Jenni Autry
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Jenni Autry

Achievements

About Jenni Autry

Originally from San Diego, Jenni discovered eventing thanks to the Bedford Hunt Pony Club in Virginia. After working in both newspapers and magazines, she joined the EN team in 2012. She travels extensively covering the U.S. Eventing Team and has reported at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, Luhmühlen and Pau. As for her favorite event, it’s a toss-up between Aachen and Boekelo. When she isn’t on the road, she’s busy competing her heart horse, Imperial Striker, better known as Derry.

Latest Articles Written

Remembering Collection Pass: How Kate Met Cole

Kate Chadderton (AUS) and Collection Pass. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Australian rider Kate Chadderton reported on social media Saturday that her longtime upper-level partner, Thoroughbred gelding Collection Pass, passed away at the age of 21. “Cole” was one of the first horses Kate partnered with in the U.S. upon arriving from Australia.

Kate posted the following on her Facebook page:

Sad to say Collection Pass has passed away. He was one of the kindest horses I’ve had the pleasure of training. Relatively small (15.3hh) he had the heart of a champion which carried thru seasons of advanced, Kentucky, a Nations Cups and even mini Prix show jumping. The only friend he didn’t make was friends with the dressage arena..! His jumping ability tho enabled us to win a bit thru to intermediate and gave us some 4 Star ribbons.

Cole was pretty well the first horse I started riding when I moved to America. Local huntsman, Robert Taylor, told me about a horse down the road who may or may not be broken in but might be worth looking at. So off I went to try him. He belonged to none other than Regis Dvorsky! Driving down Rege’s driveway it became very clear he had a beautiful farm! And a menagerie of well cared for and happy animals. What he DIDN’T have tho was a riding arena! Remembering at this point it was unclear whether or not this horse was broken in, so I was hoping to try in a somewhat confined area! Regardless we pressed on. The horse seemed very compliant so I thought I’d jump on and see what happened. Immediately it was clear that this horse was very well trained and really wanted to please his rider. Great! Now, Rege, what do you have to jump?! The answer was a dog crate! He jumped it the first time, which I saw as a great sign, so home Cole came with me. And the rest is history!

After his career with me, he went on to teach Grace Gaynor thru the 2 Star level with great success Rege was Cole’s biggest and most loyal supporter thru thick and thin, for which we are all grateful.

From Quebec to Wellington to California to Michigan and everywhere in between, it was a true honour to be partnered with an incredible athlete and soul.

Pretty sure he’ll be galloping (slooooowwwwwlllyyyy) around heaven with Sunny and Digger overseeing his safety!

In Cole’s honor, we thought it would be the best way to remember him by republishing this blog Kate graciously provided for us ahead of her then-CCI4* debut with the OTTB gelding. Thanks for the memories, Cole, and we’re sending our thoughts and well-wishes to Kate and her team.

The following article was originally published in April 2014.

Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass. Photo by Jenni Autry.

From Kate:

Rolex is fast approaching, and I thought I would share the story of how I came across my 2014 entry, Collection Pass. It was actually the brilliant idea of Robert Taylor of TaylorMade farm in Damascus, Md., that I go and see a horse down the road. I was fairly new to the U.S., and Robert was fairly unclear on the details of the horse: He was either a good prospect, had done some eventing, or some fox hunting or something. He had actually mentioned him to me several months earlier, but at that point the owner was not ready to part with him.

The horse sounded intriguing enough, so I waited for Robert to give me the OK to contact the owners. That call came late one Halloween afternoon; as I had plans for the evening, I almost did not go to see the horse. As with any professional rider, the lure of seeing a new horse always wins out. Robert had told me that I would have to take my own tack, as his owners (Rege Dvorsky and Jeanne Leone) were not riders and would not have anything I could use. So it was with very low expectations (and several apologetic messages to the social side of my evening) that I arrived to see this horse that “may or may not have evented.”

Happily, the horse I found was a nice type and seemed very well taken care of, so I chucked my saddle and bridle on and looked for a place to try him. When I asked Rege where the best place to ride was, he indicated toward some trails. It seemed like a good idea, so I pointed Cole’s nose down one and cantered. He seemed to do that alright, so I turned around and cantered back. He seemed to do that alright too! So we raided Rege’s garage for something to jump, and all I could find were pet carriers . So I set them up on the trail. Without batting an eyelid Cole jumped them both ways. Good nature, good type, good canter, I was sold!

Rege kindly agreed to my suggestion of a week’s trial to see how he was in an actual ring, which would also give me a chance to look up his record and get some history on him. During this week, I came to know Rege and Jeanne, and they made the decision to take him off the market and remain as the owners. Also during that week, I learned a lot more about Cole’s history. He had in fact evented. He was sourced by Kelley Williams of A Bit Better Farm in Maryland, who initially trained and evented him. She’s since told me he was very nearly sold as a hunter in Canada, but that fell through — thank goodness! Kelley then sold him to Rege for local event rider and owner of A Deck Above Farm, Kristin Parris.

As a race horse, he was not particularly successful, being given the sack after only six starts. When looking closely at his record it’s easy to see why. In five of the six starts, he was last. In his sixth start, he was second last, only beating home a horse that broke down halfway around.

Cole is your quintessential American Thoroughbred in that he’s very athletic, surefooted and, most importantly, comes to work every day giving his 110 percent effort. Where he differs from other Thoroughbreds, though, is his laid-back nature. On Sunday, he can run around an Advanced, and on Monday he can go trail riding with a 10-year-old kid (which he has done!). He doesn’t understand or think that he is particularly good; he is certainly not one of those bulletproof horses. For me this has taken some getting used to, as I have always ridden very bold and gregarious horses; Cole is certainly not gregarious! In the time I have known him now, I learnt that while he is honest and brave, I do have to hold his hand, and he generally will take the lead from me.

If he knew that he was an Advanced horse about to take on a four-star, he would probably go to the corner of his stall and cry, but I think the same would happen if we told him he was at training level and going to a training three-day! I strongly believe he thinks he’s still at Novice level, so we keep telling him he’s just going to a Novice championship. “Don’t worry, boy. The jumps won’t be any bigger than what your used to! There will just be more people watching!” If he were a guy, he would be a valuable player on the football team, but not the star, and he would always be up for a drink at the pub!

Product Review: Invictus Necesse Half Pad

The Invictus Necesse Half Pad. Photo courtesy of Invictus Equestrian.

Have you heard of the Invictus Necesse Half Pad? It won a German Innovation Award last year after introducing a patented “Smart Material” technology to the half pad market. This technology places a reactive molecular structure in the pad’s core to reduce impact. The molecules are “intelligent” in that they pull together and release relative to impact and pressure.

This Smart Material technology is already used in products for sports like biking, skiing, snowboarding and motorcycle racing — essentially anywhere a thin, flexible and effective buffer is needed for protection. The Invictus Necesse Half Pad uses this Smart Material technology in the form of D3O XT Mesh, which is a polymer sheet that incorporates the reactive molecular structure into a breathable mesh form suitable for use in a half pad.

How does that translate to performance in a high impact sport like eventing? To prove the effectiveness of the Smart Material technology, Invictus tested the half pad at the D3O Lab in Croyden, England. The tests started with 5 Joules of impact energy to determine the Peak Transmitted Force (PTF) — or the pressure that can be felt through the material — and ultimately increased to 40 Joules.

No other half pad tested offered the same amount of impact protection in such a thin material. (Click here to view the full results of the D3O lab tests. Adidas and Under Armour, along with numerous other major sports brands, have also tested the Smart Material technology. Click here if you’re interested in reading more of the D3O lab test results.)

Derry jumping in the Invictus Necesse Half Pad for the first time. Photo by Jimmie Schramm.

Seeing these test results piqued my interest, and I started testing the Invictus Necesse Half Pad last December. My Irish Sport Horse, Derry, had a lot of muscle to build over his topline when I bought him last July and battled a sore back as we ramped up his fitness work, so I wanted a half pad that would effectively protect his back. (For a reference in the photos, both of my saddles have 17-inch seats.)

The Invictus website has a slew of positive testimonials that mirror my own experience. Top riders in pure dressage and show jumping, as well as eventing, recommend the pad in the case of horses who battle back problems or have underdeveloped muscles. It’s ideal when you want just a the right amount of support without too much thickness.

Derry using the Invictus Necesse Half Pad in the 2019 USEA Educational Symposium with Maxime Livio. Photo by Leslie Mintz.

French four-star event rider Maxime Debost said, “The Invictus pad gives me a really great contact with my horse, at the same time having such a high degree of protection. Especially during cross country, where we deal with extreme impact, I am confident that my horses have the best protection.”

The Invictus Necesse Half Pad pad is more commonly seen in Europe but is starting to be seen more frequently in North America, too. You can spot Sally Cousins, Meghan O’Donogue, Hillary Irwin and Selena O’Hanlon all using the pads at competitions.

Derry jumping out of his skin in show jumping warm-up at Pine Top. (Note that I still managed to have two down in the ring.) Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The 3D-spacer textile (click here for a visual) on the underside of the pad is also a game-changer, as it not only adds elasticity in the pad but also allows for additional space for heat and moisture to disperse. This half pad will stay dry in even the hottest, most humid conditions. The synthetic suede fabric on the top of the pad is non-slip and breathable, and also easy to spot clean.

For those who want a shimmable pad, Invictus also offers the Equality Pad with the same protection features. Both pads are available in black, white or brown and can be purchased on the Invictus website here. SmartPak also has the Necesse Half Pad available for $189, with the Equality Half Pad available for $240. Invictus also offers a money-back guarantee. If you aren’t happy with the pad, you can return it for a full refund.

Have you tried the Invictus Necesse Half Pad? Let us know in the comments below. Go Eventing.

Brazil Announces Eventing Team for Pan American Games

Ruy Fonseca and Ballypatrick SRS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Brazil has announced the eventing team for the 2019 Pan American Games, which will take place Aug. 1-4 in Lima, Peru. The U.S., Canada and Brazil are all seeking qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Lima. The teams that clinch gold and silver medals will secure Tokyo qualification.

Congratulations to the following horses and riders:

  • Carlos Parro and Quaikin Qurious, a 10-year-old British-bred mare (West Point Quickfire X Should Be Good, by Silent Hunter) owned by Helena Ashworth
  • Marcelo Tosi and Starbucks, an 8-year-old British-bred gelding (Showmaker X Smash Hit, by Sandro Hit) owned by Marcelo and Anna Louise Ross
  • Marcio Appel and Iberon Jmen, a 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Indoctro X Landina Jmen, by Landino) owned by Samantha Tonello
  • Rafael Losano and Fuiloda G, a 9-year-old Finnish-bred mare (Van Gogh X Quilado Z, by Good Night) owned by the Losano Family
  • Ruy Fonseca and Ballypatrick SRS, an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Pacino X Ballypatrick Romance, by Clover Hill) owned by Ruy and Renata Rabello Costa

If you missed the other team announcements for the Pan Ams, follow the links below:

U.S. Pan American Games Team

Canadian Pan American Games Team

Mexican Pan American Games Team

Click here to catch up on all of EN’s pre-coverage of the Pan Ams as we count down to Peru. Go Eventing.

Watch the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Live from Strzegom

 

The third leg of the 2019 FEI Eventing Nations Cup series kicks off today at Strzegom in Poland. Teams from Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are set to compete, as well as the USA’s own Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Woodge does her dressage Friday at 12:35 p.m. CEST/6:35 a.m. EST.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday: Dressage at 2:15 p.m. CEST/8:15 a.m. EST
  • Friday: Dressage at 11:30 a.m. CEST/5:30 a.m. EST
  • Saturday: Cross country at at 11:30 a.m. CEST/5:30 a.m. EST
  • Sunday: Show jumping at 3 p.m. CEST/9 a.m. EST

Click here to follow along with live scoring. Go Eventing.

Strzegom Links: WebsiteTimetableThursday Start Times, Friday Start TimesLive Scoring, EN’s Coverage

Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet Giveaway: Vote for Your Favorite Selfie!

The Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet. Photo courtesy of World Equestrian Brands.

We asked you to send in a selfie with your horse for a chance to win a new Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet from EN’s sponsor World Equestrian Brands. This fly sheet has a slew of features to help protect your horse from sun, dirt and pesky insects this summer.

  • Purposefully colored yellow mesh to help repel flies (read more about the color in this University of Florida study)
  • UV protection to help reduce bleaching from the sun
  • Lightweight mesh keeps horses cool on warmer days
  • Adjustable straps on the neck with a stretch hood over the ears
  • Anti-rub lining on the neck, withers and chest
  • Clips on the chest for easy blanketing
  • Belly flap with adjustable straps
  • Long tail flap with plastic covered fillet string for easy cleaning

The Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet retails at $135. Learn more about the fly sheet here.

After reviewing the entries, here are your finalists. Some of you even used a selfie stick — we are impressed! Vote for your favorite finalist in the poll below. Voting will close on Wednesday, June 26, at noon EST. Good luck to all. Go Eventing.

Finalist #1

Submitted by Kaleigh Barkaszi

Finalist #2

Submitted by Jamie Lerum

Finalist #3

Submitted by Dana Gilhuber

Finalist #4

Submitted by Tamatha Stevens

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

A victorious Meg Kep. Photo by Mercedes Rolandelli.

Please join me in sending a massive shoutout to the one and only Meg Kep, who completed her first Advanced yesterday at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Essex Horse Trials with The Rogue Won Syndicate’s Anakin to officially achieve hero status. Watch a video of her cross country below — note the big pats at the end.

National Holiday: National Pralines Day

Major Weekend Results:

Arville Event Rider Masters [Final Scores]

U.S. Weekend Results:

Kent School Spring H.T. [Final Scores]

MARS EQUESTRIAN Essex H.T. [Final Scores]

Surefire Farm H.T. [Final Scores]

Stable View Summer H.T. [Final Scores]

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. [Final Scores]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. [Final Scores]

Midsouth Pony Club H.T. [Final Scores]

Abbe Ranch H.T. [Final Scores]

Your Monday News & Notes:

The 2021 FEI Eventing European Championships have been allocated to Haras du Pin in France. The FEI has re-opened the bid process for a multi-year allocation of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses for 2021-2023. Allocation will be made at the FEI Board meeting in November 2019 at the FEI General Assembly in Moscow. [Allocation of major events through 2021]

Proposed FEI rule changes for 2020 include the mandatory implementation of frangible technology at appropriate fences at 4* and 5* events, with a three-year rollout period starting next year. Additional proposals include rewording of the flag rule for narrow fences and review of the eventing sanction system. The full proposed rules modifications will be published here and sent to National Federations and stakeholders for further consultation on July 8. [Main decisions by the FEI Board 19-21 June 2019]

Ireland’s Michael Pender, 19, became the youngest winner of the Hickstead Derby yesterday, jumping the only double clear to win with Hearton Du Bois Halleux. The record was previously held by Marion Coakes, who rode the super pony Stroller to victory in 1967 at the age of 20. “It hasn’t really hit me yet,” he said, “but it’s what every rider dreams of.” [Irishman becomes youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby]

Sharon White talks us through her fitness routine, which combines pilates and stretching, to supplement her riding. “Feeling very secure in the saddle brings confidence. I think it’s really important for everyone to understand that even if it’s just 10 minutes a day to do some stretching and some planking, it’ll help.” [The Importance of Balance and Strength with Sharon White]

Imogen Murray uses this simple grid of four bounces to help her horses improve their jumping technique. “It can add variety to your jump training and is a good exercise where the horse does most of the work, encouraging him to really use himself and work out where to put his feet.” [#SundaySchool: Imogen Murray on the bounce grid exercise]

Your Monday Video:

Product Review: Amigo Evolution Fly Sheet

The Amigo Evolution Fly Sheet. Photo courtesy of Horseware.

Have you spotted a horse horse wearing this colorful orange and aqua fly sheet? You might be wondering why Horseware chose this color scheme and pattern for the Amigo Evolution Fly Sheet. The answer is actually based in science.

Studies have shown that an insect’s compound eyes restrict the ability to see certain colors. Horseware chose these colors because an insect’s vision centers on different sections of the electromagnetic spectrum, essentially rendering your horse invisible to bugs when he wears this fly sheet. The pattern also breaks up the shape of the horse, so insects struggle to identify him as a target and are uncertain about where to land.

Another major perk: You’ll be able to spot your horse from a mile away when he’s wearing this fly sheet — unlike the bugs.

The Amigo Evolution Fly Sheet from Horseware — Derry tested and approved. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Derry wore this fly sheet nearly every day from January to March when he was in Ocala, and nearly every day in Pennsylvania since he shipped north. The Amigo Evolution has held up beautifully — not a single tear. The knitted polyester net body is soft and smooths the coat, and also somehow seems to magically repel dirt and mud. The material also provides up to 80% UV protection.

The Amigo Evolution also features Horseware’s new disc-front closure system, which I also have on his 100-gram turnout rug and cooler. The disc is designed with ergonomic, countered curves that follow the natural shape of the horse’s neck. The disc’s contoured shape gives more freedom for the horse’s neck to lower comfortably for grazing and eating, and avoids binding at the base of the neck. The disc also helps to avoid rubs, which is a major bonus.

Derry models the Amigo Evolution, which features Horseware’s new disc-closure system. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Another big plus for me is the generous belly flap with velcro closures, which is fantastic for horses that seem to get eaten alive on their bellies each summer. Other features I like in the Amigo Evolution include an oversized tail flap (super helpful to prevent tail bleaching!), leg arches for maximum coverage, and an integrated neck cover.

I have been extremely happy with the Amigo Evolution, as have other eventers in our barn. The Amigo Evolution retails at $150 (and is currently marked down to $139.95 on Horseware’s website) and is available in sizes 60-84.

Click here to learn more about the Amigo Evolution Fly Sheet from Horseware.

Have you tried this fly sheet? Let us know in the comments below.

Three Countries Bidding to Host Eventing for 2022 FEI World Championships

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois at Millstreet, the only venue bidding to host the individual 2020 FEI World Eventing Championships. Photo by Justin Black/Millstreet Horse Photography.

A total of 10 countries are bidding to host disciplines for the 2022 FEI World Championships, including two countries with proposals to host all disciplines and run the full FEI World Equestrian Games.

Bidding countries include Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, and the U.S.

Millstreet in Ireland has bid to host the individual FEI World Eventing Championships, while Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia have bid to host eventing as part of the full FEI World Equestrian Games.

“The number of formal bids that we’ve received for single and multi-discipline FEI World Championships and full Games is an excellent indication that the interest in the World Championships is as strong if not stronger than ever,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“We knew that some of the countries that put in expressions of interest back in February were just dipping their toes in the water, but these formal bids are a great validation of the new bidding process and show that we have a really strong product.”

The FEI initiated a bidding process for individual World Championships in all disciplines for 2022 following the FEI General Assembly in November 2018. The FEI Board decided to give preference to multi-discipline bids, as well as combine dressage and para dressage should be combined.

The new bid process was created “to provide the opportunity for the FEI to partner with National Federations that may have hesitated to put forward multi-discipline bids in the past.”

 

All bids will be fully evaluated over the summer, and allocation of FEI World Championships 2022 will be made at the in-person FEI Board meeting during the FEI General Assembly in Moscow in November.

Read on for a full list of countries that have put in bids to host the multi-discipline FEI World Equestrian Games or individual FEI World Championships.

All Disciplines

  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA), World Equestrian Games
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA), World Equestrian Games

Multi-Discipline

  • Dubai Equestrian Club (UAE), Jumping & Endurance
  • Herning (DEN), Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage
  • WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona (USA), Reining & Vaulting

Jumping

  • Dubai Equestrian Club (UAE) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Herning (DEN) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Endurance

  • Jazdecký Klub Napoli, Samorin (SVK)
  • Stichting Endurancesport, Ermelo (NED)
  • Padise Equestrian Centre (EST)
  • Dubai Equestrian Club (UAE) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Driving

  • National Stud of Szilvásvárad (HUN)
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Dressage

  • Herning (DEN) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Para Dressage

  • Herning (DEN) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Eventing

  • Millstreet Equestrian Services, Millstreet (IRL)
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Reining

  • WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona (USA) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

Vaulting

  • WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona (USA) – part of a multi-discipline bid
  • Pratoni del Vivaro (Rome), Elementa (Rome) & Isola della Scala (Verona) (ITA) – part of a WEG bid
  • Saudi Equestrian Federation, Riyadh (KSA) – part of a WEG bid

[Countries line up to host FEI World Championships in 2022]

Contest Alert! Win an Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet

The Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet. Image courtesy of World Equestrian Brands.

Summer officially starts on Friday, and we are celebrating the change in season by teaming up with EN’s amazing sponsor World Equestrian Brands to give away the new Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet. This fly sheet has a slew of features to help protect your horse from sun, dirt and pesky insects this summer.

  • Purposefully colored yellow mesh to help repel flies (read more about the color in this University of Florida study)
  • UV protection to help reduce bleaching from the sun
  • Lightweight mesh keeps horses cool on warmer days
  • Adjustable straps on the neck with a stretch hood over the ears
  • Anti-rub lining on the neck, withers and chest
  • Clips on the chest for easy blanketing
  • Belly flap with adjustable straps
  • Long tail flap with plastic covered fillet string for easy cleaning

How to enter: It’s easy! Simply snap a selfie with your horse — or anyone’s horse (we’re not picky!) — and email it to [email protected]. Entries are due by midnight EST on Sunday, June 24. The EN team will select our favorite selfies and post them next week so you, dear readers, can vote for the winner.

The Equilibrium Field Relief Fly Sheet retails at $135. Learn more about the fly sheet here.

Good luck to all! Go Eventing.

Canada Names Eventing Team for 2019 Pan American Games

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Canada has named the eventing team for the 2019 Pan American Games, which will take place Aug. 1-4 in Lima, Peru. Like the U.S., Canada must win team gold or silver to secure qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Congratulations to the following four combinations named to the Canadian Eventing Team, as well as the four reserves:

[Canadian Equestrian Team Nominated for Lima 2019 Pan American Games]

U.S. Names Team for Aachen CCIO4*-S

The Hauptstadion at Aachen. Photo by M.Strauch/Aachen 2015.

US Equestrian has named the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the CCIO4*-S at Aachen, which will take place July 19-20 in Aachen, Germany. While Aachen is not part of the 2019 FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series, the venue is once again hosting a team competition this year. Erik Duvander is serving as chef d’equipe for the U.S. team.

Congratulations to the following horses and riders:

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, and Ann Jones

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp (Ocala, Fla.) and Deniro Z, The Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties’ 11-year-old KWPN gelding

Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Fla.) and Islandwood Captain Jack, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Caroline and Sherrie Martin

Tamie Smith and Wembley. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Wembley, Kevin Baumgardner’s 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Click here to read more about CHIO Aachen and the U.S. team’s past performances at the competition.

Go Eventing.

U.S. Announces 2019 Pan American Games Team [Updated 7/2]

Graphic courtesy of US Equestrian

US Equestrian has just announced the U.S. Eventing Team and reserves for the 2019 Pan American Games, which will take place Aug. 1-4 at Equestrian Club Militar La Molina in Lima, Peru. The U.S. Eventing Team must must secure team gold or a silver medal-finish to earn qualification for Tokyo.

Three direct reserve horses have also been named as automatic replacements if the original horse named for a team member needs to be substituted.

Following the review of submitted applications, the following combinations have been selected for the U.S. Eventing Team (in alphabetical order):

  • Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) with Tsetserleg, Christine Turner’s 12-year-old Trakehner gelding
    Direct Reserve: On Cue, Christine Turner’s 13-year-old Anglo-European mare
  • Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) with Starr Witness,  an 8-year-old KWPN mare owned by Doug, Laurie McRee, and Catherine Winter
    Direct Reserve: Vandiver, a 15-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Jessica Payne, and Doug Payne
  • Tamie Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) with Fleeceworks Royal, Judy McSwain’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare
    Direct Reserve: Mai Baum, a 13-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alex Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell [UPDATED 7/2: Mai Baum to Replace Fleeceworks Royal as Tamie Smith’s Pan American Games Partner]
  • Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) with RF Cool Play, The Donner Syndicate LLC’s 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding

Liz Halliday-Sharp (Ocala, Fla.) and Cooley Quicksilver, The Monster Partnership’s 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, have been named the traveling reserves.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations have been named as reserves to the U.S. Eventing Team (in alphabetical order):

  • Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) with Sea of Clouds, The Sea of Clouds Partnership’s 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding
  • Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, La.) with QC Diamantaire, Carol Stephens’ 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding
  • Will Faudree (Southern Pines, N.C.) with Pfun, Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables’ 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding
  • Lauren Kieffer (The Plains, Va.) with Vermiculus, Jacqueline Mars’ 12-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding

The 2019 U.S. Pan American Eventing Team is subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.

In preparation for the Pan American Games, members of the U.S. Eventing Team will compete at the Maryland International CCI3*-S on July 5-7, as well as the Barbury International Horse Trials CCI3*-S on July 4-7.

Watch the team announcement video below. Congratulations to all. Go Eventing.

[US Equestrian Nominates U.S. Eventing Team for Lima 2019 Pan American Games]

Julia Krajewski Retains German National Championship Title

Ingrid Klimke, Julia Krajewski and Dirk Schrade. Photo by Thomas Ix.

Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot successfully defended the German National Championship title at Luhmühlen, jumping a flawless clear show jumping round under pressure to secure the wire-to-wire win and take the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy on their dressage score of 24.7.

“Sam,” the DOKR’s 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Milor Landais x Melitos du Thot, by Flipper d’Elle), has a jaw-dropping record at Luhmühlen. In seven appearances at the venue, he has never finished outside of the top five at any level, and won the CCI5*-L in 2017.

“Sam thinks Luhmühlen is totally cool,” Julia said. “He always stands like a monument in the prize-giving ceremony, and I don’t know any horse I would rather ride into a show jumping course with, if my lead was only 0.1 points. The pressure was certainly on, especially since I saw from the entrance that Asha was jumping extremely well. I’m really happy — it’s just fun when things go so well.”

Ingrid Klimke and SAP Asha P, last year’s 7-year-old World Champion at Le Lion d’Angers, also jumped clear to finish in second place on her dressage score of 28.1 — just 0.1 penalties behind Julia’s finishing score.

Asha, an 8-year-old Brandenburg mare (Askari 173 X Hera, by Heraldik xx) Ingrid owns with Dr. Andres Lauber, had two rails down in her CCI4*-S debut at Houghton Hall but jumped out of her skin at Luhmühlen to put the pressure on Julia.

“It’s so much fun to compete against Julia. We had a full showground today — but when Julia and I rode it was completely quiet! Asha jumped so well and was completely relaxed. She’s amazing. I’m very proud of our second place today.”

Dirk Schrade and Unteam de la Cense, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Diamant de Semilly X Ulreike V D Mispelaere, by Skippy II) owned by Freya Rethmeier, jumped clear to move up two places and finish third on 31.1.

“He touched three or four poles, but luckily they all stayed put,” Dirk said. “I am super happy. We wanted to perform well here, and we did.”

Yoshi Oiwa and Bart L JRA, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding (United X Parisma, by Gribaldi) owned by the Japan Equestrian Federation, rose up from sixth place after cross country with a clear show jumping round to finish fourth on 31.3.

Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, a 10-year-old Anglo-Arab (Jaguar Mail X Illusion Purdue, by Jalienny) he owns with Paula and David Evans, were one of the four pairs to finish on their dressage score, moving up from 17th after the first phase to finish fifth on 31.8.

Michael Jung and Highlighter, an 8-year-old BE/SIES gelding (Caretino 2 X Traumerin, by Landgraf I) owned by the Jung Family and Anette Schmid, sat in third place after cross country but dropped two rails to fall to sixth place on 36.3.

Click here to view final scores, and click here to catch up on all of EN’s Luhmühlen coverage. Go Eventing.

Luhmühlen: WebsiteFinal ScoresLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

The dream team of Chatwin, Kelly Prather, Frankie Thieriot-Stutes and Tamie Smith. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Frankie Thieriot-Stutes and Chatwin had a fairytale week at Luhmuhlen in their CCI5*-L debut, delivering the best U.S. result at a European five-star since Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous also finished fourth at the same event in 2017. She was able to make the trip to Germany thanks to receiving the $50,000 Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant last year. Thank you to the Broussard family for their incredibly generous and continued support of U.S. eventing. Well done, Frankie. We are so proud!

National Holiday: National Take Your Cat To Work Day

Major Results:

Luhmühlen: WebsiteFinal ScoresLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Results:

Aspen Farm H.T. [Final Scores]

Woodland Stallion Station H.T. [Final Scores]

Seneca Valley Pony Club H.T. [Final Scores]

Full Gallop June H.T. [Final Scores]

Silverwood Farm H.T. [Final Scores]

Honey Run H.T. [Final Scores]

Golden Spike H.T. [Final Scores]

Valinor Farm H.T. [Final Scores]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. [Final Scores]

Larkin Hill H.T. [Final Scores]

Your Monday News & Notes:

Maj. Gen. Jack Burton passed away on May 29, and his children wrote a wonderful obituary detailing his lifelong dedication to equestrianism and eventing. Jack served a 10-year term as Executive Vice President of the USET, a three-year term as USCTA president, and as an FEI judge and Technical Delegate in three disciplines until he retired at age 92. [Major General Jonathan R. Burton (1919-2019)]

Irish event rider Camilla Speirs shares a jumping exercise for improving agility, straightness and lead changes over a fence in this latest column from our friends at Horse & Hound. [#SundaySchool: how to improve lead changes over a fence]

Wayne Quarles judged the USEA Area IX Charles Owen Technical Merit Award at Golden Spike Horse Trials in Ogden, Utah, yesterday and shared insights into what he looks for in the riders. “I’ll be looking for riders with the right balance and the way they handle the turns and terrain. I want to see how they adjust themselves to ride whatever is happening underneath them.” [Judging the USEA Charles Owen Technical Merit Award with Wayne Quarles]

SmartPak Sweepstakes: Fill out this form to enter for a chance to win a Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose with No-Fly Zone from Horseware. [Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose with No-Fly Zone Sweepstakes]

Your Very Odd Monday Video:

This video has had the EN team cracking up all weekend. We don’t know why Tilly Berendt’s day one dressage report from Luhmūhlen is on YouTube with a Siri-like voice dictating every word, or why an incredibly random slideshow of photos gleaned from EN accompanies it. But we do agree that the unicorn slippers and Sam Watson dressed for a heist somehow make this solid gold.

Luhmühlen CCI5*-L Live Updates: Tim Price Leads, Frankie 9th

Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin showed the Luhmühlen course who’s boss, and will sit in eighth place overnight. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Hello from cross country day at Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials! Following apocalyptic rain storms last night, the start of CCI5*-L cross country has been pushed back to 3 p.m. local time/9 a.m. EST. You can watch the live stream on Horse & Country TV. EN will also be running live updates on this page. Keep refreshing for updates.

Mike Etherington-Smith’s course has 30 numbered fences with 45 total jumping efforts running across 6,370 meters. The time allowed is 11 minutes, 14 seconds. Click here to read through Mike’s analysis on his course. Click here for a fence-by-fence preview with commentary from Tim Price.

Despite the rain, the ground has held up surprisingly well, though conditions are extremely humid in the aftermath of the storm. Click here for start times. Ride times for our U.S. pairs are as follows:

  • Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect: rider fall at 8A, no injuries
  • Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin: clear with 6.4 time penalties

We wish safe rides to all. Go Eventing.

Luhmühlen: WebsiteEntries & Start TimesLive ScoresLive StreamEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

9: We’re underway with Andrew James and Cool Chica as the first out on course.

9:04: Andrew James picked up a runout at the corner at fence 11C — clear on second attempt.

9:08: Andrew picked up another runout at fence 17, the skinny brush going into the Meßmer Teich water complex and elected to retire. He was also marked as missing a flag at fence 13. We’ll be watching those flag penalties closely.

9:09: Sarah Bullimore and Reve de Rouet are on course now.

9:13: Alex Bragg and Zagreb are away from the start box.

9:20: Sarah Bullimore and Reve de Rouet are our first pair home and 1 second inside the time.

9:21: Yoshi Oiwa and Calle 44 are on course and going well — clear through fence 11.

9:25: Alex Bragg and Zagreb are home 8 seconds inside the time. This time is very catchable.

9:27: Becky Wolven and DHI Babette K are on course and clear through the coffin at fence 14.

9:28: Clear and 5 seconds over the time for Yoshi Oiwa and Calle 44 to add 2.0 time penalties.

9:28: Sam Watson and Tullabeg Flamenco are away in the horse’s CCI5*-L debut.

9:29: Clara Louieau and Ultramaille are on course and clear through fence 16.

9:32: Becky Wolven and DHI Babette K complete with a clear round and 4 seconds over the time to add 1.6 time penalties.

9:33: George Hilton-Jones and Efraim are our latest pair to start.

9:36: Clara Louieau and Ultramaille are home clear with 8.8 time penalties.

9:36: Tim Price and Ascona M are away!

9:39: George Hilton-Jones and Efraim picked up a runout at the corner at fence 11C.

9:40: Clear with 9.6 time penalties for Sam Watson and Tullabeg Flamenco.

9:43: Patricia Pytches and CES Ballycar Chip are on course and clear through fence 8.

9:45: Warren Lamperd and Silvia have fallen at fence 3.

9:47: Tim Price and Ascona M are home clear and 5 seconds over the time to add 2.0 time penalties. They will sit no lower than second place overnight.

9:49: Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect are away for the USA. Go Sounder!

9:52: Unfortunately Sound Prospect stumbled on landing after jumping the brush into the water at fence 8A, and Allie couldn’t quite hang on. She is totally OK and walking home.

9:53: Patricia Pytches and CES Ballycar Chip completed clear with 40.4 time penalties.

9:54: Overnight leaders Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti are on course now.

9:57: Charlotte Bacon and Last Touch are our latest pair to start.

9:58: Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti picked up a runout at 14C, the angled brush at the coffin. Tim Price and Ascona M will be our overnight leaders.

10: Kazu has unfortunately picked up another runout at 18B, the skinny brush coming out of the Meßmer Teich water. He elected to retire Brookpark Vikenti.

10:01: Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon have started.

10:03: Andreas fell from FRH Butts Avedon when the horse left a leg at the table at fence 7. They are both OK.

10:05: Charlotte Bacon and Last Touch picked up a runout at 21B, the first of the angled brushes in the main arena. She then picked up two more refusals at fence 26, the first of the angled brushes in the second water, and has sadly been eliminated.

10:08: Elmo Jankari and Soraya 243 are on course and clear through fence 11.

10:09: Eliza Stoddart and Dick O Malley are the latest starters.

10:11 Elmo Jankari and Soraya 243 were marked as missing a flag at the brush corner at fence 13 and then picked up a runout at fence 17, the first skinny brush at the Meßmer Teich water.

10:13: Eliza Stoddart and Dick O Malley picked up a runout at 11C, the second of the two massive corners. She then picked up a second runout at the brush corner at fence 13.

10:15: Elmo Jankari fell from Soraya 243 at fence 23, the first angled brush in the last water. They are both OK.

10:16: Kenki Sato and Shanaclough Contadora are away from the start box.

10:17: Eliza Stoddart and Dick O Malley picked up a refusal at 21B, the first of the angled brushes in the main arena, and then two more refusals at fence 26, the angled brush in the last water, for elimination.

10:20: Kenki Sato has retired Shanaclough Contadora after a runout at 6C, the skinny coming out of the first water complex.

10:22: Sam Ecroyd and Wodan III are our next starters on course.

10:25: Simone Sordi and Amacuzzi are away from the start box.

10:27: Sam Ecroyd and Wodan III picked up a runout at fence 17, the first skinny brush at the Meßmer Teich water.

10:29: Tom McEwen and Figaro van het Broekxhof are the latest starters.

10:31: After eight starters in a row didn’t complete, Sam Ecroyd is home with 20 jumping penalties and 33.2 time penalties.

10:32: Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin are away. GO GIRL GO!

10:35: Simone Sordi and Amacuzzi completely with a clear round and 21.6 time.

10:37: Frankie and Chatwin are clear through 13 and going guns blazing.

10:38: Marie Caroline Barbier and Picasso d’Oreal have started.

10:39: Frankie is clear through fence 18 at the Meßmer Teich water and I am not breathing.

10:40: Tom McEwen and Figaro van het Broekxhof are home clear and 4 seconds inside the time — our third pair inside the time.

10:41: Frankie is clear through the main arena at fence 21.

10:42: Frankie clear through the last water and heading for home. USA! USA! USA!

10:43: Marie Caroline Barbier and Picasso d’Oreal picked up a runout at fence 5A, the first of the skinnies at the mounds.

10:44: Frankie and Chatwin are home clear with 6.4 time penalties in their first CCI5*-L.

10:46: Sharon Polding and Findonfirecracker are clear through fence 14.

10:48: Andreas Ostholt and Corvette 31 are on course.

10:49: Marie Caroline Barbier and Picasso d’Oreal are home with 20 jumping penalties and 25.6 time penalties.

10:53: Sharon Polding completes clear with 23.6 time penalties and gives Findonfirecracker a massive hug after crossing the finish — that’s what it’s all about!

10:54: Jo Rimmer and Isaac Newton are our latest starters.

10:56: Flora Harris and Bayano are away.

11: Andreas Ostholt and Corvette are home with 8.4 time penalties.

11:01: Tony Kennedy and Westeria are our latest starters.

11:04: Jo Rimmer and Isaac Newton complete clear with 10.4 time penalties.

11:05: Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh have started.

11:09: Flora Harris and Bayano complete with 21.2 time penalties. She lost a lot of time taking the long route at the brushes in the final water complex.

11:10: Zara Tindall and Watkins are away from the start box. This is her first time back at CCI5*-L level since 2017.

11:11: Zara unfortunately picked up 20 penalties when Watkins glanced off the skinny coming out of the water at fence 6C. She then elected to retire before fence 7.

11:12: Tony Kennedy and Westeria are home clear with 6.0 time penalties.

11:14: Peter Flarup and Frankie have started.

11:15: We have just two more pairs left to start. Frankie and Chatwin will be guaranteed a top 10 position overnight.

11:16: Clear with 3.2 time penalties for Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh.

11:17: Andrew James and Hold Me Down are away.

11:20: Sarah Bullimore and Conpierre have started as our final pair on course.

11:22: Andrew James and Hold Me Down had a runout at the corner at fence 11C, followed by a second runout at 14C, the angled brush at the coffin. He elected to retire.

11:24: Peter Flarup and Frankie are home 4 seconds inside the time — our fourth pair to catch the optimum time today.

11:32: Clear with 8.4 time penalties for Sarah Bullimore and Conpierre to remain in the top 10.

Top 10 after cross country:

Stay tuned for the full report from Tilly. Thanks for following along! Go Eventing.

Mexico Announces Eventing Team for Pan American Games

Pedro Gutierrez and California Mail at Le Lion d’Angers 2018. Photo by EquusPix.

The Mexican Equestrian Federation has named the eventing team for the Pan American Games, which will take place Aug. 1-4 in Lima, Peru. Ricardo Pérez Conde is serving as chef d’equipe, with the following four riders have been named to the team:

  • Pedro Gutiérrez Aja and California Mail, his own 7-year-old Selle Francais mare (Quite Easy X Varnalisa Mail, by Kalaska de Semilly)
  • Guillermo Germán de Campo Marambio and Quelite, a 13-year-old Mexican Sport Horse gelding (Ohio W X Logica) owned by Eduardo Herrera and Alejandro Barrera
  • Abraham Gaspar Ojeda Serrano and Tamara, a 10-year-old Mexican Sport Horse mare (Mezcalero X Nacozari, by Landor S) owned by the Mexican Office for National Defense
  • José Alan Triana Martínez and Violento, an 8-year-old Mexican Sport Horse stallion (Conthargos X Nacosari), owned by the Mexican Office for National Defense

The reserve combination is Fernando Parroquín Delfín and Romana. 

The U.S. and Canada will both name their teams next week. Keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know about the Pan Ams.

Go Eventing.

[Mexican Pan Ams Team Announcement]

Drone Flyover: Every Fence on the Luhmühlen CCI5*-L Cross Country Course

Drones offer a fantastic way to preview cross country courses, and this flyover video of Mike Etherington-Smith’s CCI5*-L at the Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials is an absolute must-watch.

The course has 30 numbered fences with 45 total jumping efforts running across 6,370 meters. The time allowed is 11 minutes, 10 seconds. Click here to read through Mike’s analysis on his course.

The action kicks off today with the first horse inspection. Tilly Berendt is on the grounds to bring you wall-to-wall coverage. Keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know from Luhmühlen.

Go Eventing.

Luhmühlen: WebsiteEntries & Start TimesLive ScoresEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

 

Monday News & Notes from Fleeceworks

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Greetings from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. We’ve just wrapped the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont CCI Three-Day Event in Quebec, Canada. I’d like to spend a minute discussing the fact that Landmark’s Monte Carlo, who was the only horse to finish on his dressage score in the CCI4*-L, seemingly found his inner voice when Lauren Kieffer called an animal communicator in the hopes of slaying his show jumping demons. I’ve written a variety of different conclusions to major competitions in the seven years I’ve been doing this job, but never one in which the horse told his own story. Read all about it here.

National Holiday: National Egg Roll Day

Major Event Results:

Bromont: WebsiteFinal ScoresEN’s Coverage

Bramham: WebsiteFinal ScoresEN’s Coverage

Wiesbaden ERMERM WebsiteFinal ScoresLive Stream

U.S. Weekend Results:

Plantation Field H.T. [Final Scores]

The Middleburg H.T. [Final Scores]

River Glen H.T. [Final Scores]

Queeny Park H.T. [Final Scores]

Your Monday News & Notes:

Connemaras stole the show at the USEA Area III Championships, with seven purebred and half-bred Connemaras, all registered with the American Connemara Pony Society, coming home with ribbons. [Connemaras Crowned Champions in Area III]

Canada’s Eric Lamaze made an impressive comeback to win the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada at Spruce Meadows in Calgary in his first competition since publicly revealing he has been battling a brain tumor for the past year and a half. [Eric Lamaze claims important win during brain tumour battle]

Event rider and coach Nick Gauntlett explains how you can use poles to improve rhythm and give your horse confidence in the approach to a fence. [#SundaySchool: how to improve rhythm over fences]

Your Monday Video: If you don’t know Emily Bradford, you should. Well done, mate!

Bromont 3* Winners: Two Comeback Kids & A Horse Named After Peter Barry

Kylie Lyman and Da Vinci Code. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Everyone loves a good comeback story, and both of the CCI3*-L winners at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont Three-Day Event battled their own unique adversities to bounce back to the top here in Quebec.

Kylie Lyman had us in all in tears yesterday as she recounted Da Vinci Code‘s emotional journey back to the top. After a two-year recovery from a soft tissue injury, “Davinci,” a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Master Imp X Clovers Apollo, by Clover Hill) owned by Joan Nichols, won his first international back on his dressage score of 28.3.

“He goes out every single day and is just a class, class horse. Everything he does, he gives it everything. He just went out there and tried for me every single fence,” Kylie said. “Even at fence 4 when I wasn’t perfect, he knew what he needed to go out and do today. It’s great to go and win, but the story behind home coming back so well just makes it extra special.”

With just 0.4 penalties separating the top two after cross country, Kylie didn’t have a rail in hand going into show jumping today. “I had a little pep talk with myself that if I had a rail, it’s such a minor piece of the puzzle with his career, and it’s not the end of the world, and to enjoy the past two years of getting him back to this moment. I want to appreciate having a horse of his quality that has the heart that he does. I’m just trying to make the most of it all.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI3*-L leaderboard, Allie Knowles and Business Class, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Harlequin du Carel X Modela, by Quick Star) owned by Katherine O’Brien, jumped a lovely clear to finish second on 28.7. Allie now heads to Germany to compete The Sound Prospect LLC’s Sound Prospect in the Luhmühlen CCI5*-L this week, and the entire EN team wishes her the very best of luck.

Kimmy Cecere and Jacqueline Mars’ Landmark’s Monaco — a full brother to Landmark’s Monte Carlo, who finished second in the CCI4*-L today — finished on their dressage score of 32.1 to take third place.

Click here for final scores in the CCI3*-L.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Jenni Autry.

For our second comeback story, look no further than Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. After being disqualified from their first CCI3*-L completion at the Ocala Jockey Club in 2017, Alyssa bounced back to win the under-25 division today on a score of 27.3.

“In the warm-up I just jumped a couple jumps, and he was jumping a lot better this time than he was at (Ocala Jockey Club),” Alyssa said. “Some of the lines came up a bit quicker, and in the past he’s been a little spooky with the show jumps. He came in and the jumps backed him off a bit, and it did help me because he does have such a long stride, and he can get pretty strong, and that held him off a bit. He jumped super. I had a rail in hand, but I’m glad I didn’t need it.”

As for what’s next for Oskar, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Coriando X Nicole, by Marlo) owned by Julia Phillips, he’ll have a well deserved break, and then Alyssa is eyeing a move up to the Advanced level.

“The goal is the CCI4*-L at Fair Hill or Ocala Jockey Club, depending on what will suit him best. If everything goes to plan, hopefully I’ll go to Bramham next year. He seems ready for it.”

Alyssa and Oskar led the way for Leslie Law’s team in the USEF/USET Foundation Inc. North American Futures Team Challenge, but Erik Duvander’s team ultimately took the win. Click here for a full breakdown of the team results and what the riders gained from the experience.

Nine combinations in the CCIU253*-L jumped clear show jumping rounds to give us a 47% clear rate. Alyssa’s teammate Alex Baugh and Altorac Farm’s Ballingowan Pizazz, a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality X Rocklea, by Leabag), delivered a classy clear to finish second on 33.2.

Canada’s Shelby Brost and Crimson, her own 16-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Etta x Dixieland Heat, by Cojak), also jumped clear to rise from eighth after dressage to finish third on their dressage score of 33.6.

Click here to view full results in the CCIU253*-L.

Boyd Martin and Barry. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Last but certainly not least, Boyd Martin won the CCI3*-S today aboard Barry, topping a stacked field of championship medalists and five-star stalwarts. Clocking in at 75% Thoroughbred, 10-year-old Barry has all the pieces on paper to be a top class event horse, though he’s had a rather rocky road to the top.

Bred by Canadian Olympian Peter Barry and named after him, Barry is by the British-bred stallion Catherston Liberator — the same sire of Tim Price’s 2019 Kentucky mount Xavier Faer — and out of Freespirit, a Hanoverian/Thoroughbred mare Colleen Loach produced to the CCI4*-L level while working for Peter. When Freespirit’s wild-child son Barry started his party trick of bucking riders into oblivion, Boyd had the opportunity to purchase him “for the deal of the century.”

The fact that this horse won today is a testament to Boyd’s sheer stubbornness to give up on him, and the owners, Kathleen Crompton and Nancy Hathaway, for believing Barry has all the pieces to be something great.

“I think he’s got power and length of stride, and grit and determination in the jumping,” Boyd said. “He’s a pretty good mover, sound and tough, and got a bit of mongrel in him. I think he’s tricky, but he’s going to be a big time five-star horse.”

Boyd added: “You can’t get too high when they’re going well, and you can’t get too low when things don’t work out, because it all levels out at the next show. It’s a funny sport like that, and I’m still loving it and enjoying it at this stage of my life.”

Looking to the rest of the CCI3*-S leaderboard, everyone’s favorite vet, Dr. Kevin Keane, rose from sixth place after dressage to finish second with his own Sportsfield Candy, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Condios, on a final score of 34.4.

Christina Henriksen and JTH Zest, her own 8-year-old British-bred mare ( Zamboucca X Maybee Baybee, by Mayhill), had one rail down to finish third on 34.9.

Click here to view full scores in the CCI3*-S.

And that, mesdames et messieurs, is a wrap on EN’s Bromont coverage. Until next year … au revoir.

#BromontCCI: WebsiteLive ScoresEN’s CoverageEN’s TwitterEN’s Instagram

 

Bobby Meyerhoff and Gabrielle Hutchison Take Bromont CCI2*-L Victories

Bobby Meyerhoff and Lumumba. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Show jumping proved to be the deciding factor for both CCI2*-L divisions at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont CCI Three-Day Event, with the winners both rising from third place after cross country to taste victory.

Just 10 of the 25 pairs in the CCI2*-L delivered clear rounds over Marc Donovan’s course. Bobby Meyerhoff and Lumumba, an 8-year-old Mecklenburg (Levisonn X Lamara, by Lamarc) owned by The Donovan Group, finished on their dressage score of 30.6 in the mare’s debut at the level.

Bobby found “Lulu” as a 7-year-old in Germany who had never evented. “Ever since day one, she was lovely to produce and ride and train. She has all the personality traits I look for and want in a good horse. She loves to work, and she just keeps improving and improving, and she loves to try.”

He planned to target the Bromont CCI2*-L with her since last year. “I imagined how she was going to be around the course. She went just how I thought she would. She’s a really keen horse with a big stride and a big gallop. She just eats it up with her personality. … We all try to win, and I said I’d like to try to go and win that show. For it to happen was pretty cool.”

Since retiring his five-star partner Dunlavin’s Token, Bobby has exciting up-and-coming horses stepping up to the higher levels, and he thinks Lulu has all the pieces to keep progressing through the levels.

“I’ve got a couple other ones that I’m producing that are a little further along than her, but with her class and her personality and her work ethic, I think she’s going to go all the way and be successful. She has the quality and the desire to win, and she likes to win, so I think she has a lot of potential.”

Rebecca Brown and her own Harbin, a 9-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding (Verglas X Rainbow City, by Rainbow Quest), jumped a clear round to move from fifth up to second place on 33.2 in the horse’s debut at the level.

Lauren Kieffer and Get Gaudi, an 8-year-old KWPN mare (Alicante HBC X Second Floor, by Faram) owned by Jacqueline Mars, jumped clear to finish third on 34.0.

Click here to view final scores in the CCI2*-L.

Gabrielle Hutchison and Straight Moonshine. Photo by Cealy Tetly.

Show jumping also shook up the CCIU252*-L, with just 41% of the field jumping clear rounds. Gabrielle Hutchison and Straight Moonshine prevailed in their debut at the level to win on their dressage score of 34.0.

Gabrielle bought “Moony,” a 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare (Malibu Moonshine X Straight Blues, by Straight Man), from a polo player in Aiken as a 4-year-old after she retired with four starts on the track. She started as a working student for Erin Sylvester in February and has been gearing up for Bromont ever since.

“She’s been better than I ever could have asked for her to be. She can be a bit spooky and a bit wild, but she’s been calm all weekend, and she gave me everything she had,” Gabrielle said. “She was perfect yesterday. I thought I was down on the time, but she came in 20 seconds under. … I knew it was going to be the biggest course she had ever seen, and I hoped to finish on her dressage score, so for us to win is just a bonus.

Mike Pendleton and Carlsburg, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Puissance X Flame and Passion, by Cruising) owned by Boyd Martin and Steve Blauner, had one rail down to finish second on 34.3 in the horse’s debut at the level.

Joe Bowersox and Amy Lindgren’s Minotaure du Passoir, a 19-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Experio X Almee Joueuse, by Sarpedon), jumped clear to finish third on their dressage score of 34.4 in the final event of the horse’s career.

“Min” had his first retirement nine years ago here at Bromont when he won the CCI2*-L with Boyd Martin, and he returned to the international level in 2017 with Joe, a longtime working student for Boyd. Happy retirement, Min!

Click here to view final scores in the CCIU252*-L.

Stay tuned for the final report from the CCI3*-L, CCIU253*-L and CCI3*-S. You can watch the replay of show jumping for all divisions at this link. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s Bromont coverage.

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Boyd Martin Takes First Bromont CCI4*-L Win With Homebred Ray Price

Boyd Martin and Ray Price. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin has won top events all around the world, but the Todd Sandler Perpetual Trophy had eluded him ever since Bromont added a CCI4*-L in 2008 — until today. Adding 0.8 time penalties over Marc Donovan’s show jumping course secured the win with his homebred Ray Price on a final score of 33.0.

“In my book, along with Fair Hill, Bromont is the biggest and best four-star long in North America. I’ve come close a few times, but never won it. Last year after Fair Hill, I knew Ray Price was green, but he just galloped the distance so well there. Right from that moment, I’ve been dialed in for this event trying to win it. It’s a personal achievement I’ve been aiming for a long time.”

Ray, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred/Dutch gelding (Raise A Stanza X Fair Fiona, by Salute), represents the second generation of Boyd’s breeding program, as he also bred the dam in Australia before bringing both of them to the U.S. (Click here to read all about Ray’s breeding and other foals in the family.)

“The connections I have with Australia are getting less and less now,” Boyd said. “It’s great to think that a horse bred in Lochinvar has made his way to Montreal and won one of the biggest four-star longs in North America.”

Ray has been a work in progress in all three phases. He had four rails down in his CCI4*-L debut at Jersey Fresh last year, and then jumped clear at Fair Hill International in the fall, though he picked up 20 jumping penalties at the final water complex on cross country.

“Horses in this family are brilliant and talented, but they are quirky in all three phases. I’ve put thousands of hours of training into them, but they take years and years. He’s 11 and he feels more like a 9-year-old, but he’s getting it now,” Boyd said. “The show jumping isn’t about making him careful; it’s about trying to make him confident and jumping with joy.”

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd also sat in second place after cross country with Christine Turner’s On Cue, a 12-year-old Anglo-European mare (Cabri D’Elle X On High, by Primitive Rising), and one rail down ultimately dropped her to third place on 36.3.

“She’s a champion horse, and I consider the performance equally as good as Ray. My real goal is to try and have a bunch of horses lined up for next year’s Olympic Games. This is a stepping stone event for producing (both Ray Price and On Cue) for next year. I’ll compete at Fair Hill and see how they are looking for Kentucky, and hopefully have a few to pick from.”

Lauren Kieffer and Jacqueline Mars’ homebred Landmark’s Monte Carlo, a 12-year-old Irish/Thoroughbred gelding (Formula One X Glamour), were the only pair in the CCI4*-L to finish on their dressage score, rising from 13th after dressage to secure second place on 35.4.

To say today’s clear round was a massive achievement would be an understatement. Before today, Patrick had only jumped one clear show jumping round at long formats in eight attempts, and never at this level. Patrick’s show jumping form also deteriorated last fall when he and Lauren parted ways in their round at the Plantation Field CCI4*-S and were eliminated on refusals at the Fair Hill CCI4*-L.

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After his round at Jersey Fresh last month, when Patrick pulled six rails in the CCI3*-S, Lauren made a last-ditch effort to find the source of his show jumping demons: She called an animal communicator.

“We didn’t tell her anything about him. She asked what I wanted to ask him, and I said, ‘Why does he hate show jumping?’ Patrick said he doesn’t like shows because he doesn’t like being judged by people. He doesn’t mind practicing, but he doesn’t like to be judged by people, and he didn’t understand why we had to do it. If I really wanted him to go to shows, he said he would be happy to be there to support the other horses,” Lauren explained.

“She said I needed to convince him at shows that he was just practicing because he doesn’t like that ‘Mummy acts different at shows.’ He doesn’t care about winning, and he doesn’t like to be judged, and he doesn’t like how nervous he gets there.”

So Lauren did exactly what the animal communicator told her to do. She tamped down her nerves, told Patrick that each phase was just practice, and he was there to be a cheerleader for his stablemates. (He told the animal communicator that Get Gaudi is his favorite horse because he is “impressed by her independence.”) Lauren told Patrick “good boy” after every jump in his round today, and he jumped a beautiful clear with his ears pricked.

“Us as competitors, we kind of feed off the nerves, and we like having the nerves, so it was actually a very weird exercise. I had to tell the nerves to go away and think ‘it doesn’t matter, we’re just practicing,’ and it worked,” Lauren said.

“Whatever works works, and I’ll do it because he’s a good horse. He’s so much fun. Even if he’s not great in the other two phases, running him cross country is so much fun, and even just having the practice of running a horse around big tracks — you can’t beat that.”

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Looking to the rest of the CCI4*-L leaderboard, Buck Davidson and Carlevo, a 12-year-old Holsteiner (Caresino X Ramatuelle, by Levernois) owned by Carlevo LLC, jumped one of the 10 clear rounds to finish fourth on 40.3.

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Chacoa x KEC Galway Bay, by Gildawn Diamond) he owns with Kirk Hoppner, jumped clear to round out the top five on 48.7 as the highest placed Canadian pair.

Click here to view final scores in the CCI4*-L. You can watch the replay of show jumping for all divisions at this link. We still have final reports to bring you from the other divisions, so keep checking back to EN. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s Bromont coverage.

As one of our favorite events of the year comes to a close, we have to thank Queen of Bromont Sue Ockendon, the AMAZING VOLUNTEERS, fantastic staff and officials, and everyone who works incredibly hard throughout the year so we can enjoy this little slice of heaven.

Boyd said it best in the final press conference: “Bromont is a mega event. I’ve been lucky enough to compete at four-stars all over the world, and this is as good as any event I’ve ever competed at. The course is a real test. If you get a horse that can go around here, you know you have a horse for the future.”

Au Revoir. Go Eventing.

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One Horse Not Accepted in Bromont Final Inspection

Boyd Martin and Ray Price, overnight leaders in the CCI4*-L. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ashlyn Dorsey’s mount Stakkato II was sadly not accepted in the CCIU253*-L during this morning’s final horse inspection at the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont CCI Three-Day Event. All other horses that presented to the ground juries were accepted.

The CCI2*-L ground jury sent Therese Evans’ mount Beechfields Skyfall to the holding box and accepted the horse upon re-inspection. No other horses were sent to the holding box in any of the divisions.

The final horse inspection overlapped with the start of show jumping due to bumper entries at Bromont, and we have already crowned our first winner of the day in the CCIU252*-L in Gabrielle Hutchison and Straight Moonshine.

Show jumping will continue in the following order: CCI2*-L, CCIU253*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-L. You can watch live on Bromont’s Facebook page.

Click here to catch up on all of EN’s Bromont coverage. Go Eventing.

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Watch the MARS EQUESTRIAN Bromont Show Jumping Finale

UPDATE: Click over to Bromont’s Facebook page to watch.

Welcome to the finale of the MARS Equestrian Bromont CCI Three-Day Event! Show jumping is streaming live for all divisions in the following order: CCIU252*-L, CCI2*-L, CCIU253*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-L. Following along with live scoring here.

If the video above stops playing, click here to watch.

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