As a judge and competitor, I’ve seen a lot of bad horse show experiences. From horses who begin to anticipate in the class to those who refuse to go in the gate. There are riders falling off and others just falling apart emotionally. 



If training a horse is like climbing a…

STEP BY STEP & COLORADO HORSE PARK FOUNDATIONS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY WALDO CANYON FIRES AT SUMMER IN ROCKIES SERIES

CHILDREN RECEIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THANKS TO STEP BY STEP’S “SCHOOL IN A BACKPACK”

ONLINE INITIATIVE BEFORE FALL CLASSES BEGIN…

During March of this year, 2012, I had fun presenting a clinic of this title at the Can Am horse expo along with notable hunter judge, BarbaraMitchell and again with reining judge Gary Yaghdjian. We fed of each other’s energy as we highlighted various mistakes judges note on their cards and how to…

It’s time to mark your calendars for the New England Dressage Association’s (NEDA) Spring Dressage Show at Marshfield Fairgrounds, May 12th and 13th. Always a highlight of the year, and a great way to kick off the season, the NEDA Spring Show offers classes from Training Level to Grand Prix, qualifying classes, great footing, permanent stalls and a fantastic venue.

“The NEDA Spring Show is one of the first shows of the year in New England and a great time to bring your horse…

NEDA Judges Training in 1985

Charlestown, MA – Happy 40th birthday to the New England Dressage Association! Founded in 1972, the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) started with a handful…

15-year-old Emanuel Andrade was presented as the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider on Saturday, February 25, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. The teen, who hails from Caracas, Venezuela and who has his stables and family home in Palm Beach County regularly champions the charity Step by Step Foundation in competition in show jumping competitions. He has been consisting winning in the Junior Jumper division and placing in Grand Prix…

Cole's First Show

Don’t get excited.  It really wasn’t a big deal.  One morning, we found out there was a horse show at the public show ring.  Since we were planning to ride up there, anyway, we thought we would expose Cole to some of the excitement. 

We rode all around the back trails behind the showground, like we usually do.  This gave him a chance to get acquainted with the loud speaker blaring.

We then rode to the show grounds and stood on the outskirts…

I have been having some difficulty lately with two trainers. My dressage trainer herself has issues with this too. The only difference is that she has two in the same discipline, I have two in different disciplines (dressage and jumping).

Sometimes I wonder if she is sad about me doing bothe and not be a…

Isn't it crazy the lessons you can learn from horses? Just the other day I learned a really important one!

I have always wanted to show my horse. I thought this summer would be great to start. Everything seemed to work out quite lovely. I found a trailer to rent just down the road, I practiced with Comet every day and I picked out all the shows months in advance.

I spent a whole day with my friend (who would be my barn show hand) preparing for the show.…

Dear Drama Queen,

I understand getting upset. You have so much passion and desire for riding. I know how much you want to do the very best job. Sometimes the world seems to conspire against you; it’s like every bad thing happens to you and none of it is…

Professional Dressage Groom’s Top Ten Grooming Items for Horse Shows

By: Justin Ridgewell

- Over the past six years I have been a professional groom and working student to the elite dressage training facility Oakcrest Farm. I have had…

An all girl showjumping team sponsored by prominent showjumping owner and breeder Susan Grange scored second place and won $125,000 for their charity Horses N Heroes. For several months I have been helping Mindy Nolan-Morrow. Executive Director of the mentoring program for girls, write letters to potential sponsors and donors, construct press releases, plan events, create marketing materials and in general get the word out.  When I heard about the FTI Great Charity Challenge, I told Mindy…

I am currently looking to buy my horse a breastplate; one with elastic so that she can have freedom of movement over large fences. Here's the thing: I am on a budget (cannot spend more than $160.00) and I am leaning towards a 5-point breastplate or a regular elastic breastplate. What do you ridders out there prefer? As far as brands go, I've been told that Kieffer is a good brand, but I would have to wait 4-6 weeks to get it…

Natural Horsemanship in the Grand Prix Ring – is there a link?

By Lindsey Forkun, www.LFEquestrian.com

Natural horsemanship is a training phenomenon that has been gaining popularity all over the world. Primarily it seems that mostly Western riders and pleasure riders are the ones to pick up this new technique, but what about the English and Jumper riders? What about in the Grand Prix Show Jumping…

So I'm pretty new to blogging, but I decided that I had a super day today and it would be fun to at least document some of it. Today was Treasure's third show of the year (second show away from home) and he was absolutely brilliant!! I think today was the first time he went to a show and didn't spook at anything - a milestone for sure! He was a bit quick for the judge's liking in our Western…

Loretta has been sold to a really nice family in Orangeville. She will be bred to Carbadino for 2011 foal. Brando is going to the same family-Courtney is going to be working with Brando preparing him for the show ring.

Very excited for both.

Dublin show at the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge is the centrepiece and driving force for many in the Irish Equestrian community. It is so dominant in our culture that people just talk about it as ‘the horse show’, despite the fact that there are…

I had the immense good fortune to be in South Africa with two friends for much of the world cup soccer finals – a week in Johannesburg and a week in Capetown. I’m glad I had the sense to wear earplugs, because otherwise I would have been deaf by now from the combined noise of the vuvuzelas and the crowds!…