Thursday News & Notes

​Mark your calendars for the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation’s Spring Festival Fundraiser, set for Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Full Moon Farm in Finksburg, MD. This family-friendly event supports FMFEF’s mission to promote good horsemanship and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within the equestrian community. ​

Admission is free, and all are welcome to enjoy a day filled with activities. Volunteers, vendors, and donors are encouraged to participate; those interested can reach out via the contact information provided on FMFEF’s official page here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Rocking Horse Spring H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Stable View Spring 2*/3*/4* and H.T. (SC:): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Pine Hill Spring H.T. (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

CDCTA Spring H.T. (VA): [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

News & Reading:

Riders at Thoresby’s Eventing Spring Carnival praised the introduction of new frangible fence designs, which blend modern safety with traditional aesthetics. The course, designed by Stuart Buntine, marked the first competition use of the updated frangible “parallelogram” chassis, earning support from top riders like Tom McEwen, Laura Collett, and Gemma Stevens—even those who triggered pins. “If it saves a life, it’s worth it,” said Laura. Read more on Horse & Hound here.

Eventing rules were front and center on day two at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, with discussions ranging from potential changes to flag and frangible penalties to the exciting prospect of a new U25 championship. The FEI Eventing Committee, led by David O’Connor, also floated tweaks to MER rules and inspections, and even hinted at using tech to improve flag judgments. Nothing’s official yet—final decisions land in November—but it’s clear the 2026 rulebook (and the LA 2028 path) could look very different. Catch up on the full session here.

From beginner lessons to top-10 AEC finishes, 17-year-old Carolyn Rice has grown up in the sport of eventing—and now she’s paying it forward as a mentor and instructor at Willow South Riding School in Georgia. A longtime member of the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League, Carolyn is looking ahead to this year’s Championship at Stable View with her new partner, Fernhill Oreo. After heartbreak and healing with a previous horse, she’s more inspired than ever to pursue a future in veterinary medicine—and keep competing as part of a team that feels like family. Read the full story here.

Video Break

Hear from TerraNova 4*-S winner Jessie Phoenix after she took home the US Equestrian Open of Eventing qualifier leg win with Freedom GS:

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