Took all of our stallions to a stallion show in 2025! Whilst only some are pictured, it was a very big feat and we’re pretty impressed that we managed to pull it off.
Of course, some of the boys had a bit to say on the matter… 😅
The partnership between the two has been continuously growing since the day of Chester’s first ride. In all those years, there have been many miscommunications, mistakes, and misses. It’s the unfortunate thing about a horse of his size, no matter how much you adjust their canter or set them up for the fence, it will never truly be a perfect stride in a course designed for a 16.3. Whilst it’s a price for some, Elizabeth has always kept her faith in the stallion, and no matter how close or far the stride is, they always seem to just make it by.
When interviewed post-round, Elizabeth is asked the same question they’ve asked every rider: “What’s the one piece of advice you’ve kept with you?”
Recalling her pony club coach’s words with a smile, she answers, “To breathe- and keep that f**g leg on!”
It’s their second Olympics together, and it’s safe to say that the pair has made their country proud. With clear on both days, many tears of joy were shed for everyone involved.
It was the day of the arena familiarisation for the showjumpers. The jumps were set to 1.30m, a basic warm up for the heights to come. The Australian team was set to do their rounds at 1.30pm, so they spent the morning letting the horses hand-graze, a little lunge and lots of TLC.
One of Elizabeth's long time friends in the industry, Erin Cooke, also was on the Australian team, giving each other a little comfort and familiarity. Apart from the tense warm up both riders had, *thanks to some other riders treating it as a gallop track*, there was not a sweat for the two London boys, typical. Erin was called to the main arena first, giving Elizabeth and Chester time to take the long walk to the main arena gate to wait.
Erin finished the round with a relieved smile, leaving the arena and passing Elizabeth with a wink.
"Good luck with the striding," she commented, patting the bay stallion on the neck. And with the buzzer, Elizabeth already in the arena, cantering and approaching the first fence.
Apart from the sticky stride into 5a, and the side-eyes and glances to the interesting fences from Chester, the course seemed relatively free-flowing.
Elizabeth met up with Erin post round, to discuss the course and most importantly, the very good looking arena steward who was manning the main arena gate.
Pictured: Erin Cooke with Londonderry Lad KH (L) & Elizabeth Howell with Great London (R)
It's the first day of the event for the showjumpers, and the atmosphere was at an all time high. The grounds of Versailles was buzzing for the upcoming eventing, and the ongoing tension from the dressage could be cut through with a knife. But as the showjumpers from around the world started to dissipate in, everyone's focus was on trying to get through the next few days without any blips.
Elizabeth Howell and Great London had arrived from across the pond (the Channel more like) after a mostly smooth trip... apart from a delayed ferry, which had most of the GB team and UK-based riders a little on edge. But luckily, Chester wasn't phased, so long as he had hay in front of his nose. Whilst it is their second Olympics together, the overwhelming nerves and anticipation came rushing back to Elizabeth. Only this time, compared to Tokyo, there was people everywhere, no masks, and no social distancing.
He had settled in brilliantly, having a roll the moment he was in his stall and spent his first few hours curiously watching the hustling and bustling of all the other horses coming and going. That night, after the strenuous paperwork and passport checks, Elizabeth, her family, the CT team (shout out to the grooms), along with some of the Australian and USA team went for drinks and dinner that was organised in the Versailles palace. If it wasn't for the butterflies (...moths) in her stomach, she would have appreciated the grandness of the palace. But that would have to wait until after the event.
The second day came, the day of the first vet inspection for the showjumpers. The Australian team was due to go in the afternoon, whilst the sun was shining through the trees. With a cool breeze, there was a fair share of horses leaping and bucking, making jokes of the formality of the event. But lucky for Elizabeth and everyone supporting, the black stallion kept his cool.
And with an utmost relief, Great London has passed the inspection.
Canto isn't known for his winning personality. If we were going to attempt to be positive about it- and insufferably poetic- we might suggest he is known for his light, floating grace in motion, his scopey form over fences, and his gloriously grey, mists-and-rain, clouded-celestial ether colouring.
But what he has really become known for around Lowmax (rapidly, infamously) is his casual but resolute determination to murder Archie.
In rather sudden and spectacular fashion, apparently.
There is no pool amongst Lowmax staff concerning the event: they have stopped seeing it as matter of if, but as when, and Archie is too well-liked (or at least, respected) for most to consider profiting from his misfortune. That, and there's always the chance they'll be asked to exercise him in his stead, and nobody's willing to tempt the forces of fate or justice (or irony) like that.
(... Nobody except Archie, that is, who continues to climb on board in the name of professionalism and laugh good humouredly when asked if he'd like to hear his last rites before he begins)
As far as secondary pursuits go, Canto is engaged in an unofficial but very specific game of bingo: each time he chomps, stomps, or otherwise inflicts surface damage upon a staff member, he can cross off a space. At this stage, he needs only Agatha or Yury for bingo, but experts are sceptical. Not on account of his aptitude: on account of the fact Yury has no business being anywhere near him, and Agatha has made it her business to not be anywhere near him.
(Agatha is shrewd like that)
Aside from murder, Canto likes romantic candlelit dinners and long walks on the beach at sunset, except not really; he's a horse (although he probably wouldn't object to dinner, less the candles) In truth, nobody's really sure what puts the wind up his proverbial skirt, so indifferent he seems to life. Jumping, we suppose, though does he enjoy it quite as much as the acrobatics he occasionally performs between fences? Impossible to say. There's his bingo game, obviously. The spot at the end of his paddock beneath the beech tree, perfect parts sun and shade. Handfuls of sweet oats. Uninterrupted snoozes. Choosing violence. Watermelon. Maybe those things. Maybe.
Anyway!
Archie & Canto will be competing together for the handful of years he's legally locked himself into on paper with the Wentwood people, their goal being to see their stallion progress from 1.40 courses to being successful at top level before retiring as a stud prospect. This is the official answer, at least. If you'd ever met the Wentwood syndicate partners, you'd understand what they really mean. We want you to make this horse make us as much money as possible. That's what they mean. They'd never say it, of course. Just like you'd never say it. But you know. And they know that you know. And you know that they know that you know.
The 2024 all-stallion CTJL team finally having the chance competing at a 'local' show (i.e. something less that 6 hours away).
All in the 1.60m GP class;
CT Diarado and Lorenzo Bianchi taking a second place in their class, Karbon ZI and Emma Palmer brought home a win, and finally, Great London and Elizabeth Howell winning their class (feel like the stars aligned for that one), as well as taking the title as 1.60m leaderboard champion for the second time. So proud of the boys <3
The Effects of Winter Turnout Length on Equine Performance
I have a friend doing her dissertation about horses, and she needs to collect her own research! If you are willing, please fill out her questionnaire, it would mean the world to her!
https://forms.office.com/e/gmu0AyJC8r
and if you've got a horsey blog and wouldn't mind throwing this post a reblog to get more participants, I would super appreciate it!
Featuring Emma Palmer and Baileys L, Elizabeth Howell and CT Ultraviolence, Alice H. Mann and RDEC Varsovia; all 3 pairs producing speedy, double clear rounds!
Equiality Sims Olympics - A Grand Equestrian Showcase
After months of dedicated preparation, building, and meticulous planning, the long-awaited Equiality Sims Olympics is finally LIVE! Riders from across the community will compete in the ultimate test of skill, grace, and determination as they showcase their talents in Show Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing.
The competitions are set to unfold in front of the Château's grounds, framed by rows of manicured trees, lush hedging, and ornate fountains. The Dressage and Show Jumping competitions will take place in the main arena, with riders performing rounds against the backdrop of Versailles' expansive gardens. In Eventing, the cross-country phase will take riders across the varied terrain of the palace landscape, with obstacles that integrate into the natural environment.
For those who missed our qualifiers for the T-Show, don't worry—we’re excited to announce an exclusive Challenge Event just for you! While teams compete for their nations in Paris, this challenge is your space to show how your sims celebrate the Olympics. From behind-the-scenes shots of competitors, watching live streams of the events, or maybe participating in a non-equestrian discipline, we want to see your interpretation of the Olympics! And now, it's time to go for Gold!
This challenge serves to allow you creative freedom without participating in the Olympic T-Show, and will offer many of the same participation prizes.
Join us in this thrilling display of equestrian excellence and community spirit. Get ready to witness breathtaking performances, unforgettable moments, and fierce competition as we crown our Olympic champions. 🏆
Let the games begin!
Special Thanks
Special thanks to @simaddix for allowing us to recolour their grass sets, @thejim07 for letting us convert their statues and decorations, Emeline Durand for the help with the world and Lance Donckers for permitting recolours of his fences and lorries. Their amazing content has brought our vision to life, and we're deeply grateful for their contributions.
With a few last-minute entries I managed to enter my three Show Jumping stars in the CTJL Ocala-show over on @equialitysims!!
I'm always so excited for the CTJL shows, and with this almost in the 'backyard' from where Mia and the horses lives, it was obvious that they had to enter!
I'm actually pretty happy with the entries, especially since it has been more than 2,5 months between the entry with Olive and Candlelight, and the ones of Mia and Ballerine and Sibelius, which also means that I haven't had my game up and running in 2,5 months due to my game not working and some things in my personal life taking up most of my free time! But! I'm happy! And that's what's most important ❤️
Thank you so much to Liz for hosting the show, and also a massive thank you to Liz, Katrin and Gemma/Maddie as breeders of my horses! I hope I do them justice and that I contribute to make you proud to be their breeders! 🤍✨
@calveroterranorasj, @katrinbergling, @plotsandplumbobs, @madiwx
HVA CONSULTANT GRADING
Due to difficulties with traveling abroad for the HVA grading show, we got busy at home with setting up a professional studio backdrop, grooming a mare that refused to stand still and dig out an old camera for an online consultation with the HVA. Having the honour to own such a fine mare as ZHG Vespa with such extensive and impressive pedigree lines that date back to SSE Winter Is Coming and several old bloodlines from RDEC such as RDEC Gottecourt and RDEC Vandalist, means that keeping those lines alive comes with a great responsability. It felt important to us to have Vespa graded and approved for breeding and I'm thrilled to announce that the HVA gave its approval and then some! The HVA officials ended the grading with some beautiful notes and a very impressive score:
Genuinely, I think she's one of the most elegantly built prospective hanoverians that we've received thus far, very well done! For Vespa, we've given her a grade of 97%, and she has been approved for breeding!
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HVA FUTURITY SHOW
"Isn't he growing into quite the beauty," Iris remarked, stealing a glance at Luciano as he playfully tugged at Vomme's pink muzzle, the foal resisting with equal determination. They had flown all the way to California for this grading show and they were lucky enough that the tall dark foal was near on his first birthday, or else they never would’ve been able to complete the long journey here. Meanwhile, Luciano awaited his turn to enter the grading arena with Vespa and Vomme, while Iris kept a watchful eye to ensure the foal didn't wander off in the vast venue. Catching Luciano's fleeting glance, Iris returned it before he hastily refocused on the foal.
”He’s not a swan yet. Besides, he is too big to ever be able to ride fast in a jump-off.”
While there was a grain of truth in his words, Iris sensed an underlying resistance, most likely directed at her, beneath Luciano's banter. There had been numerous accounts where she’d caught the two playing together or giving each other loving scratches, but the minute he saw her, he stopped. He was nothing more than a man child, come to think of it.
Iris rolled her eyes in return.
So much for extending olive branches.
They hadn’t spoken much since Monaco. In fact, they’d hardly spoken at all. Which may make you wonder what Iris was doing coming on this trip with him in the first place. Originally, her sister was meant to go in her stead, but she backed out at the last minute, citing an allegedly unmissable dressage clinic. Iris saw through the facade; there was no clinic, just a ploy orchestrated by her manipulative sister to force her and Luciano to talk about the inevitable. In the months following the excruciatingly public events in Monaco, Iris had hardly trained under Luciano’s supervision at all. Their stubborn silence even led to her missing out on the Kuse final in Spain, and she had been too proud to ask for his help and he had been too proud to offer it. They both knew they couldn’t keep going at this pace as Iris was risking her professional career and Luciano was doing the exact opposite of what a trainer is supposed to do. Yet neither of them wouldn’t even touch on the subject with a ten-foot pole. As they were instructed to enter the arena, Luciano tightened the grip on the mare’s reins.
”Well, good luck.” Iris offered awkwardly.
Luciano shot her another quick glance and gave her a small nod in response, lips tightened into a thin line, his face giving away absolutely nothing. With Vespa charging forward in her customary fashion, Vomme eagerly followed by her side and they left Iris behind by the gate. This was shaping up to be a tough week, Iris thought wearily as she let out a heavy sigh.
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