This is Boyd’s new creation on the Windurra cross country schooling course. I like it. Photo courtesy of Boyd.
Tonight, I am going to the local SOAR Eventing Derby Night! Oh, what’s that, you say? It’s where a whole bunch of awesome people who are influential in keeping the local eventing scene thriving get together and haul a bunch of show jumps and portable cross country jumps into a giant arena, and we have combination derby jumping rounds at different eventing levels. It’s held at night, so it’s finally cool in the Virginia summer, and there is home cooking and socializing and spectating and it’s just a blast. If only every community could enjoy the same camaraderie and competition simultaneously!
Samantha Clark is on the grounds at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials to bring us coverage here on EN all week. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica and Katherine Coleman and Courage Under Fire are in the CCI3*, and Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace are in the Under 25 CCI3*. Stay tuned for Samantha’s excellent coverage.
Bramham Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, @samanthalclark
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Valinor Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Larkin Hill H.T. [Website]
Seneca Valley PC Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Full Gallop Farm June H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
Queeny Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. [Website]
Aspen Farms CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
Round Top H.T. [Omnibus]
News From Around The Globe:
William Fox Pitt has won Bramham CCI3* seven times, but he’s not yet satisfied. He’s riding Fernhill Pimms, a horse with already two CIC3*’s and a CCI2* victories under his belt. However, he does have competition from the usual crowd, and all eyes will be on Oliver Townend as he attempts to pilot the controversial Lanfranco around at a big competition. Andrew Nicholson is returning with MHS King Joules, the horse who earned Mary King a yellow card at this very event last year. [Bramham CCI3* Heats Up]
Irish biotechnology company Equinome has announced the release of a new test for the thoroughbred speed gene analysis. Four years ago, Equinome came out with the first speed gene analysis test, and they are claiming that the new procedure more than doubles the accuracy of predicting elite thoroughbred racing potential rather than using just pedigree alone. While this all sounds amazing and sciencey and exciting, I still think there’s an unknown x-factor that’s important in any horse sports, and they can’t just be reduced to numbers. [Equinome Predicts Fast Thoroughbreds]
After moving from east to west coast in 2013, Jessie Hargrave now joins forces with Tamie Smith and Next Level Eventing. Jessie was based in North Carolina for most of her career, working for riders like Rebecca Howard and Holly Hudspeth. However, she upped and took her career west and hasn’t looked back. With Jess, Tamie, Heather Morris and Nikki Hall Clarke all based in one barn, this is surely a powerhouse of a stable! [Next Level Eventing Welcomes Jessie Hargrave]
If you’re looking for the ideal low level packer, or all around enjoyable horse, how do you find that gem? Horse & Hound has a great guide for finding that horse that will safely take you around just about anything at the lower levels, and what to look for when you’re shopping. The horse that is enjoyable for many to ride is a popular commodity, and sometimes hard to find! [How To Find Your All Arounder]
A Pharoah Tale Ending……yep!
