Almost wordless Wednesday

Here's a second helping of performance photos from the inaugural British Bridleless Competition. Thank you again to Tarr Steps Service for allowing to use their pictures here. I know I am not the only one who has been inspired by this competition, and I look forward to seeing more bridleless show horses - both real and model - in the future.

The British Bridleless Competition

Last weekend, the first ever British Bridleless Competition was held in Merrist Wood, Guildford.

Created in response to the growing movement of riders who wish to compete without a bridle, this groundbreaking event offered something the UK - and perhaps, the world - has never seen before: a full competition dedicated entirely to bridleless riding.

The competition opened with dressage.

Horses competed at multiple levels, from leadline without a lead all the way to Grand Prix.

Lynne Macleod and Hermes

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to jumping.

Jump heights varied from itty bitty to 1.3 meters.

Multiple safety protocols were in place, and bridles were used in the warm-up arena. In the showring, however, only neck ropes were permitted.

Obviously, I was not in attendance, but I've watched lots of videos from the event. It is striking how relaxed and happy these horses look and how few conflict behaviors are present.

In recent years, I have fallen out of love with most equine competitions, but not this. I absolutely love this.

Congratulations to Mia Rodley, the founder of the British Bridleless Competition, and all the competitors who made its inaugural event such a rousing success. 

This is the way forward for ethical horse sport.

Thank you, also, to Tarr Steps Services for allowing me to share their photos. These pictures are so inspiring. Thank you, everyone! Thank you!

Tack reference Tuesday

A little more than eight years ago, my husband and I spent a day in the Colorado mountains, attending the Leadville Boom Days and Burro Races.

We arrived about an hour before the start of one of the races and spent that time in the pre-race area, meeting the the donkeys, talking to their handlers and taking lots of photos.

At that time, I was still actively running a model horse tack business, so a lot of my attention was focussed on the tack.

Each donkey was required to wear a regulation pack saddle with a pick, shovel, and gold pan.

Most also carried at least one quart of water, food (an energy bar) and weather appropriate clothing (such as a windbreaker). 

Of course, when it came to race time, most of this was covered up by the entrant pinney!

The rules allows use of a "jack chain" - that is a chain or strap that apply pressures over the muzzle, under the chin or through the mouth - but we didn't see any of those. Mostly, it was just a bunch of normal nylon...

and rope halters.

Lead ropes can be up to fifteen feet in length.

Also worth noting, there were a few donkeys outfitted in hoof boots...

and at least one had a camera mounted on his saddle.

Handler attire was what you would expect for a long distance running at altitude in the summer. Beyond athletic shoes - which everyone wore - there were lots of shorts...

and leggings,

gloves...

and ball caps and visors.

Of course, with an event as quirky as this, there are always going to be a few people who really dress for the occasion!

A few more photos just because.

I always thought burro racing would be a really fun event to recreate in 1:9 scale. I probably won't ever get around to doing it, but maybe - hopefully! - these photos will inspire someone else. If that's you, be sure to share pictures of your entry. Even it takes another eight years for it to happen, I'd love to see them!

Superstars

A few body contorting antics aside, I thought Olive was really behaved at last Sunday's Desensitizing Party. 

Or perhaps I should say she was really well behaved for her.

In truth, there were a lot of other horses who behaved a lot better.

No surprise, one of the real superstars was Taylor's wonderful mare, Kourvy.

She was one of the only horses who completed the course with a rider on her back. 

She even rang the bell herself!

Taylor's younger horse, Letty, did almost as well. She played with the ball,

wore the bubblewrap...

and walked through the noodles without any fuss.

Reece's Saphira is another youngster that exceeded expectations.

Although she definitely looked nervous at times,

she did everything that was asked of her.

Such a good girl.

Such a brave girl.

Another horse who did all the things was JoAnna's big boy, Ernie.

Of course, this was no surprise. Ernie works as a carriage horse downtown and is the epitome of a been there, done that horse.

In addition to wearing the bubblewrap,

Ernie walked on it, too!

Some of the day's other superstars included Karen's Roy...

and both of Linda's two good boys.

Like Kourvy, Gambler did most of the course with a rider on top.

As for Dango... He's just pretty much perfect.

Congratulations to Taylor, Reece, JoAnna, Karen and Linda for having such brave and well-adjusted horses. I hope one day Olive will find her place amongst the Desensitizing Party superstars!