July 2, 2024 Ocala, FL For a second year, Stirrups Restaurant has been honored with the Best of Award of Excellence for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectators 2024 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the worlds best restaurants for wine. Wine Spectators Best of Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, appropriate to their cuisine and appealing to a[...]Read MoreThe post Stirrups Once Again Named Among the Worlds Best Restaurants for Wine appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

From reinforcing behaviors to reading facial expressions, adopting welfare-friendly handling practices can improve equine well-being and human safety. The post Low-Stress Horse Husbandry appeared first on The Horse.

With just over two months to go until action begins at Defender Burghley 2024, heres a few snapshots of what is goingPosted by Defender Burghley Horse Trials onMonday, July 1, 2024This week, Im trying my best to stop humming the Marseillaise and daydreaming of Paris for at least a few days, because Im heading to one of the greatest events in the world Germanys CHIO Aachen, which brings together the very best of all the Olympic disciplines (and some besides theres also combined driving and vaulting on the go!) in a venue that can only reasonably be described as Disneyland for horsey folks. Its an extraordinary place, with permanent stadiums, an equine walk of fame, stunningly maintained facilities, shopping that will make you have a little cry, andhorses, as far as the eye can see. Perfect. No notes. I can definitely get my head out of the Paris clouds for a few days for that. Keep it locked onto EN this week for full reports from the eventing, starting with Thursdays first horse inspection, and a closer look at how life unfolds in this special place.Aachen this week, Paris in a few and in the meantime, all the autumn events are hard at work getting ready for their own time in the spotlight. Derek di Grazia and his crew touched down in Burghley last week to start moving some timber, and judging by the pensive faces in the photos shared by the event, hes cooking up something serious. Its hard to imagine anything after the Olympics right now, but how lucky are we to have the likes of Burghley, Maryland, and Pau on the horizon to ease us out of our post-Paris blues?Events Opening Today:The Event at Archer,Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. Pending USEF Approval,Waredaca Farm H.T. Pending USEF Approval,Hunters Run H.T.Events Closing Today:The Event at Rebecca Farm,Course Brook Farm Summer H.T.,Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II,Full Gallop Farm July H.T.,Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event,Silverwood Farm Summer H.T.Tuesday News and Notes from Around the World:This week isnt just about Aachen its also a huge week for young riders.Well see the 2024 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships playing out at the Maryland International, and to celebrate the eve of this super showcase of the stars of the future, US Eventing has been catching up with some of its entrants, including 16-year-old Claire Allen, whos loved making the move to the eventing world from hunter-land. Meet her here!Just because I know we all love to stress ourselves silly with news of horses being horses,enjoy this nice little story of a horse fostering a little blackthorn like its a Tamagotchi hes particularly fond of. Im beginning to think they actually look for ways to rendezvous with their favourite vets.The candidates for this years Thoroughbred Makeover are all in the thick of their season.COTHcaught up with blogger Brit Vegas to find out how hers is getting on, and to unpack the importance of getting second-career Thoroughbreds out into the big wide world as much as possible. Even more than that, though, this is a poignant ode to pushing on when the road gets really, really tough.Burnout is real, and it really, really sucks.If youre a groom, it can be incredibly hard to manage, because time off is so rare and so prevention is key. Top groom Anne-Marie Duarte shares her tips for looking after yourself even in the height of the season here.Sponsor Corner:Were in the final countdown to the start of the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the excitement is mounting with every moment. Thanks to Kentucky Performance Products, EN is bringing you all the action. Read this articlebefore the first rider leaves the startbox to get caught up on the logistics of all three phases.Watch This:Catch up with US chef dequipe Bobby Costello after the US teams mandatory outing:

The Longines Global Champions Tour heads to Monaco July 4 - 6, 2024 for the tenth stage of the 2024 tour. This unparalleled event brings together the top show jumping talent from across the globe in one of the most challenging arenas on tour for the €1.5 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco.The excitement is palpable as the rider list is announced for the...

There are numerous fly masks for horses on the market, and many horses can be seen wearing one during the summer months. Fly masks arent only useful for wearing when your horse is in the field though there is a whole range of fly veils for wearing while being ridden too. All of these products are designed to play a useful role in preventing nuisance flies and other pesky bugs irritating the horses you are responsible for taking care of. For ultimate protection in the field, use a fly mask alongside a fly rug and fly spray too.Some fly masks for horses cover the full length of their head from tips of the ears to bottom of the muzzle. These have the additional benefit of offering protection from sunburn for pink skin and white noses. Sun and flies can pose a health risk to any horse, but wearing a fly mask can help to protect their delicate skin and keep those pesky bugs at bay.Have you noticed that flies tend to congregate around your horses ears when youre riding? I find them a particular nuisance when Im hacking in my local forestry. If I trot on, I can even see them flying along behind us! I used to ride a Warmblood who was particularly irritated by flies buzzing around his ears, and wearing a fly veil made a big difference. If you choose to use one as well, it can help to keep annoying little flies and midges from getting in your horses ears and annoying them.Ive rounded up some of the latest fly masks and fly veils for horses below, to help you choose which to buy.Shop for fly masks for horsesPremier Equine Comfort Tech Lycra Fly MaskThis fly mask provides 360-degree protection from annoying flies for horses. Its easy pull-on design is strapless for safety, and the breathable four-way stretch Lycra material offers comfort. It is a close fit to help prevent bugs and flies crawling under the mask and causing irritation. A horses sensitive eyes and ears are protected by a flexible durable mesh that is breathable and lightweight.RRP 18Colours: Green, grey, blue, red, wine or navySizes: S-XLBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereMark Todd Fly Mask Without EarsThis mask is made from a fine mesh material that offers a horses face protection from flies. It doesnt cover the ears or the horses muzzle, but it does have a fleece binding for extra comfort. The mask is held in place with two touch-and-close fastenings that are secured on the underside of the mask.RRP 12.99 (US$9.44)Colour: Grey.Sizes: Pony, cob, fullBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereWeatherbeeta Comfitec Deluxe Fine Mesh MaskA superbly fitting mask that protects a horse against flies and offers a 60%+ UV block. Its fine mesh allows for full vision and its double darts ensure a great fit. Features include adjustable double touch tape tab closures, soft fleece binding for additional comfort, air stream ear design to allow airflow and stretch fleece poll design for extra security. It covers the horses ears and nose for full protection.RRP 23.99 (US$30.95)Colours: Black/ turquoiseSizes: Mini, small pony, pony, cob, full or warmbloodBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereHY Equestrian Lycra Flex Fly MaskThis is a mask for horses who need a high level of protection from flies and bugs. The Lycra Flex Fly Mask is made from a breathable stretch material for a custom fit and to ensure that no unwanted intruders find their way underneath it. It is a pull-on mask that features mesh ears and eyes to help with airflow, and eye darts to ensure clearance of the face, thus avoiding irritation.RRP 13.99Colour: Navy.Sizes: Pony, cob or fullBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBucas Buzz-Off Zebra Fly MaskThe clever use of zebra stripes on this mask is proven to help keep flies away from a horses face. The lightweight mesh material helps to protect a horse from annoying pests. The mask is held in place with a single touch and close strap.This fly mask for horses is also available with an extended nose as well as a deluxe version with clear panel over the eyes.RRP 19 (US$36.95)Sizes: XXXS-XLBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereEquilibrium Products Field Relief MaxThis mask provides effective relief from flies and the sun while remaining extremely comfortable for any horse. It offers in excess of 70% UV protection and coverage from ears to nose, plus darts to keep it away from the eyes, and stretch binding around the face for a close fit. It also boasts padding at the nose and brow and horse-shaped ears for extra comfort.RRP 34.50 (US$44.37)Colours: Black/ orange, grey/ yellowSizes: Donkey, horse or ponyBuying in the UK? Purchase hereBuying in the USA? Purchase hereHY Armoured Protect Full Mask with Ears and NoseMade from lightweight mesh material with bamboo lining this mask offers protection to the face, ears, nose and eyes. This mask features darts that ensure good clearance off the eyes, a luxurious faux fur panel on the browband area and soft fleece edging.The double-sided touch-tape fastenings hold the mask securely in place during turnout, and the mesh panels around the eyes and nose protect from UV rays.RRP 28.99Sizes: Small pony, pony, cob, full, X full.Colour: BlackBuying in the UK? Purchase hereShop for fly veils for horsesThe shape and fit of a fly veil is vital for your horses comfort. Youll need to consider whether your horse has particularly large or small ears and how the ear bonnet fits under the headpiece of your bridle. Most veils dont have any attachments to hold it in place and rely on your bridle to hold it securely in position, so check that it comes far enough under the headpiece, with excess material extending out from the back.Fitting adviceResearch that looked at pressure distribution beneath an ear bonnet and its effect on equine locomotion was carried out by Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire from Centaur Biomechanics and concluded that there are three things to consider when fitting an ear bonnet:Ensure there is no braiding on the ear bonnet that runs underneath the bridles headpiece.Make sure the veil fits your horses ears. A horses ear can move 180 degrees using 10 different muscles, so if the bonnet is too small it can restrict ear movement.Check if the fly veil has raised the bridle headpiece, which can alter the height of the bit in your horses mouth and cause discomfort.Felix Buhler Fly Veil CoinThis is a classic crochet fly veil featuring double decorative piping with colour-coordinated metallic thread. The ears are made from a stretchy material for a more comfortable and flexible fit. Two elastic hook-and-loop fasteners attach the fly veil to the headpiece.RRP 10.90Colours: Dark turquoise, fog, light denim, lipstick, purple or sapphireSizes: Pony, cob or fullBuying in the UK? Purchase hereVeredus Fly FringeThis handcrafted crochet fly fringe is made from washable and breathable cotton and features the Veredus logo at the front. The ears are made from a stretch fabric for your horses comfort and to enable flexibility and movement of their ears.RRP 55.99Colours: Black or grey. One sizeBuying in the UK? Purchase hereHy Equestrian Exquisite Stirrup and Bit Collection Fly VeilThis fly veil is finished with gorgeous rose-gold braiding and delicate bit-and-stirrup detailing to the front, making it ideal for everyday use or smart enough for wearing for best, such as at a competition (but check the rules first). This close-knit crochet fly veil features breathable ears, allowing your horse to stay cool and protected from pesky bugs.RRP 12Colour: Navy. Sizes: Pony, cob or fullBuying in the UK? Purchase hereProtechmasta Fly Veil with Soundproof EarsThis fly veil combines a ceramic infused lining, which is scientifically proven to assist blood circulation gently and safely, helping to ease muscle tension and aid relaxation, with beautiful satin-and-glitter rope piping. The lightweight and breathable design, with air mesh to the body of the fly veil and soundproof ears, prevent noise distractions and aid concentration. A deeper section behind the ears gives a secure fit.RRP 39.99Colour: Burgundy. Sizes: Pony, cob, full or X-fullBuying in the UK? Purchase hereRelated contentTried and tested: best fly rugs for horses14 fly sprays tested by horse owners and ridersHot weather advice: how to cool a horse down quicklyHow to manage sweet itch in horsesHow to accurately measure your horse for a well-fitting rugThe post Our pick of the best fly masks and veils for horses appeared first on Your Horse.

A Novice rider on the cross-country course at the 2023 Woodside Spring H.T.The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will spotlight the level at the 2024 Woodside Summer H.T. Tina Fitch Photography.The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will bring FEI-level prize money and a big-event atmosphere to eventings Novice level, as well as honor the extensive contributions that cross-country builder and designer Bert Wood has made on the sport, at the Woodside Summer Horse Trials from August 9-11.Entries opened on June 25 and will close on July 23 for the second of three USEA-recognized events that will take place at The Horse Park at Woodside in California in 2024.The Horse Park has always been committed to the ongoing development of horse and rider in the sport of eventing, said Steve Roon, Executive Director of The Horse Park at Woodside. Each level has its own unique set of challenges that are a step-up from the previous level in terms of the height of jumps and complexity and precision of movements, and we want to honor how proud we at The Horse Park are of the dedication of riders and horses at each level of eventing. It doesnt just magically happen, so we need to celebrate the work that got them there.The first event of the year at The Horse Park, the Woodside Spring Horse Trials from May 24-26, was highlighted by the inaugural Laughing Monk Modified Match. Modified Horse and Modified Rider divisions served as the events showcase classes, putting the spotlight on the Modified level that serves as a key stepping stone for horses and riders moving from eventings lower to upper levels.Bert Wood. Victoria Klein photo.The Horse Parks final event of the year, the Woodside Fall International from October 4-6, will feature FEI competition up to the four-star level.Organizers decided to make Novice the showcase level of the Woodside Summer Horse Trials to celebrate one of the lower levels of eventing that serves as a backbone for the sport. And, naming the Novice Stakes after Wood was a natural fit for the team at The Horse Park.What I appreciate is that he cares as much about the lower levels as the upper level, said Victoria Klein, who serves on the Board of Governors of The Horse Park at Woodside. He knows that the upper levels get taken care of, and he recognizes that its the lower levels that really support this whole sport. There are a multitude of entries that make it work, and he really wants to always give to them in the design and the interest of the jumps as best he can.The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will feature a total purse of $6,000 divided among the Amateur and Junior and Senior Novice Rider divisions. There will be a breakfast of bagels, lox, and mimosas served during show jumping in the Laughing Monk Grand Prix Arena on the Sunday of the competition. The event will also bring awareness to a charity founded by Bert and his wife, Kristhe Cowboy And Rousseau Animal Assistance Fund (CARAAF) that offers financial assistance for families with rescue dogs that have medical needs.Victoria Klein (left) and Steve Roon of The Horse Park at Woodside honor thecontributions of Woodsides cross-country building crew led by Bert Wood.Tina Fitch Photography.The knowledge Wood has brought to cross-country building and design over three decades in the sport is rooted in working with some of the giants of eventing: from Pete Costello, the first four-star (now five-star) builder at the Kentucky Three-Day Event; to apprenticing in England with Mike Etheringon-Smith, the cross-country designer for multiple five-stars and Olympics; to working alongside David Evans, Derek di Grazia, Captain Mark Phillips, Ian Stark, and more.Were at 30 years of Bert building and designing on the West Coast, Klein said. Im really happy to recognize this landmark and show him some well-deserved appreciation for what hes done for eventing in the West. Im not sure how many people know that he has built and designed at every venue in California and many beyond. He started many of the courses from dirt, such as Rebecca Farm, Twin Rivers, and Copper Meadows. When The Horse Park at Woodside reopened in 2005, he was starting the cross-country courses again from scratch for us. Im also excited about celebrating and recognizing the true foundation of our competitionsthe Novice level. I think the two recognitions are perfectly suited for each other. And who doesnt like money purses, bagels, lox, and mimosas?The Woodside Summer Horse Trials will offer competition from Starter through Intermediate. There will also be team challenges for adult, intercollegiate, and interscholastic eventers.

Many are familiar with Full Moon Farm. Weve seen the Fulton family establish a well-known and respected lesson program, horse trial location, and community based at their farm in Carroll County, MD.Full Moon Farm was established in 1994 by Karen and Stephen Fulton, and has been a resource for those in the community looking for equestrian opportunities. Karen and Stephen also raised their two daughters, Grace and Savannah (Woodge), at the farm in the heart of equestrian sport, with Grace going on as an event rider and polo player, and Woodge riding through the 5* level in Eventing.Now, 30 years into business, Full Moon Farm is looking to expand. Recognizing the limitations to accessing equestrian sports, the Fulton family and Full Moon Farm community have established the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation (FMFEF), which strives to promote good horsemanship, prevent marginalization, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion.FMFEF will collaborate with Full Moon to provide access to camp, boarding, and entry fees. Photo from Karen Fulton.It all started with a pride flag that we had flown on our flag pole, Karen stated. Our boarders purchased it for us a few years ago, and while were conscious of any endorsements of political candidates at our business, Grace and Woodge encouraged us to hang up the flag on our pole. Flags can be powerful things, and once we did, it was amazing [to me] the number of people that noticed it in a positive way. It got us thinking, the inclusivity that our barn has always practiced should be formalized.Everyone at the farm has always strived to be inclusive and welcoming, Grace commented on Full Moon Farms atmosphere. This is a bit more of a way to get people who may not be aware of our offerings or of riding or in the typical demographics of the sport to the farm. We want to find those people, and get them involved.The workings of Full Moon Farm and the Foundation are complimentary, with the first few initiatives being within efforts already in place.Summer camps have always been going on, Karen said. So weve built on that current offering to have a couple of scholarships. Or covering board, entry feesThese first stages will be additives and supplementary to what were already doing.The FMFEF wants to provide opportunities for those not otherwise aware of the sport to participate. Theres an application process for the scholarship, with a Google Form for participant selection. While the process is still evolving with the Foundation being so new, the application asks about how the mission statement will align with participant values, or how the scholarship will impact participants lives.The Foundation will provide insight and education into the equestrian industry. Photo from Karen Fulton.Of course, these efforts do not come without challenges.Our challenge is getting information out to the people that need it! Karen commented. How do we connect with people not within the sport already? We do have some connections to other nonprofits for sports in the Baltimore area to collaborate and broaden horizons, but are hoping to get the information out to as many people as possible.The FMFEF is still new, just recently receiving 501(c)(3) status through the state of Maryland, with IRS paperwork pending for Federal status. However, as the Foundation continues to develop and grow, there are plans beyond current scholarship opportunities.Were hoping this will be a supplementary community engagement tool, Grace stated. Its meant a lot so far, seeing how many people are reaching out and offering to volunteer. Its not only for the outward community, but is also building community internally as well.The Full Moon Farm community is already developing and supporting the Foundations efforts. Photo from Karen Fulton.Well be looking towards some stand alone events and fundraisers in the future as well, as the Foundation gets going, Karen said.Its meaningful when kids start riding at five, and continue until they go to college. Its a bigger measure of success compared to the number of boarders or wins we have, Karen said.As the Foundation looks at measuring success, looking towards that continued involvement will be key. Involvement with people that have never touched a horse, seen a horse its such an impactful moment. Right now, were looking to get more people involved with the things were doing, people that arent aware of the sport, or typically have access to such opportunities. Long term, as this grows, we have the space and facilities to offer more.For more information on the FMFEF, please see their website, or email fmfeventingfoundation@gmail.com