The Badminton Horse Trials is a rather prestigious event in equine circles, a true test of horse & rider endurance. The show starts this weekend (May 6th – 11th) so, be sure to check out the course first!
Take a quick fly through look at the 2014 cross country course. With the help of computer graphics & animation the course comes alive in a way that only technology can show you.
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Today’s rare breed for this week is native to an enclave of South Africa called Lesotho. The Basotho Pony or Basuto is the product of an inhospitable climate, high altitude & steep terrain have created an incredibly tough little animal.
This breed comes from the Cape Horse of South Africa which are of Java pony ancestry. They do display influence of old Persian, Arabian & Thoroughbred blood, although it is unclear if it was introduced to the animals prior to being imported to the area or later to enhance bloodlines. Read more
Today’s rare breed for this week comes from faraway Japan & like many breeds of island nations, they are very rare indeed. The Ban-ei horse is a blend of Percheron, Belgian & Breton blood, specifically bred in Japan for a unique type of racing.
Draft racing or ban-ei keiba is a race in which a draft horse pulls a heavy sled over hills for a total of 200 meters. The weight of the sled is the handicap which (like weights in standard racing) varies based on the age & track record of each animal. Read more
Today’s rare breed for Monday comes from Pakistan, the Baluchi Horse & they are among the more rare of the bunch. While their type may not be rare, a constant influx of outside blood has left their pureblood numbers almost extinct.
Thought to be of Barb descent, this breed is known for its strength, endurance & their fine confirmation. They are used for light riding & pulling tongas. Similar to the Marwari & Kathiawari breeds of India, their ears grow deeply turned in. Read more