CREATING INTERIORS
THAT DELIGHT YOUR SENSES AND CELEBRATE YOUR STYLE
Linda has designed the interior of our 90 year old remodeled home and did so with excellent detail and a�en�on to our tastes. We have subsequently had her design and decorate our second home condo and even brought her to Texas to do our townhouse in Dallas. She is currently redoing another condo in Florida and she is the only person we will consider engaging for this type of service. Her sense of style, selec�on of quality materials, and use of colors is exemplary and makes each of our homes unique yet familiar and comfortable. She’s the best. - Mike Sweeney
My design work is all about making people’s lives be�er! Everyone wants “fabulous”, but going well beyond simply crea�ng an a�rac�ve space, my goal for each project is to design spaces that func�on be�er for my clients to save them �me and help reduce their stress. Equally important to me is designing spaces that feel be�er, incorpora�ng color psychology along with contemporary and ancient design principles to interpret the client’s personality and style as an integral part of the interiors. When spaces func�on be�er and feel be�er, then life is be�er and more beau�ful!
Linda Trice Dewolf,
ASID
Florida License: ID4975
Studio: 352-694-6294
ELITE EQUESTRIAN
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
info@EliteEquestrian.us
Main Office, Ocala, Florida
PUBLISHER Bill Vander Brink
Bill@EliteEquestrian.us
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
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
Sabrina Brashares
Stephany Fish Crossman
Alessandra Deerinck
Kat Fuqua
Patricia Hechter
Lynn Palm
Tom Scheve
Pie Truono Collier Wimmer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS On the cover...
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
Stephanie Hayes
Eileen Johnson
Jump Media
Middleburg Photography
Shawn McMillen Photography
Vicci Valenti, KIND Media
Tammie Conway out hunting, photo credit Stephanie Hayes
Scott Stewart and Ackergill Castle by Shawn McMillen
page 49 www.pasturevacuums.com
A Piece Of Your Favorite Horse Can Go With You Everywhere Quality fashionable jewerly made with your horse’s hair.
See our ad pg 23 ponylocks.com
STYLE FOR YOUR DOG
Great selec�on of collars and leashes!
FOR YOU, YOUR FARM, AND YOUR HORSE
Anni Lyn Sportswear
Spirited F/S Denim Breech. MSRP is $69.95 for kids and $89.95 for Adult. www.anni-lyn.com
See our ad on page 23
Available at AuburnDirect.com
See our ad on page 25
TASTY MASHES
Your horse will love them! See our ad on page 51 emeraldvalleyequine.com
GREAT GROOMERS For your arena! See our ad on page 33 www.gg�oo�ng.com
3D Pony Nugget Charm Bracelet made of all sterling or two tone. New from Tempi Design Studio
See our ad page 76 www.tempidesignstudio.com
LeMieux designs
High-end performance riding tack and apparel. Exclusively at Aiken Saddlery. www.aikensaddlery.com
See our ad on page 61
Dover Saddlery
Madison Field Boot
Shop DoverSaddlery.com or visit our store located in Aiken ,SC., 2575 Whiskey Road
See our ad on page 60
WARM COMFORT on cold days for your horse!
See our ad on page 52
KALGLO.COM/HORSEHTR
EQUINE CONSIGNMENTS!
Great selec�on of saddles, tack, boots, home items and more. Free trial on saddles. See our ad on page 76
Solid Gold Horse Shoe Nail Pendants by Alexis Kletjian Jewelry
See our ad on page 25 alexiskletjian.com
Bullet Blues Bullet Blues “Modern Femme” high-waist flaredleg jeans made in America
See our ad on page 25 BulletBluesCa.com
www.GoodAppleEquine
FUN FABULOUS &
Espoir offers cutting edge equestrian fashion that is both practical and durable.
features our signature UPF
50 sun protection with a clean simple Espoir design and great fit and fell. Perfect for the more casual showring days or with jeans! In short and long sleeve! $99. Continued...
Espoir is pleased to announce the launch of their Hunter show coat line. The coats are made of the same lightweight Coolmax fabric as our Jumper Show Coats but have a sleeker slimmer profile that is equally at home in the hunter and equitation rings. The coats are offered in Black, Navy, Alpine Green and Poppy Grey. They are detailed with beautiful Espoir logo buttons on the from and cuff. $399.00
The Espoir Sport Collection
Espoir Hunter Show Coat
Photo by Vicci Valenti, KIND Media
The newest addition to the Espoir show coat line up is this snazzy Mid Blue with black glitter trim on the collar.
Espoir signature details and the Lightweight Coolmax fabric help you feel and look great in the ring! $399.00
are made with the hunter rider in mind as their beautiful designs are not visible when your show coat is on but reveal true Espoir designs when worn without a jacket. Perfect in the ring or out you will make a fashion statement with these new, technical fabric shirts that feel crisp and cool. In Navy Magic, Mint Magic or Pink Celebration. $120.
Perfect for late Summer or resort wear. The Espoir dress features our signature sun protective fabric in a variety of design choices, XS-XXL $150
Espoir Show Shirts Espoir Golf Dress
THE ORIGINAL MUCK BOOT COMPANY
INTRODUCES
“FARM PROOF” LEATHER
Muck’s Chore Farm Leather Debuts, along with the Mudder, Designed Specifically for Muddy Condi�ons, and Expansion of Popular and Versa�le Outscape
Designed to work hard at every task and brave every condi�on while keeping feet comfortable and dry, The Original Muck Boot Company announces its new Chore Farm Leather collec�on, the Mudder boot and the Outscape Lace Up. Muck’s new Chore Farm Leather Chelsea and Lace Up were built to withstand most any element associated with working on a farm, in a barn and beyond, while the Mudder’s innova�ve outsole was designed specifically to shed mud and clay while not compromising slip resistance on hard surfaces. Addi�onally, the new Outscape Lace Up provides the perfect hybrid between a waterproof boot and lightweight sneaker for all-around use.
offers a sophisticated, easy-to-wear look with “Farm Proof” protection. Not only are they able to stand up to Acidic and Alkaline elements found in the barn, but they are also flame resistant and tested for breathability and tear resistance. As with all Muck boot styles, the Chore Farm Chelsea and Lace Up are 100 percent waterproof and feature a dual-density footbed with Memory Foam for long-lasting comfort. The Chore Farm outsole guards against oil, gas and diesel fuel while being SRA-rated slip resistant on hard, flat surfaces.
“The Chore Farm Leather collection is another example of how Muck continues to strive and innovate for our core farm and agricultural consumer, while also offering a great-looking silhouette that will resonate with just about anyone looking for style, comfort and performance.,” said Xavier Kawula, senior product manager at Rocky Brands, Inc., parent company to The Original Muck Boot Company. “It was important for us in the development process to provide an innovative leather solution that offers the same high quality and protection as our trusted neoprene and rubber boots.”
was designed for just that – the mud, slush and even floods that Mother Nature may bring. A soft, flexible rubber upper provides durable and 100 percent waterproof protection, while the oil- and gas-resistant outsole has passed strict independent testing for superior traction on both wet and dry surfaces. Staying true to its name, the Mudder’s outsole is made with a durable, rubber compound and features specialized tread spacing with lug side profiles that are specifically designed for wet and loose surface traction and to shed mud and clay. Also beneficial for the muddiest of conditions, the Mudder was built to lock the ankle into the back of the boot to reduce heel slip and maintain fit integrity at all times, while the dual density insole will keep you comfortable from the first step of the day to the last.
www.muckbootcompany.com
Get Social with Muck Boot Company at: @Facebook.com/muckbootco; @muckbootco on Instagram.
The Chore Farm Leather Collection
The Mudder
Leon Hushcha’s Art Is UNDENIABLY UNIQUE.
Hushcha, who is of Ukrainian descent, was born in 1946 in Villach, Austria, where his family lived in a displaced persons (DP) camp before immigrating to the United States in 1950. Hushcha graduated with a B.F.A in painting from Minneapolis College of Art (now MCAD) in 1968. While at MCAD he received the Rothschild Award for Excellence. In 1971 he earned his M.F.A. in painting from the University of Minnesota. Hushcha later taught painting at both institutions.
Freedom of expression
has been his lifelong pursuit and passion. Evidence of this is found in the multi-dimensional breadth of his work. Leon Hushcha has long been regarded as an expressionist and superb colorist. His attention to surface and devotion to flat space is uncommon and gives his work a distinct identity. In addition to creating a prolific body of paintings and drawings, stylistically Leon’s creative vision easily crosses over from smaller to large scale works, painting in acrylic or oil on canvas, wood, found materials and paper. He credits Antoni Tàpies, Eugène Delacroix, Paul Klee, Matisse and Picasso as his influences.
His work is showcased at Hushcha Studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is displayed in numerous public and private collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Weisman Museum (Minneapolis), Plains Art Museum (Fargo, North Dakota), Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, MoZaic Building (Minneapolis), Lake Calhoun Center (Minneapolis), Copham Building (Minneapolis), Village Lofts at St. Anthony Falls (Minneapolis) and General Mills Corporation (Minneapolis). His most recent public exhibitions were at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis in July of 2016, and again from March through September 2018.
In speaking about his love for horses Leon says, “The most common questions from viewers of my art include: ‘Why the horse?’ ‘What does the horse mean to you?’ ‘What does the horse symbolize?’
“These questions tend to twist my tongue, and my mind rambles about searching for a succinct answer. I can tell you this: When the heavy winds spray the moonlight unto the bent branches and they dance while changing shape, I see the horses. I love horses.”
Hushcha continues, “When I was small, my grandfather proposed a contest between my older brother and myself. He gave us each a sheet of paper and a pencil. ‘Draw a horse,’ he commanded. We did. After looking at both drawings he declared that I was an artist. ‘So Be It!’ I answered...as the clouds parted and the sun poked me on the nose.”
Visit www.hushchastudio.com to learn more and acquire your own Hushcha Horse!
“The Nudge” by Leon Hushcha multiple sizes – open edition
“Blue Horses III” by Leon Hushcha, multiple sizes - open edition
“Palette Horse” by Leon Hushcha, multiple sizes – open edition
“River Horses” by Leon Hushcha, multiple sizes – open edition
RAFAEL LAGO
(https://katerinamorgan.art/) is a new Online Art Gallery dedicated to both traditional and contemporary equestrian art. The Gallery collaborates with more than 30 artists from around the world and exhibits more than 300 ready artworks realized in different styles and genres: fine art photography, drawings, paintings, sculptures, wall paintings and monumental art.
Today we are going to have a conversa�on with one of the Gallery’s principal ar�sts Rafael Lago – painter and sculptor from Colombia, South America. He has an extensive experience as a mural ar�st: a�er gradua�on in Fine Arts he has realized various projects in collabora�on with renowned decorators from South America. Moreover, Rafael has also worked as a stage designer and producer for theater, ballet and opera. All the while, he kept cul�va�ng his true passion for pain�ng.
1. 2.
Why have you chosen the horse as the main leitmotif of your work?
Horses are to me, the physical representation of emotions.
Could you tell us about the first time when you came up with the idea to depict a horse?
While on lockdown, in may 2020, I was asked by a client if I could paint some horses for him. I said, of course! Horses were not on my palette, at least not that I remembered. I started on the commission, scared of what the outcome would be… but sooner than later I was immersed in the beauty of the movements, the strength, the perfect balance between sensuality and vitality. It had struck my innermost fibers, taking me back to my childhood memories, riding on horses through vast plains and jungle trails, and coming home after my rides, to draw, endlessly, as a child, the horses that would give me freedom and friendship. This passion for drawing and painting horses had been dormant up until now. As I continued, the response from the public was incredibly positive, fueling my passion for painting horses even more.
3.
5.
How would you describe your creative process?
Were you inspired by a real horse or someone’s artwork?
I am inspired by real horses. From the wild horse to the faithful steed, the famished carriage horse to the endurance of the criollo mountain horse.
4.
Earlier in your career, you worked as a mural artist. Have this experience influenced your current work? Murals are mostly very big formats, and they have to be done diligently, with very little room for error. This helps in the painting process, efficiently portraying your vision.
I do a lot of drawing, it is my main source of expression, when I draw horses from life, my imagination runs free, like the horse, and I have a clearer picture of what I would like to see on a larger scale painting.
6.
Have you faced any challenges painting horses? Horse are always challenging to paint, in fact it is the most challenging theme for me. Horses have been painted ever since man was starting to gain consciousness. Its probably the most painted theme humanity has ever seen, so it is very challenging, not to fall in cliches. A horse painting can very easily become stereotypical, banal, or even sleazy.
Jump
‘Calmness in Chaos
You recently undertook the‘Blue Horse’ collection. What types of emotions did you want to convey to the viewer?
I am fascinated by blue, the ocean, the sky, even blues music! There is something deeply mystical and spiritual of this color, when I started painting these blue horses I realized it was an expression of the longing for self realization, for a connection to greatness.
Are there any commonalities between a horse rider and equine artist, in your opinion?
We definitely share an immense love for this amazing animal, its sensibility, kindness and beauty
7. 8. 9.
What are your plans for the nearest future?
To keep painting these fabulous beings, and finding new ways to include them in my creative process.
You can check up more artworks realized by Rafael Lago or discover different crea�ons by various equestrian ar�sts on h�ps://katerinamorgan.art/ !
Innuendo
Blue Duality
5 ACRE EQUESTRIAN LOT Lake City, Florida $175,000
This is a beautiful 4.97 acre fenced equestrian lot with fully stocked pond and well. The lot is located just south of Lake City, Florida in an equestrian subdivision (The Oaks of Lake City) featuring large lots, underground utilities, AT&T Fiber Optic Cable (high speed internet and TV), HOA and community equestrian facility with large riding arena and barn that can accommodate up to 50 horses. The scenic lot would be a great homesite and can accommodate horses on-site. The lot is backed by non-buildable common area and to the west has an oak hammock that buffers the property from neighbors. The lot would be great for horse enthusiasts, retirees or commuters to nearby Gainesville and the University of Florida. This lot features the best of serene country living with modern utilities.
HIS HERS &
Ty Murray:
Eight Seconds & More with Rodeo’s Hall of Famer
with L.A. Sokolowski, equinista
John Branch, who wrote ‘The Last Cowboys,’ likened saddle bronc riding to an “eight-second car accident” but that never stopped rodeo from revving through the veins of this 10x (Arizona Sports, Bull Riding, Cheyenne Fron�er Days, California Rodeo Salinas, Na�onal Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, New Mexico Sports, ProRodeo, Texas Cowboy, Texas Rodeo, Texas Sports) Halls of Fame inductee and namesake of the Ty Murray Top Hand Award inaugurated by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Associa�on in 2018. Young Ty told his third grade teacher he wanted to beat [NFR All Around Cowboy] Larry Mahan’s record, and even a first broken jaw at age nine, courtesy of his second bull ride, didn’t deter him. Today Ty is se�led deep in the saddle of his fi�h decade, a champion cowboy with nothing to prove, a tender and devoted husband and father, and a horseman s�ll willing to grow and evolve in his rela�onship with his animals. In September, he joins Buck Brannaman as keynote speakers at the Natural Horsemanship Revolu�on in Dillon, Montana. Lucky us, we get eight seconds (and more) with him now.
HERS: What do you remember about your first horse or pony?
HIS: My dad started colts, and wound up with an Appaloosa, named Doc. He was a great kids’ horse, and did all the rodeo and gymkhana events. When I was two years old, I was running barrels on him, and he wouldn’t let me go the wrong way.
HERS: What do you like best in a horse?
HIS: At this point in life, what I appreciate in a horse is their personality, temperament, and bravery. With good horsemanship you can help a horse be a better performer but you can’t change their personality.
HERS: What do you like best in a person?
HIS: Integrity matters. Then, you need trust and respect. But if you don’t have the first, you’re probably not going to get the other two.
HERS: What was your first job?
HIS: Halter breaking racehorse colts.
HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what would you be doing?
HIS: That’s tough. I can’t imagine my life without horses. Everything I’ve ever done has been linked to them.
HERS: Favorite quote?
HIS: I have a lot of quotes, depending on the situation. If we’re talking horses, I like, “The horse will tell you what he understands and doesn’t. The problem arises when the human either does not see this, ignores it, or worse, doesn’t care.”
HERS: Who inspired and/or mentored you?
HIS: Obviously, my dad. He has a lot of grace (and can still ride a horse with no bridle). The whole of my childhood he was there, breaking racehorse colts, and at 81, he’s there to this day. He went on this better horsemanship journey with me. I still get inspired by people today – it’s important to stay in that frame of mind. Passion is the key to life and it feels good to get good at something you’re passionate about.
HERS: What makes you happy?
HIS: My family! Having my wife and kids, and my parents, on this ranch. I feel very fortunate. I’ve reached all my benchmarks. Now I have a ranch to enjoy, with them around me.
HERS: How has pro rodeo changed since you started?
HIS: The competitive opportunities have gotten better. It’s more skill, not luck. Increased popularity in rough stock events is leading to better stock. Sponsorship is a direct barometer of the popularity of the sport. Rodeo still comes down to who wants it the most – that goes right back to having the passion.
Ty and his daughter, Oakley, on his Clydedale, Rosie.
Ty as a young barrel racer on Doc.
Ty and Doc.
HERS: Has natural horsemanship changed how you approach handling horses?
HIS: Natural horsemanship has changed my life 180 degrees and I hope it can start to do that for the rodeo world. The old way was hate me more, trust me less. Where knowledge ends is where brutality begins. Now we deal with fight or flight. A horse will be afraid or unsure. You can’t use repetitive trick training to desensitize them. When you get them soft and looking at you as leader, that’s success. Natural horsemanship is just better horsemanship. It isn’t another discipline. It’s all the disciplines.
HERS: You can invite 3 guests (past or present, real or fictional) for dinner, so who joins you and what do you eat?
HIS: That’s easy. My wife, Paige, and the kids, and we have Mexican food.
Ty and his son, Kase.
Ty on a colt his dad Butch was starting.
Ty playing jockey.
ART ANTIQUES& By
Dr. Lori C
Princess Diana ollectibles
By Dr. Lori Verderame
Over the course of her short life, Princess Diana (nee Diana Spencer, 1961-1997) inspired the produc�on and manufacture of many works of art, an�ques, souvenirs, and collectibles from the �me of her highly publicized engagement to HRH Prince Charles to her shocking death. While she is best known for her philanthropic and charity work during her �me as Princess of Wales when she was the wife of HRH Prince Charles of Great Britain, Princess Diana prompted the making of many items based on her likeness and her informed good taste.
In 1975, Lady Diana Spencer accepted her title when her father inherited his title as Earl Spencer. On July 29, 1981, after a courtship that began in 1977, Lady Diana Spencer married HRH Prince Charles of Great Britain married. Prince Charles was 13 years Diana’s senior. She was one of the most beloved members of the British royal family and was known widely as the “People’s Princess.” The royal couple had two sons, Prince William (William Arthur Philip Louis), heir to the throne who was born in June of 1982, and Prince Harry (Henry Charles Albert David) who was born in September of 1984. After much turmoil both privately and in the public eye, the royal couple divorced in 1996. On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana, aged 36, died from her injuries following an automobile crash in Paris, France.
Princess Diana was known for her fashion sense and jewelry, interest in popular culture, humanitarian work, and various collections. Her clothes have been featured in charity auctions and her jewelry is part of the collection of the crown jewels. She had a flair for both the fun and the fashionable. Princess Diana’s spectacular engagement ring is an 18-karat white gold ring featuring a 12-carat oval Ceylon blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds hand-made by British crown jeweler, Garrard. The ring was inspired by a brooch given to Queen Victoria from Prince Albert for their wedding in 1840. Princess Diana’s high-end keepsakes characterized 1980s style.
A few years ago, I had the good fortune to lecture with a high-ranking member of Princess Diana’s staff, Patrick Jephson, her Chief of Staff. Mr. Jephson was privy to much classified information about the Princess which he did not reveal and was a kind colleague and fascinating gentle
man. As we became friends, I asked him to tell me something about Princess Diana as a collector. He offered that she enjoyed collecting hand-painted Herend of Hungary porcelain figurines of animals. Like any mother of active young boys, she kept the delicate figurines out of reach yet on display in her private office within the living quarters of her Kensington Palace home. This year, we mark the 25th anniversary of the Princess’ untimely death, many collectors will be bringing objects associated with Princess Diana to market. Collectibles relating to Princess Diana have continued to be among the most coveted items in the realm of royal collecting. Objects run the gamut such as Princess Diana paper dolls, costume jewelry tiaras based on the Spencer tiara, Wedgwood jasperware trinket boxes, porcelain dolls and figurines in her likeness, souvenir Charles and Diana engagement mugs, photographs of Princess Diana dancing with actor John Travolta, autographed biographical books, Ty Inc. beanie babies (Princess), royal wedding invitations, tickets to the 2007 Diana charity concert, postage stamps, commemorative coins, etc. These pieces will enjoy a spike in interest and value during the summer of 2022 leading up to the anniversary date of her death. Values for Princess Diana collectibles expect to increase as much as 10% to 25% during this time with collectors actively seeking to add to their collections. Online buyers and sellers will be ready to remember the People’s Princess by exchanging objects relating to this royal figure dating back to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Anniversaries of any kind always impact interest especially in the active royals and celebrity markets. This anniversary remembers the work of a humanitarian and celebrity of the late 20th Century.
Princess Diana collectibles: Counter clockwise from top left- Prince Charles & Princess Diana mug, circa 1980; Ty Inc. Princess beanie babies toy; Dr. Lori with Patrick Jephson, Princess Diana’s Chief of Staff; Princess Diana postage stamps, circa late 1990s; Wedgwood trinket box, Prince Charles & Princess Diana, circa 1981
Photo credit: Staff of www.DrLoriV.com
For many,
The Return Of Autumn
brings images of plaid flannels, apple orchards, and pumpkin spice la�es, but for foxhunters it means the long-awaited start of the hunt season! Autumn hun�ng, fall hun�ng, or cubbing, as it is o�en referred to, is a �me for everyone to get back into hun�ng fitness a�er the long, hot summer. This means riders, horses, hounds, and yes – the wild quarry. This slower, preparatory season is o�en called “cubbing,” as it is a �me for the young entry (hounds in their first season of hun�ng) and the “cubs” (youngish red fox, gray fox, or coyote) to learn the art and sport of the chase in prepara�on for the faster, formal hunt season which follows as the weather cools. In the United States, foxhun�ng is be�er referred to as fox “chasing” as the main purpose is for the chase, not the kill.
TThe huntsman or huntswoman will work with their hunt staff, comprised of field masters and whippers-in, to cast hounds into a covert while the field of riders follows along to watch hounds at work. When hounds strike on the scent of the wild quarry, the chase is on! Foxhunting is a tremendous sport that can be enjoyed by horses and riders of all ages, abilities, and disciplines. While most modern foxhunters ride astride, many women and men enjoy foxhunting aside, utilizing a side saddle and appropriate attire.
Historically, the addition of the leaping head to side saddle design during the 19th century is what allowed women to finally participate in galloping and jumping fences while out foxhunting. Its introduction gave much more security to the rider’s seat, and significantly liberated women in that age and time. Today, many women and men continue this tradition, not only in the U.S. but around the world. Some ride aside for the physical security it allows, others because it’s just plain fun!
Fall hunting or cubbing is especially enjoyed for the informal or “ratcatcher” attire allowed, including some of the most coveted tweeds. Earth tones and the occasional more boldly patterned tweeds can be seen amongst the field of riders out during fall hunting, and side saddle riders are no exception. Whether full habits (matching jacket and apron) or coordinating tweed and twill are worn – both complete the classic ensemble of a lady aside.
For those riding to hounds, either aside or astride, here are a few tips to prepare for the season.
Exercise! It’s important to get your horse in shape before the beginning of hunt season. Go out on trail rides, do trot sets, and hack out across flat surfaces and hills to build your horse’s stamina. Additionally, it’s good practice to get yourself in shape as well, both in and out of the saddle. For the aside rider, crunches and sit ups are essential because you use your core quite a bit when riding aside. The use of a side saddle also requires slightly different aids and muscles so start early in preparing you and your horse. Both of you will need to gradually adjust to it before going cross country for any length of time.
Exposure! If you are new to foxhunting, take the time to learn about the sport and even ask for the mentorship and guidance of an experienced foxhunter. Ride outside of the arena and safely expose your horse to riding in groups, cars passing by, livestock, and dogs. Hunts in the U.S. are typically very welcoming to anyone who is interested. They often sponsor hunter paces and give introductory clinics during the summer months, which are excellent opportunities to introduce you and your mount to the sport. Additionally, with the permission of the huntsman and/or MFH (Master of Fox Hounds), summer roading, also known as hound exercise, is another good opportunity for exposure.
Last but not least – Enjoy! There is nothing like the company of hounds, horses, fellow riders, and nature. And to experience it perched on a side saddle brings about an even higher level of enjoyment. Riding to hounds aside is not only a continuation of history, but it’s also a fabulous experience. Try it sometime. Live the dream!
Sarah McKay, Joint Master and Whipper of Ozark Highland Hounds on Paddy Ozark Highland Hounds is based in Steelville, Missouri
To learn more about the art and sport of side saddle, visit ISSO www.sidesaddle.com. To learn more about fox hunting and hunt clubs near you, visit www.mfha.com.
Fall hunting with Middleburg Hunt, photo by Middleburg Photography
Barbara Farrar cub hunting at Loudoun Fairfax Hunt, photo by Middleburg Photography
Junior Summer McCready on Sweetie in her fall hunting attire.
Julie Nafe of Jump Coop Farm, hunting with Radnor Hunt.
The HOOFBEAT of Tradition
At Horsepower Vineyards, dra� horses help to create “perfect” 100-point wines in lock-step with nature.
For French vigneron Christophe Baron, using draft horses in his Pacific Northwest vineyards isn’t a gimmick: it’s an Old World family tradition that’s core to his wine crafting philosophy.
Moving slowly through the vines in stride with the seasons, Baron’s stable of four Belgian and two Percheron draft horses, deftly handled by their four teamsters, work in synergy to cultivate more than 18 acres of tightly spaced, early 20th centurystyle vineyards which no tractor can navigate.
Yep, you heard right: Horsepower Vineyards is solely equine powered, quite literally, and to great critical acclaim. All Horsepower wines score highly; the 2018 Horsepower Vineyards Grenache Fiddleneck Vineyard was awarded a perfect 100 Points by Owen Bargreen, a certified sommelier and expert on Washington and Oregon wines.
“I have yet to find a wine this year that offers this degree of flavor complexity,” says Bargreen.
Affectionately known as the Bionic Frog for his unbounding energy and French roots, Baron can trace his passion for horses to his upbringing in France’s celebrated Champagne region, where his family have worked their estate since 1677.
Baron’s grandfather used draft horses until 1957 when he invested in a tractor and retired his last working horse Bijou (Jewel) for some well-earned rest. Baron, now aged 51 years, wasn’t around to see this change for himself, but
heard thrilling tales from family members about their desperate wartime efforts to conceal horses from the occupying German army, and remembers admiring the statuesque white Percheron grazing on sloping hillside pastures as a little boy.
“There was a lady who used to ride one of them. When you’re a kid, and you see that animal, right there… I was always very impressed,” he recalls. “From the beginning, I always knew, when I had my own vineyard, that I would have draft horses.”
After leaving France determined to make his own mark on the wine world, Baron planted the first commercial vineyard in the ancient alluvial fan plain known as The Stones of the Walla Walla Valley in 1997, naming the venture Cayuse Vineyards after the local Native American tribe dubbed “Les Cailloux” (“People of the Stones”) by passing French-Canadian fur trappers.
Looking at the open fields littered with basalt stones, layered hundreds of feet thick in places, I can’t help thinking that only a special kind of madman would try to farm here, but Baron has heard it all before.
“People said I was crazy, that I’d break my equipment and waste my time and money,” Baron recalls. “But I knew
that vines need to struggle in poor ground in order to provide their best.”
Baron emphasized closed-circle farming, treating the interrelationship of earth, plants and animals as a closed, self-nourishing ecosystem, from the beginning. Over time, he acquired more parcels of land in the area and started to craft more wines under different labels, adopting biodynamic farming principles across all of his vineyards in 2002 and subsequently incorporating polyculture and animal husbandry into the vineyards.
The result is an idyllic landscape beautiful to look upon, especially in spring, when yellow, pink and purple flowers carpet the meadows around the vines, almost overnight. Suckling lambs shake their tails as they bound around their grazing mothers. Long-horned Limousin cows nibble on shoots of grass turned iridescent gold by the morning sun as the shadows of clouds scudding by overhead dapple the brilliant green hillslopes.
Horsepower Vineyards is in many ways the zenith of Baron’s polyculture efforts, and the architecture of these vineyards was designed specifically for draft horses from their 2008 inception. Baron’s first horse, Zeppo, arrived at Horsepower Vineyards that first year, and Red followed
shortly after. Sadly, Zeppo is no longer with us, but 16-yearold Red is the patron of a herd which has grown to comprise five more geldings: sorrel Am Belgians Bayard and half-brothers Cielo and Fuego, plus full brothers Bill and Bob, both jet-black Percherons. While Red, the largest and strongest of the team at 17 hands, came out of northeast Oregon’s Pine Valley, all the other horses were born and bred on Amish farms in Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
A typical day at Horsepower is much like any other working stables. The teamsters arrive around dawn and bring the horses in from pasture or pen for breakfast, curry comb them and pick their feet, and generally check each animal and their equipment is in good shape before starting work.
Each horse pulls an expertly forged steel cultivator, a type of farming implement which has changed little over the centuries and which Baron sources from tiny workshops in France. Each weighs around 90 pounds and can be fitted with a range of interchangeable attachments known as sweeps, blades or spikes which represent different strategies for attacking weeds in different places–hard work
Continued...
Working with horses
is not like a tractor.
which keeps these equine farmers and their teamsters busy during the growing months, especially in wet years like 2022.
“Growing grapes is very demanding and we’re striving for a really high level of quality, so there’s a ton of work that needs to be done. But working with horses is not like a tractor–you can’t just decide to work twice as long and burn twice as much diesel,” says Farm Manager Christopher Galasso, who has worked with Baron’s livestock since 2012. “When horses are done for the day, they’re done. They need to rest, they need to eat and they need to have time to be horses together.”
To maintain their strength and condition, these equine farmers eat meticulously formulated feed, enjoy regular back care and massages, and wear heavy, custom-made size seven and eight draft shoes, forged from half-inch flat bar and essential for navigating the stony vineyards.
The teamsters also need to keep themselves in great shape. “Working with a cultivator is kind of like riding a jackhammer. Our vineyards are extremely stony and the human being is the ballast for the cultivator–it’s a bit like skating in the sense that you have to be very quick with your feet to keep things lined up, supporting yourself on the cultivator and using your bodyweight to keep it in the ground and keep it stable,” explains Galasso.
As the cultivator hits stones which send it from side to side, the teamster has to keep everything centered so they don’t hit posts or vines, and constantly maintain a peripheral awareness of everything happening around them–they need to keep an eye on the tractor spraying in a neighbor’s orchard, the jet coming closer to roar overhead and the bees buzzing through the rows, and read their horses cues regarding everything going on.
“The most important skill of the teamster is not how well they can control a cultivator. It’s how well they can read the horse,” adds Galasso. “It’s very much a trust relationship.”
Farming slowly with horses in this way is incredibly difficult and extremely expensive– Baron often
jokes he could buy a new Ferrari every year for the cost of maintaining his stables–but ultimately hugely beneficial to the vineyard. Using heavy machinery causes soil compaction which is detrimental to soil health, but the animal-human team partners making their slow progression along the rows create an open soil structure, ideal for the vines. Horses are also better than tractors at navigating the stone filled soils, and do a lot less damage.
“We tend not to see as many broken posts, as many broken vines. There’s a more intimate connection between the farmer and the vine when you are on the ground rather than when you’re in a machine, separated by steel and surrounded by diesel fumes,” says Galasso.
“The teamsters are more apt to see insects or potential management problems because they are literally four inches away from the vines all day long, walking every row of the vineyard multiple times a year. It makes a difference,” he adds.
Continued...
Once the vineyards are netted to protect them from birds in August, the horses take a break until after harvest, when Baron’s low-impact approach in the vineyards continues in the wine studio. The region’s long growing season means that grapes ripen here at lower sugar levels, which translates into lower alcohol wines. Baron and Residente Vigneronne Elizabeth Bourcier, a Seattle native with French roots, use whole-cluster fermentation, which means the grapes aren’t destemmed, and the wine has very little connection with new oak barrels.
“The style can be really polarizing, but it’s for real connoisseurs,” says Christophe of his traditional, Old World approach.
Meanwhile, the horses are making more passes with their teamsters in the vineyard, banking dirt against the vines to protect them during the region’s harsh winters before clocking out to enjoy their winter vacation by the end of October.
Farming biodynamically using horses is an approach that’s being readopted in the vineyards of some of the world’s most prestigious producers, for instance at Burgundy’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, often abbreviated to DRC. A single bottle of DRC Romanée-Conti Grand Cru can be priced upwards of $20,000; in 2019 a single bottle of the 1945 vintage fetched a record-breaking $558,000 at auction by Sotheby’s.
While Horsepower doesn’t carry that eye-popping price tag, it is on the higher end priced at $121 a bottle, and only 2000 cases are produced a year.
Driven by the hoofbeat of tradition, Horsepower wines combine modern advances with ancient wisdom and traditions of the past. Every bottle of wine created is dependent on animals and humans with a unique mindset working synergistically with earth, vine and nature–a special relationship that there’s simply no substitute for.
“You have to put schedules and the need to produce at a certain rate aside. You can’t rush. You can’t be stressed out or thinking about other things,” says Galasso.
“It’s a personality trait that you either have or you don’t. We have a responsibility to this role and our horses to make sure that we’re always meeting their needs.”
Horsepower Vineyards wines
• Syrah, Sur Echalas Vineyard
• Syrah, High Contrast Vineyard
• Syrah, The Tribe Vineyard
• Grenache, Sur Echalas Vineyard
• Grenache, Fiddleneck Vineyard
Horsepower Vineyards, by the numbers
Total acreage farmed with horses: 18.2
Total vines farmed with horses:
44 HorsepowerVineyards.com acres
68,384
Total miles walked per pass to cul�vate all of Horsepower Vineyards
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FOUNDER
in HORSES
Story and Photos By Alessandra Deerinck
THE LIFESTYLE THAT OWNERS PROVIDE TO THEIR HORSES DEEPLY AFFECTS THEIR HEALTH.
If you own a horse, along with learning to ride and interact with him, you need to learn the basics of how his organism works in terms of anatomy and behavior, because this knowledge will allow you to provide wellbeing to your horse and to know when he is not comfortable and you need to call the Veterinarian to take care of him. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of a situation that requires immediate medical attention is the best way to take care of a horse. Some of the most critical areas of the horse’s body are the limbs, which support the whole weight of the equine body and can be subject to traumas as well as problems related to the rest of the body of the horse. When horses suffer a trauma on the limbs, they make it well apparent, but there are some conditions that affect their limbs and originate from the rest of the organism.
FOUNDER IS A SERIOUS CONDITION
that can arise from different situations and permanently affect a horse. The cause of this dangerous problem can be a traumatic injury or a persistent metabolic disease, but most of the time is excessive body weight or a poor feeding regimen. Horses can make choices about their nutrition to meet their needs when they live in their natural environment, but when they are kept in a domestic environment, they do not have any choice in this regard. This, is the reason why owners need to learn to properly manage the feeding of their horse. Seasonal changes affect a horse’s nutritional needs, along with age, weight, breed and the workload we impose on them.
In a healthy horse the coffin bone is connected to the inside of the hoof wall by interlocking sensitive and insensitive laminae. If a horse develops founder, also known as laminitis, the laminae become inflamed, the connection between the coffin bone and the hoof wall can be compromised and the coffin bone can detach from the hoof wall or even rotate and go through the hoof sole. Internally, this creates excess pressure with extreme pain to follow. The separation can happen as quickly as two hours after the horse shows signs of the disease.
Prevention is critical because the horse becomes susceptible to future recurrences once it has been diagnosed with laminitis. Another thing to note is that this debilitating ailment is not curable and can only be managed with immediate and attentive care.
One of the most common causes of this dangerous situation comes from excess of oat, grain, green grass or beet pulp, which causes the organism to absorb an excess of endotoxins, produced by the intestinal bacteria. This instance can happen more often when the horse is debilitated, has metabolic and blood circulation problems after
colic, retention of the placenta, or pulmonary infections. A horse that has had trauma and cannot exercise, but is fed the same amount of protein as when he was in full training, or some drugs, can also develop founder. Other causes are related to excess of trimming of the hoof or improper shoeing that forces the weight of the horse on the sole.
During the acute stage there are general and local alterations, and locomotion becomes very painful. The more evident general signs that can be presented by the horse are congested mucous membranes, lack of appetite, constipation, oliguria, high heart beat and respiratory rate. The local signs can be heat in the foot, strong pain localized in the anterior surface of the hoof sole, which causes the horse to stand on the heels and alter his locomotion. If founder affects the front legs, horses stand with their front legs extended forward, the head held high and the hind limbs can be pushed under the abdomen. If founder affects the hind limbs the horse stands with the hind limbs pushed forward under the abdomen and the forelegs are pushed backward towards the hind legs, the head and neck are held low. The prognosis of founder in horses is always reserved because of the alterations that can affect the limb and the high possibility of reoccurrence of the problem, that can cause the horse to not even be able to stand.
Founder cannot be diagnosed just by looking at the external part of the hoof, but if you see your horse showing any of the signs we mentioned, in order to try to avoid permanent problems, you should immediately call your Veterinarian and have all of your horse’s medical history available. The veterinarian will perform a complete and thorough physical, a lameness examination and may also require full panel diagnostic tests, and take some X-rays to determine the status of the coffin bone.
AUSESC
Dangerous Situa�on
EXCESS OF OAT, GRAIN, GREEN GRASS OR BEET PULP.
Successful treatment for a horse that has developed founder must begin with a clear understanding of what caused it, and most of all, it is important to keep the Veterinarian updated about the moment by moment evolution of the condition of the horse that is being treated.
A horse that recovers from laminitis needs to receive proper hoof care and dietary management. Connecting the farrier with the veterinarian can provide the best method for trimming and shoeing a horse’s hooves. We also need to continually manage the horse’s feeding and making adjustments when necessary, paying attention to seasonal and climatic changes, and feeding little amounts and often, so we can closely resemble a horse’s natural foraging pattern.
In regard to any illness and most crucially with unpredictable problems such as laminitis, the way we can take care of the wellbeing of our horse is to take preventive measures and to follow the advice and recommendations of our Veterinarian.
Equine Hanna Somatics - Part 3
Kinetic Mirroring of the Rib Cage
By Patricia Hechter
Photos By Eileen Johnson
In this article we are using the technique of Kinetic Mirroring to assist your horse to relax the small muscles between his ribs, the Intercostals. Encouraging these small muscles to relax allows more oxygen to enter the lungs and bloodstream. Kinetic Mirroring begins the process of muscular relaxation by shortening the muscle portion between your hands.
The three hand placements for Kinetic Mirroring of the ribcage. The hands are on a slight diagonal following the line of the ribcage.
Relaxation of the Intercostal Muscles assists in:
• Maintaining a centered saddle,
• Lateral flexion of both sides,
• Clean canter departs,
• Deep full breaths.
To perform Kinetic Mirroring (KM), while working specifically with the rib cage, stand facing your horse’s torso. Place your hands on a slight diagonal following the line of the rib bones.
Standing on the left side of the horse, place your left hand close to the spine near the withers with your right hand near the end of the ribs toward the sternum/belly. If your horse is large, or if it is more comfortable for you, place your left hand near the spine with your right hand in the center of the ribcage. When you finish working with the top portion, shift your left hand to the center of the ribs place your right hand to the bottom of the ribs, near the belly.
Very gently and slowly move your hands toward one another to the count of 3 - 5. There is VERY little movement, only a few millimeters. It is almost a thought of the movement. Repeat two more times. You may wonder if you are performing this technique correctly, there is less action and more intent involved. Your horse’s reactions and responses will confirm your success.
Many horses will take a bigger breath when the tension is released. Some horses may voluntarily create a slight bend in their spine toward you. A few horses will not respond until you walk away from them; especially during the first time they experience the ability to have their body relax in this way.
Complete each hand position three times before changing the placement of your hands to the middle position, then the last. When proceeding to the right side, your hand position will shift. Your right hand will become the high hand while your left hand takes a lower position on the ribcage.
Use the length of your hands as a guide to determine where they will rest each time you complete a section of his ribcage. Generally, you will position your hands along the ribs between three and four times. Small ponies and minis will require fewer hand placements, perhaps two to three positions; with larger horses you may move your hands to a new position four to five times.
EHS® is very gentle and slow. There is no stretching, pulling or pushing involved in any of the movements, including Kinetic Mirroring. Be aware of your own breath as you perform this technique. Practice inhaling as you move your hands toward one another, exhale as your hands move apart. Your horse will begin to breath with you. As this occurs, take deeper louder breaths with long full audible exhales. You and your horse will relax and become centered together.
Continue taking before and after photos of your horse, front, back, each side and from behind down the spine. Compare the first sets of photos you took after the first article, May/June issue, and the second article in the July/ August issue, to the ones you take with this exercise. As you do this, think about how your horse responds. How is your relationship improving/changing? Is the way your horse moves different? Has his posture shifted? What additional ways has your horse changed? Be observant and have fun.
Note: This is a wonderful technique to use when a horse is experiencing a bout of gas colic. Offer your horse KM along his rib cage and see how he responds. If you feel he is benefiting and relaxing, you may use KM along the spine and abdominal muscles on both sides of the body, in addition to his ribs. In a relatively short time period, your horse may be able to expel gas lessening his discomfort. Continue to offer Kinetic Mirroring of his muscles as long as he finds benefit and comfort from the process.
Continued...
PIVO LAUNCHES EQUESTRAIN EDITION SMARTPHONE MOUNT
TO HELP HORSE RIDERS TRAIN BETTER
Pivo, Inc., a leading developer of AI-technology solutions for content creators, has launched the Pivo Equestrian Edition that specifically aims to assist equestrians while they train to become better riders.
Affordable and Portable Mo�onTracking Tool Helps Equestrians Develop and Improve Using AI Technology and Advanced Features
The Pivo Equestrian Edition is a portable and affordable tool that will change the way both recreational and professional horse riders develop and improve their skills.
The Pivo Equestrian Edition is a smartphone (iOS or Android) mount that can track a horse while in motion within a contained environment such as a round pen or corral. This means that anyone with a smartphone can now create dynamic training videos that capture their every move while riding their horse.
The Pivo Equestrian Edition also includes a Video Call feature that will allow a coach to train a rider from a remote location.
“We’ve discovered that equestrians are very enthusiastic about capturing, and improving, their riding skills by using Pivo’s motion tracking technology,” enthused CEO, Ken Kim. “The Pivo Equestrian Edition helps them improve their riding skills, whether their riding solo or working with a trainer from a remote location. The feedback we’ve received from equestrians around the world has been so positive that we created the Equestrian Edition to meet their specific needs.”
The PIVO is a great training tool!
It allows me to have my trainer review my workout and provide feed back and instruc�on so I am not on my own when he is traveling to do clinics.
Noelle Vander Brink Editor of Elite Equestrian
• AI Tracking technology ensures smooth video capture of both horse and rider
• Track and analyze every step, gate, jump, and gallop while practicing
• 360-degree rotation can capture a complete rotation within a pen or corral
• 4 tracking speeds ranging from slow, normal, fast and frenzy
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With the introduction of the Pivo Equestrian Edition and its innovative approach to content creation, Pivo is poised to become the leading provider of motion-tracking smartphone mounts in the United States and the world.
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Pivo Equestrian Edition Features:
Aiken, South Carolina is Horse Country... see fall events next page.
ikenA
EQUESTRIAN EVENTS
September&October2022
September 10th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm HUNTER PACE
The Vista Schooling and Event Center 859 Old Tory Trail, Aiken, SC
September 11th, Full Gallop Farm Schooling HT, Combined Tests, Jump School, or Dressage Test of Choice
Full Gallop Farm, 3828 Wagener Rd, Aiken, SC
September 14th, Stable View Schooling Dressage Show
Stable View 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC
September 15th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
USEF/USDF “Fall Frenzy” Dressage
Stable View, 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC
September 23th, 8:00 amSeptember 25th 5:00 pm “Oktoberfest” FEI CCI-S 2/3/4 &USEF/USEA
Horse Trials
Stable View 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC
September 24th, 8:00 amSeptember 25 @ 5:00 pm
Progressive Show Jumping C series Show at Highfields Highfields 147 Warehouse Rd, Aiken, SC
September 29th, 8:00 am - October 3 5:00 pm
Stableview USEF A-Rated Hunter/Jumper Show
Stable View, 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC
October 7th, 8:00 am - October 9th 5:00 pm
TIP Championships Stable View, 117 Stable Drive, Aiken, SC Thoroughbred Incen�ve Program Championships
October 15th, 8:00 am - October 16th, 5:00 pm
PSJ C Series SE Regional Championships
Highfields 147 Warehouse Rd, Aiken, SC
October 22th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Just For Fun Show at Highfields Highfields 147 Warehouse Rd, Aiken, SC
October 22th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mini Horse Trial
The Vista Schooling and Event Center 8 59 Old Tory Trail, Aiken, SC
Cra�ing Visual Stories: How Musical Freestyles Are Made Part 2: Gamifying The Choreography
By Collier Wimmer
12 years ago, Collier Wimmer decided to combine her background and passions for dance, music, dressage and created Three Wishes Freestyles. Three Wishes has numerous Regionals, Finals, CDI, and CPEDI, champion and top three freestyles; along with Nations Cups and World Cup showings. Three Wishes Freestyles is a place where immersive stories are crafted. This is part 2 of a 3 part series on crafting musical freestyles.
Music is only half the question;
and as you might guess, technical components and considerations make up the other half. The technical execution portion is judged based on the movements required and how well they are performed.
When crafting the choreography, think about a pattern that shows off your horse’s strengths, while setting him/her up for the best execution of weaker elements. it’s a delicate balance of making the floorplan as difficult as possible without increasing the probability for mistakes. It’s a strategic gamification of the rules and prerequisite movements.
You want a symmetrical choreography that flows easily. The choreography should be creative, but don’t over-choreograph. Sometimes, it’s better to be simple than overly complicated because less mistakes will be made technically and artistically. And remember, craft a freestyle that only includes movements at your level or below; unless explicitly stated in the freestyle requirements for your level, any movement shown above the level will result in penalties.
Try to be creative and use the second track or quarter lines for your shoulder-in, etc. Try not to stay on the rail all the time. Create curvy lines and avoid using the same patterns that are found in the test. Instead, find new ways to string movements together. A caution here however: make sure you ride each movement for a long enough time that the judges can recognize it and give you that movement score.
The pattern should be organized in a way that everyone watching can understand the movements displayed and should be used to demonstrate a balance use of space. Rather than isolating movements, combine them. By riding a medium canter to a simple change for a Second level freestyle, for example, not only are you stringing together a nice pattern, the degree of difficulty (DoD) score is also improved.
Degree of Difficulty score
Now, what exactly IS degree of difficulty (DoD)? Defined as, “Well-calculated risks. The horse-rider team performs a single element or a combination of elements in a way that exceeds the expectation of the level.” DoD is where riders look to capitalize on every advantage they have. So, riders who want to increase their DoD score may eliminate a joker line from their choreography and take the risk that their horse will correctly perform tricky elements the first and only time they do them. But this is a doubleedged sword, as showing movements once does not give you a safety net. Now, on the other side of the coin, if you perform a movement more than once, those scores can give you a lower average for that movement and
take away from the overall choreography score if one is not performed as proficiently as the other. Regardless, the degree of difficulty score is something that should be almost a current underlying consideration while building the floorplan. There is a lot to be gained from having a high degree of difficulty score.
Now, what do examples of DoD movements and patterns in a freestyle look like? For national level freestyles, if the rider did a longer angle in the half pass than was required in the test, the DoD score would go up. However if the rider tries something difficult but fails, the DoD score would go down. Think about how much more difficult the freestyle choreography could be from the technical test of the same level without overburdening you two as a pair. If the freestyle had only the same difficulty as the technical test you can expect a score around 6-6.5. If however, risks were taken and executed well, (there were more flying changes than required or if they were done on a curved line), there would be a bump in the DoD score as well as the choreography score.
Continued... Continued on page 66
RIDER Biomechanics
By Stephany Fish Crossman
Accredited RWYM coach, Stephany Fish Crossman reviews a rider from a submitted photo to help the team improve their ride!
Here we have a lovely horse and rider combina�on who are working at home. We catch them at the top of a post in the trot, and they seem to be going le�. Pam and her mare have been together for a while; I believe the mare was originally a brood mare, so she had a later start to her dressage career. This is a big moving horse, and a red head to boot, so Pam has had her hands full, ge�ng her own dressage career started! Today we are going to cover 2 items in reviewing Pam’s photo: Lineup and Core Engagement.
LINEUP
If we were to magically pull the horse out from under the rider, would the rider land on her face, her fanny, or her feet? While there is a lot of good going on in Pam’s line up, it is easy to see that she would, horse removed, land on her face. How do we correct this �pping forward without using the same old “lean back” cry? Here we go!
• In the stirrup, the rider’s foot is parallel to the ground, which is perfectly acceptable in the dressage saddle. We ultimately would like to see more weight distributed in the thigh than in the foot (ultimately a 70/30 ratio thigh to foot), which allows the ankle to bend softly and the rider to use the stirrup to rebalance themselves, not brace into it. I believe in this picture that Pam has more weight in the front of her foot than in the thigh, which makes her brace in a sophisticated way onto the stirrup. Instead of asking her to put the weight in the heel, I would ask Pam to lift her toes, which would transfer more of her weight into her thighs. This would begin the adjustment of her line up, by increasing her attachment to the saddle and her stability closer to her center of gravity. By attaching the thigh more, Pam would increase the bend at the back of her knee, giving her more ability to manage the top and bottom of her post.
• At this moment, partially because she is tipping forward, Pam is unable to come to the full top of the post, and therefore is allowing some of the horse’s energy to get lost in the back. To make this idea clear, think of your posting mechanism as the windshield wiper on your car. There are two parts to the wiper, the lower and upper arms. The lower arm merely raises the upper arm, which then comes to the full top of the swing and the complete bottom of the swing each swipe. The wiper moves the same amount every time, taking the same amount of time to complete both the up and the down portions of the swipe. Bringing this back to the posting mechanism, Pam’s thigh is not attached enough to keep the energy coming to the full top of the post, which will also mean she is not supporting herself enough to place herself at the bottom of the post,
but will more likely get pulled back into the saddle by the horse’s movement. For Pam to take control of this trot, she needs to come up more in the post, not just up but forward, in order to stay with the motion of the horse.
CORE ENGAGEMENT
In order to balance the top of her body with this more attached and powerful thigh, we want to assess how the torso is working to assist or to deflect Pam’s efforts. In this photo, while there is a lovely straight line from the bit to the rider’s elbow, the direction of energy we can see is going down, not forward. Again, Pam is being influenced by the horse, rather than being the influence to the horse. How do we change that?
• Increasing Pam’s core strength, known throughout biomechanics as bear down, is a good place to start. Imagine Pam’s torso like an unopened can of soup. To keep the soup from spoiling, the can has been vacuum sealed…that soup won’t spoil for years! There is an equal amount of pressure existing on all sides of the can, not just on the front or the back of the can. There is also an equal pressure between the can and the soup – the can is pushing IN on the soup while the soup is pushing OUT on the can. This is a really brief explanation of bearing down in the core. Looking at Pam’s torso, we can see that there is not an equal amount of pressure or power in the front of her body to the amount in the back of her body. So, while her back is working hard to come forward in the post, the front is deflecting the effort, and therefore the post is cut short of the full action it should take to match this mare’s stride.
More... Continued on page 66
There are a few other elements to be mindful of when building your choreography.
Judge Placement:
Be sure you consider where you will be riding your freestyle. If showing only at a national show with one judge, then make sure the choreography is clear for the judge at C. If you plan to go to the USDF/USEF Regional Championships, then you need to consider how the choreography will look to the side judge as well. At a CDI with five judges, you need to think about what the majority of the judges at the short end see as well as ensuring the movements are clear to the two judges on the long sides.
Location, Location
Let’s discuss where to place some of your movements. First, remember that extensions look best on a long, straight line. The half pass is another movement that also looks better coming toward the judge(s) at the short end. And if you need to split up the half passes, mix them up and try to have one in each direction toward the short end.
Additionally, judges are pretty smart, so if you hide the collected walk down at the A end and do it away from all the judges, they usually know there is a problem with the rhythm. However, if they can’t see the problem, they can’t lower the score. On the flip side, if they can’t see the movement, they can’t reward it either. So if your horse has an 8 extended walk, do a long line up in the top end of the arena and make sure all the judges see it and can reward it.
Lastly, know your time limits!
1st level through I-1: 5:00 minutes from salute to salute. Grand Prix: 5:30 – 6:00 minutes from salute to salute.
In summary, know the level requirements & use them to your advantage, especially the coefficients. The floorplan should be crafted to highlight you as a pair and downplay the requirements that are least strong. Think of creating a supple, balance, fluid floorplan. While keeping in mind what the judges are seeing.
Use non-test like movements to add creativity and a higher degree of difficulty and use the rules to your advantages, make them work for you. Lots to juggle here, but once you get the hang of it, gamifying the choreography can be a fun puzzle to assemble!
How do we fix this issue, which is common in so many riders, and causes back pain from incorrect compensation?
• The easiest way to work on this issue without a coach is balloon breathing. Grab a balloon and blow it up. Make a note of every action you do to blow this balloon up – the in breath, the way your ribs press out against your skin and how your core muscles push back in to propel the air into the balloon…as you went for your second inhale, you probably pinched the balloon off with your fingers right in front of your mouth to keep the air from pushing back at you…that’s cheating!
• Try it again, but this time, when you go for the second in breath, prevent the air from coming out of the balloon with your tongue! Notice the way your ribs stayed out, and your core stayed strong. This made you more like the soup can!! This, my friends, is bear down, and it is what the best riders are doing, whether they know it or not!
• Keep blowing up your balloon and making notes about your core – did you notice any parts of you that didn’t work as much as others? That would be like having a dent in the can – the integrity of the can is compromised, so the soup may not be good anymore!
Pam essentially has a “dent” in the front of her soup can. Working on balloon breathing both in and out of the saddle will help her develop more engagement of her core, which will in turn help her manage the engagement of the horse’s core, which will lead to more regularity of the gaits and better scores at the show!
Questions? Feel free to ask, just know that everyone is doing their best, both in this picture and in the reviewing. As Mary Wanless says, people are more than the sum of their parts; we want to instruct and encourage, not tear each other down!
Thanks again to Pam for being our biomechanics model!
If you would like to get an online biomechanics review, email me with a side view picture and a brief description of what you were doing at that moment. We’ll get you reviewed and on your way to a better ride!
stephany@serendipitydressage.net
CAPITAL CHALLENGE CAPITAL CHALLENGE
Evolving Through 29 Years of Elite Competition
In 1994, Billy Glass and Oliver Kennedy joined forces to create a unique horse show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. Little did they know, the Capital Challenge Horse Show would one day become one of the most elite hunter, jumper, and equitation competitions in the country.
Story By Sabrina Brashares, Jump Media
Year after year, the Capital Challenge Horse Show attracts the top horse-and-rider combinations from across the United States. The competition continuously sets a high standard of performance, from the level of horses and riders, to the innovative upgrades, to the most spectacular awards presentations. Similarly, the horse show always aims to improve and grow to satisfy the needs of riders and trainers. On September 29-October 9, 2022, the Capital Challenge Horse Show will welcome exhibitors back for the 29th year of competition.
Expanding Disciplines
When Capital Challenge first became part of the fall indoor circuit, the event mainly attracted hunter riders, but it also hosted international jumpers and a World Cup qualifier grand prix. While open jumpers are no longer on the schedule, Capital Challenge became known for hosting the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Finals and became the event where top hunter riders wanted their horses to peak. Riders work all year to earn WCHR points in order to qualify for the finals.
“I attended the first Capital Challenge in 1994, and then I missed a few years while I attended college but I have been at every show since 1999,” said Amanda Steege, winner of the 2018 WCHR Pro Challenge aboard Lafitte de Muze. “Right from the beginning, you had the feeling that Billy and Oliver had created something special. Over the years it has grown so much and has become one of the most prestigious shows in the country.”
Capital Challenge offers opportunities for professional, amateur, junior, and pony hunter riders to take center stage in The Show Place Arena, which is one of the most welcoming indoor facilities in the country. In addition to having regular hunter divisions for each level, the horse show also hosts
WCHR Challenges where riders show off their hunter style and smoothness in a classic round.
The show also gives young hunters a chance to shine. The $25,000 3’ and 3’3” North American Green Hunter Championship has become a popular class for riders to test their up-and-coming hunters in a championship environment.
“I think this is the place where the next superstar hunters are determined,” said Kennedy. “It is often the class that forecasts which horses are going to be the best First Year Green horses or the great conformation horses for the next year.”
In addition to highlighting the hunter discipline, Capital Challenge has become a year-end goal for many equitation riders of various levels. The horse show is home to several adult and junior equitation finals. The event hosts the EMO Insurance Agency/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast, the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Championships, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals, and the Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) North American Junior Equitation Championships.
The EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast was added to the list of equitation finals in 2017 and has become an increasingly popular class with more than 150 entries during the 2021 event.
Continued...
John French and Babylon on their way to winning the $25,000 WCHR Professional Challenge presented by The Gochman Family. Photo by Jump Media
In 2021, Heather Williams piloted DiCaprio 3 to victory in the $5,000 WCHR Developing Pro Challenge presented by The John R. Ingram Fund. Photo by Jump Media
“We dedicate the opening weekend of Capital Challenge to equitation riders of all levels,” explained Kennedy. “We have had a great response to the 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final at Capital Challenge. I think it really exceeded expectations as far as interest and participation.”
In 2017, Capital Challenge expanded to include a third division for junior and amateur jumper riders. Three years later, Capital Challenge began hosting the North American League (NAL) Finals. The five NAL divisions showcased are the Adult Jumper, Children’s Jumper, Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, Children’s Hunter, and Adult Hunter.
Additional Days
As Capital Challenge has expanded in disciplines offered over the years, the show has also gradually increased in days. In 2017, the horse show extended to 10 days with the addition of the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast. The 2022 horse show will add an eleventh day to the schedule during Equitation Weekend in response to an increasing number of entries, especially in the equitation divisions.
“We are thrilled to see the continued development of equitation competition at the Capital Challenge,” said Kennedy. “The expanded schedule will help accommodate the growing popularity of our equitation offerings and allow each of our major equitation finals to be a featured event each day.”
Constant Improvements
Capital Challenge is a favorite first stop on the indoor circuit for many competitors. For this reason, the management always looks for ways to improve the experience for riders, trainers, and horses so that it remains a beloved event.
“This year we are working with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission as well as Prince George’s County on several improvements,” commented Kennedy. “We are focusing on redoing the rings with new sand and fiber footing. The drainage system for the main schooling area and show ring outside will be updated. We will also start improvements to the stabling area.”
Since the event attracts the top competitors in the country, the venue is constantly improving to accommodate the exhibitors. As needs change over time for horses and riders, Capital Challenge aims to stay up to date so competitors always have a good experience.
“Capital Challenge is a special final unlike any other competition in the country,” said Kennedy. “We have a phenomenal group of supporters and sponsors that allow the horse show to attract the nation’s top horses and riders. We’re looking forward to another great year of seeing the best that the country has to offer.”
Learn more about Capital Challenge at www.capitalchallenge.org.
Riley Hogan bested a field of 153 entries to claim the top prize in the EMO Insurance/ USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final for the East Coast.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze competing in the WCHR Professional Finals presented by The Rein Family during the 2021 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo by Jump Media
Scott Stewart and Ackergill Castle jumping in perfect form to win the $25,000 KASK North American Green Hunter 3’ and 3’3” Championship in 2021. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Relationships
Results and
Palm Partnership Training™
Building a Partnership with your Horse Story and Photos By Lynn Palm
Reflection…”Dancing With Your Horse”
Riding, like dancing, takes “two to tango”. The goal of riding with sensitivity and a light touch comes from the combination of each partner’s personality and experience. No matter what your riding level is now, as your experience and skill increases so will your ability to dance with more sensitive equine partners.
This Week…
I’d like you to realistically evaluate how your riding experience, personality and goals match with what your horse brings to the partnership.
A horse’s sensitivity comes from his personality, age, and maturity. Young horses are sensitive because they lack maturity and experience. Uneducated horses, no matter what age, tend to be sensitive because they lack experience with a rider.
“Laid back” horses are easy going. I have high praise for these levelheaded individuals. They tend to be older, more experienced partners. They can tolerate the inexperienced rider’s heavy hands, bouncing seat, and inconsistent aids. Yet when the rider learns softness and sensitivity, the laid back horse becomes lighter and more sensitive in response.
Are you a beginning rider or have you had a bad experience that’s affected your confidence? Your best match is a “laid back” horse who can patiently tolerate your progress through the learning process. Avoid an inexperienced or sensitive horse because both of you lack the personality to accommodate the inexperience of the other. Once your experience and confidence increases, you will be able to move on to a more sensitive partner who can help you refine your skills.
Very strong-minded riders, who lack experience and ability to control their emotions, are best matched with a laid back horse. These riders can intimidate an inexperienced or sensitive horse, leading to serious safety problems. Even a laid back horse can get sullen and mentally withdraw from the partnership if the rider continually loses emotional control. Emotional control is the rider’s responsibility and must be achieved before any progress will be made.
Your Next Step…
If you are not getting good reactions and feelings with your horse now, you must get professional guidance from a trainer or experienced horseperson. Find out if the problem is rooted in the horse-rider match or comes from disobedience caused by lack of knowledge. Don’t be afraid to get a second or third opinion. You and your horse may be mismatched. This will only lead to frustration and potentially dangerous situations. The only solution for a mismatch is to find horse that better suits your personality and experience.
Lynn’s Training Tip
Is your horse a “mellow fellow” or a “sensitive sam”?
Find out how to test your horse’s personality in Lessons 1 & 2 in my book “Longevity Training”. Through beautiful color photos and clear explanations, I’ll guide you practical on-the-ground tests you can use to determine your horse’s personality and his trainability.
Go to www.lynnpalm.com, click on “Products”, and start maximizing your success.
KNOW What You’re Buying
By Tom Scheve
A dealer, while explaining to a customer why a slant load trailer is superior to a straight load...
(he only had slant loads on his lot), asked her to stand facing him. He then gave her a slight shove. She lost her balance and stepped backward. Then he had her stand at an angle, gave her another slight push and she kept her balance. He grinned and said “See that? You can balance better standing at an angle. When she called and told me this story, we both started laughing at the same time. I asked, “Did you tell him what I think you told him?” She said, “Yup, I told him, ‘You do know horses have four legs, don’t you?’”
I’m sure the dealer above has sold many slant load trailers with that demonstration without him or the customer ever stopping to think it through. It seems like many of us, in this day and age, are willing to accept what we are told without discernment. Accepting at face value what is written in horse trailer articles, advertisements, or in a salesman’s pitch, will most likely lead to regret after your purchase.
Another example, which happened in the following exchange, led to the buyer owning a trailer in which her horses didn’t fit.
Customer: “How big is that slant load stall? My horse is 16.3 hands.”
Salesman: “It’s eleven feet on the diagonal. Customer: “That should be plenty; my straight load trailer is only ten feet.”
In this conversation, the keyword is “diagonal.” One not familiar with slant load trailers might believe that the dealer is quoting the actual length of the stall, but he’s not. An eleven-foot diagonal measurement of a standard slant load stall is from the far corner to the opposite far corner. When measured correctly from center to center, front wall to back wall, the actual usable horse space is a little over eight feet. Unless her horse can somehow contort his head into one corner and his butt in the other, her 16.3 hand horse won’t fit. Had the customer probed deeper, she would have realized the ten-foot stall in her current trailer has two more usable feet than the new slant load trailer. This is how the above conversation would have played out had she listened intently and questioned everything.
Customer: “What do you mean, ‘eleven feet on the diagonal?’”
Salesman: “Slant loads are measured from corner to corner.”
Customer: “I’m not sure I understand. Can you show me a floor plan?”
Once the customer sees the diagram, it will become clear that the space in both corners is not usable stall space. The same applies when visiting websites and social media. Carefully read and question everything. For example, the controversial reverse load trailer is touted as “an innovative trailer design that has been scientifically proven.”
What scientist? Where are their findings published? How did they do the research; what were their methods?”
Also, ask questions about construction terms that you might not understand such as galvanneal steel, coated steel, or extruded aluminum, which are explained on reputable internet sites However, terms you can’t find on reputable sites, such as “Z frame” technology, are likely made-up words, coined by dealers or manufacturers to promote their product as something unique and different when it isn’t. When the word “fact” shows up on dealers’ or manufacturers’ websites, be on alert. One such website states “In fact, horses prefer to travel backward in the trailer.” How do they know this? Did some horses tell them?
The hardest problem to overcome is not knowing what you don’t know. A good example are tires. You might assume that if the tires are new and inflated properly, what’s the worry? What you may not know is that trailer tires have speed limits, which most are rated at sixtyfive miles an hour. If you live in states with long, wide-open roads such as Texas or Arizona, or often travel on Freeways at speeds over sixty-five (I don’t recommend it) you need tires rated to handle greater speeds, such as Goodyear Endurance rated at 81 mph. Tires also have weight ratings as to how much they can hold and still be safe. If you are ordering a trailer and adding footage (weight), you might want higher weight ratings on the tires. The combined ratings of all the tires must be as much, or more than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer. Asking questions about all aspects of a horse trailer will most likely gain you information that you didn’t expect and will enlighten you with the knowledge needed to ask more. And the more you know about the trailer you’re buying, the more you’re apt to get the right one.
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.
I prefer to ride facing the hay bags.
$27,900
