Hey EN, a quick note before today’s news:
On Saturday, July 18, two statements from British Eventing were posted informing us that two serious incidents had taken place at competitions — one at Swalcliffe in Oxfordshire and one at Penrith in Cumbria. Both events were abandoned for the remainder of the weekend, and live scores were removed from the scoring platform out of respect for those affected. The full statement released by British Eventing can be found here.
Following other losses in our sport, EN has undertaken the following protocol:
These incidents represent incredibly dark days within our sport. We understand that the news cycle is cruel, particularly in cases like this. To help keep the cycle from perpetuating in the light of such loss, EN will continue to publish stories and news on an as-needed/timely basis, but we will refrain from sharing these updates on our social media platforms for the next few days. We feel as powerless as anyone in these situations and feel that the least we can do is not move on lightly. We will also not speculate on the circumstances of the incidents, nor will we allow this to take place in the comments sections.
We also know that there’s a World Championship (two of them — one this weekend at Millstreet for U25 riders and one next month at Aachen for Seniors) right at our doorstep. We’ll be covering these events to honor our commitment to our sponsors as well as to continue to provide coverage of the sport’s key competitions. However, we hope you’ll understand that we don’t feel it appropriate to approach these with our usual happy hype. Our content will be quality, but out of respect to all of those we have lost, we hope to offer this as a time of reflection.
Our thoughts are with all of those affected by these losses and we work for a safe sport in everything we do. We thank you for your understanding.
Anyone affected is encouraged to seek support through the British Eventing Support Trust Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 07780 008877.
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One Big Thing: US Equestrian Announces Additions to USEF Eventing Pathway Program Lists
Spectators attending a USEF Eventing Pathway Panel led by Tamie Smith, James Alliston, Molly Duda and Ellen Ahearn. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
US Equestrian is pleased to announce additions to the 2026 USEF High Performance Eventing Programs for both the Elite and Pre-Elite lists. Membership is reviewed twice annually for the Eventing Elite and Pre-Elite Program Lists. For more information about the Pre-Elite and Elite Programs, to view the full program lists, as well as eligibility criteria, please click here.
Eventing Elite Program:
The following athlete-and-horse combinations have achieved the criteria for the Eventing Elite Program and are listed in alphabetical order.
Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by the Diabolo Group
Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Shanroe Cooley, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dallas VDL x Condios) owned by Dallas LLC.
Caroline Pamukcu (Springfield, Pa.) and HSH Blake, a 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding (BMC Tolan R x Kannan) owned by Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline Pamukcu, and Deniz Pamukcu
Eventing Pre-Elite Program:
The following athlete-and-horse combinations have achieved the criteria of the Eventing Pre-Elite Program and are listed in alphabetical order:
Hallie Coon (Ocala, Fla.) and Kapriccio, a 2015 KWPN gelding (Dexter R x Carambo) owned by Helen and Hallie Coon
Tiana Coudray (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and D’Artagnan, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II) owned by Kyrle Arscott, Tiana Coudray, and Annabelle James
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Possante, a 2013 KWPN gelding (Namelus R x Otangelo) owned by The Possante Group
Tamie Smith (Murietta, Calif.) and Lillet 3, a 2016 Holsteiner mare (SIEC Livello x Calido I) owned by Molly and Jennifer Duda
Membership is reviewed twice annually for the Eventing Elite and Pre-Elite Program Lists. For more information about the Pre-Elite and Elite Programs, to view the full program lists, as well as eligibility criteria, please click here.
You can find the complete lists of Pathway Program members here.
US Events Opening Entries Today
The Event at Skyline (UT); Flora Lea Fall HT and YEH Qualifier (NJ); CDCTA Fall HT (VA)
US Events Closing Entries Today
GMHA Festival of Eventing August HT (VT); Otter Creek Summer HT (WI); WindRidge Farm Summer HT (NC); Fair Hill International Recognized HT (MD); Woodside Summer HT (CA); Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH/OEH Qualifier (KY); Stone Gate Farm Summer Mini Trials (OH)
Other Links and Reading
Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products
Sometimes we need to help our horses keep a cool head under pressure — especially when you’re flying around a cross-country course at 20 miles an hour! Hear how five-star eventer Tim Bourke uses Trouble Free™ to help his fractious 4* horse focus on the job at hand.
Training Tip of the Day
We couldn’t say it any better than the champion himself:
Go Eventing
Friend of EN Ifa Simmonds opens up on the Black In The Saddle podcast on his move to the UK and return to school, what he’s learned, and what he’s bringing to the educational table now:
