Wednesday News and Notes from MDBarnmaster

From Lesley Law's FB, Liam's school work: From Lesley Law's FB, Liam's school work: "I was a bit depressed about the 60 until I saw two of the other moms were 90 and 118!"

All of a sudden, we swung into summer. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was freezing. Now I’m overheating in my helmet and drinking desparately out of the hose. I know this happens every year, but all the same, I was completely unprepared for the farmer’s tan that immediately cropped up on my arms. So much for avoiding tan lines this year. I never had much of a chance anyways. And yes, I applied sunscreen!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

King Oak Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Jersey Fresh CIC & CCI [Website] [Entry Status]

Plantation Field H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

WindRidge Farm H.T.  [Website]

Mill Creek Pony Club H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Galway Downs Spring H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Winona H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Congratulations to Drew and Jeanna Epping’s Lincoln — our 2015 Rolex Top Dog! Lincoln earned his parents a fancy new Mattes Gold Half-Pad courtesy of our sponsor, World Equestrian Brands. Congratulations, Lincoln! [Top Dog]

Kingfisher Park Equestrian is hosting Clayton Fredericks for a three day clinic. Located in Mooresville, NC, Kingfisher Park Equestrian will utilize their large Future Track arena alongside of their newly constructed cross country schooling area. The clinic will be held on July 31 to August second, and will consist of a day each of dressage, show jumping, and cross country. [Clayton Fredericks Eventing Camp]

Eric Bull finds the challenge of building upper level fences too strong to resist. Eric Bull is known for his jumps all over the country, including building the courses for Plantation Field and Fair Hill. He breaks down the differences in designing for upper versus lower levels, and why it’s the upper level fences that allow him to express more artistically. [The Builder’s Perspective]

Leslie Law turned the big 5-0 yesterday, and didn’t tell us. Horse and Hound fills us in on some quick highlights in the USEF U25 coach’s career. Two Olympics, and Championship, a wife and a baby make the cut. [Everything You Need To Know About Leslie Law]

Brand sponsorships or ambassadorships may be voiding your amateur status. The Legal Equestrian examines this issue in detail, going as far as to reach out to the USEF for clarification. Turns out, receiving any goods in kind for being a brand ambassador will violates the amateur role. In fact, even just representing a brand at all might endanger your status. [The Legal Equestrian]

Eventer Sean McQuillan blogs about the partnership between horse and rider. Sean tried to do the right thing by his young upper level horse while he was grounded for an injury, and sent him off to another professional to keep him going. He feels he underestimated the power of partnership, and by removing himself from the equation, actually thrust his horse into uncertainty. Luckily, they were able to rebuild their trust and continue their upper level career together.  [We Have to Recognize Horses for Their Unique Selves]

This week on the Eventing Radio Show: Rolex Review Continued and Badminton Preview. This week Samantha and Jess talk with Maya Black about her first Rolex experience. Next up is Niklas Bschorer, who is entered for Badminton this weekend. [Eventing Radio Show]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I bought a pair of these last fall during a sale on SmartPak brand items, and all of a sudden I’ve realized that I’m reaching for them over and over as my go-to schooling breeches. The beige pair is the perfect color for schooling or shows, and the wide waistband sits just right. When SmartPak holds one of their sales, the price makes these breeches very attractive for looking smart while schooling. [SmartPak]

Karen O’Connor recently held a clinic in Area IX at the Colorado Horse Park. In the video below, Novice competitor Emma Miller jumps around the water complex during the clinic with her OTTB.