One last time! Karin Donckers’ horse of a lifetime, Fletcha van’t Verahof ran his last event in style at CHIO Aachen earlier this month and then was treated to a special retirement ceremony at Minderhout in Belgium, where the European 3* Cup was also taking place. You can read more about Fletcha’s career in our story here. Happy retirement, Fletcha – well deserved!
U.S. Events Opening Entries Today
USEA AEC, $60,000 Adequan Advanced Final, and ATC Finals (CA); Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (WA); Kentucky Classique H.T. (KY); Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. (MD); Silverwood Farm Fall H.T. (WI)
U.S. Events Closing Entries Today
Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. II (CA); Hoosier H.T. (IN); Revel Run H.T. (MI); River Glen Summer H.T. (TN); Bayou Gulch H.T. (CO); Olney Farm H.T. (MD)
News & Reading
What makes a barn manager simply excellent at their job? There are some shared traits that many successful individuals in this role share, and The Equiery went deep diving to find out what they are. See what the consensus is here.
Entries are now open for the much-anticipated Scone International Horse Trials in Scotland! This event, which will take the place of the beloved Blair Castle International, running from August 21-24. Every FEI level from CCI1* up is on offer, all on Short format, and you can find more information + enter here.
Great Britain took home the cake in the very unique European 3* Cup held at Minderhout in Belgium last weekend. The competition was run as a 3* but also featured a team dressage competition that is honestly an accomplishment in itself to get so many very fit event horses to cooperate in the arena at the same time. Read up on the British victory here.
Summer camp enrollment struggles aren’t just anecdotal this year—just ask Chronicle of the Horse blogger Sarah Susa of Black Dog Stables in suburban Pittsburgh. Despite years of rapid sellouts and even full camps during the COVID era, Sarah says 2025 is shaping up to be her slowest season yet, with no weeks fully booked so far. She’s not alone: equestrian programs across the region are reporting similar enrollment drops, some by as much as 50%. As rising costs hit both families and equine businesses, the dip in camp revenue is especially tough for barns that rely on summer income to sustain lesson horses through quieter seasons. The silver lining? “The kids who are coming are the most horse-crazy, enthusiastic bunch we’ve had in years,” Sarah shares. “And maybe that’s because the families sending them are choosing experiences that matter most.” Read the full write-up here.
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Video Break
A meeting of the minds at CHIO Aachen:
