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P


ublisher’s Welcome


R Iron Sharpens Iron


ecently sport horse enthusiasts survived yet another World Equestrian Games. Tis year’s Games were, of course, held in France in August and September. Tere were the usual spectator complaints, including queues (lines) that were too long, stadium seats


that were uncomfortable and the many challenges finding transportation. Despite all that, the Games certainly had no shortage of entries. Te number of starting competitors participating in the different


disciplines was much larger than in the most recent Olympics: there were 153 show jumpers, 100 dressage horses and 98 eventers, plus 46 teams totaling 230 horses for the four-in-hand driving—and plenty more in the other disciplines. Tat’s some serious competition! Statistically speaking, the chances for each competitor to earn a medal are lower than my arena’s trotting poles. My guess is that


at least 95 percent didn’t expect to earn a medal. And yet they chose to go to the WEG anyway. Why is that? What attracts riders to participate (costing heaps of money and time), knowing it would take an all-out miracle to beat the likes of Charlotte Dujardin in dressage, Jeroen Dubbeldam in the jumping arena and Michael Jung and William Fox-Pitt in eventing? Here’s my reasoning: • There’s a tremendous sense of pride and honor in making a team to represent your country. (How many of us actually get to


compete with our flag on our saddle pad?) • It’s a great accomplishment to first qualify and then compete with your horse in the world’s toughest competitive environment. • It’s an opportunity to meet other top riders from other countries. • The atmosphere and synergy from being surrounded by great athletes and thousands of spectators can be euphoric and exciting. • As an athlete, it’s the best place to up your own game—to stretch your own boundaries (and your horse’s) to improve skills and


abilities. Focusing on the last point, let’s say you’re a good tennis player, and you play against someone less skilled than yourself. What does


that do for your own tennis game? Not much, but you can bet that you just helped elevate your opponent’s! Reverse the roles and your own skills have a much better chance to improve. When you look at it this way, it’s clear that the 95-plus percent need to go to the WEG. Over thirty years ago, I heard this passage


from the Book of Proverbs and never forgot it: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” If you hope to get to the top, it’s imperative to put yourself out there among the crème de la crème of equestrians, even if no medal is in sight. And for lasting impact, it needs to happen frequently. In many ways, Warmbloods Today strives to be just such an iron-sharpening tool. Articles about people’s individual (and yet


universal) experiences with their horses; viewpoints from top equestrians; tips to keeping our horses happy and healthy; suggestions on better communication between riders, trainers and breeders; and an overall support of the breeds and breeders in North America—providing all this in every issue is our goal. And this edition should not disappoint. You’ll find an interesting bloodline analysis of the WEG’s best horses, some inspirational features and interviews, stress-free methods for weaning foals and an overview of the Belgian Warmblood breed. And as an extra bonus, towards the back of the issue is the latest directory of breeders, which includes over 30 more farms than last year’s directory. Finally, I invite you to check out our new column, “Warmblood Whispers,” which will encourage you to reflect on both the ‘hows’ and the ‘whys’ of equine communication. So whenever you have the opportunity, surround yourself with the best you possibly can, even if that best doesn’t happen to be WEG or Olympic contenders. What’s important is that your iron is sharpened, so that your horse’s will be too.


Liz Cornell editor@warmbloodstoday.com


Our Mission: Warmbloods Today is the leading magazine in North America focused on the entire spectrum of Warmblood breeds. It’s a place where people from all aspects of the sport horse community can come together: amateurs, owners, trainers and breeders. Each issue contains interesting, informative and often heart-warming stories of peoples’ experiences with their horses, along with thought- provoking opinions from various professionals and amateurs. We cover all horses from European descent bred for the sports of jumping, dressage, eventing and driving including the Iberian breeds and American Warmbloods.


12 November/December 2014


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