Exciting news! After helping to add show jumping to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2018, Split Rock Jumping Tour has contracted with Equestrian Events Inc. to upgrade the competition to a CSI5*, the highest level of FEI designation in show jumping starting in 2025. With sold-out crowds flocking to Rolex Stadium after the eventing competition concludes on Saturday (plus additional qualifier classes leading up to the Grand Prix), this is certainly going to become one of the biggest North American Grand Prix competitions on the circuit. We can’t wait for next year!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Alnwick Ford International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]
International Events
Strzegom Horse Trials & FEI Nations Cup (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [FEI YouTube Channel – NC Dressage Free Live Stream][Free Live Stream NC Show Jumping] [Free Live Stream NC Cross Country][Whole Event Live Stream via CMH] [Scoring]
SemaLease Kilguilkey House International 1 (Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring]
Friday News and Reading
Speaking of heartwarming stories, here’s a good one for you. Enjoy this story from octogenarian eventer, Emily Graeser, and her $125 bargain buy, ‘Comic Relief'(Mic for short). Together, the two enjoyed many a happy years eventing together, despite Mic’s inauspicious start to life. True testament to what can be achieved between a horse and rider with enough patience, hard work and dedication, and an inspiration to us all.
It is all too easy to become consumed by horses, but sometimes it is important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, too. Chris Talley does that every June, with an Instagram post to raise awareness of Pride month. His hope is that by sharing his own experiences of coming out, he may be able to help others with their own journeys, and to remind them they’re not alone. That, and to reflect on his own journey and experiences. A sage reminder from Chris, and well worth a read.
Some good news to get the weekend underway. The last remaining wild horses, Przewalski’s Horses, have been returned to their historical homeland, Kazakhstan. The horses, discovered centuries ago, became all but extinct in the wild, and were preserved only in Zoo’s across Europe. However, a small few have now been released back into the wild, and experts are optimistic for their future back in the wilderness. Fingers crossed!
Sponsor Corner
Today’s the day! The Summer Horse Trials kick off this morning. Keep an eye on Stable View’s Instagram (@stableviewaiken) to stay up to date on what’s happening as the action unfolds.
Weekend Watching
Ok, we’ve done Kentucky, we’ve done Badminton, we’ve done Adelaide and we’ve done Luhmühlen. Next up? Possibly my favourite, the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. It’s still a few months away yet, and we’ve still the small matter of the Olympics to come, but that’s not to say I’m not getting excited already. Enjoy this throwback, and join me in looking forward to 5* number 5. We really are spoiled for choice, aren’t we?!
