There have been so many great initiatives throughout the equestrian world over the last year or so, all of which encourage access to the industry for riders from all kinds of backgrounds. One I’ve watched keenly is the Riding A Dream Academy, inspired and spearheaded by Ebony Horse Club graduate Khadijah Mellah, who became the first ever Hijabi jockey to win a race when she took top honours in the Magnolia Cup charity race back in 2019. Now, the first batch of participants in the Riding a Dream Academy is seeking to follow in her footsteps as an inner-city rider-turned-jockey, and they’ve just completed their first residential week in Newmarket, England, where they’ve logged plenty of hours in the saddle and learned tonnes about the world of racing. We love to see it.
National Holiday: It’s National Trail Mix Day. (Why?)
Events Opening Today: Ocala Fall Horse Trials, Pine Hill Fall H.T.
Events Closing Today: MeadowCreek Park H.T – The Fall Social Event, Stone Gate Farm H.T., Marlborough H.T, GMHA September H.T., Otter Creek Fall H.T., Flying Cross Farm H.T., Unionville Horse Trials, The Event at Skyline, Aspen Farms H.T.
News and Notes from Around the World:
Are you as psyched for the AECs as we are? We know you are — and we know you’ll be utterly, ludicrously excited to preview the courses to come this week through USEventing’s virtual cross-country walks. [Preview the 2021 AEC Cross-Country Courses]
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who, in the wake of Tokyo, thinks the format change for equestrian sports was a good idea. Journalist Pippa Cuckson lays out her thoughts on why it backfired for the showjumping competition, and questions why equestrians are being put under this unique pressure. [Only 30 Flags in Diving, So Why the Pressure On Us?]
Want to maximise your course-riding prowess? Minimise your aids first, with help from Joe Fargis. [Joe Fargis: Keep Your Riding Simple]
There are few limits to what a great horse can do for us. For Janina Lagemann-Doné, that horse was Cayenne Z, and his role has been to help his rider deal with a life-changing cancer diagnosis in her twenties. [F you, cancer. Thank you, CZ.]
Watch: Relive Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore’s winning round in the CCI4*-S at Great Meadow.
