The road to the NCAA Final Four begins this weekend in Asheville. Catch all the action during the Ingles Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship taking place in downtown Asheville. For full tournament details start here.

Planning a trip to Asheville is easy. Utilize our easy-to-use search to check room availability and rates at Asheville area accommodations, and be sure to check out the special deals and packages. And, you can check events for any date by using our events calendar search.

Here’s what is happening this

Posted: 03/2/20 | March 2nd, 2020

South Africa is famous for its stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, award-winning wineries, beautiful beaches, and its lively and cosmopolitan cities. I’ve been to the country twice and always leave wanting more. There’s something deeply special about this place.

Stretching over 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) and home to over 56 million people, you could easily spend months here and still not see everything. Heck, just driving from one end of the country to the other would take several days.

Though there are hundreds of things to see and do in South Africa, here’s a list of what I think are the must-see and must-do activities while you’re here:
 

1. Go on a safari

Most people come to South Africa to go on a safari — and for good reason. It’s home to some of the best game drives in the world and you’ll want to spend at least a couple of nights in one of the hundreds of national parks. There’s truly nothing like it.

The most well-known safari destination is Kruger National Park, which has incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and Cape buffalo).

I went to Kruger a few years back, and it was everything I’d expected and more. Although you can drive yourself around the park, I actually recommend using a guide because they’ll be much better at spotting animals and will also give you heaps info about them, their habitat, and the park itself. Since this is one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences it’s worth spending the money to get a knowledgeable guide.

While Kruger is the most famous safari destination, there are dozens of other options across South Africa. Here are a few I recommend:

• Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park – Located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations.
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – On the border with Botswana in the north, it’s known for its black-maned lions.
• Addo Elephant National Park – Near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a great choice for self-drive safaris.
• Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve – Home to the Big 5 and is doable in a day trip from Johannesburg if you’re short on time.

Safaris are so common in South Africa that pretty much every price point and budget is covered. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly campsites to upscale guesthouses and resorts.
 

2. Visit Cape Town

Cape Town is the most popular destination in South Africa — and for good reason. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city with lively bars, delicious food, great weather, lots of nature and hiking nearby. In addition to the city’s amazing beaches, the waterfront is bursting with things to do as well.

There’s a lot to do in the city so check out this entire post I wrote on what to do while you are there!
 

3. Go Surfing

Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean coasts of South Africa offer world-class surfing. Jeffrey’s Bay on the south coast near Port Elizabeth is the most famous surfing destination in South Africa and offers big waves and multiple breaks.

There are also a number of good surfing locations near Cape Town, including Dungeons in Hout Bay and a number of others further south on the Western Cape, such as Long Beach.

If you’re a beginner, Durban is a great option for surfing lessons because of the reliable waves and warm water of the Indian Ocean. Expect to pay around 500 ZAR per person for a 2-3 hour lesson.
 

4. Learn About Apartheid

You can’t visit South Africa without learning about the horror of apartheid (a system of institutionalized racial segregation), which cast its shadow over the country from the 1940s all the way into the 1990s. Opened in 2001, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg does an excellent job of highlighting apartheid’s history and legacy.

While in Johannesburg, be visit the Constitutional Court. It stands on the site of a former political prison and you can tour some of the prison ruins and learn more about the many political prisoners who were unjustly detained here.

Also, be sure to visit the District Six Museum in Cape Town. It’s a memorial to the people who lived in the area in the 1970s who were forced to relocate so that white citizens could move in. It’s both sobering and illuminating.
 

7. Visit Robben Island

When it comes to learning about apartheid, you’ll want to also plan a trip to Robben Island. Located just four miles off the coast of Cape Town, Robben Island was a maximum-security prison until 1996. During the apartheid era, many political prisoners were sent to Robben Island. This includes Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years behind bars on Robben Island. The prison is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important cultural sites in the country.

Conditions at the prison were incredibly harsh, with many prisoners forced into hard labor in the limestone quarry. They were also made to sleep on the stone floors of their cells without a bed as well.

Today, former prisoners are tour guides and they shed light on what life was like here during apartheid. You’ll be able to see Mandela’s cell and take a bus ride around the island to see the prisoner’s graveyard as well as the quarry where Mandela and other prisoners were forced to work.

Ferries operate 3 times a day, starting at 9am (a 4th ferry operates during the summer season). Admission is 320 ZAR for adults and 200 ZAR for anyone under 18, which includes the ferry ride. Expect to spend at least four hours here (including the tour and getting to/from the island).
 

5. Hike the Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg region near the east coast is home to the highest mountain range in the country, with rugged, green peaks, sandstone cliffs, and deep valleys. There are lots of trails, ranging from casual walks to strenuous climbs and plenty of options for both day hikes and multi-day hikes. Some of the popular routes include the following:

• Rainbow Gorge: Easy and beautiful two-hour trail in the Cathedral Peak area.
• Ploughman’s Kop: A half-day trail with a steep climb, but beautiful rock pools along the way so you can cool off with a dip.
• Chain Ladders Hike: A challenging one-day hike, including ladders attached to the rock face.
• Cathedral Peak: Best climbed with a guide, this hike can be split across two days with a night spent camping in a cave to break up the hikes.
• Giant’s Cup Trail: Typically done a five-day hike, but not overly strenuous.

6. See African Penguins

Part of the Table Mountain National Park and a short drive from Cape Town, the Boulders Penguin Colony is home to several thousand African penguins. (Fun fact: they’re also known as jackass penguins, because the noises they make sound like a donkey braying.)

Unfortunately, they’re an endangered species as a result of human impacts like pollution, oil spills, and habitat destruction. For that reason, you aren’t allowed to walk on the beach where the penguins breed but you can watch them from the nearby viewing platforms. There is also a raised boardwalk that starts at the Boulders Visitor Centre which will let you get up close to the penguins. Just keep in mind that they are wild animals and the beach is their home, not yours. Be sure to keep your distance and don’t try to feed them or pet them. As cute as they are, they’re still wild animals.
 

8. Take a Road Trip

South Africa is an awesome road trip destination. The most famous route is the Garden Route, which takes you along coastal cliffs and through forests and mountain ranges. Stretching along the south-central coast from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, the Garden Route is only around 200km (125 miles) long but is full of beaches, lakes, and lagoons.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can stop at Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bridge in Africa, and go bungee jumping there. Expect to pay around 1,400 ZAR ($95 USD) per person.

The beautiful beaches of Plettenberg Bay on the Indian Ocean are also a worthwhile Garden Route stop.

There are other popular road-trip routes in South Africa, such as the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, which winds around the Blyde River Canyon, or the Wild Coast route for exploring dramatic coastal landscapes. You can also pick a road-trip route that takes in several national parks, as there are quite a few scattered around the country where you can self-drive through the park to see the wildlife.
 

9. Go Wine Tasting

South Africa’s climate is perfect for grape growing and the country produces award-winning white, red, and sparkling wines. The wine industry here dates back to the seventeenth century and there are hundreds of wineries to be found (and sampled of course).

In the Cape Winelands region not far from Cape Town, Stellenbosch has over 150 wineries in a very small area while a bit further away, Franschhoek not only has over 50 vineyards but also some of South Africa’s best restaurants. You can do a wine tour that will take you to several different or you can stay in one for a night or two (many have guest accommodations).

If you don’t have a vehicle and want to take a tour, expect to pay at around 1,000 ZAR per person for a half-day tour of the region and its wineries. Many hostels run their own tours to the region or have partnerships with local tour guides who can take you as well. Be sure to shop around for the best deal!
 

10. Explore the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

A frequent stop on the way to or from Kruger, Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world. It’s particularly lush and green compared to the Grand Canyon and also has extremely deep, sheer cliffs. There are numerous natural rock formations and other natural features in this UNESCO-listed reserve, including Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. You can also find ancient rock art in the Echo Caves.

There are several hiking trails as well as abseiling, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.
 

11. Go Whale Watching

South Africa is generally considered to be one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. If you’re visiting between June and November you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting Southern right whales, Bryde’s whales, and orcas.

The town of Hermanus, located 120km southeast of Cape Town, is the base for many of the best whale-watching companies in the country. Some reputable companies to check out are:

• Southern Right Charters
• Hermanus Whale Cruises
• Xplora Tours

Expect to pay around 950 ZAR for a two-hour tour. Drinks and snacks are usually included and discounts are often available for students, seniors, and children. be sure to book in advance as tours sell out fast since there is a limited window.
 

13. Go Scuba Diving

If you love to dive (or want to learn), head to Cape Town. The diving here is world-class thanks to the mixing of warm and cold ocean currents. Here you’ll find rocky shores, lots of reefs, and kelp forests. There are also lots of wrecks on both sides of the peninsula too.

Expect to pay around 1,450 ZAR for a one-tank dive (including equipment rental) and 6,600 ZAR for your PADI certification if you’re a new diver.

For more wrecks, head to Port Elizabeth (which is on the coast halfway between Cape Town and Durban). There are several interesting wrecks to explore here, including the Haerlem (a scuttled navy frigate) and the Doddington (which wrecked in the 18th century). It’s also a great area for diving with sharks.

For something more unique, visit Port St. Johns to witness the sardine migration. It occurs every June with four miles of water thick with sardines! You can book multi-day diving tours to see the sardines, with most lasting 5-6 days cand costing 30,000 ZAR per person.

Sodwana Bay (on the border with Mozambique) is another top location to see healthy coral reefs as well as lots of fish and marine life.

***

With its perfect weather, incredible wildlife, award-winning wine, and culinary delights, South Africa is an underrated destination that deserves your attention. It’s a country I never get tired of visiting and is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. You just can’t help but fall in love with it — no matter your interests.

The post 13 Cool Things to Do in South Africa appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Mark is a sentimental guy which I’ve shared before, but this post will really cinch the fact that he truly loves his childhood memories and the roots from which he came. Today I’m sharing a post from Mark about his favorite childhood toys and the fact that he saved them all these years. He’s sharing all about the curio table so enjoy this post from Mark. Once you finish this, I’ll narrate the table and how it was put back together along with the wallpaper we added to the bottom.

The post Mark’s Curio Table appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

In 2018, the Qatar Foundation’s magnificant equestrian facilities at Al Shaqab, Doha, were joined by the revolutionary Equine Veterinary Medical Center (EVMC), the first of its kind in the Middle East. This hugely impressive facility is made up of an equine referral hospital, veterinary diagnostic laboratory as well as clinical research laboratories. H&H takes a look around this remarkable centre…

The hospital offers a multitude of veterinary services, all under one roof. These include surgery, internal medicine, reproduction, dentistry, farriery, diagnostic imaging and anesthesiology/pain management. The EVMC also provides a 24-hour emergency service.

Dentistry is one of many services offered at EVMC

Horses in critical conditions are stabled inside the centre, in spacious boxes, some with padded walls. The less critical cases are stabled just outside, with space for 50 horses in total.

The EVMC boasts the latest imaging technology including MRI, CT-scan, nuclear scintigraphy, digital x-rays, endoscopy, and ultrasound.

An anesthetised horse is prepared for a CT scan

The centre includes three operating theatres, various areas and surfaces for lameness examination, isolation facilties, a farrier workshop and a pharmacy. There is also a 100m equine swimming pool.

The stables in the reproduction section of the centre

An array of on-site laboratories offer diagnosis and research in hematology, biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, endocrinology, cytopathology and necropsy, among others, with a team of specialist vets and laboratory technicians.

The laboratory for biochemistry, hematology and parasitology

The EVMC has around 50 staff of 20 different nationalities.

The centre has a staff of 50, with 20 different nationalities

The research department at EVMC is committed to advancing equine health and promoting veterinary sciences, with two open-space research laboratories, a regenerative medicine laboratory and a specialist research barn. EVMC has collaborated with top universities and research facilities all over the world, including the Royal Veterinary College in London.

The Qatar Equine Biobank is currently being developed. At present blood and DNA samples are being taken from the horses on site at the EVMC, with the aim of obtaining samples from all 15-16,000 horses in Qatar to contribute to disease research and breed preservation.

See 5 March issue of H&H for dressage and showjumping reports from the Commercial Bank CHI AL SHAQAB, presented by Longines.

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Happy Saturday! We are finishing up the final details of the master bathroom so I really hope to be sharing it with all of you soon. It’s turning out exactly as I had hoped and I can’t wait to finish and enjoy it for years to come. 

In the meantime, enjoy these Home Style posts today from my friends and I. We hope you get inspired to make your home the best it can be. Home is so important for our well being! 

The post Home Style Saturday 180 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Enjoy this feature that I shared back in 2011, the home of iconic Atlanta designer, Dan Carithers who has since passed away in 2018. His Traditional style will always be the epitome of good design. 

Dan Carithers has been a design fixture in Atlanta for many years and his featured cottage in Traditional Home caught my eye, once again. They have some of the best eye candy spreads around.

The post Feature Friday: Dan Carithers Atlanta Cottage appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Posted: 2/27/2020 | February 27th, 2020

If you’re like me, you associate travel with positive emotions: the feeling of the sun on your shoulders halfway around the world, of breaking bread with people from cultures different than your own, and the inner joy of making your way across unknown lands safely.

Travel improves our lives, broadens our horizons, and helps us understand the world we inhabit.

Yet these are experiences few humans will ever have.

As widespread as it has become in recent years, travel is still a privilege afforded only to a few.

That is especially true of war zones, where residents are more concerned about living through the day than seeing the wonders of the world. Things we take for granted — the ability to turn on a tap and get drinkable water, to flick a switch and get light, to walk to the store and find food on the shelves — are rare or absent for those suffering through such conflicts.

While there many places in the world that are like that, today I want to talk about one in particular: Syria.

Lately, I’ve seen a number of folks visit Syria as tourists. When asked why, they usually talk about trying to highlight the good people in the country and how such places aren’t “just what you see in the media.”

And while both of those things are almost always true, I don’t think one should visit conflict zones as a tourist — whether you’re a writer, blogger, or everyday Joe or Jane. I think it’s reckless and shows a complete lack of empathy and respect for the people suffering through the horrors of war. It’s self-centered. It doesn’t actually help in any real way. It usually creates a distorted picture of the situation. It’s a misuse of Western privilege.

No one doubts there are wonderful people and places in Syria. In fact, one of my greatest travel regrets is not having visited Syria before the conflict, because friends waxed poetic about how the hospitality and openness of the locals were second to none.

And the media is always more “doom and gloom” than the reality on the ground.

But that doesn’t change the fact that there is a continuing war going on in Syria where millions continue to be displaced and dying. While bloggers or tourists are there taking pictures, hundreds of thousands are freezing.

The country has been in a civil war for close to nine years. Over 400,000 civilians have been killed (some estimates put that number as high as 585,000). That’s more than the entire population of places such as Iceland, Belize, the Bahamas, or Malta.

On top of that, over 13 million people have been displaced — with half of those being forced to leave the country entirely. And many can never return due to retaliation from government forces against them or their families.

And almost half of the schools in the country have been affected, with one in three children unable to attend.

And while ISIS has been pushed back, they still have control of some areas, and thanks to Trump, there is also now an influx of both Turkish and Russian troops. (And that’s only causing more chaos.)

As millions suffer through ongoing war, chemical attacks, and displacement, visiting as a tourist and having a fun time is a horrifying idea to me. It makes those who go seem more concerned with their ego than the plight of the country. “Well, I just really want to see the country, so fuck those who are suffering!”

War zones are not tourist attractions. Bombed buildings that used to be filled with life are not backdrops for Instagram shots.

While millions suffer and die just hours away or are displaced and cannot return home, bloggers or tourists shouldn’t be frolicking in the places where they used to live and laugh and spend time with their children, snapping pictures and having fun while giving lip service about how it’s sad to see what is happening to the country. That to me seems like a major disconnect.

If someone wants to go there and report as a journalist to educate the world and try to mobilize action to stop the conflict, that’s one thing.

But I’ve yet to see one person who wasn’t an actual journalist from the mainstream news media do that. Instead, I hear talk about how “complicated” the situation is, how things are being rebuilt, and how everyone is happy and things are safe, whitewashing the war crimes of President Assad. If you follow these accounts, you get the impression the worst is behind the country. (It’s not. And the fighting in Idlib is getting incredibly worse, with children being greatly affected.)

But that’s because these bloggers are (a) in government-controlled territory and (b) likely talking to Assad supporters or those too afraid to speak out.

Then there’s willful ignorance. Take the example of Drew Binsky. I’ve never met him, though I do enjoy his videos. And I’m sure he’s a well-intentioned guy. But he went to Syria and, when challenged about this for the same reasons I’m bringing up, said, and I quote:

I know that Syria has been in a constant state of war for nearly a decade and I choose not to make that a focus. Why? It’s a lose-lose for me, because A) it’s a touchy subject and B) I don’t know much about the war and politics in general. In fact, I can’t even tell you a thing about American politics cuz I don’t really care! I’ve spent the last 8 years on the road and I’ve purposely separated myself from any politics because I choose to spend my time doing other things that make me happy. I guess the bottom line here is that more eyeballs on my videos means more haters, and we all know that haters are gonna hate!

Apparently, people who bring up the notion that maybe going to a war zone is not a good idea are haters. And here he admits to not knowing much about the war or caring too much about the subject.

How can you visit a country torn by war and not want to learn more about it?

How can you have a platform and seek to educate people and not talk about the conflict? It’s a pretty important thing!

And he’s not the only one who has done this, just the most well known. There have been many others. (It would be hard to link to them all, but they are easy to find via a Google or Instagram search.)

I think trips like these to war zones or repressive regimes are further examples of the lack of ethics in the online travel industry, as well as “look at me” vs. “learn from me” writing that puts the reader second to the influencer’s own ego. Rather than using this visit as a teachable moment to expand people’s knowledge, educate, and talk about a dire situation, they visit without thinking about that deeper impact.

But against the backdrop of war, egos must wait.

A visit to government-controlled territory during an ongoing conflict is simply playing into the propaganda that says that the news is exaggerating the plight of the people. What gassing by the Assad regime? What war crimes? What factionalism? There’s nothing to see here, right?

Many of the Syrians I spoke to had even fewer kind words for those who go there. They talked of those who visit now as “taking joy in others’ misery,” whitewashing Assad’s crimes, and Western privilege. This quote from Zaina Erhaim, an exiled Syrian journalist, sums up what I heard from Syrians I spoke with:

Besides the active war going on and tens of civilians being killed on a daily basis, beside whitewashing Assad as [someone] who has brought life and security back, using their privileged background [to get] released if stopped at checkpoints, above all that, to cross to our home where half of us are forbidden from going to, as we are forced into displacement and in exile, to walk above our memories and wounds in order to get some extra views, is inhuman.

Their blogs step on our trauma as they take smiling pictures in our streets, with our destroyed homes and favorite restaurants in the background, while we are prevented from going back to because we simply did our work and protested for basic rights.

***

I think travel boycotts are dumb. People are their governments. But when war is happening and millions are dying and displaced, our desire to travel must wait. When Syria and these other countries are done fighting and need to be rebuilt, tourism dollars are a wonderful way to help make that happen.

Take Afghanistan or Iraq. While turmoil still exists there, these countries are trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild. There are new governments, and the society is trying to move past the conflict. There’s a functioning economy and civil society. Now is the time to visit those places.

But Syria? There is still an active conflict with other nations rolling tanks through part of the country. (Turkey and Russia are in conflict there, and Israel recently sent missiles into Damascus). Wait until the conflict is over, people aren’t dying and starving in the streets, and there is (hopefully) some sort of brokered truce or long-lasting cease-fire.

That’s when people will need our tourism dollars.

If you want to help those in Syria, lobby governments to try to find a way to end the conflict. Give to aid organizations like these:

• Tight Knit Syria
• Doctors Without Borders
• International Rescue Committee
• Basmeh Zeitooneh
• Save the Children
• Islamic Relief USA
• Tahirih Justice Center
• Project Amal ou Salem

But don’t go visit. Don’t give Assad his propaganda wins. Don’t make people think everything is fine and the world should move on. Don’t go to a place where so much suffering is going on just because you want to see it. It’s just the wrong thing to do.

Travel enriches the mind and expands the soul.

But it loses its charm when a place that is still shattered like glass and those around you are mired in a conflict without end.

The post You Should NOT Visit Syria Right Now appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I’ve got a fun post to share with you today. Do you love going in people’s homes and seeing their houses up close and personal? Today I’m joining a group of gals and we are all sharing how our homes flow. Sometimes it’s hard to tell how a house that you see from pictures only flows from room to room, so I’m sharing how our house flows on the lower level.

Our home is not huge, but at 2600 s.f. plenty spacious enough for us. We have so enjoyed our home with all the windows and light coming in and feel that this is the house that was meant for us to buy almost 3 years ago.

The post How Our House Flows appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

“I don’t care what breed they are,” stated international dressage judge Stephen Clarke. “Dressage is about judging horses against the criteria — I don’t care how big, or what colour they are.

“There is only one horse in recent times who only has highlights and no real weaknesses — Valegro. He can fulfil almost all the criteria which is why he’s broken records, but it’s a rarity. Some horses find the collection work easy, while some find it easier to extend, but its very rare to find a horse who can go to the extremes of both.”

Stephen demonstrated his belief in this notion with an enlightening masterclass that featured a wide variety of breeds and types of horse.

Welsh section D

Martin Greet presented the Welsh section D mare Watling Shakira.

Although the mare is no stranger to competition — competing at medium level — she started tense in the atmosphere of the Hartpury arena, and her trot was hurried and choppy.

“She’s a bit quick at the moment, but that’s the mind as much as the body,” Stephen told Martin. “Play with the transitions and ride the lateral work to start if the horse is nervous — it often gives them something else to think about.”

Stephen asked Martin to ride numerous walk-trot transitions alternating with shoulder-in steps.

“Do that until the horse ‘gives its self up’ and relaxes into the work,” Stephen advised. “The safer and more secure the rhythm becomes, the more you can think about riding forwards to encourage ground cover and improve the quality of the trot.”

The mare — a compact, responsive type — was hot and reactive.

“She’s sharp today, but I like this automatic sharpness,” said Stephen. “Later on, when her training is more established, that will pay dividends as you’ll know you’ll always get a reaction from her.”

Stephen encouraged Martin to ride lots of small changes of pace within the trot.

“Take time and make small variations in the bend and speed to relax her,” he suggested.

It worked wonders. By the end of their session, Shakira’s trot had slowed and she was showing a rounder, more elevated stride. She was relaxed over her back, allowing her to make larger steps, and her increased confidence meant she was no longer hurrying.

To finish, Martin stretched her neck down.

“When the horse stretches in trot, allow time for the horse to spring up onto the next diagonal pair with big strides so they can engage the back muscles and swing into a contact,” Stephen concluded.

Lusitano

With Jade Clark on the grey advanced medium Lusitano stallion Espirito, Stephen worked more on the basic trot.

“He has a lovely natural regularity in his paces and a correct natural frame,” praised Stephen.

After riding some more collected trot, Stephen asked Jade to lengthen the strides across the diagonal. Espirito was so willing to please that he flew across the school and, although his energy was wonderful, he pushed himself off the hindleg and onto the forehand.

Stephen had an exercise to fix it. Jade rode a short period of shoulder-in on the long side, then straightened and asked for some medium strides before putting Espirito back into shoulder-in for the final part of the long side. The effect was immediate.

“The quality of the medium trot is all about the level of engagement in the working trot,” explained Stephen, “so the horse can keep pushing without falling on to his forehand. For the higher marks, the engagement and uphill balance is key.”

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Ferdi Eilberg: don’t be too greedy with a talented horse

At last weekend’s British Dressage national convention (19-20 November), Ferdi Eilberg began by focusing on the fundamental dressage building blocks

All in a day’s work: International dressage judge Stephen Clarke *H&H Plus*

Stephen Clarke on being talent-spotted by Harvey Smith, judging record-breaking tests and being proud to be British

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Gypsy cob

When Charlie Samuel-Camps first asked her gypsy cob gelding Glasshards Warrior for some extended strides, she didn’t get much of a reaction.

“Don’t think for a moment that just because he’s a cob he hasn’t got lengthening,” chided Stephen. “It just about training his reactions.”

Stephen asked Charlie to give Glasshards Warrior a flick with her schooling whip as she asked, but that meant she also pulled back with the rein. To correct this Stephen had her ride the lengthened strides with her reins in one hand and use the whip with her other, free hand (pictured) so as not to interfere with the contact.

The resulting burst of energy from the attractive horse resulted in a round of applause.

“It’s amazing how we can unlock the horse’s potential when there’s a genuine reaction to be had,” said Stephen. “Don’t let him fool you; there’s a lot in there. Sometimes you just have to take a risk.

“In a judging situation, I feel we can be generous to riders for minor mistakes. It’s all about trying to encourage riders to take a risk and ask for a reaction that will lead to a future of good work.”

Stephen Clarke was talking at the 2016 British Dressage national convention (19-20 November)

Hi, friends! This last week kicked my butt and I have practically nothing to share with you today for fashion over 50. So I’m sharing an outfit I wore last weekend to the travel conference I attended in Thomasville, GA. I don’t think I mentioned I was going to that and between the bathroom and heading out of town, I just haven’t gotten dressed much lately. Unless you count paint clothes!

Thomasville was such a quaint and charming town with lots of history, good restaurants and I got to visited 2 plantations! I’ll be sharing all of that with you as soon as I can, so stay tuned for those posts. You’re going to love seeing the pics!

The post Fashion over 50: Camel Coat appeared first on Southern Hospitality.