Does shape, material, or elasticity matter? The girth is one of the most fundamental pieces of tack in your horse’s wardrobe, but it’s also one of the most underestimated. For many of us, choosing a girth is often an afterthought: leather or synthetic, shaped or straight, perhaps with elastic on one end, and then we're…
Q: What is a floating trophy? A: Floating trophies are trophies that are given out each year at an annual show. They must then be returned to the show holding body to be handed out to the next yearly recipient. Floating trophies are environmentally friendly; there is no need to buy a new trophy or award…
Chad Cunningham’s student, Hamza Minty, has just won the prestigious Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championship. This is a huge achievement, not only for the rider, but also for the coach, who must prepare their rider to face the most ‘all-encompassing’ challenge our sport has to offer. HQ Magazine were fortunate enough to catch up with Chad…
Text: Rhiannon Cecil Equestrians are naturally very passionate about our sport and always looking for ways to improve our strength and effectiveness in the saddle. Balance and core strength are two key factors to successful riding, and while we get plenty of time to practice these skills in the high-pressure environment of being on the horse,…
The LA28 Olympic equestrian events will be held at Santa Anita Park, which was also the home of horse sports at the 1984 Olympic Games. In 1984, the cross-country for the Olympic eventing was held at a satellite venue (Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in San Diego County) but 2028 will see all phases of the…
Text: Rhiannon Cecil Whether you've bought a horse before, own more than one horse, or are thinking about buying a horse for the first time, taking the purchase plunge is a huge decision. The horse market is fraught with scammers and chancers, and sellers will often resort to every trick in the book, making commissions their…
At the start of the new year, the equestrian calendar is often packed with national seminars and clinics for officials, predominantly our stewards and judges, to prepare everyone for the year ahead. The Gauteng Dressage Council hosted a Judges’ Seminar and Workshop from January 18 to 20. We caught up with Sam Foley, one of the…
Riding in an indoor arena for the first time can be both exciting and slightly intimidating. The enclosed space, different footing, and new environment can affect both you and your horse. To help you make the most of your first indoor arena experience, here are some top tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride. Step…
Q: My new OTTB is incredibly strong and runs at every opportunity. How do I find the brakes?! A: Racehorses are trained to run into a contact. Therefore, a major part of retraining them is teaching them how to soften over their backs, necks, and poll and come into a softer outline, where they engage their…
Text: Christie Wolhuter Many people are confused by the need for resistance training for equestrians. To me, it is the most important work you can do to keep up with your horse. First of all, we need to remember that horse riding is a sport, and riders should consider themselves athletes. Few top-level equestrians are not…
