This video has been floating around the horsey internet for a while, but somehow it’s never been in Horse Nation’s spotlight, so it’s getting its moment now. Because you always have time to watch a horse jump rope.
Well, there you go — now you’ve seen everything.
Keep it weird, Horse Nation. Go riding!
The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is taking place right now in Scottsdale, Arizona — the show kicked off last week on February 11 and runs through this weekend, wrapping up on the 21st. Arabians and half-Arabians from all over the country gather in Scottsdale in February to showcase the versatility and beauty of this breed, competing in everything from halter to driving to dressage to reining and everything in-between.
There are also a few classes fairly unique to the Arabian breed, and the liberty class has to be out absolute favorite. To the lay equestrian, the two minutes in the ring looks absolutely insane: handlers who somehow always seem to be wearing shiny vests and bowler hats are towed into the arena at the end of the lead of a very hot and excited-looking Arabian who is then turned loose to run around wildly while music is blasted at concert volume. (If you happen to be one of those people who believe that Arabians are inherently crazy, this is really just going to fuel your argument.)
But, as with many disciplines and events in the equestrian world, there’s more going on than meets the eye. Yes, the horses are certainly encouraged to show plenty of fire, encouraged by the handlers waving whips and the ear-piercing shrieks of the crowd (not to mention the pounding pop, techno or dance music). However, it’s not all just “running around like a crazed banshee” (as we may have mentioned back in 2012) — liberty horses are judged in five categories including type, conformation and quality, charisma and presence, movement and performance.
In the liberty class, horses are turned loose for two minutes with a song selection of the entry’s choice. At the time mark — here’s the kicker — the horse must be caught and removed within two minutes or it is disqualified. So what might appear to be a totally out-of-control horse thundering wildly around the arena all blowy and snorty is actually a fairly carefully-orchestrated performance (seriously though, try free-lunging a hot horse for exactly two minutes in a high-energy setting and then try catching him again — I bet it will take you a lot longer than that). Click here for a full class description and score card.
The end result is one of the most iconic experiences at Scottsdale. Here are some industry professionals explaining what to look for (we also love this video because we have to admit that the faux-middle-eastern techno-pop is a nice touch):
And here’s a classic drag-your-bowler-hat-wearing-handler-into-the-arena entry, complete with “Sexy and I Know It” and capped off by a very mannerly recapture at the end of the performance.
And this stunner has the crowd eating out of his hand: every time he whips his head in a “b—- I’m fabulous” moment, the entire place erupts.
Shine on, you crazy diamonds.
For more information about the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, check out the official website.
Go Arabians. Go riding!
Each Wednesday, we share a “helmet cam” or rider’s-eye view of a unique competition, fun experience or exotic riding location from somewhere around the world. Today, we’re back on the trail, taking you to Turkey for a trail ride in the breathtaking Cappadocia region!
Cappadocia is famous for its natural beauty including unique and distinctive tall rock formations, known colloquially as “fairy chimneys.” The region is also well-known for its cultural and historical significance dating back to the Bronze Age. Just from the few minutes of video we have here, it’s easy to see that Cappadocia is like nowhere else on earth.
Have you ever ridden in Turkey? Have an experience to share? Let us know in the comments!
Go riding!
This little guy blazed around social media immediately after his birth, and America’s Best Racing put together a video to introduce Rockridge Stud’s white colt to the world:
True “white” Thoroughbreds are rare, and the genetics behind them might surprise you: according to this article on PaulickReport.com, this color pattern is not due to the pairing of two rare genetic carriers — it’s basically just a genetic mutation. The reasoning behind this theory is that once these genetics appear, they’re inherited so dominantly that it’s unlikely that they’ve been “hiding” for generations while waiting for the correct combination.
The colt’s dam, Princesspatseattle, is by Airdrie Apache, a white Thoroughbred with a mottled coat, currently recognized as the leading sire of white and spotted Thoroughbreds. His genetic mutation clearly lives on through Princesspatseattle, as this colt is the second white foal she’s thrown.
Best of luck to you, little white Thoroughbred! We’ll be looking for you on the track in a few years.
This video was originally released in November of 2015, but definitely deserves a second look. Meet Texas Gem, a now-three-year-old Thoroughbred filly with an unusual look about her:
Clearly, her floppy ears aren’t slowing Texas Gem down one bit (though you could perhaps argue that the fold-over can’t be very aerodynamic). She broke her maiden in her first start, and then raced again in December for fifth according to her racing records. As stated in the video, the “floppy ears” developed after surgery for cysts.
We’ve covered “floppy ears” before in our “What the Muck” series — learn more about the painless and harmless condition here!
Go Texas Gem and go riding!
A photo posted by Horse Nation (@go_riding) on
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Comic courtesy of Kellie Lewis
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.
Flickr/S. Carter/CC
If you catch yourself doing any/all of these, your horse is your one true love this Valentine’s Day. Go riding!
Courtesy Kellie Lewis
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.
