Horse Sports

Courtney Maum is thirty-seven years old when she finds herself in an indoor arena in Connecticut, moments away from stepping back into the saddle. For her, this is not just a riding lesson, but a last-ditch attempt to pull herself back from the brink even though riding is a relic from the past she walked away from. She hasn’t been on or near a horse in over thirty years.

If Jules was sure about one thing, it was that she would never become a riding instructor. But suddenly she is the lead instructor at the Alachua Eventing Co-Op, in charge of the hopes and dreams of a dozen young riders. Her beloved working student, Lacey, is back; her star student, Lindsay, is becoming a devoted horsewoman; and though Jules never thought she’d be so sentimental, she loves training up a new generation of riders.

Ten months after giving birth to her son, Jules is back on top. Or, she’s ready to be. She and Pete have traveled to Maryland in prep for the Chesapeake Three-Day Event, one of America’s toughest events, for the first time. A big win could be the perfect cap to her comeback season. Jules is where she belongs competition-wise, but there’s one problem: she’s in the wrong state. Because the fact is, Jules just hates Maryland.

This time, Jules might finally be in over her head. Pete is away in California, trying to find himself, and Jules’ promising new horse, Confident Liar, is proving to be a tough ride. Not to mention, her employers are putting the pressure on, expecting more from Jules than she can possibly provide them and their children. And Evan Folkes is dangling a shot at international competition that Jules is hard-pressed to resist. She has the support of her old friends and her beloved students, but she’s being pulled in a million different directions.

If Jules was sure about one thing, it was that she would never become a riding instructor. But suddenly she is the lead instructor at the Alachua Eventing Co-Op, in charge of the hopes and dreams of a dozen young riders. Her beloved working student, Lacey, is back; her star student, Lindsay, is becoming a devoted horsewoman; and though Jules never thought she’d be so sentimental, she loves training up a new generation of riders.

How do I stop my horse from being herd-bound? Is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from my blog readers and students. Because of this, I wanted to share my personal approach to dealing with herd-bound horses in this book and help you overcome this vexing issue. Herd-bound behaviors in a horse can range from annoying to outright dangerous and its outcomes can be detrimental to both your safety and your horse’s health. In this book, I have therefore categorized herd-bound behavior into three levels of severity, each with its own easy-to-follow protocol.

Mental skills coach Tonya Johnston, MA, has helped thousands of equestrian athletes achieve success at every level, from recreational riders to award-winning international competitors. In Inside Your Ride, she provides specific methods and clear, easy-to-follow directions to help you mentally prepare for your next ride or competition, no matter your discipline and skill level.

The Great Match Race is a captivating account of America's first sports spectacle, a horse race that pitted North against South in three grueling heats. On a bright afternoon in May 1823, an unprecedented sixty thousand people showed up to watch two horses run the equivalent of nine Kentucky Derbys in a few hours' time. Eclipse was the majestic champion representing the North, and Henry, an equine arriviste, was the pride of the South.

On Horsemanship, also sometimes titled The Art of Horsemanship, is a treatise written about 350 BCE by the Athenian historian, soldier, and student of Socrates, Xenophon (c. 430-354 BC). The treatise is a "hands-on" manual which deals with the selection, care, and training of horses in general.

From the pen of Texas writer Michael Johnson, comes the tale of his three teachers, Shine, Joe Ben, and the horse called Blue....

Own your first horse like an expert, regardless of your experience. Discover how to care for and nurture your horse, even if you’ve never set foot in a stable before. The journey from a complete novice to an accomplished rider is a meaningful and rewarding experience that simply can’t be rivaled. The love and affection between horse owners and their animals is astounding–it’s no joke when riders say their horse is their best friend.

Congratulations on deciding to take the step of adding a horse to your life! By now, you’ve made plenty of hard decisions, such as choosing the right horse and finding an ideal environment for him. But now it’s time to interact with your horse. Interaction can be intimidating regardless of how much equine experience you have.

In the second story of the highly acclaimed Horse Gone Silent Trilogy, sweet Emma Sterling is living a storybook life filled by horses, friends, and her loving parents Julia and Chase. Then, without warning, young Emma’s heart is shattered when her father returns home from military duty a completely changed person. Emma’s innocence and family’s future are threatened as her mother desperately attempts to save them from a viscous emotional struggle that may destroy them all.

Jo Anne Normile was not supposed to keep the foal, an exuberant Thoroughbred with only a few white hairs on his reddish-brown forehead. But she fell in love with the young horse, who had literally been born into her arms. The breeder finally said she could keep the colt, whom she nicknamed "Baby" - but only if she raced him. It was difficult to take Baby away from the safety of his pasture. But Normile had made a promise.

In more than a century of American Thoroughbred racing, only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, all won in the same season). Veteran turf writer and racing historian Edward L. Bowen takes us through the rich history of one of the most formidable and exciting challenges in all of sport. Bowen covers the trainers, owners, and jockeys who etched their names into the annals of thoroughbred racing, and the “lucky 13” who captured all three jewels of the Triple Crown, racing’s most prestigious prize.

With a show-jumping career spanning over 40 years, Nick Skelton is a legend in the equestrian world. No other rider has won so many major competitions on so many different horses, and he is as popular at Olympia and Hickstead as he is at Aachen, Geneva, Paris and Spruce Meadows. In 2000 Skelton was forced into retirement after he broke his neck. But following an amazing recovery, he came out of retirement in 2002. Now he tells the full story of his eventful life and matchless achievements.

Building a barrel horse and training program is essential to being competitive in the industry. You need to understand all aspects of this exciting sport to be able to train properly and set yourself up around each barrel. There are many components of riding a barrel horse, and in this series, we will be giving you all of the top tricks, tips, and training drills you need to become an expert barrel racer with time and practice to become a successful horseman or woman and execute your barrels.

If you've always dreamed of starting a young horse under saddle but are uncomfortable with traditional horse breaking or horse training techniques that assume all horses are the same, this short book is for you. If you're a seasoned equestrian looking for a better way, you'll enjoy trying some of the ideas here too. There are some easy ways you can set up for success with your horseback riding project to keep both you and your horse happy and wanting to learn more together.

Round Penning: First Steps to Starting a Horse: The changes you can make in the round pen are amazing - but training there is about much more than simply running a horse in circles. There are objective and progressive steps. This guide to the proven methods of John Lyons shows you exactly what to do, in which specific order, and why. How to Start a Horse: Bridling to 1st Ride, Step-by-Step: This book offers objective training for the unbroken horse, from first-time bridling and saddling to sacking out, bridle work from the ground, pre-mount work, and your first ride.

Laura Hillenbrand beautifully renders this breathtaking saga of one horse's journey from also-ran to national luminary. Seabiscuit: An American Legend is an inspiring tale of unlikely heroes, a classic story of three embattled individuals overcoming the odds in the Great Depression.