Classic Eventing Nation

Best of JN: Beezie Madden Wins $1 Million Dollar Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

By on Apr 1, 2018 5:30 pm -

Because when you’re Beezie, winning one Grand Prix just isn’t enough…

On Saturday, March 24th Beezie Madden was the last to go out of five who were clear for the jump off in the $205,000 CaptiveOne CSI4* Grand Prix at WEF. The challenging track had tested many of the riders entered in the class, but Beezie and her mount Breitling LS laid down two beautiful rounds to bring home the hardware.

As if one Grand Prix in a weekend isn’t tasking enough, Beezie was also set to contend the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix Sunday afternoon at HITS Ocala aboard Abigail Wexner’s Coach. The venue was overflowing with spectators, eager to see who of the 43 riders would take home the big purse. When seats filled up, fans lined the grass bank just to get a glimpse of the action.

The competition was hot all day long with riders such as Lauren Hough, Lillie Keenan, Daniel Bluman, and Cian O’Connor all aiming to take home the top spot on the podium. It was apparent from the cheers, however, as Beezie and Coach entered the ring that the duo was definitely a fan favorite. All fell silent as they maneuvered their way around Alan Wade’s jump off course with style and ease.

https://www.facebook.com/USEFNetwork/videos/1885678338132459/

As they sailed over the last jump, the crowd went wild! No one could top Beezie’s blazing fast, yet elegantly executed, jump off time of 44.479 seconds which was a whole two seconds faster than the previous leader.

The 2nd place spot went to Lillie Keenan on her longtime mount Super Sox and Charlie Jayne rounded out the top three aboard Tou La Moon.

To see the full results of the class, click HERE.

From the hunter ring to the jump-off, keep up to speed on the latest news, commentary and h/j insanity at EN’s sister site Jumper Nation! 

April Fool! USEA Announces Partnership with AHARC

By on Apr 1, 2018 3:00 pm -

Just in time for Easter, the USEA announced today, that based on the growing popularity of rabbit show jumping, they are expanding their leadership in partnership with the American Hopping Association for Rabbits and Cavies (AHARC) to create Rabbit Eventing. This groundbreaking effort aims to broaden the horizons of eventing and bring it to a larger audience.

The sport of rabbit show jumping or “Bunny Hopping” was first developed in Sweden in the 1970s, but it wasn’t until 2013 when the AHARC was established that the sport took the country, and the internet, by storm.

“Bunny Hopping was actually based on equestrian show jumping when it was initially created back in Sweden, so in a way it’s like we’re taking it back to its roots,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “But we’re also going to take it to the next level by making it a three-phase sport.”

Given that rabbits are generally more affordable for a larger number of people, Rob anticipates that rabbit eventing will help to bridge some of the socioeconomic gap that equestrian eventing creates. The events, “Rabbit Trials,” would also require significantly less land which means locations for hosting them will be easier to come by which, again, would increase their reach.

Those knees! Photo via Imgur.

“We’re always talking about building the sport of eventing and making it more accessible to larger numbers of people,” said Rob. “We think this will be a great way to do that.”

“Once folks dip their toes into rabbit eventing and get involved, we’re hoping they’ll be hooked on the sport and want to take the next step and get involved in the equestrian version,” he explained. “After all, there are many similarities between both species–they’re both hindgut fermenters and they both love carrots.”

While the exact rules and procedures are being ironed out, the USEA confirmed to EN that the three phases of rabbit eventing will be named for their equestrian counterparts. Clearly they’ll look a little different considering that rabbits won’t be under saddle, but the spirit of combined training will remain.

As she did for the creation of the 2018 eventing dressage tests, Marilyn Payne will lead the committee charged with designing the rabbit dressage tests. The committee is considering a similar format to the FEH/YEH conformation judging, where the handler leads the animal in a pattern and scoring is based on conformation, movement, and general impression.

“There’s still a lot of research to do–each rabbit breed has a little uniqueness in their way of going, I’m learning a lot about it,” she said. Marilyn has also been very involved in the existing FEH/YEH programs, and expressed her excitement at eventually developing FER and YER programs in the future: “Baby bunnies! How adorable!”

Some rabbits have impressive scope. Photo via Rabbit Jumping Great Britain.

Similar to equestrian eventing, the cross country phase of rabbit eventing will feature natural fences to be jumped over, but will also include some additional obstacles suitable to the species such as burrows and culverts. Fitness and stamina will be paramount to the handlers as well, as they will be required to run the course alongside their rabbit.

“For anyone involved in eventing both species, working with the rabbits should be a great way to stay in shape and crosstrain for riding,” Rob said.

The final phase, show jumping, will be very similar to the existing sport of rabbit show jumping.

“We know that there’s already a cohort of very accomplished Bunny Hoppers out there,” Rob said. “But what will really be interesting and different from the existing sport is to see how the bunnies handle the show jumping course on tired legs after having completed cross country. Just like the horses, it will be a real test of their endurance.”

The official Rulebook and Omnibus will be finalized over the next year, with the aim of being issued on April 1, 2019.

As precious as rabbit eventing sounds……..

……..April Fool!

April Fool! USEF to Officially Recognize Competitive Hobbyhorse

By on Apr 1, 2018 12:00 pm -

Chinch has been a hobbyhorse enthusiast for no short length of time. Here he is on course at Rebecca Farm in 2015.

EN has confirmed a recent decision by the US Equestrian Federation to make hobbyhorsing the newest USEF-recognized equestrian sport and to assist in the formation of an affiliate to be known as Hobbyhorse North America.

Popularized in Finland, hobbyhorse competitions closely resemble combined training events. Stick horses–poles attached to model horse heads–are ‘ridden’ in both dressage and show jumping tests and the performance scored by a panel of judges.

Competitive hobbyhorse is growing in popularity around Europe, and after a competition video went viral, the rest of the world quickly became familiar with the concept. Sadly, the internet went bonkers that something so kitschy could possibly exist and proceeded to mercilessly ridicule the young ladies and gentlemen involved. The USEF, however, had a different response.

“This is an incredible opportunity to increase participation in equestrian sports. By recognizing hobbyhorsing, we’re reaching an entirely new demographic of people who love horses but maybe don’t have the financial means to own and compete them,” USEF President Murray Kessler said.

“As we all know, real horses are extremely time consuming and expensive. However, stick horses require basically no upkeep and almost anyone can afford to buy, make and maintain one. We see recognizing hobbyhorsing as an official sport under the USEF umbrella as a way to expand our audience and allow many more horse enthusiasts to ‘Join the Joy.'”

In an article for National Post, hobbyhorse coach Taija Turkki is quoted to say, “It’s very bizarre for other people to see, for the first time especially, this kind of stuff … Because they think we think the horse is alive, which we do not. We understand that it’s dead, made of fabric and all that.”

An estimated 10,000 people in Finland are said to be involved in hobbyhorsing. And the activity means something different for each of them. Alisa Aarniomaki said hobbyhorsing is like therapy and has helped her cope with her parent’s recent divorce.

“I’ve gone through lots of trouble and I’m still struggling with some issues. It has helped me a great deal that I can occasionally just go galloping into the woods with my friends. It somehow balances my mind,” Alisa said.

And what horse person, hobby or otherwise, can’t relate to the incredible healing power of horses? We here at Nation Media fully support the development of hobbyhorsing and welcome it with open arms to the USEF table. In case you missed it, check out Kristin Kovatch’s editorial In Defense of Competitive Hobbyhorse on our sister site, Horse Nation.

Hobbyhorsing has already made its way across the pond from Finland to North America. The Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, NC hosted a hobbyhorse competition series last fall and plans to renew the series for summer 2018 ahead of the FEI World Equestrian Games.

Marketed as a “safe, fun and affordable way to ride horses,” the American Hobby Horse Series is for children 14 and under and offers multiple levels from cross rails to 2’6″. Special awards for Best Hobby Horse and Best Turned Out Rider are given each week and competitors try to accumulate points to qualify for the series championship.

“Hobbyhorsing is the next big thing,” said Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners. “It teaches kids about hard work and competition and expands their imagination through crafting and visualization. Plus, it’s great exercise and parents like it because it’s way safer than riding real horses.

“With the large expense and space requirements of equestrian competitions, especially eventing, there’s a real possibility that this is the future of the sport. Who knows, maybe one day TIEC will be hosting the FEI World Hobbyhorse Games.”

2018 will be a pilot year for the USEF Hobbyhorse program as the affiliate is created and organizers bid for competition dates. We know Chinch is especially excited, so stay tuned for the unveiling of our new sister site, Hobbyhorse Nation.

[Hobby-horsing is a popular sport in Finland. ‘It’s very bizarre for other people to see’]

[In Defense of Competitive Hobbyhorse]

[What is American Hobby Horse?]

……April Fool! USEF is not actually recognizing competitive hobbyhorse, but we love the sport and what it offers participants. Go hobbyhorsing!

April Fool! FEI Tribunal Unanimously Votes to Ban Dogs from All Future Competitions

By on Apr 1, 2018 9:00 am -

No Dogs Allowed.

For years now, we have heard of and seen instances of dogs running loose at three-day events, chasing competitors on the cross country and even in show jumping. Even here at Eventing Nation, we have pondered whether or not dogs should in fact be banned, as owners cannot seem to keep control of their pooches in a reliable manner. The problem is, horse people are also avid dog owners, and you cannot seem to separate the two.

Now, as the 2018 season has just begun, the FEI has laid down a new rule of law: no dogs allowed. Starting in May of this year, all dogs will be banned from the grounds of any competition run under FEI regulations, regardless of discipline.

The decision was announced late last night, with this official statement from FEI President Ingmar De Vos:

“After detailed statements from the FEI Eventing Committee, the FEI Welfare sub-committee, as well as evidence from experts and competitors around the world, the FEI has concluded that the only remaining solution to this safety issue is to remove canines from the equestrian world as we know it. 

“Not only are dogs a threat to the safety of horse and rider, but they are a menace to society in numerous ways. It seems to be impossible to train humans to properly control their canine companions through the use of leashes and leads, so we are left with no alternative resolution to the problem.”

This was one of the episodes that was brought forth as recent evidence that all dogs should be banned:

As dog owners ourselves, we are devastated by this news, but as riders and competitors, we are slightly relieved. Can you imagine getting all the way to Kentucky CCI4* only to have a rogue dog bite your horse on the way into a combination? We know that at least Buck Davidson will be a little more secure in his mind as he sets out on course.

Competitors will have a month to adjust to the new regulations, as they are only applied after May 1st of this year. From that date on, if you wish to compete at the FEI level, you will have to hire a dog sitter, or leave a working student at home in charge of the pooch patrol. Dogs will simply not be allowed on the property, regardless of how well behaved they may seem.

……. April Fool! 

Easter Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Apr 1, 2018 12:01 am -

“Lemme at them Easter goodies!” Photo courtesy of Jessica Gressett.

Happy Easter, EN! We hope that the easter bunny brought you and your pony some fun goodies today. Or even better, that you are spending today with the two- and four-legged friends that you love. Happy hopping!

National Holiday: Easter & April Fool’s Day

Major Events: 

Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Burnham Market International [Live Results]

U.S. Weekend Action:

Morven Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

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

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Sunday Links: 

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius Steal the Galway Downs Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*

Equiratings: Life After the Dressage Multiplier 

Through the Lens: Carolina International

The long and short of it: How leg length affects your riding position

Vets can feel pressured to prescribe antibiotics for horses, researchers report

Horses for courses: Meet Charlotte, the eventing Clydesdale

Former model beats life-threatening injuries to compete at World Cup final

Sunday Video: When you gotta go, you gotta go.

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius Shine in Galway Downs CIC3*

By on Mar 31, 2018 10:56 pm -

Tamie Smith and Sunsprite Syrius. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Sunsprite Syrius may have been a CIC3* first-timer this weekend, but he certainly didn’t look it as he confidently stormed around Galway Downs with Tamie Smith in the tack. Their quick round was the only double clear in the division, and that earned them the three-star win on a score of 35.2.

“He’s a competitive horse, I mean he just zipped around this thing like it’s nothing, which is a testament to having a partnership with the horse I think,” Tamie said of the 10-year-old Trakehener. “He felt great. It was a really tough track and I wasn’t sure how he’d read things and figured I’d go out of the box feeling like he was ready. He didn’t look at one thing he was super.”

The EN team has been fangirling over Syrius for a while. Not only is he U.S. bred, but he’s also nailed a top three finish in all but one of his FEI competitions. It’s all the more special that Don Trotter and Pam Duffy of Sunsprite Warmbloods could be there for this special moment.

“It’s so good having them right at the finish flags. Pam and Don are good horse people. They get that eventing has its ups and downs. I don’t think they had any expectations of doing anything serious. We were just going to go out of the box and see how it went,” Tamie said. 

Syrius will continue to gain mileage and confidence at the Advanced level this spring, and there aren’t any concrete plans for a CCI. For now, Don, Pam and Tamie soak in the this moment at Galway Downs and look forward to what’s to come.

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and The Chatwin Group’s Chatwin lost their grip on the lead after picking up 9.2 time penalties, but a finishing score of 42 was still enough for second place.

Galway Downs was Frankie’s first International competition back since the birth of her son last fall, and after falling off Chatwin in Twin River’s Advanced a few weeks ago, her goal today was to iron out the kinks at this level.

“I did feel a little tentative in the gallop. Usually I’m really quick in the gallop and today I kind of stood up in my stirrups and he wasn’t quite as fast. Instead of putting the pedal down in the beginning I was kind of feeling myself out and feeling him out a little bit and probably took too many in a few places,” Frankie said.

“Overall I was really happy with him. I thought we both needed today to get back in the swing of things. I still have my mom bod a little bit and I’m not quite as strong as usual, but I felt like today when the questions were there and Chat needed me I was able to do my job. You always want to feel like you’re doing right by your horse, especially for a horse like Chatwin who takes such good care of me. It felt good to feel right in my stirrups.” 

Chatwin will spend much of the summer at dressage and jumper shows as they polish those two phases, with the ultimate goal of a personal best performance at the Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland later this summer, Frankie confirmed to EN.

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Andrea Baxter and her speedster Indy 500 climbed the leaderboard after each phase, finally settling down in third place on 48.8 points.

“I was a little nervous because I hadn’t done much since Blehnheim. She hasn’t evented at all. I took her to Thermal and jumped some 1.30m rounds. I jumped her over some Training/Prelim stuff a couple weeks ago, but I hadn’t jumped cross country in six months so I don’t know!” Andrea laughed. 

These seasoned competitors picked up right back where they left off, cruising to an easy finish with 8.8 time penalties ahead of their second apperance at the Land Rover Kentucky CCI4* in four weeks time.

“I was looking for a good solid run before Kentucky, and she was awesome,” Andrea said. “I wasn’t planning on going fast I just went around in a nice rhythm. I didn’t wear a watch, I just cantered around. I just press start in the box, I don’t have to slow down I don’t have to speed up she just holds on.”

Bec Braitling and Walterstown Don. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Bec Braitling and Lauren Burnell’s Walterstown Don follow in fourth place. They looked for a careful and confident round, picking up 18.8 time penalties along the way for a final result of 62.7.

Helen Bouscaren and Ebay picked up an unfortunate stop at fence 13c, the Devoucoux Drop. That, plus 25.2 time penalties gives them a final score of 83.4.

Tamie also came to grief at 13c with Kevin Baumgartner’s Wembley, who was looking like a million bucks up to that point. They wrapped up the weekend in 6th place on a score of 87.9.

Derek di Grazia and Ringwood Justice had two stops at the first of two Triple Crown Brush corners at 7a, and decided to call it a day.

This was Eric Winter’s first CIC track here at Galway, and if this weekend is any indication, I think we can look forward to even more exciting changes coming our way on the west coast.

Go eventing.

Beware the Tides of March: Burnham Market from Behind the Lens

By on Mar 31, 2018 7:56 pm -

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class down the final centreline. #mudbanter

‘Another one bites the dust’, one might say – if there was any dust left to metaphorically bite on this floating island of mud. The first rule of journalism is that you should never talk about the weather; so far this season, it’s unfortunately the only story we keep being given to work with. After two days of cracking competition at Burnham Market International, the clouds well and truly threw their toys out of the pram and unleashed a tantrum across Norfolk. Within an hour of the end of competition yesterday the surrounding roads had begun to flood. It wasn’t looking promising, but the Musketeer, the team behind the event, weren’t prepared to go down without a fight.

To their eternal credit, they had done a marvellous job. The ground onsite was the best it could possibly be for such a difficult spring, and even the heavily trafficked warm-up areas still had some grass cover after two days of constant use. But when the weather breaks, it really breaks, and despite a long night of fence moving, reroping, and ground maintenance, the team had to make the difficult decision to abandon the rest of the competition early this morning. All eyes will now be on Belton in two weeks’ time, which will be the last chance for a CIC3* run for our Badminton-bound combinations.

It’s easy to get the blues when your horses are fit, well, and popping out personal bests between the boards, but eventers are a creative bunch, and many found alternative uses for their unplanned days off. Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift enjoyed a schooling session over part of the course…

…Holly Woodhead resorted to bribery…

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg_nWk1j1Qz8fklAwi36MgSuH6JrsJTVuwWV440/?taken-by=hollywoodhead94

…and Emily King organised a spa day.

When the CIC*** at a show has been abandoned.. rolling in the mud is the only way forward..

A post shared by E M KĮNG (@emilykingofficial) on

Instead of rueing what could have been, let’s embrace what was, with some shots from the ground from the last two days of competition.

Morning schooling sessions in the sunshine belied the precipitous turn to come. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ben Hobday served what can only be described as a #LOOK as he schooled Shadow Man in the world’s most impractically fluffy jumper. If it works, it works, I suppose. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Meanwhile, Oliver Townend practiced his Blue Steel aboard Coldplay III. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Young rider Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden cruise through the OI water…

…and pop neatly over the cascade. Photos by Tilly Berendt.

Emma Hyslop-Webb and Ducati II in the Intermediate. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dee Hankey and Chequers Playboy strut their stuff in their CIC3* test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A quiet moment whilst schooling. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Blyth Tait and Dassett Courage post a 36 in the CIC3*. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Alex Hua Tian and CIC2* entrant PSH Convivial. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Not just horses: Burnham Market featured varied crowd-pleasers, including a falconry display. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Sit tight: Bill Levett and This Ones On You take a stride out through the Intermediate water. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ludwig Svennerstal gives Balham Mist a leg-stretch ahead of what should have been a Saturday CIC3* test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Bill Levett and Badminton mount Alexander NJ complete their CIC3* test for a mark of 27.2. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

All smiles from Blyth Tait. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

American rider Christina Henriksen and Sierra warm up for their BE100 section. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Kevin McNab and Casperelli perform a smart test for 27.2 in the CIC3*. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Andrew Nicholson pilots Yacabo BK, his 2017 Le Lion CCI2* entrant, in the CIC3*. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jonty Evans and CIC3* debutante Clara M. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Busy Izzy indeed – with 11 entered at the event, Izzy Taylor was seldom seen off a horse. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tina Cook and Calvino II finish 7th in the Advanced. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Jonty Evans schools Cooley Rorkes Drift. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Izzy Taylor’s Direct Tullyoran Cruise practices some unconventional dance moves ahead of his test. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A great test from Bulana leaves Nicola Wilson beaming. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A plea to the weather: please, just sort it out. Until next time, folks – perhaps we’ll see a competition through yet this season!

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 5 Working Student Opportunities

By on Mar 31, 2018 1:30 pm -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

We’ve had a flood of available working student positions posted on our Employment Opportunities category page this month. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the industry and get educated on and off the horse, here is your chance!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Working Student Position Available

Team CEO Eventing in Lexington KY is currently seeking a working student! Come live and train in the horse capital of the world while you immerse yourself in Eventing. Great opportunities to learn and train and plenty of horses to ride if desired! Train with advanced level event rider and ICP certified instructor Megan Moore.

Can be part time or full time (great fit for someone going to college in the fall!). Fantastic barn of 14 competition horses in the heart of horse country, and no mucking stalls at home!

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Working student position available at Destination Farm!

Accepting applications for 2 working student positions at Destination Farm in Dickerson, MD! One position to start in May and one position to start in August.

Lessons and training from Advanced level event rider and Usea ICP level III certified instructor, Natalie Hollis, and Intermediate level event rider and Usea ICP level I-T certified instructor, Suzannah Cornue. Housing with paid utilities, lessons at least 4x per week (generally 5-6x), stall board for 1 horse, shipping to events, and coaching at events in exchange for barn work, grooming at home and shows, and exercise riding.

Own horse not required as we have many schoolmasters and sales horses you can ride. Facilities include 30 stalls, indoor/outdoor arena’s, grass show jumping field, xc course, areas to gallop/condition, and extensive trail system. We are also located 5 miles from two xc courses.

We event almost every weekend mid March – mid November as well as go to twilight eventing, and jumper / dressage shows year round. We also host clinics regularly and host jumper shows. Currently starting to interview. More information at www.destinationeventing.com.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Full or part time working student position

MKE is an active Eventing group located in the heart of Area II. We not only focus on our current competitive event Horses but on developing up and coming ones as well as our riders. We care for on average 20 Horses in Kirkwood, Pa. Our applicant needs to come wanting to learn and be surrounded by all aspects of horsemanship; riding included but not limited to! Potential to lease one of our horses or bring your own.

Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Working Student Opportunities with Courtney Cooper, C Square Farm!

Courtney Cooper and the C Square Farm team are back in Pennsylvania after enjoying a very successful winter season in Aiken and we are looking forward to competing extensively in Area II. We are looking to add another working student (or two!) to our program. Preference is given to individuals wanting to stay for a minimum of 6 months who are looking for a rigorous, educationally geared apprenticeship.

Our working students learn about training, sales, horsemanship, and breeding, and they also get plenty of opportunities to compete and ride themselves. Our winter working students brought home several blue ribbons of their own, (one is actually 3rd in the country on a horse C Square Farm lent to her) in addition to attending top events such as Carolina International.

We value our working students and treat them as members of our team with regular lessons, regular riding, days off, board for their horse and housing in a new, beautiful, and safe apartment complete with WIFI.

In addition to the benefits listed above we also do team dinners, and have our working students watch lessons with Courtney and top pros, including Boyd and Silva Martin and Richard Picken. We also strive to teach our working students life lessons; such as goal setting and planning for their future and are happy to stay involved with them individually after leaving our program.

Working Student Position

Dressage training and Lipizzan breeding farm is searching for the right working student candidates to take over as our current crew is graduating from college. Dressage background not necessary, but applicants must possess a great work ethic with desire to learn and apply themselves daily. This is a relaxed European style farm that hosts numerous international clinics and events. Duties include any and all horse farm related things along with grooming, exercising horses (varies by individual skill level), and either travel along to shows or stay behind to manage the farm for a weekend. Must be willing to handle stallions and young horses. Having experience already with stallions is a major plus. Possibility of board for one horse for the right applicant. Housing may or may not be included (again varies by situation of applicant). Own transportation and drivers license is required. 6 month minimum commitment. Located in New York.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Lisa Barry: Starting a New Chapter in Kentucky

By on Mar 31, 2018 11:00 am -

Lisa Barry and F.I.S. Prince Charming. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It has been said that when one door closes another one opens. I believe this to be true to a certain extent. Sometimes that new door is disguised or locked or made of concrete, and you end up bruised and broken from trying to get it open. Sometimes you have to create an alternative door for yourself.

So much has happened since FIS Prince Charming (“Peanut”) and I competed at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event a few years ago — some doors closed and some new ones opened, but now my journey forward will be heading through a door that I’m designing myself in a new barn in a whole new neighborhood. I’m moving my program to Kentucky.

Enjoying the journey – patience, persistence and perseverance  

For more than half my life I’ve been traveling back and forth every six months (give or take) between Middleburg, Virginia and Ocala, Florida to ride and train with the best in the sport — trying to chase the dream, trying to come out on top.

I was lucky enough to essentially start my riding career under the direction of one of the world’s best riders. “Enjoying the journey” is something Karen O’Connor started to emphasize to me as a kid. Twenty-five years of her training later, those words still guide me every day.

In addition to riding, I’ve also traveled around the world to groom at major international competitions, including the Pan American Games, the World Equestrian Games, Kentucky and Badminton, to name a few. I’ve watched my friends earn their red coats and stand on podiums and, although I don’t have one yet, I am determined to get there!

Along my journey, three other words have defined my world: patience, persistence, perseverance. These words exemplify what it is to be an eventer — especially one like me who is chasing the dream of making a team and representing my country.  Like many others, I have worked my whole life towards that goal, working multiple jobs and getting little sleep, to cover my bills for this sport that I love so much. My parents have always been as supportive as they can be financially, but I’ve worked hard to help pay for this sport since I was 13.

There have been many adventures on my journey so far and many lessons learned. Peanut, who has had panic attacks and has flipped over on me in the dressage, was the most challenging, but he got me to my first CCI4* and taught me patience.

Lisa Barry and F.I.S. Prince Charming at the 2015 Eventing Prix Invitational. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kenzo de la Roque had severe Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) so could have no hay, no grass, and had to walk every four hours at a show, including through the night. He tore a suspensory multiple times and then put a hole in his eye, ending in surgery. With all his issues, my vets said quit, but I persisted. It was worth it — Kenzo gave me my first three-star experiences and qualified for Kentucky before he had to retire.

The vast majority of my horses had little to no training before I got them. Some were homebreds that I started and produced from the ground on up. Some were off the track and had to be let down and retrained to event. I take great pride in the fact that I have put in the blood, sweat and tears to make 20+ horses in my career so far.

Seven became FEI horses, three of which got to the Advanced level. And each one taught me to persevere, to keep going when I thought I couldn’t take another step, to fail and try again … to learn that just because I want it more than anything, and I’ve worked my butt off for it, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen right now.

The road to personal success always includes some giant potholes that can break you. This spring I had to ultimately make the decision to retire my beloved Peanut due to an injury that won’t allow him to come back. I’m also having to transition my homebred Advanced mare Cece to the world of soft sand and poles because her body just doesn’t want to hold up to the extremes of our sport. There were also smaller ruts that slowed me down, like horses that didn’t want to play anymore or those that just weren’t good enough.

Part of me learning to enjoy the journey — while the horses were rehabbing or the babies were growing — was learning to take all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained and pass it on to others. Although teaching used to intimidate me, I have come to really love it! It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Lisa Barry and F.I.S. Prince Charming. Photo by Kasey Mueller.

New girl in town

I am still chasing the dream of making a team and representing my country, but losing my Advanced horses means I’ve found myself starting over again and riding down a new road.

As of April 2, I will be moving my program to Lexington, Kentucky. I have acquired stalls in a barn at a stunning 140-acre facility in Georgetown called Queenslake Farm. My new website is almost finished and will be up and running very soon at www.lisabarryequestrian.com.

I have several wonderful students that will be moving in with me, but I am officially open for business and will be accepting any and all new students — no level or experience restrictions. I will also have a few of my retired upper-level horses available to lesson on or for partial lease (for those whose riding qualifies).

I will teach and ride on site, but I am also willing to travel to you. I will have room in my barn for horses in training or for sale. I will also be looking for my own next superstar to produce and would love to meet others who would enjoy helping me.  I welcome anyone who dreams of being a part of a team as an owner or syndicate member to contact me at [email protected] … we do have a lot of fun on our adventures!

Come join the journey with me! 

Best of HN: An Open Letter to the Rider With the ‘Made’ Horse

By on Mar 31, 2018 9:06 am -

Flickr/Five Furlongs Photography/CC

Dear rider with the “made” horse,

Everybody knows who you are at the horse show, the horse trial, the rodeo, the barrel race. And everybody knows your horse, whether he’s been in your family for years and years or he’s a recent addition to your barn. You know there are eyes on you and your horse every time you set foot in the ring.

They might know your name and your horse’s name; there might be plenty of whispered rumors about how much you paid for him and who trained him. There’s plenty of muttering from the other riders and the horse show moms when you win that coveted blue ribbon. You hear them when they don’t think you’re listening, or when they pretend they don’t know you can hear them.

“That’s a made horse.” “The judges always pin her because they know who trained that horse.” “Of course it’s easy to win when you buy your way to the top.” “I bet she can’t really ride a real horse where you have to work for it.”

They might know your names, but they don’t really know you. They don’t know how many hours of practice you put in at home, making sure you get it right, that your horse gets it right. They don’t see how much work it takes to make a well-broke horse that nice, and how hard it is to keep a horse nice. They don’t realize just how hard it is to ride a well-broke horse, to make it look effortless in the ring.

There’s some kind of assumption that a “made” horse is easy to ride, a machine that will take you to the top and win you all the ribbons and points and championships. We champion the scrappy do-it-yourself riders who tame those wild green horses, who find the diamond in the rough and through months or years of hard work polish that rough diamond into a gem–and we should always celebrate those riders and their horses.

But that championship should not come at the expense of those riders putting in the same kinds of hours, those late nights and early mornings, the sacrifices and struggles to achieve their dreams on a well-bred or well-broke animal. The made horse is not always an easy ride, and it takes years of honed skill in the saddle to make him look effortless.

I’ve learned this the hard way: I’ve ridden a mare blessed with raw talent and athleticism that I didn’t know how to channel and shape; I’ve taken the made pleasure horse into a class we were shoe-ins to win and made a mistake that took us out of the pinnings.

I practiced for hours on the scrappy, difficult to ride, difficult to love, textbook “tough horses” and learned how to put them together, to polish them as a rider and make them look like a five-figure superstar… and then drawn a made show horse at the national championships and had no idea how to put it together. I could take Paddy the one-leaded rope horse and make him look like a million bucks at home, but the knowledge it took to ride that polished show horse I should have been lucky to draw was beyond me at the time. I was an honorable mention.

As they say, before you criticize someone, walk a hundred miles in their shoes. Until you’ve ridden every horse in the arena, you’ll never know how easy or how tough a rider might have it. We’re all in this horse world together–let’s show each other our support, rather than bring each other down.

Go riding!