Derek Di Grazia is hard at work on the cross-country course at Rolex. Photo courtesy of the Rolex Facebook page.
It’s hard to believe we’re about five weeks away from the start of Rolex Week. The Rolex Facebook page has been posting regular updates about the preparations for the event. The beautiful ribbons arrived at the Rolex office earlier this week, and Derek Di Grazia was on the cross-country course today making adjustments and preparing the grounds for the competition. The 2013 entry list is also available online on the Rolex website. So far, we can expect to see Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown; William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning, Cool Mountain, Seacookie TSF and Neuf Des Coeurs; Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me; Mary King and Fernhill Urco; and Jolie Wentworth and Goodknight. I’m excited to see who else appears on the final entry list. Go Rolex!
Events This Weekend:
Feather Creek Farm HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
The Event at 3 Day Ranch: [Website]
Copper Meadows HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Pine Top Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Your Friday News:
Horse Sport Ireland has introduced a new eventing series for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses that will run during select national events. A prize fund of €25,000 will award cash winnings in the series. Venues can now apply to host the series. [Horsetalk]
Samantha Clark is hosting a wonderful series of podcasts interviewing Jimmy Wofford on HorseHub. Jimmy will address finding the ideal event horse, planning and preparing for the season, training at home and competitions, and four-star events. [HorseHub]
Wilton Porter kept his cool when the chain on his horse Paloubet’s hackamore snapped midway through his course in the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team event last week at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Despite riding the round with a broken bit, Wilton put in the only clear of the day. [COTH]
Planning to go to Burghley this year? Tickets go on sale May 1. Purchasing tickets in advance gives you access to limited-time steep discounts for the event, according to British Eventing. [British Eventing]
Legislators on Capitol Hill have introduced a bill to ban horse slaughter for human consumption and prohibit transport in the U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Reps. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Jan Schakowsky (D.Ill.) are championing the bill, called the Safeguard American Food Exports Act. [COTH]
Kentucky Equine Research is hosting its 25th Anniversary Sport Horse Forum at Live Oak International next Wednesday. Dr. Joe Pagan will speak on “The Evolution of Sport Horse Feeding,” while Dr. Brenda Furlong will speak on “Significant Changes in Equine Veterinary Practices During the Last Quarter Century.” [EventBrite]
Wait A Little Horse Safaris is donating a pair of African safari rides to be given away during the Maryland Adult Eventing Camp on May 26. Tickets are $25 each. Make checks to GlobalGiving. Contact Linda Dreher at [email protected] for more information. [African Horse Safaris]
SmartPak Product of the Day: I’m the proud new owner of an OTTB I adopted from CANTER PA this week. She needs a turnout rug — since winter is still going strong here in central PA — and I have my eye on the SmartPak Ultimate Ballistic Nylon Turnout Blanket. With a 10-year Indestructible Guarantee, I have peace of mind knowing I’m making a good investment. [SmartPak]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phk-AMeTEA4
A Day in the Life of Buck Davidson, by BuzzterBrown
