I know you guys in the US have been enjoying some pretty exciting eventing competitions already, but over here in the UK we still haven’t had and REALLY big fixtures. Well, to be honest, we’re kind of struggling to have any fixtures at all, thanks to the incessant rain.
But we must think positive, so it is all eyes on the Thoresby Eventing Spring Carnival, which runs in just a few weeks time, over Easter weekend. The first International of UK soil this year, the entry list is super exciting, with Tokyo Gold medalist Laura Collett, current World Champion Yas Ingham and reigning Badminton and European champ Ros Canter just some of those in the line up.
Thoresby provides an ideal prep run for those heading to Badminton Horse Trials, but this year it also perfect for those with their eyes on Olympic selection too – hence a strong International presence on the start list too!. It’s lining up to be a very exciting weekend, indeed!
The spate of cancellations in recent weeks is symptomatic of a wetter than usual start to the year (I feel like I mention it at least once a week these days), although I seem to remember that last year’s eventing season got off to a similarly shaky start. Indeed, Thoresby 2023 was almost victim to abandonment, after biblical down pours left the going unthinkably deep – even in the dressage arenas. Still, the team at BEDE events managed to keep the show on the road then, so it will take a lot to stop them this year, too.
Besides, miracles do happen, so here’s hoping the sun will put his hat on for the next fortnight, and we can enjoy a bumper bank holiday weekend, undisturbed by the threat of abandonment for once… s
U.S. Weekend Preview
Full Gallop Farm March II H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Reddick, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX)[Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
European Events
Outdoor Horst (Kronenberg, Netherlands) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Schedule] [Scoring] [Live Stream]
Other Events
Road to the Horse (Lexington, Kentucky) March 21-24 [Website] [Schedule] [Competition Format] [Live Stream]
Friday News and Reading
There is a plethora of talent over here at Eventing Nation – I often wonder how on earth I landed myself amongst such an accomplished team of writers and equestriennes. Fake it until you make it, right?! Following on from last week’s shout out to the incredible Taleen Hanna, it is now the turn of Tilly Berendt to take to the stage. *Drumroll please* The latest subject of the HiHo Silver blog, Tilly is the one that led me to EN in the first place, having come across her work elsewhere, and followed the trail right on back to here, where she is one of the mainstays. Not only is she an exceptional wordsmith, Tilly is also pretty handy behind a camera too, and it is she that y’all have to thank for the European eventing content- and this is just one of the outlets for her work. I first met Tilly at Burghley in 2019 when she gave up some of her already stretched time to sit down for a drink with me, and I can confirm she is as kind and generous as a human as she is talented as a writer. A round of applause for Tilly please – when I grow up I want to be just like you!
Do you know a young eventer with more grit and determination than those twice their age? If the answer is yes, then why not nominate them for the 2024 Hannah Francis Award, set up in memory of the inspirational Hannah Francis, a young rider who sadly lost her life to osteosarcoma -a particularly aggressive form of bone cancer – in 2016. Hannah was one of the bright young stars of the sport, and even after her diagnosis, she was determined to pursue her dreams, refusing to let the cruel disease and gruelling treatment stop her from chasing them. She set up the Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony charity to raise money for vital research into osteosarcoma, and to help other seriously ill equestrians achieve their dreams. If you know of someone as resolute and single minded as Hannah, then why not go ahead and give them a nomination, and maybe help their dreams come true.
Have you entered the Lucinda Green ‘See-a-Stride’ challenge? yet?! If not, why the hell not? At best, you stand to win up to $5000 in cash money, and at worse, you could learn an awful lot from one of the best riders the world has ever seen. Don’t walk, run to The Lucinda Green Academy and sign up now. Could change your life. Or at least help you see a stride…
All eyes are on Kronenberg this weekend, with the who’s who of eventing headed to the Netherlands to give their top horses a leg stretch before the season’s major events kick off. Tim Price, Caroline Powell and Dan Jocelyn head up a strong Kiwi contingent, and France, Ireland and Great Britain all have a host of riders out there representin’, too. Some of the combinations out there this weekend will be chasing that all important Paris Qualification, too, so a good run here is essential! You can follow all of the action live over on clipmyhorse.tv, or keep up with the live scores here. The season is hotting up guys, 2024 LET’S GOOOOO!
Sponsor Corner
And that’s a wrap on Stable View’s Eventing Academy until July! Congratulations to everyone who came home with a blue ribbon and everyone who maybe didn’t get first, but still gave it their best go. Now the countdown begins until the April $60,000 CCI4*!
Video Break
Planning a fresh new ‘do soon? Take some style tips from Laura Collett, who went for a chop with celebrity hair stylist Lisa Farrall, as part of Team GB’s ‘A Cute Above’ series. Laura chats about her her life and career with horses – including her life threatening accident a few years ago – all while having her locks lopped off and restyled. A unique concept for a chat show, though it kind of works…?!
