Tuesday News and Notes from Cavalor

A table with the MIM NewEra System. Photo by Monika Schaaf. A table with the MIM NewEra System. Photo by Monika Schaaf.

With so many safety considerations and developments in the works for the sport of eventing, the German National Federation’s eventing task force has further explored the use of deformable fences in course design. One of the developments is the MIMSafe NewEra System, which can be used to create collapsible and easily-reassembled tables and corners.

Another fascinating solution is the Warendorf Safety Model, which is a prototype that is currently in testing. This system involves a series of rollers that when activated cause the jump to move forward slightly and then drop down. It is also adjustable to allow for pressure points of various heights (to be used in pony competitions, for instance). Both the MIMSafe NewEra System and Warendorf Safety Model are not yet certified by the FEI and require further testing, but these are important steps in the development of safer obstacles for this sport.

Thank you to Global Equestrian News for their coverage of this demonstration. For more information, including photos of the new safety systems in action, click here.

Events Opening Today: Great Vista Horse Trials (NY, A-1), Great Meadow International Horse Trials (VA, A-2), Surefire H.T. (VA, A-2), Lost Hounds H.T. (PA, A-2), Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (PA, A-2), Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials (IL, A-4), Sol Events at Corona del Sol (TX, A-5), Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. I (CA, A-6), Aspen Farms H.T. (WA, A-7), Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (KY, A-8), Lost Hounds H.T. (PA, A-8), Golden Spike H.T. (UT, A-9)

Events Closing Today: Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. (CT, A-1), Virginia Horse CIC2*, CCI1* & Horse Trials (VA, A-2), Flora Lea Spring H.T. (NJ, A-2), Paradise Farm HT (SC, A-3), Feather Creek Farm H.T. (OK, A-5), The Spring Event at Woodside (CA, A-6), May-Daze at the Park H.T. (KY, A-8), Coconino Spring H.T. and Dressage Show (AZ, A-10)

News and Notes: 

We need your help picking the lucky winner of our #TredstepSoloMakeover winner. We received so many wonderful entries that it was hard enough to select our six finalists! Now it’s up to you to choose the winner. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. EST.[#TredstepSoloMakeover Voting]

Check out the War Horse Event Series at the Carolina Horse Park: Sponsored by Southern Pines Equine Associates and Adequan, the War Horse Event Series has been launched as an opportunity for horses and riders to school and compete in an educational and positive environment… oh, and did we mention that participants have a chance to win $5,000 in prize money at the year-end championship?For more information on this series, visit [War Horse Event Series]

Interview with Giuseppe della Chiesa: Badminton’s course designer and the Chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee took some time for an interview with the Italian Eventing Association to discuss the FEI Sports Forum, proposed changes to eventing, and his future course design plans. The full interview can be found here: [Interview with Giuseppe Della Chiesa]

Mighty Nice to rest without surgery: Phillip Dutton Eventing made the following happy announcement on Happy: “His stifle was X-rayed again at Penn Vet New Bolton Center prior to his scheduled surgery today, and the vets decided that because the bone chip is outside the joint, it will heal just fine without surgery. So Happy came right back home to the farm and has been upgraded to a three week period of rest. The prognosis remains extremely good. We are so grateful to everyone for sending your well wishes and good thoughts to Happy. They definitely worked.” [Phillip Dutton Eventing’s FB page]

Would this horse make a good upper level eventer? Take a look at this photo that was posted on COTH, and see if your eye for conformation can judge whether this horse is a “diamond in the rough” or just lookin’ rough. [Can you tell an upper level event prospect?]

Video of the Day: Watch the MIMSafe NewEra System in action at the Sydney International HSBC World Cup Round 2010 CIC3*W: