Friday News & Notes Presented by Horse First

Faudree really leaning in to the local culture in Germany. Photo by Boyd Martin.

You know, I had a whole cute story about a horse I rode yesterday in my mind for this leader paragraph, but then I saw this….delightful photo of Will Faudree on my Facebook feed and literally everything else in my mind dissipated immediately. The lederhosen, the clogs, the knee-high socks, and of course, the hat so you know he’s from Texas, it’s all just pure magic. You’re so, so welcome.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Champagne Run at the Park H.T. (Lexington, Ky.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Summer Coconino Western Underground Inc. H.T. (Flagstaff, Az.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Essex H.T. (Fair Hills, Nj.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News From Around the Globe:

In the FEI’s centenary year it is perhaps fitting that this year’s Olympic Games will be staged by one of its founding members, Japan. The Tokyo 2020 host has a long history in equestrian sports, although achievements on the biggest stage have been rare. This year could change that with a talented squad including an Eventing team that challenged for the podium at the most recent FEI World Equestrian Games. [FEI 100 Years]

The world’s tallest horse, who held a Guinness World Record, has died aged 20. “Big Jake” died last month at Smokey Hollow Farm in Wisconsin, United States. The Belgian gelding stood 2.75 inches over 20 hands, without shoes. Jake broke the record for the tallest living horse on 19 January 2010 and first appeared in the 2011 edition of the Guinness World Records book. The record was formerly held by a 20hh Clydesdale in Texas, called Remington. [RIP Big Jake]

Hot on Horse Nation: Why Invoice? What It Means To Your Business

Best of Blogs: Working Hard Isn’t Always Enough

Olympic Beat:

A piece of history was made this week when 36 horses flew into Japan – the first full cargo load of horses ever to land in Haneda, the waterfront airport that serves the greater Tokyo area and which is now welcoming a very different group of Olympic athletes. The four-legged time travellers are all dressage horses and include some Olympic superstars, among them Bella Rose, the mare ridden by Germany’s Isabell Werth, the most decorated Olympic equestrian athlete of all time. [Dressage Horses Land in Tokyo]

Bookmark this page: Tokyo Equestrian Live Streaming Schedule

Want to get all of the latest Olympic eventing news in your inbox? Sign up for our free Olympic Digest newsletter, sent each Monday and then daily beginning July 28. Upon sign-up, you’ll receive a welcome message containing links to any editions that were already released. Sign up here.

Confused about rules with alternates and substitutions for Tokyo? You’re not alone. And Equestrian sports are not the only ones trying it out this year, with artistic swimming, BMX racing and freestyle, track cycling, fencing, handball, hockey, football, rowing, rugby, table tennis and water polo joining the ranks. Learn more about how it all works here [Understanding Alternates & Substitutions for Olympics]

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