Innehållsförteckning för March 2016 från Practical Horseman

Driving to work this morning, I contemplated what to write about in this month’s Editor’s Note. Maybe it should be about our story on the clinic taught by British eventer Francis Whittington last fall in Virginia, I thought. The idea that stayed with me after reading the story (page 38) was Francis’ varying approaches to different types of horses. His overall message is rhythm, balance and control with the focus on getting horses to carry weight on their hindquarters and lift their shoulders. Some riders practiced small circles to encourage their horses to step under themselves. But for a tense horse, Francis suggested first sending him more forward and lengthening his stride behind so he could stretch out his neck and relax. Only then did the horse’s rider use half-halts…

Based at Fox Covert Farm, in Upperville, Virginia, Jim Wofford competed in three Olympics and two World Championships and won the U.S. National Championship five times. He is also a highly respected coach. For more on Jim, go to www.jimwofford.blogspot.com. When it comes to eventing, I long ago crossed the line between hobby and obsession. My obsession with eventing is total. It has been my constant companion for well over half a century. It has served as a steady source of learning about our beloved horses, a guide, a goal, a stimulant and—occasionally—a scourge. In February, my research for a speech I gave at the International Eventing Forum caused me to look back over the history of our sport with thought-provoking results. A New Millennium’s Challenges We have all heard…

George and I used to get our dogs together and build jumps and make my little fox terrier Trixie and his sheltie named Kiltie jump the courses. We had such fun! We both took lessons at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club, but knowing I needed advanced instruction, my mother took me down to White Plains to ride with Gordon Wright. She recommended to George’s mother that he ride with Gordon as well, and then George started driving down to White Plains with us for lessons. George’s mother would say to mine, “Now Lillian, you know George has asthma and you must take these pills with you in the car and give them to him if he has an asthma attack.” My mother would humor her and take the pills, but…

Studies have found that ponies are far less predisposed to developing proud flesh than are horses, says Dr. Christine Theoret, editor of a 700-page textbook, Equine Wound Management, the third edition of which will be published by Wiley in 2016. “They also have a better success rate when their wounds are stitched than do horses. We don’t know exactly why. Some have theorized that ponies have better blood flow to their extremities because of their smaller size, while others have found that ponies have a superior acute inflammatory response to wounding. The best we can guess at present is that ponies have some sort of genetic predisposition for better wound healing.”…

George H. Morris is the former chef d’équipe of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Team. He serves on the USEF National Jumper Committee and Planning Committee, is an adviser to the USEF High-Performance Show Jumping Committee and is president of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. 1 Our first rider appears to be using a rubber safety stirrup. This is perfectly acceptable, but the iron needs to be moved so it’s on the ball of his foot and at a right angle to the girth. The stirrup is far too long for jumping—it needs to be shortened at least two holes, maybe three. The angle behind the knee needs to be about 110 degrees; here it’s about 170. Because of this, the rider is desperately trying to find his…

It’s an experience like no other: You and your horse are joined together in the moment with a clear focus on the task at hand. Immersed in the here-and-now, you harmoniously perform a half-pass, execute a careful approach to a delicate vertical or adjust your balance to jump down a bank. The experience is fluid, exhilarating and fun. Mind you, this does not mean “perfect”—you may be preventing and correcting mistakes as you go or switching to Plan B (or C), but you are doing so instantaneously and to the very best of your capabilities. All top riders have mastered this ability to be in the moment and stay mindful during their ride. It is also, thankfully, something you can successfully enhance no matter what your level of physical expertise.…

One week after teaching in Virginia, Francis traveled to North Carolina for another weekend of lessons, where I was fortunate to have the opportunity to ride with him. With the advantage of previously auditing a number of lessons and therefore having an idea of his favorite exercises, you bet I practiced jumping a single fence on a circle and three jumps on a serpentine ahead of time. I rode my mom’s foxhunter, Bailey, a 16-year-old Quarter Horse I competed to the Novice level when we were both youngsters. Bailey’s nickname is Potato because he’s built like a russet potato with carrot sticks for legs. He’s a bit on the forehand and wings like a butterfly-stroke champion swimmer, but he has a heart of gold and absolutely loves his job. My…

When George rode in the Medal and the Maclay in ’52, I was 12, and even though George invited me to the city to watch him, my parents wouldn’t allow me to go because I was so young and still in school. I remember waking up the morning after he won the Maclay and seeing his picture in the New York Times. Then just as I was finishing the article, the phone rang and it was George calling from New York. He said, “I won!” I told him I knew it and that I’d just read all about it in the paper. And he replied, “Oh I haven’t seen the papers yet … .” And after a pause, “Winnie, look at the picture carefully for me.” “Yes?” I said. And…

6 Things to Do in MArch □ HEAD TO the Horse World Expo, March 3–6, in Harrisburg, PA, for clinics, demonstrations, shopping and more. Industry professionals, including Bernie Traurig, Dom Schramm and Pat Parelli, will share insights on horse-care and training topics; www.horseworldexpo.com. □ LOOK for changes to the crosscountry course at the Red Hills International Horse Trials, March 10–13, in Tallahassee, FL. Event riders from Preliminary through CIC*** will compete at the threeday event; www.rhht.org. □ FOLLOW all the exciting action at the Winter Equestrian Festival’s Saturday Night Lights $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI*****, March 12, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL; pbiec.coth.com. □ TURN your clock forward March 13 (except in Arizona and Hawaii) in observance of Daylight Saving Time. Then head to…

My good friend Glenna Lee Maduro from the Ox Ridge Hunt Club had become my main competition in the area for top junior rider. A year older than me, Glenna was a naturally talented rider, and 1952 was meant to be her year for a chance at the year-end trophy. Glenna’s mother, Mrs. Lillian Maduro, was a knowledgeable horsewoman and very encouraging to both of us. She would sit in the bleachers and push Glenna to properly school her mare, Teacher’s Hope, a beautiful 15.3-hand, chestnut Thoroughbred and the top junior hunter of the time. Teacher’s Hope moved beautifully, would win the hacks and was very hard to beat with Glenna in the tack. The spring show season started as expected with Glenna and me going toe to toe in…