View this post on Instagram
One of my favorite things following an event is seeing the homecoming celebrations for the horses.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that notching up yet another success in the Jung barn is just part and parcel of being, well, Michael Jung, but in a sport with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows – with, at the very least, a kiddie rollercoaster’s worth of ups and downs, and round and rounds, in the middle – it’s so important to celebrate every single win. OK, for Michi Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH that means being crowned German National Champions, but for us mortals, whether you’re going eventing or just riding for fun, remembering to give a big whoop at even the tiniest hint of a win is my number one rule when it comes to horses.
So, big whoops all round, and go eventing!
PS – Becoming German Champion wasn’t the only thing on Michael’s agenda last weekend – he also had his dad/trainer hat on as little Lio Jung made his Luhmühlen debut. I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping this becomes a ‘then and now’ photo recreation in a couple of decades time, when Lio’s following in dad’s footsteps and taking the German title himself. Watch this space!
View this post on Instagram
U.S. Weekend Preview
Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (Barrington Hills, IL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (Leesburg, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, CO) [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Stable View Summer H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Valinor Farm H.T. (Plymouth, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Alnwick Ford International (Northumberland) [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]
International Events
Strzegom Horse Trials & FEI Nations Cup (Poland) [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [FEI YouTube Channel – Free Live Stream] [Scoring]
SemaLease Kilguilkey House International 1 (Ireland) [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Scoring]
Wednesday News and Reading
Our thoughts are with British 5* eventer Louise Harwood, who has suffered serious injuries in a non-riding related accident. We’re sending love to Louise and her family and friends.
With Paris teams incoming, all eyes are on the lucky ones who’ve earned their spot on the most elite of shortlists – like Ireland’s Susie Berry. Susie will be making her Olympic debut this summer, and our very own Tilly talked to her a couple of months ago for a COTH article, before she knew she’d be on the flight to France. Here’s what she had to say about the dizzying prospect of Olympic selection, that’s now a reality.
In a win for equestrianism in the mainstream, the BBC has committed to broadcasting Badminton Horse Trials highlights for the next two years. We all know that watching every second of the entire event on Badminton TV – from the first horse at the Horse Inspection to the winner leaving the ring after their lap of honor – is eventing nerds’ idea of a fun five days, but for those people who enjoy watching a bit of eventing when it’s on the telly, highlights shows like the BBC Badminton one are really important. They give us a chance to show off our sport – and share how special it is – to a wider audience, and who knows, a future eventer may be sat on their sofa, mouth agape at the awesomeness of cross country, plotting ways to convince their parents that riding lessons make the perfect birthday gift.
A new Puissance record has been set – a whopping 2.21m (7ft 3in)! Puissance horses are pretty special entities, particularly those that come out show after show and demonstrate the scope and talent, bravery and bolshiness required for this specialist class, topping the table time after time. Horses like Guy Williams’ Mr Blue Sky UK and Elliott Smith’s Flamboyant III. It’s a class that’s pretty unique, and not just for fact that there’s only a couple of fences to jump, one being the famous – and enormous – big red wall, but in that it’s possible to have multiple victors, as was the case last weekend at Bolesworth International Horse Show. The competition started out with twelve (including Guy’s daughter, Maisy), and as the wall grew, the field was whittled down until, in the final round, Mr Blue Sky UK and Flamboyant III cleared the record-breaking 2.21m behemoth and took the win between them.
Video Break
The FEI have released a new campaign ahead of the Paris Olympics, celebrating the bond between horse and rider – ‘A Bond Like No Other’. This video is just the start, with plans to promote the campaign throughout the Games with the aim of raising awareness of the equestrian Olympic disciplines and highlighting the partnership the human athletes have with their equine teammates. Read more about the campaign here.
“An animal like no other. A sport like no other. A team like no other. Horse & Human … it’s an unbreakable bond of care. A Bond Like No Other. 💜🐴”
