You're all chuckling in recognition right now
Happy Friday, Eventing Nation! I’m sure glad the weekend is here, and I hope you’ve got something exciting planned as well. We have a few really exciting events going on this weekend, including but certainly not limited to Plantation Field HT, which includes the long-awaited bareback high jump competition. Who will conquer them all over the brick wall? Who will be shirtless (we can only hope…..)? The Advanced completed dressage yesterday, as well as some CIC2*. Lots of our US riders who have been based overseas for the past few months are quietly getting down to business in Pennsylvania, including Clark Montgomery (winning the Adv dressage with the lovely Loughan Glen), and Marilyn Little Meredith returns with RF Smoke on the Water in the CIC2* after a forgettable weekend at Blenheim. All the heavy hitters are out there in Unionville, it promises to be quite the show!
Plantation Field HT: [Website] [Live Scores]
Twin Rivers Fall HT: [Website] [Live Scores]
Poplar Place HT: [Website] [Live Scores]
Otter Creek Fall HT: [Website] [Live Scores]
Northwest Equestrian HT: [Website]
Marlborough HT: [Website]
Stone Gate Farm HT: [Website]
Stoneleigh-Burnham School HT: [Website]
News from Around the Globe!
The USEF has announced it’s plans to begin a Frangible Technology Grant program. Such a program will enable hosts/organizers of Eventing competitions to apply for financial assistance in implementing frangible pins where needed on cross country courses. This will enable course designers to use more recent technologies within the frangible pin product line on courses of Preliminary or above. [USEF to Offer Frangible Technology Grants]
Some Danish scientists did some umbrella experiments to determine how to habituate horses to foreign (scary) objects. Their findings? Although it might result in a temporary increase in stress for both horse and rider, encouraging the horse to walk right up to the scary object and check it out is the preferred way to get them to behave themselves. The act of preventing the innate response of flight builds some confidence for the future, and creates a less fearful animal overall. [Encourage Horses to Pass Scary Objects, Scientists Say]
Plantation photos from Thursday are up on the Plantation Facebook page. Look closely to spy naughty ponies in dressage, pretty prancing, and elusive celebrities wearing disguisements and hats burying their beautiful visages. [Plantation Thursday Photos]
Eventing Radio Show has more info on OTTBs with the lively and entertaining Lainey Ashker, the most unrelenting lover and supporter of the breed, as well as Alison Stackpole, Selena O’Hanlon, and Samantha St. Jacques! [Eventing Radio Show Episode 214]
Peter Atkins is back in KY for a clinic…don’t miss out! He may be the roaming gnome of the Eventing world, but Peter will only be in KY for a short time before he returns to Ocala for the fall and winter. [Peter Atkins Clinic Entry]
The Grand National is making some changes this year to both jumps and course. Never fear, those animal welfare folks can’t seem to get their hands on the abolishment of Becher’s Brook. It wouldn’t be Aintree without it!! While the Grand National is certainly one of the most grueling and casualty filled races possible, you simply can’t dumb it down for the sake of greater public appeal! I’m sorry, but I will not stand aside on this one. [Changes to Grand National Course After Deaths]
Motherhood and riding becoming challenging? Core strength just not what it used to be after recently popping a baby out? You need to read Regarding Horses, a great blog for the every day horse enthusiast, but especially the Moms! [Top 5 Things I’ve Learned About Balancing Motherhood and Horses]
In some sad news, Mary King’s Olympic Partner from Athens was put to sleep yesterday. King Soloman was retired from Eventing the year after the Athens Olympics (where they won team silver) and was given to a family friend for a second career in dressage. “Solly” was suffering from a bout of chronic lymphangitis in a hind leg, and the family made the decision to put him down before it became too painful for him. [King Soloman is Put to Sleep at Age 24]
Best of Blogs: Doug Payne talks to us a little more about the aptly named “Big Leo” as well as Crown Talisman’s unfortunate hoof mangling, and shows us another video from the jumper ring. [DP Equestrian Blog]
Found on Facebook: Will Coleman posts his own Plantation Picture Album
Some P-Dutty Rolex videos to keep you inspired for the weekend!
