Photo via Helen Casteel on Instagram.
We are looking forward to following Helen Casteel, the first recipient of the Strides for Equality Ever So Sweet Scholarship, as she embarks on her adventure riding and working with Sara and Brian Murphy at their Berryville, Va. facility. I had the privilege of chatting with Helen a few weeks ago for a more in-depth story, so stay tuned for that coming soon right here to EN! Here’s to more opportunity and a seat at the table for all!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, Vt.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]
Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, Co.): [Omnibus] [Ride Times]
Major International Events
Barbury International (Wiltshire, United Kingdom): [Event Hub]
Wednesday Reading List
If you want to win the dressage, Tamie Smith is a good person to enlist for help. This supremely helpful column from The Chronicle is rich with six tips for being competitive in everyone’s not-so-favorite phase.
If you ride a horse with any light colors, you know the struggle of keeping said horse clean. In Horse Nation‘s latest “work smarter, not harder” column from SmartPak, some tips on keeping that colorful horse looking squeaky clean.
Karl Slezak may love him some Nickelback, but he also loves a cute bay horse named Fernhill Wishes (hopefully more than he loves Nickelback). Get to know Karl and “Choc” and the journey they’ve been on together here.
Olympic Beat:
We’re eagerly awaiting the finalized entry list for Tokyo, nominations for which were due to each country’s respective Olympic committee and the FEI earlier this week. We’ll update you with a final and complete list as soon as it becomes available! In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up for EN’s Olympic Digest email, which is sent each Monday and will begin daily editions on July 28.
USA Track & Field yesterday released its Olympic roster – and dynamite sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was not included on the list. After testing positive for marijuana, Sha’Carri received a suspension that will last through August 5. Speculation swirled that she could still be eligible to compete in the relay competition after her suspension had been served, but her absence from the roster seems to answer that question. Sha’Carri’s positive test has added fuel an already-growing discussion about marijuana and the rules surrounding its use. Read some background on this debate here and learn more about marijuana bans at the Olympics here.
Soul Cap, the inclusive swim cap designed to protect dreadlocks, afros, weaves and other types of hair, is up for reconsideration as to its use in the Olympics. The cap was originally prohibited by water sports governing body FINA but received much backlash for the decision.
Wednesday Video:
Explore the heat and humidity considerations for horses traveling to Tokyo:
