*Updated as of 9:45 a.m. EST on Sunday, May 1st*
Fleeceworks Royal and Emporium were both competing in the CCI5*-L at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian.
Fleeceworks Royal, ridden by Tamra Smith, had an injury to the left, front foot during the cross country phase of the competition. The horse was transported Hagyard Equine Medical Institute where surgeons determined that the best course of treatment would be surgical stabilization of the left front pastern. The surgery was performed last night and the procedure and recovery were both successful. The horse is currently resting comfortably at the hospital.
Emporium, ridden by Ashlynn Meuchel, sustained a fall during the cross country competition yesterday and was transported to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. The horse continued to improve yesterday evening. The horse is currently resting comfortable at the hospital and doctors and Ashlynn are optimistic for a full recovery
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.