Photo via Pippa Funnell on Facebook.
Nicola Wilson received a visit from some well-wishing friends and colleagues last week as she continues to recover from a fall at Badminton in May.
“It was so wonderful to take time out from my training duties at Bramham International Horse Trials to visit Nic and Al along with William [Fox-Pitt], Dickie Waygood and Liz Brown,” Pippa Funnell wrote on her Facebook page. “What an inspiration she is, so incredibly cheery and positive and in such good form making very good progress. Those doctors and nurses are going to struggle to hold her back.”
The most recent update from Nicola’s channels indicate that she currently is (as of June 2) on bed rest and without hand or arm function, but with good feeling. It’s anticipated that she’ll remain at the spinal rehab unit at James Cook Hospital for the next three months.
U.S. Weekend Results
Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, Wa.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run H.T. (Chelsea, Mi.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, Ut.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, Va.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, Mo.): [Website] [Final Scores]
River Glen H.T. (River Glen, Tn.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Unionville H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Final Scores]
Major International Events:
MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]
Just north of the U.S.-Canadian border at the return of the MARS Bromont International, Jennie Brannigan took home the title in the headlining CCI4*-L division with Tim and Nina Gardner’s Twilightslastgleam. Bromont has been hailed for its test of 4* mettle (and, perhaps 5* worthiness), making it an excellent place to spot some future Kentucky or Maryland horses. Catch up on all of our coverage from Bromont this weekend here.
Bramham International (West Yorkshire, England): [Website][Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]
It was a devastating weekend at Bramham International that saw the loss of two horses as well as two riders transported to local hospitals.
These stories sadly contrast with the other end of the spectrum: the triumph felt by Great Britain’s Izzy Taylor, whose partner in the CCI4*-L Monkeying Around proved he belongs — for good — at this level and, hopefully, beyond. You can read back through Tilly Berendt’s coverage of Bramham here.
Melbourne International (Melbourne, Australia): [Website] [Final Scores] [Live Stream Replay]
View this post on Instagram
In the southern hemisphere, Melbourne International marks the celebration of the Queen’s long birthday weekend. Similar to its Adelaide counterpart, the Australian International Three-Day Event, the Melbourne International is also very publicly placed, with the cross country track meandering its way past the zoo, a hotel, in front of a mansion, and through vast park and polo fields in Victoria. See for yourself in this look at the 4*-L cross country track on CrossCountryApp. The course was designed by Ewan Kellett.
Monday News & Reading
There is still time to register for the upcoming US Equestrian DEI Community Conversations, scheduled for TODAY (June 13) at 5 p.m. EST. This edition, which is held over Zoom with a panel of speakers, will center around Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for Transgender and Non-Binary Equestrians. You can register for a Zoom invite here. There’s no cost to attend and you do not need to be a US Equestrian member.
Sometimes, the right horse is all it takes to realize goals you thought were too far-fetched to achieve. That’s how northern California-based Alice Chan feels about the Morgan mare she found as a three-year-old. “I never imagined that at this age, I would be wanting to move up the levels of eventing,” Alice wrote for the USEA. “But as we all know, this is a sport of true partnership, and when your partner is game, it changes everything.” [Alice Chan and Merriewold Quintessa Conquer a Lifetime of Firsts Together]
“He was a big part of our family. It was hard saying goodbye when he’d always been around – getting married, having children, breaking my back and 10 ribs in a bad hunting fall; Paddy was always here to go the stables and have a cuddle with.” British rider Serena McGregor pays tribute to the horse that took her to her first Badminton and many other destinations in the 27 years they spent together. [Former 5* Eventer Was Part of the Family]
It’s time to start thinking about taking care of your horse in higher temperatures, depending on where you live. Horses are generally, of course, fairly adept at self-regulating, but it’s good to know how to manage and avoid stress in hot weather. [How to Help Your Horse Avoid Heat Stress This Summer]
The #FuturetrackFollow: The Mongol Derby
The Mongol Derby is returning this year! Last held in 2019, the toughest horse race on the planet makes its return on the Mongolian steppes. We know of at least one eventer — Area IV’s recent Tryon 3*-L winner Julie Wolfert — competing, but if you know of another please tip us by emailing [email protected]! In the meantime, here’s a fun look back at our very own Leslie Wylie’s trip to Mongolia:
View this post on Instagram
