One of the best parts about the annual Mongol Derby, besides the fact that it always attracts a healthy number of eventers (we counted at least seven in this year’s field!), is that the grueling race brings together riders from all walks of life and locales. Take Frank Furlong, for example. At 64 years young, Frank is the oldest competitor in the field this year. A fall from one of his chosen horses between horse stations (where the riders can camp and find some sustenance between switching horses) hasn’t slowed him down, and with just under a week of racing to go we’ll be cheering Frank and his fellow competitors the whole way home.
You can follow along with the Mongol Derby here. The website includes live rider tracking, daily report blogs and much more.
U.S. Weekend Events
GMHA Festival of Eventing (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]
Otter Creek Summer H.T. (WI): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]
WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Woodside Summer H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/NEH/OEH Qualifier (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
Major International Events
NAF Five Star Hartpury International (UK): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Schedule] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Live Stream]
News & Reading
Capt. Mark Phillips’ latest column for Horse & Hound is full of bits and bobs. First, some insight on the work being done to get Santa Anita Park ready to host eventing for the LA Olympics in 2028. Newly-appointed course designer Alec Lochore was accompanied by advisor Mike Etherington-Smith on a site visit recently, where some decisions were made about the makeup of the course. From there, Mark also muses on the decline of membership, particularly in his home country, fundraising and visibility efforts within the sport, and the dangers of e-bikes (get well soon, Harry Meade and Helen West!). Read the column here.
What stood out at the most recent USEF Town Hall meeting? This new series is visiting several shows around the country this year, including a stop at Stable View Oktoberfest on September 27, and is focusing primarily on equine welfare and safety throughout all disciplines. A more expansive blood rule and prohibited substance enforcement, exploring modifications to the whip rule, utilizing a “stoplight” system to empower stewards to intervene if they see an unsavory situation unfolding, and much more was on the docket to discuss. You can read the full report on the Town Hall, held at USEF Pony Finals in Kentucky last month, here.
We know by now that training the rider’s mind is just as instrumental as the training of the horse. John Haime, a high-performance coach and former professional athlete, sees this imbalance every day. “What happens in our sport,” he explained on a recent episode of The Plaidcast, “is everything’s focused on the horse. And there’s not much focus on the rider.” John breaks down his approach to helping riders train their minds and overcome mental hurdles in this article.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.
Stable View’s next Eventing Academy is coming up this weekend, August 8–10! First-place Horse Trial winners will take home a jar of Stable View’s signature honey to create just a bit of extra buzz around the weekend’s theme.
Here’s the tentative schedule:
🗓️ Friday: Cross cCountry Schooling
🗓️ Saturday: All-Phase Schooling + evening Graze & Gaze (5–7pm) with drinks + snacks
🗓️ Sunday: Horse Trials, Combined Tests, Dressage, and Stadium Rounds
🏡 On-site accommodations still available
📸 Christine Quinn Photography will be capturing the weekend
📱 Join the event’s WhatsApp group for ride times and updates
Come school, compete, and celebrate a sweet weekend of eventing! Learn more about Stable View’s Eventing Academy here.
Video Break
Eventing commentator Spencery Sturmey stopped by the Jon and Rick Show:
