Lessons From Levi – When The Horse You Got Isn’t The One You Thought...
By Kristyna Lucakova
“He’ll keep you out of trouble my father mumbled”, as he signed the check. Little did we know, he would do so much more than keep me out of trouble. For a while,...
Breaking Down Breeding: Maclay Finals Edition
Evaluating the bloodlines of the current top equitation horses
BY BETHANNE BORT
Like many equestrians, I spent most of November 3, 2019 glued to the 2019 Maclay Finals live stream presented by the National Horse Show...
“The Judge Didn’t Like Me”
BY CARLY PHOON
Competing in equitation can be humbling. For me, a little moment of learning came from my last equitation flat class.
First, a flashback to the beginning of the show season: Eq flat classes...
How to Speak to Our Youth About Showing
Photo: Abi Kelley gives her horse, Ishana III an appreciative hug after a great round in the Low Junior Jumpers.
By Kirstie Dobbs and Hailey Johns
What’s the first question that you ask a young rider...
Jordan Spinelli Brought a DIY Attitude and an Appaloosa to WIHS
BY MOLLY SORGE/JUMP MEDIA
She may not have come away from the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) with a ribbon, but Jordan Spinelli couldn’t stop smiling after competing in the Small Junior Hunter, 16-17 division...
Smothering the Shame: Regaining my Confidence in the Equitation Ranks
BY LAUREN AUBERT
Since my very first taste of showing on the A-circuit as a young child, I have always envied the classic, statuesque equitation riders with their floating half-seat at the canter, floating...
Five Easy Ways to Be a Barn “Favorite”
BY BLOG EDITOR LAUREN MAULDIN
Barns. They’re a mash of ponies and personalities, and are best when they exist as a warm place of community where riders practice their equitation and listen to their horses...
Ask Andre: What is Your Preferred Show Ring Attire?
There is a lot of storied tradition in our sport, and I have great respect for that. I prefer a traditional look in the show ring. In my opinion, if it catches my eye,...
How To: Qualifying For The Equitation Championships
Photo: Natalie Jayne competing in the equitation at WEF 2017
By Emy Lucibello
Equitation has become a huge part of the equestrian society, as riders compete for a place in the huge indoor championship medal finals in...
Eight Excellent Essentials for Excelling in the Equitation
Above: A rider searches for her next fence while in the air. Photo by Full Gallop Captures.
By TPH Intern Lauren Aubert
If you can believe it, I love equitation even more than alliteration. The equitation, or...
Ask Andre: For Aspiring Riders, How Do You Break Through From the Local Circuit...
By Andre Dignelli
I get this question a lot: How do I get from A to B? How does an aspiring rider competing on a local circuit get an opportunity to break through to the top level?
At Heritage,...
I Believe Every Young Equestrian Should Give Pony Club a Chance
BY CHLOE HARDGRAVE
Long before I owned my first horse, I told myself I wanted to join the United States Pony Club. At the time I only wanted to join because I loved the thought...
Equitation Matters
BY ELIZABETH ONESS
“A bent spine is the enemy of self-realization.” –– Paramahansa Yogananda
Years ago, after a long break from riding, I was looking for a new trainer. I had a lesson with a hunter/jumper...
A Junior Rider’s Take on the Lack of Accessibility in the Equestrian World
BY KATARINA OSTROV
Work hard. Dream big. Reach for the stars. As long as you dream big you'll make it… right? In the expensive and competitive equestrian world, the chance of making it big or...
Ask Andre: How Much Do You Think Applause Influences the Result?
In this age of social media, I’ve seen a lot of public judge bashing and judge bullying, in which I will not participate. You know who’s going to be judging before you get to...
The Junior Equitation Ring: Focus On Improving Your Riding Instead of Demolishing Your Self...
BY KIKI ROSENBLAT
Showing in the equitation is a game of comparison. Judges need to scrutinize each rider until one comes out on top, named better than the rest that day. Does the institution of...
Who Jumped It Best? Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal at Desert International Horse Park
PHOTOS © IRENE ELISE POWLICK
Few things make a prettier picture than a lovely equitation horse and rider. For this week's Who Jumped It Best, some of the top junior riders on the west coast...
Beyond the Saddle: Confidence Built at the Barn
BY RYAN SETH
As a young rider and high school
sophomore, I’m constantly learning.
Whether it’s while hunkering down
in the classroom working on my Spanish homework or fostering a bond with a new
horse, there’s always something to...
Hard Work & Good Horsemanship Pay Off for Alliyah & Kierstin Antoniadis
BY TPH TEAM
Alliyah and Kierstin Antoniadis are young riders demonstrating the value of horsemanship to a successful riding career.
Many adults remember being horse crazy kids who were dropped off at the barn for an...
Remembering Kip Rosenthal
Rider, Trainer, Judge, Horsewoman (1951–2020)
BY JUDY RICHTER
Kip Rosenthal’s lifelong passion for horses began officially at age 10 when she began taking riding lessons once a week from Anne and Frank Grenci at Fox Hill...
The Cost Of “Brushing It Off” After Falling Off
BY EMMA FRIEDMAN
It’s widely believed that when you fall off your horse, you get back on—no matter what. It is a training method for horse and rider. When you continue to ride after an...
Holy Smokes: The Mighty Mustang That Could
By Lauren Aubert
To compete successfully in the jumper divisions, a horse should be quick on its feet to make the time allowed, scopey enough to leave the ground from any distance, and have enough...
