Some days are great days across Eventing Nation, but today is not one of those days:
(1) We have some bad news coming from The Event at Woodside in California, where Sarah Berry’s horse, Yo La Tengo was reportedly euthanized in the preliminary water on Saturday. Reports as to exactly what happened are still sketchy, but, according to Sarah’s trainer, the horse died of internal bleeding. A necropsy is being conducted. The incident is being discussed at this COTH Forum thread and we will have more later. Eventing Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the Berry family.
(2) Word is that Michael Pollard and Wonderful Will withdrew before the show jumping today at the CIC3* World Cup at Malmo, Sweden. The event is not publishing results on their website, and communication overseas is tenuous, but hopefully this will not disrupt Wonderful Will’s path to Burghley.
(3) The West Virginia based pair Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules also competed overseas this weekend. Sharon traveled to England on August 9th and competed at the Hartpury CIC3* in preparation for the Blenheim CCI3* from Septermber 9th to 12th. Sharon scored a 56.4 in the dressage, added nothing in the show jumping, and entered the Hartpury XC on Sunday in 25th place.
The Hartpury results show that Rafferty’s Rules picked up 20 penalties and 16 time faults to finish in 42nd. The Hartpury XC rode really tough with 25 out of 65 XC starters in Sharon’s division having at least a stop. Link: Hartpury recap from Sportinglife
Speaking of Blenheim, 5 US riders have applied to the USEF to compete at the Blenheim CCI3*: Sharon and Rafferty’s Rules, Will Coleman and Nevada Bay, Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown, Aimee Chambers and After Eight, and Julian Stiller with three horses – Salsa, Chapel Amble, and Carolinus. Aimee and Julian are based in the UK and are the only US riders to be listed on the current Blenheim entries list.
Sunday afternoon trivia: A few years ago, salsa passed ketchup at the number one condiment sold in the US. Why?
It’s important to remember that Madeline and Gordonstown, Sharon and Rafferty’s Rules, and Michael and Wonderfull Will all applied to the USEF for the WEG team but did not make the short list. I’d rather be on the short list than not, but one blessing of not making the list is that these pairs could apply for USEF grants and move on with their fall seasons. The horses and riders that did make the WEG short list won’t have a chance to compete at a fall four-star without making the WEG team. That is, unless they go to Adelaide in November.
Go eventing.
