Product Review: Goode Rider Jean Full Seat Breeches & Henley Shirt
A solid synthesis between function and fashion.
The Academic Equestrian: Hello, Horse Show
Haley Ruffner recounts her recent experience of taking a green horse out of his comfort zone.
Horse showing is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get. (That’s how that quote goes, right?)
A couple of weeks ago, I took my relatively unseasoned horse to a small open show, mostly because he’s coming to college with me to be used in an IHSA program and I wanted to test the waters, so to speak, and see how much work needed to be done before he was show-ready. It was his first show in almost three years, and I really wasn’t sure what to expect–would he remember to wear his big boy pants that day and behave like he does at home, or would the new and terrifying sights of a new arena and busy fairgrounds make him lose all semblance of focus?
We arrived and unloaded with little fanfare (always a positive) and he was his usual inquisitive self–the barrel in the corner was mildly scary only until I had let him sniff and slobber all over it, and he tried to stop and say hi to every person standing alongside the rail. Warm ups went well, despite my original misgivings that the morning hunt seat portion of the show would be a disaster because a) I hadn’t ridden hunt seat since the last IEA show in February, and b) Cricket hadn’t had an English saddle on him since then either. He acted for all the world like he’d been schooled in a bouncy trot and soft canter for months on end…at least until about the second class in, during which he decided he really just wanted to canter around and run through the bit.
We made it through the rest of the morning relatively unscathed except for rising blisters on my ring fingers from his very rude and uncharacteristic bit wrestling (and without running anyone over) and finally we moved on to the Western part of the show. I told him that he was a bad creature and he gave me the sad eyes and looked appropriately chastised, and then I changed from breeches and hunt coat to chaps and a western shirt and off we went again.
During the second half of the show, we evidently chose a good chocolate out of the metaphorical horse show box, because Cricket was as much of a gentleman as ever and tried his best for me.
What I took away from that day is that you have to react to what happens as it comes, and that sometimes you just have to make yourself enjoy the ride even if it’s rough going at first. Except for some morning bumps in the road, it was a positive experience for my inexperienced horse, and I feel more confident in his ability to behave himself and relax into the rhythm of showing.
Haley Ruffner will be attending Alfred University in the fall to major in English and minor in Business and Equestrian Studies. She has a green Quarter Horse, At Last an Invitation “Cricket,” and he will be joining her at Alfred. She rides western and hunt seat and also loves to rein and trail ride.
Friday Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Love Road Wild Horse Sanctuary & Adoption Center
Every Friday, HN teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we salute a New Mexico mustang sanctuary on a mission.
Scandinavian Beach Polo World Cup
Everything’s better on the beach.
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NickerDoodles: Gone to the Dogs
A good foxhunter must get along well with hounds but, as with any relationship, maintaining one’s boundaries is important, too.
Go Riding!
About Melanie: I am an artist in Atlanta. When I’m not painting, I’m riding horses. I have 3 retired Arabians and a snotty pony at home. They keep me on my toes. Three years ago I bought a young OTTB straight off the track. My new fella, Bubba, and I are learning dressage. Sadly, I’m the weak link on Team Bubba, but I learn something every time we ride so it’s all good. I started NickerDoodles to document the horsey antics that abound within my world. I’m very fortunate to balance my life with things that I love – painting and riding – and NickerDoodles gives me a forum to share. If we’re not laughing at our horses and ourselves, we’re probably crying. I prefer to laugh! I hope everyone enjoys NickerDoodles.
Please visit my central website, nickerdoodlescartoons.com, and follow Nickerdoodles on Facebook here.
Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day: Giveaway Alert!
Just in time for #IHAD, we’re giving away a sweet Ovation Soul helmet! (more…)
Fleeceworks Morning Feed: Appreciating the Heavy Horse
Celebrating Britain’s draught horses.
The Idea of Order: Lunch at the Barn…
…because eating a little dirt (and/or manure) never hurt anyone.
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SpectraVET Performance of the Week: 50 Shades of Vaulting
Mary McCormick “earned it” at the AVA Championships.
Another Couple Is Giving Their Farm Away Via Essay Contest
This one is a trail rider’s dream come true.
World Equestrian Brands Helmet Cam: Harness Race
Climb into the sulky with Jodi Quinlan and pilot Amazing Kano to victory in this week’s Wednesday Helmet Cam!
I never appreciated just how intense the job of harness driver could be until I watched this video. Threading miniscule gaps with a galloping racehorse at 40 miles per hour is one thing, but fitting a pacer who’s going 30 miles per hour himself through the same small spaces — with a sulky attached — is a hair-raising process. However, expert drive Jodi Quinlan shows us how it’s done at Tabcorp Park in Melton, Australia as she guides Amazing Kano to a win:
Harness racing is quite popular in Australia, with 91 tracks in operation and over 5,000 Standardbred foals registered each year. Among the many major races held annually, the Inter Dominion series pits horses from Australia against those from New Zealand in rivalry, with championships alternating between the two host countries each year.
Go driving!
Patterns for the Weekend
This week: a barrel racing exercise that could aid horses in any discipline.
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5 Free Horses in Search of Forever Homes
All around the nation horses are in search of safe, loving homes. Here are five available today.
Back on Track ‘Horse Therapy’: Sigourney & Poppy
Through life’s various changes, Sigourney and Poppy handled every challenge that came their way.
Product Review: Noble Outfitters Perfect Fit Cool Mesh Glove
Kristen test-drives these summer-friendly gloves.
Dubarry Tuesday Video: Living Museum of the Horse
The 18th-century Great Stables of the Château de Chantilly have been expertly preserved as the Living Museum of the Horse, a unique museum-within-a-stable showcasing the horse as a living work of art. Have a peek inside!
Someone Named Kikkuli Was the First Horse Trainer
Or at least the first one who wrote things down.
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Two Studs & Some Big Tattooed Bald Man
The Rock is probably the best hay bale bucker to ever exist.
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Fact or Fiction? Equestrian Evil Knievel
For today’s #TBT, we take a look back at Tom Mix’s famous jump on his good horse Tony. But what do you think, Horse Nation? Was it real?
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Double the Trouble or Double the Fun?
When the mare you rescued suddenly has twins, you’ll probably have a little bit of both. We love this heartwarming story of how a first-time horse owner in Oregon rescued not one, but three horses… by accident.
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#TBT: Equestrian Cards Against Humanity
Remember when playing Cards Against Humanity was all the rage? We do. That’s why the party game for horrible people got an equestrian twist.
‘Oh Crap’ Monday, Presented by Bimeda
Kick off your week with a crash. (more…)
A Comic to Kick Off Your Week
Need a little comic relief for your Monday? You’ll get a kick out of this Kellie Lewis’ latest comic!
KickyBrand.com is an online horse lovers site currently selling clothing, greeting cards and stickers. It also routinely publishes a cartoon strip by Kellie Lewis that has a little bit of kick to it.