Photo by Abigail Asiatico.What brought you to the world of show horses? There are a million and one possibilities as to why riders participate in the sport, but once here, all riders experience the same thing. Physical ability is only half the battle; having a game face and the mental capacity to perform is equally as critical. No matter the level of competition, it takes mental balance to be the best rider you can be.

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It’s that time of year again. Tune-ups are popping up nationwide, bridle paths are trimmed, tack cleaned, trailers reorganized, and suits refitted. Horses coming off a long winter break are reshod and treated like royalty. The happiest ones are conditioned for the season, fed the most quality food, and exercised against the most meticulous workout plans.

Equestrians spend most of their time on horse fitness, while their own fitness tends to take a backseat. And yet, rider fitness is an essential part of riding effectively and correctly. If you know how it feels to trot on a park horse, you'll know that one rail can feel like a mini marathon. We owe it to our horses to feel confident and well-balanced in the saddle. The good news? Getting in shape for show season is as simple as being aware of our body so we can have the space to be aware of the horse.

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Lateral flexion is the start of a beautiful circle. Photo by Allie LayosWhen it comes to horseback riding, it’s easy to disregard geometry. But, beyond the beauty of forward motion, the expertise of equitation and the exquisite engine that is the saddle horse, the art of mathematics shapes what we create between the ears.

And by “shapes” we mean that quite literally.

The circle may be the most profound shape of riding. The round chord, where all curved lines are equal distances from the center point, is so much more than a shape. It’s a test of contact, an indication of awareness, and an understanding of consistent rhythm. Circles build confidence and strength. Horse and rider must be subtle, stride by stride, with cues and adjustments.

The circle defines patience, precision and bend. On horseback, the circle becomes art.

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Photo by Julia Shelburne-HittiIt’s time to sell your horse or buy one, and you have the equivalent of sticker shock. If you’re selling, quoted prices sound low and if you’re buying, they sound high. The business of buying and selling horses is not easily relatable to other businesses, and it can be a steep learning curve for those new to the marketplace. The majority of Saddlebred owners buy and sell through professional trainers who act as agents in the transactions and receive commissions, somewhat like real estate, but not exactly. It’s often confusing for newbies, and frustrating even for veteran owners.

Google says the term “horse trading” has a bad reputation, “. . . due to the difficulties in evaluating the merits of a horse offered for sale.” I won’t argue with Google’s assessment. Pricing horses can be tricky, but does it have to be a bad or difficult experience? Not as long as you seek advice, do your homework, and have realistic expectations.

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Photo by Julia Shelburne-Hitti“It’s never the horse’s fault.”

If you’ve never heard this phrase, you’ve probably never taken a riding lesson. It is the mantra of riding instructors everywhere – one of the first concepts new riders are taught as they learn to tack, mount, lead and ride their horses. But is this an over-correction to a world where excuses run rampant, or does it really mean what it says? Even at the highest levels of riding, is it really never the horse’s fault?

To answer this question you have to dig a bit deeper into what the statement means – and what it doesn’t.

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