Will Coleman and OBOS O'Reilly competing in the Fourth Level Test 1 class Saturday at Dressage at Lexington. Photo by David Taylor.
There is a lesson to be learned from this past weekend. Always be aware of your surroundings — you never know when an Olympic eventer will ride down center line at a dressage show.
Remember to stalk the show program so you can be at the ready with a camera, or at least a cell phone, to snap a shot of a horse you last saw at Rolex Kentucky.
This past weekend, I got a chance to witness Will Coleman riding at the Virginia Horse Center for something other than an event. Will and his wife, Katie, brought six horses to Dressage at Lexington to show off their sand box skills.
I was able to step away from my wife, who was competing at DAL as well, to catch a glimpse of Will riding OBOS O’Reilly in the Fourth Level Test 1 class on Saturday. All I can say is watch out, Blenheim!
Events Opening Today: Corona Del Sol Heat Buster Horse Trials (TX, A-5), Town Hill Farm Horse Trials (CT, A-1), Moqui Meadows H.T. (CO, A-9), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3), The Event at Woodland Stallion Station(CA, A-6), KY Classique H.T. (KY, A-8), Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Fall H.T. (VA, A-2), Silverwood Farm Fall H.T. (WI, A-4)
Events Closing This Week: Applewood Farm YEH/FEH & Modified Eventing (NJ, A-2), Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trial (IA, A-4), Olney Farm H.T. (MD, A-2), River Glen Summer H.T. (TN, A-3), Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (WI, A-4), Millbrook H.T. (NY, A-1)
News and Notes:
“Warm Up Rio” to mark one year until Olympics in 2016! Aquece Rio gets underway in just 24 days which makes the coming Olympics seem that much closer. Running concurrently with the test event, 16 countries will be sending delegations to Olympic Equestrian Center in Deodoro to take part in the Observers Programme. 12 International Technical Officials along with a large team of National Technical Officials will also be attending the event. This CIC2* will feature a cross country course designed by Pierre Michelet, who was responsible for the WEG track in Normandy last year that will test the field of play. The event allows for testing of many other components including scoring, stabling operations, spectator flow and management, and media operations. [Around The Rings]
Eventers take on jump jockeys at Barbury in JCB Champions Challenge. A team of four jump jockeys, took a team of four eventers consisting of Andrew Nicholson, Mark Todd, Tina Cook, and Harry Meade in JCB Champions Challenge at Barbury. The jockey’s team edged out the eventers in the final leg of the challenge to be crowned victors, even after a stewards’ inquiry. The purpose of the JCB Champions Challenge is to raise aid for the Injured Jockey Fund. [Barbury International]
Valegro and Totilas to square off at X. Totilas with rider Matthias Alexander Rath have been named to Germany’s team for the European Dressage Championship next month. Setting into motion a show down of epic dressage proportions. Totilas and Valegro have meet before in 2011 and in 2014, where Totilas reigned supreme. With Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro being current world and Olympic champions, the pair may have the momentum to walk away victorious over their German counterparts. Once Valegro and Totilas enter at “A” on August 12th, we will “C” who will exit on a loose reign, fist pumping. [Horse Talk]
Breyers by the truck load are coming to Kentucky Horse Park! Maybe you’re a little girl at heart with a Breyer horse addiction. Maybe you’re realistic about your annual household income and what it truly costs to own a live horse. Either way you don’t need a reason to enjoy BreyerFest at the Kentucky Horse Park. This is the 26th year for this annual festival celebrating all things horses, both in model form as well as 200 guest horses that will be in attendance. The theme for BreyerFest 2015 is “Vive La France” with a limited edition collectible of a French Ardennais Stallion, Simba, included with each three day ticket purchase. The festival lasts 3 days, July 17-19, and is expected to welcome over 10,000 horse lovers. pKentucky Horse Park]
Tuesday Video:
K.C. Cowles and her own Miss Carlisle won the Open Preliminary C division at The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm I this weekend. Check out her winning cross country ride as they tackle the Loch Moy Monster for a beautiful clear round.
