This is your sign to head on over to our Instagram page all week long for more sights and sounds from Defender Kentucky. We’ll be bringing you backstage like never before this week through our Instagram Broadcast Channel, which we’re testing out this week. Stop on by and let us know what you’d like to see this week!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ultimate Guide] [Form Guide]
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Horse Park of New Jersey Spring H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Today at Defender Kentucky
Each day this week, we’ll have a general schedule for the day (you can always view the official event schedule for the full roster of events, including demos, here), so be sure to check back in every morning for the latest!
Today at 2 p.m., the First Horse Inspection will take place. It’ll just be the 5* horses (the 4*-S horses will have done in-barn inspections, and will trot up on Sunday morning with the others). Typically, the jog is live streamed on the Kentucky Facebook page. Keep an eye out here for a live video close to 2 p.m.
After that, the cross country course will open to the riders once the Ground Jury has done their final approvals. The riders who compete on Thursday will also head down to Rolex Stadium for ring familiarization, which gives them the opportunity to get their horses into the competition ring ahead of their actual test.
Today, our team will be heading out on cross country to begin gathering photos for our 5* course preview. This year, we’ll be using Impulsion Media to create our course preview video, which will drop on social later this week. CrossCountryApp will also publish a guided preview of the 5* and maps of both courses soon here.
Don’t forget to start studying! Our new and improved Form Guide is ready to help you learn all you need to know about every 5* competitor. Click here to access it. You can find more information in the link list below or in our Ultimate Guide here.
Defender Kentucky (KY): [Website] [Tickets] [Official Schedule] [Entries & Ride Times] [Scoring] [XC Maps – Coming Soon] [ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [USEF Network on ClipMyHorse Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ultimate Guide] [Form Guide]
News & Reading
On May 1, the FEI’s new noseband measuring tool will go into active use. The interpretation of this rule has been a bit fuzzy, and so is the writing of the memo for it, which can be viewed here. It’s a little unclear whether or not every horse will be tested at every FEI competition, but the fact remains that the tool is coming. If you want to test the device out yourself and ensure tightness compliance for your tack, you can now purchase one here.
The USEA has shared some “Fast Facts” about the field at Defender Kentucky this week. Find out what breeds are best-represented, what the average age of the horses is, and more here.
The stretchy circle in a dressage test can be deceptively challenging. How can you manage this movement to not only get a great score, but use it for the benefit of your horse? Practical Horseman has some strategy for you here.
Want to catch up on the latest research about cribbing, but don’t want to sift through all of the academic and research journals to get what you’re looking for? Try this breakdown from TheHorse.com, which has some really fascinating findings from recent studies that could help you think scientifically about managing a cribber.
Video Break
We call this a hype reel!
