Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

It’s funny, but I didn’t actually know that the Asian Games were a thing until about five years ago when a coach mentioned them to me. From that moment on, I was on a mission to learn as much about these Games as possible – after all, younger Sally spent hours on the internet trying to find traces of fellow Asian eventers. Now thanks to Instagram, it’s much easier to connect with other riders and follow their journeys as inspiration, and it continues to hold great importance that I do my part to lift these riders up in media so as to increase representation. After all, it’s a lot harder to be it when you can’t see it!

Annie Ho, who has represented Hong Kong in three Asian Games and two Asian Championships, is one such rider I’ve really enjoyed following. Like Yuxuan Su, Annie has had the opportunity to grow her skills thanks to support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I’m really intrigued by this model of development and investment – you can read more about this in my feature on Yuxuan Su here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: [Website] [Entry Status] [Course Preview] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Stabling] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Southern Pines H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Wednesday Reading List

Fresh podcast alert: catch up with Michele Arana, of In Stride Equestrian which I featured here in N&N a few weeks back, on this episode of the Life 100 Podcast.

SmartPak’s recent response to questions surrounding the fit of its new Piper Evolution breeches is a great example of a brand willing to own its role in inclusivity. Take a look at the conversation here.

Tune in on Wednesday, March 10 for a livestream interview between Eric Dierks and David O’Connor, presented by the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association.

COVID-19 claims another horse show victim, this time in New Zealand as the popular Horse of the Year Show has been abandoned for 2021.

Hot on Horse Nation: What’s it like to keep a horse in Alaska? HN contributor Allie Carlson gives us an inside look.

Ones to watch: Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF, who handily won their Preliminary division this past weekend at Twin Rivers. Tommy became a hay steamer when “Josh” developed an unusual condition, eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis, that eventually resulted in his eye swelling completely shut. After ointments and antihistamines controlled the inflammation, Tommy turned to steamed hay.

Strides for Equality Equestrians provides an update on what it’s currently working on in its ongoing efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the equestrian industry.

Wednesday Video Break:

Let’s get to know Jamaican eventer Lydia Heywood in this episode of Young Black Equestrians: