Classic Eventing Nation

10 Things Eventers Shouldn’t Have to Justify

By on Jan 6, 2014 9:00 am -

“The Mane Event,” by Lindsey Kahn. All rights reserved.

After reading Brianna Wiest’s pertinent and powerful “18 Things Women Shouldn’t Have to Justify,” I was inspired to compile a similar list for eventers, by eventers. I asked some friends, and here is an abridged (and by no means complete) list of things that we are often pressured to explain or apologize for.

1. Our breeds of choice.

Whether you’re a breed purist or couldn’t care less about your horse’s pedigree, equestrians often give and receive flak over horse breeds. I’m by no means faithful to a single type, but I’ve often felt the need to explain why I bought my horses and what I’m “planning to use them for.” My answer? Whatever I want. My Morgan gelding (who, I might add, is 14.3 hands and is built like a brick house) does dressage and jumps, and he’s also a reliable mount for western, trails, you name it. If you and your horse are fit for the job and can train for it, you should never be discouraged by the judgment of others.

2. Riding in the lower levels.

I’ve noticed that there seems to be an unspoken rule that a rider’s level determines his or her success. While this is understandable as far as setting goals and working toward improving one’s athleticism and skill, it can also lead to a sense of impatience or even shame among riders at the lower levels. I’ve heard people say things like: “This is just my Beginner Novice horse,” or “My doctor said I should take it easy, which is why I’m only trotting for now.” Ride at the level at which you’re comfortable and capable, and remember that there’s nothing wrong with going back to basics.

3. Riding in the upper levels.

You and your horse have worked hard, forged a tight connection, practiced for countless hours and have achieved greatness. Congratulations! Whether you and your horse have worked your way up from square one or you purchased a tried-and-true horse to give you experience in the upper levels, you deserve this challenge and opportunity to show the world what you two are made of.

4. Buying a horse.

Horses are a living, breathing investment, and let’s face it: Some are more expensive than others. It’s never advisable to drop a year’s salary on a horse with chronic lameness or a severe personality problem; there are plenty of resources — from trainers and vets to good old common sense — that can help you during the buying process. However, the purchase of your next athletic partner is ultimately your decision alone and one that you have every right to be proud of.

5. Selling a horse.

So it’s time for you and your athletic partner to part ways. Maybe there’s a health issue, the two of you don’t click or it’s just time to move on. Maybe you can’t afford a horse right now. Regardless of the reasons, the decision to sell a horse can be a tough one. Be candid and honest with prospective buyers, and keep in mind that you have every right to sell or not sell your horse to someone. After all, you want your horse to have a good home, whether or not it’s with you. Be selective.

6. Moving your horse to another barn.

Need a more convenient location? How about different amenities, lower board, different training options, getting away from unsavory riding or social conditions, or simply needing a change of scenery? If another place is a better fit for you and your horse, go for it. Again, your horse, your decision.

7. Playing it safe.

Whether you and your horse are coming back from some time off or you’re riding on iffy footing, there is nothing wrong with taking things easy. It is very often better to be safe than sorry.

8. Taking risks.

On the flip side, progress and experience can’t be gained without pushing oneself. Maybe it’s time to tackle that ditch or begin training for that next level.

9. Expressing yourself.

So you put a hot pink saddle pad and boots on your gelding, and a tiny voice in the back of your mind whispers that the bedazzled browband and helmet covers are taking things too far. Screw that! Wear it with pride because I can guarantee that your horse doesn’t care.

10. Being an eventer.

This is what we love, and this is why we endure all the blood, sweat and tears. We’re in it for the whole, big, crazy package, and we know that it takes a special kind of drive and moxie — and yes, more than a little insanity — to tackle the three phases. If something brings you joy and doesn’t harm others, don’t apologize for loving it. Go Eventing.

For more of Lindsey Kahn’s art and writing, visit her website or Facebook page.

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

By on Jan 6, 2014 12:01 am -
Yep, I'm certainly going to have a stop or two at this after all the work I put in to it. It is all but guaranteed. Yep, I'm certainly going to have a stop or two at this after all the work I put in to it. It is all but guaranteed.

Sometimes you have a weekend so great that you don’t really mind going back to work on Monday.  I was fortunate to have one of those this past weekend.  Sunday morning was spent galloping around like an idiot on my pony followed by an afternoon of painting jumps.  There’s something magical that happens when the paint comes out.  It’s hard to have a bad day when it’s spent getting your art on.  Hopefully this work week will let me recover enough so that I can be ready for Hawley Bennett’s clinic at Dragonfire this weekend!

Events Opening This Week:

Pine Top Spring Advanced HT (Georgia, A-3)

Monday News and Notes:

As classes get underway this week at the University of Georgia, the UGA Eventing Team has their semester schedule ready.  They are excited about the clinics and events they have planned to prepare us for the next challenge! Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Georgia is hosting another College Team Challenge on April 5th-6th. UGA is looking forward to competing against Clemson, Kentucky and Tennessee again and welcoming the newly formed teams from Auburn, Alabama and USC Aiken! You can expect tailgating, school spirit, and plenty of great riding all weekend! If you are an college rider, alumni, or eventing supporter make sure to put this date on your calendar! [UGA Eventing]

Oregon has joined the list of states that have banned horse-tripping.  The new law prohibiting horse-tripping went in to effect with the new year.  [More Here]

A horse was rescued after falling through a snow-covered tarp in to a swimming pool in Pennsylvania. The horse was tangled in the tarp and stuck in the icy waters for over an hour.  The attending vet cut the horse free of the tarp which allowed him to walk up the steps and out of the pool.  Other than being cold and some minor cuts to his fetlocks the horse was no worse for the wear. [More Here]

Three people have been arrested in Kentucky in connection with shooting and killing several horses.  All four horses that were reported shot either died immediately or had to be euthanized.  Two of the three individuals arrested have confessed to the crime. [More Here]

A severed horse head was found in the Miami-Dade area.  There is some suspicion that the horse was butchered alive for Santeria.  While it is legal for Santeria worshippers to kill animals for religious sacrifices it is not legal for them to do so in areas not zoned for slaughter.  Miami-Dade police are said to be investigating. Be warned, there are some fairly unsettling images at the link. [More Here]

New Jersey stable owners may soon find themselves out from under a tax-burden that many didn’t even know existed until recently.  In 2006, state-legislation mandated sales tax on storage facilities.  This category was stretched to include horse-stalls.  Many stable owners are stuck paying back taxes and penalties.  State Assemblyman Ron Dancer has introduced a bill in the state Legislature that may ease some of the burden on stable owners. [More Here]

Be careful the next time you fall off of your horse or you may end up with a new accent like Sharon Campbell-Rayment.  After falling from a horse she woke up speaking with a Scottish accent.  She has never visited Scotland but is one of 60 known cases of foreign-accent syndrome. [More Here]

Monday Video: 

How Do You Handle Stress?

By on Jan 5, 2014 4:30 pm -

During my forced day indoors today, I got to thinking about stress factors and how we handle them individually. Personally, I feel that I handle stress well. However, when I begin to break down the process in which I dissect and address each element to whatever is causing the stress, it becomes more complicated.

The word stress is commonly used to indicate a heightened sense of anxiety and emotion. Some people handle it better than others. When your horse loses a shoe the day before you’re due to leave for an event or when an unexpected vet bill comes up, how do you handle it? What about the pressure of running a barn? How do you juggle the responsibilities of keeping your boarders and their horses happy with making sure the barn is well run and profitable at the same time? I’ve made a short list of ways to identify and address stress factors for you to mull over. I hope you find them helpful. Feel free to add your own in the comments!

1. Make a list

Are you having a particular stressful day? The best way to begin addressing it is to identify exactly what is causing your stress. There are times when I will stop and think about what is causing a particularly stressful day, but I have to ensure that I correctly identify it. If there is something major on your mind, it can begin to affect smaller things throughout the day, therefore creating a snowball effect. Before you know it, you’re sitting on your couch with a strong drink and wondering how your day went downhill so quickly. So, make a list. Write down the major things that may be causing stress. Are you concerned about selling the last horse in your sale barn? Wondering how you’re going to repair the piping system in the barn? Write it down. Sometimes getting it out of your head and onto a piece of paper can help you continue on with your day without letting everything get out of control.

2. Formulate a plan

How do you plan to address the stress factors? It is beneficial to make a step by step plan of attack. Let’s say you are concerned about hiring enough barn help for the upcoming competition season. Have you outlined a budget that you need to stay within when hiring? What about advertising or otherwise getting the word out that you are in need of some help? Do you have an interview or a job-shadow process in mind for identifying the best candidates? Do you have a job description ready for interested parties to study? All of these steps will help you get the hiring process done in a timely manner. Having a plan is the best way to deal with multiple stress factors.

3. Think positive

We all have days when we literally are not sure how we will make it to tomorrow. I am in the process of moving, and some unexpected factors (including this massive snowstorm) have thrown a sizable wrench into my plans. While I am trying to make a plan for completing my move, I keep telling myself that in a week’s time everything will be over and I will be able to move on to the next chapter. This way of thinking keeps me going through even the most stressful days. If I can just keep working and strategizing for how to work through whatever problems I am currently having, eventually I will be able to move on to the next day. I can’t stress enough that a positive attitude and a willingness to adapt and adjust are imperative when you are dealing with stress.

4. Have a support system

Who do you call when you just need to vent? Do you have a trainer, a mentor, or just a close friend who is on your speed dial for times like these? Sometimes a good conversation can be just the cure for a hard and stressful day. For me, even sitting down and writing is a good outlet for reducing my stress level. Sometimes it is better to get things off of your chest so that you can return to a logical and rational way of thinking. When a day has thrown one thing after another at you, it’s difficult to keep thinking on a rational basis. When you are ready to tear your hair out and are not sure what your next move should be, perhaps calling on a friend to bounce ideas off of or simply just to vent is the best idea.

5. Keep your eye on the prize

Along the same lines of positive thinking, always have a goal in mind. What is your end goal once you are able to address the elements of stress? Are you aiming to purchase a new horse? What about moving up a level this year? Whatever your goal is, keep it in mind. Remember that you are working towards some sort of end goal, no matter how big or small it is. It wouldn’t be normal if life didn’t throw every possible obstacle in your way, but think of how satisfying it will be to come out on the other side and know that you deserve this victory? Your goal doesn’t have to be to ride on the US team. My goal right now is just to get back on a horse sometime before I turn 30. When I am able to do it? You can bet that I will know that I earned every single second of saddle time.

I’ve found that stress is something that you have to choose to deal with. Some people shut down or go into panic mode when they have a lot on their plate. As horse people, we have learned to improve our adaptation skills since we know that horses don’t usually follow plans. When our plans go awry, the best we can do is keep our heads up and formulate a new strategy for moving on to the next step. Don’t let the hard days get you down, EN, and keep kicking on for the big prize!

Show EN Your Ink: Reader Submissions

By on Jan 5, 2014 3:00 pm -

We recently asked you to send in your horse-inspired tattoos, and the response has been overwhelming. We will be posting your photos in several reader submission posts over the next few weeks. Would you like to show off your ink? Send a photo to [email protected]. 

Photo from Ashley Bonner

Our latest edition of Show EN Your Ink kicks off with the above photo from Ashley Bonner. The idea behind her stars is pretty interesting: “I have four stars on the back of my wrist. My plan is to fill in the first star when I complete my first CCI*, and so on until I make my goal of being a four-star rider. Taking it one step at a time.”

Photo from Piper Hunn

Piper Hunn sent in a photo of her daughter, Macyn’s, tattoo. “This is my daughter’s Belgian Warmblood brand tattoo. She got this CRAZY, nobody wanted horse when she was 13. Anyway, I quickly decided that NO was the answer; then she looked at me and said ‘I can fix him.’ That’s exactly what she did. Competing him through Prelim (he was 21).  Now he is happily retired at her grandparent’s ranch. She has trained and competed many other horses in her short life, but this is one bond that never will be broken.”

Photo from Caitlin Fertig

This tattoo comes from Caitlin Fertig. “This is my tattoo located on my back. It is a celtic horse knot and it stands for the three horses that I have owned in my life! I got it last winter. It took two sessions and six hours, but it was worth the pain. I love it.”

Photo from Nicole Binneman

This tattoo is a touching memorial piece from Nicole Binneman. “I got this tattoo for my beautiful gelding I got off the track. He won his last race with a compound fracture in his right front. He was on vacation letting down when he stood on a nail on a Wednesday and then got a torsion of the small intestine on Saturday, which was my birthday. He was euthanized four hours after the onset of the colic. He was a brave soul and a gentleman to the end even though he was in agony. I got his tattoo number, his date of birth and death on my ribcage.”

Photo from Brittany Senko

Brittany Senko sent in our next submission. “This tattoo is my mantra… something that I remind myself everytime I am feeling anxious or blue… That soon enough I will be in the tack where my brain can be free of it’s worries. This is a picture of it freshly done!’

Photo from Meadow Hill Farm Eventing

This is a beautiful piece sent in by Meadow Hill Farm Eventing, a tribute to a horse of a lifetime.

Five Ways to Beat the Snowed-In Blues

By on Jan 5, 2014 1:30 pm -

Snowmageddon is here!

Well, I’m stuck inside today. It seems that the entire city of St. Louis has shut down with the amount of snow and sub-zero windchill that we are receiving. I got to thinking about what activities are on tap for the day, and I compiled a short list of ways to beat the snowed-in blues.

1. USEF Network

Thankfully, I haven’t finished catching up on the George Morris Horsemastership Training Sessions, so that is first up today. At least it looks warm there!

2. SmartPak

Online shopping is also on the itinerary for the day. We all know that SmartPak offers free shipping on some orders, so there’s another justification for you, as if you needed another.

3. USEA Calendar Planning

With 2014 being a WEG year, there are plenty of selection trials still to come this spring for the US team to be formed. I’ve been looking at the calendar of selection trials and trying to figure out who needs to go where in hopes that this will make the spring season come faster. Just call me DOC.

4. Games

My friend still owns Equestriad and Let’s Ride – you know, those insanely cool PC games from about 15 years ago? Equestriad was my favorite because it is a true eventing game complete with intricate dressage movements and world-famous cross country courses. Best believe that will be filling some hours today during the snow in!

5. Refresh Twitter/Facebook constantly for Sinead and Tik wedding updates.

Sinead Halpin and Tik Maynard jetted off to Mexico this weekend to tie the knot. So far, no updates are coming from either camp but that doesn’t mean I’m not keep an eagle eye out for one. You’d be surprised how much time you can spend refreshing your social media feeds – maybe I have a problem that needs to be addressed (later).

So there you have it – my schedule for the next few hours of this snow day. If you are finding yourself spending some additional time indoors this week, maybe these tips will come in handy. Go snow.

 

Clipping Creations: New Year Edition

By on Jan 5, 2014 12:00 pm -

There’s nothing that says “horse person” quite as much as the sensation of a buzzing clipper in your hand for two hours straight, wearing a rain coat and rain pants inside the barn, and sneezing horse hair out of your nose for days. Yep, it must be clipping season. I want to see your amazing, entertaining, beautiful and clever clipping creations. Send me a picture that shows off your artistry and a little blurb explaining what it’s all about. Include the name of your horse, your name and where you are from. Email [email protected]!

Andrea G, Texas: “Here’s my clipping creation for the year, on my Selle Francais mare O-Ren. My vet said she looked a bit like a castle… or possibly the Great Wall of China!”

***

Maddie, Lansing MI: “I am leasing a 7 year old Holsteiner mare, nick-named “The Puma”.  She has earned her nickname by harassing other horses in perfect puma form — pouncing on them and scraping her teeth to create claw like marks down their backs.  Despite her little quirks, she is very handy under saddle — a careful jumper, a sensible mount out on the trails and a very fancy mover.”

***

Brianne, Maryland: “This is Hershey and his clip design of a seahorse. We took him to Assateague Island and rode on the beach for the first time ! He had so much fun and loved the ocean, so I decided to clip a seahorse on him.”

***

Kelly Doke, Mequon WI: “This is my 22 year old AQHA gelding, Red. I’ve had him for most of both of our lives, at this point. He’s retired from jumping but is a veteran of the Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers, plus a little foray into Eventing. (He drew the line at getting in the water.) I keep him fit and active with Training/First Level Dressage work now. Up here, winter is too long and life is too short not to have fun with your horse’s haircut so I left the Starfleet symbol on his hip this year. I’ve been a Trekkie almost as long as I’ve been Horsey and I do everything I can to make sure he continues to live long and prosper. ;)”

Expecting Instantaneous Results

By on Jan 5, 2014 10:30 am -

Skybreaker Hitching Post May 2013

I’m reading this thought provoking book right now called “The Circle,” written by Dave Eggers. I am only about seventy-five pages in, so I cannot come to any grand conclusions yet, though so far I am intrigued. Basically there’s this girl, Mae, who has recently been hired at one of the most prestigious and fastest growing internet companies in the world: The Circle. The California based company links users’ personal emails, various social media accounts, banking accounts, and any online purchasing with what they call their universal operating system, which offers a single online identity, as well as a new age of human behavior and transparency.

I immediately gravitated towards this book as I read its brief description on Amazon, mostly because we live in a digital age. I remember being in middle school and my entire class would share one giant and ancient computer. I remember not having computers in my life, and now I cannot imagine life without iphones, ipads, or computers. My generation lives in a fascinating time because we were alive when there was minimal technology and now we are completely surrounded by such power. Most of this technology has redefined life, and yet there are major flaws. Namely, this new age is about instantaneous results and endless communication, which results in high expectations, less patience, and less time to ponder ideas and concepts.

So, how do we merge our fast paced world with that of our horse lives? Can they coincide, or coexist? What positive attributes can we draw from the digital world, while injecting those conveniences into our horse world? Just because we live in a world that is moving a million times per nanosecond, doesn’t mean this madness has to follow us into the barn, into our lessons, or into our riding…does it, or doesn’t it?

Valonia summer 2013

If I have learned anything over the past eighteen or so years, it would be this…Riding horses does not translate into instantaneous results. Unless you are extremely fortunate, or have a box buried underground filled with $90,000.00, then you know that learning to ride, or training a horse takes a great deal of time. Denny always lectures all of us on the art of patience. He continues to stress the fact that learning how to do something WELL, takes a great deal of time. You cannot learn to ride, see a distance, or make perfect riding decisions over night.

These decisions, these techniques, and these skills require time, practice and patience.  You can wish, pray, cry or scream, but nothing takes care of learning how to ride like time does. In this small horse filled world, we long for magical solutions, quick fixes and overnight success. Of course there are some instances in our riding world where instant gratification takes place, but mostly we are building are towers of success day by day. We can’t miss any blocks, and we can’t leave any holes left unfilled. Rather, we have to take the time and energy into creating our masterpieces, so that one day we can sit back and begin to reap the benefit.

Back to merging our worlds… it can be done. We have to start by extracting those positive benefits from our digital world. For instance, having someone record you ride on their ipad can be very rewarding and helpful. You can go back, watch, pause, replay that video and study what you like and what you don’t like. You can send updates of you and your horses to your family with one click of a button. There are countless benefits to living in this fast paced age. Similarly, the slower, more methodical horse world can teach us to slow down, relax and enjoy what’s right in front of us. Do you ever go on a two hour hack, just you and your horse, and get lost in your thoughts, while leaving your iphones, ipads, and ipods at home? Living in a fast paced world is exhilarating and frightening at the same time, though when joined with your horse life, the results can be fascinating and extremely insightful.

 

Sunday Videos: Horses in the Snow

By on Jan 5, 2014 9:00 am -

Snow days with horses are the best kind.

Since snow is in the forecast for the majority of the country this weekend, I thought it appropriate to bring you some horses in snow entertainment. I perused YouTube for quite awhile last night looking up the most viewed “horses in show” videos, and this is a collection of what I found. Enjoy!

1. Budweiser Clydesdale Snowball Fight

[youtube]http://youtu.be/7qccLJ-slFI[/youtube]

2. Wild Horses on a… Snowy Beach?

[youtube]http://youtu.be/jCc7iZsiDGc[/youtube]

3. The Horse That Can’t Get Enough Snow

[youtube]http://youtu.be/AFkZdbuOcDo[/youtube]

4. This list wouldn’t be complete without some skijoring!

[youtube]http://youtu.be/M73rP0fVjGA[/youtube]

5. Lithuanian Horse Racing on Ice

[youtube]http://youtu.be/SK0gUYn99CI[/youtube]

 

Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

By on Jan 5, 2014 12:01 am -

I love painting jumps!

I almost feel guilty about our gorgeous weather here in California after seeing the colossal amounts of snow and frigid temperatures that everyone else seems to be enduring.  Today is supposed to be another picture perfect day and after a lesson I have a date with several gallons of paint.  Painting jumps is one of my favorite at-the-barn activities.  I will confess though that I’m always a little worried that I’ll come up with a REALLY spooky design and end up eating some dirt courtesy of my artistic streak.

Sunday Links: 

Swatch Year Of The Horse Watch for 2014 is Fierce!

Two Horses Die in Head On Crash At Belmont

Prior Lake Horse and Hunt Club Owners Vow To Rebuild

Restraining Order Extended In Horse Slaughter Case

North Carolina Horse Owners Critical Of State’s Handling Of EHV-1 Outbreak

Looking Back on the Equestrian Scene of 2013

Sunday Video:  Mini Show Jumping

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcRZukM0L4[/youtube]

ERS-Eventing.com provides riders with an interactive online portal that showcases product information, demonstrations, tutorials and reviews from fellow competitors and top international riders.

 

Mustang Millionaire: 120 Days of Training, 1 Competition

By on Jan 4, 2014 4:30 pm -

Elisa and Fledge competing in the freestyle portion of the Extreme Mustang Makeover (photo by Aly Rattazzi of Rather Be Riding Photography)

Mustang competitions seem to be growing in popularity across the country. In order to control population, hundreds of wild mustangs are rounded up each year and auctioned off to the public to become domesticated. Mustangs have been a popular topic in the eventing community, thanks in part to the efforts of Elisa Wallace and her string of mustangs. In conjunction with the 2013 Mustang Million competition, Nat Geo Wild produced a reality TV miniseries called “Mustang Millionaire.” The show focuses on five trainers who worked with a mustang over the course of 120 days in preparation for competition.

A three part series, the show highlights many of the ups and downs of working with an animal that had been completely untamed previously. In meeting Elisa and her newest mustang, Rune, I’ve definitely come to appreciate the brain and temperment of a quality mustang. Mustang Millionaire is a great way to get to know the Mustang Million competition and the work that goes into 120 days of training.

Enjoy the clip below, and check out Nat Geo Wild for episode re-run schedules to watch more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6_MjnWkysM[/youtube]