There are riding aids that look impressive from the ground: a dramatic change of pace, a sharp transition, a powerful flying change. Then there is the…
Posts
The Power of a Simple Half-Halt at the Right Moment
Why I Practice Emergency Dismounts on the Flat
There is a particular kind of confidence that comes from knowing how to leave a horse safely. It is not glamorous, and it is rarely the part of training anyone…
What a loose shoe can teach you about preparedness
A loose shoe rarely arrives at a convenient time. It may show up the evening before a horse trial, halfway through a schooling session, or just as the lorry is…
Feeding the Event Horse for a Stronger Competition Day
Competition-day nutrition begins long before the horse walks into the dressage arena. The meals offered that morning matter, but they are only one part of a…
Teaching My Horse To Listen To My Seat
My seat is the quietest aid I use, but it has become one of the most important parts of my communication with my horse. My hands and legs can create a great…
Why I set personal goals beyond the placing
There is a particular kind of silence that arrives after a horse trial. The trailer is packed, the boots are muddy, and the last score has been posted. For a…
When the Finish Line Feels Quieter Than Expected
There is a particular kind of tiredness that arrives after a major equestrian goal has been achieved. It is not the ordinary exhaustion of early mornings,…
The post-event meal that brings me back to earth
After a horse trial, I am rarely thinking about food in the polished, organized way I imagined I would when I left home that morning. I may have packed snacks,…
How to handle a horse that’s too fresh on XC
A fresh horse on cross-country can be thrilling, alarming, or both at once. The stride feels bigger, the reactions arrive faster, and the rider may start…
Why I Always Carry a Pocket Knife in the Barn
There are items I expect to use at the barn every day: a lead rope, hoof pick, grooming brush, gloves, and a water bottle that I will inevitably leave…