Horse for Sale

Name: Early december ( LUCAS)
Location: Franklin, TN (for now)
Sex: Gelding 

Height: 16 .1/4

Breed(s): Belgian Warm blood

Discipline(s): Hunters, jumpers, equitation

Age: 11 years

Lucas is kind of a "jack of all trades," as he is versatile in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. He has proven himself in all three types of classes: champion in junior hunters, went to equitation finals, and has also been champion in children's jumper classes in shows such as the Gulf coast Classic. He has a great temperament, great around children, and would serve great as a horse for a rider of any age moving up from 3' to the 3'6" level.

Early December in Brownland Farm Amateur/Owner Hunters

For more information please email hrangel818@gmail.com

NBC Sports - Airs Live Telecast of Rolex

Turn to NBCSports on your tv on May 1 between 2 and 3 pm because, for the first time in its history, the Rolex Equestrian Championships will air LIVE.  What you will see is the final showjumping round as well as taped highlights of the cross-country and dressage aspects of the 3-day event.  As usual, the Rolex will take place at the renown Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.  Click on the image below ans Stay tuned!!!!!

United States Team Determined for 1st 3 CSIO's of Meydan FEI Nations Cup Series

These selections were based on the April 1 Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List.

• Margie Engle & Indigo
• Rich Fellers & Flexible
• Ashlee Bond & Cadett
• Charlie Jayne & Athena
• Christine Mcrea & Romantovich Take One

These riders will represent the United States for the first three CSIO's

• CSIO La Baule - France (May 11-15)
• CSIO Rome - Italy (May 25-29)
• CSIO St. Gallen - Switzerland (June 1-5)

HELP Japanese Equestrian Community!

As we all know, Japan has recently been struck by a series of devastating earthquakes and one catastrophic tsunami.  Northeast Japan, where the disaster took place, is home to much of Japan's breeding and training operations.  Immediate reaction for the horses in this area was a shipment of 36 tons of hay and fuel to the area (Sent by the Japanese Equestrian Federation and the National Riding Club Association).  It has been reported that there is no longer a food shortage for these horses.  Many stables in Fukushima have evacuated, prompted by the possibility that contamination may occur by way of the damaged nuclear power plant in the same area.  According to the NRCA, equine fatalities have been reported, mostly in Miyagi, due to the force of the tsunami that hit here.  Even in all the proceeding chaos, the remaining show horses and riders are eager to get back to work and bring back competition in the area again.

But, they need YOUR help.  Organizations that are currently accepting donations for the Japanese riders and horses include:  Japan Equestrian Federation - http://www.equitation-japan.com/
                                National Riding Club Assoc. of Japan - http://www.jouba.jrao.ne.jp/
                                 Riding Club Crane - http://www.uma-crane.com/

Horse for Sale

Name: Early december ( LUCAS)
Location: Franklin, TN (for now)
Sex: Gelding 
Height: 16 .1/4
Breed(s): Belgian Warm blood
Discipline(s): Hunters, jumpers, equitation
Age: 11 years


Lucas is kind of a "jack of all trades," as he is versatile in hunters, jumpers, and equitation. He has proven himself in all three types of classes: champion in junior hunters, went to equitation finals, and has also been champion in children's jumper classes in shows such as the Gulf coast Classic. He has a great temperament, great around children, and would serve great as a horse for a rider of any age moving up from 3' to the 3'6" level.

Early December in Brownland Farm Amateur/Owner Hunters

For more information please email hrangel818@gmail.com

Horse and Rider Equipment

What do horses wear in the show ring?



It is the final product you see when a horse walks into the show ring, and, although it may be picture perfect, it takes a lot of time, thought, and effort to reach that perfection.  Beginning with the grooming.  A horse has to be shiny and crisp when it enters the ring, so there is plenty of time and products devoted to reach this outcome. The horse's coat, mane, hooves, and tail are all key points which must be in flawless shape before any tack even goes on.  Now comes the complicated descriptions...the variety of tack. Firstly, a showjumping horse usually wears boots on all four legs for support and protection. Equifit's T-boots are quite popular these days. A saddle pad is put on first, which contains the number and embroidery of either the rider's barn or sponsor. On top of that, is a gel pad or wither pad to absorb shock and prevent any sore spots between the horse's back and saddle. And next, of course, comes the saddle. The saddle stays on the horses back over the big jumps all because of the girth, which fit's snugly around the belly. It attaches to the saddle's billets, and, in the big classes, a belly girth is used to prevent the studs in the horse's hooves from knicking his belly. Now, attached to the middle of the girth, you will find a piece of tack called a running martingale. This crafted leather contraption leads from the girth to the reins, and its purpose is to retain the horse's head, keep it from getting too high.  Rubber reins with stoppers to keep the martingale from getting caught on the bit  are used in every jumper class. A bridle is used, oftentimes with a figure eight piece to keep the horse's mouth shut. Bits can vary from horse to horse, and that is where you need to experiment. A popular bit for the jumper ring is a full cheek snaffle. For stronger horses, there are types of gags many like to use, and there are always the rubber bits for horses with a softer mouth. And don't forget, those hats you may see on a show horse's head are called fly bonnets. They are used to keep flies off of their ears, to keep earplugs in, or even just for good looks.

What do riders wear in the show ring?
First things first... We must wear an approved helmet. Some popular brands include GPA, Charles Owen, and Antares. Seen at shows are the traditional looking helmets as well as the fashion-forward/high tech helmets. Moving down, a rider has the option of wearing either a collared polo shirt or a show shirt and a show jacket. Breeches are worn, usually tan colored.  The jumper classics and Grand Prixes require formal attire, which includes white breeches and a show jacket, and, for the guys, that means a tie too! For the footwear aspect of a riders wardrobe, tallboots are worn. These leather boots are typically black (although sometimes riders get fancy with a brown top or flashy diamonds) and they fit snug around the rider's leg, giving a slimming look and allowing the closest possible contact between horse and rider. Accessories to a rider's wardrobe may include gloves (usually black), spurs, and a stick.  If you're looking for somewhere to buy a "rider's outfit," we recommend you visit doversaddlery.com, smartpakequine.com, or beval.com.

SHOWJUMPING

If you're reading this and you don't know what showjumping is, well shame on you! No, but actually.  It is only the most incredible sport ever invented.  If you know nothing about the sport, I encourage you to study and learn, as it is something so different from baseball or swimming or tennis.  It is a life-long lifestyle.  I'll give you a tiny preview of the nature of the sport in this post, as well as in the rest of our posts to come.  Although jumpers and hunters both exist in the horse show world, we are just going to talk about jumpers because it's much more exciting.  Speed, agility, and scope are 3 characteristics a horse must master in order to win any big stadium jumping class.  There is a set course for each class, no matter what the level, and the jumps are numbered.  First, the riders learn the course and then walk it on foot (figure out strides and turns and distances - to make a plan to be executed on the horse).  Next, riders warm their horses up in the schooling ring, over a handful of practice fences and then, one at a time, enter the ring to ride for the blue.  Racing through the start and finish timers, without knocking down any fences in between is basically the goal here.  Typically, there is a first round and a second round (jumpoff).  The first round is when the riders are careful to go clean (no knocking down jumps and no time faults), and the jumpoff is a shorter course, when riders show their guts and race at high speed and make tight turns, while still attempting to clear every jump.  Ribbons are awarded to the winner and everyone who places in the top 8 or 12 usually.  In the big classes, prize money is also awarded.