Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna under the watchful eye of Leslie Law. Photo via USEF High Performance FB page.
You know it’s competition season when the high performance sessions start, and we are kicking off first with the U25 sessions under Developing Rider coach Leslie Law. Two days ago the riders went through their paces on the flat and now they’ve moved onto jumping. I’ve got to give a particular shout-out to my current barn-mate Madeline Backus who rocked around her first Advanced and CIC3* last year at the tender age of nineteen, as well as former barn-mates Avery Klunick and Jacob Fletcher, who all made the list this year. Soak it up!
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Three Lakes January at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]
The march of bad news continue as we hear of the passing of two more four star competitors. Highland Lad, who won the 2002 Burghley under William Fox-Pitt, has diead at the age of 22. Additionally, Chris Burton’s 2008 Adelaide winner Newsprint passed away on January 5th due to liver disease. Both horses were retired in England [WFP’s Second Burghley Winner Dies] [Tribues Paid to Very Special Four Star Event Horse]
HH Azur made a big impression on Chronicle writer Catie Staszak . Catie once had the fortune to meet Barbaro, prior to his win in the Kentucky Derby. She was immediately struck by his presence and had no doubt of his future greatness. Catie hadn’t had the same feeling upon meeting a horse until she laid eyes on McClain Ward’s show jumping mare HH Azur. [HH Azur is Show Jumping’s ‘It’ Girl]
The CEO of the USEF has left his position. Chris Welton was hired eighteen months ago, but has now left to pursue other interests. In the meantime, William Moroney has been appointed as the interim CEO until the position is permanently filled. Moroney is currently the president of the USHJA. [USEF Announces CEO Departure]
Matt Brown knows he has to break out of his comfort zone to make it big. Matt has sacrificed a lot in the past year, uprooting his wife and moving across the country while leaving a thriving training business behind to pursue his dream of representing the U.S. Yet sometimes the biggest obstacles are ourselves, and he is now having to learn how to be a salesman as well as a rider, something he has never felt comfortable doing. [The Diary of a Reluctant Salesman]
The Fair Hill Inn is generously donating a portion of their bills to Fair Hill International. On Thursday, January 21, the Fair Hill Inn will donate 20% of your bill to the event if you mention the name “Bodgie” to your server. You aren’t sure who Bodgie is? Then you definitely need to show up and find out! [Fair Hill “Squared” Fundraiser]
New event venue Stable View is holding a fundraiser for the USET. On Thursday, March 3, Boyd and Phillip will hold a Master Class which will be followed by an after party. Tickets are available to both the Masterclass and After Party, or just the Masterclass. All proceeds will benefit the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team in their journey to Rio. [Eventing Aiken]
This week on the Eventing Radio Show: Ben Hobday and Caroline Martin. Hosts Liz Halliday-Sharp and Paul Tapner with U25 rider Caroline Martin, who is building up a string these days. Ben Hobday stops by for an update on his health and competition plans. [Eventing Radio Show]
SmartPak Product of the Day: One thing I’m absolutely a stickler for is having a spare halter around. You never know when you’ll see a loose horse running by your trailer and need to snatch something quick. Or for that matter, when you buy a new horse, might be nice to put a pretty new halter on his head… [SmartPak]
Three-star horse Under Suspection is back in action after a year’s hiatus, now with Hannah Sue Burnett in the irons.
