Equestrian Grants & Scholarships Every Rider Should Know About
The equestrian community is generous, and many people and organizations are invested in the future of our young riders and up and coming professionals. The next generation is the future of the sport itself....
New Order Mandates Equestrian Professionals Must Pass Credentials to Continue Business
BY TPH STAFF
The past year has been full of conversations with industry leaders regarding amateur status, but today horse show organizations announced a new initiative for professionals. Effective immediately, all professional instructors and trainers...
A Quick Guide to Logistics and Costs With Importing a Horse
BY LAUREN KARDEL OF KARDEL GLOBAL EQUINE
For someone who has never done it, importing a horse can seem like an impossible problem to solve. You're flying in a horse, from where?
The process isn't...
Judging WTH: A Dotted (Head) Line
BY Piper Klemm
The situation last night was as follows. The Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Final is running. Forty Riders qualify, 39 contest, the course is clearly posted. There is a dotted...
The Social License to Operate: Is the future of equestrian sports at stake?
BY TANJA BORNMANN
Bad press for our sport is back, and it’s going to linger around for a while.
Recently, a prominent US show jumper was suspended from participating in equestrian sport for his prolonged use...
Breaking the Stigma of Purchasing Older Horses
BY JAMIE SKUBAL
As I scroll through Facebook groups I see more and more ISO ads
for horses stating they want polished show horses with lots of positive
traits—also under 15 years old. More times than not...
New Horse Show Dad Alert: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The actor and proud papa shared a photo of himself with his five-and-a-half-year-old daughter Jasmine and her blue ribbon.
By The Plaid Horse Editorial Staff
An A-list horse show dad is born!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted...
Ask Andre: Are Group or Private Lessons Better for Students?
BY ANDRE DIGNELLI
Do you prefer private
lessons or group lessons?
I grew up riding in my back
yard by myself. When I would go and take lessons, it was more affordable to be
part of a group. I...
They’re Coming for Our Sport, and We Have to Be Better
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
In this digital age of social media, I think most equestrians are used to the idea that someone who thinks they know our horses better than us watches with a critical eye....
More Than Sharing Pony Pictures: The Unintended Consequences of Social Media
BY K2 INTELLIGENCE
As social media platforms and apps such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, and YouTube Vanced become increasingly enmeshed in the fabric of our lives, the unintended consequences of their use cannot be overstated....
Amateur Task Force Proposes “Significant” Rule Changes in Webinar
By Catie Staszak
After lengthy meetings, focus groups, and debate, US Equestrian's appointed Amateur Task Force came forward Monday evening for a webinar with the results of their last five months of work: five proposed...
Two USHJA Horse Welfare Rule Proposals You Need to Know About
BY TPH STAFF
It’s that time of year again. The USHJA Annual meeting is
just around the corner, and with it a series of proposed rule changes. Everyone
can review the proposed changes at the USHJA website,
and...
Inside the Numbers: The Cost of Local Shows
What's that social rule, never talk about money? At The Plaid Horse we believe in having open discussions about the cost of horses and horse showing. It is both educational for young riders who...
No New Horses at Desert International Horse Park
Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 — Effective immediately, the Desert International Horse Park has closed access to new arrivals for "at least the next week." This is due to an onsite outbreak of EHV-1, otherwise known...
WEC, My Friends, is the Future and the Future is Here.
BY KIMBERLY MALOOMIAN
In roughly June of 2020, I got a text from Ellen Toon regarding WEC Ocala: They’ve opened up stall reservations for the winter. We are going weeks 1 and 2, you should...
Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Announces 2021 Cancellation
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair (DHSCF) announced Saturday the cancellation of the 125th edition of its event, originally scheduled for May 27 - June 6, 2021.
The organizers, together with the Board of...
A Weenie Hunter Rider Reviews Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Cross Country Jumps
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
It's the best weekend of the year for horse lovers, so they say! Even though spectators are not allowed at this years' Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, many are watching livestreams at...
Put Blame Where it Belongs: Improve and Enforce Covid-19 Show Protocols
BY PIPER KLEMM
Why was Pony Finals cancelled? Well, at this point, I’ve heard just about everything.
The rumor mill is raging. I’ve heard about non-compliance from USEF members and non-members alike. I’ve heard the show...
We Have to Fix Our Audience Problem Before We Can Fix Our Sponsorship Problem
BY ERICA SAUNDERS
In a recent commentary on the challenges of profitable horse shows, show staff Jack Nash talked about how our sport is one that sponsors don’t understand. Why don’t they understand? Because there’s...
Is USEF Playing Games With Our Horse Shows?
BY PIPER KLEMM, PH.D.
I’ve been thinking a lot about horse shows lately, specifically “The Devon Horse Show that wasn’t,” 2021 edition. These thoughts, shared in this article, are entirely conjecture based on my evaluation...
Co-Owning a Horse With Your Trainer: What You Should Know
BY LEONE EQUESTRIAN LAW
Question: I have the opportunity co-purchase a horse with my trainer for later re-sale, and I’m excited about it! I’ll be able to ride and enjoy the horse while my trainer...
It’s Time to Ban Smoking at Horse Shows
BY PUBLISHER PIPER KLEMM, PH.D.
Standing in the bleachers by the pony ring at The Devon Horse Show this year, I got a waft of an unwanted, familiar smell – cigarette smoke. I looked up...