The Ocala Horse Properties USEA YEH Symposium kicked off yesterday and has already been receiving great feedback on social media. Each year, it seems that this seminar (and its educational counterparts put on by the USEA) grows both in scope and in reach to new audience members.
Ocala Horse Partners came on board to support the YEH Symposium this year, which is a line of support that makes great since given their longstanding relationship with the sport as owners for Liz Halliday. Liz herself, along with countless other professionals, has had several horses come up through the levels after starting their careers in YEH program. Another recent success story is that of HSH Blake, ridden by Caroline Pamukcu to individual gold at he 2023 Pan Ams.
The program, intended to be a part of the big picture pipeline of the sport as well as a way for aspiring horse developers to have an avenue to follow, has yielded many future 5* and Championship horses.
You can read much more about the action from the YEH Symposium on the USEA website here.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Pine Top Advanced (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Wednesday News and Reading
We eventing fans sure do love a live stream and EN’s one-stop hub is where they’re all at. We’ve compiled this list and its accompanying global map to assist you and cut down on confusion and frustration when it comes to eventing live streams. We’ll be updating this as new live streams are added and you can request the addition of a live stream by emailing [email protected]. Eyes on, and go eventing!
Happening tomorrow – Conversations with Team Canada. Join Kyle Carter (Pan Ams and World Championships silver medalist), Tik Maynard (two-time freestyle winner at the Thoroughbred Makeover) and Holly Jacks (5* eventer and Pratoni World Championships team member) as they share their experience, knowledge and insights about developing young sport horses. As well as an informative discussion, there will also be a live Q&A, and as if that wasn’t enough, everyone who registers for the webinar will be entered into a draw with the chance of winning a Lululemon Team Canada clothing pack. Here’s where to sign up.
Top tips from a top farrier. Having got up close and personal with some very exciting hooves – including Tamie Smith’s Kentucky winner Mai Baum, Will Coleman’s Off the Record and Lauren Nicholson’s Vermiculus, as well as being the official farrier for the Tryon WEG – Chris Martelli knows a thing or two about hoofcare. From food and forage, to competition schedules, hoof oil and fly spray, here are his six top tips to keep horses’ hooves in tip top condition.
No matter what activities you enjoy with your equine pal, being balanced as they bend is key to having a horse that moves correctly. This is something I’m working on currently with my new horse, and I have to tell you, it can be a bit of a tricky business. It’s taking time and patience and a whole lot of work – on the ground and under saddle – and both with my horse and on the exercise mat – but all the work is totally worth it and I know we’ll both reap the benefits as we progress in our training. Here’s some sound advice for teaching your horse to bend effectively. And of course, it’s never all about the horse – as riders we need to be just as strong, supple and balanced as we want our horses to be – it takes a whole lotta leg to get that bend going in the right direction! If you fancy dialing up your rider fitness, the Horse Learner Fitness YouTube Channel is a good place to start.
Take a dive into the dictionary entries regarding dishorsing. This week’s foray into the vocabulary of the horse world is all about taking leave of your mount – ‘dismounting’, ‘dishorsing’, ‘hopping off’, or perhaps ‘slithering-to-the-ground-in-a-sweaty-broken-heap’, depending how your ride’s gone I guess.
We finish up here with ‘Ponyhenge’ – a graveyard for rocking horses, of course. Yes, really. It started out with one, then more appeared. Their numbers continue to grow, but no one’s ever witnessed one being dropped off. And yes, they do appear to move around. The mystery continues…
Sponsor Corner
Ocala is growing! Ocala Horse Properties sat down with John Harms to discuss his plans for a restaurant and retail space in northwest Ocala. Stretching 11 acres in the heart of horse country, the project will feature 100,000 square feet of office, entertainment, restaurant, and retail space. Read more.
Video Break
Back in November,Courtney Cooper announced a scholarship giving two amateur riders the opportunity to train with her for 7 days throughout the upcoming year. Here’s Jen Clapp, winner of one of the 2024 C Square Farm and Excel Star Sport Horses adult amateur scholarships, enjoying a day out at Bruce’s field with Excel Star Saint Nick. Keep your eyes peeled for Jen’s blog about her experiences – coming soon on EN.
