MIDDLETON PLACE EQUESTRIAN CENTER
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins

Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!

2/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Horse racing has been one of the most popular equestrian sports throughout all of history. It has echoed throughout centuries, cultures, and the world. There is a reason horse racing has become and remained so popular: it celebrates the strength, power, and beauty of these amazing animals and excites the rider and those who love the sport. But who knew that there were so many different types of racing? 

We are getting so excited about these warmer temperatures that keep popping through the rainy cool days here in the Lowcountry. There isn't anything wrong with a brisk trail ride, and there is something to be said about a ride in a drizzle. But these sunnier and warmer days are getting us so excited for our southeastern springs because that means more trail rides and perfect days for trail rides! While we've been waiting for these perfect days, we have been doing our research and continuing our little educational tour on the history and types of equestrian sport. Our most recent tour lead us back to horse racing, and we were just floored by how many different types of racing we found and how much they differ from one another. While you wait for your next ride on our beautiful horseback riding trails, we hope you enjoy this little walk through equestrian sport history! 

We have learned through our research of horseback riding that the number of equestrian sports and the many ways you can play them is immense. It's such an exciting sport, and it continues to grow and be nurtured all over the world. In our past few blogs, we've shared some of the more unique equestrian sports and games, and for this blog, we wanted to take more of a classic approach. 

  • Horse Racing 
Of course, you have to start with the original form of the sport if you're going to be talking about racing! This is one of many variants in the equestrian sport and it involves two or more riders (jockeys) riding their horses over a certain length to reach the finish line first. There are many different types of horse racing found all over the world. Some have been created and cared for out of cultural traditions. Some are based on the breed of horse, running a certain distance, running through certain trails or courses, and racing while the horse is doing a certain type of gait. In the long and short of it, there are four different types of horse racing. The first is called endurance racing. This is a race that lasts between 25 to 100 miles. The horse is trained to last this distance, to endure the length, and come out strong. The second type of racing is called harness racing. During this type of race, horses pull a driver in what is called a sulky, while they are trotting or going at a pace. The third style of racing is called steeplechase. In this style of racing, a horse races over many different obstacles. The final type of racing is called flat racing. This is also known as thoroughbred racing. This type of racing is the most common of the four. A horse is raced on a straight or oval track galloping from the starting line to the finish line. 

  • Thoroughbred Racing 
This type of racing is very popular in the United States and the United Kingdom. In this world of racing, flat and jump racing are the most common. Flat racing is the most popular between the two, and many famous and exclusive races around the world celebrate this type of racing. In the United States, these races are conducted every year. The most popular being The Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness Stakes. Together all three are known as the Triple Crown. In the United Kingdom, they have their famous races similar to the Triple Crown. They have the Guineas Stakes, the Epson Derby, and the St. Leger Stakes. Even though the US and UK are the most famous for these types of races, other countries around the world have similar races. You can find them in Ireland, Australia, and Canada. 

  • Steeplechase 
In this form of racing, there are many jumps along the course. The competitors and their horses race long distances and throughout the course, there are several obstacles they have to jump over and get through before reaching the end. This type of racing originated in Ireland, and it is still popular there today. This type of racing is also popular and found in the UK, France, Australia, and the United States. Each of these courses is specially designed, and are usually about 6 miles in length. Obstacles could be hurdles, water jumps, and fences. The length between obstacles is also unique to each course. In the United Kingdom, this type of racing is called "National Hunt Racing". In the United States, the most popular steeplechase racing is the Breeders Cup Grand National Steeplechase. It is held every year in New Jersey with winnings of $500,000 going to the first place. 

There is so much to horse racing and equestrian sport that we could talk about it for blogs and blogs. We have so enjoyed sharing this information with you, and hope it sparks joy in your life. We hope it has inspired you to come to join us for a trail ride on the best horseback riding trails in South Carolina. Come visit us soon, we have a saddle with your name on it! 
0 Comments

The Blessing of The Hounds

2/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are going to take a break from the subjects our last few blogs focused on, and visit one of the most unique and interesting traditions celebrated by horse lovers and traditional English hunters alike here in the Southeast!

Traditions are a beautiful thing and something we are all very proud of here in the Southeast. We have some of the oldest and most special traditions to be found. Being horse people, we, of course, love to celebrate traditions that include our favorite beautiful animals. In this blog, we will be celebrating and discussing The Blessing Of the Hounds, the opening meeting of the Moore County Hounds, which is the oldest Fox Hunting Clubs in North Carolina.

Every year on Thanksgiving Morning, excited riders, onlookers, horses, and hounds gather in Buchanan Field in Southern Pines, North Carolina. For many families, it has become a tradition that starts their Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition has been going on for more than 100 years and has continued to grow in numbers as the years have passed. Members of the Moore County Hounds appear and come dressed in formal hunters attire, atop their beautiful horses. Formal hunters attire is the classic and signature red hunting jackets called "Pinks", white riding pants, black leather riding boots, and hunt caps. The riders gather early in the morning, and before the hounds are released to follow the fox scent placed along the hunting trail (it is a mock fox hunt, no animals are hurt!), they all receive a blessing from the local Episcopal Priest while the hundreds of onlookers watch from the sidelines. The tradition and its blessing go way back to very early medieval times when hunters believed that Saint Hubert of Liege, the patron saint of hunters, would protect them and their hounds and keep them safe during the hunt.

As we mentioned above, this tradition is no longer just for the riders and the horses. It has expanded and has become a huge traditional gathering and tailgating event for hundreds of spectators that attend the event every year. Many families have been apart of it for generations. Every year, 150 riders and horses are a part of the hunt. The spectators start arriving before 8 AM to claim their perfect tailgating spot, to start cooking, and to pop the bubbly for their morning mimosas. To get the best tailgating spots today, you will have to pay a pretty penny to reserve it. The official blessing begins at 10 AM and right after the ceremony, about 60 hounds are released on the trail. The whole event takes about an hour or so and is full of excitement.

The equestrian community has always been strong in Moore County and Southern Pines, but it continues to be nurtured and flourishes and thrives with traditions like The Blessing of the Hounds. This celebration is proof of the immense support of the community and how loved it is by all. The club continues to care for the tradition, the riders, and animals alike. A tradition like this keeps the community close-knit and brings it together, even if it is just once a year.

The tradition of The Blessing of the Hounds made its way to Moore County thanks to author James Boyd. He started the Moore County Hounds after he fell in love with fox hunting while he was a student at Cambridge. The club was recognized and made official in 1920, and the blessing is the oldest hunt in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the country. The hounds that have been used in the hunt have been living at the foundation's farm since 1942. Their care and breeding have been one of their primary focuses. The blessing was held on its original land until 2015 and was then moved to Buchanan Field.

What a beautiful way to celebrate horses and bring a community together! We love sharing traditions like this and love learning about them too. Do you have a favorite tradition celebrating these majestic creatures and their incredible histories? Share them with us! Until next time, come ride horses with us on our beautiful trails. We can't wait to see you!

0 Comments

Time to Carry That Weight

1/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The history of equestrian sport and how they have evolved is incredible. The sheer number and types of equestrian sport are staggering, and we love to share the stories behind their humble or exciting beginnings. There is such a rich story to each sport and a reason as to why they have lasted hundreds of years. 

With Valentines Day right around the corner, we have the perfect gift idea for your loved ones. Come take a beautiful and romantic trail ride with us for a unique and memorable day for everyone you love! On the topic of love, we wanted to get back to celebrating the amazing equestrian sports that we love sharing with you. In our last blog, we talked about both the original and newest forms of horse pulling equestrian sport. We researched and found a few more sports just like it that we thought you would enjoy as much as we did! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! 

Horse Pulling
  • This, of course, is one of the founding sports of the category, as it shares the same name. It too is an older sport that has evolved into a much safer and more traditional sport. 
  • It is a drag horse competition where the driver of the horse controls one or two harnessed horses to pull a weighted sled. These competitions have been modified over time to have different weight classes depending on the size and age of the horse, along with how much a horse can pull to keep them safe. The horses used in these types of competitions are specifically trained in the sport. They aren't just picked off the pasture and forced into competing. 
  • The weighted sleigh they pull is called a dynamometer, which was specifically designed to test the horse's strength. Usually, about 1500 pounds is placed on the machine during these competitions. The length of the pull is a short distance. The dynamometer was created after WWI changing the face of the sport dramatically. 
  • The last horse remaining in the race that has pulled the most weight when crossing the finish line wins. 
  • It's origins lie in farm work. Other farmers would challenge one another on who's horses could pull the most the fastest and the farthest. The ideals have been modified to keep the horses safer but the heart is still there. 
  • It is still a very popular sport to this day. 


Skioring 
  • This is a unique sport as it is not solely equestrian. In this sport, a rider is on a pair of skis and is pulled by horses, dogs, or a motor-operated vehicle. It is more common for dogs to be used, as they can adapt to the cold better and it is safer for dogs to maneuver courses and trails in the snow than it is horses. The rider is pulled around a track, and the first to cross the finish line wins.
  • The name of the sport is Norwegian and means "ski diving". 
  • It is a popular winter sport that continues to grow in popularity. It is a simple sport that is fun and easy for all skill levels. You just need to have some basic knowledge of skiing and horses and be able to combine the two to be successful. 
  • The sport was made official in Stockholm in the winter games in 1901. Its popularity has risen so much that organized races, events, and clinics can be found in the United States and Canada. 
  • It was introduced into the Winter Olympics in 1928 and became a stand-alone equestrian sport in the 1940s. 
  • The sport was used as a form of transportation for Scandinavians for hundreds of years. 

Combined Driving 
  • This is the triathlon of equestrian sport and is made up of three different events. Dressage, a cross country marathon, and obstacle cone driving. One or more riders drive a carriage pulled by one or more horses competes in this event. 
  • Dressage is a series of patterns that the horse walks at different speeds and different walks. The goal of the event is to not only do it perfectly but also to make it look very easy. 
  • The Cross Country Marathon is used to test the fitness and stamina of the horse. It is a divided marathon with three to five sections ranging between 10 to 22 kilometers. Each section requires the horse to walk or trot at different speeds. 
  • Obstacle cone driving is used to test accuracy, obedience, and speed. The courses can have up to 20 cones that the driver has to navigate through while either going at a walk or trot. 
  • At the very end of the race, whichever team has the highest combined score from each event is the winner. 
  • The sport became official in 1970 and is played worldwide. 
  • It is one of eight equestrian sports recognized by the FEI at an international level. 
  • As a competitor, you need to have a high level of skill in multiple areas as does your horse.

How inspiring are these sports? The agility, power, and skill you need as a driver is incredible. The dedication to learning each of these sports goes deeper than just practice. Have these horse pulling sports inspired you too? We can help you with that! Come visit us and take a ride, even if it's not for Valentine's day. We are happy to share your love and interest in equine sports and horses alike! 

0 Comments

    Author

    Middleton Place Team

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    2026
    Adopting A Horse
    American Quarter Horse
    Anna Sewell
    Authentic
    Barn
    Barn Care
    Belmont Stakes
    Belmont Stakes 2020
    Best Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Best Horseback Trails In Charleston
    Best Horse Trail Riding In Charleston
    Bits
    Black Beauty
    Blessing Of The Hounds
    Boarding Your Horse
    Board Your Horse At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Board Your Horse With Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Bob Baffert
    Buffalo Bill Cody
    Burmese
    Buying A Horse
    Caring For Your Horses In The Winter
    Caring For Your Horse's Mane
    Caring For Your Horse's Tail
    Chariot Racing
    Charleston
    Christmas And Your Horse
    Chuckwagon Racing
    Clean Your Barn
    Cold Weather Care
    Corolla Wild Horses
    Covid 19
    Cowboy Mounted Shooting
    Deep Clean Your Barn
    Dennis And Cindy Thompson
    Derby
    Ecosystem
    Equestrian Sports
    Famous Horse Races
    Famous Horses
    Feed Bags
    Fox Hunting
    Green Energy
    Gypsy Vanner
    Gypsy Vanner Horse
    Halters
    Hippogriff
    Historic Horseback Riding Trails
    Historic Trail Ride
    Historic Trail Rides
    History Of Sidesaddle
    History Of The American Quarter Horse
    Holidays
    Holidays And Horses
    Hong Kong Derby
    Horse
    Horse Adoption
    Horse Agility
    Horseback Charleston
    Horseback Riding
    Horseback Riding Charleston South Carolina
    Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Horseback Riding Safety
    Horseback Riding South Carolina
    Horseback Riding Trail
    Horseback Trail
    Horse Boarding
    Horse Boarding In South Carolina
    Horse Boarding South Carolina
    Horse Care
    Horse Facts
    Horse History
    Horse In Winter
    Horse Knowledge
    Horse Mane
    Horse Ownership
    Horse Pulling
    Horse Racing
    Horses
    Horses And Thanksgiving
    Horses And Thanksgiving 2020
    Horses At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Horses In The Wintertime
    Horses In Winter
    Horse Sports
    Horse Supplies
    Horse Tail
    Horse Tracks
    Horse Trail Charleston
    Horse Trail Ride Charleston
    Horse Trail Rides Charleston
    Horse Trail Riding Charleston
    Horse Trainging
    Hurricane
    Hurricane Prep
    Hurricane Preparedness
    Jousting
    Keeneland Race Course
    Kentucky Derby 2020
    Know Your Horse
    Lexington Race Track
    Mane
    Man O' War
    Marguerite Henry
    Meydan UAE
    Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Middleton Place Horses
    Middleton Trail Rides
    Misty Of Chincoteague
    Mounted Horseback Archery
    Movie Horses
    Mr. Ed
    Mythical Horses
    National Pony Express
    Natural Disaster
    Nature
    North Carolina
    Owning A Horse
    Pandemic
    Pegasus
    Preakness Stakes
    Preakness Stakes 2020
    Quarter Horse
    Quarter Mile Run Horse
    Queen Elizabeth
    Race
    Racing Victoria
    Renewable Energy
    Research Your Horse
    Resources
    Riding Horses In Charleston
    Riding Horses In Charleston South Carolina
    Riding Sidesaddle
    Roy Rogers
    Saddle
    Saddle Bags
    Sanitizing Your Barn
    SC
    Scurry Driving
    Seabiscut
    Seattle Slew
    Secretariat
    Sidesaddle
    Sidesaddle Riding
    South Carolina
    Stable
    Stable Care
    Steeplechase
    Steven Farley
    Sunland Park
    Tack Room
    Tail
    Thankful For Our Horses
    Thanksgiving 2020
    Thanksgiving With Your Horses
    The Black Stallion
    The Dubai World Cup
    The Grand National
    The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society
    The Kentucky Derby
    The Louisiana Derby
    The Outerbanks
    The Pony Express
    Tiz The Law
    Trail Rides Charleston
    Trail Riding Etiquette
    Trigger The Horse
    Triple Crown
    TV Horses
    Types Of Saddle
    Unicorns
    Walter Farley
    Why We Are Thankful For Our Horses
    Why We Love Horses
    Wild West
    Wild West Shows
    Winter For Horses
    Year Of The Horse
    Zodiac

    RSS Feed

4280 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414
​middletonplaceequestriancenter@outlook.com
​
843-735-0709
Please also visit: Middleton Place  | The Inn at Middleton Place 
Picture
Site powered by MadeSimply
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins