Now that the competition season has started again, we’re all going to see a lot of highlights reels – not just on social media, but in the framing of the sport and its stars across all kinds of media. It’s really easy, then, to fall into the trap of thinking badly about your own riding and results (more than once, I’ve thought to myself, “Piggy wouldn’t have knocked that rail down!”), and so it’s always refreshing when top riders share the wobbly bits of the journey, whether that’s a frustrating result with an upper level horse or the topsy-turvy process of producing a youngster. It’s also so educational to see that development, as in the case of this video of Madeline Backus and her horse Lynx, who learned all about skinny wedges recently.
Events Opening Today: Spring Gulch H.T., Fair Hill International Recognized H.T., Chattahoochee Hills H.T., Otter Creek Spring H.T., Hunt Club Farms H.T.
Events Closing Today: Unionville Spring Horse Trials, Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III, River Glen Spring H.T.
Are you attending this year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event? Join EN and Ride iQ for a ridiculously epic course walk led by Kyle Carter and Buck Davidson on Friday, April 29. If you register ahead of time, you’ll be entered to win prizes such as a limited edition signed tote bag and goodies from our sponsors. Click here to learn more!
Tuesday News & Notes From Around the World:
For most eventers, the idea of swapping to pure dressage is probably groan-inducing at best. But that’s just what Chase Shipka did after a bad fall knocked her confidence — and now, she’s aiming for US team selection in the not-too-distant future. Read more about her journey – and the incredible adventures she’s had — here.
Getting it wrong sometimes is part of the process — and the legacy of ‘wrongness’ goes back generations. Jimmy Wofford explores the history of major equestrian industry disagreements and argues the case that making mistakes is part of the process of developing the horse industry as a whole – as long as we’re all willing to take a step back and engage in some productive evaluation.
Most parents will agree that watching their child leave the start box is WAY more nerve-wracking than doing it themselves. That’s why knowing how best to manage their day at an event, and contribute to the overall process, is a great idea — by being involved constructively, watching from the sidelines can feel less helpless. Check out some top tips from the parents who’ve nailed the brief.
Equine pros, listen up: STRIDER is hosting a series of webinars aimed at helping you boost your business this year. Sign up now and get insights into communications, working with the media, and making sure your clinics bring in a healthy profit.
Video Break:
Catch up on Carolina with Elisa Wallace and Let It Be Lee:
