Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
And just like that, Kentucky entries have officially opened! We can’t wait to see who’s going to come forward for this showcase of top-end equestrian sport: will Magic Michi return to defend his 2022 crown? Will we see a Brit attempt to regain control? Or will we have another US victor for the first time since 2008? Hold onto your hats, folks, because it’s all getting exciting now!
Events Opening Today: Poplar Place April H.T., Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Spring Bay H.T., Unionville H.T. (pending USEF approval), Longleaf Pine H.T., FENCE H.T., Twin Rivers Spring International
Events Closing Today: Ram Tap National H.T., Pine Top Spring H.T., Ocala Winter II, Carolina International CCI & H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
When you think of the riders of USEA’s Stallion of the Year awards, you probably think about factory-line pros. But for Bethany Hutchins-Kristen, whose Geluk HVF won the title in 2022, life is much more of a balancing act. [Meet the winners]
Lauren Spritzer’s weighing in on the social license debate, and as ever, her take is measured, sensible, and opens up the floor for discussion. In it, she presents the point that most people outside our industry don’t actually have a knowledge of the specifics of horse sport — but they do have the capacity to have an emotional response to what they see. That, she argues, isn’t helped by our tendency to ‘eat our young’ on social media, vilifying one another for tiny moments in time that we interpret as we see fit. [Read her thoughts here]
Speaking of social media, it can make us feel like everyone is progressing faster than us. And actually, there are few educational benchmarks for riders, other than, say, moving up a level, which should never be the be-all and end-all anyway. So how can you make sure your education is progressing at the right clip? [Here are some good ideas]
Sponsor Corner:
Eventing season is looming, and if your horse is looking a bit like a broodmare, your stress levels are no doubt rising — how on earth are you going to get this thing eventing fit in time?! Fortunately for you, Kentucky Performance Products has the feeding tips you need for the chubby horse coming into spring, so you and your four-legged best friend will be flying ’round those beefy courses again in no time. [Here’s how to slim down — safely]
Watch This:
There’s nothing I enjoy more than the gentle chaos of the first cross-country school of the year. Join in with Lucy Robinson and ex-racehorse Ember’s first go here:
