The commemorative selfie perhaps did not quite capture the energy of the moment, but I love it anyway. Photo by Abby Powell.
With plenty of ups and downs, 2023 has been a wild year for me personally. However, when I go back in my memory and search for highlights from the past year there’s one rather obvious one: Kentucky. This was just my second year attending and wow, I’m not sure it will ever be topped (but hey, we can all hope it will soon!)
Veronica and myself had been hunkered down in the media center since the end of the four-star press conference trying to finish up our respective reports. Once I saw on the live stream that it was getting down to the final five in the five-star show jumping I urged Veronica to come with me out to the stadium to watch the last few competitors jump. We made it ringside, where we found fellow EN team members Tilly and Alex with cameras in hand, just as Liz Halliday and Miks Master C were starting their round. We all know how this story ends. Once Tamie Smith and Mai Baum had jumped the last fence the energy in the stadium went through the metaphorical roof and everyone was literally jumping up and down.
It’s terribly hard to explain that energy to a non-eventing fan. I guess it could be like your team winning the World Series or the Super Bowl? Somehow though I think this was even more electric and it’s a moment I won’t soon forget.
Links to Start Your Weekend:
Olympics 2024: Event rider Ros Canter aiming for glory in Paris
Horse Nation 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards: Story of the Year
From Uplifting To Upsetting, The Stories We Didn’t Expect Were Most-Read Of 2023
Fast Facts: 2024 EA21 National Camp
Breeders’ Cup Presents Connections: Kyle Frey Finds ‘Power In Being Open’ About Mental Health
Sponsor Corner:
Whoever got the World Equestrian Brands‘ Sergio Grasso Walk & Ride boots for the holidays— I’m officially jealous. These gorgeous boots are designed for all-day comfort and they look stunning to boot. (No pun intended.)
Morning Viewing: It still gives me chills.
