Happy Dressage Day Eventing Nation! If you’re a total nutter like me, you’ve been up since 4 am this morning stalking Burghley Dressage. If you’re a normal person with a life….you probably got up at a reasonable hour and are satisfied with checking the scores and maybe watching one or two rides on your computer while you sip your first cup of coffee. Whatever your situation, I know you’ll want to do at least a little stalking, so let me make things easy for you:
[Burghley TV] [@SamanthaLClark] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Don’t Forget This Weekend’s US Events!
KY Classique HT: [Website] [Entry Status]
Loudoun Hunt HT: [Website] [Entry Status]
Silverwood Farm HT: [Website]
South Farm Fall HT: [Website] [Entry Status]
Steepleview Labor Day HT: [Website] [Entry Status]
Town Hill Farm HT: [Website]
Corona Del Sol HT: [Website]
News & Notes:
No big deal, but WFP means business this weekend, and he’s going to try to regain his world number one ranking by breaking his own record of SIX BURGHLEY WINS to snatch the HSBC FEI Classics top prize of £150,ooo. He’s got two horses: Seacookie who goes today at 11:25am (5:25am EST) and Rolex winner Parklane Hawk, who goes tomorrow at 4:25pm (10:25am EST). [Fox-Pitt versus “arch rival” Andrew Nicholson]
Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot had a rough time at the trot-ups yesterday, and Tim made the decision to withdraw his horse after being sent to the holding box. Apparently Billy pulled a shoe off two days ago and with it a good chunk of hoof, so he’s re-routing to Blenheim. In other news, Jock Paget looks stunning in a suit paired with dirty wellies. [Tough Trot Up for Tim Boland at Burghley]
Speaking of trot-ups (aka Jogs for us Amuricans), here’s a good collection of photos HERE and other collection HERE. Also, especially this shot of Sinead and Tate kickin’ up heels at the jogs. [Tate says WOOHOO!]
Did you forget? The Equestrian Paralympic Games are going on RIGHT NOW! I know, I know, you’re all like, “what?? I thought the Olympics were over!?” Me too, but seriously, this Paralympic stuff is pretty amazing. I’d get on board and check it out if I were you. [US Paralympic Horses Pass 1st Inspection]
Burghley first-timer Emily Parker blogs on Horse & Hound about her anticipation of the biggest event of her life so far! She trains with Ian Stark, and hopes for a trip this weekend that results in “minimal shouting on his part and whimpering on mine”. [Very Clever Blog from First Time Burghley Competitor]
In response to the overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support that Michael Pollard received following the tragic accident earlier this year resulting in the death of three of his horses, Pollard Eventing is launching a campaign to raise awareness for the safe transport of horses and to research improved safety measures for trailers. The campaign will include research for safer equine transportation, and a bumper sticker to notify motorists to be more cautious around horse trailers. [Pollard Eventing Launches Trailer Safety Campaign]
Too excited about Saturday to worry about all this boring Dressage stuff? No worries, Horse & Hound has got you covered with a comprehensive gallery of XC fences. That is, if you somehow missed all of the video links we have been bombarding you with. [Burghley Cross Country Guide]
In an effort to inspire and humble you in the same sweeping motion, I give you a video of Reed Kessler jumping Cylana bareback over a 1.60 meter jump. Take that, bareback puissance! [Casual Bareback Jumping Enormous Fences]
Check out this amazing sculpture made out of recycled machinery of a horse and rider made by artist Andrew Whitehead in Australia! It’s truly awesome. [Wicked Cool Metal Horse Sculpture]
Tabitha strikes again, this time on her XC course with Mum running alongside!
(keep watching after the “enter text here”, it keeps going)
