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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

Mary Hirsch: Saturday Update from Texas Rose Horse Park

By on Mar 31, 2013 11:00 am -

Mary Hirsch sent in an excellent report yesterday from the Area V Pro Pony Challenge at the Texas Rose Horse Trials. She’s back today with all the action from the dressage and show jumping in the first Advanced division to be held in the history of the horse park. She also gives a sneak peak of the Easter-themed cross-country course. Take it away, Mary!

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Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon narrowly lead the field after dressage and show jumping in the first Advanced outing for the long-time partnership. Photo by Mary Hirsch.

Ellen Doughty and Sir Oberon are leading the Advanced division in their debut at this level following Saturday’s dressage and show jumping at the Texas Rose Horse Park. “He’s good in dressage and a good jumper, he’s a good horse,” Ellen said. The pair are well prepared and Ellen is “not surprised we are doing well — just surprised to be in the lead at this point.”

As for Sunday’s cross country, “He’s good, careful and scopey, and I’m not worried about making the time,” Ellen said. She hopes for a qualifying round to help in working toward a 3*, as well as Rebecca Farm, Richland Park and Fair Hill — all on the Ellen and Obie’s agenda for this year.

Although this is the first Advanced course offered in Area V in more than 20 years, the small field of seven have only two first-timers at the level: Ellen and Samantha Garbarino, who is riding Chasing Liberty. Holding second place, Jacob Fletcher and The Prof come off an inspiring winter record of three horse trials and no jumping or time faults, including Jacob’s first Advanced and first 3*. That 3* was won by Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice, with the likes of Marilyn Little, Buck Davidson and more notables in the field, making Jacob’s top-half finish even more impressive for the first time at the level.

Currently in third and less than three points behind the leader, Mike Huber is showing No Money Down the ropes in the horse’s first Advanced. Rowdie Adams owns and does the training on No Money Down, and she is on the grounds while also caring for her own injuries that are keeping her temporarily out of the saddle.

In four, Angela Grzywinski and Novelle are reasonably pleased with a 39.7 dressage and very happy with a forward, positive double-clear show jumping round. The remainder of the field is all within 10 points of the leader and has substantial preparatory eventing experience behind them, so it is still anyone’s game. Samantha Garbarino and Chasing Liberty are the only other first-time Advanced pair in the field. Julie Norman on Consensus and Emma Kate Fisher on Carlingford’s Forever have both had successful Advanced outings within the past 12 months.

Texas Rose begins upper-level cross-country at 8 a.m CST today with Preliminary. Intermediate will begin at 10:19 a.m. CST, and Advanced at 11:18 a.m. CST. Training will ride cross country all afternoon. Novice and BN completed cross-country yesterday and will jump for the ribbons in the show jumping arenas today. See the course walk photos below for a few early previews. Stay tuned to Eventing Nation for updates and photos!

[Texas Rose Live Scores]

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice at Galway Downs

By on Mar 31, 2013 9:00 am -

Hawley Bennett-Award and Gin & Juice won their third CIC3* event this month yesterday at Galway Downs International Horse Trials. Here’s a look at their double clear cross-country round, which sealed the win. We’ve been spoiled this month with all of Hawley’s great helmet cam videos, like this one from Copper Meadows. My fingers are crossed that Hawley also wears the helmet cam at Rolex. Many thanks to Hawley for taking the time to send these in. Go eventing!

Hawley’s Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

By on Mar 31, 2013 12:01 am -

Jennifer McFall on High Times in the Galway Downs CIC3*. Photo by Bill Olson.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice put in a double clear cross-country round yesterday to win the Galway Downs CIC3*, which is their third CIC3* win this month. The pair also won the CIC3* at Twin Rivers and Copper Meadows. After a month of incredible performances, I’m so excited to see Hawley and Ginny go at Rolex. Hawley’s weekend at Galway with Five O’Clock Somewhere was also going well until she took a tumble in cross country. Thankfully, both Hawley and Chunky are OK. Best of luck to Hawley, Chunky and Ginny at Rolex. Look for Hawley’s Galway helmet cam with Ginny on EN later this morning!

Events This Weekend:

Galway Downs International HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse Spring HT:  [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Morven Park Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Texas Rose Horse Park HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Sunday Links:

Bennett-Awad Victorious at Galway Downs

Area I Announces Eventing Scholarships

Documentary on Hickstead to Come Out this Year

Injured Jockeys Relax on Donated Waterbeds

Oklahoma’s Governor Signs Horse Slaughter Bill

Welsh Poll Reveals Impact of Horse Meat Scandal

SmartPak Helps You Decide Between Barefoot or Shod

The Internet Can Bring Breeders and Riders Together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phlrM22I4Vk
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot at Rocking Horse 

 ERS-Eventing.com provides riders with an interactive online portal that showcases product information, demonstrations, tutorials and reviews from fellow competitors and top international riders.

Rebecca Howard Makes Her Mark at Fontainebleau

By on Mar 29, 2013 8:56 am -

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master at The Fork last year.

We haven’t heard from Rebecca Howard on EN since she wrote an excellent guest blog following the Olympics last year. While that post had a rather somber tone due to Canada’s disappointing results at the Games, I caught up with her on Skype yesterday to discuss a much happier subject: her sixth-place finish with Riddle Master at the Fontainebleau CIC3* last weekend. Rebecca stayed in England following the Olympics and is now riding with New Zealanders Tim Price and Jonelle Richards at Mere Farm in Wiltshire. While Rebecca loves living and training in this eventing mecca, England’s less-than-stellar weather put a damper on her training regime leading up to Fontainebleau.

“There was a little bit of improvising with my schedule due to all the bad weather we’ve been having over here,” Rebecca said. “I was really lucky because I had an early entry at Isleham Horse Trials, which is one of the first events that runs over here. The ground was really good at intermediate. Rupert was supposed to run again at Tweseldown. The intermediate did run there, but the ground was just really muddy. He also had a skin problem right where the saddle needed to go, so he ended up with a little time off and was down one run from what I had originally planned leading up to Fontainebleau.”

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Kicking on in France

Rebecca and Rupert had a solid 12th place finish at Isleham in an intermediate division that reads like a Who’s Who of British eventing. Since she didn’t get in a cross-country run at Tweseldown like she had planned, Rebecca took Rupert to one final cross-country schooling before Fontainebleau to give him a chance to jump into water one more time. “I was less worried about him,” Rebecca said. “It was more than I wanted another run cross country for myself. I felt like I was a bit tentative around my first track at Isleham. I knew I needed to kick on at Fontainebleau for sure.”

Rupert settled in beautifully in his warmup for dressage at Fontainebleau, showing Rebecca that he’s becoming a horse who knows his job in all three phases. “This was one of the first times at an event in that type of environment that he felt the same in the ring as he did in warmup,” Rebecca said. “It’s quite cool; he’s really turning into a professional.” Rebecca and Rupert performed a beautiful, accurate dressage test to score 41, which put them in sixth place in an all-star field. “Rupert’s trot work has been quite strong over the past year and a half,” Rebecca said. “It’s where he gets the majority of his marks. The canter work has been weaker, and the changes have been a work in progress. This was my first test where I’ve had all of them clean, so that was great to nail the canter work for the first time. I was also really happy with his rideability and relaxation in the ring, which is something that continues to get better.”

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Trying a new strategy

The Fontainebleau cross-country course required good, positive riding, with lines that were forward and fairly direct. “You had to start off galloping; otherwise, you would be behind on the clock,” Rebecca said. “The time was quite hard to make — unless you’re Michael Jung; he’s a freak!” This was Rebecca’s first cross-country run with Rupert in a pelham, which she said helped a lot with his tendency to become tense through his neck. “He’s never been a strong horse, but he can be a bit rude,” Rebecca said. “I put him in a pelham and now he actually takes a little more of a hold and I have better communication with him. I felt like I was able to have a smooth ride, which is a good feeling.”

Rebecca and Rupert picked up 5.1 time penalties on cross country to move up one spot to fifth place. In show jumping, the two pulled a rail to finish Fontainbleau in sixth place. “The horse is a very good jumper and really tries his heart out,” Rebecca said. “The rail was totally my fault. It was a seven- or eight-stride line into the triple combination. I really wanted a seven, and I stayed too direct and got a bit too deep to the triple. He tried hard, but had the middle part down. From his standpoint, he really couldn’t have been better all weekend. He would have jumped a clean round had it not been for those little mistakes on my part.”

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Ready for Badminton

Rebecca’s success at Fontainebleau served as an excellent preparation for Badminton, where she and Rupert will compete for the first time. Rupert will have one more run at either Weston Park or Belton Park before tackling one of the most challenging cross-country courses in the world. “I’ve never been to Badminton; I’ve never even spectated it,” Rebecca said. “It’s certainly one of the pinnacle, historic events in the sport. Any rider would be chomping at the bit for a chance to compete. I certainly have a great horse to jump around my first Badminton. I certainly hope to be competitive and not just there to hang out. I’m just going to try to keep my eyes wide open and learn everything I can from everyone around me.”

With the excellent run at Fontainebleau under her belt, Rebecca feels like she can finally move past the Olympics. “The baggage from the Games lasted a bit longer than I even expected,” Rebecca said. “We went to Blenheim after London, and Rupert got it done, but it was not the best feeling. It’s been a winter of change and new places and really trying to learn new things and stretch my ability and knowledge. It’s been both exciting and frustrating. Some days you feel like everyone is so much better than you, and I’m back to trying to figure things out again in another country. Through the winter, you never really know where you are until you can go and put yourself against some of these top horses and riders. It was a big confidence boost, and I’m certainly going to use that going into Badminton.”

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 29, 2013 12:01 am -

From EN reader Steve Joyce: "It is never too early to start them on farm chores. Nora Kate Joyce (15 months old) helps feed the broodmares at Cabin White Farm. Truth be told, she insisted on helping and having both buckets! Pretty good indicator she may be tough between the red and white."

Entries for the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* are still rolling in — so quickly that I couldn’t keep up with the additions yesterday in my update posts. Twelve entries were added to the official entry list on the Rolex website yesterday afternoon, bringing the current total number of entries to 54. The list shows a wonderful mix of seasoned, veteran four-star riders and younger, up-and-coming riders who will be contesting their first four-star. We’re excited to see new horses and riders taking the challenge and look forward to cheering them on in person in just a few weeks!

Events This Weekend:

Galway Downs International HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Full Gallop HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Rocking Horse Spring HT:  [Website] [Ride Times]

Morven Park Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Texas Rose Horse Park HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Your Friday News:

Sixteen horses will contest the Galway Downs CIC3* this weekend in Temecula, Calif., with 48 additional horses competing in the CIC2* and CIC1* divisions. Dressage begins this morning at 10:50 a.m. PST. Show jumping is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. PST this afternoon. The CIC divisions will run cross country tomorrow. [USEF]

Equine Canada is speaking out against a new proposal that would allow only one country to qualify for the Olympics at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. Under the current rules, two countries are allowed to qualify in eventing and dressage through the Pan Ams. The Americas contain more than 30 percent of all FEI-member countries in the world. [Horsetalk]

EN’s own Jessica Bortner-Harris will be on the Horses in the Morning Radio Show this morning. After Glen the Geek and Jamie Jennings read Jessica’s post on trailering here on EN, they decided to have her on the show to talk more in-depth on the topic. Tune in at 9 a.m. EST today to hear Jessica on the show. [Horses in the Morning]

An Equine Disease Communications Center may be coming soon to the U.S. thanks to the work of two key industry groups. The American Horse Council and the American Association of Equine Practitioners are campaigning for increased biosecurity, education and a plan to stop the spread of diseases after an outbreak. [Horsetalk]

Two new EHV-1 cases in California have been linked to HITS Thermal. A Welsh-cross gelding in Santa Barbara Country and a warmblood stallion in San Diego County have both tested positive for the non-neuropathogenic EHV-1 strain. The warmblood stallion is also displaying mild neurological signs. [Horsetalk]

SmartPak Product of the Day: After giving away a Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt to EN reader Molly Bucci in the SmartPak Mystery Product contest last week, I’ve been browsing technical riding shirts that will help keep me cool on hot days this summer. I really like the look of the SmartPak Cool-Tech Show Shirt. It’s super affordable, looks sharp and has excellent customer reviews. [SmartPak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6RPZU1ZZCA
Jolie Wentworth and Killian O’Connor at last year’s Galway Downs CIC3* 

Rolex Entry Update: 42 Are Entered [Update: Now 51!]

By on Mar 28, 2013 3:11 pm -

Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me at Rolex last year. Photo by Heather McGreer.

The entry deadline for Rolex has officially passed, leaving us with 42 fantastic horse-and-rider combinations who will tackle North America’s premier event. With 2013 being a non-championship or Olympic year, entries were expected to be a little down. Some key pairs also won’t be competing this year due to injuries, while other leading North American riders are saving their horse’s legs for overseas events later this year. Still, we have an impressive lineup that will arrive at Kentucky in just three short weeks. Which horse and rider are you rooting for?

The third installments of the Rolex Featured Rider blogs have also been posted. Sinead Halpin has not posted a third installment, as she reported in Part 2 that Manoir De Carneville will not run at Rolex due to a clinic evaluation that raised concerns with Team USA vets. Stephen Blauner, a member of the Neville Bardos Syndicate, reports in his third blog that Neville Bardos will not compete at Rolex due to a mild suspensory strain, as Samantha Clark initially reported at Southern Pines. However, Stephen indicated that Trading Aces will compete, which will be the horse’s first four-star event. We’ll continue to keep you updated with all the developments regarding the entry list for Rolex.

Jennie Brannigan [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
Will Coleman [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
Stephen Blauner [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]
Sinead Halpin [Part 1] [Part 2]

5 p.m. update: Nine additional entries came in after we initially made this post, bringing the total to 51. Boyd Martin and Trading Aces are now entered. Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott are also entered, as are Jessica Phoenix and Exponential. It’s also great to see Will Coleman and Twizzel, who will retire following Rolex, officially on the list. Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star are also on the list. We aren’t seeing her entered with Remington due to FEI qualification snafus, as Samantha Clark explained in this post from Southern Pines. Congrats and best of luck to the nine new entries!

Click here to view the entry list for Rolex as of 5 p.m. March 28:

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Click here to view the full entry list on the Rolex website.

Karen O’Connor Clinic Report

By on Mar 28, 2013 12:58 pm -

Brooke Schafer sent us this excellent clinic report from Karen O’Connor’s first clinic since her rotational fall at Morven Park last fall. It’s fantastic to see Karen back teaching clinics again. She’s well loved at Holly Hill Farm in Benton, La., where she taught this clinic. Remember that all reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month! Send submissions to [email protected].

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Julie Norman and Consensus jump into the water with Karen O'Connor teaching in the background. All photos by Brooke Schafer.

From Brooke:

This week, Holly Hill Farm in Benton, La., hosted a spring break two-day clinic with Karen O’Connor. This was Karen’s first clinic back since her fall nearly five months ago, and, in her words, she claimed she wouldn’t have started back anywhere else but Holly Hill. She has been coming to Holly Hill twice a year to give clinics for nearly 20 years. Karen was in great shape, and the Holly Hill group was excited to see her back!

Tuesday of the clinic consisted of stadium jumping, while Wednesday was spent out on the cross-country course. On Tuesday, Karen set up exercises that would help horse and rider focus on distances and riding straight. She emphasized the concept of “a pair of hands for one mouth,” saying that the horse only has one mouth and the rider needs to ride with their hands together, not each hand separately.

She also said it was important that as riders we learn to “do more and have it look like less,” so that we were more in tune with our horse’s every move. She stated that we needed to “be proactive not reactive” and emphasized correct position in our upper bodies and lower leg. Exercises consisted of two jumps that were three strides apart and then collecting the horse’s canter to create four strides between the jumps to promote accuracy.

Karen also set up a bounce exercise consisting of six bounces to help improve the horse’s footwork and the rider’s position. Cross-country exercises focused on speed, impulsion, position and pushing riders beyond their normal comfort level. Karen pushed each rider to ride accurately and encourage the horse to jump from the base of the jump, not simply fly across the exercise. Overall, it was a great clinic with talented horses and riders, and we were so happy to have Karen back!

EN’s Got Talent: A Little Romance Lives Up to Expectations

By on Mar 28, 2013 9:00 am -

We hear all the time about horses at the top of the sport, but what about the next generation of equine talent? EN’s Got Talent introduces the future superstars of the sport, interviewing riders about how they’re tackling training with these youngsters. Have you spotted a spectacular young horse at an event you think should be highlighted in this column? Tip me at [email protected].

Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance at Red Hills. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Last week we met Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance, a coming 8-year-old Trakehner mare owned by Don and Anita Leschied of Ontario. After an excellent showing in the indoor eventing at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November, “Blue Eyes” had some time off before starting up her competition season again this year. After placing 17th in Ocala last month in a very competitive intermediate division, she performed incredibly well at Pine Top Advanced, where she placed seventh in her open intermediate division.

“She’s always been a super cool horse, but she always jumped at whatever level you were going,” Jessica said. “The first time I thought this horse could go Advanced was when I took her around the intermediate cross-country course at Pine Top. It’s a beautiful galloping course with maxed-out tables. She stepped up to the plate and covered all the distances.” Blue ran her first CIC2* this month at Red Hills, where she showed once again how competitive she can be at the upper levels. She finished eighth there and stepped up even more last weekend with a fifth-place finish in a large CIC2* division at Poplar Place.

Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance at Red Hills. Photos by Dove (www.photosbydove.net).

“She has definitely lived up to my expectations,” Jessica said. “I’m a big believer in doing what the horse is ready for. I will move them up and down the levels as they need to. She does everything we’ve asked her to do so easily.” Jessica hopes to take Blue to the CCI2* in Ocala next month and possibly the CCI2* at Fair Hill this fall. “I think she’d be a great candidate for the Pan Ams in Toronto,” Jessica said. “Our overall goal is to just take her as far as she wants to go. Who knows if that will be the Olympics or World Equestrian Games or the Pan Ams.”

A Little Romance is hardly the first baby by A Fine Romance, the Thoroughbred stallion better known as “Fred,” to compete successfully in eventing. Selena O’Hanlon’s A First Romance completed the Fair Hill CCI3* last fall and most recently finished 12th in the CIC3* at Red Hills. Jacqueline Mars owns two stunning fillies by Fred, Landmark’s Legendary Romance and Landmark’s Ginger Rogers. Leah Lang-Gluscic owns A Novel Romance, who is just starting his eventing career and reportedly has extraordinary movement. Peter Barry, Lauren Kieffer and Allison Springer also have horses in their barns sired by Fred.

Blue undoubtedly gets much of her lovely movement and scopey jump from Fred, as well as her dam, Samlandfurstin, a Trakehner mare sired by Donaufurst and owned by the Leschieds. “Reegan” competed successfully at training level, but a suspensory issue kept her from moving up the levels. She was first bred to Aberjack before producing a foal by A Fine Romance. “I’ve seen a lot of really fantastic babies by A Fine Romance,” Jessica said. “I have a couple of students at home riding some of his babies too. They are very good jumpers that have a reputation of being a bit challenging on the flat in the beginning. But they all have the movement, scope in their jump and heart to gallop. It’s an exciting future for Blue and the rest of A Fine Romance’s offspring.”

Next week on EN’s Got Talent: We’ll meet FR’s Trust Fund, a talented 6-year-old homebred gelding owned by Kyle and Jen Carter, who seems to draw a crowd at each of his events. Finn is by Tinka Too, a Dutch/Irish stallion with Olympic show jumping lines, and out of a Thoroughbred mare Kyle competed at Rolex in 1993. The horse has now run four intermediates and is showing incredible potential to be a superstar at the upper levels. “Everybody thinks they have a special foal, but it’s what they grow into that really matters,” Kyle said. “When he was 3, he really started to look like he could be something. He would just float across the field. People who would come to the farm to school cross country would always notice him and ask about him” — including Bruce Davidson and David O’Connor.

Rolex Entry Update: More Big Names Added

By on Mar 25, 2013 5:00 pm -

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice have had an excellent preparation for Rolex this spring, most recently winning the Red Hills CIC3*. Photo by Samantha Clark.

The Rolex entry list has nearly doubled since our update from last week. There are now 37 horses and riders entered, with many more expected to come in before tomorrow’s entry deadline. While Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz appear on the list, Colleen has posted on her Facebook page that she is sixth on the wait list for Badminton. Assuming she makes it off the wait list, she and Luke will make the trip across the pond. Now that the EHV threat has officially been lifted from Beaufort Hunt Stables on the Badminton grounds, some riders will no longer be using Rolex as a back-up plan, which will shift the list.

As expected, Phillip Dutton has entered Mighty Nice and Fernhill Eagle, and Jennie Brannigan has entered Cambalda. James Alliston will be making the trip from the West Coast with Parker, and Henny’s fans will be delighted to see Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton officially on the entry list. Sally Cousins, who has made it very clear she has her eyes on the World Equestrian Games next year, has entered Tsunami. While Andrew Nicholson will compete at Badminton with his London Olympic mount Nereo, he’s bringing Quimbo and Calico Joe to Kentucky. Click here to view the entry list on the Rolex website.

Here’s a look at the 37 entries:

RIDER  HORSE/OWNER NAT.
James Alliston PARKER GBR
Peter Atkins HENRY JOTA HAMPTON AUS
Hawley Bennett-Awad FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE
Rider & Sue Church		 CAN
Hawley Bennett-Awad GIN & JUICE
Rider & Linda Paine		 CAN
Emily Beshear HERE’S TO YOU
Deep Purple Eventing		 USA
Madeline Blackman GORDONSTOWN USA
Jennie Brannigan CAMBALDA
Nina Gardner		 USA
Jan Byyny SYD KENT
Rider & Richard & Jo Byyny		 USA
Jan Byyny INMIDAIR
Rider & Richard & Jo Byyny		 USA
Daniel Clasing HOUSTON USA
Sarah Cousins TSUNAMI USA
Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. MAR DE AMOR
Leigh Mesher		 USA
Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. BALLYNOE CASTLE RM
Cassandra Segal		 USA
Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr. PARK TRADER
Carl & Cassandra Segal		 USA
Phillip Dutton MIGHTY NICE
Bruce Duchossois		 USA
Phillip Dutton FERNHILL EAGLE
Team Rebecca		 USA
Will Faudree PAWLOW
Jennifer Mosing		 USA
William Fox-Pitt SEACOOKIE TSF
Catherine Witt		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt NEUF DES COEURS
David & Margie Hall and Jeremy & Judith Skinner		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt CHILLI MORNING
Christopher & Lisa Stone		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt COOL MOUNTAIN
Teresa Stopford Sackville		 GBR
Heather Gillette OUR QUESTIONNAIRE
Kathleen Mc Dermott		 USA
Becky Holder CAN’T FIRE ME
Melissa & Phil Town & Tom Holder		 USA
Micheline Jordan IRISH DIAMONDS CAN
Mary King FERNHILL URCO
Sue Davies, Mr. Edwin & Janette Chinn		 GBR
Kendal Lehari DAILY EDITION CAN
Shandiss McDonald ROCKFIELD GRANT JUAN
Jorge & Amanda Bernhard		 CAN
Robert Meyerhoff DUNLAVIN’S TOKEN
Danica Meyerhoff		 USA
Andrew Nicholson CALICO JOE
Twenty Twelve in Mind		 NZL
Andrew Nicholson QUIMBO
Deborah Sellar		 NZL
Kristi Nunnink R-STAR USA
Lindsey Oaks ENCHANTEZ
David Oaks		 USA
Emily Renfroe WALK THE LINE USA
Katie Ruppel SIR DONOVAN USA
Colleen Rutledge SHIRAZ USA
Kristin Schmolze BALLYLAFFIN BRACKEN
Rider & Bill and Janet Schmolze		 USA
Jolie Wentworth GOODKNIGHT
Tracy Bowman		 USA

Hannah Sue Burnett: Staying Busy in Ocala

By on Mar 25, 2013 11:02 am -

After winning the Fair Hill CCI3* with Harbour Pilot to conclude her 2012 season, Hannah Sue Burnett is looking ahead to what will hopefully develop into another very successful year. She most recently had a great run with Pilot at Red Hills, where the two placed 7th in the CIC3*. Hannah brings us an excellent update on her 2013 season thus far. Take it away, Hannah!

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot most recently finished 7th in the Red Hills CIC3*. Photo by Samantha Clark.

From Hannah:

We’ve been very busy so far this spring here in Ocala! Ashley and I share a house with my two good friends, Kate Lokey and Kelly Green. Kate works and rides with Lauren Kieffer, and Kelly works and rides with Karen. We rented a great little farm with a house across from Ms. Mars’ beautiful facility, where we are lucky enough to ride every day!

I have a nice group of horses this season, and they are really coming along nicely. I feel like I am beginning to get a groove on how to consistently create the type of event horse I want to be riding and competing. For some people this comes easily, and the actual competing is more difficult. Although it has taken me a little while to figure out how to consistently produce young horses to become easy and fun event horses that enjoy their job, I have become more confident this season in recreating this in different horses. This is definitely a work in progress, but now when I get to the events, my horses are more prepared and I am able to put more pressure on them and expect them to handle it.

We have been really busy this spring with multiple trips down to Wellington to practice our dressage with JJ Tate and show jumping with Marilyn Little. They have both been extremely helpful, and it’s also been really fun to go down there and watch the best in the world compete in show jumping and dressage.

The competition season has started out nicely, with most of my horses competing at Ocala Horse Trials and Rocking Horse to get them in the groove and knock off the cobwebs. I am really excited about a couple of young horses in my barn right now. My little 4-year-old TB, Thompson, who I named after the late Richard Thompson, is doing great! He did his first event at Rocking Horse III and was 2nd in BN! He is so stinkin’ adorable and was perfectly behaved the whole event. I really love this little guy. He is moving up to Novice next weekend at Rocking Horse.

I also get to compete and offer for sale Mainstay, a gorgeous, leggy 6-year-old bay OTTB owned by Annie Yeager. She’s busy becoming a famous steeplechase jockey, so I am lucky enough to train and sell her very talented young horse. He’s been 3rd at his first two Training events and is going to do one more at Rocking Horse and hopefully move up to Preliminary at Ocala.

Another promising youngster is Ashley’s Donatello. He is a very special guy with loads of talent. Despite having a slightly unsettling, “fast paced and suspended emergency dismount” that ended with Donnie galloping down the hill and clearing a 5-foot gate riderless before their first event of the season, the preparation has been going well! She has competed him successfully at Novice in her first year of eventing and is moving up to Training at Rocking Horse next weekend as well.  It’s so nice to be able to teach someone to event on such a talented (… cough, cough 5-foot gate …) horse. Best of all, he’s an OTTB!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my student, Sara Vitkus, and her two wonderful horses for her spring break vacation. She is going to compete at Rocking Horse, and then I will bring her horses and meet her at The Fork. I flew up to teach her and her mom, Christine, a couple weeks ago and had a great time. It was sleeting and snowing during the cross country lesson, but otherwise it was a great school and time with the Vitkuses. They are awesome people and have become good friends of mine.

I’m also training on David Pawlak’s horse, Just Bailey, and he will be coming in for his spring break to compete at Rocking Horse and The Fork as well. His family are also great friends of mine. David’s dad, Randy, has been my farrier for the past seven years or so and is the best!

Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot is having a good spring so far as well. He has become slightly cocky after his successful fall season last year, so we have had to change our usual easy 30-minute warm-up for dressage to a couple of rides to get him relaxed and listening. He is such a wonderful competitor and truly understands the three different phases of eventing. I’m so blessed to be riding him, and we’re shooting to travel to France for Saumur CCI*** at the end of May. We’re preparing by competing at The Fork CIC*** and Jersey Fresh CIC***.

Danio was very good at Red Hills CIC** and is making his Advanced debut at The Fork. His owner, The Neapolitan Holding Co., is very supportive and wants to take our time with him, so we might not get to a CCI this spring unless he really adapts to the new level well. He’s so talented but gets quite nervous, so it’s important to not rush him.

Woodbury has been great this spring and is moving up to Intermediate (!!!) next weekend at Rocking Horse. I’ve really built a partnership with this little horse, and he is such a talented and special horse. He is also offered for sale. I can’t thank his owner, Jann Aaron, enough for her support of my career.

Phew! So that’s the rundown of what’s going on in my life! Oh, I almost forgot; Jackson, the HSB Eventing mascot, is having a great spring as well. He is looking forward to his June wedding to his winter girlfriend, Na’vi (Kate’s black lab!). We head back to VA in early May. Thanks to all my owners, sponsors, friends and family. I couldn’t do any of this without you. Hope to see you out at the events!

Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing.com

By on Mar 24, 2013 12:01 am -

Photo courtesy of the British Eventing Facebook page

While we’ve enjoyed mild weather here in the States this weekend for Southern Pines and Poplar Place, eventers across the pond haven’t been so lucky. British Eventing canceled events at Gatcombe, Munstead and Stafford this weekend after up to a foot of snow fell in various parts of England. While the calendar officially says it’s spring, Mother Nature seems to be confused. With Punxsatawney Phil officially indicted in Ohio, who knows when we’ll see real spring weather here in the States. Stay warm, Eventing Nation.

Events This Weekend:

Poplar Place HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Southern Pines HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Sunday Links:

Will Faudree Leads the Way at Southern Pines

Badminton Acts to Ensure Event Can Go Ahead

Australian Eventers are Bound for Badminton

FEI Dismisses Complaint from Dressage Rider

U.S. Slaughter Plants Unlikely to Find EU Market

Online Video of Horse Shooting Sparks Outrage

Cattle Drug Found in Molasses-Based Feeds

Boyd’s Video Favorites from Evention

SmartPak Talks the Double Life of Electrolytes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-iO5viH9RM
Caitlin Romeo and Spirit of the Outback at Southern Pines
Video courtesy of Thehorsepesterer

ERS-Eventing.com provides riders with an interactive online portal that showcases product information, demonstrations, tutorials and reviews from fellow competitors and top international riders.

Saturday Results Update from Poplar Place and Southern Pines

By on Mar 23, 2013 7:25 pm -

Poplar Place cross country photos courtesy of course designer Tremaine Cooper.

Buck Davidson had a great day at Poplar Place, where he’s currently leading the CIC2* with Wiley Post and the Advanced with Ballynoecastle RM following dressage and show jumping. With Rolex just a few weeks away, Buck will be using the run at Poplar Place this weekend as a tune up for Ballynoecastle RM and Mar de Amor, two of his three Rolex entries. We’ll also see Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown at Rolex; the pair is currently tied for fifth place in Open Advanced-B. Course designer Tremaine Cooper told us Polar was “very lucky with the weather here today. It was a very good day for the lower level cross country, and we are looking forward to the FEI and upper level cross country tomorrow.”

Poplar Place Full Results

CIC2*
1. Buck Davidson / Wiley Post 46.3
2. Lauren Kieffer / Czechmate 46.8
3. Sarah Cousins / Tsunami III 51.2
4. Lauren Kieffer / Cosima 51.4
5. Caroline Martin / Petite Flower 52

CIC1*
1. Mikki Kuchta / Rubens D’Ysieux 46.6
2. Mikki Kuchta / Calle 53.2
3. Wendy Lewis / Sunday’s Edition 53.6
4T. Erin Renfroe / Porter Creek 54.1
4T. Booli Selmayr / Castle Diamond 54.1

Advanced-A
1. Buck Davidson / Ballynoecastle RM 23.1
2. Jessica Phoenix / Patras VR 23.4
3. Lauren Kieffer / Veronica 27.2
4. Jessica Phoenix / Erodium 32.2
5. Shandiss McDonald / Rockfield Grant Juan 37.4

Advanced-B
1. Nicole Parkin / Lexus 35.6
2. Michael Pollard / Mensa 30.6
3. Buck Davidson / Mar de Amor 39.8
5T. Madeline Blackman / Gordonstown 42.8
5T. Caroline Martin / Quantum Solace 42.8

Open Intermediate
1. Lesley Grant-Law / What Law 28.8
2. Julie Richards / San City 31.6
3. Erin Brooke Freedman / Viola 33.2
4. Jessica Phoenix / Pavarotti 34.4
5. Ronald Zabala-Goetschel / Wise Equestrian Master Rose 36.8

Photos courtesy of Tremaine Cooper

 *****

Will Faudree and Andromaque. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Will Faudree maintained the lead with Andromaque today thanks to a clean cross-country trip with time penalties. He also moved up to second place with Pawlow after Emily Beshear and Here’s To You ran into trouble on course. Susan Beebee and Wolf and Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive both put in clean trips with time to move into the top five. Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me maintained fifth place with no jump penalties and 14 time penalties. Click here to see Samantha Clark’s full report from the Advanced cross country.

Southern Pines Full Results

Advanced
1. Will Faudree / Andromaque 27.3
2. Will Faudree / Pawlow 32.7
3. Susan Beebee / Wolf 35
4. Phillip Dutton / Fernhill Fugitive 44.6
5. Becky Holder / Can’t Fire Me 47.7

Open Intermediate-A
1. Caitlin Silliman / Remington XXV 27.2
2. Sharon White / Don Sheffield 28.8
3. Doug Payne / Crown Talisman 35.2
4. Sara Kozumplik / Tatton Winter 35.6
5. Dom Schramm / Cold Harbor 36.8

Open Intermediate-B
1. Allie Blyskal / Sparrow’s Nio 37.2
2. Colleen Rutledge / Covert Rights
3. Boyd Martin / Steady Eddie 41.6
4. Lauren Lambert / Honour Mission 43.6
5. Emily Beshear / River King 45.2

2013 Fontainebleau CIC3* Results after Cross Country

By on Mar 23, 2013 1:26 pm -

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master jumped clear on cross country with time to move up to 5th place at the Fontainebleau CIC3*. Photo from The Fork by Samantha Clark.

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW maintained their lead at the Fontainebleau CIC3* after cross country, putting in one of only six double clear trips of the day. Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Luovo also came home double clear to stay in second place, with Michael and Leopin FST going double clear as well to hold third. From there, the leaderboard saw quite a bit of movement from the post-dressage standings, as Kitty King and Zidane picked up a refusal and time to drop all the way down to 45th. Mark Todd and Regent Lad also had a stop and time to drop to 49th. Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master jumped clear with some time to move up to fifth place.

Fontainebleau CIC3* top 10 after cross country:

1. Michael Jung / La Biosthetique Sam FBW  35.6
2. Sandra Auffarth / Opgun Luovo  37.4
3. Michael Jung / Leopin FST  38.2
4. Luc Chateau / Propriano de L’ebat  45.2
5. Rebecca Howard / Riddle Master  46.2
6. Donatien Schauly / Seculaire Mili  46.4
7. Vittoria Panizzon / Borough Penny Z  46.8
8. Donatien Schauly / Pivoine Des Touches  47.8
9. Mark Todd / NZB Campino  50
10. Dirk Schrade / King Artus  50.2

[Full Scores]

**Note, the link above seems to be experiencing issues.  It tries to automatically refresh every 30 seconds, and the page will reload as “Not Found.”  Hit the back button on your browser and the scores will reappear.

From the EN Mailbag: Anneke Davidson

By on Mar 23, 2013 9:00 am -

We love reader stories and fan mail! Send us yours to [email protected]. Remember, all reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month prize pack. Today’s post comes 9-year-old Anneke Davidson, who competes in tadpole eventing on her Connemara pony, Lucy. Thanks for writing, Anneke!

_______

Anneke and Nuk

Hi! I am Anneke Davidson and I am 9 years old and I love eventing! My mom has let me do one tadpole on my Connemara pony, Lucy.  Unfortunately, I was eliminated for letting Lucy jump out of the arena, but the show allowed me to ride stadium and cross country, and I went clean in both.
My mom is currently part leasing a Quarter Horse for me to ride named Nuk, since my pony can be a little too much of a go-go pony. Nuk is so much fun and I got to school him at the Florida Horse Park last weekend. I also got to ride him in the stadium 18″ course, where I got a 2nd place ribbon! I hope to be able to event at tadpole again this year and then at some point move back to riding Lucy and get to compete at beginner novice. I love riding and eventing is the most fun ever!

Anneke and Lucy

EHV Threat Lifted from Badminton

By on Mar 22, 2013 11:14 am -

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The threat of Equine Herpes Virus at Beaufort Hunt Stables, the host site of Badminton Horse Trials, has been eradicated, according to a statement released this morning from Hugh Thomas, Badminton director. All horses have been removed from the stables, and the barns will soon receive a full cleaning and disinfecting. The horse that initially showed signs of infection is recovering. Badminton’s veterinary team is assuring all riders that there will be no threat to their horses when the event kicks off in six weeks. Click here to read the full report from the expert veterinary team that advised Badminton officials.

 From Hugh Thomas, Badminton Director:

Following confirmation of Equine Herpes Virus in the Beaufort Hunt stables at Badminton, urgent action has been taken to ensure the hygiene and biosecurity of the stables to be used for the Badminton Horse Trials in 6 weeks time.

All horses have already been removed from the stables and thorough cleaning and disinfecting will follow shortly. The Equine Herpes Virus cannot survive outside the horse for any appreciable length of time.

The Hunt horse that showed clinical signs of infection is improving and is expected to make a full recovery.

The full report of the expert veterinary team that has advised the Horse Trials is attached.

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 22, 2013 12:01 am -

Insanity in the middle! Photo courtesy of the Horse Fail Photos Facebook page.

We posted the current entry list for Rolex yesterday. Since then, four more entries have been posted on the Rolex website, bringing the total to 23. Buck Davidson has entered Ballynoe Castle RM, Park Trader and Mar de Amor, and Will Faudree has entered Pawlow. Click here to see the full list of Rolex entries. In contrast, Badminton has 91 entries, which you can view here. Mary King has entered Fernhill Urco in both Rolex and Badminton, while William Fox-Pitt has also double entered Chilli Morning and Cool Mountain. We should see many more Rolex entries trickle in before the entry deadline next Tuesday.

Events This Weekend:

Poplar Place HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Southern Pines HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Friday News:

Want to win free tickets to Rolex? FLAIR Nasal Strips is giving away two sets of three-day tickets to the 2013 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* AND four individual Saturday cross-country tickets. Each lucky winner will also receive a FLAIR cap and a FLAIR Equine Nasal Strip. Visit FLAIR’s website for more information on how to enter. [FLAIR]

The Fontainebleau CIC3* kicked off yesterday in France, starting the FEI Nations Cup series for this year. This is the second year for the new Nations Cup Eventing Series. The Germans won last year and seem to be on track to try to repeat this year, with an all-star lineup competing this weekend. Day 2 of dressage continues today. [Results]

Michael Jung will make his Badminton Horse Trials debut in May, riding La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, the current Olympic, World and European Champion, and Leopin FST, last year’s Luhmühlen CCI4* winner. If Michael wins, he will become the first rider to do so on a first attempt since Mark Todd won in 1980. [Horse & Hound]

British Eventing is reminding riders to be sure to clip their air jackets before going cross country following Lucinda Fredericks’ fall at Tweseldown. She suffered a broken collarbone and six broken ribs in a rotational fall in open novice. [Horse & Hound]

The new rule requiring riders to wear an ASTM/SEI helmet at USEF dressage competitions goes into effect April 1. Riders must where a helmet at all times when mounted. Any riders seen mounted without a helmet will be asked to dismount until they have put on a helmet.

The USPC Inter-Pacific Eventing Exchange Team is raising funds to support a two-week trip to Australia to compete against teams from the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong/China, Australia and New Zealand. Look for the team’s silent auctions at The Fork, Rolex and Chattahoochee Hills. [Facebook] [Blog] [Donations]

SmartPak Product of the Day: After putting off buying new brushes and grooming tools for what seems like an eternity, I finally decided to take the plunge. Thankfully, I found the Rhino SmartPak Collection Grooming Kit on the SmartPak website. It provides all the basic brushes and tools in a beautiful bag that is super roomy for my other gear. [SmartPak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LXiTNMB2o
The Hamburg Derby, as seen on Horse Nation

EN’s Got Talent: Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance

By on Mar 21, 2013 11:09 am -

We hear all the time about horses at the top of the sport, but what about the next generation of equine talent? EN’s Got Talent introduces the future superstars of the sport, interviewing riders about how they’re tackling training with these youngsters. Have you spotted a spectacular young horse at an event you think should be highlighted in this column? Tip me at [email protected].

Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance at Red Hills. Photo by Samantha Clark.

When Jessica Phoenix first saw A Little Romance, the mare instantly reminded her of Exponential, her Olympic and World Equestrian Games partner. A coming 8-year-old Trakehner mare owned by Don and Anita Leschied of Ontario, A Little Romance, better known as Blue Eyes or Blue, has been turning heads on the spring circuit this year. She most recently finished eighth in the CIC2* at Red Hills, showing that she has the talent to match the color and conformation similarities to Exponential that initially caught Jessica’s eye. “She also has a very similar jumping style to Exponential,” Jessica said. “She has a great work ethic. She tries hard and she shows up every single day. She loves learning and she loves working.”

A Little Romance — sired by Gail Rogers’ A Fine Romance, the Thoroughbred stallion who is making quite the name for himself as an eventing sire, and and out of the Leschieds’ Trakehner mare — started her eventing career with Jen Irwin, who had competed the mare through training level. When Jen finalized plans to move to Europe in 2011 for an indefinite period of time, she called Jessica and asked her to consider taking over the ride. Jessica liked what she saw and took then 6-year-old Blue to two events at training level before moving her up to preliminary. “She’s a very focused individual,” Jessica said. “The jumping comes very naturally to her. She has a lot of natural movement, but dressage is the thing we work on the most with her. The pressure of the actual ring creates a little bit of tension, but she gets better and better every time she comes in.”

Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance at Pine Top Advanced. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Jessica moved Blue up to intermediate right before the Ontario Eventing Championships last September. She jumped double clear around cross country and stadium to win the preliminary championships on her dressage score. That win helped Jessica and Blue finish as reserve champions in preliminary for the Ontario Horse Trials Association year-end awards. “You always have high expectations for the horses when you go into championships like that,” Jessica said. “Then it’s just up to you and horse to show up on the day. She put in a great dressage test in really crazy conditions. There were gale-force winds and torrential rains. She did her job and is a really competitive horse by nature.”

Blue put herself on the map in the eventing community two months later at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, where she competed in the indoor eventing. She won the class on Saturday night in front of a packed, electric crowd and finished third overall. “She was incredible and showed maturity beyond her years,” Jessica said. “She went in and looked for the flags and just loved it. She’s a very cat-like horse. She loves going fast and making tight turns. It was right up her alley. She was very well-suited to it. I thought she had a really good chance to finish well because of how her natural jumping style complements that type of eventing. I was thrilled with her performance. She really tried her heart out.”

Next week on EN’s Got Talent: We’ll learn more about how Blue’s 2013 season has progressed so far and what Jessica envisions for the rest of her year. We’ll also hear about a very specific moment when Jessica realized Blue had the makings of a true upper-level event horse. And we can’t wrap up Part 2 without talking more about Blue’s sire, A Fine Romance, also known as Fred. Selena O’Hanlon’s A First Romance, sired by the same stallion, has also been making a name for herself as a promising upper-level prospect. I got to see this mare go in person last fall in the CCI3* at Fair Hill. I have to admit that I’m a big fan of A Fine Romance babies, better known as “Fredlets.”

Rolex Entry Update: 19 entered so far

By on Mar 21, 2013 9:00 am -

William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk won Rolex last year. Photo by Heather McGreer.

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Entries are slowly trickling in for the Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. With the EHV outbreak at Badminton that might threaten many riders’ spring schedules, it’s possible we’ll see quite a few riders entering Rolex as a back-up plan. Colleen Rutledge posted on her Facebook page yesterday that she has already sent in a Rolex entry just in case. While she has every intention of making the trip across the pond with Shiraz — especially after record rainfall hijacked her plans to compete at Badminton last year — she’s wise to think ahead. Between unpredictable weather, disease outbreaks and the unpredictable nature of horses in general, who knows what could happen between now and Rolex week.

Nineteen entries have been posted on the Rolex website thus far. Most notably, William Fox-Pitt has entered an impressive four horses. While Parklane Hawk, the mount he won with last year, won’t be making the trip to the States, he is bringing Cool Mountain, the horse he won with in 2010. While William has certainly had great success at Rolex in the last few years, we have quite a few very promising American and Canadian pairs entered already. And, of course, there are many notable names who have yet to file their entries. We’ll check back in with an updated entry list after entries close on Tuesday, March 26.

Here are the 19 entries for Rolex to date:

Hawley Bennett-Awad GIN & JUICE
Rider & Linda Paine		 CAN
Hawley Bennett-Awad FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE
Rider & Sue Church		 CAN
Emily Beshear HERE’S TO YOU
Deep Purple Eventing		 USA
Madeline Blackman GORDONSTOWN USA
Jan Byyny INMIDAIR
Rider & Richard & Jo Byyny		 USA
Jan Byyny SYD KENT
Rider & Richard & Jo Byyny		 USA
William Fox-Pitt CHILLI MORNING
Christopher & Lisa Stone		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt COOL MOUNTAIN
Teresa Stopford Sackville		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt SEACOOKIE TSF
Catherine Witt		 GBR
William Fox-Pitt NEUF DES COEURS
David & Margie Hall and Jeremy & Judith Skinner		 GBR
Becky Holder CAN’T FIRE ME
Melissa & Phil Town & Tom Holder		 USA
Micheline Jordan IRISH DIAMONDS CAN
Mary King FERNHILL URCO
Sue Davies, Mr. Edwin & Janette Chinn		 GBR
Kendal Lehari DAILY EDITION CAN
Shandiss McDonald ROCKFIELD GRANT JUAN
Jorge & Amanda Bernhard		 CAN
Robert Meyerhoff DUNLAVIN’S TOKEN
Danica Meyerhoff		 USA
Kristi Nunnink R-STAR USA
Kristin Schmolze BALLYLAFFIN BRACKEN
Rider & Bill and Janet Schmolze		 USA
Jolie Wentworth GOODKNIGHT
Tracy Bowman		 USA

Can You Guess the SmartPak Mystery Product? Update: We have a winner!

By on Mar 20, 2013 11:00 am -

 

Update: We have a winner! Molly Bucci of Michigan was the first and only person to correctly guess this month’s SmartPak Mystery Product: the Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt by SmartPak. Many of you guessed other products that will help keep you cool on a hot summer ride. The Custom Cool Medics Cooling Vest and the HyperKewl Cooling Vest were the products with the most guesses.

Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt by SmartPak

When we informed Molly of her prize, she sent us this message: “I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to Eventing Nation and SmartPak for this. I had surgery a year ago to remove a malignant melanoma, so sun protection is of paramount importance for me. I think it is important for riders to realize that since we spend so much time outdoors, it is critical for all of us to utilize the advancements in sun protection. I am 42 years old, and I never thought that I would be diagnosed with cancer at age 41. That is always something that one thinks only happens to ‘the other guy.’  Until it hits you in the face, and all those years as a teen and young adult spent teaching outdoor riding lessons all summer long, without proper protection, suddenly come back to bite you. If only the Sunshield shirts were available 25 years ago! But as you know, riders are resilient, so I still ride and compete, but I cover up from the sun!”

We’re thrilled such a deserving person won the shirt! The Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt by SmartPak is a product that’s near and dear to EN’s heart. Wylie, our fearless editor of Horse Nation, gave the shirt a test drive last summer in sweltering 90-degree heat with humidity at a hunter/jumper show. Wylie gave the shirt two thumbs up in her product review: “Immediately, I can tell a difference between this shirt and my usual polo or cotton show shirt. Instead of trapping sweat, it seems to deflect heat in the first place and wick moisture away from my skin. Plus, I feel great about the fact that my fair skin is being protected — goodbye, farmer’s tan and glove lines!” The shirt’s unique Australian Versatex material has a UPF rating of 50+ and protects your skin from 90 percent of harmful UV rays.

Thanks so much to everyone who played along in this month’s SmartPak Mystery Product. I posted the two other clues below so you can see the hints we would have given if Molly hadn’t already correctly guessed the Sunshield Long Sleeve Shirt by SmartPak as this month’s product. Next month, we’ll have to REALLY try to stump you! For those who didn’t get a chance to play along, be sure to check the News & Notes posts next month for an announcement about when we’ll launch April’s SmartPak Mystery Product. Until then, be sure to shop the amazing spring sale on the SmartPak website. Click here to view all the great deals!

*****

We’re very excited to introduce the SmartPak Mystery Product, a new monthly feature here on EN that will send you on a scavenger hunt through the SmartPak website. SmartPak has generously donated a variety of fantastic prizes that one EN reader will be lucky enough to take home each month. Here’s how the SmartPak Mystery Product works: Keep checking back on this post throughout the week — we’ll bump it up each day — for additional clues that will lead you closer to guessing the product. Once you think you’ve discovered the SmartPak Mystery Product, email [email protected] with a link to the product. The first person to correctly identify the SmartPak Mystery Product will win it!

Let’s play SmartPak Mystery Product! Here are your clues:

Clue #1: This is a rider product you’ll love when the weather warms up. Click here to search the SmartPak website.

Clue #2: This product will protect you from the elements. Customer reviews rave about how well this product fits. Click here to search the SmartPak website.

Clue #3: This product will help you stay cool on a hot summer day. More than 90% of SmartPak customers would recommend it to a friend! Click here to search the SmartPak website.

March 15-17: Weekend Event Results at a Glance

By on Mar 17, 2013 3:30 pm -

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice in the Advanced at Copper Meadows. Photo by Bill Olson.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice pulled one rail today in show jumping to maintain their lead in the Advanced division at Copper Meadows. This is Hawley and Ginny’s second win this month, as they also won the Advanced division two weeks ago at Twin Rivers. Here’s a look at the top three finishers from the Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced divisions at Copper Meadows, Pine Top and Feather Creek.

Copper Meadows Horse Trials

[Full Results]

Advanced
1. Hawley Bennett-Awad / Gin & Juice 39.4
2. Jolie Wentworth / Good Knight 33.4
3. Zachary Brandt / Cavallino Cocktail 41.7

Intermediate
1. Teresa Harcourt / Bonza Twist of Fate 35.6
2. Tamra Smith / Normandy Soldier 37.2
3. Frankie Thieriot / Uphoria 37.6

*****

Pine Top Spring Horse Trials

[Full Results]

Junior/Young Rider Preliminary
1. Alexa Ehlers / In Any Event 32.3
2. Chase Shipka / Palm Crescent 44.2
3. Chase Shipka / Ever So Lucky 45

Open Preliminary
1. Donna Miller / Ardceltic Art 29.7
2. Boyd Martin / Ballyneety 30.8
3. Ian Roberts / Faolan 32.6

Preliminary Horse
1. Ryan Wood / Magic Replica 46.3
2. Katherine Brown / Ixion 54.5
3. Lillian Heard / Peacemaker R 57.6

Preliminary Rider
1. Erica Fox / Have A Cigar 40.5
2. Laura Crowl / Zee 40.6
3. Jenna Schildmier / Denouncer’s Girl 44.5

*****

Feather Creek Horse Trials

[Full Results]

Open Intermediate
1. Ellen Doughty / Sir Oberon 48.4
2. Kadi Eykamp / Sportsfield Zebadee 60.4

Open Preliminary
1. Mike Huber / Sea Accounts 34.9
2. Bailey Moran / Loughnatousa Caislean 39.9
3. Julie Wolfert / Buenos Aires 41.5

Video of the Day: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice

By on Mar 17, 2013 1:30 pm -

It’s helmet cam time! Hawley Bennett-Award and her fabulous Thoroughbred mare Gin & Juice had an excellent run on cross country yesterday at Copper Meadows Horse Trials in Ramona, Calif. Hawley and Ginny jumped clean across the country with six time penalties to maintain their lead after dressage. Today, they pulled one rail in show jumping to win the Advanced division on a 39.4. Go Hawley and Ginny!

Plantation Field to Feature ‘Downton Abbey’ Theme

By on Mar 17, 2013 11:30 am -

Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, is home to the Crawley family on "Downton Abbey." Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Have you caught the “Downton Abbey” bug? I discovered the wildly popular television show a bit late in the game, but I have now watched all three seasons. As a big fan of the show — any other “Downton” nuts out there? — I’m super excited about Plantation Field’s first ever themed weekend, to be held in conjunction with the International Horse Trials this fall on Sept. 20-22. The first annual theme pays tribute to “Downton Abbey”!

The vendor village at Planation Field will become the “Village of Grantham Shoppes,” while the new Victory Beer Garden Pub will be dubbed the “Grantham Arms.” The new and improved sponsor tent will be decorated in an English country style, with all furniture and decor available for purchase.

The Saturday night CIC sponsor and owner cocktail party will be costume optional, following along with the proper English country theme. All tailgaters on cross-country day will be judged on their best use of the “Downton Abbey” theme, so start scheming now for how you plan to turn your tailgate spot into a proper scene from the English countryside that would make the Crawley family proud.

Rebecca Brown: Competing at the Maccabiah Games

By on Mar 17, 2013 9:30 am -

We last heard from Texas eventer Rebecca Brown when she was featured on EN’s Got Talent with super pony Belafonte D’Avalon. When Rebecca told us she had been selected to compete on the U.S. dressage team at the 2013 Maccabiah Games — think Jewish Olympics — we jumped at the chance to have her blog about the experience. Visit www.RBriding.com and www.maccabiah.com for more info on Rebecca and the Games.

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Rebecca Brown and Rococo. Photo courtesy of Rebecca.

Hello, 2013 Maccabiah Games! If you’re asking yourself “what in the world are the Maccabiah Games?” don’t worry — I had the same question. My father is always reminding (chiding?) me that “unless it has four legs, you’re not focused on it.” He’s right. So when a student came to me asking if I could help her qualify for these Games, I had no clue what she was talking about. After some research, I learned that the Maccabiah Games are basically the Jewish Olympics, and I had never noticed them because 2013 is the first year that equestrian sports are included! Modeled after the “real” Olympics, they are held every four years in Israel and are a much “bigger deal” than I originally imagined. Lucky for me, I happen to be Jewish because of my mother; in Judaism, you follow your mother’s religion. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce myself as a member of the 2013 Maccabiah Games Dressage Team. I will be guest blogging about my experiences leading up to and during the Games, which will be held July 17-30 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

So, how did an event rider make a dressage team? I shall tell you. The journey began when I graduated college. I competed through the Advanced level during school (read: while my parents paid for my sport), but had always competed in dressage on the side. Upon graduation, my Advanced horse needed a slower way of life. First, I went show jumping with Joe Fargis, but soon after I was weaned off the parental bank account. I could hear my parents thinking: “good luck supporting not only yourself but the most expensive hobby out there” … except for maybe yachting or diamond collecting. I had sold my other horse, an up-and-coming Preliminary horse (you may know him … he’s a CCI**** cross-country beast that goes by the name of Shiraz), so I went abroad for a bit and then moved home to Texas to start a business. It has taken a few years to build my business and collect a quality string of young horses, so in the meantime I’ve been trying to add to my resume in other ways. First, I earned my USEA Level III Instructor Certification. Then in 2012, I was offered the ride by a client, Susan Farrier, on her super talented young dressage horse, Rococo. And here is where the story really starts!

Rebecca Brown and Rococo. Photo courtesy of Rebecca.

Rococo, a confirmed 3rd level but schooling much higher Hanoverian, was sourced in May 2012 for Susan by my mother Becky Brown, a dressage trainer. A small but dynamic athlete, Rococo was an exciting upgrade from her previous horse, so it was decided that I would step in for six months as jockey to help ease the process of getting to know each other. One concern was that Rococo didn’t have much show experience, so part of the process was getting him show miles. We debuted at 4th level at the beginning of the fall season and finished by winning the 2012 Region 9 USDF/ABIG Championships and earning our USDF Silver Medal with qualifying scores at Prix St Georges. In the meantime, I had sent it my application for the Maccabiah Games as an afterthought, thinking it would be fun if it happened but focusing more on the task at hand. In November, I received the official word that I had been chosen to travel to represent the United States, so the journey has officially commenced!

As the third largest international competition in the world, the U.S. will send upwards of 1,100 athletes, managers, coaches and medical staff to the Games this year. There will be two full teams of five equestrians — one team for show jumping and another for dressage. Originally, the qualification criteria was competence at the 1.40-meter level for show jumping and Prix St. Georges for dressage. Now, in order to garner interest and participation by more countries, the competition will be held at 1.25 meters for jumping and FEI Medium level for dressage. The eventual goal by the Maccabiah organization is to increase the level of competition, but as with all things in their infancy, popularity and participation is key and you’ve got to start somewhere!

We have the option to bring our own horses or ride borrowed horses. Because this is the first year that this competition is being held and many details are up in the air, most of the U.S. team members have decided to borrow horses. I will know more details in March when our coordinator travels to Israel to help finalize the details of the competition, but it seems we will get two to three practice rides before the actual competition. I have no idea if I’m going to be given a camel or a well-trained warmblood, but I do know that I’m glad my Texas residency will have me prepared for the Israeli July heat. So, here’s to my first Jewish Olympic experience. I can’t wait to share it with everyone! It’s going to take a lot of support to get there and we are looking for sponsors who are excited to be part of this inaugural equestrian experience. To learn more about me, the Maccabiah Games and how you can help, please visit www.RBriding.com and www.maccabiah.com.