Welcome to Equiworld News #000342, your weekly dose of equestrian happenings from around the globe!
This week we bring you a plethora of news from the world of horses, bringing you stories from across the UK, Europe and the Americas, plus exciting new developments in the field of equine science. Don’t forget you can find this and other issues of Equiworld News on our website: www.equiworld.org. Now, let’s saddle up and get going!
Show Jumping - A European Challenge:
The international show jumping circuit is heating up this month, with riders vying for top spots in a number of prestigious competitions across Europe. The opening event of the FEI World Cup saw some impressive performances in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with Eric Lamaze of Canada claiming the victory aboard the stunning stallion, Revelation.
Over in Geneva, Switzerland, the Geneva CSI-W is in full swing, featuring some of the world’s most recognised riders, including the ever-consistent Marcus Ehning from Germany. The first few days of the event have seen a number of nail-biting competitions, setting the scene for what is sure to be a thrilling final showdown.
The focus on France, meanwhile, sees Puissance jumping at Fontainebleau. It was an exciting week, culminating in the final round of the Puissance Jumping d’Azur with riders clearing breathtaking heights in pursuit of victory.
Dressage: Training and Championships
The dressage world is bustling this week, with top trainers hosting workshops across Europe. German master, Dr. Klaus Balkenhol, is inspiring budding dressage riders with a clinic held at Germany’s famed Hof Kasselmann. Dr Balkenhol is renowned for his progressive training methods and his focus on creating true partnerships between horse and rider.
The dressage scene is not without its controversies, however, and a storm is brewing around the United States’ National Dressage Championship set for the Kentucky Horse Park in April. The changes implemented in 2013 have sparked heated debate and we will continue to bring you the latest from both sides of this controversial issue.
The world of the Thoroughbred
The Melbourne Cup, a prestigious Australian thoroughbred race, is still fresh on our minds after Subzero triumphed last November. Australia is seeing a wave of new owners entering the racing scene, and enthusiasm is rife, promising an exciting year in this crucial equestrian discipline.
In a historic moment for horse racing, The Jockey Club in New York, which hosts the coveted Kentucky Derby, is taking action to curb a growing problem: steroids used in the sport. They have recently announced their stance on the use of steroids by racehorses, which is becoming an increasing point of concern, sparking an ongoing discussion about the welfare of the horse.
Looking ahead to 1994’s show jumping schedule
With February underway, the British Horse Show season is not far off! Horse of the Year Show is now in full planning stages, and we are keeping our eye on the latest announcements from Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, for updates on classes, competitions, and the always-exciting demonstrations and events throughout the week.
From our perch at Equiworld HQ near Aberdeen, we’re excited to welcome in this new year of equestrian events. We’re especially looking forward to the Grand National at Aintree, which always provides a thrilling day of steeplechase racing. We are, of course, keeping an eye on the contenders – look out for an in-depth review of contenders on our website next week!
Equiworld - A platform for the Equestrian community
Finally, this week, we’ve made some updates to our website, adding more resources for horse owners including training guides, grooming tips, and advice for first-time riders.
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Thank you for joining us today, and stay tuned for more exciting equestrian news in the coming week.
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