BAREBACK PUISSANCE at MORNINGSIDE, TWILIGHT POLO & JUMPERS at Great Meadow
Tuesday, August 19 2014
Yowza – lots going on, have been trying to find time for a new post, but weeks went by… at last, a quick one – literally at a gallop! On Saturday, August 23, Morningside Training Farm (The Plains, VA) will host a Young Rider Fundraiser & Special Event , featuring Bareback Puissance (High Jump) & Speed Classes (Jumpers). Start time is 4 pm
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
Eventing Returns to Great Meadow – WEG Prep Trial July 26-27
Thursday, July 24 2014
It’s galloping ever closer – the return of world-class eventing to Great Meadow, The Plains, Virginia , a very spectacular setting for the Great Meadow World Equestrian Games Prep Trial, July 26-27.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
CHEERING FOR CALIFORNIA CHROME
Friday, May 30 2014
We love Thoroughbreds and in the course of our life we have galloped racehorses, worked with OTTBs to learn to be show hunters and field hunters, and one very memorable year, we worked with Concisely, by Cormier out of a mare named Marcelene, who ranks as one of the best jumpers we have ever had the pleasure of riding (funny story about that very opinionated mare some other post). In the course of our love affair with Thoroughbreds – flat track racehorses and steeplechasers over hurdles and timber – and all the stories we have researched and written, there is one element that stands out: the sire is very important, but the dam contributes just as much, often more, to the foal. A good mare with an average stallion can produce lightning in a bottle, so to speak.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
Juniors and Families, Junior Weekend, 2014
Monday, May 26 2014
Show Jumping Hall of Fame – Juniors Addison Gierkink came a good distance to Devon from Harpswell, Maine but her effort was well rewarded when she took home $5600 and the Blue Ribbon in Class 203, the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame – Juniors. Riding Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables Promised Lane, she was one of only four competitors in the first round of 23 to go double clear and advance to the second round. With a fast, thrifty and balanced second round she bested the next placed horse/rider combination of Luxina and Michael Hughes by over two seconds in the jump off
Pomp and Circumstances
Sunday, May 25 2014
It’s been a very long time since I watched or participated in a Lead Line Class (my daughter is now 30) so I made a special effort to be on hand the other afternoon (NOT BEFORE 1:00, as the posted schedule stated) at The Devon Horse Show, Devon, Pennsylvania. For many, this class of miniature people and miniature horses is the highlight of the weekend
Rolex: Cross-Country’s Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Sunday, April 27 2014
Lots more emotion today… The testing Derek Di Grazia track was deemed fair, but the four-star offered little mercy to anyone with so much as a momentary blip of inattention or last minute – and very costly – change of game plan. William Fox-Pitt, aboard Bay My Hero, appears poised to win his third Rolex watch after a double-clear cross-country round that moved him into first place. Seacookie added 7.6 time penalties and sits in 16th place on 59.1 ppts.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
ROLEX RIDE THE COURSE: Come To This Hallowed Place
Friday, April 25 2014
Thursday proved to be stellar, fun, moving and meaningful for this journalist/photographer, who honors Rolex and the 3rd annual ROLEX RIDE THE COURSE with the royal rating of 10 “Crowns of Excellence”!!!!! ROLEX RIDE THE COURSE – Bruce Davidson (on foot), Gina Miles (far left), Lynn Symanshky (white top, third in, and yours truly far right front row (pinny #7) near the end of the Rolex Ride. Photo © Rolex/Kit Houghton Rolex, the sponsor of Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event and the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing (Rolex Kentucky, Mitsubishi Badminton and Land Rover Burghley), extended invitations via Merrick Haydon to six credentialed press, including yours truly, for Rolex Ride The Course. This is more than sheer enjoyment, it is also a huge privilege to mount up for a course ride with commentary from 3-day specialists: Olympic and Pan Am medalists Bruce Davidson, Gina Miles and Lynn Symansky.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
JAN BYYNY, WILL FAUDREE WIN DUBARRY Style AWARDS
Thursday, April 24 2014
The first jog is history, the first day of dressage is nearly finished – at this moment they have fewer than ten tests remaining with Friday’s schedule that will round out the 60 combinations who will run cross-country on Saturday and show-jump on Sunday.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
WELCOME TO ROLEX: THE BEST WEEKEND ALL YEAR!
Wednesday, April 23 2014
Here we are again – and the first thing we saw walking into the Press Center presided over by Marty Bauman, assisted by his Classic Communications/Rolex team is this poster! AMEN!!!! Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event, only CCI**** in North America, is for eventing enthusiasts the “best weekend of the year!” © Lauren R Giannini Not only the best, but also one of the most exciting weekends in terms of the equestrian triathlon of dressage, cross-country and show jumping, which pretty much sums up eventing. The roster of 60 entries (we hope we counted correctly) is all-star with quite a few four-star debutantes. Needless to say, the jog has taken place, a couple horses were spun or withdrawn, and the excitement of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event will continue to increase until the winner is crowned on Sunday afternoon
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops
Great Racing at International Gold Cup? You Betcha!
Friday, October 18 2013
Last May, the Virginia Gold Cup races at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, launched pari-mutuel betting. According to the record crowd of spectators, it was standing room only at the betting kiosks scattered around key areas at the gorgeous venue in The Plains, Virginia.
- Published in Blogs, Lauren Gallops