Indice dei contenuti per March 2018 in Practical Horseman

I had a Thoroughbred hunter years ago named Viewfinder. “Boris” had a lot of spirit and often landed from fences at the end of lines and sped up—sometimes he’d even take off after a particularly lofty oxer. On top of that, finding distances on him was difficult, and if we got to one he didn’t like, he stopped. Needless to say, rides were stressful. Then I started to work with a new trainer. After a few lessons, she said, “You know, Sandy, I know he’s quick after a fence, but as soon as you get to the middle of the turn, he slows down. I think you need to put your leg on him and ride him forward.” Ride my charging beast forward? Are you nuts? I thought. But we…

I love this photo of Bill Steinkraus and Bold Minstrel, taken in 1967 at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, England. It’s not often you see one of the world’s greatest riders and one of the best horses in the world together in competition. Bill would soon be an Olympic gold medalist and Bold Minstrel had already won a silver medal on the 1964 Olympic eventing team. This was an unusual combination of talents. Bill was one of the most accurate riders I have ever seen. In the spring of 1967, I watched him schooling Bold Minstrel at the USET training center in Gladstone, N.J. Imagine a 5-foot brick wall set on the center line of the main outdoor arena, and close to the out-gate. Bill turned onto the centerline…

One of the most common problems I see juniors and adult amateurs struggle with on course is maintaining a consistent pace. Everyone’s goal should be to finish the round with the same pace they had when they started—but that’s easier said than done. Eight times out of 10, riders start too slow and end too fast. Some start at a decent pace but then slow down midway through and never gear up again. Having an inconsistent pace not only destroys the nice flow the judge is looking for, but it also interferes with your ability to find the distances to the jumps. If you approach each fence in a reliable working canter—the canter that hunter courses are generally set for—you’ll have three options for meeting the correct takeoff spot: maintaining…

Clear communication with the horse is Todd’s priority in choosing any artificial aid. “I’m a big fan of explaining to the horse what you want and using whatever tool or aid you need to be understood.” The key to success with an artificial aid is all about how it’s used. “It’s not the scalpel that does the damage, it’s the surgeon,” Todd noted. “Any aid can be good or bad depending on how you use it.” Draw reins are one of his favorite tools, although he acknowledged that they can be dangerous if used incorrectly. At his home stable in Florida, “Any tool that can be used to explain to the horse what you want—instantly, correctly, kindly and softly—is a good tool. It makes a lot more sense to me…

Not all competitions allow horses to compete with a nose net. If your headshaker benefits from being ridden with a nose net, get prior permission from the officials to use one in the competition arena. Alternatively, you may be able to utilize the nose net during warm up and then remove it before competing. US Equestrian, the national governing body for equestrian sport, allows the use of nose nets in some disciplines. According to the 2018 USEF Rulebook, nose nets are permitted only under certain conditions for dressage and the dressage phase of eventing (see below). Refer to your discipline’s specific rulebook regarding nose nets or speak to your event official before using. Rules for Eventing, EV115.2.g 1. The entry must be accompanied by a letter, signed by the horse’s…

□ HEAD TO the Horse World Expo, March 1–4, in Harrisburg, PA, for seminars, demonstrations, entertainment and shopping. Prac columnist Jim Wofford is one of many clinicians on the schedule; www.horseworldexpo.com. □ WATCH top eventers gallop cross country during the 20th anniversary of the Red Hills International Horse Trials, March 8–11, in Tallahassee, FL. The competition is a qualifier for September’s World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC; www.rhht.org. □ CATCH the action under the lights March 10 as jumpers compete during the $384,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI***** at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL; pbiec.coth.com. □ SET your clocks forward March 11 in observance of Daylight Saving Time (except in Arizona and Hawaii). Then take the opportunity to extend a late-afternoon ride into early evening while…

Kristy Herrera, née McCormack, won the 2002 U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals before riding professionally for top riders Jen Alfano, Beezie Madden, Nona Garson and Aaron Vale and spending a year riding for Stephex Stables in Belgium, where she won several grand prix classes. For the next five years, she assisted Missy Clark in training numerous national equitation champions, including her sister, Kimmy McCormack, who won both the 2007 Pessoa/USEF National Hunter Seat Medal Final and the 2007 ASPCA Maclay National Championship. More recently, Kristy filled in for Jen Alfano while she was sidelined with an injury and won the 2016 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship riding Helen Lenehan’s Miss Lucy. Kristy and her husband, Rich, own and operate Oasis Show Stables, Inc., based in Saratoga Springs,…

Your ability to release your inner greatness depends on a series of important physical and mental skill sets. For example, you might have the world’s best leg, seat, position and posture, but if you’re constantly freaking out, panicking, hyperventilating and worrying before every ride, there’s a pretty good chance your brain is going to hold your body back. Likewise, you might have the world’s best focus, confidence, willpower and optimism, but if your muscles are constantly burning and you don’t have any core strength, stamina or balance, there’s a really good chance your body is going to hold your brain back. Only when your physical and mental abilities come together—when brain and body meet and your frame and frame of mind become one—are you really able to truly tap into…

Farrington Wins Big in Geneva In a star-studded five-horse jump-off, America’s Kent Farrington and the 11-year-old mare Gazelle won the Dec. 10 Rolex Grand Prix at the CHI Geneva in Switzerland. Fourth to go, Farrington had a clear and speedy jump-off round, crossing the timers in 44.96. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Mary Lou 194 clocked in at 45.49, placing a close second. The victory put Farrington in position to earn the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping title and a bonus of 1 million euros (approximately $1.2 million), an accomplishment that’s achieved by winning three successive Grand Slam events. Next up: The Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands in March, followed by CHIO Aachen in Germany in July.…

Jumping Jacket Fashion meets function in Kingsland Equestrian’s Elvira Ladies Show Jacket. From the Norwegian company’s new Master Collection, it’s designed with show-jumping riders in mind and is made of technical, four-way stretch materials that are lightweight, breathable, water-resistant and quick to dry as well as machine-washable. A soft mesh lining affords airflow for all-day comfort while decorative stitching and piping add a touch of style. The overall fit is tailored without being restrictive and sporty yet classic. Available in navy or black; sizes 32–44; $499; usa.kingslandequestrian.com. Too Slick for Ticks Ticks-Off is an pesticide-free product that physically deflects blood-sucking ticks from your horses and dogs. Its oil-free spray formula, with a calming, pest-deterring lavender scent, makes the hair too slick for ticks and botflies to attach to, while leaving…

Here are some great starter questions to ask a potential mental-skills coach that may be helpful to you in assessing a good fit. Not only will the information you gather be useful, but the process of having a conversation on the phone or in person is also a valuable way to gain a deeper understanding of the coach’s personality and communication style during your initial contact. 1. I’d like help working on ______. How do you address this type of issue? 2. How do we determine how many sessions to do? Do you have packages? 3. What is your education/background/training in sport psychology? 4. What is your cancellation policy? 5. What methods can I use to reach out to you for support once we start working together? 6. What is…

Liz Holtz Messaglia, an adult amateur eventer from Indiana, bought her Trakehner gelding, Apollo Star, at age 12, and he began headshaking the following spring. Apollo’s case is severe and Liz has spent years learning to manage his symptoms. At first, Liz thought the headshaking was a behavior problem. Apollo would violently throw his head while being led and drag her around. At one point, his symptoms were so serious she considered euthanasia. “His face and legs were bloody and he would stand in the corner and wouldn’t walk. He would throw his head on the ground, and I had to keep his front legs wrapped with bandages because he would rub his legs raw. He started to colic from the pain,” Liz says. Thankfully, with the help of aggressive…

In Memoriam: E. Hunter Harrison E. Hunter Harrison, owner of Double H Farm, show-jumping patron and CEO of railroad giant CSX, died Dec. 16 at age 73. “Today we lost one of equestrian sport’s greats,” said US Equestrian President Murray Kessler. “An iconic and beloved horse owner and patron of the sport, Hunter Harrison will be greatly missed for his enthusiasm, generosity and dedication to his horses, equestrian sport and most importantly, his family. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family, the team at Double H Farm and all who had the chance to know him.” Harrison became a trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in 2013 and was also the chairman of the National Horse Show Association. He served as an advisor or sponsor of Spruce Meadows,…