While eventers are firing up their steeds, squeezing an extra pair of socks into their boots and piling on the sweaters, ready to take to the training ring in preparation for the new season, it’s cool to see eventing superhorses of yesteryear enjoying life in the slower lane, like Andrew Hoy’s 22-year-old Cheeky Calimbo, above, who’s rolling with the times and living out his best life at Somerby Stables, and Tim Price’s 5* campaigner Bango who looks tip-top at eighteen as he prepares for the season over in Ireland with John Tilley.
As eventing fans, we invest a whole lotta emotion into the horses of our sport – we have our favorites, the ones we covet for our own barns, those we’ve followed throughout their careers, and the ones we root for just because, so it’s important that we get to keep up with them as they continue on their journey after retiring from the top level. Thanks for sharing.
Also, it’s officially Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day. How about it ENers? Are you hanging on and making strides or is it time to let it go and move on? I’d resolved to win the new CSI4* Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix this year (on my 14.1 gypsy cob). I’m sticking with it for now as, quite frankly, I need to cash to pay for the colossal amounts of hay he quaffs.
U.S. Weekend Preview
Ram Tap Combined Test (Fresno, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Stable View Aiken Opener H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Wednesday News and Reading
A couple of cool 5* eventing job opportunities are up for grabs. Britain’s Harry Meade has an opening for a live-in work rider and British-based Australians Kevin and Emma McNab are looking for a groom to join their yard. Go eventing!
Calling all Badminton fans. No, not the kind with the shuttlecocks… 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Badminton Horse Trials and they’ll be heading down memory lane to celebrate all the awesomeness that makes Badminton, well, Badminton. Whether you’re a competitor, owner, volunteer or visitor, if you’ve got a story, memorabilia, film content or photograph, the team at Badminton want to hear from you.
Listen in as 5* eventer Elisa Wallace talks to Practical Horseman about her work with mustangs. It’s been very cool to follow Elisa and Dior’s progress as they work towards the Mustang Classic which will take place in September this year. In this podcast, she talks about where it all began a decade ago as well as giving advice about how to get into the mustang thang, should you fancy a walk on the wild side.
From extinction in the wild to a successful reintroduction scheme, scientists are counting on the Przewalski’s horses of Mongolia. Whilst it’s been good news for the wild horses, the same can’t be said for many other species native to the country. But there is hope that the proven example of the Przewalski’s horses can be utilized further, and has the potential to became a worldwide model.
Sponsor Corner
A staple of the Ocala horse community, Mardanza Farm is for sale! Current winter base for Sharon White and FEI judge & eventer Valerie Pride, this is truly a top-of-the-line facility.
Video Break
It’s eleven in a row for dressage superstars Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and TSF Dalera BB. Currently holding the World Cup, Olympic and European titles, they’re on the Paris (sound)track on one hot winning streak.
