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I’ve just touched down in the States after a long day of travelling, and this post from Sara Kozumplik made me laugh purely because it’s so accurate — my suitcase contains layers and options for all weather types at Kentucky, and I’ve been primed to expect both a sunburn and soggy knickers at some point in the week. But if I’m honest, the thrill of a five-star is always enough for me to scarcely even notice the weather, even if it hovers over 100 degrees (hi, Luhmühlen) or features flash floods so drastic that bales of shavings start floating away and the local fire trucks are used to siphon water OUT (um, also Luhmühlen, but a different year). I think I’m pretty well prepared, is what I’m saying, and even if I spend the whole week wrapped up in my waterproofs, I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than the Horse Park!
National Holiday: It’s National Email Day! Please don’t send me one.
U.S. Weekend Action
Fair Hill International April H.T. & CCI-S (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Results]
Meadowcreek Park – The Spring Social Event (Kosse, Texas) [Website] [Results]
Ocala International Festival of Eventing (Ocala, Florida) [Website] [Results]
River Glen Spring H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Results]
Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Results]
UK Weekend Results:
Kelsall Hill (Kelsall, Cheshire): Results
Forgandenny (Perthshire, Scotland): Results
Solihull (Bentley Heath, W. Mids): Results
Horseheath (Horseheath, Cambs): Results
Your Monday Reading List:
70 coaches got together recently for a round-table summit of sorts, and the result is an awful lot of interesting ideas. We’ll probably never standardise riding education — in part because we’ll probably never get everyone to agree on the ‘right’ way to do anything — but bringing all these hard-earned perspectives together to look at things from a number of different angles is a great start. [Working for a smarter sport]
As a serial burnout sufferer, mostly because I always try to do ALL THE THINGS, learning to ditch ‘rider’s regret’ has been huge for me. I work really hard not to beat myself up if I decide I’m too worn out to manage a ride, and instead just hang out with my horse in the field. But for writer Ellie Woznica, battling Multiple Sclerosis means that she really does feel the regret if she misses a chance to ride. [Here’s her perspective]
There’s a lot of things we consider when packing for a show. But have you ever thought about bringing your own toilet? Okay, okay, but hear me out: when the only other option is a seriously manky portapotty that a lot of other riders have expressed their nerves into, wouldn’t it be nice to do a widdle somewhere else? [Here’s some ideas for ya]
And finally…Horse & Hound has headed down memory lane, reliving Mary King’s 1992 win at Badminton. That win, with the great King William, was one of those cornerstone career moments, and it was all borne out of a Pony Club childhood bussing up to the great event to spectate, wide-eyed, at the very best horses and riders. Becoming one herself perhaps wasn’t on her radar, but she sure managed it. [Badminton’s best moments]
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It’s got to be Black Equestrians for pure, unadulterated Black horse girl joy. A tonic for the soul.
Morning Viewing:
I am a big fan of Boyd Martin’s new ride, Commando 3. Get to know him and join me with hearts in your eyes here:
