Tuesday News & Notes from Ocala Horse Properties

We’ve been loving following Lignières from afar — and the highlight of the week has been seeing France’s Thibaut Fournier back at his best a couple of years after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. We’re looking forward to seeing what the 2018 Pau winner does next — perhaps a return to the site of his biggest ever victory will be on the cards?

Events Opening Today: It’s happened, folks. We’ve hit the first barren Tuesday of the 2022 season.

Events Closing Today: Flora Lea Farm Mini EventTryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” TrialsWindermere Run H.TWaredaca Classic Three Day Event & H.T.The Event at TerraNovaRam Tap H.T.Hagyard Midsouth Three-day EventWillow Draw Charity Show

Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:

Some of the coolest eventing folk you’ll ever meet are the ones who stumbled into the sport by accident. You know the ones: the adrenaline-junkie, try-anything-once sorts who reckon just about anything will do as a good anecdote over a cold beer later on. Former reiner Rosie Smith, who finished third in the Training Rider division at the AECs this year, strikes me as exactly one of those riders… not least because her first pony was a former bucking bronco. No, seriously. [Rosie’s our kind of gal]

Speaking of cool eventers who come from slightly left-field backgrounds, how about a Hackney succeeding in the sport? Skelton Romeo has been given a performance award from the Hackney Horse Society for his sparkling debut with British Eventing, which has seen him take to the BE90 (US Novice) and under-18 classes with aplomb since jumping his first cross-country fence last year. [Who says you need designer breeding?]

Thinking of leasing your precious horse out? Whether you need to try to cut costs or you’ve progressed past the competitive level your horse is comfortable with, leasing is a super option to ensure your steed has a job and a best pal while giving you the peace of mind that he’s not changed hands and thus been removed from your care and control. But making sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s is essential. [Check out this sage advice]

Ocala Horse Properties Dream Farm of the Week:

Level with me here, guys: the best part of playing The Sims was building and decorating the houses. Like, okay, yeah, the actual gameplay bit was fun for a while, but after you’ve removed a couple of pool ladders and WooHoo-d the neighbour, it’s all a bit dry, right? But designing homes — that, I can do for hours. This gorgeous little sun trap offers a similarly delightful opportunity: it’s got 5 acres, a gorgeous house and a pool (with ladder firmly installed) — and the equestrian facilities of your dreams are just a touch of planning and designing away. You can make this place exactly what you want it to be, right down to the hanging baskets. Bliss.

Watch This:

It’s not always comfortable viewing, but it’s important to understand the subtle ways our horses tell us they’re hurting — and it’s on us to respond accordingly. Sharpen up your awareness of your four-legged best pal with this education video.