As equestrian sports continue to grow in popularity, there are more and more exciting competitions taking place around the world in every discipline. While it is impossible to attend all of these events in person, we now have a virtual front row seat thanks to livestreaming. Horse & Country (H&C), the leading international equestrian sports network, specializes in sharing premier horse show livestream coverage with a worldwide audience. Read on to see how the H&C team translates raw camera footage into an engaging production that puts you right in the action from the comfort of your couch.

For the past three years, the prestigious Dressage at Devon horse show has highlighted the H&C fall livestream schedule. Held at the historic Devon Horse Show grounds in Devon, Pa., Dressage at Devon features many of the nation’s most impressive horse and rider combinations, as well as numerous breed classes. Throughout this year’s six days of competition from September 26 through October 1, 2023, H&C captures every moment from both the Dixon Oval and the Wheeler Ring. Not only are thousands of viewers treated to exceptional live sport, but H&C’s coverage is also available to view on demand. In addition, H&C will offer two special highlight programs from the event.

“The whole Dressage at Devon experience is incredible,” says H&C Content Producer Helen Murray, who has led the H&C on-site production team since 2020. “It is such a unique and historic venue, so it is always a pleasure to produce and stream this iconic competition. From the Breed Division classes to the various Performance Division classes, there are so many top-class horses and riders. There is nothing like the Saturday night Grand Prix Freestyle with so much atmosphere and buzz. The crowd is incredible, and we really enjoy bringing that experience to our viewers.”

Preparing for a Horse Show Livestream

When scoping out a venue for the first time, the H&C team works with show managers and organizers well in advance of the competition to figure out the best setup location for the production trailer, which serves as the team’s base camp and the heart of the operation. The most important element for success is a dedicated internet connection to support the stream. The team also ensures that the production trailer will have the necessary access to power and a good vantage point to observe the competition.

After the preliminary site inspection, the production team doesn’t return until a day or two before the competition gets underway. For Dressage at Devon, that means at least a full 10- to 12-hour day of setup activities. Once the production trailer has arrived, is powered up and has connected internet, the audio and video cables must be laid, cameras are placed, and microphones (or “mics”) are set out. The day wraps up after everything is tested to make sure all systems are ready to go first thing the next morning.

“If you can think of it, we probably have it in the production trailer,” Murray says of the necessary production equipment. “We bring everything from the switcher to the commentary booth setup, as well as the HDTV-quality cameras, audio and video cables, power cables, internet modem, extension cords, and gaffe tape.”

H&C’s on-site production team consists of seven to nine people serving the roles of executive producer, producer/director, engineer, streaming engineer, audio engineer, video engineer, and at least four camera operators that also can be utilities and support the operation as needed. For Dressage at Devon, H&C uses three cameras: two for the Dixon Oval competition and a single camera for the Wheeler Ring. In order to keep things running smoothly, all camera operators wear headsets so they can communicate back and forth with the production unit in the trailer, who are also on headsets.

“Just like with riding, when working on production, you can have the best laid plans, but something can always change,” Murray says. “It’s important to be nimble and ready to make an adjustment very quickly.”

Inevitable Challenges

Fortunately, the H&C team hasn’t run into too many logistical challenges at Dressage at Devon, but there are aspects of the horse show that must be carefully considered in order to produce a successful livestream. Simply put, with two competition arenas, the team must be able to handle the technical complexities that come with two streams. The streams from each arena have a unique player so they can be seen individually. These streams and players are all managed by a streaming engineer stationed in the production trailer, which results in viewers being able to watch live coverage of either ring.

As with many outdoor equestrian competitions, weather contingencies must be part of the planning process. The typical Pennsylvania fall weather can range from beautiful clear skies to rain, so the H&C team must be ready for various conditions.

“As we all know, dealing with inclement weather is part of horse showing!” Murray says. “Our entire crew is always prepared with all-weather gear to handle whatever is thrown at them. Additionally, we have rain covers for all cameras and cabling, and all other equipment is weather-proof.”

Dressage at Devon’s evening classes are another unique part of the event. While there is no difference in the streaming process between daytime and evening coverage, the magic of being able to see everything clearly regardless of ambient lighting happens in the production process. A video engineer “paints” the cameras, meaning they manage the iris and color temperatures of each camera to account for strong sunlight, shadows, or arena lights so all the footage is sharp no matter what time of day.

Finally, professional commentary provided by respected athletes and announcers is the cherry on top of the ideal horse show livestream. The commentary can actually be done either onsite or remotely. In both cases, the audio engineer mixes the commentary with the ambient mics so the audio is incorporated into the production simultaneously.

When all the pieces come together, the result is a livestream that brings the online audience ringside for the competition’s most thrilling moments. While Dressage at Devon is certainly a must-see show, it is one of just many exciting equestrian sporting events available to watch on H&C. With a quality livestream, it’s easy to forget the horse show action is miles away, perhaps even in a different time zone, but that is what H&C aims to achieve with every production, bringing the horses we all love closer to us.

“We have a great team and have become great friends over the years, which is always fun and rewarding,” Murray says of the H&C crew. “It is great to watch world-class competition and, as a producer or director, tell the story of the competition to the whole world.”

In addition to top-notch livestreamed competition, H&C also offers engaging programming such as Masterclasses with the pros, Barn Talks behind the scenes, and fun equestrian shows, and compelling documentaries. For more information about Horse & Country and to tune into future live events, visit horseandcountry.tv.

This article about Horse & Country’s work behind the scenes of a horse show’s livestream is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Take a Trip Backstage with the Horse & Country Livestream Crew appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

At small horse shows without professional photographers on site, it’s usually up to friends and family members to take all the photos and record the classes on video. These photos and videos preserve wonderful memories for the future, but they’re also useful in the present for riders wishing to analyze their classes and strive for improvement. For anyone whose camera skills are a little rusty, here are some tips for taking better horse show photos and videos.

Photo Tips

1. USE THE RIGHT CAMERA FOR THE RIGHT JOB

Your phone can perform nicely for certain situations, like portraits after the class or overviews of the show scene. But for the best results, a DSLR camera is faster and generally does a much better job on action and equine portraits.

2. USE THE RIGHT LENS

If you take a DSLR, which has removable lenses, to the show, you can choose the right lens for the task. Generally, horses look their best when photographed with longer lenses, such as 150mm. A long lens will also help you get closer to the action during the class. The zoom features on mobile devices aren’t nearly as sharp as a long DSLR lens, and the results from mobile devices are often more pixelated.

3. SHOOT OUTSIDE IF YOU CAN

Outdoor arenas are ideal for photography. Things are a little more challenging if the class takes place in an indoor arena. Your camera might have trouble focusing and freezing the motion indoors. But you can always compromise and take some photos of your rider warming up outside in better light.

4. USE A HIGH SHUTTER SPEED

Do a little research ahead of time to learn how to adjust the shutter speed of your particular camera. Try to use at least 1/500th of a second to keep the action sharp!

5. DON’T FLASH

Flashes are best disabled at a horse show, just in case the light spooks any horses. Flashes can be useful outdoors for filling in shadows, but it’s not typically worth the risk. Indoors, raise the camera’s light sensitivity (“ISO”) to a higher level to compensate for the dim light.

Video Tips

6. SHOOT HORIZONTAL VIDEO

Your phone may be easier to hold in a vertical orientation, but that doesn’t mean you should shoot horse show videos that way! Videos in general look better and are easier to watch when they’re shot horizontally, and the setting and action of a horse show is much more suited to that orientation.

7. PAY ATTENTION

Sometimes people attempt to shoot show videos without really paying attention to the camera. They have the camera on and are recording, but they’re watching the class and not the camera. The shaky results are often worse than nothing. Stay focused and don’t multitask. If you’re going to shoot video, give it your full attention. Ideally, you would use a video tripod to keep things very steady; you can even find tripods for mobile devices or get a mobile phone attachment for a standard tripod.

8. KEEP THE CLIPS SHORT

Try not to film video clips that are too long; it will be almost impossible to find the part you want later. Filming short clips keeps things much more manageable.

LIGHTING TIPS

9. BEAT THE LIGHT

Sunny midsummer days are a real challenge for taking photos and shooting videos, especially at a horse show. High mid-day sun makes a strong contrast between the light and shadows, and the shadows usually end up very dark and unappealing in the photo. But the next tips offer solutions for this issue.

10. SHOOT WITH THE SUN BEHIND YOU

This is called “front lighting.” It usually isn’t the best for human portraits (too much squinting, along with shadows under the eyes and nose), but it works pretty well for horses. Front lighting also works well for photos of the class itself.

11. OR, SHOOT INTO THE SUN

This is called “back lighting.” Depending on the conditions, this can be a very nice way to beat the shadows, but you have to watch out for lens flares from the sun. Also, you might run into trouble with very low contrast on dark horses.

12. DON’T SHOOT SIDE-LIGHTING

Between front lighting and back lighting is side-lighting, where half the subject is lit and half is in shadow. This is challenging to do well at midday, so try to avoid it.

13. EMBRACE THE CLOUDS

If you’re lucky enough to get some clouds, use them! Clouds reduce or eliminate the tough shadows, making your photos automatically come out more appealing. Clouds also boost the saturation of your colors. Obviously, you can’t control the weather, but you can be ready to shoot even more on the cloudy days.

General Tips

14. UNDERSTAND THE CLASS

Know what you’re recording. Take a minute to learn the course/pattern to better anticipate the action.

15. FIND A GOOD BACKGROUND

Watch what is happening behind your subject. There is probably a lot of visual chaos: tents, barns, trucks, tractors … and the dreaded porta potties. Try to find a place where you can shoot at least part of the class with a clean background. For after-the-class portraits, you can choose a nice location to photograph the horse and competitor.

16. TRY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS

Don’t always photograph or shoot video from a standing position. Try getting down lower and shooting from a sitting position or look for a higher (yet safe) vantage point if possible. Variety keeps your work interesting.

17. SHOOT MOMENTS

Everyone is looking at the arena. Take a few moments to look the other way—at the grandparents setting up the shade tent, the pony being groomed for the next class, and the husband holding the dog’s leash plus his wife’s other horse. You’ll find a million tiny moments just waiting to become treasured photos.

These tips on taking better photos and videos at a horse show appeared in the June 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Clicks and Flicks: How to Take Great Photos and Videos at Horse Shows appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Best Super Bowl Commercial This Year?

Lil Nas X (Montero Lamar Hill) is the rapper, singer, and songwriter who went viral in 2019 using the Internet and social media—especially on Tik Tok—for promotion of his song “Old Town Road,” which is a country rap/country trap song. It hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 list for 19 straight weeks, breaking a record for longest time spent on the chart. Lil Nas X was able to catch the attention of Billy Ray Cyrus to do the remix (see below), which won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.

Many applauded the “showdown” between these Lil Nas X and actor Sam Elliott, of western movie fame, with their two “dancing” horses in the 2020 Super Bowl commercial for Doritos. And we can’t forget the cameo from Billy Ray Cyrus. The commercial is reminiscent of the original music video of the song, in which Lil Nas X rides a horse, ironically for the first time despite the song being all about horses, according to the singer.

We also came across a video about the making of the commercial that you’ll want to see (see below), done by Access Hollywood.

So you tell us, which one won the dance showdown: Lil Nas X or Sam Elliott?
And which horse won?

Further Reading

• Watch Budweiser’s 2019 Super Bowl Ad Featuring the Clydesdales
• The Budweiser Clydesdales’ Super Bowl Party
• The Budweiser Clydesdales Will Rock You

The post Best Super Bowl Commercial: Doritos with Lil Nas X and Sam Elliott and Dancing Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Do you know how to evaluate hay quality to determine if the hay you are purchasing is really right for your horse? As we move into fall and winter, horse owners need to make sure they have enough hay of good quality to feed through the cold months. Amy Burk, PhD, MS, an associate professor in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland has put together a new video lecture on how to evaluate hay quality and what kinds of hay are best for different horses. This is one of the most requested presentation topics on horse care at the University of Maryland.

The presentation covers:

• When to feed hay
• Types of hay
• How hay is made
• Ways to predict hay quality
• Differences in hay cuts and what to look for when choosing hay
• How to get a chemical analysis of hay
• How to help the horse when you have low-quality hay
• Nutrient requirements of horses
• How to match hay samples to a horse’s nutrient requirements

Knowing more can help you purchase the right type of hay for the winter and all year round.

Read more:

• Hay Buyer’s Guide
• Ask the Vet: How’s the Hay?
• Choose the Right Hay for Your Horse

The post Video: How to Evaluate Hay Quality appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The 60-second commercial by agency adam&eve DBB is meant to show support between members of different generations.

“The new ad shows the importance of relationships between generations, and that we will always be by their side whatever challenges may arise,” says Catherine Kehoe, managing director for group brands and marketing at Lloyds.

In the 90-second behind-the-scenes featurette below, see how the team of filmmakers and horse wranglers made the commercial come together with well-trained horses and some movie magic.

Want more? Watch some past Lloyds Bank adverts featuring the black horse:

• Lloyds Bank: 250 Years
• Lloyds Bank: For Your Next Step

The post Featured Video: An Epic Journey for Lloyds Bank’s Black Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The first Saturday in May is an iconic date for Kentuckians and fans of Thoroughbred racing. Since 1875, the Kentucky Derby has been held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and May 4, 2019, will be the 145th running of America’s most famous race. But for fans of all equine kind, the Derby brings something extra special this year. The Budweiser Clydesdales are making their first-ever appearance on the track for the Kentucky Derby celebration. They’ll be decked out in their own version of the Derby’s blanket of roses, with roses braided into their manes in honor of the “Run for the Roses.”

Get a sneak peek of the Budweiser Clydesdales’ trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby in the video below, and tune into the Kentucky Derby broadcast on NBC starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4.

Coverage of the Kentucky Oaks and other Derby Week races and celebrations will air on NBC Sports Network. Tap here to view the broadcast schedule.

The post Featured Video: Budweiser Clydesdales at the Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

These stretches are intended to maintain flexibility and mobility in the horse’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Watch the horse stretches video to see Barb perform a demonstration.

Before attempting any stretches, make sure your horse has been warmed up at least five to 10 minutes on the longe line. If your horse is older, remember that it will take longer for him to warm up.

Never stretch a cold muscle, and never force a stretch. Go slowly and if your horse is resistant, don’t push. If the stretching routine is new to your horse, he won’t be able to do deep stretches or hold them for very long. Start slow and easy, and work your way up over time as your horse becomes more flexible.

Watch the horse stretches video below:

(https://youtu.be/n0kVp4oU8Q8)

Please be sure to consult your Veterinarian before beginning a stretching routine. If you are having serious problems with your horse, please seek the services of a qualified person. Consult a veterinarian, farrier or other equine professional to eliminate problems caused by injury, poor health or improperly fitting equipment.

Our expert service provides information to assist horse owners in caring responsibly for their horses and to assist the visitors of our website on equine training and behavior issues. All information provided is strictly informational in nature and should never be used as a substitute for proper care, training and medical attention for your horse.

The post Video: Basic Horse Stretches appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Budweiser has released its commercial that will be aired during the 2019 Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3, and the Clydesdales make an appearance. Watch the 2019 Super Bowl Ad featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales.

The famous Budweiser Clydesdales have been relegated to the background of Anheuser-Busch’s Super Bowl ads for the past couple of years as the company focused its messaging more on the beer and less on the mascots. This followed a trio of famously emotional Super Bowl ads from Budweiser that ran in 2013, 2014, and 2015, featuring the Clydesdales, their kind-hearted caretaker, and an impossibly adorable puppy.

Prior to those, the Bud ads were known for being among the most entertaining of the Super Bowl commercial lineup, and often featured supporting players like dalmatians and donkeys alongside the majestic Clydesdales.

This year’s 2019 Super Bowl ad makes use of a cute puppy and some gorgeous scenery with the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale hitch. Budweiser is using this 30-second spot to promote its use of renewable wind power to brew its beer. Anheuser-Busch says that Budweiser is now brewed with 100% renewable electricity from wind power.

Need more Clydesdales? Check out these videos:

• The Budweiser Clydesdales Will Rock You
• The Budweiser Clydesdales’ Super Bowl Party
• Budweiser Clydesdales at the Kentucky Horse Park

The post Watch Budweiser’s 2019 Super Bowl Ad Featuring the Clydesdales appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Directed by John David Ware, the film stars Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight; The Expendables) and T.C. Stallings (War Room; Courageous) and introduces Tea McKay as protagonist Sarah Miller.

With themes of hope and redemption, the film tackles such sensitive subjects as sex trafficking, domestic abuse and suicide with grace and dignity.

A full list of cities where the Unbridled movie is opening at is below; learn more at unbridledtickets.com.

About Unbridled

In the movie Unbridled, Sarah (Tea McKay) is a 16-year-old girl who is abused, emotionally abandoned and written off as just another hopeless causality of this world. Karen (Dey Young), her single mother struggling with alcoholism, looks the other way when her abusive boyfriend Roger (Eric Roberts) secretly involves Sarah in an illicit sex traffic ring. Meanwhile, Roger toys with Mitchell (TC Stallings), the detective assigned to his case, who is himself desperate to find the missing daughter he believes may be involved in the same abusive circumstances.

Convinced she is beyond redemption and unworthy of love, Sarah is sent away from the house that defined her horrors when Roger is finally arrested. At Unbridled, an equine therapy academy where young women like her find hope and healing, Sarah meets Dreamer, a horse who has also suffered abuse and lost all trust in humans.

Together, Sarah and Dreamer walk the difficult road to healing as Sarah gets her life back on track. But when Roger is released, he tracks her down at the academy and threatens to derail it all. In the face of every hardship and terrifying obstacle, Sarah finds redemption through the family she rebuilds around her, ultimately learning that love is the most powerful force on earth.

Where to Watch

The Unbridled movie will be opening on January 18, 2019 at these theaters:

• Tucson, AZ — Galaxy Tucson | 100 S. Houghton Rd, Tucson
• Los Angeles — Galaxy Mission Grove | 121 E. Alessandro Rd, Riverside
• San Luis Obispo, CA — Galaxy Colony Square Atascadero | 6517 El Camino Real, Atascadero
• Modesto, CA — Galaxy Riverbank | 2525 Patterson Rd., Riverbank
• Porterville, CA — Galaxy Porterville | 631 N. Indiana St.
• Colorado Springs, CO — ICON Colorado Springs | 1818 Spring Water Pl.
• Chicago — Emagine Frankfort 10 | 19965 La Grange Rd., Frankfort
• Detroit, MI
  • Emagine Novi | 44425 W. 12 Mile Rd, Novi;
  • Emagine Rochester Hills | 200 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills;
  • Emagine Royal Oak | 200 N. Main St, Royal Oak;
  • Emagine Hartland | 10495 Hartland Sq., Heartland
• St. Paul, MN — Emagine White Bear | 1180 County Rd. EE, White Bear Township
• Minneapolis
  • Emagine Lakeville 21 | 20653 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville;
  • Emagine Rogers | 13692 Rogers Dr., Rogers;
  • Emagine Monticello | 9375 Deegan Ave NE, Monticello
• Reno — Galaxy Victorian | 1250 Victorian Ave., Sparks
• Las Vegas — Galaxy Cannery | 2121 E. Craig Rd., North Las Vegas
• Austin — Galaxy Highland | 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd.
• San Angelo, TX — ICON San Angelo | 2020 N. Bryant Bl.

The post New Movie Alert: Unbridled appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Equus “Story of the Horse” premieres tonight (January 16, 2019) on PBS affiliate stations. The second episode is scheduled to air on January 23. Both episodes will be available for online viewing at pbs.org/nature and on the PBS app for a limited time beginning the day after their initial broadcast.

The first episode features a look at the history of the horse and how evolution shaped it into the animal we know today. It showcases the rare, wild Przewalski horse and conservation efforts that have helped to prevent the breed’s extinction. The premiere episode also looks at how horses communicate by following research by animal psychologist Karen McComb and her team.

The second episode will examine how a diverse range of breeds and types of horses have come to exist through natural selection as well as selective breeding for different purposes around the world.

The series was filmed over the course of 18 months on three different continents and showcases breeds ranging from the Arabian and Thoroughbred to the wild Sable Island Horse and the distinct Siberian Yakutian Horse.

Learn more and see more clips from Equus “Story of the Horse” at pbs.org/nature.

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