eventing | Horse Racing Free Tips

Study: More Than Half Of Eventers Coming Back From Cross Country With Mouth Sores

Concern over oral injuries from bit use has equine advocates questioning horse welfare in many disciplines, including harness racing and eventing. A Finnish study has shown that horses competing in eventing are at greater risk of developing mouth sores after the cross-country phase of competition.

Drs. Kati Tuomola, Nina Mäki-Kihniä, Anna Valros, Anna Mykkänen and Minna Kujala-Wirth looked into the mouths of 208 event horses at the conclusion of the cross-country phase at eight competitions. They found that 52 percent of the horses had acute oral lesions; of these, 22 percent were mild, 26 percent were moderate and 4 percent of the horses had severe lesions. The team found that oral bruising was more common than open wounds.

Researchers also found that horses competing in particularly thin or thick bits were at greater risk of oral lesions, likely due to mechanics and fit. Additionally, Warmbloods and cold-blooded horses were at higher risk of having oral lesions than ponies, and mares were more likely to have serious lesions than geldings.

The researchers advise that bit monitoring be implemented by horse owners and by competition management to ensure equine welfare. There was no association between lesions and competition placement during the study; high-performing horses are still at risk of oral lesions.

Read the article here.

Kentucky Three-Day Event Cancelled For 2021

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (LRK3DE) will not hold its famed Five Star three-day event this year, previously scheduled for April 22-25. The Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and other events are being explored to be held over that weekend but without spectators.

“We have been working with US Equestrian, the Kentucky Horse Park, and state and local government on several different scenarios for April,” said Mike Cooper, president of Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) which produces the world-class event. “With so many uncertainties still remaining regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is premature for US Equestrian to remove its restrictions on spectators. Given the importance of the health and well-being of our spectators and competitors, we feel the only option at this time is to cancel the Five Star Event and hopefully proceed with other events that our fans can enjoy via livestream and other outlets.”

Among the other competitions being considered is a new CCI-4*-S which will likely feature many of the same horses and riders that would have been competing in the Five Star, plus the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix which normally takes place on Saturday afternoon.

“While disappointing that all our fans can't join us again this April,” added Lee Carter, EEI executive director, “we are excited that some of those same fans can now compete in new levels we will be offering during the 'Best Weekend All Year!' April 21-25 … Save the Date! Plans are being developed and will be communicated as approved.”

Spectators, patrons, vendors and sponsors who paid for the 2020 event and chose to roll their money over for 2021 will have the option of full refunds or rolling their money over again for 2022. Ticket holders can expect an email regarding their options. Sponsors may choose to be part of whatever events are held in 2021 with new agreements that fit this year's situation.

“We want to thank everyone who has been so patient throughout this difficult process,” Carter added. “We remain committed to all our supporters across the country and around the world and we look forward to putting on a great event this spring and welcoming everyone back for our full-scale Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event Five Star, with the Kentucky CSI3* Invitational Grand Prix, in 2022!”

Known as “The Best Weekend All Year,” LRK3DE is one of only seven annual Five Star three-day events in the world along with Badminton and Burghley in England; Luhmuhlen in Germany; Pau in France; Adelaide in Australia and the new Five Star event in Maryland. As the United States' premier three-day event, LRK3DE serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship Presented by MARS Equestrian™ for U.S. athletes. The event was scheduled to return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 22-25.

The post Kentucky Three-Day Event Cancelled For 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fate Of Famous Kentucky Three-Day Event Uncertain

Like the vast majority of equestrian events last year, the 2020 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (LRK3DE) was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The first five-star event in North America, and one of only seven in the world, the LRK3DE has now had to postpone tickets sales for the 2021 event as the state of world health in April is still uncertain. A second cancellation of the event could lead to the end of the event and of Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), which puts on the event.

EEI was hopeful that they could make up for some of last year's financial shortfall by hosting the 2020 American Eventing Championships (AECs) at the Kentucky Horse Park in August, but that show was also cancelled. This leaves the organization in a precarious financial position.

Though ticketholders for the 2020 LRK3DE could roll over their tickets to the 2021 event—to the tune of $900,000—a 2021 cancelation would require EEI to refund their money. EEI has received government payroll protection, an emergency disaster loan and has maxed out its line of credit, says Lee Carter, executive director of EEI. Carter says the organization is prepared to submit an application for the next round of payroll protection as soon as applications can be received.

Though the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials, held in Britain, is slated to run behind closed doors just 10 days after the LRK3DE, running without fans isn't an option for the Kentucky Three-Day. The vast majority of the event's income comes from the over 800,000 visitors who attend the event each year. The event also has a major impact on tourism in Lexington, Georgetown and surrounding cities.

EEI has produced a plan for how they intend to keep spectators and competitors safe, including limiting seating for both the dressage and show jumping phases; cross-country by its nature is socially distanced, but plans are in place for areas of the course that are notoriously crowded. The organization is awaiting a decision from both the state of Kentucky and from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as to if they can host the 2021 event. USEF currently has rules in place that don't permit spectators at any USEF-sanctioned competitions.

One Minute With Cathy: Top Eventer Makes Bite-Sized Videos With Tips And Tricks Around The Barn

Many people have embarked upon quarantine projects as the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched on. For top eventer Cathy Wieschhoff, that project has been sharing her knowledge from decades of horsemanship. Wieschhoff has begun a web series titled 'One Minute With Cathy' which provide viewers with her tips, tricks, and perspective on common mistakes.

Wieschhoff has competed at the four-star level of eventing at both Kentucky and Badminton, is an ICP certified Level IV instructor and holds an r course design license. She owns a boarding and training facility in Lexington, Ky.

In this series of videos, Wieschhoff explains why she teaches her horses to lower their heads on command, why she mounts up slowly, and the safest way to shorten irons.

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