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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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Thursday Video from Nupafeed: An Irish Ditty for WEG

By on Aug 30, 2018 5:00 pm -

World Equestrian Games 2018

Huge thanks to Mick Konstantin for our World Equestrian Games Eventing song. I especially like the fact that I got my own verse. What a super star horse am I? Rioghan Rua,the gang and I are heading off to England early this week for a bit of last minute training to fine tune everything and then off to the World Equestrian Games. I cant wait!!! Roll on Tryon2018.Team Ireland Equestrian and Eventing Ireland we'll do our best to do you proud. Rocket 🚀 Ps…. Huge thanks to all mams sponsors for helping us on our way. Tredstep IrelandAntarès Custom Saddles (Sellerie De France)HorsewareHorseware Factory Shop Dundalk.Horse-First WinnersPegus Horse FeedMajyk Equipe#flexon #davidefocardi

Posted by Horseware Stellor Rebound on Sunday, August 26, 2018

Alright everyone, you’ve got to watch this one with the sound on! Mick Konstantin, singer/songwriter from Kildare, Ireland, has put together a theme song for the Irish WEG squad. Mick has made a bit of a name for himself with a couple viral YouTube music video celebrating UFC fighter Conor McGregor and the Irish soccer (ahem, football) team’s trip to the 2016 UEFA European Championship, so eventing is in good company!

Give it a listen and get to know the Irish riders who’ll be taking over to Tryon! I guarantee you’ll be nodding your head or tapping your foot along to this chorus no less than halfway through the song:

Well, here we are up and over they go

Off to Tryon for WEG and who’s to know.

The World Equestrian Games in full flight 

The Irish Team, there be no better sight

And as the winner pulls away, the roar yo will hear

The hustle and the atmosphere of

North Carolina in the magical realm 

for the best of the Irish eventers around

You’re welcome for the ear worm!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Baxter’s Big Weekend

By on Aug 29, 2018 11:00 am -

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It’s going to be an exciting weekend for California’s Andrea Baxter; she and her four-star partner Indy 500, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare, have made the trek all the way from the west coast across the pond to take another shot at Big Bad Burghley. Indy 500 (Cromwell X Tens of Thousands, by Spend A Buck) was bred for racing and was originally registered as My Gifted Indyanna, but never made it to the track.

Indy 500 isn’t the only horse of Andrea’s that will be competing in a big event this weekend. Soaring Bird (Birdonthewire X Vuelta, by Far North), an 11-year old Thoroughbred gelding who was also unraced, owned by Connie and Andrea Baxter will be contesting the Adequan Gold Cup Advanced Final at the AECs under rider Rebecca “Bec” Braitling. That’s a lot of excitement this weekend for the Twin Rivers Ranch crew!

Whether or not they’ve previously raced, it’s hard to beat a Thoroughbred when it comes to athleticism. Here are three OTTBs who could be the next big thing in eventing:

Quiet Temptress. Photo via Marker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Quiet Temptress (DEVIL HIS DUE – SULTRY WISPER, BY SULTRY SONG): 2013 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred mare

Lightly raced with just four starts, this stately mare looks destined for great things. The folks at MMSC liken her to a “Range Rover”: she has a solid build and all-terrain capabilities, plus she’s understatedly classy yet powerful. “Tempi” is also a confident but level-headed horse, so that power will easily be able to be channeled into performance once she understands her new job better. Not only does she have potential to be a powerhouse under saddle, but she is easy-going and kind on the ground as well.

View Quiet Temptress on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Dyna Sue. Photo via CANTER PA.

Dyna Sue (PHILANTHROPIST – HANNAH SUE, BY STORMY ATLANTIC): 2013 15.3-hand Ontario-bred mare

O, Canada! This Ontario-bred pocket-rocket has a nice athletic build and appears to have the makings of a nice sport horse prospect. Not only is she good-looking, but her connections say she’s very kind and sensible — not a stereotypical chestnut mare at all — even her trainer’s kids have handled this one! Dyna Sue was moderately successful on the track, with over $50,000 in 29 starts, and held up well to retire sound.

View Dyna Sue on CANTER PA.

Big Platinum. Photo via CANTER CA.

Big Platinum (BIG BROWN – NICE PIC, BY PICCOLINO): 2013 16.1-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Now this is an aptly-named horse. His Jockey Club-registered moniker clearly suits him plus he goes by “Romeo” around the barn, which also befits this handsome fellow. Romeo is retiring in good form from a racing career with 30 starts and almost $45,000 in winnings. He looks athletic and nicely-built for jumping, but judging by his jog video he looks like her has the movement to impress in the dressage arena as well.

View Big Platinum on CANTER California.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Cutest Helmet Cam Ever

By on Aug 27, 2018 5:00 pm -

GoPro Barbie

Posted by Kendra Giarrusso Georgacopoulos on Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Mane ribbons and rainbow reins a-flying, ride along with 10-year-old Lucia Isenhart as she expertly pilots “Barbie,” a 10-hand pony owned by Phyllis Meyers, across the country in the Baby Starter division at the Spring Run Mini Horse Trial last weekend. As if this petite team weren’t adorable enough on their own, there’s a serious feel-good story to go along with it.

Just a few short years ago, Phyllis attended an estate auction in search of a trailer to buy and ended up coming home with an abandoned pony with terribly overgrown hooves. Take a look:

Photo courtesy of Erin Murphy.

Photo courtesy of Erin Murphy.

The maybe 15ish-year-old little redheaded mare, dubbed Barbie, was given a new lease on life thanks to Phyllis and she’s become a fabulous little event pony under the guidance of Amanda Conti, head trainer at Tuscany Hollow Stables in Goshen, Kentucky. Barbie and Lucia, a student of Amanda’s, have become local favorites and they make a wonderful team who clearly have a blast together. Make sure you keep an ear out for a mid-ride shoutout of ‘Hi Miss Phyllis!”

Be still my heart.

Go Eventing.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Aug 25, 2018 12:01 am -

Photo via Foshay International.

After a long day of competition, wouldn’t it be nice to be treated to a beautiful sunset landscape right outside your horse’s stable? That’s reality at Foshay International! Canada’s newest FEI competition, to be held Labor Day weekend, is located in beautiful Jemseg, New Brunswick along the St. John’s River. Foshay offers a CCI* and the is the only event in North America to offer the FEI’s new CCI Introductory level in 2018. They’ve extended their closing date until August 27th so there’s still time to get those entries in!

National Holiday: National Kiss and Make Up Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Millstreet: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Live Scoring, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage

Blair Castle: Website, Schedule, Start Times & Live Scoring, Live Stream, Event Rider Masters, ERM Live Scores, EN’s Coverage

U.S. Weekend Action: 

Town Hill Farm H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. II [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Caber Farm Horse Trial  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

The Event at Archer [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scoring]

Stone Gate Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Virginia Horse Trials Selected to Host 2018 USEF One-Star Eventing National
Championships

Phillip Dutton: ‘Hold Your Head Up High’

PODCAST: Preparing for a USEA Classic Series Event

Burghley first-timers: Sarah Pickard — ‘He could run backwards faster than he could go forwards’

Tips for Managing Gastric Ulcers in Performance Horses

What’s the Difference Between Gastrogard and Ulcergard?

Saturday Video: Spookiest water jump ever?

Just …. WOW!I mean this has got to be the spookiest water jump EVERCan’t wait too see it in action tomorrow. Had great fun on the course walk with Team Bragg Eventing- highly recommend it if anyone is heading to Burghley 🙌🏻

Posted by Frog & Field on Friday, August 24, 2018

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Eventing Dad Level Expert

By on Aug 23, 2018 8:41 am -

Time is always at a premium for eventers and time is always at a premium for parents, too — so what to do if you’re both? Andrew Hoy, who was named to the Austrailian WEG squad and is competing in the FEI Nations Cup at Millstreet this weekend, seems to have it figured out. Entertaining his young daughter, Phillipa, and running through the movements of his dressage test is no problem-o for this eventing dad!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Three Flashy Fillies

By on Aug 21, 2018 11:00 am -

If you’re looking for a horse with some personality and spunk, a flashy little filly is nearly guaranteed to have just that! Somehow, these horses tend to know they’re the real deal, and yes, they expect to be treated as such. Get one on your side, however, and you’ll have a friend and partner for life. Roll out the red carpet and get ready to bring one of these stunning OTTB fillies home:

Orange Sorbet. Photo via CANTER Delaware.

Orange Sorbet (GOLDEN MISSILE – CHILL IN THE AIR, BY WESTERN EXPRESSION): 2014 16.2-hand Pennsylvania-bred filly

Who needs a sweet summer treat? This flashy chestnut with chrome is a clean slate with no starts, so you can make her your own! Her connections say that she is just not taking to race training and think she’ll be better off in a different career right from the get-go. With some more groceries and a little more time to grow and fill out, she’ll be quite a looker. She has an A.P. Indy sire line, so there’s sure to be some athleticism in this girl!

View Orange Sorbet n CANTER Delaware.

Eura Flashy Diva. Photo via CANTER PA.

Eura Flashy Diva (EUROSILVER – DESTINY BECKONS, BY FOREST CAMP): 2014 16.0-hand Pennsylvania-bred filly

Raise your hand if you turn into the heart-eyed emoji when you take a look at this good-looking filly! Eura Flashy Diva is aptly named — she has the striking good looks and a touch of the diva personality to go along with it. “Diva” is a homebred and her owner/trainer will gladly give her buyer her complete history as well as a rundown of all her relatives who have gone on to successful careers as sporthorses. Diva has just 12 starts and was never terribly competitive, so she’s retiring from the track with minimal wear and tear and no known soundness issues or vices.

View Eura Flashy Diva on CANTER PA.

Card Doll. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Card Doll (TIZWAY – SHUFFLE THE DECK, BY HIGH YIELD): 2015 16.1-hand New York-bred filly

In Card Doll’s six career starts on the track she has been completely unsuccessful, but the racing world’s loss is the sport horse world’s gain! Card Doll’s assistant trainer/ exercise rider says this filly has no vices and is nice to ride and easy to work with. She’s reported to be sound and has very clean legs. The assistant trainer also said that she was a little body sore after her last race, but she’s still growing and is already much better after some down time on the farm away from the track. Her balanced build and attractive pedigree make her a nice sport prospect!

View Card Doll on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: A Post Factum Course Walk with Selena O’Hanlon

By on Aug 20, 2018 4:30 pm -

Selena O’Hanlon ran away with the CIC3* win at Bromont on John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High yesterday. Selena and “Woody” were in a three-way tie for fourth after two phases before catapulting to the top of the leader board after cross country thanks to their speedy round which added only 2.4 time penalties to their final score.

Fortuitously, Selena filmed her course walk on Saturday in preparation for her run complete with a description of each fence and how she planned to ride them. Since there’s no live stream at Bromont, footage of cross country day is a little sparse so for much of the course we’ll just have to use our imaginations and pretend we’re riding along as Selena talks us through each fence and her little dog leads the way!

Patron saint of eventing video, David “The Horse Pesterer” Frechette, was in attendance though and he camped out between fences 7 through 11 for the CIC3* division and captured Selena and Woody masterfully executing their plan:

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Aug 18, 2018 12:01 am -

Navy vibes. Photo by Abby Powell.

International Helmet Awareness Day (IHAD) is upon us once again this weekend! Riders4Helmets created this campaign back in 2010 and since then has worked to encourage more equestrians to mind their melon when mounting up. IHAD brings a host of sales from retailers world-wide, so if you’re due to replace your helmet (which you need to do after a fall or at minimum every five years – whichever comes first!) then this is a great weekend to go shopping! You can search for a participating retailer near you with this map. I am a huge fan of my Tipperary 8500 Sportage and you can bet I never ever get in the saddle without my trusty brain bucket!

National Holiday: International Helmet Awareness Day

Major Events This Weekend:

Bromont: Website, Entries, Start Times, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

GVRDC H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Huntington Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Waredaca Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores] [FEH Scores] [YEH/NEH Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Report from the USEA Board of Governors August Meeting

A Reminder Of Our Own Mortality

Just Add PAM – How To Hack Your Grooming Toolkit

British Dressage Team Named For 2018 WEG

Emergency 911: Horse Show Edition

Mongol Derby Day 9: Stick a Fork in It

Saturday Video: An oldie but a goody,#MindYourMelon

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: An Eventer After Anesthesia

By on Aug 16, 2018 3:00 pm -

Getting your wisdom teeth extracted is a miserable experience, but at least some good comedy can come out of the ordeal. You’ve seen the original David After Dentist video that put post-sedation wooziness on the map and, slightly more recently, some conniving big brothers that convinced their poor sister that a zombie apocalypse has befallen them while she was still groggy. In case you’ve ever wondered what comes out of an event rider’s mouth during that dream-like state, wonder no more thanks to Area II eventer Maddie LeBlanc.

Maddie had her wisdom teeth out earlier this week and sent us two videos of the post-anesthesia aftermath. Naturally, all she could think about upon waking up was her horse, Hook, and their upcoming event at Fair Hill. She shares:

“The first thing I was concerned about was my horse hurting himself or him missing me and making sure that he would practice his dressage tests since we have a show coming up in a few weeks (obviously these were priorities). Luckily my parents videoed me because I don’t remember anything! In the first video I asked my parents to film a video to show my horse so he wouldn’t be scared and in the second video I ask to make sure he practiced the dressage test! I hope to you find these as entertaining as I do!“

We salute you Maddie, and hope Hook still got to share that pumpkin with you!

The horse in question. Photo courtesy of Maddie LeBlanc.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: How it Feels to Win Gold at Pony Championships

By on Aug 13, 2018 3:30 pm -

Imagine for a moment that you’re a sixteen-year-old girl and you’ve just won the biggest event of your life on your trusty pony. Yeah, you’d be in tears too.

That’s reality for Saffron “Saffie” Osborne. She and Little Indian Feather a.k.a “Jojo” took home individual gold and team gold for Great Britain at the FEI European Eventing Championships for Ponies which took place at Bishop Burton College in Beverley, England over the weekend. This is actually Saffie and Jojo’s second appearance at Pony Europeans – the pair came in second in the individual and team competitions last year; certainly a fine showing in and of itself, yet they came back with a vengeance for this year, Saffie’s final season qualified for Ponies as next year she’ll age out at seventeen, year managed to best their finish from last season.

But the real icing on the cake for this fairytale is the story of Jojo’s origin. The 14.2-hand skewbald mare of unknown breeding was found in very poor condition by the Urlingford (Ireland) Horse Pound in 2007 and subsequently taken in by Brian and Sonya Hennessey. The pony gained weight quickly under Hennessey’s care – so much so that they though she might be pregnant, but a vet assured them that she wasn’t. A little later Jojo had a bad run in with a fence post and severely damaged her tendons. There was talk of putting the pony down, but Sonya pursued treatment instead and was ultimately rewarded for her efforts as Jojo made a full recovery. Several months later the Hennesseys came home from a show to find a handsome foal running around by Jojo’s side.

Jojo was produced by two other riders, Kristie Connell and Chelsea Pearce, before Saffie took up the reins. These event ponies and their riders are fierce competitors and their athleticism should not be underestimated due to their Lilliputian stature. Ponies running the European Championships are jumping 1.05 meters, the height equivalent of the Modified level here in the States. Check out Saffie and Jojo’s double clear cross country round (below) which moved them up to the lead going into show jumping, and you certainly don’t want to miss their double clear stadium round (above) including Saffie’s reaction and interview afterwards!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Three Solid Citizens

By on Aug 13, 2018 9:00 am -

If you don’t have experience with OTTBs yourself, it’s always a good idea to enlist the help of a professional trainer when sourcing a horse off-the-track and retraining it for a new career. Thoroughbreds have been stereotyped as hot and hard to handle, but as with people, they’re all different! Just because a horse is a Thoroughbred doesn’t mean they can’t be well-behaved. Some are just naturally chill dudes, others are been-there-done-that warhorses who have seen everything, and some have been able to enjoy time out on the trails at their connections’ farms.

If you get your hands on one of these horses it can make the retaining process that much easier. Here are three solid citizens currently available through CANTER who could have just what you’re looking for in your next eventing partner:

Lava Heat. Photo via CANTER PA.

Lava Heat (MISBAH – LYPHARD’S LEGACY, BY LYPHARD): 2014 16.0-hand Pennsylvania-bred colt

Lava Heat may still be a stallion, but this homebred has impeccable ground manners – even standing ground tied for a bath – and is such a dependable guy that his owners have no hesitation in hoping on him after a month off to go out for a trail ride. He didn’t show any promise as a racehorse so they retired him after two starts and have been using him as a trail horse on their farm for the past year or so. Lava Heat bravely crosses bridges, water, and traffic without hesitation and though he’s mainly been putzing around the countryside recently, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t make a good sport horse. His owners are also willing to geld him before he goes off to a new home, so don’t let that deter you!

View Lava Heat on CANTER PA.

Circle City. Photo via CANTER New York.

Circle City (A.P. INDY – MISS HALORY, BY MR. PROSPECTOR): 2010 16.3-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

This son of A.P Indy has his daddy’s good looks and he knows it. He loves being in front of a crowd and loves to calmly show off to his adoring fans, so his favorite places are the saddling ring and the post-parade. Circle City has raced plenty, with 28 starts under his belt, and is “sound as a tack” but just doesn’t have the speed to really be successful on the track. Take him home, make him your own, and he’s sure to shine in the show ring!

View Circle City on CANTER New York.

Greeley’s Special. Photo via CANTER Chicago.

Greeley’s Special (GREELEY’S CONQUEST – OUR SPECIAL ANGEL, BY DIGNITAS): 2012 15.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Though this pretty chestnut gelding is Kentucky-bred, he’s a Chicago-racing favorite having made all 41 of his career starts at either Arlington or Hawthorne. Despite being pretty successful – earning over $50,000 in those starts – and staying sound, Greeley’s Special has stoped showing an interest in racing so it seems it’s time to find him a different job. Greeley is definitely a barn-favorite as he is friendly and sweet, but also calm and well-behaved. During racing off-seasons he’s been turned out at and ridden around his trainer’s farm so he already has some experience being under saddle away from the track.

View Greeley’s Special on CANTER Chicago.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Aug 11, 2018 12:01 am -

Stone Gate Farm. Photo via Jackie Smith.

Got plans for the weekend of August 25th? No? Ok, excellent – then get your entires in for Stone Gate Farm Horse Trials in Hanoverton, Ohio There’s plenty offered for all levels of experience: FEH, YEH and NEH classes on Friday, August 24th; Starter level running in a one-day format on Saturday; and Beginner Novice through Preliminary horse trials held over Saturday and Sunday. Entries are being accepted through August 17th via Xentry. Check out their Omnibus listing here!

National Holiday: National Garage Sale Day

Major Events This Week:

Hartpury International [Entries] [Results]

Strzegom Summer Tour [Start Times and Live Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup at Haras du Pin [Start Times and Live Scoring] [Live Streaming]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fair Hill International H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Summer Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times/Results]

Saturday Links:

PODCAST: #Tryon2018 Cross-Country Preview

Road To The WEG: Boyd Martin’s Got A New Baby In The Mix

Olympic champion returns as fierce Kiwi squad named for WEG

Road to AEC: Learning Together

Behavior of Horses With, Without Gastric Ulcers Compared

Mongol Derby Day 2: Galloping Headlong into the Great Unknown

Saturday Video: Anna Loschiavo and Spartacus Q lead the Open Intermediate after dressage at the GMHA Festival of Eventing this weekend:

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: GOTD Alert! Lainey’s Vertical Frenzy

By on Aug 9, 2018 1:30 pm -

Photo via Lainey Ashker.

LAE (Laine Ashker Eventing) is at it again with another GOTD (grid of the day)! You’re going to need a boatload of standards and a big arena for this one, but once set up you’ll have plenty of options to keep you busy for a while. It looks complicated, but there’s just two steps to building this monstrosity:

  1. Start with building the middle series of verticals 21 feet apart.
  2. Then build outward from the middle vertical 24 feet for each vertical on the diagonal arms. This will automatically give you the two and five stride lines parallel to the middle series of verticals.

As you can see, this mother-of-all-grids has many different lines to choose from. The short 21-foot distance down the middle will encourage horses to rock back and will also encourage the rider to use their position to help the horse do so. The 24-foot distances across the diagonal over angled jumps are great for teaching more advanced riders to ride forward on a straight line and push the horse forward into an even contact.

Watch how it’s done:

#GOTD alert: “Vertical Frenzy!” Lots of options with this exercise that you can use with your less experienced horses and riders teaching them striding from 5, 2, to 1s to the more advanced pairs working on their contact in the super angled lines (both directions) and beginning with the one strides from lowest to gradually raising the bar (pun intended 😉) testing the rider’s position to balance his or her horse in the line. *Remember that when building this correctly to begin building the angles from the center vertical in the straight line OUT for it to work! (If angled one strides are measured correctly your two strides and five strides will automatically appear when finished). I made the straight line of one strides short in 21 feet to teach the horse to rock back and encourage a better position of his rider whereas in the angles you’ll notice they’re longer in order to encourage the rider to push the horse forward into the contact from the leg NOT try and steer in a straight line from the hand! Hope you enjoy the challenge my friends!!! 💪🏽🤙🏽👊🏽

Posted by Lainey Ashker on Saturday, August 4, 2018

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Who Wants to Win a Racehorse?

By on Aug 8, 2018 11:00 am -

Trapped N My Mind. Photo via Retired Racehorse Project.

If you’ve ever wanted to cheer your own racehorse down the stretch but haven’t wanted to make the financial investment, this could be your chance. Wasabi Ventures Stables, a company that takes “a startup approach” to the racing business by offering a co-owners club which allows anyone to become involved in race horse ownership, is partnering with our good friends at the Retired Racehorse Project to offer RRP members a chance at racehorse ownership.

If you’re an RRP member you have until Thursday, August 9th to enter to win a 1% share (a $299 value) in Trapped N My Mind, a gorgeous 2-year-old filly (Trappe Shot—Paraskevoulla, Thunder Gulch) purchased at the Ocala Breeders Sale and now in training at Delaware Park with Jesse Cruz.

Of course, we here at EN know just how valuable some ex-racehorses can become after they’ve found their calling in a new career. Here are three thoroughbred geldings looking for a new job:

Backfiring. Photo via CANTER Kentucky.

Backfiring (HOLD ME BACK – MYSTIC HONOUR, BY HONOUR AND GLORY): 2015 16.0-hand Indiana-bred gelding

If you’re a stickler for good conformation and want something only lightly raced, then make sure to take a look at this guy. Backfiring is well-built and has clean legs, good feet, and only two races under is belt. His owner says that he enjoys work, but is just not interested in racing. He should be very amenable to being retrained for another discipline – maybe he’ll like eventing better! Backfiring is an in-your-pocket type who is easy to handle, loves attention, and has no vices. Sounds like he could be the whole package!

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Backfiring on CANTER Kentucky.

Baku Nights. Photo via Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (MMSC).

Baku Nights (DON GATO – DOT’S IN STYLE, BY INDIAN CHARLIE): 2014 16.0-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

Baku made his living in low-level claiming races before getting some let-down time and then coming to MMSC. This big-bodied chestnut is gentle and sensitive and truly just wants to please. Once he learns what his new job is, Baku is the type of horse that will try his heart out for you. He’d love to find his own person who’s just as sweet and gentle as he is!

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Baku Nights on Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center.

Justdynamite. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Justdynamite (JUSTENUFFHUMOR – HONORABLE HALO, BY DOUBLE HONOR): 2015 16.0-hand New York-bred gelding

This handsome gelding has a great sporthorse/jumping bloodlines and his current owner, who has a showjumping background, thinks he’s a great prospect for such. Video of him being ridden shows a nice supple and naturally balanced trot and canter. Justdynamite is currently around 16-hands and is a little bum-high, but he’s still growing and will likely top out at around 16.2-hands. His owner, who also gallops him, says he is an intelligent guy who is good to work with and lovely to ride. He was diagnosed with a very minor tendon tear last October, but was patiently and properly rehabbed and has been given the all clear to go on to do any discipline without limitations!

Located at the Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, New York.

View Justdynamite on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Aug 8, 2018 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy of Caroline Martin

EN would like to wish a very happy 41st anniversary to Randy and Sherrie Martin. They are fabulous friendly faces at events all around the world, as well as dedicated owners, supporters and true fans of the sport both in the U.S. and beyond. Their anniversary is also a special day because Caroline’s grandparents shared the same anniversary. Cheers to all the people who make this sport so special. Go Eventing.

National Holiday: National Sneak Some Zucchini Into Your Neighbor’s Porch Day

Major Events This Week:

Hartpury International [Entries] [Results]

Strzegom Summer Tour [Start Times and Live Scoring]

FEI Nations Cup at Haras du Pin [Start Times and Live Scoring] [Live Streaming]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fair Hill International H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Summer Event at Woodside [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. [Website]

Your Wednesday News & Notes:

Organizers of the Bromont CIC are excited to announced an Under 25 division for the upcoming CIC1*. Held the weekend of August 17th to 19th in the charming village of Bromont, Quebec, the Bromont CIC is organized by Bromont Horse Trials Inc. [Bromont Three-Day Event]

Another anniversary? The Kentucky Horse Park is celebrating its 40th this year! Built in 1978, the Kentucky Horse Park was designed as the world’s first park dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. The park sits on property that has been used to raise Thoroughbreds since the early 1800s. [Kentucky Horse Park celebrates 40 years]

When Lauren Kieffer had the opportunity to purchase a full brother to her first four-star horse, Snooze Alarm, she jumped at the chance. COTH goes behind the stall door with “Bug” to learn the origins of his name, what he was like as a young horse, and more. [Behind The Stall Door With: Vermiculus]

2018 Mongol Derby: And they’re off … well, almost. The start of this year’s 1,000-km race was delayed until Wednesday evening due to apocalypse-looking thunderstorms complete with marble-sized hail and flooding, and an undisclosed “technical difficulty.” With several U.S. riders in the mix, including some American eventers, we’ll be watching the Derby closely! [Mongol Derby]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: Safety | Performance | Innovation

You could say the road to Great Meadow International 2018 was paved in Attwood footing. Well, maybe paved would not be the right word but you get the gist.   Looking back at that competition, it was truly inspiring to know so many of the competing athletes were prepping on Attwood Surfaces.

From the newly expanded arena at Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm, to multi rings and gallop at Boyd Martin’s Windurra USA to Liz Millikin’s lovely Lion’s Gate Farm to Will Faudree’s spectacular Gavilan Farm. That’s a lot of footing! Because these riders depend on us so much they are much more than clients, they are our family.

We believe that a horse’s health and soundness can be greatly impacted by its daily training surface. That’s why we are constantly testing our footing to find innovative solutions for safety and performance.

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Thank You for Flying Pony Airlines

By on Aug 6, 2018 5:30 pm -

Got that Friday feeling?! We are jumping into the weekend like Murdock 😂😂😂#murdocksadventures

Posted by Kelly Guy Equestrian on Friday, August 3, 2018

Kelly Guy is a trainer and instructor from Leicester, England who is helping her daughter bring along Murdock, an adorable Welsh Section C pony. Murdock is a scopey little dude with springs for legs (as clearly demonstrated) who is proving to be a very game and talented jumper.

Last week, Kelly took him out for his very first cross country school and hopped on him for his first few fences prior to handing the reins over to her daughter. Good thing she did, because Murdock decided that there was a monster living under that diminutive black pipe fence and that the best way to avoid it would be to fling his little body as far over it as he could! Drama, much?

Fortunately, Murdock isn’t usually that dramatic and after Kelly introduced him to a few new fences, he finished out the cross country schooling session like a total superstar with Kelly’s daughter in the irons. Take a look at the rest of their adventure below:

Last night we made a last minute decision to take Murdock for a play at Aylesford Equine X Country Course he was a little superstar that tried his heart out bless him. 😍

Posted by Kelly Guy Equestrian on Thursday, August 2, 2018

Go Murdock!

5 Reasons to Make a Trip to Archer on Your Way to AECs

By on Aug 6, 2018 1:00 pm -

Photo by Lauren Beaton.

We’re less than a month away from the 2018 American Eventing Championships. If you’re making the big trip to Colorado for the championships, or even if you’re local, you’ll want to consider taking advantage of all that Wyoming’s Event at Archer has to offer. The Event at Archer, which runs from August 24th – 26th, is just two hours north of the Colorado Horse Park which holds the AECs the following weekend, August 29th – September 2nd.

Game for a big showcation? Here are 5 reasons to hit up the Event at Archer before heading to AECs:

1. Wide Open Spaces, World Class Course

The Archer Equestrian Complex is settled on 60 acres of wide-open land leased from Laramie County. The cross country course designed by James Atkinson of Revisionist Equestrian is just one year old and offers modern questions for Starter through Preliminary including ditches, banks, and water suitable for all levels. The course takes advantage of Wyoming’s rolling hills and wide-open spaces — similar terrain to what competitors will see at AECs in Colorado — and well-maintained footing.

Want to take a peek at the course? Here’s Kimberly Wendel on Happily Twisted, winners of the Preliminary division at the spring Event at Archer this June:

2. Something for Everyone

While the horse trials may only offer Starter through Preliminary, there is still a benefit to bringing horses to Archer who will be contesting Intermediate and Advanced at the AECs. Running concurrently with the horse trials, the Event at Archer Committee is pleased to be offering combined tests for these levels and for Training and Preliminary. All levels will ride the same dressage tests that will be ridden at the AECs, so it’s a great opportunity to get in the sandbox and jump a full course one more time before the big day!

3. Come for the Show, Stay for the Schooling

Not only are the event and the combined tests a great way to get some last-minute prep in before the championships the following weekend, but the Archer cross country course will also be open for schooling after the event and for the week leading up to the AECs. The complex’s grounds offer plenty of permanent barn stalls and covered pipe stalls plus very affordable on-site dry camping spots and RV hookups, so it’s easy to stick around and enjoy the facility.

4. Prizes, prizes, prizes!

The Event at Archer Committee is delighted to be working with some very generous sponsors who are making it possible to treat each and every competitor at the event with a little swag and some great prizes for the divisions. Ribbons will be pinned through tenth place and there will also be TIP awards, adult amateur awards, and young rider awards.

5. Support a Grassroots Event

The August event marks Archer’s one-year anniversary! Even though it’s a young event, it’s already made its mark on the Area IX calendar thanks to a group of passionate folks who wanted to bring a new sanctioned event and cross country facilities to the Southeastern Wyoming/ Northern Colorado area. The initiative to create the Event at Archer was spearheaded by Preliminary level eventer and professional realtor Allison Murphy who was awarded the 2017 Worth the Trust Scholarship Adult Amateur Scholarship to further her interests in event organization and course design, which have in turn helped to fuel Archer’s creation. She’s backed by a dedicated and knowledgeable committee which includes James Atkinson, Melinda Hofmeister, Tory Poulton, and Jon Murphy — together this group of people is proof that hard work and passion can grow our sport.

Closing date is Tuesday, August 7th so don’t delay any longer in getting those entries in! Check out the Omnibus listing for the Event at Archer here.

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on Aug 4, 2018 12:01 am -

OKAY, Lauren Billys’ little family here is total #goals. She’s been a busy lady lately: getting married, honeymooning, and competing at the Event at Rebecca Farm on these four beautiful bays all within a matter of weeks! Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Shady and Lauren Billys Shady!

ATTENTION: Due to the heavy rain, Millbrook Horse Trials will have a 2-hour delay in the start of cross country and show jumping today. 

National Holiday: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Major Events:

#Millbrook: Website, Schedule, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

U.S. Weekend Action:

Olney Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

River Glen Summer H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Catalpa Corner Charity H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Cobblestone Farms H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Saturday Links:

Cross Training Prepared Ringmoylan And Szegvari For Adequan FEI NAYC

Top British medal hope to miss World Equestrian Games due to injury

The Road to AEC: A Fresh Start

Event’s bold refund promise over cross-country ground conditions

Stretches For Riders With Tight Shoulders And Upper Back

Hay contamination behind horse’s failed drug test at top showjumping event

Saturday Video: Just a little taste of the lovely weather at Millbrook!

That uncomfortable moment when you're in standing water wearing metal shoes… #raindelay #badasseventers

Posted by Ali Fisher on Friday, August 3, 2018

Area I’s Stoneleigh-Burnham School Will No Longer Run USEA Horse Trials

By on Aug 2, 2018 5:17 pm -

Photo via Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Center on Facebook.

Area I has seen its fair share of calendar changes over the course of its existence and sadly we now say goodbye to another beloved event. Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS) Equestrian Director George Halkett announced today that SBS will no longer host USEA recognized horse trials.

The school will continue to hold schooling horse trials throughout the year, and their courses and facilities will continue to be utilized by the active equestrian program offered by the school.

Stoneleigh-Burnham School is a boarding and day school for girls settled on a 100-acre campus in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The school’s formation dates back to 1869 and the first horse trials at SBS were held in the 1960s when Denny Emerson’s father served as headmaster of the school.

In recent history SBS has hosted two USEA horse trials per year, one in July and the other in October, in addition to numerous schooling events. SBS was the oldest still-running sanctioned horse trials in Area I.

“After much consideration, USEA recognized horse trials will no longer be hosted at the SBS Equestrian Center. ​We have enjoyed being an eventing site, but find it necessary to dedicate our resources​ to more student-focused programming,” said George Halkett in a USEA press release.

This is the second venue loss of a USEA event for Area I within the past eight months. After purchasing the property and attempting to take up the mantle of King Oak Farm after its sale, Grindstone Mountain Farm announced in December that it would no longer hold recognized horse trials in 2018.

Though we are saddened to lose this beautiful venue from the USEA calendar, we are grateful to the many years of hard work put in by Stoneleigh-Burnham School and its organizers and volunteers to host horse trials over the years.

Do you have fond memories of galloping across the SBS campus, EN? Share them in the comments!

[Stoneleigh-Burnham School will no Longer Host USEA Recognized Horse Trials]

Thursday Video from Nupafeed: Hoof Packing 101 with C Square Farm

By on Aug 2, 2018 3:00 pm -

With coaching and training from a four-star event rider and sales horses galore, Courtney Cooper’s C Square Farm in Nottingham, Pennsylvania has a lot to offer. They’ve recently announced that they’re adding a new project as well: YouTube videos! Check out the first episode of C Square’s new educational video series and get a refresher on how to pack a hoof with working student, Sydney Schultz. We’re excited to see what else C Square has in store for us — keep ’em coming!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin: Happy Retirement, Justify!

By on Aug 1, 2018 1:30 pm -

Many hoped that Justify, the undefeated winner of the 2018 Triple Crown, would go on to have a memorable fall season much like American Pharoah did in 2015, but last week we learned that sadly it was not to be. Due to some filling in his ankle, Justify’s connections decided that he would not have enough time to train for a return to racing without potentially compromising the colt’s soundness. Rather than run him again and risk injury, he’ll begin his retirement at Winstar Farm in Kentucky before heading to stud at the start of the breeding season next year.

Justify will live like a king in his retirement from racing, there’s no doubt about that, but not all racehorses are as lucky as they step off the track. Of course, not all of them are as decorated either, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find success at a different sport! Here are three Thoroughbreds currently available who we think would make great event horse prospects:

Winglet. Photo via New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Winglet (ENGLISH CHANNEL – WINSOME WOMAN, BY PERFECT SOUL (IRE)): 2015 15.2 1/2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding

This unraced gelding is cute as a bug and perfect for someone looking for a pocket-rocket type! Whoever gets a hold of him will need to be the kind of person who can shrug off a youngster’s spooks and reassure him that everything is no big deal. For the person who can do that, he looks to be an athletic and handy little guy! He has already been started under saddle and is proving to be responsive to subtle aids and nicely forward. Winglet is a playful guy who wants to be friends with everyone. He has no wear and tear and also no stall vices!

Located in Lexington, Kentucky.

View Winglet on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Dighton. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds.

Dighton (B L’S APPEAL – GIVONNA S, BY ABAGINONE): 2010 16.3-hand Florida-bred gelding

Good looks, a solid build, durability, and athleticism — this classy horse truly has it all. Dighton has an incredible record: 79 career starts with 11 wins (including one just last month), 12 seconds and 14 thirds amassing nearly $400,000 in earnings. He also holds the distinction of having won at every New York Racing Association track. This war horse has plenty left in the tank, but given his success on the track it’s harder for him to find race conditions that he is eligible for so his connections have opted to see him move on to a second career where he could find similar success. Given the nice movement in his jog video and the fluid gallop displayed in his race footage, Dighton could surely have a future as an event horse!

Located at Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, New York.

View Dighton on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.

Be Good To Us. Photo via CANTER Delaware.

Be Good To Us (THREE HOUR NAP – DOTTIE BOOTH, BY AMERICAN CHANCE): 2013 15.3-hand Illinois-bred mare

Be Good To Us has been pretty good to her connections, winning almost $46,000 in her 28 career starts. However, she’s not as competitive as she used to be and thus she’s offered up for sale in hopes she can find a new job. He connections describe her as the kind of mare who’ll change your mind about not wanting a mare: “She’s a very professional, smart mare with no drama ever and lovely to ride,” they say. Her jog video show how nicely she moves just the day after a race — can’t you just picture her owning the jog strip?

Located at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware.

View Be Good To Us on CANTER Delaware.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Eventers Invade the Kentucky Summer Classic

By on Jul 30, 2018 4:30 pm -

It was a fairly quiet weekend for eventing in the States, but that doesn’t mean it was a weekend to take it easy. While a number of big names in eventing made the trip to the Horse Park of New Jersey II CIC & H.T., a handful made made the trek to Lexington for some show jumping practice at the Kentucky Summer Classic.

Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, Will Coleman, Clark Montgomery, and Jenny Caras could all be found contesting classes from the 1.20m to the 1.40m and a few even had top five finishes in some divisions. Many of the horses that they brought will be running at Millbrook this coming weekend including Phillip Dutton’s Fernhill Pick Pocket, Sea of Clouds, Z, and I’m Sew Ready; Will Coleman’s Dontante and TKS Cooley; Jenny Caras’ Fernhill Full Throttle and Fernhill Fortitude; Boyd Martin’s Steady Eddie, Long Island T and Ray Price —  that’s a pretty star-studded group!

Boyd’s WEG mount, the mighty Tsetserleg, a 16.1-hand Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, also made an appearance. Check out their 1.20m and 1.30m rounds:

Sunday Links Presented by One K Helmets

By on Jul 29, 2018 12:01 am -

One can see how this field could get soggy! Photo via Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Center on Facebook.

It’s a comparatively quiet weekend in the eventing world and sadly it’s even more quiet than anticipated as Stoneleigh-Burnham Summer H.T. in Greenfield, Massachusetts had to call off their event due to recent heavy rains flooding the property. I’m bummed for all my friends who didn’t get to run yesterday, but I know many of them were at least able to enjoy nice hacks and schoolings instead (with very clean, braided horses!) It may be disappointing initially, but in saving the ground and the horses there’s always another day!

National Holiday: National Lasagna Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Stoneleigh-Burnham Summer H.T. **CANCELLED** [Website]  [Live Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey II CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Hunt Club Farm H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

The Road to AEC: A Miraculous Recovery

Horses Associate Places With Positive, Negative Experiences

Tributes paid to elite eventer who helped rider recover from severe car crash injuries

Lavender’s aroma found to have a calming influence on horses in American study

Top 10 Reasons to Attend the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover

Sunday Video: Nora Battig Leamer & Dubai Storm, winners of the Open Intermediate division at Horse Park of New Jersey II CIC & H.T.