The Plaid Horse

07/28/2024

"For a lot of kids, these transitions are the 'make it or break it' point. When it gets hard, it’s time to buckle down and work harder, or give up—but you can’t half-do-it. The horses know, and they will call your bluff."

BY PONYMOMAMMY Being a mom, and an amateur, and a pony mom comes with a unique set of challenges, but it also comes with an amazing perspective. My pony-kid has recently turned a corner in her riding, and without my own riding experiences, I don’t believe I could fully appreciate the amount of wor...

07/28/2024

"I was in first place at the Hampton Classic Young Horse Championship on a 5-year-old named LaCongo. We were coming to the final jump on the course. In a split-second decision, I decided to try to save time by jumping the liverpool instead of the oxer. The horse had always been a solid competitor despite his young age, and I thought it would be within his talents to jump the water. Unfortunately, he came off the ground, spooked at the water beneath him, and put his legs into the bottom rails. I flopped off, didn’t win the class, and learned the following lesson: Discretion is the greater part of valor.” - Nona Garson

We all make mistakes. But horse people, as a group, aren’t always the best at handling them. So TPH reached out to some top riders to share their own show ring bloopers to prove, once and for all, that mistakes really do happen to the best of us! Nona Garson I was in first place […]

07/27/2024

"He’s the best horse ever,” said McDermott. “I knew I wanted to have the most competitive plan possible that would make sense for this horse. I had a lot of confidence that I could take risks that I maybe wouldn’t do on another horse, but I know he’s going to be there for me."

The second of three consecutive weeks of international show jumping action at HITS Hudson Valley resumed bright and early on the morning of Thursday, July 25, 2024. The week is part of the popular Hudson Valley Showjumping® Tour Series that welcomes the best of equestrian sport to the iconic Hudson...

07/27/2024

"On a wainscoted wall in the garret, I push-pin tuition bills marked PAID from the University of Virginia, from The John Carroll High School, to remind me of what Dad sacrificed when he put his purse into my mind. Not easy times, the 1970s. Neither Dad nor Uncle Johnny had enlisted in AA yet. Uncle Johnny, majority owner of the stock of Country Life Farm, Inc., looked at the field at Route 1 and Old Joppa Road and saw dollar signs. This was the front field in which Grandfather put up the farm’s first sign, arcing the name 'Country Life Farm' above the straight-line smaller letters of 'Thoroughbred Nursery,' echoing his days as secretary of Nursery Stud. On a weekend home between college and law school, I am told by Uncle Johnny:

“Take down the sign tomorrow. The bulldozers are coming on Monday...”

By JOSH PONS Posted with permission from the author and publisher. BOOKIES Plaster dust flies from power saws as electricians rewire the old Rockland farmhouse. Most unsettling as it settles on Grandfather’s books, undisturbed for nine decades on bookshelves in hallways, in living rooms. I peer be...

07/27/2024

The average horse owner may not believe that the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has anything to do with them. In actuality, there are countless horses whose lives have been saved as a direct result of the group’s research.

By SARAH WELK BAYNUM The average horse owner may not believe that the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has anything to do with them. In actuality, there are countless horses whose lives have been saved as a direct result of the group’s research. The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation w...

07/27/2024

"Dreamer was really smart and talented—and he knew it. Jennifer focused on rebalancing him especially at the canter, and he soon became a different horse. First we went to local shows, then rated. At the time, there were a ton of Warmbloods and few Thoroughbreds (this was before Thoroughbred divisions at rated shows). But I was determined to show people that this little horse could compete—and he did. I wanted people to know that there are a lot of these thoroughbreds available at the track and at good rescues. With time and experience they could have amazing second careers."

BY FRAN BURNS I’ve always had affection for Thoroughbreds. Growing up riding and showing in Maryland, I rode with Jill French, John French’s mom (Yes, that John French), at Oldfield’s School where I leased a Thoroughbred for the summer. Several years later, I took Jill with me to look at buyin...

07/27/2024

The newest Plaidcast podcast episode is LIVE 🎧 Piper speaks with August cover story of The Plaid Horse Magazine, Amanda Lyerly and Lauren Kardel about educating the next generation of equestrians. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services

LISTEN NOW To listen to the Plaidcast, you can use the player above, Stitcher, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play Music, or your other favorite podcasting app! Piper speaks with August cover story of The Plaid Horse Magazine, Amanda Lyerly and Lauren Kardel about educating the next generation of equestria...

07/27/2024

Competing at this prestigious event is a dream for many young competitors, so what can they do to have a competitive edge in the show ring? We spoke to Pony Finals judges Julie Winkel, Diane Carney, Jim Toon, and Rachel Kennedy about what they look for in a winner in the hunter and USEF Pony Medal sections of the event.

BY IZZY FEINSTEIN AND ELISE STEPHENS Adorable ponies and their riders travel from all over the United States to compete at USEF Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky. Competing at this prestigious event is a dream for many young competitors, so what can they do to have a competitive edge in the show ri...

07/26/2024

"There has also been a late change to Team USA’s line-up following the withdrawal of Will Coleman’s Diabolo. Elisabeth Halliday and Nutcracker have moved up from the alternate position to join Boyd Martin (Fedarman B) and Caroline Pamukcu (HSH Blake) in the US side, while Sydney Elliott and Diamantaire have been promoted to the alternate reserve position."

The world’s best Eventing horses and riders will be first out of the starting blocks when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.  A total of 81 horses, including alternates, came before Ground Jury P...

07/26/2024

For Olivia Sweetnam, winning is in her blood thanks to her father, Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam. Olivia’s win came while her father is in Paris, representing the Irish Show Jumping Team during the 2024 Olympic Games, and she admitted that having him away added a little pressure. "I’ve been riding HDB Quality for a bit over two years now, but my family’s had her for seven years. She’s my favorite and I love her so much. I have a really strong bond with her in and out of the ring, and she’s so competitive. I’ve never ridden a horse that has wanted to win as much as her!"

Lexington, KY – July 25, 2024 – For Olivia Sweetnam, winning is in her blood thanks to her father, Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam. The talented junior rider has been victorious in the pony hunters, junior hunters and equitation, but Thursday night the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, presented by Rood...

07/26/2024

"As I walked toward the show ring everything went silent and the world froze around me. This was it. This was my moment. My three wonderful minutes of glory. Standing at the gate it finally hit me: this was my last hoorah."

BY Sydney Beese The venue is seamlessly crafted to elegantly house ten of the most ostentatious yet time-honored jumps known to the hunter pony world. Traveling far and wide to attend this prestigious show, over six hundred ponies and riders gather to compete for the chance to be crowned the Pony Fi...

07/26/2024

"Because equestrian sports are more than just another event in the Olympic Games—they are a tribute to the historical significance of the horse-human relationship, adding depth, diversity, and a connection to the past. But are we ready to let go of some aspects of tradition to secure a brighter future?"

By CHRISTINE BJERKAN Equestrian sports have been a cornerstone of both the ancient and modern Olympic Games, symbolizing the enduring bond between humans and horses. From the chariot races of ancient Greece to the sophisticated dressage routines of today, equestrian events have evolved significantly...

07/26/2024

When you’re struggling to find your way out of a bad mood (insert frustration, disappointment, doubt, etc. here), it would be great if you could find a quick easy trick… and an athletic anthem might just be one of those tricks.

BY DANIEL STEWART When you’re struggling to find your way out of a bad mood (insert frustration, disappointment, doubt, etc. here), it would be great if you could find a quick easy trick… and an athletic anthem might just be one of those tricks.  You already know that music can calm you down, p...

07/26/2024

"Being home is an opportunity for kids or adults to interact with their horses and to ride them when they are not perfectly prepared. It’s the few times that we get to ride when we’re not in a rush. I think people will find that by showing less, their results will be better."

By Andre Dignelli When I was younger, my mentor Judy Richter used to say to me: We mistake quantity for quality. At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant by that. I heard it, but I didn’t really absorb it. It was not until later in my career when I really understood what she […]

07/25/2024

"There’s another layer to how people view the relationship between value and price. Namely, the perception that if a helmet costs significantly more than a competing brand, then it must be significantly better than the other available options. This perception could be based on a lot of different factors, but very often, it's a reflection of the position the brand of helmet holds in the marketplace rather than its physical construction or the long-term usefulness and durability of the product."

By RANDI HEATHMAN If you’ve been riding long enough, you’ve probably been through a lot of cycles of clothing and equipment. It’s a typical process in any sport, and those just starting out, or kids who are still growing, tend to buy more basic, functional, (but not overly expensive) pieces. T...

07/25/2024

Anhidrosis is the inability, or reduced capacity, to sweat. Anhidrosis can be a scary condition for horses, especially those who are in work. Fortunately, Life Data Labs Inc. has found a new way to help horses with anhidrosis.

By TPH Intern KAITLYN CRAWFORD Life Data Labs Inc., perhaps better known as the creators of Farriers Formula, has launched a new product called Life Data Sweat Formula which promotes sweating in horses. In their Facebook livestream on July 19th, Corbin Delaney and Susie Holt explained anhidrosis and...

07/25/2024

No matter how strong they look, however, the Olympic three-per-team with no drop-score format, first introduced in Tokyo three years ago, will ensure they will have to be at their very best from the outset in Paris. And they have plenty of super-tough competition.

By LOUISE PARKES The defending champions from Great Britain are bidding to become the first-ever five-time Eventing team champions when the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games spring into action in two days’ time. The British victory in Tokyo three years ago was the crest of a wave t...

07/25/2024

Throwback Thursday: Check out this Trainer Tuesday from earlier this year!

“I use two main exercises. First, I stand on the landing side of the fence at a distance, and as I think the rider has seen their distance, I ask them to look at me. Sometimes, I will hold up a hand with a different and changing number of fingers raised and ask the rider to say the number of fingers out loud.
Second, incorporate a turn on the landing side of the jump. As the rider sees the distance I say either 'look right' or 'look left' before they get to the jump, or before they leave the ground.” -Geoff Teall

Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.  This week...

07/25/2024

"She took a bad turn to a fence, didn’t get him straight, and he stopped at the base of the jump. She hit him on the shoulder with a crop. He didn’t refuse again, so since she got the right result, does that mean what she did was good for the horse? In my opinion, she was reinforcing behaviors in all the wrong ways—even reinforcing bad behaviors, though she might not have realized it. For some horses, these methods might produce results—but not for all. Just because someone gets results doesn’t mean they’re using good methods. As horse owners, it is our responsibility to be attentive and vigilant when we ask someone to work with our horse, and we should always put the horse’s welfare first and foremost."

By GEORGIA HORSEWOMAN What is the first thing you do when you go to the barn? Is your only goal for the day to ride your horse? As a barn owner without any outside help, I constantly handle my horses through feeding, cleaning stalls, turning out in the pasture, and so much more. There are […]

07/25/2024

"In that moment, I knew I had made the right choice not to show yet this year. I had invested in Letty's training and it had paid off. We had taken two steps back, between the EPM and our training this year when we went back to the basics. But now, we had made a big leap forward because of it."

By TPH Blog Editor SARAH WELK BAYNUM No one likes to take a step back when it comes to riding and training their horse—especially when you’ve had to a big take step back in the past. But for me this year, that was exactly the case. When I adopted my OTTB Letty from New Vocations […]

07/24/2024

"Building a strong partnership with your horse (and anyone, really) requires a willingness to look inside yourself. What are you bringing to the barn? What are you asking your horse to carry or sit with in addition to your physical body? Horses are fine-tuned to receive and interpret energy. Whether we intend to or not, we bring energy to every interaction with our horse."

By CHERYL ERIKSEN Reprinted with the permission of the author. Horse Listening: Gratitude, Curiosity, and Intention is a book unlike any other available to the horse community. Below is an excerpt from the first section of the book. The last section is a 90-day guided journal for the time you spend....

07/24/2024

What this pony lacks in height, she makes up for in mare power, personality, and a whole lot of heart. In fact, Surratt actually got bucked off the first time he got on Haute. But despite that not-so-perfect first ride, Surratt knew the little mare had scope.

By TPH Blog Editor SARAH WELK BAYNUM If you attended the Kentucky Three Day this year, it might have been hard to miss a much smaller version of the equine athletes that went around the most exciting day of the weekend: cross-country day. Briggs Surratt’s mount, Corture, who know as Haute at the b...

07/24/2024

"I have had many horse shows ruined because of a bad warm up experience that could have been avoided had the other rider been more mindful and courteous while riding around my visibly nervous horse. If you do decide to brave the schooling ring, here is how you can be present and mindful of the other horses around you."

BY CIRA PACE MALTA It’s another cold, early Saturday morning at the horse show. I check the courses quickly before I get on so I can school over the jumps. I peek my head into the ring to see where the jumps are set up and how many people are already schooling. There are a […]

07/24/2024

With the start of the annual USEF Pony Finals quickly approaching, perfectly prepped ponies and their equally adorable riders from across the country are perfecting their final touches before heading to the Kentucky Horse Park for their moment to shine. But with all of the excitement leading up to the competition, it’s also important to plan accordingly for your downtime at the show to ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the fun that this unique event has to offer. Here are our top five Pony Finals must do’s!

BY ANNIE BIRMINGHAM With the start of the annual USEF Pony Finals quickly approaching, perfectly prepped ponies and their equally adorable riders from across the country are perfecting their final touches before heading to the Kentucky Horse Park for their moment to shine in the Walnut Ring. But wit...

07/23/2024

With all the children and ponies in the same place, it’s like the best of everything from a sales perspective. What could go wrong? Well, unfortunately, so many things. Many of these issues are preventable though, if sellers and buyers are more organized and respectful of each other up front. Here are 10 tips that can help you get the pony of your dreams!

BY EMILY ELEK Pony Finals always leads to a flurry of people trying ponies. With all the children and ponies in the same place, it’s like the best of everything from a sales perspective. What could go wrong? Unfortunately, so many things, many of which can be preventable if sellers and buyers were...

07/23/2024

The newest Plaidcast podcast episode is live 🎧 Piper speaks with clinician, USEF R judge and certified equine appraiser Dianne De Franceaux Grod about her life with horses. Listen in!

LISTEN NOW To listen to the Plaidcast, you can use the player above, Stitcher, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play Music, or your other favorite podcasting app! Piper speaks with Dianne Grod about her lifetime with horses. Brought to you by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services. Listen in! GUESTS AND LINKS:

07/23/2024

Sweden has dominated the Jumping landscape since that Tokyo victory, taking the World Championship team title in 2022 and the European Championship team title in 2023 while team-member Henrik von Eckermann has stood top of the individual world rankings for the last two years and doesn’t look likely to yield that position anytime soon. So much so that individual Olympic gold is clearly in his sights this time around having clinched back-to-back World Cup titles with his wonderful 14-year-old gelding King Edward who finished just off the podium, in fourth place, three years ago.

By LOUISE PARKES When equestrian sport first became part of the Olympic Games, Team Sweden was an unstoppable force taking Jumping gold in Stockholm in 1912, in Antwerp in 1920 and in Paris in 1924. They had to wait 97 years before taking their fourth team title in Tokyo in 2021, but nobody is betti...

07/23/2024

As a competitor, Michael Page placed in three Olympic Games, taking home two silvers and a bronze. He competed in three Pan American Games, earning four golds, a silver, and a bronze. As a coach, Michael led the Canadian Olympic three-day event team at the Montreal Olympics, and our three-day teams at two Olympic Games, two Pan American Games, and two World Championships. He’s even earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the USHJA.

Yet Michael sought none of these accolades—he simply loves to ride.

BY ANN JAMIESON A sign in Michael Page’s tack room reads “It was never about the ribbon; it was about the ride and the horse that got me there.”  The list of his accomplishments easily covers a page…in fine print. As a competitor, he placed in three Olympic Games (taking home two silvers an...

07/23/2024

Junior Hunter Finals West at

07/23/2024

"My struggle has always been that my ammy brain goes full on 'clear the mechanism' the moment I enter the show ring. Standing at the ingate I have a plan of action, but the moment I pick up the canter that plan vanishes like ringside mimosas before the adult ammy classes. I needed something incredibly simple, that didn’t require lots of brain power, and would keep me on pace."

BY PONYMOMAMMY We all know that the secret to finding 8-10 proper jump distances in a course is to stop looking for the distances. Easier said than done, right? The best way to “find” the jumps is to maintain the correct pace and track and the jumps will come out of stride.  My struggle has [.....