Michael Murphy was delighted to finish ninth place in the Para Dressage Individual Grade I competition after scoring 70.417% at Versailles this afternoon. Multiple world and European medal-winner Murphy and his mount Cleverboy put together a superb test on the 17-year-old at the Paralympics, and finished ninth of 22 overall. He faced an anxious wait for qualification to Saturdays Freestyle as he lay in fourth position immediately following his test, with some big names to come and only eight to qualify. First, Italys Carola Semperboni and Paul went above Murphy, then world number one Mari Durward-Akhurst, leaving the Irishman in sixth place with five of the 22 combinations still to come. Italian Sara Morganti and Mariebelle were next into the arena and they catapulted themselves into the silver medal position to leave Murphy lying in seventh position with four more to come. Rihard Snikus from Latvia, who won double silver []

The horse lives in Marquette County. The post Unvaccinated Wisconsin Yearling Positive for WNV appeared first on The Horse.

Experts describe how to help horses experience a comfortable and healthy retirement in this article from the Fall 2024 issue of The Horse. The post Considerations for a Horses Healthy Retirement appeared first on The Horse.

The horse lives in Cumberland County. The post Pennsylvania Horse Positive for WNV appeared first on The Horse.

Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser. Photo by Tilly Berendt.All four members of Britains gold medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics Laura Collett, Tom McEwen, Ros Canter and alternate rider Yasmin Ingham are entered for Cornbury House Horse Trials (September 11-15), alongside multiple Olympians from other nations.With some of the sport of eventings most famous names equine and human set to compete at the highly popular Oxfordshire event, the stage is set for a truly golden celebration of equestrian sport.Cornbury House Horse Trials was founded by David Howden and his family in 2020, and immediately became one of the highlights of the eventing season for riders, owners, grooms, sponsors and spectators. For the second year running, Cornbury hosts the British Eventing Young Horse Championships, as well as Youth Championship classes for under-21 riders, supported by The Howden Way, and international classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level. There are also hotly contested national classes the Open Intermediate alone boasts two CCI5* winners in 2023 Defender Burghley hero Ballaghmor Class (Oliver Townend) and Falco, winner of the Pau CCI5* and sixth individually at the Paris Olympics with New Zealands Tim Price.David Howden said: We are thrilled and flattered by both the exceptional quality and amount of entries nearly 1,100 of them that we have received for Cornbury 2024. Its particularly pleasing that the numbers for the Young Horse Championships and the Youth classes have grown again, as well as those for the supporting classes.Cornbury House Horse Trials has always aimed to be the best event for horses, riders and owners, and we are tireless in our efforts to improve on all fronts. The site and the ground conditions are looking fantastic. Following consultation after last years event, it was recommended that we ran fewer horses to ensure that we could preserve the all-important footing for horses over all four days of competition. As a consequence, we agreed to run one section less per day on the Thursday and Friday of this years event.In accepting our entries, we have tried to allow as many people are able to compete at Cornbury House Horse Trials as possible while preserving the best conditions for horses that we can it is so important to us that we enable the stars of the sport and the best up-and-coming horses and riders with what they need to be able to perform at their optimum.As well as our Olympic gold medallists, I am delighted that all four members of the British team that took gold at the recent Young Riders European Championships in Poland including individual gold and bronze medal winners Jasmine Underwood and Isabelle Cook are coming to Cornbury. Nurturing and rewarding our rising stars is so important to us.I cant wait to show everyone what we have in store for them at Cornbury House 2024 see you all there!In keeping with David Howdens determination to reward riders and owners for their efforts and achievements, Cornbury House Horse Trials offers unprecedented levels of prize-money, including the much-coveted 2,500 Leading Rider Award. Since its inception in 2022, this has been won by two local Cotswolds riders Tom McEwen and Laura Collett, who now have two Olympic team gold medals, an individual silver (Tom, Tokyo 2021) and an individual bronze (Laura, Paris 2024).Laura said: My owners and I love Cornbury it is so special and we feel so well looked-after and valued there. It has got better and better each year and I wouldnt miss it for the world. I will be trying very hard to win back the Leading Rider Award this time!As well as a feast of equestrian sport, featuring many of the worlds most famous riders, Cornbury Horse Horse Trials is an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive childrens activities in the stunning setting of Cornbury Park. Theres no doubt that Cornbury House Horse Trials promises a fantastic day out for families, as well as riders, owners, guests and spectators.Dont miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of one of the most anticipated equestrian events in the area. Book your tickets today and join us for an unforgettable day at Cornbury House Horse Trials.All the cross-country action from Cornbury House Horse Trials will be shown live on Horse & Country TV.

Versailles, France Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes (Grade II) secured individual gold in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Howard and Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De Lor x Wibella) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselman, earned a personal best score of 76.931% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Howards first Paralympic Games representing the United States.Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes with the Palace of Versailles as the backdrop. Photo courtesy US Equestrian Edited Press Release | Source: US EquestrianThanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes Earn Individual Gold Medal in Grade II Grand Prix Test A appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Versailles, France Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H (Grade I) secured individual silver in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Trunnell and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fuerstenball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint, earned yet another personal best score for the United States, securing a 78.000% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Trunnells third Paralympic Games representing the United States and was a double individual gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. More news to follow.Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H. Photo by Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography Edited Press Release | Source: US EquestrianThanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H Capture Individual Silver in Grade I FEI Grand Prix Test A appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A horse riders jumping position can mean the difference between going clear or not, as well as instilling confidence in both you and your horse.As a rider, it doesnt matter what level you are, the ability to maintain a correct position in the saddle is essential. Your position for flatwork and jumping is something that you are constantly striving to improve, and it can be all too easy to slip into bad habits. These habits can affect your horses balance and make it difficult for them to perform the movements, or tasks such as jumping, easily.Remember too that everyone is a little different in their conformation, and how each horse jumps is also different. This is why you need to be adaptable and open-minded. The theory is a good starting point, but riding in a secure yet relaxed position where you can follow the movement of your horse is whats needed for flatwork and jumping.I asked leading trainer John Thelwall about some of the most common horse riding jumping position errors that he sees riders making in the ring. Do you do any of the following?Horse rider jumping position: OverfoldingThe problemThrowing or snapping your upper body forwards is a common problem and I will always ask riders I am training why they are doing it, says John. Many of these problems come back to the same issue, namely that the rider struggles to maintain a secure but relaxed position so they can follow the movement of the horse over the jump. Remember one of the purposes of the jumping position is to help your horse stay in balance.Also, the key to rebalancing your horse after each fence is your ability to land in balance, independent of their movement. To achieve this requires minimum upper body movement over the fence; too much forward movement creates the need for too much backward movement on landing, resulting in further movement forward during the first stride after landing, which is the all-important start of the approach to the next fence.The solutionAccording to John, it will take time and patience to break the habit of overfolding and it is a case of practising not moving your upper body so much over a fence. Think about creating a good quality canter to each jump and avoid the temptation to do too much with your upper body. Wait for your horse to take off and allow your hips to close and follow the movement.As you land, let your weight come down into your heel rather than into your knees, advises John. This will help you to stay in control and, importantly, in balance, meaning that you can ride confidently to the next jump.Position problem: Flapping your elbowsThe problemThis is seen on the approach to the fence as a rider rows their arms back and forth urging the horse forwards to the jump. The main reason riders feel that they need to do this is because theyve not done enough work in the first place to help their horse and the canter is poor.All the work creating a good quality canter should be done as you turn to each jump, so that you can sit quietly on the approach, explains John. Youll only feel like you need to start flapping your elbows and legs on the approach if your horse is not in front of your leg.Having said this, I would prefer to see elbows out a little rather than tucked into your sides as this makes you tight in your shoulders, which in turn makes it much harder for you to follow your horse as they jump. Your arms will remain much softer if they are out a bit but not flapping.The solutionThe problem of flapping elbows comes back to your flatwork training. Your horse must respond to your aids and be in front of your leg. If this isnt happening on the flat then it wont happen when you start jumping.Its time to go back to basics and get your horse listening and reactive to your aids, says John. Ride lots of transitions between the paces, and within each pace too. Make sure that when you put your leg on, your horse goes.Position problem: Pushing hands too forwardThe problemThis problem is often seen in riders who also overfold. There is no need to exaggerate the movement of your hand over a jump; that much movement will upset your horses balance and your own. Also, ask yourself why are you throwing the contact away towards the horses ears? You dont do that when youre riding on the flat.The solutionI find that most riders that cant follow their horse with the rein jumping cant follow their horse on the flat either, says John. The aim is to have a straight line from your elbow down the rein to the bit, but it has to be soft and relaxed so your hand is ready to travel forward at any given moment. If your horse needs a little bit more rein than your balance will cope with, just open your fingers to allow the rein to slip through your fingers a little.How you hold your reins will have an impact on your ability to move with your horse. It can be hard to slip the reins if you hold them with your thumb and forefinger. If the rein just passes over the third finger but is held by the thumb and forefinger, you end up dropping the reins rather than slipping them. You need to hold the reins with your third finger thats the point of contact. From here its much easier to slip the reins and have a more adaptable feel down the reins.Horse rider jumping position: Folding to one sideThe problemThis is another relatively common sight, and is when the rider bends the upper body over one shoulder of the horse. Adopting this position makes the horse carry your weight unevenly, with more on one side than the other, making it more difficult for him to jump cleanly.This issue occurs when the rider has too much weight in one stirrup, and can be corrected only by making sure they have equal weight in both stirrups. If you even your feet up, youll even your body up too.The solutionTo help correct this issue, try shortening your stirrups a few holes and riding around your arena or field in canter, sitting as you would if youre doing flatwork. As you ride round lean to one side and then lean to the other feel what happens to you and what effect it has on your horse.Now canter round and concentrate on maintaining an equal feel into both stirrups. If you are struggling, try going into a more forward position in the saddle. By not jumping and simply focusing on your position, you give yourself time to feel what is happening and where your weight is.Position problem: Letting your reins get too longThe problemRein length is a difficult one to talk about in general terms as every horse and rider will require a slightly different rein length. Take up a length of rein thats comfortable for both of you. You need to discover where that is, and it will be similar for riding on the flat and for jumping.My rule of thumb is that whatever contact you want in the hand as your horse takes off, you must achieve that as you turn to the jump, says John. If you like your horse to be in a light contact at take-off, they must be in that light contact as you come round the turn to the jump. If you feel as if you need to support them a bit then you have to give them that support around the turn.The solutionAll horses are different. Some like virtually no contact and some prefer to have a little support. Youll only learn what they like by practising and keeping an open mind its not a one size fits all.Meet the expert: Jockey turned showjumper turned eventer John Thelwall trains and rides horses of all levels and enjoys producing youngsters. He has natural empathy with horses and this translates to his students, filling them with confidence.Related contentPiggy March training: jump out of trot to test rider balance & build trust in your horseMary Kings 30-minute gridwork routineHow to measure out canter poles, related distances and bounces on footThe post Five common problems with a riders jumping position solved appeared first on Your Horse.

Versailles, France Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) andFloratina(Grade III) secured individual gold in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Hart and Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz x Rubina) owned by Rowan ORiley, earned a personal best score of 77.900% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Harts fifth Paralympic Games representing the United States and todays gold medal marks the first individual Paralympic medal of her career.Rebecca Hart celebrates her winning test aboard Floratina at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Photo by Sarah Miller/MacMillan Photography Edited Press Release | Source: US EquestrianThanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Rebecca Hart Secures Individual Gold in Grade III Grand Prix Test A appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

How much thought do you give to the type of stirrups you ride in? You may think of this item of horse tack as merely something to rest your feet on and give you a bit more security in the saddle, but they are so much more than this.A good pair of stirrups is a key piece of every riders tack, and the right set can make a world of difference to your riding position, comfort, effectiveness of your leg aids and your safety.In recent years, the choice of stirrups has grown massively with a whole host of technical stirrups available in varying designs.The traditional stainless steel Fillis stirrup iron is no longer your only option when it comes to buying a new pair of stirrups. Selecting the right stirrup has become a surprisingly complex topic and provokes plenty of conversation among riders.As with many things in the horse world, it does come down to personal choice and what suits one may not suit another, but before buying a pair of these often-pricey technical stirrups its worth doing your homework.Manufacturers have spent years developing different designs and the result is some quite futuristic-looking stirrups, with all manner of features that claim to improve your riding and help you maintain that perfect lower leg position.There are even stirrups that can relieve pressure in your knees and ankles for a more comfortable ride.Here are the key things to look for when selecting a new pair for yourself:Size: you must also buy the right sized stirrups for your own safety.If they are too big your foot may slide straight through and theyll feel unstable; if the irons are too small your foot could get stuck.Weight:with the use of modern materials, such as plastic and aluminium, some stirrups are very lightweight compared to traditional stainless steel irons, which are heavier. Lightweight stirrups are a popular choice with competition riders, but what you prefer for your own riding will be a personal choice. Some riders prefer a slightly heavier stirrup thats easier to get your foot back in to if your foot slips out, for example.Tread:this is an important factor to consider as the tread will help to give you added security while in the saddle. A wide rubber tread is still a popular option for superior grip.A metal cheese grater-style tread is also available which can offer better stability if the soles of your boots get wet.Safety: some stirrups feature an easy-release mechanism. There are a number of options available, but most open at the side of the stirrup so that your foot is quickly freed.Innovative features: this includes things like a base that pivots in several directions simultaneously to provide greater comfort and flexibility, and help alleviate tension and pain in your ankles, knees and hips by softening the impact on your joints.How to find the right sizeYou should be able to fit one finger between the widest part of your boot and the stirrup (on both sides of the iron). If youre buying new stirrups, measure across the bottom of your riding boot at the widest point (where the ball of your foot is) and add on an inch to find out what size stirrups you need.Shop for a new set of ironsAcavallo Arena AluPro StirrupsColours: Silver, titanium, rose gold, blue, charcoal, red, brownSize: One sizeThis stirrup features a patented side opening with a unique HiFlex stress activated locking and release mechanism with big opening in case of emergency. Once triggered, it takes one click to reengage the locking and release mechanism of the stirrup.The construction of these stirrups is based on flexible polymers, making the stirrup less rigid and more comfortable. The springing stirrup bow and foot support effectively absorbs impacts offering relief to your foot arches, ankles, knees and hips.Buying in the UK? RRP 134.95 ($135.55; 148.59) Purchase hereInternational shipping availableSprenger Bow BalanceColours: Stainless steel, anthraciteSizes: 112m (4.4in); 122mm (4.75in), 132mm (5.125in)The design of these stirrups helps to ensure an improved leg position. The bow form offers a perfect fit and has superb strength with enhanced security, and offers maximum comfort.The stirrups feature System 4 technology that helps to release the foot in case of an emergency. Flexible in four directions, it softens the impact on your cartilage and ligaments without creating an unstable feeling.The widened tread is made from two types of rubber, offering shock-absorbing grip and balance.Buying in the UK? RRP 210 ($222.04; 243.40) Purchase hereInternational shipping availableEquipe Staf14 StirrupsColours: Light titanium/ red, light titanium/ navy, light titanium/ blue, dark titanium/ grey, dark titanium/ green, black/ orange, black/ red, bronze/ black, black/ blackSize: One sizeThese stirrups have an innovative simple release system, and need no tools to restore them to their original position after a fall.They have a mobile silicone arm that releases under pressure during a fall. The lower section of the arm sits between the tread and gullet to prevent it from loosening during normal use.The treads have slots for removing sand from boots, with a texture that provides increased grip for security and stability.Buying in the UK? RRP 324.50 ($343.11; 376.11) Purchase hereInternational shipping availableFlex-on Safe-on Safety Stirrup Colours: Fully customisable: 10 frame colours, 16 arm colours, 3 footrest colours, 17 shock absorber colours, 100+ magnet insert coloursSizes: One sizeThe Safe-On features all of Flex-ons shock-absorbing and ergonomic features, plus it can be customised with a range of frame and footbed colours. This stirrup has a flexible outer arm that will open in response to a minimum of 40kg of weight in a fall, helping to release your foot. The branch can be re-attached quickly and simply after a fall.There are four tread options: inclined grip, inclined ultra-grip, flat grip and flat ultra-grip. The elastomers provide exceptional shock-absorption and the offset leather slots hold the lightweight (a pair weighs 1kg) stirrups at the perfect angle for the optimum leg position.Buying in the UK? Standard price RRP 244.95 ($259; 283.91) Purchase hereInternational shipping availableCompositi Reflex StirrupsColours: Black, brown, royal blue, bright blue, red, purple, pink, burgundy, raspberrySizes: One sizeWith glass-fibre reinforcement, the swivel sole of the Compositi Reflex stirrup is positioned on a shock-absorbent layer to relieve tension in your knees and joints. The slender profile has been designed for quick foot release in an emergency. The material used to make these stirrups has a high resistance to shocks and damp, even at low temperatures, making them a durable choice.Buying in the UK? RRP 36.99 Purchase hereEuropean delivery availableMagnetic Safety Stirrups Ophena SColours: Silver, onyx black, rose temptationSizes: Insole size EU32 EU46Ophena S provides safety, optimal foot position and greater leg stability. The open design minimises the risk of your feet getting caught and the magnetic system releases you in case of a fall. They can be used in all disciplines.They include a pair of magnetic insoles that you put inside your riding boots the resulting magnetic connection between the stirrups and your boots provides you with better grip and control.Patented Smart Attach technology removes the need to take the stirrup leathers off the saddle in order to attach the stirrups.Buying in the UK? RRP 289 Purchase hereInternational shipping availableRelated contentHollowing your back or slouching? Why your stirrup length matters and how to get it rightNo stirrups November: achieve a more secure seat by riding without stirrupsPerfect your sitting trot by establishing a neutral pelvisThe post What to look for when buying stirrups plus six of the best irons on the market appeared first on Your Horse.