Category: Freddie Vazquez Equestrian Reviews

2022 FEI World Equestrian Games

The 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games will be a celebration of horsemanship and equestrian sport not celebrated since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will showcase the talents of riders and horses from all over the world, including Freddie Vasquez Jr. and his horse, Kirschwasser SCF, an 11-year-old chestnut gelding representing Puerto Rico for the first time in history. The games will begin on August 6 and carry on through the 14th.

For all equestrian sport lovers, there’s nothing quite like the FEI World Equestrian Games. For the uninitiated, continue reading to learn more about this year’s upcoming games, what to expect, and where you can see all the action.

Freddie Vasquez JR
Photo credit Andrew Ryback photography 

What the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games Have in Store

This year’s FEI World Equestrian Games mark the ninth games since 1990 and will be held in Herning, Denmark from August 6 through August 14. Riders from 70 different nations, including representatives from Puerto Rico, are expected to compete in this year’s games, with approximately 1200 athletes taking part.

Events will include dressage, driving, eventing, jumping, para-equestrian dressage, reining, and vaulting. In addition to the top-level competition, there will also be plenty of opportunities for spectators to enjoy all things horses.

There will be demonstrations and exhibitions featuring some of the world’s most talented equine athletes as well as a variety of vendors selling everything from art to tack. If you can’t make it to Denmark for the games, there is no need to worry! You can catch all the action on NBC Sports Network or by streaming the event live online.

This Year’s FEI World Equestrian Games Will Act as a Qualifying Round for the 2024 Olympics

This year’s games are particularly special because riders will be vying for a spot on their respective countries’ teams for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The games in Denmark will act as a qualifier for the Olympic Games, so you can expect to see some intense competition.

In addition to being a qualifying event, the FEI World Equestrian Games are also an important opportunity for athletes to earn world ranking points. So not only is there pressure to perform well enough to qualify for the Olympics, but riders also need to put forth their best effort in order to win those all-important ranking points.

During the last games in 2018, Great Britain swept the field, scoring most of the medals. A lot has changed in the world since then, so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. There’s bound to be plenty of drama, so we don’t recommend missing a single second of the action.

Freddie Vasquez JR
Photo credit Cealy Tetley Photography 

Final Thoughts on the 2022 FEI World Equestrian Games

Whether you’re a diehard equestrian fan or just getting into the sport, the FEI World Equestrian Games are not to be missed. Riders and horses will be competing to make it into the upcoming summer Olympics so this year will certainly be one for the history books. Book your flights to Denmark today or tune in to catch all the highlights as they unfold.

What Qualities Are Essential for Horse Trainers?

Freddie Vazquez Jr Horse and trainers

As an international grand prix show jumping trainer and athlete, Freddie Vazquez Jr is frequently asked his opinions on longstanding questions in the equestrian space. One of the most frequently asked questions tends to be what qualities he believes are essential for horse trainers hoping to be successful.

Freddie Vazquez Jr acknowledges that many of the skills and qualities necessary for being a standout trainer can be honed through a dedication to learning. Still, he recognizes that many of the best trainers in the business exhibit a few qualities that help them rise to the occasion and consistently raise the bar in competitions. Here, Freddie includes a few examples of qualities that he believes are essential for any sought-after trainer.

Patience

Horses can take a lot of time to develop or learn, and their intelligence means that they may push the boundaries of what they can get away with. For these reasons, horse trainers need to be incredibly patient and diligent with their routines. Training horses also involves a lot of repetition to get horses to where they need to be for competition, and trainers need to be patient regarding the grind of doing similar exercises day in and day out. Horses also have can have a broad range of personalities as well. For example, training horses that are a bit skittish at first and do not welcome interaction right away will require a lot of patience to train their abilities.

Knowledge and Experience

Horse trainers need to have a lot of inside knowledge on how to properly ride, train, and care for a horse. The best in the business will be extremely educated on the most recent trends and practices in horse training as well as the tried-and-true processes that have long since been the standard for equestrian training. Experience is important as well as it ensures that trainers have delt with a wide variety of horses, have trained and studied under different trainers, and have a full idea of the multiple levels of competition. You want a horse trainer that has had years to hone their skills teaching horses as they will make sure that horses are ready for competition.

Dedication

The most efficient horse trainers are always students of their craft, taking every opportunity possible to increase their knowledge in all things equestrian. Trainers need tremendous drive to be successful because competition is constantly evolving, and the best are always getting better at what they do. Those who do not have the drive to practice, improve, learn, and teach others will lack the skills to keep up. Freddie Vazquez Jr recognizes that horse training, much like any other profession, can be difficult at times even for the best out there. Staying committed under pressure and rising to the occasion is a crucial skill for trainers that want to inspire horses and their riders to perform at the best of their ability.

Freddie Vazquez Equestrian Reviews Horse and Trainer
Great horse trainers are dedicated to helping horses hone skills that are crucial for competitive success

Intuition

Working with animals can require keen intuition, especially ones that are as smart as horses. Horses may not be able to communicate with us by speaking, but Freddie Vazquez Jr equestrian reviews point to the variety of ways that horses convey their thoughts and emotions to those who work with them. A quality horse trainer will always be looking for changes in mood and behavior and be able to adapt to ensure the safety of both themselves and the horse. For example, great trainers know how to look for signs such as exhaustion that would signal that a horse should get rest. Trainers are also skilled at recognizing signs such as agitation or fear as horses undergo training for competitive circuits.

Empathy

There are some trainers out there who push horses beyond their limits. Not only is this behavior damaging for horses, but it is also far from an effective way to get horses prepared for competition. Horse trainers instead should be empathic regarding the needs of the horses that are under their care. Nurturing a horse can be stressful at times, but a kind mindset can help trainers adapt their methods in ways that best suit horses preparing for competition. As the equestrian space continues to learn more about the diverse needs of horses, there has been a large emphasis on trainers that are empathic and caring.