Willow admiring the view in beautiful Green Creek, NC. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
After numerous cancellations and rescheduling due to a very wet winter and weekend work trips cramping my pony-riding style, this weekend my adventure buddy, Willow, and I finally made it to a Western Carolina Hunter Pace. The weather was just right, the trails were perfect and the views were beyond breathtaking. For a couple of hours, it felt like we were back in Northern Virginia, wandering the countryside with no real destination but a comfortable state of bliss and the appreciation of each other’s companionship. Although these trails were well marked, we both enjoyed the meandering paths through grassy fields and shaded wood. We wrapped up the day with a picnic lunch by the trailer. A perfect day just hanging out with the pony.
Weekend Results:
Morven Park Spring H.T. [Results]
Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Results]
Full Gallop Farm April H.T. [Results]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Results]
Galway Downs CIC & H.T. [Results]
Monday News and Notes:
The USA is leading after the first FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage Series competition for 2016. Led by Laura Graves and Verdades, who posted personal bests in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, the U.S. has a strong lead over second place Canada. [Team USA Wins Opening Leg]
Are you looking for a less severe but equally effective spur for your sensitive horse? Spursuaders, created by Linda Hauck, may be the answer you seek. Designed with a contact surface big enough to apply pressure but smooth enough so that it wouldn’t poke and jab the horse in an uncomfortable way, Spursuaders let you “talk” to your horse without offending it. [Check out Jumper Nation’s Spursuaders Product Review]
A 12-year-old girl was found dead in her horse’s pasture at Paradise Farm in Aiken, SC last Thursday. She died of severe head trauma and the death was ruled an accident by the coroner’s office. It’s a terrible tragedy and a difficult reminder of the dangers of horses, both in and out of the saddle. [Teen Equestrian Dies at Aiken Horse Farm]
Does your horse have an inspiring story about coming back from a serious injury or illness? OCD Pellets wants to hear all about it! Send in your rehab to [email protected] for a chance to win an OCD prize pack (2-month supply of OCD Pellets, 1-month supply of COS Canine, and an OCD Pellets hat and T-shirt). Entries close Monday, May 2, 2016, and the story that receives the most views on EN will win. [Contest Details]
The FEI Sports Forum 2016 begins today, April 4, in Lausanne, Switzerland. The forum will be live streamed free of charge on FEI TV today and tomorrow. [Schedule]
PONIES! Need I say more? [Postcard from Pony Land]
Best of the Blogs: Remember To Not Forget To Not Ride
Monday Video: Look who’s back!
