Little Kentucky Farm

“Good manners reflect something from inside – an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self.” – Emily Post

Sometimes while making your way to the warm-up arena at a horse trial, you may be reminded of author and artist Norman Thelwell and his hysterical pony cartoons depicting various horsey stereotypes and absurdities. But as much as we might be amused by the Thelwell books, in real life it’s a different story, especially when it comes to the warm-up arena.

     We all face the challenges of competing and with Eventing, there is no room for error and there are no second chances. A good warm-up is just as important as the actual phase itself, and can set the tone as to the type of weekend you’re going to have. What seems to be missing in the warm-up arena are manners or etiquette, and not just from the riders but from anyone near or around the warm-up.

The old adage certainly applies to the challenges of the warm-up, and it’s not hard to remember. Just treat others the way you would want to be treated. Here is a list of reminders for anyone who is in the warm-up arena or for those who are nearby. Some may be familiar and some may turn that imaginary light bulb on above your head.

                * While in the arena on your horse, do your best to ride left shoulder to left shoulder if you’re traveling in different directions. This isn’t always the case especially if the warm-up is in a field, but it is a general rule of thumb.

                * No lunging in the warm-up arena while there are riders preparing, regardless if your horse is well behaved and under control. Locate a place that is designated for lunging.

* Keep your whip to yourself. Poking, smacking or touching another horse with your whip as it passes you by is a major “no-no”. The whip should lay straight down the side of your horse, and not pointing outward.

                * Keep a safe distance (typically horse length) between you and other riders. Sometimes the warm-up is a tight fit and you don’t have any option but to ride at a close proximity. Be sure to give others a heads-up and let them know you’re approaching by saying, “Coming on your inside”, or “Coming on your outside”.

                * Don’t ride with blinkers on. Keep your eyes up and know where you are going.

                * Spectators and coaches need to stay out of the arena, unless they are setting fences.

                * Be aware of how loud you may be when you kiss, cluck or give other verbal cues to your horse. Very often other horses that are familiar with those cues will also respond and naturally become confused.

* Be polite to the ring stewards. Don’t try to bully your way. If you wear a pink coat, that’s just added responsibility for you to represent yourself professionally. If you’re riding multiple horses and you are having difficulty with your ride times, you need to take that issue up with the people in the office before the show starts.

                * Don’t monopolize the warm-up fences. That also means not to raise the fences to heights that the others aren’t able to jump.

                * Call your fences out while warming up in a loud voice.

                * If you cut someone off, it’s always appreciated if you apologize afterwards. Just avoid making that same mistake twice.

                * If your horse is misbehaving, try your best to stay out of the way of other riders.

                * Know your ride time and be aware of the line-up. Keep your ear cocked and listening for your number to be called.

                * Wear a time piece.

                * Be sure that your number is attached properly to your tack so that it doesn’t fly off.

                * If you’re warming up for Dressage, know which arena you are in and know what your signal is for your arena.

                * Many of us bring Non-Compete horses to the trials. Just remember that the warm-up arena is there for the competitors preparing to enter their class. It’s important not to get in their way.

                * Avoid ‘training’ your horse the day of the competition. It’s too late, you’re at the trials and it’s time to compete.

                * Be prepared and know the rules. It will make life easier.

                * Spectators need to stay out of the way of horses entering and exiting the warm-up. This applies to dogs on leashes, children in strollers and family members wanting to take pictures.

The farm congratulates Boone’s new owner and look forward to watching their success Eventing! They’re going to be an amazing team.

Handsome young prospects available on the sale page with fresh photography by the talented Buck It Equine, LLC. Quality Thoroughbred geldings, 4 and 5 years old, 16 hands to 17 hands, suitable for professionals and amateurs.

LEFT ROW BITS – 5″ Stubben Golden Wing Gag $100 KK Sprenger Training $100 French Link 2-Ring $50 Happy Mouth 2-Ring Elevator $50

MIDDLE ROW – 5″ Full Cheek Slow Twist $40 D-Ring Waterford $30 D-Ring Waterford $30 Double Jointed Elevator $30

RIGHT ROW – 5.5″ Rubber Mullen Pelham $50 Happy Mouth Double Jointed $50 KK Sprenger Training $60

These bits are perfect for Eventing, Show Jumping, Fox Hunting and Training purposes. Pick up at the Georgia farm of cash or check only. Mailing will be at additional cost.

New updated information and photos on the HORSES FOR SALE page for the perfect Adult Amateur and Junior Sport Horse Prospect.

Welcome Drinking Tour to the Georgia farm! Charlie is an eye catching 4 year old gelding who has quickly become part of the family. The Winter months will be spent schooling and giving him the chance to mature, so stay tuned and follow along on the farm website, Facebook and Instagram.

See Bundaburg on HORSES FOR SALE page.

Starting August 1, 2025, tariffs will be applied onto all equine imports. Tariffs will vary by country and any horse bred outside North America will face significant charges. For example, any horse purchased from the European Union will incur a 20% tariff on top of the current 10%. That will be a whopping 30% tariff added to the sale price, not to mention flight costs.

I recently watched an old Andy Griffith episode (yes, I’m one of those people), called “Mayberry Goes Hollywood”. It opens with the mayor and other town councilmen having a discussion with a Hollywood producer who is making a pitch to film a movie about the town. The producer falls in love with Mayberry and its people and plans to film the town “as is” because of the quality that stands out and easy-going way of life.

But everything quickly goes topsy-turvy when the councilmen along with overzealous towns people completely change all of their store fronts, dress modern, and decide that a 200-year-old oak tree had to be chopped down for the sake of being modern and upscale.

Thank goodness and with seconds to spare, the Hollywood producer stops the town leaders from chopping down the old tree. He gives them a polite tongue lashing and everyone looks embarrassed and ashamed.

I immediately saw the similarities between Mayberry and Ball Ground, Georgia, and the turn of events where everything seemed to change after the Tom Cruise movie production team finished filming in Ball Ground. Suddenly the town had money in the bank to make little improvements such as pretty sidewalks, the painted mural of the Cherokee tribe playing field hockey and the facelift to the park.

And with the improvements, came the disappearance of what makes Ball Ground special and memorable. In particular, some store fronts and long-standing community businesses were told they weren’t aesthetically pleasing and had to close shop and sell the buildings. What the local government doesn’t understand, is that it was those store fronts that got people talking about Ball Ground and drew them to spend time in the town. It was those stacked marble pieces and beautiful quartz on display, or the orange tabby cat sleeping curled up in the Haithcock Well Drilling shop window that made Ball Ground “Ball Ground”.

There are some sounds that are unforgettable, and sadly I haven’t seen since. I was on the sidewalk when I heard the clopping of hooves on the blacktop. What was the occasion? Was it a holiday that I had forgotten? No, it was just an ordinary Sunday afternoon when a gorgeous team of mules made its way down the main avenue of Ball Ground. What a sight to behold as everyone, and I mean EVERYONE stopped what they were doing and stood in awe of the team. They looked so proud and were completely at ease traveling in the traffic.

I haven’t seen the mule team in a long time. They used to drive in front of my farm weekly, but sadly that seems to have stopped largely because of the onslaught of high speeding construction traffic. With the increase sightings of expensive German sportscars, man-buns and skinny jeans, what we grew to love about Ball Ground has turned into that Andy Griffith episode. Wouldn’t it be an epiphany if the local politicians all watched that episode of Andy Griffith? Hint- hint . . . .