Josephine Buller and Zanzibar. Photos courtesy of Chelsea Spear and Diana Rowland.
Last month I said goodbye to my first event horse, Mishka. Longtime readers may remember him from a story I wrote a few years back, “You Become Responsible, Forever, for What You Have Tamed.” He was a 15.1-hand grey Arabian, who came into my life when I was 12 and he was 3. We evented through Training and he went on to show several more young riders the joy of the sport. At age 29 he was still living his best life, tackling crossrails at a local horse show just two weeks before he passed, and I counted him as my oldest friend.
So it was a little like seeing a ghost when I was sent an email this week about four-star rider Fylicia Barr’s first horse, Zanzibar, another plucky grey Arab who took Fylicia through Training and is now showing the ropes to her student Josie. With “Z” as her partner, she won her very first Baby Beginner Novice trial over the weekend at Olney Farm in Maryland. By all accounts it was pretty special — Z kept an eye on Fylicia during their dressage test and was clearly happy to be out again, doing what he loves.
Who was the first horse with whom you left a cross country start box? Whether they’re still in your life or have crossed over the rainbow bridge, take a moment to feel gratitude — how generous these animals are to share with us their wings.
National Holiday: National Taco Day🌮
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Kent School H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Morven Park CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
Heritage Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
Woodside CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Spokane Sport Horse H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
News From Around the Globe:
Jenna Jack and Katano have the overnight lead in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover eventing division. She reflected on her day’s ride: “We were very relaxed in the Rolex Arena for dressage. He was a little ‘looky’ in the show jumping in the atmosphere there, but we worked through it … and cross country is his favorite, so that was a lot of fun.” Jenna, a professional from Canton, Georgia, acquired Katano in November last year. The horse that she calls “Otis” is a 2015 gelding (Justin Phillip x Shining Prospect, by Lycius) bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate. He ran in Florida and at Arlington Park, earning $20,731 in 11 starts with two wins. The preliminary Makeover eventing competition continues today with about half the division still to compete.
Thoroughbred Makeover links: Website, Schedule, Entries, Stall Assignments, Ride Times, Marketplace, Seminars, Finale Live Stream, Live Scores
Congrats to Jax Maxian, winner of the Area I leg of Charles Owen Technical Merit Award. The award is presented in each of the 10 USEA areas, recognizing junior and adult amateur riders for their safe and effective cross country riding technique. Jax was awarded the honor at the Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Horse Trials (GVRDC), August 17-18, 2019. [USEA: Maxian is Masterful in the Charles Owen Technical Merit at GVRDC]
Woodside International Horse Trials is welcoming 400-plus horses this weekend. This year’s CCI4*-S field includes some exciting match-ups: fan faves James Alliston and Pandora will go up against James’ business partner and fiancée, Helen Bouscaren with Ebay. Amber Levine will vie for the 4*-S title on two horses, Carry On and Cinzano, and Tamie Smith will bring a new star up to this division in En Vogue. Best of luck to all! [Woodside Eventing]
Amie Collins is the winner of our Fab Freebie for a Diamonds in the Dirt travel self-care collection! Shop the Diamonds In The Dirt product line here, and keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the latest! You can also shop the line via World Equestrian brands here. Keep an eye on EN for future weekly giveaways. [Fab Freebie]
Featured Video: This flashy pair went all out on the pink at Twin Rivers Ranch H.T. last weekend! Fiona VanBuhler and Confetti’s Cottontail placed 8th in the Jr. Novice A division. If your horse is pretty in pink too, check out these limited edition breast cancer awareness breeches and saddle pads from our friends at SmartPak.
