Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials

The Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials turned out to be an excellent event for us last weekend! I catch rode Rough Heart (in BN), and we finished on a great dressage score of 26.2 💙. Mousse, on the other hand, had to battle through a very rainy dressage test. Although we decided to withdraw from the remaining events, we had a blast rooting for Jess!

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to all the volunteers who showed up despite the rain. You all deserve a big hug and a heartfelt thank you for working hard to ensure that the event went smoothly. Your dedication made it possible for everyone to participate, and we truly appreciate it!

4/29-30: Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials (Leesburg, VA)
  • 🏖 Jessica Sappenfield with Island Dancer: 1st in Beginner Novice Rider-A

Fair Hill International CCI & Horse Trials

This weekend ‘Stuck on Gold’ 🏅tackled his first CCI2*s and I couldn’t be more proud of him! 🥰 This quirky OTTB laid down his best dressage test to date, scoring a 24.9! He was not only top of the leaderboard but he also earned himself a 10!! A few rails in show jumping dropped us from the lead, we still need to work on nerves, but he was quick and confident on cross country and finished respectfully in a large competitive field!

I am beyond grateful for the chance to produce this big guy, and owe many thanks to so many people for the endless support and guidance that has gotten us to this point! It truly does take a village to do this and I couldn’t ask for a better one! Thank you to all my coaches, sponsors, and friends 💙 Exciting plans ahead!

My first quarterly newsletter!

Welcome to my first quarterly newsletter!

It’s been an incredibly busy winter with horses in training and my own here at Cabin Branch Farm. We’ve been working hard on the new cross-country course and it’s almost ready to open for schooling (either with me, or with outside coaches.) Stay tuned for an announcement when the online booking link is available on the website.

Read the newsletter HERE

EQyss Grooming Products

If you’re not already subscribed to our newsletter, I highly recommend that you do so. In our latest edition, we shared a fantastic barn hack for the springtime that I think is worth repeating. We’ve discovered that by mixing a small amount of witch hazel with EQyss Grooming Products‘ Avocado Mist Conditioning Spray, we can easily remove saddle marks on colder days when it’s not suitable for sponging and hosing. This trick not only removes the saddle marks but also prevents the horses’ skin from drying out. Moreover, the Avocado Spray continues to condition the coat even after we apply it.

Champion Equestrian Wear

Running a training business is busy work! Most mornings my helmet goes on my head when I get on the first horse, and it doesn’t come off until I’m getting in the car to go home. And if I’m going to get really honest here- sometimes I forget to take my helmet off until I get home. I often get strange looks from people, but I think they might just be envious of my Champion Equestrian Wear helmet.

If you’re interested in trying out the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever worn, feel free to use my code BHEBETS15 at checkout for a 15% discount. Alternatively, you can message me for a printable coupon to use at your local tack shop.

MDHT Spring Starter #2

What a great weekend! Big thank you to all the volunteers who came out and helped this weekend at the MDHT Horse Trials! Way to go Jessica for bringing home first place in Novice 🎉

4/15-16: MDHT Spring Starter #2 (Adamstown, MD)
  • Brittany with Island Nominee (owned by Jessica Sappenfield): 3rd in Novice Combined Test 📸
  • 🏖 Jessica Sappenfield with Island Dancer: 1st in Novice Combined Test
  • 🍰 Catherine Ramsey on Cakewalk: 2nd in Elementary
📸 SDH Photography for Erin Gilmore Photography
MDHT Horse Trials-min
MDHT Horse Trials cakewalk 1-min
MDHT Horse Trials cakewalk 2-min

Bucas blankets

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… This is the first year that Zulu hasn’t destroyed his blanket! I love Bucas blankets for so many reasons, but the fact that they are INDESTRUCTIBLE is at the top of the list!

Don’t forget to use my code BHEBETS15 at checkout for 15% off, or DM me for a printable coupon to use at your local tack shop!

US Event Horse Futurity Vlog

Excited to participate in The US Event Horse Futurity with Jess Sappenfield ‘Island Nominee’ ! Check out his first Vlog

Voltaire Design

Even in tricky weather, I don’t have to worry in my Voltaire Design saddles. You wouldn’t believe all of the thought and design that goes into it these lightweight saddles- I especially love my Lexington jump saddle. Voltaire has taken horse and rider anatomy into account and has truly created something that feels like you are part of your horse. There is nothing quite like riding in a Voltaire.

CDCTA Spring Horse Trials

We spent Easter 🐰🌸 with some awesome horses, their fantastic people, and the wonderful staff and volunteers at CDCTA Horse Trials. I am so proud of all of these horses and riders!  

Tori Rosenblatt and ‘Paris Lady’ had a confident first outing in Open Novice- I can’t wait to see what this pair does in the future.  

4/9 CDCTA Spring Horse Trials (Berryville, VA) 

  • Brittany with…
    •   
    • 🏝Island Nominee (owned by Jessica Sappenfield): 9th in Open Novice-1  
    • 🌾Westwood (owned by Katherine Owens): 6th in Open Novice-2 
  • 🏖 Jessica Sappenfield with Island Dancer: 2nd in Open Beginner Novice 
Bonus point for anyone who can tell the chestnuts apart 😂