“Pony Up!”
Sunday, April 08 2012
When I first stumbled upon Southern Methodist University the summer before my senior of high school, I immediately identified with the school’s iconic mascot, the Mustang. I tallied all the ironies associated with this mascot if I actually ended up going to SMU
WEF Is Over
Sunday, April 08 2012
WEF 2012 is in the books and the spring shows are just beginning, it’s a strange time here in Wellington, because everyone is glad circuit is over, but everyone is sad just the same. This will mark my first entry into my new blog for Sidelines and I plan on covering a whole host of topics pertaining to the hunter/jumper world. Today I want to talk about how glad I am that circuit is complete, but also that I’m also a little sad, because like America, these shows have their faults, but it’s still the best the horse show world has to offer. Circuit is a marathon for trainers such as myself, we pretty much work non stop for twelve solid weeks, not to mention all the pre-circuit festivities, and now the Spring shows. It’s a difficult time, but also the most rewarding time of the year. Where else can a young rider compete in the short stirrup class in the morning and then catch a top notch Grand Prix that evening
- Published in General, In the Irons, Z-Blogs
Undignified Defies the Name
Thursday, April 05 2012
As the 2012 foxhunting season draws to a close, Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds met Saturday, March 25 at The Laurels at Landhope. On the way to the Meet, scattered showers moved through the area presaging a long, cold, wet weekend. Despite the subsequent downpour, for the Cheshire community, good things happened from the start, marking the celebration of a hunting season that began with the Opening Meet in November and continued unabated to the end of March. It was the first time in recent memory the season had not been weathered out or closed down by mid-January.
Magical
Monday, April 02 2012
The Show in the Woods There are sometimes places so magical that even though you go there every day, it’s spell never fails to seduce you. The Hitchcock Woods, in the center of Aiken, South Carolina, is one of those. Somehow, as soon as you enter The Woods, the canopy surrounds and embraces you and time holds still. The air is clean and soft, scented with Longleaf and Loblolly Pine needles underfoot; footfall is muffled by the sand.
So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event to Showcase Nation’s Finest Eventing Riders and Clinicians
Thursday, March 29 2012
If you haven’t been tracking the progress of the second annual So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas,” May 3-6, 2012, then it’s time you take notice. Why? Because some of the most talented Eventing riders and trainers are doing just that. They think so highly of this event that is focused on amateur riders and training-level horses that they are donating their time. They will serve as clinicians to the first event that will showcase all three of the lower levels (Beginner Novice, Novice and Training) as recognized three-day events. In the past Training has been recognized at the three-day level but it was only this past February that BN and N were added into the fold by the U.S. Eventing Association.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
An Exciting Weekend at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Monday, March 26 2012
HOUSTON, Texas – Lia Chafee, a senior majoring in international communications and media at Texas A&M University, won the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s 2nd Annual Collegiate Charity Invitational equestrian event, sponsored by Superior Energy Services, on March 24th at Great Southwest Equestrian Center, 2501 South Mason Road, Katy, Texas. Chafee was one of eight competitors. Taking second place was Holly Eisbernd, a senior from Granada Hills, Calif., majoring in sociology at California Fresno State. Four of the top 12 2012 Pin Oak Collegiate Invitational teams –Texas A&M, SMU, Baylor, and California Fresno State – which were selected for the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (to be held next month in Waco, Texas) were represented at Pin Oak. For more information and competitor bios, see pages 116-117 in the 2012 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Program at www.pinoak.org and www.varsityequestrian.com.
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Ride from the Heart: The Art of Communication
Saturday, March 24 2012
Training is about connection with our horse with love, harmony and respect. The more we understand the ways of the horse, the more we understand our own feelings. As a result we can live in more harmony – not only with our horse – but with ourselves. ~ Jenny Rolfe U.K. riding instructor Jenny Rolfe teaches innovative techniques of core breathing to connect with the horse and help the rider to find harmony in body, mind and spirit
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Record Donation to Bryn Mawr Hospital from Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
Tuesday, March 20 2012
DEVON, Pa.— Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, which benefits the Bryn Mawr Hospital, has donated over $14 million, and last year another record donation was made to the Hospital. The 2011 show generated a record donation of $402,000 for the Hospital that will be used for a variety of much needed equipment including two Cardiac Catheterization Lab Fast Track Holding Bays, a pediatric anesthesia monitoring and gas system and a SonoSite ultrasound machine. Thousands of volunteers work year-round to ensure the success of the show, and their work paid off in a major way last year. This year will continue this great tradition, as along with top competition in a large variety of disciplines, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, May 24 to June 3, also offers a number of exciting exhibitions and Special Events
- Published in What's Happenin', Z-Blogs
Clinic in VA with Hollywood Movie Horse Trainer
Monday, March 19 2012
Where did the last week go? Well, we spent eight days & nights horse/dog/cat/chicken/pig & farm sitting – the pig was a real pig, but her people love her and that’s what counts. It’s grand to be home and a few minutes away from our dearling Lord Peter and other lovely pony projects at Bryan and Brandy McDonald’s The Fine Equine Stables, the reason for this post. They will host a clinic with Rex Peterson on March 30, 8:30 am to 6 pm. Here’s the release we put together for Brandy who is the clinic organizer. RJ, star of Hidalgo with Viggo Mortensen, entertained spectators after the last clinic hosted by The Fine Equine Stables with a demonstration of his repertoire of movie tricks with acclaimed Hollywood horse trainer Rex Peterson.
- Published in Lauren Gallops, Z-Blogs
Today in Life
Wednesday, March 14 2012
Today I witnessed something my veterinary training hadn’t prepared me for.
- Published in Injecting Perspective, Z-Blogs