Amy Tryon and Poggio II. Photo courtesy of Lauren Ferguson.
Athens 2004 Olympics was the first time I vividly remember watching the entirety of the Eventing portion with rapt attention, and following all of the US riders from start to finish. I was a teenager running around Training level, and I didn’t know any of them personally, so they were superstars in my mind. I particularly remember watching Poggio in the jumping phases, because his style of going over the fences was heart stopping. Not only was he unbelievably catty and quick, but he was pretty wild at times. I didn’t have a clue what it took to get to that level, but watching him go on cross country made me think one day I’d like to do that, and run that fast and jump that high. Thanks Poggio, for inspiring many young girls across the world with your unique style.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Fresno County Horse Park H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm February H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]
Ocala Winter I H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]
Pine Top Intermediate H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Show Photos] [Volunteer]
News From Around the Globe:
Nothing we love more here at EN than snooping around famous riders’ farms! Ever wondered what Piggy March’s yard looks like from the inside? Wonder no more, my friends. Piggy is based in Northamptonshire, on a farm that was specifically built to meet all the needs of an Eventer, plus a view from the arena that’ll knock your socks off. Can I move in too? [Arena with a View: Piggy March’s Yard]
We’ve all known a grumpy horse or two, and chances are that it’s just brushed off as “that’s just him”. But new studies into equine behavioral science show that a horse that’s grumpy in the barn is likely not having a good time under saddle either. This study has shown that there’s a relationship between poor welfare in a stall and the expression of behaviors, postures, and even a particular way of moving when the horses are being ridden. [A Grumpy Horse]
Throwback Thursday to the 2010 YEH Championships, and the successful horses that came from there. With the east coast championships at Fair Hill and the west coast championships at Twin Rivers that year, the two championships saw 26 starters. Twelve of those horses fulfilled the program’s mission and went on to be successful at the upper levels of eventing. [YEH Yearbook: 2010]
Science confirms what we all knew to be true: pelvic mobility and control dictate riding efficacy. In general, the rider’s pelvis pitches in the opposite direction and rolls in the same direction as the rotation of the saddle. Riders need core stability to follow and guide the horse’s movements and avoid giving unintended or conflicting signals. In this study, they assessed performance in the saddle by measuring quality and harmony of a dressage test, as well as measuring the horse’s heart rate and salivary levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Riders were also studied on their ability to roll their pelvis on a giant rubber ball. [Importance of Pelvic Mobility]
