Stoneleigh-Burnham School Offers Equestrian Education with an International Focus

By Randi C. Heathman Though many schools of thought exist regarding the way to approach equestrian education, nearly all agree that hands-on training is the best. Whether it’s riding or horse and stable management, immersion...

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...

Reading Course Diagrams Part I: Hunters

BY TPH Staff When you head down to the ring on show day at 7am to check in with your ring’s starter, you naturally (and sometimes nervously) drift over to the course board to see...

Ella Dalton: A love of Horses Brings Life-Long Learning

BY April Bilodeau Most junior riders competing at the top of the circuit have followed a specific plan: Start in the Pony Hunters, then move up to the 3’ to 3’3” classes, followed by the...

Trainer Takes: What is Catch Riding?

By Tatum Mitchell Catch riding is a regular activity within the horse industry, but for someone new to the sport, it’s a phrase that doesn’t quite translate directly. Even for veterans of the sport, the...

Game Changer: A Bold USHJA Rule Will Change the Small Junior Hunter Division

BY Isabella Littlejohn USHJA is voting to change the height of Small Junior Hunters from 16.0 hh to 16.1 hh. The proposed rule and justifications are outlined in the below proposal. Up until now, Small Juniors...

16 Things Your 16 Year Old Should Be Able to do by Themselves

BY PIPER KLEMM Sixteen is an important age for any teenager. Beyond “Sweet Sixteen,” the milestone means driving for most of America’s youth… the first real step into independence and adulthood.  But in the equestrian industry,...

It Happens! With Vivian Golden, Richard Slocum and Tim Maddrix

We all make mistakes. But horse people, as a group, aren’t always the best at handling them. So TPH reached out to some top riders to share their own show ring bloopers to prove,...

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...

Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final Past Winners

Keep reading for more information on the past winners of the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, from 1948 to 2023. 2023 Carlee McCutcheon https://youtu.be/_aWeGd39zaM?si=jaMGi08jwpg6xFtC 2022 Luke Jensen 2021 Grace Debney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zucFXuWQcN0 The course in 2021: 2020 Taylor...
Reading Course

Reading Course Diagrams Part III: Equitation

BY TPH Staff In past weeks, we dissected ways to interpret all the information presented on hunter course diagrams and jumper course diagrams. We only have one more ring to cover – the equitation ring! The...

Grier School: A True Equestrian Dynasty

By Piper Klemm and Tyler Bui When we think about dynastic teams dominating sport for extended periods of time, we almost never think about equestrians. There are a couple—four-time US Olympian McLain Ward in the...

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...

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...

2023 IEA Nationals Wrap Up

BY Payton Medford The 21st annual Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Nationals came to a close this past Sunday, April 30th. The title holder of champion for the high school and middle school hunt seat...

The Plaid Horse’s Favorite Halloween Costumes

Picking out a fun costume and getting delicious candy makes Halloween a pretty awesome holiday. However, experiencing the Halloween spirit with your horse is even better! Here are some of the TPH Team favorite halloween...

The End of an Era: My Last Summer Riding as a Junior

By Chapel Puckett A few nights ago I cleaned my boots and saddle and tightly packed my trunk, but this time instead of preparing it for a trailer ride to the next show, it will...

My First Equitation Finals

BY RENNIE DYBALL Three junior riders tell us how they made it this far – and how they plan to finish strong. Fall is a special time for riders. It’s that sweet spot in between fly...

A New Direction for Hidden Ridge International

Covid changes, circuit championships and ... cows? Allyson and Evan Coluccio find success (and some surprises!) with Agatha and Alexa Lignelli By Lindsey Long When 10-year-old Agatha Lignelli was champion with her large pony hunter Chiccobello...

What Do These Equitation Finals Stars Have in Common? MDC Stirrups On Their Saddles

By Piper Klemm, Ph.D.  As a group of the best junior riders in the country battled it out in the Big Equitation finals this fall, there was a common piece of equipment on many of...

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...

Violet Tatum: Fast Track to the Top

BY TYLER BUI Top-ranked junior rider Violet Tatum has amassed an impressive collection of championships and victories in the five years she’s been riding. And she’s only 13 years old.  Taking after her mother Jenny, Tatum...