As a mother of three (and grandmother, too) I know how important it is to build strength and confidence in your children. When my kids grew up in Germany, there were no ipods or tablets, and 'playing' meant running outside and getting knocked around a bit.

Today, my kids are strong and confident adults, who learned to ride a bike, swim, climb a tree, build sand castles, balance on climbing beams, build wood huts on 'adventure playgrounds', spend a (scary) night sleeping in their tree…

Just posted the first part of my new blog series.  The trials and trip ups of a trainer with the best intentions.

http://www.greathorsestories.ca/site/blog

From November 20^th through December 13^th this year, cutting horse enthusiasts will descend on Fort Worth, Texas. The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) World Championship Futurity brings together the very best 3-year-old cutting horses under the roof of the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The event, offering $4…

We’ve all heard it – it’s the attention to details that makes a winner. So over the next few columns, can I share some of the details I see overlooked as I walk across the show grounds or sit in the judge’s booth?

Gotta say, most of these are training oversights. And believe me, years ago I’d have been the first one to ask “Why does it matter?” But I’ve come to…

As a judge and competitor, I’ve seen a lot of bad horse show experiences. From horses who begin to anticipate in the class to those who refuse to go in the gate. There are riders falling off and others just falling apart emotionally. 



If training a horse is like climbing a staircase, many mishaps occur because riders try to skip a step, or even jump…

STEP BY STEP & COLORADO HORSE PARK FOUNDATIONS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY WALDO CANYON FIRES AT SUMMER IN ROCKIES SERIES

CHILDREN RECEIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES THANKS TO STEP BY STEP’S “SCHOOL IN A BACKPACK”

ONLINE INITIATIVE BEFORE FALL CLASSES BEGIN…

During March of this year, 2012, I had fun presenting a clinic of this title at the Can Am horse expo along with notable hunter judge, BarbaraMitchell and again with reining judge Gary Yaghdjian. We fed of each other’s energy as we highlighted various mistakes judges note on their cards and how to prevent them. I asked riders to look beyond the usual fixes,…

It’s time to mark your calendars for the New England Dressage Association’s (NEDA) Spring Dressage Show at Marshfield Fairgrounds, May 12th and 13th. Always a highlight of the year, and a great way to kick off the season, the NEDA Spring Show offers classes from Training Level to Grand Prix, qualifying classes, great footing, permanent stalls and a fantastic venue.

“The NEDA Spring Show is one of the first shows of the year in New England and a great time to bring your horse…

NEDA Judges Training in 1985

Charlestown, MA – Happy 40th birthday to the New England Dressage Association! Founded in 1972, the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) started with a handful of visionaries and has grown to an organization with over 1,800 members, major…

15-year-old Emanuel Andrade was presented as the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider on Saturday, February 25, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. The teen, who hails from Caracas, Venezuela and who has his stables and family home in Palm Beach County regularly champions the charity Step by Step Foundation in competition in show jumping competitions. He has been consisting winning in the Junior Jumper division and placing in Grand Prix…

Cole's First Show

Don’t get excited.  It really wasn’t a big deal.  One morning, we found out there was a horse show at the public show ring.  Since we were planning to ride up there, anyway, we thought we would expose Cole to some of the excitement. 

We rode all around the back trails behind the showground, like we usually do.  This gave him a chance to get acquainted with the loud speaker blaring.

We then rode to the show grounds and stood on the outskirts…

I have been having some difficulty lately with two trainers. My dressage trainer herself has issues with this too. The only difference is that she has two in the same discipline, I have two in different disciplines (dressage and jumping).

Sometimes I wonder if she is sad about me doing bothe and not be a primary dressage rider. Dressage will always be in my…

Dear Drama Queen,

I understand getting upset. You have so much passion and desire for riding. I know how much you want to do the very best job. Sometimes the world seems to conspire against you; it’s like every bad thing happens to you and none of it is…

Professional Dressage Groom's Top Ten Grooming Items for Horse Shows

By: Justin Ridgewell

- Over the past six years I have been a professional groom and working student to the elite dressage training facility Oakcrest Farm. I have had the great opportunity and pleasure of traveling across Canada, the USA and even to Europe with grand prix…

An all girl showjumping team sponsored by prominent showjumping owner and breeder Susan Grange scored second place and won $125,000 for their charity Horses N Heroes. For several months I have been helping Mindy Nolan-Morrow. Executive Director of the mentoring program for girls, write letters to potential sponsors and donors, construct press releases, plan events, create marketing materials and in general get the word out.  When I heard about the FTI Great Charity Challenge, I told Mindy…

I am currently looking to buy my horse a breastplate; one with elastic so that she can have freedom of movement over large fences. Here's the thing: I am on a budget (cannot spend more than $160.00) and I am leaning towards a 5-point breastplate or a regular elastic breastplate. What do you ridders out there prefer? As far as brands go, I've been told that Kieffer is a good brand, but I would have to wait 4-6 weeks to get it…

Natural Horsemanship in the Grand Prix Ring – is there a link?

By Lindsey Forkun, www.LFEquestrian.com

Natural horsemanship is a training phenomenon that has been gaining popularity all over the world. Primarily it seems that mostly Western riders and pleasure riders are the ones to pick up this new technique, but what about the English and Jumper riders? What about in the Grand Prix Show Jumping…

So I'm pretty new to blogging, but I decided that I had a super day today and it would be fun to at least document some of it. Today was Treasure's third show of the year (second show away from home) and he was absolutely brilliant!! I think today was the first time he went to a show and didn't spook at anything - a milestone for sure! He was a bit quick for the judge's liking in our Western…