This weekend is the annual Middleburg (Virginia) Christmas parade…always a popular event in the eventing-mecca of northern Virginia. If you’re in the area, be sure to swing by and check it out – the local hunt will be there (along with the hounds, of course), crowds of horsey folks, and herds of corgis and Jack Russells underfoot.
Check out this page for more info on the Christmas parade. While you’re in Middleburg, grab a cup of coffee at Giddy Up (the local “hole in the wall” café), head across the street to the bookstore (gotta support those local book shops!), and get most of your holiday shopping for your horses done at any of the three tack shops:
And if you’re in northern Virginia, you might as well swing by Tri-County Feeds…it’s just down the road (a very gorgeous, picturesque road—you’ll enjoy the drive). The name is a bit misleading--Tri-County offers more than just horse feed…it’s a gorgeous, giant store that has really nice tack (all prices), gifts, jewelry, blankets, pet stuff, barn supplies, etc. Not your average tack shop or feed store!
On another note, Max Corcoran (who normally resides in northern Virginia, minutes from Middleburg—she’s currently enjoying the Ocala sunshine) has published her latest blog entry for Equisearch. We all know Max as Karen O’Connor’s long-time groom, and one of the key people in Team O’Connor. Be sure to check out her blog – Max is a fun writer, and it’s neat to hear about all the “behind the scenes” bits from top eventing barns sometimes. Max has given back to the sport for many years, and is well-known for her popular “Cross-Country Leg Care” talks that she volunteers yearly at the Waredaca Training Three-Day and frequently at the USEA Annual Meeting (photo at left from last year). I’ll never forget when she gave the one at Waredaca T3D in 2007 – she brought the O’Connor’s stud kit with her…it was really fascinating to see all the different types of studs and where they were used.
One final thought! The WEG store has their “official posters” on sale for 50% off! I just ordered mine today: http://weg2010store.com/
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.
Let the countdown to the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event officially begin! Entries for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L went live today and showcase some of the world’s best horses and riders. In total, 47 pairs are entered in the five-star competition with the bulk of the entries being made up U.S. competitors with 30 entries in the field.
Eventing is on an upswing in Area IX with the addition of Mile High Horse Ranch Horse Trials in Parker, Colorado. The inaugural event will run from July 6-7 this summer. Started and organized by Mile High Horse Ranch owner Vanda Werner, the event will feature Starter through Training levels.
John Lennon famously said that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Rebecca Barber Tyler probably would agree.