A fun throwback Thursday for you today as we head into CHIO Aachen next week. Will Coleman made history in 2021 with Off the Record, etching his name on the winner’s wall as the first-ever U.S. winner of the prestigious eventing competition in Germany. Take a look back on Will and “Timmy’s” epic win — and stay tuned to see if they can match that effort in their return to Aachen next week!
U.S. Weekend Preview
The Maryland International CCI & H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Twin Rivers Summer H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Bouckaert Equestrian H.T. (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Inavale Farm H.T. (OR): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Larkin Hill H.T. (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Full Moon Farm Aloha H.T. & YEH (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
The late, great Jim Wofford had a gift for saying things that stuck—and more importantly, helped riders improve. In his classic column, recently resurfaced on Practical Horseman and well worth a reread, Jimmy shares timeless advice on how to use observation as one of your most powerful learning tools. Whether you’re watching warm-up at an event or reviewing video footage of a lesson, he reminds us that you can gain volumes—if you know what you’re looking for. As Yogi Berra once said (and Jimmy loved to quote), “You can observe a lot just by watching.” Read the article here.
Guac, cherries, and horse show clothes don’t always mix—but they do make for a charming essay from Chronicle of the Horse blogger Tracy Gold. After her non-horsey husband made his “adult leadline” debut (every show should have one!), he texted a friend about how much he admired what horses teach their daughter… except for the pressure of perfect turnout. Tracy had some thoughts about that—and turned them into a thoughtful, funny, and insightful read about what our kids really learn from spit-shined boots and pre-dawn packing lists. Read it here.
Planning ahead for winter weight loss? You’re not alone—many Thoroughbreds, like the one in this reader Q&A on TheHorse.com, tend to drop a body condition score or more during the colder months. The key? Start now. By building a nutritional game plan during the summer and adjusting forage, testing hay, and adding supplemental calories early, you can help your horse head into winter with a healthy buffer. Check out this helpful advice on maintaining condition year-round, before the chill sets in. Read more here.
Confused ≠ disobedient. In her latest piece for Horse Nation, Marcella Gruchalak reminds us that what looks like resistance in the saddle often stems from confusion—not defiance. A horse who’s anxious, inconsistent, or “not listening” might actually be trying their hardest to understand unclear cues. This insightful read breaks down the difference and offers practical steps to replace frustration with clarity and connection. Read the full article here.
Sponsor Corner: Virginia Horse Center Foundation
Keep your summer eventing vibes alive at the Virginia Horse Center! ☀️🐎 Whether you’re sharpening up for fall or just want a fun, low-pressure outing, this weekend has something for everyone:
🗓 Saturday, August 23: $75 Schooling Day — Ride all three phases (Dressage, SJ, XC) at your own pace. No assigned stadium times = max flexibility, especially for groups.
🗓 Sunday, August 24: Choose your adventure with an Unrecognized Horse Trial, Combined Test, or Dressage Test of Choice — perfect for green horses, green riders, or just getting in the groove.
With stabling, flexible scheduling, and a welcoming atmosphere, there’s no better way to keep progressing this summer. 🐴💪 Entries are open now at EventEntries.com.
Organized by Molly Bull | Cross country by Tyson Rementer
We’ll see you at the Virginia Horse Center in August!
Video Break
Keeping the Coleman party going, look back on this mini-doc filmed with Will and Katie Coleman last year:
