Friday News & Notes from World Equestrian Brands

Is there anything better than a good nurse mare?? Photo by ColdSpring Nursemares Facebook.

OK, every horse person knows what a dramatic moment this is: last night, my horses went out in their fields … NAKED!! For the first time in 2019! Do you know how exciting that is for a Virginia dweller? Never mind the fact that they’ll be filthy today, because it’s going to be warm again and they can get baths. Again! Two bath days! It’s the little things, honestly.

National Holiday: National Everything You Think Is Wrong Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

News From Around the Globe:

The countdown to LRK3DE 2019 is on for many horses and riders, including Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. As a well known rider for the Canadian team, Hawley and Jolly are tackling their third trip to Kentucky after a successful trip to the WEG last fall. Hawley gave this interview to Practical Horseman on how both she and Jolly are working on their fitness ahead of this big event, and what sorts of exercises she’s been practicing this winter. [Lexington Lead Up: Hawley & Jollybo]

Speaking of Kentucky … don’t forget to enter this contest to win four VIP tickets for the big weekend! It’s an incredible week anyway, but you can make it even more memorable by entering to win the Land Rover VIP Insiders Package. Winner and three guests will enjoy VIP hospitality passes, a course walk with an eventing athlete, and considerably more. Please be sure to enter before April 4, 2019. [Enter Here]

Santa Anita has announced a ban on all race day medications and whips after the death of a 22nd horse. A day after reopening the training track, 3-year-old Princess Lili B broke down while breezing and broke both front legs. This is the 22nd death on these grounds in the past two-and-a-half months, an inexplicable uptick in fatal breakdowns. Many experts are considering the unusual rainfall on the track surface to be the culprit, but as of yet it is still unknown. [Santa Anita Still in Trouble]

What can you say about a top level groom who has taken care of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum’s stable for 21 years? Anu Harrila has been the backbone of this Olympic level operation for what feels like forever, and one of the best grooms in the world. Originally from Finland, Anu grew up wanting to be a professional rider herself, but found her niche in grooming. She knows how to calm the horses and reassure Meredith as well, which has truly made her part of the family. [Groom Spotlight: Anu Harrila]

Best of the Blogs: Olivia Alstad’s “Livin’ Eventing” blog interviews Caroline Moore, who has produced horses and riders up to 5* level and also co-owns double gold medaling event horse ‘Allstar B’ ridden by Ros Canter. [Quickieview With Caroline Moore]

Hot on Horse Nation: The Most Popular Irish-Themed Show Names, Presented by Draper Therapies

Just in on Jumper Nation: Barn Fire at Kelli Cruciotti’s Serenity Farm Claims Live of Three Horses