Again, John Pearce wins

This guy is on fire! He won the HITS $50,000 Prix right after winning the SmartPak Prix.

Read more about the $50,000 win.

Happy Mouth Hackamore Bit

A few weeks ago a group of us girls went to the Estes Park Grand Prix and one girl asked about a bit one of the prix horses came trotting out in...it was the Happy Mouth Hackamore Bit.  I should know because it made my now retired horse a superstar!

What is it?  A hackamore and bit in one.  Some people say it may be too much, but it really is not. What is so great about it is it cradles the horse's head and applies even pressure on nasal bone and mouth. The action of the bit stops the hackamore from being overused and the use of the hackamore stops the bit from being overused- it's just even pressure all the way around.

This combo bit places pressure on the mouth, poll, and nasal bone.  It comes with a leather chin strap, but you can use a curb chain if you need more power.  Whichever chin strap you choose make sure you keep one on this bit to help the bit stay in position.

I have seen riders use two reins and sometimes just one attached to the curb piece (bottom hoop). I would strongly recommend using two reins, that way you have the option to "back off" and just use the top/snaffle rein, but ultimately is up to you. Using the curb rein will enhance the action of the bit on the bars of the mouth therefore increasing the pressure.  Just using the snaffle/top rein will apply more of the hackamore and just a little on the bars of the mouth.  Obviously, using more of the curb rein should only be applied when more leverage is necessary.

Use of the bit with a bit converter and running martingale

This bit is great for cross country, jumpers, show jumping, etc.  The bit is stable in the mouth, so the rider doesn't have to worry about going along at fast speeds or turning sharply.  The application of poll, nasal, and bit pressure is great for horse's that tend to invert, get strong, or stiff.  This bit could be used with a running martingale as well.

The bit goes for $90, buy here.

Mandy Porter winning the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix on Con Capilot with the Happy Mouth Hackamore! Jan 2013.

@Piper Klemm

How did I choose this bit?  It's a very long story but Paddy has neurological issues, which weren't diagnosed until later after a few years of owning him.  One of these being a chronic headshaker due to trigeminal neuralogia (people can have it too).  Certain things like barometric pressure changes, rain or snow on his face, and pollen up his nose cause a violent twitch response leading to rearing, headshaking, inverting, taking off, stopping to itch his face (like mid canter or between a fence line), etc.  It physically causes pain in his face due to misfiring of nerves.  It can get better as they get older or worse, some horses have to be permanently retired even put to sleep due to the problem.  There is a procedure to cut the nerve and lessen the pain, but at Paddy's point the surgery would probably do no good.  I found that the hackamore piece relieved some of that pain and itchiness.  It was like someone constantly itching his face and provided relief.  I also moved barns and placed him out in pasture 24/7. This has improved it so much.  Some say an allergy to a local weed can trigger an attack, the barn I was at had a severe mold problem.  I found myself constantly sick in the indoor riding arena, so I can only imagine how he felt.  On a side note, if your horse has this problem I would strongly suggest changing the living arrangement ASAP.

19 years old and still loving the bit, Paddy and I hacking in the field

Hampton Classic Wrap Up

The Hampton Class is over (sad face). It closed up with a $250,000 Grand Prix with some big names like Kent Farrington, Bezzie Madden, and McLain Ward.

Kent Farrington winning Sunday's Grand Prix Photo by Shawn McMillen

$250,000 Grand Prix Results, read more about the event here:

1	1750	ZAFIRA HAITY MC NERNEY	KENT FARRINGTON	82500.00
2	205	SLIEVEANORRA EQUINIMITY LLC	RICHIE MOLONEY	50000.00
3	402	JUVINA GOTHAM ENTERPRIZES, LLC	GEORGINA BLOOMBERG	37500.00
4	240	MARK Q KEVIN BABINGTON	KEVIN BABINGTON	25000.00
5	634	NICE DE PRISSEY REMARKABLE FARMS LP	BRIANNE GOUTAL	15000.00
6	830	BONANZA VAN PAEMEL PASMORE STABLES, LLC	CATHERINE PASMORE	11250.00
7	841	WOKLAHOMA ARK PARTNERS LLC	ROBERTO TERAN	7500.00
8	934	KISMET 50 BELLISSIMO LLC	CANDICE KING	6250.00
9	366	OLYMPIC DE CHAMANT SAGAMORE FARMS	JOHNATHAN CORRIGAN	5000.00
10	1065	CORAL REEF VIA VOLO CORAL REEF RANCH	BEEZIE MADDEN	5000.00
11	1017	ROTHCHILD SAGAMORE FARMS	MCLAIN WARD	2500.00
12	838	CHILL R Z PONY LANE FARM	CHARLIE JAYNE	2500.00

2013 Junior Jumper Video Watch Here

Hampton Classic has some pretty photos of the event on the homepage.

New sponsor, Longine's Watches, held a $40,000 Rider's Challenge Show Jumping Class.

It's sad it's over, but it was fun to follow...and so easy to follow thanks to the user-friendly Hampton Classic website!  Keep checking back there for more photos!

I am watching the Hampton Classic Right Now!!

On www.wvvh.tv for free!

Product Review: Saxon Softmesh Fly Sheet

I thought I would write a little review on the Saxon Softmesh fly sheet, I have been using one for the past 3 months...and it's great!  No tears, all the buckles are still attached, it's in awesome shape. The sheet goes for only $49 on horse.com!  Probably one of the cheapest fly sheets out there, so many fly sheets are over $100 and you are lucky if you can get a month out of it.  A friend of mine just bought a fly sheet for $98 and it lasted only one month, what a waste.

The Saxon softmesh fly sheet is also great because it is easy to wash (didn't break in the washer- we know that happens), light weight for those summer months, and no rub marks on the pony!  Comes with or without a hood in hunter/white or Rust/Frappe.

Go with the Saxon fly sheet, it's a great deal!

Used Animo jacket on ebay

In a previous post I talked about Pikeur, Spooks, and Animo riding jackets.  All can be pricey but here is a good opportunity to own one used.

Check out this beautiful used Animo jacket, size medium on ebay!  Starting bid is $375.

Orange Jackets

Well you can see them from a mile away, but we can't really disrespect the orange worn by the Dutch team.  Orange is there national color and therefore we love it!

The Dutch winning team in Gijon yesterday.  Photo by Hípico Gijón. 

Even the dressage team sport's a hint of orange in their jackets.  I personally, like the orange accent better then just the straight up orange. Dressage is always so classy.

Dutch take fist at UK FEI Dressage Nations Cup May 17th. ©FEI/Rui Pedro Godinho.

Why do they love their orange so much?  It's the color of the Dutch Royal Family and lineage to the House of Oranje-Nassau dating back to William of Orange.  It symbolizes being dutch.

Orange!  Celebrating soccer, makes you want to jump right in there.