Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

The not-so-elusive morning giraffe! Photo by Kate Samuels.

The not-so-elusive morning giraffe! Photo by Kate Samuels.

Fall always seems to go so much faster than spring, in terms of the Eventing season. As soon as we’ve begun, it’s almost wrapping up. I mean, we’re only three weeks away from Fair Hill International! Despite the addition of events later in the calendar year in warmer climates, I always imagine FHI as the “end of the season”, and it’s certainly the culmination of a year’s work for a large portion of the horses competing at the upper levels on the east coast. I can already feel the excitement building!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

University of New Hampshire H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Surefire H.T. [Website]

Sundance Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Twin Rivers Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Equestrians Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

Chattahoochee Hills has announced that their spring horse trials will also feature CIC ***/**/* divisions next year. On the weekend of April 7-9th 2017, Chatt Hills will add the FEI divisions to their already established horse trials, giving competitors a chance to compete on a larger stage as well as prep for spring CCI competitions in a great way. As a bonus, any pairs heading to Rolex and using Chatt Hills as a final prep run will have their entry fees waived! [Chatt Hills Changes Spring Event]

This Saturday, the highly anticipated freestyle exhibition of double Olympic gold medalist Charlotte DuJardin & Valegro will be happening at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Now that his team has officially announced his retirement at the end of the year, this is one of the last chances to see the duo in action on a big stage. COTH caught up with Charlotte and Blueberry, and asked them five important questions. Spoiler: they’re performing a brand new freestyle this weekend! [Five Questions with Charlotte & Valegro]

Now that Michael Phelps is done dominating the swimming world, he’s decided to own a few horses. One of which, Water Cube, has been placed in training with fellow Olympian Phillip Dutton. Originally raced and trained by Graham Motion, the horse was “great at getting third every time”, so Phelps decided he would be better off in a different career. He’s already won a novice horse trials under his new jockey, and they are hopeful for the future that the gelding can bring good press to the thoroughbred breed. [Phelps Owns Successful Eventing Horse]

Best of Blogs: Finding A Silver Lining, by Jennie Brannigan

My every day brushing boots finally died after years of hard service, so I recently decided to try out the Professional’s Choice VenTECH All Purpose Boot. I have to say, I’m very happy so far with the quality of the boot, the durability, and especially the lightweight factor. The VenTECH lining is really breathable, and for riding out through different areas of footing, and in my case, rivers, if it isn’t breathable your horse gets rubs. One of my horses is especially prone to rubs from regular galloping boots, but these are soft on the inside and seem to suit him really well. And at $35 a pair, you can hardly go wrong. [SmartPak Product of the Day]