Classic Eventing Nation

#ThrowbackThursday Video from FLAIR: Relive Tim Price’s Burghley Winning Cross Country Ride

By on Sep 3, 2020 5:00 pm -

Listening to a top rider rehash a cross country round or a dressage test is perhaps one of the most educational things a rider can watch. Pair that commentary with helmet cam video and data analytics, and you’ve got a true eventing nerd’s dream. But nerd or not, you’ll likely get a thrill out of this analysis of Tim Price’s cross country round at Burghley in 2018 aboard eventual winner Ringwood Sky Boy.

Burghley has a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest cross country tracks in the world, and factors such as undulating terrain play a pivotal role in the final standings once the dust has settled. A horse tested at Burghley is truly an elite athlete. Watching the course unfold from Tim’s perspective provides as much of an adrenaline rush as it does an educational opportunity.

Watch the other view of Tim’s ride:

Tim and the Irish Sport Horse gelding would go on to finish the weekend nearly on their dressage score, adding just one second of time on cross country and a clean show jumping to take home the win, the first of such for the New Zealand rider. Take a walk down memory lane and relive Tilly’s coverage from the 2018 Burghley Horse Trials here.

Did you know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month? In honor of this and in an effort to further educate more about childhood cancer, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips has created a Kick Childhood Cancer strip, 25% of proceeds from which will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

A Letter to Me — Emma Ford

By on Sep 3, 2020 3:00 pm -

We’re pleased to share the latest in Athletux’s series, A Letter To Me, featuring the perspectives of equestrian professionals we look up to. To learn more about Athletux, click here. You can read other editions of this series on the Athletux blog here.

Previous letters: Tamie Smith | Jennifer Wooten | Katy Robinson | Natalia Gurmankin | Joanie Morris| Will Faudree | Jan Byyny | Sara Kozumplik Murphy | Max Corcoran | Jacquie Brooks

Super groom Emma Ford and Mighty Nice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

A Letter to my younger self…

So much to see, so much to do, so much to learn, make up your mind Emma…you don’t have to figure it all out at once…. be flexible and let life guide you to the next step. “Turn off the radio station in your head that points out your failures” (Gerry Laybourne). You know Mum and Dad have brought you up to work hard for what you want in life. Knowing school would not be easy for you, they made available every opportunity for you to succeed. You will always struggle to express your thoughts and emotions in person and on paper but don’t let that hold you back.

The close friends you make on this journey will always be there to listen and understand. Going to university was not originally in the cards but with encouragement from teachers, friends, and family you made that step that has set you on this roller coaster of life. University has set you up with friends for life but also a thirst for travel and the need to see what the world has to offer. You know you always have a home full of love to go to when needed. Take that first step outside the box and see where it leads you…..

The USA… that’s where you will head.. Your mum and dad will worry for you, and even expect to see you home within 6 months but what you experience in the first year will set you on a path filled with travel, meeting idols, and working for and with the top equestrians in the sport. You will experience some amazing highs but there will be lows that you couldn’t imagine you would ever have to navigate. But you know what girl….you will get through them, you will learn from them and you will be a stronger and wiser person because of them.

You will arrive in Boston, Mass after taking the first flight of your life. It will be very turbulent due to storms, all your luggage is lost and you will land wondering what on earth you have done…. No cell phone, you call home,.. as in the UK… and yes your mum is there to fix things. This is your first dose of the reality of moving through problems in life momentarily feeling very alone. You are a common sense, logical thinker Emma, always have been. You try not to stress and keep repeating to yourself ‘things will work out”! They do…. the Iorios find you at Logon Airport and take you to their farm which you will come to love as your second home. By the way, life lesson: always pack spare underwear, a jumper, sorry “sweater”, and jeans in your carry-on. Mucking stalls in a long skirt on your first day is not quite the look you need to go for!

Apple Knoll Farm and the Iorio family will look after you and become your second family. Adrienne will encourage you to take in every aspect of a working horse farm life, from horse care, riding school ponies, teaching, driving the horse van, and running around your first preliminary course.

You get to meet many amazing people that will remain friends for life, but Sarah, another Brit, of course, will be the one who pushes your interest in grooming. True friendship takes time, but her level of knowledge and attention to detail with the horses will make you want to better yourself more and more. Don’t be afraid to ask questions Emma….if Sarah doesn’t have the answer she will help find one. This Sarah, she will introduce you to a new hobby that will take hold of your life. Dancing of course!

Z get’s some congratulatpry ear rubs from Emma Ford. Photo by Abby Powell.

In early 1999, you will make a very hard phone call to your parents, you will be given an offer to stay in the States that you just can’t refuse. Calling your parents will be upsetting because at first, they won’t understand why you don’t want to return home. They will come around Emma, well sort of….they want the best for you….they will be very proud of what you achieve over the years. Remember to stay in contact, don’t let life get so busy you forget to call home!

In 2000 you get to go to Australia with Adrienne. You get to watch the Sydney Olympics in person. The atmosphere is something you have never witnessed. You won’t know who to cheer for as the British take the team silver and the Americans the team bronze-oh and by the way your future boss is on the gold medal team! This is when you start to wonder what it would be like to be down in that parade of medalists. How can you be part of that team?

By the time you fly to Blenheim in 2002 with Show of Heart and Adrienne, you will have figured out that grooming at the top level is the way to go. You know you have the dedication to your horses, do you have the stamina? Your back will be starting to give you trouble, especially when riding. You need to start making decisions for longevity here Emma, you can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over and think it will fix itself.

In 2005, Adrienne brings a black lab puppy into your life that you will love like no other. Charlie will make you smile when you are down and sometimes mad at his antics, like chasing cyclists, but no matter your life choices he is a constant unconditional love in your life. The day he passes will be a very hard one but yet again, you will have a dear friend holding your hand.

A job opportunity will appear in front of you that on one hand seems like a no brainer, but on the other hand, you will wonder how you can possibly move away from Adrienne, Apple Knoll Farm, and all they have done for you in your 7 years there. Remember Emma, there are always going to be times in life when what’s right for you will hurt people or cause conflict, and those close to you will support you. Those that don’t understand your decision will eventually come around. Believe in yourself, you are the only one who can decide what makes you happy. It does sound selfish…but you have goals as well……go after them!

So that guy who you watched in Sydney, Phillip Dutton, well you will get to be on his payroll. Now you’re an English, working in America for an Australian. Make sure your passport is up to date because girl, you are in for a wild ride. You will make the decision that riding is off the cards, but you will get to take part in medal ceremonies!

Along the way, the family of grooms that you become a part of will be who you lean on when the extreme lows of losing horses or the unmentionable barn fire occur in your career. The grooms will also be the ones you celebrate with and make the best memories throughout your travels. From Carol Ann needing to feed horses at 3 in the morning to Marie Ann dancing away the night at Burghley Horse Trials, Joanie not killing you after your heavy 40th birthday celebration in Germany, Sally and Lindsey at Barbary Horse Trials and the mini micra adventures, partying around Hong Kong with Max, to Shannon, Lizzie, and Kelley sharing in the fun of Kentucky 2010 and the antics of hitting deer, bad directions, tornado warnings and much more!

That’s right you get to fulfill going to those events that as a kid you were glued to the TV, watching every horse fly over massive fences. There will be one on your bucket list, that for some unknown reason the universe doesn’t want you to attend. God will throw a Volcano and even a pandemic in your path of Badminton Horse Trials. I should mention here, that you will experience that Olympic medal ceremony with a horse that completely steals your heart from the moment you meet him. Rio 2016 will get forever engraved into your soul.

So how’s that life-work balance thing going to work out for you? Well to be honest you will struggle with it for a long time. You will leave the Dutton family only to return once…or twice! Rest assured thou Emma, you will have your “American sister” Amy as a sounding board when you feel conflicted and confused.

Emma Ford and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

A surprising offer to be a co-author for a grooming book with Cat (Hill) might shine some light on how to live a less strenuous life. You will both start a business that feeds your thirst for encouraging people to want to know and love their horses on the ground as much as they do when riding. Don’t accept the attitude that it’s all in the riding. You know deep down that without good horse management skills you will not be part of this elite team. This will be your turn to share your knowledge. You need to focus on horse health management and longevity will start to be the main focus of your future.

You might need to start saying NO to things at some stage so you can move onto the next phase of living. Your body will complain, your work ethic will keep you moving forward, and your love for the horses and that trust and bond you work every day towards will lead you in the right direction. Above all Emma, believe in yourself, remember who you are as a person, and where you came from. You will come to call the USA home but England will always stay close in your heart.

Your parents are extremely proud of you, they do wish you would connect more often thou! You will have created a life for yourself that you never imagined as an 18-year-old. Be thankful, be kind, never stop listening, keep your chin up, keep dancing and when that chance to travel to Africa comes, jump in feet first… who knows where that trip will lead.

Love, Emma

Volunteer Nation: 6 Events You Can Help This Weekend

By on Sep 3, 2020 1:00 pm -

Opportunities abound this weekend for a chance to help out our sport! One demographic of eventing folk who can often be found volunteering are the parents of young riders, and this month’s USEA Volunteer of the Month spotlight hones in on Bub and Janet Dillon. When their daughter, Olivia, started eventing, both Bub and Janet began volunteering right away. Bub prefers working in the cross country start box, while Janet favors dressage stewarding and jump judging. Read more about these handy helpers in this profile.

We’ve compiled some resources on volunteering with COVID-19 regulations in mind. We’ll reference this list each week in Volunteer Nation, so take a few moments to familiarize yourself with what’s new and different.

COVID-19 Resources for Eventers
Volunteers Adapt to the New Normal
Volunteers Weigh In on New COVID-19 Protocols

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

Where can you volunteer this weekend? Here’s a look at who needs help:

Event: Caber Farm September H.T.
Dates: Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
Address: 213 Jensen Road, Onalaska WA 98570
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, XC Start Timer, XC Warm-up, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Scribe, Dressage Warm-up, XC Starter, SJ In-Gate, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Timer, SJ Warm-up

Event: Copper Meadows H.T.
Dates: Today through Sunday, September 6
Address: 633 Montecito Way, Ramona, CA 92065
Positions Available: Temperature Checker, Dressage Ring Steward, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Scribe, SJ Ring Steward, SJ Score Runner, XC Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Score Runner, Office Helper


Event: Five Points H.T.
Dates: Today through Sunday, September 6
Address: 2814 Montrose Rd., Raeford, NC, 28376
Positions Available: Event Prep – XC, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Steward, General Help, Scorers, Secretary – Awards, SJ In Gate, Event Takedown – XC, YEH In Gate Steward, Hospitality Steward

Event: Seneca Valley Pony Club Fall H.T.
Dates: Saturday, September 5 through Sunday, September 6
Address: 14010 B Bittersweet Field, Partnership Rd., Poolesville, MD, 20837
Positions Available: XC Jump Judge, Temperature/Waiver Checker, Parking Afternoon Gate, Shuttle Drivers, Dressage Test Runner, Parking Cars, Parking Large Trailers, Parking Substitute

Other Events in Need of Volunteers:

Bucks County Horse Park H.T.: [Website]

Looking for 5 people to help jump judge at our Horse Trials on Saturday, September 5th and 2 for Sunday, September 6th. …

Posted by Chardon Valley Horse Trials on Friday, August 28, 2020

Our USEA Fall Horse Trials on September 5th is still searching for volunteers! If you're able to help out, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Janet Sinclair at janetsinclair1@live.com

Posted by Course Brook Farm on Sunday, August 23, 2020

The Burghley That Wasn’t: Tune In for a Virtual Celebration All Weekend

By on Sep 3, 2020 11:00 am -

Image via Burghley Horse Trials.

It’s the Burghley weekend that wasn’t, and I for one am particularly bummed as this was to be my first trip to the biggest, baddest five-star in the world. Alas, there are bigger things to worry about in the world, but this weekend sure will be a quiet one, comparatively speaking.

However, there’s no reason to lose all hope! The great minds on the Burghley organizing and logistics team have been toiling hard to put together a virtual celebration of Burghley’s past, present, and future all weekend long. In addition, we’ll be running some special Burghley look backs throughout the weekend, so you’ll want to stay tuned.

Here’s what’s on tap over on the Burghley website this weekend:

Friday, September 4: Online shopping – who isn’t game for this? Shop a long list of vendors all day long in the Burghley virtual trade fair.

Saturday, September 5: The Burghley media team will unveil archived videos and other content all day right on the website. We’re surely in for a treat, just looking at the list of recent winners that will likely make appearances: Pippa Funnell, Tim Price, Oliver Townend, Chris Burton, Andrew Nicholson (and a Nicholson hat trick, at that), and the list goes on and on. We can’t wait to tune in.

Sunday, September 6 at 8 am EST/3 pm BST: Clare Balding presents the All-Star Sunday Program, which will feature:

  • Strictly Dressage with five time Olympian Carl Hester MBE & international Dressage & Eventing Judge Nick Burton
  • Sir Mark Todd gives an insight into his new Racing career
  • 2019 Champion Pippa Funnell talks to us from The Billy Stud
  • World No.1 Oliver Townend reveals how he dealt with lockdown & the new normal for Eventing
  • Clare Balding talks The Road To Tokyo with Dickie Waygood and Henry Bullen
  • We meet the new Land Rover Burghley Course Designer Derek di Grazia and bid farewell to Captain Mark Phillips as they talk Cross Country.
  • Tune in to find out who will be crowned the Ultimate Burghley Champion (voted for by social media followers) while taking you on a Burghley Odyssey, reflecting on some of the most memorable moments of the Event’s past

Go Eventing.

Katarina Stovall: ‘Does Access Equal Diversity In Equestrian Sports?’

By on Sep 3, 2020 9:00 am -

In summer 2020 we launched a 1st Annual $5,000+ Diversity Scholarship with the support of generous donors, inviting minority equestrians to contribute to the discussion of diversity and inclusion in equestrian sport. It is the mission of this annual bursary, which we intend to expand in coming years, to call for, encourage, elevate and give a platform to minority voices in a space where they are underrepresented.

How do we build a more diverse, inclusive and accessible sport? In the coming weeks we will explore this question alongside many of the 27 Scholarship recipients as they share with us their essays in full. Collectively, their perspectives coalesce into a body of work that will no doubt help inform a viable path forward for equestrian sport, and we are committed to connecting their actionable ideas with the public as well as leaders and stakeholders of the sport.

Today we welcome Katarina Stovall, a 15 year old eventer from Texas. More voices: Aki Joy Maruyama | Anastasia Curwood | Caden Barrera | Christopher Ferralez | Dana Bivens | Dawn Edgerton-Cameron | Deonte Sewell | Helen Casteel | Jordyn Hale | Jen Spencer | Julie Upshur | Katherine Un | Kimberly Kojima | Lea Jih-Vieira | Leilani Jackson | Lyssette Williams | Madison Buening | Malachi Hinton | Mitike Mathews | Muhammad Shahroze Rehman | Scnobia Stewart | Briannah Kaitlyn McGee

Photo courtesy of Katarina Stovall.

Diversity in the equestrian sport is a hot button topic these days. I am a 15-year-old, biracial eventer living in San Antonio, Texas. I am from a military family. My goal is to be a professional eventer. Generally speaking, I am in a diverse community most of the time thanks to the military. I do become aware that as I travel further away from the San Antonio area for shows that my environment becomes less diverse. At times my family struggles with the cost of the sport. I believe that if the sport were more affordable, more people would participate, including more minorities.

I am fortunate to have encouraging parents who are teaching me how to be successful. I have always had to work hard and think outside of the box as to how I can participate in the sport. In addition to my parents I have had amazing mentors.

I am a proud member of the United States Pony Club. Pony Club gave me a strong foundation and work ethic. It gave me a chance to work with professionals and like-minded people. Most important, Pony Club allowed me to learn without owning my own mount and tack for quite some time. I have been fortunate to be able to lease horses and borrow tack. Instructors have allowed me to work off lessons, so my parents would have the money to pay for shows, hauling, clinics, or board.

A few years ago, I participated in the Dressage 4 Kids program. That organization helps kids have access to more affordable clinics and leases on school masters. I think if there were more organizations like this, it might make it more affordable for people to participate.

I realize how important it is for my mount to have fitting tack. Custom tack is expensive. Even used tack can be expensive. I have learned that the fit of my tack affects not only my horse’s performance, but my riding as well. I have an idea for a nonprofit organization that would give people access to good tack. The goal is to collect used tack from upper level riders as a donation. There could be an application for this tack to be used for a certain amount of time. This would buy someone time to purchase their own tack and learn what it feels like to ride in good tack.

If we could work to find more solution to make our sport more affordable, I believe that it will become more inclusive.

Get Involved: The idea of mentorship and access is one that permeates the conversation around equality within eventing. The fact is that horse sports are expensive, and yet many of us successfully subsist on bare rations in order to feed our horse addiction. Is there a way to provide these opportunities to those who aren’t starting out with large amounts of financial support? Some of our other Diversity Scholarship recipients have talked about the idea of mentorship, including Dana Bivens, Dawn Edgerton-Cameron, Helen Casteel, Katherine Un, Kimberly Kojima, Lea Jih-Vieira, and Lyssette Williams.

Clearly, this is an important objective, and there are some organizations currently mobilizing to further these efforts. We look forward to providing more updates on this as they become available. In the meantime, take a moment to locate an access program nearby. Is there a way to establish a connection with your local eventing community? Building bridges takes some effort, but those efforts can be rewarded not only by growing eventing but by making the scope of our world just a little bit larger.

Zoom Out: Katarina also talks about the importance of proper equipment. There are some programs dedicated to this, one of which is R.L. Jacobs’ From the Community, To the Community program. Gently used tack and apparel is donated to this community and made available to those without financial means for just a nominal donation. Take a look at this innovative program here.

Nation Media wishes to thank Barry and Cyndy Oliff, Katherine Coleman and Hannah Hawkins for their financial support of this Scholarship. We also wish to thank our readers for their support, both of this endeavor and in advance for all the important work still to come.

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

By on Sep 3, 2020 12:03 am -

Well this takes cross country to a whole new level. Photo via Hygain USA.

It’s Burghley week!!! Or, it would have been, so it still is in my mind. There are many memories and celebrations online, including an entire virtual Burghley vendor village, and videos of years past. I’ve only been once, but it was a magical experience that I highly recommend to anybody in the horse world.

Click here to learn more about Burghley’s 2020 virtual programming.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Bucks County Horse Park H.T.: [Website] [Entries]

Caber Farm September H.T.: [Website] [Entries] [Entries/Times]

Chardon Valley H.T.: [Website]

Copper Meadows H.T.: [Website] [Entries/Times]

Course Brook H.T.: [Website] [Entries]

Five Points H.T.: [Website] [Entries]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T.: [Website] [Entries]

News From Around the Globe:

With good management and good genetics, it’s not that uncommon to see horses competing well into their late teens these days. Elisa Wallace’s top horse Simply Priceless is 19 years old, and she says he’s simply Benjamin Button. Knowing how to keep your horse sound and happy through their long careers is a skill, and some top riders share how they are making it work. [Top Horses As Senior Citizens]

Sally Ike stepped down yesterday as managing director of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Licensed Officials committee, but don’t think for a minute that she is just retiring. A multi-faceted pillar of the equestrian community, she will become a consultant for the USEF as an independent contractor. Sally, it’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later! [Sally Ike Retires from USEF]

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program canceled its 2020 dressage and combined test event that was slated to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park on October 3. The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) has followed suit, cancelling its Dressage and Combined Test Championships on Oct. 4. Horses qualified and declared by the August 3 deadline for the 2020 championships will be eligible to participate in the 2021 events. [New Vocations] [Thoroughbred Incentive Program]

Get ready for some amazing video coverage coming up with this new partnership between Horse & Country TV and US Equestrian. With more live streams of competitions across disciplines, and premium content to members, your online life just got a little better. As far as eventing goes, it looks like they’re planning to stream Les 5 Etoiles de Pau and we’ll keep you posted on any others as we hear about them. [Live Streams & Videos Galore]

The Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy is one of the country’s oldest inner city equestrian programs. The urban black cowboy has been prevalent in Philadelphia since the early 1900’s, with horse drawn wagons delivering milk, produce, mail, laundry and more. While those services have died out, the black cowboys have remained. [Concrete Cowboys of Philadelphia]

A study is focused on the health of the microbiome (hind gut) and performance of event horses. “We are currently researching this important area, in collaboration with Aberystwyth and Manchester Universities and a yard of 5* to pre novice horses, we are using the latest genomic sequencing to profile microbial communities to provide better insights into how to manage the diet/stress/temperament and energy during training and the competition season.” [Trainer Magazine]

Best of Blogs: Diapers & Dressage — Is Life Balance a Thing?

Video: 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Honestly, Just the Weirdest Horse Show You’ll Ever See

By on Sep 2, 2020 6:30 pm -

1980: Hey Look…That's Me!: Pantomime Horse Competition

#OnThisDay 1980: Basingstoke held world’s first Pantomime Horse of the Year Show. Oh yes it did!

Posted by BBC Archive on Friday, August 28, 2020

It seems like strange people and equine-adjacent competitions have taken over our newsfeeds over the past couple of years — tiny Finnish girls ‘cantering’ on all fours over courses of jumps, oddly serious-looking hobby horse shows, and, of course, the occasional leather-clad monstrosity pulling a cart that makes the rounds on Facebook, horrifies us anew, and then clip-clops its way back to the kinky abyss for a few more months.

But off-kilter ‘horse’ shows aren’t a new thing, apparently, and today’s video — pilfered from the archives of the BBC — proves that the game was well afoot even back in 1970. That year saw a rather raucous pantomime horse show take place in Basingstoke, close to where Tweseldown and Wellington Horse Trials dominate the local equestrian scene these days. The show followed the normal rules, sort of — four faults for knocking a pole, a rather generous four faults for going off-course, and four faults if the horse falls apart, which, being the rider of a mare, I can relate to quite wholeheartedly.

I’ll be having nightmares about pantomime horses bursting through puissance walls for weeks — but also scratching my head about how a pantomime horse show can draw in such significant spectator and media interest. We, um, apparently have a lot to learn from our costumed brethren — though I’m not sure we should be in a rush to copy their negligible social distancing.

Go Eventing (?)

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Gnats, Flies, Ants, Oh My! Presented by Banixx Horse Care

By on Sep 2, 2020 3:00 pm -
Banixx,Wound Care,Horse,Equine,Safe,Non-toxic,Bugs,Fungus,Bacteria,Ants,Mosquitos,Ticks,Flies,Gnats

Fat legs. Photo credit Shellie Sommerson

Summer rains bring more than green grass. They bring bugs. Gnats. Flies. Mosquitos. Ticks. In the southeastern part of the U.S., we have the added curse of fire ants! And your poor horse is the meal for those bugs. Not only do they drink his blood, they cause allergic reactions, swelling, heat and discomfort. And those little tiny bites can get infected. Of course, some horses even injure themselves scratching on objects and biting at themselves due to the itching. Gee isn’t this fun?!

Here’s some help! Below you’ll find temperatures and conditions when certain bugs are most active, and smells that can be used to repel them:

Gnats thrive when the temperature is around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and seem to favor warmer temperatures with high humidity. They can survive almost any temperature above freezing. They are most active mid-morning and dusk. The smell gnats hate is the smell of vanilla.

Mosquitos seem to prefer about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and get lethargic when the temperature drops below 60. They are most are active at night, dusk, and dawn, but some are active during the day. Mosquitos hate the smell of citronella.

Flies like the temperature above 68 degrees Fahrenheit and usually favor low humidity (this summer they seem to love high humidity – at least in North Carolina they are thriving in high humidity). They are most active around 9 – 11 am then again from 4 – 7 pm. And flies are very active just before storms and on humid, cloudy days.  Lemon grass, lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint are deterrents for flies.

Ticks are into temperatures above 45 Fahrenheit. There are many different types of ticks and they can vary on their climate preferences. Black-legged ticks, the type that transmit Lyme disease do not like hot and dry, so keeping the grass as short as possible reduces the shade that the ticks like.  Ticks do not like the smell of peppermint, lavender, rose geranium, cinnamon, lemon, and orange.

Fire Ants prefer sunny and warm conditions and are usually found in fields. All ants, including fire ants, aerate the soil and eat other insects, including mites and ticks – so they are good (until you or your horse get bitten by them of course). Ants do not like to walk across powdery substances. A non-chemical remedy is to sprinkle cayenne pepper around the mound, which keeps them from escaping, then pour cayenne water into the mound. This procedure should be done at each mound as ants have enormous underground structures of chambers and tunnels. The mound is just the top of the underground structure.

An example of an OTTB recovering from fire ant bites with the help of Banixx. Photo by Jane at Banixx.

How to guard your horse against bugs:

Some people swear by flysheets, fly boots, fly masks, bringing the horse in at night or before dusk. Most fly/bug spray does not have the staying power/ability to last for hours. And all that seems to vary regarding effectiveness. Ichthammol, although messy and disgusting, is about the only deterrent that seems to stay on (except in extreme heat). Swipe a bit on your thumb and apply it to your horse’s ears, swipe some on his underline, etc. Climate, location, weather conditions and your horse’s living options are going to dictate some of what you can and cannot do to help your horse avoid being the main course for bugs.

One horse I care for wears a fly sheet, gets allergy shots and is in a stall with fans when the temperature is over 85 F and he still manages to rub the skin off his face occasionally. Another horse appeared to have millions of bites on his front legs and belly. His front legs were swollen/filled and were hot to the touch. With treatment and fly boots he is doing well; the fly boots seem to be keeping the bugs from biting him. This horse did require veterinarian care to get rid of the heat and inflammation.

How to treat extensive bites:

What to do if your horse becomes the victim? If the legs are blown up and/or hot, or your horse seems in any sort of distress – call you veterinarian immediately. The necessity of medication – pain relievers and antihistamines may be in order. Also, infections, like Cellulitis can set in, and some horses unfortunately, tumble into laminitis, so it is really important to consult with your veterinarian.

To help your horse heal from these nasty bites on the outside, your go-to should be Banixx! When you first discover the horrible bites, do not pick off scabs or start scrubbing as those actions will cause more irritation and open all those little spots to outside predators such as flies.

The first day of the bites your horse is going to be sore, so something soothing that is going to start fighting infection is the best approach. All those little bites are “openings” to your horse’s skin and once bacteria enters it can continue into the subcutaneous layers causing full blown cellulitis. Stopping the bacteria and infection is an especially important treatment step.

Spray Banixx Horse & Pet Care Spray all over the affected area and gently massage it in with your hands, in the direction of the hair growth, not against. So, no rubbing or scrubbing, just massage/wipe with your hands to help saturate the hair and tissue. Repeat this twice a day until all those little bumps (bites) are gone.

Banixx Wound Care Cream can be used in the same way – gently massage into the affected area. The Wound Care Cream is highly effective on the belly or mid-line as it sticks well to the areas it is applied. As an added bonus, Banixx Wound Care Cream contains oil of peppermint and eucalyptus, and both ingredients are not favored by flies!

Additionally, on about days 2, 4 and 6 wash, gently, with Banixx Medicated Shampoo. Wet the areas with the bites (bumps, etc.) and apply Banixx Medicated Shampoo and let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The 4% Chlorhexidine will help clean and kill bacteria/infection without harming healthy tissues. It will not burn or irritate either. The marine collagen helps rejuvenate tissues and promote healthy tissue growth. After about 7 to 10 days your horse’s skin should be back to normal, depending upon the severity. If very minor, then the healing process will take less; however, the cases I am seeing this summer are not minor.

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“Debris” from gnat bites – Gently massage Banixx Horse & Pet Care Spray on the bites. Photo credit Shellie Sommerson

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Who Jumped it Best? GAINing Ground at Burgham CCI4*-S

By on Sep 2, 2020 1:00 pm -

Who Jumped It Best?

One of the tremendous joys of being back on site, photographing and writing about events, is the endless satisfaction I get out of going through my stash of images afterwards, analysing the minutiae of each and every one and then, inevitably, tucking them away into the archives for use in future form guides and news stories. But the drudgery of 2020 has made me realise that we all need to share the wealth, not hide content away behind the scenes, and so today, I’m bringing you another Burgham CCI4*-S Who Jumped It Best. Somehow, I don’t think anyone will mind too much.

Today’s competition — a follow-on from part one, released last week — takes us to the latter third of the course. After wending their way through the initial two outlying fields and their first trip through the main field, our competitors found themselves in a tucked-away enclave in a back field. Here, they came to the double of water combinations and then swung a sharp left, galloping back up the hill towards fence 16, the GAIN Horse Feeds Table. This single fence offered up plenty of bulk and groundline to allow horses to judge it easily, but it couldn’t be underestimated — just after clearing it, riders had to prepare for a left-handed turn to a big ditch-and-brush, which took them back into the main field and sent them on their way to the final couple of combinations.

With that in mind, take a look at the combinations below, and then scroll down to have your say on who you think made the best overall impression over this beefy table.

Burgham: Website | Stream | Scores | EN’s Coverage

Alice Dunsdon and Sambo III. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Angus Smales and ESI Phoenix. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ginny Howe and Trendy Captain Clover. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Nicky Hill and MGH Bingo Boy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Nicola Wilson and Bulana. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

William Fox-Pitt and Little Fire. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Will Murray and Dino II. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Yasmin Ingham and Sandman 7. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Take 5 with Phillip, Presented by Equilume: Forward Footwork

By on Sep 2, 2020 11:00 am -

Today I worked Lincoln’s Address over some small jumps; I was just concentrating on being able to ride forward and then…

Posted by Phillip Dutton Eventing on Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Footwork is a valuable skill for any event horse to have. The ability to see, read, understand, and properly execute a question on course requires a quick mind as well as enough mental and physical fitness to make necessary adjustments without taking away from power. A mouthful, right?

Luckily, we’re treated to regular tips and demonstrations from the riders whom we admire the most thanks to the internet. There are an endless amount of quick resources available, little tricks to save for later, and this exercise from Phillip Dutton is one to add to your arsenal.

“I was just concentrating on being able to ride forward and then turning left and right,” Phillip wrote about the exercise shown above. “It helped (OTTB gelding Lincoln’s Address, owned by Anita Motion, Evie Dutton and R. Larry Johnson) learn to keep his balance while turning and at the same time looking and expecting the next fence, while overall learning to be clever and quick-footed. It’s a fairly simple but useful exercise that you can use at any level and keeps the horses (and riders) thinking.”

Equilume’s 20% off sale ends on Friday, September 4! If you’ve been on the fence about their Cashel Light Masks, now is the time to take the plunge.

A great time to try the Cashel Light Mask! Find out more https://bit.ly/2Y8HlHeOffer ends 4th Sept.

Posted by Equilume on Monday, August 31, 2020

Equilume is an Irish equine biotech company providing scientifically validated lighting solutions to the global equine industry. Their patented blue light technology strengthens circadian rhythms and has profound effects on equine health and behaviour.

The Equilume Cashel Light Mask is an individual headpiece that provides timed, low-level blue light to a single eye throughout the day to stimulate optimum health, performance and coat condition.

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