Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research

Finally, Eventers can appreciate this Devon madness. Photo via Taylor Harris Insurance FB.

VAHT is this weekend! One of my favorite events, my hometown event if you will, which attracts a huge amount of competitors from around the country. There is really nothing like it, with rings and rings of action all up and down the hillside, and all three phases running at different levels at any given time. I love the Virginia Horse Center, and I feel very privileged to have it so close, it’s such an excellent venue for everyone in the area. See you guys this weekend!

National Holiday: NATIONAL WINE DAY

Major Events:

Houghton Hall CICO3*:  WebsiteStart TimesResults

Houghton Hall CICO3*:  WebsiteStart TimesResults

Saumur: Website & Live StreamStart Lists and Results, CCI3* Live Scores

Baborówko: Website & Live Stream, Start Lists & Results

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Flora Lea Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Spring Event at Woodside H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Coconino Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The big question on horse enthusiasts’ minds: will Justify win the Triple Crown? The undefeated big red colt, trained by Bob Baffert, is on the path to perhaps becoming the 13th horse in history to win all three legs of the Triple Crown, but can he equal American Pharoah? There are lots of things going against him, with no career as a two-year-old, and six races in 110 days, not to mention two races in deep mud that would suck the life out of any young athlete. People are optimistic though, so anything is possible. [Will He Win? Experts Weigh In]

PONY POWER! 13.2 hand Lakevale Toyman (Tommy) is entered in the CCI* next month at the Melbourne International Three Day Event. He is the smallest pony to ever contest this class. He has already completed seven Preliminary events, and two CIC* competitions. Holy cow, there is even a video of his cuteness and fierceness on cross country. And a fan page. [Small But Mighty]

Eventing training video alert! If you’re not competing this weekend, but looking for some inspiration in your arena, be sure to check out this video from William Micklem. William coaches riders on the importance of maintaining softness in the rein so as not to interfere with the horse while he’s jumping. He instructs a rider with a nervous horse through an exercise to keep the horse from rushing the fence by circling left and right in front of the fence. [Eventing Training Online]

Join the Schramms and Gain Insight Into Your Horse’s Fitness

Jimmie and Dom Schramm teamed up with Kentucky Equine Research over the past couple of months to provide an inside look into their conditioning program using KER ClockIt Sport. Through this series we have shown examples of cross-country schools, hill conditioning, interval training, gymnastic exercises, and more.

Equestrians all over the world use KER ClockIt Sport for a variety of disciplines and within those disciplines, many different types of work. This summer, join the global KER ClockIt Sport community and gain valuable insight into your horse’s fitness. The free app helps take the guesswork out of equine fitness by monitoring heart rate, speed, distance and altitude during rides.

Learn more about KER ClockIt Sport.