Are your eyes straining from all this late-night reading under the covers with a flashlight? I know mine are. But it’s not time to let up yet. Above are Jim Wofford’s stadium jumping book recommendations for all the dedicated 3-day eventers out there.  Or, really, for all the dedicated horse people out there.  Get our your pen, take notes, then hop on your horse and give it a whirl.  These are recommendations from the best. Soak it in!

From Left to Right:

No. 1/ No.2/ No. 3/ No.4/ No.5

We continue with Jimmy Wofford’s in-depth book recommendations for the studious 3-day eventer. I’ve got my work cut out for me and I expect you do too. Shall we meet up and study late into the night under the lights of a hushed library? Let’s. You can find his dressage book recommendations at the following places:

No. 1/ No. 2/ No. 3/ No. 4/ No. 5/ No. 6

Incidentally, I quite liked this fellow.

That’s Alois Podhajsky, dressage great and author of “The Complete Training of Horse and Rider” in addition to director of the Spanish Riding School through World War II and up until his retirement in 1955. Happy reading!

After the interview with Clark Montgomery wherein he talked about studying 3-day eventing and what he’s reading to do so, it occurred to me that maybe reading isn’t just for Pony Clubbers. If our very best professionals are studying into the wee hours, maybe I had better do so as well. After all, with only one horse there’s only so much I can work on in any given day.

So I decided to hit the books and went right to the very best source: USEA Hall of Famer Jimmy Wofford. I emailed him around 8:15am for “some book recommendations”.  About 27 minutes later an email popped up from Jimmy. Not only did it hold book recommendations (I was expecting three or four all told) but it included book recommendations broken down by phase and included about five in each. I begin here with his cross-country book recommendations.  Following you will find also his dressage and show jumping book recommendation as well as a layout of his own books. Truth be told, that’s where I’ll be starting.  And if you’re anything like me…you’ll be hitting the books too. The cross-country books he recommends can be found as follows:

No. 1/ No. 2/ No. 3/ No. 4/ No. 5

How cute is this? Some friends made it as a Christmas card but I think it does double duty as a Valentine. No surprise that one of the friends is one of the forces behind Ruby Assata. Happy 3-Day Eventing Valentine to you!  So glad you can be mine.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I find myself giddy that I can count you all as my Valentines. Lucky me indeed!

But wait, there’s more! I just can’t help myself with all these hearts and love floating around. I can imagine galloping through town with heart balloons whipping behind me and Ellie. What would your horse think of that? It looks like fun to me!  Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your pony.

letterpress card from Pup & Pony Press

One of our favorite photographers and writers, Leslie Threlkeld, captured all the best moments at Poplar Place Farm Horse Trials. She also noticed a contingent of eventing ponies, of which (as you already know) we’re a fan. We thought you might like to meet some of the ones who caught her eye.

Above: Pocomotion is a 14h Welsh/TB gelding and competed in Open BN.

Below: My Valentino competed in Open Novice. He jumped double clean all around.

Adanac is a 14h New Forest gelding.  He still gives lots of lucky little girls riding lessons every day. Competed in Open BN.

Rockin Royal Sierra is a 15.1h Quarter Horse gelding.  He was taking his rider, Maggie, around her first Training level event.  He’s not technically a pony, but he still pegs the cute meter in our book!

As You Wish is a 14.1h Paint pony gelding.  He’s well-known for his interesting markings and incredible blue eyes!

Pretty please can I have one? Thanks to Leslie for sharing her photography with us and for bringing 3-day eventing into our living rooms. And especially for bringing adorable eventing ponies into our living rooms. You can see more of her work at www.lesliethrelkeld.com and, if you haven’t yet bought your photo from Poplar Place to remember all the good times you can still do so. You can also follow her comings and goings on her blog.

Julia Denos does the most wonderful illustrations and, given how partial I am to illustration and drawing, I sort of fell in love with this one at first sight. With the vibrant, green grass and short sleeves on the kids it makes me feel like Spring just might make a comeback someday soon. And can’t you tell that the pony is the sweetest thing? What are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is I hope these tidbits get it kicked off in the right direction.

Ace Spreads a little Valentine Love

An Interview with Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch

Equestrian Jewlery

Hound on the go

Allison Springer Syndicates Arthur: Now’s Your Chance!

Do you Have your Tickets to Rolex?

{And a few posts you may want to catch}

The Horse Husband Debate

An Interview with Tiana Coudray

Team Fashion at the World Equestrian Games (or: The Cowboy Hat Debacle)

With the thermometer dipping down into the twenties and teens we’re not the only ones who are trying to keep warm. Some of our top eventing dogs are bundling up too.

Bacon, Doug Payne’s top eventing dog, keeps warm and stylish with his Newmarket blanket. Personalizing a blanket with a name or monogram is always a good idea. Have you seen Bacon and Running Order’s daily ritual in matching duds?

Laine Ashker’s newest addition, Delilah, makes eyes at us while keeping cuddly.

Will Faudree’s dog, Beckett, bears the damp cold bravely with his casual camo.

What does your dog wear to stay cozy and warm?  Believe it or not, Simon is such a well-insulated guy that he goes completely without a coat despite the Virginia chill.

In general I’m not a fan of style or design that broadcasts that it’s all about horses. But I can’t help but pine for this sweetly lady-like wallpaper that’s both calming and chic.  I’m thinking I would put it in my study and drink chamomile tea out of tea cups from Claridges, day dream about Ellie and scrawl handwritten notes to you.

image via Anthropologie and design is mine

The U.S. Coaching position closed this week and we hear from three more applicants for the position; American Jimmy Wofford, Australian Andrew Hoy and Britain’s Leslie Law. Kerry Millikin is back in the co-host chair so tune in right here…

Eventing Radio Episode 117 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

• Show Host: Chris Stafford
• Co-Host: Kerry Milliken
• Photo Credit: USET
• Guests: Jimmy Wofford, U.S. Olympian, trainer, author and former Canadian team coach – http://jimwofford.blogspot.com
• Guests: Andrew Hoy, six-time team and individual Olympic medalist, Rolex, Badminton and Burghley winner: www.hoyteam.com
• Guests: Leslie Law, 2004 Olympic Individual Gold Medalist, trainer and new father: http://www.leslielaweventing.com
• Guests: The 2011 PRO Tour schedule – www.professionalriders.org :
  March 25-27: Southern Pines II, Advanced ~ Raeford, NC
  April 7-10: The Fork ~ CIC3* ~ Norwood, NC
  June 9-12: Bromont ~ CCI3* ~ Bromont, Quebec
  August 4-7: The Millbrook Horse Trials ~ Advanced ~ Millbrook, NY
  September 16-18: Plantation Field ~ CIC3* ~ Unionville, PA
  October 13-16: Dansko Fair Hill International ~ CCI3* ~ Elkton, MD
  November 4-6: Galway Downs ~ CCI3* ~ Temecula, CA

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