To quote #supergroom Jackie Potts…
“It's hard to believe this was Santini a year ago. He has unbelievably adjusted so…
Posted by Fox-Pitt Eventing on Saturday, April 15, 2023
Last weekend saw the 175th running of the UK’s Randox Grand National, widely thought of as the most famous steeplechase in the world and watched by around 500 million people. There was a series of celebration – of the horses, Aintree racecourse, and the people of Liverpool where the race is held – chaos – as protesters breached the racecourse boundary just before the race, some making it onto the course and attempting to handcuff and glue themselves to the fences, leading to the start being postponed and the horses stuck in the parade ring for way longer than necessary – and unfortunate events – a number of jockeys were unseated leading to loose horses mixed in with the runners, two of which broke through a boundary, injuring themselves and, allegedly, a spectator; at least one horse suffered a career-ending injury and another was fatally injured at the first fence.
Throughout the TV coverage, the welfare message was up front and center in a way I don’t remember having seen before. The head of World Horse Welfare (the independent welfare advisor to the British Horseracing Authority) gave an interview, the broadcast team talked repeatedly about the high standards of welfare in racing stables and the love for the horses, and information was given about the safety measures the sport has introduced. Unfortunately, what played out on our screens once the starter’s flag waved the field off didn’t quite portray the message as horse sport fans would have hoped.
No matter what your view of racing is, as #teamequestrian it’s important that we celebrate the success stories within horse sports, and a happy second career for a previous Grand National runner is something to smile about.
Placed 4th in the Grand National just last year, Santini has swapped his racing silks for cross country colors and is now going eventing with Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt, most recently competing in the 100 at the BE Larkhill Event, where he finished 2nd. He would have won it had he been a bit slower, as the final placings were decided on closest to the optimum time and Santini was just a bit too quick. That’ll be the racehorse in him!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Fair Hill International April H.T. & CCI-S (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Meadowcreek Park – The Spring Social Event (Kosse, Texas) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Ocala International Festival of Eventing (Ocala, Florida) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
River Glen Spring H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries / Ride Times / Scoring]
Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Wednesday News and Reading
Want more LRK3DE info each day during competition? Sign up for the free LRK3DE Daily Digest email, which will be sent each day beginning Tuesday, April 25 through Monday, May 1. Find all of EN’s latest coverage, sponsor promotions and discounts, chances to win daily giveaways, and much more! Click here to sign up.
Talking of Kentucky, did you know there are 11 USEA Young Event Horse graduates in this year’s 5* line up? Established as an eventing talent search, the YEH program identifies 4 and 5-year-olds with the potential to go to the top of the sport. The LRK3DE entry list this year sees YEH graduates such as Will Coleman’s Chin Tonic HS, Kentucky rookie Sydney Soloman’s Early Review CBF, Tamie Smith’s Mai Baum, Liz Halliday-Sharp’s Miks Master C and Boyd Martin’s ‘Thomas’ Tsetserleg TSF. [YEH Alumni Heading to the Bluegrass]
And it’s not just Kentucky we’re looking forward to, Badminton’s just two weeks away! In her April blog, Badminton director, Jane Tuckwell, gives an update on the ‘Badminton family’ coming together, course designer Eric Winter’s annual course walk, new innovations in the name of safety, keeping the course drained despite all the rain we’ve been having in the UK, moving sheep from the campsite, the coronation of King Charles III, celebrations and champagne. [Read All About It] And there’s more exciting Badminton news, the interactive cross country course will be available on CrossCountry App this Sunday! [Here Comes Badminton!]
10 lucky riders got to spend some time training with 5* eventer Buck Davidson thanks to Practical Horseman’s Win-A-Day competition. With analogies to carrying food and drinks, driving a boat and riding on a carousel, Buck explained everything from how to stay balanced and still in the saddle, naturally moving with your horse, and staying even when turning, to giving clear aids, and preparing for a jump. [Here’s 12 Takeaways from the Day]
Over to show jumping and a horse who doesn’t let a missing eye stop her from competing at the highest level. This story caught my eye because the first pony I ever jumped on, Frosty, was also single-eyed after running into a low-hanging branch in the paddock – it didn’t stop us from flying over the cavaletti though. Wilma Hellström’s “very special” mare, Cicci BJN, hasn’t let an accident in her stall, leading to the removal of her right eye, diminish her love for her job either. After a long road to recovery, she’s back at the top of her game, recently competing in the FEI Jumping World Cup Final. [Horses Are Awesome]
Sidelines Magazine talks mental health, horses and eventing whilst pregnant. In their latest podcast, Sidelines speaks to show jumper Casey Lorusso-Smith, who’s a licensed mental health counselor, about recognizing the importance of mental health and how horses can help. They’re joined by Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who combines top-level eventing with motherhood and heading up an equestrian marketing agency – she’s also written for EN! [Hear What They Have to Say]
It’s the London Marathon this weekend and this rider is running for her rescue pony. Mickey Blue Eyes nearly didn’t make it. Rescued at 6-months-old by Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society (EHPPS), he was in a desperate state. But with time, patience and good care, he healed and he’s now living happily ever after in his forever home. As a thank you to the charity who saved him, adoptive owner Annabel Marriott is pulling on her sneakers and running the 26.2 mile London Marathon, raising money for EHPPS along the way. [Supporting Horse Saviors]
Video Break
Who doesn’t love a banana fact and what better day to share one than National Banana Day? Did you know that Liz Halliday-Sharp’s Deniro Z loves bananas? In the absence of a video of him eating one, here he is having some quality time with his buddy Cooley Quicksilver.
