The Benestar Ranch Riding Academy

10/09/2026

🧬🐴 The Friesian DNA Bank is Officially Open! 🎉

We are excited to announce that the Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses is now accepting DNA submissions at the Kelnhofer Friesian Genomics Lab (KFGL)!

Over the past several years of conducting genetic research, one issue has become clear: the biological samples researchers need are not always available when they need them. A horse may have died years before a new research question emerges, or a healthy comparison horse may no longer be available.

We built KFGL to help change that. The Friesian DNA Bank allows us to collect and preserve DNA and health information TODAY, creating a valuable long-term resource for current and future Friesian health research.

💙 Every Friesian has something valuable to contribute! Healthy horses matter. Affected horses matter. Senior horses matter. Related family members matter. Every Friesian horse matters! By participating in the DNA bank program, your horse can help researchers better understand the breed's complex health conditions and support discoveries that may benefit future generations of Friesian horses.

📦 How can you participate?

It's easy! Simply click on the link below and complete the DNA Collection Kit Request Form.

✅ Receive a collection kit containing everything needed for blood and hair sampling.

✅ Have your veterinarian collect the blood samples. Hair samples can be collected by you or your veterinarian.

✅ Return your samples using the prepaid FedEx shipping materials provided.

✅ Your Friesian horse's DNA will be processed, preserved, and stored for future research.

Fenway provides the collection kit, DNA processing, long-term storage, and prepaid return shipping at no cost. Owners are responsible only for any veterinary fees associated with collecting the blood samples.

🇺🇸 Enrollment is currently open to purebred Friesian horses of all ages in the contiguous United States. Plans are underway to expand our banking program to the Netherlands and other countries.

🔗 Request your DNA collection kit: https://airtable.com/appEhG5bqNwhxV5zY/pagHOHxJcIcMnsZwj/form

🐴 Please help us spread the word by sharing this announcement with other Friesian owners!

Together, we can build a resource that supports a healthier future for the Friesian horse, one DNA sample at a time. 💙

09/25/2026

Is this the most beautiful shopping destination in Virginia, or does the local architecture down the road have it beat?

09/22/2026

🎨 Entries are coming in! And there’s still time to help us design our FHANA Youth Committee logo! 🎨 Deadline October 1st!! 🖤💙🖤

To celebrate the launch of the FHANA Youth Committee, we are inviting young artists to help design our official logo!

The contest is open to young artists age 25 or younger who are FHANA members or part of a FHANA member family.

Participants should create an original logo representing the FHANA Youth Committee, young equestrians, and the Friesian horse.

Hand-drawn and digital designs are welcome (no AI accepted). The selected design will become the foundation of the official FHANA Youth Committee logo and may be professionally converted into a digital format while preserving the artist’s original concept.

🏆 The selected artist will receive a special FHANA prize and recognition for their design!

Entries are now open!

Submission deadline: October 1, 2026

Winner Announced during the FHANA Fall Festival and online November 22, 2026.

How to submit: Please email your entries to [email protected]

We cannot wait to see everyone’s creativity and begin creating more opportunities for young people throughout the Friesian community!

Art in photo created by Saffron Byrne-King 💙

09/19/2026

Backside Basics: Common Bandages on the Racetrack

Bandaging is one of those skills that looks simple from the outside, but there is a lot of judgment behind it. What type of bandage is used, how it is secured, what goes underneath it, and how long it stays on can all vary depending on the horse, the trainer, the work the horse is doing, and the purpose of the bandage.

This graphic shows some of the common ways you may see these bandages used on the racetrack, but it is important to understand that barns do things differently. One trainer may use cotton underneath an elastic or vet wrap while another may not. One barn may prefer one type of training bandage over another. Even the same horse may be bandaged differently depending on whether it is jogging, galloping, breezing, racing, or recovering afterward.

That is why part of learning this job is not just memorizing “this bandage goes here.” It is learning to recognize the different materials, understand why they are being used, and then follow the system your trainer, assistant, or foreman wants for that particular horse.

For training bandages, you will commonly see polos, elastics, and vet wrap.

A polo is a fleece training bandage commonly used for everyday exercise and lighter protection. It may be secured with a safety pin through the Velcro strap. One important racetrack rule we teach is not to use polos on a wet surface, because once that fleece becomes wet it can change how the wrap sits and behaves on the leg.

An elastic, or Ace-style bandage, is another common training wrap. These are often secured with two safety pins in a + configuration near the outside top of the bandage. Some trainers also use a thin layer of cotton underneath their elastics. Again, that part can vary by barn.

A vet wrap bandage is often used for higher-speed work such as breezes, works, or races because it is more secure at speed and provides additional protection. It can help protect against run-downs, and some horses may also have a 3M patch placed around the lower back of the ankle for extra protection in that area. Some trainers may also put a thin layer of cotton underneath the vet wrap.

Then you have what we commonly refer to as night bandages.

An alcohol standing bandage generally consists of a bandage pillow with a standing wrap over top, with alcohol used underneath as part of the horse’s leg care. These are secured with two vertical safety pins.

A poultice bandage starts with poultice applied to the leg. A large diamond-shaped paper towel is placed over the poultice, with the upper portion extending above the knee while the lower portion is tucked underneath the standing bandage. A bandage pillow and standing wrap are then applied over it and secured with two vertical safety pins. Poultice is commonly used after work because of its cooling recovery effect.

A sweat bandage has a different purpose. Cotton and a bandage pillow are used with Saran Wrap around the outside to trap heat. That is why the outside of a sweat looks shiny and completely covered in plastic. The goal is to create heat and help reduce inflammation.

No matter what type of bandage you are applying, there are a few details that matter across the board.

Safety pin clasps should point downward or toward the back of the horse. Bandages should run against the cannon bone rather than against the tendon. Pressure should be even, the wrap should lie smoothly, and you should never try to “make it work” if something does not look or feel right.

And probably the biggest lesson for a new groom or rider: don’t assume.

If you move barns, you may be taught a slightly different way to do the same bandage. That does not automatically mean one barn is right and the other is wrong. There are different materials, different preferences, and different reasons for using certain wraps. Your job is to understand the basics well enough to recognize what you are looking at, then learn exactly how the people responsible for that horse want it done.

Bandaging is a hands-on skill. You learn it by watching, practicing, having someone check your work, taking it off, and doing it again.

The goal is never just to put something around a horse’s leg.

The goal is to understand what you are using, why you are using it, and how to do it safely.

09/16/2026

NEVER BE TOO GOOD FOR THE BASICS.

Want to know what separates a great horseman from someone who just knows a bunch of tricks?

The basics.✅

The riders who are actually good don’t outgrow them.
They go BACK to them.

Soft hands.

Good position.

Timing.

Feel.

Body control.

Straight lines.

Transitions.

Stopping.

Responsiveness.

Because here’s an uncomfortable truth:
Sometimes your horse doesn’t need a new exercise.

Your riding needs work.
You can buy the fancy tack.
Change bits.
Try every new technique you see online.
Run another pattern.
Blame the horse.

But none of that fixes poor timing, bad position, heavy hands, or a rider who hasn’t mastered the foundation themselves.
There are no shortcuts to a great horse.
A rushed horse might look impressive for a minute.

💯✨A correctly trained horse will prove itself for years.

I’ll take time, consistency, correct horsemanship, and a solid reputation over gimmicks and rushed results every single time.
And if going back to the basics makes you feel like you’re “going backwards”…
You probably needed to go back.
Greatness isn’t built by constantly looking for something new.

It’s built by getting REALLY good at the things that matter. 🐴

Agree or disagree?

Ariel Hahn

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Take a look at your horse’s stall. 👀🐴

Is it set up to make feeding, cleaning, and everyday care as easy as possible?

A few simple upgrades can make a big difference, from better hay storage and stall-front organization to airflow, water, and everyday essentials.

Swipe ➡️ for a quick stall check, then tell us:

What’s one thing you think EVERY horse stall should have?

🔗 https://bit.ly/4gKEWKb

09/09/2026

🤠 BUCKING K RANCH FALL PRO RODEO

September 11th & 12th!

These guidelines are in place to help ensure all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience at Bucking K Ranch.

Gates Open: 4:00 PM
Rodeo Begins: 8:00 PM
RODEO RULES!

• NO ENTRY OR RE-ENTRY permitted after 9:00 PM ⏰

• Coolers are not allowed inside the rodeo grounds

• No pets permitted

• Horseback mounted patrol will be monitoring the parking areas

• NO Underage drinking this will be strictly enforced

• Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs but we recommend arriving early to set up your chair, as we have seating space around the arena is limited as have bleachers mostly around the arena and we must leave open area for handicap seating.

•all children and guest MUST keep away from arena railing once rodeo has started to ensure safety.

•Guest must wear wrist bands at all times if your wristband is lost you will be required to purchase a new wrist band

• Only contestants and Bucking K Ranch staff are permitted behind the bucking chutes area and must be in full rodeo attire at all times . If you would like to sit on the south side of the arena seating please circle the arena on the far side of the arena close to our black fencing

🎉 Events & Attractions

• Bull Riding
• Bronc Riding
• Barrel Racing
• Barrel Racer VS Dirtbike showdown race
• Food Trucks
• Vendors
• Family-Friendly Activities
• Live Music
• 6-story ferris wheel
• Mechanical bull
• Petting zoo
• Goat roping
⸻

Ticket Information

Adults: $20
Kids (Ages 6–10): $10
Kids 5 & Under: Free
Parking is $5
This is a CASH EVENT! WiFi can be spotty so we are unable to do card purchases

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at advance ticket locations