Michael Pollard and Jude’s Law storming their way to a second-place finish at the Jersey Fresh CCI*** just two weekends ago.
Good morning, Eventing Nation. Our hearts and thoughts continue to go out to Michael and Nathalie Pollard, the Pollard Eventing Team, and all of Ulando, Icarus and Jude’s Law’s connections as they navigate an unimaginable time, and emerge the stronger for it.
We’ll keep you updated on the recovery of Schoensgreen Hanni, Raphael and Little Star, but in the meantime, perhaps there’s small comfort in knowing that across the nation, horses and riders were out on cross-country, succeeding at what they love best…
Weekend Results:
At the Virginia Horse Trials, Victoria Jessop and Desert Mystery led wire to wire to win the CCI*; Rowdie Adams and RF Blistfee were also wire to wire winners in the CCIJ*; Jessica Schultz and Lock N’ Load topped the CIC**; Jan Byyny won the Advanced/Intermediate on Inmidair and the Open Intermediate on Why Not, and Elinor MacPhail and RF Eloquence won the Intermediate Rider. [Scores]
Horse Nation bloggers Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man, recent winners of the Galway CIC**, added another advanced win to their resume at Woodside; Teresa Harcourt and Bonza Twist of Fate won the OI; McKenzie Miller and Saturday Night Live topped the OP, and the winners of the fourth annual $10,000 Preliminary Challenge—Frankie Thieriot and Uphoria in the horse division, and Julie Flettner and Ping Pong in the rider division—took home loads of loot and cash. [Scores]
Clear jumping efforts brought Bruce Davidson and Here’s Lola to the top of Preliminary A, and Brittany Yard and epona to the top of Preliminary B at Flora Lea. [Scores]
Down at ol’ Corona del Sol, Lori Cooley and What About Fred brought home the blue in prelim/training; Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean topped the training, Janet Taylor and Zarpazo were the novice winners. [Scores]
Jesslyn Woodall and Thunderstruck won May-Daze’s OP; Pam Kimmel and Midnight Special took the PR-A, and Katie Eckert and Sassaparilla Kid led the PR-B. [Scores]
Congrats are also in order to all of Mystic Horse Trials winners. Go Mystic. [Website]
Tori Colvin was a phenom Devon this weekend: After winning most of the junior hunter championships Friday, she came back to take the junior jumper championship and reserve on Saturday, even though she lost a stirrup in one of her rounds. [COTH] [Photos]
RIP Humble, a 9-year-old Welsh pony competing in Devon’s small pony hunter division, who died in a barn on show grounds over the weekend. He’s been transported to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for a necropsy. [COTH]
Irish show jumper Denis Lynch recently won the La Boule Derby, then fell off in the victory lap when his horse spooked—except to make matters worse, Lynch had removed his helmet to salute the crowd and ended up breaking two ribs and needing stitches in his head and elbow. FEI protocol allowing competitors to remove helmets during award ceremonies will now be reviewed. [Horse & Hound]
“It is said all too repeatedly that racing needs a Triple Crown winner. But why? To what end? The streak of failure has become more interesting than a single success. It has a life of its own and it may be eternal.” [ESPN]
Best of the Blogs: “…spent a good deal of time chewing the fat with Derek Di Grazia & Yves Sauvignon, as they watched their students warm up for cross country, and learnt a lot about the eventing circuit on the West Coast, it’s challenges, opportunities, and how it has evolved over the years.” [Talking Horse at Woodside]
And now we’re in need of a cheer-up, right? First, check out this interactive unicorn pooper.
Next, this mini horse playing with a ball twice his size-
And finally, this Shetland pony race, complete with expert commentary-
