Sorocaima won $82,396 on the track and just completed his fourth CCI5* with Buck Davidson last weekend, securing their best placing yet. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s another big day for horse sport in the state of Kentucky: it’s Kentucky Derby Day! Similar to Defender Kentucky cross country day, I always like to wish the athletes safe and speedy rides. It’s a big year for the Derby, too — 2024 marks its 150th running.
If you, like me, haven’t actually followed any of the lead-up races to the Derby yet still enjoys watching the most exciting two minutes in sports, don’t worry! EN’s sister site Horse Nation has the cheat sheet that we need to get up to speed and pick a favorite before post time (post time for the Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET, by the way.)
And if you, like me, also have some mixed feelings about Thoroughbred racing, you might find it heartening to read about some of the advances and research into safety measures such as footing (Yes, I did link this article earlier this week, but I found it so interesting I’m linking it again!) And of course there are the wonderful organizations such as the Retired Racehorse Project that help to get the word out and facilitate finding these ultimate equines athlete second careers that they’ll excel at. There have even been a few past Derby contenders that have gone on to have second careers not at stud, but as sport horses.
U.S. Weekend Action
Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Eventing Championships (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Osberton International I (Nottinghamshire) [Info / Schedule] [Entries / Scoring]
European FEI Events
Jardy Standard Show (France) [Info / Entries]
Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy) [Info / Entries]
Sopot Standard Show (Poland) [Info / Entries]
Links to Start Your Weekend:
Myler Bits responds to elimination at Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event
Keeping Pace: What To Say To Your Friends At This Year’s Derby Party
Comfort, Connection And Compassion: Takeaways From An Extraordinary Thoroughbred
Fast Facts: 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships
Larkin Hill Horse Trials Adds More Divisions After Kent Horse Trials’ Cancellation
What To Expect Once You’ve Made the Hardest Decision
Sponsor Corner: The World Equestrian Brands team of riders put in the work at the Kentucky Three Day Event! Check out these awesome action shots of World Equestrian Brands’ riders in action, featuring Buck Davidson, Sharon White, Andrew McConnon, Allison Springer, and Woodge Fulton. All of these riders put their trust in World Equestrian Brands’ collection of tack. Shop here.
Morning Viewing: There was a bit of a hairy moment on cross country last weekend at Defender Kentucky when Susie Berry had a little trouble steering Clever Trick after a. big jump into the Head of the Lake. Amy Dragoo captured the sequence through her lens!
