Horseback Riding Latest MLB Spring Training Craze?

We’re not really sure why, but we love it.
Screenshot via Twitter

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitcher Noah Syndergaard ride into spring training. Screenshot via Twitter

While the ultimate goal is to someday have equestrian sports featured on major networks with the same kind of fan following as the ball sports, we’ll settle for major-leaguers giving horses a little extra airtime while we’re waiting for the rest of the world to realize that horse sports are awesome.

Now, usually we horse lovers can rely on football to give us that screen love: but between a noted lack of a certain popular eight-horse hitch in this year’s Super Bowl commercial as well as just the absolute briefest glimpse of the Broncos’ amazing live equine mascot, we’re thinking that maybe football has had its moment in the saddle and clearly dropped the ball (get it?).

But don’t worry, equestrians, because the latest “thing” seems to be major-league baseball players rocking a horseback arrival to spring training. Perhaps these were the heroes we needed all along.

The equestrian’s spring training started in February, when San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Madison Bumgarner made headlines when he missed the team’s FanFest due to necessary trailer repairs. Yep — Bumgarner drove about 30 hours from his home in North Carolina, horses in tow numbering somewhere “between one and ten.” Bumgarner was already horse-famous for riding a San Francisco police horse into last year’s home opener. (Fellow Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto is also reportedly a rider.)

And the latest baseball players to make headlines for the love of horses are outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and pitcher Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets, who rode in to yesterday’s training in Port St. Lucie, Florida on horseback. The horses belong to Cespedes, who had been previously turning heads by driving a different and very expensive car to training each day of the previous week.

Cespedes reportedly owns a ranch in Vero Beach, but the horseback entrance was apparently Syndergaard’s idea. As Tuesday was Picture Day, many players and team staff took turns riding the horses around the training complex. The horse show came on the heels of Saturday’s St. Lucie County Fair, where Cespedes apparently bought the winning hog for $7,000.

Unfortunately for the horseback-inclined team members on the Mets, manager Terry Collins politely but firmly put a stop to the equestrian displays, reminding players that it was time to get to work.

Will America’s favorite pastime become the next hotbed of equestrian activity? We’ll wait and see.

In the meantime, go riding!

[Madison Bumgarner rides into Giants’ camp, quarter horses in tow]

[Terry Collins: No more horseplay for Mets]

World Equestrian Brands Driver Cam: Chester Weber

Check out the view from the driver’s bench as we ride along with Chester Weber and his outstanding dressage test from Ocala’s 2016 Live Oak International!
Screenshot via Facebook.

Screenshot via Facebook.

Chester Weber just won his thirteenth career Live Oak International combined driving event, sweeping all three phases with his fabulous four-in-hand. This latest accomplishment caps an impressive list of achievements, including an individual silver medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games as well as being the first American driver to win in Aachen.

Weber brings us along for his winning dressage test — climb right up to the driver’s bench and get a good look at what it’s like to pilot the four bay KWPN geldings Boris W, Danzer, Para and Ultra.

(Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)

Driver’s Eye View of Chester Weber’s Dressage TestRide along with Chester Weber on yesterday’s Live Oak International dressage test! #LiveOakInt

Posted by Live Oak International on Friday, February 26, 2016

The Live Oak International combined driving event takes place in February each year at the Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida, drawing the best drivers in North America to contend for top honors. Combined driving tests a driver and team’s ability to execute a dressage test, display endurance and accuracy in the cross-country-like marathon phase and finally test navigation in the cones phase — truly like three-day eventing on wheels with four horses instead of just one.

Go Chester Weber, and go driving!

Daily Dose of Adorable: Tiny Donkey Trainer

What were you doing at age three? I know I was certainly not starting my own donkey under saddle … but this kid is!

Ellie Evans is the daughter of Skye and Ty Evans of TS Mules, located in Chester, Utah. TS Mules travels all over the country giving clinics, lessons, and also selling some of the best saddle mules you can find.

Ellie is only 3 years old, and is training her first equine to ride (with the help of her parents, of course). She has been riding with her parents before she could walk. Her choice is Penelope the donkey, who is also 3 years old. Together they make a great and totally adorable team.

(Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)

Ellie working with her donkey. Sure is fun watching them. Both are three years old and just learning about life.

Posted by TS MULES – Ty & Skye Evans – Clinics/Sales/Training on Thursday, February 11, 2016

You can visit TS Mules at TSMules.com, or check out their Facebook page to be kept up to date on all of Ellie and Penelope’s adventures.

Go riding!

Tuesday Video: The Vegas Water Box

How well would your horse handle THIS extreme trail obstacle? (Mine would be running in the opposite direction.)

This video is starting to go viral on the horsey internet, and for good reason: how would you like to have this extreme trail obstacle in your arena to play with? This creation by Bar W Ranch certainly makes for some brave horses. (Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)

Big shout out thank you to Sandy Yerton for helping me build “The Vegas Waterbox”. This is Roses youngster Chexie giving it the test run!!

Posted by BAR W RANCH on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The Vegas Water Box has been so popular on Facebook that Bar W Ranch posted a response late Sunday:

The “Vegas Water Box” that I built is actually quite complex to build and is most definitely and advanced trail obstacle…

Posted by BAR W RANCH on Sunday, February 28, 2016

So if you are interested in building your own, check out the Bar W Ranch Facebook page for upcoming plans to be released!

Go riding!

Pony Achieves Dream, Becomes Rocking Horse

Buddy, I don’t care how cold it is outside or how many times you promise to stay on your rocker, YOU CAN’T LIVE IN THE HOUSE.

Step one: Teach your adorable pony to put all of its feet on something.

Step two: Teach your adorable pony to put all of its feet on something WOBBLY.

Step three: Allow your adorable pony to discover that it enjoys this weird little game.

Step four: Get famous on the internets.

Step five: Go Riding!

Photo Challenge: 10 Horses Wearing Their Dinner

Hey, you’ve got a little something in your … you know what, never mind.

For this week’s 24-hour photo challenge, we wanted to see your horse wearing his dinner: hay in the hair, grain on the muzzle. As usual, our readers responded with an absolutely hysterical gallery of images of horses wearing their feed: here are ten.

Kristen Pierce: "Let me see your piggy face, Ace". Photo by Kristen Pierce.

Kristen Pierce: “Let me see your piggy face, Ace”. Photo by Kristen Pierce.

Do you like her new hairdo? #wethorse #babygirl #missella #loveher #horsenation #updo #hairstyles

A photo posted by Stephany Helbig (@sph108) on

Jamie Parker: "Post-show Powerade was lots of fun!" Photo by Jamie Parker.

Jamie Parker: “Post-show Powerade was lots of fun!” Photo by Jamie Parker.

Kiley Moore: "Someone missed the bucket." Photo by Hailey Arnold.

Kiley Moore: “Someone missed the bucket.” Photo by Hailey Arnold.

Jolynn Zinthefer: "Legacy and Sadie like to stand directly under the hay chute." Photo by Jolynn Zinthefer.

Jolynn Zinthefer: “Legacy and Sadie like to stand directly under the hay chute.” Photo by Jolynn Zinthefer.

Amber Brockhaus: "You can see how proud of himself he is!" Photo by Amber Brockhaus.

Amber Brockhaus: “You can see how proud of himself he is!” Photo by Amber Brockhaus.

Jenna Stauder: "I'm pretty sure I can get a better pic than this. She doesn't have a forelock- she has a museum." Photo by Jenna Stauder.

Jenna Stauder: “I’m pretty sure I can get a better pic than this. She doesn’t have a forelock- she has a museum.” Photo by Jenna Stauder.

Sara Frick: "Kaylee Vorenkamp captured this majestic moment of my horse!"

Sara Frick: “Kaylee Vorenkamp captured this majestic moment of my horse!”

Kris Folmar Gray: "What? It's a 'Mash Mask.' It's great for wrinkles." Photo by Kris Folmar Gray.

Kris Folmar Gray: “What? It’s a ‘Mash Mask.’ It’s great for wrinkles.” Photo by Kris Folmar Gray.

Hailey Petzoldt: "Two yearling pintos and their first experience with round bales. One wearing it, one made a bed and passed out in it!" Photo by Hailey Petzoldt.

Hailey Petzoldt: “Two yearling pintos and their first experience with round bales. One wearing it, one made a bed and passed out in it!” Photo by Hailey Petzoldt.

Keep an eye out for next week’s 24-hour photo challenge! We announce challenge subjects on Tuesday around the middle of the day on both Instagram and Facebook.

Go riding!