Classic Eventing Nation

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 17, 2025 12:01 am -

It’s high clinic season here in the U.S., and one of the latest international riders to join the list of visitors is Olympic individual gold medalist Julia Krajewski. Julia will be teaching a clinic in Ocala, FL January 27-31. There are a limited number of spots available for lessons, and auditing is also available for a fee. For more information, please contact Chris Talley at 484-798-9834.

And another rider coming stateside — and another Olympic gold medalist (twice over!) — in Britain’s Tom McEwen. Tom is visiting the West coast for his tour, making stops at Cellar Farm in Petaluma, CA (January 21-23) and Galway Downs in Temecula, CA (January 25-26).

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

Exciting news! The beloved Essex Horse Trials will make its return in 2025, a positive development after the community worried the event had run its final competition in 2024. The sustainability of running at two venues, a longtime format of Essex, was challenging for organizers. Thanks to the help of multiple supporters, including Olympic dressage judge Marilyn Payne, who stepped up to helm the organizing of the event, have made this year’s event possible. Read more from Nancy Jaffer on this story here.

Some interesting reading on the topic of nosebands has also hit the internet this week. Welfare critics have voiced concern that tight nosebands cause stress, but a recently-published project led by Dr. Hilary Clayton didn’t back up that perception — at least, not in one set of circumstances. The study focused on noseband tightness, which of course has been a major topic of discussion, particularly given the context of a new noseband measuring tool debuted by the FEI this year. Read the summary here.

Meanwhile, the use of spurs and whips has also been limited by British Showjumping, The Pony Club in Great Britain, and British Riding Clubs, which now dictate that a whip may only be used to back up leg aids, and not as punishment or discipline. As for spurs, The Pony Club has laid out new rules that take effect this month, which now require a rider to have passed their C+ test or an assessment showing that they understand spurs’ use and have a stable enough lower leg to wear them appropriately. Read the full breakdown here.

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

It’s time to kick off this year’s Stable View Eventing Academy series! Entries are now open for the February Eventing Academy, which will take place February 14-16 and will, naturally, have a Valentine’s Day theme. You can learn more about Eventing Academy events, which include a day of cross country schooling before an unrecognized, no-pressure competition, here.

Video Break

What at the five primary rider responsibilities? Bec Braitling breaks them down:

Ariel Grald: How I Build Strong Relationships With My Horses

By on Jan 16, 2025 9:00 am -

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s a known fact that no two horses are the same. The same philosophy applies when creating strong relationships with my horses – the journey in building that relationship always looks a bit different but there are similar themes. Each relationship takes time, work, requiring lots of patience, and determination, but once you form that partnership, they will last forever.

Producing young horses has played a huge role in my success as an event rider and has been one of the parts of my career that I love the most; especially starting the four- and five-year-olds and bringing them all the way up to the top of the sport. Although this takes time, it’s well worth it in the end.

A few years ago, I purchased a going 3* horse and a going Prelim horse in hopes that they would become my next upper-level partners. Although they were great short term, in the long run, I didn’t know them as well as the ones I produced myself and our partnerships were not as successful as I hoped. Taking the ride over on an upper-level horse works great for some riders, but for me, this experience helped to reinforce my passion for developing young horses.

When looking to produce young horses, a key step is picking out the right ones. I tend to be drawn to the ones with quirky personalities which requires me to spend more time getting to know them in the beginning. While this does mean that it often takes more time for me to compete with them, the bond we develop is incredibly rewarding. By understanding each horse’s unique personality and needs, I can tailor my training approach to fit each horse individually.

Event horse or hunter derby champion? Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan demonstrate a textbook set of knees over the last element of the treble at CHIO Aachen (2021). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Whenever an issue presents itself, I use it as a way to problem-solve and find a solution that works best for them. One of my 4* horses, whom I’ve had since she was five, fits my type for a quirky personality. When I first got her, we went back to the basics of lunging and groundwork, which helped her to feel more comfortable in her own body and taught me new ways to communicate with her. As she gained more experience, I noticed she wasn’t fond of doing straight dressage in the ring for more than one day.

I’ve since used this opportunity to find better ways to improve her flat work and strength. I’ve incorporated poles, hills work, and outdoor arenas into her routine. This way, I can improve her body while keeping her mind happy. Horses are such incredible partners, so I want to ensure they enjoy their work as well.

In my barn, I prefer to keep it smaller in order to create a personal one-on-one relationship with the horses. Currently, I have about 12 horses in training, many of which belong to Annie Eldridge. Annie has been one of my incredible supporters, sharing my passion for discovering and producing young horses through the levels. Since I’ve had many of my horses from a young age, I feel as though I get to know them well early on during groundwork and initial rides. I enjoy figuring out each horse’s likes and dislikes, what training methods and schedules work for them, and how to build the best possible partnership.

Having a smaller group of horses allows me to be the one to ride them every day and provides me with the flexibility to focus on their individual needs. This wouldn’t be possible without my supportive team tacking and untacking, which enables me to spend more time with each of my horses.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

Understanding each horse’s unique needs is one of the most crucial aspects for developing a strong, trusting relationship. Some horses can be more complex than others, which is when I go back to the basics. For me, this involves going back to the round pen to focus on groundwork and communication.

For instance, one of my horses had experienced anxiety when it came to mounting, so I dedicated three to four months doing groundwork in the round pen. I focused on building her trust in me and helping her be more comfortable in her brain and body, even when she felt worried or scared. I want my horses to know that I will be there to reassure them.

For the groundwork, I use a variety of techniques, some of which I have learned from studying others and some of my own. I have found that learning how to communicate with them on the ground makes a considerable difference when riding.

When I run into difficulties with a riding aid, I like to go back to the round pen and address it there from the ground. This approach helps us reconnect and allows the horse to work through some challenges independently.

Success with horses isn’t always linear and often requires a flexible approach. It can be challenging to not always be successful, but I have learned to keep the bigger picture in mind. During training, I constantly ask myself if I’m pushing too hard or not hard enough, ensuring I listen to the horses and adjust their routines if needed.

Ariel Grald competes for the U.S. at FEI World Championships for Eventing in Pratoni, Italy (2022). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

I have found that time off is never detrimental, especially for young horses, and they tend to come back better, even if the first ride back is a bit of a wild one. Having a team around the barn who know the horses as well as I do helps ensure that we know what’s going on with them at all times. This way, we can notice if they are acting differently on the ground or in their fields, not just while being ridden.

Ultimately, the key to building strong relationships with horses is understanding and listening to them. Each horse has unique needs, and it is important to celebrate the progress and know when to make adjustments. My goal is to ensure they enjoy their work and remain overall happy.

The bond we create with our horses is so special and like no other. It’s a continuous journey of learning and adapting, and it’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an event rider.

This article is brought to you in collaboration with Athletux. Click here to see how Athletux can help your business grow!

Thursday News & Notes

By on Jan 16, 2025 1:30 am -

Another great example of the eventing community shines bright today with the latest post from Phillip Dutton and his family! Pictured above are Evie Dutton and Lee Lee Dutton with Rochelle Woodeshick, the owner of Tack Butter. Rochelle has donated a portion of proceeds from Tack Butter sales to aid in Lee Lee’s ongoing recovery from a riding accident in 2017. If you want to help out, pick up some luxurious Tack Butter here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

We’ve teamed up with Strides for Equality Equestrians to raffle off a private flat lesson with British Olympian William Fox-Pitt during his Ocala, FL clinic in March! Click here for more details on how to enter before the end of this month.

Team EN is hard at work on some very exciting things for 2025! To that end, we’ve love your feedback on merch as we look ahead to re-launching our much-loved line just for you, our readers! Click here to take a quick survey. We’d appreciate it!

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Committee regretfully announce that the 2025 YEH Symposium, planned for Monday, Feb. 17 in Ocala, FL, has been cancelled. Following the great success of the event in 2024 and due to unforeseen changes in venue availability, the YEH Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming educational event to ensure that the quality of the symposium is not sacrificed. Read more about this development here.

From Starter all the way to the top of the sport, the rider’s ability to identify and influence the rhythm, relaxation, balance, straightness, and adjustability of their horse is key, whether you’re riding on the flat or over fences. That was the big focus on Day 2 of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium, held at Galway Downs. Read up on day two’s lessons here.

When EPA Elegance and her owner Shannon Daily ended up with a cheering section, complete with handmade signs, when they crossed the finish line as winners in the training/novice division at the Calais Horse Trials, held Nov. 23 in Powhatan, VA, it marked the end of a year-long nightmare that “Hazel” almost didn’t survive. Read the full story here.

Video Break

And just like that, it’s helmet cam season again! Ride along with Elisa Wallace and Tullymurry Fifi for their pipe opener at Majestic Oaks last weekend:

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jan 15, 2025 12:01 am -

In the spirit of eventing and community, Pau winner from 2024 Caroline Harris announced that she will be running the Bath Half Marathon this year in support of the British Eventing Support Trust and Saffron Cresswell, a young event rider who was paralyzed from the chest down in a fall while competing at Bramham International last summer. You can read more about Saffron’s rehab journey here. If you’d like to contribute to Charlotte’s endeavor, click here to learn more.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap Combined Test (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

News & Reading

In times of natural disaster, marginalized communities are often hit the hardest. Abriana Johnson has collected a directory of GoFundMe accounts dedicated to helping displaced Black families in the LA area after devastating wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and livelihoods. Click here to view the list.

On a pack trip in Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains in 2018 with her family, Australia-born Zara Bewley encountered many memorable creatures—moose, mountain lions, and bears. But it was Sam, a stoic 4-year-old blue roan gelding she rode during the journey, who made the biggest impact on her life. Read the story of the “ultimate amateur partner” here.

Get some quick facts about this week’s USEA Eventing Coaches Program Symposium held at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA here.

The annual Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction blazes into Carolina starting February 1! Always a popular local event for equestrians and non-horse people alike, the Painted Ponies help raise funding for the Carolina Horse Park Foundation each year. Click here to learn more about this year’s Auction.

Do horses actually enjoy being touched? Researchers looked at how therapy horses reacted to various types of patting on various body parts, when tied up or loose. Horse Sport reports more here.

Video Break

Prepping for your first FEI event this year? Go you! Here are some useful tips and tricks from Ride iQ and Jon Holling:

https://www.youtube.com/live/nlJYksir9Xw?si=Lb7NBmqNknq1ILHL

Sport Horse Nation Spotlight: 7 TB Mares + Promo Code for FREE OTTB Listings

By on Jan 14, 2025 9:30 am -

Have you checked out the new-and-improved Sport Horse Nation lately? EN’s longtime classifieds sister site recently received a big makeover to help make it the best eventers-only matchmaking service in the land. 280 listings are now live … check it out today.

There’s nothing that makes you feel invincible on cross country like a Thoroughbred mare who loves her job. Here are seven that popped up on Sport Horse Nation in the past couple weeks.

Have an OTTB event horse for sale? We are running a special for free listings through Feb. 1, 2025. The promo code is OTTBLOVE1224 at checkout. Hope to see yours over there!

Hand Rail

  • Year Born: 2017
  • Height: 16.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Preliminary
  • “HR” is a great first upper-level horse for someone wanting to learn the levels. While she is a hotter type, she will always bring you through the finish flags, even when you are scared and just grab mane! She does get tight through her back in the dressage but is getting stronger in her show jumping form. She has produced a lovely filly. I’ve had this mare for several years, and she has been super fun to produce.” Learn more… 

Fancy, Super Athletic Mare!

  • Year Born: 2019
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Cabot, AR, USA
  • Price ($USD): $32,000
  • “Street Ride or ‘Rhoda’ is a mare’s mare!! If you love expressive, bold mares, this is your girl! She is smart. She is kind. She is sassy. She is brave. She is TALENTED! I absolutely adore this horse and think that she is going to make someone a top level eventer one day. She has competed two Novices and will be moving up to Training level during the Florida season. She has also competed 1.0 M at a rated jumper show and would an amazingly successful TB jumper! Extremely brave to the fences and already thinks she knows everything. She will be very fancy on the flat once she relaxes. Her dressage gets better and better each time out.” Learn more … 

Fancy Moving Thoroughbred

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.0
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Location: Cabot, AR, USA
  • Price ($USD): $6,000
  • “Twick or Tweat Aka Wednesday is a lovely mare ready for her person! No quirks, easy on the ground, great feet, clean legs. She is sweet to handle and gets along well with others in the field. She has been on trail rides and is happy to be ridden inside or outside of the arena. Wednesday has been started over fences and is happy to do that job. She is a lovely mover and would make a very nice TB Dressage mount! Extremely comfortable to ride! This mare is ready to take in any direction and eager to find her person.” Learn more …

Alexis Jo 10 yr old OTTB Mare

  • Year Born: 2014
  • Height: 16
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Prospect
  • Orange City, IA, USA
  • Price ($USD): $6,000
  • “I have owned her since she came off the track at the age of 3, while rehabbing from a slab fracture in her front left knee. This prior injury has NO bearing on her current functioning. She is the most sound horse I have ever owned. Lexi is sound, healthy, and UTD on everything. She has had regular chiropractic and body work as well, with no other maintenance. Lexi ties, loads, leads, and has good general ground manners. Lexi has schooled full Beginner Novice courses in the past, jumped over 3′ with room to spare, has attended schooling shows in both dressage and combined training, and has even competed in competitive trail.” Learn more …

SUPER Athletic Coming 5 y/o TBM with THE BEST Brain

  • Year Born: 2020
  • Height: 16.2
  • Breed: TB
  • Gender: Mare
  • Location: Bluemont, VA, USA
  • Price ($USD): $15,000
  • “Love The Hustle, aka Chessie is a 4/3/20 16.2 hh TBM who only raced twice, but is impeccably bred to be a major athlete. One Grand Sire is Curlin, one of the winningest race horses of all time, who won the World Cup in Dubai. The other Grand Sire is Kitten’s Joy, arguably one of the best turf horses of all time. This one was supposed to be my upper level eventer some day, and it is killing me to put her up for S, but sometimes divorce runs your life.” Learn more 

Mystical Glitter

  • Year Born: 2019
  • Height: 16.1
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Training
  • Location: Orangeville, ON, Canada but will be in Ocala in February
  • Price ($USD): $50,000
  • “Misty is an absolute unicorn. Sweetest girl you can imagine. Misty never says no. Misty finished the 2024 season as the Open Novice champion!  Misty has also shown training and finished 2nd her first time out! Misty has scope for more but with her only be 5 stopped at training for this year. Has schooled some Prelim. Confident building temperament, an amateurs dream!” Learn more … 

Hot Gossip

  • Year Born: 2015
  • Height: 16.3
  • Breed: Thoroughbred
  • Gender: Mare
  • Eventing Competition Level: Novice (US)
  • Location: Orangeville, Ontario, Canada but will be in Ocala in February
  • Price ($USD): $40,000
  • “Lula is a stunning girl with beautiful moment. Usually scoring sub 30’s in dressage and a very nice jump, Lula is very brave and honest cross country. She had a very good racing career then was bred twice, her previous owner then decided to get out of breeding so she had a later start to her competitive career but has taken to it very well. Lula is super honest and straight forward, she is definitely very suitable for an amateur but could also keep moving up the levels. Lula has only competed at Novice so far due to a fractured splint bone ending her season early but she is now 100% and schooling Training and Prelim.” Learn more … 

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 14, 2025 12:01 am -

As the wildfires in Los Angeles, CA continue to burn, several outposts for assistance have been set up to aid those affected. At the time of writing, the Palisades fire just to the north of Santa Monica is at 14% containment, while the other major fire, the Eaton fire to the north of Pasadena, is 33% contained.

Calabasas Saddlery is one such outpost, setting up a donation site where a large number of items is available for pickup by those displaced or otherwise affected by the fires. Additional donations are also being accepted for distribution into the community. You can find a list of what’s available and what is being accepted above or by clicking here. The Chronicle of the Horse has also compiled a list of ways to assist equestrians here.

Events Opening This Week

Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (SC); Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (FL); Twin Rivers H.T. (CA)

Events Closing Today

Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA); Sporting Days Farm February H.T. II (SC); Three Lakes Winter I at Caudle Ranch (FL)

News & Reading

The FEI has proposed a working group in collaboration with other national federations, including USEF, to conduct further research into air vest technology. As air vests become more prolific outside of eventing, the need for additional research into manufacturer claims and efficacy of the vests has grown stronger. You can read more about this initiative and its goals here.

Tune in for the latest episode of the USEA podcast for a dive into all things rider fitness. Featuring host Nicole Brown as well as Olympian Boyd Martin and equestrian fitness coach Tony Sandoval, the episode will provide you with some insights on making 2025 your strongest year yet. Listen here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Count down to this year’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials, the first CCI5* on the UK calendar that will be here before we know it! Preview the various ticket offerings and need-to-know dates here.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

New product alert! Kentucky Performance Products is pleased to announce AirWise™, a research-proven supplement designed to support normal airway function in horses facing respiratory challenges. AirWise is formulated with a diverse blend of potent antioxidants and micronutrients. These work synergistically to support a return to a healthier respiratory system in your horse. The end result: Helping horses perform at their best.

Learn more about AirWise here.

Video Break

Peter Wylde was kind enough to brave the cold in Pennsylvania and help me jump all of the horses. Conner aka Commando 3 is fired up for a big year!!

Posted by Boyd Martin on Monday, January 13, 2025

Nothing like the help of an Olympic show jumper to tune up your horses for the season! Here’s a look at Peter Wylde jumping Boyd Martin’s Commando 3 (owned by Yankee Creek Ranch) at Boyd’s home base in Pennsylvania.

Weekend Winners: Majestic Oaks

By on Jan 13, 2025 9:00 am -

Another weekend of Eventing down in the surprisingly chilly south, this time at the Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks. We’re living vicariously as we scroll through socials and celebrate the successes we saw this past weekend. Join us in congratulating these Weekend Winners, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Karl Slezak and Zambezi, who won the Open Beginner Novice B on their dressage score of 23.5!

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL): [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary: Autumn Schweiss and Global Quarycrest (29.3)
Preliminary Rider: Erin Wages and Cooley One To Many (29.8)
Open Modified: Briggs Surratt and Booming Bodhran (29.8)
Open Training A: Ariel Grald and Cheptel Dreamer (24.2)
Open Training B: Ariel Grald and Sinodinos (27.2)
Training Rider: Scarlett Peinado and Cooley Dejavu (28.6)
Novice Rider A: Alyssa Cairo and EWSZ Jalando (25.0)
Novice Rider B: Zöe Wehrly and Chilli Bean (31.1)
Open Novice A: Ava Wehde and Falconwood’s Glacier (25.6)
Open Novice B: Kalie Beckers and Calla GBF (26.9)
Beginner Novice Rider: Nicky Tucker and Pandora (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice A: Robin Walker and Twenty Park Diamond (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice B: Karl Slezak and Zambezi (23.5)
Starter-Intro A: Scarlett Hamaoui and Smilla’s Sense of Snow (23.7)
Starter-Intro B: Victoria Conway and Ringwood Hustler (25.0)

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jan 13, 2025 12:01 am -

If your horse had a New Years resolution, what would it be? If we had to guess, probably something along the lines of “figure out a way to get dressage eliminated from eventing” or “make my mom understand that feeding times are simply suggestions” or “attempt to coat my ENTIRE body and not just one side with mud.” What would you add?

U.S. Weekend Results

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

Looking back, where were the Paris individual medallists three-and-a-half years before their podium moment? EquiRatings dives into the data behind the top finishers in Paris and what the implications are looking ahead to Los Angeles in 2028 here.

Bringing your future eventing prospect with you to a horse trial as a non-compete can be a wonderful educational opportunity for horses not used to the hustle and bustle of the show grounds. However, horses must be registered with the show office as a “non-compete” horse in order to be allowed on grounds. Bringing horses to an event to school, provide lessons, or to campaign for sale without registering them as a non-compete horse is strictly prohibited. Brush up on the rules surrounding non-compete horses in this Rule Refresher from the USEA.

How to identify and manage hoof abscesses—a common condition that often appears out of nowhere, with some tips from Practical Horseman’s Vet On Call column here.

The world’s official oldest horse has passed away at the age of 36. Read more here.

Video Break

Training up some future champions at The Billy Stud for some very important business!

Sunday Links

By on Jan 12, 2025 12:01 am -

Who are these pals at Phillip Dutton’s? None other than Phillip’s Rio Olympic bronze medal partner, Mighty Nice, and his Tokyo horse, Z, enjoying their time in retirement as pasture mates! Way to live up that well-deserved retirement, friends. We love to see it!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Links & Reading

No, You Don’t Have To ‘Push Through Your Fear’ In Order To Get Over It

Through the Lens: 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp

Tackling Equine Gastric Ulcers

Jumping Lessons: One Exercise, Four Trainers, Four Ways

British Eventing National Championships return to Hartpury for 2025

Video Break

Tune in for a fascinating rider biomechanics ride review with rider biomechanics coach Suzanne Galdun and Ride iQ:

Molly Day Joins Equestrian Events, Inc. as New Executive Director

By on Jan 11, 2025 9:00 am -

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The Board of Directors of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports by staging sporting events at the highest level, including the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, is pleased to welcome Molly Day as the organization’s new executive director.

EEI is best known for producing the annual Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian (K3DE), the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events (CCI5*-L) in the world, as well as the recently upgraded Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on the same weekend. Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event annually attracts nearly 90,000 spectators who also enjoy extensive shopping, a variety of hospitality experiences, and a wide array of demonstrations.

New EEI Executive Director Molly Day

Day comes from the United Kingdom with nearly a decade of experience in business development, sales management, and operational oversight, primarily in the sports and entertainment industry. A strategic and results-oriented leader, she has served as General Manager of Haydock Park Racecourse, part of The Jockey Club, where she has achieved notable commercial success and a top 10 ranking for customer experience across racecourses in Britain, as well as Carlisle Racecourse, where she significantly improved sales and operational performance. She has also played a role in delivering some of the U.K.’s most prestigious sporting events, including the Randox Grand National.

Day holds a BA (Hons) in Festival and Events Management from Edinburgh Napier University and is known for her expertise in sponsorship sales, team leadership, and stakeholder management.

“We are thrilled to welcome Molly as our new Executive Director,” said Prim Hudgins, President of the EEI Board of Directors. “As EEI continues to build and expand our world-class events, Molly’s expertise will be of incredible value and we are excited to have her on board to help move our organization forward.”