William Micklem

Unless the person in front of you is naked or wearing a particularly outrageous outfit, you look at the face first. In this respect, the smile says it all. Not all animals can smile, but humans do it beautifully. Without a single accompanying word a smile can say: ‘Welcome, come on in,” “Keep going, you’re doing OK,” or, probably the most valuable of all, “This is fun. I’m enjoying this and enjoying doing this with you.”

So how famous is your coach? Are you in awe of him as he arrives in the arena? Does her gold-medal CV precede her and add value to the lesson? Or is it a barrier to learning?

The extraordinary William Fox-Pitt made headlines with his triple triumph at Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland in the one-, two- and three star competitions held the weekend of May 26-29. With Ollie Townend second to him in both the three- and two-star competitions and also winning the CIC three-star class, the other elite riders were left with slim pickings. 

The Tattersalls International Horse Trials, set to take place May 26-29 in Ireland, has set the standard to which others aspire in many ways. The permanent facility opposite Fairyhouse Racecourse is outstanding, and this year they’ve also invested heavily in a new cross-country track that is destined to mark a new direction for modern courses.

 April 25, South Gloucestershire, England

Can you stand the pressure? First there are the tightly packed scores and the knowledge that even one fence down is likely to have a dramatic effect on your final position. Then just going into the arena at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is a test of character and nerve that few riders have ever faced from any discipline.

April 24, South Gloucestershire, England

Cross-country day at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****, and it was a truly great day for Mark Todd. His comeback aim of gold in London next year is now looking like a very real possibility. But possibly not a great day for the sport, and sadly not a good day for North American eventing.

April 23, South Gloucestershire, England 

Day 2 at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI**** and the intense pressure of expectations and being viewed by a mammoth world wide audience was more than some riders could handle. I’ve never been to a championship without someone making errors of course in the dressage, and these types of mistakes will be magnified tomorrow on the cross-country.

April 22, South Gloucestershire, England           

There is no pretense of this being an ordinary Badminton CCI****. The London 2012 Olympic Games drive all the leading riders, and for those aiming for medals, there is one horse and rider combination not competing at this year’s edition of Badminton that is the monkey on their backs.

The provocative title of this year’s International Eventing Forum, “Risky Business,” may not have been quite to everyone’s liking, but the day itself delivered a whole sequence of subtle training treasures for the 350 delegates on Feb. 7 at Hartpury College in Gloucester, England.

Run in partnership by former Olympic eventing judge Jean Mitchell, international coach and judge Eric Smiley and Hartpury College, this annual gathering deserves to be a success with outstanding speakers, facilities and organization.

Sparks of possibility. Chinks of opportunity. Inch by inch.

Such small talents, such small moments and such small steps are the essence of making something meaningful of our lives. Can we find those “sparks of possibility” in our lives? Can we seize those chinks of opportunity? Can we take those small steps today and tomorrow? Our lives rush by, and for many, lives are cut cruelly short. So every day is important, even if it is a wonderful day of sheer pleasure that a day off can become.

The Payoff