Sgt. John Hill riding Jumping Dan Ware, Ft. Benning, Ga., July 25, 1941. Public domain.
Historically, African-Americans have made major contributions to the horse world. So why aren’t there more people of color in equestrian sport today, from the upper levels down to the press room? Melvin Cox, founder and managing director of SportsQuest International, reminds us of our history and looks to our future.
It is time for us to remove all forms of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance from the face of our beloved sport.
Two years ago, while covering the prestigious FEI World Cup Finals (Jumping and Dressage) in Las Vegas, I had an “interesting” encounter with a middle-aged white woman in the Press Room of the Thomas & Mack Center.
Staged annually in various international locations, the World Cup Finals bring together the top competitors from regional leagues around the world. Conducted under the auspices of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) — the International Equestrian Federation — the World Cup Finals are the de facto international indoor equestrian championships.
Despite my being in a restricted area with valid media credentials hung conspicuously from my neck, the woman in the Press Room nonetheless approached me asking, “Are you the bus driver?”
When I courteously replied that I was not, she continued to question me (seemingly in disbelief) stating, “… well, you look like the bus driver!”
Not wishing to further indulge her ignorance, I quickly removed myself from the conversation.
For the record, I have never driven a bus of any kind — and I was most certainly not dressed in any manner of uniform that might reasonably have led a person to believe that driving a bus was my profession.
But, clearly in the mind of this woman, I looked like the bus driver.
Why?
Was the woman making a very clumsy social advance?
Was she hopelessly intoxicated?
Was this her idea of a practical joke?
Or, perhaps it was because I was one of only three African-Americans in a room crowded with dozens of other professionals. The other African-Americans included my colleague and close friend Leslie De Bique, and a lady working on the staff of the tournament’s Media Director.
SportsQuest International student intern Claudia Suarez receives a disapproving ‘stank-eye’ from a passing stranger during a rehearsal at the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) – April, 2015. Photo Credit: Selina Sanchez Cristobal.
As we prepared to leave the Thomas & Mack Center following the conclusion of competition, one of the student interns that Leslie and I brought to the finals, Miss Claudia Suarez, received a prolonged and menacing glare from a stranger passing by.
Claudia is an extremely talented member of the SportsQuest International team. A documentary filmmaker of Salvadoran heritage, she was casually dressed for an on-camera rehearsal in an area just outside of the Thomas & Mack.
In our most charitable of hearts we would like to believe that the incident had nothing to do with the presence of an all-minority video crew at the World Cup Finals. However, the woman’s body language and extended scowl were interpreted as signs of racial hatred and bigotry by every member of our team — each of us having been the recipient of such attitudes in various and similar situations throughout our lives.
The moment was captured for posterity by another student intern — and is presented above.
Sadly, these were by no means the only incidents of this nature encountered during our time in Las Vegas.
Submitted in writing well in advance of the competition, our interview requests were mysteriously “misplaced.” This resulted in a significant loss of opportunity and waste of money. Eventually, interviews with two American competitors were arranged. After the fact, we verified that our polite requests to interview members of the Qatari delegation were never transmitted — either to the individual riders or to their Chef d’Equipe (team manager). Our request to interview the FEI President, Ingmar De Vos, was flatly denied on-site by a member of the event’s media team.
The World Cup Finals will return to the United States this spring — this time being held at the Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska, a city with a rich African-American history.
‘Gateway to the West’
Omaha is the birthplace of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (aka Malcolm X), Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, media entrepreneur Cathy Hughes, musician Wynonie Harris (who had a major influence on the young Elvis Presley) and numerous other persons of note. The first film company owned by African-Americans, the Lincoln Motion Picture Company was founded in Omaha in 1916. (1)
It was also in Omaha that Dr. Claude H. Organ, Jr. so distinguished himself as an academician and surgeon that he rose to become Chair of the Department of Surgery at the Creighton University School of Medicine. With his appointment in 1971, Dr. Organ became the first African-American to head a department of surgery at a predominantly white U.S. medical school.
Located in the culturally diverse South Omaha district, El Museo Latino is a resource center for the study of Latino history and culture. Established in 1993, El Museo Latino is the oldest Latino Art & History Museum and Cultural Center in the Midwestern United States.
SportsQuest International will provide extensive coverage from Omaha during the 2017 World Cup Finals (March 29 – April 2). Throughout the week, our postings will seek to educate the equestrian community regarding the multicultural history of Omaha. We will also work to bring the attention of the community-at-large to the presence of exciting international stars such as Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed and Morocco’s Abdelkebir Ouaddar — both Olympic competitors in the jumping discipline AND both men of obvious African ancestry.
Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR) riding the Selle Français stallion Quebec Tame (by For Pleasure) at the 2014 CHI de Genève (SUI). Creative Commons.
Selective Memories
As children, many in my generation were inspired by the heartwarming story of Harry de Leyer and Snowman as well as that of Hugh Wiley and Nautical (aka “The Horse With The Flying Tail”). Snowman was a former plow horse who became a champion jumper. Nautical was a former cow horse who represented the United States internationally, on his way to starring in an Academy Award-winning Disney documentary and induction in the Showjumping Hall of Fame. (2)
Most are, however, completely unaware of the equally compelling stories of Tom Bass and the American Saddlebred stallion Rex McDonald or of jockey Oliver Lewis and the chestnut colt Aristides.
Tom Bass was a popular trainer whose clients included Buffalo Bill Cody, Will Rogers and former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. His most famous mount, the five-gaited Rex McDonald, amassed an amazing show career and became an influential sire. The Tom Bass Training Bit remains in use today.
Under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Ansel Williamson, Lewis and Aristides won the initial running of the Kentucky Derby, America’s most prestigious horse race, in 1875. (3)
Messrs. Bass and Williamson were born into bondage. They, along with Hall of Fame jockeys Issac Burns Murphy, James Winkfield, Willie Simms, Shelby ‘Pike’ Barnes, Anthony “The Black Demon” Hamilton and others, compel us to acknowledge the excellence under adversity shown by African-American horsemen in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Black jockeys rode 15 of the first 28 winners of the Kentucky Derby.
It is interesting to note that the careers of James Winkfield and Anthony Hamilton also included success in Czarist Russia and in Western Europe.
Issac Burns Murphy, Hall of Fame jockey. Public domain.
Gone as well from our collective memory is Colonel Baron Takeichi Nishi of Japan, who captured individual gold in jumping at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles aboard Uranus. Japan’s only Olympic medalist to date in equestrian competition, Baron Nishi died at age 42 during the Battle of Iwo Jima (1945). He was portrayed by Tsuyoshi Ihara in Letters from Iwo Jima, a 2006 World War II epic directed by Clint Eastwood.
There are equally interesting and important stories waiting to be told today.
Looking Forward
The biographies of Kathy Kusner (USA), Margie Engle (USA) and Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) have shown us that one need not be born rich to succeed at the highest levels of equestrian sport.
Likewise, Messrs. Mohammed and Ouaddar, along with Olympic event rider Alex Hua Tian of China, demonstrate that one need not be born white.
There is a conspicuous lack of people of color in the ranks of riders, owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, nutritionists, sponsors, spectators and members of the equestrian media (particularly in the United States). Conversely, there is an overrepresentation as grooms, nannies, hot walkers and stall muckers. This is a major challenge for an Olympic sport that promotes itself as being truly global, “clean” and fully inclusive.
To remedy this situation, equestrian sports promoters and organizations representing all facets of the industry should understand that it is good business to spend advertising dollars in minority communities. Developing a more diverse fan base involves supporting equestrian sport training programs in those communities and working in concert with ethnic media outlets in educating members of the public about horse sport. Cultivating cooperative alliances with minority owned businesses will yield tangible benefits. In the run-up to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, the partnership between Tryon Equestrian Partners and Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a minority-owned enterprise, is an enormously significant first step. (4)
This first step is important because horses are big business.
According to the American Horse Council, the horse industry contributes approximately $39 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy, supporting 1.4 million jobs on a full-time basis. (5) According to statistics presented at the 2013 FEI Sports Forum — held at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne (SUI) — the horse industry has a €100 billion ($128.151 billion) annual economic impact within the European Union. The economic impact in the United Kingdom is estimated at being over £7 billion ($10.643 billion). (6)
The FEI World Equestrian Games at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina (USA) are projected to have a $400 million economic impact, attracting 500,000 spectators during a 14-day run in September 2018. (7)
Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) riding Cantinero (by Cento). Michael Kramer/Creative Commons.
The Lessons of History
In teaching the history of equestrian sport to new generations of horse enthusiasts, we must include in the lesson plan stories highlighting luminaries of horse sport and culture.
We celebrate the lives and accomplishments of people such as Neil R. Ayer (USA), Major General Jonathan R. Burton (USA), Raimondo D’Inzeo (ITA), Pierre Jonquères d’Oriola (FRA), Bertalan de Némethy (HUN), Lucinda Green (GBR), Lis Hartel (DEN), Reiner Klimke (GER), George H. Morris (USA), Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), Nelson Pessoa (BRA), Bill Roycroft (AUS), William Steinkraus (USA), Sir Mark Todd (NZL), Anky van Grunsven (NED), Jimmy Williams (USA), Hans Gunter Winkler (GER), Madeleine Winter-Schulze (GER) and Col. John W. Wofford (USA).
We should also remember those men and women of color (including members of the 9th and 10th United States Cavalry Regiments — the famed Buffalo Soldiers) who made major contributions to the equestrian heritage of the United States — but were barred under the laws and practices of the Jim Crow era from socializing with, and competing against, whites. (8)
Such lessons would naturally include conspicuous mention of the countless enslaved Africans who brought knowledge to the Americas in the vital areas of veterinary techniques, agriculture and animal husbandry. (9)
Master Sgt. William Crismon performing a horse jump demonstration, US Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas. Public domain.
Geographic References
When we speak of the world’s great equestrian venues, it is correct to mention the storied showgrounds at Aachen (GER), and those at Badminton (GBR), Burghley (GBR), the Kentucky Horse Park (USA), the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (USA), Royal Windsor (GBR), the Spanish Riding School in Vienna (AUT), Spruce Meadows (CAN), etc. — but let us also include China’s magnificent Heilan International Equestrian Club, Mexico’s Club Hipico La Silla and Qatar’s Al Shaqab in the discussion.
I look forward to a time when world-class facilities in countries such as Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Palestine and Tunisia will be welcomed to this list.
In Summary
My colleagues and I pray for the day when the presence of non-whites will no longer be a rarity in the media center — or on the showgrounds — at horse shows, eventing competitions, endurance rides, drill team events, vaulting competitions or dressage shows across North America and the Western world.
In our mind’s eye, we foresee an explosion of interest in equestrian sports throughout the United States — reaching across all socioeconomic strata. But the outreach to new market segments will have to be done correctly — from a position of true humility and respect, and not from one of blatant arrogance.
Much as motorsport has successfully built a loyal following among fans with little if any opportunity (or desire) to own a Formula One racing car, the horse sports can be proactively marketed to all demographics. Just as Major League Baseball attracts millions who will never hit a curveball, the equestrian disciplines can find deeply loyal and very knowledgeable aficionados among persons representing all manner of humanity.
We look forward to a far more equitable distribution of the scholarships, internships, jobs, contracts, investment opportunities and profits associated with the global horse business. Young people in cities, in suburbs and in rural communities must be made more fully aware of the opportunities for successful and fulfilling careers that are available in the horse business and its associated industries. America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and her Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) represent an untapped “gold mine” of talent and opportunity.
Those who truly wish to expand and develop the equine industry will understand that the proactive initiatives I have outlined are both “good for business” in the short term, and vital to the growth and SURVIVAL of our sport in the long term.
It is indeed time for us to remove all forms of bigotry, prejudice and intolerance from the face of our beloved sport.
Quartermaster Sergeant Paschal Conley II leading a charge of Troop M, 10th Cavalry Regiment. Circa 1899. Public domain.
About the Author: A life-long equestrian sports enthusiast, Melvin Cox (born 1951) has documented major events in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The founder and Managing Director of SportsQuest International, LLC, he is the Producer and Director of the 2010 television documentary The Spirit of Aachen.
Mr. Cox is a Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he is the principal architect of Merrill College’s highly successful Focus on Africa series — a program in experiential education which seeks to build a viable constituency for Africa both on-campus and in the home communities of participating students.
Citations:
1 Wikipedia contributors. “African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 12 Jan. 2017. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
2 Wikipedia contributors. “The Horse with the Flying Tail.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Aug. 2016. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.
3 Ja’Nel Johnson and Laura Ellis. “How Black Jockeys Went From Common to Rare in the Kentucky Derby.” WFPL Radio, April 29, 2015. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.
4 Hotel Business. “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination, Tryon Resort, Launches” Hotel Business, Thursday June 26th, 2014 – 6:08AM. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
5 American Horse Council Foundation. “Economic Impact of the United States Horse Industry.” Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
6 Graeme Cooke. “Trends in Growth of Equestrian Sport.” FEI Sports Forum, 8 April, 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.
7 Chronicle of the Horse. “Tryon International Equestrian Center Selected to Host FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2018.”, Chronicle of the Horse, Nov 3, 2016. 5:01 a.m. Web. 25 Jan. 2017.
8 Wikipedia contributors. “Racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 Jan. 2017. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
9 Paul E. Lovejoy. “African Contributions to Science, Technology and Development,” The Slave Route Project, UNESCO, Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
Riding and the ‘R-Factor’
Photo courtesy of Sara Doyon.
It isn’t often that a corporate seminar you’re forced to attend as part of your day job actually ends up applying more to your life outside work than it does at the office. Recently, as part of my job at one in a large chain of veterinary hospitals, I was required to attend a training session about some mysterious corporate voodoo called the “R-Factor.”
Being the inherently skeptical person I am, I rolled my eyes as I signed up for my session (and even a little as I was in the training). However, something about the R-factor has nagged at my brain since the training, and I recently realized why: it is all perfectly, 100%, unbelievably accurate and applicable to life as an equestrian.
I won’t go into exhaustive detail about the R-Factor, except to say that the “R” stands for reaction — that is, your reaction to a given event. This event could be minor (you have a less-than-stellar ride one day) or major (your horse blows a suspensory and needs months off during the most important competition season of your career). The idea is that you have no control over the actual event, but you have complete control of your reaction to it.
This control is such a critical part of being a good rider. Think about it: when William Fox-Pitt has a problem on course, does he allow himself to get flustered? Or does he quickly evaluate the situation and react to minimize the problem? Decidedly the latter.
While most of us are admittedly not as in control as William Fox-Pitt, this is still a skill we should strive to emulate and cultivate. Personally, I find that this has been relevant for me since I bought my first green horse in September. I went from riding a Training schoolmaster to an OTTB who’d been off of the track for a year.
Charleston, my new guy, has been a completely different experience. He’d had a year of let down and sporadic retraining, so he was able to steer, stop, and trot a basic course of jumps — not at all what I was used to! He’s already progressed so much, but I have found myself dealing with anxiety, spookiness and inexperience that I’ve never felt before.
What I’ve found is that my reaction to these things is what makes or breaks a given training session. If I counter his anxiety with tenseness and worry, we both become increasingly frazzled and it is difficult for him to have any kind of positive experience. However, if I respond to his anxiety by working on dressage to give him something to focus on, he softens and quiets; then we are able to keep his experiences good.
This skill applies not only in the small picture sense (reacting to spooks, silliness, etc.), but also in the big picture. One of the best examples I can recall is an upper-level eventer whose horse had an injury which sidelined him for months. He was on stall rest, and she was stuck with no big horse to compete.
I remember reading that she had made the conscious decision to use his time off productively rather than just pouting about it, and she did just that — she used those months to network and obtain sponsorships, one of which was from the company that made the bedding she used for his stall! It’s not easy to control the urge to whine and complain about things, and it’s fine to set aside some time to feel sorry for yourself, but too much of that is not only unproductive but depressing.
It’s commonly said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react, and I think as equestrians this definitely rings true. We ride half-ton flight animals at speed over obstacles — control over everything is just statistically impossible and our reaction to problems is critical.
While no one is ever going to have perfect control over their R-factor, it is something that we can always work to improve upon. This also obviously doesn’t mean that we don’t try to set ourselves up for success whenever possible, but just that we react well when things don’t go accordingly. It’s a tough skill to master, but it can make all the difference –and you will get further not only with your horse but also in life when you can maximize your R-factor.
Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research
An eventer gone rogue. Photo by Kate Samuels.
Ok, so NOW I finally get it. I get the Foxhunting thing. It took me only 29 years and finally having a horse that is genuinely good at it and enjoys it, but now I understand why people are so into it. Yesterday I got the chance to actually shadow the huntsman on a blustery but pleasant day in Virginia, and that was a thrill. I took my red dinosaur, who is embarking on his third career change, and seems to have taken a real shine to hunting. We galloped with hounds swirling around us and jumped all the things!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Twin Rivers Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
News From Around the Globe:
Congratulations to Taylor Rieck, winner of the 2017 Young Adult Amateur Worth The Trust Scholarship! The Worth the Trust Educational Scholarships are awarded annually to one Adult Amateur and one Young Adult Amateur with the purpose of helping to fund training opportunities like clinics, working student positions and private instruction. Taylor wrote an essay about how she fits her passion for Eventing into her life, and how she hopes to use the scholarship money to go south and train with some four-star riders that she idolizes. [Taylor Rieck Wins Worth the Trust]
The never ending quest to find the perfect XC shirt may finally be at an end. World Equestrian Brands has debuted their Equetech Custom Cross Country shirts that are totally customizable, and you can win one! Simply write a story in 100 words or less why you chose your particular cross country colors and email it to us along with a photo of your colors by March 3! [Show Us Your Cross Country Colors Contest]
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke showed a little horsepower on his first day at work. Confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, Zinke rode into town with a nine-person police escort to the Interior Department’s downtown headquarters on Tonto, a 13-year-old 17 hand ISH gelding (but he looks like an appy to me…). From five generations of Montanans and an unabashed admirer of Teddy Rosevelt, Zinke knows his way around a cow pony. [Ride to Work, Even in Washington]
When I try to get out of a chair after a long time, my knees don’t un-bend that well, and I wonder why I’M not on Cosequin like my horse. I know, it’s sad at 29 that I’m an old cripple. All I know is, I’m not the only one. Luckily, as usual, SmartPak is here to save the day with supplements for the rider! If you’re an old cripple like me, treat yourself 1/10 as well as you do your horse, and get some Grand Flex + HA Capsules so you can be less of a silly hobbling mess. [SmartPak Product of the Day]
KER Product of the Week – EquiShure
When high concentrations of fructans are found in pasture, or large grain meals are fed, horses ferment these highly fermentable carbohydrate “sugars” in the hindgut, setting the stage for hindgut acidosis and potentially resulting in laminitis and colic.
Developed by Kentucky Equine Research, EquiShure® is a research-proven time-released buffer that helps moderate gut conditions by preventing the drastic drop in pH associated with high lactate production. Choose EquiShure to help reduce the risk of hindgut acidosis escalating to laminitis in horses grazing high-fructan pastures or receiving significant intakes of starch-laden grains, including those at risk for or with a history of laminitis.
Throughout the month of March only, receive 15% off EquiShure with code GRASS317.
Product Review: Amigo All-In-One Insulator Stable Blanket
Off track Standardbred “McBoogie” modeling the Amigo All-In-One Insulator Stable Blanket. Photo by Erica Stevens.
Horseware is known for producing the cream of the crop when it comes to blankets. If your horse has a wardrobe full of top of the line Horseware turnouts in different weights, he’s living the life of a king. What you may not know is that they also have a large variety of luxurious stable blankets to offer, and they live up to the name.
I was fortunate enough to try out this Amigo All-In-One Insulator Stable Blanket in a medium weight. I admit that I haven’t been much of a person for stable blankets prior to this, but my experience and trial period with this blanket may have converted me.
First off, I could barely believe that this was a medium weight blanket. Holding this blanket in my hands and then lifting up my medium weight turnout, the difference in literal weight was astonishing. How can something so light be so warm? This stable blanket has 200 grams of fill, but you’d never believe it when you pick it up. My horse wore this blanket overnight for several weeks, and darned if he wasn’t super toasty underneath.
For my own clothing choices, I really enjoy wearing something that is lightweight and yet incredibly warm, so I can only imagine the same can be said for my horses. This feature is also beneficial when fitting it into your washing machine, as it isn’t terribly bulky, and also for space saving in your barn blanket stack during the times you aren’t using it.
The Amigo All-In-One Insulator has high quality latches with good overlay for comfort. Photo by Kate Samuels.
The second thing I noticed about this Amigo All-In-One Insulator is that the material is straight up luxurious. This isn’t something that can be said of a lot of horse blankets, but you can say it about this one. It is made of 210 denier ripstop polyester, so it’s durable, but it feels like silk in your hands. The inside of the blanket can only be described as butter, and I hope my horse appreciated the feel on his freshly clipped body. If you’re going to spring for a beautiful stable blanket, it better be built for comfort to the max, right?
Speaking of comfort, the all-in-one design is something that I hadn’t tried before, but I realize the benefits now. We like to give our horses neck covers, as it seems cruel to leave a naked neck and head out in the cold with just the body covered. However, with the detachable necks, a lot of horses get rubs at the intersection of blanket and neck cover. The all-in-one prevents this, because it doesn’t have any pressure points around the withers. The blanket is seamless from stem to stern, so no more missing mane right at the base of the neck.
The Amigo All-In-One Insulator Stable Blanket boasts double front closures with velcro and great overlap, so even horses with big shoulders don’t bust through them and rub their chests on the metal latches. This I know from experience can be an issue. The wings on the side of the neck section enable full mobility, but also keep the warmth in. The blanket has two cross surcingles and a fillet string at the back.
I loved the soft comfort that this stable blanket offered the horses. Photo by Erica Stevens.
Before this, I can say I was not a person who owned or used a lot of stable blankets. In an effort to minimize my blanket changing per day, my horses were living in their turnouts both in the stall and the field. However, given the comfort and luxury factor of this blanket, I felt it as more than warranted to use it for my top horse when he came in for the night.
Also, as a logistics side note, using this when he was in the stall gave me a chance to wash some of his turnouts overnight, which I think makes a big difference in their skin and coat health during the long winter months. Nobody likes a buildup of dirt and bacteria rubbing against them 24/7.
You can buy this blanket anywhere that carries Horseware products, and you can locate your nearest store through the Horseware “Where to Buy“ link on their site. The Amigo All-In-One Insulator Stable Blanket also comes in a 350 gram heavyweight, and you can also find the Amigo Hero All-In-One Turnout if you really want to complete the set.
Clinic Report: A Winter Tune-Up with Jackie Smith
Riders listening to Jackie's instruction getting ready to ride their course. Photo by Miranda Akins.
While it feels like most of the general population has migrated south for the winter, those up north are trucking through trying to stay warm and keep their skills up to par. Jackie Smith of Stonegate Farm, home of Winona and Stonegate Farm Horse Trials, has been running a winter lesson series with His Way Farm and Pure Gold Stables in Salem, Ohio, to help everyone keep up to par and get ready for the season.
Jackie traveled to the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Symposium in Ocala this past week and had lots of new and insightful training advice to bring to the riders.
“You almost have to ride the 4-year-olds better than the four-star horses” Jackie repeated several times throughout the day, quoting ICP clinician Chris Burton. She explained to the riders at the beginning how important it was to give young horses a good start and to be adjustable.
For all levels of riders she had them warm up over lines of ground poles set at a comfortable five strides. Riders challenged themselves to get the line in distances from four strides to even nine strides, compressing and extending the canter to bring the horse back and forth and in tune to the riders’ aids.
When a horse tried to get strung out or lost its gait, Jackie hold the rider to “HALT, and mean it!” The goal was to get the horse’s balance back on the hind end to keep from running on the forehand. She even had a few riders gallop down the long sides of the arena then halt in the corner or bring the horse back down to a more collected canter.
Barbra Lyons and Willow. Photo by Miranda Akins.
Once the riders had successfully gotten all the designated strides in the lines, the first fence was set as a cross rail with a ground pole set nine feet out, leading to a small oxer to start. Riders trotted in and then cantered out, with the goal to stay balanced throughout the line and keep the same canter.
The riders did the exercise a few times and halted afterward if the horse ever got on the forehand or strung out afterwards. Once the horses were going well they did the same thing going the other direction.
Jackie then changed the lines so that they became an oxer to a vertical. “What do you think will change now that it is an oxer to a vertical?” Jackie asked the riders in each group. The riders replied that they would be jumping in a little bigger so they had to make sure they didn’t let their stride get too big going into the line. This is important to think about in course work and even in-and-outs at events. Riders went through the exercise and had to work a little harder to keep the stride consistent if their horse jumped in big.
Once they finished up the riders were given a small course to start. The course started with a bending line and a goal for the riders to ride straight to each fence. They then turned to a vertical, with another bending line to an oxer. They then came around and jumped another vertical with a bending line to a vertical with barrels underneath. The idea was to stay in the middle of all the fences and keep the rhythm throughout the course. Riders also halted during their course if their horse got too strong or unbalanced.
When the first course was finished successfully, they were given a new course, a diagonal fence to another diagonal fence, to a skinny, four strides to an oxer and then a roll back to another oxer. Jackie told riders to stay balanced and to make sure to ride their horses between their legs and hands to jump the skinny successfully. Riders who had a difficult time on the rollback were instructed to ride more with their outside aid and not rely on their inside hands.
Overall horses and riders finished very happy and with more homework to work on as the season comes closer. Although I can speak for everyone in the fact that we are begging for spring to come sooner! Thank you to Jackie for teaching such a wonderful clinic.
-
- Brooke Molde and Remmie. Photo by Miranda Akins.
-
- Noell Sivertsen and Milo. Photo by Miranda Akins.
-
- Barbra Lyons and Willow. Photo by Miranda Akins.
-
- Grace Gyetko and Phoenix. Photo by Miranda Akins.
-
- Victoria Zinsser and Roxy. Photo by Miranda Akins.
-
- Brooke Molde and Remmie. Photo by Miranda Akins.
#EventerProblems Vol. 106: Oh Hayyyy
Hay there, Eventing Nation! Let’s kick off this edition of #EventerProblems with some especially hay-larious photos and videos, shall we?
Hay in my coffee #horseproblems #everydayproblems #eventersofinstagram #eventerproblems
A post shared by Katie Malensek (@kmalensek) on
A post shared by Rochelle Wrisky (@wriskyhorse) on
Gator, you can do anything. Truly. I U. I believe in U.
A post shared by Fine Idea Farm (@fineideafarm) on
… and the best of the rest:
A post shared by Sick as frick/Hay before bae (@morgfernrick) on
When your clippers craps out part way through clipping. #wriskyclip #eventerproblems #missdolly
A post shared by Rochelle Wrisky (@wriskyhorse) on
A post shared by Erica Zaborac (@ezeventing) on
I wish I could say its just spring fever…. ☀️#sassymares #toofit #eventerproblems
A post shared by AngieGravelle (@angiegravelle) on
A post shared by leah allen (@ewsequestrian) on
An exciting Saturday night of cleaning tack (at least there’s beer!) #eventerproblems
A post shared by Heather Norman (@atltarheel13) on
A post shared by Hailey Norby (@pnw.eventing) on
A post shared by The Horse Mutterer (@thehorsemutterer) on
A post shared by EMB.eventing (@emb.eventing) on
You’ve got #eventerproblems when your human eats one of your carrots right in front of you.
A post shared by Lizzie Harder (@eventerlizzie) on
That time I did NOT go with my horse ♀️ #mysweetanniegirl #hangon #eventerproblems
A post shared by Amy Consdorf Haage (@ames2323) on
A post shared by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on
A post shared by Taylor Oxley (@feeltherhythm_eventing) on
A post shared by Erica Spradling (@xbetterbesocialx) on
and so the process begins #hurtssogood #eventerproblems #mycalvesarealreadythrobbing
A post shared by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on
Doesn’t look sketchy at all! #holdmybeer #longboardfarm #eventerproblems
A post shared by Katie Malensek (@kmalensek) on
A post shared by Ellen Doughty-Hume (@ellendoughtyhume) on
#failfriday baby horse says no.
A post shared by jmk (@ottbs_n_pitties) on
A post shared by Natalie Weil (@mustangfit) on
A post shared by Marian Matushek Abrams (@matushekabrams) on
Don’t forget to tag ’em on social for inclusion in an upcoming edition! Go Eventing.
Photo Gallery: Canadian Squad Trains with George Morris & Christilot Boylen
George Morris demonstrating proper lower leg position on Fernhill Dutch Design. Photo by Diane Charipar.
Members of the Canadian Eventing High Performance Squad, Eventing NOBoundaries program and other top Canadian eventers participated in a two-day High Performance clinic on Monday and Tuesday with the one and only George Morris and six-time Canadian Olympic dressage rider Christilot Boylen.
Peter Gray and Paul Delbrook hosted the clinic at their Wentworth Farm near Ocala, where George and Christilot shared their classical philosophy of training for jumping and dressage, often repeating the same message of suppleness, straightness, connection and athleticism. Both George and Christilot were sticklers for detail: “Be perfect in the little things and the big things will happen by themselves.”
The clinic was the first in the new Canadian Masters Eventing Clinic series, which seeks to collaborate with other Canadian disciplines, top riders and trainers to share expertise. With many Canadian riders spending the winter in the Ocala area, hosting the first clinic in Florida suited many of the riders’ schedules. Rob Stevenson told EN last month that he anticipates three to four clinics being held throughout the year.
Equestrian Canada named the 2017 Eventing High Performance Squad on Monday, and six squad members rode in the clinic: Jessica Phoenix, Colleen Loach, Selena O’Hanlon, Peter Barry, Kyle Carter and Karl Slezak. Under-25 Eventing NOBoundaries riders were also invited, and Shelby Brost, Melissa Boutin, Emma Johnston and Annick Niemuller all rode. Lisa Marie Ferguson, Lesley Grant-Law, Diana Burnett, Jessica Payne, Tik Maynard, Cristina Barbour and Jamie Kellock also participated.
Diane Charipar kindly shared a photo gallery from the two-day clinic with EN, so keep scrolling for a behind-the-scenes look. Many thanks to Diane for sending in these photos. Go Canada. Go Eventing.
-
- Peter Gray gives an introduction to the clinic. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Lesley Grant-Law and Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- George Morris demonstrating lower leg position. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Dressage with Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- George Morris, Paul Delbrook and Peter Gray. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- George Morris demonstrating a light seat and lower leg position. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Dressage with Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Dressage with Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Setting courses with George Morris. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Setting courses with George Morris. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Setting courses with George Morris. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Dressage with Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Dressage with Christilot Boylen. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Tik Maynard jumping with George Morris. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- George Morris, Christilot Boylen and Peter Gray. Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Shout out to Leslie Law and Doug Payne, who dutifully set fences for their lovely Canadian wives! Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Shout out to Leslie Law and Doug Payne, who dutifully set fences for their lovely Canadian wives! Photo by Diane Charipar.
-
- Shout out to Leslie Law and Doug Payne, who dutifully set fences for their lovely Canadian wives! Photo by Diane Charipar.
Thursday News & Notes from Nupafeed
Donner. I can’t even with this right now. Photo courtesy of Lynn Symansky Equestrian.
I know discussions about the weather are so boring, but seriously I can barely deal right now. Yesterday we had thunderstorms/tornadoes/hail and also it was 75 degrees. You heard me, 75 and hailing. WHAT?! At Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine, Maryland, they had wind so bad that it flipped their big trailer flat on its side. Welcome to March, everybody.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Full Gallop March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]
Twin Rivers Winter H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
News From Around the Globe:
The Professional Rider’s Organization (PRO) announced yesterday that they are implementing a complete rebranding for 2017. Since its establishment in 2009, PRO has contributed to significant improvements in increasing exposure and interest on the professional side of the sport in North America. Over the years, however, PRO has steadily increased membership level options to benefit more than just top athletes. The organization feels it is time now to open up the membership and become a fully collaborative voice between eventing participants, competitions and the sport’s governing bodies. [PRO Announces New Strategy for Inclusiveness]
The never ending quest to find the perfect XC shirt may finally be at an end. World Equestrian Brands has debuted their Equetech Custom Cross Country shirts that are totally customizable, and you can win one! Simply write a story in 100 words or less why you chose your particular cross country colors and email it to us along with a photo of your colors by March 3! [Show Us Your Cross Country Colors Contest]
Jersey Fresh International has announced the inclusion of FlyPups, Inc. into the 15th anniversary festivities for this year’s event. FlyPups, based in Pottersville, NJ, transports dogs from desperate situations to no-kill shelters and foster situations where they can be nurtured and prepared for placement in forever homes. As part of JFI’s schedule of events this year, FlyPups will hold a 5K run, as well as a 1K fun walk to benefit the organization’s operations on Sunday, May 14, at the Horse Park of New Jersey. Athletes, spectators and families are welcome to experience a unique perspective of spring in the New Jersey countryside as they run or walk around JFI’s Cross-Country Course, which will feature many awe-inspiring jumping challenges negotiated by horses and riders during the previous day’s competition. [JFI Partners with FlyPups for 2017]
Incredible US Olympic show jumper Cedric has been officially retired from competition at the ripe age of 19. Ridden by Laura Kraut and owned by Margaret Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, the 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Chambertin 3 x Cortina, by Carolus LL) was the “horse of a lifetime” for his rider. Kraut and Cedric were one of the most dynamic and successful show jumping combinations in US history. Cedric made his FEI debut in 2006 as an eight-year- old, and his partnership with Kraut has been nothing short of incredible. Kraut and Cedric were key members of the United States show jumping team that claimed the gold medal in 2008 at the summer Olympics in Beijing. [Cedric Retires]
Clark and his super young horse Engapore at Three Lakes in Ocala.
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Olivia Dutton & Icabad Crane
Phillip Dutton told EN last week that his daughter, Olivia, will continue competing Icabad Crane this season. The fan favorite off-track Thoroughbred owned by Graham and Anita Motion will start his season down in Ocala, competing in jumper shows with Olivia during her spring break.
Watch this video of Olivia and Icabad having a tune-up lesson this week at True Prospect Farm with Richard Picken. Richard had Olivia focus on keeping Icabad balanced in the turns to help him be more powerful coming into the fences. Go Icabad and Olivia!
The feeling you get when you hug your horse.
It’s why we do what we do.
Fight back against an energy crisis that can impact condition and performance
Equi-Jewel® is a high-fat, low-starch and -sugar formula developed to safely meet the energy needs of your horse. Whether you have a hard keeper that needs extra calories to maintain his weight, or a top performance horse that needs cool energy to perform at her peak, Equi-Jewel can meet your horse’s needs. Equi-Jewel reduces the risk of digestive upset, supports optimal muscle function, maintains stamina, and helps horses recover faster after hard work, all the while providing the calories your horse needs to thrive.
The fat found in rice bran is an extraordinary source of dietary energy. In fact, fat contains more than two times the energy that carbohydrates and proteins do, thereby fueling horses more efficiently. Fat is considered a “cool” feedstuff because it does not cause the hormone spikes that lead to excitability. Adding stabilized rice bran to your horse’s diet allows you to decrease the amount of starchy concentrates (grains) you feed, reducing the risk of colic and laminitis resulting from grain overload. Equi-Jewel is an excellent source of calories for horses on low sugar and starch diets. The horse that matters to you matters to us®.
Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? We are here to help. Contact us at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.
First Look at the $15,000 Eventing Prix Invitational Entry List
Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, winners of last year’s Eventing Prix Invitiational. Photo by Sofie Van Olmen.
Hot off the presses, here’s your first look at the entry list of riders for the $15,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational, which will be held next Tuesday, March 7, at Southern Cross Equestrian in Reddick, Florida.
Zach Brandt
Jennie Brannigan
Shelby Brost
Hannah Sue Burnett
Kyle Carter
Will Coleman
Hallie Coon
Buck Davidson
Justine Dutton
Lisa Marie Ferguson
Savannah “Woodge” Fulton
Liz Halliday-Sharp
Sinead Halpin
Holly Jacks
Lauren Kieffer
Leslie Law
Kylie Lyman
Caroline Martin
Kurt Martin
Tik Maynard
Joe Meyer
Bobby Meyerhoff
Clark Montgomery
Sara Kozumplik Murphy
Meghan O’Donoghue
Selena O’Hanlon
Alex O’Neal
Ellie O’Neal
Jessica Phoenix
Kelly Prather
Karl Slezak
Elizabeth Stewart
Lynn Symansky
Daisy Trayford
Elisa Wallace
Sharon White
(The list is subject to change, so keep checking back to EN for the final list.)
The action begins on Monday, March 6 at noon with a $1,000 Warm-Up Class sponsored by Doug Hannum Equine Therapy. All riders entered in the Eventing Prix Invitational can bring up to three horses to compete in this 1.15-meter speed class for $1,000 in prize money.
The Eventing Prix Invitational will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. The team order of go will be drawn the night before the competition, with team captains deciding the order of go within their team. The first round determines the team winners, and the top 10 individuals from the first round will return for a jump-off to decide the overall winner.
The event is free and open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to bring a chair and a picnic. Food and drink will also be available for purchase on the grounds from Humble Pie Pizza and other area vendors.
VIP tables are also available and include an open bar and food provided by Celebrations Catering. To reserve a VIP table, please contact Max Corcoran at [email protected].
The event is generously sponsored by Ocala Horse Properties, Peak Performance, Woodmen Life, Stella’s Electric, Doug Hannum Equine Therapy and Wordley Martin Equestrian. (Sponsorship opportunities are still available.)
If you can’t be in Ocala to watch the Eventing Prix Invitational live, Joel Wiessner of EQTV Network once again will be live streaming the competition, and you can watch right here on EN. We hope to see you there! Southern Cross is located at 13440 NW Highway 225, Reddick, FL 32686.
Stable View
Success Equestrian
FutureTrack
Sport Horse Nation
