Welp, somehow we’re here again: kind of, inexplicably, nearing the tail end of the season, and with it, looking ahead to the events that fill its final month. I’m basically having a full-blown existential crisis today because Maryland, the penultimate 5* of the year, opens its entries today — and while I can’t wait to see who’ll line up at this amazing competition, I’m also crying inside that it’s nearly time to pack up for the winter. (Also, between those 67 amazing Burghley entries, a Blenheim that’s swiftly stacking up with names, Maryland to come, Pau to follow in the week after, the Pan-Ams looming, and a European Championships just behind us…do we have enough horses?! Watch this space, I guess!)
Events Opening Today: MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, Ocala Fall Horse Trials, WindRidge Farm Fall H.T., Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T., Miami Valley H.T. at Twin Towers, The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm
Events Closing Today: Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event, Larkin Hill Fall H.T., CDCTA Fall H.T., Flora Lea Fall H.T., Five Points H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
It’s not often we see journalists interviewed, but this one’s an interesting one. I’ve bumped into Jan Tönjes plenty of times while reporting around the world, and on his journey from young professional rider to respected magazine editor and media multi hyphenate, he’s picked up a few (million) observations about equestrian sport at large, including eventing, on the way. Find out more about them here.
For a lot of reasons, keeping horses out 24/7 just isn’t always doable. I did it for several years with my mare — while feeling guilty every time the weather took a rough turn — but now, due to lack of grazing, she has to spend half her time in the stable. If you’re faced with similar boxing requirements, never fear: there are ways you can improve the experience for your horse and reduce stress. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge about the science of stabling and horse psychology.
One thing that IS made easier by stabling? Keeping bright whites sparkling. (Well, most of the time, anyway, unless you have a horse who likes to rest his delicate paws on fresh piles of poo.) In any case, if you have a chrome-y type, getting them looking their best is probably one of your most constant headaches. Steal a few tips from the pros and make your next outing (relatively) stress-free.
I’ve really been enjoying Rosie Napravnik’s blog en route to the Thoroughbred Makeover. I’m not enjoying it any less now that she’s announced her intention to defect from this year’s competition. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is sit a plan out, even if that plan was our big annual goal. Sometimes, it really helps to get in another rider’s head and find out why they made that call in order to bolster our faith in our own decision the next time we need to pull the plug. Get inside Rosie’s here.
Sponsor Corner: The fall season is in full swing and boy is it busy. The Defender Burghley 5* Event is right around the corner! Check out the newly released order of go. Coverage of Burghley is sponsored by our friends at Kentucky Performance Products.
Watch This:
Eventing folks have been trying to get into the mainstream for, well, ever — and this documentary designed to do just that from the 1980s is an interesting insight into how far we’ve come, and how far we have left to go.
