I have a confession to make.....

I was feeding my horses, checking on the water, and generally mooching around the field, hanging out with them,  when suddenly my phone rang.   It was my long standing close friend and 'adopted' big brother Paul, one of the best Music Perrformance Coaches in the business.  I was delighted as it seemed such a long time since we had chatted.  Whilst we were chatting I found myself confessing something and it kind of came from…

Jumping, it has the ability to thrill and to strike fear into riders, sometimes all at once!   However, if approached in a systematic and patient manner, most of the fear will dissipate allowing both you and your horse to enjoy jumping; whether it be a pop every now and then, or a trip round a course of fences weekly at a local show.

You can listen to the audio lesson over on the original blog post …

In order to be a jumper(as far as I care anyway) the rider and horse must both be confident, strong, experienced,aggressive and agile. Here some basic Jumping 411 FYI's: *most horses, unless injured,can jump

. . . . . . . . . *some horse enjoy jumping…

Few show jumpers are as renowned as the legendary Big Ben. Partnered with Ian Miller, the 17.3 hand Belgian-bred Warmblood’s career spanned almost ten years, during which he won over $1.5 million in prize money.

Big Ben was born on April 20, 1976, and in 1983 he was imported to Canada. According to…

Stacy Westfall. Beezie Madden. Debbie McDonald. These are just three out of many great riders out there.  Stacy Westfall is best known for her natural horsemanship, riding bareback and bridle less every time. She's competed in many competitions, appeared at the Quarter Horse Congress for guest performances. She is best remembered for her farewell routine on Wizards…

On November 18, 2006, the world lost one of its best show jumpers: Thoroughbred Gem Twist was euthanized following a pulled muscle that prevented him from standing. The 27-year-old horse led an impressive and inspiring career at the Grand Prix level under multiple riders.

Gem Twist, born in 1979, competed in show jumping…

The Spanish Riding School



With its world famous Lipizzaner stallions and dressage training and techniques, the Spanish Riding School is definitely a Mecca for any horse lover. Take in one of their daily shows and be awed by the power and grace of…

The horse world was vastly different in the early 20^th century. Warrenton, Virginia was famous for breeding and show hunters, and equine enthusiasts traveled to the area for the quality horses that were bred and trained.

In 1899, Warrenton horsemen Julian Kieth and Charlie Smith decided to hold a Warrenton horse show. They…

So, after 5 years of riding as an adult, I decided that jumping would be a hoot. Two weeks ago, I turned that into a reality. It is a heck of a lot of fun, but boy...talk about fear factor!

The first jumping lesson was fairly smooth, mostly getting used to that sensation of the jump, trotting to the fence, cantering away, and then halt. The second lesson was building on that. Cantering to the jump, halting OR cantering away.

Last night, the third lesson should have built upon…

He didn't refuse to go over an obstacle once yesterday. Most significantly, he went over a new jump of his own accord.

They weren't big jumps, about a meter high, no more, but he went right over them with only one slight hesitation.

I suppose most riders might not find this particularly outstanding, but two years ago it was a life-and-death argument to get over a simple trot-pole. He would explode over it and follow it up with a wild-west show. The arena has a couple of…

Teenage show jumping talents Daniela Stransky, Mario Gamboa and Jose F. Bonetti are among the young riders who help raise funds and awareness for the non-profit Step by Step Foundation (…

Sarah Van Der Walde of Ann Arbor, MI won the $10,000 North American League Children’s Jumper Finals at the 66th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show.  Riding Vigo, owned by Thinkslikeahorse, the 15-year-old rider edged out Madison Lawton and Juliette by a fraction of a second for the victory.   

“It was such a surreal moment,” said Van Der Walde of her win. “I never even wanted to ride jumpers and then when I learned I thought that it was so much…

Inaugural Event at Las Vegas National Horse Show is Huge Success

Competitors hit the jackpot at the inaugural North American League (NAL) West Coast Finals and none of the nearly one hundred exhibitors went home empty-handed. Every NAL member who competed in one of the five classics on “NAL Day” at the Las Vegas National Horse Show on November 6 received a gift bag and an NAL embroidered saddle pad. Those who earned a trip to the victory circle…

Patricia Hennessy of Kintnersville, PA, won the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Jumper Finals riding Little Tom at the 66th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

“It was exciting because I had never done that well before and it was like, finally! I did it!” said Hennessy.  “I knew I was able to do it I just had to execute it.”

The course designed by Steve Stephens proved to…

Kelsey Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT won the $5,000 North American League (NAL) Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Finals on Klotaire Du Moulin, owned by Pony Lane Farm, at the 66th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show. 

“It meant a lot to win here,” said Thatcher.  “I am so grateful to my mother and the Jaynes of Pony Lane Farm for making this all possible.”       

 …

Noah Buehler of Wall, NJ, took top honors in the North American League (NAL) $5,000 Pony Jumper Finals at the 66th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Thursday evening riding Porsche, his 11-year-old Quarter Horse.                       

Buehler was the only rider out of the field of 16 that negotiated a clear round to win the class.  Elizabeth Shaffer and Styled with Perfection managed to leave all the rails up on the Steve Stephens designed course, but the pair…

By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY--June 13, 2011--The 2011 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series will culminate with a $50,000 Championship Final.  The Final--the $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Championship Presented by  Sleepy P Ranch, Deeridge Farm and Chansonette Farm--will be held on Saturday, November 5 as part of the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, CSI-W Lexington 4*, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington,…

By: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com

Lexington, KY - September 30, 2011 - Nine Olympic veterans, including four gold medalists highlight the talented roster of riders scheduled to compete at this year's Alltech National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on November 2 - 6, 2011.



This year's debut event in Kentucky, designated a CSI-W 4*, will feature a big money Open Jumper division with over $370,000 in prize money, including the main…

If you, like me, subscribe to Practical Horseman magazine, odds are you might also be a devotee of George Morris' monthly column called Jumping Clinic. Each month, readers faithfully turn the pages to see which four riders he picks and what he has to say about their equitation, their horse's jumping ability, and their turnout.

Just about every month one finds George bemoaning the prevalent habit today's riders have of jumping ahead of their horses.…