Marc Donovan and Hugh Lochore hard at work improving the cross country course. Photo via the Carolina International Facebook page.
Good morning EN! The festivities are officially kicking off for the inaugural Carolina International CIC and Horse Trials in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Jenni and Sally are going to be on hand all weekend bringing you coverage from the event, which everyone is expecting to be a tough one. The brand new cross country course was designed by Red Hills designer Hugh Lochore, and I have it on good authority (because I jumped it myself) that a lot of Aikenites have been practicing tough brush corners this week in preparation for what is rumored to be a very challenging Advanced and CIC3* track. Make sure to keep checking back for on-the-ground updates as the weekend progresses. Good luck to all competitors! [CHC International Website] [Rider Information]
Weekend Preview:
Poplar Place Farm March H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
The Land Rover Gatcombe Park Horse Trials has drawn a big international crowd of competitors this year. Riders from fifteen nations will compete there this weekend in both Novice (Prelim) and Intermediate divisions, including North American favorites Rebecca Howard and Clark Montgomery. The entry list reads like a who’s-who of international eventing, with names like Blyth Tait, Paul Tapner, Laura Collett, William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson, and Lucinda Green. Countries represented include Brazil, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, and of course all the usual suspects like France, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. [Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard] [Gatcombe Entries]
Doug Payne argues that eventing needs “new bones and a facelift.” In a blog for COTH, Doug articulates his concern over the rising cost of competing in horse trials and the impact that will have on eventing as a whole (I mean seriously, have you seen what they charge for stabling these days?!). He explains an idea for a tiered system of pricing for events that would allow for some events to be cheaper than others. What do you think, EN? Should we move to a system where some events cost less? Would that incentivize you to compete more? [The Chronicle]
A company in Europe is working to develop a GPS alarm system to improve rider safety. The company, called Equisafe, is funded by the EU’s 7th Framework Programme and aims to help prevent riding injuries. Equestrian activities accounted for 15% of all sports-related deaths in the EU in 2009, and the hope is this system will help riders identify “abnormal and undesirable behavior” that could lead to a riding accident. In addition, the system encompasses rider monitoring and is capable of sounding the alarm to a instructor or barn if a rider falls or exhibits distress. [Horsetalk]
Know a superstar eventing Thoroughbred? Tell us your story! EN is looking for more thoroughbreds to feature in our “Thoroughbred Legends” series. If you know of a rock star Thoroughbred who has had a successful eventing career, email [email protected].
This week on SmartPak’s ‘Ask the Vet:’ determining optimal Cosequin doses. A reader asked Dr. Lydia Gray to help her decide what dosage of Cosequin is best for her elderly, arthritic horse. Dr. Gray explains that there is no benefit to divvying up Cosequin throughout the day, and giving a large dose all at once will be fine. [Ask the Vet]
Get into the Carolina spirit with this video of the Advanced water complex from last year, shot by RNS Video.
