Classic Eventing Nation

Adelaide 2018 to Celebrate Life of Australian Eventing Icon Gillian Rolton

Gillian Rolton and Peppermint Grove. Photo courtesy of the Australian International Three-Day Event.

On cross country day of the 2017 Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide, Gillian Rolton passed away at the age of 61 following a battle with cancer. On the one-year anniversary of her loss, this year’s event aims to honor the memory of this Olympic dual gold medalist and former Adelaide event director.

Gillian, the first Australian woman to win Olympic and world championship equestrian events, is remembered as a trailblazer whose tenacity  sparked interest amongst a generation of riders in Australia and worldwide.

“Gillian was an inspiration to so many people across the world and has had such a huge impact on the Australian International Three-Day Event,” says Adelaide event director Belinda Lindh. “In honour of her impact and love for the Aus3DE, we will be celebrating her life throughout the event.”

Tributes include the establishment of fence #5AB on the CCI4* cross country course, the Gillian Rolton Olympic Memorial Fence; a tribute luncheon on Friday with fellow Olympians Rachael Sport, Julliet Haslam and Wendy Schaeffer, who will speak to Gill’s role as a pioneer of women in sport; and a fundraiser created by Gillian’s husband Greg of “Peppermint Fred” plush toys, which will be sold throughout the event to benefit Cancer Council SA. Peppermint Fred is a nod to Gillian’s beloved dual Olympic gold medal winning partner Peppermint Grove, whose stable name was Fred.

Gillian’s favorite discipline was always the cross country phase, reflected by the Gillian Rolton Olympic Memorial fence at #5AB in Victoria Park. Photo courtesy of CrossCountryApp.com.

“Gill has left a lasting legacy in Adelaide’s Australian International Three-Day Event, and she will be fondly remembered for her tenacity and dedication towards all that she did. She would have loved ‘Peppermint Fred’ and would have been proud to see cancer research being supported this way at the Aus3DE,” Belinda says.

Prior to serving as Adelaide’s event director for a decade, Gillian competed in two Olympic Games, at Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996. She helped Australia to team gold at both Games riding Peppermint Grove. Her first gold at Barcelona was a milestone in Australian eventing as she became the first Aussie female to medal at any Olympic Games or World Championships. Memorably, in the 1996 Games, she broke her collarbone and ribs when Peppermint Grove fell cross country but remounted and completed the course.

Gillian was a member of the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame, in 2000 was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and was one of eight flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 20000 Sydney Olympics. After retiring from competition, her dedication to the sport continued as a coach and official, serving on the ground jury at the 2012 London Olympics and heading the jury at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. She has also been active as the EFA National Young Eventing Rider Squad coach as well as an Australian eventing team selector.

Michael Jung accepts his ribbon from Gillian Rolton at Luhmühlen 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Gillian had been battling endometrial cancer for the past two years. When the cancer was discovered to be terminal two months prior to the 2017 Australian International 3DE in September 2017, she was admitted to the hospital and continued her work on the organization of the event from her hospital bed. We were all glad to see that she lived to see the event successfully and happily underway.

We thank Gillian for all of her contributions to the sport. Go Eventing.

[Anniversary of a legend’s passing — a tribute to Gillian Rolton’s life achievements and vision]

 

Adelaide Links: WebsiteEntriesScheduleStart Lists & ScoringEN’s Coverage

Thursday News & Notes from Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS)

Truth

When I saw that photo, I thought maybe it had been photoshopped, and was made to look like Cards Against Humanity, realizing rightfully that CAH probably didn’t have an entire deck dedicated to our little community of lunatics. Then, after some googling, I found that Equestrians Against Normalcy is a thing, and they DO have an Extreme Eventer Deck of cards, and I immediately added it to my Christmas wish list/shopping cart. I don’t know if I’m late to the party on this little discovery, but it totally made my day.

National Holiday: National Raisin Bran Cereal Day

Major Weekend Events:

Ocala Jockey Club CIC & CCI: WebsiteEntry StatusScheduleLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

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

News From Around the Globe:

The action is already well underway at the Ocala Jockey Club Three Day Event, and with the last FEI event of the season comes much excitement. They are offering an inaugural CCI3* level in addition to the CIC3*, with 13 and 12 entries respectively. Two horses who competed in the WEG this year are making their return, Felix Vogg’s Colero and Nilson Moreira da Silva on Magnum’s Martini, both in the CIC3*. There is $20,000 in prize money on the table, as well as an additional $10,000 from the Ocala Jockey Club awarded to top performing Thoroughbreds this weekend. [OJC 3DE Fast Facts]

British Olympic show jumper Tim Stockdale has passed away at the age of 54. Tim’s death comes after a short battle with cancer having been diagnosed early October. Tim competed for Great Britain at three senior championships and more than 50 Nations Cups; among the highlight of his long career, he was the highest placed British rider with Corlato at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Our condolences to his family and friends — what a tremendous loss. [Tim Stockdale Passes Away Following Illness]

If you’re attending the OJC 3DE, be sure to stop by the luncheon tomorrow to hear Gemma Tattersall and Lynn Symansky speak about their journeys to the top. Moderated by Jen Roytz, the Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project, the purpose of the luncheon is to discuss what it’s like to be a female athlete at the top of the sport, and how to overcome challenges along the way to achieving your goals. [OJC Showcases Ladie’s Lunch]

Looking for some inspiration to get you through the week? Seek no further than this brave blog by Nick Hinze for COTH, as he tells us about battling cancer all year while still keeping a full competition schedule and even winning a few. [Nick Hinze Won’t Let Cancer Slow Him Down]

Hot on Horse Nation: Video: In Search of Europe’s Wild Horses

 

 

 

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: James Koford and Adiah HP Get In the Groove at USDF Freestyle Champs

Put on your dancing shoes and get down to this jazzy freestyle by James Koford and Adiah HP. For the second consecutive year, they won the Grand Prix open freestyle championship at the U.S. Dressage Finals in Kentucky last weekend (they also won the Grand Prix open championship). Their freestyle music was a last-minute change, but you wouldn’t have known it as Sherry Koella’s 11-year-old Fresian mare grooved around the arena. In fact, the tune was an homage to Adiah’s owner, who once made her living as a magician and performed to this very music!

“I am so pumped! She’s getting so mature – now she goes in the ring and gets excited, but I can channel that energy,” James said. “I saw her in a clinic four years ago and thought she was the most fun horse I’d ever seen, and I had to sit on her. Now she’s gone on to do everything I’ve asked and more. She’s like my dirt bike: I just get to run around and have fun, without stress or drama. It just gives me goosebumps because it’s so much fun to get on a horse like this that loves to go in the show ring.”

And here’s a fun fact: James is a former eventer who ran around Kentucky twice. Check out this incredibly entertaining recollection of that experience in an interview with James from the EN archives.

[Adiah HP Makes Magic At U.S. Dressage Finals]

[USDF Press Release]

[Jim Koford – Onward and Upward]

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123 Horses Ready for Action at Ocala Jockey Club CCI

Emily Lehman and Martial Arts. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All 12 CCI3* pairs were accepted in the first horse inspection at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event this afternoon under an overcast sky here in Reddick, Florida. Jo Young (CAN), Peter Gray (CAN) and Janet Surr (GBR) have the honor of serving on the ground jury for the inaugural CCI3*, as well as the CCI2*.

In the CCI2*, four horses were sent to the holding box: Katie Ruppel’s mount A Sportsfield Diamond, Sara Mittleider’s mount La Paz, Shelby Brost’s mount Crimson and Autumn Schweiss’s mount Global AKD Corline. Katie withdrew A Sportsfield Diamond from the holding box. The other three horses were accepted after re-presenting to send 40 horses on to dressage in the CCI2*.

Leslie Law and Voltaire de Tre’. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In the CCI*, two horses were withdrawn prior to the first inspection: Stephanie Goodman’s mount OBOS Quality Time and Alex Banks’s mount Continious. Morgan Batton’s mount Toby The Coal Man was sent to the holding box and accepted after re-presenting. All other horses were accepted by the ground jury of Bobby Stevenson (USA) and Debbie Adams (USA) to send 71 pairs forward in the CCI*.

Dressage starts at 9:20 a.m. tomorrow for the CIC3* and CCI*, with CCI2* dressage starting at 12:30 p.m. EST. Click here for dressage start times.

CCI3* dressage starts at 1 p.m. EST on Friday and will stream live on EQTV Network. The most current competition schedule can be accessed on the #OJC3DE homepage. Cross country and show jumping for the CCI3*, CCI2*, and CCI* will also stream live. Click here to view full details for the live stream.

Stay tuned for more of our favorite photos from the first horse inspection, and keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know from #OJC3DE. Go Eventing.

#OJC3DE Links: WebsiteDressage Start Times, Live ScoresLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

California Horse Community Needs Help in Deadly Wildfires

Embed from Getty Images

Raging wildfires in California have caused 50 confirmed deaths, with 48 of those coming from the Camp Fire in Butte County and two from the Woolsey Fire in southern California. The Camp Fire has virtually destroyed the town of Paradise and continues to blaze at about 35% contained.

The fires grew rapidly: the Woolsey fire grew to 35,000 acres in its first 24 hours last Thursday, and the Camp Fire grew even faster to 70,000 acres in its first day. With such dramatic speed and exponential growth, residents barely had time to evacuate. Harrowing images flooded social media from both fires: flames scorching trees on both sides of the road as people drove to safety. Animals turned loose as their best chance of survival. Horses ridden to the beach in Malibu to await pickup to safety with smoke and flames licking the sky overhead.

The Camp Fire is currently at 135,000 acres and 35% contained; the Woolsey fire is at 97,620 acres and 47% contained. Several other smaller fires are also raging in California, leaving fire-fighting resources stretched thin and evacuation efforts for both people and animals working hard. The fires are fanned by the Santa Ana winds, which blow hot, dry air east to west. Combined with dry fuel after a dry summer, conditions are right for fast-moving, devastating fires.

Details on all fires can be found at CalFire’s website, which also lists human and animal evacuation centers.

While having an evacuation plan for horses should be the first step towards keeping them safe in natural disasters, it’s not always possible due to the speed of a fire or rapidly-changing conditions. Due to the speed of the Camp Fire, there are numerous reports of horses turned loose, which can increase their chances of survival rather than being locked in a barn or small paddock. Owners forced to make that decision should mark their horses if at all possible with identification or phone number.

The full scope of devastation and damage won’t be known for some time as these fires continue to burn; it’s already believed that the death toll from the Camp Fire will continue to rise as authorities search the rubble left in the fire line’s wake. An estimated 96% of the town of Paradise burned to the ground.

How you can help:

Cash donations give organizations on the ground the flexibility to apply those funds where they are needed most.

US Equestrian Disaster Relief Fund: US Equestrian will determine where funds are best applied. In the past, US Equestrian has sent truckloads of hay to disaster-stricken areas, among other aid. Donate here

Humane Society of Ventura County: Aiding animals from the Woolsey Fire and others in Ventura County. Donate here

North Valley Animal Disaster Group: All-volunteer organization currently caring for over 1,300 evacuated animals in shelters plus additional wellness checks during the Camp Fire. Donate here

LA County Animal Care Foundation Noah’s Legacy Fund: Specifically to aid during disasters, the Noah’s Legacy Fund supports animal evacuation efforts plus animal evacuee supplies and support. Donate here

Brooke USA: As stated on the donation page, Brooke USA has yet to determine where funds will be applied but this reputable organization will find the area of most need. Donate here

American Association for Equine Vet Practitioners: This organization has a dedicated fund for emergency disaster relief. Donate here

Our hearts go out to all affected by California’s devastating wildfires.

North American Connections Abound at Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale

It’s been a busy week for event horse shopping in Ireland, between the Monart Event Horse Sale (see EN’s roundup of North American acquisitions) and the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale, both of which were held in Co. Wexford.

Wouldn’t it be a game-changer if we had such one-stop horse shopping opportunities here in the U.S.? EN readers recently weighed in on whether the model could work stateside in a “Let’s Discuss” post here. Interestingly, despite the rather large pond separating North America from Ireland, many of the horses sold at Goresbridge have U.S. and Canadian connections, ranging from siblings and half-siblings competing stateside to pedigrees revealing 50% American Thoroughbred blood.

The 2018 Goresbridge sale took place Monday through Tuesday of this week and featured a range of bright young prospects, including the top grossing sale of an unnamed 3-year-old 16.2-hand gelding (OBOS Quality x God Mother, by Ghareeb) to 21-year-old British U25 star Sam Ecroyd for €59,000, or around $67,000 USD. The horse is a half-brother to SRS Picasso, the exciting 7-year-old who won the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge CCI1* with Robin Walker last month, and shares his sire with several North American based horses: Will Coleman’s four-star mount OBOS O’Reilly, Jill Thomas’ two-star mount OBOS Darko and Stephanie Goodman’s one-star mount OBOS Quality Time.

Unnamed gelding purchased by Sam Ecroyd. Photo courtesy of Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale.

The sale was well attended by a who’s-who of international eventers — Michael Jung, Oliver Townend, Emily King, Sam Watson and Sam Ecroyd all made purchases at both Monart and Goresbridge.

After purchasing two 3-year-olds by proxy at Monart last week, Michael Jung was at Goresbridge to bid on another two young prospects. Kilcandra Ocean Power, a 5-year-old 16.3-hand Irish Sport horse gelding (BGS Ocean View x Bonnie Dolly, by Bonnie Prince), has had two eventing outings and was described in the catalogue as “a quality horse, with good step and plenty of natural jumping ability.” His second purchase was Royal Trend, a 3-year-old 16.2-hand filly (Future Trend x Cult Princess Royal, by Cult Hero). Here also, there’s a North American connection: the damsire is a Canadian Thoroughbred with U.S. Thoroughbred lines behind that.

Royal Trend, a 3-year-old filly purchased by Michael Jung. Photo courtesy of Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale.

Sam Watson purchased Ballyneety No Rocket, a 4-year-old 16.1-hand gelding (Diamond Discovery x Ballyneety Macrocket, by Errigal Flight). You needn’t stretch to find the U.S. connection here: the horse’s sire, Diamond Discovery, is an unraced Florida-bred Thoroughbred who now stands at stud at Ballygarrett Stud in Co. Cork.

Ballyneety No Rocket, a 4-year-old purchased by Sam Watson. Photo courtesy of Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale/Bit-Media.

The 4-year-old 16-hand gelding purchased by Emily King, MBF All in Time (Emperor Augustus x Cunniamstown Wilma Jean by Ballintogher Leo), is also sired by an American Thoroughbred stallion. Emperor Augustus is by 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and has Mr. Prospector on his sire side and AP Indy on his dam side.

MBF All In Time, a 4-year-old purchased by Emily King. Photo courtesy of Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale/Bit-Media.

Oliver Townend purchased one horse in partnership with Richard Sheane, Kilnamac Croca, a 3-year-old 16.2-hand gelding (Courage II x Kilnamac Sue, by Cruising). He is a half-brother to Electric Lux, who is competing at the CCI1* level in the U.S. with Natalia Neneman, and his dam is a full sister to Joseph Murphy’s CCI4* and 2012 Olympic Games mount Electric Cruise.

Kilnamac Croga, a 3-year-old gelding purchased by Oliver Townend and Richard Sheane. Photo courtesy of Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale/Bit-Media.

View complete 2018 Goresbridge sale results here. Go Eventing.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

 Photo used under Creative Commons License.

It might be a day late and a dollar short but the leaves have finally hit their stride up here in the Northeast. Of course it’s snowing in Kentucky and nineteen in New Mexico so despite Ocala running, I’m ready to declare it officially the off-season, if only so I don’t have to keep riding in the dark.

National Holiday:  World Diabetes Day

Major Weekend Events:

Ocala Jockey Club CIC & CCI: WebsiteEntry StatusScheduleLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

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

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Erik Duvander will be the keynote speaker the the USEA convention in New Orleans. After coming in early this year to coach the US team, Erik will use experience from his roles not only as High Performance Director from various countries but also his role as father and husband to discuss different topics of learning.   [Erik Duvander Previews Keynote Address]

Jonty Evans made a public appearance at the Horse & Hound Awards to honor his groom Jane Green. Jane, who kept Jonty’s yard going all year after the rider suffered a TBI in June and remained in a coma for six weeks, was granted the Horseware Groom of the Year. [Jonty Evans Attends Awards]

Lauren Sprieser has suffered her fair share of heartbreak this year. Facing a heap of vet bills after a major colic from last  year and a puppy emergency, then multiple career ending injuries this year, Lauren ended up with a bit of the same this year, losing first one horse, then another to colic. At some point, she muses, you just become numb to it. [Disaster Fatigue]

If your horse could talk, what would his/her New Year’s Resolution be for 2019? Submit your answer to win over $4,000 in prizes in this year’s Horse Radio Network Holiday Radiothon including grand prizes of your choice of any Wintec saddle and a Weatherbeeta $500 prize pack. Entries must be submitted by Nov 19th. [Horse Radio Network Radiothon]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: The Complete Package

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Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Tuesday Video from SpectraVet: A Happy Retirement for Super Sam

Ruhestand? Was ist das ?Sam hat einfach so einen Spaß auf unserer Geländewiese. Das will man ihm nicht nehmen 😉Auch wenn ich momentan leider nicht selbst im Sattel sitzen kann, macht es viel Freude ihn so gesund und munter zu sehen 🐴😍

Posted by Michael Jung on Monday, November 12, 2018

We learned this fall that the legendary La Biosthetique-Sam FBW was officially retiring from competition, but we are pleased to report that the Olympic champion is still in fighting form. Check him out stretching his legs across the Jung’s schooling field. This video will make your heart happy.

Here’s Michael’s translated statement from his Facebook Page: “Retirement? What is this? Sam just has such fun on our terrain meadow. You don’t want to take that (away from him). Even though I can’t sit in the saddle right now, it makes a lot of joy to see him so healthy and sound.”

Go Sam. Go Eventing.

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Four-Star Care for Egypt’s Horses, Part Two: An Eye-Opening Layover

Eventing grooms are, beyond a shadow of a doubt, some of the hardest-working people out there. For every six minute dressage test, or moment of glory over the final fence, there have been countless hours of conscientious care behind the scenes to ensure that the sport’s equine heroes are feeling and looking their absolute best. When the season wraps up and the horses’ shoes are pulled for a well-earned break, their #supergrooms finally get a chance to enjoy a much-needed rest (and an alarm that sounds later than 5 a.m. — what a concept!). But one top groom has chosen to spend her time off in a slightly different way this year. 

Meet 24-year-old Jess Wilson, head girl and travelling groom for the legendary Sir Mark Todd. It’s no small task looking after Mark’s formidable string of top-level talent, and she’s on the road almost constantly throughout the season fulfilling her duties as the lynchpin of the team. But her love for horses extends well beyond the four-star competitors she tends to. She’s on a mission to improve the lives of working equids in some of the most underserved communities in the world — and this winter, she’s bringing us with her.

We’re so excited to have Jess on board the EN team, as she shares with us her experiences in Egypt and gives us a first-hand look at what Animal Care Egypt and Egypt Equine Aid are doing to help working horses, ponies and donkeys abroad. Fancy getting involved? Take a look at her JustGiving page, where she’s busy raising vital funds for both charities, and follow her on Instagram, too, for live updates from the field. 

Check out part one of Jess’ blog here!

As every penny donated to my JustGiving page is going straight to my two chosen charities, I’ve self-funded all my expenses on a pretty tight budget. Direct flights were nearing £1000, so I was left with two choices: do an 18-hour trip, or arrive in the middle of the night. I opted for what I thought was the safer option, and booked a flight to my first stop, Animal Care Egypt in Luxor, with an 11-hour layover in Cairo.

After reading multiple travel blog horror stories from solo females in Cairo, ranging from hotel scams to being sexually assaulted by so-called ‘tour guides’ in the pyramid chambers, it did cross my mind to just stay in the safety of the airport for the duration. After all, 11 hours seems like nothing compared to some of the mega-long drives I’ve done across Europe and the USA en route to competitions!

Heading off on the first leg of the long trip to Egypt. Photo courtesy of Jess Wilson.

In the end, I decided staying in the airport would be massively wimping out, and if I had any chance of surviving three weeks on my own in Egypt, I had no choice but to grow a pair. So, as ever, I put my faith in TripAdvisor, and through their recommendations, I arranged a driver to take me on a super-speedy tour of Cairo. The main area I wanted to see was Giza — obviously for the pyramids, but also to really see and experience what’s happening to the horses there.

I landed in Cairo at 4:30 a.m., and after the very easy and efficient process of getting a visa and going through immigration, I left the terminal to be greeted by a wall of men trying to sell me taxi rides. Luckily, I had trusty Ahmed pre-booked and waiting for me, so off we went into the madness of Cairo.

Horses pulling carts are a common sight on the streets of Cairo — and often, they can be spotted working from sun up until sun down, with rare, if any, breaks for food and water. Photo by Jess Wilson.

It really is hard to describe a place so full of contrasts between rich and poor, traditional and modern, filth and beauty. Side by side are five-star hotels and homes made of cardboard boxes. Traffic — six or seven cars wide across a three-lane road — is a mix of brand new Mercedes and the oldest battered Toyotas, spewing black smoke, missing mirrors, and with paintwork patched up in multiple colours. Across the street from beautifully manicured gardens, piles of rubbish and plastic are heaped along the roadside and dotted through the street, and within those piles, skinny and lame stray dogs and cats — and even, sometimes, horses — could be seen scavenging for scraps.

At the Great Pyramids of Giza — the bright and beautiful side to Cairo. Photo courtesy of Jess Wilson.

We arrived at the pyramids at around 7:30 a.m., which turned out to be a great time to go, as it was before the crowds and hawkers appeared. The pyramids really are amazing, and they surpassed all my expectations; I’m so glad I got to see them.

A working horse in the streets of Cairo. Photo by Jess Wilson.

Unfortunately, the experience was slightly ruined by the heart-wrenching sight of the poor pyramid horses and camels tied up — and, in some cases, down — on a rough, rocky plateau with absolutely no shade, and not a drop of water in sight, waiting hour after hour for tourists to come and ride them.

I can understand that their owners have limited money to buy feed, so they’re going to look thin, with protruding ribs and hips. I can understand that lack of knowledge and training is going to result in poor farriery skills, so there are hooves and shoes of all different shapes and angles, resulting in deformed legs and lame steps, and I can understand that animals aren’t just seen as pets or friends in many cultures. They’re a way of transport, or a way to make money so that people can feed their children, but I will never be able to understand how or why people can be cruel and nasty to their animals for absolutely no reason.

The most vivid and spine-chilling memory I have of Cairo is the constant cracking and lashing sounds of horses getting whipped over and over again. How can we put a stop to that? I really have no idea. It takes a lot of time to change that sort of attitude. Will these horse-owners ever see their animals as sentient, loving beings? Or is this attitude too well-ingrained?

Horses and camels wait in the hot sun for hordes of tourists to descend. Photo by Jess Wilson.

It’s a very complex problem with no simple solution, but thank god there are charities and people on the ground working towards a change. I’m on the way to Animal Care Egypt in Luxor now to see what the situation is like for the poor horses there, and hopefully I’ll be able to play a small part in making things better for them. Then, I’ll be going back to Cairo to help out at Egypt Equine Aid for a few days. Stay tuned!

Support Jess: Instagram|Egypt Equine Aid|Animal Care Egypt|JustGiving

#EventerProblems Vol. 163: Red on Right, White on Left, Insanity in the Middle

This week’s edition of #EventerProblems is dedicated to one of EN’s most beloved #EventerSolutions of 2018, our summer intern Kate Boggan (pictured above at left). This Area V eventer rode the Eventing Nation crazy train for a few months, writing up a storm and getting an up-close look at the unfettered chaos that goes into cobbling together this website.

In January, Kate will be making a big move from Texas to Aiken, South Carolina, to work for the Aiken Horse Park Foundation — a perfect fit for this hard-working, talented young woman who has so much passion for horses and the industry.

Cheers to you, Kate! Wherever this funny old world takes you, if you remember to keep the red on your right, the white on your left, and the insanity in the middle, you’ll never be lost on course.

And now, for a fresh batch of #EventerProblems!

Go Eventing.