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Erin Critz

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Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

Mickey Rooney. Screenshot from moviemorlocks.com Mickey Rooney. Screenshot from moviemorlocks.com

Welcome to Monday, EN. I’ll be honest, I’m still a little shell shocked from a weekend full of sad news. The loss of Powderhound and Conair at The Fork certainly had much of the eventing community sharing in grief. Additionally, Mickey Rooney has passed.  It seems like he played a role in just about every horse-movie ever made.  While The Black Stallion is probably my favorite Mickey Rooney film, National Velvet will always have a special place in my heart as much of it was filmed where I lived and rode as a teenager.

Weekend Results:

The Fork HT:  [Website] [Final Scores] [Facebook Page]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Spring Bay H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

CDCTA Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Monday News and Notes: 

Pin & Win DUBARRYS!
Can come up with an ensemble that will be attractive and functional while celeb-u-stalking riders and waiting in the potentially muddy line for the port-o-potty? EN sponsor Dubarry is kicking off our Rolex contests with a chance to score a pair of their new Roscommon and Kerry boots. Just pin on Pinterest your idea of a perfect Rolex outfit that includes at least three Dubarry items. If only the Gore-Tex-lined leather men’s briefs promoted on April 1 were real – they’d definitely anchor an all-weather ensemble. Details here.

Show season is here and that means some travel time for you and your equine friend. In addition to making sure your truck and trailer are road worthy, you should make sure your horse is ready to hit the road as well.  Fitness and vaccinations are two important things to consider. [More from tricities.com]

As someone with a 9-5 office job, I know how hard it can be to even keep ONE horse fit. I’m still not sure how friends with multiple horses and similar working hours do it. Ponying is a great solution for many riders.  I’m always impressed when I see polo players working their entire string at once. [Tips on Ponying from horseandhound.co.uk]

Efforts are being made by Congress to further address the issue of soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. In 1970 Congress passed the Horse Protection Act which outlaws soring, however according to Tennessee Walking Horse insiders, the practice still continues. There are currently two competing bills circulating. it will be interesting to see which one garners the most support. [More from kentucky.com]

When a story has to do with veterans and horses, it gets me right in the heart strings. The story of Matt Littrell is one that socks it to me with deadly precision.  Matt is planning to ride cross country from Surf City, North Carolina to Camp Pendleton in California in order to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund.  The Semper Fi Fund is a non-profit group that helps veterans return to civilian life. [More from 9news.com]

One of my weird hobbies that I use to pass time is designing my dream horse facilities. Even though I don’t think I’d ever want to have my horses at home, I love checking out photos and blue prints for ideas. You can find out a lot about someone’s program based on their barn set up. I was very excited when I heard that researchers have analyzed the remains of a medieval stable and gathered some insights in to what horse care was like in 13th century Central Europe. [More from horsetalk.co.nz]

Monday Video:

One of the best horse-movies ever made.

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Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

EN reader Kelly Plitz sent this our way. As a former resident of hunter/jumper-land, I couldn't agree more! EN reader Kelly Plitz sent this our way. As a former resident of hunter/jumper-land, I couldn't agree more!

It’s been a pretty intense weekend at The Fork.  In addition to EN’s coverage, Samantha Clark has been providing some great coverage over on the PRO blog. Be sure to check out her interview with Lisa Barry and keep popping in here throughout the day for more details on the happenings at The Fork!

Events This Weekend:

The Fork HT:  [Website] [Live Scores] [Ride Times] [Facebook Page]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Spring Bay H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

CDCTA Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Sunday Links:

Zara Phillips Supports Mike Tindall’s Horse at Grand National

25-1 Longshot Pineau de Re Wins Grand National at Aintree

Racehorse Trainer Richard Small Dies At Age 68

Tensions High Between Ranchers and Wild Horse Advocates

Dog Bites Police Horse at Dodger Stadium

Letting Your Horse Roam At Large in Pennsylvania Found Criminally Reckless

Sunday Video:  Just slip the reins and sit up.

ERS-Eventing

Bunnie Sexton Withdraws Rise Against From Rolex

Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against at Bromont. Photo by Jenni Autry. Bunnie Sexton and Rise Against at Bromont. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Bunnie Sexton announced this morning via Facebook that she is withdrawing Rise Against (“Ecko”) from Rolex. This would have been the West Coast pair’s four-star debut, and I know we’re not the only ones who are bummed we won’t get to see them romp around Kentucky. But Ecko hasn’t been able to get a run in this year, and Bunnie said she is making the best decision for him. They’ll gain more miles at the three-star level this year and plan on their Rolex debut in 2015 instead. And be sure to check out Sally’s great profile on Bunnie and Ecko here.

From Bunnie’s Facebook page:

“I have decided in the interest of not running Ecko cold at Rolex with no warmup events that it is in his best interests to withdraw from Rolex. Ecko would give me everything, and without being as prepared as I need to be, I do not feel running would be worth the risk to my boy. We will give him a little time off to just grow more foot then reroute to some additional 3*s to get my miles in with the plan of a Rolex debut in 2015. THANK YOU to my coaches, vets and farriers and AMAZING supporters who held my hand through this difficult process. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the best decision and am SO thankful to know I have a horse who can then go on to play another day. Many hugs to all who have helped me through this.”

[Rolex Entry List]

Thirty Four Point Thirty Five

So this happened... So this happened...

Two weekends ago at a combined test hosted by Woodland Stallion Station I achieved something I’d previously thought impossible.  I finally managed to score in the 30’s in Dressage.  Not just once, but twice! I still find myself reviewing my score sheets to make sure that it actually happened.

For a lot of riders, attaining a score in the 30’s is a relatively straightforward and unremarkable affair. Get your game face on and then head in to the ring!  In the ring, focus on keeping your horse round, with a consistent rhythm and make sure you’re spot on with your geometry.  In my case the “easy 30” has seemed almost mythical.

Dressage has been a long and often depressing road through the 40’s. Historically my score sheets have been riddled with at least one variation of my least favorite word, ‘tension’.  On my mare’s first outing, we had a 4 in the collective marks for Submission. (I suspect that the fact that all of the trot work in the second half of that test was extended rather than working had a big part in that mark.) Friends have regularly consoled me with comments like, “There were some passable moments,” or “Now you can get on to the good stuff”.  My score sheets have often had kind, almost apologetic comments like “Tactful ride!”

We went to the combined test at Woodland Stallion Station just to see what the test rode like and to get some feedback before our first real outing of the season.  We came away with not only feedback and some ideas of what to spend the next week or two working on, but also an oddly optimistic feeling. There’s a voice in my head that swears these two scores in the 30’s were a total fluke, but there’s also a whisper wondering if we might stand a chance at being competitive some day.  The way the movements are ordered in Novice A is so much better for both my brain and my mare’s.  I’ve finally figured out the right warm-up routine for my mare. I think we might actually be starting to get it.

We’re off to Twin Rivers in just over a week for our first outing of the year. Lets see if lightning can strike twice.

Go Team DF. Go Improvement. Go Eventing.

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

Hawley Bennett and Jennifer McFall discuss the CIC3* course at Galway. Photo from Earl and Jennifer McFall's Facebook page. Hawley Bennett and Jennifer McFall discuss the CIC3* course at Galway. Photo from Earl and Jennifer McFall's Facebook page.

Going back to work on a Monday after a great weekend is usually a total bummer. I was prepared to be in a bad mood this morning because I’d be stuck inside, staring out the window at the perfect-for-a-gallop weather, and then I realized we’re just twenty five days from Rolex! Granted, I’m still trying to figure out how exactly I’m going to get from California to Rolex without invoking the wrath of my boss, but where there’s a will, there’s a way right? I may just have to fly in on Friday night, rent a car or have Sally pick me up, pop over the next morning to enjoy some cross-country action and make an ass of myself at the EN Tailgate Party and then fly out early Sunday morning. Insanity in the middle, right here folks.

Weekend Results:

Galway Downs International H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Morven Park Spring H.T. [Website]  [Final Scores]
Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Events Opening This Week:
Hitching Post Farm Horse Trials (VT, A-1) Kelly’s Ford Horse Trials (VA, A-2) Greater Dayton H.T. (OH, A-8) Otter Creek Spring H.T. (WI, A-4) The Event at Galisteo (NM, A-10) Kent School Spring H.T. (CT, A-1) CCC Spring Gulch H.T. (CO, A-9) CHC International at Chattahoochee Hills (GA, A-3) Fair Hill International H.T. (MD, A-2)

Monday News and Notes:

Need a fine French saddle? Or a bouquet of Lorenzini colored stirrups to match your cross country colors/mood of the moment? EN sponsor Devoucoux is excited to welcome Alison Wilaby to their team of experts as technical advisor for Kentucky and the surrounding area. She’s happy to talk knee roll or hard-to-fit-needs. Hit her up at [email protected]551-655-9403, or check out the Devoucoux Kentucky Facebook page. [Devoucoux]

With 2014 being a WEG year, we’re sure to see a lot of star power at the destination events. While you’ll be able to watch many EN favorites as they tackle Rolex, you’ll have to pop over the pond to catch some others at Badminton. Australian riders will be in full force at Badminton, with 13 of the currently accepted riders hailing from down under. This year Badminton had a total of 130 entries.  Wow! [More from weeklytimesnow.com.au]

Speaking of Badminton, if you’re going and fancy going on a course talk with some of the best in the world, two such opportunities are up for grabs! Zara Phillips, Richard Waygood and Philip Surl will lead Thursday’s course walk while Laura Collett and Gary Parsonage will lead Friday’s. Only 30 spots are available for each of the course walks. One of the spots could be yours for a donation to benefit the British equestrian team. [More from horseandcountry.tv]

New Zealand is also getting prepared for WEG. Interestingly, the Kiwis won’t be sending any dressage riders to WEG, instead shifting their dressage team’s focus toward Rio in 2016. Six eventers will represent New Zealand, four of them as a team and two as individuals. There is a slim chance that Jock Paget may end up on the team, but that would require the FEI to exonerate him after Clifton Promise’s positive drug test last year. [More from horsetalk.co.nz]

Talk about a dream team! Eventing superstar Buck Davidson Jr. and H. Graham Motion, trainer of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, are teaming up for University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs’ next Distinguished Industry Lecture Series.  The event takes place on April 21st and is free to the public.  If you’re arriving early in the week before Rolex, this would certainly be something to put on your to-do list! [More from thehorse.com]

Six horses are recovering  in Santa Barbara, Calif., after a trailer crash over the weekend. Eight horses were in the seven-horse trailer which flipped on its side after failing to negotiate a tight curve. Sadly, two of the horses did not survive the accident. One died at the scene due to its injuries; the other had to be euthanized. The majority of the surviving horses were transported to Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Clinic and are making steady progress towards recovery. [More from KEYT.com]

Monday Video: Check out some safe cross-country riding tips from British Eventing!

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Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

Super Q BBQ at Galway Downs. Someone bring me some of those sweet potato fries stat! Photo courtesy of Galway Downs Eventing. Super Q BBQ at Galway Downs. Someone bring me some of those sweet potato fries stat! Photo courtesy of Galway Downs Eventing.

Good Morning, EN!  Today’s shaping up to be another exciting day at Galway Downs.  I’m a bit of a fanatic when it comes to food trucks and horse show food, and the above reminder of the lovely food trucks at Galway has me daydreaming about a trip south with Team DF in May.  The FEI divisions have concluded with Kristi Nunnink proving uncatchable in the CIC3*, Matt Brown taking the win in the CIC2* and Alexandra Ahearn with the win in the CIC1*.  The Advanced division has also wrapped up, with James Alliston taking home the blue aboard Parker.  James added two to his score in Stadium, and went clear within the time over the demanding cross country track. The remaining divisions wrap up today, starting with the Junior Training crowd starting off cross country at 8am.  Stadium Jumping gets underway for the Preliminary divisions at 9am.

Events This Weekend:

Galway Downs International H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Morven Park Spring H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Spring H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Attention all Rocking Horse competitors! If you are competing this weekend, please keep an eye on the Rocking Horse website and Facebook page for any schedule changes that may be made due to weather. [Website] [Facebook]

Tommie Turvey Sets Up Shop in Georgia (Did you know he trained the horse in first season of The Walking Dead?)

Fifth Horse Found Dead Near Huntington, Ind.

South African Horse Gets His Star Turn

Horse Attacked By Rabid Bobcat In Upton, Mass. 

Meet Trevor Breen’s Hickstead Derby Horse: the one-eyed Adventure De Kannan

Sunday Video:
Ever want to ride in The Maryland Hunt Cup?  Now you can!

ERS-Eventing

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

Even with a busted leg, Boyd's in good spirits. Photo by Amber Heintzberger Even with a busted leg, Boyd's in good spirits. Photo by Amber Heintzberger

A thrilling weekend of CIC’s at Poplar Place and Carolina International is all wrapped up! Stellar events were put on by both sites and a grand time was had across the land.  Carolina International did net one serious injury.  On Sunday, Boyd Martin took a spill from one of his young horses, Steady Eddie, resulting in a broken leg. The EN Staff sends their best wishes to the Martin camp, both for Boyd and Silva’s speedy recovery. [More from Boyd and Silva Martin’s Blog]

Weekend Results:

Carolina International CIC: [Final Scores]
Poplar Place Farm March H.T.  [Final Scores]

Monday News and Notes:

Ocala is widely known as one of the major hot-spots in the United States when it comes to all things horse related.  However, the horse industry is often very insular and hard for non-horse people to acclimate to.  There are some very interesting thoughts as to how to make the thriving Ocala horse community more accessible in hopes of turning non-horse people in to equine enthusiasts. [More from Ocala.com]

‘50-to-1’, the movie about long shot winner Mine That Bird, is out now.  It has yet to see a wide release, so it may not be in your local theater just yet.  The film makers and actors have been on tour to support the movie as has the horse at the center of the story.  Mine That Bird appeared at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino before the Sunland Derby over the weekend in support of the film.  [More from KRQE.com]

Photographer Alec Thayer, who will be shooting photos for EN at Rolex this year, also has the opportunity to go to Aachen this summer. He’s raising money to fund the trip, and if we help him raise the cash, we’ll benefit by seeing all his lovely photos from the event on EN! [Help Alec Get to Aachen]

The Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. had some equine related tragedy over the weekend.  A miniature horse pulling a cart bolted, dumping it’s driver on to the street.  A pair of horses spooked earlier in the day, at the start of the parade, heading in to the crowd and injuring three people. [More from patch.com]

The British horse racing industry has some stormy seas ahead. Only 647 national hunt foals were born in the UK, compared with 2400 in Ireland.  With less horses being bred in the UK, concerns are emerging about the ability of the industry to support itself. [More from Telegraph.co.uk]

The first charges in last year’s horse-meat scandal have been issued.  Two members of the slaughterhouse management team are the first to see criminal charges.  Peter Boddy, slaughterhouse owner and David Moss, manager of the affected facility are both charged with breaching food regulations.   [More from dailymail.co.uk]

From HorseNation: Are you or one of your friends horse shopping?  There is certainly a secret language when it comes to advertising a horse and Carla is ready to help you with a decoder ring of your own. [More from HorseNation.com]

Monday Video: Here’s to hoping we see Boyd back in action like this soon!

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Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

Midlands Foxhounds PonyClub hosted a fundraiser at Poplar Place this weekend.  Photo from Werner Geven, via Poplar Place's Facebook Page. Midlands Foxhounds PonyClub hosted a fundraiser at Poplar Place this weekend. Photo from Werner Geven, via Poplar Place's Facebook Page.

I hope you’ve been enjoying the first weekend of spring, EN!  There’s so much to do and so much to see that I can hardly tell if I’m coming or going. You know it’s quite busy when you have multiple sites hosting CIC’s on the same weekend! Today is cross country day at Poplar Place for the CIC 1, 2 and 3* levels.  Scores are very tight in the 1* and 2*.  Elisa Wallace leads by the 1* .20 and Kyle Carter has the top spot in the 2* by .90.  In the 3* Jessica Phoenix sits first and second, with a bit of breathing room between her and Kyle Carter in third place. It should shape up to be a very exciting day today!

Weekend Events:
Carolina International CIC: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Poplar Place Farm March H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:

Equine Facial Expressions and Pain

Should We Protect Wild Horses?

Minnesota Race Tracks Working To Combat Neurological EHV-1 Outbreak

Driver in Police Chase Hits Teen on Horse

Real Life ‘My Little Pony’: Horse Loves Playing Dress-up

Nutrient Deficiencies In Equine Diets

Sunday Video: Some helmet cam action from 2013 at Poplar Place.  This is the Advanced track.

ERS-Eventing

On Prize Money and Growth of the Sport

Show Jumper Ashlee Bond Clark with the giant check she won in the AIG 1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Thermal. Photo from Ashlee's Facebook Page, via John Anderson. Show Jumper Ashlee Bond Clark with the giant check she won in the AIG 1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Thermal. Photo from Ashlee's Facebook Page, via John Anderson.

There is quite a bit of chatter about Doug Payne’s recent article for Chronicle of the Horse about the idea that increased prize money will help grow our sport in the U.S. Plenty of people have countered, saying that any increase in prize money would ultimately shift us towards the hunter/jumper model, benefit few and result in increased fees passed down to the amateur and lower level crowd. Both sides are right. Pros have a hard time making the money needed to stay in an admittedly expensive business. Amateurs will feel resentful for having to pay for the big league riders to play.

This same scenario has been played out across all horse sports many times over. This comes with the territory when there is a subtle shift from professionals making their living by being a trainer with a barn filled with clients to being a rider who brings home top results for clients.

How do we solve this problem? How do we make the industry more viable for professionals without alienating the bulk of the membership? How do we keep from pricing people out?

As an Amateur, here’s my admittedly half baked idea: Prize money paid out to the lower levels and as a trainer-incentive.

Let’s change it so that when Annie Amateur wins her division, she and her trainer both get a check. As clients do better, trainers bring home bigger checks. Imagine a weekend where everyone in the barn brings home top placings resulting in some serious payouts. This encourages trainers to get more clients to the event AND potentially helps make things more affordable for Amateurs. It also provides a way for professionals to help support themselves.

Eventing has a unique down to earth quality about it. It has a community. Shifting towards the hunter/jumper model by making it more about those at the top would be so very damaging to that vibe.

In the end, I don’t mind paying maybe another five or ten bucks in entries, but I need to get something from it too. I need to feel good about that extra money. I would find it way more satisfying to see the top riders in each Amateur and Junior division and their trainers going home with a check, instead of the same crowd with another comically oversized check. It might even make me work harder at Dressage if I knew I could make some of my entry fees back!

What about you, EN? How do we grow the sport? Is prize money really the solution?

Scenes from a Red Robin

We've all been there. We've all been there.

It is loud in here. I can barely hear Stephanie over the low-grade roar of the other Red Robin patrons. We must look like we’re doing something ultra sketchy because the other folks waiting for tables keep casting sideways glances at us.

“What’s your zip code again?” I ask, without looking up. She answers and I continue to tap away at my phone.

Granted, the strange looks may be because of our attire. We did just come from the barn. I’m sporting a large green pony-snot stain on my leg, and I probably have hay or grain in my hair, while Stephanie looks a little bit more composed. I finish filling out the page and press next, absently watching the hyperactive child a few feet from us engage in what I can only describe as some sort of interpretive dance. When I glance back down at my phone, I am rewarded by angry red letters demanding an emergency contact. I blink a few times, my post-barn exhaustion and hunger making the words seem like hieroglyphs for a moment.

“Oh … you need an emergency contact,” comes stumbling out of my mouth. “Should I put your man, or your parents or whatever?”

Stephanie pauses for a moment and I look up. I had expected to see her deep in thought, instead she’s distracted by the disjointed movements of the lobby’s interpretive dancer. She shakes her head after a moment. “Um … you? I guess? Since you’ll be there.”

I make a face and enter myself as her emergency contact, tapping next once I’ve finished. I’m only vaguely aware as the interpretive dancer and her entourage are led away by one of the hosts deeper in to the restaurant. My eyes stay fixed on the little screen in front of me. “Gimme yer credit card.  It’s gonna be like … four hundred bucks.”

Stephanie’s nose wrinkles upon hearing that. She digs out the plastic as I continue, “Don’t read it out loud.  Just … here. Hold it.”

“Okay, fine.” Stephanie rolls her eyes at me and holds her credit card steady while I punch the numbers into my phone. I somehow manage to get everything entered correctly and hit submit. I bite my lip as I watch the little bar zip across the top of my iPhone. Right as I’m about to look away, the new page loads, and Xentry is happily reporting to me confirmation of Stephanie’s entry for Twin Rivers in April.

Suddenly, this whole moving up thing is real, and I catch an anxious breath. Even though I’d done my entry a day or two before, the whole concept of going Novice catches me in a way where it is a funny blend of big-deal and totally-not-a-big-deal-at-all. I blink at the screen and smile. “You’re in. We’re good.”

Stephanie smiles and cheers, right as the host signals that he has a table for us. I marvel at the fact that I’ve just filled out an event entry on my phone. As we weave through the restaurant, I debate the merits of using “the time it takes me to use Xentry to enter an event on my iPhone” as a new standard in measuring how long I will wait for a table at a busy restaurant.

As we’re seated, I can see the interpretive dancer over Stephanie’s shoulder. The kid is still getting down to whatever internal soundtrack is playing. I smirk to myself because the kid is right. Today is worth celebrating. Some days you just have to dance. Today is one of those days. We’re entered in to the first recognized event of our season, and it’s going to be awesome.

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

The view from my judge's booth to the The view from my judge's booth to the "in-gate".

Happy St Patrick’s Day, EN! I hope your weekend was as much fun as mine was.  Part of my weekend was spent helping out at an “Everything But The Horse” Pony Club Rally.  It was highly amusing, not only because it was hosted at the elementary school I attended, but also because I got to jump judge.  Since it was a horseless rally, I got to sit in my judges booth and watch kids jump around over a show jumping course.  Afterward, the kids answered some quiz questions from me to determine their score. All in all, a very entertaining time.

Weekend Results:
Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Copper Meadows H.T. [Website]  [Scores]
Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Events Opening This Week:
CIC2*/CIC1* Weatherford and Greenwood Farm, Inc. H (TX, A-5)  MCTA H.T., Inc(MD, A-2) Riga Meadow Combined Test (CT, A-1) Heart of the Carolinas 3-Day Event & H.T. (SC, A-3) Penny Oaks H.T. (IN, A-8) Poplar Place Farm May H.T. (GA, A-3)

Monday News and Notes:

Morven Park continues its 100-year tradition of equestrian excellence with a 2014 groundbreaking for Phase I of its equestrian center renovation and expansion. With a goal of creating one of the premier equestrian venues on the East Coast, Morven Park’s plans include replacement of its outdoor arenas during Phase I. Engineering work for the outdoor arenas is under way, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2014 for four new competition arenas with the latest in quality footing. Plans include construction of a viewing pavilion for prime spectator viewing and hospitality, set in Morven Park’s beautiful 1,000-acre equestrian oasis. Additional projects include a Grand Prix field, all new barns and a new indoor stadium to create a comprehensive multi-discipline venue. The Grand Prix field will host show jumping, hunter derby and carriage driving competitions. [More information about Morven Park]

Ever wonder how they fit a horse with a prosthetic leg?  Personally, I have very mixed feelings about animals, amputations and prosthetics. I’d be in a very hard place if I ever had to make this kind of decision for my own horse.  Veterinarian Ted Vlahos is one of the few equine surgeons in the US that perform this surgery.   [More from Billings Gazette 

Planning a trip to Hawaii in August and wondering where you’ll get your horse-fix while you’re there?  Hawaii Island Humane Society ishosting their seventh annual Hawaii Horse Expo August 23rd and 24th.  All events will take place at Paniolo Preservation Society’s Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables in Waimea. [More from Hawaii247.com]

Horses are expensive, even in video games.  Elder Scrolls Online will be released soon and one of the first microtransactions available to players will allow them to purchase a horse.  For those who aren’t total geeks, a microtransaction allows a player to purchase digital goods with real money.  These digital goods can be anything from better equipment, in-game currency, potions or in this case a horse.  No word on how expensive they’ll be just yet.  I’m not going to lie, I’m secretly excited because my husband is now fretting about whether or not he should buy a horse and asking ME for advice.  I’m viewing this as a bonding experience. [More from escapistmagazine.com]

The neurological strain of Equine Herpes Virus has surfaced in Oregon.  To date, one horse has died and four others at the same property near Eugene have tested positive.  EHV is highly contagious but is not transmissible to humans. A total of ten horses on the property are quarantined.    [More from registerguard.com]

The World Equestrian Games draw closer day by day and a massive veterinary squad is at the ready.  There will be fourteen vets for endurance alone with another twelve official FEI vets handling the other disciplines.  Key events such as the cross country phase of eventing and marathon phase of driving will bring additional vets on for the day.  [More from horsetalk.co.nz]

Monday Video: Some Irish horses for you on St. Patrick’s Day!

 

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Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

Doug Payne and Jessica Hampf.  From Doug Payne's Facebook Page, Photo by Kristyn DeCaro Mangano Doug Payne and Jessica Hampf. From Doug Payne's Facebook Page, Photo by Kristyn DeCaro Mangano

Spring time is wedding time! Congratulations to Doug Payne and Jessica Hampf who were married yesterday.  Does anyone else feel awkward calling someone “Mrs. So-And-So” before names have been changed on Facebook?  Several friends have chosen to keep their maiden names for professional concerns and assuming they went ahead with the name-change has blown up in my face a couple of times.  I figure that in this day and age that the change on Facebook is what makes it official rather than receiving an updated Social Security Card.

Events This Weekend:
Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Sunday Links:
Horse and rider airlifted out of remote Angeles National Forest Canyon

Let Faith Arise snags first Grade I win

Drawn by a horse and old-time romance in Ireland

Putting star power behind horse carriage industry

“50-1”, the story of Mine That Bird in theaters soon

Progress in reducing eventing accidents

Sunday Video: Some silliness from the BBC

ERS-Eventing

Saturday Links from Tipperary

I love holiday themed booty-art! Screenshot from sfgate.com I love holiday themed booty-art! Screenshot from sfgate.com

Top o’ the morning, EN! Monday is St. Patrick’s day which means that this entire weekend is St. Patrick’s day because really, who parties on a Monday night? At the risk of sounding like an egomaniac, one of the great advantages of being a redhead named Erin is the bounty of free booze that comes my way on St Patrick’s day. I do have to put up with the eternally lame joke of “Erin Go Bragh…less” but it’s a small price to pay for free, green beer and Irish Car Bombs. If you plan on partying this weekend, please make sure you have a designated driver.  We don’t want to miss you at the next event.

Clyde is back home in Aiken! We’re very happy to report that Molly Kinnamon’s sweet little Border Terrier Clyde returned home yesterday. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word that he had gone missing. Go eventing! Go dogs!

Events This Weekend:
Feather Creek Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]
Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Saturday Links:

Officials Investigate Mysterious Horse Death At Cal Expo

Celebrity Eventers To Try Hand At Reining During Kentucky Reining Cup

Officers Hold Memorial For Patrol Horse

Cavallia Horses Get Friendly With Sight-Impaired Children

Controversy Arises Over Proposed Horse Racing Machines

Colorado Horse Breeder Sentenced To Prison For Tax Evasion

Saturday Video: Just another reminder as to why I desperately need to take a horse shopping trip in Ireland!

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Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

Red Hills CIC3* winners Boyd Martin and Trading Aces. Photo by Jenni Autry Red Hills CIC3* winners Boyd Martin and Trading Aces. Photo by Jenni Autry

Happy Monday, EN!  Hopefully yesterday’s time change doesn’t have you too discombobulated today. I know I’ll be relying on a little extra coffee to get me through the early part of the week, but by Wednesday I should be realigned.  I’m secretly looking forward to seeing who shows up an hour late to work today because I’ll bet a hundred bucks that they won’t be showing up an hour early in November when the clocks change again.

Weekend Results:
Red Hills International [Website] [Final Scores]
Full Gallop March HT [Website] [Final Scores]
Southern Pines HT [Website] [Final Scores]

Events Opening This Week:
Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Spring H.T. (VA, A-2) Fresno County Horse Park H.T. (CA, A-6) University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. (NH, A-1)

Monday News and Notes:
If you’ve been under a rock or otherwise hibernating, allow me to bring you up to speed on the major news story we’ve been following for you. On Wednesday a freak accident landed Silva Martin in the hospital  Upon hearing about the accident, Boyd left Red Hills in order to see Silva in Wellington.  After a brief stay, he returned to Red Hills and piloted Trading Aces to the win in the CIC3* on what one can only assume was zero sleep.  After the win, he promptly headed back down to Wellington. At last report, Silva is stable and has been moved from the ICU. Earlier Coverage on EN: [Boyd Wins Red Hills CIC3*] [Silva Martin Update]

Late New Zealand Eventer Tom Gadsby is being honored with a new trophy that will be presented at New Zealand’s Horse of the Year show. The trophy was donated by the Gadsby family in memory of the 26-year-old, who was fatally injured in a rotational fall in August 2013. [More from horsetalk.co.nz]

Andrew Beyer argues that part of the difficulty in attracting new horse racing fants is the learning curve related to handicapping when compared to other forms of gambling.  Beyer also argues that the sheer amount of race conditions poses a problem as well as the idiosyncracies of individual tracks.  Did you know that a one mile race isn’t always exactly one mile? [More from washingtonpost.com]

Liam Neeson is fast becoming one of the carriage industry’s most outspoken advocates.  During a recent appearance on The Daily Show Neeson argued for the carriage horses and was also seen on a stable tour this weekend.  [More from abclocal.go.com]

It’s not too early to start daydreaming about Rebecca Farm.  Just in case you needed a reminder of how AWESOME The Event at Rebecca Farm is, Ravalli Republic has a reminder for you. [More from ravallirepublic.com 

The final phase of ticketing for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games has begun.  Earlier ticket sales were package deals, but now spectators can buy individual tickets.  Two additional horse-sports will be on display in Normandy this year.  Polo and Horseball will be running as exhibition sports. [More from horsechannel.com]

Monday Video: Check out some classic footage from the 1976 Olympic Games in Bromont!

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Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

I'm just a little bit excited about DST. I'm just a little bit excited about DST.

It’s here! It’s finally here! Evening sunshine and Daylight Saving Time, how I’ve missed you. I’ll be sleeping in a bit today after having engaged in my insomniac’s tradition of staying up all night, watching infomercials so I can see the clock on my iPhone flip from 1:59am to 3:00am. I call it lazy man’s time-travel. Enjoy your evening light, EN.  I hope you find something fun to do with it!

Events This Weekend:

Red Hills International [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Full Gallop March HT [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Southern Pines HT [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sunday Links:
UPenn’s Foal Cam Gives Live View In To Horse’s Birth

USC Archeology Students Help Dig Up Remains of Famed Race Horse

Champion showjumper could face £150k legal costs over ‘defective’ horse 

Inquiry in-to wild-horse shooting uncovers no leads

No rest for Townend as calendar begins to fill with eventing dates

New HOY trophy to honor late NZ eventer Tom Gadsby

Sunday Video:

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Changes to Qualifying Process for 2014 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championships

Jon Holling and Zapotek B at AECs in 2013.  Photo by Liz Hall. Jon Holling and Zapotek B at AECs in 2013. Photo by Liz Hall.

At the request of Advanced-level competitors, the USEA has adjusted the qualification requirements for the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Championships at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas.

This year, the USEA is allowing qualified riders to compete any Advanced-level horse in the Championships. The rider does not need to qualify on the horse they intend to enter. Any rider that has completed a designated Gold Cup division for the 2014 series with no more than 20 cross-country jump penalties may enter the Championships on any Advanced-level mount.  This is great news for upper level riders and spectators alike. This rule change could lead to some very interesting pairs at the Championships in September!

Currently, 38 riders have already qualified to compete at the 2014 Championships, from scores at the tail end of 2013 at either the Plantation Field Horse Trial, or Woodside International Horse Trials. This weekend’s Red Hills International Horse Trials is the first qualifier for the 2014 calendar year.

[More from USEA]

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 9th in the US. I have it on good authority that these were the original lyrics to the song until Andy Williams turned it in to a saccharine Christmas tune that randomly talks about ghost stories.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
With the sun later setting
And everyone telling you “Spring time is near”
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
It’s the hap -happiest season of all
With those afternoon hackings and evening tack cleanings
With friends it’s a ball
It’s the hap – happiest season of all

There’ll be lessons and hacking
Cross country for schooling
And galloping out in the sun
There’ll be lots of wine drinking
And tales of the glories of
Long format long, long ago

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
For a gallop we’re going
With the sunshine glowing
When spring time is near
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

There’ll be courses for walking
Big oxers for jumping
And Dressaging out in the sun
There’ll be scary trakheners
And tales of the ponies of summer camps long long ago

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
A’Riding we’re going
See the sun? It is glowing!
Like it should do all year
It’s The Most Wonderful Time
It’s The Most Wonderful Time
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Happy Daylight Savings, EN! Don’t forget to jump ahead March 9th. (But only on your clocks, not over fences.)

Monday News and Notes from Success Equestrian

A 4* Wedding. Photos via Bronwyn A 4* Wedding. Photos via Bronwyn

What a weekend!  Buck’s longtime groom Kathleen Blauth married Daniel Murray in Ocala over the weekend.  The pictures are gorgeous.  Best wishes to Kathleen and Daniel.  If that isn’t enough to put a smile on your face, today is the last “dark Monday” until the fall.  Being part of the barn’s late-night crew, I am unreasonably excited about this as it means less stumbling around in the dark and wondering if that fluffy shape with reflective eyes is the barn cat or a raccoon.  Honestly, it also means that I should probably up my game on my spring fitness plan sooner rather than later. I plowed through about a third of a package of Thanks-A-Lot Girl Scout Cookies this weekend.  I would have eaten the whole thing, but someone else in the house appears to have done so.  My husband swears it was the cat.

Weekend Results:
Full Gallop Farm February H.T.  [Website] [Final Scores]
Twin Rivers Winter H.T.  [Website] [Final Scores]
Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]

Events Opening This Week:
Longleaf Pine H.T. (NC, A-2) Holly Hill Spring H.T. (LA, A-5) River Glen Spring H.T. (TN, A-3) Fair Hill International H.T. (MD, A-2) Sporting Days Farm Horse Trials (SC, A-3)

Monday News and Notes:

Register today for a chance to play Max Corcoran in the HORSES IN THE MORNING “Equiteemfg.com Celebrity Trivia Challenge” on Wednesday morning at 10 am Eastern.  You could win a Redmond Equine Gift Pack worth over $75.00.  One lucky player will play Max in three rounds of horsey trivia.  Register here:  http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/celebrity-trivia-challenge/

Sarah Braun’s mare Perfect Intentions underwent colic surgery this weekend. Two years ago the pair went to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and were part of the gold medal winning team. Sarah did have insurance to help cover part of the cost of colic surgery, but even still she is facing some significant vet bills.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the costs. [GoFundMe]

The NYC Carriage Horses continue to be in the spotlight and the question of whether or not they will remain in the city has yet to be answered. The New York Post’s editorial board raises the question that if the newly elected mayor believes that horses do not belong in New York City traffic, why isn’t he campaigning to remove mounted police from the city as well? [More from NYPost.com]

A Loveland, Colo. horse is safe today after a scary weekend.  Sunday morning the mare fell in to an icy pond and was rescued by the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. [More from TheDenverChannel.com]

Urban development is a threat to all horse sports, not just eventing.  The chairman of the Devon Horse Show has resigned after board members spoke out about his undisclosed role in building a hotel and retail center near the fairgrounds where the show is hosted.  [More from Philly.com]

Horse abandonment is not just a problem in the United States.  Current estimates are that there are about 7000 horses at large in the UK. It is interesting to see the different solutions that different areas come up with. [More from DailyMail.co.uk]

An Australian man accused of slaughtering six miniature horses appeared in court with a security guard.  He was scheduled to appear on six counts of ill treating an animal to cause harm or death and three other charges. The court has remanded him on continuing bail so that he may face court in Adelaide in May. [More from DailyTelegraph.com.au 

Monday Video: My birthday is in June.  Thank you.

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Soggy Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

Jess from Ride On Video at Twin Rivers on Saturday. Photo from Debi and Bob Ravenscroft of Ride On Video's Facebook Page Jess from Ride On Video at Twin Rivers on Saturday. Photo from Debi and Bob Ravenscroft of Ride On Video's Facebook Page

It has been a much needed wet weekend here in California.  The immense amount of rain has brought the Twin Rivers Horse Trials to an early close.  Advanced, Intermediate and Preliminary divisions ran as a one day event on Thursday.  The decision to not run cross country for the remaining divisions came early yesterday morning after two days of heavy rain. While some competitors withdrew after Dressage, the truly insane stayed to ride in the torrential downpour.  The rain isn’t supposed to continue much longer, but will certainly leave us splashing about through some puddles for a few days.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to go ride in Dragonfire’s new Aquassage complex.

Events This Weekend:

Full Gallop Farm February H.T. (Completed) [Website] [Final Scores]

Twin Rivers Winter H.T. (Completed) [Website] [Final Scores]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times]

Sunday Links:
Sarah Braun’s mare Perfect Intentions underwent colic surgery this weekend. Two years ago the pair went to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and were part of the gold medal winning team. Sarah did have insurance to help cover part of the cost of colic surgery, but even still she is facing some significant vet bills.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the costs. [GoFundMe]

Liam Neeson Chides NYC Mayor on Horse Drawn Carriages

Moving Leonardo’s Horse: A Question of Logistics or Pedigree

Saddle Thefts on the Rise in Corrales, New Mexico

Samraat Wins Gotham Stakes

‘War Horse’ Goes Digital

Sunday Video: Just chillin’ in the pond, blowin’ some bubbles.

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Emergency Colic Surgery For Sarah Braun’s Perfect Intentions

Sarah Braun and Perfect Intentions at the NAJYRCs. Photo by Brant Gamma Sarah Braun and Perfect Intentions at the NAJYRCs. Photo by Brant Gamma

Some sad news today for Hawley Bennett’s working student Sarah Braun.  Her mare, Perfect Intentions, had to have emergency colic surgery today. “Candy” and Sarah have been together for six years.  Two years ago the pair went to the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and were part of the gold medal winning team. Sarah did have insurance to help cover part of the cost of colic surgery, but even still she is facing some significant vet bills.  A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the costs.  Sarah is one of the hardest working students out there and your help would mean quite a lot.

http://www.gofundme.com/7857nw

How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Believe In Tom Cruise Witchcraft

Akira Beijing at the recent Hawley Bennett Clinic hosted by Dragonfire Farm. Akira Beijing at the recent Hawley Bennett Clinic hosted by Dragonfire Farm.

Last weekend, I had what I think was my first, honest to goodness, anxiety attack. It was a strange experience. It hit me during the first day of the Hawley Bennett clinic. I had watched most of the morning and knew what to expect, but when it came time for me to tackle the early exercises, I found myself in an unfamiliar headspace. I was hesitant, off center and lacking confidence.

There was no logical reason for this. These were all exercises I was capable of in the arena I ride in every day, jumps I’ve jumped before, surrounded by friends and under the guidance of a clinician who’s experience I value and trust. In hindsight, I can see it wasn’t about anything going on in the ring. It was all due to external, non-barn related stuff. Some big and some small: deadlines at work, an unexpected visit from the in-laws, knowing I needed to get an oil change but not knowing when I could find time to make that happen and ohmygodwhatifmycarblowsuponthewayhomeandandand — cue a cloud of uncomfortable awkwardness clinging to my psyche like burrs in polo wraps. To my surprise, I made it through without any great tragedies; no falls or tears.

That night at the barn, a few of us went through the day’s photos. I was surprised by what I saw of myself. The moments in time that had been captured told a vastly different story when compared to what it had felt like. I had not expected to see that my position has shifted considerably for the better since the last time I really sat down and looked with an analytical eye. Earl, Jen and Hawley pointed out that I don’t jump ahead as much as I think I do. I have started to figure out how to give through my elbow a bit more. Overall, I am consistent.

Once at home, I shared the photos with my husband. In one of the pictures, I am pulling a terrible face. You can read my expression loud and clear. It was an awkward distance, and I am convinced of my impending doom. Having a laugh and making fun of myself, I quoted the car crash scene in Talledega Nights when Will Ferrell’s character Ricky Bobby is appealing to all things holy to save him. I pulled up the scene on YouTube and had a realization.

That scene is exactly where I was in my mind during my mini freak out, except without the whole stripping down to underwear and a helmet bit. Absolutely nothing was wrong; I was riding well and I probably seemed insane. I was surrounded by people who could see that I was, in fact, not on fire.

The kicker for me was when Cal, Ricky’s teammate and BFF, comes charging up the track to save Ricky. I had forgotten about that part since I last watched the movie. Stupidly enough, while watching the scene again, I had a realization. Over the last 20 years, my BFF Stephanie and I have traded off on playing Ricky and Cal roles. That’s the essence of someone who has your back, no matter what’s going on. This time, in addition to Stephanie, I had a whole team of Cals there to help me put the invisible fire out while we went through the photos.

The next day of the clinic featured more challenging exercises, including ones that called back to the skinny chevrons that had been the trigger for the previous day’s angst. The anxiety of the previous day threatened to bubble to the surface, but I was able to keep it in check, and I felt like I was riding a thousand times better.

The final course included a tricky coffin series, ending on a skinny chevron — something I had been intermittently worrying about. When we turned toward it, I felt my stomach tighten. I stretched taller and whispered to myself: “Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft to get me through this line.”

In that instant, the looming dread gave over to a smirk. Even with an awkward distance in, my mare sailed through it without any hesitation. There would be no invisible flames today.

Go Team DF. Go Ricky Bobby. Go Eventing.

Clinic Recap Day 2: Hawley Bennett Returns to Dragonfire Farm

Jen McFall's dog Monty graciously allowed riders to jump his castle and petting station. Jen McFall's dog Monty graciously allowed riders to jump his castle and petting station.

The second day of the Hawley Bennett clinic had a wide variety of challenges. The skinnies from the previous day also featured heavily in the day’s coursework, as well as an exercise reminiscent of last month’s clinic, involving a series of bending lines up the far side of the arena.  HBatDFClinicSundayHawley had riders start by warming up over an oxer with some placement poles ahead of it. This ensured riders were waiting with their bodies and that the horses were using themselves well. As someone who has a tendency to pick all the way to the base of the jump, this warm-up had the added bonus of getting me to let my horse do the work.

The first course mimicked the previous clinic’s broken-line exercise. Riders came down a vertical to corner line in four strides, rolled back to an inviting swedish oxer and rode to another vertical in six. From there, riders were asked to make a fairly challenging left turn to a skinny hay bale and an immediate right turn back to an oxer. The course ended on a long approach to a skinny chevron. The skinny hay bale in the middle of the broken line encouraged riders to set up for the turn and the straightness before the preceding vertical. The long approach to the skinny chevron required riders to ride actively and accurately.

One of the last courses of the day included a simulated coffin series: vertical to faux-ditch in three then to the skinny chevron in two.  The faux-ditch was composed of a tarp and some flower boxes. Hawley pulls no punches, and even though it’s highly unlikely you’d see a Novice course with a skinny out of a coffin series, we were still expected to tackle it. I will admit that I was a bit anxious about it, as I’ve only jumped a handful of ditches, and I’ve been known to catch a foot on the standards of ultra skinny fences, but it rode very well and was an excellent confirmation of putting it all together.

You can check out some of the ways the course was used on the second day in the recap video below. Check out some additional pictures on Dragonfire Farm’s Facebook page!

Clinic Recap Day 1: Hawley Bennett Returns to Dragonfire Farm

Hawley Bennett with Stephanie Nicora on High In The Air at Dragonfire. Hawley Bennett with Stephanie Nicora on High In The Air at Dragonfire.

Hawley Bennett dropped in at Dragonfire this past weekend for another one of her fabulous clinics. Everyone was excited to show off how much they’ve improved since she last stopped by. Saturday’s coursework was primarily focused on both testing our accuracy as well as improving it. Skinny fences featured heavily in the courses for all levels.

The warm-up exercise started with a two-stride stride to two-stride line. After a trip through it on both leads, a turn to a skinny chevron in four was added. This was also done off of both leads. From there, the courses and exercises got more complex. The far side of the ring had a set of four hay stacks with ridiculous paper plate flags, each set two strides apart. The hay stacks were an interesting challenge. Some horses didn’t think twice and were steady down the line; others looked pretty hard the first time through.

Arena Set Up For Saturday

Arena Set Up For Saturday

My favorite elements of the course were certainly the one stride-bounce-one stride and the angled two-stride. The first because it required me to really sit up and not get ahead with my torso, and the second because it was an excellent confirmation of an accurate ride. You can check out some of the ways the course was used in the video recap below, as well as photos from the first day at Dragonfire Farm’s Facebook page!