At the second-to-last of 40 efforts, "I thought, 'This is actually happening,'" said Amber Levine of a faultless finish with Cellar Farm's Cinzano today to stay on their 31.5 lead going into show jumping tomorrow morning in the Twin Rivers Spring International CCI4*-L. The Jeffs Hot Tub Waves complex at 19 a/b was the awkward exception to a Hugh Lochore-designed course that otherwise "rode great" for the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Classe VDL x Walta) in his long-delayed debut at the level. An entirely new portion of the course around the racetrack featured a series of bright-white painted obstacles, but nothing distracted Cinzano's "tunnel vision for those flags." Levine expects a similar game attitude tomorrow and has a rail to spare.

Black stallion antics after the CCI4*-L jog inspection yesterday were not a preview of Cinzano's dressage test today. "When you are riding and working him, he's all into what you are doing," says Amber Levine, who owns the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Classe VDL x Walta) through her Cellar Farm. A 31.5 dressage test puts them atop a field of four, three of which, including Cinzano, are first-timers in the division in Paso Robles, California.

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.

The Chattahoochee Hills H.T. is hosting one of three CCI4*-S divisions this weekend across the country and with 34 entries they have the largest turnout as riders prepare for their spring CCI4*-L and CCI5*-L goals. The facility in Fairburn, Georgia is running seven events in 2021, but their April event is the only one offering a CCI4*-S.

The Fair Hill International April H.T. and CCI-S is back from April 9-11, 2021 after a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 shut down last year and with the calendar roll, it is two weeks before the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event – making it an ideal prep. The venue in Elkton, Maryland is hosting four USEA recognized events this year including the inaugural Maryland 5 Star this October.

I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it because it’ll keep happening: sometimes you’ll do everything right but it’ll still go wrong! You’ll ride balanced, make your changes, see your distances, and clear all your fences, only to have your horse throw a shoe causing him to trip and spook at a butterfly causing you to fall!

US Equestrian (USEF) released the following letter this afternoon in regards to upcoming plans for allowing spectators at USEF competitions. The United States Eventing Association (USEA) follows all protocols and rules set by the USEF for USEA recognized events.

The Twin Rivers Spring International Three-Day Event in Paso Robles, California was awarded a CCI4*-L to join their already robust schedule of divisions in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the delay of the new level until 2021. Five pairs will be contesting the inaugural CCI4*-L from April 8-11, 2021 looking for their chance to win the McKinlaigh Cup and their chunk of $5,000 in prize money.

In the early 2000s, eventing shifted away from the traditional long format events with roads and tracks and steeplechase on endurance day at the highest levels of the sport, opting for the modern short format event we see today. In an effort to preserve the history, tradition, and horsemanship of the long format three-day event, the USEA Classic Series was formed.

The Spring Gulch Horse Trials will be the first USEA recognized event to take place in Colorado in 2021 on May 22 and 23, with entries now being accepted until May 4.