The United States Eventing Association (USEA) invites the eventing community to a virtual Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) Community Call on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The one-hour call is open...

Ocala, FL The sixth annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival began Friday, November 6, at World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC), kicking off a three-day celebration of culinary excellence, elegant events and refined hospitality. The weekends festivities opened with the Chefs Dinner Presented by The Gallery Off 80th, an exclusive five-course experience reserved for Five-Star Festival PackageSource

A herd of fell ponies has helped reintroduce a rare breed of butterfly and boosted several other species at Wild Haweswater in Cumbria.Their grazing alongside native cattle is helping to create a more diverse habitat, tackling more dominant vegetation and allowing delicate plants to thrive, as well as giving young trees the chance to establish. Many species of animals are also benefitting including insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds thanks to the grazing animals creating different heights of vegetation. Wildflower seed is also spread in their manure, and the dung itself helps insects too.Conservation grazing is one of the key elements of our work here alongside restoring natural processes such as re-wiggling rivers, re-wetting peat bogs and planting thousands of lost trees and plants, to benefit wildlife, water and people, said Annabel Rushton of RSPB Haweswater.We use native breed cattle and Cumbrian fell ponies to help us deliver some of our landscape restoration aims. These large, heavy-footed animals are emulating the wild herbivores aurochs being the wild ancestor of cattle and tarpans being the wild ancestor of the pony that would have roamed the UK for thousands of years before the bronze age.The ponies have been used for a number of years in Swindale, where rush and coarse grasses had become dominant.A butterfly success storyThe Fell Ponies are probably my favourite colleagues, Annabel said. One particular success story is that this has resulted in an abundance of devils-bit scabious coming through. This is the food plant of the marsh fritillary butterfly, a species that was nearly extinct in Cumbria in the early 2000s, but has since made a comeback due to the Cumbria Marsh Fritillary Project led by Butterfly Conservation and Natural England. The rare butterflies can now be found in a number of locations around the county, and in 2023 the RSPB Swindale team discovered they had returned to the area.They were in the very fields we had been concentrating the fell pony grazing efforts, where the devils-bit scabious has returned, said Annabel. This plant can now be found in several locations around Swindale Valley, thanks to fell pony grazing, and the butterflies are spreading out.On this years caterpillar survey we found 225 webs with dozens, and sometimes hundreds of marsh fritillary caterpillars in each. Its a fascinating connection between such a large herbivore as the fell pony and something so tiny as a marsh fritillary caterpillar.A hardy native breedFell ponies are the native to Cumbria and are ideally suited to the steep, rough terrain and challenging weather of the Lake District. They grow thick coats in the winter and an abundance of fine hair in their manes, tails and legs helps direct the rain from their bodies and keeps them warm in the colder months as well as detering flies in summer. They are excellent riding and driving ponies but are also perfectly matched for conservation grazing in areas like Wild Haweswater.Their are currently six fell ponies grazing in Swindale, who are owned by Nicola Evans of Helmside Fell Ponies. Their day-to-day care is carried out by the RSPB Conservation Grazing team, which they carry out alongside managing the charitys herd of native cattle.Conservation grazing allows the ponies to live as natural a life as possible. There are fences to keep the ponies within the areas the team wants them to graze, but apart from feeding them wildflower hay from their meadows in the worst winter weather, they do not receive any supplementary feed.The ponies mostly drink from streams and springs, and shelter behind dry stone walls and under trees. They are checked daily to ensure they are as healthy as possible and need minimal interventions.We also work closely with one of our partners Fell Pony Adventures, to help people connect to this fantastic breed, added Annabel. Tom Lloyd from Fell Pony Adventures is super knowledgeable about the breed and has his own herd of fell ponies. He takes visitors off on wild camping experiences here at Wild Haweswater, with his trusty fell ponies carrying the tents, food and equipment, walking on the old pack horse routes here, following in the footsteps and hoofprints of people from the past.Images by Nicola EvansRelated contentExmoor ponies find a new home 12,000 miles awayNatures pharmacy: Getting started with introducing plants and herbsHow to provide a stabled horse with the three Fs (and why its so important that you do)Poisonous plants for horses: in picturesThe post Herd of fell ponies instrumental in return of rare butterfly appeared first on Your Horse.

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From simple triangles to challenging bending lines, polework expert Nina Gill revealed in a demonstration at Your Horse Live 2026 how a handful of poles can transform your schooling sessions, improve your horses way of going and keep them thinking.Polework is one of the most versatile tools in a riders training arsenal. Whether you want to improve suppleness, develop strength or sharpen your horses reactions, a few strategically placed poles can make a big difference.During her demonstration with rider Sharon and her horse Flora, Nina showed how a simple triangle of poles could be transformed into a series of increasingly challenging exercises.And the good news? You dont need an arena full of equipment to reap the benefits.1. Never underestimate walking over polesWhile it can be tempting to get straight into trot, Nina stresses that spending time walking over poles is particularly valuable.Walk is actually the most beneficial pace for polework, explains Nina. They work harder in the walk than they do in trot or canter because theres not that natural lift.Walking gives horses time to understand the question, while encouraging them to lift their limbs through muscular effort.Dont ever think that any time spent walking over poles is wasted, she adds.Nina also recommends taking your time when introducing new exercises, particularly with horses that become tense or distracted in unfamiliar environments.Every time that you introduce something new, I like to spend lots of time in walk, she says. It gives them time to work out the question thats in front of them, and they can come up with their answer.2. Try the triangle challenge Arrange three 3m poles into a triangle, creating an exercise that can be approached from several directions.I always use the three-metre poles because theyre a really good length, Nina explains. They make up a nice distance that the horse can walk, trot and canter through, and it works for most size horses as well.Entering through the base gives the horse a wider, more inviting space, whereas approaching through the point requires greater precision.The triangle can also be incorporated into circles, encouraging riders to control the shoulders and maintain bend.Think about using your shoulders and your upper body to help to steer, advises Nina, rather than relying on the inside rein.Importantly, horses dont need to work in a perfect outline to benefit.Dont feel that you cant do polework if you cant get your horse on the bit, because thats not the case at all, she says.3. Get your distances rightUnsure how far apart to place trotting poles? Nina recommends starting with four poles and having someone video your horse travelling through them.Were aiming for the horses footfall to land midway between two poles, she explains.If the horse lands too close to the next pole, increase the distance. If the gap is too long, shorten it.Once youve established a comfortable distance, measure it so you can reproduce the exercise.The easiest way of doing it is to put out four poles when youre trying to work out your horses stride length, says Nina.4. Use poles to perfect transitions Two parallel poles can become useful markers for improving accuracy.Try trotting towards a triangle, making a transition to walk between the guide poles, then walking through the triangle.As your horse progresses, introduce canter-to-trot transitions.Sometimes were all guilty when were riding of saying, Oh, I need to do a transition. Ill just do it there, Nina explains.Having poles as markers encourages riders to be more precise about where they ask for transitions, while also helping horses maintain straightness.Nina emphasises that mistakes are part of learning.Remember, were training. Were not in competition, she reassures riders.5. Introduce angled and bending lines Adding angled poles to your triangle encourages greater body awareness and can highlight weaknesses in straightness.This is really, really good for their spatial awareness, explains Nina.She points out that angled poles can also encourage a more expressive trot without needing to raise the poles.You very often get a raised pole effect without even having to raise your poles, she says.Fan-shaped arrangements are equally useful for developing suppleness and engagement.Ride towards the narrower end to encourage shorter strides, or take a wider line to allow the horse to open its stride.You can see how well horses use poles on a bending line, Nina says. It really does help with bend, with engagement.6. Know when to stopPolework is mentally demanding as well as physically challenging, so recognising fatigue is essential.When youre tired, your reflex reactions are so much slower, Nina warns, explaining that tired horses can struggle to correct themselves if they misjudge a pole.Do listen to your horse. The second you start to feel theyre getting tired, then just call it a day.And remember, polework neednt take over your entire session.You can work on other things, Nina says, and then incorporate the triangle for a couple of minutes. You might also enjoy Fun ground pole exercises that create clever, confident horsesStars shine and great stories shared among winners at 2026 SEIB Search for a Star Championships Nine-year-old jockey and 19-year-old pony steal the show to land Search for a Star overall supreme titleSEIB Search for a Star Showing ChampionshipsMeet Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class at Your Horse LiveRos Canter & Becky Moody together for the first time ever at Your Horse Live!The post Polework perfection: expert Nina Gills clever exercises to improve strength, suppleness and straightness appeared first on Your Horse.

Five-star event rider, coach and social media personality Simon Grieve (pictured top jumping clear across country at Burghley in 2026) explains how straightness, adjustability and a positive approach can transform your cross-country performance, with practical exercises to try at home.Accuracy is one of the most important ingredients of successful cross-country riding. During a training demonstration at Your Horse Live 2026, with two very different horses and riders equestrian influencer Megan Elphick and a five-year-old that she had only ridden once before and farrier and amateur rider Sam Dracott aboard his all-rounder five-star event rider Simon Grieve showed how simple flatwork exercises, a quality canter and confident riding can make technical cross-country questions feel straightforward.Accuracy is a really important element, Simon explained. And that starts with the true basics.Here are his key takeaway points from the session. 1. Straightness starts with good flatworkBefore tackling any fences, Simon asked both riders to concentrate on straight lines, balanced corners and establishing a connection between leg and hand.We want to be focusing right now on riding nice straight lines, riding good corners, and making sure weve got horses between hand and leg, he said.Controlling the shoulders through the turn is particularly important. If the horse falls out through its outside shoulder, the rider will struggle to establish a straight approach to a narrow fence.2. Think forward, not backwardsOne of Simons strongest messages was that accuracy should never come at the expense of impulsion.Quite often, when were trying to be accurate, we end up riding a little bit backwards, he explained. Straightness comes from being forward and being positive.Rather than using the hand to manufacture straightness, riders should create a channel between their legs and reins, encouraging the horse to travel confidently towards the fence.For horses that become tense, Simon suggested introducing leg-yield and gentle changes of pace.We want the leg to be the horses friend, he said, emphasising that horses should learn to accept the riders aids without becoming anxious.3. Develop gears within the canterThroughout the session, Simon encouraged both riders to experiment with the pace, moving the canter forwards and backwards while maintaining rhythm.Play with the gears a little bit, he advised.Riders practised opening the canter down the long side before sitting taller to rebalance, simulating the adjustments needed between galloping fences and more technical combinations.The aim is to have a horse that responds immediately when asked, without becoming hurried or losing energy.Simon reinforced this as homework: Youve got loads of gears you can play with, and when you put them on, you want to get a response.4. Look where you want to goWhen introducing narrow fences and angled lines, Simon encouraged riders to focus on a point beyond the obstacle.Find a point beyond that, he instructed. Focus on the straightness.He also reminded riders that a jump involves the approach, take-off, flight, landing and getaway.Straightness must be maintained throughout, rather than just concentrating on getting over the fence.Keep your eyes up and where youre going, he added.5. Make technical questions simpleTo introduce corners, Simon initially removed the back rail, allowing the horses to understand the exercise before increasing the difficulty.When the complete corner was introduced, he encouraged riders to imagine a straight rail running through its centre and approach squarely to that line.I always think performance and repetition is the best thing, he explained, encouraging riders to repeat exercises until they became easy and relaxed.6. Trust yourself and maintain the flowOne of Simons most important lessons was about rider confidence.He noticed that hesitation could cause riders to hold on to the reins, disrupting the canter and making technical fences unnecessarily difficult.Trust yourself a little bit more, he encouraged. Believe in flow.Ultimately, Simons philosophy was refreshingly straightforward.You put in a rhythmical canter and you steer, and the horse does the job, he said. It is that simple. But we make it all up in our heads.You might also enjoy Stars shine and great stories shared among winners at 2026 SEIB Search for a Star Championships Nine-year-old jockey and 19-year-old pony steal the show to land Search for a Star overall supreme titleSEIB Search for a Star Showing ChampionshipsMeet Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class at Your Horse LiveRos Canter & Becky Moody together for the first time ever at Your Horse Live!Harlow takes over Your Horse Live for one night only!The post What we learnt about riding accurate cross-country lines from Simon Grieve at Your Horse Live appeared first on Your Horse.

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From choosing the right clip to avoiding wonky lines and tackling tricky areas, clipping your horse neednt be daunting. Professional clipper Amee Reeves (Amee Reeves Equestrian) and Bella Dixon (Bellas Clipping Services) from Liveryman clippers and trimmers shared their practical advice for beginners, including the mistakes to avoid and how to keep your horse happy throughout.Clipping your horse for the first time can feel intimidating. How much hair should you remove? Which blades should you use? And how do you achieve matching lines on both sides without accidentally turning a bib clip into a hunter clip?During a live clipping demonstration at Your Horse Live 2026, Amee and Bella revealed their top tips for achieving a neat finish while ensuring the horse remains comfortable and relaxed.1. Choose the right clip for your horseBefore switching on the clippers, consider your horses workload, living arrangements and temperament.Ultimately, a clip is designed to work for the horse, explained Bella.For youngsters, nervous horses or those living out, a bib clip is an excellent starting point. This removes hair from the underside of the neck and chest, helping prevent excessive sweating while retaining much of the horses natural protection.The bib clip is really good for young horses for their first introduction to clipping, explained Amee.For horses needing slightly more hair removed, a strip clip extends over the shoulder and girth area, while an Irish clip removes more hair from the underside and flanks.The golden rule? Dont remove more coat than your horse needs.2. Start with the right equipmentFor beginners, lightweight, quiet clippers can make the process considerably easier.Small, low-vibration machines are particularly useful for nervous horses, while larger, heavy-duty clippers are better suited to removing substantial amounts of coat.A standard 2.4mm blade is a versatile starting point for many horses, while longer-cut blades can provide a more natural finish.When clipping, hold the blade flat against the horses body and work against the direction of hair growth.The key to a flawless finish is always going to be having that even pressure, explained Bella.Use long, sweeping strokes, overlapping each pass to avoid leaving tramlines.3. Introduce clipping graduallyFor horses unfamiliar with clipping, patience is essential.Start by allowing them to become accustomed to the sound and vibration of the machine before attempting to remove any hair.Its all about taking it at the horses pace, Bella advised.For sensitive areas such as the face, introduce a small, quiet trimmer gradually, without necessarily clipping anything.Its about giving them a positive experience each time, she added.Never rush a worried horse. Short, successful sessions are preferable to one stressful experience.4. Take care around sensitive areasThe armpits, elbows and underside of the belly require particular attention because the skin can be loose and wrinkled.Amee recommends switching to smaller clippers or trimmers for these areas.Im not going to go too deep into the armpits because you can easily cut them, she explained.Rather than lifting a horses leg to access the armpit, gently reposition the loose skin to create a smoother clipping surface, keeping the horse standing comfortably.Always ensure the horse knows where you are before moving underneath its belly or towards sensitive areas.5. Perfect those clipping linesOne of the biggest challenges for beginners is achieving symmetrical lines.Amee advises: Always go low first. You can always bring it higher, but you cant stick the hair back on.Before starting the opposite side, ensure the horse is standing squarely on level ground.Use anatomical landmarks, such as the elbow and shoulder muscles, to guide your lines. Chalk can also help mark out the desired shape.Stand directly in front of the horse to compare both sides, checking your progress regularly.When clipping alongside the mane, work upwards gradually to avoid accidentally removing mane hair.6. Look after your bladesGood clipper maintenance is essential for a comfortable finish.We always oil our blades every 10 minutes, advised Bella.Pause regularly to brush away loose hair and apply the appropriate clipper oil, helping reduce friction and heat.Always follow the manufacturers instructions for blade tension, as different machines require different settings.7. How often should you clip?Contrary to myth, theres no universal clipping schedule. Some horses require frequent clipping throughout the winter, while others may only need one or two clips.Coat growth is influenced by seasonal daylight changes, meaning an early autumn clip may appear to grow out more quickly.The important thing is to assess your horses comfort, workload and coat rather than following a rigid timetable.Beginner clipping checklistChoose a suitable clip based on workload and turnout.Introduce the clippers slowly, particularly to nervous horses.Use overlapping strokes with consistent pressure.Take extra care around wrinkles and sensitive skin.Start clipping lines lower and gradually adjust them.Oil blades regularly and monitor their temperature.Never sacrifice safety for a perfect finish.Above all, remember that clipping is a skill that improves with practice. A slightly uneven line is far preferable to a frightened horse or an avoidable injury.You might also enjoy 11 clipping tips for the perfect finish to your horses winter coatStars shine and great stories shared among winners at 2026 SEIB Search for a Star Championships Nine-year-old jockey and 19-year-old pony steal the show to land Search for a Star overall supreme titleSEIB Search for a Star Showing ChampionshipsMeet Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class at Your Horse LiveRos Canter & Becky Moody together for the first time ever at Your Horse Live!The post Clipping horses for beginners: expert tips for a smart, safe finish appeared first on Your Horse.

From establishing rhythm and relaxation to steering through subtle weight aids, rider, trainer and bridleless specialist Serena Kullich explained the principles behind successful bridleless riding at Your Horse Live 2026 and how developing a deeper connection with your horse can transform your everyday training.Having represented Great Britain at the 2023 World Young Horse Showjumping Championships, Serena has developed a training approach centred on groundwork, liberty and bridleless riding including showjumping. Her philosophy is that riding without a bridle is the natural progression of good horsemanship, producing horses that are relaxed, responsive and connected to their riders.We all need our horses to be connected with us for everything that we do, Serena explains.Here are her essential training principles.1. Establish rhythm and relaxationBefore considering removing the bridle, your horse must be able to maintain a consistent rhythm without relying on the reins.The very first thing when Im teaching my horse bridleless is to make sure I have both rhythm and relaxation in all paces, says Serena.This means being able to trot and canter without continually using the reins to regulate the speed.If the horse begins rushing, Serena recommends using inside flexion and the inside leg to rebalance before softening the reins again.Repeat the exercise until the horse learns to maintain the desired pace independently.Its teaching our horses that its their responsibility to maintain the rhythm that we set, not ours to keep making little adjustments, she explains.2. Teach your horse to follow your weightThe next stage is developing steering and stopping aids through the riders body.To turn, I look the way I want to go, turn my shoulders, Serena explains.When turning left, for example, the riders weight shifts slightly left, while the outside leg can move back to reinforce the direction.To stop, Serena thinks about allowing her weight to sink down through her seat and stirrups, while ceasing to follow the horses movement.It might not look obvious to you, sat in the audience, but your horse can really feel that, she says.If the horse doesnt understand, briefly pick up the reins to clarify the aid, then soften them again.3. Introduce a neck ropeOnce the horse reliably understands weight aids, a neck rope can provide an additional means of communication.Pressure against the side of the neck reinforces turning, while a gentle signal towards the chest can support the stopping aid.However, Serena emphasises that the ultimate aim is for the horse to respond primarily to the riders seat.For me, the aids when riding bridleless should come from our seats, she says.Practise these exercises with a bridle and reins in place until the horse consistently responds without needing rein corrections.4. Develop collection through your seatCollection is another important element of bridleless riding.Serena demonstrated how sitting taller, shifting her weight slightly back and engaging her core encourages her horse to shorten and collect his canter.When she allows her seat to follow more freely, the horse moves forwards again.The objective is to develop a horse that understands subtle changes in balance rather than relying on rein pressure.5. Dont rush to remove the bridleBridleless riding should be the result of progressive training, not the starting point.Serena advised practising steering and stopping repeatedly while retaining the reins as a backup.Only when these aids are thoroughly established should riders consider progressing further, ideally with experienced supervision in a secure, enclosed arena.Serena Kullichs top tips for bridleless ridingPrioritise relaxation:establish a calm, consistent rhythm in every pace.Use your seat:practise steering and stopping through subtle weight changes.Reinforce, then release:use the reins to clarify an aid before softening again.Introduce the neck rope gradually:it should complement, not replace, established aids.Take your time:never remove the bridle until your horse responds reliably and you have appropriate professional support.You might also enjoy These are the core principles of natural horsemanshipWhat we learnt about riding accurate cross-country lines from Simon Grieve at Your Horse LiveStars shine and great stories shared among winners at2026 SEIB Search for a Star ChampionshipsNine-year-old jockey and 19-year-old pony steal the show to land Search for a Star overall supreme titleMeet Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class at Your Horse LiveRos Canter & Becky Moody together for the first time ever at Your Horse Live!The post Bridleless riding: Serena Kullichs secrets from Your Horse Live to a stronger connection with your horse appeared first on Your Horse.

From subtly shaping manes and tails to achieving a show-ring shine, experienced showing producer Vikki Smith shares her top tips from Your Horse Live 2026 for presenting native ponies while retaining their natural appearance.When it comes to turning out a native pony for the show ring, the secret is to enhance what nature has provided without making the finished result look artificial.Experienced showing producer Vikki Smith demonstrates her techniques on 15-year-old New Forest stallion George, a multiple show ring winner and Royal International Horse Show champion. Whether Im presenting George as a working hunter or a flat pony, I always turn him out exactly the same, explains Vikki.Perfecting the maneDifferent native breeds require different approaches to mane length and thickness.With a New Forest, you dont want the mane as long as a Fell or Dales, or even a Welsh, says Vikki. I generally tidy Georges mane five days to a week before a show, so it has time to settle.Her golden rule is never to thin the top layer.If you rake from the top, youll end up with short hairs sticking up. I divide the mane and use a medium rake underneath to remove bulk, keeping the top smooth.To shorten the mane, Vikki backcombs small sections before carefully removing the ends, creating a natural finish rather than an obviously cut edge.She also considers how the mane frames the neck.You can shape it slightly to give the illusion of more front, which can make a real difference when the pony stands up for the judge.Tidy, but natural, tails Native tails should look full and flowing, but careful shaping can improve the overall picture.I use a finer rake to tidy the sides without taking the hair right down to the skin, says Vikki. You want definition, but it must still look natural.To protect Georges tail, she keeps it plaited and bagged between competitions, helping prevent breakage and preserve thickness.Creating that winning shinePreparation starts with a thorough bath the night before competition.I use a peppermint shampoo first to remove grease and dirt, followed by a colour-enhancing shampoo to bring out Georges black coat.On show day, Vikki brushes thoroughly before applying a lightweight, silicone-free shine spray.Theres no point putting finishing products over dust. You need to get right down into the coat first.For manes and tails, she favours detanglers and lightweight conditioning lotions that add shine without making the hair greasy or clumpy.Finishing touchesSubtle makeup can enhance the eyes and muzzle, while carefully blended cover-up products help disguise minor blemishes.The trick is not to overdo it. On a grey pony, for example, Id dilute black makeup with a little shine product so the eyes look defined without appearing too dark.A conditioning gloss highlights the face, while clear hoof shine provides a polished finish without looking unnatural.Above all, Vikki stresses that successful native turnout is about balance.You want everything to look beautifully presented, but still natural. Its those little details that make the difference in the ring. Photo credit: Getty ImagesRelated contentHorse grooming: expert advice for a mud- and dust-free coat that shinesHorses love getting muddy and they need to roll outside every day, experts sayAlan Davies grooming brushes range, plus the top grooms daily grooming routineHorse grooming vacuum: what they are, how they work and where to buy oneHow to keep any mane looking trim, tidy and looking smartHow to plait a horses tailThe post How to turn out a native pony to perfection with top tips from an expert at Your Horse Live appeared first on Your Horse.