Kristin Schmolze accepting her award from Cesar Hirsch of Equis Boutique. Photo by Betsy Whiteman.
This year at Rolex, there was a new award to be gained, courtesy of Equis Boutique in their first sponsorship and visit to Rolex Kentucky. They presented the “Best Presented Horse” at the final jogs, which was won by none other than Kristin Schmolze’s Ballylaffin Bracken, or Rox as he is known around the barn. Anybody who has seen Rox in person (or really in photo) knows that this is no big surprise! He stands 17.2 hands, and was a stallion until the age of five, so has that lovely big neck, and what a face! Congrats to Equis Boutique on coming over to the dark side, and Kristin on winning the award!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Poplar Place Farm May H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Greenwood Farm CIC/CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Penny Oaks H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
News From Around The Globe:
With Rolex over, it’s time for Kentucky Derby fever!! I’m a big racing nerd, and there’s just something about the Kentucky Derby that’s so darn exciting every year. They just drew post positions, and I love hearing the different techniques and attack plans that the trainers and jockeys have. [Post Position Draw Quotes]
Whipper-in Sam Matthews is the proud winner of the inaugural Countryside Alliance’s Tumbler’s Club competition. If that sounds like a joke, it actually isn’t. Hundreds of photos across the UK and Ireland were submitted from the hunt field of spectacular falls while in action, and Sam took the top prize for his stunning acrobatics. [Horse & Hound]
An ill timed kick in the barns keeps High Kingdom out of the competition at Kentucky this spring, but also Badminton. While Zara Phillips’ Olympic mount traveled back to the UK just fine, it seems he will not be fit to compete at Badminton next week. This final withdrawal has put Mary King and King’s Temptress in the order, and that is all she wrote for the entries to the next CCI4*! [Badminton News]
Attention all riders interested in competing at Luhmuhlen or Bramham for the United States! The grant application deadline for these two upcoming competitions has been extended until Monday May 4th. Applications must be filled out and emailed or faxed to Joanie Morris by the end of the workday to be considered, and all applicants will be notified no later than May 11th. [Application Here]
Daily Racing Form in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be publishing a new annual magazine to increase awareness of the TAA’s mission and its ongoing efforts to support Thoroughbred Aftercare on a national level and in Canada. The inaugural magazine will be over eighty pages highlighting industry contributors who are sharing responsibility for finding safe landing and rehoming the retired thoroughbreds. Readers will also enjoy stories of success within the OTTB world, and can learn about retraining thoroughbreds from a panel of experts. [Daily Racing Form Teams Up with TAA]
Best of Blogs: “Yes, Winning Is Not Everything”
Olivia Loiacono teamed up with Equestrian Coach to make a great video on learning gallop speeds, check out the preview below:
