Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

Happy Times! Photo courtesy of Griffiths Eventing Team.

As the owner of a “retired” Advanced horse, I love nothing more than a good story of a successful upper level horse continuing life into their twenties. It’s a true testament to the management of a program when you see that a horse is still sound and happy to compete after many years of working at the highest levels of the sport, and I truly admire the entire team behind Sam Griffiths and Happy Times. At 23 years of age, Happy is still able to compete and win in his second career!

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Archer and Area IX Championships (Cheyenne, WY): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Caber Farm H.T. (Onalaska, WA): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. II (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Waredaca Farm H.T. (Gaithersburg, MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI Eventing Nations Cup CCIO4*-S + International H.T. (Bromont, Canada): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

News From Around the Globe:

The US Eventing community continues to mourn the loss of Richard Picken this week. Richard was key in the success of so many of our upper level competitors, as well as lower level riders across the board. He was not only an amazing show jumping coach, but a wonderful, supporting human who will be deeply missed. [In Memoriam: Richard Picken]

Currently, equestrian helmets undergo only a pass/fail certification before they hit the market. That certification, from the American Society for Testing and Materials, indicates whether the helmet will withstand a catastrophic, skull-fracturing impact. ASTM puts each helmet on a wire drop tower, which looks similar to a guillotine, but with a helmet mounted to a head form instead of a blade, which then is dropped onto a steel anvil. If the helmet withstands an impact at a force equivalent to what would cause a skull fracture or death in a real-life situation, it passes. What ASTM testing does not measure is how the helmets perform at lower impact—like that involved in many riding falls. [Helmet Ratings Advance]

Riders returned to Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington for the final day of the USEA Emerging Athlete (EA21) Regional Clinic with USEA Instructor’s Certification Program Level IV Certified Instructors Rebecca Brown on Tuesday. Coming off of a solid first day focusing primarily on proper flatwork and dressage basics, the twelve young riders took to the outdoor arena for the show jumping portion of the clinic. Brown, who trained under the legendary show jumper, Joe Fargis right out of college, shed some much needed light on what she called “the most difficult portion” of three day eventing. [Cadence, Canter, & Candidness]

Hot on Horse Nation: Just A Few Moments From Team USA’s Podium Finish in Para Dressage