The Vital Equine

The Vital Equine Lessons | Training | Sales
Adult Focused Riding Program
Ruffin, NC

11/16/2025

We are proud to host some of the Southeast’s most anticipated eventing competitions! Our cross-country course and arenas are meticulously designed and maintained for horses and riders of all levels to succeed. As we're winding down for the 2025 season, we hope you're marking your calendar for our upcoming eventing dates in 2026!

🗓️Schooling Dates
Pipe Opener I: January 10
Pipe Opener II: February 21

🗓️ Recognized Eventing
Treehouse Event Series- Southern Pines HT: March 7-8
Carolina International 4*: March 19-22
Treehouse Event Series- Longleaf Pines HT: April 11-12
Treehouse Event Series- Five Points HT: August 21-23* Date pending confirmation with USEF

🗓️ War Horse Event Series Dates
May 9-10
June 6-7
July 18-19
September 5-6
October 3-4
November 6-8 (Championships)

Photo Credit: Pamela Jensen Photography

11/15/2025

For anyone who needs to hear this — there is a lot of change going on at the moment seasonally, don’t feel the need to put the pressure on you and your horse to succeed/ride/“be normal”.

If your horse feels a bit too fresh to ride, just do groundwork. Or go home and try another day.

If it’s raining and you’re not feeling in the right headspace to ride, consider a shorter ride or trying another day when you feel you can be the person your horse needs.

If you’ve been in the school lots and you want to hack so your horse is having variety in their work, great. But if they’re unsettled and will spend most of the hack in negative posture, will it be worth it?

If you’re doing polework and your horse is continually spooking at the scary corner, give time to the corner and its problems… give space and patience and return to the poles after.

I’ve swapped from raised poles in a straight line to more complex flat poles like in the diagram for Meji, giving his brain something to focus on (alongside his core bands).

We have had a very dry Summer, followed by a mild and wet Autumn-Winter transition… a lot of the unsettled, different or slightly “off” behaviour from our horses at the moment can be due to metabolising these changes. It is often that type of “sharp” behaviour that cannot be relieved with exercise, so lunging 100 circles or riding for hours will not likely solve your problem (not that it should do!)

Don’t feel the pressure to get on and ride, this phase will pass & be kind to you and your horse 🤍

EDITED TO ADD: I have had lots of messages about polework designs, I have two polework inspiration manuals on my website that you can download!  https://www.vetphysiophyle.co.uk/shop/p/polework-inspiration-manual-vol-2

Perfect Felix helping bring over to the dark side of eventing from hunterland 😈
11/13/2025

Perfect Felix helping bring over to the dark side of eventing from hunterland 😈

11/11/2025

This past weekend TVE wrapped up its show season at ‘s Warhorse Event Series Championship show. and showed some of the most tactful, consistent and confident riding that I have ever seen from them. I’m walking away from this last show beyond proud of them and also what my entire team has accomplished this year. Onto winter boot camp and looking forward to the 2026 season 🎉

11/09/2025

The hard days have nothing on you. 😎💪🏼

11/08/2025

🎉 Join Us for the 2025 SPEA War Horse Event Series Luncheon & Awards Ceremony!
📅 This Sunday, November 9
🕑 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Catered by: , Raeford, NC — just 15 minutes from the Park in downtown Raeford!

Come celebrate another incredible War Horse season as we honor our riders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make this series so special. 💚

🍽️ Delicious catering provided by our friends at Stewart’s Tavern — stop by anytime this weekend to support this fantastic local restaurant!

All are welcome — we can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🐴 Awards will be available in the tent near the Edith Overly Memorial Arena.

Photo Credit: High Time Photography

Marisa and Oliver are first down center line for TVE today! Of course they are repping their stock pin. Don’t forget ...
11/08/2025

Marisa and Oliver are first down center line for TVE today! Of course they are repping their stock pin. Don’t forget to use code DF102 for 10% off your order!

Team TVE had a great XC schooling yesterday!Best of luck to Marisa & Jordan who are competing in the Championship divisi...
11/08/2025

Team TVE had a great XC schooling yesterday!

Best of luck to Marisa & Jordan who are competing in the Championship division today 🎉🥳

Flawless is boring and “show ring sparkle” should ALWAYS come with a side of sarcasm…. So, TVE is officially partnering ...
11/05/2025

Flawless is boring and “show ring sparkle” should ALWAYS come with a side of sarcasm…. So, TVE is officially partnering with Dumpster Fire Dressage!

If you love test sheets covered in more scribbles than scores & a little humor with your geometry (aka your circles look like eggs)… then we are your people.

Use our code DF102 for 10% off your order. Plus, don’t forget to check out The Clever Beast & Equestrymen while you’re there!

https://www.dumpsterfiredressage.com/dumpster-fire-dressage.html #/

Embrace Chaos, Spread Joy 🔥🤗

We want to know….Which one are you?!
10/25/2025

We want to know….

Which one are you?!

Bailey’s got his fall fit on and is living his best barn dog life. 🍂🐾🎃
10/24/2025

Bailey’s got his fall fit on and is living his best barn dog life. 🍂🐾🎃

10/19/2025

This. This is what it’s all about. Horse first; always. 🩵

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Ruffin, NC

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+17042807378

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