Let's Discuss: Horse Shows and Correct Basics

 I recently read an article by George Morris on Chronicle of the Horse called Where Did We Come From? Where Are We Going. It is a really great article that I would recommend you reading.

  Jack le Goff said, "The young trainers are teaching their students to compete. They are not, necessarily, teaching them to ride. Therefore, when the student reaches a certain level, he or she fails or falls short. The student doesn't really know how to ride." 

 There are a lot of trainers who focus on preparing their students for shows, saying that going to as much shows as possible is important. Sometimes they go to shows almost every other week. I know because I used to ride at at such a barn. Let me make it clear that I am not against showing and I am not against anyone who goes to a lot of shows. In fact, I wish to show in the future, eventually at the top level of eventing, though I am in no rush. What I have learned the past months is that solid basics come first. 

Credit

 In the article, George Morris said, "These are just some of the many things that come way before competing with a horse. These are the basics, the platform from which you might successfully and correctly reach the top of your particular discipline."

 He says that shows are tests, and the lessons and riding on your own are meant to prepare horse and rider for the "test," just like homework and lectures prepare students for tests. According to George Morris, training should take up the majority of the time and shows should not happen nearly as often. A while ago I read a Practical Horseman article about the care of several top horses, including Boyd Martin's Shamwari and Laura Grave's Verdades. What these horses have in common, despite their varying disciplines, is that they don't compete in very many competitions a year. Obviously these horse will go to less competitions than the typical horse for many reasons, but the still take time between shows.

Credit

 George Morris also makes a point about that many riders have poor positions. It is a work in progress for many people(myself included), but many riders become negligent about it. I've even shocked noticed some  Grand Prix and CCI**** riders jump ahead or have legs that swing back when going over a jump. 

 I wholehearted agree with the article, considering the fact that I am dedicated to learning correct basics, horsemanship, and riding. What is your opinion about the article? What thoughts do you have? I am curious to read what other riders think, especially since many of my readers have the showing experience that I don't. 

2014 World Equestrian Games

 For most people, big sport events of 2014 means the Winter Olympics, but for us equestrians, it means the World Equestrian Games, which will be held in Normandy, France this year. This year, 1000 competitors will be there, competing in the eight most popular disciplines: dressage, jumping, eventing, reining, endurance, vaulting, driving, and para-dressage. Unlike in Lexington in 2010, this year's World Equestrian Games will be held in multiple locations, rather than just one site. Most of the competition will take place in Caen, the regions capital. The dressage and cross-country phase of eventing will be Haras du Pin, one of the national stud farms, and the endurance competition will be over an hour away from Caen. I can't wait to watch it, but for now I'll leave you with the official trailer, by Alltech.

Five Day Challenge, Day 5

21. Favorite classes to watch
 I love watching jumper classes of all kinds. It's exciting to see the horses soar over a jump, then turn tightly and take off several strides away from the previous jump. Basically, I love all jumper classes. Jumpers amaze me.

I don't know who this is, but this picture is awesome.

22. What's in your cooler at horse shows?
 I don't show yet, but I would probably bring lots of water and, if I am staying there all day, some healthy snacks, such as fruit and sandwiches with lunch meat. Of course, I would bring treats for the horse to eat when we are done.

23. One thing about showing(or riding in general) you wish you could change?
 I would want there to be more English riding shows in my area. Mostly, I hear of rodeos going on nearby, but I have only heard of a few shows with English classes that are nearby us. Maybe if I look around more I'll find one I can go to when I have my own horse and start showing.

24. Your ringside crew
 I don't show yet, but every time I do a lesson my parents are always there, watching. They are very supportive of my riding and I'm sure they'll do the same once I go start showing.

25. Best prizes
 I love any type of prize, no matter what it is. Ribbons are nice, especially if they are blue, but to me the best prize is the fact that I gave it my all and did well.

Fitzrada: National Horse Show 1948 and Season of 1949

 In November of 1948, Jane returned to the National Horse Show, this time riding several of Marie Greenhalgh hunters in addition to Fitzrada. Fitzrada did not do well this time. He refused the same fence twice before Cappy Smith, a famous rider, entered the arena to give Jane some advice. While pretending to adjust one of the stirrups, he told Jane to keep contact with Fitzrada the whole time. He then left the arena. Afterward, Jane rode him easily over the fence.

 Later that day, an artist by the name Paul Brown approached Jane about sketching Fitzrada. He drew some quick sketches o use as reference for later ones.

 Jane didn't earn any ribbons that National Horse Show. Nevertheless, she still entered Fitzrada in twelve shows the next year, winning four tricolor jumper ribbons and four tricolor hunter ribbons. She also won the Master's Challenge Bowl at the Loundoun Hunt Horse Show. for the second year in a row. The year before, Jane's sister had ridden Fitzrada in that class since Jane had been pregnant.

 After that show, Fitzrada touched a pole in one of his classes, costing him the Jumper Championship. He did, however, win the Working Hunter Championship. He lost at several other shows after that before winning all but one class he had entered in a show at Ohio. Then, he came second in a knock-down-and-out class settled by four jump-offs.

 In the National Horse Show of 1949, Fitzrada won one first place ribbon and two second place ribbons in the hunter classes. The last class would decide who the champion and reserve champion would be, but one horse failed to show up, letting Fitzrada enter instead. Fitzrada came second in the class, making him reserve champion.

 After that show, Jane decided that Fitzrada's show career should begin to slow down. She entered several shows. Among them was the Loundoun Hunt Horse, where she won the Master's Challenge Bowl a third time, retiring it. Jane even brought her horse to the 1950 National Horse Show.

 She entered several class. One class consisted of many jumps and tight turns. To win it, a horse must finish both quickly and without many faults. Fitzrada did so, getting only one fault. By the end of the show, he had come second in the Working Hunter Championship. Jane retired him afterward.

 In early September of 1952, Fitzrada broke his hock. though the vet did all he could, Fitzrada later passed away.

Horse Show in Fresno

 Saturday was probably one of the most awesome days ever! I went to an eventing show and got to watch Sarah, one of my blogging friends, and her horse Bohemian compete in eventing. I watched one show jumping class before Sarah's and really enjoyed myself. Several horses stopped before some fences, and one time the rider fell over the head of the horses and landed on the other side of the fence. Ouch. No, I didn't get a picture of it. The rider left the arena after that fall. This show was actually the first horse show that I have been to, so it was fun.

Group shot! Left to right: Me, my friend Angel, Bohemian, Sarah, and Walden(the dog).

 After the first class, I went over to say hi to Sarah, who was getting ready for her class. Blogging friend in real life! It was so cool to meet her. We talked about Bohemian(her horse) while she tacked him. Then we went over to the warm-up arena and I watched her warm-up. When it was her turn to enter the arena, I went over to the rail to watch her ride. She and Bohemian looked great out there.

 I watched the rest of the class. There were lots of big horses. Huge. Surprisingly, there was even a pony ridden by a girl around 10 or 11 years old. Once the class was over, I went back to Bohemian's stall to talk to Sarah some more. She let me give Bohemian treats and then my dad took pictures of us. Bohemian even gave me some hugs. Cute boy. It was a really fun day. Sarah was as awesome in real life as she is on her blog(if not even cooler), and Bohemian was such a sweet boy! I told my mom on the way home that I want a horse like Bohemian(with his temperament, I mean). I loved being at the show and most of all meeting Sarah and Bohemian, and would love to do it again some day. Now, for pictures.                              

Bohemian munching on hay before his class.

Sarah and Bohemian before their class.

Warming up.

Still warming up.

Went over a jump before their class. 

The first fence

Cantering around the course

The bay is heading for the first jump.

This bay is canter is cantering. I think he just landed
after the first jump of the course.

Before we watched any classes, my family and I said hello
to Flo, an Irish Sport/Swedish Warmblood mix.