Carley Sparks, Author at Horse Network

How to Cut a Thin Mane Without Looking Like It’s Been Cut

Anne Kursinski’s right hand, Carol “Hoffy” Hoffman, reveals her trick for trimming thin manes in this Tuesday Tip video posted to the five-time Olympian’s Facebook page. It’s a variation on...

Banish Boot Rubs with the EquiFit BellyBand

Irish wunderkind Bertram Allen and Quiet Easy lost the Grand Prix of Olympia last December because of one. U.S.’s top-ranked dressage rider Steffen Peters was eliminated from the Reem Acra 2015 World Cup Final...

How to Ride Like a #@!%

Want to be "that guy"? The one out there ruining it for everyone else in the warm-up ring. We got you, friend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9y2Uu9XX8

9 Things to Do on a Rain Day at WEF

And then the rains came… The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida has been cancelled for the second consecutive day. It’s the third time inclement weather has pushed the...

12 Tweets That Will Make You Feel Better About Your #WorstHorseShowExperience

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Just kidding. These all fall firmly into the worst category. And it’s hilarious. https://twitter.com/AdenAshley/status/689594002652291072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/youngtheangela/status/689592433760403457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/M0rganp3rry/status/689589536461078528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/GroomSecrets/status/689587363589312512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/DatingMyHorse/status/689504292189839360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw...

Day Two of Wellington Winter Circuit Marked by Tragedy

When a slew of bad things happen in a short period of time, it can be tempting to try to make sense of the ensuing chaos. Bad things happen in threes. It’s all part...

Improve Turns and Obedience with “The Cartwheel”

Pole work is an important part of training a horse, both physically and mentally, says Sally Amsterdamer, a British dressage instructor who specializes in flat work for show jumpers. “The...

Remembering Andres Rodriguez

“It’s an amazing day! You could say there’s only one person who could be happier than me today and that’s the winner. I would bet that I’m happier!” That was...

Elisa Wallace’s Desensitization Technique Is More Fun Than Yours

Three-day eventer Elisa Wallace, of Jasper, GA, redefines the term “barn dance” in her latest video blog. Watch her cut a rug while desensitizing the spooky young Mustang, Sparks, to Elle King’s pop hit “Exes and Ohs.”...

This Adele Equestrian Parody Is Exactly How You Need to Start Your New Year

The only thing more popular than Adele’s latest hit “Hello”? Parodies of the singer’s instant classic. Now, thanks to Kelly Jewell, we have an equestrian version. Between the mud slinging, dancing on the car and cleverly...

Watch What Happens When Her Pony’s Bridle Comes Off, Mid Course!

A lot of things can go wrong when your horse slips the bridle mid course. You could fall off, as most often is the case. You could keep jumping, like Belgium show...

Beezie Madden: “What I Look for in a Close Contact Saddle”

When you reach the kind of superstar status where people recognize you by your nickname (Hey, Beezie!) and the world’s toughest critics (*cough* GEORGE MORRIS) marvel at your textbook position,...

Police Officer Clings to Fallen Horse in Her Final Moments

A gut-wrenching scene played out in downtown Houston last Thursday when a city police horse was struck and killed by a cement truck. Charlotte, a 6-year-old Tennessee Walker, was on...

Watch Prince Harry Fall Off His Horse—Twice

Sometimes it sucks to be a Royal. Like when you’re playing in a charity polo match to raise money for a good cause, but you lose your balance and slide right over your...

Eddie Izzard’s (Hilarious) Guide to Dressage

Stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard explains dressage. (“It’s brilliant! It’s just useless.”) And shares his suggestions for giving the sport more public appeal. (“Dressage a la burglar!”) Live at the Apollo! (In 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddQs1_HyyAo

Author Archives: Carley Sparks

How to Cut a Thin Mane Without Looking Like It’s Been Cut

Banish Boot Rubs with the EquiFit BellyBand

How to Ride Like a #@!%

9 Things to Do on a Rain Day at WEF

Day Two of Wellington Winter Circuit Marked by Tragedy

Improve Turns and Obedience with “The Cartwheel”

Remembering Andres Rodriguez

Elisa Wallace’s Desensitization Technique Is More Fun Than Yours

This Adele Equestrian Parody Is Exactly How You Need to Start Your New Year

Watch What Happens When Her Pony’s Bridle Comes Off, Mid Course!

Police Officer Clings to Fallen Horse in Her Final Moments

Watch Prince Harry Fall Off His Horse—Twice

Eddie Izzard’s (Hilarious) Guide to Dressage

Horse Wears Bell Boots for the First Time and Questions His Entire Reality

Watch Jessica von Bredow-Werndl Perform a Freestyle in Only a Snaffle and a Saddle Pad