What its about

What makes a top horse? Top rider?

What do we define this by? 

Many of the most successful riders are far from stylish while other paint the picture of perfection. We have a driving desire for success, so much so that in my country, and many others, professional riders, as hope to one day be, fly to Europe to purchase the most "suitable" horse for the demanding task the 1.50 + classes present. These top horses can fetch up to well over €1 000 000.

Roger Yves Bost "Bosty". One of the most successful show jumpers on the international circuit.

Steve Guerdat, another incredibly successful show jumper on the international circuit.

  However this comes at a serious price which is perhaps why majority of the successful competitors at the highest level of most classical disciplines have the financial support to make this all possible . The best rider is nothing without a capable horse. A capable horse will not perform its best without a good rider which works with it as a COMBINATION. 

The upbringing of young horses primarily define their future. The most "correctly"  and "well-produced" feature in the top classes along their superior bloodlines bred of generations to ensure success. There are always exceptions, however this is the general rule i have personally found.

 This is why one may see studs with outstanding bloodlines fail to produce horses which end up reaching the top. The sport is so demanding these days there is no or little room for error. An "incorrectly" brought up horse will never reach its full potential, it may turn out to be above average, but not reaching its full potential. 

However, i do believe there are many areas which one can improve to potentially bring out the optimal potential of a horse. These areas are close to perfection of professionals, the level of care and attention given to these areas has a dramatic effect on performance. A few areas being:

• Diet
• Upbringing- careful schooling etc.
• Exercise schedule
• Gridwork / training programmes
• Equine management - stabling, grazing, healthcare etc. 
• therapy: bemer, hydro, ozone etc. 

In this blog i aim to explore theres areas,especially methods used by the top riders therefore common between the successful.