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We’re obviously all locked onto the road to Paris as we gear up for an Olympic year, but the eventing world has one eye on the future, namely 2028 and the LA Games, when Olympic eventing as we currently know it will likely not feature. The deadline for National Federations to submit their comments on the proposed format changes passed on Tuesday and so our attention turns to the FEI, with feedback due to be presented to the IOC by March 1st.
Seven-time Olympian and three-time medalist Phillip Dutton has shared his thoughts on the future of eventing and what changes at Olympic level may mean for the sport as a whole:
“I do think there is a general consensus worldwide in the eventing community that it is important to modify the format if the International Olympic Committee recommends changes so that our sport can stay a part of the Olympics. Even though it will most likely be a watered-down event, it will still keep the sport part of the general sports viewers’ eyes and will help attract sponsorship and excitement and therefore create a more sustainable sport. Like in other sports, such as tennis, the gold medal winner at the Olympics is probably not remembered as well as the Wimbledon champion.
For eventing, the five-star three-day events are the ultimate test of training, endurance, talent and horsemanship. It is imperative that the FEI recognizes this and puts out a statement committing to support the five-star events and that changing the Olympic format does NOT mean that the sport will go the way of the Olympic format.”
We await the final decision with baited breath, but in the meantime, go eventing.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Full Gallop Farm Mid February H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Pine Top Advanced (Thomson, GA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Three Lakes Winter II H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Thursday News and Reading
We eventing fans sure do love a live stream and EN’s one-stop hub is where they’re all at. We’ve compiled this list and its accompanying global map to assist you and cut down on confusion and frustration when it comes to eventing live streams. We’ll be updating this as new streams are added, and you can request the addition of a live stream by emailing [email protected]. Eyes on, and go eventing!
5* eventer and mustang trainer Elisa Wallace joins the Genetics Unbridled Podcast and makes a cool discovery about two horses in her herd. Elisa gives her insights into working with the wild guys, how she bonds with them and the connection she builds through her training. We’ve loved following along with her vlogs as she navigated the Mustang Magic this year and now we get to listen in as she sheds light on some of the stuff that didn’t make it to YouTube. All this plus, we find out about Etalon’s innovative new project, Map-My-Mustang, how Elisa’s used genetic testing in her own program, and how she discovered that there are actually full siblings in her barn. Earbuds in and listen up.
Help your horse become a better athlete by adding calisthenics into your training routine. This conditioning work is not a new fad – I remember it from workout video tapes in the 80s, but it’s far older and wiser than that – it actually dates back to Ancient Greece and means ‘beauty’ and ‘strength’. And it’s not just a human thing – horses can do calisthenics too. Here are some simple exercises to help your horses find those muscles they probably don’t use in their day-to-day training to become more balanced, mobile, strong and beautifully conditioned.
Am I boring you, buddy? If you’ve got a yawner, you may be inclined to think that your horse is finding things a bit dull. But that may not actually be the case. Research has found that yawning can be a sign of frustration, and if you’ve got a horse who yawns frequently, it could be a red flag regarding their welfare.
I used to dream of having a real pony’s tail to brush as I dragged a tiny plastic comb through the candy-colored nylon glued to the rear of my My Little Pony. But man, does the real thing take some care and attention! It of course doesn’t help that I bought an almost pure white pony, who is right now mostly brown and sporting some pretty impressive skid marks the full length of his tail. (Sorry for that tasteful image if you’re eating breakfast right now.) With this in mind, I’m always on the look-out for tail care tips, like these four ways to keep your horse’s tail looking fabulously full.
And finally, some horsing around with your feet on the ground. You may have heard that hobby horsing is, no joke, a serious sport with its own Championships, well, it’s catching on in student circles too – California Polytechnic State University is hosting its first-ever hobby horsing competition, with the winners getting the chance to perform at the Cal Poly Rodeo student night. Here’s a taster (you know you want to). There are obvious benefits to this approach to equestrian sports in comparison to the living, breathing, **** producing, I’ll-buck-you-off-if-I-feel-like-it money pit reality of the four-legged variety.
Video Break
From wild horse to this in 100 days – check out the top ten freestyle performances at the Mustang Magic competition last month.
