Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master, who will represent Canada this weekend at Blenheim. Photo via Abby Gibbon.
Good morning EN! While you have been hearing about Burghley nonstop since Sunday, there’s a new twist to the usual headline this time: While Sinead and Allison were taking names over in the show jumping ring, England’s finest thoroughbreds were battling it out in the final qualifier for the South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship. The program was developed by the South Essex Insurance Brokers to help racehorses come out of their racing days and show off their skills in the show ring. Horses have to be in training with a registered trainer and have raced to compete in the show, and winners will qualify for the championship that takes place during the prestigious Horse of the Year show. Sister Gee, a ten year old TB who placed several times during her racing career, took home the top honor of the weekend. According to her owner Jill Wormall, “she has definitely won more showing than she did racing.” [Horsetalk]
Yesterday the riding portion of the Paralympic games wrapped up in London with Grades IV, III, and Ia competing for freestyle medals. Great Britain’s Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 took home the gold in the Ia division with an 84.75%, earning her a personal best and Paralympic record for Britain’s Equestrian team, which took home a total of 11 medals over the course of the games. Belgium’s Michele George and Rainman won gold in the Grade IV, and in Grade III Hannelore Brenner from Germany picked up her fourth Paralympic gold. The athletes competed in Greenwich, and British team manager David Hunter said the atmosphere was wonderful. “There has been great feeling. The spectators have been so caring, some knowledgeable, some not, but so enthused. It is the biggest audience (11,000) any para-equestrian competitor of any nation has ever ridden in front of.” [Horsetalk]
With his third place finish at Burghley last weekend, William Fox-Pitt secured the top place on this year’s HSBC FEI Classics Series leaderboard and will take home the $150,000 prize. It was a close race between Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson, who was unable to best his rival even with a first place finish at Burghley and finished behind Fox-Pitt by just one point- the closest margin since the series’ inception in 2008. This year was Fox-Pitt’s third time to win the title. [Horsetalk]
Team Fredericks has released a statement saying that Clayton’s mount, Walterstown Don, suffered no injuries after falling at the Cottesmore Leap at Burghley. The fall, which is viewable online via Burghley TV, sparked an online debate centered on Clayton’s actions in the aftermath and he addressed criticisms in the statement as well: “I was disappointed by some of the criticisms, particularly from those who may have seen some of the incident on YouTube. The TV coverage did not tell the whole story. I was in considerable shock and pain, all the more so because of the previous two falls I had this season, although I was able to walk afterwards. The welfare of my horses is always my major concern and I care greatly for them, as anyone who knows Team Fredericks will confirm.” [Eventing Worldwide]
Big news from SmartPak: The company has announced a new colic surgery reimbursement program, ColiCare. Basically SmartPak is so confident that their SmartDigest Ultra will help keep your horse’s digestive system healthy that they will back it with a surgery reimbursement program. If you feed SmartDigest Ultra daily and keep your horse up to date on vaccinations, worming, and dental work, you will be eligible to receive up to $7,500 in lifetime coverage towards colic surgery. Click the links to read more about qualifications, specifications, and to share with your friends on Facebook. [Facebook Announcement] [ColiCare]
Found on Facebook: “A Poem for King Rup,” written by Lynn Symansky for Rebecca Howard’s mount Riddle Master (“Rupert”), who Rebecca is riding at Blenheim this weekend.
“For the jogs be sound and trot, so Rebecs can look real hot
For dressage be all fancy, lots of prancy lots of dancy
For xc you’re really brave, like Big Wave Dave oh do behave
For sj if you could try, leave the rails up and jump quite high
The End.”
Go Rebecca and Rupert. [Rebecca’s Blog]
This weekend 86 riders from 18 countries will compete in the 2012 European Eventing Championships for Juniors in Morawa, Poland. There will be 12 complete national teams made up of competitors ranging from 14-18 years old. Last year’s defending champion, Britain (surprise!), will be looking for another win, but teams from Germany, Belgium, Poland, and Italy will be giving them a run for their money. The one star event will be televised and there will be a livestream of the cross country beginning at 10am local time on Saturday, or 4AM EST. [Horsetalk] [Official Site]
English para-riders have been invited to participate in an inaugural endurance competition as part of a new initiative to encourage disabled people to take up riding. Endurance GB, the sport’s governing body, says there has been interest from the Injured Jockeys Fund and Help for Heroes. [Horse & Hound]
20 countries will compete for the Horse Ball World Cup in Montpellier, France, this November. The championship will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall. Fun fact: the International Federation of Horse-Ball has been recognized by the FEI since 2004. [Horsetalk]
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Boyd taught a clinic at Stony Brook Farm
That’s all for today, thank you for reading! Leaving you with a word from our friends at Horse Quencher:
Heading to AECs? Want to WIN some Horse Quencher? Visit the MDBarnmaster, Jamco & Horse Quencher booth next to the party tent (of course!) to register to win a daily gift basket giveaway, including product from Horse Quencher, plus cool swag from all three. See you there!
