Dressage has concluded at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International and the crowns have been handed out to the East Coast Young Event Horse champions. Now as we look ahead to the next task, the formidable cross country track set forth by Derek di Grazia, we hold our breaths in anticipation of an exciting day coming up.
But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back around social media to wrap up dressage and the YEH Championships in style. Go Eventing!
#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
Bruisyard Hall was super today. Looking forward to Xc tomorrow. #repost #eponiausa #duttafhi… https://t.co/2GA9QXMQTo
— Holly Payne (@HPEquestrian) October 14, 2016
And, finally, what do ponies dream of? Here’s a glimpse:
Watch and Learn: Leading Day One Tests from Fair Hill and Pau
There was some serious dressage happening all around the world today as Michael Jung took the stage with Rolex winner fischerRocana FST, leading the field at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4* on a score of 43.8. The FEI Channel has just uploaded video of Michael’s test for our viewing enjoyment. Not to be outdone, Boyd Martin is holding it down for the home team aboard Crackerjack in fourth place overnight and has another ride tomorrow in Welcome Shadow.
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous are your Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* leaders today, heading into day two with a leading score of 41.5. Marilyn told the press how thrilled she was to have this special mare back competing at the three-star level after recovering from an injury, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the weekend holds.
Watch and learn, EN!
Fair Hill Social Media Wrap: Just Dance
Day one of the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International is officially in the books, and we’ve seen a lot of fancy dancing in the white box today from both the two- and three-star horses as well as the Young Event Horse competitors. Dressage will wrap up tomorrow with the remainder of the FEI divisions, while the young horses will show off their jumping chops.
There is plenty to catch up on from the wide world of social media, so without further ado…
#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
Our friendly neighborhood videographer, The Horse Pesterer, is also wandering about this weekend, and he’s already begun uploading videos from the day’s action. You can find the full playlist on his YouTube channel here.
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Fair Hill CCI3* Course Preview
Alright, here we go ladies and gents! The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International cross country is a formidable, Derek di Grazia-designed beast that separates the cream from the crop each fall. It comes as no surprise, then, that this year’s course looks as beefy and challenging as ever.
Utilizing the undulating terrain that Elkton has to offer, Derek has shrewdly placed his questions throughout the course, challenging riders to make good choices while still inviting the horses to interpret the question correctly.
Thanks to this great flyover, we can now get our first look at this year’s CCI3* track. Stay tuned for a full course preview, and let’s all have a shout-out for EN blogger Holly Covey, who has helped lead the course decoration charge for several years running now. Hats off to you, Holly, and to all of the hard working people who have truly delivered their best work on this course.
#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
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The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us®
Fair Hill Social Media Wrap: Life’s Too Short for Boring Clothes
Well, it’s that time of year again! The best of the best have gathered in Elkton, Md. for this year’s Dutta Corp Fair Hill International. It’s the ultimate fall event, and what better way to kick things off than with a veritable fashion show? Perfect button braids, glossy coats, and riders decked to the nines — what’s not to love?
In case you missed it, all horses were accepted in today’s First Horse Inspection for the CCI2* and CCI3*, and here’s a quick look at social media from the first day of the festivities. Dressage kicks off first thing tomorrow morning, and you can follow along right here on EN (as well as on our social channels) for the latest and greatest.
#DuttaFHI: Website, Entries, Draw Order, Ride Times, Live Scores, YEH Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
Made it to my first #FHI ☺️ ready for young horse domination! #duttafhi https://t.co/uqUvUil9mK
— Courtney Lee (@CCarson0226) October 12, 2016
Meghan O’Donoghue killed it in this gorgeous dress and boot combination! Photo via Meghan on Instagram.
I think it’s love! Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo share a moment before taking the runway .. er .. jog strip. Photo via Maralee Paul on Instagram.
A photo posted by Doug Payne (@dpequestrian) on
Dutta Corp Fair Hill International Draw Order Goes Live
Phillip Dutton and I'm Sew Ready. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Will Coleman and Phillip Dutton will be your Dutta Corp Fair Hill International trailblazers this weekend in the CCI2* and CCI3* divisions. The draw order was posted yesterday, giving us a glimpse at the rough order in which riders will be seen in the dressage ring as well as Derek di Grazia’s cross country course.
Will Coleman will kick things off in the CCI2* aboard Gideon, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by KBLB Event Horses LLC, as the first of his two rides in the division. Gideon will be contesting his second CCI2*, having come eighth at Bromont earlier this year. Most recently, Will and Gideon were fourth in the Intermediate at Morven Park.
In the CCI3* we’ll see Phillip Dutton and 2015 Carolina International CIC3* winner I’m Sew Ready, owned by John and Kristine Norton, as the first pairs out. Phillip has the reins back on the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding from usual pilot Kristen Bond as she prepares to have her second child, and the pair placed third in the CIC3* at Plantation Field and eighth in the Advanced at Stable View as their prep runs for Fair Hill.
Looking to the Young Event Horse Championships, Jennifer McFall and Stoneman DF, owned by Cheron Laboissonniere, will be the first to see in the 5-year-old class. The McFalls have come east to contest the YEH championships this year with three horses piloted by Jennifer and Earl. Stoneman DF was the sixth placed four-year-old in last year’s West Coast Championships.
For the 4-year-olds, Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Dark Energy will kick things off. This pair is fresh off of a win in the Novice Horse at Bucks County last month and placed second in their last YEH class at Waredaca.
As we near the official start of #DuttaFHI, keep an eye right here on EN for our “By the Numbers” report and much more about the marquee fall event of the year. Go Eventing!
[Fair Hill International Draw Order]
#DuttaFHI: [Website] [Coldren’s Corner] [Entry Status]
Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Sally Spickard.
We’ve officially begun #DuttaFHI week, and as we speak horses and riders are moving into the grounds in beautiful Elkton, Md. to contest the CCI2* and CCI3* divisions. Many have dubbed the cross country course at Fair Hill “mini-Rolex”, and for good reason as it’s certainly one of the more challenging tracks in the U.S. We’re getting excited to see some of the best combinations duke it out this weekend, as well as the cream of the crop of the Young Event Horse competitors.
It’s sure to be an exciting week, so keep it locked here on EN for much, much more.
Events Opening This Week:
Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event (FL, A-3), Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA, A-3)
Events Closing Today:
Holly Hill Fall H.T. (LA, A-5), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3), The Virginia CCI/CIC and H.T. (VA, A-2)
News & Notes:
Portofino Equestrian Center in Clayton, Nc. is pleased to announce a Masterclass evening with Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton on Friday, November 4. Tickets are available starting at $45 for juniors and the event features a demonstration by Boyd and Phillip and a dinner with the members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Eventing Team. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County. [Masterclass with Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton Tickets]
After spending much time on the East coast competing, John Michael Durr and Kimmy Steinbach have decided to move their training and sales operation to Western North Carolina from Castro Valley, California. “Our new central location allows us the opportunity to be multi-disciplined and to focus on training and developing horses that are just starting their careers or moving to the next level as well as showcase horses that are currently competing at the top of their game,” John Michael said. Durr Eventing has many different training options available and has experience in both eventing as well as the hunter/jumper competition rings. [Durr Eventing]
Boyd Martin’s 2012 Olympic partner, Otis Barbotiere, has been sold to jumper rider Catie Boone. Otis had formerly been leased by Catie’s sister, Ali, and had success in the jumper ring since retiring from eventing. [Otis Barbotiere Sold]
Remember the horse who went viral due to his exuberance jumping a ditch? Well, he’s now headed to the Young Event Horse Championships at Fair Hill this weekend! Commando and Amanda Braun will be contesting the 5-year-old East Coast Championships this weekend — let’s hope the judges give extra marks for excitement! [Viral Video Star Headed to Fair Hill]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
If you have a lot of sales horses or provide a variety of different services, but are limited in your advertising budget, you can choose 2-3 of your horses or services that give a good picture of what you have available and only post these in the ad. Then you can use text such as, “Visit our website for more information about …” to let people know that you have more to offer.
Tuesday Video:
Let’s revisit that viral video, shall we?
Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Dragonfire Farm has been busy prepping for the upcoming William Fox-Pitt clinic!
West Coast eventers have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks! Not only are there several events left in the 2016 season, but the one and only William Fox-Pitt will be teaching two clinics in October: one in the northern part of California at Dragonfire Farm in Wilton and the other at Sweet Oaks Ranch in Temecula, down south. EN is thrilled to be on site at the southern California clinic October 30-31, and auditing passes are still available for both. For more information, please visit Scott Hayes Productions.
Events Opening This Week:
Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6) 
Paradise Farm H.T. (SC, A-3)
Events Closing Today:
Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6) Waredaca H.T. and Classic 3 Day Event (MD, A-2) Windermere Run H.T. (MO, A-4) Pine Hill Fall H.T. (TX, A-5)
News & Notes:
Here’s a pretty cool opportunity: Kim Severson is looking for a working student! Three-time Rolex winner and Olympic medalist Kim Severson, based in Charlottesville, Va. is seeking a working student in exchange for board for one horse and lessons. This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for the right individual! For more information, please contact Kim.
A new eventing series brainstormed by the USEA, USEF and Professional Riders Organization will get underway in the 2017 season. The Adequan Gold Cup Signature Series will include several CIC3* events around the country and offer prize money of at least $25,000. Leaderboard points secured in legs of the GCSS will admit riders into the final, which will boast an “unprecedented” amount of prize money. [Elite Adequan Gold Cup Signature Series to Begin in 2017]
Being a young professional in any equine sport is tough. It can be heartbreaking to try to make ends meet when you’re just starting out. This great article from the Horse Network has some tips and advice on being a budding professional in an unforgiving world. [Attention Young Professionals]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
When you place an ad in a print publication, you will often have options beyond your traditional display ad and classified. Many publications have service directories for boarding and lessons, or they may have a separate area for upcoming events. Other publications will offer packages that combine advertising in their print and online publications. Take the time to read up on your options and communicate with their ad sales department to decide which option will be best for you and your business.
Tuesday Video:
Because these past few days have been nothing but WEG 2010 memories on my Facebook feed, let’s throw it back to the granddaddy of all helmet cams, Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hamption:
Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: This Horse Loves Cross Country More Than Anyone Else
We all know that event horses love their jobs (well, maybe not that silly dressage stuff). Meet Nolo, a 7-year-old OTTB owned and ridden by junior rider Taylor Miller.
“As you can see in the video, his favorite thing in the world is cross country,” Taylor said. “He might even love it more than food. It’s a lot of fun to ride a horse that loves his job as much as Nolo and it definitely makes things interesting!”
Taylor and Nolo completed the Junior Training Championships at the Adequan/USEA American Eventing Championships in Tryon, NC, last month after a successful season at the level. We can definitely see that Nolo was raring to go over those first few fences on course! He settled in after the first handful of jumps and had a lovely double clear round to finish off the day.
Go eventing!
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Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
A newly minted Prelim pair at Twin Rivers Ranch! Photo via Stephanie Nicora on Facebook.
Big congratulations are in order for EN’s own Stephanie Nicora and her “hobo horse,” High In the Air, on completing their first Prelim together this weekend at Twin Rivers. Stephanie has produced this horse with the help of coaches Earl and Jennifer McFall and reached a big goal this weekend, finishing with some time on cross country and a couple of rails in their debut at the level. Big smiles all around!
Events Opening This Week:
Full Moon Farms H.T. (MD, A-2) Poplar Place Farm November H.T. (GA, A-3) Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T. (TX, A-5) River Glen Fall H.T. (TN, A-3)
Events Closing Today:
The Virginia CCI/CIC and H.T. (VA, A-2) Ocala Fall Event Presented by Brian Cox Farm Team (FL, A-3) Galway Downs International Event & H.T. (CA, A-6) Paradise Farm H.T. (SC, A-3)
News & Notes:
If you are a junior rider or an adult amateur, you should definitely be applying for the USEA Worth the Trust scholarship! Applications are due on October 3, and it’s a pretty straightforward process. The winner of each scholarship (one for juniors and one for adults) will be announced at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention at the end of the year. [USEA Worth the Trust Scholarship]
Irish rider Clare Abbott’s Rio ride, Euro Prince, is set to be sold at the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale in November. “The owners feel the time is right now to sell him on,” Clare told Horse & Hound. This is certainly a tough time for Clare, who has said that she’d love to keep the ride on “Sparky”. [Euro Prince to be Sold at Auction]
With fall in full swing, there are new risks to be on the watch for when it comes to your horse’s health. Many leaves that are shed during this time of year can be poisonous to animals, and The Horse has a great guide on what to avoid and look for. Just one more thing to add to the list, right? [Protecting Your Horse from Poisonous Leaves]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
If you’re on a limited advertising budget, but you still want to place ads in a print publication, be sure to look at their publication schedule. Most publications have special issues that may have a higher distribution than other issues. If you cannot find this information online, just call the magazine and ask. This will help you spend your money effectively and efficiently. Also keep in mind that magazines work well ahead of their publication date. If you want your ad in a specific issue, you may need to submit it months in advance.
Tuesday Video:
Something we all should know: How to say ‘no’ when people ask if they can ride your horse!
Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo study the 3* cross country at Plantation Field. Photo by Sally Spickard.
What an exciting weekend at Plantation Field! One of these days I definitely plan to make it out there to see the Best. Event. Ever. in person. Needless to say, all of us West Coasters were thankful for the live stream coverage from USEF Network — how else are we supposed to live vicariously? You can relive all the action on demand on USEF Network.
#PlantationField: Website, Live Scoring, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage, Instagram
Weekend Results:
GMHA September Horse Trials H.T. [Website] [Scores]
Marlborough H.T. [Website][Scores]
Otter Creek Fall H.T. [Website] [Scores]
Flying Cross Farm H.T. [Website] [Scores]
Stone Gate Farm H.T. [Website] [Scores]
Colorado Horse Park 3D & H.T. [Website] [Scores]
Monday News:
Three defending London medalists successfully repeated their results in Rio this week as the Paralympics draw to a close for equestrians. Notably,Sophie Christiansen became the first triple gold medalist for Great Britain, winning the grade Ia freestyle. [Rio Paralympic Results]
Surefire Horse Trials is accepting entries through today! The event will run September 24-25 in Purcellville, VA and is definitely a solid staple on the Area II calendar. Enter today and reserve your spot! Beginner Novice through Prelim as well as Future Event Horse and Young Event Horse divisions are available. [Surefire Horse Trials]
The United States Equestrian Federation is seeking nominations for two seats on the Board of Directors. Nominations will be accepted September 15 – October 31, 2016. In order to be eligible for nomination, the individual must meet the definition of “Independent Director,” as described in USEF Bylaw 303. Nominations may be submitted online by active USEF members. Visit usef.org for more information about how to submit a nomination.
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
If you’ve just opened a business or are new to an area, you will want to scope out your local advertising opportunities and make an advertising plan that fits into your budget. It can be a good idea to commit to at least 3 to 6 consecutive months to make an impact, as people will need to see your ad a few times before starting to commit your business name to memory.
Monday Video:
Check out the latest installment of Elisa Wallace’s video blog:
SmartPak Presents: ‘If Horses Were People,’ Episodes 9 & 10
Happy Friday! To kick your weekend off right, we’re bringing you SmartPak’s latest and greatest episodes of their hilarious series, “If Horses Were People.” SmartPak Sarah is back as everyone’s favorite, albeit a bit cheeky, horse — does anyone else just want to be best friends with the girl?
At any rate, enjoy these fresh new episodes and shake your head at how relatable they actually are.
Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips
Hannah Sue Burnett chats about her wonderful test on Harbour Pilot at Blenheim yesterday. Photo via the USEF Eventing High Performance on Facebook.
Fall is right around the corner, and to be honest it’s one of my favorite times of year. The fall event season is in full swing, and it seems every weekend there is something exciting going on. It’s enough to keep any eventing nerd happy! Now, combine that with the fact that this weekend marks the opening of the NFL season? Color me happy. It’s the simple things in life, everyone, always remember that. Go eventing and go football (AKA go CHIEFS! I had to)!
Events This Weekend:
Blenheim: Website, Entries & Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram
Five Points H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
CDCTA Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Bucks County H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]
Poplar Place Farm September CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
Copper Meadows CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Aspen Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Chardon Valley H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
News & Notes:
William Fox-Pitt sadly reported that his 2008 Luhmühlen winner, Macchiato, has been put down. Macchiato also won at the three-star level and achieved top finishes at Burghley and Badminton throughout his career. Macchiato was purchased off a video and was a racehorse in Australia. [Macchiato Put Down]
Coach Daniel Stewart, the renowned sport psychologist, is back with more tips on upping your mental game. In this month’s USEA column, Daniel talks about putting your thoughts and words into action — putting your money where your mouth is, so to speak. Taking control of a situation instead of letting it control you is an important lesson to learn, and here’s how to do it. [Bias to Action]
Are you a big fan of leg protection, but having a hard time choosing the right product? Look no further than the Equilibrium Stretch & Flex Wraps! These lightweight, easy to wear and protective wraps are a must have for your horse’s legs. I love to use them for flatwork, trusting that they’ll protect my horse from knocking himself. My horse is also prone to getting boot rubs, and I’m pleased to report that he’s never experienced them in these. Plus, they’re easy to wash — just throw them in the machine! What’s not to love? [SmartPak Product Of the Day]
Take a virtual walk around Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Our friends at CrossCountry App have posted their course maps for the Event Rider Masters, CCI3* and CIC3* 8/9-year-old divisions, the latter with audio from course designer David Evans. The Event Rider Masters course is forthcoming. And of course keep it locked here for up-to-the-minute coverage from EN’s Blenheim boots on the ground Samantha Clark. [CrossCountry App]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
When you’re working on your advertising plan, you will need to map out a plan incorporating a variety of tools, including everything from print ads to Facebook boosts to e-blasts. Deciding on which combination of tools you use is very specific to your individual business. Regardless, you want to be consistent in your message — same logo, same tagline, same color scheme. You want people to be able to just glance at your advertisement and know who it is.
Friday Video:
Check out this awesome helmet cam from reader Lauren McDowell, who contested the sloppy CIC1* at Richland Park last weekend!
Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Remembering Avebury
We were sad to report yesterday that three-time Burghley winner and eventing legend Avebury, owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow and piloted by Andrew Nicholson, was euthanized. The list of accolades the son of Jumbo collected throughout his career was endless, and the sport was truly touched by greatness each time Avebury set hoof on the cross country course.
YouTube user Kate Atkin compiled this lovely tribute to Avebury following the news of his retirement earlier this year. Enjoy this look back at a star-studded career.
The EN team continues to send its condolences to the Barlows, Andrew Nicholson and all of those who were touched by this special gray horse.
Equi-Jewel’s high-fat, low-starch formula safely increases the calories needed to fuel optimal performance. Research shows that when fat is utilized as an energy source, performance horses have more stamina and recover faster from intense exercise.
Click here to sign up for KPP’s Nutritional Minute.
The Horse That Matters to You Matters to Us®
Lauren Billys: A Coming of Age in Rio
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Lauren Billys is the first to say that representing Puerto Rico at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was far from easy. But not one to let any hurdles deter her, Lauren kept her head down and relentlessly pursued her goals, honoring her grandmother’s Puerto Rican heritage and achieving the Olympic dream in the process with her beloved mount Castle Larchfield Purdy.
That Olympic dream became a reality this past March when Lauren received the official call-up to join the Puerto Ricans in Rio, the only event rider to represent the country at the Games. It was after that call, however, that Lauren hit a mental roadblock she hadn’t expected.
“To be totally honest, I kind of hit a plateau after I got the call,” Lauren said. “I had put so much weight on just getting in (to the Games), that I just had trouble putting my mind in the right place after that. It was something that I really had to work on.”
Looking back, Lauren is grateful to have been able to identify the plateau as an issue early on so that she could formulate a plan to combat it. She enlisted the help of a sports psychologist to up her mental game, which helped her focus on the aspects of competition that she could control, rather than on those she couldn’t.
“It took a bit of time for everything to click in and make sense, that this was just one of the peaks on the way to reaching the summit,” she said. “Rio was the summit. Getting qualified and being chosen to go was not the end goal.”
To get her groove back, Lauren kept pecking away at her prep events, competing in an Intermediate at Twin Rivers in April, followed by an Advanced run at Woodside in May. From there, Lauren traveled east to contest the Great Meadow International CICO3*, her final prep run before Rio.
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Rolling with the punches
Great Meadow was not Lauren’s ideal last event leading up to Rio, she recalled. “I was more nervous in my head for Great Meadow than for Rio because I knew that if something went wrong there that I would be really worried about Rio.”
“Purdy” never quite settled in at Great Meadow, and this showed in their dressage test, with their score of 66.1 being the highest they’ve ever earned together. “There were positives to the weekend, but I was bummed that we struggled on the flat,” Lauren said. “He just got in the arena and got too hot. I knew we’d have to work hard on the flat, but I was bummed.”
Lauren kept her focus on Rio, doing her best not to let her last prep event dictate the tone of her next. She spent the interim time between Great Meadow and Rio in Virginia basing at Kurt Martin’s farm.
“It was a great experience to be able to stay in Virginia and travel down to Ocala,” she said. “We just don’t have access to the same types of atmosphere and proximity on the West Coast, so it was a big eye-opener for me. Derek (di Grazia) came out to help me, and it really helped us iron out the kinks. It was comforting to know that what we had experienced at Great Meadow was more circumstantial and not a pattern.”
Utilizing the time away from home to her advantage, Lauren said that taking the time to focus solely on herself worked wonders. “I really got to delve into my insecurities about the Games and really reflect on what got me there in the first place,” she said. “It was an important time for me to prepare so that when we got on the plane I felt we were in the right place.”
For Lauren, representing Puerto Rico carried a heavy weight. “Knowing that I came from a smaller federation, I didn’t want to just be the girl from a small country who just got in. I wanted to be taken seriously. This was probably one of my biggest insecurities, but I had to learn to look inwardly and know that if I was proud of my performance, that everyone else would be, too.”
“It was something I had to confront. Riding for a smaller federation is a totally different game; you have to be smart and strategic and determined. It’s every bit as difficult as going for a bigger team, and it can be tiring. I’m fortunate to have had a lot of people encouraging me, but I wanted to know that I earned my spot just as much as the next person. That was a huge breakthrough for me — learning to look inwardly instead of out at everyone else.”
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
‘Focus on what you can control’
Lauren arrived in Rio several days before the first horse inspection and immediately set her focus on the elements of the upcoming week that she could control.
“You can’t focus on the parts of the sport that you can’t control; you can’t control what is on the cross country course, but you can control how you ride it. Everything from the time I go to sleep to the time I wake up I try to control because I can optimize my own performance by managing these things. Everything I did with Purdy I did as part of a plan to build into the next thing we did.”
Purdy was back to his normal self in Rio, as if he knew that it was the big dance. “He was fresh and excited, and it was like he knew that this was what we’d been practicing for and building up to. We were able to focus on the task at hand, which was becoming comfortable in a very uncomfortable situation. Especially when you’re riding in the same arena as Michael Jung and Mark Todd, it can be very intimidating,” Lauren said.
“It was good to get there ahead of time. We were able to have two ring familiarizations, and the equestrian venue was in the middle of a very impoverished area, so entering through the armed gates and getting used to that atmosphere was important, too. It gave both of us time to get our minds in the right place.”
Lauren’s best friend, Amy, cheers hard on cross country. Photo courtesy of FEI.
This is what you came for
Before she knew it, Lauren and Purdy were through the first horse inspection and preparing to go into Deodoro Stadium to contest their first Olympic Games. It was a surreal moment for Lauren, who said that perhaps the most emotion she felt came as she went down the ramp into the ring for dressage. “For me, it was so emotional to be trotting down that ramp and feeling like my horse and I were truly a team. I’ve never quite felt so one with my horse, and I couldn’t help but smile.”
Lauren and Purdy danced their way through their dressage test, earning a 56 from the judges, but it wasn’t the scoreboard that Lauren cared about most on that day. “I knew I had showed up and done everything I could to put my best test in. I knew the judges were favoring forward tests, so I did my best to ride forward and fluid while still taking my time to set up for each movement,” she said.
“I felt like Purdy really took his time and thought his way through the test, too. We’ve never had clean changes, and we got all of our changes clean in that test. I knew that when I looked at the scoreboard that I may or may not have gotten the score I wanted, so I decided not to look up at it and just enjoy the moment. I had a big cheering section of friends, family and all of Purdy’s owners, and it was amazing to perform in front of all of them. I knew I’d done the best I could, and that really helped put me in the right frame of mind for the rest of the weekend.”
Being one of the less experienced riders in the field in Rio, Lauren knew she had a big challenge coming up on cross country day. Rather than let the difficult questions intimidate or sway her, though, Lauren set about formulating a plan that would get her and Purdy home safely.
“Walking the course for the first time, I saw a lot of things I hadn’t seen before. In that moment, I leaned on the expertise of Derek and Bea (di Grazia). I heard Mark Todd walk up to Derek and comment on how it was the hardest Olympic course he’d walked in recent memory, and I knew it was going to be a battlefield,” she said.
“I wanted to come up with a plan that matched my prep. I knew I was one of the more green riders out there, so I needed to ride the way I knew I could. There were several questions I hadn’t seen before, so I planned to take the option. Why would you come to a championship and try something new? The option is there, and it was something I knew I could do. I made a plan based on where I knew both Purdy and I were. I was very thankful to have Derek walking with me; to have his level of experience and his eye was invaluable.”
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Come cross country day, Lauren sat in the viewing tent before her ride, analyzing the early riders and how the course was riding. “In hindsight, I wish I would have watched a bit more. Purdy and I had a runout at the angled brushes after the up bank, and I think had I watched more I would have seen that a lot of horses weren’t reading the question very well. I would have taken the option there, but I think those decisions will come more naturally to me with more experience.”
Out on course, Lauren had the time of her life. It wasn’t the clear round she had hoped for, but Purdy jumped his heart out, and her mind felt sound as she tackled every question Pierre Michelet threw her way. “The mistakes I made came from a lack of experience and seeing new things,” she said. “I think Purdy and I both gained a lot of education out there and more motivation to keep trying the hard stuff so that we can be better prepared next time. We could have ended up heartbroken, but it was just the right ending.”
Lauren was tasked with the unenviable job of going first in the show jumping ring on the final day of competition. Not knowing for certain how the time would ride, Lauren did her best to ride the horse she had that day.
“I honestly probably left a stride out of every line, which likely confused all of the other riders!” Lauren said. “But Purdy likes to jump from that open gap spot, and I was trying to ride forward with a soft rein. I had two down, which I didn’t know at the time would actually end up being a pretty good round. In that sense, it was fortunate to go first because I didn’t have the pressure that other riders did. I do think that Great Meadow really helped prepare us for show jumping in that stadium with that type of course.”
Lauren’s welcome home to California. Photo courtesy of Lauren Billys.
‘It really sealed my fate’
As Lauren landed off of her last fence, officially completing her first Olympic experience, all she could think was that she was unequivocally addicted to the sport, even more so than she was before. If there was ever any doubt that this was her calling in life, it was erased as Lauren took in the scene at Deodoro before exiting the ring for the final time.
“When I came through those flags, I knew this was a lifetime deal for me,” Lauren said. “The Olympics have been a goal for so long, it’s hard to think about what comes after. But that moment settled it for me. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I was to be able to do this with this horse, and it really sealed my fate. I will be back.”
Not one to sit on her laurels, Lauren is already making preparations to return to the Olympics, aiming next for the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. She has another horse, Marseille, coming up through the levels and who she hopes to also qualify for the 2018 WEG.
As for Purdy, Lauren plans to head to Kentucky next spring to contest Rolex for the first time and also would like to travel overseas with both of her horses to gain more experience and optimize her performance for her next major championships.
“I would ideally love to take them both to Europe in the fall,” she said. “I just think we’d be that much more prepared from going over there. I came home hungry, and we’re ready to just keep training and moving forward. We have a lot to look forward to.”
Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: This AEC Recap Will Give You Chills
Rio may be over, but the #TwoHearts movement continues to make waves throughout the equestrian community. This stunning recap following the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover created a buzz on social media upon its release, and we can certainly see why.
Combining top-notch video footage with the perfect music and several sound bytes from the announcer, this recap has us itching to see the next go-round of this destination event in North Carolina.
Hats off to the many minds who made this event possible, and we look forward to seeing you all next year. Go Eventing!
#AEC16: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram
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Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Sir Rockstar had his wings on at the Cottesmore Leap this weekend for Libby Head. Someone give these two a Red Bull sponsorship! Photo via Libby on Facebook.
Seriously, why doesn’t Red Bull buy into eventing? Their slogan alone is just perfect: “Red Bull Gives You Wings” — can you imagine? Just take a look at this photo of Libby Head and her diminutive Sir Rockstar making short work of the Cottesmore Leap at Burghley. You can’t say these two didn’t have their wings on that day. Let’s get on it, Red Bull!
Events Opening This Week:
Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. (KY, A-8) Fresno County Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6) Waredaca H.T. and Classic 3 Day Event (MD, A-2) Pine Hill Fall H.T. (TX, A-5) Hagyard Midsouth Three-day Event & Team Challenge H.T. (KY, A-8) Windermere Run H.T. (MO, A-4)
Events Closing Today:
Flora Lea Fall H.T. (NJ, A-2) MeadowCreek Park H.T – The Fall Social Event (TX, A-5) Equestrians Institute H.T. (WA, A-7) Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. (SC, A-3) Sundance Farm H.T. (WI, A-4) Surefire H.T. (VA, A-2) Twin Rivers Fall H.T. (CA, A-6) University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH, A-1) Larkin Hill H.T. (NY, A-1)
News & Notes:
Riding cross country is an art, let’s face it. Some of us are more adept at this phase than others, but we can all use a little guidance in the continuance of our education. This great Cross Country 101 video series from the USEA and Lillian Heard focuses on the cross country phase at this weekend’s Nutrena American Eventing Championships. Tune in as Lillian analyzes the challenges the course presented as well as how the horses and riders handled the task. [Cross Country 101 with Lillian Heard]
A lot of thought goes into the design of the feed room in your barn. What with the ongoing hazards of moisture/heat, weather, rodents and other pests, and countless other potential problems, it’s a wonder we don’t lose our sanity earlier. The Horse addresses the needs of any feed room and how to best preserve and store your feed. Trust me, your horses will thank you! [Horse Feed Storage]
Have you bookmarked our newest sister site, Jumper Nation, yet? If not, you should definitely get on that. JN is full of great articles, press releases and how-to’s, such as this one from Richard Spooner on navigating combinations. Head on over and check it out! [Richard Spooner: How to Ride a Combination]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
Once you have accurately identified your business’ market, you then need to figure out where your future clients spend their time. People new to horses are likely to turn to online search engines to find you. Non-professional horse people also spend a lot of time at their computers. Horse professionals may have limited computer time, but probably have their phones on them all day (and this is where mobile compatible websites and e-blasts become important).
Tuesday Video:
Because I’m still not quite over Rio fever, here’s a flashback to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games:
Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Ride Burghley Cross Country with Chris Burton
Cross Country – Chris Burton on Nobilis 18
Ride the leading round with Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2016 winner Chris Burton on Nobilis 18 after a challenging day at #LRBHT2016
Posted by The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Official Page on Sunday, September 4, 2016
He came, he saw, he conquered. Australian rider Chris Burton piloted Nobilis 18, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, to the big win at Burghley this weekend.
It was a tough cross country course, Capt. Mark Phillips’ specialty, that took many victims on a soggy Saturday. But not Chris Burton. Rather than let the course take his name, he skipped around to maintain his lead and went on to not only get a first CCI4* completion under Nobilis 18’s belt, but a big trophy to boot. Not too bad of a weekend!
Thanks to the media team behind the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, we can ride the cross country course with Chris and Nobilis 18 while watching their round simultaneously. Enjoy!
#LRBHT: Website, Scores, Burghley TV, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, @samanthalclark, Instagram
Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Rise Against's shavings for Burghley are quite royal! Photo via Bunnie Sexton on Facebook.
Can you believe it’s already Burghley week? We’re going to be cheering hard for our North American contingent who will be tackling arguably the toughest CCI4* in the world. EN’s very own Samantha Clark will be our eyes and ears on the ground this weekend, so you can be sure we’ll have as much Burghley action as you can possibly handle coming your way this weekend. As always, keep it locked right here for the latest and greatest!
Events Opening This Week:
Galway Downs International Event & H.T. (CA, A-6) The Virginia CCI/CIC and H.T. (VA, A-2) Paradise Farm H.T. (SC, A-3) Ocala Fall Event (FL, A-3)
Events Closing Today:
Colorado Horse Park 3 Day Event and Horse Trials (CO, A-9) GMHA September Horse Trials (VT, A-1) Otter Creek Fall H.T. (WI, A-4) The Event Derby & Clinics at Fresno County Horse Park (CA, A-6) Stone Gate Farm H.T. (OH, A-8) Flying Cross Farm H.T. (KY, A-8) Marlborough H.T (MD, A-2) Plantation Field International CIC and Advanced Horse Trials (PA, A-2)
News & Notes:
It’s that time of year for the fall campaigns to begin in earnest! To that tune, both Robyn Fisher and Hawley Bennett-Awad are hosting fundraisers to help them reach their respective fall goals. Robyn will be competing Betawave in the 7-year-old Championships at Le Lion and Hawley is heading East to Fair Hill to contest the CCI3* with Jollybo. If you’d like to support #LetaTakesLion or #Jump4Jollybo, here is your chance! [#LetaTakesLion] [#Jump4Jollybo]
Are you attending AECs this week? The USEA has all of the info that you need as you head to Tryon, and we’re gearing up for an exciting week of eventing excitement. Don’t forget to check off your lists as you check in, and good luck to all! [Important AEC Competitor Information]
Don’t miss this moving story on Burghley rookies Nick Lucey and Proud Courage. This pair was an unlikely one, and Nick admits he never thought he’d make it past the one-star level with this horse. It just goes to show: you never know what can happen! [Burghley First-Timers]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
When you are starting to outline a marketing plan for your year, the first step is to identify your market. An up-down lesson barn is going to have a different clientele than an Olympian’s training facility. A local trailer dealer is going to have a different clientele than an international saddle manufacturer. In order to not waste money, you need to identify your market accurately.
Tuesday Video:
Thrills and spills, Burghley style!
Don’t Miss This Inspiring Video About Boyd Martin
Here in America, we’re fortunate to have many great event riders to act as teachers, role models and downright heroes to the rest of us. Boyd Martin is one such rider, having carved himself a path to the top when he moved his operation to the States from Australia. He’s now become a staple on the U.S. eventing team and is a rider that many will look up to for years to come.
Purina Mills, together with Active Interest Media, produced this beautiful mini-documentary featuring Boyd and the story of his rise to the top. Aptly entitled “Stories of Greatness,” this video showcases talent when combined with grit and the willingness to keep getting up and trying.
Take 30 minutes out of your day and watch this video — we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Sam's very own star of fame. Photo via CHIO Aachen on Facebook.
Some people dream of visiting the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame, passing over the neat rows of tiles bearing the names of countless celebrities. Sign me up for this tour, though: the veritable listing of four-legged stars that have graced the beautiful grounds at Aachen. Yesterday, the CHIO Aachen Facebook page posted photos of three stars from recent Rio medalists, including a shoe from La Biosthetique Sam. Pretty neat, right?
Events Opening This Week:
Woodside International Horse Trials (CA, A-6) The Event at Skyline (UT, A-9) Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials (TN, A-3) Radnor Hunt H.T. (PA, A-2) Kent School Fall H.T. (CT, A-1) FEH Championships at Loch Moy Farm (MD, A-2) Waredaca H.T. and Classic 3 Day Event (MD, A-2) Spokane Sport Horse Farm Fall H.T. (WA, A-7) WindRidge Farm Fall Horse Trials (NC, A-2) Heritage Park H.T. (KS, A-4) Course Brook Farm Fall Horse Trials (MA, A-1) Las Cruces H.T. (NM, A-10) The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm (MD, A-2) FEH Qualifier at Loch Moy Farm (MD, A-2) Feather Creek H.T. (OK, A-5)
Events Closing Today:
Aspen Farms H.T. (WA, A-7) Chardon Valley Horse Trials (MI, A-8) CDCTA Fall H.T. (VA, A-2) Five Points H.T. (NC, A-2) Bucks County Horse Park Fall H.T. (PA, A-2) Copper Meadows H.T. (CA, A-6) Poplar Place Farm September H.T. (GA, A-3)
News & Notes:
Zara Tindall will sadly not contest Burghley this year. Her 15-year-old partner, High Kingdom, showed some signs of unsoundness at a recent exam and the decision was made to withdraw him from what would have been his second start at Burghley. High Kingdom missed last year after sustaining an injury at Rolex, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed to see him back out inhaling four-star cross country courses soon. [Tindall Withdrawn from Burghley]
With the Young Horse Championships at Le Lion rapidly approaching, Tamie Smith has landed in Europe to take the circuit by storm. One of the horses leading the charge is Fleeceworks Royal, who is currently in the lead to take home the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Le Lion d’Angers Grant. This is an awesome incentive for young horses competing (and many of whom were bred locally as well) in America. [The Race to Le Lion d’Angers]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
While it may seem overly simple, flyers can be a great tool for horse people to utilize. Flyers are typically inexpensive to design and print, and most every horse show and tack store has a place to hang them. If you do decide to create a flyer, make sure it is in color and attractive so that it stands apart from others. And always be sure to include tear off tabs so that people can easily take your contact information with them.
Tuesday Video:
Because we’re so pumped that William Fox-Pitt will be the keynote speaker for the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention this year, here’s a look back at his recent poignant interview:
West Coast Wonders: Andrea Baxter and Indy 500
Welcome to EN's brand new series, West Coast Wonders! We'll be spotlighting horses and riders who are making a splash on the West Coast. We continue our series with Andrea Baxter and her precocious mare, Indy 500. Do you have a horse and/or rider that you'd like to see on West Coast Wonders? Tip me at [email protected].
Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Many upper-level riders will tell you that it’s infinitely more difficult to see success at the top of the sport without having multiple horses. Should your plan of action derail with one horse, you have another to fall back on. For California-based rider Andrea Baxter, this was a strategy that left her top mount Indy 500 on the back burner while she focused on some of her other horses.
An 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Indy was not a horse Andrea immediately pinpointed as the horse that would fulfill her upper-level dreams. Originally registered with the Jockey Club as My Gifted Indyanna (Cromwell X Tensofthousands, by Spend A Buck), Indy ultimately did not race, as the farm that bred her was liquidated by the owner, Alex Trebek of Jeopardy fame.
It took Andrea several years to make the decision to take Indy on as a training project. “Linda Miller, who owned her and purchased her as a weanling, was very proud of her,” she said. “She had AP Indy lineage and was really excited about that. My farrier mentioned to me that we might be a good fit, so I went and saw her as a 2-year-old. She had toothpicks for legs and was built rather downhill and overall was just something I wasn’t interested in.”
This went on for the next two years, with Andrea paying Indy a visit and again deciding against purchasing her. Finally, when Indy was a 4-year-old, Andrea’s other horse sustained an injury, and she found herself seeking a new project. “I agreed to take her in training to help sell her,” she said. “We actually got along great as soon as she stepped off the trailer.”
Andrea still had other horses that she focused on while training Indy, who smoothly began her eventing career, showing agility and prowess for the sport. She eventually elected to breed the mare, producing her first foal, Laguna Seca, by crossing her with the Holsteiner stallion Linaro.
“Shortly after foaling, she suffered a serious battle of post parturition colic during one of our events at Twin Rivers,” Andrea said. “At the time she’d completed only a handful of shows and wasn’t insured. I took her and the foal to the emergency clinic and the prognosis wasn’t good. As the night unfolded I knew that financially surgery wasn’t an option. Unbelievably, the next morning the clinic called to say she was OK, and I swear she’s been determined to prove to me her worth ever since!”
Andrea and Indy 500’s first foal, Laguna Seca. Photo used with permission from Captured Moment Photography.
The mare still showed an appetite to compete after her colic scare, and so Andrea continued to test her abilities, stepping her up to Prelim after she came back from foaling. “She was just ready to do whatever I wanted her to do,” Andrea said. “I always knew she was very careful, but it was always kind of an experiment to move her up because I wasn’t sure if she had the scope or not. But she always just stepped up to the plate and figured it out.”
One struggle Andrea had with Indy was her jumping technique. “I was kind of getting away with the fact that I had to manually rebalance her in front of every fence, making her sit down pretty much just from my hands. I was almost riding a bit backwards to get the right balance. It was hard for her, as she wasn’t as scopey as some of my other upper-level horses had been. It was a learning curve, looking back, and I honestly probably used to ride all of my horses like that, so it’s cool to see both of us grow forward out of that style,” Andrea said.
“She has helped teach me to ride my horses forward to the fences. I had to not ride so manually and trust her a bit more. She has always been really trainable, so letting her sort of learn on her own instead of me micromanaging every stride was helpful for both of us and has really made us improve.”
Andrea and Indy moved up to Advanced together in 2012 at Twin Rivers, the event her family has run since 2004. They eventually went on to complete their first CCI3* together at Galway Downs in 2014, finishing in eighth place. Now, the pair really seem to have hit their stride, with a top-15 finish at Jersey Fresh and a sixth-place finish at Rebecca Farm. It’s been enough of a stellar season to make Andrea look towards that big event that begins with an R in Kentucky.
Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Andrea made the trip to Kentucky once before with her former upper-level horse, Estrella, in 2010. The pair was unfortunately eliminated on refusals on cross country, but Andrea feels she’s done her homework this go-round to improve upon that disappointing finish.
“Estrella and I had a lot of experience together and spent a lot of time back east. I battled soundness issues leading up to Kentucky, and I was not really in the right frame of mind to be there. It was a hard lesson, but I feel like I learned a lot about what to do better. I’d always hoped I’d get Estrella back there, but I just couldn’t quite keep her sound enough,” Andrea said.
“I swore I was going to go back to Kentucky and do it right. I felt like I made so many rookie errors when I went the first time with Estrella. Indy and I did get our first CCI3* qualification at Galway two years ago, but I didn’t feel quite ready to go that year. Now we’ve got three qualifying runs at that level and a lot more experience, so I feel we’re both ready to go.”
Despite the fact that Indy spent some time on the back burner, she’s steadily worked her way into a special place in Andrea’s heart, as unexpected as it may have been. “It’s not as if I saw her and said, ‘Now this is my four-star horse!'” she said. “But somewhere along the line she became very important to me, and I’m really proud of how far we’ve come.”
Andrea is now looking ahead to Kentucky and beyond, with her breeding program producing horses she hopes will become her next upper-level mounts. Coronado, a 2-year-old colt by Chilli Morning out of her former Advanced mare Estrella, is definitely going to be an exciting one to watch in years to come. Additionally, Andrea has several other young horses, including Laguna Seca out of Indy herself, who recently stepped up to Training level.
Estrella’s foal by Chilli Morning. Photo courtesy of Andrea Baxter.
As if a career at the upper levels and a breeding program weren’t enough to keep a girl busy, Andrea is also heavily involved with Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, which was purchased by her family in 2001 and has since grown to be a staple horse trials and FEI destination for West Coast eventers.
“My parents have been very involved in it, and we’ve all done what we can to build an event people want to come to,” Andrea said. “They’re beginning to step back a bit, which means it’s time for me to step up. It’s been a labor of love for all of us, and we’re thrilled with how successful it’s been.”
Twin Rivers hosts four recognized events each year, with the last one of the season approaching on September 22-25. Entries for this event, which runs levels from YEH and Intro up through Advanced, opened on August 9.
Tuesday News & Notes from Cavalor
Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy share a moment in Rio. Photo via Bea di Grazia.
Don’t you wish the Olympics could just go on forever? It’s such a wonderful time of year, to see athletes and spectators from all parts of the world and all walks of live uniting under one roof. Perhaps the public will be berating the IOC for delegating this games to what many will say is an unstable area, but the overall theme of the Games remains intact.
A good friend of mine got it right in this quote from a recent podcast: “The #Olympics to me is just the epitome of what a peaceful world would look like. Where nations can work together and compete against each other in a way that is celebratory and where we’re cheering people on without being completely nationalistic about it or obnoxious. The Olympics … are the pinnacle of what sports should be. The spirit of the Games to me is the purest form of what sports can do.”
Events Opening This Week:
Stable View Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials (SC, A-3), Jump Start H.T. (KY, A-8), ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. at the Horsepark (NJ, A-2), Fair Hill International Three-day Event (MD, A-2), Stoneleigh-Burnham School Fall H.T. (MA, A-1), Woodland Stallion Station H.T. (CA, A-6), Morven Park Fall H.T. (VA, A-2), Fleur de Leap H.T. (LA, A-5)
Events Closing Today:
Woodland Stallion Station H.T. (CA, A-6), Silverwood Farm Fall H.T. (WI, A-4), Nutrena USEA AEC, Adequan Gold Cup Finals, and ATC Finals (NC, A-2), KY Classique H.T. (KY, A-8), Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (MD, A-2)
News & Notes:
Entries for the Nutrena American Eventing Championships close TODAY! This is your chance to experience the world-class faclity at Tryon International, the first time it plays host to the Championships. Leslie Threlkeld got a sneak peek at the cross country course, and it looks fun! Get those entries in and gas up the truck, it’s just about that time! [AEC Entries Close Today]
After winning yet another individual gold medal for Great Britain, Charlotte Dujardin has become one of the most decorated female Olympians in British history. She earned an astounding 93.9% in the Freestyle competition in Rio and told the media in an emotional press conference that it’s in the cards for Valegro to be retired. We will greatly miss seeing this super pair together, but if this is to be “Blueberry’s” swan song, we’re glad to have borne witness to it. [Valegro to Be Retired?]
Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises:
If you don’t think that you have the time to create your own email blasts, there are also companies, such as Mythic Landing Enterprises, that can do the legwork for you. And depending on what your e-blast is for, they may even have an e-mail list that your business can use, bringing you a potential new clientele.
Tuesday Video:
Relive another moment in Valegro history: his record-breaking freestyle in 2014.
Stable View
Success Equestrian
FutureTrack
Sport Horse Nation
