“A lapse in 35 years of quality horsemanship. I tied him to the outside of his stall.”

Before a sea of international wealth, amid the best bred horses in the world, the chestnut from Fresno County out-classed them all…with a badly slipped saddle, nonetheless.

California Chrome Does the Damn Thing in Dubai

And that is when I made a fatal error. A lapse in 35 years of quality horsemanship. A really stupid decision.

I tied him to the outside of his stall.

Broken

He turned corners like a barrel racer and once he got the lead, there wasn’t an animal on the planet that was going to pass him by. It was as if he was aware of the doubters and carried a chip on his shoulder each time he entered the gate. He wasn’t just running to win, he was running to make sure everyone else lost.

Sunday Silence: 30 Years Ago

And the Great Polo Shirt debate rages…which side are you on?

While I wholeheartedly agree with the senselessness of wardrobe requirements in the face of potentially serious health consequences (like heat stroke), I’m going to argue that’s not exactly what was going on in this case. Here’s why real show jumpers wear hunt coats.

Let Golf Keep Polo Shirts, Real Show Jumpers Wear Coats

VS…

Good horsemanship. Classical training. The teachings of Littauer, Steinkraus and de Nemethy. These are traditions worthy of honoring in the sport. Fashion doesn’t fall into that category.

8 Reasons Polo Shirts Belong in the Grand Prix Ring

I’m going to just put it out there—Charlotte has probably had a horse pick up the wrong lead.

My Own Worst Enemy