Consider the horses lameness history and gradually increase varied exercises to manage these mounts, one veterinarian says.The post Keeping the Walk-Trot Horse Sound and Fit appeared first on The Horse.

These days, we often view each others lives through the lens of a highlight reel, glimpsing the incredible trips, impressive jumps, and moments were proud enough to share on social media. What we dont often discuss is the immense pressure this places on athletes on both ends of the news feed. Whether professional or not, riders feel compelled to post content that portrays them as cool and successful. As consumers of this content, we are left with a distorted perception that the sport is easy and that failure might suggest one isnt cut out for it. These interviews are part of my mission to shed light on the reality of the challenges faced by everyone, regardless of their level, at some point in their journey.On this edition of Between the Ears, I caught up with CCI5* rider Ema Klugman. At just 26 years old, Ema boasts an impressive resume of horses that she has produced herself. She was the highest-placed youngest rider at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2021 with her self-made horse Bendigo, and recently added a successful completion of the same event on Bronte Beach, another horse she produced herself. If thats not enough, Ema also has an impressive resume outside the saddle. She holds an undergraduate degree from Duke University and recently completed her J.D. from the George Washington University of Law in May of this year. How does she do it all? Lets go Between the Ears to find outTo read more Between the Ears interviews, click here.Ema Klugman and Slieve Callan Alpha. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.Can you give us a brief history of your career and how you got into eventing? I guess my journey really started in Australia because my mum had a keen interest in horses when she was growing up, but I didnt ride when I was really little. My brother and I truly caught the horse bug when our family moved to Nairobi, Kenya, for a couple of years. During that time, we leased ponies and participated in pony club, which got us hooked on riding. When we returned to Washington, D.C., we continued riding and joined a local pony club. Although I hadnt done eventing per se in Kenya, we had done some cross-country and plenty of show jumping. Once I started eventing, I realized it was the most fun sport you could do on a horse. Ive been eventing at the FEI levels since I was about 16. Its an amazing sport that demands a ton of work, but its incredibly addictive.Youve managed to balance your education and professional pursuits with your riding career. Why did you choose this dual path, and how has it been to juggle those interests? In my family, there wasnt a question about whether Id do both education and riding it was always clear that we valued education. I wanted to go to college, and I continued riding during that time. I had Bendigo, who would eventually become my first 5* horse, and a horse called Jokers Win, at the time, and we were stepping up to the advanced level on both of those horses. I worked with my trainer, the late Packy McGaughan, during high school, who was an amazing mentor and coach, and I got to check in with him during school breaks, but a lot of my riding was done on my own. Riding advanced horses with little experience at that level was a bit nuts, but it was also empowering and I think it taught me a lot of important lessons. If youre just focusing on one thing, you can get really good at it, but I think you can still get very good at something if you are multitasking. In my brain, I think of it more as task-switching (rather than multi-tasking), meaning I put my brain in a different mode for school and for the barn.t is a lot to manage, but I got good at focusing on what needed to be done for either. When you think about it, there are very few riders who just ride and compete most are running a business, doing sales, and teaching lessons you sort of have to do a second thing to make the business work. Im not that different, its just that my other thing has been college and law school, and soon it will be working as an attorney. Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Have you ever lost your confidence in riding or competing? How did you overcome it?Yes, several times. One notable instance was in 2018 when I qualified for the four-star long at Bromont. I went to the competition without a solid plan, and the course was huge. I ended up crashing my horse in the arena, got concussed, and felt pretty shaken. However, with some recovery and the help of my coach, Packy, I got back to training. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and that I was a better rider than I was that day. We practiced specific challenges, like big downhill jumps, to rebuild my confidence, and I was able to compete at Great Meadow successfully for my next event, which was only about a month later. One thing I learned from crashing at Bromont is that I gain confidence from having a really good plan. Having a good plan doesnt guarantee that everything will go perfectly, but it makes it much more likely that you will have a successful competition. Confidence isnt just about recovering from falls; its also about competence. Practicing and improving your skills is crucial. Sometimes you need to step down a level and work on basics to regain confidence. It can be difficult to build confidence and competence for jumping around the big courses when you cant necessarily practice them all the time, but as a rider, you have to be disciplined to prepare in a way that helps you go to an event without questioning if youll be successful. What are your thoughts on burnout, and how do you manage it?I think that burnout can happen when theres too much going on concurrently, making it hard to process everything. It can also happen when nothing seems to be going your way; just the feeling that everything, for some reason, is going wrong. Ive had moments where I felt like I was on a treadmill, running without a break. The sport can be exhausting. However, I also thrive on being busy and having multiple goals. In a weird way, it helps me focus. I tend to have the opposite issue with burnout; I feel a little itchy if I dont have enough to do, and I find it hard to relax if theres no task at hand. When things go wrong, its easy to feel overwhelmed. However, having a clear goal and loving what you do can keep you motivated. There are days when riding feels like a job, especially if its freezing cold or pouring with rain, but pushing through those days is essential to achieving long-term goals. Ema Klugman and Bendigo. Photo by Shelby Allen.What advice would you give to someone in the sport facing adversity?Remember that everyone, no matter their level, faces challenges. Its easy to think top riders have it all together, but everyone deals with setbacks. I think its also important to remember that our sport isnt very diverse, and we need to work on having some perspective on the types of adversity that we face. As a bit of an aside, I would love for our industry to find a way to be more inclusive. But try to keep it in the back of your head that the challenge and adversity that you have in this industry is one that you are privileged to havemany people dont have access to the kind of lifestyle that we live as Equestrians. If youre struggling with resources or your horses performance, realize that not every horse is suited for top levels. Its okay to recognize when a horse isnt going to meet your expectations. Having a good coach who is honest about your horses potential is crucial. Financially, the sport can be accessible if you work hard and have the right support system. You dont need a million-dollar horse to succeed; good training and good basics go a really long way.Its important to stand firm in who you are and what youre doing. Keep chipping away at your goals, and dont be afraid to reassess your situation if things arent working out. Every rider faces obstacles, but with determination, hard work, and a bit of creativity, you can overcome a lot of them. Eventing is a tough but gratifying sport, and loving what you do makes all the difference.

Buy any pair of childrens breeches this summer to win a pair of Easy Rider Breeches with your name and your ponys name on them! To enter purchase any pair of childrens breeches before the end of July to be automatically entered into the competition. Find the perfect pair of Breeches Shop NowEasy Rider Joy Full Grip Junior Winter Breeches Magnet GreyThe Easy Rider Joy Full Grip Junior Winter Breeches will keep little legs warm when the temperatures drop this season. Perfect for young riders to wear in the saddle, these breeches are crafted from 4-way stretch fabric which features a luxuriously soft brushed lining for warmth and flexibility. Shop Now Euro-Star Amara Full Grip Junior Competition Breeches TaupeThe Euro-Star Amara Full Grip Junior Breeches are fashioned with front, rear and leg pockets, belt loops, a full silicone Euro-Star grip, and a triple button hook and zip closure. The excellent blend of polyamide and elastane allows for the ultimate soft touch feel, whilst also providing UV 50+ protection. Shop Now Mountain Horse Crown Knee Grip Junior Breeches NavyThe Mountain Horse Crown Knee Grip Junior Breeches are a smart yet super comfortable design perfect for any rider! They are crafted from a durable stretch fabric that is dirt- and water resistant, making them extremely practical for little equestrians. This material is also breathable, wicking and soft. Shop Now LeMieux Freya Pro Full Grip Junior Breeches GreyThe LeMieux Freya Pro Full Grip Junior Breeches are a stunning yet practical choice in equestrian legwear, made from a soft, highly durable fabric. The 4-way stretch and seamless design provides maximum comfort to these lightweight breeches, allowing full range of movement whilst keeping them in place with a supportive high waist. Shop Now Shop All Terms and Conditions apply. 1 pair of breeches = 1 entry. The competition ends on 31st July at 6pm. The winner will be contacted after this date. Space on breeches will be restricted depending on the breeches selected. The winner can select one pair of Easy Riders from stock see options here. The post Win a Pair of Personalised Childrens Breeches first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

When I find a great horse activity for my whole family, Im going to jump on it. I have three kids, and its not easy finding an event thats both for adults, but kid friendly. Turns out, it does exist, and I really believe this magical event is Sunset Polo, at Great Meadow.Sunset Polo is held weekly throughout the summer, and I cant think of a more perfect way to spend the summer evenings with the family. The sun is going down so its not so hot (plus theres tons of shade), the kids are running around having a blast, and theres horses. So many beautiful horses.Ive been a few times before kids, when I was a totally different person, so I curious how this would go. Luckily, it was a great experience, so if youre wondering what to expect, read on to get the details.The LocationI think Ive spent more time at this venue than any other. Great Meadow, home of Spring Gold Cup, Fall Gold Cup, horse shows, and of course, polo. Its a giant plot of land for all sorts of horse activities. Im truly lucky that its so close.But not everyone lives so close. For the rest of you, it is located conveniently off of 66 in The Plains. I dont trust myself to give directions, so just put it into Waze and you can be angry at it if it steers you wrong. But its a huge property, youre not likely to miss it. Polo is at Gate 2.What to ExpectIf your idea of fun is summer evening picnics, this event is for you. Bring your own food and drink, or there is a food truck on the premises, just dont expect many choices there. Some people go all out and get box seats and catering (popular for company events), but most people bring their own food, throw down a blanket and lawn chairs.There are also tailgate spots, which are useful if youre not sure when youll get there. We got there right when they opened and general admission picnic spots were very full. There were still spots, but I wouldnt say they were the best for actually seeing the arena.Alcohol is allowed, so you can either bring some, or Barrel Oak winery was selling it by the glass.Admission tickets are sold by the car load, with 5 people allowed per ticket. Absolutely no pets are allowed. Since the ticket taker physically stuck her head in my car and looked, Im guessing this has been an issue in the past. This is not a good time to bring your dog out for some exercise.Theres tons of kids. I brought my kids. Theres tug of war during half time for the kids. This is meant to be a kid friendly event. My kids found little interest in the actual polo and ended up just running around and playing on the landscaping. Since other nearby kids joined them and formed a gang of kids playing together, I would assume most kids arent interested in polo. Either be okay with your kid running off to forge new alliances, or bring some toys to entertain them.A more elaborate picnic spreadThe Dress CodeEach week is a different theme. This weeks theme was Pretty in Pink, which I did not follow because I wanted to match my hat. Other themes include Safari Adventure, Camouflage, and Wear Your Whites.If you dont want to dress up, no big deal, no one is going to look at you strangely. This is not a pretentious group. You can basically show up in anything and youd be fine. However, for best results, Id suggest collared shirts for men.For women, Id use it as an excuse to wear your favorite dress. I consider this as an opportunity to dress up, which for me doesnt happen that much. I tried a style Ive been wanting to wear for some time but hadnt had the opportunity.My outfit, for which I received a compliment from a teenager, truly the highest praise. Example of what other ladies were wearingAbout a fourth of the women there were wearing hats. A few women had on incredible dresses, including one dress that could have been a Zimmerman. Others were just in casual sundresses, and lots were dressed in pants and nice tops.I wish I had taken photos of what some of the other ladies were wearing, because some of them absolutely killed it. There were some seriously stylish ladies there!The Polo MatchesTheres multiple matches throughout the night. The first one was students of a nearby school, and then each match was with more advanced riders. We didnt end up staying the whole time due to the kids, but the main match was made up of the serious polo players.If youre familiar with polo, you might notice a big difference between this polo and what youre used to: This is played in an arena, not on grass. The grass polo field, which is literally a moments walk away, is not used for this event.I was drawn to this buckskin polo ponySimplified Rules of PoloDespite having played polo before, I remember next to nothing about the specific rules. But its easy enough to understand, each team tries to hit the ball into their opponents goal, scoring a point. Each match is divided into chukkas, which is seven minutes of play time. But it doesnt end right at the 7 minutes, it can go on for another 30 seconds, or an end in the play.After each chukka, players have a three minute break to switch ponies or take a break. Then play resumes. Sunset Polo does between 2 and 6 chukkas per game, depending on the level of the match.Polo PoniesFor me, the main attraction is the polo ponies. Polo ponies are not technically ponies, they are actually horses, but they are always referred to as ponies. They arent called this because of their size, as most of them are usually about 15.1, but more about their personality. They are quick and agile (and probably have some level of evil possession, as most ponies do).The Polo Ponies waiting for their gamePolo Pony waiting to be switched into playBecause the matches are so intense, polo ponies are usually switched out every chukka. Serious polo players will have a whole string of ponies to make this possible, which is why I think polo is the most expensive of the equestrian sports it costs a lot more to maintain 5 or 6 horses for competition than just one.The ponies will usually of their tails tied up and manes roached or shaved off, to prevent the equipment from catching it during play.Family PhotosIm not going to miss an opportunity to get photos while Im all dressed up and in such a beautiful location, so naturally we took some photos.If you want to grab some quick photos, just walk slightly away from the main group, and theres beautiful vistas in every direction. We werent the only ones getting photos, there were several others, but we were very spread out.Im probably going to frame this one of usThe girls playing (the grass polo field is in the background)The boys playing on the standsPlaying in the hedge. We left about 8pm, which was before the final match started. We werent the only ones, we were part of a group of parents herding their children back to the cars. Unfortunately our children arent old enough to stay up past their bedtimes.Since we left early, we missed the halftime tug of war, the award ceremony, and any partying that happened after. The event is advertised as being a dance party after polo, but I have no idea how that goes. Once day Ill be able to stay to see.But still, this is a fun and inexpensive way to hang out with family and friends on warm summer evenings. Its the perfect set up for memories to look back on fondly.The post A Family Trip to Sunset Polo at Great Meadow appeared first on An Equestrian Life.

Ocala, FL The 2024 Summer Series is officially underway at World Equestrian Center Ocala with thrilling hunter/jumper competition Wednesday through Sunday through August 11. Spectators are welcome, there is no charge for admission or parking! Saturday night grand prix events are back! Join us every Saturday night at 7:30pm* for elite show jumping action under the lights in the WEC Grand Arena. Visit[...]Read MoreThe post Whats Happening this Week at World Equestrian Center Ocala appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

Ocala, FL Three-star competition kicked off early this morning in the WEC Grand Arena, with the $31,500 1.45m Speed CSI3* event highlighting the day. Twenty-six elite horse-and-rider pairs competed over a challenging speed track designed by FEI Level IV course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA). Rodrigo Lambre (BRA) emerged victorious, delivering a lightning-fast round on Ilan Ferders Jadore Van Het Klinkhof (Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x[...]Read MoreThe post Rodrigo Lambre and Jadore Van Het Klinkhof Capture the $31,500 1.45m Speed CSI3* Victory appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Julia Krajewski (@julia_krajewski) Its a future Olympic eventing champion probably. In case you hadnt guessed, the mama-to-be is reigning Olympic champion Amande De BNeville, who made history with Julia Krajewski in Tokyo when they became the first women to win individual eventing gold (as far as were able to tell from available records, we believe Mandy was the first mare to take the title). Julia shared the happy announcement on her Instagram account, and its fair to say, its pretty exciting news for the future of eventing:I am DELIGHTED to share the news that Mandy is in foal by Cascadello its been safely confirmed but obviously early days, so fingers crossed I wanted to let you know because it made me VERY happy and some people have been asking As to the father to be, Cascadello was a bit of the obvious choice for her first foal. As some might know, he is owned (and possibly one of his absolute favorites) by Professor Bernd Heicke (@gestuet_fohlenhof) who also owns Mandy with me. To have a foal by your own stallion out of your own Olympic Gold medalist mare is probably something every breeder/horse owner dreams of, so that was a no-brainer If it will be an eventer time will tell but pretty sure it can jump for now I hope for no complications and that Mandy can enjoy the time with her mare crew on the field Congrats to Mandy and the team! In other eventing news, the fourth leg of the FEI Nations Cup kicks off in Poland this week. Switzerland and Italy are currently tied at the top of the leaderboard after racking up valuable series points in Avenches, with Australia on their heels in third. Check out the current standings here. Ordinarily, Nations Cup events are free to watch via the FEI YouTube Channel the links werent up at time of writing, but well share them once theyre available. The whole event from Strzegom is available to watch on ClipMyHorse (subscription required).Go eventing!U.S. Weekend PreviewFox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]UK International EventsAlnwick Ford International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]International EventsStrzegom Horse Trials & FEI Nations Cup (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [FEI YouTube Channel NC Free Live Stream] [Whole Event Live Stream via CMH] [Scoring]SemaLease Kilguilkey House International 1 (Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring]Thursday News and Reading A discussion hosted by World Horse Welfare last week raised some salient points about social license. WHW Chief Executive Roly Owers, racing broadcaster Nick Luck, and British eventer Tina Cook (who also has links to racing), were amongst the expert panel, which was brought together to discuss the latest research into the publics perception of equestrian sports, which, worryingly, found there to have been little change in attitudes towards horse sports, despite a number of initiatives employed across a range of equestrian disciplines specifically designed to address the publics concerns. There was a suggestion that live feeds should be available of warm up areas, in order to improve transparency and help avoid damaging photos or short video clips (often shared online) which take the true situation out of context, however not everyone on the panel agreed that this would generate positive change, in terms of public understanding or improved welfare. Transparency was also discussed regarding horses lives post-retirement, particularly in racing. The focus on presenting the harmony between horse and rider is an area where weve seen real change recently, and is still high on the agenda. One things for sure, we cant dismiss the opinions of the public, whether we consider them knowledgeable about horses or not. Animal welfare is an emotive topic, and weve seen how change can be enforced through social license in the removal of the show jumping element of Modern Pentathlon (which comes into play following the Paris Olympics). Welfare is everyones business. Olympic teams are incoming (!!!) and Japans hopeful for Paris success. Its almost a century since Takeichi Nishi and Uranus carried their gold medal on the long trip home from LA in 1932, and after impressing in Tokyo with Kazuma Tomoto tantalizingly close to the individual podium, coming in fourth with Vinci De La Vigne, hopes are high in the Japanese camp as we near this summers Games. Kazu and Vinci head to Paris with Yoshiaki Oiwa and MGH Grafton Street and Ryuzo Kitajima and Be My Daisy or Cekatinka, with Toshiyuki Tanaka and Jefferson in reserve. Read more about Japans Olympic bid, and how theyre drawing inspiration from history. And while were on the topic of the Olympics Check out this cool photo gallery which merges sporting disciplines with Parisian historical sites. Eventing didnt make the cut, sadly, but show jumping stepped up for the horse world with Frances Pnlope Leprevost bringing a bit of horse girl chic to La Galerie des Glaces in the Palace of Versailles. You may remember the news story from a few weeks ago about the Household Cavalry horses which were involved in a series of accidents as they bolted through the city of London. Well, whilst the two horses who sustained the most series injuries continue to recuperate at The Horse Trust, the others are back up to speed, and one had a pretty special job to do on his return to work escorting the King of England during His birthday parade. In further celebrations of the day, this rider took a hot minute out of his royal duties to pop the question. Huzzahs all round! And finally, Im not altogether sure whether beloved equestrian broadcaster Claire Balding is aware that shes been created in biscuit form on national TV, but indeed she has, in The Great British Baking Shows Stand Up to Cancer celebrity special. Contestants were asked to make cookies representing their celebrity doppelganger, and well, all I can say is that you really need to see the result for yourself Click here for funsies. Sponsor Corner View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kailyn (@kms_eventing) Big congratulations to Kailyn and Sophie on a successful prelim competition at Middleburg Horse Trials. Check out the Ecogold saddle pad Kailyn is using! Looking for a saddle pad thats designed to withstand the test of cross country? Shop now.Video BreakSafe to say, I am just a smidge jealous of Andrew Hoys little girl. What a lucky young lady to have access to all that eventing excellence 24/7. And as if that isnt enough, shes taking after her dad and having riding lessons with eventing royalty Captain Mark Phillips. My eyes couldnt get any greener, and I couldnt be more excited for the future of eventing with this kind of star quality coming up through the ranks. You go girl! View this post on InstagramA post shared by Andrew Hoy (@hoyeventing)

Guidance has been offered to horse and dog owners after a beloved gelding suffered fatal injuries when a dog ran loose through his paddock.Katie Smart lost her horse, Sir George, earlier this month, and has since been appealing for responsible handling of dogs, as well as advising riders on how best to handle such concerning events.The British Horse Society (BHS) has been supporting Katie through the ordeal, and has urged riders and horse owners to ensure they report all dog-related incidents to the charity.We are always saddened to hear about incidents such as this one, Des Payne, Safety Team Leader at the BHS, told Your Horse. Our deepest condolences go out to Katie and her family during this incredibly difficult time.Unfortunately, negative incidents involving horses and dogs are happening far too often, in paddocks or whilst out enjoying their exercise. At the BHS, we strongly advice that all dog owners/walkers keep their dog(s) under control when a horse is present and ideally on a lead. Even a dog that is used to being around horses could cause a horse to react, resulting in injury to both the horse and those that care for them.If your horse is involved in a dog related incident, the BHS wants to be informed so they can help stay up-to-date on the number of such happenings and continue their efforts to prevent further incidents.We always encourage all incidents to be reported via the police and through our Horse i app, as this helps to provide a greater understanding of the scale of the issue, Des continued. The data recorded with the BHS will help us to continue to work with key organisations. Weve found that its these regular conversations with stakeholders that make a big difference. We can work collectively to raise awareness and educate dog owners on how dogs and horses can interact safely with one another.Lead image credit and copyright: British Horse SocietyFurther readingRider urges dog owners to take more care after beloved horse diesNumber of incidents of dogs attacking horses is on the rise, warns BHS safety expertHow to handle loose dogs on a hack and what to do if your horse gets bittenThe post Advice to horse and dog owners after owners heartbreaking loss appeared first on Your Horse.

The CCI5* Horse Trials in Luhmhlen are known for their challenging courses and high-caliber competition, attracting top riders from around the globe. Kirsty Chabert, representing Redpost Rider, entered the event with high hopes and a wealth of experience. Riding Opposition Heraldik Girl, owned by S Hicks & J Johnson, Caroline Caines, John Johnston and Kate Montserrat, Chabert navigated the demanding course with precision.The pairs synergy and determination were evident throughout the competition, culminating in a stellar 6th place finish. Selection for the British Eventing TeamFollowing her success at Luhmhlen, Chabert received the thrilling news of her selection for the British Eventing Team set to compete at CHIO Aachen from the 28 June to 7 July.CHIO Aachen is one of the most prestigious equestrian events globally, often referred to as the Wimbledon of Horse SportsGood luck, Kirsty and Classic VI! Read more about Kirsty here Photo credits and copyright to LeMieux and Tilly Berendt (@tillyberendt.)The post Redpost Rider Kirsty Chabert Shines at Luhmhlen CCI5* first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

The organisers of London International Horse Show are delighted to announce Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin CBE as one of the Official Ambassadors for this years Show, which takes place at ExCeL London from 18 22 December 2024.