A favorite pastime of horse enthusiasts everywhere is trail riding. After all, what could be better than taking your horse for a ride through a beautiful, scenic landscape?

One of the keys to enjoyable trail riding is a quality, well-maintained trail, and trying to navigate an overgrown or poorly-designed trail can be unpleasant and even dangerous. Fortunately, with a bit of maintenance, you can help keep trails in good shape.

Unless you’re fortunate enough to own a lot of land that’s perfect for trail riding, chances are you’ll be riding on public or community trails that might not be exclusively for horseback riding. In this case, be sure to get permission from trail authorities before undertaking any trail maintenance, and see if you can coordinate a “trail maintenance weekend” with other users of the trail—with a group of people working together, the project will go much faster and smoother! To help you get started, here are some tips for maintaining trails in a way that is ideal for horseback riding…

Watch Out for Erosion

There may be no greater enemy to any trail than erosion, which can lead to a wide variety of issues, including mud and standing water. Unfortunately, erosion is often caused by poorly-planned trails that take a troublesome route through the landscape, which might not be something that you can change.

However, there are a few different ways to manage and control erosion. Adding gravel to wet areas where water tends to flow can be very helpful, as it creates a firmer, heavier surface that water is much less likely to wash away.

For particularly troublesome areas, you can even install man-made geosynthetic materials like geotextiles and geocells, which can greatly improve the strength and durability of erosion-prone soils, but they are expensive and complicated to install and may be too big an undertaking for someone that is not an expert in trail design.

Remove Fallen Trees from the Trail

It goes without saying that a fallen tree can be a nuisance on any trail, particularly one for horseback riding. The easiest approach might be to ride around a fallen tree by going off the trail, but this isn’t the best idea—riding off the trail area can cause erosion and lead to other issues with the trail. Instead of creating a detour around a fallen tree, cut it into logs with a chainsaw and move them out of the way to clear the original trail.

Prune Back Encroaching Tree Branches

If your trail system runs through a forest, then it’s inevitable that trees will encroach on the paths, sending their branches outward and narrowing the trail over time. Less obvious, but equally important, is overhead branches—as they grow longer, they can start to sag, dropping closer to the ground. This might not be noticed by hikers, but for people on horseback, it can be a significant issue.

Fortunately, keeping trees under control is relatively simple. Many branches can be pruned using nothing more than a good pair of pruning loppers or a handsaw, although for larger branches (or for extensive trail improving/maintenance), using a chainsaw with all appropriate safety gear can save time and effort.

For branches located high off the ground, a pole saw can help you reach them safely. You can also use a ladder, although this can be tricky and utmost care should be taken to avoid injury. For riding trails, be sure to clear the branches much higher than you would for a walking trail—a dozen feet should be plenty.

Trail maintenance requires time and effort, but the reward of a great riding trail is well worth it!

The post Trail Maintenance for Horseback Riders appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Earlier this year, California Chrome made history by winning the Dubai World Cup, the richest race in the world with a purse of $10 million. The winner’s share made California Chrome the highest-earning Thoroughbred in the history of racing in North America, and the impressively easy nature of his victory earned him the respect of racing experts everywhere.

After being given a rest following his Dubai excursion, California Chrome has come back as strong as ever with an eye on the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Santa Anita racetrack. A win in that race would all but assure that California Chrome reclaims the “Horse of the Year” title that he won in 2014, and further enhance the record of a horse that is virtually guaranteed a spot in horse racing’s Hall of Fame.

On July 23rd, California Chrome took the next step toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic when he ran in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar racetrack in California, his first race since the Dubai World Cup. Although he was facing only four rivals, one was an extremely talented four-year-old colt named Dortmund, best known for finishing a close third behind American Pharoah in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

Reports indicated that Dortmund was training very well and had a chance to upset California Chrome, and for a few moments, it looked as though that would be the case. Dortmund, setting the pace with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens in the saddle, wasn’t about to go down without a fight. When California Chrome made his customary bid for the lead on the final turn, Dortmund accepted the challenge, and the two horses entered the homestretch side by side with virtually nothing separating them. Dortmund, benefiting from saving ground while racing along the rail, briefly appeared to have a slight advantage, but California Chrome’s heart of a champion shone through in the final yards, and Chrome dug deep to stick his neck in front and keep it there as they crossed the finish line.

“I saved something for the end. I knew I’d have to,” said winning jockey Victor Espinoza. “I have a lot of respect for Dortmund and he made me run hard. I could see he (Dortmund) was running so hard. When we came down the stretch, I was concerned. [California Chrome] was carrying a lot of weight [five pounds more than Dortmund]; that was the challenge. But he was a runner all the way today. What a terrific comeback race for him. He’s back. He’s such a special horse. This was exciting; an exciting race. He showed everyone today just how special he is.”

“They both ran terrific,” said California Chrome’s trainer, Art Sherman. “I tell you, Dortmund made him work for it. It’s going to be an interesting few races coming up… [Dortmund] is a really game horse… [Chrome] is that kind of horse, he loves to grind it out and he shows a lot of determination. What can I say—he’s just Chrome, a wonderful horse to be around.”

California Chrome and Dortmund will meet again in the prestigious Pacific Classic (gr. I) on August 20th, California Chrome’s second prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In that race, they could be joined by defending Pacific Classic winner Beholder, a sensational three-time champion mare many believe could be the best horse in the country. But for all she has accomplished, she has never faced a horse as accomplished as California Chrome, and their showdown in the Pacific Classic promises to be among the most anticipated, exciting, and significant races in many years.

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and racing enthusiast who considers Zenyatta to be his all-time favorite racehorse. He is the founder of the horse racing website TheTurfBoard.com and writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.

The post California Chrome Returns to the Races appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Not surprisingly, as a huge fan of Thoroughbred horse racing, my reading interests tend to revolve around the “Sport of Kings” and its rich history. I’ll venture to guess that I’ve between 100 and 150 books on the topic, and suffice it to say that the best of them rank among my very favorite books.

I particularly enjoy reading racehorse biographies, especially stories of unknown horses rising from obscurity to become champions. If you’re looking for some exciting, heartwarming summer reads, here are my five favorite racehorse biographies:

1. 1. John Henry: Racing’s Grand Old Man, by Steve Haskin
      John Henry was the quintessential “champion from nowhere.” A gelding with a modest pedigree, he raced in relative obscurity for three years before landing with horse trainer Ron McAnally, who seemed to make a connection with John Henry and unlock the champion within. This story of an ornery horse with a vivid personality is brilliantly told by author Steve Haskin and is part of the “Thoroughbred Legends” series published by Eclipse Press.
   2. Battleship: A Daring Heiress, a Teenage Jockey, and America’s Horse, by Dorothy Ours
      With his small size, few people believed that Battleship could handle the testing course of England’s historic Grand National, but the American colt proved his doubters wrong with an unprecedented win in the world’s most famous steeplechase race. Written by Dorothy Ours and published by St. Martin’s Griffin, Battleship is an impressively well-researched volume that is as much about Battleship’s owner, Marion DuPont, as it is about the starring horse, making it a must-read for fans of horses and history alike.
   3. Secretariat, by William Nack
      Originally published in 1975 under the name Big Red of Meadow Stable, the definitive story of the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat is told in masterful fashion by Bill Nack, an eloquent writer with a knack for finding the heart in any story. Republished by Hyperion in time for the 2010 release of the Walt Disney film Secretariat, this book is filled with fascinating details and tidbits about arguably the greatest racehorse in American racing history.
   4. Cañonero II: The Rags to Riches Story of the Kentucky Derby’s Most Improbable Winner, by Milton C. Toby
      If the story of Cañonero II were told in a Disney movie, people would write it off as unrealistic and far-fetched, which says something about the unprecedented nature of Cañonero II’s 1971 Kentucky Derby triumph. No one believed that an unknown colt from Venezuela could win the Derby, especially after he lost weight during a nightmarish trip to the United States. The story of Cañonero II’s rise to glory—written by Milton Toby and published by The History Press—is a gripping account you’ll want to read again and again.
   5. Native Dancer: The Grey Ghost, Hero of a Golden Age, by John Eisenberg
      If you could read only one of the books on this list, this is the one I would recommend. Written by John Eisenberg and published by Warner Books, this lengthy and well-researched book details the career of Native Dancer, whose only defeat in 22 races came in the 1953 Kentucky Derby. It also seamlessly weaves in the story of Native Dancer’s iconic owner, Alfred Vanderbilt Jr., to create a riveting book that might be my favorite racehorse biography of all.

Which horse biographies have you read and enjoyed?

Want more horse books? Here are some to add to your list:
30 Best Horse Books
Forgotten Favorites: Horse Books You May Have Missed
Finding Inspiration from Classic Horse Books

The post My 5 Favorite Racehorse Biographies appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Few sporting events in the world can claim such a rich history as the Kentucky Derby, which never fails to produce its share of great stories each year. The Derby has been run continuously since 1875, and over the last 141 years, we’ve seen some great horses achieve memorable victories under the fabled “Twin Spires” at Churchill Downs. With just about a week remaining until the 2016 Kentucky Derby, let’s relive nine unforgettable editions of the Derby!

1. Secretariat in 1973

The legendary Secretariat set the standard by which all Derby winners are measured, as he achieved the impossible feat of increasing his speed as the race progressed, allowing him to win in the track record time of 1:59.40 seconds, which still stands as by far the fastest winning time in the history of the Derby.

2. Genuine Risk in 1980

Few thought that the filly Genuine Risk had a legitimate chance to win the Derby, but she proved her doubters wrong by rallying from the middle of the pack to beat twelve talented colts and become the first filly in 65 years to win the Derby.

3. Ferdinand in 1986

Trainer Charles Whittingham was 73 years old and jockey Bill Shoemaker was 54 years old, but when they teamed up in the Kentucky Derby with the longshot Ferdinand, they couldn’t be stopped. In one of the most unforgettable rides in the history of the Derby, Shoemaker guided Ferdinand up the rail to win decisively, and Ferdinand remains the last horse to win the Derby while starting from post position one.

4. Winning Colors in 1988

The last filly to win the Derby was the front-running grey sensation Winning Colors, who led from gate to wire to win by a determined neck. Her jockey, Gary Stevens, is still riding champions at the age of 53 despite undergoing knee replacement surgery in 2014, and he will ride the talented Mor Spirit in the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

5. Silver Charm in 1997

Gary Stevens’ most recent Derby win came aboard the tough-as-nails Silver Charm, a gritty grey colt named for his unwavering determination and will to win. In one of the closest Derby finishes in history, Silver Charm triumphed by a head after a long battle in the homestretch. Silver Charm was trained by Bob Baffert, who will team up with Stevens in the 2016 Derby with Mor Spirit.

6. Funny Cide in 2003

It had been 74 years since a gelding had won the Kentucky Derby, but no one told that to Funny Cide, the “gutsy gelding” that pulled off a surprising upset when he turned back a challenge from favored Empire Maker to win the Derby. His ultimately unsuccessful bid to win the Triple Crown became a huge story in national media and helped inspire a new generation of horse racing fans.

7. Smarty Jones in 2004

One year after Funny Cide, the unheralded Pennsylvania-bred racehorse Smarty Jones captured the hearts of the nation with his victory in the Kentucky Derby and subsequent domination of the Preakness Stakes. Although he lost the Triple Crown when forced to set a fast pace in the Belmont Stakes, he is still beloved by his legions of fans and currently resides as a stallion at the legendary Calumet Farm in Kentucky.

8. Mine That Bird in 2009

Coming into the 2009 Kentucky Derby, few people had ever heard of Mine That Bird, but when jockey Calvin Borel employed a rail-skimming ride to guide Mine That Bird to Derby glory, his story—later retold in the movie 50-1—became one of the greatest in Derby history.

9. American Pharoah in 2015

No horse had won the Triple Crown in 37 years, but when the brilliant American Pharoah prevailed in the 2015 Kentucky Derby, racing fans everywhere crossed their fingers that he would be the one to end the drought. Amazingly, he did just that, winning the Preakness and Belmont to earn his place in the history books as one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

The post 9 Unforgettable Kentucky Derbies appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

On June 6th, the world will watch with anticipation as American Pharoah seeks to win the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park and become the first horse to sweep the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Only eleven horses in history have achieved the elusive feat of winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Following American Pharoah’s victories in the first two legs of the series, the excitement is building as he prepares for the Belmont Stakes, also known as the “Test of Champions.” In advance of his quest for history, here’s everything you need to know about American Pharoah.

1. American Pharoah was a Champion Two-Year-Old
   
   American Pharoah has shown promise right from the start of his career, earning the title of 2014 Eclipse award champion two-year-old colt by winning a pair of top-level races in California. The first was the grade I Del Mar Futurity, in which American Pharoah seized the lead from the start and never looked back on his way to a decisive victory. The Del Mar Futurity also marked American Pharoah’s first victory, as he had finished a disappointing fifth in his first race despite being the favorite to win.American Pharoah’s second major triumph came in the grade I FrontRunner Stakes, his first run in a non-sprint race. Once again, the colt went straight to the lead and was never challenged throughout, winning by just over three lengths while never being seriously urged to run. Texas Red, the third-place finisher that day, would go on to win the prestigious grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 6 1/2 lengths, providing a hint that American Pharoah had the potential to be a very special racehorse.

   By winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, American Pharoah has become the first champion two-year-old since 1979 to come back the next year and sweep the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Remarkably, since official championships were established in 1936, only seven champion two-year-olds aside from American Pharoah have gone on to win the Derby and Preakness, and six of them were successful in sweeping the Triple Crown.

2. American Pharoah Has a Short Tail
   
   No Triple Crown hopeful would be complete without a charismatic quality that sets him apart from his rivals, and American Pharoah’s unusually short tail fits the bill. The story goes that when American Pharoah was young, a portion of his tail was chewed off by another horse, and while his tail is perhaps a bit longer now than it used to be, it is still much shorter than normal for an adult horse. But should American Pharoah win the Belmont Stakes, he won’t be the first Triple Crown winner known for his atypical tail length—1941 Triple Crown winner Whirlaway was nicknamed “Mr. Longtail” thanks to a tail that nearly brushed the ground.
3. American Pharoah Doesn’t Like Noise
   
   According to trainer Bob Baffert, American Pharoah doesn’t care for loud noises, including cheering crowds—obviously a concern for a top-class racehorse! To help keep American Pharoah calm and focused, Baffert has equipped the colt with cotton earplugs similar to the ones worn by Zenyatta during her legendary racing career.
4. American Pharoah Loves Muddy Racetracks
   
   Muddy racetracks have played a role in the defeat of past Triple Crown hopefuls, but a wet track shouldn’t trouble American Pharoah. We saw in the Preakness Stakes that the colt relishes wet conditions, but his seven-length victory was only a confirmation of what we saw earlier this year in the grade II Rebel Stakes, American Pharoah’s first race of 2015. Returning from an ankle injury suffered near the end of 2014, American Pharoah easily handled the sloppy track, winning by more than six lengths in very easy fashion. Thus, if it rains at Belmont Park on June 6th, it shouldn’t prove to be an issue for American Pharoah—in fact, it might even be a benefit!
5. American Pharoah Doesn’t Need to Have the Early Lead
   
   Although many of American Pharoah’s victories have been achieved in gate-to-wire fashion, that doesn’t mean that he’s strictly a front-runner. In the grade I Arkansas Derby, his final race before the Kentucky Derby, American Pharoah successfully settled into second place before drawing off to win by eight lengths, and in the Kentucky Derby itself, the colt raced in third early on before taking command in the homestretch to win by a length. But although he doesn’t need to have the early lead, utilizing his excellent speed might prove to be the best strategy in the Belmont Stakes. After all, seven of the eleven Triple Crown winners—including the last four—won the Belmont by leading from start to finish.

The Belmont Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC Sports starting at 4:30 pm EDT on June 6th. Be sure to tune in and watch as American Pharoah tries to make history!

Liked this article? Here’s more on Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown:
A Look Back at Triple Crown Contenders
Video: Chromie is My Homie

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and racing enthusiast who considers Zenyatta to be his all-time favorite racehorse. He is the founder of the horse racing website TheTurfBoard.com and writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.

The post Everything You Need to Know About American Pharoah appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.