What a way to enjoy the first day of warmth! Photo via Kelsey Wilkins' FB page.
Everyone up north is finally able to stretch their legs a little, whether coming in from a winter in the field or emerging from the indoor. Kelsey Wilkins managed to get out for a hack on her ex-Intermediate level pony, Madeira. One hacking tradition she has is the adult version of a sippy cup- a wine glass inside a plastic tumbler with a lid. Since all of her event mares are named after types of wine (Chablis, Madeira, and Cava) it’s only appropriate that she partake!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Carolina International H.T. & CIC [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]
Poplar Place Farm March H.T. & CIC [Website] [Omnibus] [Entry Status]
The Brits continue to do their math. Horse & Hound has continued their weekly series that includes interested eventing facts based on the weekends event. There’s even a shout-out to the number nine, which is how many British-based horses are entered at Rolex. [Eventing In Numbers]
The KER ClockIt launch event will be taking place Tuesday, April 21 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. KER has been busy monitoring event horses in Ocala, Aiken, and Southern Pines with their pilot app KER ClockIt Sport. The seminar will feature Dr. Joe Pagan, who will present the findings to those of thoroughbred racehorses, which were clocked using the sister app, KER ClockIt Race. If you’re interested in attending, take a look at the press release or visit their website. [KER ClockIt Press Release] [KER ClockIt Website]
New Vocations Thoroughbred Adoption Program is hosting Thoroughbreds for All. Laine Ashker, Reese Koffler-Stanfield, and Dan James will all be speaking of their experiences with Thoroughbreds at a Souther style buffet. The fundraising event will be held at West Wind Farm on the Friday of Rolex after dressage has concluded. [Thoroughbreds For All Press Release]
Let’s revisit 2008. Kim Keppick, the founder of Rein Aid, wrote this article with suggestions to improve safety of both horse racing and eventing. In the current climate, it’s worth another look. [Can Eventers Learn From the Flat Racing Industry?]
An event rider in Britain is calling for more security at horse trials. After a thief busted her window in order to steal her purse, then emptied her bank account while she was competing, Felicity Baker-Attew is calling for increased security. Theft isn’t just a problem in Britain; the U.S. has had it’s fair share of crime at horse trials Make sure your belonging are not only locked away, but also out of sight while you’re competing. [Event Rider Calls for Higher Security]
Teddy O’Connor gets some love. In the latest article from USEA, Ten Years of Eventing Excellence, the indomitable pony Teddy is profiled. Many of us are familiar with his story, and fell in love with the 14.1 pony when he conquered the Rolex 4* in 2007, finishing 3rd overall. [2007 With Teddy O’Connor]
GMHA’s Festival of Eventing is back this year. Set in early August, the Festival of Eventing will start with an Eventing Clinic on Monday Through Wednesday, a Beginner Novice and Novice horse trials on Friday, and Novice through Intermediate, as well as a CIC1* on the weekend. Located in Vermont, GMHA follows the week after Millbrook, making the perfect summer eventing vacation. [GMHA Press Release]
Podcast from the USEA: This episode, Stephen Bradley talks spending the winter in Northern Virginia instead of heading south. Natalie Hollis joins to talk about some creative ideas for riders to stay fit, including spending some time in the mud. [USEA Podcast]
This week on the Eventing Radio Show: Rolex Preview! This week Jess and Samantha discuss a special sneak preview of Rolex, with tons of Rolex connections to talk with. Then Gavin Makinson drops by. [Eventing Radio Show]
SmartPak Product of the Day: With the thawing of the season comes mud, and with mud comes fungus. Some people hate this stuff but it has always worked like magic on the scratches my horse tends to develop on his legs every year. Snap on a rubber glove, slather it onto the affected area, and the next day it’s ready to curry off, pain-free. As a bonus, your horse will smell suspiciously like bacon. [SmartPak]
I have a super special surprise for you- the return of Neville! Boyd is letting his working student Mike Pendleton campaign him at the lower levels, and after a good run at Novice in January, Mike and Neville took a stroll around Pine Top in the training last weekend.
