Strzegom in Poland was the week’s big Western eventing device, and what a opposition it was: twisty, specialized courses from 1* to CCI4*- S put horses and riders to the test, and that four- star was, as is always the case at Strzegom, packed with names you need to know. Belgian horses Tine Magnus and Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, who I’ve been a fan of since I was a young horses in my early years, won the championship race with a super-slow 2. 4 day penalties across the nation. The extraordinary 2023 time in Belgium appears to be continuing in much the same manner in 2024.
Following in this class was a pair who US audiences, especially, will need to take note of – Germany’s Christoph Wahler and D’Accord 70, who’ll be heading stateside in a couple of weeks to tackle their first Kentucky. Prepare to fall in love with D’Accord, a tall, very slender glass of wαter. Also, this been true, you’re going to fancy Christoph. In seventh place, to, we saw another higher- flying European duo who are aiming for Kentucky – that was Calvin Böckmann, when dubbed’ the young Jung’ by EquiRatings, and The Phantom of the Opera, who’ll be making their 5* debut this month. And, finally, in fifteenth place after a great run, we see Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo, who’ll be rounding out that trio of German- lads- we’ll- all- be- talking- about in Lexington soon.
And, of course, we actually saw the Stars and Stripes represented in Strzegom, thanks to Alexa Gartenberg and Cooley Kildare! They finished 36th after an educational early- season run, and we ca n’t wait to see how they develop as 2024 unfolds.
National Holiday:  , It’s National Empanada Day. If you’re on the other side of the pond, have one for me today because I still dream every day about the surprisingly delicious Mexican food that can be purchased at dodgy-looking gas stations in Ocala.
US Weekend Action:  ,
Stable View Spring 2/3/4* and H. Ƭ. ( Aiken, SC)] Website]] Results]
CDCTA Spring H. Ƭ. ( Ruckersville, VA )] Website]] Results]
Pine Hill Spring H. Ƭ. ( Bellville, TX)] Website ]   ,]Results ]
Rocking Horse Spring H. Ƭ. ( Altoona, FL )] Website]] Results]
UK Weekend Results:
Larkill ( Larkhill, Wilts. ) :]Results]
Norton Disney ( 1 ) ( Norton Disney, Lincs. ) :]Results]
Major International Events:
Strzegom Spring Open 1 ( Poland ) :]Website]] Results]
Your Monday Reading List:
Soft-tissue injuries are one of the ƒew things that frighten horse owners the most. Because these challenging, nuanced lamenesses can be a real bugger to get right, and setƀacks are not uncommon on the road tσ recovery. However, that may seem pretty doom and gloom ( can you tell that I’ve had to deal with a particularly challenging and ongoing one )? ), there , is light at the end of the tunnel, and with careful management, lots of horses who’ve’ done a leg ‘ can return to their peak performance. This article offers , an interesting insight and overview into each part of the process.
I realized this morning that I really needed to write an essay about half-halts as a metaphor for life.  , After a long, achingly tough weekend, I can relate all too well to Camilla Mortensen’s beautifully penned blog about finding a way to momentarily regroup before powering forward into the unknown with a clearer head, better balance, and a touch more confidence. Read her words, which are much better than my summary of them, here, and I hope, if you’re in need of galvanising this morning, that they do that for you, too.
Another thing I needed this morning?  , This very good advice on when and why to clip. My mare did n’t receive a clip this winter, so I’m desperate to take her in during the peak shedding season and skip the next few weeks of using grimy belly hair to clean my teeth. However, Cat Hill of World Class Grooming has finally put an end to my crazy. Maybe.
Having trouble with bottomless gateways and muddy pastures?  , I , feel you. Here in England, all we have is mud, mud, mud, and some more mud, and very occasionally, an event that manages to run despite the mud which kind of, somehow, distracts us from the mud. It’s not fun, and it’s not ideal for our horses ‘ legs, either. But what can you do at home to stop it? A few things, actually – and this short piece from , Equus has tips for things you can try right now, like laying material in gateways, and plans you can put in place ahead of next mud- season.
Morning Viewing:
Join British eventer Ashley Harrison and her 4* horse, Zebedee, as they head to Munstead for a combined training outing in something that actually appears to resemble sunshine, unusually.
