Kimmy Steinbuch and EnVogue 3rd and Marissa Nielsen and Vinetta M 11th. Both horses Double clear xc! From John Michael Durr's Facebook page

Confession time, EN. I love awards dinners. I love awards plaques. Even though I’m perfectly happy buzzing around the Beginner Novice and Novice tracks for the rest of forever, the amount of effort that goes in to the awards at the upper and FEI levels is sometimes enticing.   Pair that with getting fancied up for the jogs and the distinct possibility of being done in TWO days and I find myself daydreaming. Of course, I quickly get to the part of the daydream where I realize exactly how much WORK it would take and I run out of steam. Those of you that have chosen to take it to the upper levels, I salute you. Keep on being the hard working awesome people that you are. I’m gonna keep on slacking, but just remember – that means I’ll probably have time to grab you a bottle of water or hit the concession stand for you.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Morven Park Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm April H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Fleeceworks Fernhill is having a baby, and we want you to guess the due date! We’re teaming up with Fleeceworks to give away a brand new Bamboo Contour Cross Country Pad to the winner of this contest. Entries close on April 5, and you can find more information here. 

Nyquest wins in Florida, establishes himself as the favorite in Kentucky

Immobilized horse prompts emergency response from officials

Police appeal for witnesses after horse is shot in head

Neighbors push back against miniature horse in Chanhassen

FilmRise buys horse documentary ‘Harry and Snowman’

Sunday Video:

It’s in German, but here’s a peek at Michael Jung at home.

Happy Easter. I hate to ask, but... how exactly do you milk a Peep? Photo from Tyler Schrameck's Facebook page

Happy Easter, EN! I’m looking forward to heading out to the barn today and spoiling my pony and myself rotten with Easter candy. The majority of Team DF has been spending the weekend at Twin Rivers doing some prep before next weekend’s event at Galway Downs, so I’ll likely have the whole barn to myself. It sounds like a perfect day to grab a sandwich from the fancy grocery store along with a bag of carrots, some Peeps and jelly beans. I might even have to put on some sunscreen.

Events This Weekend:

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

Stable View Winter II H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Saturday Links:

Does your horse have an inspiring story about coming back from a serious injury or illness? OCD Pellets wants to hear all about it! Send in your rehab to [email protected]for a chance to win an OCD prize pack (2-month supply of OCD Pellets, 1-month supply of COS Canine, and an OCD Pellets hat and T-shirt). Entries close Monday, May 2, 2016, and the story that receives the most views on EN will win. [Contest Details]

Horse to be put down due to injuries sustained in drive-by shooting

Zara Tindall back in action

9-year-old Arkansas boy dies after being trampled by horse

Suspected purse-snatcher chased by man on horseback

Los Zetas Cartel horse racing scheme lands Mexican business man in US Prison

Sunday Video:

All roads lead to rolex. Photo by Samantha Clark

Happy Easter Weekend, EN! I must admit, I am looking forward to Monday for the awesomeness that is half-priced Cadbury Creme Eggs. As if that wasn’t enough, Rolex is right around the corner. Last year saw the start of a new tradition at Rolex, the MSEDA Party at the Park, presented by Park Equine Hospital. This year the event will take place Friday, April 29th, approximately 45 minutes after the final dressage ride of Rolex. The funds raised by the event will be used by MSEDA to help contribute toward worthy charitable projects such as improvements made to the Kentucky Horse Park by the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. Previously, MSEDA supported the new dressage complex at the Kentucky Horse Park, contributing toward a laser level for the maintenance of the rings and improvements ot the barns. Online registration is available now! [More information here]

Events This Weekend:

#2016CI Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Schedule, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Poplar Place Farm CIC & H.T. [Website] [Live Scores] [EN Coverage]

Stable View Winter II H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Saturday Links:

Does your horse have an inspiring story about coming back from a serious injury or illness? OCD Pellets wants to hear all about it! Send in your rehab to [email protected]for a chance to win an OCD prize pack (2-month supply of OCD Pellets, 1-month supply of COS Canine, and an OCD Pellets hat and T-shirt). Entries close Monday, May 2, 2016, and the story that receives the most views on EN will win. [Contest Details]

Oklahoma man and horse shot in drive by shooting

Police horse at the Krispy Kreme drive thru

California Chrome looks to make racing history

Glen Ellen man killed after being crushed by horse trailer

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: Horse racing has come home

Saturday Video:

It’s almost Rolex time!!

Little wet at Woodside Horse Park. Photo from Tayside Sporthorses on Facebook

Rain. Lots and lots of rain. I’m sure you guys on the East Coast are like “Erin, this is no big deal. Water falls from the sky sometimes”, but I can’t begin to stress how apocalyptic this rain has been over the past four days. Yes, we’ve had a few breaks here and there. In fact, yesterday, there was a long enough storm break go for a quick hack before the deluge returned. My windshield wipers finally gave up and started peeling due to how hard they’ve been used recently. On top of that we lost an hour last night. Did you remember to change your clocks? Ugh. Worst. Day. Ever. Fortunately there’s only two more days of the wet stuff and then we’re back to mid-70s. But there’s no getting that hour back until Fall.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Southern Pines H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Schedule] [Live Scores]

Red Hills International CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm March II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Kentucky Equine Research and EN are teaming up to host the Great KER Fitness Challenge this spring! Download the free KER ClockIt Sport app for your phone and record your rides for a chance to win a $100 gift card to shop.kerx.com, an EcoGold Secure XC Saddle Pad, a lesson with your choice of Bruce Davidson, Liz Halliday-Sharp, or Dom or Jimmie Schramm; and feature story about you and your horse on EN. [Contest Details]

Does your horse have an inspiring story about coming back from a serious injury or illness? OCD Pellets wants to hear all about it! Send in your rehab to [email protected] for a chance to win an OCD prize pack (2-month supply of OCD Pellets, 1-month supply of COS Canine, and an OCD Pellets hat and T-shirt). Entries close Monday, May 2, 2016, and the story that receives the most views on EN will win. [Contest Details]

Activist chronicles wild horse roundups to guard against mistreatment

Man hospitalized after horse kick

The weird world of Cheltenham festival

‘War Horse’ closes in Britain but it’s influence gallops on

Horse Girl Georgina Bloomberg tries to make it all about her

Sunday Video:

Our USEF Eventing Team Show Jumping Coach Silvio Mazzoni came to the dark side this weekend and completed Training at Ocala! Photo from Hannah Sue Burnett

One of the big challenges for someone involved in any sort of sporting endeavor is choosing the right coach. On top of having the required knowledge, the teaching style of the coach has to mesh well with your learning style. Also, a good coach absolutely should be able to walk the walk. The USEF Eventing Team’s Show Jumping Coach Silvio Mazzoni is doing just that. Yesterday, Mazzoni competed at Training in the Ocala HT today putting down an impressive 24.3 in Dressage. Even better, the score was obtained on a Show Jumper. The score was good enough to put Silvio in to a close 4th, in very good company. Go Silvio!

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop Farm February H.T. [Results]

Ocala Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Top Intermediate H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Lonely horse forms bond with rescue dog

Horse racing kicks off at Rillito Park today

Take a peek! Oprah buys horse farm in California

Health Alert: Okeechobee County, Florida: Horse tests positive for EIA

Drunk man takes horse on a night time visit to a chip shop in Manchester

How to help a cast horse

Saturday Video:

Treats for your one true love?

Lets hear it for the Grooms! Photo from USEF High Performance Eventing on Facebook

What a weekend – and it’s only Sunday! After the huge success of the Wellington Eventing Showcase this year, I’m even more hopeful that we’ll start to see similar events pop up in other regions of the country. I was especially excited to see the Grooms Awards. Grooms really are such an essential part of keeping a top program running that I feel like we need Grooms Awards at every competition. So much depends on what these dedicated people do. Galway, Poplar and Sporting Days all continue today with guaranteed excitement for riders of all levels. Hopefully you’re off to have some fun as well, EN!

U.S. Weekend Action:

Wellington Final Scores

Poplar Place Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status][Live Scores]

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Deal on New York City’s Horse Carriages Eludes Mayor Bill de Blasio

Skin Grafting Options for Horse Wounds

Officials identify Texas woman hit and killed by truck while riding horse

Need an App for your next long haul? Get ready for some fun horse racing action in Turbo Trot

Old horse Abigail is rescued after icy fall near Slatington

On the market: Horse Properties in Oregon

Sunday Video: The Wellington winner at Fair Hill last year.

Muddy toes. Photo from Stacy Meredith's Facebook page

It’s funny how fast the show season and mud season both just sort of sneak up on you. A solid number of my friends are off at Galway Downs for the season opener. Those of us that stayed home are planning to tinker around at a local jumper show tomorrow. It honestly feels like New Years Day was just last week and now we’re fast approaching Valentine’s Day. Speaking of which, do you think I can convince my husband that new muck boots are actually a romantic gift? There’s nothing that says I love you like ensuring warm, dry feet at the barn.

Daily Wellington Live Stream Links:

Show Jumping at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, Saturday, Feb. 6
Cross-Country at 1:00 p.m., Eastern  Saturday , Feb. 6

Wellington Live Scores

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Poplar Place Farm February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status][Live Scores]

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

California horse that fell in to canyon died during rescue

Kaley Cuoco spent almost $4000 on horse themed wallpaper

Oprah Winfrey buys 28m horse farm at auction

Face of “Oklahoma Heritage Horse” allegedly stolen from pasture

New Mexico succeeds in bid to ban horse slaughter

Managing the anxious horse

Saturday Video: Will we see anything as iconic as this at Wellington this year?