Everyone I know who’s heading to the American Eventing Championships this weekend is in a world of anxiety right about now, freaking out about training and soundness issues both real and imagined.
I think he looks a little off behind. Does he look a little off to you? No? Look harder!!!
My horse won’t go on the bit anymore! Why won’t it go on the bit?!?!
I’ve already had the farrier out twice this week, and it’s only Tuesday.
Et cetera, et cetera.
So we thought this would be a good time to send out a great big dose of EN karma to all AEC competitors. Good luck everybody, take deep breaths, and two words: Bubble. Wrap.
Entry status, ride times, directions. [Chattahoochee Hills]
Events Opening Today:
“The Event” at Kelly’s Ford (VA, A-2); Paradise Farm H.T. (SC, A-3); Ram Tap Horse Trials (CA, A-6); Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge (KY, A-8)
Events Closing Today:
Stoneleigh-Burnham School Fall H.T. (MA, A-1); Plantation Field H.T. (PA, A-2); Marlborough H.T. (MD, A-2); Poplar Place Farm September H.T. (GA, A-3); Otter Creek Fall H.T. (WI, A-4); Twin Rivers Fall H.T. (CA, A-6); Northwest Equestrian Fall Gala H.T. (WA, A-7); Stone Gate Farm H.T. (OH, A-8)
BTW, the 2013 USEA event calendar has been posted here.
Because eventing isn’t exciting enough, Plantation Field is giving spectators even more reasons to attend its autumn event, to be held September 21-23. Like… cross-country tailgating, a wine tasting area, a jousting demonstration, new shops and food booths, games and activities for the kids and–wait for it–a moonbounce and mechanical bull rides! Best. Event. Ever? [Website]
Horse Husband of the Week: Zara Phillips’ clear Olympic cross-country ride happened to take place on the one-year anniversary of her marriage to Mike Tindall, who said her Olympic silver medal was the best wedding anniversary present they could have received. Awww. [Express.co.uk]
What’s Next for Phillip: The Phillip Dutton Eventing August newsletter is a good read, including a play-by-play from Phillip about what happened in the show jumping in London; a statement about the continuation of Mystery Whisper’s career with owner Arden Wildasin in the tack; and the Dutton Eventing team’s plans for the fall season. [Phillip Dutton Eventing]
The Over 80-Percent Club’s Newest Member: Natasha Baker picked up two gold medals for Great Britain at the Paralympics. Her score of 82.80 percent in the Grade II Freestyle was a personal best and a Paralympic record. [Telegraph]
Best of the Blogs: It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one who lies awake at night fretting about the counter-canter in Prelim Test B. [Tales from a Bad Eventer]
Found on Facebook: From Tamarack Hill Farm, “Dangerous, depressing and defeating MYTH Number One, currently in vogue: ‘In order to do well, you need a string of high class horses.’ I read all these articles about these riders with their herds of owners and horses and farms and grooms and ‘stuff.’ NOT TRUE. You need ONE super horse. One Zenyatta, one Biosthetique Sam, one Manoir de Carneville. You do need to RIDE other horses, to stay sharp, but they can be just horses. Go sifting and sifting to find that RIGHT one, then you can fly.”
Video: The USEA put to together some really neat footage from last year’s AECs, with ride videos and interviews with winners. Check it out: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.
[via US Eventing]
