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Monday, June 04 2018 / Published in General

Show Jumper Brian Walker Answers Your Questions

Brian Walker
Photo by Hervé Bonnaud, 1clicphoto.com

Brian Walker, a dual Canadian and American citizen, has trained, worked and ridden alongside the best in the world over the last 25 years. As a junior, Brian won the Maclay Medal Equitation Championship in 2001. Brian has made a name for himself by developing quality horses into successful competitors in both the hunter and jumper arenas, earning accolades for himself and his clients. Do you have a question you want Brian to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

My horse is stronger on his right ride. Do you have any favorite exercises to help him become more flexible, more bilateral and strengthen his left side?

Horses, like people, have one side or the other that they are more comfortable with. The key to better success in the ring is making sure the horses are equally competent on one lead as they are on the other. When a horse is stronger on the right lead, then you have to work the left lead more. You should start by riding on the flat more to the left than to the right. You can also lunge your horse with side reins only to the left to help strengthen the left side. Simple exercises over small fences on the left lead will also help. Make more small oxers instead of verticals — this will make a horse use more power. Keeping the jumps small to help condition the horse is smart, so you can repeat the exercise a few times, even when the horse gets tired, without taking any confidence away from the horse.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?

I like to think that any advice I give makes a difference and the rider finds what I say to be helpful. It’s difficult to pick out one piece of advice that stands out more than another, as every horse and rider are different and all have different weaknesses. I think the best advice is whatever makes a difference. One thing I always tell students, which I think is my “best” advice, is to have fun. Myself included, sometimes we forget that we need to have fun competing and training; otherwise, what’s the point of doing it?

What’s your favorite piece of training advice to share?

My favorite piece of advice to give riders is, “let the horse do the work.” Over the years, I’ve found myself preaching this time and time again, no matter what the discipline. There are so many riders who try to do too much and interfere with their horse. Riders have one job and horses have another. Everyone needs to stay in their lane to have the most success. Let horses do what they are good at.

After a busy show season, I want to give my horse a break, but still keep him in great shape for his own good. He likes the summer grass too much! What’s the best summer work schedule you’ve found for young competitive horses?

When it comes to young horses, the best time of year to show is the summer. Take advantage of the nice weather and a change to go to a few different venues. A young horse can gain valuable experience going to different places. I think 10 shows during the summer/fall months is enough. Then, after the fall season shows are over, I suggest giving young horses a break. Horses and riders don’t have as much motivation during winter months. I feel that young horses don’t need to go show at any winter tours. Competing in one place for three or four months over the same jumps will only teach them to become careless. Horses can go out in paddocks during winter months; cold doesn’t affect them, as they are from a colder European climate to begin with. I would also put them in the walker a few times a week, and maybe lunge them a few times a week, just to keep some muscle tone. Go a few months without riding, and then start training back in the spring. Once horses are 7 years old, I think they can stay in full-time work.

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Tagged under: brian walker, q&a, show jumping

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The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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