I know no-one needs an excuse to get on their horse and go for a hack, and indeed, there is nothing much that could make that feeling any better than it already is. Regardless of this, I am here to offer even further incentive, one with a potential to save lives. Yes, that’s right; sign up for ‘Canter for a Cure,’ an initiative set up by the Bone Cancer Research Trust, and help to raise money for the charity, allowing them to continue to conduct research into bone cancer, and their mission to find a cure. All you have to do to take part is cover 50 – 250KM on horseback, throughout the month of April, and raise as much sponsorship money as you can in the process. It is completely FREE to sign up, and all of those who take part will automatically receive a free T-Shirt. There are other goodies on offer, depending on how much money you are able to raise, and you can take part from anywhere in the world.
By signing up, you could be helping people like young Dylan Ward, a small but mighty young dressage rider with big dreams. Diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma two years ago when he was just seven, he is not letting his illness – or his rigorous treatment plan – stop him from realising those dreams, taking three wins at the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships last year. He has already signed up for the Canter for a Cure challenge – so the rest of us have no excuse! Visit the Bone Cancer Research Trust website to find out more, and to sign up for the most fun and worthwhile ride you will ever go on.
U.S. Weekend Preview
2024 $100,000 Conceal Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Ride For Charity Teams] [Ride For Charity Online Vote] [Volunteer] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
Full Gallop Farm March Wednesday H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. (Altoona, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Sporting Days Farm March H.T. II (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
International Events
Portuguese Spring Tour (Mata do Duque) [Timetable] [Entries] [Scoring] [Portuguese Eventing Association Facebook Page] [More Info]
Friday News and Reading
We’re almost three months into 2024 already, but it is never too late for a fresh start. If that is what you are looking for and you’ve got a good work ethic and a thirst for knowledge, then you might want to give reigning Pan American Games champion Caroline Pamukcu a call. She is on the hunt for a working pupil, to start almost immediately, and there is accommodation included. Sounds like an amazing opportunity for the right candidate, and we have no doubt there will be masses of applicants, so don’t dwell on it too long. You never know, this could be the first step on your journey to the upper echelons of eventing. At the very least you’re guaranteed to learn a hell of a lot, from one of the very best riders in our sport.
It seems there are an ever increasing amount of opportunities to improve your riding and learn from the best in the business, and here we have yet another. Caroline Moore, trainer to the stars – including Ros Canter (you know the one, European Champ, won a couple of big ones last year?) – is the latest one to provide an online training platform for the masses. For a menial monthly payment, members of the Performance Mentoring Programme will have access to hours and hours of training videos and content, as well as the opportunity to see top riders in training with Caroline. There will also be a chance to go behind the scenes at big events, and course walking opportunities with eventing superstars. Sign up here, now!
So I don’t know if you have heard, but 2024 is an Olympic year. Ha, who are we kidding? Paris 2024 is where it is at, baby, and the conversations as to who will be taking the medals home have already started. So too, has the training, and Richard Davison, dressage trainer to some of the top British riders offered a sneaky little insight into the most recent World Class Performance programme training sessions with Team GB. All we can say, is WOW, and also, stop already – the excitement is TOO MUCH, and there’s still a good few months to go before we get to see the action unfold. I don’t know if my heart will stand it.
Ready for me to reveal another name to remember for the future? Well then, say a big hello to tiny Annabelle Hague, who, along with her equally diminutive pony, Timmy, managed to clear a massive ditch and brush in fine style over the weekend. Not sure Timmy will make it through to Badminton: at 27 years old, he might need to retire before tackling the Vicarage Vee, but with a seat like that – at just 11 years old – there will surely be no stopping Annabelle.
Excitement is building for the Conceal Grand Prix Eventing Showcase this weekend, with some big names vying for the $100, 000 prize pot. If you want to learn more about the event, including how it came to be in the first place, then give the EquiRatings podcast a listen. Diarm and Nicole go behind the scenes at Bruce’s Field with event director Joanie Morris, before dissecting the entry list, and picking out their predictions for the top spot. Who do you think will take home the bounty? Not long until we find out – make sure to stream follow the coverage here on Eventing Nation, and over at Horse & Country TV, too, where you can see the action as it unfolds. 2024 is happening – we are all about to Go Eventing!
Sponsor Corner
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Today is the LAST DAY to register for the March Eventing Academy at Stable View! Registration closes tomorrow, March 1st. Don’t miss out on your last chance to ride in the Eventing Academy until July!
Weekend Watching
Cosby Green made her 5* debut on Copper Beach in Pau last year, and she is gearing up for a big year in 2024 too, it seems. Based with Tim and Jonelle Price for another season, Cosby tagged along with Team Price on their recent trip to Spain for the Sunshine Tour, and certainly reaffirmed herself as one to watch in the process. This time though, it was UFO Quidam who caught our eye, finishing on the podium in the CSI 1* Grand Prix on the final day. 5* eventer, and now International show jumper too?! Dayum girl, you got skills.
