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IT’S HERE! It’s really, truly here! I haven’t felt this many butterflies about Kentucky in a long time – something about knowing the Horse Park will once again be filled with people feels so special, even though I’ll still be taking part from afar. If you’re heading over to spectate (you lucky duck!), please do consider having a bourbon for me. I don’t even like bourbon, I just feel like it’s integral to the experience.
All of us here at Team EN are in similar states of high octane excitement, and we’ve been putting it to good use: you’ll get loads of content over the next week, including a jam-packed form guide that’ll help you get to know every single horse and rider in the field, visual at-a-glance guides to nail the stats down fast, course previews, jog awards, the chance to win prizes and merch, on-site course walks, behind-the-scenes glimpses on our Instagram, and much, much more. We can’t wait to fangirl with you all.
National Holiday: It’s National Hug a Plumber Day! I think I’ve seen this film before.
U.S. Weekend Action:
River Glen Spring H.T. (New Market, Tn.): [Website] [Results]
Sporting Days H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Results]
Unionville Spring H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Results]
UK Weekend Results:
Bicton Arena (1): [Results]
Forgandenny (1): [Results]
Horseheath (1): [Results]
Kelsall Hill (1): [Results]
Global Eventing Round-up:
Poland’s Strzegom Horse Trials hosted a full plethora of international classes over the weekend, and it turned out to be a pretty jolly day in the office yesterday for Sweden’s Christoffer Forsberg, who won the CCI4*-L class from start to finish with Hippo’s Sapporo. That makes two four-star wins in as many weeks for the lanky Swede, whose bid for a spot at the World Equestrian Games looks stronger every day.
Are you attending this year’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event? Join EN and Ride iQ for a ridiculously epic course walk led by Kyle Carter and Buck Davidson on Friday, April 29. If you register ahead of time, you’ll be entered to win prizes such as a limited edition signed tote bag and goodies from our sponsors. Click here to learn more.
Your Monday Reading List:
Sometimes on a Monday morning, you just want to look at a few pretty horses. We get that, and the FEI apparently does too, because they’ve put together this piece that literally is just that: 15 event horses that… look real nice. Enjoy (and take note of Christoph Wahler’s position, too, which looks like it came from a page of Hunter-Jumper Equitation).
As Kentucky week begins, I’m thinking about the horses of years gone by who’ve lit a special spark in us all. One of those was the part Shetland Teddy O’Connor, who proved that the little guys can pack just as big of a punch. Here’s a sweet piece looking back at what made him such a cultural rallying point in our sport.
If there’s one thing that really unites eventers, it’s a love of gin. To that end, Oliver Townend has collaborated with Shropshire Distillery to create the Carousel Quest Gin, in honour of his first Burghley winner.
Has your horse been diagnosed with osteoarthritis? Learning how to manage this condition can be stressful – but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road for your eventer if you condition him accordingly and keep him supple. Here’s a great guide.
Listen to This: Head behind the scenes at Kentucky in the first episode of the Eventing Podcast’s coverage of the #bestweekendallyear!
The FutureTrack Follow:
Want to see what life is like on the road with Team Jung? Give Michael’s head groom, Lena Steger, a follow for plenty of Chipmunk antics and a whole lot of horsey love this week!
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Morning Viewing:
A little morning inspiration for you, courtesy of showjumping legend and, let’s face it, total Swiss hottie Steve Guerdat.
