When it’s not ten thousand degrees, Virginia is really nice in the summer. Photo by Julia Reynolds.

We’ve been really lucky here in Virginia this summer, as it’s been pretty mild so far, but this week came in strong with weather in the nineties all week long with no sign of stopping. It’s the kind of week where you get up extra early and hope to god you get all your riding done before midday because either you or the horse will melt otherwise, and if you have a choice, you choose hacking in the woods over riding in the ring. Welcome to (almost) July!

National Holiday: National Sunglasses Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Groton House Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Inavale Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Arrowhead H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. I [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Looking for a last minute entry to a horse trials in July? The Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials will be accepting post entries after Tuesday, June 25 until Tuesday, July 2, with a $50 late fee.  This event boasts a team challenge with levels from Intro through Modified, as well as a town festival, so get your entries in! [Enter Genesee Valley Hunt HT]

Britain is leading the way with increasing punishments for animal abusers. In a move I wish the US would copy, a new bill is set to work it’s way through parliament this week which increases the maximum prison sentence for animal abusers from six months to five years. In creating one of the toughest punishments in Europe for animal abuse, they hope to send the message that it will absolutely not be tolerated at all. [Tougher Sentences for Animal Abuse in England]

Concussions: learn all about them, because as equestrians, it’s something you need to know. According to the US National Library of Medicine, “head and brain injuries are responsible for the majority of serious equestrian injuries and deaths, with the rate of concussion estimated to be between 3% and 91%.” Like all athletes who have suffered a concussion or other serious head injury, failure to report the injury for proper concussion treatment, or immediately returning back to play poses a significant health risk. Unfortunately incorrect knowledge regarding concussions is perpetuated in equestrian sports. [Top 9 Concussion Myths Debunked]

Best of Blogs: It’s Scorching Hot & I’m Questioning My Sanity

Hot on Horse Nation: How A Blind Equestrian is Changing the Game of Show Jumping

Sorry, have you not seen this ridiculous winning ride from Hickstead yet?

Three friends waiting to compete at the Area VII Championships. Photo by Aaron Sonego.

I’ve decided to give my poor baby thoroughbred his nightmare summer: a summer of dressage shows. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s gonna be pretty bummed when he goes to a show and there isn’t jumping and galloping to follow his dressage test. It’s gonna be followed by more dressage tests! That’s what you get though when you have tantrums in the little white box, sir, sorry not sorry.

National Holiday: National Selfie Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Kent School Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Essex H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Surefire Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stable View Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Abbe Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Celebrate summer with an exclusive EN contest!! Summer officially starts on Friday, and we are celebrating the change in season by teaming up with EN’s amazing sponsor World Equestrian Brands to give away the new Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet. This fly sheet has a slew of features to help protect your horse from sun, dirt and pesky insects this summer.[Win This FlySheet!!]

Do whorls really have a correlations with temperament? One Japanese scientist went on a mission to find out. He found that the number and positioning of whorls was highly heritable, meaning that genetics played a huge part in whorls on the forehead of the horse. 81% of the horses had only one whorl, 18% had two whorls, .25% of the horses had three whorls, and only one horse out of the 4845 studied had four whorls. They did not find verifiable evidence of consistent temperaments with whorls though. [Whorl Study for Japanese Horses]

The summer heat is here, and it’s time to start being careful about heat stress with your horse. In order to properly protect your horse against medical distress while working out in the summer heat, it’s important to know the signs of heat stress, and be able to respond appropriately. When in doubt, be smart and don’t do extreme exercise during the worst heat of the day! [Know Heat Stress & What To Do]

Ready for Elisa Wallace’s new mustangs??

Photo of my dog looking like a snack.

Today is National Take Your Dog To Work Day, but as horse riders, a lot of us are really lucky in that EVERY day is take your dog to work day. My dog follows me literally everywhere (OK maybe not the grocery store) and is a total fitness buff from going on trot sets and long hacks every day. Also, his favorite place to go off the farm is Dover, because all of the girls that work there get on the floor and squeeze his little face and tell him how handsome he is.

National Holiday: National Take Your Dog to Work Day

Major Events:

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Kent School Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Essex H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Surefire Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stable View Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Abbe Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The next time somebody tells you that your horse is too small, please refer them to this moment in time when a 14.2 hand pony won the Hickstead Derby. 52 years ago, a pony named Stroller made history by winning the hardest and biggest jumping class in the world, against a ton of bigger and fancier horses. Not only did he win, but he was the only competitor to post a clear round. [Amazing Pony Wins Hickstead Derby]

What do top riders across disciplines say are their best tips for training horses? No, we don’t have caveletti exercises or position tips, but more along the lines of how you control your mindset, be consistent and simple in your training schedule, and gems of wisdom they’ve received from legends in the equestrian world. [Top Tips from Top Riders]

Looking for a steamier life? I have great news for you with the Summer Madness sale from Haygain! Equine respiratory health is a year-round concern for horse owners but the risks can be higher in the summer, due to dust and dry conditions that come with the season. Haygain puts equine respiratory health within reach of more owners this month with the Summer Madness campaign. “Steaming hot” offers include up to $115 in free product and a payment plan enabling installments over six months. [Haygain Summer Madness Sale]

Best of Blogs: Guidelines for Post Show Pouting

A friend of mine recently requested my help in sourcing a young horse, and of course she and I have the exact same type to it’s been both easy and very tempting for me. We both like sporty, short coupled geldings that are ridiculously athletic and maybe a little bit spicy, and sending out feelers to my friends in the racing world has been an exercise in restraint, to say the least. I mean, what would happen to me if I had unlimited financial freedom? I would be a 100% hoarder of horses, that’s what would happen.

National Holiday: National Bourbon Day

Major Events:

Luhmühlen: Website, Entries & Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Aspen Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Honey Run H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Golden Spike H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Valinor Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

England is catching on to the Eventing Grand Prix bug, with Gemma Tattersall and her quirky mare Santiago Bay winning the class at Bolesworth this week. The funny little mare is not without her peculiarities, but Gemma rates her as a top star because she loves the sport so much. The course was designed by Mark Phillips, who seems to have a dab hand at this new sport, and was challenging for all the competitors. [Gemma Tattersall Wins Eventing Grand Prix]

Jonty and Art: the movie?? A film company has expressed interest in the story we all know and love, that of Jonty Evans and his miraculous recovery and love for his crowd funded Olympic partner, Cooley Rorkes Drift. In true style, the film is now applying for more crowd funding, and we support it 100%! [Jonty & Art: The Movie]

Hot on Horse Nation: 7 Ways Riding Changes from Training to Competition: Expectations vs Reality

When you think of Clydesdales, you probably just think of the Budweiser commercials. However, Jessica Crannell-Menard is hoping to change the perception that the breed can only pull a cart. She does a little bit of everything with the breed that she loves, including dressage and jumping, as well as trail obstacles. “We shouldn’t always confuse brilliance with correctness. Just because he might not have the loftiest trot or an explosive canter, doesn’t mean he isn’t a great riding horse.” [Clydesdales FTW]

Why are you like this. Photo of Turkey by me.

I can’t be the only one who obsessively refreshes the official photographer page after an event, especially when I know my horse had some quite, uh, interesting jumps a few times on course. Then, once they’re posted, I maybe buy a few for online use, and then I’m busy obsessively refreshing my email waiting for them to arrive. Am I insane? Maybe. Am I obsessed with my horse? Definitely.

National Holiday: National Strawberry Shortcake Day

Major Events:

Luhmühlen: Website, Entries & Start Times, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Aspen Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Silverwood Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Honey Run H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Golden Spike H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Valinor Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Luhmuhlen kicks off today, and if you wanna watch the live stream, you can watch the whole thing through Horse & Country. Yes, you have to subscribe, but it’s the cost of a fancy coffee, so what are you waiting for? [Watch Luhmuhlen Live]

Do you ever dream of the perfect horse world? A world that is more diverse, a world where trainer certification is standardized, and all horse competition and medical records are recorded and searchable? Well, COTH came up with 15 idealistic proposals for the future of the horse world, and we like them. Which ones can we make come true? [The Perfect Horse World]

Mid Week Self Improvement: 9 Tips To Help You Ride Like Zara Tindall

Blueberry may be retired, but Charlotte DuJardin is still coming for all your gold medals. After a nine-month hiatus from competing, Mount St John Freestyle (weird name tbh) returned under the guidance of Charlotte in a Grand Prix class at Bolesworth International yesterday to score a PB of 80%. The 10-year-old mare is a double bronze medallist from the WEG last year and shows signs of being the next great thing. [Charlotte & Mrs Valegro]

Video of the Day: “Well, it’s better than walking ….”

Nothing like some good post dressage pony love. Photo by JJ Sillman

I say this every year, but I’ve still never been to Bromont. Honesty at this point it just sounds like the weather would be a welcome relief from June in Virginia, not to mention the ridiculously pretty views and the apparently awesome cross country courses. I *almost* went one year and was thwarted by an abscess, so I’m waiting for my next big horse to earn the privilege of the long drive. NO PRESSURE, Turkey.

National Holiday: Best Friends Day

Major Events:

#BromontCCI: Website, Entries, Schedule, Dressage Start Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Plantation Field H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Middleburg H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Queeny Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Balancing riding at the Advanced level with a full time nursing job? No problem for Caitlin Henderson, who is competing in the CCI4*-L this weekend at Bromont with her OTTB Creative Dreamer. Based in Michingan, Caitlin trains with her mother Cathy who runs Henderson Equestrian Services in Pinckney. She credits a lot of her focus on training her horse with her experiences with intercollegiate soccer, and balances her work life efficiently to do the best job she can. [Balancing Nursing with Advanced Eventing]

What to do with the horse you can’t sell: keep it and kick butt! Samantha Erwin met her mare Adora four years ago, and was unsuccessful at selling her due to her penchant for bucking and refusing to jump when clients came to try her. Samantha lives in North Carolina and is a postdoctoral research scholar at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where her focus is on antibiotic resistance. She is also now winning at the Preliminary level with the mare that was un-sellable! [Horses Are Always Worth The Effort]

Going to a competition this weekend? Nevermind the actual event, you gotta prepare for Monday too! Yes your horse needs to rest and recuperate, but you do too! Luckily Horse Nation compiled a list of must-do recovery activities to rejuvenate you after a weekend of hard work. [5 Post Horse Show Rituals You Need]

Midweek motivation from Taylor Harris Insurance Services FB page.

Ok quick rant time: when did show jumping warmup in the lower levels become such a maniacal time? I’ve been away from the lower levels for a hot second, and I’m surprised that Training level is a situation where I need to bring 1-2 people with me to the ring in order to have a jump that I can use that isn’t being owned by another rider. I learned my lesson at VHT, and this weekend I’ll be sure to bring a helper, but PSA to everyone out there, please be nice and share your jumps with me even though I don’t have a ground crew following me around!

National Holiday: National Yo Yo Day

Major Events:

#BromontCCI: Website, Entries, Schedule, Dressage Start Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Plantation Field H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Middleburg H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Queeny Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Hey friends across the pond, are you heading to Bramham this weekend? If you’re not already planning on attending the 2019 Equi-Trek Bramham Three Day Event, clear your schedule because it’s a bucket list item. With both senior and under-25 divisions of the CCI4*-L, the event boasts some of the biggest names in Eventing in the world. [8 Reasons to Go to Bramham]

We love hearing Mark Todd tell us about the happy retirement of his longtime partner, NZB Campino. “Kinky” as he is known around the barn, has stepped away from competition at the age of 17, but remains in Mark’s yard enjoying his retirement by being pampered out of his mind. A quirky boy but highly successful with several FEI wins on his record, Kinky is definitely one for the record books. [Mark Todd Reflects on Olympic Partner]

With no Triple Crown in sight this year, the Belmont Stakes is a wide open field with a big win at stake. Ten top class contenders will duke it out this Saturday, and my pick is Everfast for three reasons. He just had a great Preakness with a second place, he’s got a good inside post position, and also he has a perfect name for racing. [Belmont Stats & Odds]

Best of Blogs: Minding the Rider’s Body & Mind

ALL the jogs from Bromont from The Horse Pesterer!

Timmmay! Photo courtesy of Will Coleman Equestrian.

Well, it’s basically June now, and Virginia has officially reached wake-up-at-5-a.m.-or-boil-to-death status, AKA the summer death zone. Non horse people always ask me how I survive when it’s truly terrible hot outside, and my advice is to wake up incredibly early, drink a TON of water, take electrolyte pills, and also NEVER go inside to the AC until you’re done with your day, because you’ll never ever ever want to come back out.

National Holiday: National Smile Day

Major Events:

Tattersalls: Website, Entries and Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Poplar Place Farm June H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

IEA H.T. & Classic 3DE [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Colorado Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

GMHA June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

NJ Region H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Waredaca H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Ocala Summer I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe: 

Starting tomorrow, new SafeSport policies go into place protecting minors in our sport. The USEF has released several clarifications, this one particularly about conduct on social media. With the advent of social media, interactions between coaches and young riders has changed, and specific policies are in place to make sure everyone understands where the line is these days. Yes, you can be friends on Facebook with your young students, but you cannot have any texts or direct messages with them privately without the presence of another adult. [SafeSport MAAP Clarification for Social Media Conduct]

Poplar Place Farm is looking for volunteers this weekend! They’re hosting the Area III Championships and could use some friendly faces around the cross country as jump judges. If you are a member of Area III Young Riders OR a college eventing team, Poplar Place Farm will donate $10/hr PER VOLUNTEER to your team. You can sign up at www.eventingvolunteers.com.

Horse people love horsey things in their weddings, but what if you can’t fit an actual equine into the ceremony? Don’t you worry, there are lots of neat little ideas in this article on how to include a horsey touch in your big day, without actually inviting Clyde down the aisle. From horse stationary and horse cake toppings, to getting married in a literal barn, we’ve got your Pinterest board sorted. [Genius Horsey Wedding Ideas]

We all know the Queen of England is a long time horse lover, and has always had an interest in horse racing with her own stable of equine athletes. But how successful is she? Turns out, pretty successful over her 31-year racing career. The 534 wins she has achieved as an owner in 3,205 runs, on the flat or over jumps, have netted her £7,768,448 in winnings. Not too shabby at all. [Queen Elizabeth’s Racing Stable]

Best of Blogs: How Being A Perfectionist Made Me A Better Rider

Eat your heart out, George Morris. Photo by Kate Samuels.

I’m not usually susceptible to this kind of thing, as I must not be very tasty, but holy hell I got eaten ALIVE this week by bugs of all kinds. I have huge itchy bug bites on the very worst parts of my body, and I cannot control myself. I’m having a flashback to when I was a kid with chicken pox and nobody could stop me from scratching. I’ve been using the horse steroidal anti-itch cream, and I’m still a mess. Tight riding pants are NOT great. Please send help.

National Holiday: Mint Julep Day

Major Events:

Tattersalls: Website, Entries and Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Poplar Place Farm June H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

IEA H.T. & Classic 3DE [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Colorado Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

GMHA June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

NJ Region H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Waredaca H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Ocala Summer I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe: 

Accuracy in your approach to a jump is imperative for all levels of Eventing. No, we’re not even talking about what distance you get to the jump, but more about how you can choose and hold a line, and keep your horse between your aids. Jonty Evans recently taught an arena cross country clinic, and gave us all some quick and easy tips to think about for improving your approaches to fences. [Jonty Evans’ Top Tips For Jumping]

So you’ve gotten your horse to the show in his prime condition, but how do you maximize his recovery after an event? Your warmup is incredibly important, not only in how you practice for your test or your round, but how you physically warm up the muscles, and increase elasticity with the tendons and ligaments to prevent injury. When cooling down, you want to throw water on them and scrape it off, and if necessary, hand walk until their heart rate and respiration have come down. There is no down side to offering water, and sometimes electrolyte supplementation is a good idea too. [Sensible Recovery Strategies for Equine Athletes]

The USEF has released a clarification for the CBD drug testing rule. While many of us thought this was a new rule, apparently it is not. According to the USEF, this rule has been in place for a long while, but has not always been strictly enforced, due to their inability to test for CBD reliably. When it became clear to them that it was being used more frequently for performance enhancing purposes, they developed better testing and decided to remind the public not to use CBD on competing horses. [USEF Clarifies CBD Rule]

Poplar Place Farm is looking for volunteers this weekend! They’re hosting the Area III Championships and could use some friendly faces around the cross country as jump judges. If you are a member of Area III Young Riders OR a college eventing team, Poplar Place Farm will donate $10/he PER VOLUNTEER to your team. You can sign up at www.eventingvolunteers.com.

Video: Spotted on the May-Daze at the Park H.T Beginner Novice cross country course … Jumper Nation editor Meagan DeLisle!

Happy and fashionable at VHT! Photo by Skyeler Voss

Good thing it’s National Road Trip Day, as I’m road tripping for a short time right down to the Virginia Horse Trials to meet all my friends. With one dog and one pony in tow, it will be a pretty relaxed weekend for me, and I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully the pony behaves and steps up to the plate, and hopefully the doggo is a good boi as well. Fingers crossed for everyone to have a fabulous weekend and for nobody to get heatstroke in the 90* weather.

National Holiday: National Road Trip Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Virginia Horse Trials International & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Spring Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Coconino Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Maryland Horse Trials FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Thirty-eight-year-old Piggy French fought long and hard for her win at Badminton this year. After trying the level many many times, and suffering a double disappointment blow right before the London Olympics, Piggy almost had given up, and was deep in a pit of despair. However, during her vacation from riding due to pregnancy, she watched loads of other top riders in their barns, and drew a deep breath, and kept on. For a story of inspiration and determination, go no further. [How Piggy Fought Back]

Absolute Best of Blogs: Jim Wofford: Glorious Uncertainty

If you loved watching Ben Hobday beast around Badminton on the Wiz Kid, you’ll love all these cobs kicking butt. While they might not be as sporty looking as their Thoroughbred or Warmblood counterparts, a good draft cross can do anything with style. They’re known as steady-eddies, but they can jump a big fence, do fancy dressage, gallop, and look cute as hell while doing so. [22 Cobs That Break the Mold]

Aoife Clark is definitely superhuman. Now she can add super-mom to her resume, as she finished in third place in an Open Intermediate division at Tweseldown just TWO weeks after giving birth to her son, Patrick. I mean, really. C’mon Aoife. [Top Rider On Podium Two Weeks After Having Baby]

A summer outfit for chubby boys. Photo by JJ Sillman.

I’m getting excited for the Virginia Horse Trials this weekend, my most local event, and the horse center where I grew up learning to love eventing. I did my very first unrecognized three-phase events there, and have pictures of me and my best friend Natasha tearing around the cross country on our ponies when we were about 10. I had two ponies, one named Hershey who I bought for five dollars because nobody could catch her, and the other one Natasha rode, who’s name was Moonstar. Moonstar came from the wild herd of spanish ponies in North Carolina, and my parents got me for her as a yearling. When I was seven. It was a real education, but she was a B.A. pony!

National Holiday: National Lucky Penny Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Virginia Horse Trials International & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

*CANCELLED* Willow Draw Charity Show [Website]

The Spring Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Coconino Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Maryland Horse Trials FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Still confused by SafeSport? If you were one of the many who were befuddled by the SafeSport training protocols, you’ll be happy to know that anybody who takes them after April 15th will now have a modified single format training session. In addition to that, beginning on the 1st of June, we now have new policies called the USEF Minor Athlete Abuse Policies to look over in the updated regulations. [Addition of MAAP to SafesSport]

The OTTB: an excellent sporthorse! Thoroughbreds off the track are intelligent, athletic and know how to do a job, and they can be incredible partners for the right sport and the right rider. However, they’re not for everyone. If you’re endeavoring to buy your first OTTB, pair up with somebody who is familiar with retraining them in the right way, and also read this article on considerations moving forward. [Buying an Ex-Racehorse: What You Need To Know]

No hoof, no horse, so they say. They’re right really, and a good-hooved horse can make your life ten million times easier than one with not so great feet. With factors like genetics, farrier care, environment, and diet, there are ways to increase your chances of keeping your horse’s hooves happy and healthy for their entire life. Not surprisingly, the first advice from experts is to buy or breed a horse with good feet to start with, but when you can’t have that, there are definitely steps to take to help the other ones too. [How To Keep Healthy Hooves]

Best of Blogs: 6 Things Not To Say To Your Instructor

Hot on Horse Nation: Freakness At The Preakness: Running of the Urinals

We live for Budweiser ads, the British live for Lloyds ads:

MORE foal photos you say? You’re welcome. Photo by Steve Joyce.

I’m just keeping this foal photo theme going, because also this story is great. This little guy is named Andy, and he was born on Badminton Sunday this year, bred by Cabin White Farm in Greensboro, NC. Andy’s official name is Cabin Minister (by Cabin Master out of Milliondollar Moon) carries the Debuty Minister bloodlines, and is named Andy because Andrew Nicholson came 5th on that same day at Badminton riding Swallow Springs, who also carries Deputy Minister in his bloodlines!

National Holiday: National Endangered Species Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Otter Creek Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fair Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spring Gulch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Valegro was busy last week at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last week. Not only did he meet the Queen, but he shared some snacks with social media sensation, Teddy the Shetland. If you don’t already follow Teddy on Instagram, please get on that immediately. Teddy is a three-year-old miniature Shetland gelding, and Valegro’s groom Alan Davies spent 45 minutes letting the two of them get to know one another. Painful cuteness ensued. [When Valegro Met Teddy]

Good manners in the cross-ties can make your experiences with your horse 100 times better, and bad manners can really ruin your day. How do you teach a young horse to stand quietly, and even harder, how do you correct bad habits once they’ve already learned them? In this article, we learn techniques and timing for rewarding moments of relaxation and creating a positive and calm environment. [How Do I Teach My Horse To Cross Tie Quietly?]

What do you do with a hot, unmanageable, accident-prone, quirky small brown OTTB mare that everyone else thought should be euthanized? If you’re Courtney Sendak, you didn’t really want her in the first place, but you have a good friend who secretly stowed her in a stall in your barn, and said “you’ll thank me later.” While she cursed her friend’s name for several years, and has endured an almost comical amount of strange and unnecessary injuries incurred in the field, Kiss Prints is finally competing at the Intermediate level with great style and success. [Back from the Brink: DGE Kiss Prints & Courtney Sendak]

Hot on Horse Nation: Barn Fitness With a Twist

Whitney Weston’s CCI5* mare Rock on Rose with her second foal!!! Photo by Whitney.

Today might be National Sea Monkey Day, but for me, it’s national Love Your Farrier Day. I texted my farrier on Monday about a big ole’ crack in Turkey’s glue on shoe up front, and said I was worried it wouldn’t make it to Friday, when he was scheduled to come. I have a jump lesson today and I was worried I would get halfway through the jump lesson only to have it crack off and ruin my life. God bless a good farrier, he came at the end of his day at 8 p.m. last night just to redo the two front shoes, and the lights and power failed halfway through, so he finished with a head lamp. Needless to say, I brought him an entire pizza and a six pack of beer to show my appreciation.

National Holiday: National Sea Monkey Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Otter Creek Spring H.T. [Website]  [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Fair Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spring Gulch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Zara Tindall is ready to return to the highest levels of the sport after a year’s maternity leave. The former European and World Champion is entered at Luhmühlen with Judith Luff’s Watkins, who is making his 5* debut after spending 2018 with Tom McEwan while Zara had her second daughter, Lena. [Zara Tindall Amongst Top Competitors for Luhmuhlen]

Oh the horror joy of buying a new horse! Rife with struggles and risks, buying a new horse is a big risk for experienced professionals and amateur owners alike. What do you look for? How do you decide if this horse is the one for you? Horse & Hound has compiled the ultimate list for you, from start to finish: how to select horses to view, how to do trial rides, what to avoid, what to ask for on a pre-purchase, payment, and what to do when your new horse gets home. [The Ultimate Horse Buying Guide]

International eventer and popular clinician Eric Smiley has a new book called Two Brains, One Aim. Horse Nation was lucky enough to read it and publish a short excerpt on how we warm up our horses, and whether or not it’s supporting what we’re trying to teach them. “To help horses learn and achieve, you must know what you want and how you can explain it to them. We have always been taught that horses learn by repetition, but I am not sure people always understand the hows and whys of this statement. Just doing something often does not, in itself, make it better. It is only when a task is done well and done often that it becomes good. This is called a conditioned reflex.” [Two Brains, One Aim]

Best of Blogs: Hitting Moving Targets

Blueberry meets The Queen! Photo courtesy of Charlotte Dujardin.

You know a dressage horse is a real superstar when even eventing folks follow him after retirement. Blueberry, the horse of all our dreams, not only stunned us in the competition arena, but seems to have just the coolest dude personality of all time, and although he has retired, he still gets plenty of action, including meeting the Queen this week!

National Holiday: National Shrimp Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Jersey Fresh CCI [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Winona H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Mill Creek Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

2019 marked the end of an era: the 28 years of Mitsubishi Motors sponsorship ended for Badminton Horse Trials. Remember when they jumped the two truck beds on cross country? I remember watching VHS tapes of Badminton when I was a kid and thinking truck beds were just the coolest freaking thing. Horse & Hound gathered eleven amazing photos of Badminton throughout the ages just to give you all the feels. [End of an Era: Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials]

We know about corrective shoeing for horses, but what about giraffes? A baby giraffe born at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle was diagnosed with hyperextended hind fetlocks shortly after his birth. He was fitted with casts for both hind legs, and some custom shoes were created for him as well to help him grow properly. [Equine Therapeutic Farrier Technique Used for Baby Giraffe]

Laminitis is an incredibly painful hoof disease that can be difficult to treat with regular western medicine. New studies have shown that acupuncture can be a new and extremely effective  treatment to help mitigate the discomfort and lameness from laminitis. Kevin May, DVM, used dry needling, hemo-acupuncture, and aqua-acupuncture, and treated a dozen horses twice one week apart. With the help of veterinary lameness exams before and after each acupuncture treatment, May was able to show that the horses shows significantly less lameness after each treatment. [Acupuncture for Chronic Laminitis]

The use of lasix and other drugs in horse racing has always been a hot issue. One horsewoman and vet is on a mission to breed lasix free racehorses, and also rescue OTTB’s. Whether or not lasix should be banned in North American horse racing is a question that has been begging to be answered ever since the Stronach Group announced their plans to phase out lasix. The announcement by the Stronach Group has been followed up with a coalition of 20 tracks forming to phase out lasix and completely eliminate the use of it in stakes races by 2021. [Kathryn Papp Is Breeding Lasix Free Racehorses]

Living his best chubby boi life. Photo by Kate Samuels.

So, my big horse Nyls is retired from competition, but I still ride him every day. My neighbor has a few thousand acres with trails maintained by the hunt club, so we spend every day adventuring around and doing whatever we want. He’s moved to the full time snackamore life, and the rule is that he’s allowed to eat as long as it doesn’t impede our progress in the direction or speed that I’ve chosen. In my mind, I was imagining more like while you’re walking you can grab a bite or so, but no no, ever the overachiever, he’s moved on to fully trotting while grazing, and yesterday he tried to graze while CANTERING up a hill. Do you know how hard that is??! Talent doesn’t fade with age, ladies and gents, it just develops in other directions.

National Holiday: Butterscotch Brownie Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Jersey Fresh CCI [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spokane Sport Horse Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

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

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Winona H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Mill Creek Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

We’ve had our first CCI5* and now this weekend is the first CCI4*-L of the year at Jersey Fresh. There are 133 combinations entered in the four divisions available, and both the CCI4*-L and the CCI3*-L are serving as selection trials for the Pan American Games later this year. Captain Mark Phillips is returning as the cross country course designer as well as Chris Barnard for the show jumping design. [Fast Facts JFI 2019]

Badminton director Hugh Thomas has elected to retire from his position this year. Hugh has been the steward director of the infamous event for 31 years, and will be in charge of finding and training his successor. Hugh not only competed to the highest levels himself including the Olympic games, but was both director and course designer until 2013. 2019 marks the end of an era, with the departure of both Hugh and Mitsubishi Motors as the presenting sponsor. [Hugh Thomas Retires from Badminton]

What do top riders look for when purchasing an event horse? Outside of a good record, there are several things that make a good event horse, regardless of experience or expectations for the future. Conformation is slightly subjective, but temperament is not and across the board the riders look for a careful and natural jumper. [What to Look for in an Eventer]

Hot on Horse Nation: Race Horse To Ranch Horse: Positive Associations

Tom McEwen and TOLEDO DE KERSER during the dressage phase, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, Gloucestershire, 2019

Badminton, already….man! If there are still people out there saying that Event horses can’t do dressage, please go find them and make them watch some of the tests from the recent CCI5* events. I mean honestly, every time I watch this level I’m astounded at how well those horses are trained, because not only are they blowing me away on the flat, but I know exactly how well they are trained in the other phases. In fact, Event horses are super horses. Name another discipline that has to master so many things, I’ll wait.

National Holiday: National Lumpy Rug Day

Major Weekend Events:

#MMBHT: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, Dressage Timetable, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Course Preview, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Olympic jumping legend, Ian Millar, aka Captain Canada, announced this week his retirement from international competition. At 72, with over four decades of competition at the highest levels of show jumping, Ian has decided to slow down a bit and focus on young horses and riders, as well as coaching. Ian has been to a record breaking 10 Olympic Games representing Canada from 1972-2012. All hail Captain Canada! [Ian Millar Retires]

Your first five-star is a feeling like no other, but your first Badminton is a whole experience in itself. Badminton has an astounding 23 first-timers this year, most of whom grew up watching Badminton as children both on the television and in person. Each finisher from yesterday’s dressage was asked a few questions, including what they think will be their favorite part, and what they’ll eat for breakfast on Saturday. Obviously, all of them say that the last fence on cross country will be their favorite part, and one brave girl is going to eat cake for breakfast before the biggest challenge of her life. [Badminton First Timers]

Speaking of Badminton, what are the top British riders thinking about the course this year? H&H spoke to Pippa Funnell, Tina Cook, and Nicola Wilson amongst others to get their views on Saturday’s challenge. The general consensus is that footwork is going to be very important, as well as picking a distance and committing to it, as some of the combinations are open to interpretation. Can’t wait to see the action! [Thoughts on Badminton XC]

Jonty Evans is excited to return to Tattersalls one year after his life changing accident on cross country. Nope, he’s not competing, he’s signed up to do the live commentary! Jonty says that despite the accident in last year’s CCI4* with Cooley Rourke’s Drift, he has excellent memories of the event, and loves the venue. In fact, he doesn’t remember the accident at all, and was in a coma for six weeks afterwards, so he only carries fond thoughts for Tattersalls and is delighted to return. This man is a superhuman of positive thought! [Jonty Evans Returns to Tattersalls]

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Everyone thinks that the most exciting part of the three-day event is the cross country phase, and it certainly gives me more heart palpitations than the most recent episode of Game of Thrones, but I also really enjoy the jogs. More ridiculous things can happen at the jogs than you think, and the first one is always the most exciting with very fit and spooky horses. Normal people would look at our five-star horses spooking at the flowers and leaping and rearing and wonder how they ever get through all three phases, but we just recognize it’s normal. Anyway, please enjoy Tim Price’s impersonation of a starfish.

National Holiday: National (Horse) Life Insurance Day

Major Weekend Events:

#MMBHT: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, Dressage Timetable, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Course Preview, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Speaking of jogs…You’ve seen EN’s Unofficial Jog Awards, but have you seen the ones from H&H? Can you tell I’m obsessed with jog photos? [Horse & Hound Badminton First Jog Photos]

Many riders in the US have been outspoken in their distaste for the new FEI flag rule, and now William Fox-Pitt is adding his voice. On Monday, he wrote to the FEI eventing committee to say he understands its position regarding the clarifications of the rule.“As I have repeatedly stated I do not feel that this deals with the central issue at stake and my additions, which are the result of extensive consultation with riders from around the world, have not been incorporated,” he said. “Regrettably, as the rider representative I am unable to support the statement regarding the clarification.” Unfortunately, a full change to an FEI rule is impossible mid-way through a season, but it remains a point of contention. [WFP versus FEI Flag Rule]

Would you bet against Oliver Townend at Badminton? Because Equiratings wouldn’t. According to their new predictive program, Ollie and Cillnabradden Evo have a 10% chance of winning, an 15% chance of landing in the top three, and a 22% chance of being in the top 10. Using the latest SAP predictive analytics technology, the EquiRatings team has designed a statistical model that calculates the likely outcomes of major events before and during every competition. After each phase, it simulates every combination’s score at that event 10,000 times, exploring every plausible outcome. MATH!! [Equiratings Predicts Badminton Results]

Unfortunately, Whidbey Island Horse Trials is cancelled for this year. While the organization of this event does lease 50 acres to run the event, they also use adjacent farmland for the stabling and cross country courses, but were not able to secure it for this year. They have plans to run an unrecognized on the same weekend, and hope to secure more permanent facilities for 2020. [Whidbey Island HT Cancelled]

What better way to celebrate National (Horse) Life Insurance Day than protecting your horse with THIS? Ok, so I made up the bit about horses, but honestly you were all thinking it anyway. In fact, I’m pretty sure our horses get more insurance than we do, so it seems right. You can get life insurance plus other custom additions to your policy through Taylor Harris Insurance Services, and best of all, you can request a quote while you sip on your morning coffee right now and watch Badminton dressage. [Request a Quote from THIS]

Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Have you ever wanted to own not one, but two CCI5* horses? We have some exciting news for you from Caroline Martin Eventing! Caroline exclusively revealed to EN yesterday that she is forming a very special syndicate with Danger Mouse, Islandwood Captain Jack and Cristiano Z with the opportunity to buy a piece of each horse at a group price. Offering a very affordable investment price, Caroline is hoping to take these three horses to the very top of the U.S. eventing scene, and compete at the Pan Ams in Lima as well as the Tokyo Olympics. With two horses at Kentucky this weekend, Caroline is definitely a competitor for the future of our country, and this provides an amazing opportunity to get in on the action. [Team Living the Dream Syndicate]

National Holiday: DRESSAGE DAY TWO

Major Events:

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

St. John’s H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

As EN tradition dictates, it’s time to read “Dandelions in the Park” again. Originally published in 2012, this essay’s relevance has remained intact over the years. On the eve of this year’s event, we thought it appropriate to re-share as a reminder that this collective experience we know as Kentucky is much bigger, and more complex, than we sometimes give it credit for. [Dandelions in the Park]

I know it’s still Kentucky week, but don’t you want to also fantasize about Badminton already? Check out this awesome course walk of the 2019 Badminton cross country course with World Champion Ros Canter. She also finished 3rd and 5th at Badminton the past two years, so I feel like she’s probably a pretty good judge of the course. [Walk Badminton with Ros Canter]

Is it possible that some horses prefer women over men? Often we hear the phrase “a woman’s horse” and it usually refers to an animal that has been roughly handled (presumably by men) in the past and prefers the other gender of human. Science doesn’t exactly agree, but concedes that horses have the ability to form long lasting memories based on experiences and relationships with humans, and might tend to prefer certain personalities over others. [Do Horses Care About Gender?]

Relive Felix Vogg’s day one winning test:

I’m always a sucker for a cute photo like this. Photo by JJ Sillman.

Tis the day for….Stressage! Hopefully not too much stress, and more dress, fingers crossed. Today we have nineteen of our horses and riders competing in the first phase, and a nice combination of fresh faces as well as experienced pairs. Who will lead the press conference at the end of the day? Only time will tell, so stay tuned to EN for updates and photos all day!

National Holiday: DRESSAGE DAY ONE

Major Events:

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

St. John’s H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

New to Eventing and curious about this whole “horse inspection” thing? Required at all FEI events, the horse inspections are mandatory before the start of the event, and for long format events, the day after the cross country phase. While the horses and the riders do get incredibly dressed up and look amazing, the jogs are an important part of ensuring the safety and health of the horse before it enters into the challenging physical events of the next few days. [All About Horse Inspections]

Let’s talk about Boyd Martin’s fitness program. Nope, I’m not talking about how he gets his horse ready on the gallops, I’m talking about how he stretches it out to be nice and flexible for all the work he’s going to do this weekend. Boyd calls it “lazy man’s yoga”, but in reality it’s a series of intense supervised stretches that help him stay limber despite being half a titanium man at this point. [An Amateur Works Out with Boyd Martin]

Need some new listening material for your trot sets? Tune in to the new horse podcast “Turnout”! The brainchild of Carleigh Fedorka and John Wilkinson, this podcast brings together everything from the wide edges of the horse world including scientific exploration of veterinary studies, interviews with experts within the horse world, discussions on training methods, and insight into the horse industry. This is a podcast to check out, and their debut episode has just hit the air in time for Kentucky 5*! [Turnout Podcast]

Wembley looking very dashing about to pop on a plane to Badminton! Photo by Tamie Smith.

You know one of the only advantages of winter? The fact that it’s the only time of year where my entire body is kinda one color. Now, its a few weeks into April, and I’m already two vastly different colors. Arms and neck and head? Tan as heck. Everything else? Casper level pale. It’s literally not even summer and the difference between the two is already basically impossible to fix. Le sigh.

National Holiday:  National Animal Crackers Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fair Hill CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Holly Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

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

River Glen H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The famous annual Area II Young Riders benefit online auction is up and running! Widely popular, most of the Area’s professionals support the fundraising effort by donating many lessons and coaching packages – it’s a great way to start off your season. This year the auction is featuring two donated lessons by eventing legend Mike Plumb; complete spring veterinary services by Southern Pines Equine, valued at $700; a custom equine logo designed by Wow Graphic Design; the perennial favorite, a lesson on 5* event horse UN, by her owner Jane Sleeper; foxhunting cap fees, a $250 Sagmae gift certificate, donations by Farmhouse Tack, Goode Rider, Banixx Horse & Pet, and many more items. Bidding is easy, anyone can register on the website, and the auction offers quick and easy payment by PayPal with credit cards. It ends Tuesday after Landrover Kentucky Three Day Event, on April 30, at 8 p.m. Get your bids in early and avoid the Tuesday night frenzy! [Area II Auction Bonanza] Also taking more donations this week! [Donate Your Services]

As we draw closer to Badminton, withdrawals are showing up more and more. Ceylor LAN, the 2016 Rio Olympics ride of Kitty King, has been withdrawn from Badminton following a diagnoses of significant gastric ulcers. After spooking so badly that he was eliminated in the showjumping at Belton, he was taken home and scoped, discovering the ulcers. Luckily this is treatable with medication and time, but he won’t be seen at Badminton. [Olympic Horse Withdraws from Badminton]

What does a retired champion jockey do with his free time? Race camels, because why not? Former champion jockey AP McCoy will be showjumping and racing camels on Good Friday as part of the Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day. Honestly, if you’re anywhere near that please send me videos and photos. [AP McCoy Racing Camels]

Taylor Harris Insurance Services is your number one choice for protecting your horse. Why, you ask? Because THIS is a company deeply invested in your success, and created by horse people who understand your needs. Not only does THIS support Eventing at the highest levels, but they support riders of all ages and levels from the bottom up. You can request a quote today while you drink your morning coffee. [Request a Quote]

How else do horse people announce they are expecting? Photo by Zozo Photography.

This adorable photo was sent to us by a reader, who says it is her veterinarian pictured in their pregnancy announcement and she couldn’t resist the cute. Dr. Michelle McCashin is an avid eventer and fox hunter, and her husband Sean McCashin (an avid horse show husband) posted the perfect picture to announce their pregnancy. They are due this October and all of Mocksville can’t wait, to buy her (or him) a pony!

National Holiday: National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times][Live Stream] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

FENCE H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Trying to stalk Michael Jung with his new ride Chipmunk? Yeah, us too. He’s slated to make his competition debut with the exciting new-to-him mount in Kreuth this weekend in the CCI2*-S. I think he’s trying to fly under the radar with a small competition, but we’ve got your number Miche. Check the scores here! [Stalk Michael Jung & Chipmunk]

Ah, the exciting and mysterious magic of breeding your own superstar. Breeding can be an expensive business so ensuring that all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place can take time and require plenty of research to get the foal of your dreams. You’ve probably got the mare, and now you have to select the stallion, but how do you possibly narrow it down? Horse & Hound has some top five categories to use to rate every stallion for your exact purposes. [Breeding Puzzle: 5 Factors to Determine a Good Stallion]

Speaking of keeping track of important people, get to know Chris Talley and Unmarked Bills intimately as we follow them to their first Kentucky CCI5*. I’ll admit, it’s my personal favorite pair, as I referred Chris to Billy after seeing him on the track and realizing I wasn’t a good person to do sales. The sale never quite happened, and four years later, I’m cheering loudly from the sidelines as this fantastic thoroughbred and his fashionable parter Chris tackle the biggest challenge of their lives yet. [Lexington Lead Up: Chris Talley & Unmarked Bills]

Hot on Horse Nation: 10 Horse Personality Types

This is Trance. He is the best old man ever. Photo by Kate Samuels.

There is this weird period of time right when the weather starts getting really nice directly after daylight savings time when I always overdo it. The days are longer, it’s the perfect 70 degree weather, the horses are all shed out, and it’s time to really amp up the riding and I just go way too hard for a few days in a row and really kill myself. I get home at 7 and shove some cheese in my face and collapse, ready to do it all over again tomorrow, deepening my tan lines and my exhaustion.

National Holiday: National Pet Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

FENCE H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Our condolences to the family and friends of Michael W. Winter, Previous USEA Board of Governor and Vice President of Admin and Finance. Winter passed away on Tuesday due to complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His contributions to our sport were generous, and we thank him for sharing his spirit and service. A celebration of Mike Winter’s life will be held on April 25in Mooresville, Indiana. [Michael W. Winter (1958 – 2019)]

What is the future of three day eventing? Certainly our sport is evolving every year, and changing with the times to stay relevant and popular for spectators, but for U.S. eventing we have our own set of challenges. Jim Wofford speaks at length about our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and potential threats to the longevity and success of eventing in the United States as we look to improve our standings on the world stage. [The Future of Eventing with Jim Wofford]

As Badminton draws closer, some entries are accepted as others are withdrawn. Former winner and overall champion mare Paulank Brockaugh has re-routed to Luhmühlen with Sam Griffiths, who has his eye on the 2020 Olympics with her. Other withdrawals include the popular small man Wii Limbo, Pascal Leroy’s Minos de Petra, and five others as well. However, now Tamie Smith and Wembley have been accepted! [Updated Badminton Entries]

Even if you’re not in the show jumping world, you’ve probably heard of Kent Farrington’s Gazelle. Perhaps one of the most aptly named upper level jumpers, Gazelle is a laid back lady around the barn, and known fondly as Momma G. She is not fond of any horses other than her stablemate Creedence, and does crib as a side hobby, but she also loves oranges and her stuffed moose. Go behind the stable door with this superstar to learn more about her quirky personality! [Behind the Stable Door: Gazelle]

Best of Blogs: Changes, Flying and Otherwise

Hot on Horse Nation: 6 Ways to Reap the Benefits of Hill Work This Spring

Won’t apologize for my humblebrag of my little freak, Turkey. Photo by one of Skyeler’s delightful working students.

I’m not a huge lesson person, mostly because taking time out for a lesson of my own is logistically difficult, and I’m very much a fan of working independently and using lessons as checkpoints in my training instead of constant guidelines. However, when I do have lessons, I highly enjoy them, and get to ask my coach to push me a little outside my comfort zone and help me introduce new things. Yesterday, Turkey started learning more about skinnies and angles and technical questions where he has to use his little brain instead of just flying ten miles into the air. Let’s just say it’s a work in progress but with good potential!

National Holiday: National Deep Dish Pizza Day

Major Events This Week:

The Fork at Tryon CCI-S & HT [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills CCI-S & HT [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

U.S. Events This Week:

Pine Hill Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

CDCTA Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spring Bay H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

Cornelia Dorr is living the young equestrian dream, including five NAYRC medals, full time work for Sharon White, and being named to the USEF’s Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 list, all the while competing her best friend and longtime partner Sir Patico MH (Hugo). It all started when Cornelia found eventing at the age of 9, and got Hugo as her first horse at the age of 12, and it’s grown from there. [From Horse Crazy Girl to Two-Time Young Rider of the Year]

A new synthetic joint injection is being studied in horses after showing great results in humans. A new gel is being tested to alleviate pain in horses with osteoarthritis. Injected directly into the joint, the polyacrylamide hydrogel has been used in humans to alleviate osteoarthritis pain in the knee. This gel is synthetic in nature, and is supposed to last longer than our usual HA injections because it does not dissipate as quickly in the joint. [New Joint Injection Possibilities]

With an eye on the FEI World Cup for the U.S. Show Jumping team, the New York Times picked up a story about Beezie Madden, one of our most winningest riders in history. With at least four rounds over four days, Beezie and the 13-year-old stallion Breitling will contest 1.6m courses against the best riders in the world, and she hopes to bring home the gold. [Beezie Madden Tries for a Repeat Win]

Speaking of Beezie, if you want to be more like her, check out her workout routine. Three times a week, Beezie meets with her personal trainer and does an intense strength training workout, and it’s not for the weak of heart! One brave COTH blogger attended and participated in one such workout, and lived to tell the tale. [Work Out with Beezie Madden]