One of the best new equestrian websites of this year is without a doubt Horse Hero. This British based video equestrian site is about 'how-to' do all manner of things with your horse, both at home and at competition. It covers the clever and proven methods used by top riders. The site has a strong celebrity theme both in terms of the presenters (including Olympic dressage rider, Laura Bechtolsheimer and eventer Harry Meade) and the people featured in filming.
Horse Hero also makes video 'stories' of riders at big events such as the National Dressage Championships, Badminton Horse Trials and the new Express Eventing (behind the scenes as well as some action). Horse Hero also has dressage and show-jumping training videos, interviews with leading riders and yard tours. There are over 100 videos on the site (after just 6 months) and the site is FREE OF CHARGE!
Of particular interest to dressage riders are the videos featuring Laura Bechtolsheimer, whether exercising her stable management skills in 'Sheath Cleaning', her eventing debut at Twesledown Horse Trials, her story at this year's National Dressage Championship, training her young horses at home with her father, or the Horse Hero 'team training' video diary.
There are stories and blogs of other established and up and coming British dressage riders such as Anna Ross-Davies, Maria Eilberg, Gemma Green and Anne Marie-Perry. Laura Bechtolsheimer has been the first British dressage rider to contribute actively to Horse Hero and there are many features on her online. Horse Hero also filmed at Olympia, covering the dressage stories of 3 riders in the Grand Prix.
Horse Hero's videos are beautifully made by horse people who understand the subject matter and can find the most interesting insights. The videos are of very high quality and they are entertaining! The collaboration with top riders gives a real insight into their lives.
Eurodressage selected the following Horse Hero videos which could be of interest to our readers:
- The 2008 British National Dressage Championships
- Laura Bechtolsheimer training her 4-year old Verden Auction horse Stepdance
- Horse Hero's Fiona Price follows Laura B at her eventing debut and takes a tour of Laura's new lorry
- Celebrity Yard Tour: The Bechtolsheimer's yard
- Celebrity Blogs: including Laura B, Anna Ross-Davies, Maria Eilberg, etc.
- An amusing out-take piece filmed at Laura Bechtolsheimer's yard where all are enagaged in a discussion about the delicate matter of cleaning a horse's sheath
The general video library can be found here: http://www.horsehero.com/video-library
By the way, the Sunday Times also featured Horse Hero as the "Website of the Week" and described it as a "Paradise for horse lovers"