Good morning EN! Are you going to Rolex? This year the USEA will conduct research for a new cardiovascular study during the competition and you will have the opportunity to show you support on your sleeve- literally. The USEA Endowment Trust created a special pin for everyone who gives a suggested donation of $10 (or more) to the Trust. The study will benefit all horses around the world and is a great cause. The pins can be purchased at the USEA tent by the main areana or in the tailgate area (spots #13 and 14) on Saturday. [The It Pin]
Today a piece of sadder news comes from Steph Rhodes Bosch, who has announced on her blog that she has withdrawn Port Authority from Olympic consideration. “Ollie” has been recovering from a suspensory injury and while he is making fantastic progress, he is just not ready for all the jumping and galloping that is necessary to get to London. Steph did her best to petition the IOC and ask them to postpone the games in order to wait for Ollie, but sadly they declined. EN sends major kudos (and lots of virtual hugs) to Steph for listening to her horse and making the right decision in what must be an impossibly frustrating position. She writes, “He was feeling so great and I wanted this so bad I could taste it, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that if I give him this time now, his chances of coming back were huge. This was the best, which is therefore the only, choice for my wonderful partner.” Steph’s positive attitude in the face of such setback is admirable and it’s safe to say that this will not be the last time we see her name high on the selectors’ list. Click to read the full entry and about her other, up-and-coming mounts. [SRB Equestrian Sports]
Now for your weekend preview:
Twin Rivers CIC/CCI [Website] [Times]
Fair Hill [Website] [Entry Status] [Times]
Redland Hunt PC [Website] [Times]
Only 99 days until the Opening Ceremonies commence in London, and there is a fair amount of Olympic news to celebrate the final countdown:
Junior British eventer Harry Humfrey has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch through Newport, Pembrokeshire, on May 27. Sixteen-year-old Harry has been riding since age four and is very proud to represent his country, especially after being chosen out of 80,000 others. Harry represented Britain as Pony Squad rider at the FEI European Championships and attends the Millfield School on a scholarship he earned on horseback. [British Eventing]
William Fox-Pitt is already marked as a potential Olympic star. Sir Steve Redgrave, a famed British rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympics, picked his top three British athletes for The Mail Online. Along with Taekwondo champion Aaron Cook and swimmer Liam Tancock, Fox-Pitt made the cut as the No. 1 ranked eventer in the world. Sir Redgrave also points out that Britain has six riders in the top twenty on the HSBC leaderboard, and three of those are ranked in the top five. [The Mail]
Boyd is listed in the Telegraph’s interactive feature “100 stars in the making.” He is also the subject of a new Fox Sports interview. In the extensive piece Boyd talks about last year’s fire and Neville’s humble beginnings. “’I often look at him and he’s half-grinning, and I just think, ‘How did you pull that off, cheating death twice?’’ Martin says with a laugh. ‘We’re lucky we both found each other.'” [Fox Sports]
With Pippa Funnell out of the running, James Alliston is the “proverbial dark horse” for London. [Orange]
Back to the present: The Chronicle writes an Ocala wrap-up. [COTH]
Pictures: eventing action from Weston Park. [Horsetalk]
Horse and Hound again warns readers about the dangers of unfixed portable cross country fences, which are still used at some events in Britain and in many farms around the US. The new criticism comes after a jump overturned after a horse hit the obstacle at a British event on March 31. Luckily both horse and rider were unhurt. [Horse and Hound]
British Eventing has compiled a list of ten reasons to visit the Barbury International Horse Trials. This year there will be a food festival and a “Rodeo Bull Riders vs. Eventers Challenge.” If that doesn’t sound exciting, there will be a few good riders there too. [British Eventing]
In New Zealand homes are urgently needed for 170 Kaimanawa wild horses set to be mustered in May. The muster will take place on the North Island and all horses not placed with an owner will be sent to slaughter. Kaimanawa horses are very suitable for riding- this year the Pony of the Year award at New Zealand’s Horse of the Year show went to a Kaimanawa horse named Watch Me Move. The next muster will not be held until 2014 so any prospective owners are encouraged to act now. Applications to adopt one of the horses are due by May 15. The Kaimanawa Heritage Horses is a nonprofit charity and encourages donations, all of which go directly to helping the horses. [Horsetalk] [Kaimanawa Heritage Horses]
Mark Todd’s racehorse, I’m Your Venus, wins big at the 1600m $70,000 Group 3 Christchurch Casino Easter Cup Stakes. [Horsetalk]
Building an arena? Make sure you read Neil Clarkson’s article about the seven biggest mistakes made during the planning and construction process. The most important thing when building? Location. [Horsetalk]
Best of Blogs:
Laine Ashker counts down to Rolex
Leaving you with a virtual fly-over of Badminton’s 2012 cross country course- only two more weeks!
