Be at peace. Photo courtesy of Erika Dieltz.
After what has been the most stressful busiest spring in my recent memory, I was relieved to have a weekend without many obligations. I had the awesome opportunity to ride in a clinic with Yves Sauvignon on Saturday morning, and my mare and I enjoyed the brisk weather and bright sunshine as we practiced jumping exercises at the gorgeous Carriage House Farm. After that, I spent the rest of the weekend in a much-needed state of relaxation. I watched movies, took the dog for leisurely walks, worked on my art, spent time with family, and allowed myself to be at peace.
It felt foreign at first, and I repeatedly had to stop myself from checking my planner and email. That can wait, I told myself. Just as Yves helped my mare and I practice patience and steadiness on the approach to jumps as well as in between them, I was able to change gears and settle down from the crazy momentum that had taken over my life recently. I love it when riding lessons provide perfect parallels to “real life!”
Events Opening Today: Groton House Farm H.T. (MA, A-1), Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (NY, A-1), Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (NJ, A-2), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3), Inavale Farm HT (OR, A-7), Encore H.T. (MI, A-8), Abbe Ranch H.T. (CO, A-9)
Events Closing Today: Waredaca H.T. (MD, A-2), Poplar Place Farm H.T. (GA, A-3), Carriage House Farm Combined Test (MN, A-4), IEA Horse Trials, Classic Training & Novice 3-Day Event (IN, A-8), The Colorado Horse Park Horse Trials (CO, A-9)
News and Notes:
What happens when you hitch two stallions up with a mare in heat? With the right training, it should still be a pleasant drive. Carriage driver and horse trainer Barry Hook takes viewers on a drive down an idyllic English road with his team consisting of a mare in season and two “very interested” young stallions. The purpose of this is to teach the stallions that even when distracted by a pretty mare, they must always be well-behaved in harness… in a rubber bit, no less! [Horse Collaborative: On the road with two stallions and a mare in heat. What could go wrong?]
Eventing groom killed, two riders injured in car crash: In terrible news from Dorchester, England, 25-year-old Louiza Covey was killed in a head-on collision on Friday night. Covey, who was a groom from nearby Bridport, was in the car with event riders Daniel Sibley and Aaron Millar, who both sustained injuries but are expected to make full recoveries. A 45-year-old woman who was driving the other vehicle involved in the accident also passed away. EN’s heartfelt condolences go out to Louiza’s loved ones and everyone involved in the crash. [Horse & Hound: Groom killed in car crash; event riders suffer serious injuries]
Introducing William Fox-Pitt’s legendary horses: From Chilli Morning to Chaka, Horse & Hound has compiled photos and stories of 15 of William Fox-Pitt’s best horses through the ages. Take a walk down memory lane: [Horse & Hound: Badminton winner William Fox-Pitt: 15 of his top horses]
“There is surely no excuse for inadequate care”: In the forward of a new book Horse Welfare: Use not Abuse by Christopher Hall, Princess Anne names inhumane transportation of slaughter-bound horses, doping practices, and overbreeding as some of the most terrible aspects of horse welfare today. [Daily Mail: Princess Anne attacks ‘inhumane’ suffering of horses]
Video of the Day: In case you missed it, Niklas Bschorer made the save of the day at Badminton over the weekend. When Tom Tom Go 3 stumbled out of the lake complex, it looked like Niklas was about to bite the dust. But thanks to his quick thinking and a hell of a lot of athleticism, Niklas stayed in the saddle to the cheers of support from onlookers. Check it out:
