The Plaid Horse December 2023/January 2024 - The Education Issue by The Plaid Horse

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Where Each Girl Can Pursue Her Passion for Riding Imagine taking a riding lesson in between science and English class. Whether a beginner or competing on a national level, Foxcroft School supports every girl’s passion for riding. Riders of all skill levels can find joy in our top-tier equestrian program and 500-acre campus. Girls new to riding will have an exciting world of horsemanship to explore under the guidance of our expert instructors. Experienced riders can qualify for our Exceptional Proficiency (EP) program and train for greatness while receiving an outstanding education.

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“I would’ve never imagined that I’d grow my riding abilities to the extent that I have at Foxcroft and with the help of my amazing trainers.” — Valeska F. ’26

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DEC/JAN 2023

2024

The Education Issue 12

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

SPOTLIGHT

Desperation is Poor Horsemanship

Water Smarter with Cascada Equine

BarnTools Debuts BarnTalk

EXPERT TAKE

SPOTLIGHT

RAMM Fence & Stalls: Safer Alternatives for Horses

Before You Import

SPOTLIGHT

St. Andrews University: Fusing Passion and Business 16

SPOTLIGHT

Equine Elixirs: Chug for Hydration

Equiline: A Passion Project Becomes a Phenomenon

20 SPOTLIGHT

Equestrian Gardens: Transforming Show Set-Ups

SPOTLIGHT

Sweet Briar College: An Academic & Equestrian Legacy 28 SPOTLIGHT

The Laurel Springs Advantage: Empowering Junior Equestrians

CONTACT & CONNECT WITH US!

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Double D Trailers Builds for You and Your Horse

December 2023/January 2024

76 FEATURE

Equestrian College Advisor Randi Heathman 79 EXPERT TAKE

Mitigating Concussions 81 BOOKS

Book Excerpt Bonus 106

54 COVER STORY

Daniel Bluman on Winning and The Next Generation

RIDERS

It Happens! With Phoebe Weseley, Ryder Richardson, and Leah Matanky 110

60 SPOTLIGHT

RecycleBalls Green Gold

WEB: ThePlaidHorse.com CALL: 541-905-0192 EMAIL: piper@theplaidhorse.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscriptions@theplaidhorse.com PINTEREST: pinterest.com/theplaidhorse

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Capital Challenge Horse Show

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Subscriptions & Plaidcast Manager

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December 2023/January 2024

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Discover Florida’s premier equestrian destination. 2024 Hunter/Jumper Calendar JANUARY 3-7 Sarasota Winter Classic Week I National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/Level 4 Jumper JANUARY 10-14 Sarasota Winter Classic Week II National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/Level 4 Jumper JANUARY 24-28 Split Rock Jumping Tour Sarasota FEI CSI 2* FEBRUARY 14-18 TerraNova Winter Series Week I National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/FEI CSI 2*/Level 5 Jumper FEBRUARY 21-25 TerraNova Winter Series Week II National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/FEI CSI 2*/Level 5 Jumper MARCH 13-17 TerraNova Winter Series Week III National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/FEI CSI 2*/Level 5 Jumper MARCH 20-24 TerraNova Winter Series Week IV National ‘A’ Hunter-Equitation/FEI CSI 2*/Level 5 Jumper

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Desperation is poor horsemanship WHEN I TALK TO AND INTERVIEW

people, I find so many in our community to be desperate. Desperate for different things—money, health, time, relationships, wins, sales, friends, clients, and more. Given the percentage of people in the sport who feel and then act desperate, we are seeing so many consequences of these actions pop up. Often when we are desperate as a community, the ones who suffer most are our horses. We see parents so desperate for success that they do not require their children to learn horsemanship and responsibility. We see trainers so

desperate to keep clients that they allow them to move up to divisions before they are ready. We see individuals so desperate and haggard by demands and life that they fail to hold themselves to a standard of discipline to serve their horses. We see desperation in horse shows and associations wanting people to stop complaining so badly that they tell judges to inflate scores. We see judges so desperate to not be bashed that they do it. How do we solve desperation? We come together. We help each other. We work hard, we volunteer, we live simply, and we focus on the horses. We include

and invite others wherever we can. We share what we have. We don’t put artificial things ahead of what matters. We know what matters—our horses and our humans. We know the right thing to do. Let us all come together in 2024 and do it!

Piper Klemm, Ph.D. TPH PUBLISHER Follow me on Instagram at @piperklemm

RECENTLY...

ABOVE: October 8, 2023 at Full Circle

Farm IEA Show in Manchester, CT

ABOVE: Washington International Horse Show Barn Night, Upper Marlboro, MD

THE PLAID HORSE

December 2023/January 2024

LEFT: Piper at Equine Affaire in

West Springfield, MA

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SPOTLIGHT

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY Fusing Passion and Business: An Innovative MBA in Equine Entrepreneurship IMAGINE TURNING YOUR PASSION FOR HORSES into a thriving

business. For equine enthusiasts dreaming of a career in the equestrian industry, St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC, illuminates the path to success with its innovative online MBA specializing in Equine Entrepreneurship. Tailored for go-getters ready to jump into the business arena, this program blends your love for horses with critical business strategies, making your equestrian business a reality.

The horse industry is a specialized field that demands equestrian expertise and sharp business acumen. Recognizing this unique interplay, St. Andrews University has crafted a curriculum that brings students specialized equine knowledge in business planning, marketing, law and ethics, management, and financial management, all through a convenient online format. And with the possibility of completing the program in just 12 months, it’s an express ride to leadership in the equine industry. “Flexibility is the cornerstone of our program,” Dr. Wayne Freeman, MBA program director, tells The Plaid Horse. “It’s your guide through the entrepreneurial maze in the equine world. One of the standout features of our program is its flexibility. The online format allows you to pursue your MBA from anywhere worldwide, fitting the coursework into your busy schedule.”

THE CURRICULUM This specialized MBA program is comprised of 12 courses, totaling 36 credits. These courses cover essential business topics explicitly tailored to the equine industry. Students will delve into equine law and ethics, learning about the legal and ethical considerations unique to

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the horse business. The entrepreneurship course will equip you with the skills to identify opportunities, develop business plans, and navigate the challenges of launching and managing an equine enterprise. Financial management is vital to any business, and our program ensures you gain a solid foundation in this area. Additionally, a two-course practicum experience awaits you, providing hands-on learning opportunities and the chance to tackle real-world equine business challenges. The practicum experience is a program highlight, allowing students to consult with a local equine business to solve a specific business problem. This practical component ensures that you apply your newfound knowledge meaningfully while building connections within the industry. The beauty of the practicum is that it can be tailored to your specific interests, enabling you to explore areas that align with your long-term goals. At St. Andrews, the equine MBA isn’t just a program—it’s a gateway to a universe where your business skills will flourish alongside your love for horses. It’s where Peggy McElveen, director of the equestrian program, champions a legacy of equine excellence. With accolades like the IHSA’s Pioneer and Lifetime Achievement Awards, McElveen guides students

December 2023/January 2024

through self-discovery and professional development. “Our ethos is simple: tailor the education to the student’s vision,” says McElveen. “Whether it’s riding, training, or business management, we’re here to help students discover their potential.” This individual-focused approach is mirrored in the MBA’s structure, where courses are designed to align with your career aspirations, whether owning a training facility, managing a barn, or directing a therapeutic horsemanship program.

A STRONG ONLINE PLATFORM What makes St. Andrews’ MBA specialization truly remarkable is its online platform—education without barriers. No matter where you are, as long as you have Internet access, you can be part of St. Andrews’ esteemed community. “Education should be as boundless as the sky,” said Dr. Freeman, an advocate for accessible education. “Our online MBA in Equine Entrepreneurship breaks down geographical barriers, bringing our expertise to your doorstep.” Despite the digital format, the sense of community is palpable. “We’re a family here,” says Emilee Standridge, an alumna of St. Andrews with degrees in equine business management and an MBA. “The faculty’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. They’re mentors, cheerleaders, and often lifelong friends. The bonds formed here are unbreakable. They’re the kind of connections that champion your strengths and fortify your aspirations.” Venturing into the equine business landscape requires more than just theoretical knowledge—it demands practical

wisdom and experience. That’s precisely what the Equine Entrepreneurship MBA at St. Andrews prepares you to obtain. The practicum experience, a cornerstone of the curriculum, catapults you from the classroom into the field, solving real business problems for real equine enterprises. “It’s about getting your boots dirty in the business world,” says Carla Wennberg, St. Andrews Western Coach and Faculty member. “Our students graduate not just with a degree but with a portfolio of practical solutions they can provide to the businesses they aspire to lead.” St. Andrews University is familiar with setting benchmarks in equine studies. With over half a century of legacy in integrating equestrian excellence with academic rigor, the university understands the evolving nature of the equine industry. This MBA program is a testament to their commitment to innovation, ensuring that the next generation of equine entrepreneurs is equipped with the latest tools and insights to lead the industry. Katie Schaaf, a distinguished figure in the equestrian world and the latest addition to the St. Andrews MBA equine faculty, carries a wealth of knowledge and a fervent zeal for the equine sector that will significantly benefit this new program. “It’s thrilling to join the team at St. Andrews for this innovative MBA curriculum in Equine Entrepreneurship,” she says. Schaaf ’s academic success is on par with her riding achievements. Having graduated from Harvard Law, Schaaf served as IHSA team captain and coach at Tufts University and has many years of experience as a trainer and a coach. She has received the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Coach Sportsmanship Award PHOTOS: ROONEY COFFMAN; GIANA TERRANOVA

and Lifetime Achievement Award and is the incoming president of the IEA. “St. Andrews produces top equine professionals and is known for its first-rate equine facilities and mentorship from outstanding coaches,” she says. “Being part of the team at St. Andrews is an honor.” Schaaf looks forward to “working with St. Andrews MBA students and helping to create this groundbreaking new program.” Her integration into the St. Andrews community is a significant asset to the MBA program, ensuring students receive an unparalleled educational experience enriched by her professional acumen. Amanda DeWitt, poised to graduate from the St. Andrews online bachelor’s in equine business management program, is among the first students to enroll in the new graduate program in equine entrepreneurship. Her decision to continue her educational journey was deeply influenced by her positive experiences at St. Andrews University. “As an online student with St. Andrews University, my experience has been wonderful because of the support of not only the instructors but also the staff that works behind the scenes,” she says. This support was pivotal in her enthusiasm for the new MBA program. “When I received an email with a survey about my interest in a program like this one I was excited at the idea of being able to participate because I love my experience with St. Andrews,” says DeWitt. She sees the equine entrepreneurship program as a natural step forward, given the university’s unwavering support that made her feel welcomed and capable of success.

“This program will allow me to further my education in an area I am interested in with the continued support of a great team of people, who even from a distance have made me feel welcome and like I can be successful.”

HOW TO GET STARTED Your journey to equine entrepreneurial success begins with a single step. Whether you’re an aspiring barn manager, a coach, or dreaming of launching your unique equine startup, the online MBA specializing in Equine Entrepreneurship at St. Andrews is your pathway to success. With industry connections and a faculty of seasoned professionals, you’re not just enrolling in a program—you’re joining a legacy of excellence. St. Andrews University invites you to be part of an exciting future. With the expertise of award-winning educators, the flexibility of online learning, and a community that’s as passionate about horses as you are, equine entrepreneurs’ future has never looked brighter. “We’re ready to welcome you to St. Andrews,” says McElveen. “It’s time to turn your equine passion into a thriving career.” Applications are being accepted now for Spring 2024. To learn more about the equine entrepreneurship program and explore how it can propel your career in the horse business, visit https://sau.online/masters/ or contact Toni Forrest at 910-5503558 or toni@sau.online. The St. Andrews dedicated team is here to support you throughout the application process and address any questions.

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

E UINE ELIXIRS

You can lead a horse to water … and now, you can make them drink! WE ALL KNOW WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE. But do you

know the many ways in which water impacts your horse on a daily basis? Water forms a layer along the length of the gut through which the absorption of nutrients is initiated. But that’s just the beginning. It also provides the medium in which all biochemical and metabolic reactions are conducted; transports hormones, antibodies, and the components regulating essential metabolic factors throughout the body; is integral in secreting substances onto the outer layer of skin and hair in order to maintain a barrier against infection and pathogens; helps regulate body temperature via evaporative heat loss of sweat; and carries waste out of the body. An average horse consumes between five and fifteen gallons of water a day, the volume of which is impacted by many factors including weather, exercise, and diet. Horses grazing on lush grass will consume less direct water because of the moisture content of the pasture. And horses eating dry hay will have higher direct water requirements. Typically horses consume more water during the heat and humidity of summer. But during the winter months in places where grass isn’t available, the moisture horses would have received from grazing needs to be replaced with drinking more direct water. Unlike human sweat, which is

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composed mostly of water, horse sweat is hypertonic, which means it contains more mineral salts than water. The major electrolytes in equine sweat are sodium chloride and potassium (with smaller amounts of calcium and magnesium). The combination of high electrolyte concentration and sweating rates means that horses experience significant electrolyte loss during times of heat stress. Effective hydration requires the supplementation of both electrolytes and adequate amounts of water. Electrolytes play a vital role in helping maintain the proper osmotic balance of fluid in and around cells, and are necessary

December 2023/January 2024

for normal muscle contraction and relaxation. Without proper electrolyte balance and hydration, horses are at risk of fatigue and muscle cramping. Not all electrolytes are created equal. Electrofresh is a combination of mineral rich pink Himalayan and red Hawaiian salt with banana extract that is designed to mimic the minerals lost in equine sweat. Unlike other electrolytes that are high in sugar, dextrose, and color dyes, Electrofresh is a concentrated electrolyte with no added sugar that horses love.

TESTIMONIAL I was introduced to Chug when treating a horse that was not drinking enough and having issues staying hydrated. I was amazed by how much he liked the Chug and how easy it was to get him to drink with it. Since then, I have recommended it to clients and I find it extremely helpful for picky horses because it is so palatable. And because it contains no sugar, it is safe for horses with metabolic syndrome.” —DR. AXEL BECCAR VARELA, Paddock Equine Veterinary Services

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FEED ELECTROLYTES ON THE GO…

TESTIMONIAL

For horses who don’t like any salt added to their grain, or for “on the go” administration, Electrobites are a revolutionary way to feed electrolytes to your horse…in gummy form. They are designed for the equestrian that wants the most convenient and delicious way to administer electrolytes.

When it’s hot and humid and our horses are competing week after week, they are sweating and losing the electrolytes they need. Just as I am focused on hydrating and replenishing myself, it is important to maintain the horses’ systems and make sure we are replenishing what they need so they can perform at the highest levels.”

IN ADDITION TO FEEDING ELECTROFRESH, HOW ELSE CAN YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR HORSE TO DRINK? To start, you should always provide easy access to fresh, clean water. That means frequently checking, scrubbing, and refilling buckets and troughs. Horses are sensitive to changes in the taste and smell of water, which can make hydration especially challenging when traveling to different locations.

—GEORGINA BLOOMBERG, Top Grand Prix Rider

WHOEVER SAID “YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM DRINK” DIDN’T HAVE CHUG! Chug is designed to encourage horses to drink water and stay hydrated. A delicious smelling and tasting alfalfa extract combined with a hint of Himalayan salt forms the perfect flavor profile to entice the reluctant drinker to chug! Great for encouraging hydration while traveling, during and after heavy workouts or competition, or just as part of daily hydration management, Chug is the healthiest and most reliable way to deliver the fluids that your horse needs. Other hydration products are loaded with sugar, starch, or both, making them unhealthy and unsafe for metabolic horses. Chug, however, is safe for metabolic horses because its combined NSC content is only 0.6%.

TO FOAM OR NOT TO FOAM… If you’ve seen “Chug Shots” full of green lips and foamy whiskers and asked yourself whether your horse likes foam or no foam, there’s only one way to find out…do a taste test! If you’re looking to entice your horse with a foamy topper, add Chug to the bucket first and then spray with water to fill. If your horse prefers a foam-free beverage, fill a bucket with water first and then stir in Chug.

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December 2023/January 2024

Lindsay Simmons Beale

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“My goal is to make the barn set-ups at horse shows beautiful but aﬀordable.” —JESS JONES

Farm and home landscape design by Equestrian Gardens at Griffon Farm at 193 Salem Ridge Road in Pound Ridge, NY (Proudly offered for sale with listing agent, Patti Howard)

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December 2023/January 2024

SPOTLIGHT

EQUESTRIAN GARDENS Jess Jones helps barns transform their horse show set-ups to feel like a piece of home WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU PHOTOS: PETE COCO PHOTOGRAPHY

WE ALL KNOW the importance of a well turned out horse at the show ring. While a clean, prepared presentation is crucial to your confidence and success in the show ring, a well turned out horse show set-up may leave you equally as confident. And since some may not have the eye for the perfect barn set-up, Jess Jones at Equestrian Gardens wants to step in and help. Jones works with each of her clients to put together a show set-up that is reflective of their farm. From plants with their barn colors to furniture pieces that compliment their individual style, Jones puts her creative skills to good use to make your aisle feel like a piece of home.

GETTING STARTED Horses have always been a passion for Jones, who showed in the Junior Hunters as a teenager and later the Amateur-Owner Hunters.

“I didn’t anticipate that I would have a career within the equine world,” Jones tells The Plaid Horse. “I knew I would need to work really hard to be able to afford continuing to participate in the sport.” She began her professional career in technology, working at Xerox. She went on to work at other large technology firms such as Oracle, Deloitte, and Salesforce, managing large teams and customer relationships at each company. “Growing up around family-owned businesses, under the tutelage of my

artist mother and then throughout my career, I’ve had incredible experiences and mentors that have prepared me for my work today,” says Jones. “And looking back, I try to always encourage others to find their voice, take calculated risks and step into their careers.” With that sentiment in mind, she began focusing on taking risks and breaking out on her own—to apply all of her skills to be able to run her own company. Starting a digital agency occurred to Jones as the most obvious next step, but as time went on, it was the opportunity

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

to apply her creative skills combined with gardening, a family tradition and business in the equestrian context that excited her most…and the idea for Equestrian Gardens was born.

PERFECT TIMING This past summer, Jones was visiting HITS Saugerties and ran into Joe Norick, the Chief Customer Officer of HITS. She told Norick that she had taken a break from technology, telling him about her idea to beautify the horse show experience. Her timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as Norick was working on elevating the customer experience at HITS. Jones took on a sponsorship role for the second show series, providing gorgeous planters for the derbies and Grand Prix brunch. HITS and the show exhibitors loved the outcome. They asked her to return as a HITS partner for the Fall series in September to focus on the USHJA

International and National Derby course landscape, Rider’s Lounge and hospitality experiences, Marshall & Sterling Finals and the ringscapes for Regional Dressage Finals. Jones even designed a jump for the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby dubbed the “Living Log.”

CREATING GARDENS EVERYWHERE This winter, Jones will be taking Equestrian Gardens to Florida as the landscape designer for HITS Ocala. She will also be taking the time to get to know other farms that may be interested in her services not only at horse shows but at home. For those interested in Jones’ services, whether at the show or at home, she likes to start by getting to know the individual. “If it’s at home, we start with a conversation, getting to know the specific person. What do they like, what do they dislike,” says Jones. “If possible, I’ll do a walk through of the site, but I’m also currently experimenting with AI to work on design.”

Jones works within each person’s budget and vision to create a setting that best suits the site, climate, environment, and most importantly, the horse. “My goal is to make the barn set-ups at horse shows beautiful, but affordable,” says Jones. Home and farm design fees depend on the size and scale of each project. For show set-ups, Jones will select the plants (she exclusively uses live ones, nothing artificial), have them delivered to the site, as well as to oversee the project and plant arrangement. “Right now, I’m working on booking Florida,” says Jones. “Barn set-ups tend to be a last minute thought. But the earlier customers contact us to give us a sense of when they are arriving, the better and easier it will be to have it all ready upon arrival.” To learn more about Equestrian Gardens and Jess Jones, visit equestriangardens.com or email sales@equestriangardens.com.

“I try to always encourage others to find their voice, take calculated risks and step into their careers.” —JESS JONES

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December 2023/January 2024

SPOTLIGHT

SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE How the all-women’s college has built a legacy in the arena—and the classroom WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

WHEN IT’S TIME to decide where to continue

their education, most college-age equestrians base their choice on what riding programs the school offers…while most parents key into the academics and course offerings. For families who want to focus on both, Sweet Briar College is the perfect choice. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains of Sweet Briar, VA, the all-women’s college was founded in 1901, and their equestrian program has been around for over 100 years.

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December 2023/January 2024

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

Aerial view of campus; Maggie Booth ’26 with SBC’s Harrison; Rachel Chard ’26 and SBC’s Star Jewel, Overall Novice Champion at ANRC Nationals; Naomi Dachis ’26 in the tack room

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT Students bringing in horses at the 130-acre Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center which is a short distance from the center of campus

Merrilee “Mimi” Wroten has been a faculty member of the Sweet Briar Community for over 27 years, becoming the Director of Riding 12 years ago and the Head NCEA Coach 6 years ago when SBC joined the NCEA. Wroten and her team of coaches and instructors aim to give all riders at the school a variety of riding experiences, whether that’s wanting to ride for pleasure or to go on to become a professional in the sport. “The skill and experience levels of riders vary greatly,” says Wroten. “But we work to support everyone’s goals as riders regardless of if they are beginners or advanced.” “Some of our riding students have never touched a horse before,” says Wroten. “Those are some of my favorite lessons. It’s rewarding to teach a student how to care for their horse, tack up, mount and later see them flourish as riders.”

TEAM OPTIONS Sweet Briar offers several options for equestrians who want to ride in college. For the casual rider, they have a recreational riding program where students may take lessons and enjoy the facilities, horses and land of a nationally recognized program. For those who prefer to ride on a team, the school offers opportunities to join the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team, American National Riding Commission (ANRC) team, and National

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Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) team. In fact, Sweet Briar was the first college to be a part of the NCEA as a single-discipline and Division III team. While the teams may fall under different organizations, Wroten and her team treat all 40 students on the teams as Varsity Athletes. “We think of the NCEA and IHSA teams as one team,” says Wroten. “Some team members may practice on the NCEA squad but start off competing in IHSA”. Students who compete on a team are expected to have one flat lesson per week, one jumping lesson per week, at least one additional practice and are encouraged to ride between lessons. Regardless of which team a student chooses, Sweet Briar offers as much saddle time as possible while also stressing the importance of good horsemanship. “We challenge our students to think about what they learn from one horse and how it might apply to riding a variety of horses,” says Wroten. “Really the point we stress is, ‘Are you riding in a way that shows how a correct position positively affects the function and communication with the horse?’”

EQUINE PROGRAMS AT SWEET BRIAR Outside of the ring, Sweet Briar offers several opinions for students to continue their equine education. The college offers two certificate programs that act as minors at the school.

December 2023/January 2024

The Equine Studies - Management Concentration is a combination of business, horse care, and environmental science, with a curriculum to prepare students for a career in various areas of the equine industry. The second certificate program is a Teaching and Schooling Concentration. This certificate is earned through classroom theoretical studies and riding course work with hands-on experience. “Over the last few years the programs have become more established,” says Wroten. “We have lots of connections so that students are able to branch out and do things that interest them.”

THE BENEFIT OF HORSES While Sweet Briar offers education to women with a variety of academic interests, the college also puts their equine program at the forefront, understanding just how important the sport is to many. “Horses are so special and to have that asset available to students on a college campus can be life-changing,” says Wroten. “I truly believe that horses help humans find confidence, focus, and balance while promoting empathy for all living beings. This pairs well with the leadership program and liberal arts education being offered at Sweet Briar College.” For more information on Sweet Briar College, visit www.sbc.edu.

“Our global learners don’t have to choose between their passion and academic aspirations. Instead, we champion them in both realms.” DR. AILEEN HAWKINS, LAUREL SPRINGS’ HEAD OF SCHOOL

TOP: Siena MacDonald, a 12th grader at Laurel Springs School

and a competitive equestrian in the 2022 WEF circuit where she qualified for the Medal and Maclay equitation finals this year BOTTOM ROW CENTER: Reese Merna & Trouvaille at

USEF Medal Finals 2023 BOTTOM ROW LEFT: Reese Merna & Havanna C2 at

Washington International Horse Show 2023

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December 2023/January 2024

PHOTOS: NICOLETTE MCDOUGALL (TOP); SHAWN MCMILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY (FAR LEFT)

SPOTLIGHT

THE LAUREL SPRINGS ADVANTAGE How a premier online private school empowers junior equestrians WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

IN THE WORLD OF junior equestrian sports, balanc-

ing rigorous training schedules with academics is a true uphill battle. Whether it’s pulling your child out of school on Thursday for a weekend competition or hustling to the barn at the sound of the afternoon bell, traditional brick-and-mortar learning settings can serve as tough obstacles for young riders. This is where Laurel Springs School emerges as a transformative option. The fully accredited online private school for K-12 learners is known for nurturing the dreams of its students and fostering an educational environment that’s 100% flexible, personalized, and uniquely suited to the lifestyles of aspiring athletes, performing artists, and accelerated learners. At Laurel Springs, equestrians no longer have to choose between their passion and academic ambitions. Instead, they’re championed in both realms. PHOTOS: ANDREW RYBACK PHOTOGRAPHY (LEFT); SPORTFOT (FAR RIGHT BOTTOM)

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

WHERE ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, AND FLEXIBILITY HARMONIZE For over 30 years, Laurel Springs has established itself as a leader in the online learning landscape. With curriculum that can be accessed 24/7 and from anywhere in the world, a dedicated counseling department with expert guidance for college-bound athletes (including NCAA recruitment and athletic advisement), an extensive AP and Honors course catalog, and a student community that spans across 100 countries, the school shines in the areas of flexibility, personalization, and rigor. “At Laurel Springs, we have dedicated Academic and Athletic Advisors who understand the commitment it takes for student athletes to reach their athletic goals,” says Marcie Peoples, Laurel Springs’ Associate Dean of Student Success. “We collaborate closely with families, offering tailored athletic guidance and support throughout the recruiting process. Our focus includes understanding amateurism and celebrating our students’ milestones, like signing days.” Furthermore, the school features 30-plus clubs and activities in addition to in-person field trips, virtual hangouts, and travel opportunities—all fostering a vibrant social community where students can connect, learn, and grow together.

EMBRACING EVERY STUDENT’S POTENTIAL Laurel Springs’ academic offerings cater to a diverse student body. Students may experience its traditional college-prep curriculum through full-time or part-time enrollment; and those seeking a deeper level of academic engagement may attend The Academy at Laurel Springs—an advanced college-prep environment with live weekly workshops, elite partnerships with top-tier institutions like Harvard, and additional AP and Honors options. No matter a student’s strengths or aspirations, they experience an education tailored to their unique interests and needs. “The Academy offers students the opportunity to have live and synchronous learning in addition to an abundance of Honors and AP courses,” says Han

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“I found success in all my classes without having to sacrifice the sport I love.” —CAMERON BROWN, 2021 LAUREL SPRINGS GRADUATE

Lee, Director of Academy Operations at Laurel Springs. “No matter where you are in your educational journey, you will find a partner in LSS.” The school also provides enriching dual-enrollment opportunities with Syracuse and Baylor Universities, comprehensive Summer School programming, and a robust Gap Year Program complemented by personalized counseling for college and career planning, and self-discovery.

EXPERIENCING THE DIFFERENCE Cameron Brown, a 2021 graduate of Laurel Springs, illustrates the success possible through the school’s unique educational approach. Excelling in both competitive riding and academics, Brown found her experience at Laurel Springs to be nothing but positive. “I learned so much and was able to take such interesting courses,” she says. “I found success in all my classes without having to sacrifice the sport I love.” After graduating, Brown went on to ride at her dream school, University of South Carolina, and now represents one of the 5,500 Laurel Springs alumni who not only flourished at the school, but also

December 2023/January 2024

discovered that pursuing their dreams doesn’t have to compromise their deep love for learning.

JOIN THE LAUREL SPRINGS COMMUNITY Whether it’s celebrating a student’s academic accomplishments or cheering for them on National Signing Day, Laurel Springs continues to reinforce their mission of not only educating, but elevating. “Our program, delivered by our dedicated faculty and staff, engages global learners in an education that integrates their unique pursuits into pathways that foster growth, mastery, purpose and independence,” says Aileen Hawkins, Laurel Springs’ Head of School. Equipped with self-discipline, knowledge, and an unwavering passion for their dreams and aspirations, every student at Laurel Springs is valued, seen, and supported for their entire journey. If Laurel Springs sounds like it could be a turning point in your child’s equestrian and academic journey, you can learn more about the school’s programming and how they can personally support your student by attending a virtual open house. To do so, visit laurelsprings. com/admissions/virtual-open-houses/.

SPOTLIGHT

WATER SMARTER The Cascada system and app in action. The waterer uses an ultrasonic sensor to reliably keep buckets full, while optionally sending data to the cloud about the horse’s drinking behavior

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December 2023/January 2024

How Cascada Equine is checking all the boxes with their automatic watering system for your horse WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

HYDR ATION IS ONE OF THE

most important elements in every horse’s daily activity. How we keep our horses hydrated, however, has evolved greatly over the years. While some barns opt for the old fashioned five-gallon buckets with multiple refills from the hose or hydrant daily, some have added automatic waterers to their list of amenities. With so many options on the market it can be difficult to choose which one is right for your farm. Cascada Automatic Waterers have elevated the experience for horses and barn owners alike, addressing some of the common woes with other watering systems. DESIGNED FOR HORSES BY HORSE PEOPLE Cascada officially launched in 2023 as a second product to the well known Lighthoof, an equine mud management system. “We worked on this for five years before coming up with the Cascada,” Kelly Munro, co-founder of Cascada, tells The Plaid Horse. “We tried current offerings and figured out what we liked and didn’t like about products.” Munro and her husband, an electrical engineer, worked with horse owners, pulling market research to determine common woes with other automatic waterers. PHOTOS: COURTESY CASCADA EQUINE

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

“We designed and developed an app for the phone that learns your horse’s drinking and alerts you if there is a concern.” —KELLY MUNRO, CASCADA CO-FOUNDER

Easily keep an eye on each of your horse’s hydration from the Cascada app dashboard With no submerged or small moving parts, Cascada reliably fills the bucket by dectecting the water level with a contactless sensor

their experience uninterrupted with no increased noise.

AN EASIER DESIGN One such woe: It is difficult to monitor how much water a horse has consumed throughout the day. “We designed and developed an app for the phone that learns your horse’s drinking habits and alerts you if there is a concern,” says Munro. “The system uses an ultrasonic sensor instead of a float or weight system—truly the most reliable system as it doesn’t require maintenance or recalibrating.” This feature also helps to eliminate water overflow. The second most common complaint is that horses should be able to drink in a manner that is comfortable to them. “Most autowaterers have smaller integrated drinking vessels,” says Munro. “We wanted to be able to use five-gallon buckets so that the horses are familiar with them.” The system is also designed with a smart feature that detects the horse’s muzzle so that buckets are not refilled while horses are drinking from them, making

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The Cascada system is designed to make the drinking experience easier for horses while also making water easier to maintain for horse owners and barn staff. While the ultrasonic sensors typically refill water when the bucket is 75% full, head to the app and set the sensor to “easy lift” mode and buckets will maintain at 25-50% to make it easier to remove buckets from their holders to clean. Making installation easy for users was also top of mind for the founders, so while waterlines do need to be run to each stall, the inputs are intended to be universal so that they’re flexible and usable. Installers are able to simply screw in the units and connect the water lines. The system uses low voltage cables to prevent shock and easily hook into power for easy set up. For users that live in colder climates, the Cascada system also has an internal digital thermostat so that when the system goes below freezing, it heats it. While the hydration tracking system

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is currently calibrated for a specific brand, you can use most five-gallon buckets with Cascada. The company is also working to add calibration settings for accurate hydration tracking with a wider variety of bucket brands.

IN YOUR STABLE The Cascada system is priced at $799 per unit. The app is subscription- based, offering a free version which includes water detection and easy lift mode. The premium subscription will also include the full hydration tracking per unit. Each unit is designed to be sleek and compact, fitting into every barn’s aesthetic. Materials used include heavy-duty molded plastic and a stainless steel chew plate to handle the normal wear and tear from horses. The unit’s holder keeps the bucket securely in place for horse interaction while also featuring an opening that can release the bucket in the event of an emergency. Additionally, Cascada units come with a warranty and unlimited, widelyavailable support. To learn more about Cascada or to order units for your farm, visit www.cascadaequine.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY CASCADA EQUINE

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SPOTLIGHT

RAMM FENCE & STALLS

Creating Safer Alternatives for Horses In and Out of the Barn WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCING OPTIONS for your farm

can be one of the most important decisions an owner can make. RAMM Fencing and Stalls considers product education and safety for horses as their top priority. Debbie Disbrow, CEO, faced this decision when building her boarding facility over 36 years ago.

“We thought we had purchased the best fencing product we could,” Disbrow tells The Plaid Horse. “But what we were told was the best actually wasn’t, and we had problems pretty quickly.” With 21 horses on her property, Disbrow knew she needed good fencing to keep horses safe and clients happy. She and her husband discussed the importance of quality fencing and warranties so horse owners could avoid the issues that they encountered. From this experience, RAMM Fencing and Stalls was created.

BETTER FENCING RAMM offers several different types of fencing to their customers, but each type of fencing has the same top priority–horse safety. The Flex Fence for example, manufactured by RAMM, is built to embrace impact should a collision occur with the fencing. “Our fencing has a stronger break strength and can flex up to eight inches on impact,” says Disbrow. “The fencing has 3,200 pounds of strength per rail.” Customers like Nathalie Ferrato, a longtime horsewoman and breeder who owns Movin Majestically Farms, has been amazed by the safety benefits of RAMM’s fencing. “I found RAMM Fence through a neighbor who also had it. I ordered enough for my perimeter at first to test it out,” says Ferrato. “One of my horses, while running into the muddy ditch, lost his footing.”

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“It’s not just about a product for us, it’s about what will help our customers the best for their particular horses.” —DEBBIE DISBROW

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SPOTLIGHT

Ferrato watched in horror, certain the horse was going to break his leg that sank in the mud. “The RAMM fence caught him and like a trampoline, bounced him back upright and saved his life,” says Ferrato. “I highly recommend this fencing to anyone.” The fencing comes in white, black, or brown to fit in with every barn’s look and contain a fungicide and UV inhibitors to prevent deterioration. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty that transfers through the property, so if you sell your property, the next owners are covered as well. “We try to give our customers everything we possibly can,” says Disbrow.

BEYOND THE FENCING Shortly after the creation of the fencing, RAMM began their stall division. Both have grown to not only serve customers in the United States, but also in Europe. RAMM offers a wide variety of stall options, or you can custom create a stall that appeals to you.

“Every farm is different,” says Disbrow. “We try to customize what every person and farm needs.” To accent the stalls, RAMM also offers a full line of stall mats, stall mattresses, lighting, and flooring. Other support products for the stable include waterers, scratching posts, as well as supplemental products for seasonal needs such as fly spray systems. “We offer almost anything you can think of for inside and outside of your barn,” says Disbrow. “We have over 3,000 products for equine owners.”

A LOVE FOR THE CUSTOMER The employees of RAMM Fencing and Stalls are not only passionate about what they do for the horses, but also for their customers. “I’m so thankful to our customers. My employees and I truly care about them,” says Disbrow. “It’s not just about a product for us, it’s about what will help our customers the best for their particular horses.”

“Our fencing has a stronger break strength and can flex up to eight inches on impact.” —DEBBIE DISBROW

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December 2023/January 2024

While the company started out with humble beginnings and a goal to help just one farm, Disbrow marvels at what she and her team have created. “We started this business 34 years ago at a dining room table and we now occupy a 30-acre property with three warehouses, our sales office and our stall fabrication shop,” says Disbrow. “I’m thankful for my team who puts heart into their work and serves our customers everyday” To learn more about RAMM Fencing and Stalls, visit www.rammfence.com.

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SPOTLIGHT

EQUILINE How a passion project became a staple brand in equestrian closets and tack rooms worldwide WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

HORSE AND RIDER APPAREL is a booming business, with many

choices available. But few companies can say that they carry every item needed for both horse and rider quite like Equiline. From riding coats to custom saddle pads, Equiline has equestrians covered while also keeping top quality and materials in mind. “People know us for our apparel but we’re so much deeper than that,” Kelly Molinari, president of Equiline’s United States distributor, tells The Plaid Horse. The company originated in Italy and was founded over 30 years ago by two brothers. Their family was in the fashion and textile business. The brothers were both equestrians, owning three horses, and those horses would later become the subjects of the Equiline logo. They wanted to create a textile saddle pad that would be more supportive for their horses. Friends around the barn were impressed with the quality of the saddle pads and pressed the duo to produce and market their new creation and so Equiline began. Molinari helped bring the now widely popular brand to America ten years ago after accidentally finding the company while looking for a quality show shirt. “I was struck by how beautiful the design of the Equiline shirt was,” says

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Molinari, who at the time was working as a consultant. She tracked Equiline down at a trade show in Germany and asked how she could help import the products into the US. Soon the company that started with a saddle pad found demand emanating from the opposite side of the Atlantic.

FOR THE HORSE All Equiline products are designed in Italy with fabrics and textiles that are sourced from the country. While the quality and longevity of the products the company creates are important, Equiline prioritizes the horses’ comfort and well-being first in each equine product they create. “Every product we make is always designed with respect for the horse,” says Molinari. “We aim to help horses and never hinder them.” The range of horse products include blankets, coolers, saddle pads, half

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pads, wraps and boots, earnets and fly masks, bridles, martingales, halters, and lead ropes—most of which can be fully customized. They are also well known for creating soundproof ear bonnets. “Each piece of the bridle can be purchased separately to create a bridle that fits your horse properly, as well as fitting your style” says Molinari. “If your horse needs a cob noseband but is otherwise a horse size, you can do that!” The company also has a saddle division, with options for the dressage, eventing, hunter, and jumper disciplines. Included in their saddle line are the Nick Skelton Signature Saddle and the Scott Stewart Signature Hunter Saddle, both of which were co-designed with the professional riders. “We work with several top riders to test the products and incorporate their suggestions,” says Kaitlin Porath, Director of Marketing for the US distributor, who also works closely with

Jacob Pope, Julie Welles, The Torano Family, Darragh Kenny, Conor Swail, Michael Morrissey and many others in support of the brand. This holiday season, Equiline introduces a fully customizable pony saddle for young riders.

FOR THE RIDER Equiline has a full range of apparel for riders for competition, training and even post-ride. While the company continues its commitment to quality by using beautiful, well-made textiles and fabrics, their breeches have become very popular due to fit, design and performance. “People know our breeches by the little black triangle on the side,” says Molinari. “In the beginning, riders feared breaking tradition with such branding but when they discovered the comfort of our breeches, they quickly became a fan favorite.” The company also produces the X-Cel

safety stirrup, which is a medium-weight, customizable stirrup. Equiline recently teamed up with AllShot to create a new safety vest in support of their focus on protective products. The brand also just launched its first helmet, the Xanto, in Italy this November. Stay tuned for updates on availability in 2024!

FOR THE STABLE To round out their wide selection of wares, Equiline has a complete line of products for the stable. To complement their fully customizable line, they boast stall curtains, accessory holders, stall guards and more to help barns look uniform both at home and on the road. Equiline products can be found at tack stores and horse shows including but not limited to Farm House Tack, LA Saddlery, Exceptional Equestrian, JODs, and Dressage Extensions. You can also find their full range of products online at equilineamerica.com.

PHOTOS: ISABEL KUREK (BOTTOM LEFT & MIDDLE); EQUILINE OFFICIAL

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Equiline Saddles are handmade in Italy with the horse and rider in mind; While Equiline is best known for its beautiful clothing, the product list continues to grow every year; The Xanto, the brand’s first helmet; Equiline has your saddle and tack needs covered, made with luxurious Italian leather; Create your very own custom bridle with the Equiline bridle piece collection

“Every product we make is always designed with respect for the horse. We aim to help horses and never hinder them.” —KELLY MOLINARI, President of Equiline’s United States Distributor

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

DOUBLE D TRAILERS Meet the fully customizable trailer company that allows you to build a trailer specifically for you and your horse WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

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December 2023/January 2024

PHOTOS: TKTKTKTTKTKKTKT

SafeTack 2 Horse Gooseneck Model from Double D Trailers

SafeTack Reverse 2HTAG Carbon: The world’s first 3D-printed horse trailer from Double D Trailers, debuting in the spring of 2024

FINDING THE RIGHT TR AILER for you and your horse can be

a challenge. While there are many brands on the market, few offer the customization options that many horse owners need. Brad Heath and Double D Trailers are changing the trailer game. “We work with customers on an individual basis to create the trailer of their dreams,” Heath, the founder and designer of Double D Trailers tells The Plaid Horse.

The company was founded in 1994 in Pink Hill, NC, and was originally focused on farm equipment such as hay balers, horse feed, and tack. While they did have trailers available at the time, their inventory wasn’t nearly as vast as it would later become. “With the trailers, I found that if customers wanted a blue one, I had a green one, but if I had a green one, they wanted a blue one,” says Heath. “It was hard to always have what people were looking for and it was too expensive to ship trailers in.” PHOTOS: TKTKTKTTKTKKTKT

With this experience, Heath and his father started thinking about building the trailers themselves. “We thought it was a crazy idea at the time,” says Heath. But in 1997, they built their very first trailer. Ten years later, they liquidated all of their agricultural inventory, got out of the farm equipment and put everything towards building customer trailers. The business got so big that in 2009, they moved into a 52,000-square-foot facility in an effort to keep up with their booming business.

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SPOTLIGHT

Manufacturing is now based in Wisconsin to accommodate sales on both East and West Coasts, while designing is strictly online. “We sell more trailers in California than any other state,” says Heath. “It made sense for us to move manufacturing somewhere more central to make our trailers accessible no matter where you lived in the United States.”

FROM TOP:

Double D Trailers SafeTack 1 Horse Bumper Pull Model; Brad Heath, founder and designer of Double D Trailers

DESIGNING YOUR DREAM TRAILER Double D Trailers has an interactive website that presents design choices in a manner that everyone can comprehend. You can choose from a one to fourhorse trailer, with or without a tack room, as well as bumper pull or gooseneck. There are even options to add a living quarters in your trailer. Each trailer is specifically designed for horses and includes certain features that not only take horse safety into account, but also handler safety. The average cost of a customer trailer is around $60,000, however, the company does offer financing options for buyers. Typically, a customer trailer takes just around 90 days to build.

“We work with customers on an individual basis to create the trailer of their dreams.” —BRAD HEATH

HOW IT WORKS Once a buyer has chosen all of the custom options they want for their trailer, the team at Double D will contact them directly via text or email. “The website is detailed enough so that the first thing we do is have you build it out online yourself,” says Heath. “Then the sales team will contact you.” Since Double D Trailers only works with direct customer orders, the sales team is trained to ask all the right questions to make sure customers receive exactly what they’re looking for, such as horse size or what type of vehicle you plan to use for hauling. Why no phone calls? Heath says it’s the best way to make sure a customer gets what they want. “We prefer to keep a written record of all communication to ensure all details are completed,” he says. “However, we do a tremendous amount of Zoom calls to make sure that every detail we’ve ever discussed is accounted for and correct.”

WHERE TO FIND THEM Double D Trailers does not have a showroom, but they do have an option

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on their website called “Buyer Connect” where you can search for customers in your area who may have a trailer to show you. They also have an online forum where customers can interact with people who have previously purchased a trailer from Double D. In addition to the information on their website about their trailers specifically, the company also has several articles to educate trailer buyers on the product in general. “We have an email list that provides trailer owners and potential buyers with anything they would ever need to know about trailers,” says Heath. The company has taken the amount of knowledge they’ve built over the years and applied it to their trailers for optimum safety for all. “We discovered that aluminum isn’t the best for roofing and ﬂoors because it conducts heat,” says Heath. “So we use Gavilite—it’s durable and aids in a better environment for the horse.”

December 2023/January 2024

The company strives to use materials that ﬂex where horses need it most, such as potential spots where a horse may rear in a trailer as well as kick. Through their research, they’ve also discovered that horses prefer to travel in reverse, so the company offers the option for a “reverse load” trailer to ensure comfortable travel for the horses.

TRAILER INNOVATION While the company has great success with their trailers, they’re looking to the future of hauling by designing a 3-D printed trailer. The polycarbonate trailer is set to be a first-of-its-kind smart trailer, offering a magnetometer for vibration and noise as well as a thermal camera. The prototype for the trailer is set to be revealed in Spring 2024. For more information on Double D Trailers or to design your very own trailer, visit www.doubledtrailers.com.

BREAKTHROUGH MENTAL STRATEGIES with Nancy Dye Free Mental Skills Coaching

For any rider or trainer considering my 1:1 coaching program; Nancy Dye Equestrian Rockstar Peak Performance Bootcamp. Mental Skills Coach

EQUESTRIAN ROCKSTAR BRAND AMBASSADOR, KATE EGAN, on her coaching sessions Before coaching; a.) I was a perfectionist. b.) I was an overthinker. c.) I was stressed.

How were the above problems impacting your life?

a.) If something was not perfect in my round, I would beat myself up about it. It would be hard for me to turn around my emotions for the next round. b.) I would think things I said or did would cause others to dramatically change their viewpoints about me. Additionally, I would think if someone saw a mess up in my round they would believe I was a bad rider or not worthy of a catch ride. c.) I felt that I had many responsibilities that I could not handle. I felt that I was unable to get them all done, and that idea scared me.

What finally had you say “enough is enough” that inspired you to work with Nancy Dye? All of my problems started to affect my mental state and riding in the show ring. I felt less confident, I was always crying, and I wasn’t feeling myself. I knew I needed to get back to who I truly was and become the strongest rider I knew I could be.

Photo by Andrew Ryback

One of my favorite aspects of coaching was not only learning the mental skills to be an equestrian rockstar, but also learning to have the time management and dedication I needed to achieve success. Now I feel unstoppable. I feel strong and empowered enough that no tasks or challenges are too much for me to do. I can balance all aspects of my life and execute everything with success. My show and academic results have improved, and my confidence in and out of the show ring is at its peak. Nancy’s peak performance coaching has transformed me to be an unflappable equestrian in and out of the ring. I am no longer unseated in high pressure competitions – rather, I use the pressure to work for me.”

Nancy Dye, a Tony Robbins trained strategic interventionist and breakthrough mental skills coach, shows you how to transform your riding and your life. Become an Equestrian Rockstar with her unique and powerful tools and techniques for achieving emotional strength, resiliency, and peak performance.

Book Cover Rider Credit: Equestrian Rockstar, Christi Israel • Book Cover Photo Credit: Sportfot

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COVER STORY

DANIEL BLUMAN How the Olympian Is Teaching the Next Generation While Thriving in the Show Ring

ANIEL BLUMAN,

born in Colombia and of Jewish descent, represents Israel in the world of show jumping. Currently ranked 15th on Jumping Longines FEI World Rankings, he is coming off a successful 2023 show season with multiple international Grand Prix victories as well as a Nations Cup win, which qualified team Israel for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. After winning The Hampton Classic 5* Grand Prix in Bridgehampton, NY and the Saugerties 4* Grand Prix in Saugerties, NY, back to back in September, Daniel found time to share both his approach as a trainer as well as the structure of his training business with The Plaid Horse.

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December 2023/January 2024

ABOVE: Daniel Bluman high-ﬁving protégé Summer Hill after winning the overall Hermes U25 series in Wellington 2023

Bluman and Ladriano Z being honored at the prize-giving ceremony at the Hampton Classic 5* GP

DANIEL’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS As of press time and according to USEF, Bluman has won $13,744,303 in prize money. Here's some 2023 highlights: WITH LADRIANO Z • Winner, $425,000 CSI5* Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, Winter Equestrian Festival 9

• Winner, Hampton Classic Grand Prix • Nations Cup victory to help Israel qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics

WITH GEMMA W • Winner, World Cup in Toronto • 2nd, World Cup in Lexington • Winner, $75,900 CND MLSJ IND

Competition, American Gold Cup

• Winner, $300,000 FEI CSI4*

Grand Prix, HITS on the Hudson VIII

• Winner, $425,000 Longines HC

Grand Prix-CSI5*, The Hampton Classic

• Winner, $146,000 CSI 5* Adequate WEF Challenge Round 12, Winter Equestrian Festival 12

WITH CACHEMIRE DE BRAIZE • Winner, $76,000 CND Grand Prix 1.45 m, American Gold Cup

• Winner, $30,000 Grand Prix of Princeton, Princeton Summer Welcome

• Winner, $38,700 1.45 m, Old Salem Farm May II

• Winner, $77,300 FEI 1.45 m Grand Prix, TerraNova Hunter Jumper 1

• Winner, $38,700 1.45 m Welcome, Split Rock Sarasota

WITH LADY APPLAUS • Winner, $200 7 Year old Jumper, HITS on the Hudson VIII

WITH CORBIE V.V. • 2nd, $145,100 FEI CSI 3*

Grand Prix, Traverse City Spring Horse Show

• 2nd, $30,000 Grand Prix of

Princeton, Princeton Summer Welcome

• 5th, $77,300 Grand Prix CSI 2* FEI, Great Lakes Equestrian Festival VI

PHOTO: KIND MEDIA LLC

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

COVER STORY

RIGHT: Bluman Equestrian

trainer Aline Domaingo training Clarissa LoCascio at Wellington 2023

THE PLAID HORSE: How is Bluman

Equestrian set up?

BLUMAN: Bluman Equestrian is set on three pillars. 1 - Sport: I became a professional to chase my dream of competing and to become as successful as I could at the highest level of the sport. I’m living out that dream and it continues to be my main motivation. I have a great team of grooms, managers, veterinarians, farriers, fitness trainers, partners, and mentors around me that share my passion for show jumping and have dedicated their lives to become world class professionals in their respective fields. For that I am very grateful—as we all know, it takes a village. 2 - Training Program: I enjoy being able to share my expertise from competing at the top level of the sport and mentoring my students with the knowledge I’ve gained from some of the best horsemen in the industry and my own experience. Regardless of their level, our shared goal is to ensure students are enjoying the sport while reaching their objectives. 3 - Development of young horses: When I learned how to select and develop young horses, my professional career took off. I enjoy that process a lot and have seen it come to fruition with the horses at the top of my string that were all produced within Bluman Equestrian. We have facilities in both Belgium and Colombia with team members in place who focus exclusively on young horse development.

How is your training business structured? I am very proud of our training program. We have a structure in place to teach riders from young beginners all the way up to the five-star level. We separated those levels into two training programs, Blue Star Equestrian and Bluman Equestrian. Our program at Blue Star Equestrian, based in Long Island, NY and Wellington, FL, starts youngsters in the sport from ponies, to hunters and equitation, up to the lower jumper divisions. Pamela Polk and Katie Brown run the training program and have been doing an outstanding job. Our training program at Bluman Equestrian, I run with trainer Aline Domaingo, my brother Steven and my cousins, Mark and Ilan. We operate out of various facilities: North Salem, NY, from spring to fall, Belgium for shows in

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BELOW LEFT: Alexa Schwitzer and Daniel walking the course at the CSI 5*/1* in Dinard 2022 BELOW RIGHT: Liam Gaspar and Domaingo after Liam won the Children’s Classic, Champion of that division and a Style award at Princeton CENTER: Bluman and Ladriano

Z being honoured at the prize-giving ceremony at the Hampton Classic for winning the 5* Grand Prix

Europe, and winters at our two facilities in Palm Beach Point and Wellington, FL. Ilan bases out of Florida all year round and hence enables clients who live in Florida to ride and compete during all seasons. The Bluman Equestrian training program focuses on jumpers, helping our clients reach their goals by designing a strategy and tailoring a plan to fit their individual needs and characteristics. We utilize our global network to match them with suitable horses and guide them toward becoming not only better riders and competitors, but also true horsemen.

You have had a very successful year and have brought young riders to a considerable level. How do you balance your own sport and training students? With an intense international show schedule and not much time in between, I have a great team of professionals that work with me to develop young riders. Aline is my right hand in the day-to-day training roles for our clients.

December 2023/January 2024

She is a fantastic coach with an extensive equestrian background who enjoys working with clients in a well-established routine to meet objectives we set together, which ensures a show schedule tailored for students all year around and allows me to follow my own schedule but being in constant communication about what is going on. Steven and Mark train some of our clients as well, but are mainly involved in the development of our young, up-andcoming horses. Together with Aline and my family, we have created a completely integrated program. We all have our roles but work together as a team, stepping in and out as needed. Our team, as well as the sport, continues to grow and get better all the time. I get the opportunity to go to the best events in the world and compete against the best riders in the sport, which keeps me constantly learning and evolving. That experience and insight I share with our program at Bluman Equestrian, offering everyone to benefit from it. PHOTOS: KAITLYN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP)

“Regardless of their level, our shared goal is to ensure students are enjoying the sport while reaching their objectives.” —DANIEL BLUMAN

Hallie Grimes and Domaingo recapping after a class at WEF

What do you think are important things to consider for young people who want to make it big in the sport?

Train at the best program you can get access to, a program with a track record and a dedicated group of professionals that want the best for you and enjoy doing what they do. To anyone young, I advise them to focus on the basics and the day-to-day work with your horses. Make intermediate, attainable goals, which will keep major frustrations at bay and help to envision the long term goals becoming a reality. As with anything, it takes many hours and a lot of resilience and patience to reach any level of success in show jumping.

International show jumping elite has lately been voicing their concern about the younger generation of our sport focusing more on topics like mental health and fitness over the component of the horse and horsemanship. What are your thoughts on that for equestrian students in America?

PHOTOS: KIND MEDIA LLC; ASHLEY NEUHOF

I personally think all three are equally important. I think very often the component of horsemanship of the average U.S. student might be less extensive than in Europe, due to the fact that most American barns offer the horsemanship for you, from the feeding program to the exercise and training program, to how the horse’s health is managed. Usually, students show up to ride and train and might not see what’s going on behind the scenes as ultimately, they are not responsible for it. However, I think anybody who is interested and willing to learn can always create the opportunity to do so. I personally work with an equestrian fitness trainer, a program called Rider Balance, which I feel helps my riding a lot and I can only recommend fitness training off the horse additionally to riding. Mental health is also very important to me, to handle nerves and to perform under pressure, whether that pressure is coming from yourself or externally, like

in Nations Cups or Championships can be more impacting on some than others. I used to suffer from anxiety and nerves a lot.

Do you think having a solid Equitation career as a junior is advantageous to being successful in show jumping later on? Growing up in Colombia, I didn’t know equitation. The way to start competing was, and still is, in the low-level jumper division, which is how I began. From a very young age, I spent a lot of time riding, learning and watching videos of high-level sport. Ultimately, I think practice makes perfect. The junior U.S. Equitation competitions are a good tool for creating a strong base as kids practice round after round to develop a feeling for striding, position, track and pace. Beyond the age of, say, 14 or 15, if your goal is to become a competitive show jumper, my advice would be to prioritize having horses to compete in the jumping divisions.

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

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SPOTLIGHT

RECYCLEBALLS GREEN GOLD This unique arena footing converts old tennis balls to top grade footing— helping the environment along the way WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE tennis balls and

equestrian sport? An innovative footing that benefits both horses and the environment. RecycleBalls Green Gold arena footing takes the best of one sport and applies it to the other.

“The tennis balls provide a cushioning in the footing that not only aids in less impact on the horse’s joints, but it also provides stability and traction,” Jordan Wooten, sales consultant for the Green Gold division of RecycleBalls, tells The Plaid Horse. Wooten, who rides Western, was amazed at the benefits of the footing for the horses. “I look at the horses as athletes,” she says. “Anything that’s better for them, I’m game for, and this really is better.”

FROM TENNIS BALLS TO THE RING Every year, 125 million tennis balls are brought to market. At the end of their life, they end up in landfills, adding an overwhelming amount to our planet’s waste. The balls are difficult to recycle due to their construction. Derrick Senior and his son Ryan, both

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lifelong tennis players, saw these numbers and knew something needed to be done to change the lifecycle of tennis balls and repurpose them for use in other avenues rather than contributing to trash. In 2016, RecycleBalls, a 501c3 non-profit, was born, with the mission to save the planet by reusing and recycling all tennis balls. To date, they have saved twelve million tennis balls from ending up in landfills. The new uses for tennis balls vary widely, from using them to construct tennis courts to making footing for equestrian arenas.

ALL ABOUT THE FOOTING RecycleBalls Green Gold footing, which can be used indoors or outdoors, is a mix of rubber and felt, which comes solely from the tennis ball. Additionally, the

December 2023/January 2024

“I look at the horses as athletes. Anything that’s better for them, I’m game for, and this really is better.” —JORDAN WOOTEN

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

fibers help with drainage, keeping your arena as dry as possible. This footing additive was conceived and created by an equestrian for fellow equestrians. The odor-free natural rubber is described as low maintenance, assisting in keeping dust to a minimum by spreading out moisture through the fibers. In the manufacturing process, the footing is ground down to a small size. “We did a lot of early testing and arena owners liked a small, rubber material,” says Wooten. “So we reduced the footing to a fine crumb so that it’s not slippery.” One of the developers in the early stages was Suki Flash, a professional trainer and rider, who saw the potential in recycled tennis balls as horse footing and made the initial suggestion to the company to consider this new avenue. Spending years working to perfect arenas for various riding disciplines, she saw the blend of natural rubber and fiber as a win for horses and the environment. Flash volunteered throughout the development process and collaborated on countless iterations of the product to get a footing that met the real needs of equestrian athletes. “We worked through so many different blends. Finally we got a mix that creates a soft and smooth ride and could work in almost every arena.” says Flash. “When we finally got it just right, it changed the whole ride. Not only was there better cushion and rebound for the horses, but it’s a quieter ride and requires less time to maintain the arena.” The mix blends best with a sand or dirt base and can be easily maintained with any drag that you have. On average, customers find that the footing stays fresh for two to three years before needing to refresh anything. Satisfied Green Gold rider Cynthia Harrocks, founder of the Timber Cup, says that the footing has been a game changer for her mare, who suffered a tear to her ACL. “Green Gold has been a savior to her soundness. Since we installed it, the footing is stable and has cushion,” says Harrocks. “There is little dust and dragging is minimal. What a great and reasonably-priced solution for quality footing!” And about that bright green color…it does fade! “A lot of customers get worried about

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the color of the footing,” says Erin Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer at RecycleBalls. “The footing mixes in pretty quickly, so in just a couple weeks you won’t even notice the color.”

EASY INSTALL AND BONUS GOOD FEELINGS The company has made ordering the footing simple for buyers. Farm owners can visit the website, enter their arena shape, dimensions, and location, and have their custom amount delivered right to their door. Installation is easy. Simply unpack and empty the bags across the arena (each bag is made up of 7,500 tennis balls!) and spread out with your drag or tractor. Once spread evenly, your arena is ready to be used. While pricing is subject to change, currently the footing is $1,600 per sac, which includes shipping. In addition to the company doing their part to save the environment by reducing waste, RecycleBalls has also made it easy for you to do your part in helping their mission. By selecting the “Take Action” tab on their website, you can print out a shipping label to give a second life to any old tennis balls you have laying around. “This year alone we will recycle three millions tennis balls,” says Wooten. To be a part of the effort or to learn more about RecycleBalls Green Gold arena footing, visit www.recycleballs.org.

December 2023/January 2024

TESTIMONIAL RecycleBalls Green Gold has been a truly wonderful addition to the footing in both our indoor and outdoor riding arenas. Since adding Green Gold to our arenas, I have seen great improvement in the horses who are training on it. It gives a great amount of cushion and spring when my horses are doing Dressage and also provides shock absorption and stability when my horses are jumping. I have also noticed that the moisture retention of the footing has improved greatly which reduces the dust and amount of watering needed to keep the footing riding at its best. I believe the addition of Green Gold will largely help increase the longevity of all of my horses’ riding careers.” —STEPHANIE SPIECE, Heavenwood Farm

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SPOTLIGHT

BARNTALK BarnTools’ wireless system BarnTalk is making monitoring the barn’s environment 24/7 possible for every owner WORDS: APRIL BILODEAU

THE SAFET Y OF THE HORSE is the number one priority

for every horse owner. In 2021, Michael Hansen and Jim Ryken, the founders of BarnTools, created the BarnTalk system, a wireless barn monitoring platform that allows users to monitor the barn 24/7. The system was originally created due to the challenges that Hansen and Ryken faced in the swine industry. Most of the alarm systems they came across relied on landlines not designed to work in rural areas. Since the majority of farms were set in more desolate areas, they needed a system that would reliably operate no matter where the farm was located. “The technology is designed to work in rural areas,” Maddy McGarry, product marketing manager at BarnTools, tells The Plaid Horse. “It can connect to the strongest cell signal no matter where you live or what the carrier is.” After seeing success in the swine and poultry business, BarnTools has started to break into the equine world, where many of their features have been found to meet the needs of horse owners.

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December 2023/January 2024

With the BarnTalk app, horse owners can monitor real-time barn conditions at their fingertips, including temps, water, power, and more

“The system was created in part to provide added peace of mind for livestock owners.” —MADDY McGARRY

ALL THE MONITORING, ALL THE TIME The BarnTalk system has the ability to monitor the temperature, water consumption, and power at the barn as well as the humidity and the air quality. The dry contact sensor can also monitor power, generators, and other equipment. Each system is able to be monitored through a phone app so that owners never miss a change in their horse’s environment. App users are able to customize their settings so they receive alerts when environmental changes occur. The CallTree can handle an unlimited number of users so that everyone from the barn owner to the manager will receive alerts as necessary. “The system was created in part to provide added peace of mind for livestock owners,” says McGarry. HOW IT WORKS The BarnTalk system operates off of the BarnTalk Gateway, otherwise known as the brains of the platform. The Gateway is plugged into a standard 110V outlet and acts as the primary source for monitoring the power in the barn. It carries over 30 hours of battery power so that it is able to work during power outages as well. It is also waterproof and dustproof. Typically, one Gateway can handle up to two barns. Once the main system is in place, the Gateway can be connected to up to 24 sensors. These sensors include detection for Indoor Temperature, Humidity, Dry Contact, and a Water Meter. Up to one Outdoor Temp sensor can also be connected per Gateway. The Gateway and each sensor can be purchased through the BarnTools website. Each system can be purchased separately so that users are able to customize their experience based on their needs. PHOTOS: BARNTOOLS AND PEXELS

December 2023/January 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

“I think with using BarnTalk it’s really not just an alarm, but it’s also an investment into the wellbeing of your horses.” —MADDY MCGARRY

There is a $49 subscription for the first Gateway, but a second Gateway receives a free subscription. The third Gateway and beyond is only $19/ month. The system is designed for easy installation, taking only about ten minutes total. A RELIABLE SYSTEM Each BarnTalk Gateway auto-tests every two minutes to ensure that the system is connected and collecting data from your barns. “We call that the BarnTalk heartbeat,” says McGarry. In addition to its self-testing and backup battery, a comprehensive warranty, also known as BarnTalk TotalCare, is available for the Gateway and all sensors at just $15 per month. Should anything need to be replaced, BarnTools offers unlimited replacements for a low fee. BarnTools is committed to offering practical, affordable, and efficient products to keep your barn and horses safe everyday, no matter what time. “I think with using BarnTalk it’s really not just an alarm, but it’s also an investment into the wellbeing of your horses,” says McGarry. For more information on BarnTalk or to order your system, visit go.barntools.com/plaid.

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The BarnTalk Gateway is the brains of the system. It includes built-in cellular connectivity that works in rural areas. With a 30+ hour backup battery, it allows you to monitor your stables even when the power goes out

December 2023/January 2024

PHOTOS: BARNTOOLS

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EXPERT TAKE

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU IMPORT An expert in importing, ALLYSON COLUCCIO provides her take on what to look out for before buying a horse from across the pond I HAVE BEEN IMPORTING HORSES

since the early 90’s. Well, I suppose it actually started with the ponies! I started with importing British Riding Ponies from England. At the time, Warmbloods were just becoming more popular, so in 1995, I began importing horses as well. To date, I’ve imported hundreds of horses from Europe to the United States, primarily focusing on horses from Holland, Belgium, and Germany. While at this point I’m a seasoned professional in the importing business, I still manage to learn new things everyday—and I hope to share that sentiment with others that are interested in importing. While finding the horse that fits your needs for the ring you wish to compete in

is important, I encourage buyers to seek out the most amateur-friendly horse you can find. While these do exist in America, I find that the horses in Europe with the best brains are actually less expensive than here. In Europe, they value a little more blood than the average person in America. While they have caught on to the idea of “hunter-izing,” you may be able to get the slow and steady horse for a purchase price of $40,000 that would otherwise cost six figures in the United States. Outside of the potential savings you could get from this type, the obvious reason to buy the best-brained horse is for safety and assurance in the ring and on the ground; that quieter horse means less prep, which means less wear and tear on the horse. I currently have a horse that I think is the best horse we have ever had. It doesn’t matter if he hasn’t been turned out or ridden consistently. Every day that he comes out, I am just as likely to put an eight-year-old on him as I am an eighty-five-year old. That’s what makes him great!

A COMMON TRAP As an expert, even I have been fooled by the rumored “X-ray swap.” I recently purchased a horse from someone that I have

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December 2023/January 2024

bought from before, and sure enough, the X-rays I was given were not the ones that belonged to the horse. Luckily, they were mediocre X-rays exchanged for other mediocre X-rays, but it’s important to make sure you do everything possible to ensure this doesn’t happen to you! Even if a seller has X-rays for a horse, be sure to pull your own and confirm that the name, microchip number, or other identifying qualities match with the horse that you are purchasing. On the subject of X-rays, I’d like to stress the importance of sometimes looking beyond the X-rays. As a whole, what comes up in films is very rarely what becomes an injury to a horse. More horses get soft tissue injuries due to the excessive work we do in America. That’s not something that has anything to do with an X-ray; that’s a people problem! If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend you consider the horse with a blemish. Consult your vet to see how it may impact them long term. Who knows, you may end up with the WEF hack winner at a fraction of the price as it would be in America. Importing can be a super fun way to find your next partner. Just make sure you’re smart about the buying process and find the one that is the best fit for you. PHOTOS: SPORTFOT; ELEGANT EQUUS

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EXPERT TAKE 1. UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR BRAIN WORKS

10 Mindset Tips to Help Us Through When Life Gets Hard WORDS: LILLI BIEDERMANN

LIFE IS HARD. THIS IS NORMAL. Waiting for life to get easier

isn’t always an option and even if it is, you’ll miss getting to the top when others get the hard stuff done. So, when life gets tough, what are you going to do? Be the one who handles the hard and rise to the top or wait for the Easy Bus to come around to take you where you want to go? (Hint: The Easy Bus rarely comes around and there is no stop at your destination.) Whether you have exams coming up, SATs on the horizon, college applications due, a job interview, presentation, work project deadline or you are facing an important horse show or circuit, how are you going to handle it? Success in life goes to those who handle hard well. Here are ten tips to help you navigate the “hard” and ease you through to the next level.

Our brains are wired to keep us safe. This means that your brain tries hard to keep your today the same as your yesterday and your tomorrow. Brains don’t like change because change involves risk to our safety, at least in caveman brain “think.” Our brains have not evolved to perceive the difference between modern-day psychological stressors or real, life-or-death ones such as being eaten by a predator. A threat is a threat as far as the brain is concerned, and we are stuck with our fight or flight response to stress of any kind. Fears or stress keeps you in your comfort zone and can prevent you from moving forward toward your goals by warping your thinking and convincing you to avoid whatever it is that you view as the “scary” thing. Keep in mind George Addair’s advice: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”

2. IMPORTANCE OF AWARENESS You can harness your power of awareness to recognize when your brain is letting your fears carry you away in unproductive ways, and you can reset yourself much like flipping a switch. So when your brain says, “Oh, this is too hard,” “I can’t,” or “I stink at this, I should just quit,” respond with: “Thank you, brain, for keeping me safe. We are fine. We can do this. Let’s go!”

3. NO EXCUSES Adopt a “no excuses” attitude. When you recognize your anxious brain’s self-sabotaging, fear-based excuses—which may include playing the blame game (the judge/boss/teacher/trainer doesn’t like me, the competition is too stiff, the weather or arena wasn’t quite right, etc.), turn OFF the excuses! Excuses will never save the day for you, but they will keep you stuck. Block them out and move forward.

4. E (Event or Your “Hard Thing”) + R (Response) = O (Outcome) Your thoughts about your situation and the way you perceive that event determines your response to it, which dictates the outcome. Perception is everything. Try shifting from a place of, “I am nervous about X,” to, “I look forward to the challenge of X,” or, “I can’t wait to learn from X!” Changing

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December 2023/January 2024

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EXPERT TAKE

your thoughts will bring you a diﬀerent emotion, which then drives a healthy response and delivers the desired result. You can intentionally shift any of your negative thoughts to positive yet realistic ones and feel the shift inside.

4. GET ADDICTED TO FACING YOUR FEAR AND DOING IT ANYWAY There is a science-based good feeling that comes from facing your fears, leaning into the discomfort, and getting through the hard things. Notice the little boost you get from handling something diﬃcult; it’s our bodies releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine, also known as our “happy hormone.” Remember that feeling next time you face something hard; it’s life’s little reward and it is very motivating.

use them eﬃciently. Breaks and time oﬀ is necessary, but schedule them in. When you develop this habit, you will feel the relief of having it all down and simply following along with your plan.

7. CENTERING BREATHWORK One of the most powerful preperformance mindset hacks is using a breathing routine to manage your arousal state by lowering heart rate and releasing distraction and nerves. It’s important to control your heart rate because using your mind eﬀectively becomes more diﬃcult as the heart rate rises. You can use this exercise pre-competition, test, interview, etc. or anytime you want to de-stress. BREATHWORK EXERCISE:

Breathe in, deeply, through your nose for 6 seconds, pause for 2 seconds

It’s easy to overlook the positives when adversity strikes, but there is always something there, even if it takes a mental shift to see it. 5. EAT THE ELEPHANT ONE BITE AT A TIME When you are faced with a gigantic task, obstacle or goal that feels impossible, you have to learn to eat the elephant. When you eat the elephant, you do it one small bite at a time—one word at a time, one essay at a time, one test at a time, one jump or show at a time. And you keep going. Shrink the task and take your next best step, and if you do this with consistency, you are going to get where you want to go. Don’t let the start stop you—commit and take your first bite!

6. DISCIPLINED TIME MANAGEMENT Intentional time management is key to reaching your goals, and the bigger and harder the tasks or end-goals, the more disciplined you need to be. Schedule your days and stick to a daily planning routine. No excuses. Write everything down. Plan your time from wakeup to bedtime. There are 168 hours in a week;

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and breathe out through your mouth for another 6 seconds while intentionally releasing all of your thoughts, anxieties, tensions and anything unproductive remaining inside. As you come to the end of your releasing breath, bring yourself into a mental and body state that is calm, focused, and ideally energized for what you are about to do. Your mind should be clear and clutter-free, like a blank screen ready but wiped clean of thoughts. Repeat one to three breaths or more, whatever works. It’s personal and task-dependent.

8. MEDITATION If stress has you anxious, tense, and worried, and you cannot seem to find your relaxed self, consider trying meditation. Spending even a few minutes in meditation can help restore your calm and inner peace, bringing you into the present moment much like

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the centered breathing exercise above, which is a basic meditative form. A meditation routine can help you learn to stay centered even when life gets hard; the reason many highly successful people take up practice. Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer are three popular meditation apps to try.

9. GRATITUDE Start a daily gratitude routine. Research has proven that practicing gratitude increases brain chemicals associated with happiness and pleasure (dopamine and serotonin), and decreases stress hormones. The more grateful you are, the more positive and resilient you will become. It’s easy to overlook the positives when adversity strikes, but there is always something there, even if it takes a mental shift to see it. Every day, reflect and write down three to five things you are grateful for, and experience what gratitude can do to lift your mood and get you through the hard stuﬀ a little easier.

THE EXPERT

LILLI BIEDERMANN Biedermann is a Positive Performance Certified Mindset Coach™ and Performance Visualization Specialist,™ helping equestrians of all levels and disciplines train their mental game, ride their best and achieve success. Lilli is an amateur hunter competitor; former pro, licensed USEF ‘r’ Judge, pony breeder, and lifetime horsewoman. She welcomes all correspondence at lbbiedermann1@gmail.com.

FEATURE

The EQUESTRI AN

COLLEGE

How Randi Heathman Guides High School Equestrians on Their College Journeys

F YOU ASK independent educational consultant Randi Heathman what she does, she’ll do her best impersonation of Liam Neeson and tell you that she has “a very particular set of skills.” What Heathman means is that she is uniquely positioned to guide high school students and their parents through the college search and application process —more specifically, high school equestrians. Under the umbrella of The Equestrian College Advisor, the educational consulting practice she founded in 2011, Heathman employs ten years of experience in college admissions and another decade inside the daily operations of a varsity equestrian program to help families understand both the academic and athletic side of the college search with the goal to find the right fit for each individual student. Supporting parents is also a substantial part of the equation. “There’s an option on my inquiry form that says ‘I’m the non-equestrian parent of a horse-crazy child—help!’” Heathman says with a laugh. “I think eighty percent of parents select that one when they reach out for the first consultation.” Growing up on a small horse farm in Michigan, Heathman didn’t have the issue of non-equestrian parents (hers actually met in a barn), but she did face a familiar college challenge: striking the delicate balance between her academic and career goals while still finding ways to advance her skills in the saddle. “For me, riding while I was in college was non-negotiable,” she tells The Plaid

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Horse. “For my parents, a college degree was non-negotiable, so my search ultimately was for colleges within a close enough radius to home that I could get back on weekends to ride, but focus on school during the week.” Heathman’s search culminated at Albion College, a private liberal arts school just 16 miles from home. She majored in English and, after graduation, earned her Masters degree in organizational communication online while working full-time in Albion’s admission office—a career that fell into her lap as a result of the honors thesis she’d written senior year. That thesis—Enhancing Education Through Equitation: A Promotional Plan for an Equestrian Facility at Albion College—had sparked donor interest at her alma mater and the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center was built in 2004. (One donor, a longtime family friend, even contributed to name the indoor arena in Heathman’s honor.) Over the next several years, Heathman immersed herself in learning about admissions, financial aid, enrollment management, and the specific recruitment factors that influence equestrian

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students and their families. Then in 2011, a mentor suggested she look into the growing field of educational consulting to help students better understand all of their school and riding options and, by 2012 she joined one hundred other new educational consultants at the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) summer training institute in Swarthmore, PA. “It was life-changing,” she says of the experience. “My favorite part of working in admissions was getting to know the students and helping them plan their path to college. They’re always nervous about the unknown and I enjoyed being in a

RANDI’S TOP 3 COLLEGE SEARCH TIPS 1. START EARLY!

ADVISOR “I’ve found over the last ten years that the most important thing I can do is be there and listen. Families don’t want to dive into this alone.” —RANDI HEATHMAN

position to reduce that stress for them and for their parents.” “Joining IECA meant becoming part of a community of like-minded educators who want to help students reach their potential, so learning that I could put all of my experiences on the college side of the desk to use in that way was the moment I knew I’d found the right career.” A key component of IECA membership is ongoing education; professional members like Heathman have to visit hundreds of college campuses to gain firsthand knowledge of their cultures and offerings, as well as attend workshops, training sessions, and conferences to stay up-to-date on current trends and regulations. IECA members often refer to themselves as “students of colleges.” Heathman goes the extra mile to cultivate deep knowledge about the inner workings of college equestrian programs, riding teams and clubs nationwide. Tailoring the college search to a student’s particular parameters— the riding discipline, academic interests, location, a family’s budget, social needs, etc.—isn’t always something a school counselor has the time or resources to undertake, but it’s where The Equestrian College Advisor excels.

Specific considerations include: “Are we looking for an NCEA program or is the student a better fit for the IHSA? Is the student dyslexic and in need of some specialized academic support? Where does the campus culture feel right to them? Were there interruptions to their school progression during COVID? Is the student a better fit for a test optional school than one where they’ll have to submit an ACT or SAT?” Of course, the end of the process always comes when students receive decisions from colleges, which is always emotional no matter the result. From happy tears to frustrated conversations about having to switch to a student’s Plan B, Heathman has experienced it all. “I got the call from my student the night she got into Stanford and her whole family was celebrating in the background,” she says. “I definitely cried happy tears with them. I’ve also had calls from students who didn’t get the first result they wanted and we mourned together before we moved to their second option. I’ve found over the last ten years that the most important thing I can do is be there and listen. Families don’t want to dive into this alone.”

You don’t have to go on campus visits in the ninth grade, but visit the websites of schools that interest you and see what they’re all about. Read up on majors and follow their riding teams on social media.

2. DON’T STICK TO BRAND NAMES. College costs continue to increase but families aren’t always getting the best value for their educational dollar. Famous names and campus amenities are nice, but it’s what happens inside the classroom that matters most and some lesser known colleges are offering a better experience at a lower price point.

3. ACADEMICS COME FIRST. Most parents don’t plan to support their student’s riding career after college so they’ll need a great job to be able to continue in the sport. Make sure your college can set you up for career success as well as offer a great riding experience.

RIDING RECRUITMENT 101 Don’t worry about acronyms, worry about experience. “Varsity” means a school supports a team; club means the students (or student government) do. Both NCEA and IHSA offer robust competition opportunities for students—the bigger questions are: What experience is the student looking for? How often do you hope to ride each week? Are you okay sitting the bench or do you want in on the action from the start? What events and opportunities have your current show experiences set you up for? Students must lead the way. Parents are always welcome to ask questions during the search and recruitment process, but the students need to form relationships with coaches and program personnel. They need to start the conversations, ask the questions, and do the follow up. (And they need to be proactive - coaches don’t always know particular students are out there!) Academics must come first. It’s no good to have great riding opportunities at a college if they don’t have the right majors to help you reach your career goals—not as many nurses come out of art schools as they do out of universities with dedicated nursing programs, after all. Dedicated riders will always find ways to get in the saddle but the right school fit is the key to continuing to afford the sport after graduation.

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

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EXPERT TAKE SUPPLEMENTS

New Discussions on Mitigating Concussions WORDS: DR. BARBARA BLASKO, ShowMD CEO and Emergency Medicine Physician A STUDY RELE ASED by the Journal of Neurological Focus found that horseback riding caused the most traumatic brain injuries out of any sport—and they account for a whopping 45.2% of sports-related traumatic brain injuries (Winkler et al., 2016). At least 30 million Americans ride horses competitively (McCroy, 2005). Sports-related traumatic brain injuries are estimated to affect 300,000 to 3.8 million people annually in the United States. Risk of concussion and fatal injuries for equestrians is comparable to other high impact sports like football, hockey, rugby, and motorcycle and auto racing. Head and brain injuries are responsible for the majority of serious head injuries and death among equestrians, with the number of occurrences being underreported. The concussion rate is thought to be somewhere between 3% and 91% (McCroy, 2005). The vastness of this range is because many riders choose not to seek medical attention after an injury so that they can remain in competition or they do not want to appear weak or injured (Bixby-Hammet & Brooks, 1990). The culture of the equestrian world

encourages riders to get “right back on the horse”—an outdated trope resulting in many riders not being properly evaluated for concussion signs and symptoms. These decisions can lead to the rider returning to competition prematurely, without addressing the possible brain injury that may have occurred (McCroy, 2005). Interestingly, rider experience level did not influence concussion rates and 78% of riders had never been educated on signs and symptoms of head injury, let alone how to treat one (Kuhl et al., 2014). Less than one-third of the riders studied had a medical professional clear them to return to riding after sustaining a head injury. New scientific research and medical strategies have been developed for post-concussion treatment. These protocols can help reduce healing time and help alleviate many of the symptoms that riders with head injuries may experience. These newly developed strategies include: supplements, exercise, thermal treatment, and stimuli management. As always, check with a medical professional regarding your personal treatment protocol, but these new observations in treating TBIs are very interesting:

While many supplements have been studied to determine if they are effective post-concussion treatments, only Omega 3, Vitamin D PLUS creatine, N-acetylcysteine, and melatonin have been shown to improve post-concussion symptom scores thirty days post-injury. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken for pain relief along with these supplements.

EXERCISE

New evidence has shown that early introduction of moderate to mild exercise, such as stationary bike or walking on the treadmill can have a positive impact. The concept behind this is that mild exercise will increase blood flow to the brain and to the site of the injury. This will promote healing and repair of the damaged tissue and decrease overall recovery time. Physical therapy is also recommended, particular in those patients that have inner ear symptoms (dizziness or vertigo). This can include coordination and balance activities, visualization techniques, and cervical spine and vestibular rehabilitation.

STIMULI MANAGEMENT

Though strict stimuli limitation was recommended per previous guidelines, that is no longer the case. New research indicates that a gradual increase of regular activities as soon as twenty-four hours post-concussion is appropriate as long as the activity does not make the symptoms worse. Should external stimuli be irritating to the patient, ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones and sunglasses are recommended to reduce irritation.

THERMAL TREATMENT

A 2022 study showed that immediate head and neck cooling reduced recovery time by up to 4 days. For cooling measures, a high powered portable cooling system using a silicone cap was used and applied within 10 minutes of when the injury occurred. Though this particular cooling measure may be hard to replicate, the overall takeaway is that immediate cooling of the brain can reduce recovery time and any leftover side effects. The prevalence of head injuries among equestrians is significant and important to address. These new guidelines and protocols should help alleviate symptoms and improve recovery time, allowing riders to literally get back on the horse. SOURCES: Bixby-Hammet, D.M. & Brooks, W.H. (1990). Common injuries in horseback riding: a review. Sports Medicine, 9, 36-47. • Kuhl, H.N., Ritchie, D., Taveira-Dick, A.C., Hoefling, K.A., & Russo, S.A., (2014). Sports Health. 6(2), 136–138. doi: 10.1177/1941738113508073 • McCrory, P.M. & Turner, M. (2005). Equestrian injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48, 8-17. • Winkler, E.A., Yue, J.K., Burke, J.F., Chan, A.K., Dhall, S.S., Berger, M.S., Manley, G.T., & Tarapore, P.E. (2016). Adult sports-related traumatic brain injury in United States trauma centers. Neurosurgical Focus, 40(4), 1-12. doi: 10.3171/2016.1.FOCUS15613

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

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BOOK EXCERPTS

BOOK EXCERPT BLOWOUT! Curl up with one of these five horse books this holiday season

rguerite, Misty & Me Book of Queens • Chasing Dreams • Ma Rides Horses Keeping Horses at Their Best • She Who

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

BOOK EXCERPT

BOOK OF QUEENS

The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror BY PARDIS MAHDAVI Excerpted from BOOK OF QUEENS: The True Story of the Middle Eastern Horsewomen Who Fought the War on Terror by Pardis Mahdavi. Copyright © 2023. Available from Hachette Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

LOUISE, 1984 Louise fell in love not only with Maryam’s horses but also with the mountains and the sea of the Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan Provinces of the North. Tired of the dusty chaos of the capital, she yearned for fresh air and ached to spend her days riding, not in a ring, but through the forest and into the sea. It took three months to convince Narcy they should move, but once he agreed, Louise wasted no time creating a new life for them in the North. She had a new purpose, too: bringing the Caspian horse out of the paintings of history into the living present. From what she could glean, these horses were stronger, smarter, and more reliable than any breed she had ever met before. After training more than five hundred horses in the United States, Louise thought she could anticipate the movements and personalities of every horse after meeting them once. But the Caspians continued to surprise— pleasantly. They rarely bucked their riders or their packs. No matter how much weight Louise piled on their backs, they continued forward, not missing a single hoofbeat, tripping, or deviating from a straight line. Growing up in the United States, Louise had always taught new riders that the hardest thing to make an American Quarter Horse do was walk in a straight line. They always wanted to fall in to the center of an arena or pasture, favoring one shoulder or another. The main

THE PLAID HORSE

objective for the rider was to know when to anticipate the fall or deviation and correct it with leg pressure. But Caspians were different. They walked perfectly, rarely favoring one side or the other. Louise had to teach them a trick only once or walk a new road one time, and they would remember it. They were unflappable. The more she got to know them, the more Louise understood why these horses had been the perfect animals to ride into battle, to conquer empires, to deliver their riders safely. As far as she could tell, however, they had fallen out of favor in the 1900s as locals grew taller and larger horses came into fashion. Caspians stood no more than fourteen hands from the ground. As such, riders over five foot ten would find their feet dragging on the ground. Louise had experienced this herself the first time she mounted Asghar at Maryam’s house. Because of this, she worried she was too heavy for the animal. But Maryam had shown her how to fold her legs and rest them in stirrups against his sides, or how to curl her legs at the knee and lean forward so she could rest the tops of her toes on the back of his hindquarters. With the right posture, anyone of any height or weight could ride a Caspian. And sitting atop them was a dream. No more choppy gaits like American Quarter Horses. This was like riding in a rocking chair, Louise thought. It reminded her of nights curled up in her mother’s lap on their favorite upholstered chair.

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Everyone who met the small, mighty creatures fell in love with them. Word spread, and soon the most prominent families in Iran were asking for their own Caspians. Even Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of Mohammad Reza Shah, fell hard for the animals; he particularly loved that their lineage traced back to the glory of the Persian Empire. He declared them a national treasure, founded the Royal Horse Society of Iran (RHS), and proclaimed himself the patron and protector of the Caspian horse and its history. The history of a horse that led the greatest empires of all time— Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mongols— to conquer territories and expand their reach: this horse, it seemed to the royals, was the key to geopolitics. In 1969, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the RHS and became the second royal to fall under their spell. Prince Philip had been visiting the region on annual scouting trips where he would purchase new breeds for his wife, the queen of England, who was an avid equestrian. When he heard about the Caspian horses— word had traveled to Europe via Turkey— Iran jumped to the top of his list. He told Louise and Narcy that he simply must have Caspians of his own and tried to persuade them to export a few to England. Louise was reluctant, but Prince Philip promised not only to take excellent care of them but also to promote their story worldwide. For a devoted conservationist, the idea was tempting. PHOTO: CHRISTINE JOHNSON

Everyone who met the small, mighty creatures fell in love with them. Word spread, and soon the most prominent families in Iran were asking for their own Caspians.

It had become Louise’s mission to ensure that the Caspian horse, which she and others believed was the oldest breed on the planet, did not go extinct. Prince Philip’s Caspians wouldn’t be the first of the breed to reside abroad. In 1966, Louise had taken a dark- brown liver chestnut named Jehan to Virginia. The journey had been exhausting, both for Louise and for the stallion. But it had meant something to bring the Caspian to her birthplace, a piece of her heart where she had left some of her soul. Jehan would go on to father many partCaspians, bringing the breed’s legacy to the United States. Prince Philip told Louise if she sold him the horses he wanted, he would start his own Caspian breeding program in the

United Kingdom. After discussing with Narcy and exchanging telegrams with Maryam in Mashad, Louise finally agreed to his request. Between 1971 and 1976, Louise exported twenty- six Caspian horses of different bloodlines to England via a caravan that traveled through Turkey and Germany and then boarded a boat in France. With the support of the Duke of Edinburgh, these became the European Formation Herd, eventually breeding five hundred Caspians for distribution across Europe. The Europeans fell in love with them almost at first sight and took up the modern- day breeding program, as they were seen as the most reliable horses for training children. And for adventurous trail riders on the Continent, their sure- footed nature was

unparalleled. The worldwide legacy of the Caspian horse was taking root. From the United Kingdom, the horses made their way to Germany, Sweden, and then the Caribbean. Caspians were bred to Norwegian Fjord Horses, Paso Finos in the Caribbean, and, when they made their way to the United States, to American Quarter Horses. The Iranians were not impressed with the expansion of Louise’s global mission. The crown prince was particularly angry, going so far as to accuse Louise of betrayal. In 1971, he ordered the Royal Horse Society to punish her and Narcy by taking their twenty- three remaining horses. They left Louise with only her stallion and a gelding, which meant she needed to find a mare to keep her work alive. Always the picture of calm in the face of adversity, Louise became uncharacteristically distraught. It pained her to share the news with Maryam, and, as she wrote to her dear friend, “an emptiness occupies my organs.” As soon as Maryam read Louise’s letter, she knew it was time to leave Mashad. The pendulum had swung again, and it was home that needed her most. Despite her daughters’ protests, Maryam immediately put her house on the market. It was not an easy decision. She worried still for her daughter Shokat, who, despite a seeming détente with her husband, still shrank away from him, folding her body in two or leaving when he entered a room. Ezzhat had birthed three children, two boys and a girl. The boys’ faces reminded Maryam of her father, while the girl was the spitting image of her mother. She adored being with them but was also growing homesick. Ten years in the city had made Maryam restless. She was ready to go back to the life of soil, sand, and sea. In 1972, Maryam said good- bye to her children, saddled up her horses, and rode north.

December 2023/January 2024

THE PLAID HORSE

BOOK EXCERPT

CHASING DREAMS

The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion BY SANOMA BLAKELEY Reprinted with permission from the author

At seven years old, I competed in my first 25-mile race. I proudly brought my ribbon to school the next day for show and tell. I owned the title of “The Horse-Crazy Girl” in my class. 84

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WHEN I WAS SEVEN, I got my first

horse that I didn’t have to share with Barrak or my mom. Midnite was the best horse I could have asked for. We were both seven years old when our timelines intertwined. We depended on each other, and I was just as important to Midnite as she was to me. My parents had bought Midnite for a very low price and were training her. In her sales ad, the previous owner had written: “NOT A KID’S HORSE.” Indeed, Midnite was extremely stubborn and had a strong mind of her own. My parents determined that her behavior issues stemmed from her anxiety and insecurity. However, as soon as they put me on her, she was a completely different horse. She melted like butter and was as soft and sweet as a horse could be. For me and Barrak, our favorite playmates were our two horses. I had my Midnite, and he had his Boogsy, and we did just about everything with them. On the weekends, we would wake up early, dress up like cowboys, and sneak out the window in the guest bedroom so the front door would remain locked and our parents would think we were asleep. In our second-hand cowboy hats and boots, we would practice mounting our horses like Pa used to do when he was a kid, swinging up bareback from their manes. We learned other ways to get on them unconventionally—leapfrogging from behind, or even getting their heads down, laying across their necks, and hoisting ourselves onto their backs. With my brother and me on their backs, we came up with all sorts of crazy ways to ride them, sitting side saddle or backwards. Then we would stand on our two patient steads and dismount by sliding off their butts. Sitting on our horses bareback and letting them wander around their pen without any tack, we carried around an old rawhide lass rope just to complete our cowboy costumes. We tried throwing the rope off the horses a few times, but my rope-throwing skills were hopeless and I quickly gave up. Barrak and I dreamed of living on the range. We would sit in our forts after riding bareback all afternoon and make plans of how we would buy a big ranch and cut our own hair. I was Barrak’s little shadow. Whenever he had an idea, I wanted to do it, too. He loved his Boogsy

December 2023/January 2024

and was always suggesting fun things we could do with our horses besides just riding down the trail. On lazy summer days, we would occasionally try our hand at jousting with PVC pipes. Barrak and I set up jousting lanes in the horses’ paddock, so they had to run past each other without veering to the side. Unfortunately, Boogsy was the dominant horse, and when Midnite and I got too close, he would put his ears back and chase her away. When it got too hot outside, we would take our two trusty steeds to the neighbor’s pond and swim with them. Poor Midnite and Boogsy had to put up with everything: jumping, swimming, jousting, and playing cowboy. THAT SAME YE AR , at seven years old, I

competed in my first 25-mile race. I proudly brought my ribbon to school the next day for show and tell. I owned the title of “The Horse-Crazy Girl” in my class. Throughout school, whenever anyone said the word “horse,” I was the girl all heads turned to. Going to school in a small community, I knew my classmates well; it was the same 30 kids from kindergarten through eighth grade. I was always a little distant from my classmates, and although I got along well with everyone, my best friends were Barrak and my horse, Midnite. Several months after completing that 25-mile race, Midnite and I were training for our first 50-miler. The race we picked would be in Nevada in April 2009. To get Midnite and myself ready for the race, my parents would often pick up my brother and I from school with the horse trailer, and we would head straight to the Henderson Flats trailhead to condition our horses. Henderson Flats became my second home. From the trailhead, there are endless miles of trails for hill work, flat work, and speedwork. In preparation for the early spring race, we trained during the winter. I would often finish the last few miles of our ride in the dark when the days were short. On one of those after-school rides, we had planned to train to the top of Gray Butte, which is about 5,100 feet in elevation. Riding to the top gave us a solid 2,000-foot climb from the Henderson Flats trailhead. My parents planned that ride in correspondence to a full moon, since the 15-mile ride would take several hours and we would not be able to get it done in the limited daylight. A few days before our planned ride to Gray Butte, we received a heavy snowfall.

We didn’t let the snow or darkness stop us from getting ready for my first 50-mile race, so we put on our snow boots, saddled up, and hit the trail. There is hardly a more magical experience than breaking a fresh trail through the snow on a horse. We had a fun first part of the ride, but once we reached the top of Gray Butte it was completely dark. We dismounted our horses to walk them down by hand, since downhills put a lot of strain on horses’ legs. I couldn’t feel my toes. They were completely frozen and numb. Walking down in the dark and snow, I was sobbing, doubting this was all worth the effort. My parents let Midnite follow their horses, and Mom carried my boots while Pa put me on his shoulders and tucked my popsicle feet into the sleeves of his

sweater. As we walked a bit over a mile down Gray Butte, my feet slowly thawed and the full moon popped out of the horizon. It was so big and close, I felt like I could reach out and grab it from the top of my dad’s shoulders. I have hardly ever felt more connected to the world and to reality as being out riding at night, the full moon shining over everything. By the time we reached the bottom of Gray Butte and remounted, my toes were toasty warm. The full moon reflected on the perfectly white snow, and I forgot all about the misery of being cold and was completely content right there with my horse and my family. As we descended out of the hills and closer to the trailer, I looked behind me and caught my breath as the full moon silhouetted the hills and

cast our shadows over the snow. This was what it would be like to race Tevis someday. Riding under the full moon, in complete unison with my horse. As the days got longer, so did our rides. We were regularly doing rides between 20 and 30 miles to prepare for the Nevada Derby, and by the time April rolled around, I felt about as prepared as I could be. Besides training for the race, I also wanted my beautiful mare Midnite to stand out in the crowd of horses at our first 50-mile race. To do this, I polished her hoofs with bright-green nail polish and braided her mane and tail. The ride camp was located in a sea of sagebrush, and there were no trees to slow the howling wind. The barbed-wire fence that surrounded the ride camp was lined with tumbleweeds that had blown across the desert and created a natural wall. As the wind came off the mountains and whipped its way around the trailers and horses, we set up blankets to block the wind for the horses. It dried out my skin and filled my eyes with sand. Once we started the race, the April wind gusts just about blew tiny me out of the saddle as we crossed the high desert and got into the Nevada high country. There was snow on the side of the trail, and the north hillsides were still frozen. The freezing temperatures made for a real endurance experience. I have never in my life wanted to quit as badly as I did during that first 50-mile race. About halfway through, I was flung off of Midnite. She had been grazing, as she always liked to do. We had a mutual agreement that she could do what she wanted as long as she took care of me. Suddenly, Midnite realized the other horses hadn’t stopped to eat with her, and she took off at a dead run, slamming on the brakes when she caught up to them. This was nothing new to me, but this time the only trouble was she stopped on a very steep downhill, propelling me between her ears to the ground. The first lesson my parents taught me in riding a horse is you always get back on. So, despite everything—my hurt pride and body aches from coming off Midnite unexpectedly—I got back on. I finished in 6th place and was officially an endurance rider! Only four more years until I would be old enough to compete in Tevis.

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BOOK EXCERPT

MARGUERITE, MISTY & ME

A Horse Lover’s Hunt for the Hidden History of Marguerite Henry and Her Chincoteague Pony BY SUSAN FRIEDLAND Reprinted with permission from the author

MARGUERITE HENRY was in a movie? How did I miss this when I was a kid devouring her famous horse books? There she was on my laptop screen, a slim senior with a tousled pixie hairdo retrieving a stack of fan letters from her mailbox. Marguerite narrated, “When I was a little girl, I wanted more than anything to have a horse of my very own. As I grew older, grownups said I’d get over my longing for a horse, but I never did.” I get you, Marguerite. I never grew out of that horse phase either. It was 2021 when I viewed the surprisingly action-packed 1980 educational film about her writing process, Story of a Book. Marguerite researched in a library, jotted down notes, plinked keys on her typewriter, drove a Volkswagen van, admired a pinto in a pasture, then spied on her husband Sidney as he read a first draft of her manuscript. If she noticed him looking confused or bored, she knew she had more work to do. In the film, Marguerite had pep in her step, great posture and wore neck scarves in every scene. I learned Marguerite worked through at least five different drafts and enjoyed, “revising and polishing a story. It’s like grooming a horse to make it shine.” After her manuscript had enough “grooming,” she would send it off to her publisher. A Google search revealed there was no shortage of sources to learn about the award-winning author Marguerite Henry, but I began wondering what her childhood was like. Could I find places and sources to help me create a sketch of a young Marguerite? What was she like as a little girl and teenager? What was her life like

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December 2023/January 2024

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BOOK EXCERPT

as a young woman and aspiring writer? Who was Marguerite Henry before she was famous? A Chicago Tribune article revealed that when she was a girl, Marguerite’s family owned a mare named Bonnie. However, things were complicated with the family steed. “I wasn’t allowed anything to do with it. She was Bonnie by name and in appearance, but not in disposition. She had a habit of biting my brother in the breeches and leaving big teeth marks. Besides being a nipper, Bonnie was also a bucker and a bolter.” I speculated whether or not Bonnie had equine gastric ulcers. Fred, her protective older brother fifteen years her senior, never gave her a ride, nor did he even permit her to touch their horse. That seemed a bit extreme. Despite the fact the horse was a pill, the mare entranced Marguerite. As I found and read documents written by and about Marguerite, I discovered animals had mesmerized her since childhood. In a letter to a school district written when she was ninety-one, Marguerite described playing with her animals when she was a little girl, loving them so much she believed they would grow up and be able to talk. Although her childhood animals never really spoke, the stories she wrote gave voice to horses, dogs, cats, foxes and a burro who speak to readers not in small words, in small voices, but in expressions and actions so memorable, the characters remain with us, twenty, thirty, forty, even fifty years after reading their tales. I don’t remember at what point I discovered the woman whose heart yearned for horses did not get her first one until she was in her forties, but I admired Marguerite for her tenacity in holding onto a dream and bringing books into the world that were so packed with joy. Both as a writer and a horsewoman, I wanted to grow up to be just like her. WHEN I TAUGHT sixth grade history, we’d begin each new school year with a shoebox archeology project titled “Who Is This Person?” I would pass out one shoebox containing random items such as a Valentine from the 1990s, an ashtray, an old newspaper clipping, and foreign coins to each table group. With great excitement, students would examine the box contents, list each item

THE PLAID HORSE

The author, Susan Friedland, and her writing assistant, Tiz A Knight

and its purpose (the ashtray always baffled them), then create a profile of the mystery person who owned the items. Eager to embark on my own, real-life version of “Who Is This Person?”, I visited the Milwaukee County Historical Society. I already knew Louis and Anna Breithaupt welcomed Marguerite Anna, their seventh and final child, into the world April 13, 1902. I was hoping to find an old map or photographs that would shed more light on Marguerite. Marguerite painted a merry picture of her childhood in Junior Book of Authors. “We lived in a modest little home in Milwaukee and no youngster had a happier period of growing up … Fred, my big brother, used to take my hand and run with me, so that I flew through space in the most astounding manner, like a creature who could glide without wings.” Marguerite inherited her love for words from her father, a man who recited poetry, Shakespeare and yodeled. Louis was the president and owner of L. Breithaupt Printing Co. On rainy Saturdays, Marguerite joined her father at the print shop. The whirring presses and printed materials captivated her. Marguerite’s mother read The Delineator, a journal of fashion featuring serial adventure stories and articles like “Self-Confidence is Easy to Gain with this Home Furniture.” When The Delineator issued a call for children to submit stories, Anna encouraged her youngest to

December 2023/January 2024

participate since she loved writing tales. Marguerite wrote “Hide and Seek in Autumn Leaves,” based on a friend’s birthday party. When the children played hide and seek, Marguerite buried herself under a mound of crispy leaves. If it hadn’t been for the birthday girl giving her dog one of Marguerite’s gloves to sniff, Marguerite might have missed out on the cake, as her hiding spot was so stealthy. The Breithaupt family rejoiced with news that Marguerite’s story was selected for publication. She received $12 for her work, and in a congratulatory note, the editor suggested Marguerite should use the money to attend summer camp. The budding writer took her editor’s suggestion to heart and registered for church camp on Lake Pistakee in Northern Illinois. I tried valiantly to locate “Hide and Seek in Autumn Leaves,” poring over issue after issue of The Delineator online, pausing to read ads for corsets and Victrolas. I was more successful finding the lake, about an hour from my home. Marguerite’s Sunday school teacher doubled as camp counselor in charge of the gaggle of girls. One night around a campfire, she asked her charges their favorite hobbies. As Marguerite’s fellow campers told tales of swimming, playing tennis and skiing, Marguerite felt sheepish, realizing all those hobbies were active pursuits. Her hobby was words. PHOTO: CAROLYN RIKJE PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s possible Marguerite was not into sports due to recurring bouts of rheumatic fever from the ages ten through twelve. As a result, Marguerite stayed home from school for an extended period. During what could have been a lonely and boring chapter of life, she devoured books. However, there was one at least one physical activity Marguerite was good at in her youth: roller skating. In fact, she made it a habit to roller skate every other day to Milwaukee’s North Side Branch Library, a mile away from her home, to check out a new book and return the old one. One day, as Marguerite roller skated to the library to return Hans Brinker, a motorcycle nearly ran her over. The rider thrust out an arm shoving Marguerite out of the way. She and the book landed askew. Her concern was not for her own scrapes and bruises, but for the precious book. She recalled seeing ominous warnings posted at the library about how defaced books would result in the patron losing library

She received $12 for her work, and in a congratulatory note, the editor suggested Marguerite should use the money to attend summer camp. privileges. For a bibliophile, that was an unimaginable fate. When Marguerite, sporting a head bandage, made it back to the library with the scraped up book, librarian Miss Delia G. Ovitz led her to a glorious backroom—a book hospital—where she helped Marguerite repair Hans Brinker. “It was all like a doctor’s office, but far more exciting. In this new and magical world I learned my first lesson in book-mending … Every time I tape up a torn page I glow to my job as if I were

Mother Teresa saving the human race.” Marguerite landed her first job, thanks to Miss Ovitz. She became a bookmender. As a fan of Westerns, Marguerite began saving money to buy her own ranch where there would be one stallion for each mare so the horses “would be as prolific as rabbits so that fillies and colts would frisk about everywhere in wild abandon.” That sounded like a worthy goal to me. I wanted to retrace Marguerite’s roller skating route and conferred with the archivist at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. I found the teenage Marguerite with wide eyes and dark bobbed hair in yearbooks. Her senior class picture lists her nickname “Breity.” Was this where she came up with the name for the historical burro in her book Brighty of the Grand Canyon? Visit Susan’s equestrian blog online at saddleseekshorse.shop to read deleted scenes from Marguerite, Misty and Me and order your author-signed copy. Follow Susan’s adventures with Misty and Marguerite on Facebook or Instagram @saddleseekshorse.

FRONT COVER

BOOK EXCERPT

KEEPING HORSES AT THEIR BEST

A Hands-On Guide to Equine Sportsmassage

A Hands-On Guide to Equine Sportsmassage 30 PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS PREVENTION AND CORRECTION

30 Performance Problems Prevention and Correction JO-ANN WILSON

BY JO-ANN WILSON

Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy®

Reprinted with permission from the author

KEEPING HORSES AT THEIR BEST is a comprehensive, easy-to-use “how-to” guide for correcting over 30 common performance problems to restore a horse’s freedom and range of motion.

MY STORY AND THE ORIGINS OF THE WILSON ME AGHER METHOD I stand on the shoulders of a legendary and brilliant clinician, a profound healer, a great man and soul. Thirty years ago, Jack Meagher, the pioneer of Sportsmassage, treated my own horse and so began a mentorship that changed my life forever. As soon as we met, I was very impressed with Jack’s work. He creatively combined the biomechanics of motion with three specific soft tissue techniques to form what he coined “Sportsmassage.” Jack said, “an athlete should not have to wait to be injured to be treated.” Therefore, he set out to prevent injuries in both human and equine athletes while increasing their performance. Inspired by Jack’s work, I quit my professional career in education and medicine, graduated from a human massage therapy school, studied extensively with Jack, and became his associate for 12 years. I incorporated my own knowledge of riding, biomechanics, horsemanship, and conditioning with Jack Meagher’s original methods, and together we created the Wilson Meagher Method of Equine Sportsmassage. Before Jack passed away in 2005,

THE PLAID HORSE

we partnered in 2001 to form Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy®, currently a worldwide educational program offering participants the opportunity to learn the technical skills in the application of the Wilson Meagher Method. My own career has brought me many rewarding experiences such as treating horses and riders for the United States Equestrian 3-Day Eventing Team who were winners of the Individual Gold and Team Bronze Medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. From that experience I continue to treat horses as the United States Equestrian Federation Team Physio for the 3-Day Eventing Team. I have treated horses at multiple Olympic, World, and Pan American Games as well as numerous other international competitions. I also worked as Team Sports Therapist for five years for Equine Canada serving the Canadian Olympic 3-Day Eventing Team, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, the 2010 Kentucky, USA and 2014 Normandy, France World Equestrian Games. My work spans a wide continuum treating local, national, and international horses of all levels, disciplines, and breeds. I teach an intensive educational program focusing on the Technical Skills of the Wilson Meagher Method of Equine Sportsmassage to both healthcare professionals and people who have a strong background working within the equine industry. I contribute educational

December 2023/January 2024

articles in widely read equine publications. I have conducted and published scientific research titled “The Effects of Sportsmassage on Athletic Performance and General Function.” All horses, from the pleasure horse to the international competition horse, are important and deserve treatment. I am very grateful to have the chance to pass this knowledge on to you. I hope the educational information in this book will be useful and enjoyable so that you will be “Keeping Horses at Their Best.” For more from Jo-Ann Wilson, LMT, M.Ed., visit sportsmassageinc.com.

SPECIAL WORDS ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TRIBUTE TO JO-ANN WILSON It is my privilege and pleasure to have Jo-Ann Wilson as my friend and my associate in sportsmassage. I have seen her develop over the years from my pupil to the foremost practitioner of the art of sportsmassage, to serving the United States 3-day team at the 2000 Olympics. Her talent, integrity, and commitment to the profession are widely known and respected. Jo-Ann Wilson was instrumental in securing the first ever scientific testing of sportsmassage. I am proud that Jo-Ann Wilson made the Meagher Method of sportsmassage her professional choice. She, and her pupils, will insure the future of sportsmassage.” —JACK MEAGHER, co- founder of Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy®

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BOOK EXCERPT

SHE WHO RIDES HORSES BY SARAH V. BARNES

Reprinted with permission from the author

THE PLAID HORSE

NAYA ROSE TO HER FEET , blue eyes intent on the horizon. It didn’t matter that she might be seen—the herd was too far away to take flight. She could just make out their individual shapes, moving slowly, partially obscured by the tall waving grasses. A small dun-colored stallion and four dun-colored mares foraged, making gradual progress in a westerly direction toward a low line of hills. Three of the mares were accompanied by foals, all of them born several moons earlier, just after the steppe winds changed to the south and the weather warmed. The fourth mare was shadowed by a two-year old filly. Looking into the setting sun, the horses were hard for the girl to distinguish against the pale gold of the drying grasses. All except the filly. Her red-gold coat, lit by the sun’s last rays, stood out like a flame against the browns and yellows of

December 2023/January 2024

the surrounding landscape. Naya reached up to rub a lock of her own coarse hair between thumb and finger. It was almost exactly the same startling shade of copper as the filly. Turning to go back the way she had come, the girl cast one last glance at the disappearing herd. Tomorrow she would be back, with a rope… To everyone else in Naya’s world, wild horses represented a valuable resource, providing her people with meat, bones, hide, and sinew. More abundant than the bison, deer and saiga antelope who also roamed the vast grasslands, they were the hunters’ preferred quarry, easier to herd into confined spaces where they made prime targets for the hunters’ spears. But Naya had a different thought, a desire that came from deep within the center of her being. She wanted to touch the red filly. She wanted to run her hands through the unusual coat, so similar to her own head of flaming hair – and she wanted to do this thing with the consent of the warm and breathing animal, not just handle a lifeless pelt… It was long after noon the next day before Naya was at last able to slip away. This time she was better prepared. In a deer skin bag slung over one shoulder she carried flint tools and kindling for making fire, a flint knife and enough food to last a day, as well as a full water skin. Over the other shoulder was coiled a long length of braided rawhide, strong enough, she hoped, to restrain the filly… She found the little band at dusk, when the sun’s afterglow cast blackening shadows across the landscape. She had just gained the top of a small rise and could see for some distance, despite the gathering darkness. There they were – blurred shapes silhouetted against the next range of hills. Succeeding ridges gained in height, verdant meadows giving way to forested slopes, behind which the sun had disappeared. The horses had led her to the edge of the grasslands… Naya shivered in the rapidly cooling air. The horses appeared to have stopped for the evening. The mares’ heads hung low, muzzles almost touching the ground in deep relaxation and she could make out several darker shapes that must be the foals, lying in the grass at their feet. Only the stallion stood alert, scenting the air for danger before dropping his head to grab a few mouthfuls of grass. Moments later, his head lifted again, keen eyes scanning the landscape. PHOTO: DAVID BARNES

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BOOK EXCERPT

Naya settled herself in the deep grass and rested her folded arms atop her knees. From her vantage on the rise downwind from the small band, she could sit and keep watch without arousing suspicion…Eventually, cheek resting on her forearms, she closed her eyes, and slept… At some point later in the night, she thought she awoke. Lifting her head from her folded arms, she checked the herd. They were as they’d been before, dozing in the lee of the hillside across from the rise where she sat. Even the stallion had relaxed his vigilance and stood with his head lowered. The full moon now rode high in the sky, bright enough to cast faint shadows. As Naya’s eyes adjusted to the night, the moon’s light illuminated a faint track leading down the rise at an angle from where the horses rested. She hadn’t noticed it before. Rising, Naya moved as silently as she could, following the path in the moonlight. Soon, she found herself ascending another small rise, then descending, then rising again, until at last she stood at the edge of a ravine. Below, she could see a stream, shining in the moonlight, gurgling quietly as it flowed over its stony bed… Slipping and sliding, Naya made her way down the steep slope, scratching her skin against sharp rocks and thorny underbrush. At last she reached the bottom and looked around her. Along the ravine’s floor, smooth white stones marked the water course… Drawn onward, Naya followed the path upstream into a grove of trees. There, a wondrous sight met her eyes. Oaks and birches encircled a small pool of water, fed by an underground spring. Reflected in the pool’s clear, still surface was the round orb of the moon, casting its light from high above the rocky cliffs which formed the pool’s backdrop. Beside the pool stood the red filly, burnished coat softly aglow. Naya froze, rooted as if she were one of the trees, and stared. The filly, startled by the girl’s approach, stared back. Neither moved. Eventually, Naya remembered to breathe. In the next moment, she realized that she had left her rope, along with everything else she’d brought with her, back on the rise. Still, she and the filly stood motionless, looking at one another. In that moment, Naya’s senses underwent an almost imperceptible

THE PLAID HORSE

shift; the moonlight became just a little brighter, the stream’s murmur became just a little louder, the slight breeze rustling the leaves in the trees became just a little fresher against her skin. In the next moment, she seemed to feel the filly’s thoughts. I will grant your heart’s desire, but only if you are able to grant mine. The musical voice resonated within the core of Naya’s being, even though no sound other than the splash of flowing water and whisper of the wind in the trees disturbed the silence of the grove. What is your heart’s desire? Awestruck, Naya could only gaze back at the young horse, who now regarded her with luminous dark eyes in which

December 2023/January 2024

fear had given way to curiosity. Finally, she found her own voice. “I wish to be with you,” she said simply. “I wish to touch your coat.” Then, from deep inside, another longing welled up, a yearning so audacious she almost couldn’t bring herself to speak. Hesitatingly, she uttered the words. “I wish,” she said, “to ride upon your back.” Ah, the red filly seemed to reply, if this is indeed your deepest desire, then you must see with the eyes of your heart and create ties without the use of a rope. And when you have succeeded in granting my heart’s desire, then shall yours be granted also. Before Naya could begin to ponder the meaning of the words, the filly brushed COVER ART: DIANA LANCASTER

CONGRATULATIONS

Grace Shipman

Kaitlyn Linck

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Trained by Val Renihan, Chris Strucker & Olivia Goodnow

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2023 Junior Sportsmanship Award & Overall Horsemanship Award

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BOOK EXCERPT past her in a chestnut blur and was gone, disappearing through the trees toward the mouth of the ravine. Gazing after her, Naya shook her head, as if to clear her senses. Water still flowed in the creek and a breeze still rustled among the leaves. The moon still cast its dim glow – but the moment of utter clarity had vanished, just as suddenly as the young horse. Shaking herself again, as if awakening from a dream, Naya retraced her steps to the mouth of the ravine. There was no sign of the red filly… By the time she was ready to give up trying to find her way back to the featureless rise where she’d left her things, dawn still showed no sign of illuminating the eastern sky. Naya stopped at the top of a small hill. Better to wait until daylight and get her bearings. Besides, her hide boots were soaked from wading in the stream and needed time to dry. Her feet felt icy as she stripped the boots off and laid them beside her. Making a nest for herself in the tall grass and saying a brief prayer to her guardian spirits for protection, Naya curled herself into a ball

Awestruck, Naya could only gaze back at the young horse, who now regarded her with luminous dark eyes in which fear had given way to curiosity. and fell into an exhausted sleep. Much later, she awoke to the sounds of strong teeth rhythmically cropping the grass on the hillside just below her resting place. With a start, she opened her eyes and sat up. In that instant, the small band of horses took flight, streaming down the slope and up the next shallow incline, where they wheeled abruptly and came to a halt, eyes intent on the creature who had materialized so unexpectedly out of the grass. Next to one of the dun-colored mares stood the red filly. Without thinking, Naya rose to her feet, sending the small herd fleeing once again. Within moments, they had been swallowed by the vastness of the steppe. A surge of wild excitement

was immediately replaced with bitter disappointment, followed by concern as Naya remembered her predicament. Where were her things? Only then did she take stock of her surroundings. There, partially concealed by the grass at her feet, lay her deerskin bag and her rawhide rope. Somehow, miraculously, she’d found her way in the dark back to where she’d started… or had she? Maybe she’d never left her watching post on the rise and all the rest was a dream, or some kind of vision.. Absently, still preoccupied by what may or may not have happened the night before, she reached to put on her boots which lay on the grass beside her, drying in the morning sun.

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RIDERS

It Happens! 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!

Hear more It Happens moments on the #Plaidcast at theplaidhorse.com/listen

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PHOEBE WESELEY

RYDER RICHARDSON

The stakes were high for me one day at Harrisburg in 2010. I had spent the last five years competing feverishly in Adult Hunter Classics, and at year’s end in the finals for NAL at Harrisburg and WIHS. That day I had gotten an 87 in the first round with my wonderful horse Just Ask Me, and went back last in the second round as that was the high score. I really wanted to win. My trainer at the time, Patty Foster, told me to go into the ring on the diagonal towards the ring crew who were hanging over the rail waiting to take the course down, so that my horse Justin would see them at the rail and not be startled. I told her adamantly no, and that my horse wasn’t spooky—he never had been—and that I would go in left and head directly to the rail. When I got to the rail and picked up my canter, Justin spooked big time. Never spooked before or ever again, but needless to say, I didn’t win that day. I was very sheepish and crestfallen when I had to walk out of the ring and over to Patty. But we did win the WIHS Adult Hunter Finals two weeks later.”

I came to the horse show after one of my lacrosse games. As usual, I was running late and thought I was very organized. I had packed my show attire and picked a colorful tie. Cory, the most efficient starter in the history of horse shows, had sped through the rounds and my class was going earlier than expected. I got dressed and realized that I had packed one of my “little kid” ties (the ones that I wore when I was seven years old). It was about 8 inches long and had a zipper that was unbearably tight on my neck. It looked ridiculous. I stressed for 2.5 minutes than realized it was go-time. When I was in the ring, the tie kept flying into my mouth and choking me. It had a mind of its own. The pictures from that day are hilarious, too—the little ridiculous tie and the lacrosse paint on my face made me look like a little clown.”

December 2023/January 2024

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LEAH MATANKY I had the honor and privilege to get to ride my trainer’s fancy derby horse at a show at a time when I was just getting back into the show ring. I was so excited to have this opportunity! We totally nailed our warm up round and finished in first place, so we were going in with lots of confidence for our first round in the division. We had a perfect first fence and were then coming around the corner in this lovely big green grass hunter field, approaching the diagonal line going away from the in gate. I look up into the line and spot a large DEER standing between the two fences of the line! Just chilling there, right in our track. The mare’s ears pricked up but she hadn’t fully seen it yet. I had to circle away from the line and come down to a walk while a bunch of spectators and ring crew ran into the ring to chase the deer away. It went bounding into the trees on the far end. The judge called me over and told me I could start over, and I proceeded to pretty much bomb the round. I was totally thrown off. Not a lot of competitors have been in the ring at the same time as a deer!”

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1 Tessa Downey and Efendi dominated in the PBIA North American Junior Equitation Championships • 2 Kate Conover was joined by Team Kate in her winning presentation for the $25,000 WCHR Professional Finals, sponsored by The Rein Family • 3 Geoffrey Hesslink and Monarchy were crowned champions in the Green Hunter 6 & Under division, sponsored by Jennifer and Roger Smith • 4 Ariana Marnell and Babylon claimed the Overall Grand Junior Hunter Champion title, sponsored by Shadow Ridge, as well as top honors in the $5,000 WCHR Junior 3’6” Challenge

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December 2023/January 2024

5 After earning the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship, sponsored by Steve Martines, Rindy Dominguez and Frosted continued their winning streak in the $2,500 WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge, sponsored by Kate Considine and Willow Brook Stables 6

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From The Plaid Horse managing editor Rennie Dyball, a picture book that encourages kids to accept and celebrate ALL bodies …

ON SALE NOW AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD Published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Rennie is the co-author of Show Strides with Piper Klemm, competes in the adult amateur hunter and equitation divisions, and is a passionate believer that all bodies are good bodies.

Applications Now Open for

2024 Higher Learning Scholarship Open to high school seniors graduating in 2024 and all current college and trade school students, the scholarship has awarded over $15,000 to students pursuing higher education.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2024 To apply, visit theplaidhorse.com/education

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The Plaid Horse December 2023/January 2024 - The Education Issue

Articles inside

Capital Challenge Horse Show

It Happens!

YEARS AHEAD YEARS AHEAD

CONGRATULATIONS

SHE WHO RIDES HORSES

KEEPING HORSES AT THEIR BEST KEEPING HORSES AT THEIR BEST

MARGUERITE, MISTY & ME

CHASING DREAMS

BOOK OF QUEENS

New Discussions on Mitigating Concussions

RELEASE THE NICE HORSE INSIDE.

ADVISOR

The EQUESTRIAN COLLEGE

10 Mindset Tips to Help Us Through When Life Gets Hard

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU IMPORT

BARNTALK

RECYCLEBALLS GREEN GOLD

DANIEL BLUMAN

BREAKTHROUGH MENTAL STRATEGIES with

DOUBLE D TRAILERS

EQUILINE

RAMM FENCE & STALLS

How Cascada Equine is checking all the boxes with their automatic watering system for your horse

THE LAUREL SPRINGS ADVANTAGE

SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE

EQUESTRIAN GARDENS

E UINE ELIXIRS

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY Fusing Passion and Business: An Innovative MBA in Equine Entrepreneurship

Desperation is poor horsemanship

Where Each Girl Can Pursue Her Passion for Riding