Dewy, one of the horses lost in the tornado. Photo via the Plain As Bay Facebook.
It is with a heavy heart that I introduce today’s post with the story of Plain As Bay Eventing. Owners Sky and Randy Weidner lost twelve horses, their barn, apartment, and truck and trailer in the tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma on Monday afternoon. If you would like to help with their recovery from this devastating event, there has been a relief fund set up through Wells Fargo called the “Randall Weidner catastrophe trust” and donations can be made via PayPal to the email address [email protected]. Everyone at EN is sending our deepest condolences and prayers to Sky, Randy, and all others affected by the tornadoes on Monday. [Plain As Bays Eventing Facebook]
Weekend Preview:
Virginia CIC**/* [Website] [Entry Status]
May-Daze at the Park HT [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Woodside HT [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Paradise Farm HT [Website] [Entry Status]
Mystic Valley Hunt Club HT [Website] [Ride Times]
Corona Del Sol HT [Website]
Flora Lea HT [Website] [Entry Status]
The Orr Family Farm also took a major hit from Monday’s tornadoes. According to the farm spokesman as of yet there is no accurate count of how many animals were lost, though it is estimated that 75-100 horses were killed in the area. An adjoining training facility, Celestial Acres, was also badly hit, as well as several neighboring farms. Again, EN sends thoughts and prayers to all affected, both equine and human. [Horsetalk]
As reported earlier, Dirk Schrade’s 2012 London Olympic team gold medal mount King Artus died after completing the CIC3* cross country at the Wiesbaden Three-Day Event in Germany last weekend. The pair won the Pau CCI4* in 2009 and fourth individually at the FEI European Championships at Luhmühlen in 2011. King Artus was 17. [COTH]
Florida Governor Rick Scott has approved $2 million in funding to expand the Florida Horse Park in Ocala. In addition, today it will be officially announced at a press conference that a capital campaign will be launched with the goal of matching the new state funding. [COTH]
Listen to this week’s episode of The Eventing Radio Show. CHC International CIC3* winner Lauren Kieffer is in studio to discuss her win and super mare Veronica. Irish eventer Austin O’Connor, who rode Ringwood Mississippi around Rolex last month, is featured. [The Eventing Radio Show]
Looking for an internship in Kentucky? New Vocations Racehorse Adoption is now accepting applications for its third annual Olivia M. Saylor Internship. The position is intended to give college students hands-on experience in the Thoroughbred aftercare industry. It is a five month paid position at the New Vocations Lexington, KY facility. [COTH]
Racing superstars Kauto Star and Denman will make a joint appearance at this year’s Barbury International on July 7. The two horses were both trained by Paul Nicholls and shared a stable during their illustrious careers. Kauto Star is now pursuing a dressage career with Laura Collette, and Denman is enjoying a life of hunting and team chasing with rider Charlotte Alexander. [British Eventing]
Today on HN: A Bad Jumping Clinic With George Morris, Pt. 2. [Horse Nation]
Best of Blogs: Next Level Eventing’s Lane Clarke clinic report
