Volunteers! Kick off October in eventing fun fashion at The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm this weekend! Also hosting Area II Championships, this event is always a grand time for volunteers, who receive the superstar treatment all weekend long.
There are plenty of openings available to fill. If you’re available, even for part of a day, the team would be ever appreciative!
You can take a look at current openings and sign up for your shifts here.
Major International Events
LOTTO Strzegom October Festival CCI4*-L (Poland): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]
U.S. Events This Weekend
The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm / Area II Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]
Woodside Fall International (CA): [Website] [Entries/Times/Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]
Apple Knoll Farm H.T. (MA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]
WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Ocala Fall H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]
Middle Tennessee Pony Club H.T. (TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps]
News & Reading
Who are the top-rated horses in the US Equestrian Open Final field at Morven Park next week? EquiRatings put the best of the U.S. up against their metrics system to rank the top ten horses by ELO rating. What is Elo? It’s an EquiRatings metric that measures the quality of a horse’s performance over time, using things like size and quality of field to determine the score. One veteran combination stands at the top. Find out who it is here.
The “naughty” or “lazy” horse or pony in your barn may actually be trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen and explore when a horse is acting untoward, and it’s not a stretch to think that these symptoms could indicate a bigger issue. Mary Frances, CEO of Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre in Sussex, has spoken up to highlight suspensory pain as a common cause of issues including unidentifiable lameness and reluctance to go forwards. “It’s worrying – and incredibly frustrating – to hear of horses who have been simply labelled as ‘naughty’ or ‘lazy’, when in fact they are suffering from suspensory ligament pain and are, therefore, unable to perform adequately,” she told Horse & Hound. You can read the full article and get more of Mary’s perspective here.
US Equestrian urged its members to exercise caution as a case of a New World Screwworm surfaced near the U.S. border in Mexico. The U.S. has participated in eradication measures to reduce the risk of the insects moving into the country, but it’s important to keep up with the latest updates as they pertain to the movement of horses and other livestock. Read more here.
Sponsor Corner: The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
This weekend (October 3–5), Loch Moy Farm will once again play host to top-class competition as The Maryland Horse Trials welcomes the Area II Championships. Riders, spectators, and fans alike can look forward to an unforgettable weekend packed with competition, community, and celebration.
Prize Money Thanks to Witherspoon Analytics & Jim Newman
This year’s Area II Championship will feature prize money for top-placing competitors, made possible through the generosity of Witherspoon Analytics and Jim Newman.
Jim is no stranger to giving back to the sport: as a member of the USEA National Volunteer Committee, Vice Chairman of Area II, President of Witherspoon Analytics, and a past National USEA Volunteer of the Year (2022), he’s a true champion of eventing. He also serves on the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation (MIEF) Board, furthering his mission to support our community and improve the volunteer experience.
As Loch Moy Farm’s Carolyn Mackintosh shares: “It’s people like Jim that truly raise up the sport of eventing. We’re fortunate to have someone like him supporting The Maryland Horse Trials and USEA.”
Please join us in extending a huge thank you to Jim Newman and Witherspoon Analytics for continuing to raise the bar for Area II riders.
Land Rover West Columbia Hospitality Tent
Need a place to relax between phases? Head to the Land Rover West Columbia Hospitality Tent for complimentary light bites and beverages, along with 360 degree views of dressage, show jumping, and cross country from Loch Moy’s iconic berm. Plus, get up close with the Land Rover Defenders on site.
Gallop for Life VIP Experience at the Highland Tower
Loch Moy Farm is proud to partner with Gallop for Life, supporting women in our equestrian community battling cancer. For an unforgettable viewing experience, grab a $225 VIP ticket (limited availability) and enjoy:
- Premium brunch with beer, wine & a mimosa bar (21+)
- Reserved Highland Tower seating with panoramic views of all three phases
- Raffle prizes from generous partners
- VIP shuttle service
Every ticket sold directly supports Gallop for Life’s mission. Don’t wait—get your ticket today and make an impact while enjoying the best seats in the house.
Whether you’re competing, cheering, or celebrating, this weekend at Loch Moy Farm is one you won’t want to miss!
Video Break
Super fascinating stuff here. Ros Canter breaks down some bits of her Defender Burghley dressage test in a recent webinar for the Performance Mentoring Programme members in this snippet:
