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How lucky are we to have horses? Seeing posts like this one, shared by English therapy pony team Dinky Ponies, really makes that hit home: even if there are occasional crap rides, or bad results, or frustratingly pricey vet bills, we still get the extraordinary comfort of having that sweet warm smell in our noses as we lean in for a good cuddle. That’s worth everything, I reckon.
National Holiday: It’s National Clean Out Your Bookshelf Day. Got any horse books gathering dust? Find an access program near you and consider donating them – there’s a kid out there who’s desperate to learn but has limited resources, and books and magazines are always so gratefully received. That was the greatest gift I ever received when I was a horse-mad but strapped kid.
U.S. Weekend Action:
Ocala Winter I (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Results]
Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Results]
Jumping Branch Farm H.T. (Aiken, SC): [Website] [Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
We’ve all been talking pretty much non-stop about social license and what it means for the sport. Now, a group of researchers has developed guidelines for how to actually change some of the pervasive beliefs and behaviours within our industry that are on track to be our downfall if we don’t. [Things that actually feel actionable]
Speaking of things people talk about a lot but maybe don’t fully have a plan for: mindfulness! To me, ‘mindfulness’ feels so buzzwordy, but actually, it’s a really crucial part of maximising your performance — and your enjoyment of the sport. For the uninitiated, these three exercises will serve as a useful introduction and a totally doable way to calm the noise in your head when it all gets a bit hectic, and they’re well worth adding to your toolkit. [Aaaaand breathe]
If you’re pregnant and riding, you’re probably getting bored of fielding the same questions. There’s unfortunately no cure-all that’ll encourage people to mind their own business, but if we can tempt you with a bit of company for that misery, [here it is]
The FutureTrack Follow:
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Regular Kentucky visitors will already be firm fans of Germany’s Anna Siemer, who came over to the event with her excellent mare FRH Butts Avondale a couple of years ago and quickly made herself the most-liked person in the state — but for those of you who are unfamiliar with the powerhouse, she’s probably the nicest person in the sport and her horses are pretty damn cool, too. Thank god for Instagram’s translate function: her regular, thoughtful posts are interesting and funny. Give her a follow and join in with the rise of the German team’s next superstar.
Morning Viewing:
An 86%+ dressage test to inspire and motivate you? Oh, go on, then.
