In preparation for our upcoming horse show, I need to come up with ways to spruce up our existing jumps and make sure we have enough of everything to make a full course. To do this I first came up with a likely course that I’ll use for the horse show, assumed that I’ll want at least one if not two oxers and that ... Read More »

The horse show I’m putting on at Sycamore Stables is less then two weeks away! While myself and others at the barn continue to prepare things at the farm, the most important work is the work I do at home, putting together programs, updating the website and emailing prize lists to everyone I know. If we don’t ... Read More »

The tale of my path with Vanessa continues. For those of you that remember hearing about my previous horse show you know that it didn’t go well and that my horse Vanessa and I, had multiple refusals and I suspected her ulcer was to blame. Having come up with a better ulcer treatment plan I was hopeful that this show ... Read More »

I spent the last week at a horse show. Part of showing is dealing with personal emotions and for me it is also about knowing how to deal with my student’s emotions. Whenever we show, I want to make sure that my students get the most they can out of the experience whether they win or lose. This is considerably easier ... Read More »

Riding hot horses is a skill in and of itself. They require a greater degree of subtleness in the aids that you give them, and you often have to find the balance between being strong enough to control them yet soft enough not to make them nervous. One of the most common faults we make as riders when riding these hotter more ... Read More »