Nothing like a sunset ride with your partner in crime in the Virginia countryside. Photo via Amanda Tamminga's Facebook page.
There is not nearly enough rain in the ten day forecast for my preferences, and believe me, we need it. Without it, this may actually be the first Fair Hill in memory that has hard ground. Plantation Field was like concrete, despite the best efforts of the organizers to aerate. I’m not looking forward to a potentially similar run over a CCI course. So please all, send rainy thoughts to the East Coast.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
University of New Hampshire H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Flora Lea Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Surefire H.T. [Website]
Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Sundance Farm H.T. [Website]
Nutrena USEA AEC H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Jump Start H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Alice Dunsdon is trying to complete all six four stars on Fernhill Present. While our very own Colleen Rutledge has completed all five four stars in the northern hemisphere, Alice Dunsdon has set her sight on doing all six in the world. With only Adelaide and Badminton left, Alice has pulled the trigger on the Adelaide trip, and will be navigating the varying layers of quarantine this fall to complete her quest. [Is This a Mad Idea?]
We’ve all had those shows where we just can’t get out of our own heads. Lauren Sprieser recently made her return to the CDI Grand Prix level with her mare Ellegria and had to deal with a change of pace. With no clients and no other horses at Saugerties, Lauren had to figure out a way to work off nervous energy while staying out of her head. [How to Bungle a Horse Show]
Morven Park is looking for a few good men (and women). If you live in the area and like watching cross country, you might as well do it with perks. Morven Park is seeking more volunteers for their fall horse trials, which will features levels up through CIC3*. You can sign up through SignUp Genius. [Volunteer at Morven Park]
This week in Horse & Hound’s Numbers: For all FEI sections run this year, 442 different horses have won them. Of course, with certain horses winning multiple times, that means more FEI divisions have run. [Eventing in Numbers]
UK eventer Chantal Siddle had some unbelievably bad luck last May. Chantal had a heart attack while riding during an event. She fell off, then had four more cardiac arrests, was kicked in the head by the horse, was resuscitated, and underwent heart surgery. After being in a coma for three weeks, she contracted septicaemia and pneumonia. Chantal has now had multiple surgeries to keep her trachea open, but refuses to listen to the doctors who told her she would never ride again. Incredibly, only four months later, she is already competing in dressage shows. [Eventer Makes Incredible Recovery]
SmartPak Product of the Day: Fall is just around the corner and it’s time to make sure all your blankets are ready to go. If you find you’re needing something, you can always turn to the classic Rambo turn-out, an oldie but goodie. [SmartPak]
Check out the jump rounds of the Plantation CIC3* after the stadium phase, thanks to RNS.
