It’s Boekelo week, baby! Time to party!
The Netherlands’ eventing offering is one of my favorite events of the year – from the frolicking crowds and general feel good vibes, to the top-class horses and riders romping round the Boekelo countryside, it’s such a fun spectacle of our awesome sport and one I look forward to watching each year.
With more than 110 entries from 15 nations, including Olympic, World and European Champions – and a strong showing from the US and the UK – the competition looks set to be totally spectacular. Find out more about the world class line-up here.
The competition this week isn’t just about Boekelo glory, it’s also the Nations Cup Final, with an Olympic ticket up for grabs. There probably won’t be any surprises as to which nation books themselves a place in Paris though – Tilly explains why here.
The action trots off today with the first horse inspection at 1:30pm local time – that’s 7:30am EST / 12:30pm BST.
The dressage arena plays its part on Thursday and Friday, beginning at 9am / 3am EST / 8am BST each day.
And then we get to crack out the beer and party our way ‘round the cross country on Saturday from 10am / 4am EST / 9am BST.
Best set your alarm clocks for Sunday morning’s horse inspection, which takes place from 9am / 3am EST / 8am BST and then it’s on to the show jumping at 10:30am / 4:30am EST / 9:30am BST, when we’re sure to see a nail-biting finish to what promises to be a great competition.
You can catch all of the action live on FEI TV on Clip My Horse (membership required) and EN has Tilly’s boots on the Boekelo ground, so keep it locked onto EN and follow @goeventing for all the shenanigans on site.
So, raise a glass of beer, or if you’re going Dutch, Genever (a juniper berry flavored tipple that’s a bit like gin – the national drink of the Netherlands) to Boekelo week, and go eventing!
U.S. Weekend Preview
Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (Millis, MA) [Website] [Volunteer]
Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. (Nashville, TN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. (Mooresboro, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
Woodside Fall International (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Major International Events
Military Boekelo CCIO4* [Website] [Schedule] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]
Wednesday News and Reading
The Horse of the Year Show is happening this week. There’s lots to watch, from mounted games and showing classes to international show jumping and the big red wall of the Puissance. Catch the action on ClipMyHorse.TV and H&C+.
Novice competitors have a new reason to have Carolina on their mind. Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and HT will be running Novice Horse Trials next season. So add it to your diaries, and go eventing! [Oh Carolina!]
Nominations for the USEA Appreciation Awards are open! Celebrating the individuals who have served eventing throughout the year, the categories include awards for the range of people who make the sport as special as it is. From young individuals who embody the spirit of the sport and eventers over 60, to instructors, grooms, owners and those in support roles, give a shout out to those you appreciate. [Eventing Heroes]
Evaluate your horse’s – and your own – fitness with five-star eventer Will Faudree. With tips on how to tell if you and your horse need to reevaluate your fitness routine, and ways to do just that, this comprehensive guide from Pan-Ams team gold medalist Will Faudree is a must-read for the eventer in all of us. [Fitness Matters]
The globetrotting groom who’s riding her way round the world. Dinette Neuteboom has spent the last fourteen years traveling to 42 different countries, having a whole host of horsey experiences along the way. From grooming in Florida and jumping in Argentina, to flat riding in China and wrangling in Wyoming, she’s even found time to launch an online resource for grooms. Read all about her adventures with the latest in the COTH Groom Spotlight series. [Around the World]
And finally, for this week’s art supplement we have a rather important drawing of a horse by Raphael (the artist, not the turtle). The 16th Century sketch has been recently rediscovered and is extra special because it was drawn as part of the plan for ‘The Stanze’, which decorates the papal apartments in the Vatican and is considered one of the most significant achievements in art history. The drawing will be auctioned in Vienna later this month. [A Historic Horse]
Sponsor Corner
Throwback to Liz Halliday and her two handsome geldings getting it done at Tryon International in the Intermediate and Advanced divisions! Could Shanroe Cooley and Cooley Nutcracker, both owned by Ocala Horse Properties, be any more perfect? 🤩
Video Break
We’re sad to hear that Carl Hester’s superstar ride Nip Tuck has died following a short illness, aged nineteen.
Bought as a one-year-old for £1000, Carl never dreamed that ‘Barney’ would make it as a Grand Prix horse, but he was very happy to be proved wrong, with Olympic, World and European Championship medals and a wonderful win at London Olympia firmly putting Carl in his place.
Join us in sending our condolences to all of Nip Tuck’s connections, and look back on the special partnership between Carl and his friend Barney.
