Cooley Cross Border with his besties Crumpet and Lindsey. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Hall.
While we’re enduring enjoying snow here in Virginia, I have to say, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing videos of people in Florida complaining because they’re wearing a jacket. It’s a small comfort that while they’ve escaped to the warm state, they’re still cold, even if it’s only one jacket instead of three.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Sporting Days Farm February H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Three Lakes Ranch H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]
News From Around the Globe:
As somebody who dealt with a horse who hated liverpools for 10 years, I can say it’s never too early to start teaching them. In this video break from the USEA Vault, Lucinda Green instructs a group of riders on how to introduce their horses to jumping a liverpool. Starting out at the walk over a tarp that’s been rolled up, Green increases the difficulty of the exercise by opening up the tarp and increasing from the walk to the trot to the canter. Green coaches riders through how to manage horses that are unsure about jumping over the tarp. Finally, Green adds a pole over the top of the tarp to simulate a jump with a liverpool beneath. [Introducing Liverpools with Lucinda Green]
In surprising news from the IOC, they’ve announced that COVID vaccines will not be required for Olympic participation. Organizers of the Tokyo games announced yesterday that athletes and officials will not be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to attend the Olympic Games, but they will encourage and assist individual countries to vaccinate their teams prior to arrival. [No Vaccination Required for Olympics]
Introducing a young horse to skinny fences is integral to your success as an Eventer, because they show up early now. British rider Caroline Moore has an excellent system for teaching confidence over skinnies. To develop confidence with a narrow fence, a rider needs good steering aids, the horse needs good jumping technique, and the pair need a good partnership. That, and holding a line. [Teaching Skinnies to a Young Horse]
Talking to your non horse friends can sometimes be…challenging. Not only do they think you’re crazy, but they don’t understand what you’re saying half the time. Now you can just link them here, for a comprehensive list of translations of common horse words so they can keep up. [Comprehensive Dictionary of Horse Terms for Non-Equestrians]
