Bred for farm work and heavy carriage deliveries, Belgium’s native Belgian draft horse is more commonly seen in show and recreational pursuits today: weight-pulling competitions, in-hand performance or carriage driving. However, some agriculturalists are returning to horses like the Belgian as a more ecologically friendly method of cultivation.
The Belgian is a descendant of a medieval war mount, the Flemish horse, also known as the Great Horse. Later, stallions were exported to countries throughout Europe to add height and substance to other draft-type breeds for industrial and farm work.
American Story
The United States imported the first Belgians in the 1860s, and the Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses was established in 1887 to promote the breed. The Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America grew from this organization in 1937 and remains the registry for the breed today.
In 1903, the Belgian’s powerful look and skills garnered much positive attention at the St. Louis World’s Fair and International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Despite declines in numbers during World War II and the switch to mechanized farm equipment, the Belgian survived to become one of most popular draft breeds. Besides their strength, Belgians are loved for being docile, hard-working and hardy.
Weight: Belgians can weigh more than 1 ton (2,000 pounds).
Color: Acceptable colors include blonde, sorrel and roan with light points, and chestnut. White manes and tails, as well as a white stripe on the face, are preferred.
Overall Appearance: Belgians have well-defined musculature, a level back, large hooves and a deep girth.
Imagine yourself thundering deep into the wilds of Patagonia on horseback. Atop an incredible Argentine steed, you’re navigating across some of the wildest terrain on Earth attempting to win the toughest and most unique equine challenge in history… this is the Gaucho Derby.
Gaucho Derby winners at the finish line. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
An eight-day-plus, 500km multi-horse adventure race, The Gaucho Derby travels through the mountains and pampas of Patagonia and is unlike any other horse race on the planet, a test of much more than simply ‘who can go fastest’.
Part of the Equestrianists Series, which also includes The Mongol Derby (the longest horse race in existence), The Gaucho Derby is based on the landscape, culture, history and horses of Patagonia and, or course, the Gauchos themselves. Crossing through high mountains, riders have to contend with both tricky terrain and unpredictable weather, ensuring the event is more than just a test of riders’ skills on a horse, pushing navigational skills, physical stamina and an ability to handle the wilderness (with riders camping out most nights) to the limit.
Gauchos at work. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
Riding endurance horses for the first few days of the race, when the land levels, riders must swap horses for faster riding, but still remain mindful of not pushing their horses too hard, for fear of penalties.
“We would rather nobody wins than someone wins by pushing too hard. Riders seen making bad decisions, riding too fast across difficult terrain or not presenting horses in great condition will get penalties or be disqualified,” said Tom Morgan, The Equestrianists founder.
The end result: ‘the greatest test of horsemanship and wilderness skills on Earth’.
This was the third time the Gaucho Derby’s run, with Covid causing a break in proceedings, and 39 riders, from nine different nations, lined up at this year’s start line.
The race began on February 8 and from the off, riders learned that the environment in Patagonia can be a cruel mistress, as they faced the prospect of riding through a sandstorm. This slowed things down and no one was able to break away from the pack during the first day’s riding, with riders split between vet stations two and three as night fell. The end of the day’s riding was far from the end of the riders’ day however, as they took on the crucial responsibility of tending to their horses, ensuring they were well-fed, hydrated, and comfortably settled for the night, before setting up camp (riders carry their own tents, food and equipment) and preparing a ‘delightful’ dehydrated meal. This self-sufficiency is a hallmark of the journey, with riders managing their daily activities independently, without reliance on others or the support crew.
A sandstorm rolls in. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
Day two saw six riders finally make headway on the rest of the pack, but their lead was short lived, as scorching temperatures and a complete lack of wind, made the going tough the following day. 16 riders spent the night together between vet stations seven and eight at the end of day three.
With the horse settled, it’s time to set up camp. Featuring Josephine Jammaers from Belgium. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
It wasn’t until day five that another breakaway occurred, with Gaucho Derby veteran Daniel Van Eden (Netherlands), endurance athlete Holly Masson (United Kingdom) and Mongol Derby veteran Rendel Rieckmann (Germany) breaking away from the pack. The trio carried the lead forward over the following three days, although at one point it looked like Daniel and Rendel would be able to get a lead over Holly, after she received a two hour riding penalty, but the pair decided to wait for her.
“Honestly, it was exhausting to constantly look over your shoulder every 10 minutes and see them chasing you,” said Rendel. “Eventually, at one of the stations, we collectively made the decision to ride together and finish as a team. It has truly been a massive relief and a much more enjoyable race since we decided to work together.”
Rendel Rieckmann leading the way through some tricky ground. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
It was these three riders who went on to claim the joint title of Gaucho Derby winners, on day eight, but only after a very tense wait at the finish line…
Midway through the race, at the Meseta de la Muerte (Plateau of Death), a fierce storm rolled in and, in consideration of the well-being of the horses and riders, the race directors opted to pause the race until it was deemed safe to proceed. At the time, Daniel, Holly and Rendel were in the lead and were given a two-hour ‘credit’ once the race had restarted.
Hot on the heels of the three riders, through the latter stages of the race, were French men Nathanael Bienvenu and Olivier Picard (who rode together throughout). They actually managed to cross the finish line first, but had to wait to see whether there was more than two hours between them and Daniel, Holly and Rendel. Unfortunately, for the French riders, there wasn’t and the trio were crowned champions of a race that will forever be etched in their minds for the scenery they rode through, the people they met, the weather and challenges they faced and, of course, the horses they rode.
Not only was the race an incredible success for all those involved, but it also helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities across the world.
The winners taking a chance to extend their lead. Photo by Kathy Gabriel
Gaucho Derby Winners’ Q&A
Rendel Rieckmann (Germany)
What was the most exciting part of this whole event?
There were so many exciting moments, like flying over the bushes with these amazing horses or the small things like realizing that the navigation plan, which was done the night before, really worked out well. However, the most exciting part was for sure to ride as a team and scream and shout together, whether it’s because of highs or lows.
How was it riding as a team? Did you have different roles i.e. navigator, campsite selector, etc.?
Riding as a team was essential. You hear it often, but it’s simply true: I could not have finished alone and it would be a hell lot less fun. Dan always kept his cool to keep going and had great experience from the last Derby, Holly’s drive, cheer up capability and major path finding skills and my technical and nav contribution made an amazing team. In the end it all blended a bit together as we learned a lot from each other.
How were the horses?
We were lucky with the full range of Patagonia’s beauties: from the rather relaxed and calm friends, which were easy to camp with, to the spicy rodeo ones where you wanted to take watches at night to make sure everything is OK. Every one of them became kind of a friend along the way.
What was your emotional roller coaster like during the race?
I’m not sure if this roller coaster would pass German regulatories. This much of up and down was hard to handle. There were parts when every hour basically we thought completely different from winning to not even being able to make it to the finish line. I literally wanted to quit 30km before the finish line and call it a day after we rode 10km in the national park, which was the wrong way. An hour later we saw we can still make it and the spark was back on.
It’s billed as the Toughest Horse Race. Was it really?
The first two thirds were hard but still manageable with treating yourself well with food, water and sleep. After that, it became mentally and physically very exhausting. I remember a scene when after hitting almost nine hours of mountain climbing, impassable forest, searching for gates in the labyrinths of fences and running through never ending bog fields we were partly falling on the ground begging it to end. So I guess it was quite hard!
What kept you going when you were your most exhausted?
Holly’s enthusiasm and just being a wonderful friend.
Daniel Van Eden (Netherlands)
What was the most exciting part of this whole event?
Hard to name one specific moment. Riding into the vet check where my accident happened last time and leading the race was special. The scenic terrain after Sierra Nevada was beautiful. Going over the finish and putting a checkmark to what started about four years ago felt great. I’m also proud to have finished without vet penalties.
How was it riding as a team? Did you have different roles i.e. navigator, campsite selector etc.?
Working as a team can be intense, especially with the pressure of the race and issues with the horses Holly was riding. I think in the end the team worked great because we all added different things to the team.
How were the horses?
Big, small. Some calm, some wild. Better in climbing up mountains than us. They all were beautiful. Because of how they are held, they are more social than the horses back home.
What was your emotional roller coaster like during the race?
I wasn’t expecting it to be such an emotional roller coaster — especially the part where we had crossed into the national park and had to backtrack.
It’s billed as the Toughest Horse Race. Was it really? Yes. Especially because it needs so many different skills, physically and mentally. Horse riding, navigation, team work, finding fences, camping out, hot weather (while all of us were prepared for cold weather).
What kept you going when you were your most exhausted?
Teammates. Also other riders. And the vets, medics and other people manning the vet checks and horse stations.
After a groundbreaking debut in 2023, The American Performance Horseman returned to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas — the home of the recent World Series champion Texas Rangers — on March 8, 2024, to display the talent of the western performance horse on a grand stage with $1,000,000 in prize money on the line. Featuring the top horsemen and equine athletes in the sports of cutting, reining and reined cow horse, the competition thrilled the crowd gathered in the ballpark-turned-arena.
Defending champion Adan Banuelos aboard the cutting horse Storyteler at 2024’s The American Performance Horseman. Photo by Mary Cage
Following the same format as its debut last year, The American Performance Horseman saw the top five horsemen from the NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA battle head to head. A team format sent one horse and rider pair into the ring per discipline, with five horses and horsemen facing off per event for a total of fifteen performances. An individual winner was crowned for each respective discipline, and the cumulative final of all three disciplines determined the winning team.
2024 American Performance Horseman Teams
Burnt Orange Team
Morgan Cromer and Cool Guitar – Cutting
Brian Bell and Gunna Whoa – Reining
Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds – Reined Cow Horse
Racing Green Team
Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 – Cutting
Andrea Fappani and All Bettss Are Off – Reining
Matt Koch and Smart Ladies Sparkle – Reined Cow Horse
Royal Blue Team
Adan Banuelos and Storyteler – Cutting
Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing – Reining
Clayton Edsall and Bet He Sparks – Reined Cow Horse
Imperial Purple Team
James Payne and Summer Time Fun – Cutting
Jason Vanlandingham and Gunnabebigtime – Reining
Justin Wright and Scooter Kat – Reined Cow Horse
Regal Red Team
Austin Shepard and Kittennish – Cutting
Cade McCutcheon and Finals Bound – Reining
Sarah Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari – Reined Cow Horse
Cutting
The cutters were the first up to bat, delighting the crowd with their athleticism as they separated cattle from the herd. The audience roared with cheers and whistles as the cutting horses dug deep in the dirt and turned on the dime while working the cattle.
Ultimately, it was Adan Banuelos who defended his title as The American Performance Horseman Cutting Champion. Banuelos clenched the victory with a score of 230 aboard the AQHA/APHA double-registered stallion Storyteler, an eye-catching sorrel whose agility in the cutting pen was remarkable.
At the awards ceremony as a large crowd gathered, Banuelos was clearly touched by what this fan-focused event has done for western performance sports.
“Thank you for acknowledging the fact that horses are the original athlete in here,” Banuelos said. “I’m very grateful. I love you guys very much.”
Banuelos and Storyteler scored a 230 to win the cutting. Photo by Mary Cage
Reining
After an intermission that featured a performance from jazz-infused rock band Ghost Hounds, reining was on deck. Performing NRHA Pattern 10, each horse and rider team galloped down the center of the arena before coming to a sliding stop at the beginning of their individual performances, setting up the excitement.
Medleys of classic rock and current pop hits roared through the ballpark as each horse displayed their athleticism and ability to be willingly guided. The audience howled at the thrilling maneuvers of sliding stops, electric spins, brisk circles and powerful rollbacks.
Yet again, a title from the original 2023 event was redeemed in 2024 — this time aboard the same horse. Last year’s The American Performance Horseman Reining Champion Casey Deary aboard the AQHA/APHA stallion Down Right Amazing performed an outstanding pattern, earning a score of 226.5.
For Deary, it was all about protecting the talented horse’s reputation. When asked what makes Down Right Amazing so special, he had nothing but admiration for the flashy sorrel stallion.
“His temperament is fantastic,” Deary said. “Nothing rattles him. He shows up to work and is just a real honest horse.”
Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing defended their reining title at The American Performance Horseman. Photo by Mary Cage
Reined Cow Horse
The final inning of The American Performance Horseman featured the reined cow horse competitors, where horse and rider must prove their ability to work a cow. Though this event combines reining and cow work, the reined cow horse competitors performed their rein work earlier in the day, saving the exciting cow work for the Friday night crowd.
The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd watched each horse and rider team maneuver their assigned cow, first holding it at one end of the arena (boxing), before then running the cow down the rail of the arena and turning it back (fencing), and finally pushing the cow into tight circles (circling).
The athleticism of these western performance horses was vividly on display in this event, and one gleaming palomino stood out from the others. Wowing both the crowd and judges was the duo of SJR Talkin Diamonds, an AQHA/APHA stallion, and Corey Cushing, a legendary name in the reined cow horse industry with more than $3 million in earnings and a collection of important titles to his name.
Though their first cow required a call by the judges to reassign a new cow, that official performance from Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds was stellar, scoring a 220.5 (for a total of 439) to claim the win.
“I believed in that horse ever since I started taking him down the fence as a 3-year-old,” Cushing said in his winning interview. “We’ve been the bridesmaid quite a few times but never the bride, and tonight was his night. If I had to do it all again, I’d turn right around and call on him again to give me everything he got again.”
Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds added a win at The American Performance Horseman to their resume. Photo by Mary Cage
Team Results
With repeat wins in their divisions, Adan Banuelos and Casey Deary yet again boosted their team — Team Royal Blue — to victory. Joined by reined cow horse rider Clayton Edsall, who had a good start in his cow work but unfortunately ended up with a bumpy performance, the trio stepped on stage before the large crowd to accept their hardware and give a nod to the horsemen they’ve had the chance to work with and learn from.
“Just on our way up here, I learned a reminder that we all have ups and downs,” Banuelos said. “[Edsall] is one of the best horsemen I know, and him handling a day like today and supporting us the way that he did. I know that it wasn’t a good go at it, but he made the most of it and got us a win. And that’s what it’s all about to me. It’s all about family, it’s all about keeping your chin up, about making somebody feel good on their way out of the arena. And we’re very grateful for this man right here.”
Deary also acknowledged the teamwork that went into play with this event.
“Every single point counts toward that deal,” Deary said. “The first one counts just as much as the last one.”
Horse ownership is daunting. The amount of information, opinions and different ways of doing things mean there are thousands of variations on how horse health is managed. Luckily, there are several core principles and routines throughout the year that you can follow to make sure your equine partner is in good health for years to come.
Photo by VICUSCHKA/Adobe Stock
Here, two equine veterinarians have compiled some easy-to-understand instructions for checking your horse’s vital signs and keeping up with the best horse health practices through the year.
Kathryn Slaughter-Mehfoud, DVM, is an equine surgeon based in Kentucky. Julie Christopher-White, DVM, is a general equine practitioner based in Oklahoma whose skills include acupuncture and chiropractic work.
Daily Horse Health Checks
According to Christopher-White, being familiar with horses’ normal vital signs and appearance means you will pick up on something “off” with his health more quickly. Running through this checklist every time your horse is brought in from the pasture or getting tacked up for a ride means every scratch, mild fever, or rock wedged in the hoof will be noticed immediately.
“If you can have a good [health] history on your horse, it can help the diagnostic side of the healthcare a lot,” says Christopher-White.
General Check
Start the daily health routine with a one-minute check of every inch of your horse, including his belly, between his legs and down his legs, looking for abrasions and swelling.
Hoof Care
Pick out and dry hooves thoroughly if muddy or wet. Slaughter-Mehfoud says slippery ice balls in the feet in the winter and muddy feet in the summer can contribute to the formation of thrush, which is a smelly infection that can eat through the hoof. Thrush often forms around the frog and has a black crumbly or gooey appearance.
Respiratory Rate
Watch the ribcage rise and fall for 30 seconds and multiply by two for breaths per minute. Look for breaths to fall between 8 and 15 per minute.
Hydration Status
Just like with people, staying hydrated is important for a horse’s health. Dehydration can cause colic, which is a life-threatening problem.
The simplest way to check for hydration is to look at a horses’ manure. It shouldn’t be too hard and dry.
Another way to check for hydration is capillary refill time. To assess this, hold your finger against the horses’ gums for a few seconds before releasing and watching them to turn pink again.
“After releasing, count the number of seconds it takes for the gums to return to that pink color. If it takes more than two seconds, the horse is dehydrated,” says Slaughter-Mehfoud.
One way to check hydration status is to press your horse’s gums for a few seconds. If they take more than two seconds to return to pink, your horse is dehydrated. Photo by Gina Cioli
Temperature
A horse’s temperature should be taken rectally with a designated thermometer. The normal range is 99-101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If a temperature is higher than 101.5 degrees, it could be a sign that a horse is becoming sick. (Be sure to wait at least 90 minutes after exercise before taking temperature.)
Heart Rate
An elevated heart rate can indicate pain or sickness, so having knowledge of your horses’ resting heart rate is important for future reference. A stethoscope is helpful for this, and the heart rate can be faintly heard by firmly pressing the stethoscope behind the left elbow.
Another method of finding the pulse is pressing two fingers under the jaw. In both instances, set a timer for 30 seconds, count the beats and multiply by two. Twenty-four to 48 beats per minute is considered normal.
One way to take the pulse is by pressing two fingers under the jaw. Photo by Gina Cioli
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Horses are scored from 1 to 9 on the Henneke BCS system, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being extremely obese. A score of 5, considered “moderate,” is ideal for most horses, although age and past health history should be taken into account.
“We want you to be able to feel your horses’ ribs by applying mild pressure,” says Slaughter-Mehfoud.
The spring wellness exam is a great time to talk to your vet about any concerns and check in on your horse’s overall health picture. Photo by Gina Cioli
A Coggins is a test for equine infectious anemia (EIA), which is a contagious and incurable disease. A negative Coggins test is often required when attending horse shows or for crossing state lines.
A Coggins test and other bloodwork, such as a metabolic panel, should be performed annually during the wellness exam. Photo by H_Ko/Adobe Stock
Fecal Egg Count
At the veterinary appointment, ask your veterinarian to do a fecal egg count.
“Submitting a manure sample for a fecal egg count means your veterinarian can advise a correct deworming schedule tailored to your horse,” says Slaughter-Mehfoud.
Veterinary Bloodwork
“Doing annual bloodwork on your horse gives you a baseline on what is normal for him,” says Christopher-White. “A good thing to look at is metabolic panels—insulin, glucose and ACTH—to make sure you’re not getting into metabolic disorders.”
Digital Pulse
Lush springtime grass can cause painful inflammation in the hooves, called founder or laminitis. Slowly acclimate your horse to springtime pastures and feel his digital pulse on the back of each fetlock. According to Slaughter-Mehfoud, a normal leg should have small, steady beats, while a horse experiencing laminitis will have strong, bounding pulses.
Fall Horse Health Checks
Veterinary Exam
Having a horse—even a healthy one—seen by the vet twice a year increases the chances that any health issues will be detected early.
Dental Care
Every horse should have his teeth examined once a year in case they need to have sharp points and other problems addressed. Slaughter-Mehfoud likes to perform dental exams in the fall before the cold weather, when getting the most nutrients out of feed is especially important for keeping weight on.
“Inadequate dental care can lead to choking and impaction colic,” says Slaughter-Mehfoud.
An annual dental exam from your vet will help detect any problems, such as sharp points that need to be corrected, before winter arrives. Photo by Chelle129/Adobe Stock
Fecal Egg Count
A spring fecal egg count is good, but twice a year is best. In areas with harsher winters, Slaughter-Mehfoud likes horses to be as prepared as possible to maintain a reasonable body condition score.
Bonus Vaccines
The AAEP recommends vaccines such as equine influenza and equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 for horses that are traveling.
Body Condition Before Winter
Take into consideration your horse’s age and how easily he maintains weight when looking at body condition score heading into winter.
Think about your horse’s weight before winter arrives. If he is in good body condition, he’s less likely to get too thin from the challenges of a cold winter if you have one. Photo by Brelsbil/Adobe stock
“If your horse is on the leaner side and you’re in Florida, you’re [wouldn’t be] as worried,” says Christopher-White. “But if you’re in Wyoming, [a lean horse before winter] is a bigger concern.”
Incorporating daily and seasonal health-based routines into your horse’s life means every bump can be taken care of, and more serious conditions like a respiratory illness, colic and poor teeth can be addressed in a timely manner.
Although some horse people won’t admit it, a perfect night is spent in front of the television watching horse movies. In 2006, the Horse Illustrated editors picked 30 of their favorite horse movies in celebration of the magazine’s 30th anniversary. These favorites vary in terms of technical merit, but they’re all loved for the simple reason that they tell good stories.
Did we miss your favorite film? Click “Submit a Comment” at the end of this article and share your picks for best horse flicks.
In search of a hefty paycheck, cowgirl Melissa Gilbert enlists a former cavalryman to help her win a prestigious three-day event with her favorite bronco.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
As a wild stallion travels across the frontiers of the Old West, he befriends a young human and finds true love with a mare.
The Silver Stallion: King of the Wild Brumbies
Russell Crowe plays a part in this movie about an Australian wild horse and the impact he has on a rural family.
Seabiscuit
Based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand, this true story tells of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of the nation as well.
National Velvet
Liz Taylor, as Velvet Brown, lives the dream we all had as children—win a horse in a lottery and turn him into a champion. In this case, young Velvet disguises herself as a boy and wins England’s famous Grand National steeplechase on her beloved Pie.
The Man From Snowy River
An entertaining and visually stunning Australian western about a born horseman who single-handedly rounds up a herd of wild horses and pursues a rich rancher’s daughter.
War Horse
This war drama directed and produced by the legendary Steven Spielberg follows Joey, an Irish Hunter horse raised by a British teenager as he is sold to the British Army. Along the way, Joey encounters various people throughout Europe before and during World War I.
International Velvet
This is a sequel of sorts to “National Velvet.” A family tragedy brings Velvet’s niece, Sarah, to England. Sarah joins forces with a descendant of the great Pie and eventually makes the British three-day event team where she finds Olympic glory and true love.
The Horsemasters
In this horse movie, enthusiastic equestrians work long and hard to earn British Horse Society certification.
Hildalgo
Set in 1890, this is the story of a Pony Express courier (Viggo Mortensen) who travels to Arabia to compete with his horse, Hidalgo, in a dangerous race for a big prize.
The Electric Horseman
In his pre-whispering days, Robert Redford starred in this story about a former rodeo cowboy who abandons the Las Vegas stage and takes off into the desert astride a former Derby winner.
A Day at the Races
The Marx Brothers go to the races. Enough said.
Champions
This testament to the strength of the human spirit is based on the life of English steeplechase jockey Bob Champion who was stricken with cancer at the age of 31 but never wavered in his dream of winning the Grand National.
The Black Stallion Returns
In this sequel to “The Black Stallion,” Alec Ramsey travels to the Middle East to rescue his kidnapped horse.
Black Beauty
Several versions have been created based on Anna Sewell’s classic horse book. In this movie, Beauty tells his own story about leaving his wonderful first home and being passed through indifferent and abusive owners before finally being reunited with the boy he loved.
The Story of Seabiscuit
The 1949 film version of the unlikely champion, complete with a perfect Hollywood ending. Seabiscuit, a colt no one believes in, rises from the claiming ranks to become one of most successful racehorses of the 1930s.
Secretariat
This Disney film tells the story of Secretariat, largely considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time. Diane Lane stars as his owner, Penny Chenery, as she makes history with “Big Red.”
Shergar
A true tale about the Irish Thoroughbred who was kidnapped by the IRA and never seen again.
Phar Lap
This movie chronicles the life of the much-loved Australian racehorse Phar Lap, who raced to stardom in the 1930s, and the gentle groom who loved him. Despite having to carry increasing amounts of weight, the horse is unbeatable. Phar Lap’s tale ends tragically when he dies under mysterious circumstances soon after winning his most important race—the Agua Caliente Handicap in Mexico.
Miracle of the White Stallions
During World War II, the Lipizzan Stallions of the famous Spanish Riding School were in danger of being destroyed. They are rescued by General George Patton and the U.S. Army.
Let It Ride
A cab driver learns about a horse race that’s going to be fixed. Succumbing to the temptation, he wins big, then bets it all on a horse named Hot to Trot.
Into the West
Two gypsy boys growing up in poverty in Dublin, Ireland, are led on an adventure into the Connemara by a mysterious white horse.
The Horse Whisperer
This romance movie centers on the relationship between a workaholic mother, an injured daughter, a frightened horse and the “horse whisperer” who touches their lives.
The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit
A businessman uses a show horse ridden by his daughter as a advertising promotion for a stomach-ailment remedy.
Flicka
Starring country singing legend Tim McGraw, this is a story of how a young girl claims a wild horse as her own. Such gallantry proves to the girl’s father (McGraw) that she is capable of one day taking over the family ranch.
Dreamer
Cale Crane (played by young Dakota Fanning) catalyzes the rescue and rehabilitation of Sonador, a racehorse with a broken leg.
Ride Like a Girl
This biological sports drama is based on the true story of Michelle Payne, who became the first female jockey to win the legendary Melbourne Cup in 2015.
Casey’s Shadow
A young boy and his Quarter Horse-training father raise and train a foal that takes them all the way to the All American Quarter Horse Futurity.
The Black Stallion
Based on the Walter Farley children’s book of the same name, The Black Stallion is a film about a young boy who, after surviving a shipwreck, is stranded on an island with a mysterious black horse. The pair form a powerful bond that helps them, once rescued, to race against and beat the fastest horses in the country.
All the Pretty Horses
A coming-of-age tale based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. Young Texas rancher John Grady Cole, played by Matt Damon, gets more adventure than he can handle when he heads to Mexico after the death of his father.
Want to find out more about horse movies? Here are more resources on horses in film:
5 Classic Must-See Horse Movies
Let’s step back into the past and revisit horse movies from the 1940s-1960s that still portray timeless messages and provide inspiration for contemporary horse enthusiasts. Continue Reading >>
From Derby Dream to Silver Screen
“50 to 1,” the new major motion picture about Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, opens in theaters March 21, 2014 in New Mexico and will then expand across the country. Continue Reading >>
Friesians in Film
The Friesian’s magnetic beauty is a perfect fit for the silver screen, and many movie and TV-show directors seek out these horses for their commanding presence. Continue Reading >>
Movie Review: Moondance Alexander
Horse lovers are so desperate for films that accurately portray their lifestyle that they anxiously await the release of every horse flick. Often they are disappointed, as will probably be the case with Moondance Alexander. Continue Reading >>
Training Horses for the Silver Screen
As a lifelong horse-crazy person, I feel qualified to be a critic of riders in TV shows, movies and advertisements, and I always wonder about the training that happens behind the scenes. Continue Reading >>
Adoptable Horse: Serious Heat, a 15-year-old 16.0hh Thoroughbred mare Organization: Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.
Get to Know Adoptable Horse Serious Heat
Serious Heat is a 15-year-old, California-bred Thoroughbred. She never raced and has no published works. She has had 9 registered foals.
Currently sound, Serious Heat is looking for her third career after putting in hard work as a mother. She will need a more experienced rider to get her started back under saddle.
If you are looking for the world’s most perfect trail horse, look no further. Serious Heat has a small, stocky build that screams western and with her calm disposition, she should enjoy a leisurely ride through the woods or farm. She also seems to enjoy going over poles and hasn’t shied away from any of them. Maybe a nice little hunter/jumper course is in her future.
Serious Heat is kind and easygoing with a sensible mind. She gets along well with other mares in the field and seems intelligent. She is a nice mare with a lot left to give her next partner in her new job!
Contact Second Stride today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Serious Heat!
Photo courtesy Second Stride
Could this week’s adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about Serious Heat, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.
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.
Jeanne McDonald teaching a clinic at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts in November 2023. Photo by Xenophon Photography
Jeanne McDonald paved her own path to success with the perfect blend of dogged New England determination, unwavering persistence, and a heaping dose of patience. She’s a Grand Prix dressage rider, a U.S. Dressage Federation bronze, silver and gold medalist, and a U.S. Equestrian Federation “S” 4* judge. Jeanne has traveled the globe judging national and international shows for over 35 years, and she was on the committee to write the 2019 USDF dressage tests.
But if you think all these accomplishments have made the dressage legend arrogant or pretentious, think again.
In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
I seized the opportunity to sit down with Jeanne McDonald for an interview at Equine Affaire in Massachusetts in November 2023. I was thoroughly blown away by her… well, unpretentiousness. Her modest and decidedly down-to-earth conversational manner and “wicked” funny New England stories had us both laughing. Right away, I realized I was in for a treat.
Jeanne was born and raised in Boston, and although her parents didn’t always understand her love of horses, they supported her goals. But not “support” in the sense that they handed her the reins to a beautiful pony, paid for private lessons in a swanky barn, and made sure she only rode in luxury-brand breeches.
Instead, Jeanne mucked stables and groomed horses to make money to pay for her riding lessons. She got her start riding at New Canaan Mounted Troop when she was 8 years old. Jeanne was an equitation rider, jumper and eventer before transitioning to dressage—and she achieved it all through hard work, saving her pennies, and never giving up on her dream to someday have a horse of her own.
While working days in medical research at Harvard and waitressing at night to pay the bills, Jeanne would go on to become an active competitor, a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist, and a distinguished judge. And since 1990, she has owned and operated Turning Point Farm—a beautiful dressage training, breeding, and boarding facility in Pennsylvania.
Julie Maddock: Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you realized you were meant for an equestrian career? Jeanne McDonald: Honestly, my mother said that the first thing I ever looked at and pointed at was a horse and I was trying to say “horsey.” I think I got it from my red-headed grandmothers—both of them were horse people.
I wanted to be a vet, but they told me in 1967, “You’re a girl. We won’t take you for vet school.” Now look at it—it’s 90 percent women. But this was legal back then. So I went to the University of New Hampshire. They said it was the best pre-veterinary program. And at the time, Harvard Med was recruiting, so I started working there in medical research.
And that is when I started to get into horses on the riding end again. I never had my own horse until I was 33. My family didn’t have money; I didn’t have money. But then I started waitressing nights at a Lynn hotel—that was scary!—and later waitressed at Hilltop Steakhouse. It’s how I made all the extra money to buy my first horse, the blankets, the shoes… and I just never outgrew riding.
Julie: With over 35 years of judging experience, how would you define what makes an exceptional dressage rider? Jeanne: I think it’s feel. Carl Hester and Ingrid Klimke are my idols because they’re real horse people. They’re not just dressage riders. They feel what their horse wants or does and they go with it. That’s what I think makes one exceptional. It’s feel, it’s talent, but it’s a talent for feel, not a mechanical talent. And that’s what I like to reward when I’m judging—the harmony because the feel is there.
Julie: What advice do you have for the adult amateur entering the dressage world and preparing for their first show? Jeanne: Hey, that was me in 1980! On a borrowed mare! And I was working full-time at Harvard and waitressing nights and I went to the horse show. I was a true amateur.
I feel you have to make your own way in the world to be able to do horses full-time. And that is what some people don’t quite seem to understand. There are a lot of people looking for sponsorship. I don’t want to say you have to pay your dues, but I never had any help. And there wasn’t any amateur division. I was right in there with Lendon Gray and all these top riders in my first Grand Prix in 1987.
Julie: What’s next on the horizon for Jeanne McDonald? Jeanne: Ride my mare every day. I don’t expect to be riding in any more international shows, but The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club—that’s my goal. It’s when your horse’s age and your age equal 100 or more. My goal now is to ride the mare I bred myself from a stallion I trained and make her my fourth horse to go Grand Prix in the Century Club. I’ve got a ways to go—six years—and I hope we both make it. I’ll be 80 ½ and Trysta will be 19 ½.
Jeanne McDonald and her mare Trysta. Photo courtesy Jeanna McDonald
And after my conversation with Jeanne, I have no doubt she and Trysta will be there!
When I first met Julie Goodnight for an interview, I was reminded of how much I love “real” horse people. People who care more about the horse than a ribbon. People who take horsemanship to the next level. People who smile from their eyes as they talk about horses, and no matter how much more they know about horses than you ever will, they make you feel at ease, and the conversation flows naturally.
Julie and her husband, Rich Moorhead. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
Julie has turned her love of horses into a hugely successful career. She started her training business in 1985, and in 2008 was named the Exceptional Equestrian Educator by Equine Affaire — the same year her award-winning TV show Horse Master with Julie Goodnight first aired. She travels the world educating horse owners everywhere through her online training programs at JulieGoodnight.com/Academy.
And she’s passionate about living a well-balanced life—spending time with her husband, Rich Moorhead, relaxing on her boat “LEGASEA,” skiing, biking, and savoring life’s happy moments in the company of old friends and easily making new ones.
Rich, Julie, and her brother hit the trails on mountain bikes. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
JM: What is the meaning behind your brand message “Helping horses… One human at a time”? JG: We can only help horses by helping the people who own them. When I first went into business as a trainer, I thought I just wanted to ride horses and didn’t want to deal with people. Well, that’s a real immature, unrealistic attitude. All horses have people attached to them… Training a horse does no good if I don’t train the person.
One of the thousands of troubled horses that Julie has worked with. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
JM: With over 260 episodes of Horse Master with Julie Goodnight, is there one that stands out? JG: One of the most meaningful ones—and kind of funny—was an episode filmed at my place where the rider stated her horse wouldn’t cross water. Well, we have a nice big pond in a grassy field. The cameras were set up all around the pond to capture the problem. She saddled up her horse and we filmed. She starts walking this Arabian toward the pond. That horse looked at one camera, turned and looked at the other camera, and then walked straight in the water without hesitation! It’s uncanny how often that happened to us.
I never interacted with the people or the horses before we filmed, but I watched the footage that captured the “problem.” So, I told her we couldn’t do the water episode. I asked her if she had another problem. And she said, “Yeah, actually my horse bucks when I ask him to canter.” So I said let’s work on that. We rebooted and moved the cameras over to the arena. And when I got over there and saw her riding on the flat in the arena, I could instantly see she had a horrific saddle fit. As I’m watching, the horse bucked. And it was a buck you might expect from a horse being pinched in the withers. It was clearly uncomfortable.
She rides over and I tell her that I think we can help her horse—that it is a saddle fit problem. After we switched the saddle out, she got on and he went right into a beautiful lope. Then she came over and was in tears—not because she was happy, but because she felt horrible that she had unknowingly been riding this horse in that saddle for two years. She was just devastated. And it broke my heart. But she owned it and apologized, and we were able to profoundly impact her and her horse by just changing one thing.
JM: As a spokesperson for the Certified Horsemanship Association, what’s your primary message?
JG: We are an organization primarily focused on safety and horsemanship. Horsemanship should be safe, fun and effective. We provide education, information, and mostly support to riding instructors, trainers, and barn managers who are the actual frontline influencers. I don’t believe, nor does CHA, that getting hurt has to be a part of horsemanship.
Julie leads the way. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
JM: What’s the secret to balancing your busy professional life—work and travel—with your personal life and husband, Rich? JG: So Rich is the secret sauce. Our relationship has always been based on total equality, a high level of respect for each other both personally and professionally. We met at the ski resort—which he is now one of the owners of—and it was a workplace romance. I really respected and admired his professional success and he recognized my work ethic. But now I’m on the road a lot, and he is good at being alone. He misses me, but he also just totally understands.
Julie skiing at Monarch, the ski resort where she first met her husband, Rich. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
And during the pandemic, I was spending a lot of time on my boat. I would always come up with an excuse of why I had to go to the boat. And one day, he says, “You know, you don’t have to have an excuse to go to the boat. You love the boat. I want you to do what you love doing. And by the way, you’re in a lot better mood when you’re doing stuff you love to do.”
Julie finds ultimate peace at the helm of her boat, LEGASEA. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
JM: What’s next on the horizon for Julie Goodnight? JG: I have a couple of exciting things going on… The one horse I have right now is pregnant. And I hope to buy a yearling colt this fall.
Also, an assistant trainer—honestly, the only person that I’ve ever thought of as a protégé—has made a commitment to work with me. Not to replace me, but someone I feel like I can hand the reins to when I want to. She and I are working on some new projects. We’re putting together some private international riding tours with me and T. Cody as your guides. We’re in the early stages of figuring it all out—riding and immersing yourself in a new horse culture. It will be fun!
Julie, Rich and friends trail riding at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado. Photo courtesy Julie Goodnight
To see Julie’s entire lineup of upcoming events, riding adventures, and appearances, check out juliegoodnight.com.
The following is an excerpt from Winning with Horses, by Adam Snow and Shelley Onderdonk, DVM, about preparing for competition through some self-reflection.
Adam Snow. Photo by Robb Scharetg
Why is the mental state of the human so important to a sport commonly calculated as 80 percent horse? Because just as horses feel fear, tension, and anxiety, so too do they feel a confident rider with clear intent. Being present and calm, staying with your breath, and having a positive attitude about your objectives gives your horse an advantage.
Regardless of which horse sport you compete in, winning is the preferred goal. But it is typically nowhere in my own preparatory thoughts. In fact, the less I think about results, the better I can play. If result-oriented expectations do arise pre-competition, I enjoy the good ones, let the not-so-good ones slip away, and trust that when I begin playing, all expectations will disappear.
The line of questioning that most inspired me was something called the four resonance questions, developed by the sports psychologist Doug Newburg:
1. “What feelings do you seek to experience in your sport?”
2. “What prepares you to experience these feelings?”
3. “What prevents these feelings from occurring?”
4. “How can you get these feelings back when they are lost?”
Sorting through my answers to these questions, I was eventually able to articulate my “dream” in my sport. Although I wrote the following passage when I was 10 goals and 39 years old, most of it still holds true for me today:
The fall season has come and gone—some good, some bad. The other day I found a quote in a book—Close Range by Annie Proulx—which I had underlined years ago. It inspired me. Here is what it said about the “rough, bruising life” of a young rodeo rider: “…when he got on there was the dark lightning in his gut, a feeling of blazing real existence.”
This rings true for me. The dream for my polo is that feeling of blazing real existence. It makes me feel alive. One way that it blazes is that my senses are wide open when playing, totally perceptive, and acutely sensitive. Maybe it’s adrenaline, maybe it’s the sense of challenge about using my skills toward a contest. Perhaps it’s my “love-hate” relationship toward competitive situations—“Who is better?” Whatever, why-ever, I know that my gut blazes and I get that feeling of aliveness.
My dream is to find this feeling of intensity and sensory connection when I am playing my game. I can even learn to appreciate it (enjoy it?) while it’s there, and not only after the event. I reach this state through giving it my all; through thinking good thoughts, which enhance my confidence and ability to play well. Perhaps the stars just lined up correctly? This is the challenge: getting myself to this state of being. And it is another state of being—one of total awareness. I’m acting by “letting go” and letting my body lead. I’m not looking much at other players (teammates, opponents) or umpires. I’m trusting the strength of my horses; they feel a part of me. I may have a short outburst at an ump or opponent, but my anger quickly dissolves because there is no time. I have the next play to execute or prepare for. I am in it. My mind is comfortably locked on my objectives. These are simple and clear.
I am human and unnecessary thoughts do arise, even during best-best performances: “Geez, I’m playing one of my best games ever!” “I missed those two goals, I really want to finish my next chance—who’s watching?” “I hope we win this one, I just got out-dueled.” These thoughts are there, but when I’m living my dream and playing from my gut, I can deal with them. I recognize that it’s okay to have them—everybody does—and bring myself back to my breath, my tree, or my “next play” mantra. Sometimes, when the feeling doesn’t come easily in a particular match, the best technique is to try to “just be there,” with a calm mind, and trust that the game will get into me. That can be enough. It allows the sport to bring out my instincts, my anticipation, and hopefully my total connection with my horses and what I am doing. Outside the parameters of my field, good things come—accolades, money, team offers—because of my connection inside that field, and because of my mindset, which ironically has a lot to do with not caring what people think outside the boards. Even my goals of playing at the highest level of the sport for a long time, of being a great 10-goal player, of fulfilling my potential, are really things outside the boards. What is inside is that emotion of blazing real existence. Visit this often, go for it, and if it’s meant to be, my goals will take care of themselves.
My dream is to immerse in the feelings of intensity that I get from playing the game. I put myself in the most competitive situations possible because these challenges bring the “lightning in my gut.” Love-hate it may be, but these big feelings are my dream. They exist because I care.
I believe competition is a time to emphasize our strengths, to focus on positive things in our control, to trust and play. This is the best way I’ve found for putting expectations to the side, letting go, and enjoying the performance. Famous dance choreographer Alvin Ailey said that “freedom comes through discipline.” The discipline to prepare to the teeth, gives us the freedom to perform all out, thought-free.
Photo by David Lominska
I have come to believe that our mood, too, is in our control. Being positive simply means that you see the choices in front of you. We may sense that we woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or that our warm-up was a disaster, but it is usually possible to find (or invent) a positive lining—“bad rehearsal means good performance”—and shift focus onto the little things within our control. “What do I love about my sport?” is a question I ask myself before entering the competitive arena. For me: I love the ball, the teamwork, and the feel of the horse under me.
Free yourself of result-oriented thoughts, and bring your awareness into the present. Feel your calming breath flowing in and out, see the texture of the footing, hear the cadence of your horse’s stride. With your senses wide awake, and in the here and now, execute the task at hand to the best of your ability. Trust yourself. Trust your horse. Put your focus on the doing. After all, as Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch say in Thinking Body, Dancing Mind, “Focusing on the moment-by-moment joy and elation of the event will usually be reflected in winning outcomes.”
This excerpt from Winning with Horses is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books. Get a copy here. This is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine.
A horse communicates how it is feeling at any given moment through his body language. A horse’s mood is evident through various signs expressed, so as long as you know what you’re looking for, you can determine how your horse is feeling.
Afraid, Anxious, or Nervous
When a horse is feeling afraid or anxious, the head and neck are typically held high, and the muscles are tensed. The whites of the eyes may be showing, and the horse may be quivering or trembling. The tail may be tucked tightly against the hindquarters. The horse often can’t stand still and may try to bolt. He may also grind his teeth.
Alert or Focused
An alert or focused horse’s body language is reflected in ears pointed in the direction of where the horse is looking (ears may flick back and forth if a lot is happening in his surroundings). The head and neck are held up; there’s a bright, attentive look to the eyes; and the tail may be elevated.
Content or Accepting
This body language shows a basic, happy attitude of the horse. There’s a soft look to the eye (normal blinking, not staring), and the muscles are relaxed overall. A horse will slightly lower his head, the ears may be forward or neutral (not focused in any particular direction), the mouth relaxed, and he may sigh and lick his lips. One hind leg might be cocked in relaxation if the horse is standing still.
Annoyed, Sour, or Stressed
A horse may pin his ears, wring or swish his tail, and have a hard look to his eyes. He may grind his teeth, toss or fling his head, and open his mouth or elevate his head to avoid a rider’s hands or the bit when under saddle. There is usually an overall stiffness to the body.
Relaxed
This horse is completely at ease. The eyes may be partially or totally closed, the head lowered, and muscles relaxed.
Dominance or Aggression
The horse will pin his ears and may curl his upper lip. He may swing his hindquarters toward whomever he’s trying to control and have a hard, staring look to his eye. Everything about the horse’s expression and body language says, “Get out of my way!”
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Alert or Focused
He may swing his hindquarters toward whomever he’s trying to control and have a hard, staring look to his eye. Everything about the horse’s expression and body language says, “Get out of my way!”
