Good Morning Eventing Nation! This is a busy weekend for Eventing, with the Pan Am horses competing at Morven Park and six other USEA recognized events all in full swing today. Dressage at Devon is also taking place this weekend, Silva Martin is competing and has had a great competition so far. [Silva's Blog]
Description: 17.5" Albion Legend 5000 dressage saddle offered for sale. Medium tree. In great condition, comes with stirrups and leathers. Unfortunately it is too small. Email for more information or pictures.
Michael Pollard gave Schoensgreen Hanni a pat after a top-placed performance
Friday marked the start of dressage at the Morven Horse Trials which are held at the beautiful 1,100 acre Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Think of Morven as a giant equestrian center, historic mansion, recreational park and everything in between that is set in the middle of northern Virginia suburbia. It's a perfect setting for eventing and there are some big plans to make the facilities even better moving forward. We'll have much more on that later, but now let's talk dressage.
The Pan American Games mandatory outing intermediate D division is the top focus of the weekend for obvious reasons. Michael Pollard scored a 23.2 with Schoensgreen Hanni and he is closely trailed by Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison on a 24.8. Both of their tests were nice, but I thought the judge was a bit generous to both of them with scores in the low 20's. Hanni could have had a bit more energy and, although Jon is kindly providing me with a couch to sleep on this weekend, I would say Downtown Harrison could have been a bit more relaxed. That being said, all of the scores were low on average on Friday. In three weeks I bet they will both be putting together even better tests.
It's important to note that the actual dressage scores aren't that important for the Pan Am horses this weekend. The teams have already been announced so the important focus for the riders isn't to win this weekend but to set themselves up to win in three weekends.
The advanced and intermediate tests today were conducted in the indoor arena which was so quiet you could hear my video camera being turned on from across the arena. The atmosphere will certainly be much more intense in Guadalajara. I'll be publishing video of all of the Pan American squad members as my wireless card uploads them.
Canada's Rebecca Howard and Roquefort are in third in the mandatory outing division, although of course Canada is not having a mandatory outing at Morven. Rouquefort's test was close to brilliant with one big break in the extended trot marring their trot work. A good portion of the US squad showed up to watch the pair that is quite possibly favored to win gold in Guadalajara. The redemption-seeking US team against the Canadians at the top of their game--the Pan Ams are shaping up to be quite a battle. Jessie and Selena ride their Pan Am horses in the intermediate B and C divisions, which are scheduled for dressage on Saturday.
Shannon Lilley and Ballingowan Pizazz of the USA squad are in 4th with a 26.8. It's easy to see how they won the selection trials at Richland--their trot work was beautiful again. Phillip Dutton and Young Man are the highest placed non-Pan Am pair in 5th. Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot are in 6th. William isn't the flashiest mover, but Hannah once again rode a very accurate test. It just looked like the judge, Mark Weissbecker, put a slight priority on movement over precision. Alternates Lynn Symansky and Donner are 7th with a 30.8. That pair should be near the top of the alternates if something happens to one of the squad members. The last team members, Buck Davidson and Absolute Liberty are 10th with a 33.6. All the scores in the mandatory outing division were below 40--it was a really quality field.
Friday morning and early afternoon featured dressage for the two advanced divisions at Morven. Michael Pollard is having a great day with the news that he is headed to Boekelo with DV8, taking the lead in the Pan American division with Hanni, and also taking the lead in the advanced division with Jude's Law. Michael dropped a 22.7 with Jude's Law--that just happened. They lead the advanced B division by 0.6 in front of Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle RM.
Emily Beshear and Here's to You have a 0.3 point lead over Boyd Martin and Ying Yang Yo in advanced A. There are a few notable starters in the A division including Veronica, who withdrew from Boekelo to instead take the steadier course of another horse trials and then hopefully Fair Hill. She is in 3rd with Karen on 30.0. Twizzel is out and about this weekend, competing in the advanced A. It's great to see him back in action after that surprising and heartbreaking withdrawal from Burghley after going suddenly lame in the warm up.
While the upper level horses were doing circles, the future event horse Dorian Gray was busy hiding his portrait and dominating the FEH east coast championship. He won every prize he could and was crowned overall champion. Leslie Mintz at the USEA has the coverage here.
--Driving into and out of Washington, D.C. on a weekday: 5 hours --Convincing the Mexican consulate to let you into Mexico for the Pan American Games even though your last name was omitted from their press credential records: 4 hours --Getting the chance to drive back into D.C. on Monday to pick up your visa: Priceless
Dressage continues Saturday as the show jumping and cross-country starts at Morven. Go eventing.
DV8 shipped to Pennsylvania late last night to join Boyd's horses for the trip to Boekelo
As some great news for US high performance eventing, Michael Pollard and DV8 have been approved to travel to the Boekelo CCI3* as part of the US team. My understanding is that there are a few loose ends to still tie up including the last minute shipping paperwork, but DV8 is on his way to the airport today and everything is a done deal. We reported yesterday that Ali Slusher and Last Call had withdrawn from the Boekelo trip. Until this morning, no one had been chosen to replace them, leaving the US with just 3 horses on the team. The full contingent of horses (Remington, Otis Barbotiere, Mar De Amor, and DV8) are flying out today for Holland and they will meet up with Julian Stiller and her fabulous new horse Charlie Weld to round out the US squad. The team trip is supported by USOC development funding.
Michael started riding DV8 earlier this year and they have clicked quickly. DV8 won the advanced at Richland in August and then the advanced at Plantation Field by 7 points. There's still a lot of upside from this pair and Boekelo is known as a good move-up track. The US team has a lot of momentum after the great performances at Blenheim, so here's to hoping we can keep that going in Holland.
After a successful but slow trip to the Mexican consulate in Washington, D.C., I'm off to Morven for a full weekend of eventing. The action is already well underway at Morven and check out Annie's post this morning for a link to scores. Go eventing.
When Clark Montgomery and his lovely wife Jess spent six months in England a few years ago they returned to the States with more than just valuable lessons learned, priceless memories and experiences, and an energetic companion (a gorgeous German wire-haired pointer called Brodie). They also imported two wonderful horses, one of which, Loughan Glen, ably piloted by Clark, can't seem to lose and has cemented last year's good form with a stunning advanced debut in 2011, winning at Bromont CCI***, winning at Millbrook Advanced and culminating in a 5th place finish at the Blenheim International CCI***. Clark was kind enough to review his year for us, explaining that along with the enormous privilege, also comes a huge responsibility to nurture Glen's talent and be careful not to exploit his precocity. I'd like to thank Clark for taking the time to write for Eventing Nation, congratulate him on a terrific job, and thank you for reading.
Clark and Loughan Glen trotting up at the Blenheim Palace CCI***. (Photo with kind permission of ESJ)
I couldn't have asked or expected more from Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's Loughan Glen this year. We bought him as a five year old in '08 and decided to take it quite slow with him at first. In the late spring of '09 he did his first event. Now almost two and a half years later he has completed his first international trip to the UK finishing 5 th out of 97 starters at Blenheim Palace CCI***. From the outside it may look like I've pushed him a little fast when in fact I've always allowed him to tell me what he is ready for. From the very beginning, each time I've decided to move up a level I've gone into it with the mind set that if he tells me isn't ready I'll back off and go back to my homework. I think it's been that approach that has allowed him so much success. I try to go into every competition believing I'm only there to have the best result I can have based on where he is in his training. For example...If at home I'm having the occasional rail when practicing my show jumping I don't expect him to suddenly jump clear at the event. If he does jump clear then I'm very happy that he is progressing but if he has one rail down, I'm not disappointed as that is just where he is in his training. I use that exact same philosophy in all 3 phases and I think any horse will compete consistently when you are willing to compete them at the level they are prepared for at home.
Clark and Loughan Glen after winning the dressage phase at the Bromont CCI*** earlier this year
I went into the dressage at Blenheim with the goal of doing the best test that Glen's training had prepared him to do. My one foolish mistake was in the extended trot when about half way across the long diagonal, I decided to ask for more. I completely went against everything I do with him and needless to say it bit me in the ass when he broke into the canter. We were in an atmosphere he's never seen and I asked him to give me something I had never been able to achieve in my everyday training at home, how disappointing. It's something I so rarely do that I lost my train of thought and forgot the next movement, the halt/ reign back. After those two movements I gathered my thoughts and rode the level of training Glen was prepared for the rest of the test and he preformed exactly to those standards. I couldn't have been happier with him and more confused with myself about why I would have asked him to do something he wasn't ready for, but there was no need to dwell on it. I knew what I had done wrong and I wouldn't do it again for the rest of the weekend. Our judges marked us 45.4 which put us 7 th place over night.
The cross country walked fairly straight forward. There were a few big efforts but nothing that seemed to be too technical. It was 10 minutes 29 seconds and as a Blenheim course mainstay, there were two long canters through water of about 150 yards each followed by sharp pulls uphill. Having reminded myself about my training and competing principles on dressage day, I left the start box knowing he was very prepared for the exercises ahead and that the fitness would be the test for the day. I was up on my minute markers all the way until we crested the top of the hill following the second water just three minutes from the finish. He continued to jump beautifully and I let him coast home from there knowing that what we were really striving for was a positive experience for Glen. We finished 20 seconds over optimum time, thus adding 8 time faults to our score. He pulled up bright and very pleased with himself which is all I ever want at the end of every cross country experience. We over nighted on a 53.4 in 12 th place. The ground on the cross country was the best I've ever seen. In my mind it was the equivalent to doing the course on a pillow top mattress and the results of all of the grounds keepers hard work showed in Glen's soundness and comfort on Sunday. The show jumping was set at maximum standard height and although I would consider Glen's show jumping technique still quite green at times, he jumped a beautiful double clear round which bumped us back up the leader board to finish in fifth place.
Clark and Loughan Glen show-jumping at Blenheim Palace CCI***
Many thanks to Clark for putting pen to paper for us, and many thanks for reading. We look forward to following your progress next year, and perhaps some more reports, hint hint! Go Team Loughan Glen and Go Eventing!
When Clark Montgomery and his lovely wife Jess spent six months in England a few years ago they returned to the States with more than just valuable lessons learned, priceless memories and experiences, and an energetic companion (a gorgeous German wire-haired pointer called Brodie). They also imported two wonderful horses, one of which, Loughan Glen, ably piloted by Clark, can't seem to lose and has cemented last year's good form with a stunning advanced debut in 2011, winning at Bromont CCI***, winning at Millbrook Advanced and culminating in a 5th place finish at the Blenheim International CCI***. Clark was kind enough to review his year for us, explaining that along with the enormous privilege, also comes a huge responsibility to nurture Glen's talent and be careful not to exploit his precocity. I'd like to thank Clark for taking the time to write for Eventing Nation, congratulate him on a terrific job, and thank you for reading.
Clark and Loughan Glen trotting up at the Blenheim Palace CCI***. (Photo with kind permission of ESJ)
From Clark:
I couldn't have asked or expected more from Holly Becker and Kathryn Kraft's Loughan Glen this year. We bought him as a five year old in '08 and decided to take it quite slow with him at first. In the late spring of '09 he did his first event. Now almost two and a half years later he has completed his first international trip to the UK finishing 5 th out of 97 starters at Blenheim Palace CCI***. From the outside it may look like I've pushed him a little fast when in fact I've always allowed him to tell me what he is ready for. From the very beginning, each time I've decided to move up a level I've gone into it with the mind set that if he tells me isn't ready I'll back off and go back to my homework. I think it's been that approach that has allowed him so much success. I try to go into every competition believing I'm only there to have the best result I can have based on where he is in his training. For example...If at home I'm having the occasional rail when practicing my show jumping I don't expect him to suddenly jump clear at the event. If he does jump clear then I'm very happy that he is progressing but if he has one rail down, I'm not disappointed as that is just where he is in his training. I use that exact same philosophy in all 3 phases and I think any horse will compete consistently when you are willing to compete them at the level they are prepared for at home.
Clark and Loughan Glen after winning the dressage phase at the Bromont CCI*** earlier this year
I went into the dressage at Blenheim with the goal of doing the best test that Glen's training had prepared him to do. My one foolish mistake was in the extended trot when about half way across the long diagonal, I decided to ask for more. I completely went against everything I do with him and needless to say it bit me in the ass when he broke into the canter. We were in an atmosphere he's never seen and I asked him to give me something I had never been able to achieve in my everyday training at home, how disappointing. It's something I so rarely do that I lost my train of thought and forgot the next movement, the halt/ reign back. After those two movements I gathered my thoughts and rode the level of training Glen was prepared for the rest of the test and he preformed exactly to those standards. I couldn't have been happier with him and more confused with myself about why I would have asked him to do something he wasn't ready for, but there was no need to dwell on it. I knew what I had done wrong and I wouldn't do it again for the rest of the weekend. Our judges marked us 45.4 which put us 7 th place over night.
The cross country walked fairly straight forward. There were a few big efforts but nothing that seemed to be too technical. It was 10 minutes 29 seconds and as a Blenheim course mainstay, there were two long canters through water of about 150 yards each followed by sharp pulls uphill. Having reminded myself about my training and competing principles on dressage day, I left the start box knowing he was very prepared for the exercises ahead and that the fitness would be the test for the day. I was up on my minute markers all the way until we crested the top of the hill following the second water just three minutes from the finish. He continued to jump beautifully and I let him coast home from there knowing that what we were really striving for was a positive experience for Glen. We finished 20 seconds over optimum time, thus adding 8 time faults to our score. He pulled up bright and very pleased with himself which is all I ever want at the end of every cross country experience. We over nighted on a 53.4 in 12 th place. The ground on the cross country was the best I've ever seen. In my mind it was the equivalent to doing the course on a pillow top mattress and the results of all of the grounds keepers hard work showed in Glen's soundness and comfort on Sunday. The show jumping was set at maximum standard height and although I would consider Glen's show jumping technique still quite green at times, he jumped a beautiful double clear round which bumped us back up the leader board to finish in fifth place.
Clark and Loughan Glen show-jumping at Blenheim Palace CCI***
Many thanks to Clark for putting pen to paper for us, and many thanks for reading. We look forward to following your progress next year, and perhaps some more reports, hint hint! Go Team Loughan Glen and Go Eventing!
As the calendar is getting closer and closer to the beginning of October, the summer of 2011 is becoming more distant of a memory. But before we start stuffing the turkey and decorating the tree, let's take a quick look back at one of our reader's summer adventures. If you'd like to submit an ears photo, please send it along with a caption describing it to: annieyeagerEN@gmail.com. ----
This is my amazing OTTB Harpur on an early morning end-of-summer ride at Green Acres Stables in Madbury, New Hampshire. This was one of the very first mornings where fall was "in the air", and the mist covering the fields was beautiful! Hiding in the mist is my dog Fairen who likes to lead the way on our rides.
Description: March On (Amigo) is a 5 year old, 16.2hh, bay, appendix gelding. He has completed a few novices and is entered in Jumpstart, Team Challenge and River Glen for this fall. He is very honest, athletic and sweet. He is very willing to please and is a very fast learner. He is so much fun to ride and has the potential for at least prelim. Has good bloodlines. He is located in Prospect, Ky (just outside of Louisville) at Spring Run Farm.
Adjectives: Honest, Safe, Fun
Price: $15,000
Location: Prospect, Ky
Contact: Susan Harris: 502-643-2364, susanharris54@me.com
Heather Morris sent in this photo of Marvin Savage aggravating the dressage arenas Thursday evening with a special thanks to Marvin Savage and Christie Tull for the work they do getting Greenwood Horse Trials, in Weatherford, Texas, ready for a great event.
Good Morning Eventing Nation! It's the end of the week, almost the weekend, so there's the first two good reasons why we should all try and be cheery today.
There are many events taking place this weekend and several of them are starting today:
Greenwood Farm Inc. Fall H.T. (TX) starts Friday [Times/Scores]
Morven Park Fall H.T. (VA) starts Friday [Times PDF] , Scores] Northwest Equestrian Fall Gala H.T. (WA) starts Friday [Times/Scores]
Colorado Horse Park Fall CCI*/ T3D & H.T. (CO) [Times, Scores]
University of New Hampshire H.T. (NH) starts Saturday [Times]
Tryon Riding & Hunt Club H.T. (SC) starts Saturday [Times]
There are many things I thought I'd someday write about on Eventing Nation, but the story of Marko the donkey running for Mayor in Bulgaria certainly wasn't one of them. According to this article, "Activists in Bulgaria are putting forward a donkey to run for office, in protest against the incumbent, Kiril Yordanov, who they claim is ineffective." The hope is that the donkey will get elected instead of Yordanov, and judging by the support they've rallied so far, it doesn't seem so far off. Coyly, campaign director Angel Dyankov stated: "Unlike the other mayoral candidates and politicians, Marko has a strong character, doesn't steal, doesn't lie, and gets the work done." Vote for Marko.
The Kentucky Horse Park is now home to four equines of the rare Marwari breed. The horses were gifted to the Park by Francesca Kelly, a writer who is dedicated to preserving the breed of horses, both here in the US and in their native India. You can tell the Marwari horse a mile away from their distinctive blue eyes and ears that point inwards, sometimes to the extent of either touching or overlapping. The Horse Park is now the only place in the United States for the public to see this rare and unique breed. [Equine Chronicle]
The release date of the film War Horse has been moved up to Christmas Day. If you haven't seen the play, War Horse is about a Horse named Joey who gets sold to the British Cavalry and shipped off to fight in World War I. Joey's owner is a young boy named Albert, and when his horse gets sold on into the army, he goes after him and into the midst of war and destruction. War Horse is definitely going to be a good one to watch. [Horsetalk]
For Danica Moore, her quest for the Pan Am Games ended because of a complication with her US residency permit, which prevents her from leaving the United States. Her attitude seems to be positive, and looking forward to what the future will hold for her next year. [BC Local News]
Chelan Kozak and the 3 Daze crew have been busy up north with cross country schooling and the upcoming Rainer Horse Trials this weekend. [3 Daze Blog]
