A flash noseband is easy to recognise: a broad cavesson sits around the horse’s nose, with a narrower strap passing down in front of the bit and fastening…
Posts
Riding in a flash noseband: comfort, control, and choice
Schooling Logs Safely In An Open Field Without Fixed Jumps
A fallen branch, a sturdy log beside a trail, or a low timber obstacle can become useful eventing practice when there is no cross-country course nearby.…
What to Pack in Your Cross-Country Day Bag for an Aussie Eventing Day
There's a particular kind of organised chaos that descends on eventers in the lead-up to a cross-country day. The strapping has to be right, the braiding done…
Why I Wear a Medical Armband at Every Event
At a horse trial, my phone usually ends up in a waterproof pouch while I’m competing. It is useful for messages, scores and checking transport details, but it…
Galloping and Pacing on Cross-Country: Reading the Difference
The first time a coach told me I was not galloping, I was pacing, I nodded like I knew exactly what she meant. I did not. I had been riding eventers for years,…
Why I feed small meals more often on show days
If you have ever watched a horse suck back at a feed bucket the moment the float pulls up at a competition venue, you already understand why showing day…
What My Horse’s Ears Tell Me During a Dressage Test
A dressage test can look very quiet from the judge’s box. The horse trots down the centre line, the rider gives small aids, and every movement appears…
A weekly jump schooling plan that builds rider confidence
Every rider I know has had at least one moment where the canter feels heavier than usual, the stride shortens two fences out, and the ground suddenly looks…
Why a Five-Minute Nightly Reflection Sends Me to Sleep Faster
After a long weekend at an event, with the float loaded and the horse rugged, I usually climb into bed feeling every minute of the day. The brain keeps running…
What a Double-Clear at Preliminary Really Taught Me About Patience
I'll never forget the feeling of standing in the truck afterwards, still wearing my cross-country colours, replaying the final seconds of the course in my…