Abby Powell
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Abby Powell

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About Abby Powell

Abby Powell is a native of Northeastern Massachusetts who splits her time between commuting into Boston for work and caring for and riding her rescue Mustang x Arab mare, Maggie.

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Monday Video: Eventers Invade Dressage at Devon

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Dressage at Devon, one of the premier shows held annually at the historic Devon Horse Show grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania wrapped up yesterday after a fun-filled six days of very fancy prancing. While we tend to see a strong number of event riders frequently moonlight in the show jumping ring, it feels fair to say that we see fewer end up dabbling in pure dressage so it’s exciting to see a few familiar names from our eventing work wind up in the Dixon Oval this weekend!

One such event rider who has done much more than merely dabble in dressage is non other than five-star eventer Lainey Ashker. Over the past several years Lainey has developed a string of dressage horses and has competed through the Grand Prix level. This weekend she brought forward Ann Wilson’s 2014 Oldenburg Gelding, Zeppelin, (Blue Hors Zack — Hardenberg Donnerschwee) to contest the CDI1* Intermediate at Devon. They qualified for thefreestyle finale last night and scored rocking 71.033%, a personal best at the level, earning a fabulous third place overall with their Led Zeppelin themed musical freestyle. Who knew “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” pairs perfectly with an extended trot?!

And that’s not all — earlier this week we mentioned that Boyd Martin filled in for his wife, Silva, as a demo rider in the Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour masterclass, and now Boyd has shared some video highlights from his time with the Dutch Olympian in the Dixon Oval. We know Boyd as quite a brave rider (he does have a whole Noelle Floyd Masterclass on the subject, after all) but I think it’s a whole different kind of bravery to bring an event horse — he rode his own Commando 3 who just won the CCI4-S at The Fork last month — into an arena with stands full of pure dressage riders for a clinic! Well done, mate.

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Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Photo via Dressage at Devon on Facebook.

Spot the eventer amongst the dressage divas! While Silva Martin was originally slated to ride in the Dressage at Devon 2023 Master Class with Dutch Olympian Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, she wound up being a little busy this week giving birth to her and Boyd’s third child. Boyd ended up getting the best seat (saddle) in the house and taking Silva’s place as a demo rider, gracing the Dixon Oval aboard one of his eventing mounts, Commando 3, on Thursday night. We’re still waiting on word of how many changes Cathrine made them do!

U.S. Weekend Action

Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. (Sherborn, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Volunteer]

Fleur de Leap H.T. (Folsom, LA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Jump Start H.T. (Lexington, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Ocala Fall Horse Trials (Ocala, FL) [Website] [Volunteer]

Old Tavern Horse Trials (The Plains, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Spokane Sport Horse 9th Annual Fall H.T. (Spokane, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

Stable View Oktoberfest 2/3/4* and H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer]

Sundance Farm H.T. (Plymouth, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Tomora Horse Trials (Greeley, CO) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

2023 Asian Games (Hangzhou, China) [Equestrian Schedule and Info]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Shoto Targets Double Gold for Japan

Nominations for 2023 USEA Appreciation Awards Now Open through October 29

Behind The Photo: Bridle Mishap Tests Decade-Long Partnership

George Morris Said…

Bit chewing aids gut motion in horses, study findings suggest

Sponsor Corner: I recently saw a video on social media of someone taking a hose to a gorgeous leather saddle… Please don’t do this, you’ll make team EN cry! Instead, take the advice of World Equestrian Brands. Use a high-quality tack cleaner/conditioner like Amerigo Leather Care. And please. Put the hose down.

Morning Viewing: Bently or Shetland?

Monday Video: Flashback to Maryland + Update on 2023 Entries

Just in case you haven’t made the trip to the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill yet, allow us to remind you of what you’re missing out on with this recap from the event’s sophomore running last year. In addition to the spectacular competition there’s food and drink, activities for all ages, shopping galore, a CORGI RACE, and did we mention the food and drink?!

This year’s event, which runs from October 19th through the 22nd , is shaping up to be just as epic in every way. Check out everything on the schedule here where you can toggle in between the competition and everything else (a pretty neat web feature if I do say so myself!)

Last week we got a our first look at this year’s CCI5-L entries and since then we’ve got one new addition to share with you: Cornelia Fletcher (neé Dorr) and her own Daytona Beach 8, who wowed the world at Burghley last fall, now bring the total five-star entries up to 29. And #cutealert: that means we’ll have a husband and wife team competing side by side in this division, as Jacob Fletcher is entered to make his five-star debut aboard Fabian. I just love love and especially I love eventing love, don’t you?

Of course — do I even need to say it? — keep it locked on EN for all your Maryland 5 Star updates!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

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Check out this sneaky save from Anni Grandia-Dodson! Anni jumped three fences aboard HSH Bold Decision sans right stirrup in the Open Intermediate at Aspen Farm last weekend before she was able stealthily slip her foot back into it. If you were watching her round as a spectator or watching a zoomed-out video not knowing to look at the stirrup, would you even notice that something had gone wrong? Likely not. And that is how you know all that no-stirrup work paid off bigtime. Oh yeah — and they went on to win their division!

U.S. Weekend Action

Heritage Park H.T. (Olathe, KS) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Meadowcreek Park H.T – Fall Social Event (Kosse, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, PA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Twin Rivers Fall International (Paso Robles, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

University of New Hampshire H.T. (Durham, NH) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

What do sunrises and equine joint health have in common?

Bill to End Transport of Live Horses to Japan

Real Rider Cup Wraps Up In Fair Hill With $140,000 Raised In 2023

‘Various people have tried to talk me out of it’: Ian Stark plans his ‘semi-retirement’

$75K study to assess effect of equine therapy on stroke sufferers

Sponsor Corner: Have you met World Equestrian Brands‘ rider Sharon White’s new up-and-comer? Jaguar Duende has a nearly unheard of eventing record for a young horse and most recently won the Preliminary Horse Championships at the USEA American Eventing Championships. Read more:

Sharon White and Jaguar Duende collect their winnings in the Preliminary Horse Championship at AEC. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Morning Viewing: Take a quick walk around last weekend’s Blenheim 4* course with Laura Collett:

Monday Video: A Morgan Takes on Modified

You can consider today’s video a little bit of a #spoileralert because I had the pleasure of chatting with Kathleen Bailey this past Friday afternoon for an upcoming article. Fresh of a successful trip to the AECs with her two Morgan geldings, we spoke at length about the incredible versatility of the Morgan horse and why they’d make a great sport horse for so many riders, even if they’re not a “typical” sport horse breed.

Kathleen was on the road to the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) September horse trials when we spoke, trailering Kennebec Rugby to contest their first Modified together and their trip sure didn’t disappoint. Those little Morgan legs simply flew and the pair clocked the fastest time in whole Open Modified division, moving the pair up from sixth place after show jumping to finish second overall. They might even have been a little faster too had Kathleen not almost forgotten a fence on the latter half of the course (you’ll hear some colorful and hysterical language!)

While we’ll be getting to know Kathleen and Rugby (along with Rugby’s half brother, fellow eventer and jack-of-all trades Kennebec Echo) much more in a future article, I thought this helmet cam video deserved a little feature of it’s own since it honestly might just be one of the most fun ones I’ve ever watched!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Good morning, EN! To get our day started, we’re checking in on the action at The Fork at Tryon, presented by Yammer America. The Fork features a CCI4*-S horses prepping for their respective fall destinations, a CCI2*-L, CCI1*-S, and National levels from Beginner Novice through Advanced.

Boyd Martin and Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s Commando 3 are currently in command-o of the 4*-S after dressage and show jumping. More than half of the field, which will send 19 forward to Capt. Phillips’ cross country test tomorrow, lowered at least one rail in the show jumping, with two pairs incurring Compulsory Retirement.

The top three, however, remain untouched: Boyd and Commando, who’s aiming at the CCI4*-L at Morven Park next month, took the early lead on a dressage score of 28.7 and missed out on the time allowed to add 1.2 time penalties. Jacob Fletcher and Fletcher Farms’ Fabian — who should very much be on your radar this fall with several strong finishes at this level under their belt — are in second on a score of 33.9 with one rail. Phillip Dutton and Boekelo-bound Denim, owned by Ann Lapides, Caroline Moran, and Neill Sites, are in third with a 35.1. Fourth-placed Julie Wolfert, bouncing back after an injury this spring forced her to truncate the first part of her season, notched one of just two clear rounds inside the time with her own, Sheri Gurske, and Renee Senter’s SSH Playboy to sit on a score of 35.4.

You can check in on all scores from The Fork here. There is no live stream of the cross country today, but we’ll provide another update on the final results this weekend. Stay tuned!

Also on Our Radar:

Photo via Green Mountain Horse Association on Facebook.

The mornings have turned crisp, the grass is lush from a (very) wet summer, and pumpkins are a must-have for fence decorations: this is eventing in Area 1 in the fall! I’m betting that there are few venues more thankful to see the other side of this summer than the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) in South Woodstock, Vermont.

With their cross country fields now fully recovered from two major flooding events in July — thanks to the generous help of donors and volunteers alongside the tireless work of the grounds crew — the venue is excited to see horses and riders galloping across their beautiful pumpkin-laden course this weekend!

U.S. Weekend Action

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Goshen, KY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

GMHA September H.T. (South Woodstock, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Marlborough H.T (Upper Marlboro, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Otter Creek Fall H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Event at Skyline (Mt Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

The Fork at Tryon (Mill Spring, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events:

Blenheim Palace International: [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

‘He’s the gift that keeps on giving’: meet the Blenheim first-timer and her ‘pride and joy’ campaigner on an incredible journey

Sixteen factors increase likelihood of a successful Eventing cross-country – study

EC Releases Socio-Economic Impact Report

It Takes A Villa: An Eventer Tackles A Carriage Classic

Hot on Horse Nation: 20 Top Gun Quotes That Apply to Riding Horses

Sponsor Corner: With Sergio Grasso boots by World Equestrian Brands, you can be as wild or as understated as you’d like. This pair that features silver glitter leather with crocodile texture and silver piping is for those equestrians who want to live life on the wild side 🐊

Morning Viewing: Walk the 4* course for The Fork at Tryon with Selena O’ Hanlon:

Monday Video: A Tour of Cross Country Day at Burghley

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials are of course a very popular bucket list event for most eventing fans. If you have yet to make the pilgrimage to Britain’s premier fall five star then post-event vlogs will have to hold you over until you can make the trip.

While a vlog may not be the type of whole-competition coverage that we traditionally think of when it comes to an event, I can always appreciate the in-person look and feel that a vlog brings to the table — a handheld phone camera will give you a very different angle than the crane-operated cameras used by the livestream after all. Plus the live stream isn’t going to give you an inside look at the coffee vendors or the restroom stops like this vlog from Hordern Horses does. The coffee lovers and “toilet worriers” thank you for your service!

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Yesterday morning I started my day off at the barn, did some chores, and then rode my horse who has been rehabbing from an annular ligament tear that happened in February of this year. She’s far along enough now in her rehab that we’re doing some trot work and yesterday morning she simply felt fantastic and we had a great ride. That post-great-ride-feeling fueled me for the rest of my day long after I sat down at my desk to slog away at my non-horsey day job. I may not have run Burghley last week, but even small achievements can feel like really big wins sometimes.

U.S. Weekend Action

Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [YEH Ride Times] [Mini Event Ride Times]

CDCTA Fall H.T. (Berryville, VA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Ride Times] [Scores]

Five Points H.T. (Raeford, NC) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Flora Lea Fall H.T. (Medford, NJ) [Website] [Entries][Ride Times]

Larkin Hill Fall H.T. (North Chatham, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Amateur Showcase: AEC Winner Kelly Beaver Has The Dream Home Team Behind Her

Tim Price rues costly show jumping at Defender Burghley Horse Trials

From The Brink Of Death, Former Neglect Case Shines En Route To Thoroughbred Makeover

Forged Cancer Treatment Documents Cast Doubt On Lamaze’s Health Status

Webinar to explore communication with horses

Sponsor Corner: From reining to Prix St. George at the World Equestrian Center – Rachel Ory and her determined quarter horse, Veronica, are proving that good horsemanship isn’t discipline specific. Check out what Rachel learned from eventers Sharon White and Bettina Hoy. Sponsored by World Equestrian Brands.

Rachel Ory and Veronica with Bettina Hoy, Sharon White and Tom Pierson at Mardanza Farms. Photo Credit: Kelly Mastine

Morning Viewing: Meet Katie Reilly the youngest competitors at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship 2023!

Monday Video: Ride Burghley with Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg


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If you spotted Boyd Martin wearing the Jockey Cam during his cross country rounds at Burghley then I bet you have been looking forward to this video!

Take a seat behind the ears of the mighty Tsetserleg TSF as he and Boyd navigate the famed terrain and fantastic fences of Derek di Grazia’s 2023 Defender Burghley cross country course. Boyd and “Thomas” ultimately completed the cross country clear and with 9.6 time penalties and then went on to finish the weekend in overall 9th position as the highest place Americans. For an up-close look at all the fences, you can take a peek back at Tilly’s course walk and remember how everything on cross country day unfolded thanks to Sally’s live blog.

Thank you Boyd and Burghley for taking us along for the ride!

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Rise and shine, it’s Burghley cross country time! Photo by Tilly Berendt.

With the American Eventing Championships and Defender Burghley Horse Trials running at the same time this week, I have eventing whiplash! What a treat to have Sally Spickard at the Kentucky Horse Park and Tilly Berendt on the hallowed grounds of Burghley both bringing us wall-to-wall coverage. Frankly, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with it all otherwise.

In case you missed it, two of America’s top young horses have clinched to two highest level classes of the AECs: Will Coleman and Pau-bound Chin Tonic HS are our 2023 USEA Intermediate Champions while upcoming Pan Am Games team members Liz Halliday and Miks Master C clinched the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final under the lights last night. Meanwhile across the pond, all six of our US pairs are sitting in the top 20 after dressage with four of them in the top 15. These are exciting times for American eventing!

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [Ride Times[Live Scores]

#AEC2023 (Lexington, KY): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Official Program] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Action

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (Revere, PA) [Website] [Ride Times/ Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, GA) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Equestrians’ Institute H.T. (Cle Elum, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Seneca Valley PC H.T. (Poolesville, MD) [Website] [Volunteer] [Ride Times]

Silverwood Farm Fall H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Horse of the Month: Retraining to Pre Training to World Stage

Real Rider Cup Surpasses Major Fundraising Milestone

Sport-specific evidence will help classification of Para Dressage athletes

IN MEMORIAM: Anton Granhus (NOR), FEI Eventing Technical Delegate and Course Designer passed away on 15 August 2023

Sponsor Corner: “One decision that has made my job as a rider super easy is putting my trust in World Equestrian Brands! They take the guesswork out of choosing the right products because I know that everything they carry is top quality ✨👏🏼”

Hot on Horse Nation: Ask AI Equestrian Edition: What Do Equestrians Look Like From Each State, Part II (these have slayed me)

Morning Viewing: Here’s how Will Faudree, who sits in 9th place heading into cross country with Mama’s Magic Way, plans to ride the Rolex combination (15ABC):

Monday Video: Kitty King Walks Key Combinations of the Burghley Course

Welcome to another five-star week and the first of the fall season! Just two more sleeps until the Defender Burghley Horse Trials kicks things off with the first horse inspection on Wednesday, so naturally we’re obsessed with getting every possible little peak at this year’s Derek di Grazia course ahead of Saturday’s always-exciting cross country action.

Tilly already brought us the inside scoop on Derek’s use of the famed Burghley terrain, courtesy of a drive around the course in an actual Land Rover Defender, and now, courtesy of Horse & Hound, we’re getting a rider’s assessment of some of the key combinations on course. Fresh off collecting individual silver and team gold at the 2023 European Eventing Championships with Vendredi Biats, Kitty King walks the lines and shows us what those tackling the course this weekend will need to keep in mind.

Keep your eye on Horse & Hound‘s YouTube channel as they may be posting more sneak peaks early this week and if you’re able to pick up a copy of the August 24th issue of Horse & Hound magazine you can read Kitty’s thoughts on every fence. And of course, stick with us here on EN for much more to come from England’s big fall five-star!

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Travels with horses can often be exciting and take us to some awe-inspiring destinations, but all too often the process getting to the fantastic destination is less than scenic. I think we’ve all pulled into one too many highway rest stops with questionable-looking grass (if any at all), an out of order restroom, and a vending machine with expired Cheetos for our own likings.

English-based Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon was thoughtful and lucky enough to avoid at least one derelict rest stop on her way to the FEI Nations Cup at Arville, Belgium last week. When looking for a spot to let DHI Jackpot out of the trailer to stretch his legs, she discovered Dover Beach right by the customs office on her route. Now that’s not too shabby of a pit stop at all!

Burghley starts NEXT WEEK! Keep it locked onto EN – we have some awesome content headed your way.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Eventing is dishing up an equally exciting week in the US, with the American Eventing Championships happening in Lexington, Kentucky. EN is beavering away on both sides of the Pond to bring you all you need to know from the AEC too – so go nowhere, and go eventing!

#AEC2023 (Lexington, KY): [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Schedule] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

U.S. Weekend Action

MARS Great Meadow International (The Plains, VA): [Website] [Entries] [Tickets] [Schedule/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [EN’s Coverage]

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. II (Santa Ynez, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Town Hill Farm H.T. (Lakeville, CT) [Website] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Equine Stakeholders: The National Animal Health Monitoring System Seeks Your Help in Selecting Topics For Its Upcoming Equine Study

‘I Couldn’t Give Up On Him’: After Battle With EPM, OTTB Is En Route To The Makeover With A Junior Rider

Canter in Command at Blair

Geneseo events provide a showcase for horses

University Of Kentucky Opens Aged Horse Care And Education Facility

Hot on Horse Nation: Ask AI Equestrian Edition: What Do Equestrians From Each State Look Like — Part I

Sponsor Corner: 50% off Vespucci Legacy bridles is still going on at World Equestrian Brands! If you’ve been waiting for the best prices before buying a new bridle, now’s your chance!

Morning Viewing: Jessica Phoenix and Wabbit have been putting in that Burghley prep work while they base with Team Price at Chedington Estate prior to next week’s big event.

Monday Video: Tackle a First Advanced for Ellie Frederick’s Talented Mare

Ellie Fredericks (yes, Lucinda’s daughter!) has a new Advanced horse in her barn after Aston le Walls in July.

While Ellie has had the honor of competing her mother’s Advanced stallion, Britannia’s Mail (Jaguar Mail — Headley Britannia) since the 2020 season, she was also able to acquire her own project late that same year. Pure Trendsetter, an Irish Sport Horse mare (Future Trend — Touch Base) now also part-owned by Liz Hills and Chris Emmett, came to Ellie as a green five-year-old without any prior eventing experience. Since their first rides together, Ellie and “Trendy” have rapidly climbed the levels and were selected to compete in the 7-year-old division at the FEI Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion D’Angers last fall, where they finished 27th our of a very large field and Ellie was the youngest jockey competing.

In the video above, you can join Ellie and Trendy for the mare’s first time tackling an Advanced cross country course. Ellie’s commentary throughout the course is a fascinating peek at her insightful approach to their round.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Absolutely majestic. Photo by Abby Powell.

This past work week was an arduous one for me, but as I drove to the barn yesterday evening to slog away at my horse’s rehab I was greeted with an incredible rainbow after a rather stormy day. Sometimes you just need a little extra pang of beauty of beauty to serve as a reminder how lucky we actually are to get to spend time out and about with our equine partners.

Major International Events:

FEI Eventing Nations Cup, Arville: Website | Live Scores | Live Stream

U.S. Weekend Action:

Caber Farm H.T.: Website | Entry Status | Ride Times | Live Scores | Volunteer

The Event at Archer: Website | Entry Status | Ride Times | Live Scores | Volunteer

Waredaca Farm H.T.: Website | Entry Status | Ride Times | Live Scores | Volunteer

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T: WebsiteEntry Status |Live Scores | Volunteer

Ocala Summer H.T. II: Website | Entry Status | Ride Times | Live Scores | Volunteer

Full Gallop Farm: WebsiteVolunteer

Links to Start Your Weekend:

USEA Foundation Encourages Riders to Submit Applications for the Richard Picken Memorial Grants

Lara’s Whirlwind Week

Boyd Martin: Build Your Own Bravery

USEF and EC Work Together to Extend Date for Canadian Participation Eligibility Requirements

Hot on Horse Nation: Barn Aisle Chats: Physio With Dr. Aaron

Sponsor Corner: “Good riding is good riding. We can learn something from everyone, especially if they are at the top of their game. Sharon and Bettina most certainly are. I have a lot of respect for what they do, and I’m so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be able to work with them,” said Rachel Ory, a reiner turned silver medal dressage rider. Read more about Rachel’s journey from Western dressage to pure dressage, and find out how lessons with Bettina Hoy and Sharon White guided her along the way, with the latest article sponsored by World Equestrian Brands.

Training horses is a universal language. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Morning Viewing: Just a little hype for this weekend’s leg of the FEI Nations Cup in Arville, Belgium.

Monday Video: Hobby Horsing Around at Tryon International

Think back to your 10-year-old horse crazy self. Maybe you were one lucky kid who was already enrolled in horseback riding lessons. Maybe you were an even luckier kid who already had they’re own pony! Or maybe you were like me and many other kids at that age, desperate for any and all interaction with horses but woefully far-removed from the horse world, which was also financially inaccessible to my family at that point anyway.

No lie, if competitive hobby horsing were a thing when I was a little kid I’m pretty sure I would have been all over it. I was a competitive and athletic child that would have (literally) jumped at any and all opportunities to compete with my own “horse” and if the opportunity to compete in hobby horsing meant that I’d get to go watch real life horses in action, like it does at the North American Hobby Horse Series which is held alongside Tryon International’s summer hunter and jumper shows, then even better! Check out the above vlog by a young teen, Mica, who traveled to Tryon to compete with her hobby horse and enjoyed the live action as well. Mica also has her own Etsy shop to sell hobby horses that she sews herself. Industrious kid!

I’ve seen other equestrians poke some fun at hobby horsing, but if it’s getting kids just a step closer to horses and more interested in equestrian sports then what’s not to like? More importantly, if they’re having fun then who cares! Now here’s a very serious question for the eventing community: why are there no hobby horse trials?! That would be fun.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

Photo via Green mountain Horse Association (GMHA) on Facebook.

Look, look — The sun is shinning in Vermont! GMHA’s Festival Schooling Weekend, a replacement for the flood-canceled Festival of Eventing recognized horse trials, is officially underway. The Ashuelot Pony Club helped out by jump crewing and ring stewarding during yesterday’s jumper day, but there’s much more work to be done. If you’ve got the afternoon free you can still lend a hand in GMHA’s cleanup efforts today from 1-5 PM, followed by a Volunteer Appreciation Taco Party at 5:30 PM. Can’t make it? You can always send a tax-deductible donation here (but I can’t guarantee you’ll receive any tacos.)

Major International Events

#Euros2023 Website | Live Stream | Entries | Live Scores | EN’s Ultimate Guide | EN’s Coverage

Bromont International H.T. (Bromont, Canada): [Website] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Action

Fair Hill International Recognized H.T. (Elkton, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. (Wheeler, WI) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. (Mooresboro, NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Woodside Summer H.T (Woodside, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

The Competition Starts Now, says Italian Star

The Lives of Lesson Horses: A Research Study

Over $100,000 in Prizes Available for the Taking at the 2023 AEC

Can France’s ‘Medal Hunters’ Make History?

It isn’t easy being green: Horse Sport Ireland aims to lead in sustainability

Weekend Wellness: Air Quality and Your Horse’s Lungs

Sponsor Corner: Few things went together better than Arthur and Allison Springer (well, except for maybe chocolate and peanut butter). The two spent 12 years together competing at the FEI level — which is no small feat. And while it would be a rare horse who could fill Arthur’s hoofprints, Allison has some very exciting new horses in her string.

This article is sponsored by World Equestrian Brands.

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Morning Viewing: Join Selena O’Hanlon for a walk around today’s Bromont CCI4*-S course!

Monday Video: Area 1 from the Backs of Two OTTBS

The competition season in Area 1 is short but sweet and right now it’s in full swing! Today we’ve got two helmet cams for you from different Area 1 events, both from the backs of some very excited and happy off-the-track Thoroughbreds.

Above, go for a gallop with Emily Scott as she pilots Ali Fischer’s Z Camelot (Smart Strike – Madame Thor, by Deputy Minister) around the Novice track at Millbrook Horse Trials, which took place the last weekend of July in Amenia, New York.

Below, check out the scenery at Huntington Farm in South Strafford Vermont as Jane Kreppein and Sport (Not For Love – Complete Spring, by Spring Double), owned by Heather DiGregorio, as they rock around the Training Level course this past weekend.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

The hits don’t stop coming for Vermont this summer, but if I know one thing from spending a number of years in this beautiful little state it’s this: Vermonters are strong, caring, and they persist! These summer thunderstorms are not cutting Vermont any slack this year, and Huntington Farm in South Strafford once again experienced a good bit of rain yesterday. It’s nothing that the ground — which has been in great condition leading up to their event this weekend — can’t handle, but the organizers are delaying the start of today’s competition by three hours to let the ground dry out and ensure it’s safe-going for all.

Just to the southwest, you may recall Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) had to cancel next weekend’s Festival of Eventing in it’s traditional format after two flash flood events in previous weeks damaged the property. However, GMHA has been able to repair and rebuild their arenas, barns, and roadways enough to go ahead with hosting an alternative event, rebranded as the Festival Schooling Weekend! Competitors can still enjoy the spoils of a weekend of competition, just in a different format. Friday will be a dressage fix-a-test and jumper schooling day, Saturday holds a combined test, and on Sunday there will be a derby cross held in the one cross country field that suffered the least damage from the flooding. Funds raised will go towards helping GMHA to rebuild!

And, if you’re local-ish to the Norhtshore Massachusetts area, there’s another fun way to pitch in to help out GMHA: Ferial Johnson of the historic Ledyard Farm in Wenham, Massachusetts is holding a cross country derby next Tuesday, August 8, to benefit GMHA. That’s the eventer spirit!

Events Around the World:

Festival of British Eventing [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Live Stream] [Live Scores]

Also…

Definitely ride along with the Mongol Derby here!

U.S. Weekend Action:

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm (Onalaska, WA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer] [Scoring]

Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials (Iowa City, IA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Ride Times]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. II (Dexter, MI) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Early Bird Summer Event at Galway Downs (Temecula, CA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times][Volunteer]

Hoosier Horse Trials (Edinburgh, IN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Ride Times – Remember to add 3 hours!]

Olney Farm Horse Trials (Joppa, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

River Glen Summer H.T. (New Market, TN) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Spring Gulch H.T. (Highland, CO) [Website] [Volunteer] [Ride Times]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Groom Spotlight: Meredith Ferraris Is A Student Of The Horses

Winner Of The Week: Believing In Her Instincts Brings Sharon White A Pair Of Wins At Millbrook

Insights into dressage scoring obtained through inertial sensors

Pressure Proof with Daniel Stewart: The Anxiety Cycle is Not a Spinning Class!

Best of Blogs: The Purpose of The Lesson Horse

Sponsor Corner: If you followed along with all the action from the MARS Bromont CCI Horse Trials, then you’re probably familiar with the Bromont Rising Program. The program awards young riders grants to offset the expenses and provides them with access to world-class equestrian thought leaders. World Equestrian Brands rider Lea Adams-Blackmore is one lucky rider who has been awarded a place in the program not once, but twice. Read about Lea’s experience learning about life and riding through the program.

Lea Adams-Blackmore and Frostbite. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Morning Viewing: This seems like a handy trick … or not.

Monday Video from Horses Inside Out: Millbrook Makes a Comeback

We probably sounds like a broken record at this point, yet it’s still worth repeating: we’re so glad to welcome back Millbrook Horse Trials to this year’s calendar! After not running in 2022, Millbrook made their comeback this past weekend with riders of all levels travelling far and wide to test their mettle against the fabulous Dutchess County terrain and world class courses. You can catch up with the results in Amber Heintzberger’s press release here.

Resident videographer Marion de Vogel was on hand as usual to capture the scenes from the weekend. Enjoy a wrap-up from the whole event above, plus a little extra action in the two videos below. Can you spot yourself or your friends?

Millbrook H.T. (Millbrook, NY): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

It’s amazing what a little paint can do! Catch up on the highlights from the Horses Inside Out Clinic at Morven Park here.

Gillian Higgins at the Horses Inside Out Clinic. Photo by Wise Images Photography

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

The beloved Millbrook Horse Trials is back with a bang after an absence from the calendar last year. We all know it’s a lot of work to put on an event, but as many events now know from 2020 it takes an even greater effort to bring an event back after a year hiatus. Thanks to the hard work of the organizers and volunteers, competitors were welcomed back to the property this year and enjoyed Millbrook’s traditional Friday night competitor’s dinner where their annual volunteer award is presented. This year it went to local upper-level riders Mikki Kuchta and Bridgette Miller who pitched in to help prep for the event!

U.S. Weekend Action

Millbrook H.T. (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Berryville, VA) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Major International Events

FEI Eventing European Championships for Ponies (Le Mans, France): [Definite Entries]

Burgham International (United Kingdom): [Website] [Entries/Timing/Scoring] [Live Stream]

Links to Start Your Weekend:

Fundraising Efforts For Safety Vest Research Off To Slow Start

Using AI to Assess Gait Changes in Event Horses

Grandia and O’Neal Claim Rebecca Farm Classic Series Victories

Ukrainian Vaulters overcome odds to compete at World Championships

Sponsor Corner: Who’s bridle shopping on a budget? Explore World Equestrian Brands’ sale on Vespucci bridles! You could get a gorgeous Vespucci bridle of your very own for 50% off. While supplies last!

Morning Viewing: Feast your eyes on the Barbie Dream Fence gracing Millbrook’s Advanced and Intermediate courses!

Flood Damage Forces Cancelation of GMHA Festival of Eventing

Photo courtesy of Bruce Perry.

After suffering two significant flooding events this month, the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) has made the painful decision to cancel the upcoming Festival of Eventing August H.T., which was scheduled to take place August 11-13 in South Woodstock, Vermont.

“It is with great regret that GMHA must cancel the Festival of Eventing for 2023, both FEI and National divisions,” GMHA Executive Director Bruce Perry announced in a statement. “The combination of the two rain and flooding events at GHMA so close to the Festival has resulted in there being insufficient time to make repairs to the cross country fields and water crossings. There was also significant damage to some of the upper-level fences that will take time to rebuild. Horse and competitor safety is the primary concern at GMHA and the uncertainty of being able to provide a safe competition drove this decision.”

After the initial flooding event on July 10, which devastated other parts of the state, GMHA was initially cautiously optimistic about being able to host the Festival. Swift cleanup work by the grounds crew enabled the venue to still host the annual Area 1 Young Riders Camp from July 17-20, but a second severe storm sat over South Woodstock on the night of Friday July 21. Flooding from the July 21 storm was more destructive for GMHA than the initial statewide storm, not only washing away all prior progress and repairs but adding more damage to both the grounds and fences.

GMHA’s Festival of Eventing is Area 1’s only FEI event, offering CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S divisions in addition to hosting national Beginner Novice through Intermediate levels. The cancelation announcement comes the day after the event’s closing date for national levels, but a refund policy is in development: “We understand that this decision comes a day after the closing date and its no refund policy. We will have updates through email and social media as decisions are made,” says the statement.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Perry.

GMHA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which hosts events throughout the years for many equestrian disciplines in addition to eventing, estimates needing to raise $200,00 to make up for lost revenue and repair costs. Anyone wishing to support GMHA can make a tax deductible donation to the organization’s Annual Fund.

At this time, the facility grounds and GMHA’s vast network of trails remain closed. The board is hoping to run a combined test and eventing derby to replace the August Horse Trials — details will be coming soon, and you can follow GMHA on Facebook for further updates. The September Horse Trials, which offers Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels remains scheduled for September 16-17 and entries open next Tuesday, August 1.

Monday Video from Horses Inside Out: A Wimpy Eventer and a Burghley Champion Go for a Hack

Let’s be honest, riding the Burghley course is a little beyond the abilities or even desires of most of us. But hacking around the course and admiring the impossibly big questions and the famed terrain from up close? With a Burghley champion hacking alongside as a guide? Where do we sign up?!

Victoria Briant, creator of the Diary of a Wimpy Eventer blog got the opportunity to do just that for this special preview video ahead of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials which are just around the corner now, taking place August 31 through September 3. She was joined by none other than reigning champions Piggy March aboard her super mare Vanir Kamira who guided them through the hallowed grounds.

Throughout their hack Piggy covers all the emotions that a rider might be feeling on cross country day from the walk to the start box, to how the crowds can boost a rider, and they even get a first look at Piggy’s brand new plaque on Winner’s Avenue. How special is that?

Did you miss out on the Horses Inside Out Painted Horse Demonstration hosted by the North American Saddlery School? Check out the highlights from the lecture here:

Sunday Links from SmartPak

Cycling and eventing go hand-in-hand … sort of. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, I thought I’d lead today’s News & Notes with a rumination on teamwork. You see, I’ve been watching the Tour de France for the past three weeks and it concludes today with it’s traditional final race around the famed Champs-Élysées in Paris. This event sucks me in year after year because of what a dynamic and dramatic sport it is. Now bear with me here, because I promise I’ll circle back to eventing:

Cycling is both a team and individual sport. A team of eight riders will work together over the many stages of a Grand Tour not necessarily for glory as a team, but to push and pace the superstar of their team to victory in the overall standings. (I hope any anyone more intimately familiar with cycling than I am forgives me for my superficial explanation, by the way, I’m purely a spectator of this sport and this is an eventing blog, not a cycling blog after all) It takes a mind boggling level of fitness and mental toughness alongside literal blood, sweat, and tears to do what these athletes do and yet for the most part seven out of eight members of a team don’t get to bask in their own glory at any point during the race, just the glory of their teammate and helping them rise to the top.

Do you see where I’m going with this parallel yet? In eventing, we fawn over the horses and riders that leave the start box, but those athletes are only able to gallop off thanks to the blood, sweat, and tears their team of grooms and barn managers and assistant riders have put in over many hours themselves. And don’t even get me started on the crucial role that physios and veterinarians and nutritionists play! Those teammates may not be as visible during the big events (though we and other media outlets are always working to improve that) as a team of cyclists riding alongside their captain, but they’re no less crucial to the ultimate success of the victor.

Anyway, I guess I have a soft spot for sports with non-traditional teams and exceptional levels of sportsmanship. And if I’ve piqued your interest in watching a Grand Tour, it’s not too late! As the main Tour de France concludes today, the Tour de France Femmes kicks off. Here’s how to watch.

U.S. Weekend Action

The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, MT) [Website] [Ride Times/Scoring] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Applewood Farm YEH & Mini Event (Califon, NJ) [Website] [YEH Ride Times] [Mini Ride Times]

Course Brook Farm Summer H.T. (Sherborn, MA) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer][Scoring]

Full Moon Farms H.T. (Finksburg, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (Allentown, NJ) [Website] [Entries] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Trevor, WI) [Website] [Scoring]

Major International Events

CCIO4*-NC-S (Nations Cup) (Avenches, Switzerland) [Website] [Entries] [Program] [Live Stream]

Links to Start Your Sunday:

OP ED: My Feelings About Rich Fellers’ Guilty Plea Are Complicated, But I Do Know This

Input from owners sought for study of horse-human interactions

11 top tips to help your horses beat the heat

IFAR: Research Shows OTTBs Are Particularly Well-Suited To Therapy Work

Shoeing Horses For Their Riding Discipline

Sponsor Corner: Raise your hand if you have a horse who breaks out in hives if a fly even looks their way 🙋‍♀️ We picked out ten products that will help your horse get through fly season (relatively) unbitten.

Morning Viewing: If you need a little pick me up this morning, a parade of ponies tackling fences at Windurra should cure what ails you.