Lessons Learned: When It’s Over Before It Begins
When you’re suddenly faced with a lame horse at a show and a whole weekend to spare, what do you do? Introducing a new column by adult amateur event rider Ainsley Jacobs!
10 Celebrity Polo Lovers
Polo is synonymous with glamorous people sipping champagne while watching teams gallop across a pristine field, but there are several celebrities who preferred their action a little closer. (more…)
5 Horses & A Donkey Searching For Forever Homes
Do you have room in your heart and your barn?
#horsenation ‘Grams of the Week
Another week of horse life, rounded up in your images!
‘Oh Crap’ Monday
Monday is the crappiest day of the week, so it only makes sense that we make things official. Here’s our latest batch of reader-submitted photos and videos!
A Comic to Kick Off Your Week
Need a little comic relief for your Monday? You’ll get a kick out of Kellie Lewis’ latest comic!
SmartPak Monday Morning Feed: EQology
SmartPak’s new line of apparel looks great AND is eco-friendly!
Kentucky Performance Products: Time to Evaluate Weight
Spring is the perfect time of year to evaluate your horse’s body condition and assess any changes to his feed. Kentucky Performance Products shows us how.
#TBT: Let’s Discuss Horse Camping
Or, spending a small fortune to live like a bum.
Dungarvan Feather’s Gypsy Cobs Add Color (and Feathers) to Rolex 2016
Step aside, Thoroughbreds and warmbloods — the Gypsy cobs are coming! We caught up with Dungarvan Feather to discuss its upcoming Gypsy cob breed demonstration at Rolex, the premier US three-day event.
#TBT: 4 Ways to Horse Show with Late Risers
Better buy stock in the coffee company now.
Product Review: The Horze Venice Bridle
Leslie Wylie test-drives a bridle that speaks volumes with just a whisper.
Photo Challenge: 15 Spring Snapshots
Spring has sprung (mostly) across Horse Nation!
For this week’s 24-hour photo challenge, we wanted to see your between-the-ears glimpses of what spring looks like in your little corner of Horse Nation. Even in April, spring is a variable time — check out these little snapshots from all around the world of what springtime looks like to you!
#horsenation #betweentheears #highcountry A photo posted by @lisa_alderson69 on
Spring time in Wyoming! #horsenation #snow #spring #frozen A photo posted by Hanna (@hennamariec) on
#horsenation A photo posted by Alyson Hager (@alysonhager) on
Keep an eye out for next week’s 24-hour photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Monday around the middle of the day on both Instagram and Facebook.
Go riding!
Friday Flicks: ‘Lucy Worsley’s Reins of Power’
This week, we watch a BBC TV personality “learn to dance on horseback” — or at least make a truly valiant attempt. (more…)
Vote Now for the World’s Best Lesson Horse! Presented by Absorbine
It’s time to select the World’s Best Lesson Horse! Read the finalist essays and vote for the lesson horse or pony that you think deserves to be named the best.
HN Wishes Queen Elizabeth II a Happy 90th Birthday
We’re looking back at her life with horses to celebrate.
#TBT: 14 Faces We Make When We Think No One Is Watching
It’s really not surprising that people think we’re insane.
Maine Equine Starvation Controversy Deepens
Emails within the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office have been released as public record, indicating attempts to cover up the animal mistreatment complaints about Jessica York’s apparent horse neglect.
Product Review: Posture Prep Cross-Fiber Groomer, Part II
A six-month follow-up!
SpectraVET Performance of the Week: Boyd Martin Aside
It takes a real man to give sidesaddle riding a try. A real man like eventer Boyd Martin.
The Idea of Order: Equestrian Tans
Ruining your bathing suit days since the dawn of time.
Behind the Scenes of Cavalia, Part II: “Our Horses are Royalty”
The equine stars of the largest traveling horse circus in the world don’t just live plush lives; they live happy lives, and that is the creators’ number one priority. Check out some of the crazy facts and beautiful photos!
World Equestrian Brands HC: Sidesaddle Steeplechase
Move over eventers: these ladies have a lock on “most crazy awesome ridiculous thing done on a horse.”
Sunday saw the return of the second annual “Mrs. George C. Everhart Memorial Invitational Side Saddle Chase”, the first side saddle race in the United States. It did not disappoint. These brave women made several jumping efforts over a vast green course on the Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Virginia over the weekend, to the thrill of the local crowd.
(Note: must be logged into Facebook to view, or you can see the video by clicking here. Click the Facebook “f” in the corner if the video is not playing for you.)
Perhaps most delightful and admirable of all, after showing their fortitude and pluck in the heart-stopping event, all the ladies demonstrate the most ladylike sportsmanship at the finish line by shaking hands and congratulating each other on a safe and successful event for all the participants.
The race organizers were Maggie Johnston and Devon Zebrovious, who decided to develop the event after meeting British sidesaddle racing organizer Philippa Holland in 2013. Holland runs the Dianas of the Chase Race, which was previously the only sidesaddle steeplechase in the world. The event quickly became beloved and iconic, even inspiring a scene in the PBS period drama, Downton Abbey.
The video was shot by Middleburg Photo, and you can see many more fabulous photos of the race (and more moments from The Loudon Races) on their website. You can also follow the race on Facebook.
Go sidesaddle riding!