We’re over halfway through May, which means that flowers are blooming, foals are frolicking, clinic and show seasons are underway, and (in my case) I’m finding more and more artistic inspiration in the animals I encounter and the scenery I see everyday. In addition to teaching riding lessons, managing a business, and writing for the glorious website that is EN, I also fill my time with visual art. I’m excited and honored to have been invited to showcase my portfolio at several amazing art shows in Minnesota this year, which has made my spring suddenly much busier (and more awesome).
To see progress pics and updates on my art, please check out my Facebook page. For a ridiculous trip down memory lane, check out EN’s (in)Famous Spooking Styles. If you have some fun ideas for a new (in)Famous illustrated article, shoot me an email at [email protected]!
Events Opening Today: Kelly’s Ford Horse Trials (VA, A-2), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3), Camelot Equestrian Horse Park Horse Trials (CA, A-6), South Farm H.T. (OH, A-8), Coconino Classic 3-Day Event (AZ, A-10)
Events Closing Today: GMHA June HorseTrials (VT, A-1), Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring Horse Trials (NY, A-1), Plantation Field H.T. (PA, A-2), The Middleburg H.T. (VA, A-2), River Glen June H.T. (TN, A-3), Roebke’s Run CCI & CIC2/1* & H.T. (MN, A-4), Texas Rose Horse Park Summer H.T. (TX, A-5), Copper Meadows H.T. (CA, A-6), Arrowhead H.T. (MT, A-7), Derbyshire Farms H.T. (MI, A-8)
News and Notes:
Want to join the most eclectic team of eventing journalists around? Then you’ll want to enter our Fifth Annual EN Blogger Contest for your shot! We’re looking for our next victim talented writer to join our team, and entries are open until tonight at 8 p.m. EST. [EN Blogger Contest]
Thinking about entering the Great Meadow International CIC3*? Clarifications have been posted regarding the entry process on the Omnibus listing, and event organizer Darrin Mollett has released the following statement: “The CIC3* is open to all qualified competitors and is not an invitational. Entries will be accepted until the maximum of 25 entries are received in the order in which they are received by postmark. Riders are limited to two horses. In the case of excessive entries, the entries from the top 10 athletes on the USEA Overall Leaderboard as of June 1, 2015 will receive priority over all other entries, regardless of entry postmark date. Non-US based athletes will be chosen based on FEI horse/rider ranking as of June 1, 2015 rather than US national ranking ( i.e., non-US based compared to US based using the FEI horse/rider ranking). If you have any questions about your qualifications, please contact Steve Symansky at 540-687-6333 or [email protected].
MK’S Concord Dawn leads PFEE’s Thoroughbred Competitive Series: The Plantatian Field Equestrian Events’ Thoroughbred Competitive Series has garnered a great deal of interest as it highlights and recognizes eventing Thoroughbreds. Molly Kinnamon’s MK’s Concord Dawn (by Smart Guy out of Delta Street) is currently leading the series after winning two Novice divisions at Plantatian Field horse trials. There are currently 61 horses competing in the series, with 23 earning points toward the award. The winner of the Thoroughbred Competitive Series wins a $5,000 cash award, which is generously sponsored by Kathleen Crompton. [PFEE Press Release]
Rekindle your passion for equestrian life: The Equestrian Trailblazers Summit is a video series gathering 24 successful and innovative leaders in the equine industry, beginning on June 1st and running for 11 days! “It will be a celebration of the amazing equestrian innovations taking place around the world,” says creator June Burgess. Join experts such as Monty Roberts, Lisa Diersen (Equus Film Festival), Beth Rasin (COTH) and many more as they share the secrets behind their motivation and success. The website is open for registration for this free video summit. [Equestrian Trailblazers Summit Press Release]
“I figured if I was gonna die, I was gonna die with my horses.” In 2013, Vietnam veteran Rodger Howell was told he was dying from exposure to Agent Orange. He decided that the best way to spend his remaining time on Earth was to travel the country with his horses Sunny and Dancer and his Border collie Banjo, traveling and living out of a horse-drawn wagon. While the veteran and former police chief’s journey was originally designed to help him get away from people, Howell has found many friendly and welcoming people along the way. Read all about Howell’s ongoing cross-country journey here: [Veteran travels country by horse-drawn wagon]
Video of the Day: After getting teary-eyed while watching American Pharoah kick butt in the Preakness Stakes, I just had to go back and rewatch Secretariat’s phenomenal victory at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. I cry every time. There’s just something about watching Big Red surge ahead of the field and keep on building momentum that absolutely shatters me.