Recreation & Lifestyle
Welcome to Recreation & Lifestyle, which includes leisure riding and other aspects of the equestrian lifestyle for you and your horse loving friends and family.
Looking for the perfect present? See the Gifts & Jewelry section. Redecorating? Find a Painting, Photograph or Sculpture in the Artwork section. Need to check out a movie or crawl up with a good book or magazine? See our Entertainment section where you will find and Books, Movies, Games, and Magazines. And don't forget about Fine Art in some specialty Museums that might surprise you.
Looking for love or a trail buddy? Riding Partners is the spot to seek other riders who share your passion. Find a place to ride with that special person in our Trail Riding section and if you need more time away, take a look at Vacations. Want to know about the next horse show or special event? Don’t miss it! Dates and locations are included in the Calendar of Events for Recreation & Lifestyle.
Do we need to add more? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!
The idyllic scene above showing the freshness and vitality of a country polo match is by Anna Pugh, one of England's leading artists, colourists and visual storytellers, Anna’s original painting, ‘Whose Ball Anyway?’ until recently was stabled in a racing yard in Suffolk, England, alongside thoroughbred equine athletes. So how come its new home is in the city of Orange in the central Tablelands of NSW?
Meet Ilka Gansera-Leveque, racehorse trainer, equine vet and most recently, curator of the premier Art and Horseracing Gallery’s collection of ‘art that makes you feel good’.
Ilka is the only UK-based female racehorse trainer who is also a qualified vet. Throughout her life her passion has been horses and for the last seven years she has worked in partnership with her husband, Stéphane, ably assisted by their teenaged daughter Eléa, building their training business, in Newmarket, where modern, organised horseracing was instigated by King Charles II in 1666.
Over to Ilka: “What we do is a vocation and we live and breathe horseracing. Our home is above our yard, Saint Wendred’s and we work a 16-hour day, seven days a week.
“There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach here. I’m dedicated to the wellbeing of the horses, ensuring each is cared for and trained as an individual. Understanding our horses’ personalities and supporting their development in every way possible are key to getting the best performance. It’s always the horse that dictates the next step and every step thereafter.”
Born in Germany, Ilka and her family moved home every three years as her dad, a German Airforce fighter pilot, was stationed at various bases in Germany and America. Ilka inherited her mum’s love of horses and started riding as soon as possible. Her dream of owning a horse came true at 13, when she was given an Arabian called Badur.
As ilka recalls fondly, “I devoted every free second to looking after Badur and riding.
I grew up knowing I wanted to be a jockey and I left school early, when at 16 I was offered a three-year jockey apprenticeship at champion racehorse trainer, Bruno Schütz’s stables, in Cologne. Then, it was unusual for girls to work in racing and while my school disapproved, my parents let me follow my dreams.
In the early nineties, I spotted the ‘Horse Whisperer’ Monty Roberts, then touring Germany, at a racecourse. I introduced myself and said I’d like to work for him. Realising I’m bilingual, Monty’s interest was piqued and we made a deal: if I could teach him to speak German, he’d teach me everything he knew about horses. We shook on it!
It was such a great opportunity and Monty took me on as an apprentice in California. During five years in America, my ambition evolved from being a jockey to training and veterinary medicine and an unbelievable tragedy steered my path. I was on Long Island in 9/11/01 when the Twin Towers were destroyed and it shook me into the firm decision to become an equine vet.
In 2003, I started a degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Hanover and while on a placement at Dubai’s Equine Hospital, I met French rider, Stéphane Lévêque. Stéphane was working with Sheikh Mohammed’s global racing team, Godolphin, spending six months in Dubai and six months in Newmarket. We became close in Dubai and continued a long-distance relationship while I studied in Germany.
I qualified as a vet in 2009, moved to Newmarket and Stéphane and I married. In July 2010, our daughter Eléa was born. Before Eléa was one, I started a 12-month veterinary internship at the world-renowned Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket. Stéphane continued to ride out for Godolphin and looked after Elea while I was at work.
In 2011, Stéphane had a riding accident and nearly died. The experience made us reflect and realise we had to do what we really wanted and that was to train our own horses. Stéphane had completed the British Trainer’s course in 2009 and when I qualified in 2012, we started to build a business from scratch.
Beginning with one horse in a rented stable, we progressed to buying Saint Wendred’s racing yard in 2015, with 32 boxes and the bonus of living quarters above the stables.
Fast forward to now and IGL Racing is a thriving family business, with 15 horses in training, ridden out daily by Stephan, Ilka and daughter Eléa who has the enviable treat of galloping the finest thoroughbreds before her school day starts. As well as the horses, Ilka manages two racing syndicates, a monthly podcast and now, a collection of beautiful fine art.
Based in the tranquil setting of St. Wendred’s, Ilka’s Art and Horseracing Gallery showcases art inspired by nature and hard work, housed in converted stables alongside her thoroughbred athletes. Launched in spring 2023, initially to offer a unique experience for racehorse owners visiting the yard, the collection has already grown to over 500 pieces of original art and sculpture by national and international artists. The gallery’s progress has been impressive and as Ilka explains, “Integrating art within our working yard brings to life all that's beautiful about the horses we’re lucky enough to nurture and live with and the nature that surrounds us. Our artists love the concept of their work being shown in a stable and visitors to the yard are surprised and delighted by what’s revealed when we open St. Wendred’s special stable doors. Our eclectic range includes horses, dogs, wild fauna, land and seascapes, racing, cycling, rowing, & rugby.”
Stable stars include New York painter Diana Cook, renowned for her quintessentially English scenes, English folk artist Anna Pugh, who is in her mid-80s with failing eyesight, making her pieces exceedingly rare, textile designer Elizabeth Castell who features in the V&A and Ukrainian street photographer Jean Kosse, whose black and white images capture the extraordinary in ordinary moments.
So that’s how Anna Pugh’s ‘Whose Ball Anyway’ and ‘Love You Too’, along with Marco Ramassa's painting (pictured below) came to be in the Tablelands of NSW.
The gallery is open to visitors seven days a week from 10 until 6 and of course, all the art is available to view and buy online. Visit www.artandhorseracing.com to see the full range of art available.
For full information about Ilka’s unique approach to training, becoming the owner of an equine athlete, syndicates and much more visit: www.gansera-leveque.com.
Finally, check out Ilka’s podcast: Vantage Point Racing Club Podcast
There are more interesting articles in our sections on Recreation & Lifestyle, Artwork and Clinicians & Trainers. While you're here, be sure to check out our Curated Amazon Store.
EIE Publisher's Note: Many mornings at the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga, we watched in awe as Patricia Meadow, known fondly as the "Galloping Granny" train her horses, riding them herself. She was a legend at the racetrack and was often three times older than many of the riders sharing the track with her. It wasn't until after her passing, from an article published by the Thoroughbred Daily News, that we knew about her interesting past which included degrees from Harvard University. Like her, we hope at her age we'd be able to enjoy life astride a galloping horse.
Please take a moment to read For Patricia Meadow, A Life with Horses Was Both Destination and Journey, courtesy of the TDN.
You can find more informative articles in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
EquineInfoExchange had a great time at the Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA, and everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather. We attended demonstrations, competitions, and learned about amazing new products. We visited the barns and had a chance to pet beautiful horse breeds including Minis, Clydesdales, Fjords, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, Mustangs, Icelandics, Gypsies and many more! It also gave us the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones who share our love and passion for horses.
Some of the booths we visited included Sentinel Horse Nutrition, Purina, Semican, Tribute, Poulin Grain and Aden Brook who are all included in our Bedding & Feed page.
We also stopped by Bemer Group and learned about EquineSleeve and added both to our Therapy page.
SmartPak gave away product samples and was a very popular booth.
It was the first time the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame attended! They are included on our Museums page. If you are in Saratoga Springs, NY, make sure to visit them!
Dubarry of Ireland, State Line Tack, and LM Boots are all included in Tack & Apparel.
Trafalgar Square Books, who publishes content on EIE, had authors promoting and signing their books. See them in our Books section and read excerpts.
We were thrilled to see rehoming organizations such as the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the Mustang Valley Sanctuary and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. EIE has the largest directory of Rehoming organizations in the world so if you are seeking a horse, please consider adoption or make a donation!
Mainline Fence & Supply Corp. is another recurring vendor who is included on our Fencing page.
R. Blackington, the official creators of the Kentucky Derby trophy, Impressions of Saratoga, The Bent Nail and Sona Equestrian join our Jewelry & Gifts section.
Boehringer Ingelheim Equine, whose products include GastroGard, Luitpold Animal Health, makers of Adequan, and Life Data Labs are included in Supplements.
Chewy who had a cool spinning wheel for prizes was added too. They had a long line of people waiting to spin the wheel!
We are continuing to add businesses every day and will share them on social media. We have a social media reach of over 3,000,000 a month!
Do you want your business added to EIE? Email us at info@equineinfoexchange.com with your company's website and we will include you too!
Be sure to look over our Photo Gallery below.
You can find more interesting articles in our section about Recreation & Lifestyle.
Equine Affaire 2024 Photo Gallery
Click any image to view larger and start a slideshow presentation.
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By the EIE Editorial Staff
Lady Gaga is a horse lover and received her first horse, Arabella, from her record company as a birthday present.
We appreciate Lady Gaga’s musical talents and saw her the week she was the final performing act at the historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
We were also lucky enough to see her with Tony Bennett at his final performance at Radio City Music Hall in a concert where every song ended with a standing ovation from an adoring crowd. She said, “Hello Mr. President,” to Bill Clinton who was sitting nearby amongst an audience of celebrities.
Interestingly, Radio City had everyone put their cell phones in a secured bag so there was no filming or photos during the event, however HBO was on hand to record for a later broadcast. It was an unforgettable evening.
Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic and we met him briefly while driving down Ninth Avenue in New York City. We exchanged friendly barbs and he laughed off suggestions to stop smoking (he smokes like a chimney) and had a great sense of humor despite being a bit cavalier about his health. 😊
Both the 2019 film Joker and the 2024 Joker: Folie à Deux featured a long set of stairs in upper Manhattan. We have even (barely) climbed those long set of stairs. This, coupled with the admiration of Phoenix and Gaga, was the reason which compelled us to run out to see Joker: Folie à Deux.
The movie was different from what we expected. It was a musical. Having seen Phoenix in Walk the Line as Johnny Cash, we know that Phoenix, here as Arthur Fleck, has some musical talent but seeing a character with a clear mental illness suddenly break into song was at first a bit disconcerting.
Gaga plays the part of his love interest and advocate, Harley Quinn ("Lee"), in an equally complicated character. There seemed to be no point to the movie apart from an examination of the complexity of mental illness. It is always great to see the talents of both actors in their respective roles who did as much as they could with a script which fell flat for us.
Unlike reports of people walking out of the movie, no one in our theatre did but like most movies today, the theatre was not well attended as the trend seems for people to wait for a streaming service to enjoy the movie (or switch it off) at home. The BTX (Bow Tie Xtreme) viewing which is AMC’s version of IMAX was not worth the upcharge.
You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
Kentucky’s deep equestrian roots make it one of the best destinations for horseback riding enthusiasts. This Bluegrass State offers diverse trails ranging from peaceful, scenic paths in state parks to adventurous routes across its rolling hills. Exploring Kentucky on horseback not only allows riders to connect with nature but also showcases the state’s rich history in the equestrian world.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers over 180 miles of horseback riding trails, making it a paradise for riders seeking various terrains. Riders can enjoy forested paths, riverside routes, and open spaces, making the journey diverse and scenic.
With well-maintained trails and campgrounds designed for horses and riders alike, this park is an excellent choice for those seeking longer rides. Riders have the chance to explore both easy and challenging trails, making this location ideal for all skill levels. Big South Fork truly delivers an unforgettable riding experience.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park boasts more than 70 miles of backcountry trails open to horseback riders. These trails range from flat and relaxing paths to more challenging routes, offering riders the opportunity to navigate the dense forests surrounding the world’s longest cave system.
The park’s Cedar Sink Trail provides a mix of wooded areas and open clearings, creating a beautiful balance for riders who appreciate variety. For those who want to experience Kentucky’s natural beauty while riding through historical landscapes, Mammoth Cave National Park is a prime location.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Land Between the Lakes (LBL) spans 170,000 acres between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, offering 100 miles of equestrian trails. Riders can explore open fields, lakefront paths, and wooded trails. With ample camping options, including facilities specifically for riders and their horses, LBL is a must-visit destination for multi-day riding adventures.
The Wrangler’s Campground at LBL is renowned for its amenities and easy access to the trails, catering to both beginner and advanced riders.
Red River Gorge
Known for its stunning sandstone arches and unique rock formations, Red River Gorge offers a different kind of adventure for horseback riders. Though it’s more popular with hikers and climbers, equestrians can explore designated trails that wind through the rugged terrain. With challenging paths that test even the most experienced riders, Red River Gorge is a fantastic destination for those looking to push their skills.
The Gorge’s breathtaking views make every ride worthwhile, with moments of serenity interspersed with thrilling climbs.
Daniel Boone National Forest
The Daniel Boone National Forest covers over 2.1 million acres and features approximately 600 miles of trails. Many of these are multi-use trails accessible to horseback riders. The Sheltowee Trace Trail is one of the forest’s highlights, extending over 300 miles through the heart of the forest.
Riders can expect a blend of easy-going paths and more technical routes. The forest’s diverse flora and fauna provide riders with a scenic and immersive natural experience that brings Kentucky’s beauty to life. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill offers a unique horseback riding experience with 3,000 acres of preserved farmland and over 33 miles of trails. As riders explore this historical site, they can enjoy scenic views of rolling hills and preserved Shaker architecture. Shaker Village is perfect for both casual riders and history enthusiasts who want to combine their love for riding with an educational experience about Kentucky’s Shaker communities.
Green River State Park
With over 28 miles of equestrian trails, Green River State Park is a more tranquil option for riders looking for a peaceful ride through meadows and along the Green River. The trails are mostly flat and easy, making them perfect for beginners or those looking for a relaxing outing. Riders can also take advantage of the park’s camping facilities, which are equipped to accommodate both riders and their horses, offering a serene retreat in nature.
Taylorsville Lake State Park
Taylorsville Lake State Park features 24 miles of multi-use trails that run alongside the lake and through forested areas. These trails provide a mixture of scenic water views and shaded, wooded paths, making the ride visually engaging and enjoyable for both beginner and experienced riders.
With a dedicated equestrian campground, Taylorsville Lake State Park is a favorite spot for horse enthusiasts who want to combine a love of nature with their riding adventures.
Cave Run Lake
Cave Run Lake is not only known for its water-based activities but also offers riders several trails that wind through the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Big Cave Run Horse Camp offers a convenient starting point for riders looking to explore the area.
Trails here range from easygoing rides along the lake to more challenging routes through the surrounding hills and forests. For those looking for a mix of water views and dense woodland, Cave Run Lake offers a well-rounded experience.
Enhance your adventure with DraftKings Kentucky, where you can engage in betting opportunities that complement your love for equestrian activities.
As you explore Kentucky’s stunning horseback riding trails, you can also partake in exciting betting options, adding a new layer of engagement to your outdoor experience.
Final Thoughts
Kentucky offers a wealth of horseback riding trails that cater to riders of all levels, providing both scenic beauty and adventure. Whether you prefer a relaxing ride through meadows or a challenging trek through rugged terrain, the Bluegrass State delivers an unforgettable experience.
There are more informative articles in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.
Horse racing project The Winners Circle is making waves for a new initiative to enhance fan engagement in the sport.
Launched in February 2024, its unique $HRSE digital token aims to keep horse racing relevant as it continues to compete with more modern spectator sports like esports. The token uses Web3 technology, which is popular for innovations such as the blockchain, to mimic modern digital currencies and their ability to increase fan interaction in sports through the provision of various reward systems.
This recent release from the Winning Circle aligns with the ongoing trend of digital transformation in horse racing. Uniquely, it offers the sport's enthusiasts access to exclusive opportunities through partnerships with major market players like Racing League and Sky Sports. Here's more on how The Winning Circle's new token is piquing fan and investor interest by providing new ways to foster fan engagement in horse racing.
Digital transformation in horse racing
Though many think pieces argue that horse racing is becoming a thing of the past, the truth is that the sport isn't going away anytime soon. Zion Market Research expects its value to rise from $402.3 to $792.9 billion between 2022 and 2030, a growth fueled by the horse racing industry's adoption of emerging technologies. Smart sensors aid horse health and performance management, for example, while AI enhances data analytics to provide insights on track conditions that can help improve training outcomes.
In Staying on Track, we note that beginner and expert riders alike can even organize riding lessons digitally, helping them learn more from each session. All these functionalities can enhance how horse racing enthusiasts experience the sport.
Primarily, The Winners Circle builds on the industry's goal of digital transformation by providing an online platform where the horse racing community can access live events and discuss potential outcomes with fellow enthusiasts. However, the design of the $HRSE token itself goes even further by specifically leveraging the same Web3 technologies that power digital currencies and tokens. To do so, The Winners Circle takes inspiration from their capabilities to enhance fan engagement in traditional sports betting, then uses the $HRSE token to transfer and promote these benefits in horse racing.
Web3, digital tokens, and sports betting
Sports betting is popular among fans who want to do more than just passively experience sports events. It allows them to display their knowledge of a particular sport and put it to the test by predicting the outcomes of a game in real-time, making the viewing experience more enjoyable. As a result, sports betting in the US alone hit record revenues of over $10.92 billion in 2023. That’s largely thanks to the increasing adoption of Web3 technologies like cryptocurrency and the blockchain.
Though traditional sports bets are placed with fiat currency through a bookmaker or sportsbook, today’s online betting providers streamline the process by using cryptocurrencies to provide more flexibility. That’s exemplified by the features offered by Thunderpick, a leading crypto-only betting platform. Here, users can leverage popular tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether to place bets on popular sports like tennis, hockey, basketball, and American football. In doing so, they can benefit from transactions that are faster, more secure, and more anonymous than those that use fiat currencies.
Modern digital tokens used in sports take things even further by facilitating more than just sports betting. That’s perfectly illustrated by the widespread use of fan tokens in soccer. Created by and available on the Socios platform, fan tokens are distributed by famous teams like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and FC Barcelona for the purpose of bolstering fan engagement, loyalty, and identity. The more fan tokens one owns, the greater influence they have on team decisions like jersey designs. They’ll also have improved chances of unlocking unique rewards like exclusive meet-and-greets.
Here’s how The Winners Circle is using $HRSE to bring those benefits to horse racing.
How $HRSE promotes digital currencies in horse racing
$HRSE stands out for its ability to combine the benefits of both the digital currencies accepted by Thunderpick and tokens offered by Socios—and personalize those perks to appeal to horse racing fans.
That’s immediately apparent in how it fosters interactive engagement among token holders. Those who own $HRSE can showcase their horse betting skills by accessing exclusive racing prediction games organized by The Winners Circle. By accurately speculating on the outcomes of various races, they can potentially win tangible prizes or rack up points that they can convert to $HRSE tokens. Token holders can even leverage the project’s Racing League Manager to create and manage their own teams for these prediction games.
However, $HRSE truly distinguishes itself through the nature of the fan rewards it offers. Thanks to credible partnerships with industry leaders, The Winners Circle offers opportunities for more immersive experiences. Similar to fan tokens, the quantity of $HRSE owned gives horse racing followers more influence over Racing League decisions and better access to exclusive rewards like behind-the-scenes tours, meet-and-greets, and discounted merchandise and tickets. Uniquely, however, $HRSE token holders also get the chance to hold genuine IP rights and thus real ownership over racehorses.
Thanks to all the perks that come with owning $HRSE tokens, The Winners Circle encourages improved fan loyalty and fosters a greater sense of community within horse racing’s 2.5 million-strong audience. Ultimately, these experiences are helping tangibly show enthusiasts of the sport how digital currencies can make horse racing much more engaging. In fact, $HRSE generated so much interest that The Winners Circle raised over 60% of its target funds a mere six hours after launching the token on Kommunitas and the Spores Network.
With the launch of its $HRSE token, The Winners Circle promotes the benefits of digital currencies, showing just how well they can translate from general sports betting to this particular part of the sports world. Want more of the latest on horse racing? Keep reading here on Equine Info Exchange—the source for everything equine.
You can find more interesting stories in our section on Racing & Wagering.
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