Chinchbombing the Gold Cup winners at the AECs. Photo by Lindsey Kahn
After a long but thankfully uneventful journey back to Minnesota from the land of mouth-watering BBQ, startlingly large spiders, and Texas-sized hospitality, I feel both happy to be home and sad that the AECs are over. The highlights of my weekend include (in no particular order):
- Watching people get chucked around like squeaky dog toys during the mechanical bull-riding competition (check out EN’s Instagram for video evidence)
- Witnessing Avery Klunick’s epic save during Advanced stadium
- Devouring a titanic sushi boat at a local Tyler restaurant
- Chinch-sitting during the competitor’s party
- Meeting and cheering on wonderful people and their horses from all around the nation!
Events Opening Today: River Glen Fall H.T. (TN, A-3), Ocala Horse Properties Fall Event (FL, A-3), Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6), Las Cruces H.T. (NM, A-10)
Events Closing Today: “The Event” at Kelly’s Ford (VA, A-2), The Virginia CCI1*, CIC2* (VA, A-2), Paradise Farm H.T. (SC, A-3), Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6), Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge (KY, A-8), Grass Ridge H.T. (AZ, A-10)
News and Notes:
Germany tops Belgium’s FEI Nations Cup: Hei! Congratulations to Team Germany, which won the most recent leg of the FEI Nations Cup in Belgium with a collective score of 163.2 penalties, followed by Great Britain’s team (180.5) and Team Ireland (214.8). This is the German team’s fifth consecutive win in the Nations Cup series, by the way… Can they go for a sixth win at Boekelo in two weeks? [Horsetalk]
Go Morgans: Anyone who knows me is aware that I am crazy about Morgans, and love seeing them strut their stuff in diverse show rings. Avatar’s Jazzman, a 14.1-hand Morgan, placed third in a Fourth Level Test of Choice class at Dressage at Devon, and will go on to compete in the USDF Championships in Kentucky. In a sport where size, breeding, and money can largely determine one’s success, Jazzman and his rider Lauren Chumley are proving that talent and determination are equally important, if not more. Read their inspiring story here: [NJ.com]
Speaking of “little guys,” check out this OTTB underdog story: Rikim, a retired racehorse, will be making the journey from the Black Hills to Maryland for the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover competition. Dale Simanton, Rikim’s owner and a bona fide cowboy, retrains OTTBs as working ranch horses at his South Dakota facility. Do you think Rikim has a chance at being America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred? [Rapid City Journal]
Share your wisdom, Andrew Nicholson! Burghley hat-trick master Andrew Nicholson will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 International Eventing Forum. The event will feature many eventing professionals, from riders to trainers, and will be held in February at Hartpury College. [Horse & Country]
Video of the Day: In case you missed it, here is Lainey Ashker’s helmet cam from cross-country day at the AECs:
