Top Riders Share Their Thoughts on Navigating Course
Friday, November 20 2020
When I go into the show ring, my mind sometimes takes me on its own journey. I often find my thoughts going all over the place and struggle to get more focused on the task at hand. Does everyone have their mind totally focused on the task at hand when in the ring, or where
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Where Has All the Suppleness Gone?
Friday, November 13 2020
by George Williams In my columns, I try to touch on all things dressage. As in every sport, there are many different aspects, several of which I’ve discussed in previous columns. Once in a while I feel compelled to speak out about the principles of dressage training, and now is one of those times. The
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Reflections on the 2020 Festival
Friday, October 23 2020
By George Williams In my column last month, I wrote about “the summer that never was.” Well, I stand corrected! It turned out that for U.S. dressage, in the quaint little town of Wayne, Illinois, we had one glorious week of summer. The 2020 US Equestrian Festival of Champions at Lamplight Equestrian Center held the
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The Impact of Parents’ Emotions on Kids
Wednesday, September 30 2020
I had a really bad emotional experience when riding as a kid. My daughter has now expressed interest in horseback riding. I’m worried that she will have the same bad experience as I did, so I’m hesitant to let her take lessons. I know as a parent I shouldn’t project my fears onto my daughter.
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Safely Hosting a Clinic
Friday, September 25 2020
By Armand Leone and Jessica E. Choper Hosting a clinic at your facility can be beneficial for a number of reasons. It can provide marketing opportunities for your farm, generate revenue and offer a fun learning experience for everyone involved. However, before you officially kick off your clinic, there are a few safety considerations to
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Eventing with Boyd Martin
Friday, September 18 2020
What are your tips for a jog outfit? The veterinary inspection at a three-day event is a little bit about presenting your horse to the ground jury to make sure it’s fit and sound for the competition, and a little bit of a fashion show. Especially at the big events like the Land Rover Kentucky
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The Summer That Never Was
Wednesday, September 16 2020
By George Williams The summer that never was: Yes, it sounds like the title of a book you might have read while at the beach during a normal summer. In many respects, as youth coach, this past summer basically feels like it never was. Summer is when some of our most important events normally happen
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Combating the COVID Challenge
Friday, August 28 2020
By Margie Sugarman I’m experiencing anxiety with going back to horse shows post-coronavirus. I find myself worried about catching the virus or spreading it to my family, even with all the precautions in place. How do I cope with the anxiety? Many of you might have recently read a piece that’s been circulating online regarding
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Protecting Your Horse Out on a Lease
Wednesday, August 26 2020
By Armand Leone & Jessica Choper Leasing out your horse can be a beneficial situation to both of you. Perhaps you’ve gotten busy with your career or your family and you don’t have much time to ride, but you don’t want to sell your beloved partner. Or maybe your horse has an old injury that
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Reflecting on Retirement
Wednesday, August 19 2020
By George Williams Our family recently retired a 10-year-old gelding. These are the moments that tend to make us pause to reflect on why we do what we do. As we get older, one of the many questions we grapple with is, when is the appropriate time to retire? For many of us, especially in
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