Classic Eventing Nation

Event Report: Alberta’s Inaugural Prentice Creek H.T. Hits the Ground Running

By on Jul 22, 2019 12:00 pm -

We love sharing event reports from around the Eventing Nation! Many thanks to organizer Dianna Austad for sharing this recap of Prentice Creek H.T., a brand new event in Alberta, Canada. Have a report to share? Email it to [email protected].

Photo by Afillyate Photography.

Rocky Mountain House in Alberta, Canada, was a busy place on July 5-7 as 140 competitors contested the 1st Annual Prentice Creek Horse Trials.

The Prentice Creek Equestrian Center is already known as one of Western Canada’s nicest facilities, featuring great cross country terrain and a redesigned show jumping ring created to handle the amount of rain this area can receive. Competitors were in for a surprise with an all-new cross country course designed by James Atkinson and a show jumping course designed by Jay Duke. Starter through Prelim divisions were offered.

Dianna Austad, a member of the Prentice Creek Horse Trials Committee, said, “We wanted this event to be an experience for competitors. With thousands of dollars in prizes and prize money, ribbons as big as some kids, door prizes — including a free entry for next year — and a vendor trade show, we wanted to make our event an experience and make sure eventing stays alive and well here.”

Photo by Afillyate Photography.

“I come from a rodeo background, and I think eventing in Canada is under-appreciated for the horsemanship it displays and the nature of its ‘extreme sport’ side with the cross country aspect. If more people realized how hard this sport is and how fun it is to not only compete in but watch, they would be booking weekends off to follow these athletes.”

Photo by Afillyate Photography.

Cross country course designer James Atkinson came on site with a vision, and once he’d seen the facility he knew that he could create a course that left competitors wanting more.

“Some of the details that made our event fresh was upping the technical level of our cross country course for sure,” Dianna said. “Events should not be won on dressage — courses need to challenge riders while still allowing them to be successful.”

Video: Laura Hornung and Mito tackle the Beginner Novice course.

Dianna continued, “The show jumping course design used our amazing arena to its fullest, and having the pinning right after the last class allowed the winners to do a victory lap. The victory lap not only showcased our top competitors, but it was a great display for our sponsors. Many other events just hand out the awards at the office and you go home. What is the fun in winning if you don’t get to show it off a little?”

Congratulations to the winners! You can view complete results here.

Open Preliminary: Renee Kalkman & Qupid (43.8)
Open Training: Amy West & Bronte (29.1)
Regular Training: Mackenzie Hoffman & Heathcliff (29.7)
Open Pre-Training: Derek Jackson & Cosmic (25.5)
Regular Pre-Training: Declan Bast & Surilanka (24.0)
Open Entry: Courtney Benton & Samba (33.3)
Regular Entry: Alexa Hubl & Whiskey Whisper (33.5)
Open Pre-Entry: Kaylee Stegmaier & Fiona (19.8)
Regular Pre-Entry: Alison Bachand-Lapointe & Nascar Willie (31.9)
Regular Starter: Brittney Nelson & Babydoll (36.1)

Photo by Afillyate Photography.

“We also added a Youth Incentive Program to encourage kids to do good deeds over the weekend for prizes on Sunday,” she said. “The kids had a blast doing it, and it encouraged them to give back. We really tried to think of as many little details as possible to make the whole weekend a success.”

Photo by Afillyate Photography.

Prentice Creek H.T. hopes to learn from what worked well and what didn’t work so well and just keep getting better from year to year. They have had great feedback so far from the competitors and people who already want to be included in the event for next year. The organizers hope this will become the event of the year that people in Canada want to attend, and that each year they can add something that just keeps boosting the culture of this already amazing sport!

Like the Prentice Creek H.T. Facebook page here for updates on future events.

Why We’re Excited About the 2019 Millbrook Horse Trials

By on Jul 22, 2019 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of MHT.

One of the hottest tickets on the U.S. summer eventing calendar, Millbrook Horse Trials, is fast approaching, and we’re getting stoked. This year’s event — the 19th annual edition — takes place Aug. 1-4 at Riga Meadow at Coole Park Farm in Millbrook, New York. Yep, that’s the same weekend as the Pan American Games, but the North American eventing world isn’t about to stop turning just because of some championship down in Peru. We’ll be bringing the heat up here, too.

A few reasons why we’re excited for Millbrook 2019:

The Advanced entry list is stacked. Millbrook has been the kick-off to the fall season for many years now, with riders using it as a key run for horses headed to CCI4* and CCI5* events in the coming months. As the only Advanced event on the East Coast in this timeframe, Millbrook consistently draws a large field with plenty of big names. We counted 53 Advanced level entries on this year’s roster — check it out here.

Buck Davidson has eight horses entered, including five in the Advanced (Carlevo, Copper Beach, Park Trader, Jak My Style and Erroll Gobey). Photo by Brant Gamma courtesy of MHT.

… As are the other divisions. Almost 500 horse-rider pairs are slated to compete in divisions spanning Beginner Novice to Advanced. Dressage kicks off on Thursday; Beginner Novice through Training tackle cross country on Friday, followed by the upper levels on Saturday. Intermediate and Advanced show jumping is the grand finale on Sunday. View the schedule of events here.

Arial Grald and GHF Gosling won their Preliminary division in 2018. Photo by Brant Gamma courtesy of MHT.

All that prize money: For the 19th consecutive year, the purse of prize money for riders in the Advanced and Intermediate divisions continues. This year $10,000 will be awarded to winners in these divisions.

Photo courtesy of MHT.

It’s a showplace for spectators. In addition to the competition, MHT offers events and activities for all spectators and horse lovers. Among this year’s highlights:

  • Admission and parking are free and food is available on site. Additional activities, including a kid’s area featuring kid’s games, food and fun, as well as an exciting Four Bar High Jump Competition on Sunday.
  • A trade fair offering a wide variety of horse and fashion products for sale from quality vendors, which include BayHorse Gazebos and Barns, Emerald Valley Natural Health, Hylofit, Passports, CWD Sellier, White Horse Collection, and many more.
  • For the third year, live electronic scoring will be displayed in the show jumping arena so spectators can easily follow individual competitors.

Photo courtesy of MHT.

… With special spectator experiences available. These include:

  • Water View, located above the complex of exciting water jumps, is open all day Saturday during the upper-level cross country competition. Live commentary is provided by professional riders, along with transportation to the viewing tent and a box lunch. Tickets are required.
  • A Benefit Luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday during the Intermediate and Advanced show jumping competition. Professional commentary will be provided by Advanced level rider, Marcia Kulak.
  • Tickets for Water View and the Benefit Luncheon can be purchased at www.millbrookhorsetrials.com. MHT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so all contributions are tax deductible to donors.

Photo courtesy of MHT.

Will we see you there? Learn more at the Millbrook Horse Trials website here.

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

By on Jul 22, 2019 12:01 am -

Well, that settles it: CHIO Aachen is officially a bucket list event for me. After following Tilly Berendt’s coverage all weekend I’m completely enamored with the venue, the fanfare and the utter spectacle of it all. It doesn’t hurt that the Charlemagne-era city of Aachen itself looks like a dream to explore. I’m currently plotting how I make this a stop during my vacation time next spring!

National Holiday: National Rat Catcher’s Day

CHIO Aachen: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Penny Oaks H.T. [Website] Final Scores]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Full Moon Farm H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Your Monday News & Notes:

Congrats to Clare Milhous, winner of last week’s Fab Freebie! Clare won a Sunshield Long Sleeve 1/4 Zip from SmartPak, designed to keep riders cool, dry, and protected from the sun. Thanks to our great friends at SmartPak for sponsoring this contest. Keep an eye out for this week’s Fab Freebie giveaway, to be announced on Tuesday.

The FEI ‘blood rule’ was enforced multiple times at CHIO Aachen over the weekend. A Danish dressage rider, a Belgian show jumper and a French show jumper were all eliminated for blood on their horse’s side near the riders’ spurs. [Three riders eliminated in Aachen due to blood on horses’ sides]

You may have noticed that Tamie Smith and Wembly were missing from the Team USA squad at CHIO Aachen this weekend. Tamie look to Facebook yesterday to let everyone know that Wembly was discovered to have a bone bruise in one foot and she determined that it was in his best interest not to compete at Aachen. We’re wishing Wembly a speedy recovery and Tamie the best of luck with Mai Baum at Pan Ams! [Update on Wembly]

Does your horse get a little over excited for cross country? If your horse gets strong and you’re feeling a bit out of control at times, try this exercise from British eventer Sam Ecroyd which he learned from the master himself, Michael Jung. [#SundaySchool: How can I stop my horse being strong across country?]

Monday Video: Ever the horsewoman, Ingrid Klimke even gives the robo-horse pats!

SAP Riding Simulator

SAP Ambassador and Olympian Ingrid Klimke tests out the brand new SAP Riding Simulator at CHIO Aachen. The simulator gives fans a unique chance to feel what it’s like for a professional rider! If you’re in Aachen come by, test your riding skills and try to beat Ingrid's best-time #thebestrun

Posted by SAP Sports on Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Sandra Auffarth Retires World Champion Opgun Louvo in CHIO Aachen Celebration

By on Jul 21, 2019 5:00 pm -

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The illustrious Opgun Louvo was wished a happy retirement this weekend in a celebration at CHIO Aachen.

The 17-year-old Selle Français (Shogun II x Vanille du Tertre) boasts a number of successes which decorate his resume like jewels of a crown, the most dazzling, of course, being individual gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. All in all, “Wolle” won nine medals across five championships with Germany’s Sandra Auffarth.

Last summer, Sandra announced that Wolle would no longer compete in championships, but after a last minute withdrawal from Aachen, he did not have any more starts. Now, he’ll be remembered in the history books for his career which includes team gold and individual bronze at the London Olympics, team gold and individual silver both the 2011 and 2015 European Championships, and team silver at the Rio Olympics.

A World Champion and Sandra’s horse of a lifetime — Hats off to you, Wolle.

 

#EventerProblems Vol. 188, Presented by Haygain: Overachievers, Unite!

By on Jul 21, 2019 2:30 pm -

Some horses are just… extra. Because why produce a nice bascule over something when you can power launch deer style?

You can’t help but love them, except — it makes your life just a little bit more difficult. Cue the latest batch of your #EventerProblems.

View this post on Instagram

When you have the best barn friend @tesla.parker. I told her I had to choose between my first Horse Trial and meeting @renner4real and Chris Evans at ACE Seattle she made sure I did both (kinda). Also… she gave me my Cap spur straps which carried me through cross country. I couldn’t do this without her help and support! The text says “Hey girl, Milano has been fed and watered. Rock on this weekend!!” . #goeventing #eventersdoitbetter #eventerproblems #eventersolutions #eventersofinstagram #eventinglife #teamkfp #equestrianproblems #equestrian #equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #milano #belgiansupermodel #belgianwarmblood #wereoldnotout #theavengers #marveljunkie #captainamerica #hawkeye #clintbarton #steverogers

A post shared by Ash (@munkybox) on

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We are committed to improving equine health through scientific research, product innovation and consumer education in respiratory and digestive health. Developed by riders, for riders, we understand the importance of clean forage and a healthy stable environment in maintaining the overall well-being of the horse.

Our Haygain hay steamers are recommended by the world’s leading riders, trainers and equine vets and ComfortStall® Sealed Orthopedic Flooring System is used and recommended by leading Veterinary Hospitals, including Cornell University.

51 Reasons Equestrians Would Storm Area 51

By on Jul 21, 2019 1:30 pm -

There is a grassroots Facebook movement afoot to storm Area 51 in order to “see them aliens.” Wait. What? Although we don’t get it, we can think of 51 other reasons to storm Area 51, reasons much more appealing to the Horse Nation herd.

On June 27, a Facebook event called Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us was launched encouraging folks to journey to Roswell, New Mexico in order to, as the title suggests, storm Area 51 and “see them aliens.” Although this started as a joke, the September 20 event has garnered quite a bit of attention.

Pixabay/Martin Str/CC Photo.

With 1.2 million Facebook users committed to going and 1 million interested, the event has gotten more than just attention; it seems there’s some substance behind it. To be fair, simply saying one is “going” to an event on Facebook does not necessarily mean one will actually, physically attend. That said, the Little A’Le’Inn (pronounced “little alien,” of course), which is the nearest lodging to Area 51, is completely booked for September 20 — all 10 rooms of it. Additionally, over 60 people have committed to renting a camping spot on the 30 acres of land that is run by the same owner.

According to the event page, the way the group is going to “see them aliens” is by doing a naruto run toward the top-secret testing facility so the group can “move faster than their bullets.” For those of you who don’t know (I certainly didn’t up until very recently), a naruto run refers to Naruto Uzumaki, a Japanese anime character who runs with his chest pointing forward and his arms jutting straight back behind him.

All of this leaves us more than just a little perplexed. Remember that as of mid-July, less than a month since the Facebook event was launched, over 1 million people have said they are going to naruto run at a government testing facility to “see them aliens.” Let that sink in for a minute. One. Million. People. Even if only a small percentage of those who say they are going actually go, that’s still a lot of people.

We can think of a number of reasons to storm Area 51, none of which is aliens (okay, maybe one of which is aliens). For equestrians, an entirely different type of motivation is required to face the threat of death and promise of jail time.

So, here it is — our list of 51 reasons to storm Area 51, Uzumaki style:

  1. To “see them horses.”
  2. A 60% off tack sale.
  3. Bales of high quality second cut for $2.50/bale.
  4. A well-bred 17 hh flashy gelding that is sound, fancy broke, kid safe and totally bombproof for under $2500.
  5. Avoiding yet another email or DM from your well-meaning non-horse friend who knows someone who knows someone who is trying to get rid of a horse. They thought you might be interested in it or know someone who is.
  6. Seeking refuge from a prospective horse buyer who is incapable of reading your sales ad and continuously asks questions that are covered in the ad.
  7. Also seeking refuge. This time from the prospective buyer who asks you if you’ll take $1500 for the horse you have listed for $5000 (by the way, the answer is no).
  8. A new Devoucoux Harmonie dressage saddle.
  9. A free showing of “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.”
  10. A heated wash stall.
  11. Color coordinated tack. Hangars and hangars full of color coordinated tack.
  12. Vet bills covered for life.
  13. Feed bills covered for life.
  14. Farrier bills covered for life.
  15. Any regularly reoccurring horse bills covered for life.
  16. A free four-horse living quarters trailer… even a heavily discounted one, for that matter.
  17. The truck to haul said trailer.
  18. Dodging that sketchy MLM scheme on Facebook that advertises ways for horse lovers to make extra cash at home, but no details are provided and the poster only replies to inquiries by asking that you PM them. Full disclosure: we only think it’s an MLM scheme. We haven’t actually PMed anyone to find out.
  19. Perfectly fitting cowboy hats that won’t lose their shapes or give you a headache.
  20. A flashy pony that is actually kid-safe and bombproof, not Lucifer incarnate.
  21. An 80 acre equestrian estate, complete with indoor and outdoor arenas, a heated barn, heated wash stalls and pastures with good grass.
  22. A free showing of “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.”
  23. Show shirts that are guaranteed to stay tucked into show pants (or is it just me?).
  24. The smell of well-oiled leather. It calls to equestrians and draws them in — dare we say it? — herds.
  25. Bell boots that won’t come off unless you take them off.
  26. Fly masks that won’t come off unless you take them off.
  27. Fly spray that works for more than 2.5 minutes (we’re being generous here).
  28. Un-throwable horseshoes (and we’re not talking about ringers).
  29. A cure for navicular.
  30. A 100% guaranteed colic preventative.
  31. A new teaching method that will guarantee you a perfectly square halt every.single.time.
  32. Foals. A whole herd of cute, cuddly foals that you just want to schmoosh.
  33. An airplane hangar full of Breyer horses.
  34. A saddle that is guaranteed to fit every horse perfectly every time.
  35. A free showing of “The Black Stallion” (because, let’s be honest, when we started riding, most of us thought it would be something like Alec on the beach at the beginning of the movie).
  36. An actual black stallion. A registered, well-bred black stallion with great conformation, a great mind and a strong performance record.
  37. An entire barn full of freshly bedded stalls.
  38. A never-ending supply of clean polos.
  39. A white horse that doesn’t roll in manure immediately after you wash it.
  40. Many, many storage buildings full of fresh hay.
  41. The NFR. All of it. Behind the gates of Area 51.
  42. The World Equestrian Games. All of it. Behind the gates of Area 51.
  43. Avoiding yet another horse sale ad that attempts to show how broke the horse is by featuring a picture of someone standing on the horse’s back (but… why?).
  44. A revolutionary new technology that keeps you from ever getting hat or helmet hair.
  45. Shiny new blankets with no tears, rips or manure stains.
  46. A decent supply of high-quality boot socks that won’t slouch.
  47. Self-baling and self-stacking hay.
  48. Your barn friends, waiting for you within the compound.
  49. Aliens, actually. But not for the reason you think. Apparently aliens make the best leather for tack — it’s self-cleaning and never dries out.
  50. 52 free Thoroughbreds.
  51. Fleeing from yet another 52 free Thoroughbreds post barrage on Facebook.What have we missed? What would inspire you to storm the proverbial castle — or Area 51, as the case may be? Let us know in the comments section. Go riding!

 

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: Young Rider Dreams

By on Jul 21, 2019 11:00 am -

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

Kids all across Eventing Nation dream of representing their Area at the North American Youth Championships, but sometimes you need a very special horse to get you there. In honor of the week’s upcoming Championship, here are six horses listed for sale on Sport Horse Nation that are marketed to up-and-coming Young Riders:

Ideal Contini. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

IDEAL CONTINI, Competitive, uncomplicated, ultimate junior/young riders horse

Ideal Contini, or “Taz,” is a 2003 16.2 Westphalian Gelding. I bought him in 2015, and in four years he became my horse of a life time, as well as my best friend. He took me from the one star level (CCI2*-L) to my first advanced and three star (CCI4*-S). We finished top 15 at numerous FEI events all across the east coast, were 7th at the 2016 NAJYRC in the CCI1*, top 20 at the 2017 Fair Hill International CCI2*, we were named to the 2017 E18 List and then the E25 list the following year. We finished 9th at the 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships at Intermediate, and most notably we finished individual silver and team gold at the 2018 NAYC CICOY2* at Rebecca farm. Taz has been my greatest teacher over the past few years, has allowed me so many opportunities and has given me so much experience. He’s competitive, uncomplicated, sound, and just overall the ultimate young riders horse. While parting with him is one of the hardest things I’ll ever do, it’s time for him to find his next person to teach the upper levels and be their horse of a lifetime. Located in Maryland.

Hieronymus B. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Serious upper level prospect to take an experience amateur or developing professional on a budget through the levels

Hieronymus B — Hiro is a 9-year-old (2010) 16.3 TB bay Gelding who just moved to Training level. He has plenty of potential but selling because owner is going to college. Hiro is best suited for a strong young rider or confident amateur and would make a fantastic NAYC horse. Very willing over jumps, point and shoot, loves his job and has a superb technique. Great mover and lots of presence. He is a blast to ride and has a gentle personality in the barn. $35K negotiable – Need to sell by end of summer, before beginning college. Located in Illinois.

Shannondale McGyver. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Successful Young Rider Horse

Shannondale McGyver is a 9 year old 16.1 hand Irish Sport Horse gelding with a proven record with a young rider at the preliminary level. He is incredibly easy and comfortable on the flat! And is an absolute jumping machine! Priced at $65,000. Located in California.

Buckaroo. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Proven Training Level Eventer Ready To Take Next Young Rider Up The Levels

Hollywood Eventing proudly offers Buckaroo for sale as his owner is going to college. Buck is a lovely 13 year old, 16.2 hand high, buckskin Appendix gelding who has taken his young rider up to Training level recognized eventing and schooled Prelim. He has competed in schooling horse trials, combined tests, hunter/jumper, and dressage shows. He is a lovely mover and a safe jumper. He is a ham in the barn and is good for the farrier, vet, dentist, and trailering. Good alone or in a group on trail rides. Has been in professional training for a month now and is ready for his next human. Asking $10,000. Great home is a must. Located in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania. Please contact Kelly Sult-Ransom at 814-528-8699 or email: [email protected].

Excellence. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Proven Winning Young Rider Horse

Excellence is a 10 year old 16.1 hand Dutch gelding with a proven record thru Preliminary. He would be a dream come true for any Young Rider or Adult looking to win and have fun! Winner of the Junior Training AECs 2018. Just recently 3rd in the Preliminary Challenge at Woodside. Incredibly consistent and easy in all three phases! Located in California.

Ocho Caballero. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Fun Athletic Jr/AA Traing level horse

Ocho Caballero is a 10 year old 16.1hh TB gelding, experienced Training level event horse. This classy forward thinking gelding is athletic, smart, and great to work with. He is a super nice horse to gain competition mileage on. Well-schooled and willing, he is a great mount for an amateur or younger rider who wants to learn the ropes and move up through the levels. Sound and fit, he is ready to take you out eventing. His color is a plus in the dressage ring and a joy to have around the barn as he is an easy keeper and easy to have around. He is sound, no injuries, good feet, and no vices. Video available on request. Located in Kentucky.

Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.

Course Walk: Larkin Hill Debuts Area I’s Newest Preliminary Track

By on Jul 21, 2019 9:00 am -

Fence 8A & 8B — Pole to Step In. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Following the loss of a number of key events in Area I, Larkin Hill stepped up to host a Preliminary division — and it debuts today!

Event organizer Margie Hutchison stepped forward and committed the 100-acre venue to host a Preliminary division in order to support local upper level riders after the cancellation of of Stuart Horse Trials, King Oak Farm Horse Trials and Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials.

Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto generously offered to take EN on a “virtual” course walk around the country’s newest Preliminary track. Designed by Tremaine Cooper, the course loops generously around the property with plenty of beefy, technical and galloping elements to go around.

The new track is currently supported by portable loans from other venues in New York, but Larkin Hill is in the process of building their own fences to support this level of competition in Area I for years to come. So far they’ve raised nearly $5,000 of the $50,000 goal. Click here to donate via GoFundMe. To make a tax-deductible donation through the American Horse Trials Foundation, please contact Sharyn Antico at 413-454-4158.

[Larkin Hill Horse Trials Preliminary XC Course GoFundMe]

Larkin Hill H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Live Scores

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Jul 21, 2019 12:01 am -

The Payne squad will have another member next year! Congratulations to Jessica and Doug Payne, who announced this week that they’re expecting a baby girl.

National Holiday: National Ice Cream Day

CHIO Aachen: Website, Entries & Start Times, Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Penny Oaks H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Moon Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links: 

Free Richard Jeffery Show Jumping Clinics to be Hosted at the 2019 USEA AEC

Three riders eliminated in Aachen due to blood on horses’ sides

Piggy French best Brit in Aachen eventing as Team GB suffer mixed fortunes across country

Ingrid Klimke wins Aachen eventing: ‘It was a tough course but so much fun’

Charlotte Dujardin third in Aachen special as Lottie Fry also qualifies for freestyle

Ingrid Klimke Sets Aachen Record; Caroline Martin Rides to Plan for U.S.

Ask Us: Three Key Ways To Manage Your Horse’s Feet This Summer

Sunday Video: 

A Breath of Fresh Air in Horse Health and Performance

By on Jul 20, 2019 5:00 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and Paramount Importance at the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

By the time a horse has gone a sixth of the way around a four-star cross country course, he will have cycled approximately 475 gallons of air into and out of his lungs. To help visualize this: Imagine the average American bathtub “filled with air” and then added five more tubs next to it – that is about how much air a horse will inhale and exhale, which is nearly 10 gallons per second!

Oftentimes when we think of performance horses, our mind paints a picture of a strong bodied steed with well-defined muscles and a bigger stature than the rest. But, beneath the surface lies a crucial factor to a horse’s performance that often goes overlooked: breathing. We never really realize it, but regardless of a horse’s level of competition – amateur or professional performance horses – all work at a high level of intensity. A horse’s respiratory involvement remains invariable across disciplines, being just as important during lower levels of training and competition as in high levels.

Graphic provided by FLAIR Strips.

At the surface, when a horse is hard at work during an event or exercise routine, the unsupported tissues overlying the nasal passages collapse, resulting in less efficient breathing and more strain on the horse before being able to reach its optimal performance. Unlike humans, during intensive exercise horses do not breathe through their mouth and nose. A horse only breathes through its nose because the tissues that separate the nasal passages from the oral cavity are longer. So, when horses inhale during exercise, around 90% of the resistance (obstruction) to air movement is found within the airways of the nostrils, nasal passages, larynx, and trachea. Of this 90%, half of the resistance comes from the nasal passages. This goes to show that the nasal passages of a horse are directly correlated to the efficiency of its air intake and that unobstructed and unrestricted airways make all the difference when it comes to the endurance and high-performance capabilities of your horse.

Developed by veterinarians, FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are a drug-free, clinically proven solution that makes air intake easier for horses, resulting in less strain on the horse’s body while allowing them to reach optimal performance more efficiently. Offering gentle and noninvasive support to a horse’s nasal passages, the proprietary adhesive and shape memory support system provides improved airflow to the lungs: reducing fatigue, conserving energy, quickening recovery, and reducing lung bleeding.

Help your horse work hard and breathe easy with FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips.