Not Just Horse Riding

What is an Equestrian?

The United States Equestrian Federation or USEF formerly bore the name of American Horse Shows Association. USEF is the national foremost institution which handles the equestrian sports that there are in the United States. Among those equestrian sports which the Untied States Equestrian Federation administers include the eventing, dressage driving, hunt seat equitation, endurance riding, hunting, jumping, roadster, paralympic, reigning, vaulting, saddle seat equitation, trail, western equitation, and several other related equestrian events.

The job scope of the USEF is so vast that it is a recognized governing body in equestrian related activities. The following are the job functions and scope of USEF.

The breed shows such as the Lusitano, Andalusian, Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, half-Arabian, Friesian, Connemara, Hackney, American Saddlebred, Morgan, Paso Fino, National Show Horse, Shetland, and the Welsh breeds that are practically conducted in the whole of the Untied States are all governed by none other that the United States Equestrian Federation.

It is also the task of the United States Equestrian Federation to closely monitor the yearly points earned by the competitors in the horse shows and other related events. The points are actually accrued by the individual horse shows all throughout the year. USEF then renders special awards to the winners and their merits are based on the accumulated points. The points are summed up at the end of every year. The horse shows which are under the wings of the United States Equestrian Federation are rated with AA, A, B, or C ratings. The shows that earn the AA ratings are those which are considered to be the most prominent ones in the country and big prizes come at stake too. However, those shows which are rated with a C are those called local horse shows and of course, a lesser amount of money is specified for a prize.

The other governing organizations that work hand in hand with USEF are the United States Hunter/Jumper Association or USHJA, the United States Dressage Federation or USDF, and the United States Eventing Association or USEA. All of the competitions which are spearheaded by the abovementioned governing organizations are ruled by the bylaws set by USEF itself.

A Brief History of the United States Equestrian Federation

Everything started to boil up in January 20 of the year 1917 when the delegates from various horse shows set up a meeting in New York City. The council was then governed by Reginald C. Vanderbilt. The council's main goal was to unify all horse shows and to conduct clean competitions inside the horse show ring. They then solidified the organization under the banner of the Association of American Horse Shows and upon its initial meeting in the year 1918; exemplary organizers of the twenty six prestigious horse shows were all present. By the year 1924, the then twenty six horse show members increased to sixty seven.

By February 1933, its original name of Association of American Horse Shows, Inc. was altered to a new one, the American Horse Shows Association, Inc. It was in 2003 that the United States Equestrian Team merged with the United States of America Equestrian to form a new national governing body and the name United States Equestrian Federation or USEF came into being.

It is the USEF that provides an all out support to all equestrian sportspersons, establishes a clear future for all equestrians, and endorses international excellence in the horse sports field.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Equestrian Books

Becoming an equestrian takes more hands-on learning than book reading. However, getting great equestrian books would definitely help you on your way. Books, after all, are time-tested ways to pass on knowledge from those who have it to those who need it. Today, there are a lot of different books floating around. How exactly do you choose which book to buy?

1) Look for expertise - a great equestrian book should be written by a great equestrian. It is said that you cannot judge a book by its cover. However, you might want to check the back cover of a book for the name of the author before you buy it. If you want knowledge on how to become a great equestrian, you might want to check out if the source of that knowledge is reliable.

Expertise is pretty hard to judge. There are certain "greats" in the world of horse riding but who would not be able to pass the knowledge on to other people. Because of this, you should still be the one to tell whether or not the author has the ability to show you how to become a great equestrian.

2) Judge your own knowledge - looking for the "best" equestrian book requires that you first examine yourself. How much do you actually know? What do you think you still need to know? It is impossible for a book to cover everything about a subject in full detail. You need to examine yourself and find out what you truly need.

The main purpose of buying a book is to gain knowledge. What knowledge would you gain from a book if it contains nothing that you do not know already?

3) Check your budget - of course, books can be quite pricey. Because of this, you might want to check your budget before buying a book. The Internet today provides a lot of information regarding every subject and you can use this as an alternative. However, if you truly want to make sure of the knowledge you gain, a book is your best chance. You might want to start saving up your money, then.

4) Research - before buying a book, you might want to make sure that it actually contains something you can use. You could try borrowing a copy. This will allow you to skim through the book and get the information you need. If this is not possible, you might just want to research on the Internet regarding what the book is all about. You can read reviews, check out ratings and recommendations in order to see if the book is really worth the investment.

Research plays a key role in making great buys. Just make sure that you have an idea of what a book is all about before buying it. George Orwell's "Animal Farm", for example will not be able to help you in raising horses.

5) Read - a book is useless if you do not read it. Just buying an equestrian book does not make you more knowledgeable in matters pertaining to horses. You need to actually utilize the resource. A lot of people make the assumption that if they have the book, they will be able to consult it any time they need a bit of knowledge. This is wrong. You need to learn as much as you can from the book.

Visit Our Site

Equestrian careers

There are just people who have fallen in love with horses. They may be both young and old, man or woman. It is not a new scenario to see a kid who asks for a pony as a birthday gift. For them, it feels like heaven just to spend some time with their beloved animals. There are even instances when they can't spend a day without having to visit their pet's stable. No wonder, many individuals have turned out to be equestrians.

If you live your day breathing horses, sleeping with them, eating with them, going for adventures with them, then perhaps you happen to realize that you can start off a career with it. Equestrian careers are common not only in the United States but in many other countries as well. You can always land yourself in a useful career in the horse industry and get on with a better way of spending your daily routines.

In the past years, surveys have showed that there are nearly seven million horses in the United States alone and the more it gives rewarding opportunities for the horse lovers. The American Horse Council further points out that it supports an estimated 1.4 million full time jobs for the equestrians. The horse industry features a wide spectrum of equestrian careers ranging from the hands-on tasks of large animal veterinarian up to those that include becoming a supplement and feeds distributor. Other equestrian careers are research, breeding, showing, education, health, recreation, product manufacturing, and a lot other service industries. Sure enough, you would find something that would be perfectly appropriate for you.

So, how can you possibly gauge the rightful opportunity that is most apt for you as an equestrian? Before you practically send out your resumes to the horse industry related offices, you first need to seek out the opportunity or career that would suit you best. You need time to attend to this. As much as you want to be employed as a veterinarian or technician, no one in his right state of mind would surely hire you if you can't show the documents that would serve as your credentials. Hence, take time to research on the various equestrian careers, then find out the requirements for those and then work on how you would be able to earn the credentials. Trainings and certificates are most likely needed.

Here are some of the questions that you would have to ask yourself.

What do you really want for a career involving horses? What are you most fond of doing? Are you much in contact with these animals? Or would you rather go for a job that includes working in some supporting field? Here are the pros and cons for them.

The supporting field role can make you earn more because the job is more stable, requires you to report in the regular hours, and of course, you have the benefits to be enjoyed. Meanwhile, a hands-on equestrian career can provide you with more flexible and greater chances of getting in full contact with your favored animals.

What degree of education can you boast of? You would need trainings and the right education in order to get admitted into the horse industry careers. If you prefer to be a barn manager, a horse trainer, a riding instructor, or perhaps a public relations expert, a vet, or a writer, then seek out the required trainings or degrees for them.

It is important that you know your goals especially when you are eyeing for an equestrian career. If you keep in focus, then you'll be successful in the end.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Equestrian Christmas

Every year comes the holiday season. It is deemed to be the perfect time of giving and sharing. Gifts are not measured by the sizes of their boxes or by the lavishness of their wrappers. The thought that comes with the giving is what matters the most. Christmas cards bear the thoughts that you want to share to your loved ones. Of course, you want something unique this time, right? These Christmas cards are better appreciated if it comes as a fruit of your labor. Why should you purchase the traditional Christmas cards from the department stores and be like the rest of the individuals who seem not to pay attention to the authenticity of the message therein? With this, a homemade Christmas card would be far better off.

If you are an equestrian by heart, then perhaps you can make use of this concept to create a valuable Christmas card for the holiday season. As you are very much aware of, the Christmas cards have been a part of the human tradition. Every single folklore adopts the Christmas card giving up to this date. Put yourself into the shoes of the recipient of a homemade Christmas card. Isn't it very pleasing to receive one unique card and yet a product of one's hard labor? Now that you are not an alien to the feeling, you can be more inspired to come up with a magnificent creation with an equestrian theme for a Christmas card.

No matter how busy you may be, you can still produce a masterpiece out of your passion as an equestrian. It doesn't matter whether being an equestrian is merely your fancy or your career path itself. What is necessary is that you have a profound idea on how to conceptualize and start off with your holiday freebie.

Follow the mentioned steps below and you are on your way to giving out the best equestrian Christmas cards ever.

Step One - Print

The personal touch to the Christmas card plays a major role. You have to write your personal message and greetings. To add more personalized adornments, include your equestrian photo or any graphics which are equestrian-related. You can just simply print out these photos and use them to produce as many cards as you wish to. You don't have to book an appointment with a professional photographer for this. Any candid shot of yours would do.

Step Two - Do the collage.

Instead of the traditional positioning of the photos and other related stuffs, you can opt for a collage. It is a more artistic way of organizing the designs and materials that you are going to employ for your Christmas cards. You may likewise add some equestrian stuff such as boot leather material, horse hair, and the likes.

If you have plenty of time for your masterpiece creation, you can start with an organized draft of your materials, cut them out into several pieces, and then reassemble them in an artistic manner. You may add ribbons, sequins, glitters, and colored glues for the background or for insets. Just let go of your creative juices and have your imagination go really wild.

Step Three - Come up with Delicious Fillings

Of course, not only should the outside look enticing but the inside as well. Come up with a personal Christmas greeting. You may include humorous quotes and other attractive characters to make the inside page very interesting.

Now it's time to send them out. The pleasure is all yours as you receive commendations for a job well done. Enjoy your equestrian Christmas card venture!

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Equestrian Events

Loving the competition--this is presumably the very motto of men. They do enjoy any form of competition. The competition that they take too much interest in range from the simple basketball games wherein they bet for their own favored teams to bring home the bacon and down to enlisting themselves as members of a specific sports event team and work on taking home the victory.

Now there is another addiction that men would die for and that is rodeo. When asked which variety of rodeo they engage themselves in, most of them would give a ringing answer of barrel racing. Why would they not love it when really engaging women are the ones who are participating in the sports league? This then is one of the main reasons that influences them to also pay attention to equestrian events.

Equestrian events showcase the participant's speed. Perhaps one more reason as to why men patronize equestrian events is because they get to witness women competing against men in this sport of speed. Isn't it too enticing and astounding to see pretty women who are too talented to enlist themselves in such kind of sport which had been for long a time regarded as a man's stuff? But of course, there are innumerable men who are equestrians themselves.

There are several other kinds of equestrian events that men can join and be good at. It is very very important that they know how to choose the appropriate horses to ride on. Safety and comfort are two of the key factors to consider. When one talks about competition, the very thing that comes into the mind is winning. What is the sense of a competition if no one can be declared as the winner, right?

This just makes all sorts of competition pretty exciting. And in order to win, the horse's condition plays a major role. Just take reigning as an example. Reigning is an equestrian event that features the rider completing a pattern set while on board his horse. The pattern includes difficult obstacles wherein various maneuvering must be finished off with ease and confidence.

Other important equestrian events which are most sought after and which deserve to be noted are The National Horse Shows, the Olympia London International Horse Show, and the Arabian Horse Show.

The National Horse Show caters to all equestrians in the United States who have all the intentions of showing off what they've got. It is organized by the National Horse Show Association of America and is held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club that is located in Wellington, Florida. Thousands of spectators come around to witness the competition. The event is focused on the display of horsemanship. As an equestrian sport, the main goal is for the competitors to show off their excellence in the said field.

The Olympia London International Horse Show on the other hand is held in London, England annually in the month of December. Elite people who own the elite horses join this prestigious equestrian event. The common categories in the competition are the dressage or the show jumping.

The Arabian Horse Show that is sponsored by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona is a tough competition for the equestrian and a lot of money is involved as the price.

Equestrian events are really that interesting. No wonder, men are passionate enough to indulge in all of these.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Equestrian Helmets

Equestrian helmets may not be the biggest fashion sensation today, but there are some stories behind them. The distinctive style of the helmet, kept even in these days of modern materials and cutting-edge design, still reflects the tradition of conservatism proliferated by the early English riding headdress.

Unlike their predecessors, however, equestrian helmets of today serve a purpose beyond making people look good: safety. Not many people realize this, but competitive horse riding is a sport that can be fraught with danger. This is the reason why helmets of today are designed and standardized to make sure that a rider does not suffer serious cranial injuries when riding.

The helmet itself has an outer layer of plastic, which resists impact and prevents injuries in case of a fall. However, some helmets are designed with a cloth covering the shiny plastic in order to make the helmet look more attractive.

The brim of the helmet is designed to protect the eyes of the rider form the harsh glare of the sun. It also makes the helmet more attractive in terms of design. However, the brim is not made of the same materials as the "shell" of the helmet. Rather, it is designed to crumple during a fall. This makes the helmet safer in event a rider lands on the brim.

The inside of the helmet is designed with both comfort and safety in mind. Added padding makes sure that the helmet takes the brunt of the impact in case of a fall. The design is also very sport-specific: one of the reasons why an equestrian helmet is easily recognizable.

The design of the helmet makes sure that the whole head is protected. This is unlike bicycle or skating helmets, which focus the protection in the front and back of the head. It is also designed with the comfort of the rider in mind, with ventilation and positioning factored into the overall aesthetics.

There are many variations on the equestrian helmet based on the competition. Horseracing jockeys, for instance, wear helmets that are brimless and covered with a cloth matching the color scheme of their uniforms. Traditionalists frown upon the spreading use of brilliant colored helmets, but more and more people find the colors black, brown and gray boring.

There are also some varieties of equestrian helmets today that have been adapted to more "western" designs. These helmets, however, are yet to be embraced by riders in rodeos (where they are obviously more needed).

Standardization varies form country to country. However, a rider who joins a competition must have a standard helmet or that rider will not be allowed to compete. People who have performed a "conformity assessment" judge whether the helmet is up to standard

The conformity assessment is a series of tests that show how safe the helmet is. Some assessments involve various tests that simulate a rider falling from a horse and even getting kicked by a horse in the head.

Today, the equestrian helmet is not yet required for riders. However, they are becoming common practice. In fact, riding instructors today are required by insurance companies to make their students wear riding helmets in order to get an insurance policy. Some people may feel that equestrian helmets are uncomfortable and hot, but you should always remember that these helmets keep you safe.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Taking Care Of Our Horses

Equestrian Supplies: The Horse Grooming Kit

Apart from the horses clothing equestrians should also take care of their horses. After all, the performance of the horse has a major impact on the scores. No matter what sports the horse is going to participate he must be well prepared before the event. This entails not just proper but also grooming. Riders are not the only ones who should look their best but also the horse. There are many supplies out there for the horse. Riders have a wide array of choices for their horses.

One of the most important of these supplies is the grooming kit. This is an essential kit when grooming and preparing the horse. With it riders will be able to maintain their horse's coat in good condition. This will also be a good time for them to check for any injuries, scratches and bruises on the horse. Grooming will also massage the horse and promote circulation.

Horse care

The grooming kit is made up of different combs and brushes to keep the horse clean. Each of these combs and brushes has a different purpose when cleaning the horse.

These are some of the basic brushes and combs in a grooming kit:

Dandy brush
These brushes are used to remove dirt on the surface of your horse's coat. They are used in the less sensitive parts of the horse. This brush has long bristles.

Body Brush
These brushes can be either hard or soft depending on your need. They have leather back. It is used to remove grease and dusts from you're horse' coat. They can be used in the sensitive areas of your horse's body.

Metal curry comb
This is not used on the horse but is rather used to clean the body brush when grooming. It removes dust and dirt from the brush so that you can use it again on the horse.

Rubber Curry Comb
They remove mud and loose hair from the mane and tail of your horse.

Water Brush
You are going to use water when washing or dampening your horse's coat. This brush is used when applying water on your horse.

Mane comb
As the name suggests these are combs used on the main and tail of your horse. They come in plastic and metal. There are variations of these combs for different purposes. Short metal combs are used for pulling manes. Other special combs are used to cut the mane thinner.

Hoof pick
They are used for removing dirt and stones that are packed into your horse's hooves. Dirt and stones usually collect on the underside of your horse's hooves when you go riding or when he's out there in the field. The hoof pick can be easily lost under your grooming kit so it's advisable to type in a baline twine.

Cotton Sponge
Used for cleaning the eyes, nose and wounds of your horse.

Sweat scraper
Wipe away sweat from the horse or excessive water when washing.

Stale rubber
Used for doing the finishing touches on the horse. They are used for polishing the coat of the horse. Stake rubber or linen cloth can be used.

Grooming kit box
Last but not the least, is the kit box. It can be any container or bag with ample storage for the brushes. You can also use a canvas bag with a drawstring.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

Equestrian Singles

Not Just Horse Lovers

A horse lover, or any animal lover, would want to find someone who likes horses like themselves. While it may seem petty for some people, an equestrian who ends up with someone who dislikes horses or does not understand their partner's passion for horses is doomed to have a lot of potential relationship problems in the future. Weird but I've heard of some people feeling jealous of the partner's love and attention towards their horse. That is why horse lovers would want to find someone who shares the same love for the animal. But where do equestrian singles meet and mingle?

A primary venue where equestrians may find other equestrians is in a horse show or competition. There are also local horse-riding groups in the community which conduct meetings with members. Through regular meetings and competitions, you get the chance to see other horse-loving people in your area.

Unfortunately, few people find love in these places. Because horse riding is a competitive sport, it is hard to develop any romantic feelings for anyone in such arena.

That is why there are websites where horse-loving single men and women can meet. Through online dating websites, many couples have met and found "true love." The site works by asking any single adult horse lover to register and upload details for his profile. Or he can be asked to make a personal ad through video. The information is added to the database which members browse through. If they are attracted to anyone of the other members of the website, he may send messages to the person, and later on, meet her.

Aside from the regular online dating services, some sites have special match-making services. Using the information that you provided, the host website runs a program which can then check which couples have more potential of becoming lovers than others. Once they've found your "match," they would then set you up on a date.

Some websites are not mere dating sites but online equestrian communities where people with the same passion and love for horses meet and exchange ideas. Upcoming events in the community are posted in the website, so people will know if there will be a show, rodeo or competition anytime soon. They also have chat rooms and forums, perfect venues for equine lovers to interact and talk more.

Here's a word of caution, though. Never give personal details of yourself like your name, work or home address, and others, unless you've developed a deeper trust with the other person. The thing is, you are the only person to judge if the other person is trustworthy or not. You need to trust your instincts and be mindful of all details that you may gather. If your gut tells you that he is lying, then it is better to stop communicating with him during such early stages. Learn to be more attentive, and at times, investigate on the background of the other person.

Like horses, relationships have needs, too. As horses need to be fed and cared for, relationships need to be nurtured and loved. Meeting equestrian singles, in any possible way, is just the first step. If you want to develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with someone, you have to work on it. Soon enough, you will find your special someone to share love with.

To read more on equestrian riders or supplies Visit Our Site

New Del.icio.us bookmarks

How To Sell Marijuana Legally In California | Fresno Famous

How To Open A Marijuana Dispensary In California, Cannabis in California: How To Sell Marijuana Legally In California

How To Sell Marijuana Legally In California | Gather

How To Sell Marijuana Legally In California? - Bakotopia - The Bakersfield You've Always Wanted!

Cannabis Times Magazine – Hottest Cannabis News, Articles, Photos and Videos

Powered by Del.icio.us

Great Stuff on Amazon

101 Dressage Exercises for Horse & Rider

New Horse Photos

dream dreams

DSC_0036

DSC_0023

DSC_0018

DSC_0021

DSC_0031

DSC_0027

DSC_0020

DSC_0028

DSC_0033

Powered by Flickr

YouTube

Runtime:
views
Comments:

powered by YouTube

Do You Like Horses?

What is your favorite thing?

Lensmaster

LindaW wrote...

Lots of useful information - looks like you really did your homework, but please check your spelling of "Riding" in your title.

Posted February 05, 2009

(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed)Available together i more...0 points

Cool Sites.

Got Gas?: Discover a new method for gasoline for cars
Debt Relief Method: Get out of debt by using the "Debt Relief Method"
Easy Work: Need work online, it's as easy as Easy Work.
Order custom built cabinets for your kitchen: Buy custom built cabinetry online and save thousands, have them delivered to your doorstep in four weeks.
Budget Travel: You don't need to save up for two years to take a four day travel trip, find out how...
Weight Loss: World's best weight loss medication, order online and save thousands.
Buy It Online.: Everything from dirt to keeper forever, check it out...
Equestrians, not just horse riders: Equine horse riding is about to be a lost sport. With all this new technology and people moving towards the future, Equestrian sports are becoming extinct.I guess that's life, You can't ride a horse in town,...

None

bay area equestrian, iron horse, wild equestrian games, rocky horse, equestrian supplies, horse names, horse training, horse rescue, horse training, equestrian store, equestrian clothing, horse boarding, equestrian tack, saddle, saddles, ridding, horse ridding, ridding lessons, ridding equipment, equine products, bridle, ridding lessons, ridding equipment, horse ridding equipment, equine supplies, ridding schools, horse schools, equestrian schools, equestrian college, equestrian training, horse lessons, equestrian jumping, equestrian ridding, ridding horse, horse equine, equine equestrian, equestrian rider, pony horse, western equestrian, equestrian pictures: bay area equestrian, iron horse, wild equestrian games, rocky horse, equestrian supplies, horse names, horse training, horse rescue, horse training, equestrian store, equestrian clothing, horse boarding, equestrian tack, saddle, saddles, ridding, horse ridding, ridding lessons, ridding equipment, eq

Not Just Horse Riding

What is an Equestrian?

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Equestrian Books

Equestrian careers

Equestrian Christmas

Equestrian Events

Equestrian Helmets

Taking Care Of Our Horses

Equestrian Singles

Not Just Horse Lovers

New Del.icio.us bookmarks

Great Stuff on Amazon

New Horse Photos

YouTube

Do You Like Horses?

What is your favorite thing?

New Amazon Voting (Plexo)

1

2

3

4

5

6

Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila: Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

Cool Sites.

None

by DebtElliminator

Related Topics

Favorited By

About DebtElliminator

DebtElliminator's Pages

About Squidoo

Help & Feedback

Support Charity

Fancy meeting you here.

Loading Workshop

Report this Lens

Login

Join Squidoo for free!