Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Adoptable Horse: Angel, a 26-year-old, 15.1hh gray Appaloosa-cross mare
Organization: Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Lexington, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Angel

Angel is a lovely gray Appaloosa-cross mare who recently came to Kentucky Equine Adoption Center through an animal control case. When her owner could no longer provide care, Angel needed a safe place to land — and KYEAC is grateful to be that place.

In her 20s, Angel is in her golden years and is looking for a peaceful, non-riding home where she can enjoy life at a slower pace. She wasn’t emaciated upon arrival, but like many horses, she benefits from consistent care, good nutrition, and a calm environment. She can be slow to warm up to new people, but with trust and consistency, she is settling into her new surroundings. She has “boss mare” energy and loves her pasture buddies.

Angel would make a wonderful companion horse for someone looking to provide comfort, kindness, and a soft place to retire. If you have room in your heart and pasture for a sweet senior mare, Angel would love to spend her retirement surrounded by love and care. Her adoption fee is $500.

Contact Kentucky Equine Adoption Center today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Angel!

Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Angel appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Horses are in my life because I don’t think I could be without them,” she says.

Her mom brought her into riding at a young age, and soon she was a working student so that she could pay for lessons and horse shows. That hustle has come in handy while juggling a 14-year career in automotive advertising, a full clothing line, two small children, and the very active Instagram account that started it all.

Taryn Young says her success wouldn’t be possible without the support of her family. Photo by Stacy Tierman Photography

Beginnings

Young’s Instagram, @warmbloodsandwine, came about when she went to social media to share her equestrian journey after she started leasing her current show horse, Rayne, whom she would later purchase.

“My friends and family who weren’t into horses would never understand what I was talking about,” she recalls. “But the working woman equestrian [journey] was so relatable to so many people and gained traction.”

It certainly has, as the account has over 21,000 followers, and has led to many other opportunities. Young has done takeovers of social media pages for US Equestrian, USEF Network, USA Dressage, and PS of Sweden, to name a few. She credits the power of networking, and then taking the leap.

“It was all about me approaching and asking,” she says.

Breeches, Belts, & More

Her social media persona is also what led to her getting a foothold in the equestrian fashion space with her company, Novella Equestrian. After testing lots of different clothing items designed for riders, both through paid collaborations and her own personal purchases, Young kept finding herself imagining minor tweaks that would improve the pieces.

“Novella felt like a natural progression,” she says.

Young started her Novella Equestrian clothing company after testing much of what was already out on the market. Photo by Taylor Pence

The networking her social media presence allows has continued to be beneficial to the brand, as it makes finding models relatively easy with so many equestrian women at her fingertips.

“There are top riders I’ve been able to work with, which has resulted in some ‘pinch me’ moments, like when [2016 Olympic team dressage bronze medalist] Kasey Perry-Glass followed me,” says Young. “I just approached her and said, ‘I have a red, white, and blue shirt, would you be interested?’” (If you’re curious, Perry-Glass can be found on shopnovella.com sporting the “Team” shirt.)

Even though Young has had these opportunities, she doesn’t take them lightly.

“It’s very important to take your time with something like this because it’s your own idea,” she says. “You must have a vision and drive for it. You have to start out on the right foot and make the best lasting impression. People will give you a chance, but if that product isn’t up to their standards, they aren’t going to [buy again].”

Babies!

Novella was started soon after Covid hit, when Taryn found herself at home more due to working remotely and not needing to travel out of town to advertising meetings for her day job.

It also opened up the window to a new possibility: starting a family. She has since been blessed with two bundles of joy: her son Dunham and her daughter Parker. Young made sure to hammer home the point that she would not be able to accomplish all that she does without the assistance of those around her, which allows her to go out and attack her dreams full force.

“I have the most supportive and amazing family and husband,” she says. “They challenge me to go out and live my dreams, which has allowed me to get to where I am today.”

Barn Girl

After hearing about her full-time advertising job, being at the helm of a new fashion company, having two small children at home, and actively posting daily, you would think Young doesn’t get much saddle time—but you’d be wrong. She has carved out the time to pilot Rayne through eight show seasons, riding from Training Level to Grand Prix in dressage.

“He has the best brain, not the best movement, but his heart is so big,” says Young. “I think it says everything when you see a horse and a rider go from Training to Grand Prix because you know it’s the partnership that got them there.”

Young has piloted Rayne through eight show seasons, bringing him from Training Level dressage through Grand Prix. Photo by Fire & Earth Photo

Getting Resourceful

You may be wondering how Young balances it all.

“I like to be busy,” she says. “It doesn’t scare me when another thing is added to my plate, because I somehow just figure out how to be resourceful. I think horse girls are the most resourceful people I’ve ever known, because many people don’t have this demanding of a hobby. We’re taking care of a living thing, working, competing, juggling families, et cetera. But if it’s important to you, you figure it out.”

This article about Taryn Young appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Meet Taryn Young of Warmbloods + Wine and Novella Equestrian appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

You might be thinking, “Strength training can have that much impact on my riding?”

Yes! Incorporating exercises that maintain and build strength, improve mobility, and enhance stability can counteract the march of time. Riding is one of the few sports that you can do forever, allowing you to continue enjoying your passion with confidence, safety and vitality.

Bent-over dumbbell rows help improve strength and endurance in the saddle, as Ifa Simmonds and the model demonstrate. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Age-Related Muscle Decline

If you’re over 50, the natural decline in muscle strength is roughly 1.5 to 3 percent annually. This decline affects stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina around the barn, as well as in the saddle. Strength training, such as bodyweight movements and especially weightlifting, plays a vital role in mitigating this muscle loss. This training stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which helps you enhance muscle growth and maintenance.

For riders, muscle loss leads to reduced balance, slower reaction times, and greater difficulty maintaining good posture in the saddle. Strength training helps to maintain core strength and stability, both essential for staying balanced during transitions, turns, and unexpected movements from the horse.

Routine strength training has not only helped my clients preserve muscle health, but also promotes a higher quality of life and longevity in the saddle.

Bodyweight exercises like squats are ideal for building foundational strength and require no equipment. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Performance & Injury Risk

Riding places unique physical demands on your body. Core strength, leg endurance, and back stability are critical to maintaining proper alignment and posture while communicating effectively with your horse. When you’re weak in these areas, it leads to compensatory patterns, increasing the risk of overuse injuries and discomfort.

Stronger muscles help to reduce the strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments during rides. This is particularly important for mature riders, who may experience joint discomfort or back pain. Strengthening the lower body also improves your ability to absorb the horse’s movements without compromising balance, especially during activities like posting or sitting deeper in the canter.

Strength training can also improve grip strength, essential for holding reins and giving precise control without excessive tension. Combined with flexibility training, strength work enhances overall coordination, helping you feel more secure and harmonious with your horse.

Exercises like the marching press help develop the endurance, coordination, and stability used in the saddle. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Flexibility & Balance

Stability and suppleness are foundational to effective riding. Tight muscles with a limited range of motion negatively impact the horse’s way of going, often leading to stiffness or a lack of fluidity in the horse’s stride. Flexibility is just like the other things—if you don’t continue to practice it, you’re liable to lose it. Incorporating exercises like dynamic stretching, Pilates, or yoga can improve your suppleness and overall comfort while riding.

The center of gravity in an older rider is slightly different than in younger riders. To be centered and properly positioned in the saddle, it’s important to practice joint stability and balance exercises.

Simple exercises like standing on a balance pad, single-leg stands, balance pod balance, and stability ball exercises can improve proprioception (your awareness of body position). These exercises enhance reflexes, which are essential for quick adjustments in challenging situations like spooks or sharp turns.

Single-leg stands on a balance pad or balance pods increase proprioception and enhance reflexes, great for riding a spook or sharp turn. Photo by Jamie Isaacs Photography

Hormonal & Recovery Benefits of Strength Training

As riders age, the natural production of hormones like estrogen, testosterone and human growth hormone declines, which typically means greater loss of muscle mass and slower recovery times. Strength training stimulates the release of these hormones, promoting muscle repair, bone density, and overall vitality. This is especially important for equestrians who want to maintain their riding fitness over the long term.

Older riders may notice recovery from rides or training sessions takes longer than it used to. Training improves both physical resilience and enhances recovery rates, allowing you to get back in the saddle quicker with less soreness.

Recommended Strength Training Exercises

1. Bodyweight

Simple yet effective, bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups strengthen key muscles used in riding. These exercises are ideal for building foundational strength and require no equipment, making them accessible to everyone.

2. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are an excellent tool that don’t place undue stress on your joints. You can do the same dumbbell exercises with bands instead. 

3. Dumbbells

Light dumbbells or kettlebells can gradually build strength in the upper body, particularly in the arms and shoulders. Exercises like overhead presses and bent-over rows help develop the endurance needed for rein control and proper riding posture.

4. Stability Exercises

Incorporating dynamic balance-focused exercises, such as the marching press, enhances coordination and stability.

5. Low-Impact Cardio

Adding low-impact cardio like swimming, walking, or cycling complements your strength training by maintaining cardiovascular fitness without over-stressing joints.

Taking It Slow

For anyone just getting started, it’s important to ease into strength training. Starting with light resistance and focusing on proper form minimizes the risk of injury. Gradually increasing the intensity by adding more reps, resistance, or weight gives your body time to adapt and grow stronger over time.

Listening to your body is equally important. If an exercise feels uncomfortable or causes pain, adjust the movement or reach out for help. Recovery is also key—allow ample time for rest between training sessions, especially after a tough or long ride.

Strength training will not only enhance your physical performance, but your mental confidence as well, allowing you to feel more in control and capable both on and off the horse. Investing in your health and fitness is an investment in your riding journey.

Find more fitness tips at ifafit.com.

This article about strength training for senior equestrians appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Strength Training for Senior Equestrians appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Stay up to date on the action from the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Find information about the event, including a recap from each day of the competition below, and follow links to the full stories.

2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: World #1 Harry Meade and #2 Boyd Martin Head Impressive List of 5* Entries

Photo by Mary Cage

World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

Read more >>

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

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Lexington, KY – World #1 Harry Meade (GBR) and #2 Boyd Martin (USA) head an impressive list of entries for the CCI5*-L division at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN (K3DE). Meade, who finished third last year aboard Et Hop Du Matz and fourth aboard Grafennacht, and Martin, who placed second with Commando 3, sixth with Fedarman B, and seventh with Luke 140, will head the field that features 37 total athletes from five nations vying for top honors at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 23-26.

View the full list of entries here.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3 during their second-place finish at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

The Event is produced by Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level. EEI is dedicated to creating opportunities for riders, horses, and equine organizations while advancing the United States’ strength and competitiveness on the international stage.

K3DE  features one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world. K3DE is the largest and longest-running Five Star event in the Americas, and as the United States’ premier event, it also serves as the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN for the U.S. athletes. Expanding its world-class offerings, the event also features the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S, a U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series qualifier, alongside the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Co-organized with Major League Show Jumping, the CSI5* brings an exciting team-based format to the week, culminating in a highlight Grand Prix. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” K3DE draws more than 90,000 attendees annually.

Meade, whose accolades include the team Silver medal at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, has four horses entered in the 2026 K3DE, including his 2025 podium partner, Et Hop Du Matz, and fourth-place finisher, Grafennacht. Et Hop Du Matz was the only horse to finish on his dressage score last year, but Meade and his mounts will still have their work cut out for them as they compete against the likes of World #2 Boyd Martin (USA), World #4 Tim Price (NZL), World #6 Tom McEwen (GBR), World #11 Tom Jackson (GBR), World #15 Austin O’Connor (IRL) and World #20 Will Coleman (USA).

Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz, third-place finishers at last year’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Mary Cage

One of the American favorites, Martin, has extensive championship experience under his belt, having competed in four Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. He helped the U.S. earn team Silver at the 2022 World Championships and is a three-time Pan American Games Gold medalist. In Kentucky, he placed second in 2019 and 2025 and fourth in 2021. He also placed second in the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024.

Coleman, Martin’s 2022 World Championship teammate, has also competed in the Olympic Games (2012), World Equestrian Games (2018), and podiumed on multiple occasions at the K3DE. He won the Cosequin^® Lexington CCI4*-S in 2024 and 2025 and took third place in 2024.

Additionally, World #36 Caroline Pamukcu (USA), Martin’s 2024 Olympic teammate, will be looking for her first podium at the K3DE. Her résumé includes individual Gold and team Silver at the 2023 Pan American Games. Other familiar faces from the U.S. include Jennie Brannigan, Mia Farley, and Buck Davidson, who placed third in Kentucky in 2014 and was the Highest-Placed Sole Owner/Rider in 2023 and 2024.

Leading the international contingent alongside Meade are Price, O’Connor, and Meade’s fellow Brits, McEwen and Jackson. Alongside his double-Bronze appearance at the 2022 World Championships, Price has competed in three Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games, and multiple K3DE – earning second place in Kentucky in 2015 and 2021 and third in 2019. Four-time Olympian O’Connor is entered in the 2026 K3DE with his 2022 World Championship mount, Colorado Blue.

McEwen, a three-time Olympic medalist and 2018 World Equestrian Games team Gold medalist, finished in second place at the K3DE in 2023 and 2024. Jackson helped Team Great Britain earn medals in three of his four European Championship appearances.

With so many world-class combinations entered in this year’s Event, Kentucky will celebrate one of its highest-rated fields on record. There are four 5*-winning riders in the lineup: Martin, McEwen, O’Connor and Price, who will be looking for his seventh victory at this level. Price also has the highest-rated horse, Vitali, on the entry list, with both Vitali and Colorado Blue ranked among the world’s top 10 eventing horses.

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“It’s important to remember that each horse is an individual. When formulating a diet for a senior horse, the first thing to consider is whether he has any medical issues (PPID, EMS, et cetera) that might change his nutritional needs,” says Lisa Kivett, DVM, whose Foundation Equine Clinic is based in Southern Pines, N.C.

Photo by Christiane Slawik

Nutrients

“Some older horses may have a decreased ability to absorb protein and other nutrients like phosphorous,” says Kivett. “As a general recommendation, I prefer grains with 10 to 15 percent protein, 5 to 12 percent fat, 15 to 18 percent fiber, added vitamin E, and potentially vitamin C.”

Many people don’t realize that you need to feed at least the minimum recommended amount (this is printed on the bag/label) in order for the horse to receive the correct balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This holds true whether you’re feeding a complete “senior” feed or other type of grain ration.

If you have an easy keeper that tends to gain weight, even the minimum recommended amount may be too much. For those horses, a ration balancer may be a good choice, as these feeds are formulated to be fed in much smaller quantities (typically 1 to 2 pounds per day), but still provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Forage

Quality forage should form the basis for your horse’s nutritional program, no matter his age, but this can present a challenge since many old horses outlive their teeth.

“Once a horse no longer has sufficient tooth surface to grind hay, we have to find another source of calories and fiber to keep him healthy,” says Kivett. “This is most easily accomplished with commercial senior feeds. These feeds are formulated as a complete diet, meaning they meet all the horse’s nutritional needs, and have forage added as a hay replacement.”  They’re also easy for the horse to chew, digest and absorb.

Since a horse must eat at least 1 to 2 percent of his body weight daily, this means the average horse needs about 12 to 25 pounds of a commercial complete feed daily to meet his needs.

“Many horse owners are shocked by the amount, but when we consider that this is replacing all the hay they eat, it doesn’t seem so far-fetched,” says Kivett. “It’s important to keep in mind that this can only be safely done with complete senior feeds. Other grains are not designed to be fed this way and would result in health problems if fed in these quantities.”

Other forage replacement options include chopped, bagged forage; hay pellets; and hay cubes. Soaking cubes or pellets to form a mash works well for a senior that can’t chew hay.

“No matter which option is chosen, it’s still critical that the horse receives 1 to 2 percent of his body weight per day,” says Kivett. “This is measured dry, before any water is added.”

Be careful not to feed an older horse in an environment where he must compete for food. Separate him at feeding time so he can eat at his own pace and not fret over other horses trying to steal his food. This will also allow you to monitor his consumption and notice if he’s not cleaning up or has trouble eating.

Dental Details

Some owners mistakenly think an old horse with worn-down or missing teeth doesn’t need dental care.

“It’s pretty rare to see an older horse with absolutely no teeth and no risk of periodontal disease,” says Kivett. “While older horses are less likely to need a float, they are more likely to have periodontal disease and other painful oral conditions that require treatment.

“Dental abnormalities and periodontal disease are very common in older horses,” she adds. “I routinely see horses with periodontal pockets, infected spaces (diastemata) between the teeth, cavities, broken teeth, and large overgrowths of teeth. Incisor disease becomes more common in older horses as well. We are recognizing more cases of a very painful incisor disease called equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis  (EOTRH), particularly in aged geldings. This causes the tooth roots to become diseased and the front teeth to become unstable, infected and painful.”

Kivett finds dental problems are more common in older horses that received inconsistent dental care when they were younger. Most horses need a complete dental examination once yearly. Some horses with dental problems or periodontal disease require more frequent exams, at least until the problems are under control.

This article about feeding the senior horse appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The German Team in the victory gallop after the 2026 Longines League of Nations Ocala competition: Richard Vogel; Christian Kukuk; Rene Dittmer, and Andre Thieme. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

Nations with teams competing there were Belgium, Brazil, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, USA, and reigning champions Great Britain, who secured their place by winning a dramatic jump-off at the Longines League of Nations Final 2025 last October in Barcelona, Spain. The course designer for LLN Ocala was Irishman Alan Wade, who will also design the courses for the 2028 LA Olympic Games. 

In LLN competition, teams of four horse-and-rider pairs from the ten qualified nations jump two rounds, with each team being allowed one of the four as a drop score. Everyone jumps in the first round, then based on the scores from that round, three riders from each of the top eight teams return to jump the same course again with scores from the two rounds combined to determine the overall winner. The ten teams’ accumulated points are tracked over four qualifying competitions to determine the series rankings going into the finals.  

The League of Nations is the FEI’s newest “Nations Cup” competition. It all began in 2024 with teams from ten countries competing in a series of four events throughout the year leading to a final to determine the overall series winner. The WEC has hosted the North American stop of this series in mid-March each year thus far. The other legs are: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in mid-February; Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in mid-June; Gassin-St. Tropez, France, in mid-September, and the finals in Barcelona, Spain, October 1-4, 2026. Find out more about the FEI Longines League of Nations here. 

Horse-and-rider combinations for the German Team were Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria, Christian Kukuk and his Olympic gold-medal mount Checker 47, Richard Vogel and Cloudio, and Rene Dittmer and Corsica X, with Olympic rider Otto Becker serving as their Chef d’Equipe. The Irish Team, all male riders as well, was a close second with 8 faults total. The Belgian Team, composed of two male and two female riders, was also in the hunt, finishing third on 12 faults.  

2024 Olympic gold medalists from Germany Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 clear the last fence in the 2026 LLN Ocala. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

All three German riders went clear in the second round, with Vogel and Cloudio as their anchor pair. “I have great teammates here. They did a really good job. I went in almost in a bit of a comfortable situation, having one rail to give. In this format, it makes it very exciting; anything could happen, as we saw in the second round. I’m very proud of my horse, Cloudio. He came over from Europe for the Nations Cup; I just met him here, and he delivered double clear. I couldn’t be happier with him,” said Vogel, who lived for a time in the USA training with McLain Ward.  

Richard Vogel and Cloudio of the winning German Team sky the water jump during the 2026 Longines League of Nations Ocala. Photo by Kim MacMillan

Chef d’Equipe Becker was beaming in the press conference following Germany’s win, “What a week, what a team. I have no words. We had a great week and to win the Nations Cup today means a lot to me. I’m very proud. A big ‘thank you’ to the Roberts family [owners of the World Equestrian Center], to the organizers, to Longines, to the sponsors. Special words for the course builder; it was a fantastic course. I appreciate what we saw today and thought it was great advertising for the sport.” 

The U.S. Team, which was victorious in the LLN in Ocala last year, had a rough go in this year’s League of Nations Ocala. Originally the team was to have been a repeat of last year with Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, Aaron Vale and McLain Ward all tapped to ride by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. However, a last-minute substitution was necessary when Ward injured his hand in a fall with a horse the week before, so Natalie Dean stepped up to fill in. In the end Dean, who jumped second in the order for the USA and was the Team’s best in this LLN Ocala, put in a fault-free ride in the first round with Marigold Sporthorses LLC’s Pedro van de Barlebuis.  

Best scoring rider for the U.S. Team in the 2026 Longines League of Nations Ocala, Natalie Dean on Pedro van de Barlebuis. Photo by Kim MacMillan

In a cruel twist of fate, the other seasoned and decorated U.S. riders all encountered just plain bad luck no one could have foreseen. First out for the U.S. Team was Lillie Keenan and her long-time partner Argan de Beliard, a horse that had an impressive four double-cleans in Nations Cup competitions last year. After pulling only one rail over the challenging course to that point, Argan stunned everyone by stopping at the final fence which caused Keenan to fall off. Horse and rider were both alright, but the rider fall resulted in mandatory elimination.  

“The biggest mystery was Lillie’s horse stopping,” said Chef d’ Equipe Ridland. “We’re not sure why he did that. The last fence was right towards the crowd. Maybe he saw something.” 

This left the U.S. Team with only three riders (and no other drop score) to try to qualify for the second round since only the top eight teams of the ten returned for the second class. After Kraut’s horse Tres Bien Z (who won the Washington International Horse Show Grand Prix last fall) also refused on the first attempt at the water jump and had an additional three rails down plus time faults, things began to look very bleak.  

Anchor U.S. rider Vale on Carissimo 25, a horse with a history of clean rounds and big wins, also grabbed an uncharacteristic four rails for 16 faults. This left the USA with 49 total faults so they failed to qualify for the second round in Ocala. They plan to move on to compete in the next two legs of the LLN, however, so they have the potential to improve in the LLN standings. Switzerland also had a difficult first round and did not return for round two.  

View the complete results and a list of competitors from the 2026 LLN Ocala here.

A drone show lit up the sky over the WEC main arena before the 2026 LLN Ocala awards. Photo by Cindy Lee/MacMillan Photography

France won the first round of the LLN in Abu Dhabi in February, with Germany second there and Brazil third. After two of four legs have been completed, the Longines League of Nations preliminary overall standings thus far are: Germany, first; France, second; Ireland, third; Brazil, fourth; Great Britain, fifth; Belgium, sixth; Switzerland, seventh; the Netherlands, eighth, Italy, ninth, and USA tenth. Track the 2026 League of Nations standings here.

Fans of the sport can relive the excitement of the Longines League of Nations Ocala on CBS Sports Network on Saturday, March 28, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, with an encore presentation on Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m. ET. 

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Photo courtesy Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds

Adoptable Horse: Scar, a 9-year-old, 17.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Cocoa, Fla.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Scar

What a heartthrob! Scar is a stunning 17 hands high gelding who turns heads wherever he goes. With 39 races under his belt, he has truly seen it all.

Scar brings that life experience with him in the best way — he is calm, confident, and incredibly well-mannered. Scar has excellent ground and stall manners, is very intelligent, and picks up new things quickly. Hidden Acres can easily see Scar thriving in the show arena in any discipline or happily hitting the trails, soaking in the views. He has no injuries, no vices, and an exceptional temperament. A true gentleman with movie-star looks, Scar is every bit of the dream horse you’ve been waiting for.

Contact Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Scar!

Photo courtesy Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Scar appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The format of the competition is simple: the first two days, four Wild Card competitors compete for a spot in the Championship Competition. These competitors choose a colt from the Remuda provided by the Pitchfork Ranch. They are then given two days to work with their respective colts, each session awarding points based on twenty different categories, including Catching & Haltering, Overall Horsemanship – Reading of Colt, and Colt’s Demeanor at End of Session. Once a Wild Card winner is crowned, they move on to the Championship Competition to compete against the other three chosen trainers.  

The Championship Competition is set up very similarly; the scoring system is the same, but they get more time with their filly, split up into three days.   

The Wild Card Competition

This year’s Wild Card lineup featured two American trainers, Sadie Fisher and Tiffany McLaury, Canadian Jason Irwin, and Australian Rob Leach. This proved to be an extremely competitive lineup, making for an exciting beginning to Road to the Horse 2026.

Pitchfork Ranch was back again as the Official Remuda Partner and brought a stunning selection of 3-year-old geldings for the Wild Card. Sadie Fisher decided to go with Crack Eyed John, a gorgeous palomino by Metallic Masterpiece. Tiffany McLaury chose Nasty Metallic, a sorrel gelding by Nasty CD with plenty of personality. Rob Leach also jumped on the sorrel train with his pick, Nastys Bamacat by Bamacat. Finally, Jason Irwin selected the beautiful red roan Its Payday Cowboy. 

After two rounds of competition on Day 1, Fisher had a score of 376.0, Irwin had a score of 494.0, Leach had a score of 506.0, and McLaury had a narrow lead with a score of 508.5. 

Friday morning brought the Wild Card Finale, where competitors were given 20 minutes in the round pen and 15 minutes on the rail to show off their training. There was also a bonus obstacle, a bridge that had themed décor around it. 

Every single rider had a lovely ride in the finale, but there was one who shone above them all. Maintaining a lead with a score of 912, and the only rider to get their horse over the bridge, was Tiffany McLaury. She earned herself a spot in the Championship, following in her father Buster’s footsteps from last year’s competition. 

Leach finished with 863, Irwin finished with 846, and Fisher ended with a 707.5. 

The Opening Ceremonies

The opening ceremonies at Road to the Horse are nothing short of spectacular – and this year did not disappoint. Boasting performances from The Wranglers Drill Team, Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship, Whispery Pines Percherons, Fleur de Lis Vaulters, Jake Durancik, E Imaginations, and Elliot Holtzman of Versatile Horsemanship, each day was an impressive display of horsemanship and showmanship. From liberty routines, to jousting, to full harness teams, Road to the Horse allowed a wide display of different disciplines to come together in celebration horses. 

The Championship Competitors

With the addition of Tiffany McLaury to the lineup, this year’s championship consisted entirely of American trainers. Elisa Wallace, Nick Dowers, and Ryan Rose were three horsemen chosen ahead of the event.

Elisa Wallace is a five-star eventer who is known for her work with Mustangs and off-the-track Thoroughbreds, with wins at both the Extreme Mustang Makeover and Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. Operating in Reddick, Fla., Wallace blends technical excellence with thoughtful communication, and enjoys sharing her training journey through online platforms. 

Nick Dowers is a two-time Road to the Horse Champion based in Nevada. In 2013, Dowers won the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship aboard Time for the Diamond, his family’s stallion. He believes strongly in developing horses capable of excelling on the ranch and in the arena. Dowers is also a Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award recipient. 

Ryan Rose is a familiar face for our Horse Illustrated crowd, as we were honored to feature him in our September 2025 Webinar. With more than 20 years of experience, and thousands of horses trained, Rose is a respected horsemanship specialist, trainer, and clinician known for his connection-focused approach. With his wife, Dr. Emily Rose, he founded the Rose Horsemanship Center in Wisconsin and Florida. His strong online presence allows him to educate riders worldwide. 

Finally, but certainly not least, is our Wild Card Champion, Tiffany McLaury. Tiffany is a lifelong equestrian from Paducah, Texas who inherited her love of horses from her parents, Buster and Sheryl McLaury. McLaury is very active in the show ring with her horses Wicked and Calf Rope, showing in the ARHA, PRCHA, AWHA, NRCHA, and RHAA, earning multiple world titles. She maintains devotion to the horse in every aspect of her life and training, grounding herself in tradition, respect, and continual improvement. 

The Remuda

Pitchfork Ranch brought 11 stunning fillies for the Championship Remuda. These incredible American Quarter Horses come from royal bloodlines that include Metallic Masterpiece, Nasty CD, and Bet Hesa Cat, tracing back to legendary sires such as Doc Bar, Freckles Playboy, High Brow Cat, and Peppy San Badger. 

Elisa Wallace ended up choosing #10, Tuff Twister, a lovely sorrel by Brother Tuff Wood out of the Bet Hesa Cat mare, Bet Shesa Twister. With a big blaze and friendly eyes, she was definitely a standout. Nick Dowers went with #2, Nasty Tea Pot, another gorgeous sorrel, by Nasty CD out of Shiney Tea Pot Doc. Nasty Tea Pot’s dam produced two Road to the Horse Wild Card Champions, C.D. Wilcox’s 2024 mount Tightfittinblujeans and Buster McLaury’s 2025 mount Playful Tea Pot. 

Tiffany McLaury also joined the sorrel club by choosing #8, Sunny Lucky Cat, by Goodluck Catt out of Ms Becaco Sunny CD. This is another familiar family to the Road to the Horse, as Sunny Lucky Cat’s full sibling, Goodluck Suncat, won last year’s Championship with Tik Maynard. Ryan Rose decided to go against the grain and choose a gray filly, #7 Desire Some Cash. This gorgeous girl is by Cat and Cash out of the Sixes Pick mare, Sixes Desire. 

Now that each competitor had their horse, it was time for the Championship to begin. 

The Championship Competition

Round 1 was filled with the trainers and horses getting to know each other. Tiffany McLaury led this round with a score of 267.5, with Ryan Rose close behind with a 259. Nick Dowers pulled a 250 and Elisa Wallace followed behind with a 231. 

Round 2 shook the scores up, with Dowers pulling ahead with a monster score of 283.5. Rose held steady in second with a 247, followed by McLaury with a 243.5 and Wallace with a 239. 

Round 3, the finale, was where each horse and trainer got put to the test. They got to start in the round pen, but then had to move to rail work and finish with the obstacles. The obstacles were daunting – a medieval-themed course complete with a castle, dragons, and a moat filled with alligators – and would be a challenge to even the most broke horses. 

Elisa Wallace started us off, and though she had an unfortunate unplanned dismount, she absolutely sailed through the obstacle course. Not only did she get through every single obstacle, but she and Tuff Twister made it look effortless. She finished the obstacles with over 15 minutes to spare – a feat that was not matched by any other competitor. 

“She smoked it,” Elisa said in an interview with Horse Illustrated. “I’m totally blessed to have that horse and she was a very good girl.” 

Up next was Ryan Rose with his filly Desire Some Cash. She was clearly a bit overwhelmed with the rail work, but showed great bravery with the obstacles. They ended up crossing the final obstacle, a bridge where the rider had to pull a sword from a rock, with mere seconds remaining. 

Tiffany McLaury was up next with her hunk of a filly, Sunny Lucky Cat. She was the perfect example of true horsewoman, taking the time to work her filly through the overwhelming environment and opting to tackle some of the obstacles in-hand instead. 

Finally, Nick Dowers and his filly Nasty Tea Pot took the stage. Dowers also had a wonderful ride, getting through almost every single obstacle – there were a few sticky points where he opted to go around. But he did attempt every obstacle and made it over the last bridge with plenty of time to spare. 

The 2026 Road to the Horse Champion

The entire weekend had come down to this one moment – who will be crowned the 2026 Road to the Horse Champion? Would it be Wild Card Champion Tiffany McLaury, who held first in the first round? Or Nick Dowers, who won the second? Ryan Rose had the most consistent scoring, but Elisa Wallace had a flawless run through the obstacles. 

In the end, with a score of 1099, Nick Dowers took the title, winning the Road to the Horse for the third time. He was a strong competitor the entire weekend and it paid off big time by the finale. 

Elisa made up a huge number of points in round 3, earning herself a Reserve Champion title. Wallace also chose to bring her filly, affectionately named Windy, home with her to Florida – we’re looking forward to seeing this pair continue in their training together! 

Another Road to the Horse has come and gone. This event never fails to be the most emotional, nerve-wracking, and entertaining event of the year. We’re looking forward to the 2027 event and seeing who will be invited to compete for the chance to be the next Road to the Horse World Champion. 

The post Road to the Horse 2026 Recap  appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

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This article about healthy hoof products appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Healthy Hoof Products appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.