Opinion Archives | Horse Network

Opinion

Op Ed: The George Morris Ban Broke My Heart, Then It Gave Me Hope

I have never competed on the hunter/jumper circuit, yet even I can quote former Olympic trainer George Morris. His clever quips and biting witticisms have…

4 days ago

Opinion

Yes, The Wage Gap Is an Equestrian Issue

Horse husbands have been all over my social media lately. On a Facebook group, one horse owner left a desperate plea about how her boyfriend…

2 months ago

Opinion

The Body Positive Equestrian and Insisting on Taking Up Space

The best part of the 2019 Midwest Horse Fair’s dressage competition was the variety in the ring. In the strangely plush seats of the Coliseum,…

2 months ago

Racing

Op Ed: Horseracing Doesn’t Need This

It’s post Kentucky Derby Day plus two days, perhaps what will be remembered as the most famous, or infamously famous, running of the most famous…

4 months ago

Show Jumping

McLain Ward and Kent Farrington Need to Learn How to Trash Talk Already

In boxing, smack talk is a key component of the pre-fight ritual. Even if you don’t follow the sport (*raises hand*), the sight of two…

5 months ago

Uncategorized

TFW You Stalk-Scroll the Saut Hermès Instagram…

Some horse shows are memorable for the massive payday and spectacular sport. Some for the intangible you-have-to-experience-it-to-understand-it vibe. Others for the spectacular ring. Saut Hermès…

5 months ago

Horsemanship

The Generalization Game

I have been asked to write on a lot of topics. Why are Thoroughbreds better than other breeds? Why are geldings better than mares? Why…

5 months ago

Horse Sport

OP Ed: Fix A-Rated Horse Shows Before It’s too Late

As of February 2019, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approximately 66,000 competing members scattered across 29 different breeds and disciplines*. The German National…

6 months ago

Opinion

I Will Always Be a Sucker for Opinionated Mares

Right now, I am greeted in the barn by a pair cream-colored ears perked through the bars of a stall. The ears belong to Flower,…

6 months ago

Books and Film

“A Kid-Broke Hoss”

“First pony” stories are the stuff of legend. We all have them—mental records of the goodhearted babysitters and the devils on four legs that gave…

6 months ago

Horses in the Headlines

Op Ed: Banning Chicago’s Carriage Horses Isn’t Helping Anyone

A vote on a proposed ban on carriage horses in Chicago was postponed earlier in October. The Committee on License and Consumer Protection chairwoman said…

10 months ago

Amateur Hour

Confessions of a Former Horse Racing Hater

Recently I found myself at Monmouth Park racetrack at the top of the Jersey Shore for a family reunion party. It was maybe the fourth…

10 months ago

Show Jumping

Who Will Win the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Columbus? We Have Some Ideas…

Show jumping is a sport that’s equal part art and athleticism. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a bit of science in the…

11 months ago

World Equestrian Games

Every Sport Needs a World Champion

From my observation, every Olympic sport has a world championship. Arguably, the two greatest titles athletes can earn are Olympic gold medalist and world champion.…

11 months ago

Horse Rescue

8 Reasons to Adopt a Rescue Horse

Over the years, I’ve developed a fondness for rescue animals. All three of my dogs are rescues, as are several of my cats. And since…