Ingrid Klimke’s furry mascot poses with the Team Klimke haul at Pratoni.
Hands up if you’re suffering from post-Election Week insomnia? Maybe this is a unique phenomenon for those of us who had to stay up until 2.00 a.m. just to watch Biden and Harris’ speeches on Saturday night – and who may have been guilty of cat-napping through each prior night with CNN on so as not to miss the crucial moment – but man, it’s hard to shake now. I feel like I’m back at university preparing for exams, except now I have a big crush on news anchor Jake Tapper and no way to appease it.
Whether you watched religiously or picked up the highlights of each day’s news on social media, I think we can all pretty universally share in the relief that the longest week that ever was is over and done with, and we can focus all our time and attention on our horses once again. Having never been a big TV person, though, I’m finding it hard to adjust to life without its constant company – so any recommendations for unapologetically horsey viewing will be warmly received.
National Holiday: It’s World Freedom Day, which commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall. We recommend celebrating with a good blast across the fields with your favourite four-legged pal – the best expression of freedom available to us horsey lot.
US Weekend Results:
Full Moon Farms H.T.: [Website] [Results]
Majestic Oaks H.T.: [Website] [Results]
River Glen H.T.: [Website] [Results]
Texas Rose Horse Park Fall H.T.: [Website] [Results]
War Horse Event Series November H.T.: [Website] [Results]
Global Round-Up:
- Italy’s Pratoni del Vivaro – the site of the 2022 World Championships for eventing – hosted a huge week of international classes, with every level between 1* and 4*-L catered for (yes, both short and long!). Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD took the CCI4*-S class by a winning margin of 12.10 penalties ahead of second-placed Felix Vogg and Colero, back in action after some time out last year. Queen Klimke also took the CCI4*-L, this time riding spicy young mare Asha P, who’s gone from strength to strength since winning the Seven-Year-Old World Championship in 2018. Meanwhile, Michi Jung qualified a fifth horse for next year’s Olympics with a sixth-place finish with fischer Wild Wave. At what point is it just greedy?
Your Monday Reading List:
A 27-year-old showjumper has undergone a double mastectomy after discovering that she has a genetic anomaly that predisposes her to breast cancer. Now, she’s hoping that being vocal about her experience will help protect other woman – particularly those who consider themselves too young to be at risk. [Showjumper who underwent double mastectomy hopes her story may help save lives]
Warm-up routines are largely subjective, but could understanding the science behind preparing your horse for work help create a better athlete? That’s the question that Hartpury University researchers had in mind before embarking on a new study of warm-up practices across the disciplines. [The art of the warm-up: Riders reveal how they get their horses ready for action]
If, like me, you spent your Sunday in a pair of colossal coveralls, painstakingly giving your horse a back, sack and crack, you’ll appreciate this. Heels Down’s seven reasons why body-clipping is THE WORST is wholly #relatable. [7 Reasons Why Body-Clipping is the Absolute Worst]
It can be pretty hard to keep up with lockdown riding rules in England, particularly when governing bodies release contradictory guidelines. Horse&Rider has broken down the latest update – released by British Equestrian – and explains what you’re still allowed to do. [British Equestrian Updates Lockdown Advice for England]
SmartPak launched its 12 Days of Deals promotion today, which means you can save big each day! The first daily deal is a Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion on the always popular Piper breeches and tights. Use code DayOne at checkout to redeem this deal. [12 Days of Deals: Day One]
Monday Viewing:
I’ve been missing France since returning home from my adventures at Le Lion d’Angers and Pau – but rewatching the entirety of Pau’s cross-country (with delightful French commentary) has helped ease my blues and reminded me what an incredible competition it was.
