The CREW Urban Youth Equestrians is scheduling lessons! It was a big day welcoming our first two CREW members. We had So.Much.Fun!!
We cannot wait to travel this path with these youth and see where it leads!!
Posted by The CREW Urban Youth Equestrians on Sunday, March 14, 2021
I’ve just finished reading Kareem Rosser’s memoir, Crossing the Line, and it’s gotten me thinking hard about the concept of access to horses.
Recently, I’ve seen a handful more mentions of “the aristocratic sport of eventing” or the “elite equestrian sport of eventing” than usual. I always feel a bit of a twinge when I hear our sport referred to in such a way, though I know that at their root these descriptions have a lot of truth. But it saddens me to think of the talented riders who may have fallen by the wayside – sometimes, as in Kareem’s life story, into terrible circumstances – had it not been for horses.
This is why the work being done by programs such as Work to Ride, Detroit Horsepower, the Metropolitan Equestrian Team, the CREW Urban Youth Equestrians, and many others is so incredibly valuable. I often find myself feeling helpless, wanting to help more but unsure how when I don’t currently ride or belong to a barn.
My best advice if you’re feeling similarly is to take the time to learn about access programs near you and/or around the country – chances are, through a donation or through volunteering time, there are a myriad of ways to make even a small difference. I’m also pleased to let you know that my incredible colleagues at Strides for Equality Equestrians have worked diligently to create a Resource Directory listing access programs around the country.
And pick up a copy of Crossing the Line while you’re at it. The Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship is hosting a virtual book club to discuss the book on Thursday, April 1 – you can RSVP to the free event here.
U.S. Weekend Preview:
Galway Downs International H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Stable View Spring 1*/2*/3*/4*: [Website]
[Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm March II H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]
March H.T. at Majestic Oaks: [Website] [Volunteer]
Morven Park H.T.: [Website] [Volunteer]
Poplar Place Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Texas Rose Spring H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Wednesday News & Notes:
Michael Willham, who has also blogged for EN, catches us up on his journey with Fernhill Cayenne in the latest “Now On Course” from the USEA.
Groton House Farm Horse Trials (Area I) has announced that it will not run in 2021. “It is possible, depending upon the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, that we will be able to host one or 2 of the unrecognized events which are more manageable to implement with social distancing and masking,” the event stated on Facebook.
Casting call! Ecogold is looking for models for an upcoming photo shoot in Montreal, Ontario, and Calgary as well as Tampa, Fl. The brand is seeking models of all ages, ethnicities, body types and disciplines.
Five weeks after EHV-1 took its first horse at Venturing Hills Equestrian Farm, another two had been lost despite remarkable efforts to reverse the highly aggressive and infectious virus’ course. Staff and volunteers at the Luskville, Quebec boarding, training and lesson facility are living at the barn to monitor and care for the horses. Read how Haygain has made a huge difference, thanks to the generosity of Venturing Hills family member Peter Becke.
Wednesday Video Break
Beating the heat, a new series from the FEI on YouTube:
