Kate Chadderton and VS McCuan Civil Liberty checking out the sights during a hack while gearing up for Blenheim. Photo by Kate Chadderton
It seems like forever ago that Kate Chadderton, VS McCuan Civil Liberty and I all climbed aboard Kate’s rig and made the four hour drive to New York City from her base in Woodbine, Maryland. On any given day this would have been no big deal, but last Tuesday was the beginning of a great journey for Kate and Libby as they were heading to compete at Blenheim.
I had the pleasure of joining Kate for the drive to JFK in order to bring her rig home after the precious cargo was dropped off at the VetPort (I’m fairly certain they would not have allowed the rig to be parked in the cell lot for two weeks). It was so much fun seeing the anticipation and excitement in Kate’s eyes as our drive together came to an end, but was totally reassuring as a fellow eventer that dreams can and do come true. Our conversation on the four hour journey bounced from current events in the horse world, to both of our plans for this fall and winter, and then to the roads, traffic, and insane tolls that had to be traversed just to get to JFK. Before I knew it, I was racing back out of the city as fast as I could to beat evening traffic.
While in Europe awaiting competition, Kate is basing herself out of Chris Burton’s yard, which is about an hour outside London in the town of Surrey. Reports on Liberty are good as he gears up for his first competition outside of North America. It is an awesome feeling to be part of this journey, even if I was just the driver. Best of luck to Kate and Liberty this week as they take on one of the biggest three-stars in the world.
Events Opening Today: Rocking Horse Fall H.T. (FL, A-3), Galway Downs International Event & H.T. (CA, A-6), Fresno County Horse Park Combined Test (CA, A-6), Pine Hill Fall H.T. (TX, A-5), The Virginia CCI1*, CIC2* and H.T. (VA, A-2), Full Gallop Farm Fall H.T. (SC, A-3)
Events Closing This Week: Spokane Sport Horse Farm Fall H.T. (WA, A-7), Fair Hill International Three-day Event (MD, A-2), Morven Park Fall H.T. (VA, A-2), Kent School Fall H.T. (CT, A-1), Woodside International Horse Trials (CA, A-6), WindRidge Farm Fall Horse Trials (NC, A-2), Fair Hill International Three-day Event (MD, A-2)
Tuesday News and Notes:
Beezie Madden Joins the Cavalor Team. Last Friday with help from Michael Pollard (Cavalor North America CEO) and her husband John Madden, Beezie announced that she had made the decision to partner with the high-performance equine nutrition company, Cavalor. Madden will be feeding an array for feed and supplements from the Cavalor product range to her horses including Cortes C Coral, Reed Via Volo, and Simon. [Bezzie Madden Joins Forces with Cavalor]
Could the Hunt Field Benefit From Cross Country Jump Safety? Everyone wants this sport and all other equine sports to be as safe as possible. With frangible devices having become common place to aid in the reduction of rotational falls, the desire to also decrease these falls in the hunt field is paramount as well. Existing technologies would not work outside of eventing due to the lack of a grounds crew and the large number of horses and riders jumping one right after the other. Other technologies are in development that wouldn’t require resetting. As new technologies develop, safer jumps may start appearing in the hunt field.
EQUUS Internation Film Festival to Feature “Fork in The Road”. The film “Fork in The Road” is a documentary about Margaret “Gigi” McIntosh and her journey from International Event Rider to International Para-Equestrian. The film features those who have been most infulentail in her career, including Bruce Davidson, Mary Hazzard, Jan Smith, Jane Cory, and Missy and Jessica Ransehousen. The festival will be held in Missoula Montana on September 19th. [EQUUS International Film Festival]
9 Days and Counting to AEC. Returning to Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas, the 2015 USEA American Eventing Championships is now just 9 days away. 15 divisions will be competing for $100,000 in prize money as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes. Volunteers are still needed for the event so be sure to sign up to get involved. [Countdown to AEC]
Jennie Brannigan Keeps Head Down and Works Harder. Jennie updates us in a new blog that picks up from last spring, to being the best alternate she could be at the PanAm Games. She also touches on the loss of a great friend that was there for her when it counted the most. Through the good and the bad, Jennie knows how lucky she is and will keep the faith. [One Step Closer]
USEA Releases Video on Trailer Safety. Together with Virginia Tech, Michigan State, ISELP, and Capitol Productions TV, the USEA has released a video about trailer safety. Dr. Amy Norvall of Virginia Equine imaging instructs viewers on trailer safety. This short video covers horse stress, trip planning, and proper documentation of your horse for traveling among other topics safety topics. [USEA Trailer Safety]
Tuesday Video Break:
It is not often I find a video to put in here that truly inspires. Take the time to watch this mini documentary from start to finish as it will change you as a rider. Prepare yourself to feel every emotion possible as you watch someone so deserving of great success make her way to beyond the “Fork in The Road”.
Cavlor New Product Alert
