Jul 28, 2011

Bit of Britain Road To The AEC Blogger Post 8

AS THE ROAD TURNS, SO TURNS THE AEC

The Opening Date for the Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Championships is today…

I do not want to write this post… Nope, I want to stomp, stomp and pound my knees…. I DON’T WANNA WRITE THIS POST. No, no, no… Phew, that felt really good! I believe it was "the Don" who said one should never underestimate the power of a good Diva fit!

You see, on May 16th, I wrote for Bit of Britain’s Blog Series "On the Road to the AEC" eagerly telling the story of why I wanted to go, how I got there and all the silliness involved riding on Eventing’s version of the Double Wide Short Bus (DWSB). ( On the Back Roads Headin’ to the AEC)

Simply, the DWSB’s occupants will not be going to the AEC this year. The driver of this bus (me) took her environmental education to a new level and decided early on course at Groton House Farm Horse Trials to involuntarily dismount in order to hug a tree. Most of you know the details from previous (and prolific) posts (Landmarks vs Obstacles) , it was a simple thing which caused me to break four ribs and a partially collapsed lung requiring an overnight stay in the hospital.

The odd thing is (and I hope my family doesn’t read this) that I’m glad that it was me put on injured reserve for the summer and not Sugar (Fame and Frolic). I am healing and will be back for the Fall. Some of you out there are not that fortunate. Horse injuries are harder on us than our own… for a million different reasons.


My Stall Rest should be completed by August 12th*. I will be back in the game and, like a recovering horse… slow and steady increase in work… I’ll be baaack. I just won’t have what it takes to compete in the American Eventing Championships this year.

Wish me luck qualifying for next year… Til’ then… I’ll be cheering all of you on…

*Actually, if you promise not to tell my family, I’m going to get on Sugar this weekend… just walking but together again…. shhhhhhh….

Interested in becoming a Bit of Britain Road to the AEC Blogger? Check out this post for more details and send your story and photos to [email protected]

Apr 26, 2025 Competitions

What Happened Where? 2025 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross-Country Rewind

In Derek di Grazia’s CCI4*-S cross-country course this morning at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, there were two obvious challenges: the time and the Mighty Moguls question early on in the course at fence 4.

Apr 26, 2025 Competitions

The 2025 K3DE Daily: Cross-Country Day

If you are wanting to get a good parking spot at the Kentucky Horse Park this morning, you better be on your way as early as possible! Cross-country day at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is easily the busiest day the Kentucky Horse Park sees each year, so it's time to grab your coffee and go ensure you get the viewing spot you want for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions today.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?

Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky

Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.

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