Samantha Clark photo
Good morning Eventing Nation! Hopefully everyone is feeling rested after the weekend. This is a really big week on the eventing front. Richland Park HT takes place this week/weekend. This will serve as the final selection trial for the US Pan American Games team. Many riders will be traveling early on in the week to make it to Michigan in time to rest and get ready to compete. Lucky for us, John will be on hand at Richland to keep everyone up to date on the most current happenings. There should be plenty of excitement. Stay tuned.
Over in Germany, the Europeans are gearing up for their championships. Luhmuhlen will play host to one of the most exciting competitions of this year- The European Championships. There are some serious top athletes headed to Germany. But, let’s not forget the green bean, Laura Collett, who is making her debut on the British Senior Squad. We will have more on the European Championships as the week unfolds.
In case you missed this past weekends event results:
Caber Farm HT (WA): [Times/Scores]
The Event at Goose Downs (NM): [Times/Scores]
Huntington Farm HT (VT): [Times/Scores]
Difficult Run HT (VA): [Ride Times]
Erie Hunt and Saddle Club HT (PA): [Times/Scores]
Great Vista HT (NY): [Website]
On to the news, notes, and not so random happenings…
Well, Clark Johnstone has done it. He has won the World Cup Series. Johnstone finished four points ahead of friend, Chris Burton. Johnstone was part of the bronze medal team in Kentucky last fall but considers this his biggest win. Winning the series earned him a nice 30,000Euro. [World Cup Winner]
Have any of you ever watched the show Hoarders? Well for those who haven’t, it is terrifying. Hoarding is a horrible disorder. The sad thing about hoarding is that not all the collected items are lifeless. Sixty-four animals (including 10 horses and 40 cats) have been collecting by Michigan authorities. The animals were kept in unsanitary conditions and were not receiving proper medical care (or just care in general…). The case began when authorities started receiving complaints and concerns about the animals well being. The animals have all been moved to shelters. [Don’t hoard]
The British Young Rider team has won team gold in Scotland. Unfortunately, a stop on the cross country dropped overnight leader, Dani Evans out of a medal position. Willa Newton however, only added 2.4 time penalties and a clean show jumping to finish in the silver medal position. Tom McEwen also had a clean show jumping to finish fourth. [British Eventing]
Carl Hester has won a second silver medal. Despite his mount feeling quiet tired, they were able to pull of a nice performance to clinch the second place position. Hester says he was happy with his ride. He had never ridden the test (in competition, I assume) but it went off really well with each movement falling into the correct lyrical spot. Hester has had a really successful championship and I am sure we will see many more exciting things from him and Uthopia. [Second Silver]
William Fox-Pitt, Nicola Wilson, and Polly Stockton all had a winning weekend at Blair Castle. Could these be a good sign for their week to come in Germany? I hope so. [Winner, winner, chicken dinner]
Best of Blogs: A Happy Heart
And another: Little Red Rearing Hood
Courtney Cooper is one busy Lady! C Square Farm
Fourteen year old Lillie Keenan has had a big win. As the youngest competitor in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, many might not of thought she would finish where she did. After a mistake on her first horse, she came back on her second for a flawless round. Keenan took the lead ahead of many of the country’s top hunter riders. Most of these riders are ten years her superior. Age didn’t matter, the victory was all for Keenan. [Derby Winner]
The German team and team order has been selected for the European Championships. [Germany]
Colleen and Shiraz have finally made it to England. After what sounds like a long journey, they are finally settled in the Ann Taylor’s beautiful farm. Shiraz seems to be in fine form and feeling quiet full of himself. Hopefully there are no pheasants at Burghley! [Colleen and Shiraz]
Do any of you live in London? Want to offer your place as a location for others to stay? The Horse and Hound has created a forum for people to come together for places to stay, camp, or park in London. You must be 18 years old to use this forum and you must register first. Let’s see how many awesomely nice people are out there! [Crash here]
Check out Carl Hester via ECOGOLD:
And a bonus: European Championships:
Hold on tight for an exciting week of eventing. This week will be sure to distract you from work, and keep you on the edge of your seats as we crown a new European Champion and get closer to finding out who will be on the Pan Am team. Go Eventing.
