Good morning Eventing Nation!
I come to you from the beautiful (understatement) Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. I have a small vocabulary because my degree is in mathematics. All we needed to know were numbers, Greek letters, and the words thus, therefore, and, then. Adjectives are a stretch. But that won’t stop me from pulling out all my big stoppers to describe the competition at NAJYRC, Olymipc outfits, and the venues of events commencing this weekend.
First and foremost, here are the events this weekend:
Hunter Oaks H.T. (IL, A-4): [Website] [Live Scores]
Fitch’s Corner H.T. (NY, A-1): [Website] [Live Scores]
Aspen Ridge H.T. (CO, A-9): [USEA Listing]
*Over in Kentucky, NAJYRC is in full swing! I rode for Area IV at the 2005 Young Riders, and this competition will forever hold a special place in my heart. The camaraderie that team built, well we’re all still friends today with pictures to blackmail each other in the future. Team Area VI, VII, and IX are in first place after dressage in the CH2*, with Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek leading individually on a 50.7, 1.2 points in front of Teresa Harcourt on Bonza Twist of Fate. In the CH1*, Savanna Hilles and Enchanted lead on a 47.3 again, 1.2 points ahead of Victoria New with Fleeceworks Mystere du Val. Ontario and Area V are tied for first in the team placings. They’ve got a break in competition today and cross country starts Saturday. [NAJYRC Teams] [Live Scores] [USEF Coverage] [USEA Dressage Day recap]
*Elizabeth Crowder has updated us on the latest Area V activities leading up to the dressage yesterday. The 2* combinations were a little late to their jogs, everyone got their groove on at one of the parties while groom Lindsey busted out 6 back handsprings across the arena dancefloor not to be outdone by the gymnasts vaulters. Everyone is happy and healthy and having a blast! [Fleeceworks blog]
*Do you have your Olympic Tickets yet? No?! Well, you’re in luck. Mrs. Cogdell is selling her tickets for the Olympics:
Dressage July 28th – Block 222, Row 14, Seats 635-636 for $150.00 each,
Dressage July 29th – Block 212, Row 26, Seats 355-356 for $150.00 each,
Show Jumping July 31st – Block 220, Row 24, Seats 682-683 for $235.50 each.
There are also 6 Olympic Travelcards that came with this package. We are working to make sure that the tickets are transferable, but if you are interested please contact Pam Medlin – [email protected].
Update: The tickets have sold.
*You know that feeling when someone knows you better than you know yourself? Well that’s how we here at EN feel about talkinghorse.net. Because, frankly, yes, we would absolutely meltdown if Boyd Martin was Calvin Kline’s next underwear model. More to the point, TalkingHorse.net has they’re list of 10 eventers they’re keeping an eye on and cheering for in London. Now, I thought Brits only showed emotion for horses and dogs, but I guess they love the Olympics too, probably an extension from the love of horses. Opposition Buzz, Lenamore, Andrew Nicholson, WFP, Michael Jung, Mark Todd, Chris Burton, Boyd Martin, Zara Phillips and Mary King make the list. [Opposition Buzz IS the horse of our generation]
*Who doesn’t love men in uniform! I mean, Boyd’s blog. Boyd’s got the goods yet again, this time in the form of the men of the US Team getting all spiffed up and decked out for their Opening and Closing Ceremony uniforms. Boyd says that the seamstresses were admiring Will Coleman’s nice physique. Yeah, who doesn’t? On the other side of the saddle, Silva arrives to get Otis tuned up for the first phase and Mark’s got all the horses peaking at the right time. [Boyd’sblog – photos included!]
*So… about those US uniforms. To me they look typically Ralph Lauren, so I guess they nailed the look they were going for. Now that more countries have released their uniforms we can play Fashion Police! YAAAAY!! I’ve read enough of the gossip mags waiting at the airport to know my way around the fashion world (read: can guess whether a look will make the best or worst dressed list.) I have NO idea what ANY country is thinking when they put together their uniforms. It’s like a jog, no? Stylish, sophisticated, oh wait, we’re supposed to represent all of the US? Guess we should go with this. Ha. Anyway, Germany gets my pick, probably because their scarves are cuter than anyone else’s. I think France failed, and Italy was most practical. John’s pick was Spain because he’s already got a track suit just like that, well two actually. And Kate would join this discussion but she ran out to her local Nordstrom to get Ralph Lauren’s “village wear” collection. [What would Tim Gunn say?]
*If you don’t like your home country, consider moving to New Zealand. Other NZ Olympic Athletes welcomed the NZ Olympic eventers in style. [Ch-ch check it out]
Also on their Facebook page, they’ve uploaded an Album of their most recent photo shoot for the press. What a great looking group of people. (Another reason to move there.) There’s some great formal shots, candids, and just plain cuteness. [Team Camp]
*In other less interesting Olympic news, the BBC has ascertained the rights to Olympic coverage for all the Games (Winter and Summer) from now until Summer 2020. We still don’t know where the 2020 Games will take place, but the BBC’s got exclusive rights to cover it for the UK. Their rights aren’t restricted to TV either, they’ve got mobile and internet locked down. [Horsetalk]
*GMHA has received a grant from the USEA Endowment Trust from the Le Samurai Grant. They will use the $1000 towards educating Area I Adult Amateur Riders. They’re holding a Novice and Training Three Day August 6-9, with daily evening lectures and seminars on the various topics relating to making a three day successful in all facets from competition to horsemanship. [Go GMHA!]
*Kristin Schmolze is looking for two working students. She’s hoping they can be long term and stay with KSEventing through Aiken next winter. As she says, “The longer you stay on, the more you’ll be able to learn, the more experiences you’ll have, and the more in-depth your education will be.” The position includes housing, utilities, lessons, and a reduced rate of board for a horse, although bringing a horse is not required. If you’ve got a positive attitude and a good work ethic, this position is for you! [KSEventing]
*MLM isn’t the only show jumper who can event. Trevor Breen took home the win yesterday beating out Andrew Nicholson for top honors in Hickstead’s Eventing Grand Prix. In 2009 he won the Speed Derby at Hickstead and in 2010 he was third in the Eventing Grand Prix because he went too fast. This year he went a bit slower to go clear and put pressure on the other competitors. Clearly, his strategy worked. [Horsetalk]
Your Thursday dressage recap video courtesy of the USEA:
Go eventing.
