We start off today’s News & Notes with some sad news from Andrew Hoy, who has said goodbye to his “dear friend” Cheeky Calimbo, aged 22, who had spent his retirement with Andrew at home.
Andrew was at Cheeky’s side as he “crossed the rainbow bridge” and over the last few days the gelding’s loved ones had visited him to say their goodbyes.
It’s the hardest part of loving these special animals. It’s such a privilege to love them, care for them, and partner them, and then be there for them when the time comes to let them go.
Here’s Andrew’s tribute to his “Master” and family member, the “genius and lunatic” that was Cheeky Calimbo:
“Until we meet again, my dear friend. ❤️
Vale CHEEKY CALIMBO.
We knew for a long time that this day was coming – and I knew that you would let me know when you were ready for it. This morning you crossed the rainbow bridge 🌈 – and I am glad I could be by your side right until the end.
Everyone came to say goodbye to you over the last days – and it seems you knew. Your appetite this morning was greater than in any of the last weeks – it seems you knew you had to prepare yourself for a big journey.
You and I had 9 years at the top of international sports together – you name it, we have been there. Aachen, Luhmühlen, Gatcombe, Saumur, Montelibretti, Bramham, Jardy, Strzegom , Boekelo, Haras du Pin, Blair Castle, Houghton Hall, Wiesbaden, Breda – to just name a few.
…and what a journey it has been. 🙌
In you, I certainly found my Master – you were a genius and lunatic at the same time, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – and we often had to define whether it was a ‘Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde kind of day’ 🤣🫣 Your talent in all phases was certainly without limits – and so was your mental strength- and we all admired you for it. ⭐️
Above all of this – you were a member of our family. ❤️
I am so grateful to Cheeky’s owner, Ms Christiane Classen – for her support through all of our highs and all of our lows – and for letting Cheeky retire with us at Somerby Stables.
After all those years in the sport together you had 6 years of happy retirement with us – playing in the field, enjoying the sunshine on your back, loving your Massage treatments with Cressida and still having all of your beloved human and equine friends around you.
Today, we are all crying.
From tomorrow on, we will be so very grateful that we have had you in our lives.
Thank you, Cheeky. ❤️”
Our thoughts are with Andrew and all of this special horse’s connections. Gallop on, Cheeky.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Flora Lea Spring H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Spring Coconino Horse Trials (Flagstaff, AZ)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Lexington, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Willow Draw Charity Show (Weatherford, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Woodside Spring H.T. (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Bicton Arena International (1) (Devon) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
European Events
Equestrian Festival Baborówko (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream – CMH]
Thursday News and Reading
Operation Gallop: A new initiative to help reduce horse-related crime in the UK. Bringing together relevant organizations, including the police, and the public, “Operation Gallop is a true partnership with agencies working together to tackle all aspects of equine crime and welfare”. There’s tons of information on the Operation Gallop website and you can find out more on the Facebook page too.
Got a busybody or a daydreamer who can’t help but focus on everything but you? I read this with interest considering my guy’s 100% daydreamer, unless he’s in his busybody zone. Seriously, being able to get and maintain your horse’s attention isn’t just necessary for your work under saddle, it’s actually vital for basic safety whenever you’re around your equine. This article explains the science behind how horses’ attention works in a way that even non-sciency brains can get, compares it to how we humans work, illustrates all of this with research involving basketball and gorilla suits, rounding off with the characteristics of the busybody horse and the daydreamer, and how you can work on getting their attention back to you so that you can go forth as a partnership. It’s well worth your full attention.
“First – you have to love the horses. There is no way to last in this sport without that love.” John Madden, newly appointed chairman of the International Grooms Association, explains what it takes to succeed in the demanding position of groom, and how the IGA is looking out for those that take on this vital role. From a true love of horses to a sense of humor, he captures the characteristics that saw him thrive during his time as a groom on the hunter/jumper circuit in the 1970s, through to his work for US Equestrian and the FEI, and how he’s applying his experience to benefit today’s grooms, including the strict no-martyrs rule he adopts in his own business.
Research is such an important area when it comes to learning about equines and improving the ways in which we understand their needs, work with them, and ensure the highest levels of welfare. But research needs subjects, so how do those conducting equine studies safeguard the horses they’re working with? Obviously, there are strict ethical codes involved, which are explained in this informative piece, including examples of the considerations different studies have taken when it comes to selecting the equine subjects for their research.
Beyonce may have made headlines with her cowgirl image for her new album, but the story of Black cowboys is actually 200 years old. “For nearly 200 years, two separate cowboy narratives, one Black and one white, have trotted side by side in the US. The two have rarely crossed paths. Until now.” This article from The Guardian looks back at the history of the cowboy, and examines the awakening in more recent times which has brought the Black cowboy story to the surface. Saddle up and settle in for this interesting and enlightening long read.
Sponsor Corner
Look at all that emotion 😁🥺😻 Ecogold-sponsored Auburn Eventing won the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Championships. Check out their beautifully monogrammed Ecogold saddle pads. Congratulations Auburn Eventing!!
Video Break
Yesterday we looked ahead to the penultimate 5* of the season, today we’re looking back at Burghleys past, specifically William Fox-Pitt’s ridiculous amount of success at the British fall 5* offering. His first win came three decades ago, in 1994, and he went on to take the title a further five times. Although this great event has retained all of the excitement of the sport, William’s been witness to its evolution over the years. Check out this cool video compilation of William doing what he does best, giving a riding lesson to us all whilst navigating one of the toughest tracks in the world.
