View this post on InstagramA post shared by USEF Eventing (@usefeventing)Its happening. Grooms are packing, teams are putting their finishing touches to their preparations, and everyones gearing up for the big one which, for us eventers, is NEXT WEEK.Chinchilla-ing has become my verb of choice when I describe whats going on behind the scenes here at EN, Ive got a number of documents on the go in my Paris, Baby!!! folder, and if our Olympic fever gets any higher were likely to explode like the fireworks over the Seine at next Fridays Opening Ceremony.ICYMI, weve done the math and crunched the numbers to work out the time zones for all you eventing nerds out there who we know wont want to miss a thing. Heres what you need to know.Before I go back to obsessively scrolling through social media and getting tearful over videos of teams walking through train stations, I just want to take a moment to talk shoes. Because who wouldnt want special shoes for a trip to Paris? Irelands Sarah Ennis mare Action Lady M has gone all out with a bespoke set for her Parisian jaunt, which Ive totally got all the feels for: View this post on InstagramA post shared by Sarah Ennis (@sarah_ennis_eventing) One last aside before I return to said scrolling/filling my Paris, Baby!!! folder: after the intimacy ban in Tokyo for obvious Covid-related reasons, the organizers at this Olympic edition are taking no chances with sexual hygiene and have stocked up big time in anticipation of a whole bunch of athletes descending on the city of love. This interesting article shouts out the fact that theyve been diverse in the types of protection theyre providing, but also that the campaign isnt solely about safety, but also focuses on pleasure and consent. Because there are many ways to celebrate winning a medal.Go Paris! And go eventing!U.S. Weekend PreviewApplewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [Ride Times]Course Brook Farm Summer H.T. (Sherborn, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Full Gallop Farm July H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]Thursday News and ReadingIrelands Austin OConnor and his game gray horse Salty captured a million hearts when they won Maryland last year. And now theyre off to the Games. EquiRatings Nicole Brown caught up with Austin to discuss whats going down in the OConnor barn as they prepare for Paris, how it compares to their last Olympic outing in Tokyo, and the role his family play in his eventing journey. Pop the kettle on and settle in for a grand ol chat.A fractured arm and wrist arent ideal two weeks out from your first Olympics. Britains show jumping talent Harry Charles unfortunately finds himself off games after a fall at Aachen, but hes hoping hes not out of the running to try and replicate his dads team gold medal from London 2012. The show jumpings due to start on August 1st, so fingers crossed hes healed up and gets to make his Olympic debut as planned.Hot on Horse Nation Why the US should be training our own Olympic horses.You may or may not be familiar with Hovis, Horse & Hounds horse about town. Famed for his Friday Diaries, hes landed his biggest gig yet as British Eventings supporter mascot to the team. Hovis link to eventing has the provenance of having gone eventing with none other than British eventing royalty, Mary King, so hes well-placed for the role and says hell be available for advice on how to tackle the cross country course, how to keep the poles in the cups in the show jumping, and leading the pity party over the fact they have to do stressage. On a serious note, Hovis will be heading up the Here to Help scheme, which aims to break down barriers and ensure anyone who wants to event is aware they can do so. You can follow Hovis exploits Paris via the hashtag #HovisInParis.And finally, a heartwarmer to wrap things up. We love to hear what top eventers get up to in their later years, and this story about Phillip Duttons Fernhill Cubalawn is just the sweetest. Hes a big, powerful guy wholl drag you all over the yard for a bite of grass if he knows you can take it, but put a teeny 4-year-old in charge and hell let her glitter his hooves and will follow her along as though hes a puppy dog. Seriously, this sweeter-than-a-box-of-cupcakes relationship really is something else take a look.Video Break#Supergrooms alert! Meet the team behind the Team GB horses as they prepare to defend their Tokyo team gold. View this post on InstagramA post shared by British Equestrian (@britishequestrian_official)