One Big Thing: Self-Made Horse Award at Ocala International

Rachel Michelle Mulvey at the 2025 Ocala International, one of the Self-Made Horse Award Recipients. Photo courtesy of Rachel Michelle Mulvey.
The Ocala International is seeking donations for their Self-Made Horse Award, which provides cash prizes to each FEI division. The award began last year, when enough donations were collected to provide $500 prize checks per FEI division for a total of $2500. The requirement for eligibility is that a nominated competing rider must have also competed their entered horse at its first recognized competition ever (including international recognized events).
Those interested in contributing to this award’s prize fund can contact Betsy Ball at 662-617-3831 for further information. Those interested in signing up for consideration for the award can inquire with the show office once you have arrived at the event.
The Ocala International will run 1*-L through 3*-L and 4*-S, as well as Beginner Novice through Advanced, at the Florida Horse Park on April 16-19, 2026.
Major International Events This Weekend
Stable View Spring International & HT, CCI4*-S (SC, USA): [Website] [VIP Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, CCI4*-S (GBR): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
US Events This Weekend
Rocking Horse Spring HT (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
CDCTA Spring HT (VA): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Other Links and Reading
- The FEI Sports Forum 2026, Session 7 presented the new FEI Event Stable Manager Educational Programme to train and certify any interested professionals for the ESM role at FEI competitions. [Click here to watch the presentation]
- Dr. Jeff Hall on Equine Sedation: What Horse Owners Should Know
- A study out of the UK found a clear decline in stride length the more tightly that nosebands were applied
- Trending Horse Gear: What’s Worth The Splurge & What You Can Skip
Training Tip of the Day
Equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher breaks down what every horse owner should be looking for to keep their horse sound and happy, including 3 signs that your horse’s feet need attention:
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Go Eventing
Come along with Tahlia Pursell on her Road to Adelaide and the 2026 Oceania Championships with Cavalor Equine Nutrition:
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