Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass battle the rain at The Fork.
By now you know that it rained all day yesterday at The Fork. Samantha Clark said it wasn’t quite as miserable as Southern Pines earlier this year, but yesterday came in a close second. Hats off to the riders, grooms, officials and everyone at the event for keeping their chins up — or down, to help the rain roll off your head — despite truly challenging conditions. The weather is supposed to be beautiful for the rest of the weekend, so I am very much looking forward to bringing you much more coverage from The Fork. The CCI3* dressage continues today at 9 a.m. Check back mid-morning for my first report.
Events This Weekend:
The Fork HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Sporting Days Farm HT: [Website] [Ride Times/Entry Status]
CDCTA Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times/Entry Status]
Chattahoochee Hills HT: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
Spring Bay HT: [Website] [Ride Times/Entry Status]
Your Friday News:
The Fork will feature the new CIC3* format, which places cross country on Sunday, with riders running in reverse order of standing. The USEA posted an excellent virtual course walk, showing each fence from Tremaine Cooper, who is designing the course for the first time this year. [USEA]
Pancho Villa, Boyd Martin’s new Advanced ride, has arrived at his farm in Pennsylvania. Boyd wrote on his blog that Silva really liked the horse: “This must be one of the first times Silva has reported back to me saying I have selected a horse that has real talent for the dressage.” [Boyd Martin]
Zachary Brandt has forged a wonderful partnership with Cavallino Cocktail, the powerful Irish Sport horse mare he purchased in 2010. She helped Zachary, who is on the Eventing 25/Developing Riders list, to a win in the Advanced division at Galway Downs last weekend. [COTH]
Anton “Tony” Bühler, a Swiss Olympic medallist, recently passed away at the age of 90. Hailed as “a father figure of eventing” by the FEI, Tony represented Switzerland at three Olympic Games, won the Swiss national eventing championships six times and competed twice at Badminton. [Horsetalk]
The new Tipperary Eventer Pro 3015 is both ASTM and SEI certified, with features including improved anatomical fit-mobility, increased impact protection and a cut that allows the vest to expand and contract with movement. Look for its launch at Rolex later this month. [Tipperary]
SmartPak Product of the Day: Spending a day in the rain at The Fork has finally convinced me to splurge on some much-needed rain gear. The first item on my list is waterproof rain pants, since nothing is worse than soggy jeans and water dripping down into your boots. These Equine Couture Spinnaker Rain Shell Pants are affordable and will do the job. [SmartPak]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mGYtri_aU4
Pancho Villa, Boyd Martin’s new Advanced horse
