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Every once in a while a horse comes along that changes you. A unicorn. A heart horse. And although the reason might not be obvious to others, when you gaze into their eyes, you can see deep into their heart. For Mallory Vroegh that horse is Itsa Southern Belle, known affectionately as Ginger because of […]
Family is not an important thing, it’s everything. – Michael J. Fox Family is at the center of the Cook family’s approach to showing horses. JR Cook grew up showing Cutting and Halter horses with his parents and grandparents by his side. His wife, Melissa, and her family were deeply involved in the American Paint […]
As horse owners, we have been taught that they are by nature herd animals. In nature, they live in small groups or bands. But owning even a single horse is costly. So, is it really necessary to own two, or three or a dozen? Life is easier with a single horse, especially on the pocketbook, […]
Every single time 16-year-old Evie Doles steps into the show pen she remembers some important advice that her trainer gave her. “Ride what you have today and don’t focus on perfection. Instead, focus on riding your horse, on being a horsewoman. “Those words of wisdom from Melissa Jones have served Evie well as she works […]
The Palomino Horse Breeders of America announced the Golden Horse, High Point winners and the recipient of the Max Eisenberg Memorial Sportsmanship Award at the conclusion of this year’s Youth World Show on Sunday, July 11. “While final tabulations are not complete, I can say that entries are way up over past years,” said PHBA […]
“Beautiful, talented and trainable” is how Ohio trainer Blake Britton describes the 2018 sorrel mare he just recently rode to a Reserve Championship (tie) in the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure Western Pleasure at the Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association’s Madness Show Circuit in Wilmington, Ohio. Marilynn Monroe, sired by Machine Made and out […]
Nothing is cuter in the spring than Facebook feeds filled by foals. They’re just simply adorable and they carry the hope and promise of a bright future. From the moment a foal arrives, every experience contributes to their outlook on life and eventual trainability. Every breeder has a different approach, one works for their program […]
Horses in Ryan Cottingham’s Indiana training barn follow the same dental routine as most people – the horses receive an oral exam twice a year. That allows Cottingham and the equine dentist to enable horses to be comfortable so they can perform their best without the distraction of a problem in their mouth. The preventative […]
The constant pull, achy arm muscles and red blisters that appear on fingers after riding a hard, dull mouthed horse isn’t something any rider wants to experience. When it comes to communicating simple demands like steering and speed control with horses to even more advance training with a young prospect, they all must learn how to […]
For some horse owners, giving peppermints and cookies, scratches and attention are the largest time-consuming part of their horse’s daily catering routine. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting the special and close attachment with a horse, their manners and behaviors can turn pushy and rude instead of being respectful and considerate to the people whom […]
In just three years the Brad Borton Memorial Fund has awarded over $28,000 in cash and prizes to the Top 10 highest placing competitors in the Limited Non-Pro Western Longe Line class at the Tom Powers Futurity, thanks to the generous donations from family members, friends and members of the horse show community. InStride Edition […]
California Non-Pro competitor Erin Boatwright knows what she wants in a show horse. She started riding at the age of 14 and has competed on some of the best. But even Congress champions and futurity winners like Erin were thrown a curveball when the pandemic struck last year. Erin was already juggling a lot. After […]