The USEF Eventing Development Program is underway at the Florida Horse Park and eventers Jenny Caras, Mia Farley, Cornelia Fletcher, Emily Hamel and Alyssa Phillips are hard at work under the experienced eyes of USEF Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager Bobby Costello, Emerging/Development Coach Leslie Law and Eventing Team European High Performance and Cross Country Advisor Ian Stark.
For sure, that’s a whole lotta talent right there, but taking the win in the style stakes it’s got to be Phelps with his very cool ‘do. He’s definitely born with it.
Also of note today: the longest January on record (probably) is over and it’s finally February, a milestone which serendipitously coincides with World Optimist Day. So, eyes on the bright side and go eventing!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Galway Downs 2024 Kickoff H.T. (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Sporting Days Farm February Trials H.T. II (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Three Lakes Winter I H.T. at Caudle Ranch (Groveland, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Thursday News and Reading
It’s all on at Ocala. As well as the USEF Eventing Development Program, the USEA Eventing Coaches Program Symposium is also happening at the Florida Horse Park. In this round-up of day one, 5* dressage judge Peter Gray demystifies the mind of the judge through his insights into what exactly they’re looking for in a test and how to ride for every mark. There’s lots to work with here, whatever level you’re at.
Applications are open for the 2024 Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund Scholarship. Set up last year in honor of the late, great Jimmy Wofford, the scholarship is open to adult amateur and junior riders who are working towards competing in a 2024 USEA Classic Three-Day Event at any level and need financial support to achieve this. As well as entry to a participating event, recipients will be will awarded $1000 to help with training and expenses related to the event. Applications close on April 1st. Find out more and apply here.
EquiRatings math geek and 5* eventer Sam Watson talks silver medals, data analysis and Paris. Whatever activity you engage in whilst indulging in a horsey podcast, enjoy the Irish tones of eventer and spreadsheet whizz Sam Watson as you do your thang. Listen in here.
Missed out on the great content from last week’s Equine Health Week from British Equestrian? No need to fret. Here’s a round-up of everything that went down. Topics range from equine wellbeing and welfare to worming, weight, soundness and disease prevention, so there’s plenty of useful and interesting resources ready to dive right into.
New research has found that horses have an extra gear when it comes to perceiving emotions. Researchers at the Mississippi State University have been digging into the positive effects of human-horse relationships and come to the conclusion that horses not only perceive emotions to a higher degree than we can, but they feel them too.
And finally, this town may sound like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie, but it’s in fact the real deal. Love Valley (yes, that’s right) has got to be up there as my favorite place ever, and I haven’t even been. With trails taking the place of tarmac, and horses in lieu of cars, it’s the perfect place to pony up and mosey around. Take a look inside this dreamy kinda town.
Sponsor Corner
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Video Break
It feels like it’s been a while since we shared a helmet cam, so, inspired by the fact that entries for Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International opened yesterday, here’s the opportunity to take a spin ‘round the 2018 cross country with Simply Priceless and Elisa Wallace, who we’ve seen a lot of recently under her alternative guise of mustang trainer. Enjoy the ride and go eventing!
