The Plaid Horse

07/08/2025

“A horse with a strong presence in the ring is one that captures your attention, not only because they move well, but from a brightness in their eye and energy. If you take a horse and dull it down, either mentally by drilling or physically by intense prep, you take away that shine. A horse that is mentally present, happy, and willing will always stand out. So it’s not that you can train it into a horse, but rather we should stop training it out.” -Maureen Myers

“I think of ring presence as the following: Turnout An impeccable clean horse and rider. Including the tack, the horse’s coat, and tailored riding attire. Always polished boots. ConfidenceThe rider has good posture, the horse is correctly on the bit, and they have a calm, forward entrance. The r...

07/08/2025

In this Trainer Tuesday, top professionals share the tools they use to help riders soften, follow the motion, and connect more effectively with their horses.

Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.  This week...

07/08/2025

This Thursday! Join The Plaid Horse’s Publisher, , for Summer Sip & Shop 🥂🛍️

10% of proceeds will go to Camp Courant, the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the United States. See you there!

07/08/2025

The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education as Zoe Lewczak and Lauren Mauldin. Designed to encourage further education among equestrians, this year’s $25,000 scholarship will help two equestrians pursue their higher education goals.

Edited Press Release Lexington, Ky.—July 7, 2025—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the $25,000 Hamel Family Scholarship for Further Education as Zoe Lewczak and Lauren Mauldin. Designed to encourage further education among equestrians, this yea...

07/07/2025

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue delivered a standout performance in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen CSIO5* closing out a week of elite international competition on a high note for the U.S. Jumping Team athletes. The pair finished in second place after jumping three faultless rounds on the final day of competition in Aachen, Germany. Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leonie Jei took the win, while Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Dynamix de Belheme finished in third.

Edited Press Release Aachen, Germany – Laura Kraut and Baloutinue delivered a standout performance in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen CSIO5* closing out a week of elite international competition on a high note for the U.S. Jumping Team athletes. The pair finished in second place after jumping three...

07/07/2025

Every course starts in your mind. Trust in your training, trust in your partner, and you’re well on your way to success.

07/07/2025

The equitation ring isn’t just about polishing perfection. It’s also where riders learn to manage pressure, master technical skills, and see the smallest details that matter in the Grand Prix ring. Baylee McKeever shares how equitation set the stage for her rise in international competition.

Brought to you by The Plaidcast For many junior riders, the equitation ring can feel like the pinnacle of their youth careers. With high-pressure finals, technical tests, and polished presentations, it demands focus and dedication. But for riders like Baylee McKeever, equitation was the beginning. N...

07/07/2025

The rising cost of riding isn’t just about numbers, but also has tough choices families face to keep horses in their children’s lives. Jamie Sindell shares her journey navigating love for the sport, financial reality, and the search for balance.

By JAMIE SINDELL My husband and I constantly have tough conversations on a loop about the money we spend on my oldest daughter’s riding.  It’s embarrassing to admit these horse “problems” spark my insomnia. After all, we have a comfortable lifestyle. What a luxury to stress over training bo...

07/07/2025

Parking information for Plaidcast in Person at the Wadsworth Atheneum 🅿️

Get your free tickets here: theplaidhorse.com/plaidcast

07/07/2025

Boyd and the 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Coco Chanel Z) posted a handy round score of 200 over the Andy Christiansen course design, and she reflected that multiple weeks of preparation culminated in the perfect performance. “We’re always planning, like a couple weeks in advance for a class. Last week I brought her here, and we did a 1.0 m jumper class and a ticketed jumper warm-up, just sort of feeling like we were in the atmosphere and checking where we were.

Edited Press Relese Mill Spring, NC – July 4, 2025 – Friday afternoon, 16 pairs took to the Tryon Stadium for the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Receiving top honors with a total two-round score of 382 was Liza Boyd (USA) aboard Finally Farm LLC’s Ondine D’Orleans. Posting the sec...

07/06/2025

David Arcand of Boisbriand, QC, won the $40,000 RBC Royal Bank Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Saturday, July 5, during the RBC Ottawa Summer Tournament I at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON.

Edited Press Release Ottawa, Ontario – David Arcand of Boisbriand, QC, won the $40,000 RBC Royal Bank Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Saturday, July 5, during the RBC Ottawa Summer Tournament I at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, ON. Riding Phil v/h Wezelse Heihoeve, Arcand was the final ...

07/06/2025

She is 14.2 hands of sheer determination, and proved she might be the fiercest mare on the CCI4* circuit. Haute (aka “Hottie”) and Briggs Surratt turned heads at Kentucky, redefining what a power pony can do at the upper levels of eventing.

By TPH Blog Editor SARAH WELK BAYNUM If you attended the Kentucky Three Day this year, it might have been hard to miss a much smaller version of the equine athletes that went around the most exciting day of the weekend: cross-country day. Briggs Surratt’s mount, Corture, who know as Haute at the b...