Classic Eventing Nation

Sunday Links

By on Oct 18, 2026 12:01 am -

The repeat is on the table! The Belgian Le Lion champion from 2025 in the 6-year-old division is poised to make a rare defense of the champion title as we conclude the Eventing World Championships for Young Horses today. Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Tara van het Leliehof stormed around cross country in the 7-year-old CCI3*-L yesterday to maintain the lead they grabbed after dressage. Lara also moved up onto the podium into third in the 6-year-old CCI2*-L Championship with Herakles.

“There are days when you just feel incredibly lucky to do what you do,” Lara wrote on social media. “To ride horses like these, to share these moments with people who put their heart and soul into it every single day, and to experience it all in a place as special as [Mondial du Lion].

“I love my horses, I love my team so much , I love the atmosphere here at Le Lion, the people, the emotions… everything that makes eventing so special.

“Tonight we’re going to enjoy this moment, because we all know how quickly things can change in this sport. Tomorrow will bring whatever it brings.

“But today… today was just one of those days I wish I could bottle up and keep forever.”

A shout also to the USA’s Phillip Dutton, who rode Caroline Moran’s Darwinn to a clear inside the time that moved them up into 14th. They’d started the competition in 20th overall. Phillip and Darwinn were supported on this trip to Le Lion by the Turner/Holekamp Grant and the Dutta Corp. Prize, which work to support the U.S. development pipeline by providing financial support to the top horse(s) qualified for each division each year.

Hallie Coon’s double clear with Tykillen Tango was also rewarded with a move up in the standings, from 42nd into 28th overall.

Also representing North America, Canadian Mike Winter jumped a clear round with Leah Chapman and Hazel Thompson’s Billy Debussy, picking up 12.4 time penalties.

The 6-year-old dressage leader also held on to the lead after cross country yesterday, with Dutch pair Patrick Verbakel and Passoa collecting two seconds of time but defending their position to lead on a score of 28.8.

By the time you’re up and reading this, we’ll likely be through the final horse inspection and onto the show jumping conclusion, which begins at 11:00 am local time / 5:00 am EST for the 6-year-olds and at 3:00 pm local time / 9:00 am EST for the 7-year-olds. The 7-year-old division will be shown live for free on the FEI YouTube channel here. Some replays are also available on YouTube; the rest of the competition can be watched live and on demand on ClipMyHorse.TV here.

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses (Le Lion d’Angers, France): [Website] [FEI Info Hub] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream – ClipMyHorse.TV] [Live Stream – FEI YouTube]

U.S. Events This Weekend

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Live Score Feeds, sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap National H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Eventing Volunteers]

Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Volunteer]

In the News

Fresh off her US Equestrian Open Eventing win last weekend, Sharon White’s poised to take home another title at this weekend’s Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill. Sharon moved up to take the lead after starting the weekend off in second place, taking home one of just two clears inside the time with Anita Antenucci’s Arden Augustus. Sharon and “Gus” will start Sunday on a 28.3 – they do not have a rail in hand over Kiwi pair Monica Spencer and Valkyrie, on a 31.3.

HSH Moves Like Jagger and Caroline Pamukcu. Amy Dragoo Photography photo

The USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships also wrapped up yesterday, and it was once more Caroline Pamukcu who won the title after winning the 4-year-old Championship on Friday. This time, it was HSH Moves Like Jagger’s turn to shine, taking the 5-year-old Championship with Caroline in the irons. A wedding gift from Caroline’s business partner, Kelley Hutchinson, HSH Moves Like Jagger has been largely produced this year by Caroline’s assistant rider, Mason Reidy, while Caroline was on the road for World Championships and focusing on her top string.

Finishing just behind Caroline as this year’s reserve champion on a score of 88.13 was Gianna Fernandez’s own 5-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Rockefeller (Manden I Sonderbygaard x Goxynula-N), bred by M.A. Becherer. Known around the barn as “Rocky,” Rockefeller is a relatively new partner for Gianna, who purchased the gelding in April and was competing in Young Event Horse events for the first time this year. “I’ve always wanted to do it, but I haven’t had the opportunity to,” she said. “It’s such an amazing experience and something that I can also learn from and get a new experience out of. It was the opportunity that I saw, and I was like, ‘This would be awesome for both me and Rocky.’ So we just went for it.”

Rounding out the top three on a score of 87.33 was Fylicia Barr aboard her own American Warmblood gelding Zodak First Sunrise (Viscerado x Gallaway Sunrise), bred by Shannon Barr. Zodak First Sunrise was also awarded the Highest-Placed American-Bred Horse Award.

We also spotted 5*-rider turned mostly-full-time show jumper Leah Lang-Glucsic out the eventing scene with the 5-year-old Carrabeg Tabasco. Leah and Carrabeg Tabasco finished 12th overall and earned the Safe Harbor Award, with recognizes the young horse who consistently exhibits the most graceful and rider-friendly performance throughout the competition.

Full Maryland scores can be found here.

Links & Reading

5 of Our Early Favorites in the 2026 Goresbridge Go for Gold Catalog

By on Oct 17, 2026 9:00 am -

It’s window shopping season and the catalog for the 2026 Goresbridge Go for Gold Select Event Horse Sale in Ireland has just gone live, so what better way to spend your spare time?

Each year, EN teams up with the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale to highlight the sale itself and its rich history as well as our picks from the hand-selected catalog of promising young event horses. The Go for Gold sale takes place November 9-11 at Barnadown and the Amber Springs Hotel in Co. Wexford and features two days of on-site and live streamed viewing of all lots followed by a welcome reception, gala and dinner on the final day at the Amber Springs Hotel. It’s a truly festive atmosphere, if you’re able to horse shop this year (and even if you’re just window shopping like us, it’s a cool trip to add to your bucket list).

We’ll have a more extensive wishlist coming your way soon, but let’s go ahead and get you going with five of our early picks of horses we’d love to bring home with us.

How did we select these horses? Not scientifically at all. Some breeding matches caught our eye, others simply had a nice look, or we liked how they looked on video. We aren’t experts, so don’t take us as such – rather, consider us your serious enablers if you also want to join us in picking out some nice horses. And if you are actively shopping and wind up with a Go for Gold horse, be sure to tell us about it!

Lots to love here if you’re a Diarado fan (and there are two Diarados in this year’s catalog). The #1-ranked stallion by WBFSH since 2021, Diarado continues to impact the sport of eventing and is a sought-after producer if you’re eyeing an upper-level run. Beyond that, though, we loved the keen and intelligent twinkle in this filly’s eye (watch her video here) and feel she’d make a smart match for an equally intelligent and thoughtful rider.

A lovely type who looks like he could also go and compete in the equitation or hunter ring if he wanted, this four-year-old has some excellent French influence in his breeding and a good amount of blood that will make him a strong horse for things requiring endurance. We loved his easy nature, fluid stride and effortless jump that can only get more polished as his experience grows. View his video here.

We mostly loved the Thoroughbred influence on this three-year-old, who looks supremely unbothered in his free jumping video that you can watch here. The breeding match-up here features some strong jumping lines, and this guy’s got a lovely look about him that will be an unbeatable combination with what’s described to be a trainable mind.

If big jumpers are your thing, you’ll love watching this guy’s free jumping video. Eventers will need to train a horse like this to use his jump efficiently, but the scope is nearly limitless with this one if this free jumping video is any indication; you get the sense, watching it, that you could put the poles in the rafters and he’d nearly get there to clear them.

Another filly we’d love to have in our stable, mostly because we love her canter and its balance. The jumping is no trouble to her and comes naturally to her, and she’s also got some eventing royalty as well as strong Thoroughbred influence on both sides of her pedigree. Honestly, it was her photo that first caught our eye, but the video was lovely to watch too.

The thing with the Go for Gold catalog is that it, of course, only tells a partial story. However, shopping with a sale like this means that each horse you view has at least been professionally assessed for suitability in eventing. That takes some of the initial guesswork out of the equation. Every horse purchase is a risk in some way, but you’re given a lot of information (current x-rays are also available for each horse, and you can often speak with the breeder and/or producers of the horse yourself at the sale) with which to educate your final decision.

But don’t take our word for it! Have a gander through the catalog yourself here – over 90 gorgeous horses are on offer this year. Videos are available for all horses – free jumping for the youngest and ridden videos for the 4- and 5-year-olds. If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, make sure to pack riding gear as you are also able to book in a time to try a horse yourself.

You can start planning your trip by visiting the Go for Gold website here. If you’re thinking of bidding online or by phone, make sure you register ahead of time to be eligible.

Curious about past graduates of the Go for Gold sale? View them here!

Saturday Links

By on Oct 17, 2026 12:01 am -

HSH Straight Arrow and Caroline Pamukcu. USEA/Mane Focus Creative photo

It’s a weekend for the young horses all across the world with major competitions featuring 4-year-olds and upwards taking place at Fair Hill as well as Le Lion in France. Looking to the Fair Hill and Maryland 3 Star action, Caroline Pamukcu is off to a hot start. She’s the dressage leader in the CCI3*-L that features nearly 50 horses with HSH Limited Edition, and yesterday she took the win in the USEA East Coast Young Event Horse 4-Year-Old Championship on HSH Straight Arrow.

The following is excerpted from a press release distributed by the USEA:

The 4-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, owned by Pamukcu and Sherrie Martin and bred by Jacinta O’Donoghue, led the competition from start to finish, ultimately securing the championship title on a cumulative score of 89.21.

Pamukcu and HSH Straight Arrow (Datsdwhy x Imnotafraid Fortuna) established themselves as early frontrunners in the competition, earning a dressage score of 16.22 to take the lead after the first phase. The gelding continued to impress during the conformation evaluation, receiving an 8.14 to maintain his position atop the leaderboard heading into the jumping and galloping test.

With the championship title within reach, Pamukcu guided the young gelding through the final phase, where he earned a 14.10 in show jumping, 28.20 in cross-country, 13.55 in overall evaluation, and 9.00 in general impression. His combined jumping and galloping score of 64.85 was the highest of the division, securing his place at the top of the final standings.

HSH Straight Arrow’s journey to becoming a YEH champion began in Ireland, where Pamukcu’s business partner, Kelly Hutchinson, discovered him approximately two years ago. Pamukcu has always been drawn to horses with Thoroughbred bloodlines, and the young gelding immediately caught her attention.

“She knows I’m a huge fan of having a horse that’s Thoroughbred on one of the sides,” Pamukcu explained. “She sent me a picture of his head in a stall, and I was like, ‘Buy it! I want it! Buy it! This one!'”

Hutchinson oversaw the gelding’s early education in Ireland, gradually developing him until he was ready to make the trip to the United States and continue his training under Pamukcu.

While Pamukcu has spent much of the year traveling to international competitions, including the FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen, Germany, the development of her young horses has continued at home thanks to the efforts of her team.

“I have to say, huge kudos to my riders at home,” she said, crediting her longtime rider Mason Reidy and dressage trainer Samantha St. Jacques. “They’ve done everything because I was between Worlds and Burghley and all of the other FEIs, I was gone.”

Nicholas Hansen and his own Irish Sport Horse gelding Excel Star Obsidian (Jorado x DS Piper) claimed the reserve championship title on a final score of 86.15. The pair sat in 12th place following dressage and conformation; however, the jumping and galloping test proved to be their opportunity to shine. Hansen and the 4-year-old earned a 13.20 in show jumping, an impressive 27.90 in cross-country, 13.25 in overall evaluation, and 9.10 in general impression. Their combined score of 63.45 in the final phase propelled them up the leaderboard to finish as reserve champions.

“He far and away was our favorite,” Nicholas recalled. “We brought him to the States in December of last year, where we rode him a couple times in a couple shows through the Ocala circuit. I have more of a dressage specialty, and my wife is a four-star rider, so it’s been really awesome to sort of tag team with each other to produce these guys.”

Rounding out the top three was Elinor O’Neal aboard her own German Sport Horse gelding Quite Everglade (Quite Great x Babette) bred by Marion Dopfer. The pair were in third place following dressage with a score of 15.96 and moved into second after receiving an 8.29 in conformation, the highest conformation mark among the top three finishers. In the jumping and galloping test, the pair earned a 12.90 in show jumping, 24.30 in cross-country, 13.10 in overall evaluation, and an impressive 9.50 in general impression. Their final score of 84.05 secured third place overall.

Quite Everglade and O’Neal were also presented with The Go Get ‘Em Award in memory of Don Trotter, which recognizes the 4-year-old horse with the highest gallop score at each of the East and West Coast Championships. Generously provided by Stillwater Farm, the award includes a trophy and prize check and honors the memory of Donald Trotter, who passed away in 2019.

The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Award was presented to Madison Temkin’s own Rock D’Oro (Bold D’Oro x Rockport Babe). The pair finished eighth overall in the championship on a score of 81.74, earning recognition as the highest-placing eligible Thoroughbred in the division. The award encourages the retraining of Thoroughbreds for new careers following their time in racing or breeding, with the winning horse receiving a ribbon and TIP show cooler.

The YEH wraps up today with the 5-year-old Championship jumping. The CCI3*-L will go cross country. There is no live stream from Maryland this weekend but you can follow along with live scoring here.

Major International Events

A quick update from Le Lion, where by the time you are reading this cross country will most likely be underway. The 6-year-old CCI2*-L will be the first to see starting at 10:00 am local time / 4:00 am EST. The 7-year-old CCI3*-L will follow starting at 1:00 pm local time / 7:00 am EST. The 6-year-old division will be live streamed on the FEI YouTube channel here; it’s unclear whether the 7-year-olds will be or not, but both can be found on ClipMyHorse.TV here.

2025 6-year-old champion Tara van het Leliehof couldn’t be threatened on Friday, and she will be the 7-year-old leader to beat today with Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier; Lara’s also sitting in the top five in this year’s 6-year-old division with Heralkes. In that division, it’s Dutch rider Patrick Verbakel who won the first phase on Passoa, scoring a 28.0.

Phillip Dutton and Darwinn are the top-placed of the North Americans, scoring a 34.2. Phillip noted that some loss of attention in the atmosphere was a contributing factor to a higher-than-typical score (he’s been more of a sub-30 scorer this season), but there’s still room to do some moving with today’s cross country. Hallie Coon’s Tykillen Tango was another who scored a bit higher than his season average, earning a 37.7.

If you want to have a look at the always-festive courses here, you can do so, fence-by-fence, on CrossCountry App below or here / in the CrossCountry App, which is free to download:

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses (Le Lion d’Angers, France): [Website] [FEI Info Hub] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream – ClipMyHorse.TV] [Live Stream – FEI YouTube]

U.S. Events This Weekend

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Live Score Feeds, sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap National H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Eventing Volunteers]

Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Volunteer]

Links & Reading

Training Tip of the Day

Three top tips for making a good impression before you go down centerline, straight from a 5* judge:

Go Eventing

How Jenny Caras, currently based in the UK, spends her time between eventing rides:

The FEI Has Opened Expressions of Interest for 2030 World Championships; Bids for Multiple Disciplines Preferred

By on Oct 16, 2026 10:00 am -

Ingrid Klimke (GER) and SAP Hale Bob OLD compete at the World Equestrian Games at Tryon in 2018, the last time all FEI disciplines were together for a World Championship. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The FEI sent an update to National Federations and stakeholders earlier this week officially opening up the bidding process for a 2030 World Championships host site. The FEI indicated a preference for host sites that could stage a venue for multiple disciplines, but said that single-discipline bids would also be considered.

What this means: We have’t had a true World Equestrian Games since Tryon in 2018, which was put on with mixed results (some self-imposed, others – like hurricane weather – uncontrollable). This summer’s World Championships at Aachen nearly got there, hosting every discipline except for endurance. Unifying the seven sports (eventing, jumping, dressage, para dressage, vaulting, driving and endurance) would be a truly exciting accomplishment but represents a large logistical challenge.

Especially for eventing and endurance. Eventing requires enough space to build a 9-10 minute course, and World Championship endurance length is about 100 miles (typically done in loops).

The FEI’s update said that it would consider bids to host a full FEI World Equestrian Games, but did not indicate a direct preference for this option.

Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52 at the iconic Aachen venue for this year’s World Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

What are the scenarios? Three scenarios, most likely.

  • Option A: A similar makeup to 2026, which had 6/7 disciplines at Aachen. Endurance will have its World Championship in the United Arab Emirates in December; the discipline underwent venue reallocations that delayed the Championships, which had initially been slated to be held in Saudi Arabia.
    • Option B: A single- or dual-discipline Championship, similar to 2022. In this case, it’s likely eventing would end up on its own again given its need for acreage.
  • Option C: A reunified World Equestrian Games that hosts all seven under one roof.

Could North America host another World Championship? No doubt. The USA has hosted two World Equestrian Games – 2010 in Kentucky and 2018 in Tryon. Both venues have the infrastructure to repeat the feat. It was thought that the World Equestrian Center in Ocala would eventually submit a bid after the ownership group affiliated with the facility purchased the Ocala Jockey Club in 2021, but there hasn’t been much public movement on that angle.

What are the next steps? Expressions of interest, which are not binding, are due by December 11. The opening of a formal bidding process will follow in January, and in order to be eligible to submit a bid, an entity or National Federation must have submitted an Expression of Interest. Bids will then be due at the end of March 2027. The allocation will then be given at the June 2027 FEI Board meeting.

Friday News & Notes from Stable View

By on Oct 16, 2026 12:01 am -

There’s something to be said about having the ability to repeat a success. Last year’s 6-year-old World Champions at Le Lion are on track to do that again, returning to take the Thursday lead in the 7-year-old CCI3*-L Championship. Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier took the lead yesterday with Tara van het Leliehof on a score of 28.6. Even if they’re toppled from the lead today, they’ll be within range of taking the crown nonetheless as defending champions. France’s Thomas Carlile is one rider to have pulled a Le Lion double, and in fact he’s done it twice, most recently in 2022 and 2023 with Golden de Beliard.

On the schedule today is the start of competition for the 6-year-old CCI2*-L Championship, followed by the conclusion of the 7-year-old CCI3*-L Championship. The latter’s schedule includes the USA’s Hallie Coon and Tykillen Tango (3:12 pm local time / 9:12 am EST) and Phillip Dutton with Darwinn (4:15 pm local / 10:15 am EST). On Thursday, North America was also represented by Canadian Olympian Mike Winter with Billy Debussy – they started their competition off with a 37.3 yesterday.

You can view full timing and live scoring here, and if you want to follow along live you can do so on ClipMyHorse.TV here or it does actually look like the FEI is also providing a free version on their YouTube for at least some of the competition here.

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses (Le Lion d’Angers, France): [Website] [FEI Info Hub] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream – ClipMyHorse.TV] [Live Stream – FEI YouTube]

U.S. Events This Weekend

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Live Score Feed, sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap National H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Eventing Volunteers]

Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Volunteer]

In the News

An overview of Pierre le Goupil’s cross country course, which uses part of the property formerly used by the 5 Star (you can see the 5 Star main grounds and the turf track on the top left). Screen grab via CrossCountry App.

It’s a different-looking Fair Hill this weekend, on what had been the Maryland 5 Star weekend for the last five years, but the future of the 5 Star remains unclear at this stage. Meanwhile, though, Fair Hill in many ways resembles it’s pre-Maryland self, with dressage and show jumping moved back over to the original side of the property. Cross country will take place on part of the Maryland 5 Star site across the road, as you can see in the course view above provided by CrossCountry App.

The cross country will have the French flair it did in 2025 still as Olympic course designer Pierre le Goupil has still been retained for this CCI3*-L course. A glance through the fence-by-fence preview on CrossCountry App will give you a hint at what he’s got up his sleeve. It uses some areas of the course that weren’t previously used for the 5 or 3 Star, and the terrain on this part of the property means that the horses and riders will more or less be on a camber for the majority of the 8 minute, 34 second track. We wish there was a live stream!

The epic Fair Hill Drop will return on this year’s Maryland 3 Star track, designed by Pierre le Goupil (FRA). Photo by CrossCountry App.

All course maps, including a special guided preview of the 4-year-old Young Event Horse course with Marilyn Payne and Chris Ryan, can be viewed on CrossCountry App here.

If you’re in the area, there’s a free learning opportunity on offer for you tomorrow (October 17) all day during the 5-year-old Jumping phase. FEI judge Peter Gray will be on hand to offer insights, answer questions and help you learn all about producing an event horse from the start. This event is free to attend, but donations to the USEA’s Young Event Horse program are appreciated.

Learn some Fast Facts about the 4- and 5-year-old Young Event Horses vying for the East coast Championships at Fair Hill this weekend.

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Suggested Reading

Sponsor Corner: Stable View

Entries open in less than a week for the penultimate Stable View Eventing Academy competition of the year, and the final one of the 2026 competition season! And this one’s the big one: the Championships, where $20,000 in prizes will be handed out to the deserving winners. If you’re unsure of your qualification status, you can view it here – and if you didn’t qualify, never fear! Non-championship divisions will be offered as well.

The November Eventing Academy kicks off with two days of schooling and practice November 20-21 and the actual schooling Horse Trials on November 22. There will be one more Eventing Academy this year, December 11-13, but that one will count toward 2027 Championship qualification and leaderboard.

More information on Stable View’s Eventing Academy here.

Coaching Corner

Go Eventing

Boyd Martin got a chance to try out some parts of the horsemanship experience he’d doubted in the past with the help of Tik Maynard and Michael Alway:

Thursday News & Notes

By on Oct 15, 2026 12:01 am -

Photo by Zenya Lepper Photography.

If you’ve got a cool young horse to show off and Loch Moy Farm is in your vicinity, you’re in luck: entries for the Horse Sport MD Bred to Event Classic qualifier on October 23 (the final one before the Championship, October 24-25) have been extended past their closing date!

The Bred to Event Classic, sponsored by Horse Sport MD, provides a structured pathway for the development and evaluation of young event horses.

Aligned with the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation’s mission to support the future of eventing, the program invests in both breeders and young horses, providing a platform to showcase the quality and potential of horses from yearlings through five-year-olds.

The Bred to Event Classic is also open to any breed, so off-track Thoroughbreds can enter and are encouraged to. It’s truly an event that’s intended to show the versatility eventing favors in a horse.

The competition features a hybrid format that’s a bit less intensive than the USEA Young Event Horse pathway and also features free jumping as a judged element. Short derby courses and an open gallop are also part of the judging. Yearlings up through 5-year-olds are welcome to enter.

To learn more about this series and how to enter, click here.

Major International Events This Weekend

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses (Le Lion d’Angers, France): [Website] [FEI Info Hub] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream]

U.S. Events This Weekend

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Live Score Feed, sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap National H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Eventing Volunteers]

Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Volunteer]

In the News

  • A civil suit against former USEF CEO Murray Kessler has been voluntarily withdrawn by Wellington International’s Lenore Brown. The civil suit, filed by Brown in Palm Beach County on Sept. 3, 2026, accused Kessler of battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from a Feb. 7, 2026 incident at the VIP Club at Wellington International. Horse Network reports more here.
  • Tik Maynard will host an immersive retreat at TerraNova Equestrian Center (Myakka City, FL) this December. Designed for riders who want to deepen their connection to their horses and step away from the buzz of everyday life, the retreat will include both horse- and non-horse-related activities. Non-riding experiences are also available. Read more about it here.
  • Could sound wave technology be instrumental in treating sarcoids? A clinical trial is currently underway at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to learn test the effecacy of a technology called histotripsy that uses focused ultrasound to produce a bubble cloud that can break down tumor tissue. Read more about the research here.

Recommended Reading & Listening

  • At 58, super volunteer Sarah Airhart finally left the start box on her own for the first time. After connecting to the sport through volunteering, it was time for her to experience the thrill for herself – but don’t worry, she still snuck in 20 hours of volunteer work at Spokane Sport Horse H.T. in Washington while competing. Read her story.
  • Gemma Stevens isn’t slowing down just because Burghley’s in the bag. A rider as determined as Gemma will only let a big success fuel her for more. Horse & Hound sat down for a chat.

Coaching Corner

Go Eventing

Show this to the next person who says it:

The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs Features Diesel Relief, Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Challenge, Area VI Championships & More

By on Oct 13, 2026 11:30 am -

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 win the 2025 Eventing Championships at Galway Down CCI4*-L. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs are stacked with more reasons to ride than ever. And the new Diesel Relief Program rewards eligible Galway Downs supporters with a $50 per-ride credit to offset travel costs.

Set for Oct. 28-Nov. 1, the Championships offer new Short formats for the 3* and 4* levels and a new Intermediate level. “Team Challenges” for collegiate, high school and middle school eventers build momentum toward the inaugural USEA Western U.S. Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Galway in 2027.

The venue’s new 44,250-sf covered arena will be christened with festivities fit for Galway’s reputation as the place to be this fall.

The USEA Area VI Championships return to celebrate the region’s stars from Starter level on up. Five-star course designer Clayton Fredericks brings his worldly perspective to help upper-level pairs hone their partnerships. He’ll have fresh new fences, options and looks to work with thanks to expert builder Rob Mobley. And designer Alessandra Allen-Shinn continues to challenge and inspire 2* and 1* teams.

Cross-country’s grass expanses are growing, too, thanks to the ongoing and mutually beneficial partnership between Galway’s management and the soccer entities that share the space.

Diesel Relief Program

With fuel and related travel costs ever on the rise, the new Diesel Relief Program offers a $50-per ride credit for riders who have shown consistent support for Galway Downs throughout the year. The program is open to all – no application is required – and eligibility will be determined by information in Galway Downs’ existing database.

Click here for full details.

“We’re grateful for the continued support of our competitors and look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Eventing Championships at Galway Downs,” said Galway Downs organizer Robert Kellerhouse. “Thank you, too, Taren Hoffos Eventing, Michelle Cameron-Donaldson, Southern California Equestrian Sports, and any future contributors toward this cause. Please contact us about programs available for those who are interested in sponsoring this effort.”

Short Stories

Molly Duda and Jutopia. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

New Short formats at the 3* and 4* levels add development and qualifying opportunities for pairs throughout the region. “The sport is changing and we need more opportunities for riders out here to earn qualifications for moving up,” explained Kellerhouse. The CCI4*-S is also a qualifier for the U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing in 2027. Adding an intermediate division also suits Galway’s ongoing efforts to meet the needs of its constituents. “This is 100% about the riders getting more opportunities out here,” Kellerhouse added.

5* Course Design Perspective

Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Australian Olympic eventer Clayton Fredericks began designing Galway’s upper-level cross-country courses in 2020. He lifted an already high bar set by Ian Stark and has continued to set horses and riders up for success with new challenges while maintaining the fair and educational tracks for which Galway is known. “Always in the forefront of my mind is that horses mostly go to Galway developing their career at 4*,” Fredericks stated. “I always approach it with a view of helping the riders develop their horses at the level and giving them a true feel for what they can expect moving onto championship level.”

As a former competitor and a course designer, Fredericks brings experience from around the eventing world to bear on Galway’s courses. His designation as designer for the Adelaide CCI5* in Australia adds highest level international experience to his perspective and tool kit. “Designing and assisting around the world – especially this busy year – gives me the opportunity to have a good understanding of what’s needed at that level – or really at all levels. It’s exciting to try to bring that experience to Galway and show it through the courses we’re going to produce.”

Team Challenges for Collegiate, High School & Middle School Eventers

Elisa Karnavy and Buzz Ryder. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

A “Team Challenge” for collegiate, high school and middle school eventers jumps onto the Championships agenda this year. It’s a precursor to the inaugural Western U.S. Championships that will debut at Galway Downs Nov. 4-7 of 2027.

Competing as part of a team is a great experience for all student-age eventers. Especially at the collegiate level, team competition is viewed as a conduit for staying in the sport into adulthood. Plans for camaraderie and spirit-building festivities during the Galway Team Challenges are in the works now.

To participate in a Team Challenge at the upcoming Eventing Championships at Galway Downs, first submit your entry for the competition. Then, email Kim Goto at [email protected] with your team roster or ask to be placed on a “scramble” team if you are not yet on a team.

For general information on these programs, please visit the links below:

USEA Intercollegiate Eventing (collegiate eventers)
USEA Interscholastic Eventing (high school & middle school eventers)

Area VI Championships

Dawn Scott and Ghost. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

The USEA Area VI Championship returns for its fourth year at Galway’s season finalé eventing tournament. “I’m feeling really good about this year,” said Area VI Chairman Andrea Pfeiffer. Over the past three years at Galway, the Championships have grown in popularity as an ideal opportunity to confirm and celebrate accomplishments at all levels.

Initially, the idea of a “Championships” may have intimidated some, Pfeiffer shared. But now it’s well known that distances, fence heights, etc, are the same for each level as they are throughout the season. Prize money, beautiful ribbons and the chance to shine on Galway’s international stage are exciting incentives. Qualification for the Area VI Championships simply requires completion of two events at the level, and it’s open to riders from any USEA Area.

“It’s great fun and everyone deserves the right to be in that spotlight,” Pfeiffer added. “We really appreciate Robert (Kellerhouse) and the Galway team. They do so much to make the Championships very special.”

The Grass is Growing

Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.

Creating a parklike setting continues to be a top priority for Galway Downs owners, Ken and Tina Smith. Their vision is reflected in hundreds of trees, lush landscaping and expansive grass stretches that look beautiful and have the traction and give needed for the sports they support – namely equestrian and soccer.

Managing Galway as an equestrian-focused multi-use facility enables long-term financial viability and funds the investments required to maintain a premier equestrian competition and training venue.

Soccer tournament manager Greg Ion is proud of the long-standing soccer-equestrian partnership. “We’re now in phase three of continuing to build out a better grass experience,” he explained of grass going in on Polo 3, the space inside Galway’s conditioning track. Whether or not Polo 3 is used for horse events, the new grass further reduces the amount of dirt – and dust – on the property and enhances the overall visitors’ experience.

Although common on the East Coast, grass cross-country tracks are rare in the West. They require careful maintenance, cooperation among the managers who use them and lots of water.

“We love equestrian and we truly want Robert Kellerhouse’s events to be successful,” Ion said. “We’re both running programs and we cooperate to make them successful. What we’re doing helps with the beautification of the whole property and that’s good for everybody.”

See You Soon!

Entries are open through October 13 for the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs. From the increasingly popular Starter level on up to CCI4*-L, the Championships offer something for every eventer in the region.

On top of challenging and educational competition in each phase of the sport, Galway Downs is famous for its fun festivities and great hospitality. The VIP Experience is a hot spot for competitors, owners, sponsors, guests and spectators. VIP Tent guests enjoy a full breakfast bar, carving station during lunch, refreshments, beer and wine. Here’s the link for VIP tickets.

Additional information for competitors can be found here. Entries for the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs close on October 13; post entries are accepted with the addition of a $50 late fee.

Wednesday News & Notes

By on Oct 13, 2026 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy of FMFEF.

Did you know a whole range of grants are available through the USEA Foundation? The catch is, if you’re just now hearing of them or if they’re on some long-buried-and-forgotten note on your phone, you’ve got to act quickly! The deadline for applications is tomorrow, October 15.

One of these grants is administered by the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation, which provides grants for training and education in the sport of eventing for riders who face challenges accessing such training and education due to financial or social-economic circumstances, exclusion or difficulty due to race, nationality, gender or gender identification, sexual orientation, age or other barrier. Growing our sport from the foundation is key to sustaining it as a whole, and sometimes just getting a foot into a door and feeling able to explore a new world is enough to give that foundation just a bit more material.

If you fit the application criteria for the FMFEF Grant (view it and the application here), make sure to get that application turned in on time!

And if you’re seeking a different type of grant, there are many others available, all with the same application window closing tomorrow. View a complete list of available USEA Foundation Grants here.

Major International Events This Weekend

FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses (Le Lion d’Angers, France): [Website] [FEI Info Hub] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream]

U.S. Events This Weekend

Maryland 3 Star at Fair Hill & USEA East Coast Young Event Horse Championships (MD): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Scores] [Volunteer]

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event (KY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Live Score Feed, sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap National H.T. (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [Volunteer]

Sol Events at Willow Draw (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scores] [\Volunteers]

Horse Park of New Jersey Fall H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Schedule] [Volunteer]

In the News

William Fox-Pitt and the great Chilli Morning compete at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, where they won individual bronze and team silver for Great Britain. Photo by Jenni Autry.

  • One of the three Chilli Morning clones will now be ridden by Tim Price (NZL) after initially competing under China’s Alex Hua Tian. The other clones are ridden by Julia Krajewski (GER) and Gemma Stevens (GBR).
  • If you’re a British member of the equestrian workforce or a volunteer, British Equestrian and Hartpury University want to hear from you.
  • The use of horse-drawn carriages in New York could be banned altogether by 2028 after legislation was agreed upon by City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The plan also includes provisions that would prevent horses from entering the slaughter pipeline after retiring from service, among other things. The legislation will move forward to voting by the City Council next, where it is expected to pass.
  • If you’re a first-time horse owner or know someone considering it, this webinar might be worth checking out. A Finances of Horse Ownership session is being hosted by Penn State Extension on October 20 and it’s free to attend. This webinar walks through the most common expenses associated with horse ownership and demonstrates how to estimate annual costs using a practical budget. All registrants will receive a budget template to help plan for these expenses. Learn more / register here.

Recommended Reading

  • How Sharon White took Claus 63 from ‘bad dressage’ to the US Equestrian Open win
  • The auction market state of the union: Sporthorse auctions are much more embedded in the culture in the UK and Europe than in North America. But how do they compare between each horse? Horse & Hound investigates.

Coaching Corner

Go Eventing

Is there anything a Thoroughbred can’t do?

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Oct 13, 2026 12:01 am -

This weekend at Kentucky Horse Park, ten champions were crowned at the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America. The banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest and most lucrative retraining program in North America, offering $135,000 guaranteed base prize money and nearly $40,000 in additional special awards.

It’s a multi-discipline event, so while eventing features as a discipline, horses can compete in virtually any discipline, a feature that truly highlights the versatility of the breed.

Here’s the 2026 Eventing champion, presented by Bourbon Lane Retirement Fund:

Thoroughbred Makeover Eventing champion Al Tirah, trained by Rory Catherine Parks. Photo by Megan Mullan for Erin Gilmore Photography.

Al Tirah – Trained by Rory Catherine Parks
Cross Traffic – My Gal Lexie, by Sultry Song
Race Record and Earnings: 18-1-0-2, $24,170
2020 gray/roan mare bred in Kentucky by Modo Tesio Equine, LLC
Owned by Arnaldo Monge
Trained by Darragh Holden

“Opal” was gifted to Rory and from day one, Rory knew she had a very special horse on her hands – one that was capable of winning the Makeover.

“This horse is a once in a lifetime horse,” Rory said in a press release. “I got her from a good friend who is actually here. I knew her at the track, and I immediately went into the barn after not being there for a while and said ‘I want this one when she’s done.’ This is a once in a lifetime horse and this will be my 5* horse hopefully!”

Beyond that, you can meet the other nine winners across divisions and learn more about the Thoroughbred Makeover here.

U.S. Events Opening Entries Today

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. (GA)

U.S. Events Closing Entries Today

The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs (CA); Virginia Horse Center Eventing Fall (VA); Rocking Horse Fall H.T. (FL); Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX)

In the News

Sponsor Corner:

Two quick tests can tell you a lot about your horse’s hydration levels, and they’re simple enough to commit to muscle memory for when you need them. Hydration, or lack thereof, is a key contributor to a horse’s overall health so it’s a good thing to keep a close eye on, especially after hard work or other stresses or high temperatures.

Learn more about these simple tests here, and save the graphics above for future reference.

Recommended Reading & Listening

Coaching Corner

  • Want to take a close look at some of the top courses in the world, with some of the best designers? The FEI recently launched a new FEI Campus series dedicated to cross country course design. The series opens with course insights from Avenches, and Hartpury. More courses will be added to the series. [Watch it here]
  • Walk a rail-ditch-rail question with Laine Ashker

Go Eventing

The family that goes eventing together stays together, or something to that effect:

Weekend Winners: Morven Park & Redefined

By on Oct 12, 2026 12:00 pm -

Happy Monday, Eventing Nation! We’re recapping the excitement from Morven and Redefined, by celebrating our wonderful Weekend Winners here!

Congrats to all on successful outings! We love giving you all a shout out, with an extra special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award: Madeline Backus and Highland Willow, who scored a 22.2 in the Starter B at Redefined!

Morven Park Fall International + US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final (VA): [Website][Scores][EN’s Coverage]

CCI Four Star – Long US Equestrian Open: Sharon White and Claus 63 (30.8)
CCI Four Star – Short: Boyd Martin and Commando 3 (41.9)
CCI Three Star – Short: Tim Bourke and DHI Kevin G (36.3)
CCI Three Star Young Horse – Short: Amber Birtcil and Orpheus (41.0)
CCI Two Star – Short: Michael Nolan and D.A. Prestobantos (38.4)
CCI Two Star Young Horse – Short: Morgan Houberg and MHE Excel Star Noble Ikon (50.0)

Redefined H.T. (CO): [Website][Scores]

Novice Open: Jacquelynn Schoeggl and Stellaluna (33.2)
Beginner Novice B: Kate Lucas and Sparrow Hawk (26.3)
Starter B: Madeline Backus and Highland Willow (22.2)
Intro Open: Sarah Wood and SN Fastlane Fame (37.2)
Pre-Competition Open: Madeline Backus and Silverice Cara Bon Bon (48.9)
Training Open: Alexandrea Galligan and RDE Cavalier Emperor (34.9)
Beginner Novice A: Zoe Bailey and Goodness Gracious (29.4)
Starter A: Madeline Backus and Lancome (26.3)
Mix-N-Match CT: Sarah Kline and Revlon (41.1)