Blenheim-bound Jen McFall and High Times practicing their jumping skillz. Photo courtesy of Jen McFall.
The month of July is always a funny month, and not just because it becomes so swelteringly hot in Virginia that you can’t see straight and contemplate throwing your clothes away at the end of the day instead of washing them. Somehow I always get SUPER busy in July, and can’t seem to slow down, which I actually enjoy (obviously, otherwise why would I ride horses for a living). Also, the worst part about July is that every year, all of my horses come down with some kind of skin funk, it’s like a July Virginia curse. I’ve already stocked up on Desitin and Dex, don’t worry.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Cosequin Stuart H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Huntington Farm H.T. [Website]
Riga Meadow H.T. [Website]
Maryland at Loch Moy I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Roebke’s Run H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
39th Annual Whidbey Island H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Champagne Run H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Powder Basin H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Coconino Summer I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
News From Around the Globe:
The USEA is offering FEH competitors the opportunity to practice a jump chute before they get to East Coast Championships, and Loch Moy is hosting a clinic next Thursday, July 16th. A videographer will be there to create an educational video on how to safely and properly send your horse through a jump chute. This video will be done at the clinic, so you could have your horse in the demo video! Click here to learn more about the event and registration. [MDHT FEH Jump Chute Clinic]
Like the WEG last year, the cross country portion of the Pan Am Games is at a different site than the rest of the equestrian competition, which poses a challenge for the veterinary teams on duty during the games. Veterinary Services Manager Dr. Pownell admits that the eventing portion of the equestrian games is the most complicated for his group of vets, and has gone to great measures to try and be prepared for everything. [Vet Teams Prep for Pan Am Cross Country]
More than 1,000 horses and riders are planning to descend upon Barbury Castle this weekend for their famed summer competition. With Andrew Nicholson looking for his fourth consecutive victory with Avebury (and a fence named after him!), there’s also stiff competition from Jonelle Price, Mark Todd, and some of the other usual suspects. The competition rates highly as one of the best of the year for spectators and riders alike, and promises to be an incredible weekend. [Outlook is Bright for Barbury]
COTH staff member Sara Leiser is pregnant, but has a different version of “nesting” than your average mom-t0-be, and obviously it’s horse related. While most moms start doing things baby related, Sara has become productive in the barn, with the knowledge that a baby will make some of these to-do’s a little more impossible to check off the list. [Nesting Horsewoman Style]
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A little NAJYRC #tbt for ya:
