McLaren looking ready to fly to Kentucky! Photo courtesy of Team Price.
It feels like yesterday and also a thousand years ago that we were gearing up for Kentucky last spring, and it was extra exciting after all the cancellations of 2020. This year is even more thrilling, as we will be welcoming spectators for the first time since 2019, and it’s going to be jam packed with fanatical eventing fans. And after that, we get to look forward to Badminton, which we really haven’t seen in a long time!! Oh April, you’re always my favorite month for hope and anticipation!
U.S. Weekend Preview
River Glen Spring H.T. (New Market, Tn.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]
Sporting Days H.T. (Aiken, Sc.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Unionville Spring H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scores] [Volunteer]
News From Around the Globe:
Want to stay in the know for all things revolving around the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and Badminton Horse Trials? We’ll be sending out our Daily Digest email beginning Monday, April 25 for Kentucky and Tuesday, May 3 for Badminton. It’s the best place to keep up with our coverage and all of the latest news from the big spring 5* events — and, it’s free! We’ll also be giving out prizes (think exclusive EN merch and sponsor goodies!) throughout each event, so you definitely don’t want to miss out. Sign up here.
Harbour Pilot has a sparkling career spanning 15 years, and he demands a certain level of respect for his accomplishments. “He’s a bit of a prince,” longtime rider Hannah Sue Burnett said. “We call him Sir William Mars of Stonehall. He knows he’s special and expects to be treated with respect at all times.” William, a 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Cruising—Shannon, Catch On Fire), is owned and was bred by Jaqueline Mars and grew up at her Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Virginia, under the tutelage of David and Karen O’Connor. Burnett took over the ride on the dappled bay gelding in 2010, and together they’ve had 10 CCI5*-L starts. In 2011 they earned team gold and individual silver at the Pan American Games. [Behind the Stall Door with Harbour Pilot]
Op-Ed: Has Baffert Jumped the Shark?
Hot on Horse Nation: If Equestrians Were 100% Honest on Social Media
As a two-time Olympic eventing gold medalist, Phillip Dutton is a terrific example of an athlete who knows how to focus in the present to get the best from himself and his horse when the pressure is on. You can watch Phillip navigate any course or test with sharp attention and appropriate spot-on reactions—evidence of his ability to stay single-minded in every step. All top riders have mastered this ability to be in the moment and stay mindful during their ride. It is also, thankfully, something you can successfully enhance no matter what your level of physical expertise. This column is designed as an introduction to some basic, practical tools you can use to increase your capacity to stay in the moment during your rides. [Mental Skills with Tonya Johnston & Phillip Dutton]
Video: 2013 Badminton Flashback
