SEQM August 2024 by sandhillseqm

E quin e Sandhills

Publisher BIC R Media, LLC

Editor:

Cassidy Oeltjen

Layout and Design

Ines Ritter

Contributors

Ray Owen

Mary Kate Murphy

Cassidy Oeltjen

Veronica Green-Gott

Christina Boucher Reynolds Moore County Hist. Assoc.

Dr. Tom Schell

Nick Stewart

Jason Jackson

Ines Ritter

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Cover

Hunter Rider at the Sedgefield at the Park Show Photo: Jason Jackson

Sandhills Equine Monthly owned by BIC R Media LLC 360 Fairway Dr Southern Pines, NC 28387

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Hello Sandhills Equine Enthusiasts

It's easy to see the luxury of spacious riding locations in the Sandhills and assume that the out-of-the-ring disciplines thrive here. And you would be right. Eventers, fox hunters, combined Driving and trail riding enthusiasts flock here for the conducive conditions.

But those same conditions are the roots of the Hunters and Jumpers - the disciplines that we deep dive into this month.

When Sedgefield made its way to the Carolina Horse Park, it brought along with it a host of new opportunities. Not only did it open up the park as a premier facility for another discipline, but it also now draws competitors from around the state to enjoy the area.

But not everyone is ready for a show of that size and popularity. Lesley Jenks and the Finally Farm Show Series that she has created has been a stepping stone for competitors who aren't ready financially or otherwise to make the step into a recognized show ring.

Knowing that process all too well is Joan Petty, who has spent her lifetime developing shows of all levels, and whose family ties run deep in the equestrian world.

And we then take a look from the other side of the ring - talking with Mike Rosser and Brian Lenehan about the changes they've seen as judges in the hunter and jumper disciplines.

Be sure to check out the online exclusives and follow along on our social media channels, where there are fun giveaways and deep dives into equestrian life in the Sandhills!

Cheers!

Cassidy Oeltjen Editor

Balanced Gut Microbiome

Does Your Horse Need a Fecal Culture?

Many of the health and lameness issues that modern horses experience stem back to uncontrolled or improperly managed inflammation in the body, which then leads to cellular problems on many levels. This impacts everything from metabolism and insulin function to healing of tendons in the horse.

In truth, the root problem, in most cases, that is behind this chronic inflammation is an imbalanced digestive microbiome in the horse called dysbiosis. Current therapies from medications to injections, and even many supplements routinely used, are only targeting effects and not that root cause. If you want to manage the problem more effectively, then you must determine if a digestive microbiome imbalance exists through a

fecal culture designed to determine this dysbiosis in the horse, then manage it properly.

Almost every horse that I consult with has a digestive microbiome imbalance present. This is easily seen by looking at photos of the horse’s feces, but is more properly determined through a fecal culture intended to highlight the imbalance of the gut bacteria. In most of these cases, the situation would be readily improved if this imbalance was targeted properly and understood.

The gut microbiome should be in balance in a state of health and soundness. In fact, in order to have that state of health and soundness, the gut microbiome in the horse MUST be in balance or close to it.

Why? Because if this gut microbiome is out of balance, then digestion of food is compromised leading to poor nutrient uptake for healing and health. Additionally, when the microbiome is out of balance, the ‘bad’ bacteria produce harmful byproducts that lead to poor health, poor healing, and chronic inflammation.

Furthermore, when the gut microbiome is out of balance, then the beneficial byproducts produced by ‘good’ bacteria are not there to quench that inflammation naturally and benefit overall digestion.

The reality is that many horse owners are doing something in the regimen that is negatively impacting the digestive microbiome. Most times this is due

Dr. Tom Schell, D.V.M., CVCH, CHN

Dr. Tom Schell is a private veterinary practitioner in North Carolina focusing on various areas of specialty in the horse. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University with over 23 years of private practice experience in various aspects of equine medicine and surgery. His main area of focus in research is the process of inflammation, how it impacts overall health, digestion, degenerative conditions, and the immune response. He currently resides in North Carolina, operates a private equine rehabilitation facility, and frequently consults with horse owners around the United States and abroad. Dr. Schell is also the author of “Seeing the Whole Horse”.

to a poor overall diet, poor quality roughage, grains, and supplements loaded with synthetics, artificial flavoring, and other additives. It is not uncommon to have a horse consultation where the owner is feeding two or more synthetic supplements, such as artificial vitamin-mineral blends. Despite this feeding and poor overall health in the horse, they fail to make connections. Instead, it is not uncommon for the owner to then add another supplement to that bad regimen, with hopes that something will work. It absolutely will not and if you are doing this, you are throwing good money after bad.

One of the worst things an owner can do is use probiotics routinely. This is simple over-supplementation in the horse and it is a bad practice. Many owners are doing this for a couple of reasons, outside of not understanding what they are doing. They do it because everyone else is buy “X” supplement and feeding it OR they are doing it because their trainer or boarding facility tells them to do it.

You, as the horse owner, must understand that you do have a choice, but you have to make that choice in an educated fashion. It is amazing to me, as a veterinarian, how much testing is done on ACTH, insulin function, and other entities, when these problems are effects and not the root problem. One could just determine the microbiome imbalance in their horse, then manage it properly, and likely succeed in improving those other factors such as obesity, insulin dysfunction, metabolic ailments, Cushing’s disease, and even laminitis and other sources of lameness. It’s been done, many times over.

Why Do A Fecal Culture for Dysbiosis in Your Horse?

If you are experiencing problems with your horse, whether that is a chronic lameness, allergies, COPD, uveitis, poor performance, foot issues, joint issues, or metabolic problems then in most cases,

the only way to get to the ROOT of the issues is to perform a fecal culture. Can you determine if an imbalance exists without a fecal culture? Yes, in most but not all cases. To do this, you must be able to know what is normal and what is not for horse feces.

Outside of knowing normal versus abnormal equine feces, the only way to ‘show’ you that the microbiome

Supplements loaded with synthetics, artificial flavoring, and other additives can cause the horse's gut biome to become unbalanced.

and EIPH and those pudgy metabolic horses. Research is pretty straight forward and shows us the problem, now it is a question of how to remedy the issue.

Honestly, the microbiome is readily amenable to changes, but in order to allow it to repair itself, proper changes must be put into place. This means a change in the diet, elimination of the

imbalance exists in your horse is to do a fecal culture. This test allows us to literally show the horse owner that the microbiome imbalance exists. Then, it is a question of looking at your entire regimen from feed to supplements and lifestyle, and make appropriate changes to benefit rather than harm the gut microbiome.

The writing is on the wall when it comes to research on the impact of the gut microbiome on health in humans and animals, including the horse. We’ve known for at least two decades that horses with laminitis demonstrate a microbiome imbalance and this carries over to most racehorses with ulcers

junk supplements being dumped into horses everyday, stopping harmful medications that are not helping, and improving the lifestyle of the horse. Are you willing to make these changes? If you commit, I can almost promise you that you will see nothing but positive changes.

So, if you are ready to create change in your horse’s health and soundness, let’s look at their feces and determine if a microbiome imbalance exists.

P erformance Lin e

We are Equine Industry Innovators who create performance products to improve your horse’s training & show experience. Just like you, we are riders, competitors, and equine enthusiasts. EHI originated and is located and operated right in the heart of the Sandhills, NC!

Your performance is our passion!

Stay Curious

How an open mind and an open book can improve your horsemanship

Even though I train and ride as a professional, I still find myself waking up every day with the capacity and desire to learn something new about the horses that I work with - how to better them and their program. ‘New’ could range from, “It seems that Waffle doesn’t like it when like his hay in the sun”, to “Bo doesn’t understand the optimal leg position for cantering, which affects his understanding of the counter canter and the lead change, what can I adjust to be more clear to him?”.

If you approach the sport with something to learn everyday, you will not get so stuck in a mold of what works and what doesn’t work and this flexibility will allow you to freely try more things that you will inevitably learn from.

First, one must be engaged in the sport to want to learn, whether that be through books, taking lessons, watching

training sessions, the endless resources on the internet, or simply through time in the presence of equine athletes. Secondly, one must be flexible when training horses. Do not get stuck doing things one way for every horse. Even a single horse can vary greatly from day to day and we have to be able to feel and adjust as needed. Thirdly, one must be in control of their own body and emotions, thus being emotionally and physically fit, so as to not hinder the progress. Afterall, how could we expect to control a 1200 pound animal if we cannot control ourselves?

Watch and Learn

One of the parts of the training process that I try very hard to instill in my riders is to watch and learn. Watch other rings at the show. Watch your friend’s lessons. Watch a stranger’s lesson in the warm up ring. Take advantage of technology and watch top riders competing in

other parts of the world from your living room. Watching these things gives riders and horse people a broadened space for learning. Why did one rider do 6 and another do 7 there? This observation may help a rider reflect on why and how they could do something similar. Without being on their horse, this person has progressed, and even without finishing the learning process, they have opened the door and their minds to understand a new concept. From this observation, they can work harder to complete the package of how to shorten and lengthen strides while galloping and jumping.

This all starts from WANTING TO LEARN and is continued (never completed), by putting in hard work while attempting and failing countless times. Always remember to take each small success as a giant stride forward and reward the horse accordingly (we’ll talk more about this later).

Eliza Sydnor Romm, Extension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock, Field Crops, Moore County.

Nick Stewart, Hunter/ Jumper Trainer, USEF "r" Judge

Tom comes from a background in small ruminants and beef cattle focusing on pasture management and sustainability. He is also an avid horseman, specializing in moving livestock on horseback and practices roping .

Nick Stewart is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable horseman with an extensive background in the hunter and jumper show rings. Having grown up as a working student and then as the main rider for his family's horse farm, every aspect of horse care and riding has been a part of his daily life for over 25 years. Nick enjoys riding and training client horses while competing his own horses at the Grand Prix level.

Another very important thing while training horses is the ability to be flexible. You will often see that what works for one horse may not work as well, or at all for another. You will also often see that what works well for one horse one day, may not work at all for that same horse on another day. As their humans, we need to be able to pick up on these things that the horses tell us and we need to be able to adjust our approach regularly, thus being flexible.

Just Go With the Flow.

While I like having somewhat of a routine for the horses, it also varies. For example, On a week we’re home, I like to give the horses a field/strengthening day on Tuesday, a good flat work ride on Wednesday, gymnastics exercises of some sort on Thursday, a jump school Friday and a stretchy, relaxed ride on Saturday, The horses then have 2 days off in a row, another thing I am a big proponent of. On a show week, that routine will be adjusted as needed but we still try to get all of those pieces into each of their work weeks.

Flexibility in your plans is such a crucial part of interacting with and training,riding and competing horses. Plans with horses rarely go off without a hitch. While cantering a course, maybe you drifted what felt like just a bit right and the forward bending 9 turned into a tight 8, taking your canter away for the moving 6 to follow. Maybe you wrap an epsom salt poultice bandage on your horse’s foot to help heal a bruise or an abscess and it's no longer present in the morning. Horses have a way of making us stay flexible whether we like it or not. If you are always expecting plans to change, then you will never be caught off guard when it inevitably happens.

Stay in Control

The last point for this article is control. Riders and horsemen must all be in

control of their own body and emotions at all times while working with horses. This means that people who plan to be involved need to do their own part for the horse’s sakes, to ensure that they are:

A) physically fit and able to complete the demanding tasks involved with handling, riding, and caring for horses.

B) mentally stable enough to control their emotions, anger, reactions and fear while handling them.

The best way to ensure physical fitness for riding is whatever workout routine gives you cardio and strength. For me, it's mostly riding a lot, and doing work on the farm. For those who do not have access to multiple rides per day, or may have an office job, hit the gym, look up equestrian exercise on YouTube, or reach out to a personal trainer for help.

There are also exercise routines available that are designed just for riders by riders. For example, a friend has developed an equestrian based workout app called “Scope” for riders to push their riding fitness to become better riders. I think cardio, leg and core work is most beneficial if you’re not in the actual saddle. Anything that gets your heart going and your body breathing for longer to ensure you can withstand the demands of riding is beneficial. If your body can’t physically keep up, how could it possibly apply and release pressures precisely from the aids?

As far as mental stability, horse people have to do whatever works for them to ensure that they do not lose their cool or get scared when things start to go awry. For some riders, regular meetings with a sports psychologist can be helpful. Gardening, swimming, writing - there are so many things that can keep a person mentally grounded. For some people, time with the horses is the answer. For others, it’s taking a day to have a break from the barn.

Whatever it is, make sure that you’re doing it so that you are offering only your most stable self to the animals you’re attempting to work with. Always remember, if we cannot control our own emotions or behaviors, we’re less likely to be able to control a horse. And beyond that, we’re more likely to escalate problems or create new ones, thus making it even more difficult to establish control.

In closing (and also opening a new thought for another time since the book never closes with horses) remember that horses are most happy doing what we want them to do when it is their idea, so we have to find a way to make work (whether on the ground or under tack) more pleasant than not.

A pressure (aid) asks the question. If the horse doesn’t comply, the pressure is increased. When the horse does comply, the pressure is released. This is the only reward a horse needs to remember that next time when you ask the question that way, this is what they should do. Yes, my horses still get a peppermint before and after each ride, but they don’t get it for doing the shoulder in or the turn on the haunches correctly, they get it just for letting me ride them.

For the things they do correctly on the ground, or while being ridden, they know it was right because there’s no pressure. They have to be in a relaxed environment with confident handlers who are willing to learn and be flexible, and are also able to control their body and emotions. Keeping this mindset is what will lead to more successes with your horses, in the stable, on the trail, or in the show ring. Good luck!

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NEW TO HORSES

Hunters vs.Jumpers what is the difference?

Hunters and Jumpers...

Two terms often used in the same breath to describe an equestrian discipline, but in fact are two very different, yet equally exciting sports.

Hunters is a discipline that emphasizes the horse's movement, form, and style over jumps. Unlike show jumping (jumpers), where speed and agility are crucial, hunters focus on grace, elegance, and technique. The goal is to create an aesthetically pleasing round that showcases the horse's natural jumping ability and the rider's skill in presenting the horse effectively.

Judges look for a smooth, rhythmic, flowing movement as the horse navigates the course. The horse's jump should be round and even, with the knees tucked up and the back flat over the jump, creating a picture-perfect image of harmony and precision while appearing effortless.

While both hunters and jumpers involve jumping obstacles, there are distinct variations in their focus and execution. In Jumpers, riders and horses must adjust their speed and angles to complete the course within the allowed time while minimizing faults. Show jumping is a test of speed, agility, and precision throughout jumps, with the ultimate goal being the quickest rider-horse combination with a mistake-free round.

Attire and Turnout

Another key difference lies in the attire and presentation. In hunter classes, riders typically wear traditional attire, including a dark coat, light-colored breeches, and a conservative shirt and tie. The overall look aims to reflect a classic, polished appearance. Only regular cavessons nosebands and simple snaffle bits are allowed. Hunter horses are generally braided when showing. The exact number of braids will depend on the size and shape of the horse's neck, often ranging from 30-40 small, tight, flat braids known

as hunter braids. On the other hand, jumping competitions usually allow for a more colorful and modern attire, reflecting the discipline's fasterpaced and more dynamic nature, and braiding is not required. The tack for jumpers allows for other variations including running martingales, boots, and a variety of bit and bridle options.

Whether you are drawn to the graceful artistry of hunters or the thrilling speed of show jumping, both disciplines offer unique challenges and rewards.

Learn more about Hunters here: www.ushja.org

Traditional Hunter

Show Jumper

Joan Petty A legacy of giving, community of learning

Mary Kate Murphy

Joan Petty could probably run a three-ring circus with her eyes closed. She could carry on a conversation while doing it, and at the end of the day the lions and elephants would agree it had been a wonderful time. After more than 30 years of managing hunter/ jumper shows, it would be a simple feat.

In that time Petty has pulled off hundreds of shows under the Triangle Farms banner: from unrated local affairs on her own farms to ‘A’ and ‘AA’ competitions offering thousands of dollars in prize money. The key to all of them is adaptability. How will everything work at the Carolina Horse Park versus the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh? How can last year’s schedule accommodate this year’s entry list?

Such was the origin story of MacNair’s Country Acres, still a robust boarding and lesson facility in Raleigh. Petty never planned to make her living in the horse world, though. On one innocuous day in 1983, she was an elementary school teacher and self-described ‘pony mom’ sitting in the stands at the first Jump for the Children benefit show for Duke Children’s Hospital. Waiting for her daughter’s short stirrup class to start, she struck up a conversation with another mother who happened to be the show’s founder.

“You have to adjust at every facility. You have to adjust and make changes for the Duke shows because they’re so much bigger. You always have to think ahead, not wait until the last minute and try to get it organized so it’s a successful horse show,” Petty says. “With a lot of years under our cuff I feel like it’s a matter of tweaking and making adjustments, not starting over.”

She says this with the studied assurance of a professional who’s learned to think on her feet. Petty picked up that skill long before building the first Triangle Farms in 1991, even before joining her first

horse show committee in 1983. When Petty — then Joan McNair – was 15, her father’s sudden death in a hunting accident changed everything for her family. Her mother was left with six children to raise on the family farm: 40 acres near Lake Johnson with a big red barn and a couple of horses.

“After we got through the funeral and all of that, Mom said to me and Colin — we were the oldest — ‘We’ve got that barn out there and these pastures and fencing, we’re going to go buy a string of horses and start trail rides,’” she recalled. “We led trails for years around Lake Johnson. Sometimes I would lead eight hours of trail rides on a Saturday or Sunday. That’s kind of the way it all got started.”

“She said she had a friend whose daughter has leukemia and wanted to see how much money she could raise for that. She asked if I could possibly help and maybe join the committee?” Petty said. At first she was flummoxed at the request, not imagining how she could possibly contribute to the show or fundraising. Petty dove in headfirst and never looked back. “Back in the 80s I had to do my first prize list so I basically found out what other people did and I started cutting and pasting and that’s basically the way I started. I relied a little bit on the expertise of other managers who I thought got it right.”

Petty joined the Jump for the Children Committee in 1985 and eventually became chair. Over the years she’s shepherded it through its development into a two-week ‘AA’ show that

Joan Petty and husband Glenn

comfortably raises $200,000 each year for Duke Children’s Hospital. The show celebrated its 40th year in 2023 and is nearing the $4 million lifetime fundraising mark with all show sponsorships benefitting the hospital. These days it’s the grand finale to Triangle Farms year that includes four ‘A’ shows, another ‘AA' show held in conjunction with the North Carolina State Fair, eight or so ‘C’ rated shows and a schooling show series hosted at the farm’s home facility in Wake Forest.

The farm has been through four iterations, all in Wake County, since 1991. Petty and her husband Glenn built the first one on Creedmoor Road from vacant pastureland. They then decided to get out of the barn business, only to wind up on another agricultural property in Rolesville.

“We bought a property thinking we weren’t going to do a farm again. We went out there thinking we’re going to clean it up and enjoy the house,” Petty

said. “Then we decided to build a runin shed because we had a couple of mares…”

Around the same time Petty’s daughter Cam Womble, now Triangle Farms’ resident trainer, finished school and decided to ride professionally. Petty started organizing schooling shows at the current farm shortly after moving back to North Carolina from a 10-year interlude in Colorado where Glenn was an executive vice president for the Arabian Horse Association. Since then Glenn has stuck closer to home, spending three years as CEO of the Virginia Horse Center and earlier this year joining Tryon International as general manager of equestrian operations. But from 2010 to 2020, Triangle Farms’ horse shows carried on despite Petty’s change in home address.

“I used the 10 years to even build the horse shows up further, basically flying back and forth, running horse shows and promoting horse shows,” she said.

Triangle Farms’ schooling shows offer everything from assisted walk-trot classes to 3’ hunters. Equitation classes offer an introduction to the standards of higher-level showing with room to learn the ropes from a show manager who can empathize with the experience of being a beginner.

“My goal from the beginning has been to create a show that is happy and fun for people and to help teach them. Because there are a whole lot of rules, you can’t just read the rule book and get it straight all the time,” Petty says. “There’s been a learning process for me over the years also because I didn’t grow up running big horse shows, and my parents didn’t grow up running big horse shows.”

Over the years Petty has assembled a team of horse show staff who also support that vision. Some of the Triangle Farms’ office staff, gate attendants, announcers and jump crew have supported Petty and her shows for

THE COUNTRY SADDLER

more than 20 years. On show day, Petty is pretty much one of the crew — on the grounds no later than 6am. For the next 12 hours, she barely sits still.

“My day is pretty much on my feet. I’m not sitting at the office playing with the computer; I’m pretty much in the arena or the outdoor rings and in between so they see me. I stop and talk to the trainers and the exhibitors, check in with stewards and ring crews,” she said. “I think you have to be out there as a show manager. The way I prefer it is to be involved and be out there and everyone knows they can come to me if there’s a problem or a question.”

Petty knows that there’s more to a horse show than performance. Whether you left all the rails up or nailed

every flying lead change is just part of the experience. Petty hopes that her exhibitors are ultimately just happy to be at the show, because at the end of the day the opportunity to ride horses competitively is a cosmic stroke of good fortune. Triangle Farms’ breakfast hospitality spreads and Saturday evening ‘Derby parties’ don’t hurt either.

“I like to create an atmosphere of friendliness, having a good time, learning as you go… and to realize that you’re very welcome there,” said Petty. “That’s the impression I want to leave, so you leave with a smile, even if it’s with a sixthplace ribbon.”

Carolina Horse Park Breathes New Life into Historic Show Series

Veronica Green-Gott

Like a Heywood Hardy painting come to life, the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina was a small community characterized by picturesque golf courses and elegant figures on top of perfectly turned out horses with hounds running at their hooves. Not only home to the gentlemen and women of the area, it was also home to the Sedgefield Horse Show. Originally started as a way to fund the local fox hunt, the first ever Sedgefield ‘A’ Hunter Jumper Show was run in 1935.

“The Sedgefield Show Series is definitely steeped in history,” said Sara Steady, the organizer of the modern version of the Sedgefield Horse Show, Sedgefield at the Park. “They held an ‘A’ show every spring. Before the Florida circuit existed, it was one of the first horse shows that people went to after coming off the winter break

Photos: Jason Jackson

and it would kick off the season. It was a benefit for the Sedgefield Hunt, so it was always surrounded by the Sedgefield Hunt community, which is one of the oldest running fox hunts.”

Steady first became involved in the Sedgefield Horse Show in the late 1990s, when Martin Schlaeppi started hosting the C-rated show series. “I always laugh whenever anybody says, ‘What do you do for the horse show?’” Steady said. “I was boarding my horse at Martin's farm in the late 90s and they were going to have a show out there, but it got canceled. And I happened to see him at the farm, and I said, ‘Why'd you cancel the horse show? We were coming!’ And he said, ‘Well, I couldn't find any help.’ And I said, ‘Well, what about me?’ And he said, ‘What can you do?’ And I said, ‘Whatever you need me to.’ That's literally been my role for about the last 30 or so years.”

Schlaeppi has been instrumental in transforming the Sedgefield Horse Show into the Sedgefield at the Park show series that the local community knows today. “From day one, Martin Schlaeppi has been the driving force behind this show series,” Steady said. “He works at a big accounting firm and has a very busy job. He rides, he shows, and he was also one of the masters of the Sedgefield Hunt. And he's the one that took over that schooling series and turned it into a rated show series.”

Now all that stands of the former location of the Sedgefield Horse Show is a stately old barn, built in 1927. The barn was the heart and soul of both the Sedgefield Hunt and the Sedgefield Horse Show. Built originally to house the hunt’s horses and hounds, it became the main complex for the Sedgefield Horse Show. Now standing empty as a testament to its historic past, the barn

was in continuous use from 1927 to 2021 – just six years shy of a century.

While an impressive testament to the engineers of the 1920s, running a horse show out of a facility close to celebrating its 100th birthday was no easy task. “We were running a horse show out of 100 year old showgrounds, so you can imagine what it was starting to look like,” Steady said. “We were gonna have to put so much money into it. The stalls and electric needed to be redone and things like that. People didn't want to come anymore.”

Once at risk of disappearing alongside its former show grounds, Schlaeppi managed to save the show by moving it to the Carolina Horse Park in 2021. The partnership has not only revived the historic show series, but has also added to a burgeoning community of riders at the Park. While the C-rated show series was able to move to the Carolina Horse Park, the change of venue was not approved for the iconic

spring A-rated show. Instead, the Horse Park hosts an ‘A’ show on Labor Day weekend.

“So the biggest thing for us is that we went from a facility that was failing to the beautiful Carolina Horse Park. That made our numbers go straight back up again,” Steady said. “So the biggest benefit of the partnership for us is it's beautiful and it's ready when we arrive. We're not having to maintain a facility anymore.”

Renamed to Sedgefield at the Park when it moved to the Carolina Horse Park, the show remains true to its origins. A dedicated crew of volunteers still come from near the original home of the Sedgefield Horse Show, Greensboro, to run the show. The trip is an hour and a half to two hours each way. Steady says the new venue is well worth the drive.

“Moving to the Horse Park revived us,” Steady said. “We can offer more. We can do more. There's more flexibility at the Horse Park to do more fun things,

like derbies out in the field. I added a cross rails Derby at the last show, and it has been the biggest hit.”

Back in the 90s, Steady and Schlaeppi would panic if they got more than 100 entries. Now they cancel if they don’t have more than 100 riders. Sedgefield at the Park hosts between 40 and 45 divisions for all levels of rider, from leadline to hunter derbies. Steady believes that part of the reason for the growth of the series over the last four years is due to the fact that competitors can compete at a large venue with ‘A’ show atmosphere for ‘C’ show prices.

“The Carolina Horse Park is such a beautiful facility for running ‘C’ shows,” Steady said. “So you can come to this beautiful facility for ‘C’ show prices, right? It doesn't cost you so much money. But it's also horse friendly. Stalls are big and they're airy and there's tons of grass and wide open spaces. It's been really nice to step into a nicer facility. Ours needed help.”

Early Sedgefield Showgrounds

Hosting Sedgefield at the Park has also been beneficial for the Carolina Horse Park. “I think having more hunter jumpers here is great,” said Gay Stevens, logistical coordinator for the Carolina Horse Park. “I hear good things in the community about it. The feedback that I get at the horse shows is all very positive. There are people asking for more ‘A’ shows, and I think that is a result of the success of the ‘C’ shows. There's now even some crossover with some of the Southern Pines eventing community. Some of those people that just do the eventing, they come to Sedgefield and do the jumpers there, which I think is nice.”

Hunters and eventers tend to be siloed within their own niche communities. It’s always a special moment when divides between disciplines disappear and communities come together over their mutual love for horse sport. “We now have a whole new group of people that the Carolina Horse Park has opened up to and come here more frequently, and have become kind of regulars, which is great,” Stevens said. “I think it's really nice that those two groups are mingling a little bit, and it's just brought a lot of these people together.”

Sedgefield at the Park is part of an upand-coming trend bringing C-rated shows to the forefront. Once viewed as a mere stepping stone to the ‘A’ circuit, their position in the community has changed in large part thanks to Martin Schlaeppi and owner of Triangle Farms, Joan Petty [also featured in the August issue].

“There are trainers that can make a living just doing the ‘C’ show series and never step foot into an ‘A’ show ring,” Steady said. “People like Martin and Joan have pioneered that and made these great series, so that they can actually do that. And, to me, it's no longer a stepping stone. There are kids that start and end at the ‘C’ shows and never have any desire to go deal with all the USEF stuff. It's also created a home for so many horses that aren’t quite fancy enough to do the USEF stuff.”

Steady promotes C-rated show series like Sedgefield at the Park as a home for horses that aren’t your standard push button show pony. “Martin’s brainchild was having that jumper ring here, too,” Steady said. “Typically, jumpers are an A-rated thing. But our 2’ and 2’6” jumpers are our two biggest divisions,

and that has given a home for horses that can't jump very high, that don't change leads. And now they have a career. Some of these kids have to ride harder horses because they're not fancy, warmblood ones. And these kids can really ride, you know?”

You’ll also find local kids learning the ins and outs of good horsemanship at Sedgefield at the Park. “We don't have a lot of grooms at these ‘C’ shows,” Steady said. “They're cleaning all the stalls and lunging their own horses. I think it probably promotes horsemanship, in my opinion, more so than the ‘A’ shows.”

Carolina Horse Park has breathed new life into the historic Sedgefield Show Series. Steady put it quite simply when she said, “I’m happy we moved here because I was afraid Sedgefield was going to go away forever.”

Thanks to this partnership, Sedgefield at the Park will hopefully continue to bring affordable community-building C-rated shows to the Southern Pines area for decades to come.

Former Sedgefield Showgrounds in 2020.

Bridging the Gap:

How the Finally Farm Show Series gives competitors a leg up on the competition

Cassidy Oeltjen

It was the summer of 2008, and about two dozen horses milled about the field at Fenridge Farm in Mebane, North Carolina. The small-butmighty crowd was made up of eventers, hunters and jumpers, all of various levels, and all there to witness what would be history in the making - the birth of the Finally Farm Show Series.

The idea for the series was birthed out of necessity when owner and trainer, Lesley Jenks realized she’d moved to an area where there was a rich equestrian industry with no bridge to the ‘C’ level shows and higher. Being a person of innovation, she wasn’t ready to let things like a lack of facility or equipment for these shows hold her back. She utilized a little known (at the time) resource by starting a discussion on a local online message board, NC Horse News, and found she wasn’t the only one feeling the vacancy.

necessitating a move to a larger facility. While the move wasn’t far (just around the corner from where she was previously) the new location allowed her business to expand, and also allowed the shows to have spread to two rings, thus increasing the class offerings.

“After that first show in 2008, I leased a small farm in Raleigh that was capable of hosting the shows onsite, so in 2009 the Finally Farm Jumper Show Series

became a reality,” explained Jenks. “After the first year of offering just jumper classes, I had to make a business decision. The numbers from show to show fluctuated tremendously and that made it very difficult to project income and see a future with the shows. I decided to add some entry level hunter and equitation classes in addition to the jumpers. Suddenly, my shows started to grow in attendance, and the Finally Farm Horse Show Series was up and running.”

Jenks ambition not only grew the horse shows, but also her day to day operation,

“The shows grew into something I could have never imagined,” recalls Jenks. “Pre-Covid it was not unusual for one of my shows at the farm to have 140+ entries.”

In 2014, the series expanded even further, when the opportunity to be a sub-leaser for a larger show at the JB Hunt Horse Complex presented itself.

“That was the first year of the Summer Special Horse Show,” said Jenks. “After three years of being the sub lease partner, I was offered the chance to take over the primary contract and dates. From there, I started to seek out a sub to share the facility with and ended up

partnering up with TWHA [Triangle Wide Horseman’s Association]. The arrangement worked out so well for us both that we added a September date and continued our partnership which is still intact today.”

Jenks and her team may make the successful series seem effortless and seamless, but the economics of running a competition that is affordable for competitors while still providing a great experience is a very fine line.

“The most challenging by far has been my refusal to cut corners or raise prices too much,” Jenks reflects. “I give out nicer ribbons and prizes than many rated shows, and yet after 16 years have only raised my class prices $5.00. I only hire carded judges. I pay all of my staff that work the shows, we don't use volunteers. I am the show manager, the course designer and builder. I announce. I do entries. I run gates and coach my own students. For many years I also did some of the cooking for the concession stands! Who can forget my biscuits, pasta salad, taco salad, and chili!”

room to park trailers and handle the traffic of a show series. I have continued running the series at the James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, with dates in April, August and September, but that is not a forever solution and the numbers have definitely reflected that.”

"The magic of horse shows is that their impact isn’t always limited to those that are physically in attendance."

The logistics may have become more complicated, but that doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the series' purpose.

“Horse shows are business, that is the bottom line, but what keeps me going through the good and the bad is the smiles, the pictures, the excitement and the gratitude,” Jenks reflected. “Families come up to me and tell me that my shows are the only way they can afford

few short years, be jumping around in the Hunter Derby.”

The magic of horse shows is that their impact isn’t always limited to those that are physically in attendance. For Jenks, the most rewarding experience was initiated after the show when the mother of a competitor made a post on Facebook about their experience.

“The mom wrote about how they could hardly afford to be there, let alone buy her clothes and tack,” reflected Jenks. “She talked about how welcoming everyone was, and what a great time she had at the show. Well, that post reached hundreds of miles away to a dear friend of mine. That friend called me and said she was sending a Dover Gift Certificate to give to this child at our awards banquet to help her buy show clothes. Her only request was that I did not ever tell the family who the gift was from.”

“The night of the banquet came, and I had only told the trainer of the child that I had something for her, but I didn't say anything else,” Jenks continued. “In front of approximately 300 people, at

Like any industry, the post-covid era has made Jenks sit back and analyze how the series can carry on.

“The series is at a bit of a crossroads right now. I moved my training business across town to a smaller location a little over two years ago,” Jenks explained. “It has two lovely rings but simply no

for their children to show. We give the opportunity for the backyard horses and the older lesson horses to shine and are the perfect place to bring along a baby or a green horse. I have watched countless kids grow up horse showing in the series, and it is so fulfilling to watch. I love to see a tiny tot start in my Pre Mini Stirrup Division and in a

the largest awards banquet I had ever held, I told this story. And then, I announced that this child was being given this gift. That gift was $700.00 from my dear friend who didn't want a soul to know who she was. I am pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room as the child and her mother walked towards me to accept that gift. I will

never forget that moment for as long as I live.”

While Jenks is juggling where the future path of the series may lead, there is no denying the importance it carries with the equestrian community in the area.

“As the trainer of a small barn and lesson program, I value the importance of giving each rider the start and continued education to provide them with the foundation to be successful!”

“As the trainer of a small barn and lesson program, I value the importance of giving each rider the start and continued education to provide them with the foundation to be successful!” reflected Jana France, owner and trainer at JRF Equestrian located just outside of Raleigh. “I hold small inhouse shows to teach these riders how to show… then we move up to our local schooling shows like Finally Farms. These shows give them the experience of what to expect at a rated show. Each one of these riders goes through this process before moving up. This is a requirement of my students who want to show, so that way they are set up for success.”

And for Jenks, it’s about getting back to her roots, just like the series itself. “It is my hope and dream to eventually wind up as a one day show series out of a private farm yet again.”

Judging Classically -

How two local judges bring a lifetime of horsemanship to the show ring

Ray Owen

Brian Lenehan and Mike Rosser are mainstays in the Hunter/Jumper world with longtime ties to Southern Pines. While their backgrounds may differ, both bring their experience as horsemen into the ring as esteemed judges.

Lenehan has ridden and trained numerous top hunters. Coming from a prominent equestrian family, he was inducted into the Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2014. Rosser has judged many prestigious shows and serves on several U.S. Hunter Jumper Association committees.

Mike Rosser, 2nd from left, and Brian

judging the Washington International

For the uninitiated, the Hunter/Jumper sport is made up of two disciplines: Hunter and Jumper, also known as Show Jumping. Shows accommodate riders of varying skill levels and offer Hunter, Jumper and Equitation classes. While Hunter and Jumper classes test the horse, Equitation classes judge the rider.

Mike Rosser has been in the horse business for most of his life. His judging resume includes notable shows like Devon, the Royal Winter Fair, the

USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, the Pennsylvania National, the Washington International and Menlo Charity. According to Rosser, as a judge he’s there to pick the best performance in whatever class he’s judging.

“I look for an ideal hunter,” he explains. “I’m looking for a good way of going, a very good jumper, and an even pace. As far as tips for competitors, I recommend doing whatever you can to best show off your horse.”

His personal pet peeves are bad horsemanship or sportsmanship, and a competitor who blames the judge for their performance and uses them as a scapegoat instead of trying to look for ways to improve. “I’ve had people challenge me in the past,” he says. “I tell them what I see and my interpretation of the round, explaining why I judged it like I did. Hopefully, I can educate them. Most people that challenge a judge are new to the sport.”

Rosser himself is not new to the judging game. He has honed his talent in his 30 years in the role and seen the sport evolve.

“I just fell into being a judge while going to school,” he says. “I was teaching on the side and it ended up becoming a full-time job. I grew up riding but didn’t compete until I was in my early 20s. One of the changes that I don’t think is necessarily good is jumper attire making its way into the hunter ring. I think the short tight coats, the bizarre color of coats, the bizarre points on the shadbelly is unacceptable, along with the bling on show attire – sparkles on your coat, britches or boots. A lot of tack shops are selling it now and people

Lenehan far right,

Horse Show.

are falling for it. It’s just not proper attire. I think we need to try and uphold the tradition of hunter attire. I know a lot of judges will use the traditional hunter attire as a tiebreaker between two competitors with very similar scores. So we need to keep this in mind.”

“Another troubling trend is people giving riding lessons as their students are going around,” he continues. “It’s one thing to talk to your short stirrup student or even speak to your student quietly as they go by the gate, but shouting instructions as they’re going around the ring is bad form. This can be the difference between a ribbon and non-ribbon. Judging is made up of several components: accuracy, style and quality of the jump, and smoothness of the performance – the overall impression of both horse and rider. Be a gracious competitor and a humble winner.”

friend. You can talk to them and they’re not going to tell you anything that you don’t want to hear. I’ve loved and admired horses since I was a child – their beauty, their personality. Winston Churchill said ‘there’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.’ I can really relate to that.”

In 1977, the Rossers established their farm, Reynard’s Ridge. According to Ginnie Moss, the matriarch of Southern Pines Horse Country, their farm was the first one on Young’s Road and it belonged to the Young Family.

“She purchased it at some point and we ended up buying it from her,” says Rosser. “We’ve made a few improvements over the years and feel fortunate to have it. We’re so blessed to have access to the Walthour-Moss Foundation. It’s wonderful to have land to ride on with good footings and the community is so welcoming for all breeds and disciplines.”

Rosser has always loved animals and his farm features an aviary with peacocks, pheasant and chickens. “Animals are absolutely the finest people,” he says with a smile. “They can be your best

“When you’re competing on a horseback, you’re dealing with two individual personalities,” he explains. “There’s the horse and the rider. When they’re both on the same page, there’s nothing better. But a horse can have a bad day just like a person. If we were perfect all the time, there’d be no need to compete. We’re just trying to get it right. It’s like any other sport except you’ve got another living, breathing athlete that sometimes has a mind of around its own – and they might have different plans for the day.”

Brian Lenehan’s family first made their way to the Southern Pines area at the invitation of Mrs. Moss in the late 60s. His father used to be a judge with Mrs. Moss at Madison Square Garden and she asked him for a visit. So, he brought

Reynard's Ridge Farm est. 1977. Home of the Rosser family in Southern Pines NC.

Mike Rosser judging the Ladies Hunter Side Saddle class at Devon.

down some fox hunters and some young horses.

“He purchased our property plus some adjacent land in the 60s,” he explained. “We established our farm in the winter of 196970. I’d been riding and training and living with my dad. I was lucky enough to get instruction and experience with guys like Gene Cunningham, Dave Kelly and Bobby Burke – some of the best horsemen in the South. My family’s been there ever since.”

Like Rosser, Lenehan has been in the judges box long enough to see more than his fair share of changes in the sport.

“A big change I’ve seen over the years is there’s now a lot more money involved. Because of the amount of money, I find that people take it almost too seriously,” he continues. “It is supposed to be a sport and is supposed to be enjoyed. It’s supposed to be for the benefit of both the horse and rider, so that the horses are well taken care of. I don’t want to dwell on anything negative, but the most

detrimental change that I’ve seen is that everything’s been dumbed down to a lower level. I don’t think this is good for the sport. I think it keeps people from striving to do their best and keeps us from making better horses because everything is done at lower levels. I’d like to see more stress put on a higher level.”

Lenehan feels that if you have any pet peeves, they don’t belong in the judge’s stand. You need to leave that at home because you have to be very objective. That being said, there’s always something that gets to you a little bit. “One thing that bothers me are people who aren’t prepared,” he says. “We have long days out there. I don’t mean someone with a legitimate conflict. I’m talking about people who haven’t planned their day very well and don’t run an efficient operation. By the time you get to the horseshow, you need to have 80% of your training done so that you’re ready to walk into the ring and perform.”

After judging both the hunter and jumper rings, Lenehan has narrowed his focus to the

The Lenehan family, winners of the Family Class at the Sewickley Hunt Horse Show (ca. 1964). From left; Kevin, Brian, Michael, Sheila, Benton, Daneen and Daniel Lenehan.

Just a short distance from Reynard's Ridge lays Wayward Farm, established by the Lenehan Family

Brian Lenehan

challenge of the “stage” of the hunter ring.

“First of all, the hunter and jumper classes are completely different things,” he explains. “I gave up my jumper card. Mostly, I just do hunters now. Jumpers are cut-and-dried. My perspective is quite simply that the best horse is supposed to win. And the reason we have a different judge every week is because people have different feelings and opinions about what they like. Your perspective as a judge, as horseman, is what you grew up with – the kind of horses you traded, what you like, what you prefer – and everybody is a little bit different. But quality is quality and athleticism is athleticism.

“The main tip I have for competitors is to be on time,” he continues. “The show ring is like a stage. When you enter the ring you should be prepared and practiced. You should be confident and put your best foot forward just like walking onto a stage to perform.”

Lenehan’s career as a judge may have taken him around the country, but he still fondly comes home to the area which developed him as a horseman. “I think I’m the oldest continuous resident on Young’s Road,” he said. “I’m not completely sure about that but I’m pretty sure. I went to NC State, drove back-and-forth a few days a week, because I was riding my way through school. We had a group of about 20-25 young people and had way too much fun.”

That was the life in Southern Pines that long-time residents talk about and that still resonates today.

3 Questions with

Tommy Anderson

Tommy Anderson began working for Raeford’s Carolina Horse Park in spring of 2021. What began as an awesome opportunity to work outside locally at a beautiful location has expanded exponentially for Tommy. He is often seen around the grounds performing a multitude of tasks, from emptying trash cans, to setting jump rails, and assisting visitors.

No matter what mission he may be on, he wears a smile and a wonderful attitude that elevates the experience of all competitors.

1. As a person without much of an equestrian background, what has been the biggest learned curve in working around horses and their people?

First things first - it’s more like NO equestrian knowledge at all! Ha! I have learned so much but the biggest learning curve would be to me that horses really do need a lot of tending too and how much work it takes to put on a horse show. Also that you definitely need to always keep an eye on your surroundings because these are huge and beautiful creatures but they can scare very easily sometimes. I’ve seen it first hand, so I’m sure just to take my time around them and always stay alert.

2. What is your favorite thing about working at CHP?

I would say my favorite thing about the park are the people and animals that come to our shows. I’m lucky that I get to be outside and work outside. Putting on a horse show and seeing everyone happy is just the best. You know, three years ago I didn’t even know this was a thing! But I just love the Carolina Horse Park all around and I’ve

gotten to be here and be a part of the growth we have had. I can’t wait to see what's in store for the future!

3. What are a few things you wish competitors/visitors to CHP would know?

I would love to let everyone know how much we appreciate having everyone here and choosing the park as your choice to come and ride. Also that putting on a show is not easy and that it takes a lot of work and manpower. I just know we couldn’t do it without all the competitors, visitors, volunteers, and the everyday crew that makes it all work seamlessly.

Ricky, Gil, Gay, Irina, Maggie, myself and many more appreciate the competitors and visitors so much and can’t wait to see you at our next show!!

Groundkeeper at the Carolina Horse Park

AUGUST

August 1

DUE: Fall Eventing Grant Application www.ncdcta.org/eventing-grant

Aug 3 - Aug 4

Sat-Sun

Early Morning Blues

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 www.carolinadressage.com

Aug 3 - Aug 4

Sat-Sun

WHES August HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376 www.carolinahorsepark.com

August 14

Wednesday

HRF Picnics&Ponies D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376 www.HeatherRidgeFarm.org

Aug 16-18

Fri-Sun

SATP Summer

Carolina Horse Park 2814 Montrose Road Raeford, NC 28376 ww.sedgefieldatthepark.com

Aug 31 - Sep 1

Sat-Sun

Cooldown Dressage

Pinehurst Harness Track, 200 Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374 www.carolinadressage.com

Calendar

August 31, 2024

Saturday,

Labor of Love I

Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 www.ncdcta.org

SEPTEMBER

September 2

Sunday

Labor of Love II Hunt Horse Complex, 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 www.ncdcta.org

Sep 6th-7th

Fri - Sat

Five Points HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376 www.carolinahorsepark.com

Sep 14th

Saturday

Triangle Farms Schooling Show

Triangle Farms, 3301 Silver Water Lane, Wake Forest, NC, 27587 www.trianglefarms.com

Sep 8th

Wednesday

HRF Picnics&Ponies D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376, USA www.HeatherRidgeFarm.org

Sep 22nd

Sunday

Buckhorn D/CT

Buckhorn Farm, 434 Youngs Rd, Vass, NC 28394 www.BuckhornFarmSP.com

Sep 27th-29

Fri-Sun

Triangle Farms Fall Fling Indoors 'C' Show CANCELLED due to conflict with NCHJA ‘C’ Medal Finals

Sep 28th-29

Sat-Sun

Pinehurst Fall Dressage

Pinehurst Harness Track, Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

www.sportingservices.net

OCTOBER

Oct 2-6

Wed-Sun

NC State Fair

Hunter & Jumper Premiere 'AA' Show

Hunt Horse Complex 4601 Trinity Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27606 www.ncagr.gov

Oct 5-6

Sat-Sun

WHES October HT

Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Oct 11th-13th

Fri-Sun

Sandbox Fall Final & Schooling Show

Championship

Pinehurst Harness Track, Beulah Hill Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374

www.sportingservices.net

October 19

Saturday Triangle Farms Schooling Show

Triangle Farms, 3301 Silver Water Lane, Wake Forest, NC, 27587 www.trianglefarms.com

Oct 20th

Sunday

Buckhorn D/CT

Buckhorn Farm, 434 Youngs Rd, Vass, NC 28394 www.BuckhornFarmSP.com

Oct 26th

Saturday

HRF Picnics&Ponies D/CT/HT/WD

Heather Ridge Farm, 875 N Horace Walters Rd, Raeford, NC 28376 www.HeatherRidgeFarm.org

Hattie and Finn

Age: 9/16

Gender: Mare/ Gelding Breed: Miniature

We are excited to introduce you to our two newest arrivals, Hattie and Finn! These adorable mini horses share a special connection and are seeking a loving home where they can stay together forever. Both Finn (9) and Hattie (16) are up to date on vaccinations, teeth, and farrier, and ready to bring joy and companionship to their new family. They thrive in a peaceful environment and would make wonderful companions for anyone looking to add some extra cuteness to their life.