I was driving through Tennessee Sunday night and suddenly I came across a massive traffic jam. I turned on my radio to confirm my suspicion that someone had discovered the world’s best fishing lure just outside of Bristol. Instead I learned that a NASCAR race had just ended. There were so many NASCAR fans that interstates were slowed down for tens of miles around. As much as some people might dislike NASCAR, you have to respect it’s ability to generate sponsors and entertain fans. From what I can tell, that sport does a great job creating a fun weekend for the entire family to enjoy together, and of course drink their Powerade and Pepsi together. The success of NASCAR’s sponsors is no accident. I couldn’t help but think of the parallels that the most successful events here in the US, such as Rolex, Fair Hill, Red Hills, and The Fork also focus on making a spectator experience for the whole family. Now for your daily dose of eventing information and updates that some might call news and notes:
–Eventers in Georgia got their Pine Top on this weekend, which held divisions from beginner novice to prelim. The low score from the weekend was a three-way tie at 24.0 between Kelsey Neeley and WHF Pharaoh in the Junior Novice, Ryan Wood and Amore in the Novice Horse, and Doug Payne with Royal Tribute in the Open Novice. I’ll let the blogs tell you all about the event: [XC day at Pine Top from Katherine Erickson, Doug’s Pine Top recap, Results]
–Canadian Badminton hopefuls Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin N’ Juice won the advanced/intermediate at 3 Day Ranch in California this weekend. Rolex bloggers and EN favorites Debbie Rosen and The Alchemyst also competed in what was a quality A/I division. Tamra Smith won both intermediate divisions. [3 Day Ranch results]
–Texas might not be in the NCAA tournament anymore, but Texans held an event over the weekend in Kosse, TX. Stuart Black won the I/P division with Proper Timing and proper timing. Danny Warrington won the prelim B and Janet Marden won the prelim A. [Sol scores]
–In some very sad news, beloved Area V organizer Phil Sawin passed away over the weekend. While I never knew him personally, Phil was beloved by the Texas eventing community and he served eventing directly through his Pine Hill Farm, which hosts several USEA events throughout the year. Phil is survived by his wife and daughter and all of Eventing Nation offers our condolences to their family and community.
—Preparations for Southern Pines II horse trials from Holly Hudspeth
–The same researchers in Australia who recently found that dinosaurs held elections for political office have determined that eventers are not risk takers. Horsetalk describes the study in an atricle titled “Eventers not ‘risk takers’ – study,” but the research study was really about how eventers perceive their own risk:
“Not surprisingly, all of the participants thought that the sport was risky and that the cross-country phase posed the most risk, but many of the riders said they did not take risks and did not consider themselves risk takers…
In contrast to other high risk or extreme sports, eventing risk and safety was shared between the horse and rider. The horse was thus seen, paradoxically, as the source of both risk and safety. “Whilst horses were considered to a certain extent unpredictable and therefore potentially dangerous, a good relationship with a horse was considered to increase safety,” the study reported.”
Certainly eventing is more risky than almost all other sports except Jetpack Golf, Tackle High Diving, and South African Seal Impersonating. However, it is natural for competitors in any sport to mitigate risk and therefore to consider themselves as not risk takers relative to the risks of the given sport. [Horsetalk via JER]
–The Rolex entry list continues to grow and is now at 28 pairs. Allison Springer’s Red Hills winner Arthur and the gray Destination Known are two recent additions, along with Kelly Prather and Ballinakill Glory, Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master, and Sinead Halpin with Manoir de Carneville. Sending in the entry is one thing, surviving they gauntlet of veterinary and other issues that can sideline a spring season is another. A top sports medicine vet told me once that as many as 30% of horses miss their 4*’s in the last month because of veterinary issues. The footing has been great at the US preparation events this year and let’s hope that number is lower this year. [Rolex Entries]
–Annie linked to Stephanie Diaz’s great article about Kelly Sult and Hollywood Sunday morning but it is worth another mention. 19 year old Hollywood and 24 year old Kelly have come from humble and improbable beginnings to jump around Rolex three times and they are entered again this year. Stephanie does a great job telling the story of an eventing family that is too strong to be stopped. While you are reading the story, be sure to check out the Southern Pines video in the sidebar. [Southern Pines Pilot]
–This week means a break for the USEF training sessions, which will be back in action at Galway next week and then The Fork the following week. Jenny had two great Aiken session recaps last week, so scroll down for those if you missed them over the weekend.
–After taking it easy this weekend, many of the east coast 4* horses will make appearances at Southern Pines and Poplar Place this coming weekend. [Pine Top entries PDF, Southern Pines entries PDF]
Golightly Saturday at the Marlborough jumper derby
Best of the Blogs: Emma Ford hopes a volcano won’t stop her dreams of grooming at Badminton this year
–How is your bracket doing? My bracket, affectionately named ‘Bruce Pearl’s Career,’ is 6th out of 14 in my bracket pool, which I will take considering how many upsets there have been. After a few years of mostly predictable tournament outcomes, it’s fun to see some big upsets again in March.
–We have two contests ongoing around Eventing Nation that you should 100% definitely be entered in. First, win an iPad from Pennfield with which you can visit Eventing Nation from anywhere [click here]. Second, enter to win a VIP trip to Rolex with Phillip [click here]. Rolex is an absolute must-attend event for everyone and what better way to visit Rolex if you haven’t already than a trip courtesy of our good friends at SmartPak.
–Many eventers are headed north from Ocala and Aiken already, but those that are still around Ocala will perhaps be taking their horses to school at the Hayes Co jumping series in late March and early April. HITS and Hayes Co are great chances to school multiple show jumping courses in a day, which really helps riders to tune in their eye. [Hayesco.ca]
Courtesy of Wylie Eventing
That’s all for now Eventing Nation. Check back soon for all of your eventing news, information, commentary, videos, and ridiculousness. As always, wherever you may be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Shake ‘n bake.
