Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
It is SO good to see US and Canadian riders doing well overseas. It’s been a struggle for the past few years, but once it starts coming together it really starts coming together. I don’t know about you, but I’m planning on getting up painfully early to watch the live feed from Pau. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll see continued success out of our teams abroad. Even though the season is coming to an end, there’s already a tangible excitement for the early part of the 2016 season. Lets keep our fingers crossed that winter blasts by quickly and we pick up right where we’ll leave off at the end of the season.
Boyd Martin with baby Nox in a matching XC outfit made by Silva's friend Cheryl Griffith. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.
No one does “matchy-matchy” quite like an eventer. It all starts with the fierce helmet cover and vest. Once those are set, you can move on to the rest of your attire. The perfect shirt has to obviously work well with your helmet cover and vest, but also your extra sticky and super lucky cross-country breeches. Thankfully, boots and gloves are usually simple enough.
Then it’s on to your horse. I can’t begin to tell you how many hours I’ve spent debating various saddle pads and bonnets. Don’t even get me started on the numerous boot tape options I’ve collected and tested. Boyd though may have won the day when it comes to matchy-matchy. I don’t think anyone can top having the youngest member of your crew rock the same shirt as you on cross country day.
Are you within hauling distance of Boones Mill, Virginia? Do you want to ride with P Dutty? Good news! Healing Strides of Va is hosting Phillip Dutton on November 7th! The clinic will focus on flat work, stadium jumping, and cross country. There will be 36 rider spots available, first come first serve. Limited stabling will be available and auditors are welcome! Online registration available through Event Clinics. For more information please contact HSVA 540-334-5825 or email [email protected] [Phillip Dutton at Healing Strides of VA]
The Helmet-Cam, for when you want to see how often you swear on cross-country
What a difference a year makes or in some cases – doesn’t. About this time last year we were all in various states of frustration and panic due to decisions to suspend the use of helmet cameras after British Eventing’s decision to do the same until further studies could be completed. I love a good helmet cam video, especially lower level ones. Helmet cam videos are a fantastic way to see courses I may never ride, or in the case of ones I might some day ride, get a sneak peek at what to expect. Fortunately, for those of us that love helmet cams USEF took the position that they would not prohibit them, but riders were using them at their own risk. I still need to replace the helmet cam I broke a few years back. Maybe Santa will bring me one.
Are you within hauling distance of Boones Mill, Virginia? Do you want to ride with P Dutty? Good news! Healing Strides of Va is hosting Phillip Dutton on November 7th! The clinic will focus on flat work, stadium jumping, and cross country. There will be 36 rider spots available, first come first serve. Limited stabling will be available and auditors are welcome! Online registration available through Event Clinics. For more information please contact HSVA 540-334-5825 or email [email protected] [Phillip Dutton at Healing Strides of VA]
I was trying to hold off as long as possible, but I just couldn't take it anymore. Now, what to do with that canvas. Better think up some glorious booty-art!
I had promised myself that this year, I would wait as long as possible until I body clipped my mare. Facebook’s On This Day feature has been making it a constant struggle because I’ve been getting reminders almost daily that it is about that time. I managed to hold out almost halfway in to October and that’s only due to the fact that I hadn’t settled on any Booty Art just yet. However, it’s still 90+ degrees in California and it’s just not reasonable for my pony to rock her full winter fluffiness in this kind of heat. So now I’m left with two big patches of hair left to play with, one on each hind-quarter. Time to figure out what kind of artistic statement we’ll be making this year.
"Wait... we aren't going to Fair Hill, are we?" Share Option and Savannah Kilpatrick on their way overseas. Photo from Savannah's Facebook Page
I still smirk whenever a non-horse person foolishly declares that a horse is not as intelligent as other domesticated animals. Certainly, horse intelligence is a different sort of intelligence from a dog or cat, but there’s no way you can convince me that the dog who I consistently trick with the fake-out-throw is anywhere as bright as the devilish pony who knows how to shimmy under the fence if the hay-cart is even two minutes late. I think that’s what makes this picture of Share Option so amusing. You can almost see the wheels turning in his head as to what strange adventure is afoot.
One of the most important things to do at an event! Stacy Meredith spent some time shooting pictures at Spokane Sporthorse yesterday. Photo from Stacy Meredith's Facebook Page
Even if you aren’t competing, there is so much to do and learn at an event. One great way to learn is to sit behind a camera and shoot pictures all day. It exposes you to a large number of horses and riders at all levels and gives you something to compare and contrast at the end of the day. Another great way is to volunteer as a jump judge. Events simply cannot run without jump judges. Not only do you get to watch horse and rider combinations tackle cross country questions, but you also get the satisfaction of giving back to the Eventing community. If you are at Morven Park this weekend, they have decided to run cross country and are absolutely in need of jump judges.
One of Woodside’s own has been tragically affected by the Tassajara Fires, here in California. Cassie Harkins has played a tremendous role in the eventing community, not only as a Woodside volunteer but as head volunteer steward for cross-country. Cassie has been devoting her time long before many of us began competing at Woodside and has worn many hats, acting as the show secretary, course decorator, and chief caterer. Unfortunately, Cassie and her mother both lost their houses in the fire along with all of their possessions. Luckily, they were both physically unharmed as well as her beloved dog and they are currently living with her sister. The crew at Woodside has taken up a collection to buy her a Visa gift card to replace any immediate needs she may have. There is a collection jar in the show office where people may contribute with cash or check payable to Julie White. Any generosity will help Cassie through this tough time. We appreciate all of your generous donations to help Cassie get back on her feet! [Help Cassie Out]
Sunday Video: Not going to lie, I’ll take a fire cracker of a pony over the best full size horse any day of the week. They’re just more fun! I think we need to take a page from the Europeans and get something like this going!
Guess who's expecting? Photo from Andrea Leatherman Davidson's Facebook Page
Guess who’s expecting! Buck and Andrea announced some very big and very exciting news today. I must admit, with all of the Eventer-Babies having been born in the last few years I find myself imagining the amazing team we’ll have by 2035. It will be like the X-Men of Eventing – except without that whole mutation thing. I’m not sure exactly where I was going with that, except to say it will be exciting to watch all of these wunderkinds come up the levels. Now, how small do you think they can make helmet covers and cross country vests?
One of Woodside’s own has been tragically affected by the Tassajara Fires, here in California. Cassie Harkins has played a tremendous role in the eventing community, not only as a Woodside volunteer but as head volunteer steward for cross-country. Cassie has been devoting her time long before many of us began competing at Woodside and has worn many hats, acting as the show secretary, course decorator, and chief caterer. Unfortunately, Cassie and her mother both lost their houses in the fire along with all of their possessions. Luckily, they were both physically unharmed as well as her beloved dog and they are currently living with her sister. The crew at Woodside has taken up a collection to buy her a Visa gift card to replace any immediate needs she may have. There is a collection jar in the show office where people may contribute with cash or check payable to Julie White. Any generosity will help Cassie through this tough time. We appreciate all of your generous donations to help Cassie get back on her feet! [Help Cassie Out]
Horse people will make everything horse related. Lego XC from Alison Robinson's Facebook Page
If you leave horse people unattended with anything for any length of time, they will find a way to make it in to something horse related. If you leave an Eventer unattended with anything for any length of time it will turn in to something cross country related. I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve seen abandoned items on the side of the road or fallen logs and caught myself thinking about what a lovely cross country jump it would make. This might be indicative of some form of compulsion, obsession or addiction. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. After looking at Alison’s handiwork, I find myself wondering exactly how many legos it would take to make a 1/3 scale model of the Head of the Lake.
High Times is home from the UK. Photo from Earl and Jen McFall's Facebook page
Dorothy got one thing right. There’s no place like home. I love to travel and to go to shows, but coming home is often what I look forward to most. Even when there is a mountain of stuff waiting to be done at home, there is no better feeling than walking in the door to your own place and knowing that you’ll be sleeping in your own bed that night. Arriving home after a long trip is the one moment when we’re all willing to say “Well, lets knock that out tomorrow,” whether the activity is unpacking the trailer, running a load of laundry or even just opening the mail. There’s a quiet understanding among travelers in those moments where we get to simply breathe out. Those first few moments home are often the ones that make the trip worth it.
Horses displaced by the fire, hanging out at Chez Bowden. Photo from Marie Bowden's Facebook page
The fires in California are pretty insane right now. Two major fires in my area are only about 50 and 67% contained as of the last update from Cal Fire. The communities that are being impacted by these fast moving fires are both very rural and very horsey. I’ve been very proud to see lots of my friends jumping in to help, either by taking in horses who’s owners needed to evacuate them or by volunteering at the animal shelters. There isn’t anything quite like the way the horse community bands together in times of need.
The Be Real Syndicate has acquired "Jimmy". Looking forward to seeing him in California soon. Photo from Jen and Earl McFall's Facebook page
For those of us on the West Coast, following the action back East means getting up super early. Following the action in Europe means deciding between pulling an all-nighter or getting up exceptionally early. This time around I’m opting for the all-nighter route. It’s been so nice to see riders representing the US so well at Blenheim. It’s also exciting to know we’ll have a new face in the barn at Dragonfire when Jen gets home! Congratulations to the Be Real Syndicate on the acquisition of a super talented four year old! “Jimmy” is bred in the purple being by Ramiro B (sire of Ballynoe Castle RM) and out of a Puissance mare (by Imperius who was the sire of Master Imp).
Shame On The Moon, Simply Priceless and OBOS O'Reilly at Maizey Manor prepping for Blenheim. From the USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook Page
Maizey Manor is the place to be this week it seems! My Facebook feed has been filled with awesome pictures from the other side of the pond. Each one is so full of green grass that it has me wishing for a quick fall and plenty of rain. Man, I miss grass. We only have it for part of the year in California, but it’s been so long since we’ve had any at all. I’ve been daydreaming about the smell of a fresh cut lawn and all of these pictures just make me miss it even more. Maybe I can get Jen to bring home some sod for me!
Horseboxes are the coolest! Photo via Jen and Earl McFall's Facebook page
When Monday is a holiday, it sure makes the week feel short! I’m not complaining about the weekend being here once again, but I am not so secretly worried that if the week felt fast, the weekend will too. I’m expecting it to be somewhat quiet this weekend as a significant chunk of Team DF is across the pond in support of Jen McFall’s first run at international competition aboard High Times. I have a not-so secret obsession with Horseboxes, so I’m not sure if I’m more jealous that they get to go to a fabulous competition or if I’m jealous that Earl gets to drive the CUTEST HORSEBOX EVER. When I win the lottery I will most certainly be buying myself a sweet set of wheels like the ones they’re kicking around in at Blenheim!
One K Helmet rider and selfie queen Lainey Ashker at Burghley. Photo by Nico Morgan, via Laine Ashker's Facebook Page
Labor Day weekend is here and that means sales galore! What to buy? What to purchase? Days like today make me sad that I can only wear one helmet at a time. I’m beginning to horde One K Helmets. I already have a Defender for daily wear, a Defender Bling for shows and a Skull Cap for cross country. Much like the old joke “If you only buy bay geldings, you’ll never have to tell your husband how many horses you own”, I’ve stuck to black helmets so far. However, I’m really digging the brown Defender with snake skin. Too bad brown helmets aren’t legal in eventing! Maybe Chinch can pull some strings for me… hmm.
Speaking of sales – Point Two has a Labor Day Special going on. You can get $150 off the price of a new vest. This is subject to availability and colors in stock. This deal is available September 5th thru 7th. [Point Two USA]
Elise's first horse show selfie with her coach Hawley Bennett. Photo from Hawley'Bennett's Facebook page
I still haven’t mastered the horse-show selfie. I typically find myself squinting in to my iPhone, trying to get a decent angle. Then of course, my pony moves and some how I bump it over to video. I usually end up with 5-10 seconds of sky, my chin, a blur of pony and some mumbled “dammit, hold still”. One day I will master the horse show selfie. It’s going to take quite a bit of practice to catch up with Elise and Hawley in selfie-skills though!
Winter is coming.
(And body clips, and quarter sheets, and riding in the dark, and hot chocolate, and audiobooks, and gloves and beanies and blanketing and barn jackets)
I’ve been trying to ignore the fact that I’m losing a minute of daylight every few days. Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and with it, the end of summer. Autumn means earlier sunsets and eventually the dreaded turning back of the clocks. I’m trying not to think about it, but my mare’s new winter turn-out sheet arrived yesterday and I know that soon I’ll be spending my evenings wondering if that reflective pair of eyes was the barn cat or a raccoon. Time to wash the quarter-sheets, prepare for pumpkin-spice everything, send the clipper blades in for sharpening and to dream up the perfect bit of booty-art for this winter.
While it would have been nice to see American Pharoah pull off a win in the Travers, second isn’t anything to sneeze at. After all, Secretariat was beaten at the Whitney by a horse named Onion.
Everyone loves a hero. American Pharoah takes to the track again today for the Travers Stakes. While I was glad to see him win the Triple Crown, I must admit that I’m getting more and more anxious with each race that follows. He won the Haskell Invitational with minimal effort, and yes, it would be glorious to see him take the Breeder’s Cup as well, but… well, he’s a horse. Horses have the most inconvenient knack for getting injured exactly when they shouldn’t. If American Pharoah has a poor outing much of the positive momentum he’s brought for racing and horse-sport in this country stands to be lost. If (heaven forbid) he breaks down on the track it will be an incredible tragedy. There is a lot more than just a race on the line. Even though I’m worried about what could go wrong, I’ll still be watching the Travers today and hoping he comes home at the front of the pack, safe, sound and happy.
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. Photo by Bailey Moran.
I’ll admit it. I feed my mare way too many cookies. I am however, NOT, nor have I ever been, the resident cookie-monster of the barn who indiscriminately feeds cookies, carrots and other goodies to every single horse on the property. (That would get expensive!) I must admit though, that there are some horses out there that are high on my personal “should I encounter you, I would like to give you a cookie and a pat because you are consistently awesome” list. Reggie is one of them. What other 4* horses are quiet enough to let a goofy kid wander around on them bareback in a halter and participate in a wedding?
Earlier this week, Gateway Farm in Acampo, Calif went up in flames. The crew at Gateway Farm ultimately lost one horse, BGS Silver Bullet, and everything from the barn. The barn housed the tack room as well as the office. Gateway Farm has been strong supporters of Pony Club, as the home to the Liberty Oaks Pony club. Much of the California horse community has rallied around them at this very sad time. A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist Gateway Farm in replacing tack and other equipment that was lost.
The MLC show benefiting the Equine Rescue in Millbrook, NY is seeking sponsors and donations for their silent auction. The show takes place September 19th-20th and offers jumper classes from 2′-3’6′. All of the proceeds for this show go to benefit the Equine Rescue (a 501c3). For more information on sponsorship or donating items to the silent auction, please call Jennifer Rankin (774)253-9606
BGS Silver Bullet ("Billy") was lost earlier this week in the Gateway Farm fire. Photo from Gateway Farm's Facebook page.
It has been a long, hot and dry summer in California. Sadly, these are the perfect conditions for fires and we’ve had a lot of them. Earlier this week, Gateway Farm in Acampo, Calif went up in flames. The crew at Gateway Farm ultimately lost one horse, BGS Silver Bullet, and everything from the barn. The barn housed the tack room as well as the office. Gateway Farm has been strong supporters of Pony Club, as the home to the Liberty Oaks Pony club. Much of the California horse community has rallied around them at this very sad time. A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist Gateway Farm in replacing tack and other equipment that was lost.
The MLC show benefiting the Equine Rescue in Millbrook, NY is seeking sponsors and donations for their silent auction. The show takes place September 19th-20th and offers jumper classes from 2′-3’6′. All of the proceeds for this show go to benefit the Equine Rescue (a 501c3). For more information on sponsorship or donating items to the silent auction, please call Jennifer Rankin (774)253-9606
Recently there was much interest in several fences on the one-star and two-star cross-country tracks at Annaharvey Farm in Ireland last Sunday. Not only was it new, and built like so many other fences on the course from rails and logs sourced on the farm, but, for the first time in Ireland or Britain, several classes occupied the same fence in competition and it was constructed using the MIM NewEra adjustable post and rail frangible clip device. [MIM NewEra on Facebook]
Pretty ribbons for Team USA - Photo from USEF High Performance Eventing on Facebook
When I was a kid, in my pre-Eventing days, I spent more than a few dreary winter days daydreaming about competing at Spruce Meadows or Thunderbird in Canada. Sure, I could have gone to Indio (now Thermal) for the winter circuit, but there was something that was way more exciting about Spruce Meadows or Thunderbird. If I went, I could lay claim to competing internationally, even if I was just competing at 3′! I remember seeing a championship ribbon from Canada and being surprised that it was red white and blue, rather than what I recognized as the ‘traditional’ championship colors of blue, red and yellow. This realization that different countries used different colors for their ribbons was the most exciting bit of trivia EVER. This quickly blossomed in to a new obsession, learning about the ribbon colors that were used in other countries. I must say that those ribbons from Aachen are pretty fierce! As I got older, the ribbon color fascination gave way to show-ring fashions that are popular in other countries. I spend far more money on horsey-things from Australia and the UK than I care to admit.
Celebrating a third place finish at Aachen. Photo from USEF High Performance Eventing on Facebook
A third place finish at Aachen for Team USA! How exciting. I am especially impressed with this outing as it seemed to come together very quickly. There are plenty of times where my friends and I have decided at the last minute to go to a Jumper show. The logistics of getting something like that organized is often complex enough to cause one to bust in to the margaritas before noon. I can’t imagine the logistics of pulling together a team and getting them to Aachen on such short notice, even if several of them were already in Europe.
Donner's on the road! Photo by Lynn Symansky via USEF Eventing High Performance on Facebook
I must admit, I had one of those “You know you’re a horse person when…” moments yesterday. I heard back from the mechanic about my car and just about choked when I heard what it would cost me. When he casually rattled off the cost to replace my air-compressor I found myself mentally converting it to the new hunt coat and boots I want, along with the cost of another show or two this season. I also found myself wondering exactly how long I could put off the repair. No matter how gorgeous the custom coat I want is, I cannot live without air-conditioning in my vehicle. Oh well, at least I’m still mobile, right?
We all know the frustration of seeing your horse shuffle in from turn-out missing a shoe the morning of a show. Your brain kicks in to overdrive processing things, attempting to rationalize and explain away what you are seeing. There is only one feeling that is even holds a candle to the frustration of having a shoe-less horse: the “what-the-heck-is-that-sound-that-my-truck-is-making” feeling. I spent most of yesterday trying to sort out what the bizarre knocking from the engine of my Durango was. Today, I had planned to zip over to Woodside to watch cross-country day. However, instead today will find me spending several hours waiting around at the dealership to be told they’ll need to keep it overnight. If I get lucky they’ll have an idea by about 10am when I still stand a chance of renting a car and making to Woodside before noon. Guess I better find a book to read.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
