I’m a third generation horse trainer and judge,” Ryan Kail says proudly. Ryan is the grandson of Greg and Mary Whalen, industry icons who owned Blue RibbonFarm, what was formerly one of northern California’s premier Quarter Horse breeding operations.

You take a giant step in your equestrian career by signing on with a very talented trainer, ready to hit the big time. Everything is great – for a while.

One of the most anticipated events of the year for the Halter horse industry, the Breeders’ Halter Futurity (BHF), held September 13-17 in Des Moines, Iowa, is offering new and exciting additions for 2017.

Your veterinarian stands up after inspecting your horse’s long, delicate legs, and you shudder when he says your horse has a suspensory injury. Years ago, that diagnosis was almost a black flag for any horse’s career, but now, veterinary advances have made rehabilitation and recovery from a suspensory injury just a blip on the radar.

There are few things that can bring an entire show community together quite like the wide-toothed grin of a small fry exhibitor. While everyone seems to have a favorite rider to cheer for, the competitive nature of the horse show eases a bit when these youngsters take center stage.