PC: Al Shir’aa Stables
While the world of showing is ultimately a universe built on the foundation of the love of the sport, to truly succeed and thrive, there must also be a love of something greater than the horses themselves. Equestrians like Laura Kraut and Christian Ahlmann and Lauren Hough spend almost every single weekend of the year on the road accumulating points and fighting to keep their spot at the top of the world, and that’s not really a life experience you can drag your feet through day in and day out.
You have to love the travel, the new cities, the new cultures, and the variety of humanity. This week’s lineup is a perfect example of the array and diversity of opportunities in the world for an ambitious show jumper, and we’re hooking you up with the full experience.
Debut of the Winter Equestrian Festival 2017 (CSI2*)
One of the most iconic and beloved winter circuits in North America, the Winter Equestrian Festival kicks off this week with a full docket of national level hunter and jumper classes. Stars of the sport already in the running for the weekend include Olympic Bronze Medalist Eric Lamaze, teammate and barnmate Tiffany Foster, Jimmy Torano, Ben Maher, Georgina Bloomberg, Shane Sweetnam, Catherine Tyree, Leslie Howard and many more.
#WEF1: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Live Results
Basel, Switzerland International Horse Show (CSI5*)
The new FEI World #1 Daniel Deusser will be headlining the first five-star event of the year with hopes of keeping the points up to keep his top slot. Hot on his heels will be every major European rider and a massive Swiss crowd of riders, including Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat. Some classes will be streamed on ClipMyHorse.TV.
#Basel: Website, Full Rider List, Facebook, Twitter, Livestream, Live Results
Al Forsan International, Abu Dhabi (CSI4*)
Held at the Al Forsan Resort in the United Arab Emirates, this four-star show prides themselves on being about more than just exceptional show jumping. “Aside from promoting the equestrian sport, one of the major aims of this event is to instill the value of friendship between different countries and cultures and to kick off the first ‘Friendship Sport Event Trips’ to bridge and bring the world together in Abu Dhabi.”
“This event highlights the value of friendship, direct dialogue and mutual respect between people from different communities and cultures. While we will all be uniting for our love of the equestrian sport, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Al Nahyan would like to stress that the values The Al Shira’aa International Horse Show intend to build do not end inside the paddock and show jumping arena.”
We’re digging what you’re throwing down, Your Highness! And you have our full support.
#AlForsan: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Live Results
North American Show Links:
HorseShowTime.com, HorseShowsOnline.com, HorseShowing.com, ShowGroundsLive.com