Classic Eventing Nation

2028 Olympic Talent Watch: Kloie ‘Bee’ Hicks, Age 11

By on Dec 9, 2017 11:30 am -

The 2028 U.S. Eventing Team is already out there somewhere, and it’s up to us all to nurture their talent and their big dreams. “2028 Olympic Talent Watch” is an (adorable) new series in which we identify junior eventers who are already exhibiting the heart and the guts to lead American eventing to glory in the (distant) future. Any short-stirrup riders you know come to mind? Email us their story at [email protected].

Today’s featured junior rider, Kloie Hicks, was nominated by her fellow Pony Clubber Miranda Levin. Miranda says, “We have been friends for a few years, and we go to shows together and take lessons together. I’m 17 so she is kinda become my little sister in the last couple of years!”

Pre-show ritual with Sugar at the Pony Cup. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Kloie Hicks is one of the coolest kids I know. She is a small 11-year-old and rides a 14.2-hand quarter pony named Sugar. This kid is a star in the making! She rides mainly eventing, but she also loves dressage and Pony Club games.

Kloie started riding a friend’s horses who was in training to be therapy horses when she was 4-and-a-half years old. The family friend said that she needed to be in lessons because her talent needed to be developed in a more constructive way. Kloie then started lessons with Dawn Buis at Pony Tail Acres when she was 5, and she has been riding there since.

Flying over jumps! Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

The first horse that Kloie fell in love with was the patron saint of lesson ponies, Fantasy. The Arabian mare taught her the basics and the two competed at Pre-amoeba and Amoeba in local schooling shows.

Early show with Fantasy. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Once Fantasy retired in early 2016, Kloie started leasing a quarter pony named Rosie. Rosie is a super cute pony that Kloie competed Amoeba and Tadpole with at schooling shows and through Pony Club in dressage, eventing, show jumping and games. Their first show together was the South Region Pony Club Dressage Rally in early 2016. Through both their tests, Kloie was smiling so wide that she lit up the ring.

The two went to a cross country clinic at Gibbes Farm with Beth Stelzleni. She was the youngest person there by far, but she showed up most of the adults in her group. Even though she was nervous, the other riders remarked that she was the one giving them confidence to jump.

Kloie and Rosie at the XC clinic. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Kloie and Rosie’s last event was the Pony Club Games Rally in March 2017 where they qualified for Pony Club Championships. After Games Rally, Kloie’s parents bought her current pony Sugar Rush.

The day Kloie got Sugar. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Over the summer, Kloie competed with Sugar at a USDF show in the pony Training level tests at Chattahoochee Hills, The National Dressage Pony Cup at the Kentucky Horse Park at Training level, and in several local schooling shows. Later, she and Rosie competed at Champs in games on a scramble team as she was the sole rider from the South Region for games. She also took Sugar to Champs to participate in Pony Club festival. Currently, Kloie and Sugar just completed their first horse trial at the November Poplar Place H.T. where she placed second in Starter. She plans to move up to Beginner Novice for her next event and is so excited to jump higher!

Kloie and Sugar at Poplar Place Farm during South Region Camp. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Kloie is my best friend. She is one of the hardest working and determined kids I know. She is a super funny kid with huge goals. He current goals are to go to NAJYRC for eventing, ride at Rolex and the Olympics, to rescue work with horses, and to never stop riding. Kloie has the biggest heart and loves all horses and animals. Her maturity always astounds me. She does not always win, but as she told me one at a particularly rough show, “I am not at this show to win. I am here to learn.”

I love Kloie and I know that she will be riding in the 2028 Olympics, and I will be there to cheer her on!

Goofing around at a Pony Club stall cleaning fundraiser. Photo courtesy of Miranda Levin.

Best of HN: Slow Down in December With Ground Work

By on Dec 9, 2017 9:00 am -

With the holiday crunch, limited daylight and a hundred extra responsibilities piling on our shoulders, our riding time might be a little rushed. Melanie O’Neill shares some basic ground work exercises to help us all slow down this season.

Move over No-Stirrup November, it’s Ground Work December.

So I just made that up, it doesn’t even alliterate and I don’t have a hashtag, but our horses need this; we need this. Holidays are approaching and everyone is rushing around, but we need to slow down. We are all tight on time, so keep it simple. No extra equipment needed, no riding time lost, just your regular tack and a dressage whip. Let’s use groundwork to improve your under saddle time.

Groom and tack up as usual, then head to the ring. Do you usually go right to the mounting block? Don’t; force yourself to walk in hand one lap in each direction. I’ll wait. Done? Let’s replay your walk. Were you present during your walkabout? You know, new age present, the Zen thing, mindfulness, in the moment. Being aware of your body and thought processes. For instance, where was your horse in relation to your body? What cues did you use? Did he look at anything? What did you talk about? How fast did you go? You weren’t texting, WERE YOU?!

I shouldn’t criticize. You made it twice around the ring, in hand, despite the smirks and eye rolls from the other riders. You demonstrated patience and your horse is a little looser, more relaxed and warmer for it. He doesn’t have a clue what just happened but he’s cool with it.

Now let’s do a little groundwork with purpose. Try to use cues that you would use when riding – that means not letting him follow your body. Walk next to your horse, in front of the shoulder, behind his head. I like to bridge the reins so I can use reins independently or together like from the saddle. Now walk on. Don’t just start walking yourself; use the walk-on rein cue. Push your rein hand forward to increase poll pressure*, but keep your body still. He should take the first step. If encouragement is needed, use the whip to tap his side just where your heel would be.

Here are a few exercises that you can use depending on what your horse needs.

  • Check the whoa. While walking along, ask for a halt. The cue is rein hand back towards chest, then you stop walking. If he completely blows through the whoa, try again. It may be not listening or just not understanding. You can use the whip to touch his chest or legs to help him get the idea. If he is not listening, ask for a step or two back. Over time perfect the halt, just like you would do under saddle, until it is prompt and square.

Asking for the halt. Photo by Jonathan Platt.

  • Play with the tempo. This will help horses that are too fast or too slow. Increase the speed at the walk with the walk-on cue and walk faster yourself; tap with the whip if needed. Slow the walk with a light whoa cue and walk more slowly. Change the speed a few times around the arena.
  • Turning inside and outside. To make a turn, a horse puts his front leg in the direction of movement, so to turn right his first move in that direction is to step with the right front leg. With an inside turn he turns toward or around you. For an inside turn, bring your rein hand toward you. Give him room to make the step with the inside front. This is usually the easier turn in hand. For an outside turn, move your hand away from you. If your arms are short or your horse is wide, you can use the added cue of pointing the butt of the whip at his nose, or more correctly, touch his outside shoulder. By using both reins in the turn you are successfully using the outside rein in the turn.

Turning out, with the butt of the whip pointed at his nose. Photo by Jonathan Platt.

  • The Park (stand). All horses need to be able to stand quietly. It is best taught from the ground first. This will help horses that don’t stand for mounting or wiggle in the cross-ties, and possibly with standing in the trailer. You need a cue that you don’t use for anything else. Maybe jiggle the reins or touch on the nose; this one is up to you. I like to start with the verbal “stand”. From the halt with a longer rein, step away from your horse. Does he follow you? Gently correct by repositioning him; he thinks he did the right thing. You can correct one foot moving by touching it with the whip until it goes back in position. It’s easy to correct front end, but the back end wigglers are more difficult. Use a wall or fence so you only have to worry about one side. As he gets it you can walk around, rub his hind end, move a mounting block and my favorite, skip around. You will find the hardest one for him to hold is if you stand next to his head and just walk forward. You have to undo a lot of programming that says “follow me.”

Practicing the stand. Photo by Jonathan Platt.

  • Move away from the whip. This is a simple test that can be a game if it is used gently with maybe a few cookies included. Use a longer rein and work and from the halt. If you touch the whip to his flank, he should step away to the side. If he doesn’t get it, bring his head toward you and then you get your step away. You can use this on the chest to ask him to back up or move a single foot. With help and care, you can use it from behind to get a step forward – that helps with trailer loading.
  • Get rid of the Bogeyman – Is your ring haunted? Are there deep dark corners hiding evil things like jump standards, muck buckets or dusty play balls? On your walk about, make sure you check out these places and have cookies magically appear. Bonus cookies for touching evil objects on cue. Can also be used for scary doorways. Don’t be surprised if when you are riding, your horse suddenly volunteers to go there.

These are the basics; expand on these as you like. Remember: use clear communication through purposeful cues. This is new to you both, so it will take some practice to learn and execute cues. These exercises will help with your timing of under saddle aids. Use verbal cues if you like, but be consistent. The dressage whip is a precision tool; use just a touch or tap. Have fun, be mindful and feel free to discuss the day’s events with your horse – he’s a really good listener.

*Of course you can’t pull forward when riding, but it is a cue. It is better than moving off your body because you don’t always want him to follow you around. Also, the whip reinforces your leg aids**.

** Which brings up a matter of semantics. I tend to use “cue” for groundwork and “aids” for under saddle, but they are the same thing: a signal or means of communication.

Go riding!

Melanie O’Neill is an event and dressage rider from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She organizes dressage shows at Bucks County Horse Park and works at a veterinary clinic. She operates her own business for riding lessons and training as well as equine massage, fecal testing and nutrition consultations. She is married with three sons.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Dec 9, 2017 12:01 am -

Photo via Phillip Dutton Eventing on Facebook.

The #LeeLeeStrong Golf Tournament at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Ocala was a wonderful success! Terry Welsch of I Love My Horse and Buck Davidson Eventing hosted the tournament which saw nine teams compete and raise $6,200 to benefit Lee Lee’s medical fund.

“Lee Lee continues to make great strides in her recovery, attending outpatient therapy three days a week at Bryn Mawr Rehab, as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and music therapy,” the Dutton Family reports. “Thank you to all for your continued support and love for Lee Lee!”

#USEAConvention: Website, Open Meeting Schedule, Committee Meeting Schedule, Convention Program, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

National Holiday: Weary Willie Day (“Weary Willie Day celebrates the art of clowning and the impact that it has had on our lives.” #TheMoreYouKnow)

Saturday Links:

Gaining Perspective at a Time of Tragedy

Horses Killed, Others Evacuated From California Wildfires

Vets Triage San Luis Rey Downs Survivors

Industry Commits to Aid Following Fire at San Luis Rey

‘I didn’t really ride him, I just hung on’: top riders on their (memorable) first ponies

A strong veterinarian-farrier relationship is just plain horse sense

Saturday Video: How’s your core strength?

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Every Day’s a School Day

By on Dec 8, 2017 6:00 pm -

You’ll never graduate from the University of Eventing … but you can get past your Freshman year with a bit of dedication. #inspirational

Everyone with any sense knows there’s only one good thing about winter, and that’s layers. Why? Because layers allow you to eat, constantly and unashamedly, and then blame your sudden, worrying expansion on the amount of clothing you’re wearing. No one’s any the wiser, and life is glorious.

Until the new season looms and your wobbly bits jeer at you from the mirror. “Get those white breeches on, I dare you,” they seem to say.

“I would actually rather give up riding,” you think.

So this year, I’m trying something different. I’m putting all (er, some) of my mince-pie eating energy into finding as many new exercises, grids and schooling tips as I can to incorporate into my winter riding, so that rather than plodding along in the cold, my horse and I can actually attempt to improve during hibernation season.

During the season, one of my favourite resources for free training inspiration is the collecting ring at events, but at this time of year, I start digging through that endless treasure trove of visual media: YouTube. There’s an absolute wealth of schooling advice on there, and I love finding a new jumping exercise and giving it a jolly good bash. My favourites? Anything that helps me to improve my cross country riding when I can’t get out on course properly. Here are a couple of the most useful ones I’ve found — give them a go this weekend and make the most of the off-season!

(Bonus points if you can spot a certain EN editor’s horse in one of these videos!)

Help Horses Affected by the Southern California Wildfires

By on Dec 8, 2017 5:00 pm -

Residents and communities are coming together to help those displaced by the devastating California wildfires. For those looking to help, a number of donation drives have been organized, and we know the eventing community will step up and give generously to help those horses in need.

Here is a running list of resources that have been brought to our attention, which we will keep updated. Please email [email protected] with additional listings.

Ali Hamman of South Coast Sport Horses LLC is organizing equipment donations, including halters, leads, wraps and barn supplies. Contact via Facebook with equipment donations.

American Association of Equine Practitioners, or AAEP, is already working with vets in Southern California and is accepting donations via the Disaster Relief Fund to continue supporting those vets. Select “Disaster Relief” when donating.

Animal Care Foundation of Los Angeles County “Noah’s Legacy Fund” is accepting donations to support the Department’s emergency response efforts. Donate via the website and specify “Noah’s Legacy Fund.”

California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is collecting donations to assist victims of the fire. When donating via the website, select “Add Special Instructions to Seller” and then type in the words “For victims of the SLRD fire.”

CARMA — California Retirement Management Account, a local CANTER partner — is accepting donations to assist San Luis Rey Downs horses. Earmark your donation by typing “FIRE” in the comments.

Del Mar Fairgrounds is now in need of supplies — it’s serving as the evacuation center not just for San Luis Rey Downs but for multiple horse owners and facilities in the evacuation area. Particular needs include pitchforks and rakes, buckets, bedding and feed. Del Mar has stated it currently has enough volunteers to help care for horses, watch for signs of colic and identify tattoos and markings on the Thoroughbreds evacuated from San Luis Rey. Donate via the website.

Little Red Feather Cares is accepting donations to assist with all horses and horse owners affected by fire. Earmark your donation by typing “FIRE” in the comments.

Local feed stores are accepting donations over the phone to assist displaced horses:

  • Damoor’s Feed (will match donation): (818) 242-2841 9 a.m.-6 p.m. PT
  • Mary’s Tack and Feed: (858) 755-2015, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. PT. Mary’s Tack and Feed has also opened a donation page on its website and will be matching the first $500 donated.
  • Carter’s Hay and Grain: (760) 436-4738, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.PT
  • Broken Horn Supply: (626) 337-4088 10 a.m.-6 p.m. PT
  • East Valley Feed and Tack: (818) 767-3060, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. PT

Thoroughbred Charities of America is prepared to assist San Luis Rey Downs horses, once the immediate crisis starts to resolve and needs are assessed. TCA aided the race horses of Puerto Rico after two hurricanes devastated the island earlier this year. Visit TCA’s website to make a cash donation.

Santa Anita Park, Stronach Group & Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are joining forces through GoFundMe to raise funding to buy needed supplies for evacuated horses, including bedding, feed and supplies for horses, as well as medical bills; funds will also support those individuals who lost everything at San Luis Rey Downs such as grooms and staff who lived on the premises.

USEF Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations via its website.

Use caution when donating to crowdfunding sites. We have “vetted” crowdfunding links we share here.

Our hearts go out to all those affected by wildfires.

Listing compiled by Kristen Kovatch of Horse Nation.

USEA Board of Governors: Frangible Technology, YEH Changes, New Grant

By on Dec 8, 2017 4:46 pm -

USEA CEO Rob Burk addresses the Board of Governors. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The USEA Board of Governors met this morning for their first session at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Long Beach, CA. The Board received an overview of the status of USEA Committee happenings and the financial health of the organization. They also voted on a key rule change proposal related to frangible technology and supported the creation of a special new grant.

USEA President Carol Kozlowski opened the session with a year in review. Here is a summary of her report:

In May we firmed up an agreement with (data analysis company) EquiRatings. This will add a layer to our safety strategy that we’ve never had before. I really like the idea of having data to determine the likelihood of success or failure.

The North American Junior and Young Riders Championship (NAJRYC) continues to struggle. Jumping and dressage split off this year and when it looked like the eventing wouldn’t happen, Rebecca Farm stepped in to host it. Rebecca Farm will it once again in 2018, but the future of eventing in the NAJYRC is in question.

Two-third of the riders at the 2017 American Eventing Championship rode at Training level and below. The Tryon International Equestrian Center really rolled out the red carpet for the event.

The Young Event Horse and Future Event Horse Championships had the highest numbers yet.

There was a round table safety summit on the sport hosted by the Chronicle of the Horse (read the reports on these talks here). It is a good synopsis of where we think we are but we still have a long way to go.

Thank you to everyone involved in the effort that went into selecting the 2019-2010 AEC location. We turned over all the rocks and pros and cons. I am feeling very confident in the decision and I’m confident that our membership will embrace and flock to the Kentucky Horse Park.

USEA CEO Rob Burk shared several highlights for the organization in 2017. Here are a few key notes:

  • There were 42,851 starters and 238 events.
  • The number of starters overall are down 1.5%. Beginner Novice starter numbers are up and upper level starters are down.
  • The USEA now has a record 12,913 members.
  • USEA Membership became mandatory for Beginner Novice riders in 2017 and Director of Membership Services Jennifer Hardwick reports that there was absolutely no push back from the membership on this requirement.
  • As of November 30th there was over $230,000 raised for frangible pin research, officials education and emerging athletes. 
  • The $1 million Wilton Fair fund was established, generously donated by the Lenaburg family to support developing riders.
  • There are now over 300 Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) certified instructors. USEA also launched the YEH ICP certifications.
  • The USEA published over 650 articles on the USEA website and had over 4.2 million unique web page views. Eventing USA magazine is published six times a year. This is the only magazine in the world dedicated solely to eventing. “I feel strongly that we will continue to host that. It is one of the best benefits we have for our members,” Rob said.

The USEA Board of Governors morning session. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

A report from the Treasurer/VP of Admin and Finance, Morley Thompson, revealed that the USEA is “well in the black” financially even though the individual Areas showed a loss due largely to the cost of sending horses and riders to Montana for the NAJYRC.

The Board approved the incoming Area Chairs and added them as signers to Area accounts. The new Area Chairs are Sarah Adams (Area I), Cyndi Kurth (Area III), Stephanie Reimers (Area V), Rachel McCort (Area VII) and Wayne Quarles (Area VIII).

Katherine Cooper, Chair of the Nominating Committee, discussed that there has been some concern over members of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee (formerly the Eventing Technical Committee) sitting on the committee for too long (decades). The Nominating Committee feels it is important for their to be healthy turnover on this committee and are working on a process to manage that.

Kate Lokey, Director of Programs and Marketing, said that while the numbers in the Young Event Horse and Future Event Horse Championships have been healthy and growing, there are some significant changes coming to these programs based on feedback from riders, owners, organizers etc. The scoring system is being redesigned and the YEH dressage tests are being shortened. The USEA is also urging riders to go to the YEH/FEH symposiums to understand what judges are looking for.

Rule Change Proposal: Frangible Technology on Cross Country

The Eventing Course Designers and Builders Committee proposed a rule change related to frangible technology. This proposal changed the wording of EV140.9.b to the following:

At the Modified Level and above, all rail fences for which frangible technology can be employed, must use frangible technology (e.g. Frangible Pins, MIMs Clips, or any other load relieving devices). These fences include but are not limited to verticals, gates, open corners, and all open oxers in all cases. At a minimum these devices must activate with forces that have both vertical and horizontal components – the exception being the front rail at the point of an open corner, which may use a traditional forward pin.

Committee Co-Chair Tremaine Cooper clarified that the rule starts at Modified level because frangible rails have to drop a certain amount when activated and it is not always possible to achieve this requirement at the lower levels.

The Board of Governors approved the proposal with the recommendation of an extraordinary rule change (so that it may go into effect sooner than 2019). The proposal will now go forward to the USEF Eventing Sport Committee for approval.

Sunsprite Award

Pam Duffy and Don Trotter of Sunsprite Warmbloods proposed a special new award for FEI riders that are competing in the States but represent a country other than the U.S.

Pam is from Mexico and always considered Mexican eventer and show jumper Captain Mendivil-Yucupicio, a 1980 Moscow Olympic Bronze Medalist, to be her role model. Pam said he had no money and learned to ride on donkeys and mules. He died two years ago and in honor of his memory and character, she wants to sponsor a $5,000 prize and trophy made in Mexico to one person per year for the next five years.

The intention of this award is to help eligible riders who could use additional support to advance their career and spotlight people who are up-and-coming role models and exhibit the same perseverance, determination and grace under pressure that was typical of Captain Mendivil-Yucupicio.

The award would be limited to international riders competing in the U.S. in their capacity as a citizen of another nation, excluding the U.S. and its territories. Eligible riders would have to compete and finish a minimum of three FEI events within the U.S. during one competition season. Both professionals and amateurs are eligible for this award.

The Board was unanimously supportive of the creation of this award, and Rob recommended that it be sent forward to the USEA Foundation to draft an agreement.

#USEAConvention: Website, Open Meeting Schedule, Committee Meeting Schedule, Live Stream, Convention Program, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Previewing the New 2018 Dressage Tests with Marilyn Payne + Videos

By on Dec 8, 2017 3:15 pm -

Marilyn Payne speaking about the new USEF dressage tests with Matt Brown and Gretchen Butts today at the USEA Convention. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The new 2018 USEF dressage tests were unveiled last month, and those in attendance at the USEA Convention today were treated to a special preview of the tests. Marilyn Payne, Gretchen Butts and Brown, who worked with Sue Smithson and Mark Weissbecker to write the tests, all gave helpful tips in a packed session this morning.

Key Changes in 2018 Tests

  • The A tests for all levels are introductory and track left.
  • The B tests for all levels are more difficult and track right.
  • All transitions and movements are mirror images in the tests.
  • Free walks and medium walks are always separated as different movement.
  • The free walks have all been extended to allow more time to show the movement.
  • Halts are always separated.
  • At Preliminary level all trot work is optional rising or sitting.
  • In the Intermediate A test, medium trot is optional rising or sitting.
  • In the Intermediate B test, rising trot is mandatory.

Marilyn’s Tips for Better Scores

  • Develop a lengthening gradually. “You don’t have to come out of the corner and blast forward.”
  • When changing rein, don’t change your diagonal in the middle of the movement. Wait until the end so you don’t disrupt the flow.
  • Getting a good score for the halt is not about simply halting square. “It’s the transition into the halt, too. If the horse is balanced in the transition and soft on the aids, then you’re going to get a higher score. And (the horse) has to stand. You should count to at least 3.”
  • In the leg yield, the horse should be parallel to the rail with just a slight flexion at the poll. The horse should not have an exaggerated bend.
  • In the counter canter loop, maintain the bend of the lead you are on.
  • If the reinback requires three or four steps, you won’t get a better score if you do four. “If you have three good steps, quit and just walk forward.”
  • In the stretchy trot circle, you want to see the horse taking the contact and stretching through his back. “It’s not how low the horse goes; it’s the quality of the stretch.”
  • In a free walk you can have a long rein or loose rein.
  • Use your corners! “Riders don’t use corners enough, and corners are very beneficial to rebalance the horse and prepare for the next movement.”
  • The medium walk should be a marching walk and the horse should over track. “So many times we see after the free walk you pick the horse up and the steps get shorter.”
  • Turn on the haunches can be up to a meter wide. “You don’t want to see the haunches stepping out. It is a turn on the haunches, so don’t do a walk pirouette because then you increase your chances of getting stuck.”

We have preview videos of five of the new 2018 tests thanks to David Frechette, Jennie Brannigan, Janelle Phaneuf and Hannah Sue Burnett. Scroll down to watch them all.

Many thanks to Sue Smithson, Gretchen Butts, Mark Weissbecker, Matt Brown and Marilyn Payne for working on the new USEF tests. Bring on the 2018 season!

#USEAConvention: Website, Open Meeting Schedule, Committee Meeting Schedule, Live Stream, Convention Program, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Max Corcoran: ‘Make Good Decisions!’

By on Dec 8, 2017 11:00 am -

Max Corcoran led EN’s favorite session today! Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

During a well attended afternoon session yesterday at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Long Beach, CA, renowned groom and barn manager, Max Corcoran, reminded us to make good decisions when working with and around horses. As we all know, horses are always finding new ways to get themselves into trouble and safety is paramount. Here are some of Max’s helpful tips.

  • The horse always come first!
  • Many people don’t grow up around horses and start riding later in life so they don’t get to be a barn kid and make mistakes. Help people learn!
  • In the stall:
    • Make sure double end snaps on buckets are facing the wall so the horse doesn’t catch its nose or eye.
    • In the stall or trailer, make sure hay nets are hung up high with some way to come down, like a hay net, so they don’t get their feet caught or can break it away from the wall if it does get caught.
    • Don’t surprise the horse going in to the stall or you might get kicked! Let him know you are there before going in.
  • Leading:
    • Don’t ever wrap a lead of any sort around any part of your body.
    • If you use a chain shank, don’t loop it and make a hole for a foot to get stuck through. If you use a chain shank, don’t ever tie the horse up with the chain over its nose.
  • Tying:
    • When cross tied, make sure they can break away somehow with bailing twine or safety snaps.
    • If you’re trying something new, like clipping, take them off the cross ties for the first time.
  • Turnout:
    • Shut the gate before you let the horse go!
  • Tacking Up:
    • Attach the girth to the breastplate before attaching it to the dee rings on the saddle.
    • Always run your stirrup irons up if you aren’t on so they don’t get caught on doorways, jaws, or banging on their sides.
  • Blanketing:
    • Always do the leg straps or belly straps before the neck straps. If the horse starts moving it slips off behind them instead of in front of them.
    • Turn the chest snaps in towards the horse’s chest so it doesn’t get caught on something.
    • Always do leg straps up again after you take the blanket off so the straps don’t get caught on something or hit a horse or human.
  • Trailering:
    • Do up the butt bar on the trailer before attaching the horse’s head.
    • Always close the windows on a slant load.
    • Always keep spare halter and lead ropes in the trailer.
    • Know how to change a tire and always keep a full set of spares! Check your tire pressure often!
    • Have an emergency vet kit in your trailer and located somewhere accessible.
  • Competition Stabling:
    • Mind your space and be respectful of your neighbors.
    • Don’t put your dog on a long wire lead or retractable leash where it could go after or wrapped around a horse’s legs.
  • Vet Box Etiquette:
    • Don’t set up too early or spread out too much.
    • Be helpful.
    • Pack up when you’re done.
    • Scrape the water off the horse to facilitate cooling!
  • Warm Up Etiquette:
    • Don’t start too early
    • Share the jumps
    • Be kind to volunteers!

And so many more!

#USEAConvention: Website, Open Meeting Schedule, Committee Meeting Schedule, Live Stream, Convention Program, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

221 Hours of Service: Meet the USEA’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year, Mike Smallwood

By on Dec 8, 2017 9:00 am -

Mike Smallwood (second from left) and crew. Photo courtesy of Mike Smallwood.

Actually, to be exact, it was 221:01 volunteer hours logged at USEA recognized events, according to the EventingVolunteers.com program that does the tracking. Which, if you do the math, amounts to over nine days’ of Mike Smallwoods’ life in the past year — an impressive feat that speaks to his dedication to the sport.

But what of that extra one second?

Beats Mike. “Ha, the .01 … I’m not sure about that,” he says. “Just goes to show EventingVolunteers.com program counts every second that every volunteer has worked over the year.”

Mike, of Dickerson, Md., is known for putting his head down and getting done whatever needs to be done — no matter the job and no matter how long it takes. He’s worn many hats: safety coordinator, jump judge, announcer, jump crew, control, volunteer briefer, horse wrangler, trailer mechanic, truck mechanic, golf cart mechanic, course builder, landscaper, parking guru, cook, bartender and many more, at both recognized and unrecognized competitions. He’s always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave every day, and he’s in it from pre-event setup to post-event clean-up.

His favorite roles to play? “Safety coordinator and jump judging, but I will fill whatever role is needed,” he says. Although, he does admit to one hole in his volunteer skillset: “I think competitors would appreciate my handwriting staying away from scribe duties.”

During those other 8,538 hours and 59 seconds of the year, Mike keeps himself busy riding his horse, a bay Thoroughbred mare named Prada, running Woodstock Equestrian Park, and serving as a volunteer firefighter and chief at Carol Manor Fire Company.

Photo by Cheryl Sherman.

Photo courtesy of Alex Ambelang.

“Horses have been a part of my life, all my life, thanks to my mom,” Mike says. “I grew up riding in jumpers, then switched to western, and now it’s just pleasure and some eventing. I got into eventing through a friend, and now I am fully immersed in it.”

He got hooked into volunteering through the Maryland Horse Trials, where he started on an ambulance with the standby crew, and then grew into handling the safety coordinator position. From there, it was full speed ahead: “This year I have been to more event facilities than I think I ever have, both as a volunteer and a spectator visiting my lovely girlfriend (Alex Ambelang).”

Asks what he gets out of the volunteer experience, Mike says it’s all about the people and the great friendships he has made.

Photo courtesy of Alex Ambelang.

Mike’s achievement will be honored at the 2017 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention Year End Awards Dinner with a $1,000 check, a custom “USEA Volunteer of the Year” jacket, and crystal trophy. A special thank you to Sunsprite Warmbloods for sponsoring the Eventing Volunteers program and covering the cost for every USEA recognized event.

Ever humble and gracious, Mike says he would like to thank Carolyn Mackintosh, Gena Cindric and Alex Ambelang for their support through the year, and gives a nod to his fellow volunteers. “I think all the volunteers that have given through the year and years deserve as much recognition as I am getting,” he says. “We all work so hard to do our part for a sport/community we have come to love.”

Mike urges others to embrace the volunteer spirit. “Anyone can be a volunteer; I encourage it as it’s giving back to the sport. No experience is required — every place I have been has had great coordinators and stewards who will show you the way and make you feel welcome.”

Other pro tips for volunteers: “A good pencil, and a comfortable chair.”

Go Mike. Go Eventing!

Friday News & Notes from SmartPak

By on Dec 8, 2017 12:03 am -

Thoroughbreds running loose at Saint Luis Rey Downs. Photo courtesy of Ashlie Campbell.

I’ve included a video below that I just watched, and it’s shaken me to the core. It is of Saint Luis Rey Training Center, and the grooms trying desperately to get the horses out of the burning barns. The fires in California reached the training center yesterday, however horse trailers were not allowed to travel there until it was basically too late. The grooms were turning all the horses loose in order for them to have a better chance of survival outside of the burning barns. I can’t even imagine what that must be like, and I just don’t have words. I’m not a “thoughts and prayers” type of person because I believe action speaks louder than a Facebook comment, so I’ll be spending my time searching for ways to give to relief funds related to this natural disaster.

#USEAConvention: Website, Open Meeting Schedule, Committee Meeting Schedule, Convention Program, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

National Holiday: National Brownie Day

News From Around the Globe:

Seventy-five percent of Saint Luis Rey Training Center burned down yesterday, with the majority of the horses set loose on the property to escape the burning barns and palm trees surrounding the buildings. It is unclear at this time how many equine and human casualties. Some trainers had vans ready for horses to evacuate, but were halted by sherifs due to fires on the roads. [Saint Luis Rey Training Center Burns Down]

For some good news regarding Thoroughbreds, we go to COTH blogger Chanda Boyle, who recently rediscovered why Thoroughbreds are so amazing and wonderful. Historically a show hunter rider, Chanda has spent the past two decades working with warmbloods and warmblood crosses, but recently switched back to the breed she dreamed of when she was a child: the Thoroughbred. [I Had Forgotten About The Thoroughbred]

Scumbag of the week goes to Penn National trainer Mario Rafael Rodriguez, who just received a measly $500 fine and a 45-day suspension for failing to treat one of his horses for a shattered sesamoid. Silent Ruler was listed on CANTER after being “injured” in a race on August 26th, but with no diagnostic details. When an interested horse person went to look at him, she found him clearly in distress and non weight bearing on a right front ankle, and immediately reported it to the track vet. [Penn National Trainer Gets Measly Suspension For Animal Cruelty]

Courtney Cooper is hosting her second annual holiday auction online, and you can find some pretty neat stuff. She’s got tack from Success Equestrian, Voltaire, Dy’on and VTO Saddlery, entries and cross country waivers for multiple competition venues, lessons with a variety of top trainers around the country, and even $500 worth of vet services from the famous Kevin Keene! [C Square Farm Fundraiser Auction]

Posted by Leo Tapia on Thursday, December 7, 2017