Wednesday News and Notes from MDBarnmaster

The students of Curragh Equestrian Center hold #ibelieveinbells signs in support of Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy's Rolex debut next week. Photo via Facebook. The students of Curragh Equestrian Center hold #ibelieveinbells signs in support of Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy's Rolex debut next week. Photo via Facebook.

One week, EN! One week until we can all pretend to be working and surreptitiously be checking our web browsers, Twitter feed, and of course Eventing Nation, for updates regarding the jogs. There’s nothing quite like hearing the words ‘Accepted!’ and knowing you get to ride down centerline.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fair Hill International H.T. & CIC [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status]

Longleaf Pine H.T. [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status]

CDCTA Spring II H.T.  [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status]

River Glen Spring H.T.  [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Holly Hill Farm H.T.  [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status]

St. Johns H.T.  [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Phillip Dutton had a memorable Rolex victory in 2008. After years and years of finishing second, Phillip finally had his day at Rolex with Connaught. Surprisingly, Connaught was never the horse that people expected Dutton to win with, but after persevering to improve the flatwork, Phillip won his first Rolex. [Phillip Dutton Finally Captures Rolex Crown]

Unless you’ve been living in a hole since yesterday, you’ve probably heard about FEI’s proposal for possible eventing changes. Among those included are separation of individual and team competitions at the Olympics and WEG, changed penalties for refusals on cross country, addition of penalties for knocking flags, proposed bit limitations for cross country, and combining the team’s time penalties in all jumping phases. Oh, and a possible name change. [FEI to Examine Sweeping Changes to Eventing]

Lucinda Green is a busy, busy bee. She’s busy teaching clinics all over the world, and is likely coming to a city near you. In April, she’ll be teaching in Millbrook, Santa Barbara, Salt Lake City, and Virginia. In May she’s off to Demark, Germany, and Ireland but will be back to the US with more clinics in June. Check out her Facebook page for more clinics, with dates set through October . [Lucinda Green]

Aoife Clark has sent Fenyas Elegance back to her breeder. While Fenyas Elegance was a promising ride for Aoife, winning the Bramham CCI3* and Blenheim CCI3*, she felt that the mare was having trouble mentally adapting to the increased collection for 4*. Instead of push for more out of the alpha mare, Aoife made the decision to preserve her mental well being.  [Irish Eventer Gives Up Ride]

This week on the USEA Podcast: John Michael Durr and Derek di Grazie. John Michael Durr will be headed to his first Rolex next week with Esprit de la Danse and discusses that coming experience. Derek di razia gives us a preview of his Rolex cross country course. [USEA Podcast]

This week on the Eventing Radio Show: Lynn Symansky, Laine Ashker, and Amanda Wilson. This week, what else are we going to talk about but Rolex? The three Rolex contenders discuss their final preparations. [Eventing Radio Show]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I go through half chaps like nobodies business, so last time when I went to buy some, I decided to upgrade. After riding in the Tredstep Deluxe model for more than a year, I am happy to report that they hold up much better than the cheaper brands I had been using. [SmartPak]

In honor of the jogs being one week from today, I bring you clips from the Horse Pesterer, who video taped last year’s jogs.