When I find a great horse activity for my whole family, I'm going to jump on it. I have three kids, and it's not easy finding an event that's both for adults, but kid friendly. Turns out, it does exist, and I really believe this magical event is Sunset Polo, at Great Meadow. Sunset Polo is held weekly throughout the summer, and I ca[...]
I enjoyed Upperville so much that I went back for round 2: Loudoun Benefit. This show is held on the exact same show grounds the week following Upperville, which means another opportunity for pretty pictures underneath the oaks. But I actually photographed on the other side of the road, the Salem show grounds. Not because I[...]
I was asked the other day when I was going to start showing Stu. Showing hasn't been on my mind in a long time. There's the first problem, which is that Stu and I are in no way ready to go to a show, with our inconsistent rides. But there's also a significant lack of interest in showing. I don't have a competitive nature. I don't care[...]
The tiny town of Upperville is about to be flooded with the annual yearly June migration. 2,000+ riders will emerge, seemingly from thin air, much like the cicadas that are infesting other parts of the country. Luckily these riders aren't clinging to your clothing, but they are waiting impatiently to pounce on you to announce their plans[...]
Among all the riding schools in the world, there are a few that are exceptionally great. They have centuries of history and learning behind their methods, based on principles from the greatest names in classical riding. The skills these schools teach are so important, they have been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. [...]
They say one way to afford to own horses is to find a rich husband. After all, horses are an expensive and time consuming hobby. If you're working to afford it, you hardly have time to ride. She never married, but she did find many men willing to pay for her love of horses, which some might say is an even better arrangement. This i[...]
Docs Keepin Time, barn name Justin, is one of the most well known horse actors of all time, most famous for staring in the 1994 movie, Black Beauty. But even after, he had a lengthy career working in show business. Despite his talent on screen, he originally wasn't meant for Hollywood. Like many of our own horses, he actually started out[...]
Dogs and horses go together like cookies and milk. Obviously a dog is going to make your horse adventures even more fun, right? Just look at that sweet little face, MMHMM MHMHMM (<- these are smooching noises). Except it doesn't always work out. Sometimes it turns out to be a complete nightmare. Imagine trying to ride your horse[...]
With the warming weather and the promise of beautiful, memory making rides, comes another memory you'll wish you could forget about: The Ticks. Speaking from personal experience: the the ticks are bad this year. I've been dealing with ticks for many years, but never have I seen so many so early in the year. They are out in full force,[...]
Horses are the foundation of military power, the great resources of the state but, should this falter, the state will fall. Ma Yuan (14BC - 49AD, Han Dynasty Military General and horse expert When Emperor Wu came to power, the Chinese had been using cavalry for the previous 200 years. Before that, chariots had been used in battle,[...]