Summer Gala Horse Day

Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to nominate the athlete/horse combinations for consideration by the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) to represent Team Ireland in Show Jumping at the Paris Olympic Games. Show Jumping High Performance Director Michael Blake has chosen to nominate Daniel Coyle with Legacy, Cian OConnor with Maurice and Shane Sweetnam with the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz for the Games, with the competition taking place in late July. The P Alternate Athlete/Horse combination will be Bertram Allen with the Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro, and reserve combinations also nominated are listed below. Michael Blake said: It is the greatest honour for an athlete to be chosen to represent their country at an Olympic Games and Im delighted to have chosen these athletes for consideration for Paris. We are enjoying an excellent period of Irish jumping at the moment and it is testament to the riders and []

Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to nominate the athlete/horse combinations for consideration by the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) to represent Team Ireland in Eventing at the Paris Olympic Games. Eventing High Performance Director Dag Albert has chosen to nominate Susie Berry with Wellfields Lincoln, Sarah Ennis with the Irish Sport Horse Action Lady M and Austin OConnor with Colorado Blue for the Games, with the competition taking place in late July. The P Alternate Athlete/Horse combination will be Aoife Clark with Sportsfield Freelance, and reserve combinations also nominated are listed below. Dag Albert said: It is an honour and privilege to be leading the Irish team into the Paris Olympic Games this summer and Im absolutely delighted with the athletes and their horses, who have been raising their performances week-on-week as we have gotten to this point in the selection process. The strength and depth we have in Irish []

I was asked the other day when I was going to start showing Stu. Showing hasnt been on my mind in a long time. Theres the first problem, which is that Stu and I are in no way ready to go to a show, with our inconsistent rides. But theres also a significant lack of interest in showing. I dont have a competitive nature. I dont care about winning ribbons. Theres nothing that draws me into spending a ton of effort into dragging my horse to a show, waiting around, and feeling stressed, even if I did win. The effort isnt worth the potential reward. Id rather just go ride.I had bought Stu because I intended for him to be a show horse, but having kids changed my outlook. I have so little time to devote to horses, Id rather just do the things I want to do.Lemonade breakEnjoying a ride in the wagonThat being said, I still love watching horse shows. I like admiring the pretty horses, seeing excellent riding, and taking in the whole atmosphere of horses at their best. Which is why I decided I was going to go watch Upperville this year.The Main Hunter RingBy the second ringIn previous years, this was a simple thing. One simply shows up, pays the entry fee, if there is one, and walks around. But now that I have kids, its a bit more complicated. One of them is 5, so she listens to instructions and will behave, but the other two are two year old twins, and are basically feral. They sort of listen, if it benefits them and they arent otherwise occupied.It has been hard to get out with them. Im only one person, so I would have to limit my outings to times when my husband comes, or risk them running in opposite ways at the same time. Even going to the playground is hard. They need eyes on them at all times to keep them safe, and they like to explore separately. I cant risk one of them running into the road while the other decides to take a solo hike into the woods.The very popular lemonade standLots of motorbikes driving around It was easier when they were in a stroller, since they couldnt escape. But once they learned how to walk, they didnt want to be strapped down. They yearned for freedom. I did too, but unfortunately my version of freedom was way different than theirs.For much of their young life, we didnt leave the house much, unless I had help to manage them. It was a bit of a lonely existence.But change was on the way, in the form of leashes. I know they are controversial. Lots of people are horrified by their use, but to them I say, youve never had two small children who can barely speak but will run opposite ways at the same time. Id rather my kids be on leashes then running into traffic. Id rather them be able to experience the world without being strapped to a stroller. They are so independent they dont like holding my hand, so this gives them the illusion of freedom. They dont feel anything until they get to the end of the leash and it stops them.David kept saying Apple! and the man kindly showed him the apple he was eating. Judge all you want, but the leashes give me the ability to get out and see the world with the kids.Since I could finally get out, I decided we are going to go watch Upperville. Im hoping the kids will learn to love horses like I do, why not use some of the best horses to get them interested?I think this was a Handy Hunter class. It was also hard to follow which class was what while also watching the kids. To keep everything orderly, I had the twins on their leashes, and I brought my wagon for stuff. It can also be used as a stroller, since sometimes they like to catch a ride. I am but one woman, and I cannot carry them all at once like they desire, so the wagon will have to do.We have to stay back from the fence at all time. I cant risk the kids running around the fenceline and spooking horses. Since the kids follow me, it means I have to stay far back from the fenceline, too. This makes a lot of my shots pretty far away, but I just use it as an opportunity to incorporate the whole setting into the shot.Getting the shot and also working on developing a mighty back humpI will give props to the horses at the show. They all seemed unfazed by my gaggle of kids and the wagon. Riders didnt need to avoid me, they just walked a foot away from the kids, with no one seeming to mind. I didnt want to be in anyones way, so Im glad no one seemed to care.I did get a lot of people saying they loved the leashes, though. Lots of people told me they did the same for their kids, and how they made so much sense. The leashes were actually a great icebreaker with riders and spectators there. Lots of parents swear by them!Even without the leashes, everyone I encountered was super nice. A few riders stopped and chatted with the kids. One nice woman brought her dog over when one of the boys started crying. Unfortunately, he still kept crying so we ended up leaving then, but overall, it was so nice to feel so welcome.A really nice group was Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center. They saw me taking photos and offered to watch the kids for a few minutes so I could get close to the ring. Two of the kids were for it, one was not. But the two that did go with them got to color horses for a bit. They had a lot of fun, and the people were so nice. It was great talking with them.Since the kids get tired, we could only stay for so long. But even though it was only a few hours, it was worth it. Once the kids are a little older, Ill be able to stay out longer, and probably stretch my photography skills a bit more (although I think my horse show photography has vastly improved since the last time I was at a show!)Sometimes (well, a lot of times) it feels like Im out of the loop of current horse life because Im always with the kids. Taking the kids out with the horses was so refreshing. Even though Im not competing myself due to above mentioned reasons, its wonderful to see the horses go. It fun to share them with the kids, and I hope theyll grow to love it, too.Want to know more about Upperville? Heres the history of the show.The post Taking the Kids to Upperville 2024 appeared first on An Equestrian Life.

SUMMER POLE CLINICS IN JULY AND AUGUST!!!

A charity documentary has highlighted the human and equine cost of the climate emergency in West Africa. After 12 months of record temperatures, a new film explores the experience of the nomadic Peule people in Senegal.Over one million working equines, vital to the livelihoods of millions in this West-African nation, are struggling to find food and water due to drastic changes in weather patterns. In response, World Horse Welfare is expanding its efforts into Senegals rural sylvo-pastoral zone, aiming to improve the welfare of these essential animals and, by extension, the communities depending on them.The documentary launched by World Horse Welfare this month (watch below) highlights the challenges the climate emergency has exacerbated and how it is helping, following two Peule families. Weather patterns are severely impacting the families living conditions, their childrens education, the health of their livestock and the welfare of their equines, which are imperative to their survival.Climate change has drastically altered the environment in Senegal. The shortening rainy season forces families to travel longer distances in search of food and water for their families and livestock. This situation is particularly severe for the Peule, a nomadic community who rely on seasonal movements for grazing.Horses have been part of the Peules lives for generations, but they have never been as important as they are today, said Abdoulaye Thaim,World Horse Welfares National Coordinator in Senegal. They cherish their working horses and donkeys because they have made life better for their children and their survival depends on these hard-working animals.Whole families depend on horses for their very survival, but they are watching them starve.World Horse Welfare is calling for support to continue this vital work. By donating to its latest appeal, supporters can help improve the lives of working horses in Senegal and the communities that depend on them.Further readingBirth of first foal from smuggled horses rescued by World Horse WelfareIt is vital to protect them: Presenter Angela Rippon speaks out on donkey skin tradeInvest in animal health to prevent future pandemics, says coalition formed by equine charity BrookeThe post Documentary highlights human and equine cost of the climate emergency appeared first on Your Horse.