I’ve loved looking through the social media posts following the European Championships last weekend. From the tributes to horses, grooms and owners, to the reflections on things not going to plan, and the celebrations for those who saw all their prep come together at just the right moment, it’s cool that we get to be a part of the eventing journey outside of competition live streams.
Yesterday we shared Ros Canter’s post showing the new European Champion, ‘Walter’ (AKA Lordships Graffalo), congratulating himself on his greatness with a good ol’ roll in his field. Today we have Kitty King’s Vendredi Biats – ‘Froggy’ to his friends – arriving home with his team gold and individual silver medals to find his stall decked out befittingly for ‘simply the best unicorn’.
With two more Olympic spots seized at the Euros, those teams still seeking qualification for Paris will have the chance to add vital points to their tally this weekend in Arville – the penultimate leg of the Nations Cup. Keep up to date with what goes down in Belgium:
Nations Cup CCIO4*-S (Arville): [Website] [Entries/Start Lists/Scoring] [Schedule] [YouTube/CMH.TV]
As it’s National Tell a Joke Day, it would be remiss of me not to gift you a horsey howler. To be or not to be…? That is the equestrian. If you fancy a bit of a giggle, you’ll find the best horse gags right here. Sorry (not sorry).
And whilst we’re acknowledging one national day, it seems only right we raise a glass to National Rum Day also. So, make mojitos and go eventing – just not in that order!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Caber Farm H.T. (Onalaska, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Full Gallop Farm August HT (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Volunteer]
Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. (Geneseo, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Ocala Summer H.T. II (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]
The Event at Archer (Cheyenne, WY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Waredaca Farm H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Major International Events
Nations Cup CCIO4*-S (Arville): [Website] [Entries/Start Lists/Scoring] [Schedule] [YouTube/CMH.TV]
Wednesday News and Reading
With horses, it’s fair to say that the path doesn’t always run smooth – something AEC entrant Melissa Fox knows all too well. From heartbreaking loss, through injuries to both her and her horse, and even a truck fire on route to a training session, Melissa’s AEC dreams have been put on hold multiple times. But this season, all’s so far so good for Melissa and OTTB Tito Tonight, who’ll be heading to Kentucky to contest the Novice Amateur division. [A Bumpy Ride]
“Do not let your skin color, size, or level of experience hold you back. There is a barn, trainer, and lesson program out there for you.” Chandra Thurman felt completely stuck – she wanted to train in dressage, and knew she had the horse for it, but opportunities were lacking and she faced discrimination over her race and size. She decided to take a leap of faith, and discovered she could fly. [“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet”]
The increasing commitment to the aftercare of OTTBs is encouraging – now we need to consider racing broodmares too. There are a number of organizations working to help rehome these pro moms, who, with their wealth of experience and ‘been there done that’ attitude, are wholly deserving of a fulfilling retirement. [Pro Moms]
We’ve probably all said it, but what does ‘woah’ mean? Horse Journals’ Jec Ballou considers when ‘woah’ really does mean ‘woah’. [Woah, There]
Forget about the Barbie Dreamhouse, the Breyer Horse Headquarters is every horse nerd’s dream. Through the archive room full to brimming with Breyers of all breeds and colors, to the factory where the horses are meticulously molded and accurately airbrushed, take a trip down memory lane with EQ’s Jill Medinger. [Horse Nerd Heaven]
Sponsor Corner
Sara Kozumplik’s biggest goal when buying a farm: finding a peaceful environment for her horses. Of course, it’s not just a facility that creates a peaceful environment for your horses, how you manage that property makes a massive difference in the happiness of the horses as well. Discover Sara’s biggest secret to great farm management: Creating a Peaceful Home for Horses (and please join us in wishing her well after she suffered some injuries in a fall recently! Get well soon, Sara).
Video Break
With Burghley fast approaching, here’s a throwback to a Burghley of yesteryear – namely 1971, when Great Britain’s Princess Anne (whose daughter, Zara Tindall, will be contesting this year’s event) became European Champion.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal has recently become President of the British Eventing Support Trust , a charity which helps riders “deal with the physical and mental health demands placed on them by our sport”.
Find out more about the royal appointment, and Princess Anne’s equestrian career, here.
