There are an enticing array of high profile horse shows scattered across the country and the calendar. As a result, it can feel as though you must be at your absolute best for every show. Yet that can take a toll on the physical and mental well-being of both horse and rider. This overtraining phenomenon often leads to a discouraging show experience and can unwittingly spur on even more overtraining, perpetuating the cycle.
When it comes to tracking a horse in the halter pen, everything seems pretty self-explanatory. Walk to the judge or judges, trot to and past the cone, and continue trotting around the cone to the lineup. The purpose of this portion of the class is to give the judges an opportunity to evaluate both soundness and quality of movement.
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In Hunter Under Saddle classes, it can be hard to know if you’ve positioned your horse in the arena in a way that shows them to the judges in their best possible light.
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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious, debilitating disease that attacks the central nervous system of a horse. The infection causes an inflammation of the animal’s brain and spinal cord. The organism causing the infection is the single-celled protozoan Sarcocystis neurona.
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Amateur owner and rider Kimber Mitchell’s story is one of grit, versatility, and a work ethic that turned opportunity into success. She didn’t build her career in one discipline, on one horse, or in one show season, although she has only been competing at major competitions for a relatively short amount of time.
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Nestled in the hills of Southern California is one of the leading schools of agriculture: Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Over the years, the program has become a cornerstone of the local community, offering students throughout the Los Angeles region opportunities that may never have been imagined possible. The School of Agriculture provides urban students with hands-on experience working with livestock, farm animals, and horses, creating a unique learning environment that blends classroom instruction with real-world applications. Recognized as the #1 community college in California and ranked #12 nationally Mt. SAC has earned a reputation for excellence in higher education. Not only are they known for being one of the leading community colleges in the United States; they are also deeply rooted in AQHA history.
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A true all-around equestrian is a rider who not only competes in different disciplines, but who’s also skilled in those events. In this way, an all-arounder is not a “jack of all trades and a master of none,” but instead a specialist showman. For athletes to transition between sports successfully, they need to be adaptable, versatile, and handy.
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