View from the top of Maizey Manor’s gallop! Photo courtesy of Selena O’Hanlon.
Happy Friday, everyone! We are officially four days away from the beginning of the Eventing WEG competition!! You ever have one of those weeks that is inexplicably longer than all the others, where you wake up on Wednesday SURE that it has to be at least Saturday already? That was me this week, and even though it’s Friday, I feel like my life is moving in molasses speed. Maybe that’s because as soon as next week hits we will all be running around like crazy with WEG and Burghley right in a row? Perhaps this is the universe helping me find some “balance” or something like that.
North American Weekend Preview:
Richland Park CIC2*/3* & H.T. [Website] [Times] [Live Scores]
Huntington Farm H.T [Website]
Steepleview H.T. [Website] [Times]
Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. II [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Caber Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Colorado Horse Park CCI1*/2*, T3D, & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]
FEI Global Weekend Preview:
Blair Castle (GBR) CCI1*/2*/3*, CIC3* [Website] [Live Scores]
Parcayacu (ECU) CCI1*
Outdoor Helvoirt (NED) CIC1*/2* [Website]
Hamm (GER) CIC1* [Website]
News From Around The Globe:
Totilas is out, Sam is out, and now two more Dutch dressage horses have been withdrawn from the WEG. Edward Gal’s Glock’s Undercover as well as Danielle Hijkoop’s Kingsley Siro NOP have suffered last minute injuries that will keep them from competing. Undercover suffered a minor spinal injury that will heal in a week at most, but is currently experiencing inflammation and slight pain, and will be saved for another day. Kingsley Siro also failed the final vet check, and it seems that he struck himself during training this week. [Two Dutch Entries Withdrawn]
Hold the phone: if you’re near Middleburg VA this Saturday, you HAVE to go to the Morningside Bareback Puissance. In fact, bring your horse and compete! They have a 2’6 bareback speed class, and then a bareback puissance that goes as high as possible. Do you think we can beat Lainey Ashker’s record of 5’1 at Great Meadow? Not to mention there will be food and wine vendors present, and $2,000 in prize money for the competitors! [Morningside Bareback Puissance]
Laura Graves is one of my favorite riders to follow at the WEG, even though she’s not an Eventer! She stunned everyone this summer, breaking into the big time with her horse Verdades, and earned her way to Normandy along with the US dressage stalwarts. She’s blogging from France about her experience, and it’s fascinating to follow along! [How Plans Change]
Win a One-Year FEI TV Subscription! Win a one-year FEI TV subscription valued at $79.99 just in time to watch the World Equestrian Games! All you have to do is sign up to receive EN eNews, our weekly newsletter. We are drawing five lucky names this morning! [Click to Enter]
So, after many years and far too many sweaty headed days, I finally took the plunge and bought a new helmet. What I love about buying a helmet now as opposed to even five years ago, is that different companies recognize that not all heads are shaped equally! I have a long and thin head, if you will (although that sounds terrible), which means that I always end up having to put fillers on the side so my helmets won’t fall off, and usually end up with the super stylish “forehead dent” after a long day of riding. Thanks to the selection at SmartPak, I found the perfect size and fit in a brand new Samshield! What’s cooler than looking sharp and minding your melon? [SmartPak Helmet Selection Beats Them All]
Did you know that if you sign up for the FLAIR newsletter, you can receive awesome Eventing specific news? As one of the best advances of recent times, FLAIR strips have really changed the way we help our horses breathe on and recover from cross country. By reducing airway resistance during exercise, FLAIR Strips help prevent fatigue related injuries, help protect the lungs from injury and bleeding and promote optimal athletic performance. Check out their site and sign up for the weekly newsletter to receive great promotions and news! [FLAIR Strips Rock]
In honor of Sam, who will not be attending to defend his title, let’s reflect on his cross legged success in 2010.
