Saturday I spent in hexagon shade, jump judging the Maryland Horse Trials with Nina and Shane (pictured above).
Good Morning, Eventing Nation, and best wishes on your continued rehydration. If you were lucky enough to attend an event as heat-conscious as the Maryland Horse Trials, where cross-country speeds were decreased whenever possible, cooling tents were primed at finish lines, cooler-stocked golf carts circulated to keep competitors and volunteers hydrated, and one horse even dipped unchaperoned in the drainage pond, chances are you’re doing just fine.
Kate Samuels, my best friend, recapped the weekend event winners yesterday. [Congrats Eventers & Excellent Work Kate]
The big news in international competition was Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW’s second place finish in the CICO3* Nations Cup in Aachen, bested by Chris Burton and Underdiscussion by nearly two points. Laura Collett and Rayef, leaders after dressage and show jumping, dropped to third with 4.4 cross-country time penalties. [7M Sports]
After Aachen, the Germans named their eventing team: Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW, Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas, Dirk Schrade and Hop And Skip or King Artus, and Peter Thomsen and Horseware’s Barny. [Horse & Hound]
Full Gallop working student Michelle Florida and her 14-year-old OTTB Absolute competed in Dancing Horse Equestrian Center’s combined test Saturday, catching the eye of the Aiken Standard. “ ‘When I bought him, I couldn’t stop him,’ said Florida. ‘Now he goes like a regular horse, except he’s awesome. He’s really a nice mover, loves to jump, and loves his job. You couldn’t ask for a horse with a better attitude.’ ” [Aiken Standard]
Team GB has never medaled in Olympic dressage, but the London Games might the occasion. Over the weekend, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro’s new freestyle scored over 90 percent at the Hartpury CDI3*: “Many spectators cried openly with emotion and gave the pair a standing ovation at the end of the sensational performance that received a mark of 90.65 per cent, the highest score ever awarded to a British [duo] and less than two percentage points away from the world record of 92.30 per cent set by Edward Gal and Totilas in London in December, 2009.” [Dressage-News]
And according to UK Sport targets, a dressage medal might be essential: “Britain’s equestrian teams are expected to make a significant contribution to the UK medal haul at the London Olympics. The dressage, eventing and showjumping teams should win three to four medals between them in a target set by UK Sport last week.” [Country Life]
Chantal Sutherland became the first female jockey to win the Hollywood Gold Cup in the race’s 73-year history, scoring a 1 1/2-length victory aboard Game On Dude after losing by a nose last year. [North County Times]
Hot on HN: Wylie’s Middleburg Adventure, Parts [1] and [2]
Found on Facebook: Will Coleman took advantage of friend Wiljam Laarakkers’ offer to show jump in Holland over the weekend. “First thing Friday morning, Wiljam loaded ten horses on his beautiful lorry and we headed to a horse show, where I literally jumped horses for seven hours straight. I did the same thing Saturday morning, before catching a flight back home that afternoon and squeezing in another good lesson with Mark that evening. Great couple days, and some wonderful insight from Wiljam, and now we are back here in England bunkering down for the final push.” [Will Coleman Equestrian]
Best of the Blogs:
Pamela Nunn heads overseas to groom for Team Canada alternate Shandiss Wewiora. [Horse Junkies]
It was a red boots, blue ribbon weekend for Cherie and Katchi. [Golightly Sport Horses]
“Some horses are destined for greatness and find it with easy romps and flawless performances. Hymn Book has never been one of those. Rooting for him, you’re holding your breath, praying he gets through but knowing he’ll come running. Whenever he races, he gives it his all.” [Novak at the Track]
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro’s 90.65 percent freestyle:
