In the spring of 1965, I was 12 years old and starting to win lots of ribbons with my horse, Hootenanny, at the Delaware Valley Horseman’s Association (DVHA) horse shows...
When I first laid eyes on my gelding Laeser (that’s pronounced lay-ser, not la-seer or lee-ay-czar—I’m looking at you show announcers...) I was stunned by his handsomeness and privileged to...
It's the end of summer with many shows already in the rear view mirror. Here are some random thoughts from my judging adventures. [show-list] Well, that's it for now! Hope everyone...
USHJA course designer Bobby Murphy has turned the Kentucky Horse Park into his very own sandbox, and he's invited the country's top riders to come play in it. The course Murphy...
There is a lot of recent discussion about the hunter divisions and the many problems surrounding the sport. This is a topic that has been debated since the 1970's when...
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...
Dirty boots. Ill-fitting tack. Number obscuring hair bows. Sometimes the littlest things can make a bad impression on the judge! Julie Winkel, a hunter and equitation judge with more than 30...
It was a crazy time. Russia was set to host the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Six months before the Games they invaded Afghanistan. In protest, the Americans lead a boycott...
While the summer sun beats the West Coast into wilted submission, let's take a walk back in time to Winter 2016, when the place to be was HITS Desert Horse...
If you’re ever hired or volunteer (God bless you) for horse show jump crew duty, there are certain things you should know in advance. Your days will start early. Very early. You'll...
If at first you fall off in the International Hunter Derby, try, try, try again. By any means possible... Professional hunter rider Amanda Steege, of Califon, New Jersey, takes us...
In London, 2012, Ian Millar set the record for being the first athlete from any sport, in any nation, to compete in 10 Olympic Games. He capped off the honor...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlATnb8hT8o Horse shows can be stressful on amateurs. You know this. Your trainer knows this. Yet somehow the two of you are having a failure to communicate. She's explaining your course....
Everybody knows how the system is supposed to work. If there are four jumps in the warm-up ring, you find the person who goes four before you, and you wait...
Monday before the horse show Barn has the nerve to be closed. Prepare and pack clothes for every occasion—heat, rain, snow, tornado, etc.—and definitely bring that adorable new seersucker sundress...
Every rider in every disciple at every level has heard it before: “Riding is not a sport.” And time and time again, every equestrian puts up a fight defending how...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVgZAenjNDE Mastering the elusive tail braid is like riding a bike. At first, it's hard to find the balance you need to secure a steady start and coordinate the opposing...
