SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Tuesday, September 06 2016 / Published in General

Show Jumper Brian Walker Answers Your Questions

Brian Walker and Chico’s Bandita Photo by Diana Hadsall Photography

Brian Walker and Chico’s Bandita
Photo by Diana Hadsall Photography

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.

It’s been said that each horse feels different to ride. Are some more responsive than others? And if so, does this difference affect a rider’s performance in the ring?
I wouldn’t say that every single horse feels different, but there are definitely certain horses that are more responsive than others. There are horses that ride better at a slower pace, and horses that respond better when they’re going full speed. Some are stiff, some have good balance, some are narrow, and others are really wide. The list goes on and on. Consequently, I think it’s wise to buy horses that you’re most competitive on, and that complement your own riding style. Your horse should help you ride to the best of your ability, and should maximize your performance in the ring.

Is there a Grand Prix horse that catches your eye, that’s your favorite to watch?
My favorite Grand Prix horse to watch is Big Star. His type, blood and scope are what I look for in all of my own horses. In addition, I’ve always admired the way Nick Skelton rides, ever since I was a kid. I think his experienced riding style allows for Big Star to really show off his canter and flexibility. Separately, they’re both great, but together they’re exceptional.

Some horses tend to kick out or whinny to announce that they’ve entered the ring. Do you have a particular horse that tends to act out during competition?
None of my horses have that kind of attitude, but I’m familiar with some riders whose horses do this. I think it can be unsettling for amateurs to compete on horses that act out because they don’t have the experience that a professional does. Although I wouldn’t say acting out is bad, I do think that if you own a horse that has these tendencies when you go in the ring, you should figure out a routine where you can prevent it. Most of these habits can be avoided if they’re caught early.

Have you ever had to change the way you ride to be more “in tune” with one of your horses?
I’ve had horses that needed me to adjust the way I think, train and ride to help them perform better in the ring. Being in tune with your horse can require these adjustments if he or she isn’t a real fit with your training or riding style. Ultimately, the match between horse and rider isn’t always perfect. That’s part of the business.

You recently welcomed a new horse into your barn. What are your goals for her?
My goals for her are to start jumping 1.45 and 1.50 classes within the next couple of weeks and then possibly put her in some classes with larger jumps if I feel like she has a good chance of doing well. As an 11-year-old, she has plenty of experience; however, she’s very stubborn and strong, which makes her a little tricky to ride. I’ll need to know when to push the right buttons at the right time for her to perform at her best. I’m hoping to sell her eventually to someone who fits well with her strength and competitive spirit. However, if that doesn’t work out, her impressive qualities and results will make her an exceptional broodmare at the end of her career.

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: brian walker, q&a

What you can read next

Tuxedo American Bulldog Puppy
Paralympic Summer Update
Performer For A Day Contest Photo Gallery

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • LESLEY WARD, REALTOR®
    Bluegrass Homes and Horse Farms 859-361-3246 www.biedermanrealestate.com

    [Read more]

  • Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help equestrian scholar-athletes!
    Click ad title for more images
    We take an individualized approach to help our students discover and achieve their own personal, academic, and athletic best. We offer academic support for traditional school subjects at all levels in addition to standardized test-prep tutoring. We are excited to announce the first installment in a series of virtual,

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Hope Cooper: Dressage and Education Run in the Family

    By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Hope ...
  • Bailey Robinson: Ponies on Her Mind

    By Britney Grover Portraits by Kristie Scholten...
  • The Impact of Thoughts

    By Margie Sugarman I fell off at a big show I q...
  • Believing in the Horse Nobody Believed In: Cooley Quicksilver

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp I have had many young hor...
  • Unbridled With Steve Stephens

    By Britney Grover Steve Stephens knows a good j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!