There is a particular kind of frustration that comes from unloading a horse at a competition, watching him throw his head up and hollow his back while he eyes…
Posts
The horse who was a saint at home and a bundle of nerves everywhere else
Staying Positive When an Eventing Competition Falls Apart
Anyone who's climbed back into the float after a rough round at Boneo or Scone knows that hollow feeling in the chest when the plan unravels before your eyes.…
Sharpening your horse's response to the leg without stirrups
Every eventer knows that feeling. You're halfway around cross-country, your horse locks onto a tricky combination, and you need him to step sideways or push…
Why I Always Pack More Hay Nets and Water Buckets
There is a moment before every horse trial when the float is parked in the driveway, the gear is spread across the lawn, and I begin asking myself whether I…
How To Approve A Cross-Country Fence With A Tricky Approach
A cross-country fence rarely feels difficult because of the timber, brush, ditch or drop by itself. The real test is often the few strides before it: a curving…
What My Catastrophic Show Jumping Round Taught Me About Reset
There are ordinary disappointing rounds, and then there are rounds that seem to unravel in real time. Mine began with a tense approach, continued through a…
How to Encourage a Lazy Horse to Be More Forward in Dressage
A horse that feels lazy in dressage can make every session seem harder than it should. The rider asks for walk, trot or canter, receives a delayed shuffle,…
The Triple Bar That Changed How I Ride
The first time I rode a triple bar, I spent far too long pretending I was calm. The fence sat brightly in front of us, broad and inviting in the way that only…
Why I use a bareback pad sometimes for lateral work
There are schooling sessions when I want a little less between me and my horse. Not less security, preparation, or responsibility, but less leather, flocking…
Make a DIY Dressage Arena Marker Set for Home Practice
A full dressage arena can feel like a serious project, especially when the nearest permanent school is a long float trip away. In reality, a useful home marker…