The origins of eventing

Lest we all forget, given that 4* events now look like Walt Disney sets, eventing started as an out shoot of the cavalry. This video shows what a cavalry horse used to be expected to do . . . not much like today’s eventing but perhaps reminiscent of foxhunting in Ireland!

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The real life War Horse: Warrior

I was lucky enough to see the Lincoln Center production of War Horse in April (you can read my review here). It’s a story that brought into the public consciousness the appalling conditions suffered by the horses and mules who fought alongside their human owners during World War I. The upcoming Spielberg movie has kept […]

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Drumming on horseback? Don’t try this at home!

This video of the Chilean cavalry is impressive. I’ve ridden in several reenactment rides (raising the Minutemen) and I can’t imagine how long it takes to train your horse to accept the drumming and crowds — especially when riding without hands. In fact, when I first started playing the role of Captain John Smith (who […]

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Remembering horses that served

On Veterans Day, let us remember not only the human casualties but also the equine ones. Horses have played a major role in human warfare starting in about 4,000 B.C. and continuing on through World War II. They served as cavalry mounts, transported troops, pulled armaments, and carried supplies.  

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Comanche: Once the Most Famous Horse in the U.S.

It’s seems ironic that the reported Seventh Cavalry’s “sole survivor” of battle of Little Big Horn should be a horse named Comanche. He was given the name in honor of his bravery in a fight against the Comanche in 1868, in Kansas where he was struck in the flank by an arrow. Comanche was a […]

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Trakehners – The Oldest Warmblood Breed

When I was horse shopping 12 years ago, I wasn’t in the market for a Trakehner. I didn’t really have any breed in mind. Mostly I wanted a horse to event. A horse that would have good enough movement to produce a decent dressage test, enough jump to keep me out of trouble, and brave […]

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