Happy Monday-after-Kentucky, friends – if anyone has any clever cures for that post-5* slump, I’m all ears. The sun has come out in full force here in England (actually, I mustn’t brag, but it’s been out for several weeks straight; surely a new record for us) and the best thing I can think of is pottering over to the nearest pub garden and making my way through a cider the size of my head. Acceptable Monday behaviour for normal people? Probably not. Okay after the intensity of working through a five-star? Abso-frickin-lutely.
I feel like we’re all probably in the same boat here in terms of having so many feelings to get off our chests after the conclusion of that tough, influential competition – and never fear, Team EN will be bringing you plenty of content over the next few days looking back at the event from a multitude of angles. Expect analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and, of course, every helmet cam video we can dredge up for you. Real life is returning, folks, and it rides a winged horse through the Head of the Lake to get to us.
National Holiday: It’s National Help a Horse Day. I’m going to help my horse find the carrot stash in the feed room.
US Weekend Action:
The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event: [Website] [EN’s Ultimate Form Guide] [CCI4*-S Results] [CCI5* Results] [EN’s Coverage]
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T.: [Website] [Results]
Stable View Spring H.T.: [Website] [Results]
UK Weekend Action:
Kelsall Hill International (1): [Results]
Bicton Arena International (1): [Results]
Horseheath (1): [Results]
Solihull (1): [Results]
Global Eventing Round-Up:
It’s been a busy weekend for international eventing, with a CCI2*-S on the go at Luhmühlen and classes from CCI1* through CCI3*-L at Italy’s Vairano. But the highlight of the FEI fixtures list over the weekend — beyond some little show in Kentucky — was Ireland’s Ballindenisk, which hosted hotly-contested classes from CCI2*-S through CCI4*-L.
The CCI4*-S went the way of WEG team silver medallists Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound, who added just 1.6 cross-country time penalties to their exceptional 22.6 dressage to take the win. Elsewhere in the section, other notable riders made great gains on their previous dressage averages, including Sam Watson, who posted a 27 with Tullabeg Flamenco, finishing on it to take second place, and Padraig McCarthy, who earned a 25.6 with Leonidas II, adding 4 time penalties for eventual third.
Mike McNally and Eclipto were victorious in the CCI4*-L, adding just 1.2 showjumping time penalties to their first-phase score of 33.1 to take top honours ahead of UK-based Irish rider Fred Scala and his top horse, Everon Vivendi.
Your Monday Reading List:
In rather bizarrely uplifting news, a horse who was shot in the head 18 months ago has finally lost the bullet and returned to work. The now one-eyed gelding, Fred, was apparently helped along by spiritual healing and determined optimism. [Horse shot in the eye loses bullet 18 months later and returns to work]
Sara Kozumplik Murphy is the woman of the moment for her extraordinary efforts to ensure Kentucky could run this year. But the 5* rider has an incredibly interesting story that transcends this one event. [Sara Kozumplik Murphy: Sharp, Strong and Ready]
Speaking of giving back to the sport, David Vos is doing just that with his important work as part of the FEI Eventing Risk Management Committee. Read all about it in this great HorseSport piece. [Drone Technology, Frangible Fences and Saving the Planet]
William Fox-Pitt’s weekend may not have gone to plan, with an unfortunate tumble late on course, but he found time to sit down for a chat with COTH to discuss life as an event rider during a pandemic and in the wake of a nearly career-ending injury. [Ringside Chat: All Things Land Rover Kentucky with William Fox-Pitt]
The FutureTrack Follow:
I know you’re all following photographer Erin Gilmore, I just know it. But if you’re not — get on it! She’s always catching insane shots like this viral image of Sharon White and Cooley On Show.
Morning Viewing:
Jump around the inaugural CCI4*-S at Kentucky with Elisa Wallace and Let It Be Lee:
