Good morning Eventing Nation! Today is the start of a busy week in the eventing world. For those heading to Badminton and Rolex, this weekend at the Fork Horse Trails, many of the riders will have their last chance to work out any kinks on course before making final preparations for their major three-day of choice. In addition, Mark will be out early in the week helping riders during the USEF High Performance Training Sessions. When the schedule is avaliable you will find it [here]. If you get the chance to go and watch, you really should. Just be sure to bring your translator though–mumbling can be hard to interpret.
Now for your News and Notes…
-Other events this weekend besides the Fork: CDCTA, Chattahoochee Hills, Spring Bay and Pine Hill Spring HT
-Most eventers (or horse people in general) have dogs. I love a good story about dogs and all the great things they do. For this 22-month old baby, one loving family dog not only kept him safe, but saved his life. Check out your Monday feel good story and then give your dog a good squeeze. Thanks RAP for sharing.
– Best of Blogs: Sinead Halpin “Fear is My Friend.” In this blog Sinead discusses her hunger to improve and how her fears of changed. In my opinion, this is one of the best blogs I have read in a very long time. So many riders out there can probably relate to Sinead’s more “mature” fears. The fear that Sinead discusses in this blog will without a doubt help her rise even further into the top ranks of eventing.
– For those of you who love stalking Boyd as much as I do: You can now know where he will be at all moments during the Fork.
– There is a lot going on in Doug Payne’s world as he gears up for the Fork. Everything from new trunks, to getting 10’s on rider position. Go on, be jealous and just check it (the blog, ok and maybe Doug too) out.
– Horses in Turkey get hoof help.
– Oli Townend has had a successful start to the season including a win at Belton Park this weekend. Oli is headed towards Badminton and seems to be pleased with how his mount is doing: “Everything feels bang on. It’s now about keeping the horse as healthy as possible.”
– Chelan reports from Galway that after an elimination in SJ, Debbie Rosen was given special permission for a mock XC run. From Chelan:
Debbie Rosen did XC today after everything else had finished. When I say she ‘went’ I mean she did the entire CIC3* course!! Robert gave her permission, the course was secured so she could gallop safely without running into anyone then off she went. She was really going for it- imagine getting into that head space the next day. Anyhow, I think it is super cool that Robert let her go. Although she was qualified for Rolex, she really needed another XC run to legitimately go and do it. She had one bauble at the up bank of the third water, but was otherwise clear and fabulous. A bunch of us went out there to cheer her on.
I think this is so neat the Robert Kellerhouse allowed Debbie this opportunity. And even more so I admire Debbie for being able to get in the right mind set to go out and get it done.
– Fun and games from the Horse Park.
That is all for now EN. Stay tuned for a fun week of eventing news! Until next time, Go Eventing.
