2015, JR returned to Jan’s Surefire Farm in Purcellville, Virginia, ready to be ridden and begin the lengthy process of strengthening his tendon.

“He still couldn’t be turned out, but I kept going with the flat riding and slowly started jumping, just adding one thing at a time,” Jan said. “They gave me a rehabilitation plan that started with trot rails, then progressed to cavaletti to make sure he could handle the impact on the foot before I was finally able to turn him out.”

JR rehabbed through the entire 2016 season, and in 2017 Jan quietly brought him out Pine Top, running a Preliminary and Intermediate before moving him back to up Advanced at Fair Hill’s spring horse trials.

He went on to compete in the Nations Cup CICO3* at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia in 2017 and finished seventh in what would ultimately be the final international competition of his career.

“He was third after dressage at Great Meadow, spooky and nappy in show jumping — not one jump the same — but jumped clean, and was amazing cross-country, finishing with just time.”

Jan Byyny and Inmidair at Great Meadow CICO3* 2017, the final international of his career. Photo by Jenni Autry.

‘My horse of a lifetime’

JR’s swan song performance in the Nations Cup at Great Meadow was on his own terms, much like the rest of his career has been. Jan said she wouldn’t have had it any other way. JR finished in the top 10 in 13 of the 18 competitions he completed at three-star level.

“The horse is a freak — my cheeky monkey. If you watch him trot around he just looks like a little, average bay pony. But then all of a sudden he loosens up and grows into 17-hand dressage horse with amazing extensions. In show jumping he’s so spooky but jumps clean almost every time. And cross country, the only mistakes on this horse’s career were mine, not his. He’s amazing through and through,” Jan said.

“I’ve had some really fun horses, and all of them are really special to me, but JR is my horse of a lifetime — the little engine that could. I’m so thankful he has been and is in my life. He doesn’t know he’s hurt, and he still has his sense of humor and confidence — he think he rules the world.”

While JR gave her some truly memorable wins in her career, Jan said the greatest gift he gave her was uniting her family and friends during the most difficult period of her life.

“When I got hurt, my parents put my horses in their names in case I couldn’t actually take care of them, so he became my family’s horse, too. And here I am, eight years after I was hurt, and he’s still in my life, as well as my family’s life. One of the best things about him is that he brought everyone together, through thick and thin,” Jan said.

“We never know what’s going to happen in our lives, but I’m so thankful for everything he has done for me. It was JR who gave me my life back.”

Thank you to Susan Merle-Smith for contributing notes for this article.

#Eventer(Almost)FailFriday: Behold This Amazing ‘Mom Save’

By on Apr 20, 2018 12:01 pm -

“Mom mom mom mom too fast TOO FAST AHHHHHHHHHHH!” When a pony ride at Rosefield Farm Sport Horses, an eventing barn in Brimfield, Illinois, starts going south, mom leaps to the rescue.

Go moms. Go Eventing!

Cross Country and Cow Sense: An Eventer Tries Her Hand at Reined Cow Horse

By on Apr 20, 2018 8:30 am -

My sweet ride Shiny Sugar Shaker.

Firsts are always memorable. Reading a hunter’s account of their first event, or watching a reiner ride a show jumper gives you a sense of anticipation. Will they be successful? Will they enjoy their experience? Watching others experience eventing for the first time renews my passion for the sport. So when I wound up in grad school and became close friends with a rider whose equine sport of choice is Reined Cow Horse, I decided to flip the script. Heels down and grab mane for: An Eventer Tries to Be a Cowgirl.

Reined Cow Horse is truly the western counterpart to Eventing. In competitions run by the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), horse and rider compete in three events. Reined work tests the horse’s ability to be willingly guided through a pattern. Herd work, or cutting, shows a horse and rider’s ability to select a cow out of the herd and keep it out. Fence work demonstrates the pair’s ability to work a single cow in a series of maneuvers and maintain control of that cow. In the cow horse world they refer to this as “maintaining a working advantage.” Cow horses must be versatile enough to take a variety of training and athletic enough to excel in events that each require a very different set of skills. Sound familiar?

Just like in the English world where dressage and show jumping are standalone sports, reining and cutting are also their own respective sports with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). But just like cross country, fence work only exists in reined cow horse shows. “Going down the fence” is what draws people to the sport. It’s high intensity, high adrenaline and can make or break your show. Unlike eventing, each event in a cow horse show is scored by a panel of judges. The scores from all three events are added up and the total highest score wins.

When I started my Equine Industry Management graduate program at Texas A&M University in the fall of 2017, I had the pleasure of meeting Brooke Wharton. A fellow grad student and horse enthusiast, Brooke introduced me to the sport of Reined Cow Horse by inviting me to the 2017 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity at the Will Rodgers Memorial Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Among the attractions at the event was a special showing of the documentary Down the Fence, which followed the stories of several professional reined cow horse trainers on their road to the Snaffle Bit Futurity. The movie brought me to tears, and I was hooked.

I opted for my Charles Owen instead of a cowboy hat. #mindyourmelon

I’m fortunate to live in Texas, where Reined Cow Horse is one of the more popular equestrian sports. Through some of Brooke’s connections, I was introduced to Matlock Rice, the head trainer and owner of Matlock Rice Performance Horses. He graciously allowed Brooke and me to come out and ride some of his cow horses. Matlock introduced me to my horse, Shiny Sugar Shaker. An adorable little “sorrel” mare, Matlock told me “sometimes she bucks” and I swung my leg over with a little less confidence.

We rode into the large arena, and Matlock guided me through some different reining maneuvers. Spins were pretty fun and easy to get the hang of, flying changes aren’t that different from ours, but the stops … that was a different story. As I explained to Brooke and Matlock the only time our eventers slide to a stop like that is if something has gone wrong. We never do this on purpose. Slouching in the saddle was also a new concept to me. After years of being told “Shoulders back!” it was hard to train my upper body to sink into the saddle and let my shoulders hunch and follow the motion of the horse. This is essential however if you don’t want to get thrown over your horse’s head when they tuck their butt and stop.

This is what you don’t want to happen:

But then I got the hang of things:

Once Matlock was comfortable with my reining skills it was time to get a cow. We rode out into the adjoining field and actually drove the cattle into the arena. I was beaming when Matlock told me I “made a pretty good hand” when, with little fuss, all the cattle were successfully in the pen. Matlock went in on his own horse and cut a cow out of the herd and into the arena for me. He gave me the basics, “Always ride parallel to the cow; stop straight, and watch their eyes to read what their next move will be,” and turned me loose to experiment.

Gathering the cattle.

Now, when a horse has a lot of “cow sense” they’re described as being “cowy” and man was my little mare cowy! All of us eventers can relate to that amazing feeling of being on course with your cross country machine and feeling your horse lock onto their fence and land searching for the next set of flags. There’s nothing better than being on a game horse! It’s the same with the cow horses.

As soon as that cow loped into the arena, Shiny Sugar Shaker was taking me to her. Matlock would try and coach me through the ride: “Get in front of her, go with the cow, use your outside rein to stop, kick her forward!” But Sugar was doing it all for me. I was just along for the ride. She had begrudgingly gone through the reining maneuvers with me and was gracious enough to not buck me off, but when we got in the pen with that cow her whole attitude changed. That little mare’s ears perked up and she was locked on that cow! I just had to keep my balance, and let her do the work. Much like a good jump, you set your horse up for success, and then you get out of their way.

My short ride on the cow raised my respect for this sport to a whole other level. When done well, it looks so easy. You just move the cow up and down the fence and push it in a circle each way. This experience gave me a whole new insight and appreciation to the difference in working a cow and chasing a cow. Sugar and I were more reacting to what the cow would do than actually controlling where she went. Horseback riding is challenging enough dealing with an animal that has a mind of its own, but in the cow horse events you have to factor in a second animal that doesn’t speak English!

With my interest in the sport growing, I contacted Morgan Moreno, the coach for the Texas A&M Stock Horse team. The 2017 American Stock Horse Association (ASHA) National Champions, the stock horse team is an inviting, club team that welcomes riders of all experience levels. Much like the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing program, collegiate stock horse teams have divisions for those new to the sport and divisions for those who have been competing in cow horse, ranch versatility and other western disciplines their whole lives. Morgan invited me out to the Texas A&M Team’s practice at Still Creek Ranch in Bryan, Texas, to learn a bit more about how the sport works at the collegiate level.

Texas A&M Stock Horse Team member Jaci Marley and her gelding Hickory’s Chic Olena working a cow

The Texas A&M Stock Horse team holds tryouts in both the fall and spring semesters. Students can compete with their own horses or ride horses provided by the school. Riders are paired up with one horse that they will show for that semester with the team. Based on their experience level and show record, riders are put into one of three divisions: Novice, Limited Non-Pro and Non-Pro. Once a student wins an event at their current level, the next calendar year they are required to move up to the next level.

Texas A&M Stock Horse Team member Nolan Self and his mare Light Dots demonstrating a proper sliding stop.

I spent the afternoon watching team members run through their reining patterns and work cattle. Towards the end of the evening, Morgan let me get on her young horse, TAMU Itsa NuDeelight, and sort cattle in the back pens for team riders to practice on. Just starting out in her career, Deelight didn’t have the same refined skills with the cattle that Sugar did, but just like the rest of the horses on the team she knows her job is to move those cows and she loves it!

All in all, I had a pretty great time getting to try a new sport and check another thing off my equine bucket list. Reined Cow Horse is a demanding event – my abs were hurting in ways I didn’t know they could – and for an adrenaline junky eventer like me, it was right up my alley. I am definitely going to continue taking all the opportunities I can to learn and ride some more cow horses. Who knows, maybe I’ll even go out for the Stock Horse team this fall!

Thank you so much to Brooke Wharton, Ben Baldus, Matlock Rice, Morgan Moreno and the Texas A&M Stock Horse Team for helping this eventer be a cowgirl for a few days!

Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research

By on Apr 20, 2018 12:03 am -

Olympic carrots!

Our favorite people from Kentucky Equine Research are returning as the Official Equine Nutritionists for the World Equestrian Games! They’ve done this role admirably before, and will be supplying reliable feed and forage for a literal army of horses coming to Tryon later this year, and of course, carrots too. We’re so thrilled that Olympians will have direct access to the experts at KER on how to get their horses ready for the big week and keep them healthy throughout.

National Holiday: National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Longleaf Pine H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

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

River Glen Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Holly Hill Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

St. Johns H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Attention Kentucky 4*-bound tailgate pros! EN is excited to host its annual “Insanity in the Middle” Tailgate Party on cross country day, but we need a little help with the set-up. If you have a truck and access to tailgate furnishings (two or three pop-up tents, tables, coolers, etc.), we have a platinum tailgate parking pass and some cross country day passes for you! Please email us at [email protected].

Kentucky Equine Research has been named the Official Equine Nutritionist of the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 (WEG). This is a familiar role for the company, which has coordinated the logistics of importing, controlling, and distributing feed, forage, and bedding at major international equestrian competitions for more than 20 years. Horse owners know that consistency is key to feeding and managing healthy horses, especially in the midst of travel and competition. When show schedules take horses across international borders, biosecurity concerns and import procedures make staying on familiar feed a challenge. [KER Takes on Feeding the WEG]

Whether you’ve been a working student or employed them (or both!), you know how important the position is to the equestrian community. The exchange of work for knowledge is one of the oldest traditions in the world, and still alive and thriving in the eventing community. Choosing to get a working student is a big commitment for a professional, and it’s good to know how and when. Jennifer McFall walks us through how to make sure you have the best experience possible in this article from USEA. [Taking On A Working Student]

 

Schramm Sesh of the Week

Jimmie and Dom Schramm have teamed up with Kentucky Equine Research to provide an inside look into their conditioning program using KER ClockIt Sport. Each week we’ll share an example ride and some notes of what the Schramms look for as their horses progress.

This week we can see Weldon, a young horse, doing a jog set. This is easy work for him! ClockIt can give you insight on the comparative fitness of your horses. By doing the same routine with multiple horses and monitoring their heart rate and recovery time, you can see which horse is more fit. By comparing similar works by the same horse, you can also see how an individual’s fitness progresses through the season. 

Check back next week for another Schramm Sesh! Want to gain insight into your horse’s fitness? Try KER ClockIt Sport. The free app helps take the guesswork out of equine fitness by monitoring heart rate, speed, distance and altitude during rides. EN’s guides to the app explain all the details: 7 Reasons to Download KER ClockIt Sport and How To Get the Most Out of KER ClockIt Sport.

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Throwback to Red Hills

By on Apr 19, 2018 5:00 pm -

We may be gearing up for the pinnacle international event of the North American season, but before we get too Kentucky-crazy, let’s take a quick look back at the first international event of the season: Red Hills.

The City of Tallahassee, where Red Hills is held inside Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, put together this video full of familiar faces and glimpses around this year’s competition. Thoughts on the venue from professional horsemen and women are intermingled with viewpoints of volunteers and spectators to give a great overview of the event. This video is also a great tutorial on the general structure of eventing – it’s a good one to share with your family and friends!

Photo Gallery: Twin Rivers Ranch CCI1* Cross Country

By on Apr 19, 2018 3:52 pm -

Following up on our special edition of Who Jumped It Best from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, we a full photo gallery from the CCI1* cross country courtesy of Sherry Stewart.

Scroll down to view photos of the entire top 10, plus other competitors in the division. Many thanks to Sherry for sharing the view from behind her lens. Go Eventing!

[Twin Rivers Spring Horse Trials Final Scores]

Top Eventers’ Top Products, Part 3: Special Occasions

By on Apr 19, 2018 12:30 pm -

This article is brought to you by Athletux Equine. For more Athletux articles, please click here. If you missed them, be sure to check out Part I: Around the Barn and Part 2: Rider Apparel & Gear.

Now that we’ve determined how to get our closets on par with the Hawley Bennett-Awads and Auburn Excell-Bradys of the world, it’s time to move on to special occasion purchases. Whether you’re traveling cross country, competing cross country, or just looking for a handbag that won’t track hay with you everywhere you go, these next product recommendations are here to help.

Leg Protection

Jenny Caras, shown here with Fernhill Fortitude, is fan of the Majyk Equipe’s Color Elite X Country Boot. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“Finding the right cross country boot can be a bit of a challenge. You want something that will adequately protect your horse without being cumbersome or uncomfortable. We are in love with Majyk Equipe’s Color Elite X Country Boot. Not only do they look really sporty and fun, but they offer amazing protection and the foam on the inside that helps keep their legs cool really provides peace of mind while we’re out competing.” — Jenny Caras of Caras Eventing International. Where to buy? Majyk’s website ($99.99).

“We really love using Woof Wear Smart Tendon Boot, especially for show jumping. They look incredibly sharp with the elastic and snaps. I also have found that these open fronts fit incredibly well and we don’t see them slipping at all after a ride.” — Auburn Excell-Brady of Excell Equestrian. Where to buy? Ride Away Equestrian ($80.79).

“I will not ship a horse without putting on a set of Professional’s Choice Shipping Boots. They offer great protection and are also durable enough to survive extremely long hauls.”– Mackenna Shea of Mackenna Shea Eventing. Where to buy? Professional’s Choice website ($102.95).

Recovery Tools

Allison Springer, shown here with Fairvoya S, uses Equine Advantage Sooth’N Cool Gel to help her horses recover after cross country. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“One year at Fair Hill International all the competitors were given a small amount of Equine Advantage Sooth’N Cool Gel. I really liked the feel of it and ease of application, so I bought a big tub of it and fell completely in love. We use it after cross country under wraps, or on any other sore spots. I’ve had a lot of luck with it without wraps too. It is the absolute best.” — Allison Springer of Allison Springer Eventing. Where to buy? Equine Advantage’s website ($24.99-$69.99).

“The horses love standing under our World Equestrian Brands Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad after a ride. They feel so much looser and I’ve noticed a huge difference since we started using it.” — Allie Knowles of Alexandra Knowles Eventing. Where to buy? World Equestrian Brands website ($375)

“I am so glad I have RockTape for the horses. It makes a huge difference and there’s so much you can do to aid different areas of their bodies. It’s become a part of our everyday routine.”– Lauren Billys of Lauren Billys Eventing. Where to buy? RockTape website (price varies).

Not riding equipment

Detoxwater on the road with Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jen McFall. Photo courtesy of Hawley Bennett-Awad.

“I’m obsessed with Detox Water. It is delicious, and it’s so good for you. It’s healing while hydrating, and it is the best whether you’re at a horse show or the gym.” — Hawley Bennett-Awad of Hawley Bennett Eventing. Where to buy? Detox Water website ($39.99).

“The Frankie Cameron bag is beyond gorgeous. I get compliments on it everywhere I go, and I love that it has a zip out liner so if some gross horsey thing gets spilled in there it’s easy to clean. They’re so functional without giving up any of the beauty you want in a handbag.” — Allie Knowles. Where to buy? Frankie Cameron website ($295-$425).

“Taylor loves the Marpac Sound Machine to help her drown out noise and fall asleep. Especially in hotels it’s a really nice thing to have.” — Jennifer McFall of Dragonfire Sporthorses. Where to buy? Marpac website ($29.95-$49.95).

Splurge

Heather Morris in her CWD saddle with Charlie Tango. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“My new Ford F450 is an absolute beast. It’s definitely my favorite thing I’ve purchased recently!” — Earl McFall of Dragonfire Sporthorses. Where to buy? Find your friend neighborhood Ford dealer here (we’re just going to put several dollar signs here $$$$$).

“Your saddle is a huge investment, and I can’t recommend CWD Saddles more highly. The horses love the way they fit and they’re super comfortable and supportive for the rider. The leather is also incredibly supple and grippy, perfect for us event riders.” — Heather Morris of Next Level Eventing. Where to buy? Check out a list of CWD Representatives here ($$$).

“The GameReady System is one of the most important pieces of equipment in our program. The horses love standing in it, and the results are wonderful. It’s also incredibly nice how portable they are, so they can easily come to horse shows or travel back and forth from Ocala.” — John Michael and Kimmy Durr of Durr Eventing and Show Jumping. Where to buy? GameReady website ($$).

In closing, there are a LOT of things just as worthy of your tax refund as investments and all that other boring grown up stuff. As the kids say, you only live once, and you might as well spend it treating yourself, and your equine pals.

After that pep talk, I’m feeling pretty motivated myself. If anyone needs me I’ll be doing a little online perusing of some of our favorite equestrian retailers.

 

Pokey Things, Thwapper Sticks, Stinger Sticks & Snappy Poles

By on Apr 19, 2018 9:30 am -

Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Event Horse would like to talk to all his fellow event horses out there in Event Land about pokey things, thwapper sticks, stinger sticks, and snappy poles. Roughly translated, that means spurs, crops, dressage whips and lunge whips.

Event Horse says, “of all the things, the snappy poles are the least scary and the next least scary is pokey things. Because of my excellent disposition, I don’t much care about the snappy poles. They are attached to human’s arms, and I just can’t see them very well with only one eye (while I am being lunged). So I tend not to pay much attention.”

“Pokey things are not too bad. I rarely need to feel the whole end of the pokey thing in my ribs, anyhow. I have found if I jump forward when she just touches it to my side, she takes it away and gives me a wither scratch, so I don’t fear those too much,” he says.

Event Horse feels thwappers (crops) and stingers (dressage whips) are not very nice. He dislikes the noise of the crop on his side or flank. I don’t need that! he says. And his least favorite is the dressage whip, which he calls a stinger stick.

“These remind me of when my mother stirred up a nest of hornets and I got stung as a foal, ” Event Horse explains. “I dislike the stinger stick immensely. I always tried to look at it while Mommy rode with it until I trusted her and got used to her holding it without hitting me. It’s still not my favorite, ” he said.

He feels Event Horses like him should not have to deal with dressage whips. He reminded Mommy that he dislikes them by kicking at it while being ridden. It reminded her to be careful how she holds it, and maybe get a shorter one that won’t tickle his side. (Noted by Mommy.)

Thwappers don’t scare him as much, but he has heard some stories about them by the racehorses he has stabled with and knows they can be noisy but don’t hurt. Once Mommy used it when he was not going across a ditch while out hunting. Event Horse did not like the ditch. In fact, he did not like the ditch worse than he did not like the thwapper. So he went around. (It was a really deep and big ditch, Mommy actually didn’t use the thwapper that much because she trusted Event Horse when he said it was too big.)

Mommy says two taps maximum on all things. If the pokey things don’t work, then I get the thwapper twice. If I still don’t want to go, she looks at it and makes sure it’s not too big or too deep for me, because I will go most of the time over anything. That’s her rule.

“I have to try, or tell her ‘no’ politely — and if I get two taps and don’t go, then she knows it’s too big. I am very strong Event Horse and can jump most anything, so when I say, ‘no, too big’ it is bigger than Kentucky and I can’t do it and make sure she stays up there where she belongs. Mommy knows this. So she keeps her thwapper with her but doesn’t use it much. I don’t need it!” says Event Horse.

“I asked her why she carries the thwapper every ride. She says a long time ago an instructor named Jack told her, ‘Do not go to war without a gun.’ So she always carries it,” he says. Event Horse would like other event horses to know that is probably why all their riders carry them when they ride, too. He says not to worry, if you are big strong event horse and jump all the things, your Mommy won’t ever touch you with the thwapper, and that’s a good thing.

Event Horse. Photo by Merrilyn Ratliff.

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

By on Apr 19, 2018 12:03 am -

Remember last week when I was all “Oh ha ha ha the world is conspiring against me going to this show” WELL GUESS WHAT. I went to the show, and my baby horse pitched a fit inside the trailer while I wasn’t there, and split his head right open. Got himself five stitches to celebrate his fifth birthday, and didn’t even get to compete. Somebody just whap me upside the head the next time I think pre-competition week signs and warnings aren’t a real thing.

National Holiday: National Garlic Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Longleaf Pine H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

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

River Glen Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Holly Hill Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

St. Johns H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Attention Kentucky 4*-bound tailgate pros! EN is excited to host its annual “Insanity in the Middle” Tailgate Party on cross country day, but we need a little help with the set-up. If you have a truck and access to tailgate furnishings (two or three pop-up tents, tables, coolers, etc.), we have a platinum tailgate parking pass and some cross country day passes for you! Please email us at [email protected].

We all know Thoroughbred blood is important in the modern Event horse, but how much do you really want? The USEA interviewed expert judge, commentator and founder of Goresbridge Go for Gold Sale, Chris Ryan, on just how to consider your TB blood percentages in a young horse for future four star victory. Take FischerRocanna FST: 64%. La Biosthetique Sam? 76%. FischerTakinou: 84%. The key is having over 50%, and honestly over 75% is best. [Zero To One Hundred: TB Blood in the Modern Eventer]

This year, the FEI is increasing the amount of human drug testing that occurs at International competitions. While we’re all pretty used to watching what our horses come in contact with, we aren’t that accustomed to thinking about ourselves. In an effort to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, riders now need to be better educated on what it means to be competing in a clean sport. [Increased Human Doping Tests]

Hot on Horse Nation: 5 Things Your Horse Wants You To Buy Him With Your Tax Refund