There are trainers for every discipline, of every personality, and with all kinds of philosophies and experience. It can be a chore to find the one with whom you connect best, who gets the best out of you, and who supports you in the way that you expect. But in all reality, the best horseback [...]

Posted in Riding and showing, Training 5 Comments »

I was already missing my hunter show days and starting to scheme about how I can back into the competition ring, when I caught wind of a new event called the International Hunter Derby. I’ve always enjoyed the working hunter and equitation classes, and would be perfectly happy to stay there. Of course, that was [...]

Posted in Horse Events, Riding and showing 7 Comments »

Blogosphere, meet Poke. Poke is a 10-year-old, 14.3 hand (ish) quarter horse. He’s hamming it up for the camera with his mom, Lea.
Lea is somewhat new to horses, and Poke is her first equine baby. He was bought for her by a former trainer, and she hasn’t done a whole lot with him yet. I [...]

Posted in Riding and showing, Women and Horses 4 Comments »

It’s no secret that I’m incredibly partial to thoroughbreds, especially giving new life (over jumps!) to ones off the track. I don’t know if I was born with that passion. But if I wasn’t, I certainly gained it through plain old experience.
Without tons of money to spend on our equestrian endeavors, I suppose my range [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing, Women and Horses 5 Comments »

The New York Times ran a well-written, well-researched article today on eventing and equestrian deaths spreading unease in the sport as one of their top stories. Former Olympian and top rider Darren Chiacchia’s recent accident on a cross-country course has really brought this discussion to the forefront. Ironically, Darren was chairman of a [...]

Posted in Horse News, Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing 14 Comments »

I went riding Saturday after about a month off (I was busy and done with the cold). I started off with Marahute, a large Appy/Arab pony who is my little project horse. We’re working on basics like balance, collection, bend, response to leg aids and we’ve started working over trot poles so we can eventually [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing 3 Comments »

This is one of my most favorite pictures in the whole world. I love it for three reasons:

I was a darn cute, sweet 11-year-old
That was my first tail braid ever for a show and it totally rocked
And that’s my non-horsey horse show dad cheesin’ it in the background.

Not only was I fortunate enough to have [...]

Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Riding and showing, Women and Horses 12 Comments »