I used to have a horse who would be classified as “pushy”. It was partially my doing for being pretty lenient with cookie-giving (I’m a sucker, what can I say?), and it wouldn’t have been an issue if he wasn’t the type to want to escalate things when boundaries were mentioned.
Suffice it to say I wish I would have had access to the resources — even five years ago! — that are now readily available at my fingertips online.
Now, let me also put in a disclaimer here that not all training advice is good advice. One balancing factor that comes with the increased availability of information is knowing how to sift good information from not-so-good. Common sense and horse sense should govern well here, but it’s always good to do your research on who is teaching, what their credentials are, and what their results have been.
Noelle Floyd’s Equestrian Masterclass often shares shortened clips from their various curriculum on YouTube, and this one contains lots of useful pointers from Tik Maynard. Have a look and maybe pick up a few new clues!
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Riding For The Team, a new book from Trafalgar Square Books and the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, edited by Nancy Jaffer, shares the experiences of athletes from all eight FEI sports. Among them is this essay from Boyd Martin about his venturesome introduction to sport of eventing. Enjoy!
Courtesy of Boyd Martin.
I went to Pony Club every Sunday. It was a long day, because I had to ride an hour to get there and an hour to get home. We’d spend the whole morning riding on the flat and jumping. I’d tie the pony to a tree when I ate lunch, then we’d barrel race in the afternoon.
My first pony was Willy; his show name was Willy Do It. I must have been about 14 when I entered my first horse trials at the St. Ives showground. I did a pretty ordinary dressage test, fell off twice in cross-country, and once more in show jumping. I think I finished on 380 penalties. While it wasn’t the best start for my eventing career, obviously, I could only improve from there.
But first, I needed a horse, since I was outgrowing Willy. There was a 12-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred for sale. His name was Flying Doctor, and he had never evented. When I tried him out, he came to the jump, stopped, and I fell over the top of him. My parents didn’t know that much about horses, but Dad said we should buy him, because unlike Willy, he didn’t run away when I came off.
When I competed, I wore my high school’s blue-and-white rugby jersey, and I still do today. My mum has to go to the high school I attended and buy another every time I need one. At school, I was a little wild and out of control. Obviously, I wasn’t going to be an accountant. Lucky for me, I loved sports. Not once did my parents say I should consider university. It’s such a big deal in America, but it never crossed my mind to think about that.
So when I finished high school at age 17, I packed my bags and moved into a bunkhouse at the New South Wales Equestrian Center with 14 other young riders, including Chris Burton, who went on to ride for Australia in the Olympics, and Jock Paget, who did the same for New Zealand. At the Center, where we worked seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. until midnight, I met a guy who really changed my life: Heath Ryan, an absolute lunatic, who I can remember screaming and yelling because he was so passionate about his sport and trying to get the best out of the riders. A dressage and eventing Olympian with two team gold medals to his credit, Heath was one of the hardest-working blokes I ever met.
At 19, I did my first four-star on Flying Doctor. He was probably 19, too. We went down to Adelaide, 22 hours away. Heath refused to let anyone else drive, even though he was rolling the window down trying to keep himself awake. I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing when we went to Adelaide. I didn’t even know about walking the distances between fences to try and figure out the striding.
The first guy who gave me a horse to ride had just gotten out of maximum-security prison for attempted murder. We always went to the farm via the police station because he had to sign in every day. But when you’re starting out, you grab whatever horse comes your way.
I got the ride on a Prix St. Georges dressage horse that was barking mad. The owner wanted me to take the horse to a show that was a six- or seven-hour drive through the Outback, because she thought if we got a good result there, she would be able to sell him. It was raining, he put his head down and bucked, and the reins slipped through my hands. I fell off underneath him and broke my knee in nine places. It took an hour for the ambulance to get there. There were no doctors; there was no pain medication. They took me to a hospital where I was put in a room with a prisoner who was handcuffed to a bed.
In those days, I charged $20 a ride, so I told the horse’s owner she owed me $620 for 31 rides. She didn’t think I should charge for the dressage show, telling me, “You weren’t really on him that long.”
This excerpt was adapted from Riding for the Team from the USET and edited by Nancy Jaffer, and reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks). The book is also available directly from USET here.
What’s been your favorite eventing story of the year? Each year, I try to pick a favorite, but inevitably one of two things happened: I can’t remember a damn thing — like, this season may as well have never happened — or I get stuck waffling between sentimental favorites. I think one of the best that sticks in my mind is this great one sniffed out by Shelby Allen at the FEI World Championships on Danish rider Hanne Wind Ramsgaard. [“If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It”]
Wednesday News & Reading
Time is running out to enter our Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway! You and three friends could win travel funds for your trip to The Best Weekend All Year, general admission to each day plus premium cross country tailgating, and Dubarry gear — all you need to do is enter by December 31 for a shot at winning. [Fly Away to LRK3DE]
In most other major eventing nations, certification is required in order to become an instructor. In the U.S., certification is available through the recently-revamped Eventing Coaches Program (ECP — formerly known as the Instructor’s Certification Program). [Certification: An Important Choice]
Is your horse depressed? Just like us, our horses experience their own gamut of emotions — and yes, depression can indeed be one of them. Our friends at KPP have some tips for spotting and helping depression in horses. [Is Your Horse Depressed?]
Don’t forget to cast your votes for the USEF Equestrian of the Year Honors! Included in the field are FEI World Championships team rider Will Coleman along with Off the Record, nominated for International Horse of the Year. [Cast your votes by December 29]
FEI World Championships Ground Jury member and 5* dressage judge Peter Gray finds a whole new level of thrill in the judge’s box. He may have competed internationally in the sports of eventing and dressage, but the view from the box is one that can’t be replaced — and it’s this love of all this horses and sport that has led him down a path he wouldn’t trade in for anything. [Gray’s Found His Next Chapter in the Judge’s Box]
What’s gone into the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s rating of equestrian helmets? Don’t forget: this isn’t their first spin around the testing-out-the-melon-protector block. The Helmet Lab has made a name for itself for its research and ratings of helmets for all types of sports, from football to motorsports and, now, to equestrian. [Rating Helmet Safety]
Sponsor Corner: Haygain sales will support World Horse Welfare during the month of September, with 2% of proceeds committed for sales through December 31. Shop for a good cause here.
Wednesday Video Break
Working on your own fitness this winter? Try these tips to solidify your jumping position, thanks to Coach Tony Sandoval:
Kentucky is JUST around the corner (yes, it’s December, and yes, we already have our hotels booked and yes, we know we’re crazy – but we know you are too), and if you’re a diehard eventing fan like us you’ve already been making plans for the #BestWeekendAllYear.
Allow us to level up your plans! Beginning today, entries are now open for The Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway, presented by Eventing Nation, Athletux, Ocala Horse Properties, and Dubarry of Ireland. If you’re planning to attend Kentucky next year (April 27-30) – keep reading!
For the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, we’re pleased to offer one winner and three friends
Four (4) General Admission Tickets for each day of the event
One (1) Land Rover Tailgating Premium Package (2 entries w/vehicle & 6 additional GA tickets for Saturday of the event – Tailgate area)
$750 in travel funds via VISA gift card
Dubarry Crew Jacket (1) and a $250 E-voucher for use on dubarry.com/us
Package of Eventing Nation merchandise
You have several options to enter! Each entry will count on its own, so if you use all entry options, you’ll have up to 4 chances to win.
Option 1: Use this form to enter your email address. You will be signed up to receive emails from: Eventing Nation, Athletux, Ocala Horse Properties, and Dubarry, but you may unsubscribe at any time.
Entries are open from December 15, through Saturday, December 31. We will announce the winner during the week of January 2, 2023. You must be 18 or older (or have a parent/guardian enter on your behalf) to be eligible to win. This contest is open to anyone regardless of location.
Use this link to fill out the entry form if the form below does not function in your browser.
I love seeing eventers in unlikely places, and Italian Olympian Vittoria Panizzon riding through the streets of London is definitely one of those things! What a seriously cool opportunity — for her, and for the lucky folks who’ll be benefitting from a marvellously tuned-up mount after her schooling efforts.
The future of Canadian eventing is looking bright. Get to know 24-year-old Shelby Brost, who’s got her sights set on next year’s Pan-American Games and then, she hopes, a crack at the Olympics. [Oh, Canada]
Though it’s been faintly divisive, with some women fairly pointing out that you can want horses and babies, I love this cartoon series from the New Yorker. As a woman who has no desire to have kids of my own, horses have become my big, goofy, expensive babies – and while loving something with a relatively short lifespan comes with its own stresses and heartbreaks, I know I’ve made the right call. [Read this one if you feel the same]
Australian showjumping had a very merry Christmas indeed. A cash injection of nearly $1.5 million has pushed the Magic Millions show into the spotlight well outside the horse world — and could be a huge boon for the country’s equestrian industry. [Money, money, money]
Still feeling those post-Pratoni pangs? Relive the excitement — and the drama, and the nerves — with the US team, whose silver medal was one of the standout moments from the competition. [The week the pieces fell into place]
You know what would really float my boat? Wearing a pair of rust breeches with a brown boot to event in. I know, I know — hardly a revolutionary idea to you yanks. But it’s not really been a thing here in England, and it’s a look that makes me weak at the knees. But even as clothing rules loosen up, it feels a bit as though it’s up to the pros to lead the way and be bold in their clothing choices so we can all follow suit. [Buy the funky coloured coat]
One of my favourite parts of every week is going horse farm window shopping — and this week, I think I’ve finally found my absolute dream farm. One of the best things about the yard I live on at the moment is that we’ve got separate dressage and jumping rings, which means we’re able to keep courses and exercises up 24/7 but also run through tests whenever we like, and at this point, I’d be hard pushed to want to downgrade to one ring and all the heavy lifting that comes with it. This newly-listed farm not only has two arenas — it also has plenty of turnout space, a handy courtyard stabling set-up, and a beautiful layout that’s been designed to be as functional as it is impressive. This place will make someone very, very happy.
Watch This:
Not ready for the holidays to be over? Let this bit of pure insanity change your mind.
When working with horses, it’s easy to want control in managing our equine partners and their schedules… so much can go wrong! And when we’re on their backs, we want our communication to influence what they do, and how they do it. Of course, riders (and horses) need to stay safe. But when does too much control become a problem?
This has been a question I’ve considered a lot recently, as I’ve had some students attempting to control too much of their ride, creating very tight boundaries for their horse, resulting in increased anxiety for all. In order for communication to be soft, there is an element of the rider letting go of control.
With that, I was thrilled to see Warwick Schiller’s video on giving up control. And lucky for us, he has a number of training videos you can check out on YouTube!
Here’s to hoping that your cozy wool socks and sweaters kept you up and running, and that you and your horses stayed safe throughout the temperature changes.
Holiday: Boxing Day! Another opportunity to gather with friends and family and enjoy their company… or find sales to shop, sports to watch, and leftovers to eat.
Your Monday Reading List:
Looking to further develop your cold-weather horsemanship skills? Take a look at some tips and tricks on how to keep your horses warm during winter weather. [6 ways to keep your horse warm this winter]
Don’t mind me as I move to the Pyrenees mountains to go hiking with these hardy Meréns horses. Take a look to enjoy some insane mountain scenery and sunny summer weather as these horses make their way to summer grazing land.
It’s the moment I know we’ve ALL been waiting for: London 52’s first jump school after vacation!
If you’re new to this party, allow us to fill you in.
As most riders do, Badminton winner and Tokyo gold medalist for Britain Laura Collett gives her horses a solid vacation after major competitions. Generally, this means most of them come back into work right around the close of each year. London 52 is an annual attraction on this first-day-of-school event because of his aerial antics and pure enthusiasm for returning back to work.
Here he is! (Can’t see the embedded Instagram post below? Click here to watch it in the app)
A very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating this weekend! We’re enjoying a light couple of weeks here at EN and hope you are also getting some downtime — and don’t forget to take care of those taking care of our horses this weekend, especially in the parts of the world hardest hit by winter.
Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas I get the urge to revisit my formerly artsy tendencies and decorate some fancy-looking cookies. I envision handing them out to friends and family and having everyone be in awe of my cookie decorating skills! And then every single year when I’ve finally set aside some time to bake and decorate I remember that I don’t own any cookie cutters. If anyone is looking for a last minute gift for me, there’s an easy one I guess. They don’t even need to be holiday specific cookie cutters — I love what the baker who make the cookies in the photo above did by putting a Christmas spin on a regular horse shape!
World Equestrian Brands Pick of the Week: World Equestrian Brands wants to know: how old is your Vespucci bridle? So far the oldest one reported in their Facebook comments is 19!
Saturday Video: Looks like Kurt Martin’s former five-star mount, Delux Z, is loving his new career as a show jumper!
