We’re very excited to welcome Portugal’s Francisco “Kiko” Stilwell to the newest episode of The Go Eventing Podcast! We’ve been wanting to chat up Kiko for awhile, as his backstory is downright fascinating. Kiko hails from one of the smaller countries when it comes to eventing, and it’s a community that’s struggled to rebuild after the loss of a prominent rider and coach about a decade ago. Kiko also has had his share of his own adversity, dealing with a spinal disease that caused deformations in his left foot that made him susceptible to bone infections and overwhelming pain. In 2020, he made the decision to have the lower portion of his left leg amputated to save himself from a lifetime on crutches and unable to pursue his dreams. It’s a story you won’t want to miss diving into, and it’ll hit your airwaves today on your preferred podcast platform or here.
Major International Events
Les 5 Etoiles de Pau (France): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Horsepal]
U.S. Events This Weekend
YEH West Coast Championships & Last Chance Qualifier (CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores]
Waredaca Classic Three Day Event & H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [Volunteer: Classic Three-Day] [Volunteer: H.T.]
Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. International (GA): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Windermere Run H.T. (MO): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
Hitching Post Farm H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
Dressage star Anna Buffini has taken a step back from competing at the top levels, she shared recently on the new Horsewoman’s Almanac podcast and via The Chronicle of the Horse. The reasonings are largely financial — it’s hard to make it work in this sport, especially when you’re fully supported by yourself and your family. “What’s so hard about the horse world for everyone is there’s still board, shavings, hay, grooms, property maintenance, training from my coach, shows, travel for the horse and rider and coach, insurance,” Anna told The Chronicle. “It’s just become too much of a strain on our family,” she continued, “and I am at peace with being able to take this financial burden off of all of our shoulders.” You can read more on her decision here.
The USEA Young Event Horse Championships aren’t quite over! The West coast Championships take place this weekend at Twin Rivers and a great field of promising youngsters is ready to vie for the titles up for grabs. Preview the field and get some quick info here.
Take an early look around the cross country at Pau, which promises to be a festive and potentially slightly wet adventure on Saturday. Horse & Hound has a preview ready for your eyes here.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Only two Eventing Academy weekends at Stable View remain on the calendar! The Eventing Academy is a fun, low-pressure event that provides an affordable opportunity to get in some practice both in an schooling environment as well as a (again, low key!) competition environment. On Friday, competitors can school the cross country field to be used for the weekend. On Saturday, competitors can school dressage, stadium and cross country. On the Sunday, competitors can enter an unrecognized event. Riders can also enter rounds for Dressage Test of Choice, Show Jumping and Combined Tests for Sunday’s event. Registration is open until November 7 for the November 14-16 Eventing Academy and you can learn more here.
Video Break
Take a deeper dive on eventing’s “sister sport,” combined driving:
