Combined Driving -Horse Sport for Everyone

In terms of dates the Combined Driving is a newer sport in the U.S. horsemanship world, but in terms of history, it is not. In 1970 Prince Philip, after retiring from playing polo, developed the first International rules for Combined Driving which were set in play at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The sport has roots in the maneuvers military teams cross country and in crowded spaces, the elegance of the days before our highways were filled with cars, and the excitement  of an old western stagecoach run. … Continue Reading

George Morris, Coaches at WEG and Reining

Each time I approach a new article written by George Morris I hope it’s the one that I can agree with.   So far, each time, I’m disappointed.  That’s partially because I can’t abide by someone who takes foundational principals and tweaks them with his own definition; such as George Morris’ definition of base of support (see  my July 8, 2009 post “What Do You Base Your Support On?”)  , and I extremely dislike short cuts that replace good horsemanship traditions (see my July 15, 2009 post “Evolution of the Crest Release”  ).   But I’ve come to a third conclusion with new Practical Horseman Magazines series  “Classical Riding with George Morris”. … Continue Reading

French Cavalry School Article

What Has British Petroleum (BP) Got to Do With America’s Mustangs Part 2

Normally more time elapses before I make the next post to U.S. Horsemanship but current issues in our government with our horses warrant expediency.  At the top pf this blog I’ve added the 2nd in a two part series of videos “The Mustang Conspiracy”.  This has more findings about big industry’s involvement in the destruction of our free roaming wild horses. … Continue Reading

What Has Brisitish Petroleum (BP) Got to Do With America’s Mustangs?

Whether you are a fan of the American Mustang or not; whether you believe they are wild horses or feral horses or replants of the original horses in America, it would be hard to say that the Mustang is not part of American history. The Nevada Wild Horse site web http://www.kbrhorse.net/whb/blmnev.html tells us … Continue Reading

Pony Express

By Barbara Ellin Fox

I loved westerns as a kid.  If it had a horse in I watched it.  Those old  movies really glorified the cowboy way and I think the Pony Express must be one one the most romanticized pieces of American West history.  It ranks right up there with the story of Jesse James.  But romantic or not, the Pony Express rider is an image of the American rider and American grit. … Continue Reading