Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice winning the CIC 3* at Galway Downs. Photo by Bill Olson.

Good morning, EN nation! I’m still on a post-event hangover; yesterday my horse Plaid and I had our first outing of the year at Morven Park. It appears that during the winter my horse has a) gotten more fit than any 20-year-old horse should be and b) developed a penchant for sick mind games. He had a personal-best dressage score and a wonderful stadium round, then decided that galloping on XC was too much darn fun and happened to gallop past a couple of fences that we were supposed to, er, jump. That’s okay, though; he jumped beautifully and after some bit shopping, I’m sure we will be ready for Plantation in a couple of weeks. Major props to former EN writer, and one of my good friends, Abby Gibbon, for winning the Open Training division on her mare Prima LGF. Those two are amazing, and after not competing for almost a year due to soundness issues, and dropping down from Prelim for their first outing, they picked up the blue against a stacked field.

Weekend Results:

Galway Downs International HT

Rocking Horse Spring HT

Morven Park Spring HT

Texas Rose March HT

Full Gallop Farm March II HT

Events Opening this Week:

 CCC Spring Gulch H.T. (Colorado, A-9)  Kelly’s Ford Horse Trials (Virginia, A-2) Greater Dayton H.T. (Ohio, A-8)  Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Georgia, A-3) Kent School May Horse Trials (Connecticut, A-1) Fair Hill International H.T. (Maryland, A-2) Hitching Post Farm Horse Trials (Vermont, A-1)  Otter Creek Spring H.T. (Wisconsin, A-4)

Monday News:

Hawley Bennet Awad and Gin & Juice continued their amazing start to the season, winning their third CIC 3*, and it’s only April. James Alliston took his two Rolex mounts, Tivoli and Jumbo’s Jake, out for a spin, and Kristi Nunnik and R Star, also Rolex contenders, placed second. [Galway Downs Results]

Turns out, Marilyn Little is going to Rolex, as evident by the new and updated Rolex entry lists. 59 horse and rider combinations will take part in this year’s event. Marilyn herself has entered on RF Smoke on the Water and RF Demeter. [Rolex Entry Update]

Animal Kingdom won the $1 million Dubai World Cup Saturday, becoming only the second horse ever to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup. The only other horse to do so, Silver Charm, won the World Cup in 1998, a year after winning the KY Derby in 1997. [The Seattle Times]

If you live anywhere near Delaware, go out in the next week to enjoy ‘Horse Appreciation Days.’ Seriously? You can appreciate horses outside the barn! You can wear real clothes and smell okay and then go home and take a nap. Activities include Thoroughbred ex-racehorse clinics, a cowboy race, and trick riding performances. [Horse Talk]

‘Orb’ won the Florida Derby over the weekend, making him only the second horse trainer Claude McGaughey has entered in the Kentucky Derby since 1989. His first, Easy Goer, finished second to Sunday Silence. [Miami Herald]

Perhaps my favorite eventer of all time, Lenamore, retired this week. That little horse put a smile on my face whenever I saw him. Now I'm not sure who to compare my 20-year-old horse to! Photo via Eventing Worldwide's FB

Good morning, readers, I hope all of you had wonderful weekends. My horse and I had the chance to go to the Marlborough Jumper Derby in Rosaryville State Park on Sunday. The forecast was 47 degrees and rainy, however, it turned out to be 60 and sunny! Perfect weather to knock the rust off over a friendly course of cross-country and stadium jumps. It was a big confidence boost for us; welcome after a winter of mixed signals. We now feel truly ready to go out and tackle our first event of the season in a couple weeks. And, if you’re in the MD/VA area, they’re holding another Derby on April 6! They’re a lotta fun, so don’t miss it.

Weekend Results

Feather Creek Farm HT

Copper Meadows HT

Pine Top Spring HT

Events Opening this Week:

Penny Oaks H.T. (Indiana, A-8) CIC2*/CIC1* Weatherford and Greenwood Farm, Inc. H (Texas, A-5) MCTA H.T., Inc (Maryland, A-2) Riga Meadow Combined Test(Connecticut, A-1)  Heart of the Carolinas 3-Day Event (South Carolina, A-3) Poplar Place Farm May H.T. (Georgia, A-3)

Monday News:

Hawley Bennett Awad and Gin & Juice notched another Advanced win at Copper Meadows this weekend. Just two weeks after their win at Twin Rivers, the pair led start to finish to take first place. Jolie Wentworth and Good Knight finished second. [Copper Meadows Results]

Racetracks across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast have come together in the fight against drugs at the track, whittling down the list of allowed substances to 24. Tracks in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Massachusets have begun to implement much tougher standards when it comes to medications to reduce the number of fatalities in the sport. [New York Times]

A 19-year-old pony in New Zealand has won Pony of the Year title for the third time. Millbrook, won the Farmland’s Pony Grand Prix at the Horse of the Year show in Hastings in the seventh consecutive year of competing in the class. Now if only we had video, because a Pony Grand Prix sounds freaking adorable. [Horse Talk]

Here’s your chance to ride around Burghley, and you don’t have to pay the silly entry fees or risk your life. Equest is sponsoring the ride which will show riders around 12 km of the Burghley estate, as well as the four-star cross-country course. They expect over 500 riders to be involved, and all proceeds go to various equine charities. [Horse and Country]

Wellington Equestrian Partners and Tequestrian Farms have banded together to donate $100,000 to fun EHV-1 research after the outbreak in Florida. The University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center is the recipient of the grant, and will use the money to research how events can neutralize and prevent another outbreak. [Chronicle of the Horse]

Don’t miss out, the Smart Pak spring sale will be over before you know it! Save a lotta change on items you need the most. Like Dubarry boots. And Alexis jackets. Who am I kidding, get the things you want, pay full price for buckets! [Smart Pak Spring Sale]

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice won the CIC*** at Red Hills yesterday.

Well it’s that time again, Monday morning. I know all of you probably thoroughly enjoyed all the coverage from Red Hills this weekend, as did I. There’s something about that competition, once it’s over everyone truly starts to look forward to Rolex. Kentucky is on the lips, and minds, of most riders aiming for the event whether as competitors or spectators. As someone whose confidence is maxed out at the lower levels, I’m truly enjoying seeing who is going to be a contender, as well as keeping my eye on a couple of dark horses (no pun intended) that might come in under the radar.

Weekend Results:

Red Hills International HT

Full Gallop Farm March HT I

Southern Pines HT I   [Photos by Brant Gamma]

Events Opening this Week:

 University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. (New Hampshire, A-1) Fresno County Horse Park H.T. (California, A-6)  Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (Virginia, A-2)

No, this isn’t a toy sized dog, it’s just a really effing big Intermediate skinny. #redhills #intermediateolympics twitter.com/ZeTerroir/stat…

— Kate Samuels(@ZeTerroir) March 9, 2013

David O’Connor will be at Red Fox Farm in Calif., for more High Performance training sessions. The schedule for Tuesday is:

8:00- Teresa Harcourt
8:45- Kelly Pugh
9:30- Jolie Wentworth
10:15- Bea di Grazia
11:00- Jolie
11:45- Camille
12:30-1:00 – lunch break
1:00- Brynn Littlehale
1:45- Zach
2:30- Abbie Read

3:30-  Bea, Zach, Kelly, Matt
4:30- Matt, Brynn, Teresa, Abbie

http://successequestrian.com

Hawley Bennett Awad and Gin N' Juice won the Advanced division at Twin Rivers. Photo by Bill Olson.

Good Morning, readers! I’m sure we’re all still a little stunned at the news from Portugal, where veteran eventer Bruno Bouvier died during the cross country phase during the CIC** Barroca D’Alva on Sunday. It’s a sad and unnecessary reminder of how dangerous our sport can be, and how even the most experienced riders can have horrific accidents. I’m sending all my good vibrations over to France this week, and if nothing I hope we can learn something from this incident so no family has to feel like they’re saying good-bye at the start box.

Weekend Results:

Twin Rivers Winter HT

Meadow Creek Park Spring Social HT

Rocking Horse Winter HT III

Sporting Days Farm HT

Events Opening This Week:

Holly Hill Spring H.T. (Louisiana, A-5)  River Glen Spring H.T. (Tennessee, A-3) Fair Hill International H.T. (Maryland, A-2)  Longleaf Pine H.T. (North Carolina, A-2) Redland Hunt PC H.T. (Maryland, A-2)

Monday News:

Hawley Bennet won the Advanced Division at Twin Rivers on her Olympic mount Gin n’ Juice, during a beautiful weekend in California. The pair finished on their dressage score to take the top prize in a field that included James Alliston and Tivoli, who placed second, Kristi Nunnik, and Barb Crabo. [Twin Rivers Results]

My favorite person who I’ve never met, Hamish Cargill, is back with some advice for how to keep teenage boys interested in eventing through their..well, teenage years. He seems very focused on banning jodphurs, or at least the tight, ill-fitting, ridicule-inducing type. [An Eventful Life]

Game On Dude won Saturday’s Santa Anita Handicap by a record 7 3/4 lengths under jockey Mike Smith. His victory in the race was far more convincing then his win two years ago, when he won by a nose following a 12 minute inquiry over a bump early in the race. [San Francisco Chronicle]

The U.S. won the FEI Nations Cup in Wellington, anchored by a double-clear from 18-year-old Reed Kessler and rounds from Beezie Madden, Kent Farrington, and Laura Kraut. Kessler said falling four times in three weeks during competition at Wellington helped her pull out the rounds she needed when it needed most. Which makes me feel a lot better about hitting the dust a couple times in the last month. [Chronicle of the Horse]

Badminton Grassroots Contender Lucinda Cawood’s horse Alfie is the inspiration behind Haribo’s new candy horse, and will be on the packages of candy in time for Badminton. Don’t worry though, Haribo’s gelatin is ‘100% horse free’ [Horse and Hound]

Top Tweet:

Murphy’s Eventing Training part 2. @nzeventing: “Murphy did not react well to the suggestion of dressage training” twitter.com/LucindaGreenMB…

— Lucinda Green (@LucindaGreenMBE) February 24, 2013

 

Love this video from the 1989 Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials.

Alluring Punch and Steuart Pittman at the conclusion of the 100 Day Retired Racehorse Training Challenge. Alluring Punch won Best Suited for Eventing and Horse You'd Most Like to Own. AND he's for sale! Photo c/o RRTP Facebook

Good morning, and happy last Monday of February! Hopefully with the end of the shortest month of the year also brings the end of the dreary, bone-chilling weather we’ve been experiencing on theth East Coast. I’m sure the riders at Pine Top were thinking the same thing as they braved some treacherously wet conditions to make the Georgia event a success.

Weekend Results:

Pine Top Spring Advanced HT

Events Opening This Week:

 Ocala Horse Properties International 3-Day Event, (Florida, A-3) St. Johns H.T.(Arizona, A-10)  FENCE H.T. (South Carolina, A-3) Plantation Field H.T.(Pennsylvania, A-2) Twin Rivers Spring Three-day Event & H.T. (California, A-6) Pine Hill Spring H.T. (Texas, A-5)

Monday News:

Some big hitters came out for the Advanced Divisions at Pine Top this weekend; Becky Holder won the 3rd Division with Can’t Fire Me, Will Faudree continued his impressive start to the season by winning the 2nd with Andromaque, and Jan Byyny and Syd Kent won the remaining division. Our own Jessica Bortner-Harris also had a good outing in her first Advanced of the year. [Pine Top Results]

The Retired Racehorse Training Project came to a close on Sunday, with all of the horses being named winners in different categories. Alluring Punch was named Best Suited for Eventing, and Horse You’d Most Like to Own. Both he and the gray filly Gunport are currently for sale. [RRTP]

Heath Ryan, former assistant coach for Australia, and who suffered a stroke last year and is just now getting back to riding, sat down with An Eventful Life to talk about recent successes and long-term goals. He mentions he has another horse coming up the levels. Ryan was the former owner of Mystery Whisper, who was Phillip Dutton’s Olympic ride. [An Eventful Life]

Officials at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center reported that the horse that came from HITS Ocala and was thought to be infected with EHV-1 is in fact, not a carrier. However, from reading the article, I’m guessing he feels like a biohazard. No new cases have been reported in either Ocala or Palm Beach, and the WEF is going on per usual. [Chronicle of the Horse]

Catch up with Smart Pakers as many of them deal with the winter weather in their parts of the country. Most importantly, there are cute pictures of horses, dogs, and snow. [Smart Pak]

Top Tweet:

Welcome to pine top. Just like Woodstock except without the fun.. twitter.com/LeslieLaw2127/…

— Leslie Law (@LeslieLaw2127) February 23, 2013

Ronald Reagan on his wild white steed

Happy President’s Day, EN readers! I hope you all have the day off from the office, and have plenty of time to go hug your ponies in the light of day. All I really want to do is curl up under the covers (it’s a chilly 25 degrees in DC right now), but after looking at the calender and realizing that our first event is a little over a month away, I’m going to put on a few more layers and go get some schooling done. Over the weekend we participated in a gymnastics clinic, one that included a few obstacles like a tarp in between two poles to simulate a ditch, and it did not go well. My normally confident horse has warped into his true winter self; nervous, edgy and a bit naughty at times. Here’s hoping with the end of winter brings the end of misbehavior.

Weekend Results:

Fresno County Horse Park HT

Paradise Farm Winter HT

Rocking Horse Winter II HT

Events Opening This Week:

Spring Bay H.T. (Kentucky, A-8) CDCTA Spring Horse Trials & C.T. (Virginia, A-2) Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Georgia, A-3) The Fork CIC3*/CIC2* & HT (North Carolina, A-2) Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials (South Carolina, A-3)

Monday News:

Buck Davidson had a great weekend at the Rocking Horse Winter II HT; he won two of the three Advanced divisions with D.A. Adirmo and Ballynoecastle RM, and rode many others to great finishes in other divisions. Marilyn Meredith and RF Demeter were also in attendance, and Madison Park continued his comeback with Kyle Carter in the Open Intermediate. [Rocking Horse Results]

Video from the International Eventing Forum; David O’Connor explains how to tackle ditches on cross-country. I would have found this helpful if I had watched it two days ago. [Horse and Country]

Amazing photos from a day of horse racing in St. Mortiz, Switerzerland, where all the races are run on a frozen lake. Both harness and flat racing were involved, and I’m guessing, a lot of studs. [USA Today]

If you’re like me, I’m guessing you’re pulling for Rachel Alexandra, whose condition has been upgraded to ‘serious, but stable.’ Updates are at Stonestreet Farm, who posted a picture of the mare enjoying a little bit of feed on Saturday. [Stonestreet Farm]

The Eventing Owner’s Task Force is organizing a High Performance Owner’s Day on February 25 at FoxFrolic Farm in Aiken. The forum will be hosted by David O’Connor, and is an opportunity for potential owners to learn more about the process and benefits of investing in eventing.

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni won their Intermediate Division at the Ocala Horse Properties HT.

Good morning, and happy Monday EN readers! I’m sure some of you were lucky enough to be competing at Pine Top and Ocala his weekend, and I hope your weekend was safe and rewarding. I spent Friday celebrating my horse Plaid’s 20th birthday, and getting quite sentimental in the process. He’s as fit as he’s ever been, looking stunning and acting much younger. I feel so lucky that after so much time together we have the opportunity to explore new avenues together. It’s a testament to how much I adore him that I could feel this way even after a debacle with a chevron on Friday. I’m currently trying to decide if I need to forget about them, or focus exclusively on them. Ah, the toss-ups of riding neurosis.

Weekend Results:

Pine Top Winter HT

Ocala Horse Properties Winter HT II

Events Opening this Week:

 Morven Park Spring H.T. (Virginia, A-2)  Galway Downs International Horse Trials(California, A-6)  Full Gallop Farm H.T. (South Carolina, A-3) Rocking Horse Spring H.T. (Florida, A-3)  Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Texas, A-5)

Monday News:

Many top riders were back in action this weekend at Pine Top in Georgia, including Will Faudree, who went one-two in an Intermediate Division with DHI Colour Candy and Andromaque, Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and many more. [Pine Top Results]

The riders not competing in Georgia were tackling the course in Ocala, where Michael Pollard won both Open Intermediate divisions with Mensa, and Schoensgreen Hanni respectively. Clayton Fredericks, Hannah Sue Burnett and Lesley Law were also among the competitors. [Ocala Results]

Gary Stevens got his first stakes win of his comeback in the San Marcos Stakes at Santa Anita, above a horse called Slim Shadey. I wonder if Stevens, who turns 50 next month, is hip to where the horse’s name comes from. [New York Times]

A horse found wandering the streets of Longford, Ireland, is ‘Charlie,’ who according to records, was sent to slaughter 11 months ago. They believe that his records were used for another larger horse that might not have passed with their own records. Under UK law, each horse has to be microchipped and inspected before going to slaughter. [Daily Mail]

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Tony Casillas recalls his locker room days when players liberally used DSMO. Apparently it made ‘their breath smell like onions,’ and they could smell it after applying. Pretty sure when I used DSMO on my horse the vet said to ‘wash your hands IMMEDIATELY.’ [ESPN]

Federations across the world gathered to discuss safety in eventing as it relates to both course design and rider and horse training. The goal is to implement plans across the board to reduce the number of falls and mortalities among horses and riders. After Andrea Leatherman’s tragic fall at Ocala, I’d say there’s no better time to continue the conversation. [Riders 4 Helmets]

Top Tweet:

We had hoped to have Murphy ready for this eventing season but his XC training is only progressing slowly twitter.com/NZEventing/sta…

— Eventing NZ (@NZEventing) February 6, 2013

The High Performance Training Sessions gets underway Tuesday at Stable View Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. The times for Tuesday’s flatwork session are:

8:00 Jennie Brannigan/Cambalda
8:45 Boyd Martin/Trading Aces
9:30 Boyd Martin/Crackerjack/Master Frisky or Neville Bardos
10:15 Boyd Martin/Crackerjack/Master Frisky or Neville Bardos
11:00 Phillip Dutton/Mighty Nice
11:45 Phillip Dutton/Fernhill Eagle
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Allison Springer/Copycat Chloe
1:45 Susan Beebee/Wolf
2:30 Emily Beshear/Here’s To You
3:15 Doug Payne/Crown Talisman
4:00 Holly Payne/Santino
4:45 Erin Sylvester/No Boundaries

Visit www.stableviewfarm.com for directions.

Yes, it's an inspirational photo from our friends at SmartPak. Sometimes we need it!

Happy first Monday of February! The arrival of February has no doubt sent many eventers into slight panic mode, how did we get here so fast? While it’s exciting that for most of us the season is just around the corner, for some of us less-prepared souls, it’s all about trying to fit in lessons and fitness time to make sure we’re all ready for the first event of the year. I was recently sidetracked by yet another nasty cold (I blame the 70’s one day, snowing the next climate in Washington DC), and have been out of the saddle for the last four days. Hopefully you’re all faring better!

Weekend Results:

Poplar Place Farm February HT

Sporting Days Farm HT

Events Opening This Week:

 Poplar Place Farm March H.T. (Georgia, A-3) Southern Pines H.T. II (North Carolina, A-2)

Monday News:

British eventer Laura Collett is seeking buyers for a syndicate for her top horse Rayef, as the current owner is apparently going through a divorce. She has until March 1 to sell 25 shares in her partner, who is currently being aimed at Badminton. Good luck, Laura! [Horse and Hound]

The International Eventing Forum takes place today at Hartpury College, in England, and will feature talks by Mark Todd, David O’Connor and course designer Mike Etherington-Smith. [International Eventing Forum]

Equine Canada has announced the High Performance Eventing Team for 2013, and reading through it is a who’s-who of top lady riders in the sport. Peter Barry is the lone male representative, with his horse Kilrodan Abbott. [Equine Canada]

Soon you might see show-jumping great Sapphire’s, clones competing in the ring. Two chestnut mares, who both bear the trademark blaze, are turning 3 this year, and have already begun training. Two of Sapphire’s embryos are also  being carried by surrogate mares, and are due to foal this year. [Chronicle of the Horse]

Probably my favorite person that I’ve never met, Hamish Cargill, gives some tips and strategies to use before you go to the first event of the season. My favorite? Have someone knock down your confidence before the dressage judge can get to it, and trying to go up a down escalator at the mall to simulate the show jumping warm up ring. [An Eventful Life]

Badminton will be here before you know it! Enjoy this 2011 ride from Paul Tapner, along with excellent commentary. 

This was me two days ago.

Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying your last week of January. I’m still trying to recover from a nasty fall during a gymnastics clinic on Saturday. I’m not usually rattled much by mishaps, as I think they’re part of the learning experience, but this one hit me hard, and definitely pushed some doubts into my mind. My horse didn’t like the look of two bounces in a row, and put the brakes on hard after a bad 2nd jump. Unbalanced, he went into the jump, and in a panic began backing up, only to run into the jump behind him. From then on it was a lot of spinning, until he finally escaped the grid and went on to gallop with me hanging on his neck. I wasn’t able to get my balance back, and bit the dust. After a bout of crying, mostly from the fear, and a lot of Lamaze-type breathing exercises, and with the help of Samantha, our clinician, we worked our way through the grid, and ended up having a decent lesson. Now if I could just get rid of the bruises and soreness as easily!

Weekend Results:

Rocking Horse Winter HT

Full Gallop January HT

Events Opening This Week:

Copper Meadows H.T. (California, A-6)  Feather Creek Farm H.T. (Oklahoma, A-5) Pine Top Spring H.T. (Georgia, A-3)

Monday News:

The source of the horse meat located in burgers across Great Britain is believed to be Poland, where there was the highest concentration of equine DNA, and not Ireland or the Netherlands, which was first believed. [The Independent]

Looking for a new job? Why not apply to be Yogi Breisner’s assistant? The British Equestrian Foundation is looking for someone to help the already successful manager of British Eventing to become even more successful in the lead up to Rio 2016. [Horse and Hound]

Speaking of British Eventing, Zara Phillips is setting up new digs at Gatcombe, where Princess Anne owns an estate, and is also the host of a couple of events in England. She also talks about her horses of choice ‘I like kiwi thoroughbreds-they’re quite tough.’ and her plan for the next year, which will include prepping a couple horses for Badminton. [An Eventful Life

Michael Phelps owns a racehorse, and it just won a race at Gulfstream Park. Phelps did the smart thing and put the horse, Cerro, in training with Graham Motion, and the 3-year-old colt won a $50k allowance race at Gulfstream to reward him. [Huffington Post]

Because it’s worth a re-post, here are Jacky Green’s predictions for the 2013 Eventing year. Apparently this year Mary King will be Grass Roots Champion 2013, people will pull out of Badminton because the ground is too hard, Mark Todd will win Burghley, and Barbury Castle will run for eight straight days to accommodate every Advanced horse in the country. [Jacky’s Blog]

The PRO series and Adequan Gold Cup Series are fusing into one giant super awesome Series, so riders don’t have to choose which ones they want to try to win. Check out USEA’s website for the schedule and more information. [US Eventing]

Some more XC action from Rocking Horse

Colleen Rutledge rides 'Terpetariat' at the Maryland Horse Expo. I'd like to see them tackle another 4* course. Photo via Tack of the Day.

Good morning, and happy Inauguration day! For those of you not in the DC area, you’re probably able to leave and go to the barn today and yesterday. However, we who reside in the nation’s capitol have bunkered down over the past couple days, unwilling to venture out onto crowded roadways and unable to decipher which roads are blocked and which ones are free. I am lucky enough to have tickets for the event, and will be braving the cold to get a glimpse of our president getting sworn in for the second time.

Weekend Results:

Poplar Place January Horse Trials

Events Opening This Week:

Red Hills International Horse Trials & Trade Fair (Florida, A-3) Southern Pines H.T. I(North Carolina, A-2) Full Gallop Farm March H.T. (South Carolina, A-3)

Monday News:

Manoir de Carneville was named USEF Horse of Honor at the USEF National Convention, along with Rich Feller’s Olympic mount, Flexible, and Jen Alfano’s hunter-jumper Jersey Boy. [Manoir de Carneville Named USEF Horse of Honor]

Wise Dan was the big winner at the Eclipse Awards; he swept three categories: Horse of the Year, Older Male Horse, and Turf Horse for his brilliant season which saw him break two track records and win the Breeder’s Cup Mile. [ESPN]

The Horse has some tips to keep your horses healthy during the winter. Some of them? Increasing calories through high quality hay, not grain, having a well ventilated barn to keep allergens and dust from affecting your horse’s breathing, and remove blankets at least once a week to check for skin abnormalities. [The Horse]

The USEF High Performance Training Sessions with David O’Connor get started tomorrow, check their Facebook website for photos and updates. [USEF]

The World Equestrian Games might be a little French in 2018, as Bromont is looking the most likely to host the next installment of the Games after it was revealed that the FEI received no host agreement was received from Austria. [An Eventful Life]

COTH editor Sara Leiser talks about confidence, and having a plan in her latest blog. I can identify with her anxiety during show jumping, and she offers some advice from her sports psychologist about what to do when that feeling hits. To save money, I’m going to her psychologist through her blogs, and I think it’s working! [The Chronicle]

Video of the Day: I’m sure Suave Jazz, a member of the Retired Racehorse Training Project, is not going to have any trouble finding a new home. This guy is gorgeous, and has talent for days.

Sorry if this has been shared before, but it's how I feel after getting the latest round of eye-affected vet bills.

Well folks, it’s only the second Monday of the new year, but it already feels old. Maybe that’s just me, call it a quarter life crisis, or just the off-season blues, but I personally can not wait until the first event of the year. Although, judging by my horse’s quality of both dressage, jumping, and overall personality, we have a lot to work on before then!

Events Opening This Week:

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (Florida, A-3)  MeadowCreek Park – The Spring Social Event (Texas, A-5)  Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials (South Carolina, A-3)  Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (California, A-6)

Monday News:

Gary Stevens returns to racing after a seven year hiatus with a win Saturday at Santa Anita aboard the filly, Branding. For those of us who have become accustomed to watching Gary on HRTV or playing an actor on Luck, it’s good to see him back where he belongs. [SGV Tribune

An Eventful Life has a Mary King clinic report up, where the veteran eventer teaches energy, and getting your horse to land on the correct lead. She says that most riders, when the fences get big, go for more speed, when they should be focused on creating more energy. Well said, Mary. [An Eventful Life]

Denis Glaccum, the organizer of Plantation Field, underwent heart surgery on January  3. He is said to be recovering well at the University of Pennsylvania hospital in Philadelphia, Penn. [The Chronicle of the Horse]

A racehorse escaped from Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., after a workout in which he tossed his jockey and proceeded to run down Route 1. He was eventually caught in front of a car dealership. No word yet of what was faster, his workout, or escape. [Jackson Sun]

Researchers in Poland underwent a study that sought to determine whether or not horses captured from the wild suffered more stress during training. They concluded that, compared to horses in similar work, their heart rates and physical output was relatively similar. [The Horse]

Horse and Country recently interviewed Mark Todd 

It always works. Photo via SmartPak.

Happy Monday, EN readers! The first event of the year is officially over, so if you’re lucky enough to be in Florida, I hope you enjoyed your weekend of competitive action while all of us poor souls in the Northeast are looking at your sunshine laden photos with great jealousy.

Weekend Results:

Ocala Horse Properties HT

Monday News:

Buck Davidson rode 11 horses in the first event of the year, which I think sets a bad precedent for the rest of the season. Now when he wants to turn down a ride, owners can say: ‘but you’re only riding 10 this weekend!’ Leslie Law, Jon Holling and Hannah Burnett were other top riders in the mix at Ocala. [Ocala HT results]

Finalists have been announced for the 2012 Eclipse Awards, Fort Larned, I’ll Have Another, and Wise Dan are the three battling it out for HOTY title. Bob Baffert, Dale Romans, and Todd Pletcher are the finalists for Trainer of the Year. [The Examiner]

Researchers have begun looking into fetlock injuries sustained during racing, and whether track surface plays a part. Some results have shown that horses hyperextend more on dirt tracks than synthetic tracks, and overall rotation is more on dirt tracks as well. [The Horse]

Polo competitors are willing to pay up to $2 million for clones of famous polo ponies, and the business of cloning, especially in polo-centric Argentina, is taking off. There have been 60 clones so far, and the demand only keeps going up for clones of ponies like Cuaretera, and world famous rider Adolfo Cambioso has already ordered clones of eight of his ponies. [The Economist]

It’s the second to last day of the George Morris Training Session, and riders rode the whole day without stirrups. Go on over to the Chronicle for the usual George Morris entertainment, and education. [The Chronicle of the Horse]

The Unwanted Horse Coalition counted a total of 208 stallions-turned geldings-that they castrated through their Operation Gelding Program. The program has inspired clinics in Maryland and Texas. [The Horse]

Liz Potter, a rider in England, recounts the harrowing story of the day her horse Clyde got stuck in quicksand. One minute they were on solid ground, the next he was up to his neck in strong muck. Luckily for both of them, he managed to haul himself out with the encouragement of Liz and her boyfriend, but they no longer ride on the beach. [The Guardian]

My plan for last week was depressing, mainly because it in fact was NOT dry.

This is a series written by me, about me, and my return to eventing. We’ve (that’s me and my horse Plaid who has been chronically lame for 5 years) been away awhile, so sometimes we need a little help with the unknowns. Read Part I, Part II, and Part III if you so desire.

Winter Edition!

Since we last spoke, we’ve made some changes in our routine. The biggest is the move we made to Allen and Clover Sport Horses, where hopefully they will help us polish our edges and by that I mean not look like such a hot mess in all three phases. Being around quality horses and riders all the time is an inspiration, and a little intimidating, but I think will help us in the long run.

Before I started eventing again this year, there was no off season. There were cold months, when you rode less and prayed for sunny days, but there was no planning. So, as someone who would like to keep riding in the winter, and keep my old guy fit (do you know how hard it is to RE develop some sort of topline on a 19 year old–20 in February!–OTTB that has downhill tendencies?), I have some questions!

1. Is it normal to get choked up when you come across your pinney from the last event you did?
2. How do you avoid motion sickness when trotting endless 20 meter circles in the indoor?
3. How do I explain to my family around Christmas that $600 for custom boots isn’t THAT much?
4. It’s 60 degrees in December in Area II, does the last event really have to happen the first week of November?
5. Are the other eventers at my barn judging my horse’s poorly executed trace clip?
6. My horse tripped over a log on the trails the other day, does this mean he’s forgotten how to jump cross country?
7. Did someone forget to send me the memo about eventers wearing air vests during jumping lessons?
8. Now that 3′ fences look small again, does this mean I’m ready to move up to training?
9. Do you think my horse would be terrified if I showed him my plans for next season?
10. I finally got my photos back from the last event, how did the photographer NOT get me almost falling off in stadium?! I was really looking forward to using that in a post.

Happy day before 2013 EN readers! I’m hoping the new year brings around a healed eye ball for my horse Plaid, as my lower body muscles are getting jiggly from lack of time in the saddle, and I can see his topline disappearing with each passing day.

Monday News:

That’s SIR Mark Todd to you. Toddy was knighted in his home country of New Zealand, after an illustrious career and fruitful competitive years after his “retirement,” that ended in 2008. He took time out of being a knight to speak from his chalet in France. Oh, to be Mark Todd in the off season. [New Zealand Equestrian]

Horses4Hope, a Hamilton based rescue organization, has rescued a nine month old Standardbred colt in honor of Sandy Hook shooting victim Jessica Rekos. Jessica dreamed of having her own horse one day, and was promised a horse when she turned 10. They named the colt ‘Rekos’ and hope to have him adopted to a family with a girl around Jessica’s age. [Salem News]

FEI signed a deal with Swiss watchmaker Longines for the brand to become its first ‘Top Partner.’ Which means that some lucky riders will probably be receiving some nice watches for winning at top events. [Horse Talk NZ]

Nancy Jaffer takes a look back on 2012 and the most significant events of the year. Among the top? The rise in popularity in OTTBs, moving the USDF Dressage Festival of Champions from Gladstone to Kentucky, and the wild weather, from Irene to Sandy, that rocked the region. She also takes a look ahead to 2013. [NJ Star Ledger]

Top Tweet:

When your horse walks away just as you’re putting your left foot into the stirrup.. #EquineDilemmas.

— Equine Dilemmas.(@EquineDilemmas) December 30, 2012

I'll take one that doesn't require eye medication please.

Good morning, readers! Christmas Eve is upon us; I hope you’ve all done your holiday shopping and are cozy around a fire with a warm beverage. If it were me it would be a Baileys and Kahlua with a splash of coffee. On my way into NYC yesterday to celebrate Christmas with my boyfriend and his parents, I got a call from the barn. As I entered Lincoln tunnel, an upbeat Arcade Fire song on the radio, a sweater and scarf on, preparing to revel in holidays in the greatest city on earth, I learned that my horse just came in from the barn with an eye that was swollen shut. After much vetting, it was discovered he had an ulcer on his cornea (I think I heard that right, I was moaning a lot), and he has to have cream applied 3-4 times daily until the swelling goes down. The only thing I was seeing in my head were the beautiful Frye boots I was going to buy myself with my Christmas funds disappearing in a cloud of vet bills and hold charges. Merry Christmas to me!

Monday News:

A newspaper in Sydney, Australia, is being slammed for touting racehorse Black Caviar as the female athlete of the year over Olympic gold medalist Sally Pearson. Also interestingly enough, earlier this year in a different newspaper’s 50 Most Influential in Sport, only four were female and two were horses. [The Border Mail]

Peter Charles, who delivered the final clear round to clinch the gold medal in show jumping for Britain, showcased a new prospect for 2016 at Olympia in London. Odie de Frevent, who is one of a few in his string to compete for top placing after selling Olympic mount Vindicat W to Jessica Springsteen, won third in the Rolex World Cup Qualifier. [The Telegraph]

A man from New Mexico is suing the USDA in order to resume slaughtering horses for meat. He claims to have put over $100,000 towards upgrades in his slaughtering facilities, and expects the USDA to resume inspections that would lead to horses being slaughtered in the US again. [LA Times]

A pineapple grown in horse manure and treated with horse urine is apparently the world’s most luxurious fruit. The fruits, grown in Cornwall, cost around $2000 to make and will cost about $15,000 if you want to eat one. And why wouldn’t you. [Metro News]

The USA Equestrian Trust is awarding $95,000 to help fund equestrian sport in America. Unfortunately, eventing didn’t make the cut, but they did award money to the Virginia Equestrian Center, USA Reining, the Arabian Horse Association, and hunter jumper riders in California. [The Horse]

Happy Christmas Andrew Nicholson! New Zealander nets $50,000 bonus from HSBC as world number one in HSBC Eventingtwitpic.com/bokh6n

— The FEI (@myfei_home) December 23, 2012

Bruce Davidson and Eagle Lion statue at the Kentucky Horse Park. Photo via Equestrian Life's FB page, as my picture with the statue features me with bangs.

Good morning, fellow eventers! So begins the last week before Christmas, and I hope you’re not stressing too much. I actually haven’t even begun to shop for anyone yet, strangely it seems that every time I try I find myself back on Dover and Smartpak, checking out personalized saddle pads and full seat winter breeches. Oh if we could just buy ourselves the things we really want.

Monday News:

Eagle Lion, best known for winning Badminton with Bruce Davidson in 1995, passed away at the age of 27. He also had top placings at Burghley, Fair Hill, and Rolex before his retirement in 2001. [USEF Network]

Kelly Prather had everyone’s dream job, and now she’s rubbing it in our faces. Just kidding, she seems like a lovely girl that got to be William Fox Pitt’s head rider in 2012. Some of the perks? Watching WFP train and ride every day, going to the Olympics, and galloping four star horses on the daily. Okay, I hate her again. [The Chronicle]

Fan-freaking-tastic news for Maryland horse racing, they’ve voted to stabilize the sport at Pimlico and Laurel. Voters in Maryland voted yes to expanded gambling in November, and the two tracks will soon see profit from that. In addition, they will host race horses year-round, with a minimum 100 live racing days per year. [Baltimore Sun]

Horse and Hound eventing editor Pippa Roome (who runs a fantastic twitter account in addition to her writing duties), reflects on 2012. Also, should note that she uses words like ‘twiddlywinks.’ Bless her. [Horse and Hound]

Those University of Leeds girls are at it again with another calender to raise money for the equestrian team. I’m not offended (if you have a television or the internet how can you be?), but I do worry about chafing. [The Sun]

Horses aren’t the only ones enjoying the turf at Sam Houston race track in Houston, Texas. Recently, cheetahs from the nearby Houston Zoo have been going to the park to get some exercise. The big cats need to get up to high speeds to burn off calories, and are unable to do that in their zoo environment. Now I’d like to see them on the race card. [Houston Chronicle]

How I'm guessing most of us feel this morning.

Happy Monday, EN readers! Anyone feeling like it’s winter yet? I’ve spent the last three days in the indoor arena, safe from the rain, but bored out of my mind. I’m sure my horse feels the same way, today he acted like downward transitions were unheard of, and bending was a novel concept. I’m thinking rain or shine, it’s time to ditch the confines of the four indoor walls tomorrow. If he’s okay with getting his feet muddy, then so am I. (Note: This is not me complaining about having an indoor arena. I’m a very lucky person to be able to ride inside)

Monday News:

The New York Times has reported European markets are purchasing less horse meat from the United States because of the risk associated with horses that are treated with pain killers coming from the racetrack. However you feel about slaughter, the images of two rejected horses being led around a Holiday Inn parking lot is pretty sad. What’s happening to the rejected horses, we can only guess. [New York Times]

The Chronicle of the Horse’s Sara Leiser blogs about purchasing her first true OTTB. She went on Thanksgiving Day of all days to pick up a free smaller than described colt with her husband, and politely declined the offer of a free filly. Here’s hoping there’s many more adventures that will lead to many more blogs. [The Chronicle]

Racing in China is also in dire straits, one of its biggest tracks is now being used as a parking lot. Tracks were built even when gambling was illegal, with the hopes that the government would soon lift its ban. That didn’t happen, and as a result the tracks are shadows of their former beings. [Global Times]

Looking for a Christmas present for your loved one? Buy a share in Clayton Fredericks’ foal syndicate. 1,800 pounds buys you a 1% share in two foals! What a steal! [Team Fredericks Foal Syndicate]

Officials are meeting in Panama City this week to discuss equine health and safety regulations in South America. The committee, which includes veterinarians, and officials from the FEI and World Animal Health Organization (OIE) will discuss plans to make travel to South America, with a focus on the 2016 Olympic Games, easier for high performance horses. [Eurodressage]

The USEA convention is over, and I don’t understand a word of it, so I’ll let more qualified people explain. Mostly I just like the idea of a bunch of horse people stuck in a hotel talking about horses, with no horses in sight. Makes me giggle. [USEA Notes]

Tweet of the Day

Contemplating whether horse people are born crazy and are attracted to horses or if horses just make normal people go crazy #hsp

— Horse Show Problems (@horseshowprob) December 8, 2012

In case you missed it, the ladies of USEF High Performance dancing to “Hips Don’t Lie”

Photo via Smart Pak's Facebook.

Happy Monday, EN readers! It’s been a busy weekend for me, I moved my horse Plaid into new digs at Allen and Clover Sport Horses in Brandywine, Md, so we could train full time under the watchful eye of people who actually know what they’re doing. Plaid already has a girlfriend in the form of an adorable Paint mare named Kahlua, which has become very serious in a short amount of time. I feel like the mother of a girl going out with a tattooed guitarist, enforcing separation so things don’t get out of hand. Sorry, but our dressage is already sad enough without him screaming at the top of his lungs.

Monday News:

No British equestrians were nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, even with their amazing showing at the 2012 Olympic Games. Charlotte Dujardin who won double gold in Dressage is one of the most notable omissions. [Horse and Hound]

Michael Pollards vows to become more involved in the sport to help it grow in his latest contribution to The Chronicle. Three steps he hopes to take? Buy locally, become involved in events, and be a part of a USEA or USEF committee. Oh, and he also quotes Ghandi. [The Chronicle]

Recap of Day Two of the Canadian Eventing Symposium, along with tips from David O’Connor. He talks about studying what other sports do to apply to our own. Rebecca Howard, Jessica Phoenix, and Hawley Bennett-Awad were also part of the event. [Horse Junkies United]

Mark Todd has added a new star to his barn in the form of Cortafelx Up N’ Go, who he bought in New Zealand from former Olympian Haleen Tompkins. He sold for an ‘undisclosed six figure sum,’ after reportedly being inspected by Zara Phillips. [An Eventful Life]

Jessica Springsteen is always in the limelight, especially when she wears fuzzy angel wings in a Grand Prix. What I like most about this article is how horrible it makes me feel for sitting at home in my pajamas, phrases like ‘Gucci Paris Masters,’ and ‘Marion Cotillard in VIP box’ and ‘boyfriend Guillame Canet’ and ‘fellow rider dressed like Princess Leia.’ [Daily Mail]

The Horse is trying to ease your worries if you have someone nice enough to watch your horse when you’re away for the holidays. They’ve made a downloadable form that tells your sitter everything they need to know to keep your ponies safe and happy. [The Horse]

Based on this video I really want to take a Stephen Bradley clinic.

Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire Champions of the 2012 Australian International Three Day Event.

Oh god, is it Monday already? This time last week I was preparing to visit my family in Kansas City, and embark on a week of eating that is almost too shameful to vocalize. The unfortunate part about not visiting friends and family enough, is being pulled in too many directions. On Thanksgiving Day I had to go to THREE dinners. Well, one brunch and two dinners. I was not happy about it. Yes, having people cook for me on three different occasions is nice, but I’m more of the ‘shovel it in until I hate myself then take a nap’ than the ‘eat an appropriate amount at each meal’ kind of person. I exercised what was extreme caution on the portion sized front, that is, until I got to the green bean casserole at the final dinner. Then, I went to town until I realized all my hard work had been undone. I was disgustingly, unavoidably, full.

Weekend Results:

Pine Top Thanksgiving HT

Monday News:

Craig Barrett and Sandhills Brillaire won the Adelaide CCI 4* on Sunday, following up his almost fault-free cross-country round with a seven fault stadium round that saw him hold on to the top spot over Natalie Blundell and Algebra. [Adelaide 4* results]

Wilhelm Enzinger and Flowervale Maserati took top spot in a packed CCI 2* competition at Adelaide, moving up from second place after overnight leader Shane Rose and CP Qualified withdrew before the start of show jumping. [Adelaide 2* Results]

Perhaps not the most dignified day for equestrian sculpture; police in London spent three hours in a stand off with a nude man on top of a statue of the mounted Duke of Cambridge. As someone who’s seen the statue in question, I believe it might have been improved by his presence. [Washington Post]

The British Horse Society is reminding people that horses are for life, not just for Christmas, and encouraging people thinking about gifting a horse to consider the long-term expenses. As they say, horses in this economy ‘may be inexpensive to buy, but they can be costly to keep.’ [The Horse]

A new documentary titled ‘Saving America’s Horses: A Nation Betrayed,’ looks at the round-up of thousands of wild horses and burros, who are then slaughtered for human consumption abroad. The documentary has supposedly uncovered video footage of such acts, which are described as ‘grisly.’ [LA Times]

Child jockeys in Indonesia race ponies for cash and glory, although as one taxi driver says, he’s less concerned with their safety than the fact that they miss 10 days of school. [Reuters]

Stay Thirsty bested Groupie Doll in the Grade I Cigar Mile, damaging her hopes of winning Horse of the Year. This race was his last, as he will now retire to stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. [ESPN]

It appears that Totilas will be standing stud in 2013, albeit with less coverage. Just two days after it was announced that the stallion wouldn’t be pulling double duty in the next year, and he won’t be ‘breeding in the morning and showing in the afternoon.’ [Eurodressage]

Waylon Roberts talks about Clayton Fredericks as the new Canadian coach, and what it will mean for Canada. He says the ‘bubble burst’ after their great showing at WEG 2010, and they need to develop more young horses and young riders if they want to stay near the top of the game. [Horse Junkies United]

Top tweet:

BD convention – Carl Hester: “When flying changes were introduced in eventing it was one of the most spectacularly amusing days”

— Horse & Hound (@horseandhound) November 24, 2012

 

‘Tis the season to have absolutely no idea what to get any of your friends or family, for the umpteenth year in a row. Every once in a while you find the perfect present, but especially for horsey friends, the pressure is on. Obviously you’ll be purchasing something horse-related, but does it have to be pink and have a fat pony on it? We here at Eventing Nation say NAY! That’s why this holiday season each one of our impressive staff writers is picking one unique, amazing, thoughtful and clever horsey gift to help you along during this time of stress. Happy holidays!

_____________________

The gorgeous 'Centerline Rings' from Jumpline Designs.

Okay EN, it’s my turn to tell you what I want for Christmas. In addition to my absolutely stellar (and absolutely too lengthy) Smartpak wishlist — which includes high-dollar ticket items I will never receive, like new tall boots, custom safety vest and Amerigo jump saddle, and ones I don’t feel like going to get at the tack store, like wormer, Show Sheen and Thrush Buster — I found something someone might actually want to leave under the tree for me.

Jumpline Designs, an Oregon-based company, is making jewelry that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear out in the trendier parts of Washington, D.C., although, hey, I wear my horse’s nameplate bracelet everywhere I go.

The reason I love the Centerline rings and bracelet is simple. Number one, they’re gorgeous, classy, and make a statement. More importantly, any time I forget the layout of a dressage arena, which is always, they’re there to remind me. Seriously guys, I can enter at A and go to C and I still don’t know if I’m looking for B or E. Sorry.

Which one do you like better? I think I can guess. 

When it comes to equestrian-themed jewelry, there’s no lack of a market. Equestrian-inspired items are everywhere — from horse shoes to stirrups and everything in between — but these have the mark of someone that knows horses, the horse world, and what we want from jewelry that reminds us of the barn. It’s jewelry that’s classy, beautiful, and wait for it … affordable! The Centerline ring is $49.95, and the bracelet goes for $79.95. Not too bad for people that spend hundreds of dollars on saddle pads.

As horse people, we usually want to see that big box under the tree. We want the tailored coat; the new cross-country boots; or a beautiful, durable turnout blanket. The box this comes in might be small, but it will make just as big of an impact.

Jumpline also makes a horseshoe nail ring — for those of you who don’t even want a dressage ring anywhere near you — and rings and bracelets designed as jump poles. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to drop this into my mom’s inbox. She’s going to be so happy I didn’t ask for stirrup leathers. To order these, and find out where you can purchase them, visit Jumpline Design.

The jump pole rings from Jumpline. Also available as bracelets.

Horse shoe nail ring. I love the seamless elegance of it.

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! Everyone that knows me knows this is my absolute, number one favorite holiday. I’m not a fan of birthdays, turn green and hairy around Christmas time, and get nauseous the second week of February, but a holiday centered around eating and being around friends and family? I’ll take two! This year I’m thankful that my 19-year-old horse Plaid is sound enough to eat up the 3’3″ course I set up this morning. I’m thankful that I’ll soon be moving barns in order to fully immerse ourself in this journey we started this summer when we took up eventing again. Lastly, I’m thankful every day that I have had 9 wonderful years with my partner in crime.

Weekend results:

Ram Tap HT

Ocala Horse Properties Fall HT

Las Cruces HT

Monday News:

It’s time to nominate winners for Canada’s end of the year Equestrian awards. Awards include Equestrian of the Year, Junior Equestrian of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Best Canadian-bred Horse of the Year. [Horse Talk]

Jimmy Kruyne, aka the shirtless guy wearing a horse mask during Hurricane Sandy, explains why he was out wearing a horse mask during Hurricane Sandy. Kruyne is a 27-year-old assistant account executive apparently bought the mask because “I thought it would be nice to have a horse mask around in case something comes up.” [Washington Post]

Hyde Park in London will have a new resident equine, in the form of a bronze sculpture of the heroic horse Sefton, who survived the IRA’s infamous car bomb attack in 1982. Sefton suffered 38 injuries, and went under the knife for over eight hours, a record back then for equine surgeries. [Telegraph]

CNN looks at weird Thoroughbred names, and the reasons behind them. List of names I can’t name my future racehorse? Secretariat II, Barack Obama, and anything crude, no matter how clever it is. [CNN]

Entry fees are set to rise in Great Brittain, which reflects a “very difficult year” for British Eventing. Membership fees are set to remain the same, but with start fees going up 2 pounds (around $3.5) and entry fees going up 3%. [Horse and Hound]

Gary West explains why, if Groupie Doll wins the Cigar Mile, she could beat out Wise Dan for Horse of the Year. If she were to win the Eclipse Award for HOTY, she would be the fourth consecutive filly to do so. [ESPN]

Cross-Country at Ocala Farms HT