New Hope Eventing

04/04/2022

To say it has been awhile is an understatement, but Norman and I will be sharing posts over the next couple months on his journey back to work.

Back in November, I had Norman x-rayed after multiple failed attempts at bringing him back to work since 2020. It was discovered that he has a mild case of kissing spine in two separate areas along his vertebrae. Both of the locations are directly under my seat when he is undersaddle and was causing the back and forth behavior when attempting to work. I knew I wanted to bring him back to work competitively this year, with work being a bit more balanced, and knew I had to have a vet out for rads to be 100% positive about his health and behavior (since everything else was tried to no success).

Our vet and I decided to allow him the winter being a horse still until I knew the weather was consistent for regular conditioning work. We will be doing lunging and stretching for 4 weeks to build up his topline some and then complete our first injections. After the first round I should be able to start light work undersaddle continuing to build up muscle. We will have him rechecked at 4 to 6 weeks to see how the injections are holding up and then go from there.

With this diagnosis, coupled with some other reactive areas that have grown not so great over the years, we will be focusing our sights on working as partners in Dressage specifically. I discussed it with the vet at his diagnosis and jumping would not be fair to his health.

So we will be documenting our journey over the next few months to see where we land. No matter what happens, I will just be happy to get back on my handsome red beast again even if that means just dancing in the sand and enjoying the beautiful venues for some trail riding.

05/09/2021

Norman had alot of dirt and grime on his coat from the winter months, so we had a long warm bath getting curried and soaped from head to hooves! So much red dirt came off him, but his coat so much softer and cleaner now.

This will be a normal cadence along with a regular brushing and currying before and after works.

My boy is so HANDSOME 😍🥰😍🥰

04/04/2021

Spring is in the air!

I have many plans for Norman over the next several weeks. Days being longer, weather warmer, and a fire in my heart to get back out galloping fields with my big red beast are all motivating me to get back on track. Not to mention having personal time with my handsome pony will allow me to create balance between work on personal 😊

01/16/2021

Educational day spent at the Liz Halliday-Sharp Clinic at FENCE. I observed several stadium groups listening to the coaching from Liz and learning a ton. As riders, we must continue our education. Its not always available to pay the fees to ride in a clinic (because they can be expensive) but a rider can learn through observation! There were a couple horses that seemed to ride like Norman does and it was great hearing that coaching specifically for me to take back to my riding at home when the time to jump comes around.

Thank you Jennarose for putting the clinic on and FENCE for the beautiful facility as always!

12/31/2020

New Hope Eventing wants to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

We hope all our friends and family stay safe, healthy, and sane with the coming 2021 year. The past year has tried us in ways that we would never have imagined, but we are stronger because of it. New Hope Eventing is welcoming the new year with new journeys and progress in our relationship and training. We will be posting more information, videos, and will be offering lessons and barn clinics on multiple aspects of the equine world! Stay tuned for the posts and reach out for any and all interest!

Happy New Year Everyone!



12/30/2020

12/29/2020

Two great lunge sessions with Norman this week leading up to 2021!

Who works their horses on the lunge weekly?

There are amazing benefits from working a horse on the lunge line regularly. There is relief from carrying weight and lunging lessens the impact on joints and ligaments. Another great benefit is the bond established and built upon between horse and rider when lunging. A horse needs a healthy level of respect for his handler and a lunge sessions help form, build, and nurture those respectful boundaries.

Over the last two weeks, lunging Norman 3 to 4 days a week, I have seen a better respect when I am walking him in from his pasture. He is listening to voice commands that he wasn't two weeks ago, and willfully showing my personal space respect when I am grooming and tacking him up. And this is all just after two weeks!

Try it out for yourself and if you are unsure about how to lunge, I will be posting a video in the next week for you to see a demonatration!

12/21/2020

One small. . Itty bitty step forward, but in the right direction 👏👏👏

On vacation from work, so definitely spending lots of time with my handsome red beast! He was actually CLEAN when I got out to his pasture 😂 so it was a quick groom and with plenty of light left, we got saddled up to lunge and do some walking undersaddle.

Norman lunged so quietly, stretching, and floating around like a gentleman. I figured it was a good day to take a walk in the arena even though it was chilly and super windy, but his temperament seemed fine. He stood quietly at the mounting block when I threw my leg over and walked off easily. He didn't spook at the bows tied to the fenceline whipping in the wind just walked around relaxed and happy (so it seemed). We did some circles and I asked a bit more out of his walk which he responded by picking his back up some and stretching forward in his stride 😇 I was so excited he felt this good. I asked him to move forward again down the long side and he picked up a quiet trot so I let him continue forward to the corner where I asked for the walk again. We did this about 4 times and called it a day. He felt AMAZING in his trot too just floating, head nice and set, not having to pull to the walk, just so RESPONSIVE!

We will be doing a lunge session tomorrow in the side reins and some undersaddle walking light trotting later this week. We will keep moving forward, but at a steady slow pace as not to throw anything out of wack! Especially his quiet mind lately. . . .there was no anxiety or anxious behavior today at all.

11/25/2020

Take me back. . . .

Take me back to galloping fields of green watching your ears flick forwards and backwards listening to my praise and encouragement of your amazing talent. . .

Take me back to flying gracefully over jumps others found intimidating because I know on your back that I have the wings of angels guiding us each each stride, takeoff, and landing. . .

Take me back to your hoofbeats and my heartbeat in rhythm through our course. . .

Take me back to those days. . . my red dragon. . . Where others could see our partnership, the love of each other, and the love of this sport. . .

11/21/2020

Norman thoroughly enjoyed his session with Natasha from The Animal Chiro today! 😍

He has some knots in the backside of his right shoulder and on the connecting muscle in his right side of his hip, but with the PEMF therapy on Tuesday next week and the stretches we do those knots should work themselves out.

11/17/2020

Norman is smiling from ear to ear hearing he is going to have some Spa days this week and next!

The amazing Natasha from The Animal Chiro will be coming out Friday to pop and crack my boy back into alignment and then on Tuesday Elyssa will be out for PEMF to help his muscles relax and increase circulation.

Fingers crossed that these two things will help him feel a bit better to start back up lunging and riding undersaddle at the walk over the next month!

11/16/2020

We have been quiet over the last several months. There have been alot of changes that have happened and plans for the 2021 season!

Thor was placed into a successful new home to be a low level eventer. He shipped out in October and his connections are super excited and pleased with the amazing boy! We have missed him, but am so happy with his future 👏👏

Norman has had alot of time off since 2019 😞 He has been on and off lunging work due to some discomfort he is having. We are getting a regular chiro, PEMF, and work routine going to bring him along this winter and hopefully do some shows and get back undersaddle next year. It will be a process and I have a vet coming out first of December to make sure our routine is on track for success.

What are some of your favorite winter exercises to do with your horses??

Here is a throwback picture of Norman and I schooling some training level cross country 🤩🤩

10/31/2020

This handsome red beast had his favorite farriers out today to get some shoes put back on before the ground starts getting hard this winter. Taking shoes off for the last 5 months allowed his holes to grow out and some strong hoof walls to build up! Love his hooves - strongest I've seen for a Thoroughbred 🙌

Now to start back lunging in the training system and short walks undersaddle and maybe some trail rides here this winter. We are going to take the winter to build up some muscle with some new supplements to try!

10/13/2020

Thor left out today for a wonderful new home in Virginia! Congratulations to his contacts! I cannot wait to see what they will be out doing next year! Safe travels my handsome boy ❤❤❤❤

07/28/2020

Thor enjoyed his spa treatment today by the lovely Anthony and Taylor. . .two of the best farriers EVER!

He will get chiropracted tomorrow and then ready for some muscle and stamina building! I'm hoping to take him to FENCE to school over some cross country on the lunge line. If he is good, then we will pop over some together ❤

07/25/2020

I miss galloping across the green pastures with this handsome red dragon 😢

He is showing positive improvement in his topline and looks great lunging. We are doing short rides undersaddle at the walk right now and will start trotting short sets in August. Hoping to get him more consistent by the end of the year so that we can do some eventing together next year. . . I know he misses this as much as I do.

07/21/2020

This handsome boy gets his hooves done tomorrow! He always loves seeing our two favorite farriers, Anthony and Taylor, to look and feel his best undersaddle!

07/04/2020

After a 20 minute lunge session with the saddle cinched down, Felicia was able to do some work on Norman standing at the mounting block quietly while draping her weight on him. After he was nice and settled, she swung her leg on over!

This has been 4 months in the works since the last time she rode him he nearly bucked her off. She will continue to do the lunging to help strengthen his back, but will start incorporating walking undersaddle for 5 to 10 minutes to help him acclimate to weight in the saddle again. Hopefully he is on the right path FINALLY!

07/04/2020

Happy Independence Day!

We celebrate this day by floating on lakes, laying on beaches, BBQ in the backyard, and other things with family and friends because we have the freedom to do such things. Other countries around the world do not have the same luxury and we forget that important fact often.

We take these times for granted.

On this day, take a moment to look around and think about your life a bit differently. Think about having rights taken from you. Take a moment and think about not being able to marry, have a child, vote for your president, shop in a certain store, etc. . . And give appreciation that you can. Soak up the knowledge that you belong to a country with a democracy. . One which you have a voice in making decisions. . One which you can take part in voting in a leader who will exercise his/her power in their position to act IN YOUR AND THE COUNTRY'S BEST INTEREST!

And most importantly, thank the men and women around the globe serving in our Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard who work daily on protecting those rights and freedoms.

Happy Independence Day!

06/28/2020

Wonderful morning at the barn! 😍

Thor is looking like such a BEEFCAKE and so shiny! I'm so happy with his health and work ethic! He had a wonderful flatwork today. We focused on transitions and circles to increase his suppleness in his carriage. WOW! He is such an amazing boy to work! His willingness to keep at it until rewarded is wonderful. He truly LOVES having a partner.

Norman lunged super well and is looking more developed through his back. Im happy with his weight and shine too! So far happy with Platinum Performance supplement! Norman will get shoes back on this next rotation to see about some undersaddle rides after about two more weeks of lunging! I'm going to incorporate some ground poles in this week since I'm off work all week 😀

Let me tell you though. . .it was a great morning, but it was HOT. I was sweaty and itchy after my 3 hours at the barn! A little toasty as well on my shoulders and back ☺

06/14/2020

Norman got his "Spa Day" today 😍😍

He had all the winter grime scrubbed off and was so shiny and soft once he dried! His tail is still a work in progress since it is short and thin, but put some Sterling Essentials oil on the tail bone to help stimulate growth 👍

He did his back lifts today like a champ! He is continuing to work on building up his topline to see if muscle development is the key to our issues recently. If not, we will go to step two.

Isn't he just the absolute cutest boy ever! 😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰

06/13/2020

Thor had a "Spa Day" today!

He was scrubbed from head to toes TWICE to really wash all the dirt and grim from his coat. His tail and mane were scrubbed really good to shine and feel so smooth and conditioned! He grazed in the sun and breeze to be completely dry before being turned out again to finish his hay. He was quite happy with himself 😍

Thor is still available to be tried and seen in Inman, SC. Please PM for more information on this handsome, willing, and sweet boy!

06/11/2020

🎉🎉Happy Three Year "Gotcha Day" to this big handsome boy 🎉🎉

His Race to Win aka Thor raced 21 times and won over $550k on the track. He was a hard to handle horse but absolutely stunning and caught my eye immediately when Stacey Emory posted him on her page. I just looked into Daniel's eyes and said "PLEASE!" and he said "oh fine" 😁

I was so excited to add such a beautiful boy to my eventing team and anticipated getting him home and started. He had a great trip home and was as stunning in person as his picture. He had some hoof issues to work out and ground manners to learn, but had great potential. After about a year getting things on track for him physically, I started him undersaddle and he was quite the opposite of what I expected. He was slower, well behaved, and willing. Not hard to handle at all! His training was on and off due to work and weather, but each break we had he always started right back where we left off.

Thor is still an amazing boy with an incredible personality! 😍 He is on a great track and will be going to school some places in the next couple weeks and hopefully some schooling shows this fall when things continue to settle down some more with both work and Covid. Though he is an amazing boy and has the potential I want in a horse, this boy is available to the right situation.

05/28/2020

The boys saw Natasha today who helped both of them feel SO much better with an adjustment!
Chiropractic care is essential as a human, and that is no difference for a horse. It is difficult for a horse to tell you, "My neck is stiff," so regular chiropractic care helps keep a horse happy, healthy, and performing at their best!
Norman had a rib out and was twisted at his withers and croup so he should be feeling much better after a day or two. He relaxed into the adjustment after telling Natasha what was wrong in his reactions to her evaluation. Thor was also jammed up in his shoulder and lower back and had some nice releases through his adjustment.

05/25/2020

Missing the days in the saddle on this handsome red gelding 😢

Here is what's new with Norman. . .

▪️Norman is being put on Platinum Performance Supplement to help give him all the necessary nutrients needed for a balanced diet with his Strategy GX grain and grass pasture/hay

▪️Norman is completing a 6 week program of stretches and lunging to help strengthen his back muscles and topline along with adding the Platinum Performance to his feed. The stretches are done 5 times a week (chin to chest, chin between his knees, chin to girthline (both sides), chin to hip (both sides), chin to back fetlocks (both sides), & back lift for 10 seconds (both sides of horse). The stretches are done and held for 3 to 4 seconds each while the back lift is held longer to encourage the lifting muscles in his back. He is very flexible, but completing these stretches 5 times a week has shown significant improvement in top line development along with lunging with encouraging the stretch and relaxation during the lunge. This program was completed in Australia by a large animal vet and showed positive impact in the health and wellness of horses with muscle development.

I will be posting pictures of his progress and am committed to helping him feel better and get back to doing what he loves to do!

05/16/2020

Today was a great first for Claire and Stitch. . .Cross Country Schooling!

Claire did a wonderful job today warming Stitch up in a large field while he took all the sights in. He was a little spooky with all that his brain was discovering, but Claire easily handled him. After a few warm up jumps, Claire was in the saddle jumping all the starter jumps there were in the fields at FENCE! She managed some cantering as well over a larger red rolltop and stack! They took a nice trail ride up the pastures after she was done. What a great first outing! I am definitely one proud trainer!

05/10/2020

Really beautiful Sunday and lesson with Claire and Stitch! 😃

Claire has been working on a TON of flatwork in between lessons and we have been focusing on smaller grids to really build up her confidence in Stitch. Today we moved on to cantering single jumps with a bit of height to them. . . And Claire did not disappoint! Her and Stitch showed huge improvement from the first jump to the last. She is learning how to better regulate her entrances to ensure Stitch isn't strung out in his approach.

Very excited to take these two schooling this coming weekend at FENCE!

05/04/2020

Being an equestrian is not for the faint of heart. . .

You will be swatted in the eye with a wet tail, but enjoy the soft warm snuggles of a big nose.
You will cry tears of gratefulness and pain, triumph and failure, joy and sadness.
You will hit the ground at an alarming rate of speed and realize your horse is galloping away with a large crowd watching, and later that day your horse will come galloping to greet you at the gate.
You will have scars, bruises, broken bones, and a broken heart at times.
You will find a purpose in the darkest of times in life, but will wonder around without a light to guide at others.
You will prove to yourself and others that everything you do is worth it, and other times, you will struggle to continue to press on.
You will have the greatest lessons taught while in the saddle and will learn to communicate in pure silence.
You will grow as a person and with the guidance of your horse. . .
You will love a horse with all of your heart, but one day outlive it, and then are asked to carry on. . .

Being an equestrian is not for the faint of heart because as many highs you may have, there are twice as many lows. If your in it for money, don't bother, but find your reason and never lose sight. For loving this sport, and more importantly, loving a horse is one of the greatest gifts this life could give to you.

04/26/2020

Beautiful day in South Carolina for a much improved lesson with Claire and Stitch! 😊

Claire has been working very hard on the foundation of her and Stitch's relationship and his riding conditioning. There is NO question after seeing him work today that she is putting in the hard work to get the results! Most young riders want to just jump and jump, but Claire has shown her maturity in doing the work on the flat to build up Stitch's muscles and stamina to put in some phenomenal jumping during her lessons!

Super proud of this team and cannot wait to see them again later this week!

04/12/2020

🐰🐰Happy Easter from New Hope Eventing🐰🐰

Even during this massive pandemic, we at New Hope Eventing hope that all friends and family are enjoying the day today with as many as possible during the quarantine. Remember the reason for this day and spread some love to those around you. Send up a special prayer to all hospital workers, first responders, and scientists working diligently to help all those in need during this time.

04/09/2020

▪️Are you finding it difficult to change things up with the shutdown and shows cancelled?

▪️Are you looking to take the extra time this spring to develop opportunities in your riding? In your horse?

▪️Are you not 100% satisfied with your current situation?

New Hope Eventing has 2 - 3 spots immediately open for lessons and training in Eventing, Hunter Jumpers, and Jumpers in the Spartanburg, Landrum, and Tryon areas in South Carolina.

All English riders and horses are welcome, but these disciplines are specifically what Felicia specializes in with her 27 years of riding and 15 years of teaching experience. Riders must have their own horse at this time in order for Felicia to provide services. Felicia offers tailored training programs that will fit the exact need and goals of the rider and horse. She provides insight on behavioral solutions, tack adjustments, and fitness plans to ensure success for the level the rider and horse are working towards. She will set up proper schooling and show schedule once the season reopens.

Felicia provides the following in any discipline. . .

▪️Private 1 Hour Lesson - $40
▪️Group Lesson (2-3 riders) - $30 per rider
▪️Behavior Solution Training - Priced determined at time of consultation
▪️Refresh Training/Conditioning - $25 per ride/monthly plans available to suit horse's needs

Please PM New Hope Eventing or text 8644974225 to set a time up to speak with Felicia on your needs for your horse and rider!

04/05/2020

Thor was an absolute gentleman today! 🥰🥰

After getting all tacked up, we started on the ground doing some respect groundwork before getting under saddle. He responded to my pace and when I halted he halted right at my shoulder. Undersaddle we did alot of walking work, lateral movements, and transitions to the halt. He backed very well (this is a BIG area of opportunity for him) but he is sure being responsive with all the groundwork we have been doing. We also did some trotwork with a bit of contact and he was SO GOOD!

04/04/2020

Thor was a shiny silly boy today! 😍🦄

He had a nice lunge being quiet and responsive to the commands and then we worked on some groundwork. Thor doesn't realize he is bigger than his handler or he does and doesn't respect them. . .so we took to the arena to work on some liberty work for him to better listen to his partner beside him. He did such a great job so I took the lead off and he walked, trotted, and went through groundpole alongside me with no problem! 🤩 He had one moment he took off across the arena, but I whistled and he came back to me.

We will be working more on this and start getting some under saddle work in as well ✔😉

03/30/2020

After a really long day at work, it was relaxing to get out and just groom and love on my boys!

Norman thought he could be slick and hide in the corner, but didn't realize that he is a bit too big to hide. After I stood there for about 2 minutes whistling to him, he realized that I wasn't leaving so he should just give in and he did 😂🤣

Thor thought the whole situation was great to observe. . . How absolutely GORGEOUS is he!?!?

03/29/2020

It was back to lessons for Claire and Stitch today after a couple weeks off due to weather, sickness, and global pandemic. Stitch's winter coat is coming off well with all the effort and work Claire is putting into his grooming while off school.

Claire and Stitch are going back to basics since we have not had consistency lately. She will be using time off school to do some walking conditioning in the fields, walk trot work on the hills, and some ground pole exercises to work on pace and efficiency with Stitch's hoof placement.

They are a great team together!

03/28/2020

Both of the boys had a wonderful day today in the gorgeous sunshine in South Carolina ☀️

Thor had a beautiful lunge session and good curry cooldown.

Norman lunged himself in his field while I had Thor lunging. He was all sweaty so he had a good bath to pull some of his winter coat off to make him feel good in the warmer weather 🐴

03/28/2020

Just a beautiful day to spend with my two handsome spoiled geldings 🥰🥰🥰🥰

03/22/2020

The boys were looking fabulous today. . . Definitely both fat and happy to get some love and currying in the sunshine 🌞🌞

Both of them are shedding like crazy but the next few days will be cold so I will be shaving them next week if currying does not take off most of their coat over the next week 😁 Some lunging tomorrow and next week with some short rides to start working on connection and lower lateral movements.

But these boys are my favorite! Love they come out of winter looking this good! That's what a great barn and care does for thoroughbreds!

03/09/2020

Sunny sunny sunny day today ☀️☀️☀️
The weather was gorgeous yet again for both boys to have very nice lunge sessions. Thor was definitely LAZY after being worked yesterday, but we will finish out this week lunging to see consistency and then get back in the saddle by this weekend. Norman still had some go, but pulled out nice stretchy moments and minimal bucks! Super floaty at the trot and listened wonderfully to the voice commands during his session.
Tomorrow will be another beautiful day the boys will be worked before rain comes in Tuesday!