Holly Payne Caravella with CharmKing and Avant Garde after a successful weekend at Pine Top Farm.
Holly Payne Caravella with CharmKing and Avant Garde after a successful weekend at Pine Top Farm. Photo via Holly Payne Equestrian on Facebook.
My first show of the year is in the books! I spent the weekend working at one of my all-time favorite events: Pine Top Farm. The off-season has felt especially long and I was getting really restless at home. Despite the rain and gray skies in Georgia, it was so good to be back at an event!
National Holiday: National Hug Day!
U.S. Weekend Action:
Pine Top Intermediate H.T. [Website] [Results]
Ocala Winter I H.T. [Website] [Results]
Monday News and Notes:
A new award will be offered at the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park in October. A $2,500 cash prize, sponsored by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, will be presented to the top-placed Louisiana-bred at the competition. [New Award for Top-Placing Louisiana-Bred at 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover]
You know the saying: “No hoof, no horse.” Good farrier work is critical to your horse’s hoof health. Three key aspects your farrier will focus on is the trim, the center of rotation and the heel. You may not be doing the work yourself, but it’s still important to understand what your farrier is doing and why. [Three basics of equine foot care]
Because a grid is a really just a combination, and we don’t usually trot combinations on course, it makes sense to eventually start cantering grid exercises that you practice at home. USET Selector Robert Costello shares his favorite canter grid that serves to improve both horse and rider skills. [Grid Pro Quo]
Monday Video: Pine Top Prelim winners Tender Bravissimo (aka Whiskers) and Courtney Cooper. Check out the air they catch over the hammock!
