Classic Eventing Nation

Going South? Follow These Four Steps to Plan Your Ocala Trip

By on Nov 28, 2023 12:00 pm -

My winter barn routine goes something like this: I slide my way down the hill to the barn and slog through the mud to get my bedraggled and fuzzy horse. Then I morosely groom the previously mentioned grumpy mare while staring at the slushy puddle that was once the outdoor arena. Don’t want to deal with any of this? Let’s head to Ocala, Florida instead.

As the Horse Capital of the World, Ocala is a northern equestrian’s paradise. You can ditch the snow and the ice and gallop on the beach instead. But it does take some organization and forethought to get you and your horse down there and settled in one piece. If you’re heading to Ocala for the first time, we’ve got you covered.

Step 1: Figure Out Your Goals
Going South looks different for every equestrian. Some of us just want to enjoy the warm weather with our horses and take a day trip to Universal Studios (Hogwarts, here I come!). Other equestrians will have lessons lined up with big names like Bettina Hoy and Sharon White. Or maybe you want to be out there competing every weekend. For Ocala first-timers who are only staying for a short time, prioritizing what you want to do without running the legs off your horse is key.

Decide what you want to do in Ocala before you move on to where you stay and how you get there. Whether you want to lesson with the big dogs, compete, or just enjoy the Ocala trails will have a big impact on where you stay, your budget, and more. For example, if you’re big on competing, maybe you want to rent a stall near the World Equestrian Center or at the Florida Horse Park for easy access to their lineup of clinics and competitions. But if you’re more into conditioning your horse or schooling cross country, consider staying near Majestic Oaks instead.

Step 2: How Are You Getting There?
So, you’ve decided you want to go to Ocala to accomplish one of several goals. That’s great, you’re officially one of the tsunami of equestrians heading to Florida. The only hitch is, how are you going to get there? If you’re close enough to haul your horse yourself, you’ve got it easy. However, “close enough” varies depending on who you talk to. Some trainers are willing to gun it down the highway with a six horse trailer dragging behind their trusty farm truck for 20 hours or more.

If you are going to drive yourself, planning a good route is crucial. The first step is to find layovers and base your route around those, not the other way around. Look for layovers that are reputable and close to the interstate. Driving down unknown backcountry roads in a different state doesn’t sound appealing on a normal trip, let alone with your horse in tow. Horse Motel advertises layover places based on real experience and prioritizes ones that are close to the interstate.

Trailering yourself involves a little extra planning. Be aware of any equine-related outbreaks in states you’re driving through and make sure you have the necessary paperwork for your horse, including a health certificate and negative Coggins. You’ll also need to plan out frequent stops to allow your horse to rest and rehydrate. Keep a close eye on your horse’s vitals as you travel, so you can get ahead of colic or dehydration early.

If you’re not interested in taking on the risk of driving yourself, a professional hauler is a great alternative option. Professional haulers may cost a pretty penny, but you’ll be able to sit back and relax knowing your horse will get there safely and you can drive yourself to Florida in a reasonable time frame without having to shotgun espresso or chew coffee beans straight out of the bag. If that appeals to you, Madbarn has a great list of horse transportation providers from all over the United States. Explore who’s available near you.

There’s safety in numbers– hitch a ride for yourself and your horse with another equestrian. If there’s no one else in your barn who’s going to Ocala, you’re bound to find someone on your USEA area Facebook group. While we don’t recommend standing on the side of the road with your thumb up, it’s often easier to share the physical and financial load of transporting horses with someone else. The ability to switch off drivers so one of you can get some sleep could make the difference between getting there safely and falling asleep at the wheel.

While you’re deciding how to get your horse to Ocala it’s important to keep in mind your plans once you arrive. If you’re planning on going to lessons or competitions, you’ll need to have access to a trailer while you’re there. If no one has a trailer you can use while you’re down there, you may want to haul your horse down yourself.

Step 3: Where Are You Staying?
Whatever your budget, there’s a place for you to stay in Ocala. If you won’t be staying with your horse, you could rent a house with some friends, rent a room in someone else’s house, or stay at a hotel. A hotel or motel is a particularly great option if you’re only staying in Ocala for a long weekend. If you’re feeling particularly bougie, treat yourself to a stay at the World Equestrian Center and enjoy views of the main arena right from your window. If you’re looking for a hotel that’s a little more budget friendly, shop around on this website.

As Ocala is essentially mecca for equestrians, there are plenty of other riders who might be renting out a room or barn apartment. You may even be able to score a place where you can stay with your horse. Get in touch with local equestrians on this Facebook group.

If you’re really on a budget and you love the outdoors, camping may be the perfect solution. But keep in mind that even though Florida is warm, you may still be a little chilly at night. Feel like braving the great outdoors? Stay at one of these campgrounds.

Step 4: What Are You Doing?
You’re never without things to do when it comes to visiting Ocala, but it does pay off to plan ahead. Identify trainers you want to lesson with, trails you want to ride, or competitions you want to enter before you go. You will most likely have to enter those competitions prior to heading down to Ocala and, to be respectful of that trainer’s time, you should schedule your lesson well in advance. Keep tabs on the Ocala Horse Community Facebook group for any last minute lesson opportunities.

There are lots of schooling opportunities in Ocala. Whether you’re looking for unrecognized horse trials or just a few places to go cross country schooling, you can find a variety of opportunities held at local farms here. Last year eventers including Sara Kozumplik and Will Coleman teamed up to offer a great winter schooling series at their farms. Rumor has it they may do it again this year, if you’re looking for a high-quality and affordable opportunity to get off property. To find other local competitions and clinics, check out Strider.

Looking for something to do that isn’t horse-related? First of all, how dare you? Second of all, we get it. Sometimes it’s nice to wear something besides breeches. Find local events like light displays and parades here. If you’re still looking for inspiration on what to do in Ocala, check out our Ocala Bucket List, which is chock full of great ideas– from glass bottom boat tours to ziplining to galloping on the beach.

First-timers beware, you may find Ocala too good to leave. If that happens to you, get in touch with the Ocala Horse Properties team. Or, simply while the hours away browsing through their website, wishing for the Ocala horse farm of your dreams.

This article was sponsored by Ocala Horse Properties and their amazing team of realtors. If you’re looking for the perfect Florida horse farm, look no further. Explore their website.

Madison Temkin is All In

By on Nov 28, 2023 9:30 am -

Madison Temkin competed in her first FEI competition, the then-CCI1* at Galway Downs at the age of just 14. Her horse, Kingslee, the former ride of the late and loved Geriann Henderson, was 16 years old and they finished in a respectable 12th place with a clear round cross country. Fast forward to 2023, which finds Maddy and her family recently relocated, having uprooted their life in California to live in Kentucky in a quest to further Maddy’s burgeoning eventing career. Samantha Clark popped in to visit their new farm in Lexington to say hello to Maddy and find out a little more.

Madison Temkin and MVP Madbum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

 

Double B Farm is an easy and scenic 20 minute drive from Lexington. Surrounded by iconic, immaculate horse farms and a mere 10 minutes to the Kentucky Horse Park, it’s essentially the perfect location.

“The location was absolutely to die for!” Maddy agrees. “We’re so close to the Horse Park, we’re so close to the vet hospital and the interstate, all of that, and in addition we’re pretty close to Lexington as well. We kind of joke around that everywhere you go is 25 minutes away, so that’s a huge aspect of it.”

A true paradise! Photo by Samantha Clark.

75 acres of prime, gently rolling bluegrass, three houses and three barns were obviously also attractive. “There was just something about it, it kind of just called to all of us,” Maddy muses. “The infrastructure of the barns was definitely a huge bonus, as well as the houses because it’s hard to run an operation without extended family, and you want them to be able to be on the farm. It had very, very good bones.”

Maddy lives with her family (mom Beth, step-dad Brian, and younger brother Parker) in the main house, while their working students live in one of the smaller, modular houses. They rent out the third home as an Airbnb property for some residual income during summer circuit. The Temkin family moved a year ago last October, driving themselves and their belongings across the country, and since then they’ve added an enormous (80 x 240) indoor arena with a viewing deck, spruced up Maddy’s barn and the paddock fencing, and despite a short winter in Ocala, have begun to settle in.

Horses graze peacefully on the Bluegrass. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Part of the new facility the Temkin family now calls home in Kentucky. Photo by Samantha Clark.

“I’ll sometimes be walking horses and I’ll look around and think to myself, ‘Wow, we really live here!’ Everyone is extremely nice here, and extremely welcoming. The horse community has been especially wonderful. I do feel like it’s home.”

Maddy’s first visit to the Bluegrass State came in 2014, when she traveled as a groom with the Area VI Young Rider team. She would then return the following year as a competitor with Kingslee. “Each time I came out here it was spectacular,” she recalls. “Now to be able to have the Kentucky Horse Park less than fifteen minutes away is incredible, and to be able to gallop around the Kentucky Horse Park at home town events is pretty cool, that’s for sure.”

“It’s amazing how fast it’s all come together,” Maddy says, describing the purchase process, much of which she was involved with from afar as she was unable to travel back and forth due to her commitments at the California farm. While initially worried the property might be too work-intensive, “In all honesty I looked at my parents and said, ‘This is going to be so much work.’” she laughs. “I wasn’t even thinking about all the things we know now: the mowing, every night it seems a horse tries to push a board off our brand new fencing… there’s always something else that needs to be done. Everyone tries to break the barn down if you don’t turn them out on the dot when they’re supposed to go out…they absolutely love the Kentucky bluegrass and massive pastures.” Here she credits step-dad Brian, who worked as a contractor in California, for taking on a lot of the property maintenance and updating.

“My step dad Brian loves the farm and he loves the horses, and he has definitely brought the farm back to life,” Maddy says. In his previous, pre-Temkin life, Brian was not at all “horsey”, Maddy explains. “Before he met my mum, the only thing he knew was you’re not supposed to give horses lawn clippings, because one time he thought he was doing a nice thing for his neighbor’s horses in California and got severely scolded! But he’s horsey now, and he’s kind of what keeps it all together here at the farm. He has these ideas which aren’t necessarily what you’d think of as horse ideas but it’s amazing how his line of work crosses over to what we do.”

The Coast Swap

Madison Temkin and Dr. Hart at Galway Downs (CA). Photo by Sally Spickard.

Switching coasts is a monumental decision, and obviously not one the family took lightly. “We thought about it for quite some time,” Maddy says. “We went back and forth quite a bit on whether or not we should leave California, and it was really hard. The community of the eventing family as we like to call it in California is something that is very hard to find; everyone is very close and that’s who I grew up with, and my mom grew up with. We had been there so long and we had a really great group of clients but luckily we’re all still in touch.”

However, Maddy and Beth are hoping that with the University of Kentucky (and its burgeoning equestrian team) on their doorstep, they’ll be able to slowly replicate their formula for success. “A huge aspect of why we moved to Kentucky was the University of Kentucky essentially,” We have a lot of clients and a full barn now, all of which are UK eventing students, Maddy explains. “We hope we’ll be able to create a little bit of what we had in California here in Kentucky with our clients basically. At the end of the day my competitive career is very important, but I would really love to be able to have a business and clients, and help produce young riders and teach people all the knowledge I have learned over the years and continue to learn. There is so much opportunity here in Kentucky for both clients and trainers alike, I can’t really think of a better place for horses, and horse people to live.”

Despite having to adjust to different aspects of horse care in Kentucky versus California – learning to be ok with horses turned out in the rain (here Maddy shares the hilarious story of panicking the week of Kentucky when it was raining, and fellow West coast rider Bec Braitling reassuring her that her California horses would survive the rain, and wouldn’t melt!), using grazing muzzles to acclimate the horses to the rich bluegrass, for two examples – it’s become home for her and her family.

The Line-up

Madison Temkin and Fernhill Bertus. USEA/Meagan DeLisle photo

Maddy typically rides between 6 and 14 horses each day. She has MVP Madbum, her OTTB mare that she got off the track as a two-year-old (when Maddy was 15 years old) and who just turned 10 and is now competing at the Advanced and 4* level. They got 2023 off to a cracking start, placing ninth in the Advanced at Chatt Hills and 15th in the CCI4*S at Tryon in May. They’d then go on to finish second in their first 4*-L at Rebecca Farm.

“It’s pretty crazy to think she’s done all that,” Maddy reflects. “She’s an incredible cross country horse and show-jumper, she’s very careful and very brave.”

“Madbum”, as she’s fondly known (she raced as MVP Madbum after former San Francisco Giants pitcher and World Series MVP winner Madison Baumgarner, and Maddy thinks it’s unlucky to change a horse’s name), is one in a string of ex-racehorses that have found promising second careers thanks to Maddy. “Someone had already restarted Hollywood, but he came to us as a horse in training and we matched quite well and I also produced him up to the four-star level from Intro/Beginner Novice. We got Georgia as a two-year-old and I produced her up to Training level, and then there’s been a couple of others that I’ve sold on.”

Georgia, a gorgeous, big bay mare, was bred to a jumping stallion this spring and will be both Beth and Maddy’s first foray into breeding, “I love producing young horses and I’ve always produced thoroughbreds off the racetrack for myself and if they don’t work for me I sell them on to someone who they will work for,” Maddy elaborates. “I really hope that I can do the same thing with some homebreds.”

The latest to join Maddy’s personal string are two stunning grey five-year-olds, sourced in 2022 from Fernhill’s Carol Gee in Ireland. Fernhill Fairytale is an Irish Sport Horse mare, and Fernhill Bertus a Hanoverian gelding. Maddy has been talent spotted and a member of the USEF U25 and Developing Rider program for many years already, and it’s that foundation that spurred the overseas buying trip.

Fernhill Fairytale is a part of an exciting group of young horses for Maddy. Photo by Samantha Clark.

“Through the U25 program — how they’ve developed us — we know we need to be looking at our four-, six-, and eight-year plans, and two four-year-olds that are of team quality are what I had to look for,” she explains. “It’s hard to know obviously because they’re so young! I went to a couple of different yards although they were the only two we did see twice.”

Those two four-year-olds are now five and competing at Training level, with Fernhill Bertus winning Reserve Champion in the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships at Maryland 5 Star in October.

“Those were the two that really stood out to us and we’re very, very lucky that Carol worked with us,” she continues. “I feel very fortunate; it’s always been a childhood dream of mine to be able to ride a Fernhill horse, and now to have the two of them, it’s pretty cool.”

While Maddy recognizes the influence that more “purpose-bred” horses have had as the sport evolves, meaning we now see fewer pure Thoroughbreds competing at the top levels, she firmly believes nothing truly beats a good Thoroughbred. “As the sport changes a bit and the dressage has become so influential – and the show jumping as well – I think we as riders have to change a bit, but with that being said I’d still pick a good Thoroughbred to go out of the box on any day. Kingslee started that for me from a young age because I’d grown up riding ponies and whatever I could get my hands on, so I was really, really fortunate to be in the right place at the right time thanks to Hawley Bennet and to acquire the ride on Kingslee. I think he, Dr. Hart and MadBum will always keep my love for Thoroughbreds burning very strong.”

Maddy and Kingslee. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Maddy is ambitious – there isn’t any denying that. Her commitment to her craft is evident not only in her willingness to leave her hometown and friends behind, but in her daily dedication, doing the bulk of the riding and associated work at her farm herself.

Jessie Olsen is technically an assistant, but Maddy describes her as one of the family; she moved from Colorado to Pennsylvania and then to California before “we all had a discussion and made the decision together. We’re very lucky that she’s been with us for so long and she came with us to Kentucky, she’s amazing. None of this would be possible without her, she is one of the most incredible people and horsewomen I have ever met. I trust her with absolutely everything.” She lives on site with another working student and works alongside Maddy and her mom.

As a part of the Eventing Pathway Program through the USEF, Maddy benefits from training with Leslie Law, and now David O’Connor. “A huge asset that I didn’t even realize when we first moved out to Kentucky is that David O’Connor has been able to come out and help me quite a bit!” Maddy shares. “Because he is Chief of Sport at USEF he comes out to get his horse fix after his desk job, so he’s come out and helped me as well, and working with him,my mom and Leslie Law in the U25 – it’s a lot of masterminds coming together so that’s been a huge asset to me developing as a rider and developing my young horses as well.”

The Future is Bright

Madison Temkin and MVP Madbum. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The work and hours put in have gotten Maddy plenty of notice. Most recently, she was awarded a first-of-its-kind exchange program award from Maryland Horse Trials. As the top-placed young rider in the FEI divisions at this summer’s event, Maddy will receive a trip to Ireland next year to go to Millstreet International. The idea for the program developed after Governor Larry Hogan went to Cork County, Ireland in 2022 alongside Maryland Horse Industry Board officials, including Ross Peddicord.

“I knew about the grant, but in all honesty between being extremely superstitious and focusing on punching my ticket to Rebecca Farm, I tried not to worry about that as well,” Maddy recalls. “I was a bit shocked when I found out I had won this grant. I am incredibly excited and equally grateful to receive this opportunity to go over to Ireland and compete at Millstreet. Experiences like this are invaluable to us as we continue to develop up the levels of our sport, and I just want to say how thankful I am to each individual who is a part of making this opportunity happen.”

To stave off any homesickness (though she’s been able to keep up with her California-based counterparts at many events on the East coast this season), it was a homecoming of sorts at Rebecca Farm, a popular summer destination for West Coast-based eventers in particular. “Rebecca Farm always feels a bit like coming home but this year it was extra special,” Maddy says. “The West coast is such a tight-knit community and everyone is family. Although I’ve been east for some time now, it was like I had just seen everyone two weeks before. With my mom being an eventer and trainer, I grew up at events in California and so many of these people are truly my family.”

Maddy, Beth Temkin, and Fernhill Fairytale. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Producing and training horses successfully is a recurring theme in our conversation so it’s hardly a surprise when Maddy tells me that power couple Tim and Jonelle Price would be who she most admires and looks up to in eventing. “They consistently produce very good horses after very good horses. There are certain horses they ride that you see and you’ll be blown away by them, and others you’ll wonder how they became so good, and I think they do an incredible job producing horses that maybe other people wouldn’t see that in them. Time and time again they bring those horses up the levels and produce them to be five-star winners and that inspires me.”

It’s exciting for the Central Kentucky eventing and sport horse community to have another top rider and trainer in our midst, and exciting to imagine what the future holds for this talented and dedicated young rider. Go Kentucky and Go Eventing!

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Nov 28, 2023 8:41 am -

It’s very definitely indoor eventing season, and while I’m stuck at home watching on the livestream, I’m definitely getting my fill of the adventure of getting there by following along with young Swedish eventer Sofia Sjoborg as she documents her trip from England to Malmö for the next class on the calendar. Go forth a live vicariously through her, too, as she takes on one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions of it’s kind!

Events Opening Today: None!

Events Closing Today: Also none!

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

I’m always a big advocate for voting within whichever governing body you’re part of. It’s a way to ensure that your needs are being met, and your voice is being represented – and it’s exercising your right to democracy, babyyyyy. Take a look through this year’s nominees for the USEA Board of Governors and prepare to cast your vote wisely.

What does a horse actually need to make it to the top in eventing? COTH caught up with three titans of US eventing — Phillip, Jennie, and Boyd — to find out what they look for in a horse they plan to bring through to the top. As it turns out, even the very best find it seriously difficult, and I’m not sure yet whether I find that reassuring or demoralising, but I’m aiming for the former.

Have you got a horse that’s stuck on box rest for the long term? This article might be a bit of a must-read. It’ll help you get your support system and your care plan down pat, and keep yourself, hopefully, a little bit saner than you’d have been otherwise. Stay strong out there, folks.

Great news for Thoroughbreds in the US: just under $4 million has been awarded in grants to organisations dedicated to the care, support, and rehoming of ex-racehorses in 2023. That pushes the overall total to $31.9 million since the inception of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in 2012. It’s a promising shift in the right direction, and you can learn more about it here.

Sponsor Corner: How quickly did you switch your horse from pasture to hay? Making the transition too fast can result in gas colic– and big vet bills. Check out this infographic from Kentucky Performance Products on how to make the transition safely.

Watch This:

Ever wondered what it’s like to be the rider in a lecture demo with an eventing legend? It goes a little something like this…

Monday Video: On Tour with Piggy

By on Nov 27, 2023 2:30 pm -

What off-season? Not long after unpacking from Pau (which wasn’t all that long after unpacking from Maryland), Piggy March took her literal show on the road with Piggy TV On Tour! Piggy TV On Tour has already brought three live demonstrations to arenas around the UK, with two more on tap (you can grab tickets for those here, if interested!) Each demo features a different top-level rider sharing their own wisdom in addition to Piggy’s as they work with an assortment of horses from former five-star mounts to fresh-off-the-track Thoroughbreds.

The first Piggy TV Demo took place at Hartbury Equine’s arena and featured none other than fellow five-star and Team Great Britain rider Laura Collet. The ladies who vlog at The Eventing Journey, were in attendance at this demo and have put together a bunch of snippets to share. Enjoy!

Weekend Winners: Pine Top Thanksgiving HT

By on Nov 27, 2023 11:30 am -

Thanksgiving weekend was a bit quieter for the eventing scene, with one event running at Pine Top Thanksgiving HT. We saw plenty of eventers celebrating the holiday weekend with their equine partners, and we’re loving all of the smiles and gratitude we see coming from the event across social media platforms! We do all of this for the love of the horse, and the eventing community around us!

Congrats to all riders on successful weekends, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Mariah Johnson and Pablo Picasso! Mariah and Pablo Picasso scored a great 24.7 in the Beginner Novice Rider A division.

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Emily Beshear and Bad Moon Rising (27.4)
Modified: Kate Brown and Kokoleka (29.3)
Open Training: Brian Kilgo-Kelly and Caspian (26.1)
Preliminary/Training: Darcy Drury and Fernhill Count On Me (80.1)
Training/Novice: Lauren Alexander and Excel Star Over The Moon (31.1)
Training Rider: Kyla Perkins and DSD Dream Big (32.8)
Novice Rider: Alexis Shrum and Anchorman (28.9)
Open Novice: Emily Hamel and N Angel of Poppes (25.8)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Mariah Johnson and Pablo Picasso (24.7)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kalli Holderfield and Winston (35.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Darci Phelps and FGF Tiebreak (32.1)
Starter: Brittany Kuntz and Holy Redeemer (27.7)

Monday News & Notes from FutureTrack

By on Nov 27, 2023 9:00 am -

 

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Last chance alert: today’s the final day you can secure 20% off your annual Horse&Country TV membership, which will give you access not only to a huge list of international competitions, but also a back catalogue of documentaries, training series, and reality-style TV programmes, making sure you’ve always got something great to watch as the cold nights draw in. Nab your membership here – and let me know what you’re watching!

National Holiday: It’s Cyber Monday, the online equivalent of Black Friday. If you’re in need to a comprehensive list of US-based horsey discounts – with plenty of brilliant small businesses in the mix – check out Amanda Chance’s huge list here.

US Weekend Results:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Results]

Your Monday Reading List:

Lauren Sprieser’s concept of ‘deferred maintenance’ — or, The Lotto List — probably sounds pretty familiar to you. You know the one: your phone starts acting real weird, or your car’s check engine light resolutely stays on, or your fridge door suddenly, for some reason, needs to be propped shut to stay shut, but these things require cash outlay to fix, and so it’s those quids-in moments, like the day you sell a horse or a saddle or a car with a better-behaved check engine light, that you tackle all those bits and bobs. So no, maybe there’s no island holiday or very expensive imported youngster that comes after a big-ish sale – but Lauren feels your pain.

Amanda brought you that incredible US-based discount list (scroll up if you missed it!) – but what about the Brits among us? Horse&Hound is on hand to share the best bargains they’ve found. I’m eyeing up all the waterproof coats and boots as I write this while steadily being deafened by the continued barrage of rain. When. Will. It. Stop.

The latest edition of Practical Horseman Extra takes you behind the scenes at a place we think is pretty special. That’s TerraNova Equestrian in Florida, home of sparkling sunshine on eventing days and some seriously incredible facilities. Go take a snoop around the place here.

At just 38 years old, Alexa Pessoa – wife of Brazilian showjumping legend Rodrigo, and a Grand Prix jumper in her own right – was diagnosed with breast cancer. What followed was a saga of strength, community, and flow-state focus as she faced a mastectomy and the Wellington season all at once. Her story is well worth a read today – and is a sage reminder to check your girls for any changes, too.

Need to save some money on your horsey expenses? Think communally. That’s what this group of New Englanders — a notoriously savvy part of the country when it comes to pinching pennies — cites as their biggest life hack, but there’s plenty of great tips above and beyond that shared in this article. Something I’d add to this list? Create a chore barter system. Maybe you’ve been paying for body clipping, but one of your barn mates is excellent at it – and they’re in need of some help fixing their truck, which is something you’re pretty damn good at. Swapping skills in this way can save you both money while getting everything you need done.

Morning Viewing:

I’m avoiding all that rain by going back down my favourite rabbit hole: luxury barn tours. Eat the rich, and let me have their stables, thanks.

What Goes into Planning a Competition? Behind the Scenes with Stable View Organizer Molly Bull

By on Nov 26, 2023 10:30 am -

Photo by Shelby Allen.

For us as riders, we prepare for events ahead of time: making sure our horse is fit, sending in our entry, and fine-tuning our dressage test. For all the people who make our competitions go ’round, it’s no different! There is a lot of preparation and moving parts to an event — more than most people realize. I caught up with event organizer Molly Bull to learn about what goes on behind the scenes of an event.

Molly organizes various events on the east coast, Stable View’s full roster of National and FEI Horse Trials being one of them. She lives outside of Charlottesville, VA and makes the seven-hour commute to Stable View for all of their recognized events and some of their unrecognized events.

Molly rode at the Advanced level for many years but took a break when she had her son. “I knew I didn’t want to ride at the upper levels anymore, but I still wanted to be involved in eventing. So, when he was little, that’s when I started doing a bit of secretary work,” she explained.

Eventually, she switched to being an organizer and now Molly makes sure all the moving parts are moving where they need to be. In order to do that, planning is a multi-step (more like a million-step) operation.

The process of planning and executing an event starts just as soon as the event ends. “When an event ends, I usually write up a debriefing email with notes, that for Stable View, it would go to Barry and Cindy [Oliff], the owners and then anybody else who might be affected by whatever is in the notes.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Molly ensures that people like the show jump designer, Technical Delegate, president of the Ground Jury, dressage and show jump judges, and cross country designers and builders are able to work the event the next year. “I allow my thoughts to settle after the event ends and then start thinking about who I want to hire for the next year,” she said.

Some event officials stay consistent throughout the season, so at the end of the year Molly will send them the event dates to make sure they can work all of them. For the officials that rotate between events, Molly assembles a team in her head and contacts them to see who can commit.

Next step: getting the event on all the calendars. “You have to renew the competition through your USEF dashboard and pay the fees for that. Closer to the event, you have to register it with US Eventing and pay a fee for that. Then, as you get closer still, you have to do your omnibus page and submit that, plus a bunch of prize list materials to the USEF and then that has to get approved.”

Since Stable View hosts so many events throughout the year, they own things like golf carts, radios, manure dumpsters, and Porta Johns. “They’re a little bit of a unique venue because they own so much that you don’t need to order; at some events that I organize, I have to order radios, order Porta Johns, order ribbons.”

Depending on the size of the event and how many levels are competing, Molly will make the drive to Stable View a few days before the course opens. For smaller events, this means driving down on Wednesday or Thursday of that week, but for larger events, she arrives on Monday or Tuesday.

“When I get on site, usually there’s no competitors there yet, so I like that process of getting everything ready for them and putting up tents and getting everything set out — posting maps on the start box once they’ve been approved.”

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Molly enjoys her job and once everything comes together on the day of the event, she finds it thrilling. “It’s always exciting when dressage starts. But for me, the most exciting is when the first horse leaves the box for cross country. That’s the moment that I’m like ‘Ok, I’ve put all this work into it and now it’s really happening.’”

Inevitably, some things are bound to go wrong, but that’s no worry for Molly. “My job isn’t to make sure nothing ever goes wrong but to react and handle it when things do go wrong– make good decisions, be calm, just come up with a way to solve the problem.”

So, what can we as competitors do to help people like Molly and the rest of the crew? “I think speaking for the secretary, they can get their paperwork in and have complete entries.”

Another thing we can do to help is not waiting until the closing date — or after — to enter an event. “It makes it really hard to plan the schedule, as an organizer, that’s hard because if you think you only have 100 entries, but then between closing and the event, you get 100 additional entries, it completely changes the makeup of the day and how many officials you need.”

Molly, along with all the other show organizers, officials, and volunteers work insanely hard to make it all happen. We are so lucky to enjoy so many beautiful venues and well-run events that keep our sport running.

Next time you’re at an event, be sure to thank all those wonderful people who make it all happen!

Go Eventing.

Sunday Links from Etalon Equine Genetics

By on Nov 26, 2023 12:01 am -

I hope everyone successfully survived this weekend with both their stomachs and their wallets intact, because it is FINALLY my favorite time of year — socially-acceptable CHRISTMAS! While I myself may have been secretly Spotifying my holiday playlist since Halloween, Cooley Farms has come into the holiday season in full swing, complete with bells, lights, Santa, and sleigh. Clearly the Irish know how to do Christmas right!

U.S. Weekend Action

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Live Scoring]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

Caroline Pamukcu’s champion U25 mount Quantum Solace has passed away

To no one’s surprise, Woods Baughman is named 2023’s Hot Horseman

Updated: convicted trainer Michael Barisone is released from custody

New Knowledge on Diagnosing Equine Endocrine Disease

Don’t Miss: Eventing Nation’s Black Friday Round-Up & Horse Nation’s Holiday Gift Guide!

Sponsor Corner: Something new is coming this way… Etalon Equine Genetics has discovered something big and will be announcing more information soon! Not Dominant White or Splashed White, this little guy pictured is a great example of their new discovery.

Morning Viewing: By now, you’ve likely seen the humorous and viral short video recently released by the FEI on why we should stop conducting “shavings inspections” in our horses’ stalls. This was a lead into FEI presenting their newest video campaign on YouTube: Think Outside The Box. This series is aimed at raising awareness and educating people about the risk of contamination in and around the stables, and hopes to highlight the biosecurity risks involved in our sport. There are already 4 videos released in this campaign, and you can watch the first here!

From the Ground Up: Keeping Instinct and Intention Central

By on Nov 25, 2023 11:44 am -

In the summer of 2022, I found myself on the back of a semi-feral Mongolian horse in the middle of a forest with a massive storm rolling in. As I noticed the darkening clouds catching up to our group, I felt my hands beginning to sweat, my heartbeat quickening, and a knot in my stomach clenching in anticipation. As my nerves grew, my horse began jigging underneath me, seeming to sense the energy shift in myself and the atmosphere.

Photo by Dulguunsuren Sergelen.

As the storm closed in, it quickly and completely wrapped around us. I heard the thunder right as I saw the flash of lightning and the rain quickly rushing over the deteriorating muddy path beneath. However, as temperatures were quickly dropping below freezing, we had to push on to find a safe place to camp for the evening. My efforts to hand walk my horse through the roots, boulders, and mud proved to be too slow as I stumbled along, keeping my fingers crossed that I didn’t break an ankle. The herder guiding me begged me to hop on, told me to trust my horse — he was made for this; he knew the terrain. I turned to my horse, forced to hand over control to him as I hopped on. Very quickly, he cut our time in half, effortlessly navigating the terrain based on instinct and experience, so long as I stayed out of his way.

That experience is just one of the countless memories I have from that two-week horse trek through northern Mongolia. I had gone on the trip as a fun, adventurous, and unique experience to push myself out of my comfort zone, and had no idea how life-changing it would become. As I reflected on the trip, and navigating those storms and terrain with gratitude for the horse that got me out safely, I realized how drastically it changed my approach to my professional life with horses too. Feeling how much my feelings and thoughts impacted my horse, AND how capable and knowledgeable he was, I was forced to consider and examine the relationships I had with instinct and intention in working with horses.

Photo by Erik Cooper.

As I considered the role that my intention had on my horses and my session with them, I began to consider: when does a session with a horse begin? Is it when I swing my leg over my horse? When I halter them in the field? The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it starts before you even get to the barn – the mindset, emotions, and experiences that you have shape what comes next.

Many horse people have acknowledged experiential evidence of horses responding to the state of another being — we often say that a horse can tell when a rider is anxious, or fearful. Research has supported this evidence, suggesting that horses respond to a person’s state of being, and cues, from our heart beat, to our expressions, and our vocal cues.

Let’s try this: close your eyes, picture a day at the beach. You’re with friends and family, enjoying the gentle sounds of waves as you build a sandcastle and read a book in the shade of your umbrella. What does your heart rate feel like? Your breathing? Now picture something else: you wake up, only to realize your alarm didn’t go off. You’re late for a meeting with your new boss, and hurry to get ready only to get stuck in traffic on the way to your office. How does your body change?

Our experiences have an impact on us. But they also have an impact on the horses around us. In the study “Investigating horse-human interactions: the effect of a nervous human” by Linda J Keeling, Liv Jonare, and Lovisa Lanneborn, the heart rate of horses and handlers were observed as horses and handlers were asked to walk from Point A to Point B four times. The researchers told participants an umbrella would open as they made the fourth pass. The umbrella never opened, but heart rates in both horses and humans increased during the fourth trip between the points, when the human expected the umbrella to open. This suggests that the change in the humans’ heart rate has an impact on the horses’, and therefore the state of the horse in work.

Photo by Julia Dillavou.

Furthermore, Ayaka Takimoto, Kosuke Nakamura, and Toshikazu Hasegawa collaborated in a study that explored whether or not horses integrated facial cues with expected tone of voice. The study suggested that they do, showing that horses cross-modally recognized the emotional states of their caretakers and strangers.

Creating a space with a lower stress, comfortable environment in the training process is important, as there is evidence to show that experiencing stress can impair memory and learning in horses, as seen in Henshall, Randle, and Francis’ “The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses”.

These studies support what many horse people have already experienced: how we show up does affect how our horses feel. By recognizing the power and ability we have in setting and maintaining our feelings, thoughts, and emotions, we can set intentions going into a training session or time with our horse that will promote learning in a comfortable environment.

While we can only have control over ourselves and our intentions in the partnership, it is important to recognize the strengths, emotions, wants, and needs of the horse in effort to make it a collaborative, mutually beneficial relationship. During my experience in Mongolia, turning to, and trusting the strengths of my equine partner allowed me to pass through terrain I was ill-equipped to handle on my own.

Photo by Cody Cole.

Horses are built to travel distances, forage for sustenance, and live in a herd setting. Giving space for our partners to meet these needs of their species, around and within the work with which they do, will not only lower stress, and therefore improve learning ability, but will allow them to show up with their own strength and ability in the training process.

Based on experience and science, how we approach horses, and how we feel while we’re around horses does have an impact on what they feel, and therefore what they retain in the learning process. If we can focus on regulating our emotions and mindset as we go into our work with our horses, we can set a tone that’s confident, open, and receptive to experiencing new ideas in a way which promotes individuality and learning calmly and appropriately.

Being aware of the intention, or the mental state in which we commit to a course of action, we bring to our training sessions and our days can change the physical response a horse has, such as their heart rate, their emotional state, their general demeanor, and their learning retention. Creating such a mindset can then allow us to listen to, empathize with, and trust the instincts that the horse experiences. Encouraging these instincts to remain intact through the training process not only has helped in situations where I’ve needed a horse with the clarity and self-confidence to navigate a challenging question, but also has created space for the formation of a true partnership between horse and rider to form, allowing for and celebrating the strengths that each partner can bring to the equation.

It can be challenging to set aside time to set intentions, or encourage your horse’s instincts when days can be so full and busy. A few weeks ago, HorseClass hosted a demo day, and I was invited to discuss the importance of instinct and intention in training. I so appreciated the opportunity to discuss these ideas and provide some examples and exercises to practice looping both intention and instinct in your daily work.

For more insight and guidance on how mindfulness practices, longeing exercises, groundwork routines, and management practices can help in this process, send an email to [email protected]. This speaker series through HorseClass, which includes topics such as riding transitions, the Masterson Method, Reiki with Horses, and more, was made in effort to fundraise for Healing with Horses. Any donation towards the effort and for the recording of these demos are appreciated!

Photo by Julia Dillavou.

 

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Working with horses provides us with the opportunity to connect two individuals, with their own strengths and weaknesses, together. This affords us the chance to accomplish tasks we couldn’t otherwise do alone, cross new terrain, finish difficult tests, and gain more of an insight into who we are and what we experience.

Through science and experience, emphasizing and focusing on clarifying our intentions and encouraging instinct within the training process can help us to achieve a deeper and more collaborative relationship with our equine partners. By recognizing the power of our energy, and holding space to utilize our intentions, we can create space for our horses to explore their instincts and learn in an environment that promotes their needs and strengths.

Saturday Links from Word Equestrian Brands

By on Nov 25, 2023 12:01 am -

US Dressage riders Laura Graves, Ashley Holzer, Kasey Perry-Glass, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Anna Buffini, and Susie Dutta recently made their primetime TV debut alongside Megan Thee Stallion in a new commercial promoting NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Watch above! Hopefully this heralds more widespread coverage of the equestrian events!?

US Weekend Action:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (Thompson, GA): [Website] [Live Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Meet Dr Koffi, Ivory Coast’s First-Ever Specialist Equine Vet

The Perfect Way to Conclude a Childhood Dream: Joan Harper is the Newest USEA Century Ride Award Recipient

Conference explores environmental sustainability in the horse world

Pathway laid out for future-proofing horse sports

Best of Blogs: Get ready to light your wallet on fire with the annual Black Friday deals list you’ve come to know and love courtesy of Breed. Ride. Event.

Sponsor Corner: “There’s no great rider that hasn’t broken some bones and wondered, ‘What on Earth are we doing here? Why am I trying so hard?’ and ‘What are we doing this for? How am I ever gonna be good enough to get there?’’

World Equestrian Brands‘ rider Allie Knowles talks to us about seeking balance and striving for perfection.

Allie Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Morning Viewing: That moment you sport yourself on TV!