One of the prettiest horse shows I wish I could see.

The Saut Hermes Show Jumping in France.

http://www.sauthermes.com/?langue=en
Located in the Grand Palais, Paris France. Learn more about the facility here, great history, it truly is amazing:
http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/#

Latest news about the show:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/equestrian-world-s-leading-riders-set-saut-hermes-015840062--spt.html

Injury + Snow = Reading About Horse Shows On The Internet

I fractured my coccyx bone...ugh. Of course, I am bored out of my mind! I am not able to do much. I cannot even put on my own shoes! And guess what?! This injury is not related to horses in any shape or form. That's right, I did this all on my own by falling down the stairs. Awesome.

The good news it is miserable outside, only 20 degrees and constant snow so there is not much fun things to do anyways.

To cheer my self up I decided to see how some of the big Hunter/Jumper shows are doing right now. It would also be important to note the temperate in these places...all which are better then Colorado right now.

Temperature comparison...
Lyons, Colorado: 20 degrees with snow
Wellington, Florida: 74 degrees partially sunny
Gulf-port, Mississippi: 68 degrees and sunny
Tuscan, Arizona: 57 degrees with some rain (I still would take it!)

First show, Winter Festival and Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida. I have always wanted to go to this show. Perfect time to get away from Colorado snow and watch pretty horses in warm weather. Maybe next year. The show features your standard hunter jumper classes and some high dollar Grand Prix too! The $150,000 CWD Prix and a $200,000 World Cup both which happen tomorrow, Sunday March 2nd.

http://www.equestriansport.com/

Then there is the Gulfport, Mississippi show, where my current barn is residing for the next several weeks. Over $1 million in prize money is being offered. There is at least 2 Prix per week with the biggest one being the $77,000 Week 5 Prix. The show also has some turf based classes.

http://gulfcoastclassiccompany.com/

We couldn't forget HITS Arizona. Everyone knows HITS; the six week show starting in January and ending next week, March 9th which includes several Grand Prix including the Strongid $50,000 Prix also a qualifier for a World Cup in France this April. The winner of the Strongid Prix was Saer Coulter and Springtime.

http://hitsshows.com/arizona/

Gulf Coast Classic Horse Show Results

To view results: http://horseshowsonline.com/RiderResults.aspx

Only 2 Riders Made It To the President's Cup Grand Prix!

Only 2 riders made it to the President's Cup Grand Prix jump off at the Washington International Horse Show. Kent Farrington and Blue Angel secured the blue ribbon in this $125,000 Grand Prix with a fabulous jump off beating Brianne Goutal who came in 2nd place. Read more about the last day of showing at the WIHS here.

Washington International Horse Show is underway...

Washington International Horse Show is underway in Washington, DC!  The show takes place in the heart of DC off of 6th Street, directly east of the White House at the Verizon Center Complex. They literally build horse show grounds in the middle of the city and streets, it's quite impressive.

© Alden Corrigan

Schooling on Monday
© Alden Corrigan/ EquestrianLife.com — with Peter Lutz and Mary Manfredi

 



Horse begun arriving over the weekend from all around the world. All horse trailers are required to stage at the Prince George Equestrian Center (doesn't look as fancy as it sounds btw) from there Johnson Horse Transportation takes the horse's to the Verizon Center.

On Tuesday, 22nd, Dudley MacFarlane and Authentic win the Washington International Adult Amateur Hunter Championship kicking off the WIHS.

Horse showing started yesterday, Tuesday, with the many hunter classes including the WIHS Adult Hunter Championships. Other highlights of the show include a $10,000 Open Jumper class and WIHS Children's Jumper Championships Wednesday, a $33,000 Jumpers Stake and $20,000 costume Gambler's Choice on Thursday, a $50,000 Speed Class and $25,000 Puissance on Friday, and ending with a $125,000 President's Cup Grand Prix and Hermes Equitation Finals over the weekend. In between these top money classes is an extensive list of hunter/jumper classes and other fun non-horse show events including a Shetland Pony Steeplechase, Celebrity Barrel Race, and Autograph Signing.

Last year's President's Cup Grand Prix winner was Reed Kessler on Cylana. @Lawrence Nagy

The Puissance brings on the edge of your seat excitement where horse and riders are challenged with an incredibly high jump that keeps going up! The height to beat is an impressive record of  7 1/2 feet set by Anthony D'Ambrosio on Sweet N' Low in 1986.

Choose your WIHS  tracking method:
Live streaming
On Twitter
On Facebook

Just World Riders

If you have gone to any of the bigger 'A' shows or Grand Prix you may have seen some riders in the pretty light blue riding coats...those are them, the Just World riders.  They consist of Junior, Amateur, and Professional Riders. 

Check out the list of ambassadors or riders for Just World, Reed Kessler being one of them!

Do you want to be an ambassador? It is a great way to contribute to a greater cause when you ride.  If you are accepted as an ambassador you pledge to make a donation of your horse winnings to the organization or pledge an annual donation. In addition, ambassadors are responsible for bringing awareness to your community through fundraisers or bake sales. Ambassadors are asked to wear the pretty light blue riding jacket in the show ring. They have a hunter and jumper jacket, the hunter jacket being a little more traditional for the show ring.  All ambassadors are expected to represent the organization well so they try to take serious, talented riders.  Apply here.

If you are at horse shows a lot and enjoy public relations with a great cause, I would encourage you to apply.

Light blue riding jacket with purple collar worn by the jumpers.

What is Just World? Just World has a mission to provide education, hygiene, and nutrition to children in third world countries.

Want to help but don't have the time for the full ambassador program.  Just World takes donations as well. Donate today!

OR you could buy some of their merchandise to help the cause. Some of my favorite products available to purchase...

Beval supports Just World with a line of products.



Can't have enough polos!

Cute tack trunk



 

Fly Bonnet

 

 

Reed Kessler and Cylana

There is no greater bond then a horse and girl and Reed and Cylana have that bond. It isn't just another mount for her to win on, you can tell it's her best friend.  Some of my favorite photos of Reed and Cylana...

Horseware of Ireland

Horseware makes some cute stuff at a really great price!  I love their socks and fleece coolers (have multiples of each).  The socks stay soft and so do the coolers! I think Horseware is really taken off, they have even developed the Ice Vibe, which are rechargeable boots that boost circulation in the horse's legs. Really reasonable price at $240.

What is also cool about Horseware is they sponser a Grand Prix CSI 3* $82,000.  This year's winner was a Japanese rider, Eiken Sato on Espyrante.

Beautiful show jacket with the elite look, but not the price, only $100!

 Utility Jacket with cute pinstripes.

 One of my favorite items, their socks!  Seriously, these things stay soft and are very durable.

If you want to up the cute factor get your dog to match your horse!  These collar and dog blankets are perfect.  I love the dog collars because they have that nice padding for comfort.

Saddle pads in different colors.

It's almost fall, so it's time for long sleeve polos.  This navy stripe is a classic.

A belt I am pretty sure I am going to go and buy right now!  $17.99

Another great jacket for riding.  This one is a little more durable for the barn.

I don't think I will ever get sick of the Horseware theme colors and logo.  It does have a polo/European flare that Equestrians love.

Horseware makes some great hand bags that are easy to clean.  The light blue below is my favorite.

A really cute sporty jacket for riding.

I love their coolers.  I have one and they are so soft and stay soft.  You will want to bundle your pony up in one of these.

Wellie boot socks, cute color options.