Ice boots? Eventers are always so ingenious. Photo courtesy of Horse Illustrated and idea courtesy of Emily Plechavy.
The first days of June, and my tan lines are already out of control. If you see me out riding a horse, you think I’m a normal person with a great summer tan. My arms, they look great and tan and an appropriate color. But little did you know that I’m actually a person with alabaster skin underneath that, because my legs are LITERALLY reflective. I’m not exaggerating here. I tried to take a picture while I was laying out in the sun a few days ago, and every picture was blinded by the rays reflected off my legs. I couldn’t even get the camera to focus. Then of course, I went inside and thought it was all good until I discovered that the backs of my thighs had sunburnt so badly that riding for the next few days was pure agony. #horsegirlproblems to the max.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
GMHA June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Waredaca H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
Poplar Place Farm June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Camelot Equestrian Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
IEA H.T. & N/T3D [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Colorado Horse Park CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
News From Around the Globe:
The Tryon International Equestrian Center has completed construction of its enormous water complex in preparation for this year’s AEC competition. Built by Eric Bull, there are already about 160 portable jumps available for the cross country course. With this big water complex in place, it’s going to be a phenomenal location for the AECs. They are also working on the footing, putting down sand mixed with fibers over the entire galloping track and mixing it with grass so that the turf will have an all weather base. Looking forward to it! [Tryon Prepares for AECs]
Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials is introducing a new team challenge for its July horse trials. The first annual Donald T. Holland Memorial Cup will have teams consisting of 3-4 riders competing against one another with friendly but competitive camaraderie. Donald is remembered through this challenge in his passion to unite the lower level eventing crowd with the upper level eventing crowd so that everyone feels the love from both sides. If you’d like to form a team, put the information on your entry or email the secretary! [Genesee Valley Hunt H.T.]
How do you go about appropriately conditioning a young horse without overdoing it? While we’re all conscious of their growing body parts, we want to not stress them too early and cause issues, but a certain amount of long slow work is actually good for a young horse. Developing your horse’s muscles and getting him to use his joints and tendons in an appropriate way help him for the rest of his life. [Conditioning the Young Horse]
In Ireland, they make jockeys at age 12. In the rural west coast of Ireland, Dylan aspires to be a top jockey and is well on his way already. He’s been galloping Thoroughbreds for years, has just moved up to the bigger horses and is already racing against other juniors. He runs and he boxes for his training, as well as eating and sleeping and dreaming horses. Also, watch the video below, he races ON THE BEACH. Why didn’t I grow up in Ireland? [Boys Will Be Jockeys]
12-year-old Irish jockey champion in the making:
