Monday News and Notes from SmartPak

Libby Head and Sir Rockstar, Badminton Horse Trial graduates, class of 2016. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Libby Head and Sir Rockstar, Badminton Horse Trial graduates, class of 2016. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
I can’t choose which topic to highlight in this morning’s N&N: Michael Jung’s historic Rolex Grand Slam, Libby Head and Sir Rockstar’s incredible rookie performance at Badminton or how awesome it was to watch amateurs and juniors fulfill their dreams of riding in a long format event this weekend at Heart of the Carolinas. At the end of the day, it’s the people, the horses and their stories that make this sport so unique and special. Eventing can be a heartbreaking endeavor and our non-horsey friends and family don’t always understand it, but it’s our heart and soul, and I don’t think any one of us would change that for the world.

U.S. Weekend Results:

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Results]

King Oak Farm Spring H.T. [Results]

MCTA H.T. [Results]

Heart of the Carolinas 3D & H.T. [Results]

Poplar Place Farm May H.T. [Results]

Greenwood Farm H.T. [Results]

Penny Oaks H.T. [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

Congratulations to Instagram using @lab361, who has been voted the winner of this year’s #TredstepPayItForward Challenge! You have to read the nomination that got her the win, it’s definitely worth a read. [#TredstepPayItForward]

Also, congratulations are in order for Rachel Leneweaver and Indy, this year’s Rolex Top Dog! Rachel will win a beautiful bridle from World Equestrian Brands thanks to Indy’s scopey efforts! [2016 Rolex Top Dog]

The USEA has teamed up with the Virginia Horse Trials to put on the inaugural Intercollegiate Eventing Team Challenge May 26-29. Teams from all over the East Coast are expected to compete and show their school pride. VHT is going all out to make it a memorable experience with a dedicated stabling area plus great prizes and a special spirit award. [Spirit Award and Team Prizes Up for Grabs at Inaugural USEA Intercollegiate Championship]

Jonathan Paget officially retired his longtime partner Clifton Promise at the Badminton Horse Trials this weekend. The pair had quite the career at the top level of the sport, representing New Zealand at the 2012 Olympics and both the 2010 and 2014 World Equestrian Games. They won Badminton in 2013. They competed at Burghley three times, officially finishing 12th and 2nd. In 2012, they were 6th at Rolex and 2nd at Pau. In a 10 year career at the FEI levels, Clifton Promise only ever had one cross country penalty but never at a four-star or team championship. [Badminton marks retirement of Paget’s 2013 winner Clifton Promise]

Weekly Business Tip from Mythic Landing Enterprises: Don’t be afraid to approach companies about in-kind sponsorships. For every pair of breeches or bag of feed that you don’t have to buy, that is money saved that can go towards vet bills and entry fees. For riders just starting out, never say no to a discount for the same reason just mentioned. Every dollar saved due to a discount is a dollar you can put toward something else. And if you are already planning on buying the breeches or the feed, you might as well save a few bucks while doing it! Small sponsorships are about relationship-building, too. As your career progresses, your early sponsors will be some of your best assets.

Kent Farrington and Gazelle won the $35,000 FEI 1.50m Suncast® Welcome on his first visit to the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Gazelle is one of the younger and less experienced horses in Farrington’s string, but she’s well on her way to super stardom with the number 6 FEI World Ranking rider in the irons. [Jumper Nation]