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Jenni Autry
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Jenni Autry

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About Jenni Autry

Originally from San Diego, Jenni discovered eventing thanks to the Bedford Hunt Pony Club in Virginia. After working in both newspapers and magazines, she joined the EN team in 2012. She travels extensively covering the U.S. Eventing Team and has reported at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, Luhmühlen and Pau. As for her favorite event, it’s a toss-up between Aachen and Boekelo. When she isn’t on the road, she’s busy competing her heart horse, Imperial Striker, better known as Derry.

Latest Articles Written

Jan Byyny, Phillip Dutton Stand Out at Rolex

By on Apr 25, 2014 11:20 am -
Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott. Photo by Jenni Autry. Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning from day 2 of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event! We’ve already seen a leaderboard shakeup in the first group to go, with Jan Byyny and  Inmidair and Phillip Dutton and Mr. Medicott scoring 49.5 to tie for equal first place with Michael Pollard and Mensa G. Jan and JR have had a wonderful six months, winning the Fair Hill CCI3* last fall and coming out very strong this spring. The horse missed his scheduled final prep run at The Fork due to a sore hoof, but he didn’t put a foot wrong today, staying relaxed and focused for a lovely performance.

Jan Byyny and Inmidair. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jan Byyny and Inmidair. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Mr. Medicott also had a super test despite looking very feisty in warmup. The test got better and better as it went, with the outstanding moments coming in the canter work. That’s about the happiest I’ve ever seen Phillip after a dressage test, and he gave Cave a huge pat after finishing before waving to the crowd and hugging all his syndicate members back at the in gate. Phillip and Cave are definitely a threat to win this weekend, and while we’ll almost certainly see that score of 49.5 bested by the time the dust settles at the end of the day, this performance will put them within striking distance.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We also saw Brazilian Ruy Fonseca and Tom Bombadill Too in this first group. This horse is a unique mover, and the judges liked what they saw for a score of 53.3, which puts them in 12th place. Harbour Pilot made his Rolex debut with Hannah Sue Burnett in the irons, and aside from a few bobbles in the changes, this was a good performance for the horse’s first four-star test; they scored 55.7 for 18th place. Lillian Heard and Share Option made their Rolex debut as the very first pair this morning, and they handled the pressure well for the first ever performance in such a big atmosphere for a score of 59.0 for 22nd place.

Ruy Fonseca and Tom Bombadill Too. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ruy Fonseca and Tom Bombadill Too. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It absolutely poured early this morning here in Lexington before clearing up for the start of the first group. Then the wind picked up again — blowing Bobby Meyerhoff’s top hat right off his head during his test with Dunlavin’s Token — and then the rain started coming during Phillip’s test. It’s pouring again now, and the radar shows there’s another band of storms passing over us. The second group, which starts at 11:20 a.m. with Kaitlin Spurlock and Expedience, will be going swimming for sure. Remember to follow along with John’s open thread and the EN live blog, and stay tuned for much more from Rolex.

[Live Scores]

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Rolex Ride the Course: Bruce, Lynn, Gina Talk Cross Country

By on Apr 24, 2014 9:00 pm -
Bruce Davidson talks cross country on the Rolex Ride the Course tour. Photo courtesy of Rolex/Kit Houghton. Bruce Davidson talks cross country on the Rolex Ride the Course tour. Photo courtesy of Rolex/Kit Houghton.

EN crashed the Rolex Ride the Course tour this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park, and I rode a rather cheeky gelding named Cowboy around Derek di Grazia’s track to preview some of the key questions we’ll see come Saturday, complete with wonderful commentary from Bruce Davidson, Lynn Symansky and Gina Miles. We zig zagged through the course, starting at the Head of the Lake, where Bruce said he thought this year’s complex will ride very smoothly. Then we went on to the Offset Brushes at fence 16, a new element on course this year.

The brushes are a bit heart stopping if you see them head on. Sharon White assured me earlier this week that if you view this element from the Quarry it looks much more doable. Lynn Symansky wisely noted that the brushes alone would be nothing more than a Preliminary question, but together and at such a severe angle, the brushes make up a combination that is undoubtedly going to cause trouble on cross-country day. I really like the question, as it showcases Derek’s work at its finest. He specializes in designing technical questions that are still very fair to the horse, and that’s exactly what course designers should be striving for in their tracks at this level.

Next we went to the Land Rover Hollow at fence 16, which this year has had a face lift to include a keyhole to up the ante. Bruce said he really likes the question, which is much more difficult if riders jump the keyhole and hold a straight line to the corner that follows. The more forgiving route is to take the fences in a sweeping line. While we might see some riders choose that gutsy, direct route, Bruce said he thinks more riders will opt to make this a bending line. Gina noted here that Derek has made excellent use of the terrain, and she thinks this question will definitely catch some riders off guard.

Finally we went to the coffin at fence 7, officially called the Park Question, which comes after horses have been through the first water complex — the Water Park at fence 5 — which means riders will have gotten their horses’ attention, as Bruce pointed out. This elements comes at about the 2 1/2 minute marker on course, which is early enough on course to label it as the first major question but late enough on the track that horses will be settled and ready to tackle the challenge at hand. Keep watching this longer video for more colorful commentary, which unfortunately cuts off when my phone ran out of memory.

Through the ears — Rolex Ride the Course style!

Through the ears — Rolex Ride the Course style!

Many thanks to Rolex for inviting EN to ride the course. It’s beautifully presented, and course builder Mick Costello and designer Derek di Grazia have done a brilliant job of preparing the track for the big day on Saturday. Also, many thanks to Kit Houghton for following along on the ride to snap photos of the festivities, and to Bruce, Gina and Lynn for riding along with us and providing fantastic commentary. All photos in the gallery below are courtesy of Rolex/Kit Houghton. Go Eventing.

[EN’s Course Preview] [Rolex Course Preview]

Three Americans Off to Rolex Press Conference

By on Apr 24, 2014 4:21 pm -
Buck Davidson and Petite Flower at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry. Buck Davidson and Petite Flower at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Our top three remained the same after seeing the fourth and final group here on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Three Americans are heading to the press conference, as Michael Pollard leads with Mensa on 49.5, Will Faudree sits in second with Pawlow on 49.8, and Doug Payne and Crown Talisman hold third on 51.2. Doug will withdraw Tali in order to head to France text month to use his Land Rover competition grant for the Saumur CCI3*, which has to be a bit of a bittersweet decision after sitting in such a good position after their dressage test.

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As for notable tests in this fourth and final group, Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet recorded the best score (52.7) for ninth place. This is the horse’s first four-star, and he was settled and relaxed for the most part for a very nice performance. Buck Davidson and Petite Flower also had a notable performance in this last group, scoring 54.0 to round out the top 10. This is Flower’s first four-star, and Buck took some time to stop her for a chance to look at the grandstands before starting their test. She’s a pretty laid-back horse, and she took everything in stride for a very a good performance in her Rolex debut.

Julie Norman and Consensus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Julie Norman and Consensus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The loudest cheer award is a tie between Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter and Julie Norman and Consensus. By the decibel level of the applause, it sounded like every one of Kevin’s clients showed up to watch him go in his very first Rolex appearance. At age 59, Kevin is the oldest competitor in the field this year, and it was definitely a special moment to watch him be congratulated by all the supporters who have helped him get here. Julie Norman was all smiles after completing her test in her Rolex debut.

Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The press conference is underway now, and Leslie will be bringing you a full report of Michael, Will and Doug’s thoughts on the day. I’m off to do the Rolex Ride the Course Tour led by Bruce Davidson and Lynn Symansky, so I’ll have lots of photos, videos and thoughts on the course from a true legend of the sport and one of our rising stars. If you’re just now checking in to our coverage, be sure to check back through John’s open threads and the live blog to get an idea of what happened today. It’s been a fantastic start to Rolex, and we have to send a special shout out to the organizers, volunteers and everyone who is making this event possible. Go eventing.

[Live Scores]

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Crown Talisman Shines at Rolex + Harsh Scoring?

By on Apr 24, 2014 2:52 pm -
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

So I’m officially calling it — we’re seeing some tough scoring today. I noticed it on a few tests early today — namely Kyle Carter and Madison Park and Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville — and we’re still seeing lower-than-expected marks in this third group, mostly notably for Doug Payne and Crown Talisman and Allie Knowles and Last Call. Doug’s test had a few tense moments in the very beginning, but Tali really settled and focused beautifully for that wow performance I’ve been waiting to see all day. They scored 51.2 for third place provisionally, and while that’s a very respectable score for the horse’s first four-star test, it was probably good enough to crack the 40s. It’s possible the judges really nailed him for that tension in the very beginning, but the rest of the test was very impressive.

Allie Knowles and Last Call. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Allie Knowles and Last Call. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Allie Knowles and Last Call, who were in fourth place after dressage on a score of 43.3 at Rolex last year, also had a lovely test that scored worse than I expected — just 54.3. Fergie is a lovely mover and Allie a very accurate rider, and while they had some tiny bobbles in the final two changes, those blips weren’t any different than what we saw from Michael Pollard and Mensa. Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate also had a much worse score than last year with 61.8. This horse is never going to be a fantastic mover, but the test was still obedient and workmanlike, and while not flawless, I expected a better score. And not to be a broken record, but I thought Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice had a very nice test, and while Ginny got a bit wound up during the changes toward the end, it probably deserved a better score than 58.7.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Is the judging indeed too harsh, or is this a wake up call that we’re just not up to par with international dressage standards at this level? That’s a bigger question than I have time to answer right now with Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz leading off the fourth and final group in just a couple minutes, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind as we continue throughout the weekend here at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Be sure to follow along with John’s open thread here and hop on the live blog, where John, AJ and Leslie are providing commentary. And you never know who will swing by here at Rolex to offer their own analysis, so you don’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for much more.

[Live Scores]

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Michael Pollard and Mensa Lead at Rolex Lunch Break

By on Apr 24, 2014 12:43 pm -
Michael Pollard and Mensa, an OTTB who won over $92,000. Photo by Jenni Autry. Michael Pollard and Mensa, an OTTB who won over $92,000. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Michael Pollard and Mensa put in the consistent test we’ve come to expect from them to take the provisional lead at the lunch break here on the first day of dressage at Rolex. Their score of 49.5 just puts them in front of early morning leaders Will Faudree and Pawlow, who dropped to second place on their score of 49.8. Marilyn Little and RF Demeter round out the top three in the early going on their score of 51.3. While Michael’s test was lovely sans a few bobbles in the changes, we’re still waiting to be wowed here at Rolex. Looking ahead to the rest of the day, we have some big names still to go who could throw down with an impressive performance.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were first to lead off in the second group, and parts of the test were a bit like what we saw from them at Carolina International, where Tate perhaps didn’t have his usual energy and presence. The score of 51.7 puts them in fifth place, which is certainly within striking distance, but not where Sinead hoped to be going into cross country. We also saw Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda also went in this group, and they scored 55.0 to sit in sixth place in the early going. The first half of the test was really lovely. They lost a bit of that rhythm and fluidity in the second half, which affected some of their marks in the final movements, but this was still a good showing.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules (55.5) also put in a more consistent performance toward the beginning of the test, with their communication seeming a touch out of sync toward the end, which impacted the changes. But it’s so exciting to have Reggie back competing at this level, and it’s a huge achievement just for him to be here. Similarly, Madison Park is writing his own comeback story here at Rolex, and while the test was more tense then I’m sure Kyle would have liked, it’s so meaningful to have Parker back competing at a four-star again. That said, I do think the score (61.8) was a bit harsh, but Kitty Cat is probably still thrilled to have Parker back in action.

Sharon White and Rafferty's Rules. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Zatopek B made his Rolex debut in this group with Jon Holling, and this is a horse that will only continue to get better as he gets more mileage at the level. The tension impacted their score (64.2), but there were definitely some lovely moments. Poor Erin Sylvester didn’t have the test she had hoped for with No Boundaries. Things started out beautifully with Bucky looking fantastic, but he broke in the extended trot, and it took her awhile to bring him back. That’s never the impression you want to make toward the start of the test, and the score (68.7) suffered as a result.

 

Kyle Carter and Madison Park. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kyle Carter and Madison Park. Photo by Jenni Autry.

I didn’t have time during the quick 20-minute morning break to bring you comments on all the rides, so here’s a few notes as I catch up. Bellaney Rock made a very respectable debut at this level for Team Canada with Selena O’Hanlon, who rode him conservatively for a score of 57.0, which she’s probably pretty  happy with. Buck Davidson and Park Trader were first to go this morning, and while they struggled in the changes for a score of 57.8, this was still a good performance for Kobe. Copycat Chloe has been very wound up in dressage all season, and all things considered I thought she behaved pretty well today for a score of 64.0.

Jon Holling and Zatopek B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jon Holling and Zatopek B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

I’ll continue to update my morning update and this lunch update with photos, so keep checking back. The action starts back again in about an hour with Emily Beshear and Here’s To You leading off the third group of the day at 1:30 p.m. Be sure to follow along with John’s open thread here and hop on the live blog, where John, AJ and Leslie are providing commentary. And you never know who will swing by here at Rolex to offer their own analysis, so you don’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for much more from Rolex. Go Eventing.

[Live Scores]

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Will Faudree and Pawlow Lead the Way Early at Rolex

By on Apr 24, 2014 11:19 am -
Will Faudree and Pawlow. Photo by Jenni Autry. Will Faudree and Pawlow. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning from Rolex! We’ve just seen the first group go here on the first day of dressage, and Will Faudree and Pawlow are leading the way so far on a score of 49.8, the only pair to crack the 40s so far. The test was extremely smooth, with Will sneaking in beautiful changes you practically missed if you blinked. It was perhaps a touch quiet, but that’s a trend we’ve seen across the board this morning, particularly in the canter work. No one has really pushed for a “wow” moment yet, so I’m waiting to see some real moments of brilliance.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter probably went for it more than anyone else in the canter work, and she was rewarded with a score of 51.3. That’s right on par with what they scored at Pau (51.2), and though I’m sure she would have liked to dip into the 40s, that score should still put them in a very competitive place. William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF are following them in third place on 51.5, definitely a lower score then we typically see from them. The test was going beautifully until the second to last change when Cookie stumbled through the movement and broke to trot, which unfortunately threw off their rhythm.

William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF. Photo by Jenni Autry.

William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces are in fourth place in the early going on 52.5, and I thought Phillip rode him a bit conservatively. That said, all the changes were clean, and this horse can be tricky with those, which probably contributed to his decision to keep the lid on in the canter work. Boyd Martin watched ringside and seemed happy with the test. Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti round out the top five on 54.7. The final pair to go before the break, they were on track for a very good score until the changes, when Rotti was a bit naughty.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We just had a quick 20-minute break this morning, so I’ll be back with much more during the lunch break, including more photos. In the meantime, be sure to follow along with John’s open thread here and hop on the live blog, where John, AJ and Leslie are providing commentary. And you never know who will swing by here at Rolex to offer their own analysis, so you don’t want to miss it. Rick and Elisa Wallace are currently providing commentary in the live blog. Go Rolex!

[Live Scores]

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Rolex Jog Report: Anthony Patch Withdrawn, Sir Oberon Not Accepted

By on Apr 23, 2014 5:00 pm -
Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter. Photo by Jenni Autry. Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We’ve had a totally unexpected turn of events following the first inspection here at the Kentucky Horse Park. Sixty-three horses were slated to present to the ground jury, and that number dropped to 62 when it was announced that Jessica Phoenix would not present Exponential. Then five horses were sent to the holding box during the course of the jog: Kyle Carter and Madison Park, James Alliston and Parker, Katie Frei and Houdini, Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch, and Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon.

Madison Park, Parker and Houdini were all accepted upon representation. I wish I could say the same for the other two pairs. After a lengthy, tense wait, it was announced that Lainey was withdrawing Anthony Patch. She’s since posted on her Facebook page that he’s suffering from an abscess — talk about rotten luck. They’ve had an ideal spring prep for this event and were expected to put in a dominant performance this weekend. But in typical upbeat Lainey fashion, she used the hashtag #wewillriseagain in her update.

And in an outcome no one expected, Sir Oberon was not accepted upon representing for the ground jury. It’s a heartbreaking tune of events considering how fantastic Obie has looked this spring in preparation for his first four-star. And even more devastating when you consider Ellen is getting married Friday on the cross-country course. Ellen had said in an interview with the Eventing Radio Show that Obie has been battling a nasty heel grab since Red Hills, but no one expected for it to derail their go at Rolex.

It was definitely an unusually high number of pairs sent to the holding box for a first horse inspection, and with the dust settled, 60 pairs will move forward into the dressage. Sally will be following up this report with her picks for best dressed at the jog, so stay tuned for much more from Wednesday at Rolex. I’ll continue to update this post with photos from the jog, so keep checking back. Ride times have now been posted. Click here to view ride times.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Meet Rolex Course Builder Mick Costello

By on Apr 23, 2014 4:00 pm -

PRO is back with yet another video in the excellent Faces of Eventing series. This time we get to know Mick Costello, who has built the cross-country course at Rolex for the past 16 years. With horses coming by just once every five minutes or so on cross country, Mick began introducing intricate carvings to the course to provide visual interest for the spectators. Starting with a carving of a fox in 2000, Mick gradually began adding additional designs to the course, which is now heavily stamped with his handiwork. “It’s more than a cross-country course, it’s an art form,” Mick said. Go Rolex!

KPP EN600x100-FW3

Jock Paget Loses Burghley Title in Partial FEI Tribunal Decision

By on Apr 23, 2014 12:20 pm -
Jock Paget and Clifton Promise at Badminton. Photo by Jenni Autry. Jock Paget and Clifton Promise at Badminton. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The FEI Tribunal released a partial decision today in Jock Paget’s case in response to his request that the Tribunal rule separately on whether or not he would be automatically disqualified from Burghley, where his winning mount Clifton Promise tested positive for the banned substance reserpine.

The Tribunal ruled to officially disqualify Jock and Promise from Burghley. All points and prize money won at the event must be forfeited, the FEI announced today in a press release.

The full hearing in Jock’s case is scheduled for June 3. Click here to read the text of the partial decision.

Sights and Sounds from Tuesday Afternoon at Rolex

By on Apr 22, 2014 6:00 pm -
“What shall we do today Andrew?” “Same thing we do every day, Mark ... try to take over the world.” — Lori Jenks (Photo by Jenni Autry) “What shall we do today Andrew?” “Same thing we do every day, Mark ... try to take over the world.” — Lori Jenks (Photo by Jenni Autry)

Happy Tuesday from Rolex! It was a beautiful afternoon here at the Kentucky Horse Park, with the riders taking advantage of the lovely weather to hack the grounds, get in some schooling time, and take lessons with coach David O’Connor. All the horses are looking fantastic, and the riders are all smiles and grateful to be here. The trade fair is slowly going up, and the cross-country course is dressed and ready for action. We’ll have a full course preview available tomorrow at 1 p.m. just as soon as the course is open to the public. Until then, enjoy these snapshots from around the grounds this afternoon.

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Preview: Part One

By on Apr 22, 2014 3:00 pm -
William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF at Pau. Photo by Jenni Autry. William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF at Pau. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s Rolex Week, EN! As part of our  coverage, Kate and I are teaming up to bring you a preview of each of the 63 combinations slated to trot up on Wednesday afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park. Keep it locked on EN all week for all the news you need to know from North America’s biggest three-day event. Let the madness begin! Here are the competitors we’ll see in dressage on Thursday — give or take a few toward the end that might go Friday — in the order in which they’ll appear.

[Rolex Entry List]

Buck Davidson and Petite Flower: I’ve been hoping this lovely mare would make it to Rolex all season, and Buck gave us a nice Easter present on Sunday when he confirmed she made the cut. A homebred of Bruce Sr.’s owned by Sherrie and Caroline Martin, Flower is definitely a meaningful entry for the BDJ team. She’s super game on cross country, and while she’s had stops this year, she definitely has the talent for this level. It will be up to Buck to give her the good introduction she needs to Derek di Grazia’s course in her first go at a four-star.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High: Selena’s love for her horses is contagious, and she’s very excited about this one in his four-star debut. Woody had a great final prep at The Fork CIC3* where he went clear in both jumping phases and added just time to his dressage score in an easy run around Tremaine Cooper’s course. His dressage is still coming along, but that won’t prevent them from having a respectable performance here this weekend. While Woody’s still young at 11 years old, he’s brave and bold, and I expect they’ll have a good trip around cross country with Team Canada cheering them on.

William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF: If a European wins Rolex this year, there’s a very good chance it’s going to be William and Seacookie. The runner-up at last year’s event, the horse only continued to get better throughout the 2013 season, putting in an impressive performance at Pau last fall to win the event on a final score of 45.5. Like all of William’s top mounts, the horse is all business when it comes to his job, and he’s incredibly good across all three phases. His weak phase is the show jumping, so the pressure will be on should William and Seacookie be at the top of the leaderboard like I expect them to be heading in to the final day.

Wil Faudree and Pawlow: Everyone loves a good comeback story, and Ernie has persevered over the last six months to get back to another Rolex. The horse had his second colic surgery last October, which meant missing Fair Hill and easing back into things this spring. They won the Pine Top CIC2* in February and were poised to win the CIC3* at The Fork until a silly runout at the big corner coming out of the second water complex ended that quest. Will has said the horse feels fantastic, and while it’s been an uphill battle, they’re poised to have a good go at replicating the top-10 finish they enjoyed at this event last year.

Will Faudree and Pawlow. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Will Faudree and Pawlow at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice: After injuring himself at this event last year, Happy had a long break before coming back out at Pine Top this February. Phillip is very particular about where his horses run cross country, so we’ve only seen Happy complete all three phases twice this year at Carolina International and The Fork. While he was a bit wild earlier this season, he’s settled nicely now and is prepped for a good crack at Derek’s course. Happy will take a backseat to Mr. Medicott this weekend in terms of who everyone is talking about, but remember this horse was 10th at this event in 2012. Expect him to be right up there when the dust settles on Sunday.

Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe: A personal favorite of mine, Allison and Chloe’s new partnership was coming along very nicely last year until things got a bit derailed at Galway Downs. A tense ride, she’s seemed to become more and more wound up in the dressage with each event this season. Luckily, handling spooky, tense horses just happens to be Allison’s forte, so I have faith we’ll see a very different Chloe canter down centerline on Thursday, as I’m sure Allison has been working very hard to smooth out the kinks we’ve seen early in the season. I’d love nothing more than for this pair to blow everyone away this weekend.

Marilyn Little and RF Demeter: This mare just gets better and better with each event, and she’s peaked at just the right time with a win in the Carolina International CIC3* and very nearly winning The Fork CIC3*. She looks fit, focused and in very good condition, and I expect Marilyn and Demi to rise to the occasion on Thursday. The mare can be a bit quirky in the dressage, but Marilyn has really worked hard on forming the partnership and figuring out exactly how to handle her in the little white box. They’re a virtual lock for a top-10 finish this weekend.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti: Jessie is just planning to do dressage with Exponential, so this is the only horse she’ll have in all three phases. Best known as her Pan Am individual gold medal partner, Pavarotti had a good fall campaign in Europe last year, finishing 17th in the Haras du Pin CIC3* and 10th at Blenheim. They’ve had a quiet last month in preparation for Rolex, withdrawing from their Intermediate divisions at both Rocking Horse and The Fork, so they’ll likely have an easy trip around the cross country course on Saturday.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville: After getting snubbed during the Olympic selection process in 2012, Sinead is out to show she means business, and this will mean a lot for their chances at the WEG team. Tate hasn’t run a four-star since he almost won Burghley in 2012, but don’t think that means he isn’t ready. He’s fit and totally full of himself — watch for him to make a scene in the first trot up tomorrow — not to mention coming off an excellent spring campaign in which he finished just outside the top 10 in the Carolina International CIC3* and won The Fork CIC3*. If they can replicate the brilliance we’ve seen from them in the past in the little white box, they’re going to be very tough to beat this weekend.

Marilyn and RF Demeter. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Marilyn and RF Demeter at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jon Holling and Zatopek B: This horse is a freak of nature in every way — freaky good mover in the dressage, freaky bold across the country and freaky careful in the show jumping. And he knows it. He always seems a bit puffed up and proud of himself, and he has a fantastic presence in the dressage, so look for him to really strut his stuff on Thursday as he makes his four-star debut. He does struggle with tension in that phase, and learning to relax is a work in progress, but Jon handles him beautifully. Look for Jon to play up the horse’s big paces and then sit back and enjoy watching him play with the course on Saturday.

Kyle Carter and Madison Park: Slipping a tendon off a hock and tearing a ligament — it’s just not something a horse comes back from very often, much less comes back from to compete at Rolex. But Kitty Cat Kyle Carter never gave up on Parker, and he’s been rewarded by having his WEG partner back competing at the top level of the sport again this year. Kyle and Parker were 12th at Red Hills CIC3* and second in the Poplar Place CIC3* this spring, so they’re right where they need to be to make this final step toward Parker’s comeback. They’re very much in contention for the Canadian WEG team, so this weekend is meaningful on multiple levels.

Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules: Another great comeback story! Reggie also suffered an injury while competing across the pond, and Sharon has utilized every form of therapy you can imagine to get him back to competing. Her dedication has paid off, and she’s going to be all smiles coming down centerline on Thursday. They can be very competitive in the dressage, so look for them to take a good score into cross country. Sharon hasn’t really put the pedal down on cross country this season, so the horse’s fitness remains a question, but Reggie is prepped to have a very good performance.

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury: Andrew Nicholson’s only mount after withdrawing last year’s Rolex winner Quimbo, Avebury has big shoes to fill this weekend. I’d personally love to see Rolex turn into a rematch between Avebury and Tate for the win, harking back to the exciting finale at Burghley in 2012 where Andrew ultimately prevailed. Avebury has gone double clear on cross country in his last three four-star appearances, and he’s certainly a major threat to win at Rolex this weekend.

Michael Pollard and Mensa G: This is a lovely team that always seems to struggle from a bit of bad luck. They were on track for a good performance at Pau last fall when the horse glanced off one of Pierre Michelet’s tricky skinnies, and they were sitting near the top of the leaderboard at Carolina International before parting ways on cross country. Michael and Mensa always seem to be hovering just on the edge of brilliance, and I’m hoping luck is on their side this weekend. They can throw down a very good dressage test, so look for them to be in a good position heading in to cross country.

Michael Pollard and Mensa G. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Michael Pollard and Mensa G at Pine Top. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda: If EN karma really does exist, please oh please let it help Jennie and Ping this weekend. Forced to withdraw right before dressage when Ping broke his lunge line and scraped himself up at Rolex last year, Jennie and Ping are back with unfinished business to attend to. They’re on track across all three phases — and appear to have conquered their demons with corners on cross country — and are coming off a third-place finish in the Carolina International CIC3*. Look for them to play spoiler this weekend.

Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries: Bucky can be unpredictable in the little white box, so Thursday will set the tone for the rest of their weekend. He melted down in dressage at Rolex last year but scored about 20 points better the year before, where they ultimately finished 13th, so it could really go either way. The good news is he’s been very well behaved this season and is coming off a very strong top-1o finish at The Fork CIC3*.

Emily Beshear and Here’s To You: Another pair with potential to play spoiler here this weekend, Emily withdrew Quincy in the final hour at Rolex last year after he sustained a minor injury at The Fork. She’s brought him back slowly, and he looked in good form at The Fork. As with any horse coming back from an injury, fitness is always a concern, but Emily insists Quincy is feeling great, and she pulled him up about halfway through cross country at The Fork as planned because she said he didn’t need the full run. Look for them to put in a very good dressage score.

Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate: The sweetheart of American eventing, Meghan O’Donogue skyrocketed into the spotlight last year when she finished 12th in her four-star debut at Rolex with her little OTTB Pirate. Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and they continued their good form later in the season with a very respectable performance in their first international event at Blenheim. They’ve had a quiet spring, as this is another horse that doesn’t really need the runs, and they’re in good form to improve on that 12th-place finish from last year.

Doug Payne and Crown Talisman: Doug announced last week he will just be doing the dressage with Tali before withdrawing and heading to Saumur for the horse’s first international competition. It’s really remarkable how far this horse has come in the past year; once tense and unsettled in dressage, he’s emerged as a real threat in the little white box. Doug is definitely smart to confirm that Tali can replicate the same quality of work they’ve been enjoying in a bigger atmosphere like Rolex, and it will be a treat to watch them go on Thursday.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Debbie Rosen and The Alchemyst: Debbie will always have legend status in my book after piloting this horse around Rolex in 2010 just seven weeks after competing her chemotherapy for breast cancer. They enjoyed their best finish at this event in 2009 where they finished 25th. This is their fifth appearance at Rolex, and they’ll be looked to complete North America’s most prominent event for the third time. Go West Coast Eventing!

James Alliston and Parker: Parker had a long break after his 14th-place finish at Rolex last year and has competed just twice since, finishing 10th in an Intermediate division at Twin Rivers in February and winning the Advanced at Galway Downs last month. He’s had a quiet prep for Rolex, but James always does his homework, and I expect to see an improvement on their dressage score of 66.2 from last year with all that time off to focus on flat work.

Rachel McDonough and Irish Rhythm: This is a fun pair, and this horse positively bounces around cross country. They jumped clear around the CIC3* cross country at Carolina International and did the Advanced combined test at The Fork earlier this month in their final prep for Rolex. The dressage is certainly not this horse’s favorite phase, but he eats cross country for breakfast, so be sure to watch them go on Saturday.

Allie Knowles and Last Call: Allie’s Rolex debut last year started with a bang and ended with heartbreak. After a beautiful dressage test that put them in fourth place after the first two days, Allie and Fergie didn’t make it around cross country. But they’ve come back with a vengeance this season, finishing second in the Red Hills CIC3* in their key prep run leading up to this weekend. The mare looks fit and ready to go, and Allie is ready to prove she can get around Derek’s course. Keep your eyes on this pair.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice: Perennial favorites here on EN, Hawley and Ginny will be tackling an unbelievable eighth four-star this weekend at Rolex. They enjoyed a top-10 finish here last year with a nearly double clear cross-country trip and clear show jumping round, and I expect them to replicate that performance this year. While spitfire Ginny can be a handful on cross country — which led to time penalties for this pair at Pau when she was fighting fit at the end of the season — I don’t think that will be an issue with Rolex falling earlier in the season when she’s just super fit as opposed to freakishly fit.

Allie Knowles and Last Call at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Allie Knowles and Last Call at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz: Rolex spectators might set couches on fire in the streets of Lexington if Colleen and Luke have a good go this weekend. The horse spent much of last fall and winter in dressage boot camp with Mara DePuy, and it paid off with a score of 59.4 at The Fork CIC3*, their best ever score at that level. And while Luke looked a bit feral in show jumping early this season, Colleen countered his antics by taking away his bit, and he looked like an entirely different horse at The Fork. Considering we know the cross country will be a walk in the park, the stars could align this weekend.

Katie Frei and Houdini: Katie and Houdini have struggled this season, failing to complete at both Red Hills and Poplar Place, which is a shame because they looked to be in such good form at this time about a year ago. They pulled it together at The Fork in their Advanced division, having an easy go around cross country to rebuild confidence. Katie is no stranger to Rolex, and she certainly has the skill set to get the horse around this weekend despite a less-than-ideal preparation.

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet: This is Blou’s first four-star event, and he definitely has all the tools to deliver a very good weekend. I had the pleasure of seeing him go at Boekelo last year, and he’s a lovely mover on the flat and a stylish jumper in the other two phases. Sarah and Blou were double clear to finish 36th in the big Belton Park CIC3* earlier this year in their key prep run, and they did an Advanced combined test at Weston Park earlier this month. It’s always exciting to have combinations join us from across the pond, so give them a big cheer on Thursday.

Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter: Everyone’s favorite vet is one of our Rolex rookies this year, and after watching from the sidelines at Kentucky for many years, I’m thrilled Kevin is getting a chance to go around the course himself. Kevin and Butterfly have been training hard under the watchful eye of Phillip Dutton, and they had a very good showing at both Carolina International and The Fork. Kevin will be looking for an accurate dressage test and a safe trip around Derek’s course in his Rolex debut.

Julie Norman and Consensus: Julie and Thomas are another pair contesting their first Rolex this year, and they’re one of my personal favorites to watch. They just did their first CCI3* at Fair Hill last fall where they jumped clear across the country. While they’re new to the level, the horse is incredibly game on cross country, and he’s definitely the type you want to be sitting on in your first trip around Kentucky. They’re still fitting the puzzle pieces together in the little white box, but look for them to have a good go on Saturday.

Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sally Cousins and Tsunami: Always a blast to watch, Sue gets away with her distaste for dressage by being a beast on cross-country day. There’s no question they’ll jump clear in their third trip together across the Kentucky bluegrass. Sue has scored a 60 in the dressage in both of her appearances at Rolex, and I know Sally would love to crack the 50s with this sassy mare. Sue doesn’t need extra runs, so she’s had a quiet spring prep, most recently winning the Advanced B division at The Fork. Look for this mare to play with the course on Saturday.

Kate Chadderton and Collection Pass: Another of the OTTBs competing at Rolex — and one of many talented OTTBs in Kate’s barn — little Cole is a total sweetheart and a real trier. While still relatively new to this level, he’s very game cross country and should have a good romp around the cross country come Saturday. Cole ran the Advanced at Carolina International CIC3* and had his final prep run in the Intermediate last weekend at Plantation Field.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM: Last year’s USEF National Champions at this event thanks to their fourth-place finish, Buck and Reggie are back this year looking to improve on that placing. And they’re in a very good position to do it, with the horse looking super following his comeback after the injury that kept them out of Aachen last year. Buck and Reggie were second in the Carolina International CIC3* and fourth in the The Fork CIC3*, so they’ve had an ideal prep for what should be a very good weekend for them.

Lillian Heard and Share Option: Yet another of our Rolex first-timers, Lillian and Whitey are definitely a pair you should keep your eyes on this weekend. They capped Whitey’s comeback season last year with a 10th-place finish in the Fair Hill CCI3*, and they’ve come out very strong again this year, finishing in the top 10 in all three of their runs at the Advanced level this spring. Whitey is very good in the dressage, so they could be right up there with the big names at the end of the day on Friday.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our preview!

Monday Rolex Social Media Roundup

By on Apr 21, 2014 6:00 pm -
Collection Pass ready to load on the trailer for Kentucky this morning. Photo via Kate Chadderton's Facebook page. Collection Pass ready to load on the trailer for Kentucky this morning. Photo via Kate Chadderton's Facebook page.

With the European horses already on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds and most of the American horses leaving for Rolex this morning, our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram news feeds have been blowing up with photos from riders. Here’s a smattering of posts I came across today. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @goeventing, tweet at @eventingnation and post photos to our Facebook page all throughout Rolex.

Post by Lynn Symansky Equestrian.

Post by Surefire Eventing.

Post by Ellen Doughty.

 

 

Post by Dragonfire Farm.

 

 

 

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken at Last Year’s Rolex

By on Apr 21, 2014 4:30 pm -

Here’s a Rolex throwback from last year’s competition when Team Tredstep Ireland rider Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken scored 53.7 in their dressage test to tie for equal 17th place going into cross country. Rox has had another year to get stronger and more settled, and I expect we’ll see them knock a few points off that score this year in the horse’s second four-star appearance. Go Rox!

Tredstep

Your Guide to Watching Rolex Presented by SmartPak

By on Apr 21, 2014 1:30 pm -

If you won’t be in Kentucky this week to watch all the Rolex action in person, don’t despair! Our good friends at SmartPak are sponsoring a live stream of the entire event on USEF Network, so you can watch every minute from the comfort of your computer.

USEF Network Live Broadcast Schedule:
• April 24: Dressage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
• April 25: Dressage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
• April 26: Cross country from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
• April 27: Show jumping from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. EST

FEI TV: For those who don’t live in the States and can’t access USEF Network, FEI TV will air live coverage of Saturday’s cross country and Sunday’s show jumping. Visit www.feitv.org to see broadcast times in your area.

NBC: The NBC broadcast of Rolex is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 4. Go set your DVR!

And watching the live coverage on USEF Network is much more fun if you join in on the EN live blogs presented by SmartPak. Join Leslie, John and special guests as they offer live analysis and commentary ringside from the Kentucky Horse Park. We’ll be posting links to the live blogs each day on EN.

[USEF Network]

Andrew Nicholson Withdraws Quimbo from Rolex

By on Apr 21, 2014 9:00 am -
Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo at Rolex in 2012. Photo by Jenni Autry. Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo at Rolex in 2012. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In a last-minute turn of events, Andrew Nicholson has withdrawn reigning Rolex champion Quimbo from Rolex and will presumably aim the horse for Badminton instead, where he also has his London Olympic partner Nereo entered. That leaves the Silver Fox with just one mount, 2012 Burghley winner Avebury, at Kentucky.

Aside from the pairs we expected to see withdraw following weekend announcements — Kristi Nunnink and R-Star and Buck Davidson with Mar de Amor and The Apprentice — Emily Renfoe and Walk the Line and Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton, who are slated to go to Badminton, have also withdrawn.

That brings the total number of entries to 63, down from the record 82 combinations that had entered as of the closing date. It will still be a sizable field in comparison to last year when just 46 pairs presented at the first trot up last year. Stay locked on EN for all the news on withdrawals in these final two days before the first horse inspection.

[Rolex Entry List]

Buck Davidson Picks Petite Flower, Ballynoe Castle RM, Park Trader for Rolex

By on Apr 20, 2014 9:00 am -
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ever since Buck Davidson entered an impressive five horses at Rolex, we’ve been waiting to see which three he would choose to ride. He decided this morning those three will be Caroline and Sherrie Martin’s Petite Flower and Ballynoe Castle RM and Park Trader, both owned by Buck’s longtime supporters Carl and Cassie Segal. “All five of the horses are fit, sound and well,” Buck said this morning. “The Apprentice and Mar de Amor will go to New Jersey.”

As a member of the Petite Flower fan club, I’m thrilled to see this little powerhouse go. And she’s a special entry for Buck’s team too, as Bruce Sr. bred the mare. She capped a great season last year by winning the Galway Downs International CCI3*, but has had some stops on cross country early this season. With this being her first four-star, Buck will likely be looking to give Flower an easy go. But Buck is also one of the gutsiest cross-country riders out there, so don’t be surprised if he ends up delivering a clear, fast trip.

This will be Park Trader’s second Rolex, as Kobe completed his first four-star at this event last year, finishing in 22nd place. Kobe has always been a challenging, quirky ride — look to see if Buck wears a crash hat in the dressage at Kentucky! — but the hard work has paid off, culminating in a second-place finish in the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* last fall. They’re poised for a great crack at Kentucky.

Reggie gives a pony ride 3-year-old Riley. Photo courtesy of Buck Davidson.

Reggie gives a pony ride to 3-year-old Riley. Photo courtesy of Buck Davidson.

And then there’s the star of the show, Balleynoe Castle RM, who found time during his spring prep for Rolex to not only play a starring role in super groom Kathleen Blauth’s wedding but also to give pony rides. He’s pictured above with Kathleen’s 3-year-old daughter Riley Murray during the horse’s final ride before shipping to Kentucky. Buck and Reggie were last year’s USEF National Champions at Rolex thanks to their fourth-place finish, but don’t think that’s good enough for Buck.

He told me at Carolina International that the horse is so good he feels like he needs to apologize to Carl and Cassie every time Reggie doesn’t win. With Andrew Nicholson returning with last year’s winner Quimbo, William Fox-Pitt looking to take the victory himself with 2013 Pau winner Seacookie TSF and a slew of competitive American combinations also entered, it’s going to a very exciting Rolex Kentucky.

It’s also worth noting that both Balleynoe Castle RM and Park Trader were also accepted at Badminton, so that will free up two more spots on the entry list. Harry Dzenis and Xam and Megan Heath and St. Daniel are the next two pairs on the waiting list there. Happy Easter, EN! Go Rolex, and Go Eventing.

The View from Colorado Presented By World Equestrian Brands

By on Apr 18, 2014 6:00 pm -

EN loves photos shot between the ears! If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] with a quick blurb about the photo’s story. This week’s View comes to us from Angelika Beutel in Colorado.

Angelika Beutel: "This picture was taken last Sunday in Loveland, Colo. My horse Varekai, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood, got to go on a trail ride in the Colorado mountains before we are heading out to Arizona for our first prelim HTs of the season."

From Angelika Beutel: “This picture was taken last Sunday in Loveland, Colo. My horse Varekai, an 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood, got to go on a trail ride in the Colorado mountains before we are heading out to Arizona for our first prelim HTs of the season.”

worldequestrianbrandslogo210.jpg2_

Friday Score Update from Fair Hill and Holly Hill

By on Apr 18, 2014 5:00 pm -
Nyls Du Terroir after a double clean show jumping round in the Fair Hill CIC3*. Photo via Kate Samuels. Nyls Du Terroir after a double clean show jumping round in the Fair Hill CIC3*. Photo via Kate Samuels.

A few riders are getting in some last-minute prep for Rolex at events this weekend. Phillip Dutton is riding Otis Barbotiere and Shamwari 4 at Fair Hill, and both horses have been removed from the Rolex entry list, meaning Boyd Martin won’t be trying to get in some dressage practice with his broken leg. Rolex riders Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz, Daniel Clasing and Houston, Selena O’Hanlon with Bellaney Rock and Foxwood High, and Jan Byyny and Inmidair are all getting in final prep at Fair Hill.

The CIC3* division at Fair Hill did both dressage and show jumping today, Kurt Martin and Anna Bella moved to the lead on 46.5 after jumping double clear, one of just three pairs to do so — the others being own own Kate Samuels and Nyls Du Terroir and Kendal Lehari and Totally Frank. Sharon White and Under Suspection dropped one rail to remain in second on 47.8, and Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4 pulled two rails to drop from first to third on 51.5.

Lucia Strini and Sammy Jo lead the CIC2* division on 45.8 at Fair Hill, which just did dressage today. Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby are in second place on 50.3., and Waylon Roberts and Yarrow are in third on 50.5. Waylon and Bill Owen lead the CIC* on 43.1 after dressage, with Chase Shipka and Victory Shetan in second on 43.4 and Allie Nelson and Total Eclipse in third on 46.9. Live scores are lagging a bit in the Open Intermediate and Advanced divisions. Click here to follow along with those.

The action also got underway today at Holly Hill, where Rolex bound Julie Norman and Consensus are the only pair in the Advanced/Intermediate combined test; they scored 37.5 in dressage. In the Open Intermediate division, Heather Morris is sitting in both first and second after dressage and show jumping with Europop and Patent Pending on scores of 35.6 and 36.7, respectively. Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III are in third on 42.2. Click here for a rundown of scores in all the divisions at Holly Hill.

[Fair Hill International April H.T Scores]

[Holly Hill Spring H.T. Scores]

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Kristi Nunnink Retires R-Star Due to Irregular Heartbeat

By on Apr 18, 2014 1:26 pm -
Kristi Nunnink and R-Star at Pau. Photo by Jenni Autry. Kristi Nunnink and R-Star at Pau. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In a shocking announcement, Kristi Nunnink has retired R-Star due to an irregular heartbeat just days before the mare was set to compete at Rolex. Kristi said Rosie has had a mild heart condition that never caused issues before, and the mare had never had an irregular heartbeat until recently when she brought the mare to Pennsylvania to begin their prep for Rolex. Suddenly Rosie began struggling with her training gallops up Nelson’s Hill in Unionville.

“All of a sudden she started having an irregular heartbeat when she gallops,” Kristi said. “New Bolton came out and ran a bunch of tests. They said she could maybe still compete, but it’s just not worth the risk. If her heart started beating irregularly while she was running cross country, she could collapse. I just love her so much, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to her.”

This new development comes as a huge shock, as the mare had been coping fine with the heart condition. Kristi and Rosie won the Galway Downs CIC3* just a few weeks ago and were looking poised to improve on their 8th place finish at Rolex last year. “It’s tough because she’s so sound for her age,” Kristi said. “I feel like all of a sudden all the pieces were coming together. Her dressage has been phenomenal lately. But it’s more important that her heart keeps beating.”

Kristi had always planned to breed Rosie at some point. Now that timeline has been sped up, and she’ll be looking for a Thoroughbred stallion to do the honors. In the meantime, she’s trying to cope with the shock. Her husband Randy is flying in to Pennsylvania tonight, and Kristi said she still plans to go to Rolex despite withdrawing. “Every time I do Rolex, I never have time to go to the shops or enjoy everything the event has to offer. I have a bunch of supporters who are planning to be there.”

The eventing community specializes in rallying around our own in times of need. Please join us in sending love to Kristi and Randy and everyone who loves Rosie as they process this very unexpected news. And if you’re going to Rolex and see Kristi there, be sure to give her a huge hug. Even though this is very sad news, what matters is Rosie is sound and healthy, and Kristi has absolutely made the best decision for her. Go Rosie.

Remington XXV Officially Retires From Upper Levels

By on Apr 18, 2014 12:35 pm -
Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV at Plantation Field. Photo by Jenni Autry. Caitlin Silliman and Remington XXV at Plantation Field. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caitlin Silliman announced today that Densey and Ron Juvonen’s Remington XXV will retire from the upper levels to enjoy the next chapter of his career with Camilla Grover-Dodge, the Juvonen’s granddaughter. This marks the end of a storied career at the upper levels for the 18-year-old Hanoverian gelding, who completed three CCI4* events placing 12th or better and was named a reserve horse for the 2012 Olympic Games with previous rider Boyd Martin. 

Remi had a semi-retirement following the London Olympic selection process in 2012 when he stepped down from four-stars and Boyd handed the reins to Caitlin so she could gain experience at the two- and three-star level. Together, Caitlin and Remi finished third at Plantation Field CIC2*, won the Jersey Fresh CCI2* and completed two CIC3* events, as well as several Advanced level horse trials.

“I cannot thank the Juvonens enough for the chance to ride Remi. This horse has helped further my riding in a variety of ways, and the experiences I have gained from being able to have him as a partner at the upper levels are irreplaceable,” Caitlin said in a press release issued by Athletux. “I owe a huge thank you to Boyd for his support with Remi and for making it possible for me to gain the ride on him, not to mention for making him the horse he is today.”

Remi is currently enjoying a short break before beginning the next chapter of his career at the lower levels with Camilla, the Juvonen’s oldest granddaughter. “Remi is sound, healthy and happy competing, and I know he will love teaching Camilla at the lower levels,” Caitlin said. “I am very excited for her, and look forward to cheering the two of them on in the final stages of this incredible horse’s career.”

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Donner Back in Action

By on Apr 16, 2014 4:30 pm -

Donner has been on a break this spring after a routine exam at the training sessions found some fill in one of his ankles. That means he’s been in dressage boot camp all winter, and Lynn Symansky’s hard work looks to be paying off beautifully. Donner went to Morningside Training Farm over the weekend to practice the same four-star test he’ll perform in the test ride at Rolex a week from tomorrow. How do you think he did?

KPP EN600x100-FW3

Horse & Style: Where Is Udonna Now?

By on Apr 16, 2014 1:30 pm -
Marilyn Litte and Udonna at Pine Top in 2011. Photo by Kate Samuels. Marilyn Litte and Udonna at Pine Top in 2011. Photo by Kate Samuels.

It’s been three years now since Udonna evented, but she left quite an impression on fans of the sport — anyone remember that gutsy derby cross performance where she left out a stride between those angled brushes? I always liked this mare, especially her bold — maybe sometimes too bold! — style over fences, and Horse & Style Magazine has a great story in this month’s issue on what Udonna is up to now.

Gabriela Mershad, 18, leased the mare for a year before buying her in 2012, and they’ve been successfully campaigning together in the jumpers ever since. “It feels amazing to ride her,” Gabriela told Horse & Style. “I’m always wanting to go clear, and I’m a big one on trusting the animal. With Udonna, I never feel nervous. No matter what happens I know she has my back.”

Gabriela and Udonna competed in the $95,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix series earlier this year at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and Marilyn watches their rounds whenever her schedule matches up: “In the moments when Gabriela wasn’t as confident, Udonna’s confidence has carried her. And in the moments when Gabriela was ready to win, Udonna was there for her,” Marilyn told Horse & Style. “It’s a great partnership.”

Click here to read the full story in Horse & Style Magazine.

Dressage at Rolex Then Saumur for Doug Payne and Crown Talisman

By on Apr 16, 2014 11:26 am -
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We’ve been waiting to hear whether Doug Payne would contest Rolex with Crown Talisman or head to Saumur CCI3* with his Land Rover grant. Doug announced on his blog this morning that he and Tali will just do the dressage at Rolex to expose the horse to a big atmosphere before withdrawing from the remaining phases and heading to Saumur.

Doug explains his rationale over on his blog: “I’ve made a concerted effort to enter shows or events which offer the greatest atmosphere to improve his ability to cope with exciting, large environments. He is well on his way and has continued to get better with each outing, but this is an ongoing process. …

“Last week I received the email from Joanie Morris delivering the great news that I was a recipient of the Land Rover grant! For me it’s a humbling experience receiving validation of a lifetime of efforts and the past six years with Tali. I am incredibly thankful both to Land Rover as well as the countless individual donors who have afforded me this opportunity. It’s a great feeling knowing you have the backing of so many, I hope you all can share this experience with me.

“So what about my Rolex entry? I am still going to still attend this year for the Dressage phase being that there is no other place in this hemisphere to gain exposure on the world stage. Tali and I will no doubt come away from the experience stronger, more resilient and better prepared for Saumur and beyond. This is an invaluable opportunity!”

Click over to Doug’s blog for his full post. It goes without saying that Tali is a very exciting course for the future, and I like that the horse will get to see a big atmosphere at Rolex before tackling a Pierre Michelet course in France. It’s definitely a smart move on Doug’s part. Go Tali!

[More on Doug’s Blog]