Nampa, ID (October 25, 2016) — To Linda Kaye Hollingsworth-Jones, the highest compliment an equestrian can earn is the recognition of her superb hand-to-bit connection with her horse. Hollingsworth-Jones was exhilarated to learn she won the Neue Schule USA Best Hands Award at the recent Sport Horse National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show in Nampa, Idaho.
Neue Schule, the Official Bit of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), presents this award to riders who demonstrate soft, effective connections with their mounts at top horse shows throughout the United States. Due to her excellent hand aids,Hollingsworth-Jones was a perfect recipient for the award.
Hollingsworth-Jones competed the 15-year-old gelding Nabors Grey Tandolyn++++// (known as ‘Flash’) at the Sport Horse Nationals, which was designated as Flash’s final show before retirement. The pair demonstrated a clear connection and was named National Champion of Carriage Driving-Reinsmanship, among other accolades.
“The mouth is the key to the horse’s mind and body,” said the Emmett, Idaho-based rider. “It has a huge concentration of nerve endings as well as blood supply. If your connection is poor, it can result in contraction, tension, resistance, and many other problems. I am a teacher in training in Philippe Karl’s Ecole de Legerete and, as such, the focus on the mouth and refinement of the aids is central to the education of the horse. Understanding the importance of all the subtleties of the mouth has given me a completely new attitude and appreciation for developing a meaningful connection.”
As winner of the Neue Schule USA Best Hands Award, Hollingsworth-Jones was presented with a ribbon sash and a Neue Schule Verbindend bit. Neue Schule offers a full range of bits to help riders achieve their goals in a variety of disciplines. “Neue Schule has always struck me as a quality, conscientious company looking out for the good of the horse,” said Hollingsworth-Jones. She is excited to now have the chance to try out a Neue Schule bit for the first time on her horses at home. The high performance, comfortable bits are ergonomically designed, using the latest in engineering and computer aided design (CAD) technologies. The bits incorporate a unique metal alloy with increased conductivity to promote acceptance and comfort for the horse — making it even easier for riders like Hollingsworth-Jones to communicate seamlessly with their horses through hand-to-bit connection.
To learn more about what makes Neue Schule bits so unique, visit Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery at www.BitByBitUSA.com or call 631-252-5574. You can also check out Neue Schule on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Neueschulebits/?fref=nf or on Instagram at neueschuleusa.
Photo: Linda Kaye Hollingsworth-Jones, with Nabors Grey Tandolyn++++//, wins the Neue Schule USA Best Hands Award at the 2016 Sport Horse National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Photo courtesy of Don Stine Equine Sports Photography)
