View this post on Instagram
Tuesday’s always a key day each week for US-based eventers — because that’s the day that event entries around the country open and close. As always, we’ll be running you through today’s fixture deadlines before we dive into the round-up of links and articles, but I wanted to make a special mention to one event that’s closing entries today. That’s CDCTA Fall H.T. in Berryville, VA, which has taken on board lots of competitor feedback and implemented some really exciting, very welcome changes to their horse trials, including a new layout, with relocated showjumping and dressage arenas, lots more space to warm up, and some very cool new tracks, too.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. New at CDCTA Fall is the CDCTA Team Challenge, open to groups of four riders and held by level, so you can compete at Modified/Training, Novice, Beginner Novice, or Starter/Intro. There’ll be great prizes on offer, and ceremonies following each division, and best of all, there are no additional fees for entering a team — you just need to corral your barn pals and eventing buddies and pop Coree Reuter-McNamara at [email protected] with any of your questions. Coree will also be able to slot you into a team if you don’t have quite enough people, or if you’re coming to the event solo and still want to get involved. This feels like an AMAZING way to make new friends on the circuit, frankly.
CDCTA is also putting on an Instructor Incentive Program, and the trainer with the most students competing at CDCTA Fall will earn themselves a free entry for next spring’s event. Here’s a quick look at the rules:
- competitors must declare their instructor
- can only declare one instructor per horse show
- every rider/horse combination that starts the event will earn 1 point for the instructor
- must email Stephanie with instructor at [email protected] with your entry in order for it to count
- the instructor who brings the most students will win entry to the next show
- entry is non-transferable and must be used by the instructor
- riders must start dressage in order for the instructor point to count
Happy entering! Here’s a look at the rest of those key openings and closings today.
Events Opening Today: Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T., Miami Valley H.T. at Twin Towers, Apple Knoll Farm H.T., The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm, Ocala Fall Horse Trials
Events Closing Today: USEA MDHT YEH Qualifier, CDCTA Fall H.T., Five Points H.T., Flora Lea Fall H.T.
Tuesday News & Notes from Around the World:
44 combinations will tackle the Advanced class at the 2024 American Eventing Championships. Take your first look at the field of entries, and start picking your favourite for the win, with this quick run-down from US Eventing. Who’s the busiest rider in the class? Which horse is the oldest? All that and more, inside.
Speaking of the AECs, I’ll tell you something for nothing: I’ve always been so envious of the plethora of amazing prizes that winners get. This year’s no exception — there’s $100,000 in prize money up for grabs and so many different physical prizes that the article listing them all feels a bit like an epic poem. Saddles, riding gear, boots, supplements, treats — you name it, you can probably walk away from the AECs with it. Check out the full haul here.
Run this one through your translator (and try to ignore the fact that they used a header photo of Lara de Liedekerke-Meier) — this is a lovely interview with Belgian stalwart Karin Donckers, who became the National Champion once again over the weekend at Arville, riding her longtime partner Fletcha van’t Verahof, who’s still thriving at nineteen years old. There’s some great insights into Paris in here, too, like why Karin went with Fletcha’s younger brother, Leipheimer, instead of the big man himself, and what might be next on the horizon. Give it a read here.
It’s nearly Paralympics time, and if you tune in for the dressage, you might be confused to see a second horse in the arena. That’s what’s called a ‘friendly horse’, and it’s an essential role in this remarkable competition. Find out more about their duties in this interesting piece from H&H.
And finally, modern pentathlon has said its goodbye to the showjumping phase at the Olympics. Paris was its last hurrah — and arguably yielded better pictures of the sport than Tokyo — but what’s the legacy left by its existence in the sport, and how did the Olympics actually work for horses and riders? If you read one thing today, it’s well worth making it this fascinating dive into the thorny topic.
Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sponsor Corner: Entries for Defender Burghley are starting to pour in! Now up to 77 entries, the growing field features fan favorites like Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue, and Cooley Rosalent, ridden by Oliver Townend. Interested in supporting Mia Farley and her intrepid OTTB Phelps on their journey to Burghley? Buy a Phelps jacket here.
Eventing Nation’s coverage of Burghley is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. For over 25 years Kentucky Performance Products has been committed to producing high-quality, research-proven supplements. Shop their range of proven supplements here.
Watch This:
Nothing to see here, just two legends of the sport enjoying some quality BFF time together.
