3day – equestrienne.co

You guys, I go to events now. Proper ones. Tell your friends.

Seriously though, I don’t know what took me so long to drink the 3-day koolaid. I blame Canada maybe (get it? GET IT?) for not having what one might describe as a ton of eventing, not in my areas anyway, or perhaps I wasn’t looking hard enough/always at Spruce Meadows. At any rate, I attended my first, count it, numero uno, event this past weekend, at the Houghton International Horse Trials. Houghton is part of The Shearwater Insurance Tri Star Grand Slam, hosts the Askham Bryan U21 National Championships, as well as claims the the only British leg of the FEI Nations Cup. This seemed an appropriate starting point in my event experiences, as I fully believe one should, at all times, go big or go home, and Houghton certainly

does not go home.

I loved a lot of aspects of Houghton; there’s a ton of classes to watch, a vintage fair, tons of shopping, and everyone brings their doggos. I brought mine so I could blend in, and I auto-love anywhere I get to pet doggos at, so I was already fully sold before I set off on to watch the cross country phase of the CCI*, CCI** and CCIYR** on Saturday, but once I did, I was converted fully. Like, I now think that leg grease has a noble sort of Braveheart vibe to it, and that body protectors look sporty. I’m a changed woman.

I gotta say to anyone who has not gone to watch a cross country phase: go. Go now. It’s so so lovely. It was my favourite. It’s the best country stroll of your life. You will be so close to the track you feel involved in riding it. You will cheer. You will be in awe. You can bring the pup. You can wear Dubarrys with white jeans and not feel weird. You can bring a picnic. You can lay under a big oak and take a 2 pm siesta. It’s absolutely the best weekend activity. Go now, and pick me up on the way. We can coordinate our outfits.

What: Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Why you care: The ultimate marriage of athleticism and lifestyle. Also, junk food.

General rules: Color is ok. It is not to be feared. Bonnets often do not match saddle pads and no world ends. Embrace your inner triathlete, but under no circumstances are you to shirk the pub. Bonus points given for inexplicable fitness in the face of regular bangers and mash washed down with pale ale.

Standing out whilst blending in: Do not dress for the jog. Focus on layers. Think industry insider; perhaps you are jumping the Grassroots Championship, and had to hack one out first thing, so. You will be cold in the mornings, since your mornings will look more like nights, so bring your puffer, hopefully in a neutral palette. Pick one color to pop. A pedometer is a must, but one must never discuss the results nor produce less than 30,000 steps per day. Wellies, but not the tall ones, you’re not some city civilian. Never languish anywhere; you have no spare time. Always appear hurried yet frightfully energetic.