Elite Equestrian magazine Nov/Dec 2021 holiday Issue by Elite Equestrian LLC

ELITE

EQUESTRIAN

Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

KAT FUQUA

2021 US EQUESTRIAN JR HUNTER & DRESSAGE CHAMPION

HOLIDAY Gift Guide HAIR

GROUND TRAINING

Analysis

Right Equipment

Volume 21 Issue 6 Complimentary

WILD

Sable Island Horses www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

FULL SERVICE FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS

2023 4 Star: The Ultimate In A 2 + 1 Straight Load • • • • •

Clear Coat Changes to 2 Box Stalls Hydralic Jack xxxx Fully insulated roof Escape door with drop window and drop bars • Rear and side ramps

• Extra tall • Large Dressing Room • WERM Floor • Fans in all corners • Aluminum wheels • LED lights inside and out • Plus lots more

Drop by or call and let us tell you the 4 Star Diﬀerence! www.coas�ocoas�railer.com

Twelve Oaks

Spectacular Georgian Equestrian Estate

in the heart of Maryland horse country, nestled within a well-designed and maturely landscaped 31acre se�ng. The residence is approximately 5,700 square feet and picture perfect, from its gorgeous copper roof, stunning interior, to its though�ully designed gardens. The spacious and nicely appointed home offers fantas�c views from every room and from each of its three levels of living. The first floor primary suite and bath with access to the large screened porch overlooking the gardens offers privacy and comfort. Addi�onally, the property boasts a barn, block building and run-in shed to accompany the large 4-board fenced paddocks. Convenient to waterfront restaurants, golf, horseback riding and within 5 miles of 4 marinas. Twelve Oaks is quite picturesque, the gated entrance and treed drive add grace to the beau�ful se�ng. Several acres of mature woods serve as the perfect backdrop to this one of a kind property.

Deepwell Farm

Truly Magnificent 57 +/Acre Horse Farm located along the north shore of Maryland’s Bohemia Creek and nestled among a canopy of mature sycamore trees. Featuring wooded trails along the creek and gently rolling fields, the farm is an excellent, tranquil training facility for boarding, showing and/or layups. The equine facili�es include 27 stalls located in two block barns, a large outdoor riding arena, a massive 100 x 200 lighted indoor arena, 6-horse covered exerciser, paddocks, pastures and numerous run-ins. The farm proudly features a gorgeous brick home with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, four fireplaces, wide hardwood plank flooring and a lower level finished basement area that leads to a party terrace area, perfect for entertaining. Access to the inground pool is just off the home’s sun room and convenient to the nicely appointed pool house. A must see for any professional equestrian!

For addi�on informa�on, contact: A. John Price Pa�erson Price Real Estate 302-379-6318 john@pa�ersonprice.com

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CONTENTS

COVER STORY

Kat Fuqua

November/December 2021

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDEIssue

28 62

Fashion • Home • Art 20 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE For you, your friends, your horse and farm

3X NAYC FEI Jr Dressage Medalist, Kat & Dream Girl photo by

EXCEPTIONALLY EQUESTRIAN 28 Cool Stuﬀ! 30 Jewelry & Accessories 32 Cater to your Canine! 34 Equine Art Jane Cozart 36 HIS & HERS Mario Dino

38 Sable Island Drew Dogge� Photographer 40 Art & An�ques with Dr. Lori Sterling Silver Tips

Training, Tack & Showing

38 Side Saddle Appointments 62 TRAINING with the Ball 68 Right Equipment For Ground Training 70 KAT’S Korner

Equine Health

46 EQUINE Chiroprac�c Care 50 Hair Analysis 52 Dominant Sides 56 STEFFEN PETERS Conquers Humidity 16

72 TRAILERS From Your Horse’s Point of View 74 EQUINE Liability Signs 76 CRAFT PROJECT Personalize Your Jacket 78 TACK BOX Your source for services & great retail ﬁnds! www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

ELITE

Ranked 7 out of 15 WORLDWIDE Equine Magazines To Watch

EQUESTRIAN

Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

Published since 2008 Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. Ralph Waldo Emerson

According To Feedspot blog

For Media Kit including Print & Social Media Packages email: info@EliteEquestrian.us View current and all previous issues on our web site: www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com info@EliteEquestrian.us Main Oﬃce, Ocala, Florida: 352-304-8938 PUBLISHER Bill Vander Brink Bill@EliteEquestrian.us EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Noelle Vander Brink Creative Editor: RSD Media Group, Raymond S. Di Maria Art & Antiques Editor: Dr. Lori Verderame Equine Art Editor: Jeanne Chisholm Fashion Editor: LA Sokolowski Legal Editor: Avery S. Chapman,Esquire CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alessandra Deerinck Kat Fuqua Kimbrell Hines Karin Matey

Lynn Palm Tom Scheve R. Stalman Pie Truono

GRAPHICS Fran Sherman

On the cover... Kat Fuqua, 2021 USEF mul�ple Hunter and USDF FEI Dressage Champion. See page 43 Photo by SusanJS�ckle.com

ADVERTISING Advertising Sales, N.E.Region: Kathy Dress 610-420-9964 kdress@ptd.net Advertising Sales, S.E. Region Karen Eagle 352-812-1142 Advertising Sales, National: Diane Holt 713-408-8114 diane@eliteequestrian.us CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Caillin Boyle J. MacNeill Paws and Rewind Susan J. Stickle

ELITE

EQUESTRIAN

Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

KAT FUQUA

2021 US EQUESTRIAN JR HUNTER & DRESSAGE CHAMPION

HOLIDAY Gift Guide HAIR

GROUND TRAINING

Analysis

Right Equipment

Volume 21 Issue 6 Complimentary

WILD

Sable Island Horses www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. It if keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. - Ronald Reagan 1986

Copyright © 2020 Elite Equestrian is a registered trademark owned by Elite Equestrian LLC. No article, photo, or part of this publication may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission of the publisher. Management reserves the right to approve or refuse any advertiser or contribution for any reason. EE does not endorse any product or advertiser and is not responsible for accuracy of info/opinions provided by advertisers or article content. Photographs are submitted by writers of each article who assume responsibility for usage approval.

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

HolidayGift Guide Custom Horse Hair Jewelry

Da Brim Equestrian Endurance Helmet Brim

Fashionable visors h�ps://dabrim.com/ See our ad page 75 h�p://ponylocks.com See our ad page 23

SNAG A PAIR ... of limited edi�on Dreamers & Schemers Pair & a Spare Boot Socks! Buy 2 packs and automa�cally receive a 3rd SPARE set free! (Each pack comes with a matching pair and a fun single spare!) $15.95 a pack.

HIGH FASHION

For Your Furry Friend

Cabachon suede with Turquoise collar h�ps://www.auburndirect.com See our ad page 33

Dreamersnschemers.com See our ad page 27

Bullet Blues

Equine Consignments! Great selec�on of saddles, tack, boots, home items and more. Free trial on saddles. See our ad on page 78 www.GoodAppleEquine

... jeans are made in the USA with American made material. Featured here are the popular “Bombshell” bootcut jeans for ladies in the indigo and light washes. H�ps://BulletBluesCa.com See our ad page 23

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�� Great gift ideas!

THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!

Over 120 diﬀerent charms available for your Mane Jane Spur Straps- Only $29.95 a pair. Save an addi�onal $5 when you purchase socks and straps together.

Alexis Kletjian’s ... is Diamond owned and andoperated Emeraldby 2 life long equestriansNECKLACE on a mission to HORSESHOE create fashionable, functional and affordable apparel for the modern equestrian athlete. Free Exchanges!

See our ad page 27 Dreamersnschemers.com www.alexiskletjian.com See our ad page 23

WINGS OF WIND

HORSE THEMED HOLIDAY TABLEWARE

Do you have your table wear ready for this holiday season?

jenuinelyjeni.com See our ad page 75

Perfect tableware for your family gathering this holiday season. Great for everyday use during the holiday season or for entertaining! Stop in Tack Shack of Ocala to get these beau�ful pieces for this holiday season! See our ad on page 9

AFFORDABLE FASHION

JUMPER ON PLAITED REINS

Func�onal and stylish for the modern equestrian athlete. FreeUse Exchanges! code: Elite

Medium Pendant in Sterling Silver New Series!! TO SAVE ON Only at Use code: Elite TempiDesignStudio.com To saveNEXT on your PURCHASE! YOUR See our ad page 27 next purchase! freerideequestrian.com �� See our ad page 21

https://freerideequestrian.com Info@freerideequestrian.com www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Great gift ideas!

Alexis Kletjian’s Diamond and Emerald

THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!

HORSESHOE NECKLACE

Over 120 diﬀerent charms available for your Mane Jane Spur Straps- Only $29.95 a pair. Save an addi�onal $5 when you purchase socks and straps together. See our ad page 27 Dreamersnschemers.com www.alexiskletjian.com See our ad page 23

HORSE THEMED HOLIDAY TABLEWARE

WINGS OF WIND

Do you have your table wear ready for this holiday season?

jenuinelyjeni.com See our ad page 75

JUMPER ON PLAITED REINS

AFFORDABLE FASHION Func�onal and stylish for the modern equestrian athlete. Free Exchanges! Use code: Elite To save on your next purchase!

Medium Pendant in Sterling Silver New Series!! Only at TempiDesignStudio.com See our ad page 27

freerideequestrian.com See our ad page 21

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Keep a piece of your beloved friend with you always with a custom piece of horse hair jewelry made from your own horse’s tail. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from including pieces adorned with silver engraveable tubing.

www.ponylocks.com

Call 919-961-1841 for a brochure Gift Certiﬁcates Available Inquiries welcome at ponylocks@yahoo.com

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Make your loved ones happy this holiday season

SERGEANT RECKLESS

LAY-FLAT HOSE QUICKREEL

EZ SIGNS

Sergeant Reckless: Hero War Horse is the true story

This “one of a kind” reel makes deployment and retrieval of 1.5” or 2” irriga�on hose a very quick and simple process!! See our ad page 33 BigSprinkler.com

10% OFF & Free shipping! of an amazing pack horse who served with the Marines during the Korean War. Her job was to carry ammuni�on up steep, rugged terrain to the Recoilless Riﬂe ﬁring sta�on and then bring wounded Marines back down to safety. To order: author@LorensReadingRoom.com See our ad page 79

1-800-640-8180 See our ad on page 33 www.EZSignsOnline.com

BASKET OF FAVORITES “Basket of Favorites” from $74. Customiza�on available. www.gi�horsebaskets.com See our ad page 75

BEST ON-THE-GO

PASTURE VACUUMS KEEP YOUR HORSE TOASTY Electric radiant infrared area heater. Made in the USA. See our ad page 37 KALGLO.COM/HORSEHTR

Vacuums collect a wide range of material including manure, sawdust, wood shavings, leaves and rubbish around your property, in any condi�ons, wet or dry. See our ad page 55 www.pasturevacuums.com 24

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Hay Feeding System! Improves diges�on, reduces boredom. See our ad page 49 www.NibbleNet.com

Whatever holiday you celebrate, it’s always the right season to treat your loved ones.

GUMBITS

For The NON-SWEATING HORSE Bitless Bridle Original Dr. Cook® Raised browband and noseband in Havana www.bitlessbridle.com See our ad page57

100% FEI legal. See our ad page 75 & 59 www.GumBits.com

Dry coat? Non-sweater? Anhydrosis? www.NonSweater.com See our ad page 37

PROTECTING SENSITIVE SKIN

Prevent Scratches and summer sores. See our ad on page 49 www.soxforhorses.com

MOBILITY TLINE Liniment, Hoof Care, Hoof Soak See our ad page 47 www.Vetericyn.com

FOCUS HF (HOOF) And other terriﬁc supplements for your horse. See our ad page 51 800-232-2365 www.4source.com

PYRANHA® WIPE N’ SPRAY® BOV ... has a 360 degree con�nuous spray, does not contain any harmful propellants, has a 99% emptying rate and is 100% recyclable. See our ad page 6 www.pyranhainc.com

REPAIR, RESTORE, PROTECT Great for arthri�c condi�ons, so� �ssue injuries, improving navicular syndrome, and more. 10% Discount with code GIFT10% See our ad page 49

StressLess™ Hot Horse Supplement is the #1 all-natural hot horse formula developed by a veterinarian, that helps promote calmness and focus in horses experiencing stress related to training, showing, racing, or travel. StressLess™ is non-herbal, all natural, and show safe. Centerline Distribu�on LLC, . HotHorseSupplement.com See our ad page 2

SADDLER’S TLCPYRANHA® WIPE N’

Frequent use of SADDLER’S TLC will BOV SPRAY® keep your valuable leather clean, See our so�, supple and resistant to water ad page7 and stains for years to come.www.pyranhainc.com See our ad page 29www.jmsaddler.com

www.op�wizehealth.com

EE www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Whatever holiday you celebrate, it’s always the right season to treat your loved ones.

GUMBITS

For The NON-SWEATING HORSE Bitless Bridle Original Dr. Cook® Raised browband and noseband in Havana www.bitlessbridle.com See our ad page57

100% FEI legal. See our ad page 75 & 59 www.GumBits.com

Dry coat? Non-sweater? Anhydrosis? www.NonSweater.com See our ad page 37

PROTECTING SENSITIVE SKIN

Prevent Scratches and summer sores. See our ad on page 49 www.soxforhorses.com

MOBILITY TLINE Liniment, Hoof Care, Hoof Soak See our ad page 47 www.Vetericyn.com

FOCUS HF (HOOF) And other terriﬁc supplements for your horse. See our ad page 51 800-232-2365 www.4source.com

PYRANHA® WIPE N’ SPRAY® BOV ... has a 360 degree con�nuous spray, does not contain any harmful propellants, has a 99% emptying rate and is 100% recyclable. See our ad page 6 www.pyranhainc.com

REPAIR, RESTORE, PROTECT Great for arthri�c condi�ons, so� �ssue injuries, improving navicular syndrome, and more. 10% Discount with code GIFT10% See our ad page 49

SADDLER’S TLCPYRANHA® WIPE N’

www.op�wizehealth.com 26

EE www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Equine Western and Eclectic

Art

Frances-Marino.artistwebsites.com

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Exceptionally EQUESTRIAN

PERFECT UNIQUE GIFTS FOR THE HORSE AND PET LOVERS IN YOUR LIFE!

Figgy Pudding Hat Silk LIMITED EDITION - Unique plush fes�ve hat silks in styles to suit all tastes! All silks have flexible peaks and 3D features! Stretch fit. One size fits all from kids helmets to adults! RRP: £14.95 Choose from snowman, reindeer, figgy pudding and Father Christmas! www.Equetec.com

La Di Da Organic Scented Candle

Lime Leaf & Ginger

Our candles are hand-made with 100% organic plant wax exclusively for La Di Da Interiors. With subtle, natural fragrances there is a scent for every room. Contains no petroleum based wax or animal products. Made in England and presented in recycled brown card boxes. RRP: £15.00

Kitsch Cool!

This golden pineapple ice bucket is a beau�ful statement party piece on any table centre or bar. Perfect for fes�ve drinks! Gold Pineapple Ice Bucket RRP: £32.00

EQUINE Lifestyle

Let’s Face It!

SANTA’S HELPER BREASTPLATE

LIMITED EDITION! ‘Jingle All The Way Breastplate’, made from plush fabric and white faux fur trim, making it the perfect fes�ve edi�on! Features faux fur white trim to a plush red fabric, adjustable sliders to straps with D-ring a�achments. RRP: £18.50 www.equetech.com

The Horse Loves Me Best MUG

Gold Face Vase Medium RRP: £22.00 These statement ceramic vases are ﬁnished in a gold glaze. Available in two sizes this is the smaller one of the two and is 19.5cm tall. Perfect for use as a decora�ve item or ﬂowers or kitchen utensils.

The fabulous ‘The Horse Loves Me Best’ equestrian mugs are the perfect gi� for all horse lovers. Step up the rivalry with this bold statement mug and let them enjoy a cup of tea before they set oﬀ for the stables. The mug comes gi� boxed and present ready which also makes gi� wrapping super easy. www.ladida-andover.com

www.ladida-andover.com Follow us on facebook.com/EliteEquestrian/ and Instagram: EliteEquestrianMagazine Read any issue on our web site for free at www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com Please tell our adver�sers you saw them in Elite Equestrian magazine! Ask about featuring your product in Excep�onally Equestrian at info@EliteEquestrian.us

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Exceptionally EQUESTRIAN STIRRUP LEATHER BELT

ACCESSORIES GALORE FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE... MAYBE YOU!

baroque

Horse Necklace Drama�c look with forelock and ﬂowing mane, this special design is unique and will deﬁnitely be no�ced. Measures 1 1/4ʺ wide by 1 3/8ʺ high. Available on a dis�nc�ve 16ʺ, 18ʺ, or 20ʺ box chain with lobster closure. $225 See our ad, right. horsejewelry.com

Genuine leather belt with Equetech exclusive s�rrup buckle. This is an exquisite belt, to add a stylish accent to your wardrobe, for compe��on and casual use. Perfect for dressage, show jumping and on the high street! (Measurements are from the buckle to the middle hole). XS - L 35MM NUDE PINK/ROSE GOLD RRP: £34.50 www.equetech.com

STERLING SILVER

Cuff Bangle

Gallop Away In Style

Beau�ful, classic sterling silver mini s�rrup earrings from The Silver Stable. Dainty enough to be worn everyday, deﬁnitely a jewelery box staple. Handmade in Britain using fully sustainable materials. RRP: £35 The Silver Stable Jewellery www.thesilverstable.co.uk

TIFFANY STOCK PIN

...with Dual 9ct Gold S�rrups

EQUINE Lifestyle

This delicate sterling silver cuﬀ bangle is made en�rely from recycled sterling silver with the ends of the cuﬀ completed with two beau�fully cra�ed solid 9ct gold s�rrups. Made to last, this bangle is perfect not just for horse lovers but for anyone who wants a classically Bri�sh, elegant piece of jewellery. RRP: £200 Handmade in Britain using fully sustainable materials.

Beau�ful Art Deco design pin with stunning emerald cut faux sapphire to centre with subtle crystal surround. Safety clasp to back. nickel free / CZ. RRP: £11.95

www.thesilverstable.co.uk

www.equetech.com

Follow us on facebook.com/EliteEquestrian/ and Instagram: EliteEquestrianMagazine Read any issue on our web site for free at www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com Please tell our adver�sers you saw them in Elite Equestrian magazine! Ask about featuring your product in Excep�onally Equestrian at info@EliteEquestrian.us 30

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Exceptionally EQUESTRIAN Dog Car Safety

What does that mean? You’ve seen social media post where owners were in a car accident and their dog/dogs have got out and ran being scared from the accident and owners can’t find them, or worse. Or how about when you have had to slam on your vehicles breaks to stop urgently to save from an accident and their fur baby didn’t survive that stop and broke their necks or some other injury. We have found the very best solu�on to these issues when traveling with your fur baby. The PupSaver works much like a rear-facing car-safety seat for infants, but instead of the back of the seat being a (padded) hard shell, it’s full of polyurethane foam that’s been sewn into thick bundles. In case of a collision, the dog would be caught like a baseball in a great big catcher’s mi�, cushioned between the padded back of the PupSaver and the back of the vehicle’s seat. Rear-facing, it absorbs the shock and creates a barrier between your dog and the back of the front seats, floor or dashboard. Your pup is wrapped in safety during your drive, made for it to survive. PupSaver’s car seats and harness have been crash-tested by MGA Research Corp., one of the tes�ng agencies used by the Na�onal Highway Traffic Safety Administra�on and the Insurance Ins�tute for Highway Safety to crash-test cars and child-safety seats. Redesigned in 2015 to use all of a vehicle’s car-seat connec�on points, PupSavers employ Latch and tether anchors along with the seat belt (five connec�on points for the belt). A company spokeswoman confirmed that both versions met federal safety standards for child-safety seats in crash-tes�ng. For the best way to understand how the seat works, see the crash-test videos on the PupSaver website (pupsaver.com). The website also has links to several videos that show you how to install the seat. The e installa�on is not at all difficult, when you watch the video first before installing. PRICING AND SIZES: PupSaver Pe�te (for dogs who weigh 10 lbs or less); PupSaver (for dogs 10 to 30 lbs); and PupSaver 45 (for dogs 35 to 45 pounds). Price varies by size and type of fabric used for the cover, but ranges from $150 to $180. The PupSaver compa�ble harnesses are sold separately for $30. They are available in four sizes, ranging from XXS Pe�te (for dogs who are 5 to 6 lbs) to Medium (for dogs who weigh 30 to 45 lbs). Expensive Right? No we don’t think so. What would you pay to have your fur baby safe and comfortable, or what would you pay to have them back a�er a bad accident? www.pupsaver.com Toll Free contact number: 844-SAVR-PUP (844-728-7787)

Scruffy Dog Salt & Pepper Shakers

Poochiful Dog Pawfume

How cute are these Scruﬀy Dog Salt and Pepper Shakers?

EQUINE Lifestyle

Designed by Bri�sh designer Hannah Turner these dogs are modelled partly on Hannah’s Jack Russell, Be�y. They are intended to be a scruffy dog mash-up, rather than breed specific, and represent the Street Dogs in Sri Lanka that Hannah has chosen to support with this venture. 5% of all profits from Hannah’s Barklife collec�on will go to a charity called ‘We Care’ that helps neuter and treat Sri Lanka’s street dog popula�on. RRP:£23.00 www.ladida-andover.com

How about some dog ‘Pawfume’ for your pooch this Christmas? Cruelty-Free Brand Poochiful oﬀers a range of PH balanced grooming products including this deodorising spray featuring a delicious combina�on of pink apple and watermelon scent. Containing a built in condi�oner, enriched with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E, this spray ac�vely removes odour to leave your dog’s coat smelling devine, refreshed, silky and so�. Party ready pooch in a spritz! RRP: £4.50 for 300ML bo�le h�ps://poochiful.co.uk

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WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFIED EQUINE APPRAISAL?

FOR PEACE OF MIND WITH THE FOLLOWING MATTERS

• Pre-purchase or sale evaluation • Bankruptcy • Insurance Policies • Estate Planning • Divorce

• Settlements • I.R.S.- Tax Donations • Tax Audit • Lending Institution (collateral) • Litigation Expert Witness

The Leading Equine Appraisal Service Worldwide Since 1980 Christine Rolando,Certified Senior Equine Appraiser

Call 845-494-6257 For Free Consultation

www.equineappraiser.net or horses@warwick.net www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Jane Cozart American Contemporary

Three Hounds, 24 x 17”, Oil on Panel Whip and Hounds at the Check, 14 x 11”, Oil on Panel

On The Grass Study, 20 x 16” Oil on Panel

Huntsman Casting The Hounds, 16 x 12”, Oil on Panel

EQUINE Art

Boots and Apples, 16 x 20”, Oil on Panel

Wellington Place, 13532 Fountain View Boulevard Wellington FL 33414, USA 845-505-1147 www.ChisholmGallery.com

Little Doggies, 22 x 12”, Oil on Panel 34

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EQUESTRIAN SURFACES Specializing In All Your Equestrian Surface Needs

• Design • Construction • Maintenance • Renovation • Irrigation • Drags & Groomers Field Specialties provides personalized solutions for each individual surface. Family owned company for 30 years Utilizing laser grading systems for precision Contact David Frey 440.339.6049 davidfieldspecialties@gmail.com

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HIS

& HERS

Mario Dino: Swing Dancing, Polo Style with L.A. Sokolowski, equinista Photos by Laurie Lynn Sco� Don’t let that infec�ous smile fool you, because U.S. Polo player and Saratoga Polo School founder Mario Dino plays to win. Dividing his �me and talent between two of the number one des�na�ons in America for horses -- Wellington, Florida, from January to April, and upstate New York for the rest of the season -- his nearly singlehanded revival of weekly matches last summer to historic Whitney Field in Saratoga Springs was a victory for polo players, students and tailgaters. Introduced to polo as boy growing up in Buenos Aires, Argen�na, Mario began grooming for professional players and training green horses, which led him to the UK with Jeremy Baker (now owner of Puesto Viejo in Argen�na), and then to the United States, working for Gaston Von Wernich in California before coming to Florida. He saw how America “has great tournaments and great polo all year round,” and transi�oned from working high goal to low goal polo, where the more relaxed lifestyle afforded �me to grow as a teacher and player (including compe�ng in the USPA President’s Cup). Some of his best goals have been made off the field, growing his USPAaccredited polo school and intercollegiate/interscholas�c (I/I) programs for young riders and (like its ladies-of-a-certain-age ‘Mother Chukkas’ team) the young at heart. That his students fly from Saratoga to join him for lessons and matches in Wellington says this much: Mario Dino is worth the trip. HERS: What do you remember about your first horse or pony? HIS: My first horse (the pony came later) was called Spark, because he was very spicy and very fun. HERS: What do you like best in a horse? What do you like best in a person? HIS: In both, I like a good heart. HERS: How old were you when you got your first paying job and what was it? HIS: As a little boy, I worked on my grandfather’s farm in Argentina. I know I was paid but I was never allowed to spend any of it!

EQUINE Lifestyle

HERS: If you had to work outside the horse world what would you be doing? HIS: Working with Formula One racecars. HERS: What is one of your favorite quotes and why? HIS: “Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers; the believers and the thinkers; but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” Edmund Lee

HERS: Share an example of how you faced and solved a difﬁcult problem. HIS: Every day, every thing (laughs)! It’s all in how you approach life. Nothing is a problem if you approach it one step at a time. HERS: What has been one of your favorite teaching memories? HIS: Some of my favorites are with the kids. The learning never stops. So I want to give them perfection in everything and am working very hard on perfection for this business. HERS: Where do you see polo headed in the near future? HIS: It’s getting better every year as more people understand that this is not so elite, that there are lower levels of polo for everyone to enjoy. It’s like racing cars. You can do it without being NASCAR or Formula One level.

HERS: Whom do you know and admire? HIS: There are many people that I have not met that I still admire like (Brazilian racecar driver and three-time Formula HERS: What has this pandemic experience taught you? One World Drivers’ Champion), Ayrton Senna. HIS: I think it’s taught a lot to everyone. We forget how much we take for granted. HERS: What makes you happy? HIS: Happy people around me. 36

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THE PROBLEM: Failure to Sweat (Anhydrosis)

►Can reduce your horse’s athletic ability by 15-20% ►Can endanger your horse’s life during stressful training schedules in heat and humidity

THE SOLUTION: ONE AC* (Feed Supplement)

►Safely balances your horse’s chemistry enabling it to sweat, naturally cooling it down. ►No side effects. ►Does not register positive on drug tests,making it ideal for performance horses.

MPCO- The Magic Powder Company

www.nonsweater.com

STALL HEATERS

Mario Dino in the center of this group photo of the 50+ women’s team he instructs. They call themselves the ‘Mother Chukkas’!

Electric radiant infrared heaters warm horses and owners without heating the entire barn. No ultra-violet tanning rays! Ideal for wash stalls, foaling stalls and grooming areas! Made in the USA Saratoga Polo School is an USPA-accredited facility welcoming all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. Learn more about its programs and about lessons with Mario in Florida or New York at SaratogaPoloSchool.org. Have a His & Hers guest suggestion for awardwinning columnist L.A. Sokolowski? Email latheequinista@gmail.com.

610.837.0700

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KALGLO.COM/HORSEHTR 37

the sun has yet to rise,

but I’ve been walking towards the Western spit for over an hour. My breath hangs in the air, visibly suspended in the cold through the moonlight bouncing off the sea. I place one foot in front of the other in the sand. It’s a slow trek onwards, but one I look forward to morning after morning. Next to me, the waves gently lap the beach while the cool air and the salty spray of the ocean welcome me back. I am over 100 miles from mainland Nova Scotia, and my footsteps are the only sign of human activity. I am ready and excited for another day spent on this microcosm of life alongside her beautifully wild horses.

This is Sable Island.

This excerpt from my book “Wild: The Legendary Horses of Sable Island” encapsulates the moments that I love and look forward to on the magical place only wild horses have been able to call home. Sable Island’s horses are an inspiration, thriving despite all odds, and I am endlessly fascinated by their miraculous existence.

EQUINE Lifestyle

My book - featuring never-before-seen images of the island, excerpts from my notebooks from my time there, and a beautiful foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & U.N. Messenger of Peace - is nearly a decade in the making. I wanted “Wild” to feel like opening a portal to the island and its shores, especially as access of the kind I’ve been lucky enough to have is hard to come by. Through images taken by air and land, this book is my comprehensive ode to the beautiful and bold wild horses roaming Sable Island. Wild is also meant to trigger an appreciation for all things wild and free, especially these last bastions of ecology like Sable Island. Horses are such incredible symbols of strength, might, resilience, and fortitude, so the wild horses of the island feel like the epitome of their kind. I can’t think of anything more tranquil than walking the island’s perimeter, looking for horses, with nothing but the bright blue of the Atlantic as far as the eye can see. Through the pages of this book, I hope others are transported to her shores to enjoy the beauty of one of the most unique places left in the world. 38

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There are two editions of the book available: The Limited Edition Signed & numbered by Drew and encased in a cloth clamshell with accompanying 8 x 12” archival pigment print of the collector’s choice The Standard Edition Available Signed & unsigned You can shop both editions here: h�ps://drewdogge�.com/books

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& ANTIQUES By Dr. Lori

ART

TOP 10

Sterling Silver Tips By Dr. Lori Verderame

Here are my top 10 tips for identifying, preserving, collecting, using, and enjoying sterling silver.

Look For The Marks

Sterling silver pieces must, by law, be clearly marked. Sterling silver is marked using symbols, numbers, icons, and letters. Marks on sterling silver are “sterling” or “sterling silver” spelled out. Another required mark is an image or depiction of a striding lion ﬁgure facing left called the lion passante.

By The Numbers The most common silver mark is the number 925 to indicate the 925 parts silver purity standard or 92.5 % pure silver within the object.

Tell Tale Signs These marks indicate value, ﬁneness, and quality of a piece and have been widely used over the years. Like decoding and understanding pottery marks and other identifying markings on art or antiques, if you can’t ﬁnd these marks that tell you that you have a piece of sterling silver, then you probably don’t have an actual piece of sterling silver.

EQUINE Lifestyle

Don’t Overlook The Flatware

Sterling silver flatware or silverware is some of the most highly prized sterling silver that people have in their homes. Sterling silver spoons, knives, forks and other serving pieces are typically marked sterling on the back side of each piece. Maker’s marks and pattern names may also be found on the back of a piece of flatware. Sterling silver flatware should have the word “Sterling” or the number “925” on the back of each individual spoon, knife, or fork. Flatware can be very valuable. People, including young collectors, currently collect sterling silver flatware and look for specific patterns and styles. Look for specialty pieces like shrimp forks, long iced teaspoons, chowder spoons with large round bowls, fish knives, and other pieces that match a sterling silver set and serving pieces will increase the overall value of your set too.

Patterns Matter Make certain that the pattern name is the same on all of your sterling silver pieces. Look for exact markings which show if pieces in your ﬂatware set were made at the same time. You can tell if your set was accumulated in the same pattern but purchased over several decades by the marks. The pattern will look the same but the markings will be different.

Finding The Mark Whether you have a piece of jewelry, tea sets, or other silver pieces, look for the marks on your silver piece. Places to look for the mark include the underside of the silver piece. A mark may be found close to the bottom of a piece or around the bottom of the base. Marks may be numbers or hallmarks on a piece of sterling silver. Silver marks may be on the underside of a teapot lid or on the back of a piece of sterling silver ﬂatware.

10.

What’s What? The term sterling silver refers to objects that contain 925 parts per 1000 parts pure silver. The other 75 parts in the 1000 parts of sterling silver is usually copper for strength and durability.

Establishing Value Look for large pieces of sterling silver with good weight, quality and intricate designs, repousse and other highly decorative pieces of sterling silver.

Store It Right Keep your storage box closed when your silver is not in use. If you have a storage box which is felt or velvet lined, keep your sterling silver ﬂatware in the box. Keep your sterling silver in its own individual places within the storage box. Forks go with forks, spoons with spoons, etc.

Don’t Stack Silver Do not store unwrapped sterling silver ﬂatware as the pieces can be scratched or dented easily. Some pieces may be hollow and susceptible to dents. Stacking silver pieces is a no-no. It’s important to keep sterling silver properly stored so the pieces will retain their good condition and value.

��

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KAT FUQUA

2021 USEF Dressage Junior Champion & 2021 USEF East Junior Grand Hunter Champion Chameleon Champion of 5 equestrian disciplines: Ponies, Hunters, Equitation, Dressage & Jumpers

By Emily F. Templeton

Atlantan Kat Fuqua is no stranger to breaking records from a young age. After years in the saddle since her 2008 firstbirthday at her family’s Collecting Gaits Farm, Kat knocks the ball out of the park.

Trainer Bronze Medal Olympian Michelle Gibson and Olympic Groom Rafa Hernandez celebra�ng Kat’s victory win as 2021 Dressage Junior Champion, photo by Leslie Po�er www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Not one, but two major home runs, Kat claims victory this summer... when United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) declares her both Overall Grand Champion Junior Hunter and Dressage Festival of Champions’ FEI Junior Dressage Champion. “She’s an outlier” says Tom O’Mara, President of US Equestrian. And outside the norm, Kat Fuqua is all that. In 2018 USEF Pony Finals crowned her Grand Champion & Champion with her large pony Brighton, after setting a record to win all three classes of model, under saddle and over fences. Then again in 2019, Kat took yet another Pony Finals Champion title, not one, but two! This time with her large pony, Prestige. Winning the USEF Pony Medal, an elite equitation championship, she is trained by Jimmy Torano, famous hunter/jumper equitation and international Grand Prix competitor.

NAYC Three Time Bronze Medalist Kat, Photo by Andrew Ryback

Most do not know at the age of nine in 2017, after just days sitting on a Children’s Hunter for the ﬁrst time, Kat earned Champion at Winter Equestrian Festival. That summer she showed her new 3’6” junior hunter, RS Levitation, leading the future path for multiple impressive hunter championship wins. By 2020, Kat claimed once again not one title at the reputable National Horse Show but two. Kat and her unsurpassable Grand Remo demanded the Grand Champion Junior Hunter, after claiming Champion Large JR Hunter. And just as impressive, NHS awarded Champion also with her Small JR Hunter, Consent. By Spring, National Show Hunter inaugurated Consent into the Hall of Fame for Best Junior Hunter. Growing up in a dressage family, it was natural for Kat to take her basic skills and add the discipline. “Use every mistake as a training opportunity!” Silver & Bronze Dressage Olympian Steffen Peters who frequented Collecting Gaits Farm in 2009 always coached. So in 2015 when someone leased Kat a stopping pony, family friend and Olympian Michelle Gibson, 1996 Bronze Dressage Medalist, was called. “You must get comfortable and recognize being on a live animal. Good or bad; you must know what to do!” trained Michelle. By January 2020 Kat imported her ﬁrst dressage horse DreamGirl.

EQUINE Lifestyle

Like an intricate spider web, strong and rapidly built, Kat’s career took another amazing turn. Another Fuqua Coach, Olympian Lendon Gray, founder of Dressage4Kids advised Kat to come up through the youth program. Kat an DreamGirl qualified & competed for their first championship placing third overall in FEI Junior Children’s at the 2020 USEF Dressage Championship. She also earned her USDF Bronze Medal and Silver Medal at FEI Prix St. Georges level her first year out. Then adding to her repertoire, Kat decided to compete in the “Big EQ”, the most elite form of hunter equitation. And why not, as her trainer Jimmy Torano is a well-respected judge at the prestigious Maclay Finals, the highest perceived equitation championship. By 2021 not to lose sight of Kat’s jumping talent, Torano advised Kat to learn show jumping to improve her hunter equitation discipline. Within months, he expertly teaches Kat to take her hunter skills and apply it to the jumper arena adding strategy and speed that led Kat to climb up to the Junior Medium level by the end of winter circuit and qualify for FEI Children’s Jumper at North American Youth Championship with her new mount Gargarin. And it happened too that DreamGirl qualified for the NAYC for FEI JR Dressage. 42

Grand Remo, Grand Champion at Jr. Hunter Finals with trainer Jimmy Torano and Mom Shereen. Photo by Anne Gittens

By July USEF East JR Hunter Championships awarded Grand Champion Junior Hunter to Grand Remo. “Kat has ice water in her veins, to go in last after all the clapping and whistling for the leading rider before her, proves she wants it. That’s what real champions do, just like she did at Pony Finals a couple years ago,” says Torano. Kat also finished Reserve Champion with Consent her Small Junior and seventh of 132 entries for the Gladstone Cup with her equitation horse Itteville. Setting yet another first, in August Kat was the first equestrian to compete FEI Show Jumping & FEI Dressage at the same time for the NAYC. Kat & DreamGirl danced for three bronze medals awarded for FEI Juniors Team, Individual & Freestyle. And Gargarin jumped to Zone 4 Team fourth and Individual tenth at FEI JR Childrens having barely ridden the discipline for less than Gargarin FEI JR Children’s Jumper a year. But com- at NAYC & competing at Medium JR,

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Photo By Andrew Ryback

Grand Remo, Grand Junior Hunter Champion of USEF Junior Hunter Finals. Photo by Michell Keese

Bronze Medalist, Dream Girl at NAYC, Photo by Andrew Ryback USEF President Thomas O’Mara

me so much. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. All my horses have a different way of going. So it can be a little hard to juggle with all their different ways of going, and things that I have to do to warm them up and train them. But every discipline helps me with each that I do,” Kat graciously says. And so you have it, the ever surprising 14 yo Kat becomes the Champion Chameleon as the future lies ahead with only positive thoughts and dreams to think about.

“Kat is an outlier!”

USEF Horse of the Year & USEF Championship Honors

ing home without the gold with neither of her two mounts, made Kat more hungry to work harder and focus stronger. And ten days later, it happened to be her day, winning the Junior Dressage Championship. Onward and upward pushing all the limits, this summer turned out to be the most signiﬁcant career changing season. The chameleon qualiﬁed and ranked number one, for not one but three hunter fall indoor championships, Pennsylvania National, Washington International and National Horse Shows. Kat’s hard work and training paid off as well qualifying for the equitation championships of the Dover Seat Medal at Harrisburg, and the Maclay at Nationals. Changing colors like a chameleon between arenas and in quick fashion, the Georgia girl does. “All the disciplines compliment each other, so it’s not like I’m completely changing…but my parents, trainers and grooms help

2017 Kat Fuqua, Champion Leading Pony Owner 2018 Kat Fuqua, Champion Leading Pony Owner 2018 Brighton Grand Champion Pony 2018 Finesse RF, Reserve Grand Champion Pony 2018 Brighton, Large Champion Pony 2018 Finesse RF, Medium Champion Pony 2018 RS Levita�on, Small JR Hunter <15 2020 Consent, Grand Champion JR Hunter <15 2020 Grand Remo, Reserve Champion JR Hunter <15 2020 Consent, Champion Small JR Hunter <15 2020 Grand Remo, Champion Large JR Hunter <15 2018 USEF Pony Finals Grand Champion Pony, Brighton 2018 USEF Pony Finals Champion Large Pony, Brighton 2018 USEF East JR Hunter 3rd, RS Levita�on 2019 USEF Pony Finals Champion Large Pony, Pres�ge 2019 USEF Pony Medal Champion, Kat Fuqua 2020 USEF Dressage Fes�val of Champions 3rd FEI Children’s, Kat Fuqua & DreamGirl 2021 USEF East JR Hunter Grand Champion, Grand Remo 2021 USEF East JR Hunter Large Champion, Grand Remo 2021 USEF East JR Hunter Small Reserve Champion, Consent 2021 FEI NAYC Jumper, Fourth Team & Tenth Individual, Gargarin 2021 FEI NAYC Dressage, three JR Bronze Medals, DreamGirl 2021 USEF Dressage Fes�val of Champions FEI JR, Kat Fuqua & DreamGirl 2021 Invita�onal to USEF/USDF Discover Dressage Emerging Athlete’s Program

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EE 43

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Equine Chiropractic Care Story By Dr. Bill Ormston and Dr. Amy Hayak Photos By Elite Equestrian Chiropractic care is a drugless alternative method of health care that does not replace traditional veterinary medicine. Chiropractic care deals with the nervous system that is housed inside the spinal column. The spinal cord carries all the nerves that go to every organ in the body. These nerves exit the spinal column through vertebra, which are the individual spinal bones. Chiropractic maintains that adequate nerve supply is vital to the proper functioning of the entire body. Modern medicine has determined that the weight of a dime placed on a nerve will decrease its transmission by 50%. When the vertebral bones are misaligned, even very slightly, they affect the nerves and the flow of nervous energy. Chiropractors call these small misalignments “subluxations.” A chiroprac�c adjustment is aimed at correc�ng the subluxa�on and restoring the proper func�oning of the nervous system. Chiroprac�c thus works to eliminate the cause of the problem and not just simply treat the symptoms. Equine locomo�on can be compared to a symphony orchestra playing a composi�on. “All parts must blend into a harmonious pa�ern, from the gentle sway of the head and tail for balance to the coordinated efforts of each limb and body muscle to accomplish its special func�on. Conversely, also like an orchestra, if all movements are not a�uned to the whole, a major fault should be evident” (Roy 1971).

EQUINE Health

When the horse moves the hind limbs are the motors of locomo�on and drive the trunk forward. Where the head goes the body will follow. Energy is generated when your horse collects its hind quarters. When mo�on is generated at the rear of the animal it travels fluently to the front like a wave. When that mo�on is interfered with, so is the mo�on at the front of the animal. The horse is a prey animal and must have 360° of vision in order to survive. Use a food treat to get your horse to voluntarily turn its head and show the range of mo�on. The treat should be held at or near the shoulder. Twis�ng usually signifies a problem at the poll. Par�al bending followed by backing usually points to a problem lower in the neck or upper thoracics. Your horse may benefit from Chiroprac�c care if he or she exhibits one or more of the following problems: • Decrease in level of performance. • Problems or difficulty execu�ng desired movements. • Short striding. • Gait problems, such as cross-canter, loss of collec�on, refusal to pick up a lead. • Behavioral changes (refusals, cinchy, bucking). • Injuries resul�ng from falls, training or other ac�vi�es. • Muscle imbalance, spasms or atrophy. • Diagnosed condi�ons, such as degenera�ve arthri�s. • Stressful situa�ons, such as poor conforma�on of the horse, various riding and training equipment, performance level and ability of the horse, shoeing. The horse’s spinal column has over 100 separate joints. Each of these joints must func�on correctly for it to perform appropriately. The amount and direc�on of spinal movement is determined mostly by joint size and shape. The neck and tail are the most mobile regions

of the horse’s spine. Limited back movement occurs in up and down mo�on, side to side mo�on, and rota�on. When a horse loses its normal range of mo�on in one or more of these joints there must be compensa�on elsewhere. Compensa�on may result in an altered gait. To return the joints of the spine to normal mo�on, an AVCA cer�ﬁed chiropractor will perform an adjustment on the area of the spine affected.

A COMPLETE CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINATION INCLUDES: • Taking a case history. • What is wrong with your horse? • How long has it been going on? • Posture analysis. • Does the horse have any major problems when standing still? • Gait analysis. • Static and motion palpation of the spine. Chiroprac�c adjustments are speciﬁc LOW FORCE, HIGH VELOCITY adjustments aimed to correct joint misalignments and to restore proper skeletal movement and muscle/nerve func�on. The movement within these joints is minute and therefore the adjustments by the chiropractor will be small but signiﬁcant. Equine chiroprac�c adjustments are aimed to adjust one joint at a �me and not the en�re animal. Chiroprac�c care takes �me, since we are allowing the body to heal itself a�er the proper nerve func�oning has been restored. Animals recover very rapidly as a rule, but older animals and more serious problems take more �me. Some problems are so serious that chiroprac�c will not completely solve the problem. Some�mes referrals for laboratory analysis or radiographs may be necessary. This is the case when problems such as fractures may be present.

Elite Equestrian does not endorse or conﬁrm content suggestions in any articles. See credit page for disclaimer.

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Continued...

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Equine Hospital 24/7 Emergency Care

Our large animal doctors are also available Mon-Fri for routine on-site or in hospital calls.

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THE SPEED OF RECOVERY

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depends on several factors:

THE LENGTH OF TIME

AGE AND PHYSICAL CONDITION

DAMAGE.

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that the problem has been present. The more �me that has elapsed since the onset means that the recovery may take longer. It takes �me to get sick and it takes �me to get well.

of the animal. Older animals are slower to heal. It is not possible to return a 24 year-old mare to a youngster, but the quality of her life may greatly increase with chiroprac�c care.

COOPERATION.

The speed of recovery o�en depends on how well the owner will cooperate with the animal chiropractor who is trea�ng his animal. If the animal is removed from care too soon, the best possible results may not be achieved. Contact an AVCA cer�ﬁed chiropractor today to get your horse started on the road to be�er spinal health.

www.allcreatureseveryspine.com See their ad to right. Thanks to Eddie Esparza for photos.

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GIVE UP ON? Let us be your First Stop on the road to

Some�mes there is simply no repair for severely damaged �ssues. For example, if the spinal cord is damaged by a ruptured disc, there may be slow and minimal healing with any treatment.

Do you have an ANIMAL that you’re ready to

www.allcreatureseveryspine.com

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HAIR ANALYSIS

Linking Diet and Data For Success Does your horse suffer from CHRONIC STOMACH ISSUES or ULCERS ? Does your horse struggle to recoop after a SHOW or workout?

These are just two of many signs of a mineral imbalance. What is the best way to check for imbalances? Your Vet will do blood work and and they will say everything is normal. In a way they would be correct. Blood touches every cell so it has to be balanced or correct in order to func�on. Large varia�ons in mineral levels in the blood would be fatal. Not the case with the hair. Blood or urine provide short-term or even instantaneous readings, whereas a hair test provides a 3-month average or a longer-term reading. The average level of minerals is about ten �mes as high in the hair as in the blood; this makes minerals easier to measure accurately in the hair. What will the mineral analysis show? Fifteen nutritional elements and seven signiﬁcant mineral ratios. To start, you will get precise numbers in milligram percent of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and nine other minerals and micronutrients as well as mineral ratios. If mineral rations are a new concept, in short, minerals have interrelationships with other minerals. For example, calcium and magnesium, zinc and copper, calcium, and phosphorous are all interrelated. If their ratios are not balanced prevents other minerals from being absorbed and could be causing additional issues. That translates to the $200.00 joint supplement your giving your horse is in your manure pile, not where it needs to be.

Story & Photo By R. Stalman Balanced Eco Solu�ons

supplement program. The high iron, in our example, hampers the absorption of copper and zinc. Why is that a problem? Copper plays a major roll in connective tissue, including collagen and elastin, as well as cartilage. Zinc is active in more than 200 enzyme systems, predominantly those involved in carbohydrate metabolism. To correct the imbalance, you would require additional zinc and copper, as well as Vitamin E antioxidants. When selecting supplements, it is important to read all the ingredients, not just the top three or four. Feed, and supplement manufacturers list ingredients in several ways. For example, what do ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate have in common? They are iron and will be listed separately on an ingredients list. Knowing all the ingredients is extremely important when calculating the total daily requirement for a mineral. You need to account for not only what is on the feed tag but all supplements. I have seen clients that were feeding three times the daily requirement for iron.

When selecting supplements, it is important to read all the ingredients.

EQUINE Health

A word of caution about hair analysis. Only use a lab that is certified to do equine work. This will assure the most accurate analysis. Secondly, look at the submittal form they want you to complete. Besides the basic information, they should ask for detailed information on diet, training, how your horse moves, hoof condition, or any joint issues. The more information they ask for, the better the final summary. Third – Who else besides the lab will review the information; some companies simply send you the lab results and leave it to you to decipher the x’s and o’s. Others will include a second summary from an in-house equine nutritionist that will link the information from the submittal form and analysis into a final summary. The summary will explain in horseman terms any mineral imbalance and offer recommendations on how to correct it through diet or custom mineral supplements.

You decided to do an Equine Hair & Mineral Analysis and the report may show that your horse needs magnesium, zinc, and copper but is high in iron (which can cause ulcers). So armed with your analysis in hand, you can go to the feed store and get what you need. Not exactly, remember “mineral ratios,” they are the critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to the success or failure of your feeding and

All these calculations may seem complicated and time-consuming; Is there an easier way. Yes, Balanced Eco Solutions (www.balancedecosolutions. com) offers a unique service that takes all the guesswork out of balancing minerals. Through Balanced Eco Solutions, you can receive a Hair & Mineral Analysis from the only certified lab in the US. As part of the service, the analysis is reviewed by their in-house nutritionist. They review both the report, training and feeding programs and provide a final summary with diet and supplement recommendations. If necessary, they can blend a custom supplement specifically to meet the needs of your horse. The cost of a custom mineral blend is surprisingly economical, averaging $70-$95 a month, depending on what is needed. If you are feeding a joint or other supplements, those can be included in the blend as

Elite Equestrian does not endorse or conﬁrm content suggestions in any articles. See credit page for disclaimer.

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well. So instead of feeding 2-3 supplements, you are only feeding one. It is economical because being more bioavailable means smaller dosages, and no “loading” dose is needed.

Does all this work really make a difference? Yes, I thought it fitting to conclude with a success story.

A compe��ve rider contacted us regarding her gelding - Jack. At home, Jack was perfect, calm, focused ran the course without issue. Take Jack to the show, and he was completely diﬀerent, anxious, would not stand, not focused, just wanted to blast through the course. We completed an EHMA and found a low �ssue calcium level, and imbalanced ra�os rela�ng to calcium and phosphorus as well as vitamin D deﬁciency. A custom supplement was blended with calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iodine, and cobalt to correct the imbalances. Within two months, Jack made huge changes. At the show, he was calm, focused and ready to compete; this enabled our client to win more of her events. She also no�ced that Jack was able to recover faster between events. Now almost 12 months later, Jack loves compe�ng and our client is one of the top riders in her discipline in Oregon.

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Dominant Sides

Improving

SUPPLENESS and

Story & Photo By Dr. Jill Costello Chavers

Agility

The hollow side versus the stiff side. This is something a lot of us have battled under saddle with our horses and is very common when starting young ones. Just like in people, horses can develop dominant and nondominant sides, or be “right handed” or “left handed”. Unlike in people though, it is not focused around performing certain tasks with a dominant left or right hand, but more about stability and anchoring their center of mass. What is your horse’s dominant side? Watching your horse move around on their own can give you a clue to which is their dominant side. They’ll stand with more weight on the dominant front leg, so it will usually be further underneath their body. They typically bend away from the dominant front leg, with the hind feet and haunches positioned away from the dominant side. For example, a left side dominant horse when standing relaxed will be slightly bent to the right with the hind feet positioned to the right when compared to the fronts from behind. The dominant leg will typically be harder to pick up for the farrier and they may not hold it up as long, as they must shift their weight and center of mass elsewhere. You can also determine your horse’s dominant side while working on the longe line or under saddle. Their hollow side, or the side that they bend easily towards, is typically the nondominant side, and the stiff side where they struggle to bend is the dominant side. They will also tend to drift towards their dominant side and bulge through that shoulder. A right dominant horse will bend easily to the left, bulge through the right shoulder and fall to the right.

EQUINE Health

What can you do about it? Luckily, horses seem to be less stuck in their handedness than humans, and there are easy training tricks you can do on the ground to improve their suppleness and agility under tack. One of the simplest is manipulating the surfaces they stand on to make them shift their weight around on their own. This can be easily done while they are on the cross ties or getting groomed. Similar to balance pads and the Bosu ball for people, there is a system called “SURE FOOT” for horses that makes pads of differing stiffness for the horses to stand on. The pad is placed under the dominant foot of the horse, making it mildly unstable and

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causing them to shift their weight onto the other legs, training their proprioceptive abilities and strengthening their other limbs. It usually takes a few tries and lots of patience for them to figure out what you want. They can also get fatigued from doing this type of exercise (like us trying to stand on one leg on a Bosu ball) so if they get upset or very resistant to staying on the pad they may be tired and need a break. If the SureFoot pads are too tall to start with, you can also use a folded up old yoga mat or square cuts from old stall mats to get started. Another simple training exercise is slow carrot stretches. The perfect carrot stretch starts with the horse standing square and rotating their neck around without twisting, keeping their ears level. These can be done bringing the nose to the elbow, outside of the knee, on midline to the fetlocks, to the middle of the rib cage, the hip, and the hock, repeating on both sides. The farther back they reach the more difficult it is, so progress slowly over several weeks to prevent causing soreness or injury. When your horse is comfortable standing on stability pads and doing carrot stretches, you can combine both, or stand multiple limbs on pads. You can also gently rock them from side to side with a hand on their withers or tail base to increase the degree of difficulty. As always, your horse should be sound and comfortable before starting new exercises. If a young horse is not progressing after a couple weeks, or if stiffness to one side or drifting develops in a previously supple older horse, there is most likely underlying pain or discomfort somewhere that should be evaluated by your veterinarian and veterinary chiropractor or massage therapist. Often painful issues will show up first with the farrier, where they start resisting holding up one leg because they have to shift more weight onto an uncomfortable limb (which is often the diagonal limb to it, i.e. difficult on the left front may be painful on the right hind). Once the underlying issue has been resolved, you can use the same tools to bring back their suppleness and agility.

You may contact Dr. Jill for further information or make an appointment to see her directly at www.magnoliasporthorse.com

Dr. Jill is a graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary medicine. She is certified in Equine Rehabilitation and Performance Medicine (CERPV) and trained with the U.S. Equestrian High Performance veterinarians in VA. Dr. Jill is a member of the Large Animal Diagnostic Imaging Society, a group formed by the American College of Veterinary Radiologists, for practitioners on the cutting edge of improving diagnostic imaging quality. The cornerstone of her practice includes sport horse fitness and rehabilitation, building strength, preventing re-injury, and difficult to diagnose causes of poor performance. Dr Jill is an expert in clinical research, has authored various scientific abstracts and articles. She is familiar with the rigors of training and showing because she is an FEI Dressage rider herself.

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Steffen Peters & “The Rave Horse” Conquering Florida’s Humidity with Zarasyl

W TRAINING & Showing

carry Zarasyl with us to Florida to use as skin care irritation prevention. It works wonders and our horses come home with zero irritation!” Zarasyl is used by Steffen’s grooms on a near daily basis in order to manage the growth of any fungus and bacteria that cause so many equine skin issues. When Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, aka Mopsie, aren’t Anything from a minor abrasion to dew poisoning receives dancing at the Olympics, “the rave horse” returns to the a quick coat of Zarasyl. “Our grooms use Zarasyl a lot on United States and to regular competition. After the exciting the daily with prevention and also wound care. We love Tokyo Olympic Games, Steffen and Mopsie still face one this product and have seen really amazing results. It is chalbig obstacle: the humid competition environment in lenging to ﬁnd a product that does it all.” Florida. Peters reports that Mopsie, dubbed “the rave horse” by According to Steffen Peters, “I would say the most comthe internet, feels better than ever. “Mopsie has been so mon challenge that we face is when we travel to and from incredible this season and he feels more competition-ready Florida. Our horses are not used to the humidity.” While it’s than ever before!” Zarasyl is proud to have a hand in the nothing compared to ﬂying across the world, traveling to incredible care that Mopsie receives from Steffen’s grooms Florida brings the horse in contact with novel bacteria and and stable management team. According to Steffen, “Our fungi. Florida’s humid environment creates the perfect con- grooms love Zarasyl and it has been a staple in our day-toditions for these organisms to thrive. day life here with our horses.” Unfortunately, horses are the perfect host for these thriving Floridian fungal spores and bacteria. The prevalence of warm, moist air allows these organisms to multiply, creating a variety of equine skin issues. Fungal conditions like rain rot occur easily in the heat and spread quickly from horse to horse. Pastern dermatitis, also known as scratches, is a bacterial infection that’s more common in Florida due to the excess humidity that gets trapped in the horse’s hair coat. All of these dermatologic issues can cause lameness and prevent a horse from competing. That’s where Zarasyl comes in. Steffen uses this barrier cream as a preventative on his horses’ legs. “We always

Congratulations on achieving a silver medal, Steffen and Mopsie! The whole Zarasyl team was dancing with you from around the world. ��

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Side Saddle Appointments

By Pie Truono

Donna Marron displays a beautiful collection of side saddle appointments on the side of her horse, Deluxe Edition. Photo by J. MacNeill

TRAINING & Showing

Side Saddle Fashion and Appointments Appointments are an intergal part of the art of riding side saddle. The Side Saddle Division of The United States Equestrian Federation is a hunter division that is judged on 75% performance and 25% historically correct tack, formal hunting attire and appointments. The ladies side saddle division is a beautiful event to watch and most spectators are amazed at the pageantry and grit these women possess. The judges of this division not only have to score the performance of the exhibitors, but implement the many rules of this historic class...down to the smallest detail.

and should cover the right leg and foot completely. Their breeches should match the same color as the habit and the jacket should almost touch the saddle in the back. A yellow, white or buff colored vest is to be worn unless the rider is wearing her hunt livery colors. The vest often has the bottom button unbuttoned, as legend says a King once was too full to button his vest so the hunt unbuttoned theirs too to follow suit. A stock tie, which would have been used in the hunt ﬁeld as a tourniquet, should be neatly tied with a plain gold safety pin horizontally ﬁxed.

The Under Saddle Class is typically the ﬁrst class judged and consist of walk, trot and canter in both directions in formal hunting attire. The judge lines up exhibitors in order of preference, checks appointments and decides if competitors are to be moved up or back in the line up. The second class is the Hack Class which scored 50% on the walk, trot and canter and a possible hand gallop. The other of half the score is based on jumping 2 fences 2’6” in height. The most impressive class in this division is the Over Fences Class which has a course of at least eight 3’ jumps!

Veiled Top hats with hair neatly in a bun are elegant and beautiful but safety must come first, certified helmets are now the rule and are competed in. Most women will adorn a shade of red lipstick and its preferred no jewelry but small stud earrings are allowed. The boots are non zippered black dress boots with garters and one polished hunting spur, while the gloves must be chamois or brown in color with no velcro. A second set of knitted rain gloves must be neatly placed under the billets on the offside with thumbs in and fingers pointed forward peeking out the the flap of the saddle. The rain gloves are worn over the leather gloves and are helpful for gripping if one is caught in the hunt field in the rain.

The ladies formal habits or “dresses” must be black, navy or their hunt livery and be made of melton or other cloth. The hem of the safety apron should hang parallel to the ground

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Pie Truono and Renogotiate listen for the judges commands during the Ladies Side Saddle Under Saddle Class. Photo by J. MacNeill

Pie Truono and the Ring Stewart look on as the Judge carefully examines all the appointments and requirements of this historic class. Photo by Caillin Boyle

Amy Magee gracefully pilots Little Lady in the the Ladies Side Saddle Over Fences class. Photo by Paws and Rewind

Continued... www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

A correct bridle should be either a double bridle or one with a pelham bit and the reins and cheek pieces are to be sewn to the bit(s). A breast plate is optional but the leather must be flat as well. Flat leather in one solid piece without modification is considered the strongest and safety was and is of utmost importance. Even the girth is special in that it has to be triple fold leather with no elastic and cannot be shaped. A well turn out horse must have the mane and tail braided unless roached or pulled. The ladies carry an antlered whip with a lash long enough to touch the ground with the antler pointed down and towards the back of the horse. The whip was a handy tool to enable the rider to keep the hounds at bay and also aids in opening and closing gates for example. The appointment that gets the most attention is the sandwhich case which is positioned on the offside of the horse. The sandwich case is checked by the judge must have either tea or sherry in the flask along with a sandwich of white meat on crustless white bread cut on a diagonal wrapped in waxed paper! If you have ever watched a rated side saddle division you will be amazed at the beauty of the class, the bravery of the rider and the rigor of the judges! Amy Magee and Little Lady are an example of exquisite turn out. Photo by Caillin Boyle Mary Musheno elegantly sporting her hunt livery aboard her beautifully turned out horse Krugerand. Photo by J. MacNeill

Susan Sisco and Wilona are picture perfect as always. Photo by J MacNeill

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TRAINING

& ENTERTAINING

PLAYING BALL with the horse

Story and Photos By Alessandra Deerinck

Anything we do when we are with a horse develops a relationship between us, even though most of the actions involved do not really make immediate sense to horses, that traditionally have to be trained to perform.

THE BALL becomes the focus of rider and horse, making it possible for both to be in balance.

Movement is the fundamental element of playing with the ball, and also the basis of the natural “language” of the horse. The ball can always roll and bounce in any direction and thus create the opportunity to dialogue spontaneously to address various aspects in the relationship between man and horse, such as mutual trust, respect for space, awareness of the situation, collaboration, common interest in the action. Human beings know the physical elements of the movement of the ball and how to control it, while the horse that sees it moving does not know if it is alive or not. The simple and sole presence of a ball in the space where a horse is, even when he is alone, can inﬂuence his behavior and can also allow us to see some of his personality traits. Horses An object such as the ball, which has a variable movement, can give us the opportunity to establish a spontane- that generally exhibit strong or balanced behavior, be it ous and cooperative interaction with a horse that is free to congenital or acquired through experience, can safely be near a ball without reacting, while horses with fearful or choose its behavior, posing for the horse a problem to be highly variable behavior tend to keep a certain distance or solved, and also creating for both human and horse the opportunity to learn how to move together in sync if we do move away. when they are in the presence of a ball. This is a rule that has exceptions, when the horse ﬁnds himself it while in the saddle. in unexpected situations, in which his survival instinct takes over the voluntary control of the action, and therefore a Interacting with the horse that has freedom of choice in his behavior is a key element of the experience, as the be- horse that would not normally react to the mere presence havior of the horse truly corresponds to how the horse feels of the ball moves away. about the situation, and can, at times, even be opposite to how the horse would behave when he does not have freedom of choice. Continued...

TRAINING & Showing

One of the themes that we always strive to develop at Human Horse Sensing is establishing a relationship between human and horse that works through spontaneous communication, using movement as language. If the interaction is collaborative, the relationship that comes from it can always support man and horse in training and in other more conventional equestrian activities. The fact that the communication is spontaneous means that it can be implemented with any horse without previous interactions. By knowing the social concepts and the meanings of movements that are instinctively meaningful to the horse, spontaneous communication can be modulated effectively and appropriately to what we are doing, without having to stick to ﬁxed trained patterns that may not be suitable for all situations. This type of communication, which is traditionally overlooked, can be “vital” when unexpected, difﬁcult or dangerous situations arise and the horse does not respond to trained cues.

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“

Movement is the fundamental element of playing with the ball. If a horse keeps his distance from the ball, he is clearly expressing that he does not trust that object. We can show him how moving the ball has no consequences, but we must be careful not to move it towards the horse since direction is a fundamental element of the movement always meaningful for him, and could make him move away from us and from the ball. What we can use is a 55 cm diameter yoga ball, a round container with low sides and some chopped carrots. We have had this type of experience with a heterogeneous group of horses in terms of breed, size, age, attitude, and degree of training and with people with different skills and equestrian interests.

TRAINING & Showing

It is necessary to have a fenced area, large enough for the horses to be comfortable, free to move, with enough space that they can move away from the ball if they feel the need. The horse must be at ease in the area before starting the experience. The way in which we propose the game with the ball, which is in itself a meaningless action for the horse, is to prepare in his presence a situation in which he finds an interest in participating (common interest in the action). To do this, we place the ball on the container in which the carrots are located and do the action of moving it, highlighting the carrots, touching them and at the same time making sure that the horse sees everything. The method is spontaneous interaction aimed at ensuring that the horse understands that if he moves the ball, he can reach the carrots. The choice of this action is motivated by its simplicity and the horse will imitate us promptly, because he has an immediate and natural interest in carrying it out. If the horse does not move the ball, it may be that he is not paying attention to the action we are doing or that he did not see it, so we can repeat it several times trying to do it in his field of vision (situational awareness), without adding other elements, such as extra words or movements, so as not to change the conditions of the situation. All the horses involved in our experience were able to move the ball and eat the carrots in less than five minutes. The exact duration of each session was not recorded because it was not the focus of the experience, 64

which instead aimed to demonstrate how horses can solve a problem, learn by imitation and can make simple deductions, if they understand and share the reasons behind the action in question. The fact that a horse can solve a problem mainly highlights its ability to act with a purpose and to maintain attention. The more or less long time it takes him to understand that it is necessary to take an intermediate action (move the ball) to reach his interest (carrots) is a good indicator of his intelligence in terms of awareness and ability to adapt to the environment. Horses that have a strong awareness of the environment around them, and that if they were in a herd would tend to initiate group actions, are those who generally tend to move the ball immediately. The next phase where we “play soccerl” while we are on the ground or in the saddle is more relevant to the animal’s willingness to collaborate, to respond to our requests, and it is very important not only to want him to move the ball, but to always keep in consideration the horse’s response to the situation (collaboration). Horses that were able to easily see the action taking place with the ball without being directly involved because they were in their pens, when they found themselves in the same situation, they spontaneously participated in it. They probably learned from what they saw, because it was an action in which they saw an interest and understood the reasons for it. Everyone knows that being involved in a situation is very different than watching, but each role has interesting sides. Horses that watched the action from their enclosure had the advantage of knowing what to expect without the pressure of involvement, while the horses that participated physically acquired the experience and worked to solve the problem.

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THE BALL helps in creating a cooperative relationship between human and horse on the ground and in the saddle.

Some think that leaving the ball in the presence of the horse without us can teach him that the ball is not a dangerous object, but this experience can also make the horse learn that he can destroy the ball. This happens with horses that have dominant behavior and exhibit it with the ball, which being an object can do nothing but suffer whatever the horse decides to do with it. With horses that have this personality and have proven that they can destroy the ball, before carrying out the experiment it was necessary to inﬂuence their approach to the ball (respect for individual space), keeping it at a distance with a free interaction about the territory and letting the horse approach the ball only if he did not show aggression. After repeating the action a few times, the horse showed that he accepted our control over his access to the ball. Of course, at that moment, since these are spontaneous interactions, if I had moved away from the scene, the horse would have resumed his normal aggressive behavior towards the ball. Working with this type of horse in freedom of movement can be dangerous and absolutely should be avoided for those new to this experience. The game with the ball can be pleasant for both, horse and rider, as a mode of interaction, on the ground where we both act on the ball, and also in the saddle, where we ask the horse to push the ball, on which we both focus and end up moving in synchrony.

��

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RIGHT EQUIPMENT for Ground Training Story and Photos By Lynn Palm Palm Partnership Training™ Building a Partnership with your Horse In the last article I stressed the importance of location when conducting ground training lessons with any horse. If you follow the progression I gave you to introduce each new ground training lesson. you will be giving your horse the best opportunity to learn. If your horse demonstrates he does not understand or is not responsive at any point in this progression, go back to the previous location to repeat the lesson until there is improvement. Before starting any lessons, you must have the right equipment to safely and properly teach groundwork. You will need a halter, longe line, and an “in-hand” whip. I recommend putting leg protection, such as splint boots or polo wraps, on your horse for all lessons. I also suggest bell boots for horses that might be uncoordinated, have hoof problems, or a tendency to over reach with their stride. The halter must fit snug, not tight. The nosepiece should lie 1-inch down from the bottom of your horse’s cheekbone. I like a nylon halter for training. I have specially designed my new Palm Partnership Training Halter with side rings large enough to allow a longe line to pass through them. This is also one halter that adjusts to fit 2-year old horses to medium and extra large size mature horses! I prefer to use a longe line and only use a lead when handling a horse for daily routine leading unless the horse still needs training. I will use a longe line until my horse is fully trained and consistently responsive to my commands. I use a flat, woven cotton longe line. It is easier to grip and keep organized than a round longe line. The longe line may end either in snap or a length of chain called a “stud chain”. Stay away from using a nylon longe line because it can cause a serious rope burn if the line slips through your hand. Nylon is also very slippery and difficult to keep organized.

TRAINING & Showing

Taking Riding Lessons — for me!

I was excited to have the opportunity to take riding lessons from Jane Savoie. Jane is an Olympic/international Dressage rider and competitor. Besides being an outstanding genuine person who has compassion for horse and rider, I consider Jane one of the best, if not the best, equestrian educators in the world. Several years ago, I was honored when Jane asked me to write the “forward” to her book Cross Train Your Horse-Book One…Simple Dressage for Every Horse, Every Sport. What struck me about Jane is how she stresses going back to the basics. Even though I was working to improve more advanced lateral work (shoulder in, haunches in, halfpass), flying lead changes, and tempi flying lead changes, Jane reinforced that a rider must keep perfecting the basics to advance the strength, training, and conditioning of her horse. Jane’s evaluation of my horse indicated that I still needed to perfect straightness. As Jane defines in Cross Train Your

Horse straightness is: developing the horse’s ability to keep his body straight while traveling straight or bend his body along the arc of curves with his spine overlapping the line of travel and his hind feet stepping into the tracks of the front feet. She also found that I needed to create more forwardness in my horse. Forwardness is the responsiveness of the horse to move forward with energetic strides. This was another key factor in improving my horse’s lateral work and tempi ﬂying lead changes. I had improvements in the lessons, but the many exercises she gave me will take months and years to master. I excited with these challenges. Jane’s philosophies and teaching techniques are very similar to my own. “Going back to the basics” is one of the foundations of my Palm Partnership Training programs. Our next e-mail newsletters will help you improve ground training basics to build your skills as a horsemen and rider… and a stronger partnership with your horse.

Your Next Step…

Go back to the basics with your ground training. Your next step in advancing your ground training skills is to practice keeping your longe line organized by making loops in it at least 12 inches long or coiled in a ﬁgure “8” in your outside hand. I see too many handlers with their longe line either dangerously coiled in their hands or dragging and getting tangled in their legs. I am asking you-- please learn how to coil your longe line properly! Practice so that you can organize your longe line without looking at it. Next week I’ll give you suggestions on how to use the halter, longe and an in-hand whip as ground training tools. Until then, follow your dreams, Lynn ��

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KATS

KORNER

Q A

How long did it take you to get where you are? - Sarah Firestone Since I was 2 years old, I’ve been working to get where I am now. Although, I’m still working on improving I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents, trainers, and grooms who have helped me through it all.

Q A TRAINING & Showing

What is your proudest riding accomplishment? -smallstrides.videpgraphy

contains basic dressage movements. In the jumpers I notice I always say my first time winning USEF Pony Finals 2018 on my when doing tight turns you have to engage your horses hind leg and collect so your horse stays balanced. It’s almost like the pony Brighton. But my new proudest riding accomplishment canter pirouette in dressage because you must stay balanced is my Championship at Dressage Festival of Champions in the and collected. The main thing I struggle with is adjusting my Juniors on my horse Dream Girl. It felt like all the flatwork leg position from dressage to hunter/jumpers. In hunters you practice I do really paid off. This is my favorite because it was my first big win in the dressage. I was so happy with Dream Girl ride with a short stirrup and in dressage you ride with a long stirrup. So it takes me a minute to re-adjust. and my whole team.

Q A

Is it hard training for such high levels of dressage as well as the hunters, jumpers, and equitation? -Jill Distler

It has its hard moments, but all in all they help and complement each other. I’ve always practiced dressage on my hunter horses with my mom and 1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Michelle Gibson. So, I have the basic flatwork idea. In January 2020 when we imported Dream Girl from Holland, is really when I got more serious about dressage. It helps me a lot in the equitation because in the Maclay there is a flat phase that

Q A

What are your plans with Ken? - eq.ashley07 Ken aka Notably Chic, is my former pony Chic in Time’s son. He’s a beautiful palomino large pony just like his champion dad! He just turned five this spring so he’s still learning a lot. He’s a very fun pony to work with. My mom and I work with him every day we are home. I’m hoping to show him at the 2022 Large Green Ponies of US Pony Finals.

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Horse Trailers From the Horses Point of View By Tom Scheve The phrase “from the Horses point of view” has often been misused in horse trailer articles, advertisements, and so-called research over the years. In one such article, the researchers observed horses turning around and facing backward in an open empty trailer. The article then said that “from the horses’ point of view,” horses prefer to travel facing the rear, which resulted in an unsafe design. ��

TRAINING & Showing

HORSE INTERVIEWS �� 72

�� Tom Scheve, with wife Neva have been advocating horse trailer safety since 1984. Both have given safety clinics at many hose expos around the country and have written numerous articles for articles for national magazines, bout horse trailer safety. Their nationally acclaimed textbook, The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining and Servicing a Horse Trailer and Equine Emergencies on the Road (with Jim Hamilton DVM have been adopted by most National Horse organizations. Tom is also owner of EquiSpirit Trailer Company with corporate oﬃces in Southern Pines, NC. For more information on horse trailer safety, visit their website equispirit.com or email Tom at tome @equispirit.com. Toll Free number is 1-877-575-1771.

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WARNING: POSTING A SIGN

WILL NOT PROTECT YOU Story and Photos By Kimbrell J. Hines At your next visit to a barn or show, look around, and you will probably see at least one “WARNING” sign citing the state’s equine law. Aside from Maryland and California, every state has an equine law. These laws limit the legal remedies for lawsuits seeking damages for horse-related injuries. Despite popular belief, most equine laws only offer limited protections, leaving many who do not take proper steps to protect themselves exposed to liability.

Unprotected Activities

Contrary to popular belief, equine laws do not prevent horse owners and professionals from being sued. Instead, these laws provide a statutory defense that can be asserted by a defendant to a lawsuit. Even if successful with a statutory defense, defending a lawsuit can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. In some states, to be protected under the law, a horse owner or professional must obtain a written document with the law’s warning notice clearly printed on it signed by the participant or post a sign stating the law in a visible location near the equine activity. Additionally, many state equine laws exempt certain activities from their protections. Most state equine laws, do not provide protections if a horse owner or professional: • Acted carelessly about the safety of a participant; • Provided faulty tack or equipment; • Did not determine the ability of the participant in handling a particular horse; • Failed to warn someone of a dangerous condition; or • Intentionally injured the participant. For activities not covered under state law, horse owners and professionals should have appropriate insurance coverage and use a liability release agreement (commonly called a waiver).

EQUINE Lifestyle

Beneﬁts of Equine Laws

Although equine laws do not prohibit lawsuits or protect all activities, they do offer significant benefits. First, equine laws generally protect equine owners and professionals (including activity sponsors) from liability if an injury results from an “inherent risk” of horses. An inherent risk is a risk that is unavoidable, no matter how careful a person is. Equine laws generally protect against inherent risks resulting from: • The likelihood of a horse behaving in a way that may cause injury, harm, or death to a person around it (examples: bucking, kicking, rearing, biting); • The unpredictability of a horse’s reaction to sounds, sudden movement, people, other animals, unfamiliar objects, etc. (examples: horses spooking at plastic bags or the sign in the corner they walk past daily); • Hazards on the property (examples: holes in the arena or field, wet pavement); • Collisions with other equines or objects (examples: the crowded warm-up pen). Second, equine laws provide a legal defense to negligence suits arising from horse related injuries based on the theory the injured person assumed the risk of choosing to

be near horses. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something. Equine laws recognize horses can be dangerous and involve risk, and no matter how careful someone may be, even the most gentle and well-trained horses are unpredictable. If the statutory defense is successfully asserted, the possible damages available to the person suing will be reduced and or even denied. Again, having a waiver provides additional support for the defense that the injured party accepted the risk. The defense provided by equine laws discourage lawsuits. Attorneys representing those seeking compensation for horse related injuries generally work on contingency arrangements— meaning they get paid a percentage of the money their client wins. Attorneys recognize the legal defense provided by the law as an obstacle to success. And even if successful, the available damages will most likely be reduced, which ultimately results in less attorney’s fees. Consequently, those seeking to ﬁle such suits, may ﬁnd that to proceed they would have to, at a minimum, pay out of pocket for an attorney to take the case outside of a contingency arrangement. The legal defense offered by the statute often leads to earlier, and lower value settlements. Ultimately, lower defense costs, fewer lawsuits, and less expensive settlements result in less risk for insurance companies. Lower risks enhance insurance companies’ willingness to write coverage, which lowers rates for the insured.

Practical Tips

First and foremost, read your state’s equine law to become familiar with the scope of protected activities. Second, post a sign stating the law’s warning provision in a visible location near where the equine activity begins and obtain a written document with the law’s warning notice clearly printed on it signed by the participant. Although in some states, a horse owner or professional may use a signed written document in lieu of posting a sign with the equine law, it is always good to post a sign on the property in a visible place. Multiple warnings provide even more notice to participants that horses are dangerous and interacting with or near horses involves risk. Equine laws are no substitute for other risk-management practices. Create and maintain safe practices to reduce the likelihood of accidents. If an accident occurs, safe practices show you took proper care, and therefore are not responsible for the person’s injury. Obtain proper liability coverage for all equine activities. Finally, obtain a welldrafted waiver, and have legal counsel lined up to answer any questions regarding your state’s equine law. ��

Elite Equestrian does not endorse or conﬁrm content suggestions in any articles. See credit page for disclaimer.

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CREATE Your jacket should do more than keep you warm on a chilly dayit should make a statement!

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MATERIAL LIST

EQUINE Lifestyle

• Purchase a jacket or collared shirt • Purchase material with a color and theme you love (we did an online search for this material) Order the material AFTER purchasing the clothing and measuring the space of the part you wish to cover, and confirm the size of the subject on the material to be sure it will fit. If you find a pa�ern you love, then you need to find clothing that will fit the size of the subject. • Needle • Matching color thread • Scissors • Measuring Tape • Chalk • Safety or straight pins • Iron • Thimble

1. 76

Measure the area you want to cover and add 1/2” minimum all the the way around.

the size of your subject that you want to display 2. Measure and plan your cut around the subject or subjects. www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

the area around your subjects and mark it with 3. Measure chalk. Remember you need extra room to fold under.

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collar, fold the material under and sew it on the fold onto the collar. Tack it to the collar without going all the way through to the front so the stitches won’t show.

Volunteers Needed �� And you’re done! Unless you want to do the cuffs or pockets as well!

Volunteers are needed to lead horses, sidewalk with disabled riders, care of horses, ofﬁce work and ground maintenance. Riding and carriage driving sessions are Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Sat. mornings and Tues. evenings. Volunteers need to be 14 or older, experience is not required.

For information call Lorraine Simon: 352-857-1421 or Betty Gray: 252-427-3569

Please tell our advertisers you saw their ad in Elite Equestrian, the original equestrian lifestyle magazine. Read any issue for FREE on our web site: www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

Tack Box Business Showcase

Visit our newly renovated store!

Mon - Fri: 9 to 5:30 Sat: 9 to 4

352-203-4803 1655 SW Hwy 484 Unit 102, Ocala FL

1.5 Miles From FL Horse Park- FREE DELIVERY!

thecountrylanetack@gmail.com

Find Horse Sense Radio recordings at:

www.EquineAppraiser.net www.HorseSenseRadio.com STREAMING WORLDWIDE

Amazing Interviews with EQUINE Thought Leaders and Inﬂuencers

Have a story that needs to be told? Horses@warwick.net

www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com

www.countrylanetack.com

Just $130 per issue OR $594 for the year (6 issues), or...BEST VALUE... Prepay $500 for the year... it’s like getting one issue FREE!

? Founder?

855-44CINCH www.hoofcinch.com

ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

Horse ID Collars, Fetlock ID Bands for camping, trail riding or traveling and everyday use.

ID Collars now available for all your small farm animals too!

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• Stops the pain quickly • Painless application • Realigns the hoof wall to the coffin bone • Works with or without shoeing • Easy to apply

Be prepared NOW before the next evacuation happens!

www.EquestriSafe.com

(877) 600-1375

Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book The true story of an amazing horse who served with the Marines during the Korean War. $20 Plus Shipping

Autographed copies available by visiting www.LorensReadingRoom.com www.LorensReadingRoom.com