Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tornadoes that swept through Oklahoma on Monday. At least 51 people, including 20 children, were killed outside Oklahoma city with many more hospitalized and some still missing. We've also heard reports of up to 100 horses feared dead in the area after a massive twister devastated the 106-acre Orr Family Farm.
If you can provide shelter or transport to horses affected by the storm, please post availability and location on the Horse Evacuations East Facebook page.
Events Opening Today:
The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm I (Maryland, A-2), ENYDCTA/Old Chatham H.T. (New York, A-1), Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (New York, A-1), Powder Basin H.T. (Wyoming, A-9), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3), South Farm H.T. (Ohio, A-8), Huntington Farm H.T. (Vermont, A-1)
Events Closing Today:
Difficult Run Pony Club Spring H.T. (Virginia, A-2), Texas Rose Horse Park Summer H.T. (Texas, A-5), Arrowhead H.T. (Montana, A-9), Derbyshire Farms H.T. (Michigan, A-8), Queeny Park H.T. (Missouri, A-4), Copper Meadows H.T. (California, A-6), Carriage House Farm C.T. (Minnesota, A-4), Plantation Field H.T. (Pennsylvania, A-2)
News:
CHC International: Ever-talented photog Leslie Threlkeld has posted image galleries of the 1*, 2* and 3* divisions from last weekend's event on the USEA website. [US Eventing]
Eventing in Big Sky Country: Montana's Missoula Equestrian Park has its sights set on hosting recognized events in the not-too-distant future. It has already been hosting mini-events, the proceeds of which will be used to help the park build the cross-country jumps necessary to fulfill USEA requirements. Event organizer Drue Kerns says all is on track for the jumps to be built in the spring of 2014, with a debut recognized event in 2015. [helenair.com]
Kelly's Ford: The local newspaper ran a brief profile of Kelly's Ford Horse Trials, held Saturday in Remington, VA. More than 180 horses competed in Intro through Training divisions. [Fredericksburg Patch]
Interstate Tragedy: The Chronicle reports that a tractor-trailer carrying 30 horses burst into flames on I-81 in Lisle, N.Y. on May 6. The horses were being shipped from Shippensburg, Pa., to a slaughterhouse in Massueville, Quebec. The fire was likely caused by a fuel tank malfunction. [COTH]
Festival of British Eventing: The Festival, to be held at Gatcombe Park on August 2-4, promises to be bigger and better than ever. British Eventing previews the event. [BE]
Best of the Blogs: Those moments when everything finally comes together, precisely when you need them to the most, are far and few between. Courtney Cooper earned one at Jersey Fresh last weekend, where she and Who's a Star finished 3rd in their first CCI3*. [C Square Farm]
Found on Facebook: Katie Ruppel has sold her Rolex partner Sir Donovan to 2012 Canadian Olympic team member Peter Barry.
SmartPak Featured Product: You can never have too many pairs of schooling breeches--especially if they're SmartPak's new Piper Schooling Breeches. Available in fun, summery colors in both knee patch and full-seat styles, they're a definite summer must-have. [SmartPak]
Video: PRO talks to CIC3* winner Lauren Kieffer and CIC2* winner Buck Davidson about their impressions of the inaugural CHC International. [PRO]
