Classic Eventing Nation

Grid work is a fun way to practice your horse’s footwork and your own position, especially in the winter when the footing outside the arena isn’t ideal (we’re knee deep in mud at the moment). Oftentimes grids require many standards and rails to build, however, and not everyone has that much equipment.

Lainey Ashker to the rescue!

In her latest Grid of the Day (#GOTD), Lainey builds an exercise that uses limited jump standards and rails: three oxers (six standards) and four additional ground rails. That’s all you need to set up this grid designed to improve your horse’s shape over the fence. You can also ride this exercise in both directions which is great for barns with limited arena space.

Show us how it’s done, Lainey.

#GOTD 🚨 I built this grid for those of you who have limited access to jump standards, poles and arena space! This exercise is great for not only teaching your horse to move his feet more tactfully but also creates a lovely round shape over the oxers! What’s best is that you can ride this grid from both directions and although the feeling is slightly different each create the same outcome! The theory behind the “short” two strides (33 ft.) is to allow the rider to get to the base of each oxer which then makes that ideal parabola shape over a fence. Now go enjoy! This is definitely a new favorite! #getyourgridon #LÆSQUAD

A post shared by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on Dec 6, 2017 at 4:17pm PST

Be sure to follow @laineyea for more great exercises and ride along on her adventures in eventing and dressage.

Do you have an exercise to share or is there an eventer you would like to nominate for the “What’s in Your Arena?” series? Email [email protected].

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.

Christmas is right around the corner and the New Year following closely. If you’re like most eventers you’re already itching for the 2018 eventing season begin. Here are five horses for sale and ready to compete next year.

Jameson. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Safe, Quiet, Sound Proven Winner! 16.3hh 11y.o. Oldenburg Gelding for Sale

This fantastically talented horse would make the perfect partner for a Junior/Young Rider or Adult Amateur that wants to enjoy winning in the Jumpers, Hunters, Big Equitation, Eventing or Dressage.

Tons of show ring experience with a Junior rider in the 3’6″ Hunters. Competed through Training Level Eventing, consistently wins the dressage, brave and honest on cross country, and easily floats around the show jumping.

He ready to move up to Preliminary and has the attitude and ability to keep moving up the levels successfully and safely or continue to win at the lower levels with an amateur, junior or young rider.

Trustworthy on the trail in a group or alone with no spook or misbehavior of any kind. No Vices. Loads, Clips, Ties. Recent vetting available. Located in California.

Sultry Cat. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Sultry Cat

Sultry Cat is a 16hh 2012 OTTB. Sultry Cat loves his new job and is ready to do beginner novice eventing, training level dressage or small hunter courses. He loves to go on adventures especially if they include going through water.

He has three lovely gaits with a very well balanced canter. Sultry Cat has been to a hunter pace and an eventing derby. He was very brave and careful at both of these events.

Sultry Cat hacks out in a group or alone on a loose rein as well as has been ridden bareback. Sultry Cat is very athletic and looks forward to finding a person that will enjoy him as well as take him to the “big kid” shows. Located in Kentucky.

Clydesdale Cross. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

SAFE, BOMBPROOF Clydesdale Cross

Proudly offered for sale, beautiful and athletic Clydesdale Cross. Thor is a 13 y/o, 17.1 hands gentle giant. Amateur friendly and will literally do whatever you ask. He is a perfect babysitter as well as a get up and go for a more advanced rider.

Always in the ribbons and throws down a lovely dressage test. He has also been fox hunting and never bats and eye at anything while keeping up with all of the thoroughbreds. Loves the hounds!

Has been used in a lesson program as well for the Indiana University Equestrian Team.Thor would make and excellent dressage, low level eventer and/or fox hunter.

He is always getting attention for his good looks and friendly demeanor. Stands for farrier, clips, baths, ties to trailers. You name it, he will do it. Don’t let this guy get away, he is the whole package! Located in Indiana.

Sweet Georgia Brown. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

WINNING BN Packer! Proven record – with talent for MUCH more!

Sweet Georgia Brown is a 14.2hh Mustang Gelding ~10 yo. He has evented through Novice, consistently placing in the top 3 at every event! He started competing at recognized horse trials in March of 2016 and qualified for the American Eventing Championships where he finished 3rd in the Junior Beginner Novice division with a rider in her first year of eventing as well.

Sweet Georgia Brown is an absolute pleasure to ride – especially to jump! Point, and shoot. This guy will carry you around a course. He knows his job, and absolutely loves it! Perfect for an Adult Amateur looking to stay at the lower levels and be very competitive, or a young rider that would like to move up the levels – he’s got plenty of scope with a high jump record of 4’9,” so far!

Sweet Georgia Brown also excels on the flat with 3 very correct, rhythmic gaits. He is schooling second level movements. He is ready for a Training level eventing move up as soon as his new rider wants to take him there. He has schooled much of the Intermediate cross country course at Poplar Place and is absolutely game.

When not competing and jumping the moon, Sweet Georgia Brown is an excellent lesson horse. He has taught beginner riders the basics and helped adult riders gain confidence jumping. Prior to 2016, he did a little of everything from being an adult riders dressage horse, teaching IEA kids to ride and jump, and being a family pony.

He travels perfectly and stands quietly for the farrier. He also loves a long bareback trail ride in his halter alone, or with friends. Super sound and has great feet. He can go barefoot or shod, depending on your preference. An easy keeper in every way. Up to date on all shots and coggins. Located in Georgia.

Trendy. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Young Imported Gelding Ready for His USA Debut!

This flashy 5 yr old, 16.3hh Irish Sport Horse gelding, sired by Future Trend, has a bright future ahead of him with upper-level talent! Trendy has experience foxhunting, eventing, and show jumping in Ireland.

He has a swinging walk, expressive trot, and an uphill and ground-covering canter. His jump is catty, with a forward but adjustable way of going to his fences.

Trendy has a very willing temperament and a great work ethic, making him ideal for a young rider, adult amateur, or professional. He goes all three phases in a snaffle, and is well-mannered in the barn. Located in New Jersey.

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.

Photo by Biz Stamm.

Dear Santa,

I’m writing to let you know I’ve been a very good boy this year. You see, I’m a dressage horse, and I’ve been doing some reading so that I can be the very best dressage horse in the entire world. I keep coming across this thing called the training pyramid so I figure it must be important for optimum dressage-ing. Upon careful examination, I have determined that I’m fulfilling all of the requirements listed in the training pyramid, and Santa, because you might not be familiar this with whole dressage thing, let me explain.

The dressage training pyramid all starts with rhythm. I was born with natural rhythm, and I demonstrate my ability to tap out sick beats every single day while mom is grooming me on the cross-ties. I can tell she likes it, because she generally tries to freestyle rap along with me. It generally goes something like “Quiet feet.” “Knock it off!” “I said quit!” She’s not very good at it, but I figure if I continue to provide the rhythm, she can practice on the daily.

After rhythm comes relaxation, and let me tell you, I’m soooooo chill. Mom can be squeezing and bumping me with her legs like crazy and it doesn’t bother me in the least. I’ll  just stand there because I’m relaxed as heck.

The next level is connection. I connect very strongly with other horses, sometimes after as little as a ten-minute ride on the trailer with them. I’m sure to call out to them frequently if they’re out of sight regardless of what I might happen to be doing. I’ve actually found that I’m able to keep in contact with my friend AND perform an entire dressage test at the same time. Now that’s multi-tasking!

Next comes impulsion. To demonstrate my impulsive nature I strive to ALWAYS act before thinking. Whether this means spinning and bolting at anything that may strike me as “unsafe,” or diving headfirst into the orchard grass bales every time I walk past, I’m 100% committed to the concept of impulsion.

After impulsion comes straightness. Being a very efficient horse, I know that a straight line is the quickest route to any destination, and sometimes there are obstacles — you know, miscellaneous objects and sometimes people — impeding those straight approaches. So whether my destination be grain, fresh green grass, or one of my many friends, I will run over anything in path to remain straight.

At the very top of the pyramid is collection. I assume this refers all of the cookies I collect for being such a good boy. At this point, you might be thinking to yourself, “how can this horse possess so many incredible talents?!” But let me assure you, I am also excellent at this.

Because I have been SO good this year, I would like to ask for several wearable chew toys (I think mom calls them blankets), several hundred pounds of organic, fair trade horse treats, and some freestyle rap lessons for my mom, because seriously, she’s terrible.

With love,

The Very Best Dressage Horse