WEF

Remember I mentioned earlier about the National Horse Show? Well, here are two articles that help explain the situation better for those of you that haven't been following the Stadium Jumping empire.

The first, an October 25th article in the Palm Beach Daily News. This article talks specifically about the permit that was signed by Wellington Equestrian Partners and Stadium Jumping to allow the 2007 NHS and the 2008 Wellington Equestrian Festival.

The second, an older article posted on The Equestrians' Preservation Society's website. This article talks about the reason why a permit was needed in the first place: an ugly lawsuit between Wellington Equestrian Partners and Stadium Jumping.

Look for a new post this weekend (with an update from SMC) but in the meantime... here's a beautiful picture I took today at SMC.


Talk to you soon,
EDV

A Good Laugh

And by "good laugh," I mean you'll laugh so hard you cry. Check it out: The Gospel According to Gates. It's hilarious, along the same lines as I'm Quietly Judging You. Mind you, these blogs have absolutely nothing to do with horses but they're a good laugh.

Staying Motivated

Sometimes, I find it's hard to stay motivated if I feel like I don't have a short-term goal, like a horse show. I'll get bored if I feel like I'm not learning anything new or progressing in some other way. However, I try to remember that it's important for myself AND for the horses I'm riding that I "keep my head in the game," so to speak.

I'll ride without stirrups to strengthen my legs or practice my equitation (thanks, Mom). Sometimes I'll jump small jumps, or even just poles on the ground, to practice distances, etc. In the long run, staying motivated through these "lulls" will pay off.

It also helps to keep a "glass half full" outlook. Who knows what the future will bring? Maybe a new riding opportunity. Or... maybe a horse of my own.

Talk to you soon,
EDV

Riding Abroad

Photo: I took this picture while riding Nobbie, a 5-year-old Irish Thoroughbred. No wonder Ireland's called the Emerald Isle.

In 2004, after my freshman year at Northeastern University, I spent three months in Ireland riding and learning about the 3-day eventing world. Like everything, it had its ups-and-downs, but I definitely came back a more confident rider. While I was over there I rode a 3-year-old, 4-year-old and 5-year-old everyday AND I taught at two pony-club camps.

Along with riding, I fed and turned out the horses and cleaned stalls and swept (all the non-fun stuff that goes along with riding). I galloped faster than I had ever galloped before, jumped banks and ditches... it was fantastic. To top it all off, the horses were fantastic (no nags here).

While I was in Ireland, I got the opportunity to ride in an International Student Riding Association event (specifically, a Student Riding Nations Cup). It was amazing. Basically, students from all over the world compete in dressage, show jumping and cross-country (one of the three phases of 3-day eventing). The one I rode in had teams from Belgium, England, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Austria, etc. If you are a student-rider, I highly recommend checking out the website. You have to fill out an application and get letters of recommendation, etc., but if you are chosen for a team it is an amazing experience. The one unfortunate thing: you have to pay your own way and sometimes it gets a little expensive.

I mentioned in a previous post that riding abroad doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg - and it's true! All you have to do is be willing to work hard. When I went to Ireland I payed for my plane ticket but that was all. Many European barns love to have hard-working Americans around (be willing to muck stalls) but the reward can be great - getting to ride in Europe!

How do you find a trainer/rider in Europe? I was lucky enough to ride a horse for a woman during high school with connections in Ireland but it's easy enough to find someone even without networking. The Internet is a great tool. Google riders' names or results from horse shows (Also, check out the website I linked to above). Make a phone call, or even easier - send an email. Then pack your bags & get ready for the hardest work of your life.


Enjoy!
EDV

A New Direction

So... since the start of this blogging project I have had a problem "getting in the groove" and I think it is mainly because I don't like getting too personal on the Internet. And, since my original plan was to write about specific horses at a specific barn, if I was going to write it would have to be personal. I really don't see my attitude changing (I still don't want to put my true thoughts & feelings about individuals out there for anyone and everyone to see), I've decided to change the direction of my blog. From now on, I will give you a brief update of the horses at SMC but, for the most part, I will talk more about general topics in the horse-world - for example, the hunter-jumper world's overuse of draw reins or the benefit of riding abroad.

On a side-note, remember a couple of blogs ago when I mentioned that the NHS was up in the air? Well, it has been finalized that the NHS is definitely on and will be held in Wellington, as usual. Check out Phelps Sports for more information.

I don't have too much time to write today but watch for a blog this weekend about the benefits of riding abroad (Hint: you don't need to be a trust fund baby to spend a summer riding horses in Europe).

How are the horses at SMC? Well, let's start with Zipi. I rode him yesterday for the first time in a few weeks (he's been Melanie's project) and was pleasantly surprised. He's come miles from last time I rode him (Congrats, Melanie!) and actually rode like a real horse! He steered and trotted around the entire ring (last time I rode him, I could barely get him to walk a full circle). I'm thrilled that he's come along so nicely because, for a while, I was a bit skeptical. Tara is still off because of the abscess. Lantana was good on Tuesday but had off yesterday because of a sore back. All the other horses are doing well so hopefully some will start getting sold soon - I'm showing Zipi to a potential buyer on Sunday so I'll let you know how that goes.

Talk to you soon,
EDV

Blog Assignment

Assignment: Write a summary/review of a blog or website that is related to your topic.

I chose to review Riding through College, a blog written by Sara Gumbiner, an Equine Studies major at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. I actually spoke with Sara this past spring when I was writing an article about different options for equestrians after their junior careers are over. She was great to talk to: very well-spoken and very open about her life. That's probably one of the differences that stick out between her blog and mine: openness. I'm still getting used to putting my experiences and thoughts out on the web, where anyone can see them, while she seems totally comfortable with her blog.

Sara took the summer off from posting, but now that she is back at school she has started posting again. She rights very clearly with not a lot of "wordy-ness" that seems to plague some blogs. She details her experiences very well and writes very casually - almost like she is talking to a friend. She has posted some pictures which also brighten a blog up.

I think her blog is interesting because it's not so much about the show-circuit as it is about learning. She talks about clinics she attends and lessons she takes, etc. Her posts are also usually pretty long. Some people might not like that, but I do. To me, it means that she posts when she has something of value to say and not just to take up space.

Talk to you soon,
EDV

Zee

Here is the picture I promised. Isn't she beautiful? I didn't ride at all this weekend, although I am going out tomorrow (Monday). Tara should be back to work this week and hopefully I'll be showing her and Lantana sometime soon.

Talk to you soon,
EDV