Waresley’s the Place to Be. (Photo via WaresleyPark.co.uk)
At the Waresely Park Stud just outside Cambridge, UK, international eventers have convened. Nina Ligon recently tweeted her arrival at the 120-acre facility, where she’s based alongside the Brazilian Olympic Eventing Team in her run-up to the Games. The Brazilians are training under the watchful eye of coach Nick Turner, a British Eventing selector and veteran four-star rider, who says he’s “not expecting a medal,” but that if team members “aim for their best possible performances, who knows what could happen.” [ITV] [Waresley] [Nick Turner]
A rider development program sponsored by British timber stable manufacturer Scotts of Thrapson has given two amateur eventers, Sarah Hawkins and Charlotte Stockdale, the opportunity to train with Turner and the Brazilian team. The program aims “to encourage grass-roots level riders to improve their standards and skills safely,” provides training in all three phases as well as sessions on fitness, nutrition and sports psychology, and culminates with both riders competing in the Carlton Horse Trials in July. [Scotts] [Evening Telegraph]
Hawkins, a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom, is pumped about the experience: “It was incredible to be involved in such a professional set up – I feel even more motivated to do my best and make the most of this opportunity… The Brazilian guys made us very welcome and didn’t appear to think it too odd to be sharing a school with people clearly well below them in ability!” [Sarah Hawkins’ Blog]
Rolex Featured Riders James Alliston, Jan Byyny and Doug Payne’s fourth and final blogs are up. Byyny withdrew Syd Kent before show jumping at Southern Pines II and has since discovered the gelding pulled a high suspensory ligament. Though Syd will spend three months rehabbing and have to miss Rolex, Byyny hopes he’ll be back on the international scene this fall. EN will miss cheering Jan around the course and wishes Syd a quick recovery. Jumbo’s Jake, Parker and Running Order are all doing their final preps. [RK3DE]
Still need Rolex tickets? Two complete, four-day sets of daily passes are up for grabs in a FLAIR contest running through Monday, April 16. Visit the website to answer the question: “How will FLAIR Strips protect your Horse?” [FLAIR]
Horse & Hound on helmet cams: “British Eventing (BE) sport manager Debbie Marfell said: ‘BE owns the rights to footage taken at affiliated events, but we don’t mind what people do with it, as long as it is not used for commercial gain.’ ” [H & H]
Stadium jumping at its finest: Mario Deslauriers and Cella jumped to the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational title over a course set in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium. Meghan Blackburn has the scoop and a gallery of great photos. [COTH]
HN Today: “Please pardon me while I go on a short rant. It will be quick, I promise. For anyone anywhere who has the attitude of ‘it’s natural, so it must be good/OK/healthy,’ what do you say to some nice Hemlock tea?” [A Better Alternative: Herbal essences]
Most Ridiculous Headline: “Man attempts to travel 2,000 miles in 42 days on a rocking horse“
Best of the Blogs: “…as a competitor, keeping a schedule like this will be about 4 times the experience I would normally have in a spring season. If I didn’t know before, I now know why the Brits are so good at eventing!” [Tiana Coudray]
Top of the Tweets: Joe Meyer: @BitofBritain I reckon I need sponsorship from Anti Monkey Butt. Can’t leave the house without it! #eventingsunnyfl
Mary King Goes Modeling:
