P A
ublisher’s Welcome
Trickle-Down Equinomics
new era has just begun in the U.S, starting with the hunter/jumper/equitation disciplines. As of December 1, 2017, in order to be eligible for earning USEF/USHJA points and awards all horses must be microchipped. Ten as of next December, all horses
competing at USHJA-sanctioned shows must be microchipped, period. Tis is good news, in my opinion, especially for our breeding community. As we phase into a process that identifies and records all sport horses, we won’t lose track of young horses as they move on to their performance careers. And, without a doubt, the other disciplines will soon follow in the pioneering footsteps of the USHJA. In case you weren’t aware, the microchip requirement actually began at the international level by the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) in 2013, requiring all horses obtaining new registrations with them (passports) to have a microchip. Tankfully, ‘trickle-down equinomics’ is at play, and now most of the breed associations are getting on board with the microchip
requirement to register young horses. Tree years ago, as a first and only one-time breeder, it didn’t occur to me to microchip my newborn filly. Had my repro vet recommended it, I would have had it done that year. Had the breed registry required it for foal registration, I surely would have had it done then. As a coming three-year-old, I will be microchipping her for sure this year. So times are changing, and for the better. If you’re a breeder or young horse owner, I encourage you to read this issue’s Warmblood Whoas column on page 89, where Summer
Stoffel has a candid message (and good advice) about ways to improve the marketing and sales of North American-breds, ultimately keeping more purchasing dollars on this side of the Atlantic. Much of her advice boils down, or trickles down, to the responsibility of the breeder/owner of young horses, including their identification. As Summer points out, one major weakness for breeding and selling horses, and probably the most challenging to fix, is the lack of
good young horse trainers on this continent. When you experience riding a so-called trained young horse who doesn’t have the basic concepts of going forward and straight to an accepting contact and who can’t stretch properly in relaxation, you begin to understand the severity of the issue. Last year, I was asked to ride two such young horses, ages six and ten (who had been a broodmare and therefore started late), trained by two different young professionals. I was, quite frankly, disappointed and dismayed to find both horses lacked proper basics. Tis is a perfect example of where trickle-down equinomics applies: our young horse trainers need more education and experience,
guided by the many talented professionals we have, whether it’s one-on-one or in a more formal school atmosphere. It’s a challenge that must be overcome if we hope to be competitive with Europe. So when we heard about up-and-coming riders doing well in the different disciplines, specifically riding young American-breds, we
thought they should be showcased. We selected jumper rider Taylor Flury, eventer Taryn Nolte and young dressage rider Vanessa Creech- Terauds. Check out their stories starting on page 21. Also in this issue, we present the dramatic survival story of a Knabstrupper foal stolen by a mountain lion from his dam, on page 14.
Plus we offer helpful advice from lots of professionals: strategies for “touring” the jumps before starting a course (page 41), understanding flexion and flexibility (page 71), the care and training differences between Iberian horses and Warmbloods (page 47) and the breeding decision process featured in our Conformation Corner column (page 67). So who’s the real beneficiary when it comes to trickle-down equinomics? Te answer is simple: we all benefit, especially our horses. It’s quite a responsibility, breeding sport horses. It’s a serious passion, one I respect and admire. Aſter nine years of publishing
Warmbloods Today, breeding my one-and-only and meeting so many wonderful breeders along the way, my respect and admiration has only grown. Have a joyous and prosperous 2018!
Liz Cornell
editor@warmbloodstoday.com
10 January/February 2018
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, dres- sage, eventing and driving including the Iberian breeds and American Warmbloods.
Ed Haas
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
