Classic Eventing Nation

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Jan 21, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: Remembering Sandra McDonald

USEA/Meagan DeLisle photo.

At the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Sandra McDonald received a standing ovation from all in attendance as she received the USEA Ironmaster Trophy. This award is presented to a nominated individual in the eventing community that exemplifies fortitude and courage, and Sandra certainly did so above all else as she fought breast cancer while riding throughout her chemotherapy treatments.

On January 17th, a statement from Sandra’s husband, Ian, was shared across the eventing community on Facebook:

With a very heavy heart I am sharing that Sandra passed away this morning after a long and brave fight with cancer.

Sandra was known by so many and we are both so grateful for so many caring friends. She was fiercely proud and independent. Her horses and & dogs brought her the greatest joy. Her mother was one of her greatest supporters, always standing beside her with unwavering love and encouragement.

I want to thank everyone who shared in Sandra’s life – her friends, riding coaches, and her family who loved, laughed and cheered with her through the ups and downs. You meant more to her than you know. Her spirit lives on in the horses she loved and the friendships she built. She will be missed beyond words.

At this point there are no plans for visitation/memorial service.

With love and gratitude,

Ian

After a weekend of showing in 2019, Sandra’s diagnosis of aggressive Stage 4 breast cancer triggered a rallying of the eventing community as she prepared for a treatment journey — one that would consist of radical surgeries, chemotherapy, and 43 consecutive radiation treatments over the following year. The Aiken local’s one goal approaching treatment was to be able to ride in the Pine Top Thanksgiving Horse Trials later that year, competing in horse trials as she regained strength on up to four horses.

After a riding accident in 2022 leading to a broken leg, Sandra was shocked to learn that her cancer had metastasized, spreading to her spine and skeletal system. Despite being told that she would never ride again, Sandra told her oncologist, “Doc, if you take my horses away from me, I am not gonna make it through this,” and was back in the saddle six weeks later.

Several members of the local eventing community nominated Sandra for the Ironmaster Trophy back in 2022, writing: “We are nominating Sandra because she isn’t known in our area for being ‘that rider who has cancer’ — we are nominating her because she is known for her amazing wicked sense of humor, her determination to ride, and her outstanding courage.”

Sandra committed herself to eventing throughout the remaining years of her journey thanks to her endless resilience, the support of her community, and her soulmate Ian, of whom she said, “H e is the love of my life, and I wouldn’t have made it without him. I embraced my diagnosis as openly as I could and we both met it head-on, fighting with everything we could possibly fight with. Ultimately, it is going to get me, but it’ll get me when I have done everything that I have wanted to do and we have done everything that we have wanted to do as a couple.”

From the Eventing Community:

The world seems a little smaller and less bright today. My friend, Sandra McDonald left this earth after a long battle with cancer this weekend. Honestly, she was so tough and brave, I guess I deluded myself that this outcome was just not possible, so I’m still in shock.
I think the thing I most admired about Sandra was her bravery. Whether it was riding one of her giant, athletic horses on a fresh day or staring down cancer, she never flinched. She never complained, she never let anything get in the way of her passion for riding. She faced every thing head on like a steam train. When I get nervous or anxious, I often think “try to be like Sandra”.
I’m going to so miss our long phone calls. I had hoped to finally spend time with her in Florida this winter. I guess a weird blessing is I saw her a lot when my brother was hospitalized because she was there too. I would bounce between them picking her up a Starbucks along the long walk between the ICU and the cancer floor. You would never guess how sick she was because she was always cheerful and concerned about MY problems instead of talking about hers. But that was Sandra. Always a supportive friend and always your best cheerleader. Always worried about everyone else more than herself.
Being an animal lover, many beloved pets and horses went before her. I hope she is reunited with all of them in a healthy body that doesn’t hold her back. Love you Sandra. Thanks for being my friend.
– Merance Adams

Saddened to learn today of Sandra McDonalds passing after her long battle with cancer. It’s been a long road, that you met with smiles and grit– but now you get to kick on and have some of the best rides ever. I will miss chatting with you around and about…. and of course, seeing you gallop through my lens. Aiken lost a good one, so very sorry Ian Mcdonald.
– Chris O’Hagen Quinn

I will never forget being in that room as Sandra McDonald won the Ironmaster Trophy. A room full of people touched by Sandra’s courages efforts as she battled that terrible disease and the tears that streamed down Sandra’s face. She fought every day with a smile on her face. She was always one of my biggest cheerleaders and I’ll miss her hugs and her high fives. But more than that I’ll miss the spirit she had, the kindness she gave, and the fight she gave every single day.
Sandra I hope you’re finally free from that terrible disease, watching down knowing the eventing world is a lot more dim because you left us. Rest easy, my friend. 💔
– Chris Talley

US Events This Weekend

Rocking Horse Winter I HT (FL): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Full Gallop Farm January HT (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times]

Other Links and Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Try this grid exercise from Grid Pro Quo on your next training day!

Go Eventing

Tom McEwen and his four-legged team have been excelling in the indoor during these winter months, including a recent Grand Prix win!

 

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Liz Halliday is Back in Kentucky with New Update

By on Jan 20, 2026 11:42 am -

Photo via Liz Halliday on social media.

Happy Tuesday just got even happier with a new update from Liz Halliday, who continues her incredible recovery journey after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a cross country fall in 2024. Liz has kept her updates relatively infrequent while she focuses on getting stronger, but her latest update informs us that she’s been able to move back home from the rehab facility she’d been at in Dallas, TX to her home in Lexington, KY. The move took place around Christmas, allowing Liz to spend the holiday with her closest family and friends (and dogs! and horses!) at home.

“It’s hard to describe all of the emotions you experience when you walk through the door to your own home for the first time in so long,” Liz wrote on social media. “Joy, gratitude, and a sense of pride that all of the hard work I have done over the past 16 months has brought me to this point.”

Photo via Liz Halliday on social media.

“My recovery journey is far from over,” Liz continued. “I’ve converted my office into a home gym and am working on getting stronger every day. I am still committed to my weekly therapy sessions to continue working on my speech and regaining more mobility. And I am continuing to ride at a local facility, which has been so beneficial in my recovery. I am excited to continue to improve, and I am so grateful to you all for cheering me on throughout this recovery journey. I still have a long way to go, but I’ll never give up, and I’ll never stop fighting.”

To see other updates from Liz, click here, and be sure to give her a follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates! #KeepFightingLiz

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jan 20, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: 19-year-old TB wins award for bringing five young riders through all levels of the sport

Marquet Rise, a 19-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare owned by Bobbie Mudge of Vermont, becomes the inaugural recipient of Area I’s Orange Pippin Jumpstart Award. Known as “Mazzie”, this special mare’s five young riders have gained education and a love for the sport from partnering with her at levels from Beginner Novice through Intermediate/CCI3*.

Testimonials from Mazzie’s riders:

Campbell Jourdian, now a professional rider and groom, rode Mazzie through Preliminary as a teenager and states that “Mazzie is game and full of heart… she teaches bravery and every ride puts a smile on your face.”

Sophie Tullar, now an FEI groom, rode Mazzie to their first CCI2*S and says that “not only did she teach me so much in my riding but she also made me fall in love with the sport.”

Cassie Wallskog Council, now a professional rider, trainer, and coach, competed with Mazzie to the CCI3*S level and is “grateful to have had the opportunity to ride such a talented and influential horse early in my career.”

Area 1 Young Rider Chenoweth Donohue describes Mazzie as “a kind, steady, and dependable horse who only made me improve. The mare is a patient teacher of a horse and a quiet, confident guide.”

Mazzie’s current charge, the owner’s 12-year-old grandson Thayer Mudge, says that “Mazzie is the most courageous horse that I have ever met… Some horses teach us how to ride or jump, Mazzie does that but she also teaches me how to enjoy the ride.”

Who does this award honor?

The award is to be given annually to a special horse who, over the course of their career, has sparked a love for eventing to multiple riders new to the sport. The award is given in memory of Orange Pippin, an incredibly special chestnut Thoroughbred mare who was an early mount for five different Area 1 young riders during her 11-year career, introducing them to the joys and challenges of eventing and inspiring them all to remain lifelong horse people.

The award panel comprised of “Pippin’s people” believe that Mazzie shares Pippin’s attributes of “a love for cross country and an ability to teach young riders” while being a safe and confidence boosting partner. Just like Pippin, she has a “natural eye for taking jumps” but is equally happy to rule over the farm and “hack out with riders aged 2 to 82.” Through her riders, Mazzie’s impact can be felt on the sport of eventing far outside of her inner circle, and has brought a love of the sport and the horse to the next generation of riders.

Learn more about this Area I award and how to nominate a recipient here.

U.S. Events Opening Entries Today

Bouckaert Equestrian HT International (GA); Southern Pines HT I (NC); SAzEA Spring HT (AZ); Full Gallop Farm March I HT (SC)

U.S. Events Closing Entries Today

Ocala Winter I (FL); Pine Top Intermediate HT (GA)

Other Links and Reading

Sponsor Corner

When it’s cold out, should your supplement and feeding program change?

KPP’s Winter Decision Tree can help you determine if any adjustments to your program need to be made as your horse’s environment adjusts around them. Whether your horse is an easy or hard keeper, where they spend most of their day, what their forage diet looks like, and if they have any personal medical issues, there are several different supplements that can help support your horse through the colder months!

Training Tip of the Day

Build trust and connection with your horse with these tips from Amelia Newcomb’s Dressage Groundwork Seminar:

Go Eventing

Follow Pippa Funnell around her first Eventing Grand Prix win in 1998 when it took place at Hickstead, aboard the lovely The Tourmeline Rose.

 

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Weekend Winners: Stable View

By on Jan 19, 2026 3:30 pm -

A bit of a chilly weekend at Stable View, but we’re still enjoying recapping Stable View’s Aiken Opener as we celebrate our Weekend Winners!

Congrats to all on successful outings, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Lillian Heard Wood and Johar de Braize, who won the Novice Horse division on a 20.3! We’re excited to see Lillian back in the competition ring after she and Ryan welcomed baby Annabelle!

Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website][Scores]

Open Preliminary A: Nilson Moreira Da Silva and Elmo (38.9)
Open Preliminary B: Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times (32.5)
Preliminary Rider: Marty Riney and George Alexander (40.6)
Modified Rider: Avery Cascarino and Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier (35.8)
Open Modified: Caitlin Reamy and HHS Tiger Lily (36.0)
Open Training: Danielle Busbee and DHI Nala (30.5)
Training Horse: Courtney Cooper and Storybook Star (33.0)
Training Rider: Samantha Sibley and RHS Casallco Star (27.0)
Novice Horse: Lillian Heard Wood and Johar de Braize (20.3)
Novice Rider: Nancy Read and Caribe PCH (26.9)
Open Novice A: Tracy Strobel and Quality Stock (23.9)
Open Novice B: Kristine Burgess and Charmer de Muze Z (31.7)
Beginner Novice Rider: Lianne Burgess and Marisol (29.1)
Open Beginner Novice: Alex Martini and Fiona (27.7)
Starter: Catherine Baker and Cougar Crest (33.5)

Horse Sport Ireland Names Sam Griffiths as New High Performance Eventing Manager

By on Jan 19, 2026 9:00 am -

The former Team New Zealand chef d’equipe Sam Griffiths at the Pratoni World Championships test event. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has appointed Sam Griffiths as its new High Performance Eventing Manager, with the FEI World Championships in Aachen on the horizon this summer and a longer runway stretching all the way to the LA Olympic Games in 2028.

Sam arrives with a résumé that reads like it was written by someone trying to win a pub quiz about modern eventing: elite rider, championship experience, and a growing track record in high-performance program leadership.

HSI points to Sam’s competitive background at the top of the sport —- including Olympic experience and championship-level appearances -— along with his more recent work behind the scenes in high-performance environments. In the release announcing the hire, HSI notes that Sam has held senior high-performance roles within eventing, working with athletes, coaches, and support teams with a focus on sustainable results.

A major recent chapter of that experience came with New Zealand, where HSI says Sam played a key role in the redesign of the country’s High Performance Eventing program alongside its High Performance Director. Sam also served as Head Coach to New Zealand’s High Performance Eventing Team for more than three years, including at the Paris Olympics in 2024, and has also acted as Chef d’Equipe at various international events and Nations Cups.

“I’m really excited to be appointed as Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Eventing Manager,” Sam said. “Ireland is a very strong equestrian nation with exceptional horses and riders so I’m hoping I can get the best out of everyone.”

Sam framed the job as both an immediate championship push and a longer-term medal mission. “I’m ambitious, we have the World Championships on the horizon and we want to go well there. That’s also a stepping stone to the Olympics, with qualification to Los Angeles on offer… but what I want is an Olympic medal, so let’s all pull in the same direction to get there.”

There’s also a built-in Ireland connection for Sam. You may recall Sam won Badminton with the fan-favorite Irish-bred mare Paulank Brockagh (bred in Co. Wicklow by Paula and Frank Cullen), and he also has family in South Dublin as well as a long-standing sponsorship arrangement with TRM, one of HSI’s team sponsors.

“I definitely feel like there’s a bit of Ireland in me,” Sam said, adding that he’s looking forward to getting started and building momentum with Ireland’s current mix of established and emerging combinations.

HSI Chief Executive Denis Duggan welcomed the appointment, citing Sam’s blend of competitive experience and program leadership. “Sam brings an exceptional blend of elite competitive experience and proven high-performance management expertise,” Denis said. “His understanding of what it takes to succeed at the very top of the sport, both as an athlete and as a leader, will be of enormous benefit to our eventing program.”

Denis added that the appointment followed a “thorough and competitive” process and highlighted Sam’s commitment to horse welfare and transparency — both topics Sam has been active in through panel discussions and broader industry conversations.

The Irish saw returned stability and competitive success during former Manager Dag Albert’s tenure. Dag succeeded former Manager Sally Corscadden in 2023 after the former was investigated by HSI for training practices, a period that underscored the internal struggle both the athletes and the sport’s governing body experienced. The Irish rebounded competitively, though, securing top international placings in the FEI Eventing Nations’ cup in the lead-up to Paris.

HSI also thanked outgoing High Performance Eventing Manager Dag Albert for his work with the program. “I would like to sincerely thank Dag Albert for his commitment, professionalism and contribution to Irish eventing during his time with Horse Sport Ireland,” Denis Duggan said.

Monday News & Notes

By on Jan 19, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: MARS Badminton takes a top honor

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

MARS Badminton just became the richest prize at the CCI5* level of eventing, taking the title from Defender Burghley for now with news that the overall prize fund will increase by nearly £50,000 to £451,500. £125,000 of that fund will be disbursed to the winner this year, up from £117,500 in 2025.

Defender Burghley has not announced any changes to its prize money for 2026 (yet), so this top honor could change as the year progresses, but for now nearly $2.3M USD is now on offer at the CCI5* level globally. The two English 5* events lead the way with just over $600,000 USD for MARS Badminton and just over $500,000 (£375,250) at Defender Burghley. Defender Kentucky is the third-highest prize with $400,000 on offer in the flagship 5*, followed by MARS Maryland 5 Star which came in at $325,000 for the 5*. Longines Luhmühlen (Germany) and Les 5 Etoiles de Pau (France) both offer €150,000 (roughly $173,000), and the Adelaide Equestrian Festival 5* offers about A$150,000 (about $100,000 USD) for its April event.

Why this matters: As Harry Meade put it on an episode of The Go Eventing Podcast, prize money isn’t necessarily the end all, be all goal for every rider — but let’s be honest, of course it helps to have a big fund to compete for on the world stage. With the addition of another $200,000 total prize fund for the US Equestrian Open series and Final — which is on the calendar through at least 2027 — prize money is slowly growing at the biggest events in the world.

U.S. Weekend Results

Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website] [Scores]

Other Links & Reading

  • Congratulations to the winner of our $50 SmartEquine gift card! Check your email as our winner has been notified. Thank you to all who filled out our 2026 Community Survey!
  • Farewell to an Eventing First Lady — One of eventing’s first gold medal winners was Penelope McAuley (née Moreton), who was a part of the Irish team who won gold at the first World Championships, held in 1966. Penelope passed away recently at the age of 93, and Horse & Hound penned a tribute to her legacy.
  • Dream job: sourced? — The organizing group behind events like Defender Kentucky is hiring! Three positions are currently listed on the Equestrian Events, Inc. site and one might be a good fit for you.
  • How to help a green horse find their balance — Because helping a horse like an off-track Thoroughbred is an ongoing exercise in patience and understanding, as well as allowing a horse to find their own balance (literally and figuratively) in their new life.
  • The latest in the developing Maryland 5 Star story — Did checks made out to vendors for the 2025 5 Star bounce? The Equiery has sourced information indicating this may be the case, and meanwhile we have a date for the upcoming hearing that should determine the event’s funding for 2026.

Training Tip of the Day

Does the way you sit affect your horse’s way of going? Well, of course. Sometimes, though, you can make deliberate changes in your horse’s execution of an aid using this notion, and dressage pro Amelia Newcomb is here to tell us how:

Go Eventing

A new spin on content creation with Insta360!

 

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Sunday Links

By on Jan 18, 2026 12:01 am -

The 2016 throwback trend really has us going this week, and this one posted by Emily Hamel got is right in our feels. 2016 marked the year Emily met the high-flying “Barry”, not realizing then just how far he would take her. We don’t know yet what Emily and Barry’s plans are for 2026, but it’s certainly been the ride of a lifetime flying around the world with them so far.

U.S. Events This Weekend

Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Links & Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Work on improving your trot-canter transitions with some help from dressage rider Marten Luiten:

Go Eventing

Go Eventing (and watch a horse gain confidence in trying something new) in Dubai!

Equestrian Events, Inc. Appoints Vanessa Coleman as CEO

By on Jan 17, 2026 9:00 am -

Photo courtesy of EEI.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) has appointed Vanessa Coleman as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, the organization announced.

EEI, a nonprofit best known for producing the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, also runs the Cosequin Lexington CCI4-S* and the Kentucky International CSI5* presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute during the same marquee spring weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park, the #BestWeekendAllYear. Kentucky draws nearly 90,000 spectators annually, with shopping, hospitality, and demonstrations rounding out the competition experience.

Vanessa steps into the CEO role after serving as EEI’s Chief Competition and Operating Officer, working closely with outgoing CEO Molly Day, who is slated to begin a new role with the FEI in February as Director of the newly-merged Eventing and Driving/Para Driving departments.

With a legacy event and a host of other important competitions helmed by EEI (including the USEA American Eventing Championships, which return to Kentucky Horse Park this year and next), experience is key to a smooth transition — especially with Kentucky looming large just over three months away. No need to worry. Vanessa has been a key figure behind the scenes at Kentucky for more than a decade: she served as Senior Director of Competition beginning in 2013, after earlier roles that included Director of Ticketing and leading Sponsorship in 2012.

Defender Kentucky draws nearly 100,000 spectators to Kentucky Horse Park each April. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“The EEI Board feels strongly that there is no better person to lead our organization than Vanessa,” said Prim Hudgins, President of the EEI Board of Directors, in the press release announcing the hire. “She is respected and liked by virtually everyone who knows her, and there is no doubt that her appointment will be well received by the entire Eventing community, both in the U.S. and around the world.”

Vanessa’s Kentucky story is also a horse-world one. While living outside the state for nearly 20 years, she worked as an accountant, ran her own barn, and organized a local horse trials, all while still returning to Kentucky annually to volunteer at the event and supporting her mother, who served as the Chief Steward of horse inspection. She first volunteered during her time in the Keeneland Pony Club, and also gained experience grooming for a competitor.

In 2008, Vanessa moved back to the area, and then-Event Director Janie Atkinson brought her onto the event staff — where she’s been ever since.

Why it matters: With Molly Day departing for the FEI, EEI is opting for continuity at the top. Elevating someone who already knows the Kentucky machine inside and out — from competition operations to sponsorship to the volunteer backbone that makes the whole thing run — ensures all systems are green and go for a successful kickoff to Vanessa’s tenure at this year’s 5*.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jan 17, 2026 12:54 am -

Many happy returns to Boyd Martin, who kept the party rolling from a big year in 2025 by taking home the honor of US Equestrian International Equestrian of the Year. The awards were handed out at a reception during the USEF Annual Meeting in Lousville, KY on January 15.

Here’s a look at some of what netted Boyd the honor:

A stalwart for the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, Boyd Martin concluded another strong and consistent campaign in 2025, earning top five finishes in 24 FEI events with a string of 13 different horses. Martin finished all three of his entries inside the top ten at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, including a second-place finish aboard Commando 3, to earn the USEF CCI5*-L National Championship. The pair returned with the same form later in the year to notch a third-place finish in the MARS Maryland Five Star CCI5*-L. Martin then took his talents overseas to finish third in the Pau CCI5*-L, this time aboard Cooley Nutcracker, demonstrating incredible consistency and poise at the top international events in the world. Martin also topped the inaugural US Equestrian Eventing Open Final aboard Miks Master C, at Morven Park, marking his seventh international win of the season.

In team competition representing the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, Martin and Commando 3 finished fifth overall and helped the team notch their third consecutive podium finish in the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S. Martin currently sits in second in the FEI Eventing World Rankings, having accumulated 537 points in 2025. He sat atop the world rankings in the month of May, marking the first time in nearly two decades a U.S. eventing athlete was ranked number one in the world.

“There were many, many lows and some unbelievable highs,” Boyd said of his equestrian career thus far, “In 2010, I was faced with one of the hardest decisions of my life and it was to change my nationality to represent America. I soon realized when I got to America that this is my home. I also wanted to support the country that was supporting my career. I also felt it was wrong for the owners that had poured so much sup into me, being a rider with a different flag. It was the greatest decision I ever made.”

You can watch Boyd’s full acceptance speech in the video embedded below or on Facebook directly here.

U.S. Events This Weekend

Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Other Links & Reading

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

World Equestrian Brands is gearing up for Season 2 of their popular 1% Better series, tapping into some of the best minds in the sport to dive deep into what little details and considerations add up to major results. We’re also teaming up with World Equestrian Brands this season to bring you some exclusive content straight to your inboxes, so stay tuned for more!

Training Tip of the Day

Training tip, barn hack, same-same in so many ways! Here’s a good blanket folding tip from Valerie Pride:

Go Eventing Video Break

A big time throwback to Pippa Funnell’s Eventing Grand Prix ride at Hickstead — the first ever class like this at Hickstead, in fact — aboard Tourmeline Rose:

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Jan 16, 2026 12:01 am -

One Big Thing: Cross Country Course-Design Bursary to be Relaunched

The Bill Thomson Bursary, named after Defender Burghley Horse Trials’ founding cross-country course-designer and builder, is being relaunched. This bursary was first established following Bill Thomson’s death in 1993 to help new British Eventing course-designers, course-builders and officials learn their craft, and to ensure the progression of safety developments within the sport.

Who was Bill Thomson? Bill Thomson played a large part in establishing Burghley Horse Trials in 1961, spotting its great potential as a venue, and designed and built its famous cross-country from 1961-1983.

Adrian Ditcham, Assistant Course-Designer and course-builder at Burghley and course-designer at events such as Boekelo, Belsay and Wellington, said of the fund, “Bill Thomson was probably Britain’s first professional cross-country course-builder and course-designer, and it is highly appropriate that this fantastic bursary carries his name. Since Covid, the bursary has been in abeyance, and I am delighted that we are relaunching it. It is really important that we find our course-designers, course-builders and officials of the future; we don’t have enough of them and we need to discover them if we want the sport of eventing to stay strong.”

What will this Bursary do? As one of the first recipients of the Bill Thomson Bursary in 1993, Adrian will also head up a committee to manage the bursary alongside Burghley’s Event Director Martyn Johnson. He said of the relaunch, “This is a great opportunity for both current designers and builders and people who might not yet have thought about those career paths to access funding to gain experience and work with top designers and builders to hone their skills.”

Training with Burghley’s long-serving Clerk of the Course, Philip Herbert, led to the 30-year involvement Adrian has enjoyed with Burghley, and sparked a successful and enduring career within the industry. Other recipients include Alec Lochore – course-designer for the 2028 LA Olympics – Hugh Lochore, David Evans, Eric Winter and Jonathan Clissold and, more recently, Andrew Heffernan, Guy Herbert, Lucy McCarthy, Lloyd Hunt, and Helen West.

The Bill Thomson Bursary will concentrate on two areas:

  • The awarding of financial bursaries to candidates to assist them in their training and development in their respective roles
  • Facilitating role-specific training at subsidised rates through the bursary.

Click here for more information, including how to apply.

US Events This Weekend

Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Other Links and Reading

Sponsor Corner: Aiken Opener Horse Trials — What You Need to Know

 

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🏟️ Competition Arenas

  • Dressage: Tree Arena
    Warm-up: Johanna Glass Arena
  • Show Jumping: Capt. Mark Phillips Arena
    Warm-up: Covered Arena/New Arena

🐎 Stabling Update

  • Barns H, I, & J have been fully cleaned and sanitized for the event, to be entered through Gate 3

🎨 Course Designers

  • Cross-Country: Mogie Bearden-Muller
  • Show Jumping: Michel Vaillencourt

📋 Dressage Tests (2026)

  • Preliminary – USEF Preliminary Test A (Sm)
  • Modified – Modified Test A (Sm)
  • Training – USEA Training Test A (Sm)
  • Novice – USEA Novice Test A (Sm)
  • Beginner Novice – USEA Beginner Novice Test A (Sm)
  • Starter A – USEA Starter Test A (Sm)

🛍️ Vendors On Site

  • VTO Saddlery • Devoucoux • Banks Mill Feed • Arion Sellier • Sport Innovations

🌮 Food & Refreshments

  • Ronnie’s • Honey Baked Ham • Dee’s Lemonade

📺 New Stable View Jumbotron

  • Be sure to check out Stable View’s brand-new high-definition Jumbotron, positioned near the Phillips Arena and best viewed from the Pavilion.
  • Expect to see new:
    • Fan-focused content, engaging videos, & announcements
    • Expanded entertainment, promotions, & community highlight features

🍷 Graze & Gaze at Ollie’s Inn, sponsored by Pony Policy
       Friday & Saturday, 5–7 PM

  • Enjoy complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres after competition.
  • Wristbands are now required for entry
    • Each rider receives 2 wristbands + 2 drink tickets per wristband (21+) in their entry packet
    • Additional wristbands and tickets available at the show trailer

🏨 Accommodations

  • On-site accommodations are full with a waitlist
  • Limited RV spots available, call (484) 356-3173
  • Hotel partners (ask for the Stable View Rate):
    • Carriage House Inn – (803) 644-5888 (pet-friendly with fee)
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott – (803) 648-7808

Join the Stable View Horse Trials WhatsApp Group for real-time updates, including dressage test availability and schedule changes.

Mini Classifieds

We’re kicking off 2026 with a new feature: mini-classifieds! If you have something to sell or promote, consider this your space to get right in front of an audience within your target market. Listings cost just $5, or you can purchase 3-5 days of mentions here in News & Notes at a bulk discount.

Please note: horses for sale MUST be listed on our partner site, Sport Horse Nation. We will not accept horse listings here, but we can feature your Sport Horse Nation listing! This space should be used for promoting events, fundraisers, clinics, job openings, tack sales and other events.

Have questions? Email [email protected]. If you want to purchase your listing, click here.

Friday Classifieds

Training Tip of the Day

Follow Lucinda Green as she details how to approach a trakehner, especially after a particularly difficult turn:

Go Eventing

Phillip Dutton hops on the 2026 throwback trend, and it’s a good one: