While we have a ton of eventing happening this weekend, there’s one more very cool competition happening in the 2025 Road to the Horse colt starting competition in Lexington, KY. Why are we so invested? Because one of our own, Tik Maynard, is returning to defend his 2024 title and represent horsemanship across disciplines. He’s joined this year by New Zealand show jumper Vicki Wilson, also carrying the flag for English disciplines, which have not been largely represented historically in this competition, and horsemanship trainer and clinician Phil Haugen. Four wild card competitors will also compete for a shot at the championship.
This is a really unique and interesting competition, which centers around a horse for each competitor and how far they can get in forming a relationship in a limited time. The competition will be livestreamed free of charge here. Things kick off with the Wild Card round today, while the Championship round will begin Friday afternoon. To view more information and the schedule, click here.
Tik will also be doing a pre-release of his forthcoming second book, Starting in the Middle, which chronicles his journey at Road to the Horse last year. If you’re unable to attend, you can pre-order your copy here.
U.S. Weekend Preview
The Event at TerraNova (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Galway Downs International H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Live Stream]
Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Jumping Branch Farm Spring H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Morven Park Spring H.T. (VA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Major International Events
Thorseby Park International Eventing Spring Carnival (UK): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Live Stream]
News & Reading
After struggling with confidence, 13-year-old Lila Apple found her stride thanks to a patient Thoroughbred named Beau and a special coach Now a proud member of the newly formed Tryon Collective IEL team, Lila is thriving in competition and aiming for this year’s Interscholastic Eventing League Championships at Stable View. [Read the full story here.]
Success is all about good habits. That goes for your riding too, especially on cross country. In this new training column on Practical Horseman, Phillip Dutton discusses the habits he suggests establishing to make you stronger, more confident, and more capable on cross country. [Read it here.]
Heads up, cross-border competitors: A proposed 25% tariff set to go into effect April 2 could impact not just goods like hay and lumber—but also horses entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico, even temporarily for shows or breeding. Owners may be required to pay steep deposits at the border (think: thousands of dollars), although options like ATA Carnets could help. The situation remains fluid, and confusion abounds. [Read the full breakdown here.]
As the one-year anniversary of Caroline March’s passing is marked, the Cycle4Caroline fundraising effort nears its next milestone—with nearly £350,000 raised (including Gift Aid) for the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research. Though the Givewheel page closes on March 31, Caroline’s legacy continues. [Read more here.]
Video Break
More on Tik as he preps for Road to the Horse:
