A victorious Meg Kep. Photo by Mercedes Rolandelli.
Please join me in sending a massive shoutout to the one and only Meg Kep, who completed her first Advanced yesterday at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Essex Horse Trials with The Rogue Won Syndicate’s Anakin to officially achieve hero status. Watch a video of her cross country below — note the big pats at the end.
National Holiday: National Pralines Day
Major Weekend Results:
Arville Event Rider Masters [Final Scores]
U.S. Weekend Results:
Kent School Spring H.T. [Final Scores]
MARS EQUESTRIAN Essex H.T. [Final Scores]
Surefire Farm H.T. [Final Scores]
Stable View Summer H.T. [Final Scores]
Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. [Final Scores]
Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. [Final Scores]
Midsouth Pony Club H.T. [Final Scores]
Abbe Ranch H.T. [Final Scores]
Your Monday News & Notes:
The 2021 FEI Eventing European Championships have been allocated to Haras du Pin in France. The FEI has re-opened the bid process for a multi-year allocation of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses for 2021-2023. Allocation will be made at the FEI Board meeting in November 2019 at the FEI General Assembly in Moscow. [Allocation of major events through 2021]
Proposed FEI rule changes for 2020 include the mandatory implementation of frangible technology at appropriate fences at 4* and 5* events, with a three-year rollout period starting next year. Additional proposals include rewording of the flag rule for narrow fences and review of the eventing sanction system. The full proposed rules modifications will be published here and sent to National Federations and stakeholders for further consultation on July 8. [Main decisions by the FEI Board 19-21 June 2019]
Ireland’s Michael Pender, 19, became the youngest winner of the Hickstead Derby yesterday, jumping the only double clear to win with Hearton Du Bois Halleux. The record was previously held by Marion Coakes, who rode the super pony Stroller to victory in 1967 at the age of 20. “It hasn’t really hit me yet,” he said, “but it’s what every rider dreams of.” [Irishman becomes youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby]
Sharon White talks us through her fitness routine, which combines pilates and stretching, to supplement her riding. “Feeling very secure in the saddle brings confidence. I think it’s really important for everyone to understand that even if it’s just 10 minutes a day to do some stretching and some planking, it’ll help.” [The Importance of Balance and Strength with Sharon White]
Imogen Murray uses this simple grid of four bounces to help her horses improve their jumping technique. “It can add variety to your jump training and is a good exercise where the horse does most of the work, encouraging him to really use himself and work out where to put his feet.” [#SundaySchool: Imogen Murray on the bounce grid exercise]
Your Monday Video:
