Welcome to the Year of Youth's equestrian blog for youth riders, horse lovers and horsey people. Join in the discussion on facebook, twitter, myspace, bebo and flikr.

Everyone knows the beauty of dressage and the edge of jumping. Dressage is so graceful and beautiful and show jumping keeps people on the edge of their seat watching jump after jump, seeing the horse glide off the tall fences acting as if they do it in their sleep. People who don’t ride look at riding as being sitting on a horse. That’s when all equestrians think ‘I would like to see them try and jump that double oxer, or do a perfect pirouette’. Some people at my school think that riding isn’t a sport and that soccer is. In my opinion I think that horses could beat a soccer ball in one bite…literally. But that is only my opinion.

If you really look closely at a higher level equestrian ride you can see the harmony between horse and rider how the rider adds silent aids and you can barely see them to make the horse do what they want. Most of us aren’t at that level, we still use kicking and louder aids that the eye can still see. But that isn’t a bad thing, if you put enough effort and time into it you to could be a dressage rider that people will be squinting at, and have their face up to their computer looking for a single movement in either your hands of legs and they still won’t be able to see it. To me dressage is like a dance, the rider adds the steps but the horse preforms it.

Show jumping on the other hand is still beautiful, but in a different way than dressage. Jumpers, as well as dressage riders work hard. But their riding isn’t as quiet as dressage. Show Jumping is fast and furious but at the same time graceful. The horse can’t dart around the arena like a bullet and make sloppy jumps and knock bars down. They do like speed but the rider still manages to get the horse over the jump neatly…most of the time. There are other times with both styles that the rides get ugly. Like in dressage missing a step, spooking, accidently “exiting” the arena. And as for jumping falling off (at a very fast speed) or knocking the jump. All these are disappointing but the best thing to think when this happens whether you’re a FEI level rider, just riding for fun, or you’re somewhere inbetween, just remember, never give up because that gets you nowhere, just get back up and in the saddle and try again.

Erin Reidy

Horses are always the best kind of friend. They don’t judge you on how you dress or how you look. They won’t abandon you like some people do, and they won’t break your heart. If you’re a rider you would know how your horse becomes much more than just a pet, they become a friend for life. Selling your horse or moving away from your horse is like giving away or leaving your family. Your horse gets so used to seeing you and they love how you know exactly where to scratch them.

When you really love your horse you won’t sell them or donate them when they get hurt or go lame. You will always be by their side when they need you. You get so attached to them they become your best friend, they will never dislike you or treat you badly on purpose. Some people say “Oh well my horse messed it up” when it was their fault, it is never the horse’s fault, the horse never tries to make you mess up, the horse never tries to spook and your horse definitely does not try to hurt you. People tend to blame their horses even when they know it is completely their own fault. It’s kind of like blaming your pencil for making you fail a test. Stupid right?

Horses are still animals, they aren’t robots, they still have a mind of their own. To them, a squirrel might be the scariest thing ever, or maybe the trailer looks like a big monster trying to eat them, they don’t understand that those things are harmless and you can’t blame them for that. They do a lot for you. So when you get mad at your horse or just feel like asking them for something impossible, just remember horses can always surprise you. My old pony Skipper refused every single jump I pointed her at and when ever she jumped long I would fall off. But 6 months later my friends and I had a lesson and I was just supposed to work so I was wearing my jeans with my riding boots. But Jessica wanted me to jump so I tacked up. At the end of that lesson Skipper and I had jumped a 3 foot fence. I never thought she could do it but she had it in her and I just needed to believe in her.

She lives in Nevada now and I am in Singapore but Skip will always be in my heart.

As part of the FEI Year of Youth we’re asking young equestrians to get involved with the Year of Youth blog.  Here Lisa Stock respects her elders and celebrates the golden oldies of the equine world.. 

The older our horses become, the more we understand the need to give them more care and attention! Candy my beautiful pony does not look a day over 21 but in fact he is in his 28^th year and is as energetic and troublesome as ever!

I decided it was time to set up a Facebook group dedicated to our golden oldies, and what a great response I had! It seems there are many of you out there that also own an older horse who is happy and healthy and living their life to the full. So far the oldest horse mentioned is ‘The chaser’ who is 34 years old and still looking gorgeous. Working up until he was 30, winning XC, ‘The Chaser’ shows how old horses can still be in great shape. Owner Melanie explains on the group how she is keeping him so active, with a great balanced diet and knowledgeable horsemanship!

Here are a few great pics posted on the group:

Old horses should be treasured and loved unconditionally. Candy has been around longer than I have and has taught me so much about caring for horses and the art to riding. Without him, I am not too sure where I would be… Would I love equestrianism as much? I don’t think so, he is one in a million and deserves all the love he receives!

If you have an older horse make sure you join the Facebook group “Golden Oldies” and get involved in our chats. It would be great to hear more stories and advice from other equestrians!

Lisa x

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