John Wilkinson, Author at Horse Network

Top 12 Raciest Racehorses in the Country

The NTRA has its poll, and we have ours. And our poll is longer, stronger and righter. Horse Network's Top 12 Racehorses in North America 1. California Chrome 5 yo...

“Hey, Can I Ride Your Horse?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHQ_oADU6NM "You have a horse?" Your friend enthusiastically inquires. "Yep!" You reflexively affirm. You know damn well what's coming next, and yet, it still somehow catches you off guard. "Really?!...

Four Olympic Show Jumpers Disqualified in Two Days

Just two days into Olympic Show Jumping in Rio and there has been no shortage of controversy. During Sunday's opening individual round, two riders were disqualified by the ground jury...

Humans Racing Horses: a Brief (and Futile) History

The enduring relationship between human and horse is one of the world's most significant developments. Once domesticated, horses literally changed the course of human civilization. Even in the modern mechanized...

Great Britain’s Bigwood Balances Riding, Motherhood and Marriage at the Same Damn Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQFsqUWWsPM You might say Fiona Bigwood is married to her job. Her spot on Great Britain's formidable Dressage team in Rio is evidence of that, but it's her commitment to...

Finding the Footing

The Rio Olympics are comprised of 28 sports, many of which have little in common, especially when it comes to the playing surface. From the swimming pool to the hardwood,...

British Dressage Makes Helmet Statement in Rio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brXU2nQV_lE The British Dressage Team is currently in the process of defending its Olympic gold medal, and yet, still made time to make quite the fashion statement. Each of the...

Will the Americans Ever Master Dressage?

At the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, a young attorney turned military officer and World War I veteran named Hiram Tuttle added another feather to his cap by winning the individual...

The Hampton Classic Leadline: An Exercise in Adorable

As one of the country's biggest outdoor horse shows, the Hampton Classic brings the big—big-named celebrities watching big-named riders compete over big jumps on big horses with big money up...

One in a Billion

Alex Hua Tian is no stranger to the big stage. At the age of 18, he became the youngest rider in Olympic Eventing history when he competed in the 2008...

Olympian Camilla Kruger Has Already Made History

Eventer Camilla Kruger had a goal: represent her native Zimbabwe in the Olympics. The African nation of 15 million has never had an equestrian athlete qualify for the Olympic Games,...

American Cleopatra Runs Like a Pharoah

Carrying 120 pounds and the weight of the world on her back, 2-year-old filly American Cleopatra made her much anticipated debut on Sunday at Del Mar and did not disappoint....

Exaggerator Goes Muddin’ in the Haskell

It was early in the evening on the Jersey Shore and a mud monster's gotta eat. And so, off Exaggerator went, gobbling up sloppy furlongs like an all-you-can-eat buffet. The...

Kentucky Will Not Host 2018 World Equestrian Games

When news broke last week that Bromont will no longer stage the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, it sparked strong speculation that the games would return to the Kentucky Horse...

California Chrome Fights Past Dortmund in San Diego

Five horses broke from the starting gate in Saturday's San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, but as expected, the 1-1/16 test quickly became a duel between a pair of chestnut...

California Chrome Gearing Up for Del Mar Cameo

Around the world and back again, California Chrome returns to action this Saturday in the (GII) San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. It will be the colt's first start since...

Horse Trainer Dead in Apparent Suicide

The body of 37-year-old horse trainer Monique Snowden was pulled from the Green River Sunday night near her home in Enumclaw, WA. Authorities believe Snowden committed suicide by jumping from a bridge....

Four Legs and Six Shooters: Mounted Shooting

It all seemed so innocent at first. A dozen balloons tied to traffic cones scattered about the arena like an inviting carnival game. Suddenly, a gorgeous paint horse emerges from...

When Pokémon Go Goes Riding

One evening you go to sleep thinking everything will be as it was when you get up in the morning, only to discover you've awoken in a strange new world...

Author Archives: John Wilkinson