Wrong Olympics
Good morning Eventing Nation!
It’s my first day is this wonderfully vibrant city, and I’m moving here. I’ve got a family reunion on my dad’s side, and the flight over from Philly made me think how this related to eventing. I’ve got family coming from Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Toronto, California, Nevada and Australia. Basically it’s like eventing. We’re coming from all over to have a good time and share a common bond. In this case, it’s not eventing, but reminiscing over old times and having fun making new memories. When you are coming from several areas of the globe it’s hard to coordinate, much like that of an event. But in the end, it’s all worth it. So if Vancouver implodes this weekend, you’ll know why. And a shout out to Courtney Ainsworth. I met your lovely employee Susan in the immigration line at the airport. Small world.
Here are the events you’ll be attending this weekend Stateside:
Coconino Summer HT (AZ): [Website] [Entry Status]
Whidbey Island Pony Club HT (WA): [Website] [Entry Status]
Maryland HT (MD): [Website] [Entry Status]
Genesee Valley HT (NY): [Website] [Entry Status]
Chattahoochee Hills HT (GA): [Website] [Entry Status]
University of New Hampshire HT (NH): [Website] [Entry Status]
Wayne DuPage HT (IL): [Website]
ENYDCTA/Old Chatham HT (NY): [Website] [Entry Status]
Cobblestone Farm is hosting their annual event at the end of July. Cobblestone, if you will remember, hosted a Sinead Halpin clinic earlier this year. Heather Riecker has been kind enough to send us this update:
Looking for a horse show to run before Richland Park? Cobblestone Farms in Dexter, MI, will be holding their 5th annual USEA event July 27-29. Starter through Preliminary divisions will be offered, YEH divisions as well as the Area VIII Beginner Novice and Novice Championships. This is a great course for all divisions. Our competitor’s party should be a blast this year as well, with a live band and pig roast!
Jim and Darlyn Daratony (owners of Cobblestone Farm) have hired an irrigation company to come in and set up an irrigation system that will follow the cross country course, making the ground seem like its been rained on for days. The homeowners in the Cobblestone Estates are graciously hooking up hoses to their own houses, and watering every part of the course that they can. We are still looking forward to a great show despite the drought, and are doing everything we can to provide safe footing for all the competitors and horses at this show!! Closing date for the show is July 10th… and the show is July 27, 28, 29!
This year will be Cobblestone’s second “Jump for the Cure” fundraiser in support of Cancer research. Last year we were able to raise several thousand dollars for the American Cancer Society by selling T-Shirts to support the cause. Our goal this year is to double that, so we have added a silent auction/raffle into Saturday night’s competitors’ party! There will be great auction items; an Ogilvy Memory Foam Half Pad, gift certificate from Sporthorse Saddlery, lessons from Michigan trainers and schooling passes to various Michigan cross country courses! Together we can make a difference!
If you haven’t sent in your entry yet (closing date is July 10 th), please write “Jump for the Cure” on the top! $5 of your entry will be donated to the 2012 Jump for the Cure fundraiser! For more information, omnibus listing, and sponsorship opportunities please visit www.cobblestonefarmsllc.com.
Aachen has an awesome virtual coursewalk of the event. Descriptions of each obstacle, pictures and the lines to the fences including the look of the terrain. Pretty snazzy. [Aachen course]
“Competitions drenched in privilege, like the equestrian events, should be ditched.” This is in reference to the Olympic Games still holding equestrian events. Hi. I don’t know about you folks, while yes, horses are expensive, I’ve worked for what I have and would never consider myself “drenched in privilege“, as I know a vast majority of horse owners wouldn’t. And, I’d harness a guess that most of the equestrian athletes, have worked to get where they want. Yes, money helps and lots of the Olympians have money or access to it, but by and large at the end of the day, you still have to get a half ton animal around the course. No amount of money or privilege can forgo the amount of time in the saddle and talent or work ethic required to make The Team. There are PLENTY of riders that have money, buy made horses and can’t make it around from the top to bottom levels of our sport. I get that the article isn’t centered on this one sentence and is an opinion piece, but this is still how equestrian sports are viewed, and needless to say, it hit a sore spot, and that’s my opinion. [NYTimes]
Silva Martin had a great showing at Blue Goose Dressage Show. She won several classes on several horses at several levels as well as her students. She’s also got lots of nice young horses for sale. Five and six year olds doing second level. [Silva’s blog]
Heath Ryan is joining a class action lawsuit against the Australian government regarding the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in the country. According to Damian Scattini, principal of the law firm taking on the case, “In Australia in 2007, the horse population was unvaccinated with no prior exposure to the virus, so the infection spread like wildfire.” The outbreak took place at the peak of the horse industry’s season causing the entire system to come to a complete stop. Ryan says, “We couldn’t move horses anywhere. We couldn’t train horses, run clinics or sell horses.” This essentially cut off all the avenues of income which was common among most horse trainers during this time. The lawsuit is set to come to court in a few months time. [Horsetalk]
Barbury wasn’t only important for those heading to the Olypmics in a few weeks. It was also the selection trials for Britain’s eventing team headed to the FEI Pony European Championships at Fontainebleau July 17-22. The squad is made up of all girls this year. Maddie Taylor (Bandalera), Janou Bleekman (Cregaan Scenic), Charlotte Bacon (Three Wells Breeze), and Annie Keir (Hotshots) have made the team. Maddie and Janou and their respective mounts rode for Britain last year. Three Wells Breeze and Hotshots aren’t newbies either as they were campaigned at the Championships in 2011 and 2010, respectively although with different riders. [Congrats girls!]
A Gem Twist clone will be standing stud in Britain starting next year. The horse’s name is Murka’s Gem who is owned by the group Team Murka. He isn’t the only clone of Gem Twist standing. The Chapot Family is standing Gemini, the 2008 clone of Gem Twist in New Jersey. If you don’t know Gem Twist, you should. [COTH]
Joey, the War horse has gone AWOL in Toronto:
That’s all for now Eventing Nation! Have a wonderful weekend!
