Pine Meadow Farm LLC

01/04/2026

When Michael Britt-León, Berry Porter, and Steven Bluman sat down for a Plaidcast In Person conversation, the discussion kept returning to a familiar tension—one that many professionals feel but struggle to articulate.

From the outside, our sport looks like it’s thriving. Horse shows are full. Calendars are packed. Facilities continue to expand. But beneath that surface, the panelists described a system that increasingly prioritizes volume and visibility over development, sustainability, and long-term participation.

The modern competition calendar leaves little room to slow down. Riders move from show to show. Trainers manage full barns while navigating client expectations and rising costs. Horses rotate through divisions with minimal downtime.

“You’re trying to do the right thing,” Berry Porter said, “but you’re also trying to keep the lights on.”

For many professionals, that balance dictates nearly every decision. Showing is expensive. Clients want progress. Staff depend on consistent work. Pausing or resting can feel like falling behind.

The result is a system that functions efficiently, but one that rarely allows space to reassess direction.

Steven Bluman pointed to the way constant competition can create the illusion of progress.

“There’s a lot of activity,” he said, “but activity doesn’t always mean development.”

Riders may show frequently, jump bigger tracks, and collect results, yet still lack the deeper understanding that comes from time spent training rather than competing. With little opportunity to step back, reflection gives way to momentum.

Mistakes are managed rather than explored. Fundamentals are postponed rather than rebuilt. The focus becomes staying visible, not necessarily getting better.

The expansion of horse shows is often framed as increased opportunity, but the panelists questioned who that opportunity truly serves. Sustained participation now depends heavily on resources. Riders who can afford to show week after week remain present in the system. Those who cannot risk losing visibility, regardless of talent.

More shows do not automatically mean broader access. In practice, the cost of entries, training, staffing, and travel narrows the field.

The sport may appear open, but the ability to remain competitive over time is far from equal.

📎 Continue reading the conversation at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/01/02/who-are-equestrian-sports-actually-for-anymore/
📸 © The Plaid Horse

12/31/2025

12/29/2025

If you ask trainer and “R” judge Geoff Case how to become a better rider, he won’t tell you to buy a better horse. He’ll tell you to ride more horses—especially the tricky ones.

“The best riders aren’t the ones who only ride nice horses,” he said. “They’re the ones who learn from every horse they sit on.” The goal is growth. And the fastest way to grow is to stop waiting for ideal conditions and start learning from whatever you have right now.

Case’s training philosophy is rooted in experience, not ease. “If you only ride perfect horses, you don’t actually learn that much,” he said. “You get better by figuring things out.”

He remembers his early years, when getting on a variety of horses—green, lazy, spooky, or stubborn—wasn’t optional. It was how you earned your education. “You got on whatever needed to be ridden,” he said. “That’s how you learned timing, feel, and patience.”

That trial-and-error process, Case explained, teaches a kind of adaptability that can’t be coached. “You start to realize there’s no one-size-fits-all answer,” he said. “Every horse requires something different from you.” Those lessons stick with riders far longer than ribbons or medals. “It’s the uncomfortable horses that teach you the most,” he said. “They make you think. They make you better.”

Case believes curiosity, not perfection, is what turns good riders into great ones. “You have to want to understand what’s happening under you,” he said. “That curiosity is what makes you improve.”

When something doesn’t go right Case encourages riders to ask questions instead of getting frustrated. “Don’t get mad, get curious,” he said. “Ask yourself, ‘Why did that happen?’ Then try to fix it.”

That self-reflection, he added, is the real mark of a thinking rider. “It’s easy to ride well when everything goes right,” he said. “The real riders are the ones who figure it out when things don’t.”

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/12/29/why-the-best-riders-dont-wait-for-perfect-horses/
📸 © The Plaid Horse

12/23/2025

"While I spent a lot of time debating colleges, degrees and career paths, I always knew that I wanted to do something with horses. Many young people who want to work in the horse world have the idea that a college degree is unnecessary. They think it’s ultimately a waste of money and four years that could be spent working and riding. But as a third year student majoring in Equine Studies, I can say that higher education is not a waste. As I reflect on insight from college graduates and experiences of my own, here are some of my takeaways.

You have something to fall back on.

The equine industry can be volatile. Even though you may think you’re invincible, there is a good chance that at one time or another, you might get injured and find yourself unable to work or ride. You’ll need a backup plan. Nicole Mandracchia, a graduate of Centenary University, discussed the importance of this with me saying, “For those of us who work in the equine industry in the barns (trainers, riders, grooms, vets, farriers, etc.) it’s not a question of “if” we will get hurt, but “when.” I believe everyone should have a degree of some sort to fall back on when the inevitable happens. For years I believed that it would never happen to me, but a knee injury last March finally caught me and I needed surgery. During my recovery period I was able to use my Equine Communications degree to do some blog writing for Excel Supplements—an opportunity that I am grateful for. Always have a back up because things change quickly!”

You need the communication and business knowledge that working in a barn can’t always give you.

Yes, many of these classes might seem pointless at the time, but you will use their teamwork and problem solving skills every day. Learning to persevere through something that is difficult or not ideal will only help you when you have a client that you struggle to communicate with or a horse that you just can’t seem to get through to. They will teach you how to keep your books in order so your business doesn’t fail, the best ways to advertise for yourself, and what goes into running an effective social media account or writing a solid sales ad.

You will be involved in real-life situations every day with experts to show you how to handle them.

Cori Babcock of Centenary University noted, “Going to school allowed me to learn a lot of ‘on-the-job skills’ in a safer environment. I learned how to handle colic, injuries, illnesses, and even about postpartum complications where I had someone experienced helping me along the way. I didn’t have to learn on the fly in an emergent situation where important decisions need to be made quickly.” Many schools have a large number of horses on property (some have 100+!), each with their own individual needs and problems to be solved. Whether it’s learning to ride many different types of horses, or practicing what to do in emergency situations, having this many horses at your disposal will help you develop strong skills anywhere in the barn.

College teams give you exposure and lifelong friendships.

Not only are college riding teams, such as Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) teams, a great way to get in some extra ride time, but they are also able to help you get your name out to more people in the industry. Riding on these teams allows you to meet equestrians from all over the country, some of whom are likely to be your mentors, peers, or employers some day. Aside from the professional benefits, these teams are where you are likely to meet some of your closest friends. There’s nothing like 3:30 AM wake-up calls to bring a group of people closer together.

It will help you decide what niche of the industry is for you.

There are so many areas of the industry that you can go into. It can almost be overwhelming once you realize how many options you have! Your college professors are there to help you find what you like through their own experiences, jobs and internships, and different types of classes that the school might offer. A former Centenary University student, Lauren Buettner, now works for Zoetis as an Equine Inside and Digital Sales Specialist. She explains, “From a young age I knew I wanted to do something heavily ingrained in the equine industry, but I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what. With the help of my professors at Centenary, I devoted a lot of time to trying out jobs in so many facets of the horse world. Everything from grooming and riding, media, veterinary technician work, to pharmaceuticals… until it clicked! Equine Pharmaceuticals is where I was meant to land, and I am convinced I would not have found this career path any other way.”

You are going to make so many connections.

This ultimately is the biggest reason why your education will be worth your while. Your professors in college are going to give you connections with people you otherwise would only dream of working with. And who knows, if you work hard enough and meet the right people, you just might end up being their peers a few years down the road. Odessa Thacker, graduate of Emory and Henry College, explains, “The equine industry generates $102 billion dollars annually in the US alone. There are, quite literally, always horse related jobs available and never quite enough people to fill them. One of the most important things you learn with an Equine-related degree, however, are the connections. Being able to graduate and immediately go work for the Tori Colvins, the Scott Stewarts, the Maddens, the Havens Schatts, etc because of the connections that professors and alumni of the college have with them is pretty incredible, and personally as a high schooler, not something I had connections or the knowledge to do immediately after graduating. College was absolutely essential in my journey as someone who works in the equine industry, no matter the job, the education, friends, and connections I made will absolutely travel with me through the rest of my life. I never regret a single minute of earning a degree in Equine Studies.”

📎 Save & share this article by Haylie Kerstetter at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2021/03/09/college-isnt-a-waste-of-time-for-aspiring-equestrian-professionals/
📸 © The Plaid Horse

12/20/2025

By APRIL BILODEAU Savannah, Georgia is known for its rich history, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes. One of the city’s most widely known landmarks is Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). While the school’s creative focus is an attraction for many, it’s the esteemed equestrian te...

12/20/2025

As Margie Goldstein-Engle looks across today’s show rings, she sees a sport that has changed dramatically since she first started riding. Horses are bred with more blood and sensitivity, courses have become more technical, and young riders are climbing the ranks faster than ever. But there’s one thing missing that worries her—the pipeline of riders willing to bring along young horses.

“It seems like there are very few that really deal with young horses much anymore, especially in our country,” Margie said. “It’s getting harder and harder to find people who want to do that.”

When Margie turned professional, she built her career from the ground up. “When I was twelve, I started breaking ponies and horses because of my size,” she said. “People would send ponies and horses to the farm for me to break.” That early experience gave her an understanding of horse development that still guides her today.

Now, she worries that new generations of professionals aren’t getting the same education. “Financially, it’s getting more and more difficult to carry horses and pay the showing expenses, shipping, and care,” she said. “Before, there were lots of riders who wanted to bring young horses along. It’s harder to find that now.”

The economic realities of modern horse sport have reshaped how riders build their careers. For many, focusing on made horses in upper divisions is the only sustainable path. Margie understands the pressure but still believes something is lost when riders skip the process of developing a horse from its first jump.

“The sport’s grown so much,” she said. “There are so many more people looking for horses all over the world, and fewer breeders and owners who can afford to keep young horses long enough to develop them. It’s getting more and more difficult.”

That shift, she explained, creates a talent gap. Not just in horses, but in riders. Without time on green or unpredictable mounts, riders lose valuable experience. “The more time you can spend with different horses and horses of all ages, the more knowledge you gain,” she said. “It gives you a lot more tools in your toolbox.”

Riding young horses, Margie explained, teaches lessons that can’t be learned in the show ring alone. “You learn their personalities, their likes and dislikes,” she said. “It helps you develop horse sense.”

That understanding builds the kind of adaptability that’s kept Margie competitive through decades of evolving trends. “The sport is ever evolving,” she said. “You have to try and keep knowledgeable and keep evolving with it. Every new horse teaches me something.”

Margie has seen the shift firsthand. “There are fewer and fewer people who want to help bring the young horses along,” she said. “Everyone wants to go straight into the bigger divisions.”

In earlier generations, working with young horses was part of a natural progression. Riders learned patience, timing, and feel from colts and green mounts before they ever jumped a 1.30m track. Those lessons don’t come easily, or quickly, but Margie believes they create stronger, more intuitive horsemen.

“You develop a broader background when you ride different types of horses,” she said. “The difficult ones make you appreciate the really nice ones that much more.”

To rebuild that foundation, Margie believes the industry needs more opportunities and incentives for riders to work with young horses. Programs that reward patient development, she says, could help restore balance to a system increasingly driven by quick results. To secure the future of show jumping, riders must embrace the slow work again. “Every horse is different,” she said. “They all have different personalities. The more you ride, the more you learn.”

Margie’s own longevity in the sport is proof of the value of that approach. Her ability to adapt, stay current, and produce results stems from decades spent listening to horses, not just riding them. “You can learn even by watching,” she said. “The horses are the best teachers that we have.”

For Margie, the next generation’s success depends on rediscovering that kind of horsemanship. “The more you can ride different horses, the better it is for your knowledge,” she said. “It’ll help you immensely when you go to do the sport, even at the higher level."

📎 Save & share this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/12/15/where-have-the-riders-willing-to-develop-young-horses-gone/
📸 © Andrew Ryback Photography

12/18/2025

The benefits of having fit horses are almost too numerous to mention. Fit horses will have fewer injuries, longer careers, more rapid recovery time, and be better able to cope with all the demands of travel and horse show life. Whether your goals are maintaining fitness, increasing fitness, or enacting a rehabilitation program, many riders overlook probably the most underutilized fitness technique: the mindful walk.

A proper walk, one with forward momentum that positively pushes off all four limbs, has so many benefits. When beginning a ride, this walk will get your horse’s blood flowing and limbs loosened, diminishing risk of injury and strain in the workout to follow. While at the walk, you can establish boundaries and keep your horse focused and listening and set the tone for the full ride. By changing your outlook on the walk and using it as a tool to your advantage, you can develop a more productive ride and improve your horse’s performance. You can include exercises like ground poles to improve topline and allow your horse to think through exercises for themselves.

If you’re looking to increase your horse’s fitness or rehabilitate from an injury, incorporating a second walk into your horse’s program to focus on strength and mobility is more beneficial than you might think. Especially if a horse is stalled during their horse show or rehab regimen, a second ride at a proper walk can have on not only your horse’s physical strength, but their mental well-being as well. By having a second ride only at the walk or focused at the walk, you’re not stressing or straining the recovery or fitness process- you’re providing more natural motion to increase muscle strength while minimizing impact and risk of injury.

Start at a working walk, putting your horse in the bridle, and complete all the movements your horse knows how to do. Practice walking forward, extending and shortening the walk, working at a medium walk, performing a haunches in, leg yield, half pass, haunches out.

Bending their necks aids in loosening their muscles—ask your horse to come around as far as they can on both the left and right side until they soften. Once they complete at the halt, begin working on this exercise at the walk. This will help them learn to listen, and can also help to identify pain responses.

Backing up can illuminate any weakness or lameness issues—if your horse cannot back up in a straight line, that is an indication of something to work on. When horses walk, they rotate their pelvis underneath them, so that when they walk off correctly they can get their weight off of their front end.

Things to note when completing walking fitness: keeping your horse six feet off the rail and riding straight, rotating the footing you work on: working in the arena, in the grass, and on pavement. Performing the working walk on concussive and various surfaces (including but not limited to rings, grass, pathways, and driveways) can help to build muscles around all injury-prone areas in your horse’s legs.

If you can’t include a second ride, give yourself as much time as you can to walk at the start of each ride and warm-up carefully and mindfully listening to your horse.

📎 Save & share this article by Abby Funk at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/09/13/mindful-riding-walking-fitness/

12/17/2025

12/17/2025

If the thought of sedating your horse makes you nervous or uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Many horse owners feel anxious about the idea, but the truth is that sedatives are commonly used, safe, and often easy to administer. This article on equine sedation, courtesy of the experts at Zoetis Equine, provides horse owners with a comprehensive guide for what to expect, pre- and post-sedation, as well as during, and explains the three types of sedatives available to give to horses.
💉 bit.ly/equine-sedation-a-horse-owner-guide