The American Eventing Championships are well underway at Chattahoochee Hills.  It’s been hot and dusty but no one seems to mind given the ongoing excitement of the competition.  Classic eventers! Advanced dressage ran today and the crowds hovered around the main arena watching their favorite top eventers.

This wee eventing fan decided it was best to sunbathe. No need to over exert.  I agree.

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet are tied for second in the Advanced division.

This little nugget is up for adoption and had the great luck to pal around with a friend from Flying Change Equine Assisted Therapy. If you’re looking for an adorable Jack Russel to add to your eventing family make sure to visit the Human Society’s tent by the main arena across from the USEA.

Another director’s chair I loved.  This time outside of Shannon Brinkman‘s photography studio.

A steadfast friend in the Patron’s tent.

This is ‘Dawson’s Creek’ who had just come off of cross country. He’s a star!

This cross-country fence takes a simple roll-top and turn it into something unique. What fun!

Another 3-day event lover: Renee and ‘Cricket’.

With the golf carts whizzing by, dogs trotting happliy next to their owners, and gleaming event horses there’s tons going on at the AECs.  If you’re wanting some more excellent coverage make sure to check the USEA site for the best photos around!

Eventers can hardly leave their horse behind so naturally the dogs have to go along for the ride as well.  But  who wants to leave their dog in the car or tied up to the stall?  The Pooch Paddock has the perfect answer.

Drop your dog off and they can jump around on the couches,

Peer adorably out of tunnels,

And generally relax and look sweet.

Who knows, your cute pie could even end up as a star!

It’s a good idea even for those off times when you’ve got to be walking cross-country or partying at the competitor’s party. That way you can go everywhere with your horse AND your dog!

I know I’m not the only one who only wants the best for my horse.  And that applies to trailering as well.  Since Ellei’s my only horse I only need a two horse trailer, really.  But shipping your horse in a box stall is a less stressful way for them to travel and I’ve been dreaming of a trailer that can shift from a two-horse (for when we travel with buddies) to a one-horse box stall.  Enter Theault.

The side ramp is handy for ease of loading and unloading.  No backing off needed!  Also, the horse faces towards the rear which is more comfortable and safer.  Excellent!

The space inside is roomy and has good traction.  No slipping thank you very much.

From the rear you can see that the horses hang their heads over a chest bar and right into shallow hay bags.  They’ll think they’re in the dining car on a first class train!

The driving compartment isn’t fancy but it’s neat and user-friendly. Plus, you’re driving a swank hauling-machine which feelings ultra fancy and cool.

The rear part of the driving compartment can be used as seats, a table, or a sleeping area.  It looks like something out of the future which is fun as well as practical (add mud here).  The little port-window you see peers right into the horse’s compartment so you can keep an eye on their naughty antics.

Speaking of naughty antics, this photo shows several nifty gadgets to satisfy even the nerdiest techie-geek.  Note the camera in the upper left of the photo.  Note only can you peer through your little window, you can keep track of them through the tv and cam. Next you’ll note the small, black bow to the left of the camera.  That would be a speaker.  Presumably for the classical music prior to dressage and the punk prior to cross-country. What would you play prior to showjumping?

Here’s the view looking out the back of the trailer. I love how shallow the hay bags are. It’s perfect for adding water to the hay on sticky days like today.

What do you think? Is Theault the new shape of horse transport in America?  We can’t be sure yet but I am sure that this is the trailer of my dreams!

The gleaming horses, the pounding hooves, the flashing feet.  Yes, that’s the main draw at the American Eventing Championships.  But the shopping can hold its own.  I imagine many an eventer would attest to that given all the shopping bags I’ve seen walking across these Georgian fields!  Here are a few of the vendors I checked out and took a fancy to. I thought you might as well.

Shai Steiner is an artist out of Seattle Washington who paints vibrant portraits in primary colors.  It’s your horse as you’ve never seen them! We’re lucky to have her in the eventing community as a rider and an artist. You can stop by her booth and pick up cards like these or drop off a photo of your favorite equine/ canine/ feline (or other favorite friend) and commission your own portrait.  I’m having trouble deciding if sweet Ellie, adorable Simon, or my Boxer Parker would be the best subject.  Maybe I’ll do all three! Explore her work at www.shaisteiner.com.

Since I was a pint-sized Pony Clubber I’ve always wanted a jacket for my dog that looks like a horse blanket. Now that Rambo has their own version it’s at the top of my Christmas list (yes, I’m already thinking about it!). It’s way too hot now but winter will be upon us in no time and I’d like for my dogs to meet it in snuggly style.

The USEA has their own tent full of American Eventing Championship tees, fleeces, polos, and hats. Not to mention these zippy, red water bottles that show your eventing pride and save the environment.  Double bonus.

AEC sponsor Jump 4 Joy makes fun and creative fences that will bring a smile to your face as you canter up to them. I wonder what Ellie would think of the rubber duckie!

Barbour is the height of country chic for the horsey set. I loved this pretty scarf that’s perfect for cool Fall days. The light pink is a delightful balance to the earthy Fall colors.

Why make your little one wait to rock some fashion? You can start them young in this little number!

Barbour is working their scarves for the Fall.  This one is so Harry Potter I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.

We’ll have more from American Eventing Championships vendors coming soon. If you’re in Georgia I’d recommend taking a swing through the vendor tents to see if anything strikes your fancy!

Take a walk with Three Days Three Ways around the grounds of the American Eventing Championships at Chattahoochee Hills. Enjoy your favorite eventing ponies, canine friends, and a special stunt by top 3-day eventer Nate Chambers.

Haflinger ponies are the cutest. Especially “Toby Twinkle Toes” shown here with his rider Emily.  Good luck you guys!

Besides for planes, trains, and automobiles, golf carts are the name of the game as mode of transportation.  I was hoofing it to cross-country when Sarah and Liir stopped to pick me up.  Wasn’t that awfully sweet and thoughtful? Love to the community of eventing for being the best.

The Patron’s tent is comfortable, shady, and scores the best view of the main arena.  But it’s also stylish thanks to the designs of sponsor Anna Deese of Idee Design. There’s so much to see all of which make me want to lounge around with you drinking iced tea and watching the horse canter beautifully by. More on that later!

I fell in love with this ‘Three Dogs Farm’ sign for its bright and cheery charm and for its pack of adorable pooches. Owner Carlin Vickery must have her hands full with her trio including Lila, Tulsa, and Sarge!

I didn’t think that the “Three Dogs Farm” sign could be improved upon but having a matching director’s chair takes it up a notch. Do you think it would be terribly obvious if I sat in it? Somehow the sign and chair put a smile on my face.

Chattahoochee Hills really is a premiere equestrian facility from its rolling cross-country course to it’s exquisite main barn.  But somehow it’s the competition stabling that really made my jaw drop. The first thing that popped out of my mouth was “Who gets to stay there?” Answer: Everyone! Beautiful. I think my sweet Ellie would quite agree.

I promised you a special stunt by eventer Nate Chambers and here you go!  I first noticed how Butters (that’s our Golden Retriever friend pictured here) followed Nate around.  Then when I went to take her picture I noticed how sweet she was literally resting her chin in my hand. Then Nate hopped right up on his big-time eventer ‘Rolling Stone’.  As you can tell, ‘Rolling Stone’ never missed a beat.  What a trio!

I mentioned earlier how supportive the eventing community is and that holds true for Mary and Walt.  When Nate hopped up on ‘Rolling Stone’ we needed to get Butters up to him.  All 70 pounds of her! Walt stepped him and took care of the job.  Go team! Mary rides her trusty eventer ‘Gandalf’ in the Jr. Training Division this championship weekend.  Good luck!

We’ll have lots more from the 2010 American Eventing Championships coming up. See you soon then!

When you drive into Chattahoochee Hills it’s like reading a novel.  You’re winding down a path and not sure where you’re going but you’re excited to get there.  And then the trees part and the most amazing farm lays before you.  And, like with novels, you hope it will never end.  Chattahoochee Hills is just like that.

While the farm is graceful it’s also buzzing with a temporary city of eventers.  I loved the tents they used.  They make me think of a French circus or trapeze artists in colorful costumes.

The dressage rings were impeccable and I loved the added touch with the Land Rovers for the judges.  Beep beep!

The Farm stretches into the mountains and, as you can see, we eventers have quite taken over.

The main barn is still in progress.  Have you heard there will be a pub inside?  We’re meeting there next year for sure.  No arguments.  It will be grand (like the farm!).

Chattahoochee Hills is a grand farm that rambles across the Georgian hills for acre after acre.  But with all that land how are you supposed to get from cross-country up to the Dubarry tent?  Or from the dressage rings to the Land Rover Learn and Drive?  You’ve got to get around somehow but, no worries, eventers do it in style.

I’m thinking I need a little motorbike to zoom around on.  Don’t you agree?  And the Land Rover?  Oh just you wait.  There’s more to come on that front!

The American Eventing Championships have begun and are, for the first time, taking place at Chattahoochee Hills in Georgia. You can tell you’re in Georgia for several reasons.

One would be the red clay.

Then there’s also the boiled peanuts.

But most of all it’s the proud event riders and their brave horses.

Like Jordan and American Express (“Am Ex”).  Aren’t they cute?!

With the championships well under way we’ve got a lot to talk about so settle in for behind-the scenes photos, street style (or would that be field style?), and all the happenings at the 2010 American Eventing Championships!