Le Lion literally could not be more picturesque.
One of my bucket list events to attend, either as a competitor or a spectator, is definitely Le Mondial du Lion. The jump designs on cross country every year are out of this world. I can think of lots of classic jumps that we see at well-known competitions like The Head of the Lake, or Huntsman’s Close, but waiting for the artistry and the surprise of Le Lion is unmatched. My high-school friend and fellow Charlottesvillian, Lucia Strini, is taking on her first
U.S. Weekend Preview
The Event at TerraNova (Myakka City, FL): [Website]. [Entries] [Live Stream] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Flora Lea Farm Mini Event (Medford, NJ): [Website]
Ram Tap H.T. (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” H.T. (Landrum, SC): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & H.T. (Gaithersburg, MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Willow Draw Charity H.T. (Weatherford, TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Windermere Run H.T. (Kansas City, MO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Major International Events
FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships at Mondial du Lion (Le Lion D’Angers, France): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scoring] [Schedule] [Live Stream]
News From Around the Globe:
William Fox-Pitt has a new ride, and he’s fairly accomplished already. Ten-year-old OTTB Santini’s last outing on the track was running a respectable fourth in this year’s Grand National in April. He has since transitioned quickly into his new job, and recently competed in his first horse trial. William rates the horse very highly, and says despite his late start to the eventing scene, the horse has potential to be a real upper level contestant. [WFP Rides Grand National Racehorse]
In September, the USEA announced that the Redfield King’s HX Group’s 7-year-old gelding, King’s Especiale was the likely recipient of the 2022 Holekamp/Turner Grant and The Dutta Corp. prize. The reserve for the grant would be Caroline Martin’s other mount intended for entry, HSH Blake. Now, Caroline Martin and her team have elected not to run King’s Especiale at La Mondial du Lion after a minor health setback, and have subbed in HSH Blake, who will now be the likely recipient of the 2022 Holekamp/Turner Grant. Learn more about this promising pair here! [HSH Blake Subs In for HSH King’s Especial]
Riding unmotivated horses can be quite frustrating. Every five strides your instructor tells you to add “more leg”, or every time you try to relax your leg your horse does less. You are stuck squeezing, which then makes it impossible to sit well. Bigger spurs work one time, then you need even bigger ones. Good news: It IS possible to turn things around and have a more willing horse. However, it will be a team effort. You will need to think about what you can do for your horse at least as much as you are thinking about what your horse needs to do for you. Creating a willingness to apply effort comes from the inside out. We need to gain our horse’s trust, win his heart and educate him with fairness. [Don’t Call Your Horse Lazy]
Best of Blogs: Horses That Inspire Community
Book Review: The Year of Horses
Horses were essential to everyday life in medieval Europe, but what do we know about how they were cared for and trained? A seminar on November 24 will explore that very topic. During this seminar, the speakers will explain the “what” and “how” of horse care and training in medieval Europe based on contemporary hippiatric texts, administrative documents and practical experiments. [Exploring Equestrian Arts in Medieval Europe]
