Last year's NAJYRC CH-Y** medallists Rowdie Adams, Caroline Martin and Jennifer Caras. Photo by ivegotyourpicture.com.
The Barbury International Horse Trials this past weekend marked the beginning of a series of very exciting events on tap this month for the global eventing community. Andrew Nicholson and Avebury won the CIC3* class for the third year in a row, and that’s just the start of what will prove to be an action-packed next few weeks. Here’s a rundown of what eventing fans have to look forward to in the coming weeks in the sport.
July 16-20: NAJYRC
The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships kick off next week at the Kentucky Horse Park, with teams from the U.S. and Canada battling it out at the one- and two-star levels. Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace took home individual gold last year in the CH-Y** division, with Nicole Doolittle and Tops taking CH-J* individual gold. Area III proved victorious in last year’s team competition, winning gold in both the CH-Y** and CH-J* divisions. Who will rise to the occasion this year? The USEF Network will be streaming the competition and offering on-demand highlights, so be sure to follow along. [NAJYRC Website]
July 17-19: CHIO Aachen
Aachen is important any year, but it’s especially critical this year, as many national federations are using the event as a test drive for their teams leading up to this summer’s World Equestrian Games. While a final entry list has not yet been posted on Aachen’s website, we know all the big players are sending teams, and Germany will not be naming its final WEG squad until after the event. Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen are set to represent Team USA in Germany, looking for redemption after their dominant run at Badminton ended too soon. [Aachen Website]
July 23-27: The Event at Rebecca Farm
Long considered a destination event for U.S. eventers, the Event at Rebecca Farm kicks off in two weeks, with competitors trekking to the event from all across the country. The CIC3* is packed with exciting West Coast talent, headlined by Canadian WEG team member Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice. Other pairs to watch include Matt Brown with listed horses BCF Belicoso and Super Socks BCF, James Alliston and his up-and-coming OTTB Mojo, Jen McFall and her Rolex partner High Times, and Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against as they look to gain more three-star experience with a trip to Kentucky in mind for next spring. [Entries]
July 26-27: Great Meadows
The WEG prep trials at Great Meadows will serve as July’s grand finale, as the U.S. team and alternate horses and riders look to show good form in The Plains, Va., before shipping out for France. Tickets are available now for the event, which is your best chance to see the WEG team in action before Normandy. Tickets start at $30 per car load for one phase, and you can watch all three phases on both days for $50 per car load. If you can’t make it to Great Meadows, don’t despair; EN will be on the grounds to bring you every minute of the action. [WEG Prep Trials]
Even More Action Coming Up in U.S.
NAJYRC, Aachen, Rebecca Farm and Great Meadows are just a taste of what’s on tap in July, as the season is now in full swing in all USEA areas. See below for a list of all the events we have to look forward to this month in the U.S. Which events are you most excited about this month, EN? Let us know where you’ll be competing in the comments below.
07/11/2014 Cosequin Stuart H.T. (NY, Area 1) Website
07/11/2014 Champagne Run at the Park H.T. (KY, Area 8) Website
07/11/2014 37th Annual Whidbey Island H.T. (WA, Area 7) Website
07/12/2014 Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, Area 3) Website
07/12/2014 Coconino Summer I H.T. (AZ, Area 10) Website
07/12/2014 Powder Basin H.T. (WY, Area 9) Website
07/12/2014 Huntington Farm H.T. (VT, Area 1) Website
07/12/2014 The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm I (MD, Area 2) Website
07/13/2014 Riga Meadow H.T. (CT, Area 1) Website
07/17/2014 Coconino Classic 3-Day Event & H.T. (AZ, Area 10) Website
07/18/2014 Fitch’s Corner H.T. (NY, Area 1) Website
07/19/2014 Hunter Oaks H.T. (IL, Area 4) Website
07/19/2014 Aspen Ridge H.T. (CO, Area 9) Website
07/19/2014 The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm II (MD, Area 2) Website
07/23/2014 Event at Rebecca Farm (MT, Area 7) Website
07/25/2014 Cobblestone Farms H.T. (MI, Area 8) Website
07/26/2014 Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (NJ, Area 2) Website
07/26/2014 Valinor Farm Fall Horse Trials (MA, Area 1) Website
07/26/2014 Stoneleigh-Burnham Summer H.T (MA, Area 1) Website
07/31/2014 Millbrook H.T. (NY, Area 1) Website
