3 Companies That Excel at Outfitting Equestrians of All Sizes
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Some things will always be consistent on the hunter/jumper circuit: fashion trends grab attention with innovative designs and intricate details, and life will throw a curveball to your plans.
Right now, a lot...
It Matters Who You Horse Show With
BY CHLOE HARDGRAVE
I was tired. I wanted to go home. I was covered in sweat and tears from the round before. My horse had pushed me past the point of a bad show round....
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...
Modern Equestrian Decor Ideas to Flow Seamlessly With Your Home
If you asked the typical horse lover about interior design, they are likely to suggest styling their home after a luxurious barn filled with hundreds of photos of their beloved horses. We live and...
Throwback Thursday Trends We Miss: Full Chaps and Fringe
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Chokers, jelly shoes, plaid flannel shirts... so many of the fashion trends from when I grew up in the 90's are becoming mainstream again. But what about the horse world?
When it comes...
It Happens! Jenny Karazissis, Nick Haness, Hope Glynn & Leslie Steele
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,...
How to Braid a Mane and Tail for the Hunter Ring
By Katie Lenkart
Ever wondered how to hunter braid? Braiding is both a fun activity and a way to spend some valuable extra time with your horse. Just like with every other skill, practice makes...
Where Have All the Big Eq Ribbon Winners Gone?
As all equestrians in the U.S. near the end of their junior riding careers and are facing the stresses of “aging out” and which side of the December 1st USEF birthday they fall, they...
When You’re a Weenie, Flabby Amateur Who Loves Hunter Derbies
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
I love the hunters. Can't help myself. That division is like a bad boyfriend I just can't quit. I know life would be better for me and my free OTTB in the...
5 Exercises To Help Improve Riding Skills and Posture
A rider and their horse are a team. A rider's goal is to communicate with its horse. A rider's posture and dressage position should be coordinated with the horse's balance and symmetry. Riders need...
A Pony, A Girl, And 100 Miles of Trail: Kyla Law And Flash Tackle...
BY JESSIE LOCHRIE
You know the story.
It’s the plot of The Black Stallion, National Velvet, and the dream of countless horse-crazy little girls: a young rider forms a powerful bond with an opinionated horse, and...
Tack Cleaning Tips for When You’ve Really Got to Make it Sparkle
BY TPH TEAM
Maintaining proper daily maintenance for your tack means that when it’s time to really deep clean it, whether for a big horse show or Pony Club turnout inspection, you’re working from...
A “Poor” Equestrian Ponders AA Shows and Six Figure Imports
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Poor is a relative word, and horse people know that. I can't deny the huge luxury it is to have a horse, any horse. In a country where many struggle to afford...
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...
Good & Bad Signs When Looking for Trainers
BY TPH Staff
One of the benefits of living in the heart of the east coast horse country is that there is no shortage of trainers in the vicinity. That is a great gift, and...
How Much is That Horsey in the Window? Solving the Mystery of Show Hunter...
BY DAPHNE THORNTON OF TWO BIT TRAINING
Here at Two Bit Training, we think that there are 8 things that mostly decide a hunter’s value WHEN IT IS SOLD. Let’s say you are considering selling...
I Take Forever in the Cross Ties
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
These days, I take forever in the cross ties—especially before my ride. I didn’t used to be this way. My horse always had to be body clipped in the winter, because I...
College Equestrian Teams: What’s The Best Fit For You? NCAA vs. IHSA
By Annie Birmingham
The end of May marks a new adventure for high school students across America: it is officially time to begin contemplating your college options. This task is particularly tedious for young equestrians,...
Why I Still Ride When It Hurts My Body (and my checking account)
BY LAUREN MAULDIN
Recently I was asked what inspired me to become an equestrian. I didn't have a great answer. Like most of us battered adult amateurs, I've loved horses since before I could remember....
The ‘‘Step Down’’ Horse: A Secret Weapon of the Horse Show World
A seasoned campaigner in need of a lighter job can give green riders confidence
BY LETTIE TEAGUE
I don’t like the term ‘stepdown’ horse,” says Paul Cronin, the longtime director of the Sweet Briar College equestrian...
How the Wrong Trainer Can Kill Your Confidence: A Cautionary Tale
BY A REGRETFUL AMATEUR
There wasn’t one specific comment that did me in. There were years of comments. I had been at a medium-sized show barn for about 5 years. The facilities were beautiful. The...
Air Vests Are All the Rage—But Are They Truly Safe?
The hunter jumper world is abuzz about air vests. Well-known professionals are wearing them, more are speaking out about buying their own, and amateur riders and parents are considering making the investment for themselves...