The big news in the US this week is of course the AECs and WEG selection trials for the US and Canadian teams taking place at Chattahoochee Hills in GA. The competition itself starts tomorrow with the prelim through advanced divisions starting on Friday. If you have some time to kill at work, check out the world’s longest entry list.
We reported last week that Neville Bardos, Remington, Balynoecastle RM, My Boy Bobby, The Foreman, and Woodburn will not be required to run XC on Saturday. Word is that these horses will have a gallop on Saturday morning to simulate some stress for the selectors. I have heard that the US team will be drug testing all potential US WEG horses at the AECs and that they are not to compete on anything whatsoever, independent of competition rules. The question of course is how to compare horses that have different levels of exercise over the weekend, but that’s why they pay the selectors the big bucks.
Phillip’s blog explains that Kheops did not make the trip to the AECs.
Also, Omega Alpha is looking for help for a few hours working their booths at the AECs. If you’re interested in getting some great supplements and cool swag and you plan to be at the AECs, send Patti and email at [email protected]. If not, stop by the OA booths anyhow to learn about their great products.
The Blenheim jog was held on Wednesday and I have gotten word that all of the US horses passed the first inspection. Sharon White on Rafferty’s Rules, Will Coleman and Nevada Bay, Madeline Blackman on Gordonstown, and UK based riders Julian Stiller and Aimee Chambers will be representing the USA this weekend at Blenheim amidst a very strong international field. Link: Blenheim CCI3* entries
64 year old British retired school teacher Robin Donaldson is paralyzed from the neck down after a fall on the BE100 level course at Beckwithshaw Horse Trials. The jumps in the BE100 class are 100cm or approximately 3ft tall. Mr. Donaldson was an experienced rider who rode at Burghley in the 80’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
