Photo via The Fork Stables Facebook page
Good morning EN! Today things are officially kicking off down in Norwood, NC at the beautiful Fork Stables. This weekend is one of the last big runs before Rolex and the CIC3* is full of big names who will be at the KY Horse Park later this month. Riding isn’t the only competitive activity on the schedule this weekend- tomorrow the Fork is hosting its second annual clay shooting competition, “Shoot for the Stars.” Two participants will combine with two CIC3* riders to form a team of four. The riders will not shoot, but their final riding scores will be added to tomorrow’s shooting results, and the winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday. There is also a Ladies Champagne Brunch on Friday during the three-star dressage, as well as opportunities to purchase VIP tickets. Make sure to keep checking EN for coverage of the competition this weekend.
We want to post a special reminder that the third annual Course Builders and Designers Cookout will take place Thursday night at the Fork, presented by Travers Schick and Joe Stylos of Cross Country Hardware and Tremaine Cooper of Cross Country Designs. They will be roasting an entire pig and feeding anyone who shows up on a first come basis. It is BYOB and dinner will be served at 7pm. Follow the pigs from the stabling area to find the festivities.
[The Fork Horse Trials] [Ride Times]
Weekend Preview:
CDCTA [Website] [Entry Status]
Sporting Days [Website] [Entry Status]
Chattahoochee Hills [Website] [Entry Status] [Times]
Mary Hirsch, who was kind enough to send us reports from Texas Rose last weekend, wrote a recap of the event’s first Advanced for the USEA Website. Mary writes about owners Kathy and Kim Brunson’s motivations behind building an Advanced course. Besides hosting this year’s AECs, the Brunsons hope that their expanded farm will allow Midwestern riders, far from the usual upper-level events, to use Texas Rose as an integral part of their training and preparation for years to come. Click to read her recap and see photos of cross country. [USEA] [Texas Rose Saturday Update]
Do you have a Young Event Horse? If you do, and you are near Ocala, consider entering your mount in next weekend’s YEH/FEH competition held in conjunction with the Ocala Horse Properties International CIC**/*. The program is a great way to introduce young horses to eventing and the show atmosphere. Electronic entries will be accepted via Event Entries through April 8. [Omnibus] [Website]
Costa Rican showjumper Mónika Villalobos has become the first rider from her country to win a gold medal at an international show jumping competition. She won the title aboard Wrathlin VDL at the Central American Games, held in San Jose. At the games, which ran from from March 3 to 17, riders from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama competed in dressage, eventing, endurance and jumping. [Horsetalk]
London’s equestrian kick is continuing past the Olympics. The first leg of the Global Champions Tour will take place from June 6-9 at The International Quarter, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, only a few weeks before the Olympic facilities officially open to the public. It will be one of the first international sporting event to be hosted in the Olympic Park since the games. [COTH]
The Chronicle’s Kat Netzler recently returned from a trip to Doha, where she traveled to report on the show jumping, dressage and endurance competitions that were part of the inaugural Al Shaqab CHI. As you can probably imagine, it was unlike anything we see here in the US or even Europe. Click to read more about her trip, but I will warn you it will make you question why you ever agreed to taking a job where free trips to Qatar aren’t part of the package. [COTH]
The US Equestrian Team Foundation has announced the inaugural George H. Morris Gladstone Program for talented show jumping riders, which will take place in May. The program is similar to Eventing’s Under 25 training list, focusing on riders over the age of 18 who are competing successfully at 1.45m or above. The program intends to “continue to educate, support and guide potential team riders on the overall knowledge and expertise required to succeed at the top level of show jumping internationally.” 10 riders will be chosen to participate. [COTH]
Best of blogs:
Lauren Shannon had a good trip at Burnham Market.
Bruce Davidson’s breeding program is producing future stars.
