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Jenni Autry
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Jenni Autry

Achievements

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

Hawley’s Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing

By on Mar 17, 2013 12:01 am -

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

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice have been spectacular this month, winning the Advanced at Twin Rivers two weekends ago and leading the Advanced at Copper Meadows going into today’s show jumping phase. Hawley and Ginny ran double clear in both jumping phases at Twin Rivers to finish on their dressage score of 34.1. Yesterday, the pair added just six time penalties to their 29.4 dressage score to lead the division on a 35.4. I’m excited to see how their season continues to develop! In other news, Colleen Rutledge is on a quest to become the first rider to finish five different CCI4* events on the same horse. To fund her trip to Badminton with Shiraz, she’s holding a pig roast and open house 1-5 p.m. April 14 at Turnabout Farm in Mt. Airy, Md. Cost is $50 for adults and $10 for kids. Click here for more information. Go Hawley and Colleen!

Events This Weekend:

Feather Creek Farm HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

The Event at 3 Day Ranch: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Copper Meadows HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Pine Top Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Your Sunday Links:

Weather Dampens Start of British Event Season

Fletch.com Wins New Zealand Event Horse of the Year

Dressage Star Salinero Retired in Official Ceremony

FEI’s Princess Haya Subject of New Children’s Book

Treatment Breakthrough Found for Infertile Mares

FLAIR to Hold Seminar on Airway Health at Keeneland

Don’t Miss SmartPak’s 75 Percent Off Spring Sale


The USEA tours Clayton Fredericks’ Oak Lane Farm in Ocala

 

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.

James Alliston: On Starting His Own Business

By on Mar 15, 2013 11:05 am -

When we heard James Alliston was starting his own business, we asked him to blog about the challenges, highs and lows, and rewarding moments he will undoubtedly face along the way. This is his first installment for Eventing Nation, in which he outlines his vision and goals for his new business. Like James on Facebook to follow along on his journey. Take it away, James!

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James Alliston mucks stalls at his new facility. Photo courtesy of James.

From James:

 

Having my own three-day eventing training business has always been an ultimate goal of mine. I finally took the leap this March into moving to an empty facility and filling the barn with horses of my own, training horses and a handful of fantastic clients who continue to train with me. I had many fears and nerves moving into this new program, but have been nothing but excited, inspired and hopeful since I have made the move.

My focus has been around a few different aspects in creating a hopefully successful business. One, I have a riding school included in my business for starting out future event riders, so that I may build students from the ground up. This has already been extremely fulfilling in many ways and brings a lot of great energy to the barn having such ambitious and excited kids around the barn. Two, I have been pursuing any and all jobs, such as breaking and starting horses, as there is really a strong need for that in the area. Three, I have searched and scoured the area for young horses who show promise and have filled my barn with horses for the future, so I may sell some along the way and have a strong stock of talented event horses to work with.

I believe it’s important to keep an eye on not only this year’s competition season, but the competition seasons over the next 10 years that my current horses may not be a part of. I have also began doing more traveling clinics to really spread my business up and down the West Coast and have had great experiences and success with this. There is business in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, as well as California, and I want to wet my foot anywhere I can.

I believe I can enhance West Coast eventing with my connections to both England and the East Coast; however, having recently found so many nice young horses in California alone, I’ve been working to encourage clients to look more locally in their searches for young horses. While Europe has many strongly established breeding programs, there are plenty of quality horses in the U.S. too and specifically plenty on the West Coast. A great example is Hawley Bennett-Awad’s win the other weekend on her California-bred Thoroughbred Gin and Juice at Twin Rivers. You just have to search a little for them, which I have done and want to help my students do as well to fully utilize West Coast eventing.

My first two weeks on the new job have certainly been exhausting, as I have yet to hire anyone to clean stalls. The job has involved a lot of mucking out along with my riding. However, the thrill and excitement of having my own program motivates me to continue working hard, as I believe I can have an extremely unique program using all of my skills and experience to build young event riders and horses.

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 15, 2013 12:01 am -

Derek Di Grazia is hard at work on the cross-country course at Rolex. Photo courtesy of the Rolex Facebook page.

It’s hard to believe we’re about five weeks away from the start of Rolex Week. The Rolex Facebook page has been posting regular updates about the preparations for the event. The beautiful ribbons arrived at the Rolex office earlier this week, and Derek Di Grazia was on the cross-country course today making adjustments and preparing the grounds for the competition. The 2013 entry list is also available online on the Rolex website. So far, we can expect to see Madeline Blackman and Gordonstown; William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning, Cool Mountain, Seacookie TSF and Neuf Des Coeurs; Becky Holder and Can’t Fire Me; Mary King and Fernhill Urco; and Jolie Wentworth and Goodknight. I’m excited to see who else appears on the final entry list. Go Rolex!

Events This Weekend:

Feather Creek Farm HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

The Event at 3 Day Ranch: [Website]

Copper Meadows HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Pine Top Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times]

Your Friday News:

Horse Sport Ireland has introduced a new eventing series for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses that will run during select national events. A prize fund of €25,000 will award cash winnings in the series. Venues can now apply to host the series. [Horsetalk]

Samantha Clark is hosting a wonderful series of podcasts interviewing Jimmy Wofford on HorseHub. Jimmy will address finding the ideal event horse, planning and preparing for the season, training at home and competitions, and four-star events. [HorseHub]

Wilton Porter kept his cool when the chain on his horse Paloubet’s hackamore snapped midway through his course in the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team event last week at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Despite riding the round with a broken bit, Wilton put in the only clear of the day. [COTH]

Planning to go to Burghley this year? Tickets go on sale May 1. Purchasing tickets in advance gives you access to limited-time steep discounts for the event, according to British Eventing. [British Eventing]

Legislators on Capitol Hill have introduced a bill to ban horse slaughter for human consumption and prohibit transport in the U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Reps. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Jan Schakowsky (D.Ill.) are championing the bill, called the Safeguard American Food Exports Act. [COTH]

Kentucky Equine Research is hosting its 25th Anniversary Sport Horse Forum at Live Oak International next Wednesday. Dr. Joe Pagan will speak on “The Evolution of Sport Horse Feeding,” while Dr. Brenda Furlong will speak on “Significant Changes in Equine Veterinary Practices During the Last Quarter Century.” [EventBrite]

Wait A Little Horse Safaris is donating a pair of African safari rides to be given away during the Maryland Adult Eventing Camp on May 26. Tickets are $25 each. Make checks to GlobalGiving. Contact Linda Dreher at [email protected] for more information. [African Horse Safaris]

SmartPak Product of the Day: I’m the proud new owner of an OTTB I adopted from CANTER PA this week. She needs a turnout rug — since winter is still going strong here in central PA — and I have my eye on the SmartPak Ultimate Ballistic Nylon Turnout Blanket. With a 10-year Indestructible Guarantee, I have peace of mind knowing I’m making a good investment. [SmartPak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phk-AMeTEA4
A Day in the Life of Buck Davidson, by BuzzterBrown

EN’s Got Talent: Where Are They Now?

By on Mar 14, 2013 9:34 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].

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Doug Payne and Lysander accept their ribbon in the Young Event Horse 5-year-old East Coast Championships at Fair Hill last fall. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s been six months almost to the day since I launched EN’s Got Talent, a weekly series that introduces the young, up-and-coming superstars of eventing. Since then, the stars of EN’s Got Talent have garnered some very impressive finishes, proving that this series is truly fulfilling its goal to find the horses to watch. This week, we’re catching up with the 13 horses featured so far on EN’s Got Talent. Which talented pair are you rooting for?

Doug Payne and Lysander: Big Leo started his season at Pine Top, placing fifth in his training division. He most recently finished 12th in preliminary at Paradise Farm. Big Leo also placed 5th in the Young Event Horse 5-year-old East Coast Championships at Fair Hill last fall.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights: CR placed 13th in a competitive intermediate division last month at Pine Top Advanced. I watched him go in person at Fair Hill last fall, where he completed the CCI2*, finished 33rd. Colleen is aiming to move CR up to Advanced this spring.

Elisa Wallace and Corteo: Corteo started his season on a high note, winning his open novice division at Poplar Place last month. Elisa plans to move Corteo up to training level this fall after he turns 6.

Jennifer Wooten and Anika: Anika most recently competed in an open novice division at Galway Downs, where she placed 10th in a very competitive division. She earned a 37.4 in dressage, pulled a rail in show jumping and ran double clear on cross country.

Rebecca Brown and Belafonte D’Avalon: Harry started his season earlier this month at MeadowCreek Park, where he won his training division. Rebecca hopes to aim for a one-star with Harry before the end of the year.

Katie Murphy and Esccord RGS: Garth won his first start of the year in novice at Paradise Farm, finishing on his 29.6 dressage score. He most recently made his training-level debut at Sporting Days, where he finished third on his dressage score of 33.2.

Kelli Temple and Scirroco: Boyd Martin and Phillip Dutton have been riding Rocco this season, as Kelli fractured her hip in a fall during a cross-country school in Aiken earlier this month. Rocco was third in novice with Boyd in the irons at Paradise Farm last month, and won his training division at Sporting Days with Phillip aboard.

Kate Chadderton and Civil Liberty: Liberty’s best finish so far this season has been fifth in intermediate at Pine Top Advanced. Kate hopes to run him in the CCI2* at Bromont this June.

Kim Keeton and Accolade: Bear laid down a beautiful 26.4 dressage test in his intermediate division at Pine Top Advanced before running into trouble on cross country; he finished 11th. If all goes well this season, Kim is considering aiming Bear at the CCI2* at Fair Hill this fall.

Jen Carter and Sayyida: Xena most recently placed eighth in her preliminary division at Rocking Horse II. She also competed at Red Hills this past weekend in open preliminary. Jen is aiming Xena at the CCI1* in Ocala next month.

Lauren Deneve and Forrest Nymph: Farrah has been cleaning up at Rocking Horse this winter, most recently finishing 3rd in preliminary at Rocking Horse Winter II and winning her preliminary division at Rocking Horse Winter III. She’s now earned six qualifying scores toward the CCI1* at Ocala.

Kurt Martin and Anna Bella: Anna Bella most recently finished sixth in the Red Hills CIC1*. She also placed second in the open preliminary division at Paradise Farm last month and fifth in an intermediate combined test — her first competition at that level — at Sporting Days this month.

Katie Wooten Bryant and San City: Samson won the CIC1* at Red Hills last weekend in an impressive field of 56 starters. He led after dressage with a score of 35.9, pulled one rail in show jumping and ran double clear on cross country, leading the division wire to wire. Julie Richards is still in the irons; Katie will take over the ride this summer.

Blyth Tait Downgraded to BE100 Under New FEI Rules

By on Mar 12, 2013 12:10 pm -

Photo by Eric Swinebroad

New Zealand is joining the list of countries upset by the new FEI qualification rules. Horse & Hound reported that Olympian and former world champion Blyth Tait has been downgraded to BE100 (equivalent to US training level) under the new FEI regulations. Because he took seven years off from actively competing following the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Blyth has not yet had enough finishes at the upper levels to regain his qualifications under the new FEI rules. Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Jim Ellis is taking Blyth’s dilemma to the FEI as an example of how the new rules simply don’t work as intended under certain situations. British Eventing has also publicly expressed its disapproval with the new rules, with the Event Riders’ Association petitioning the FEI to reevaluate the new rules. The petition currently has 1,381 signatures.

From Horse & Hound:

Former world and Olympic champion Blyth Tait is among eventers who have been downgraded by new eligibility rules that came in this season.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand chief executive Jim Ellis told H&H that Blyth — who has been reassessed from four-star rider to the bottom tier, “national rider” — is being treated “like a 16-year-old leaving Pony Club”.

The Event Riders’ Association (ERA) has launched a petition calling for the rules to be reviewed. It will be handed to the eventing committee of the FEI (international horse sport’s governing body), which was due to meet this week.

Under the new rules, riders are graded on their results of the past eight years.

Blyth — who took seven years out of the sport after the 2004 Athens Olympics— has not had enough finishes at any level.

This demotion means any new horse the Kiwi rider takes on, even if it has competed at four-star, must go back to BE100 (pre-novice) and regain its qualifications with him.

Blyth told H&H: “The FEI said no one would be unduly affected by the new rules. They implied that eventers would be in a similar position to where they were before [the changes] and that the new rules might be beneficial for some riders.

“But many riders have been affected detrimentally.”

Mr Ellis is taking up Blyth’s case and that of other New Zealand riders with the FEI.

And British Eventing said it was working with the FEI regarding some British riders’ qualifications and would “continue to monitor the situation”.

Click here to see the story.

Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch: Poised for a Comeback

By on Mar 11, 2013 1:48 pm -

We’re thrilled to welcome Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch back as an Eventing Nation guest blogger. Stephanie and her incredible partner Port Authority are well known on EN for their incredible 2010 season, during which they helped Canada win team silver at the World Equestrian Games and placed ninth individually, as well as garnered a fifth-place finish at Rolex. Ollie has been recovering from an injury, but will be back in full swing this season. Be sure to like Steph on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

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Steph and Ollie

From Stephanie:

 

Hello, Eventing Nation! It’s good to be back! It seems like the EN community has grown a lot since the last time I was a guest blogger, and I’m glad to be a part of it for the spring of lucky 2013. I am really feeling like this is going to be a good year, with my 2010 Rolex and World Games partner and veteran campaigner Port Authority back in action alongside a string of younger horses. Last year was a great time, introducing a crew of 4-year-olds to the sport of eventing, but I was missing that huge meaning-of-life feeling that I get from training and competing Port Authority (Ollie).

Ollie was injured in the fall of 2011 after a very busy and very successful few years working our way up the levels. In between our first preliminary together in 2006 and his injury in 2011, we did two one-stars, three two-stars (including our bronze medal finish for Canada at NAYRC), three CIC3*, two CCI3* and two and 9/10 of one CCI4* (he was 5th and 9th at Rolex and WEG before we had a tumble at the 10-minute marker at Badminton in 2011 … boo). So once he was injured and the Olympic Dream died, he spent the better part of a year going on hacks in the woods with my dog and I.

While Ollie was on an extended vacation from his job, I finally had the opportunity to focus on trying to make a living and develop my skills as a rider on more than just one horse. The whole time I was campaigning Ollie, I was pretty focused on learning as much as possible and doing a good job for him, so I just picked up odd jobs and rode horses for people I met along the way. Since Ollie’s injury, I have made work a priority and I’ve managed to build up a fun little string of horses, owners and students, and I’m happy to say it looks like it’s still got room to grow!

I now have two really nice 5-year-old OTTBs. True Bellamy, owned by Chuck Akre of Virginia, and Seahawk, who was given to me by Jeffrey Tucker of Saratoga, N.Y., and is now being syndicated. The first new members of Seahawk’s ownership group are Scott and Lisa Robinson of New Hampshire, and I’m looking forward to growing this team! Both True Bellamy and Seahawk have broken in to the training level, with scores in the 20s and confident jump rounds. I have big hopes for these two boys, and I am so grateful to their owners for the opportunity to train them.

I also have a crew of sales horses that I am very proud to represent. Lesley Arnold’s Wind in the Willows and Cricket Song are lovely homebred Irish Sport and Connemara mares competing novice level, and the Lokey family’s Cherubino is a very fun Oldenburg gelding who has been there done that at the one-star level and is ready to teach someone the ropes. I recently sold Harbour the Truth, an OTTB gelding for Jim and Susan Hill of Calgary, Alberta, and I think his new owner will enjoy learning about eventing with him. I’m really grateful to the owners of all of these horses for trusting me with their horses and I’m excited for our upcoming year.

The first two months of this increasingly awesome year were spent in Ocala, Fla., escaping winter and trying to get myself on track for a successful season with the horses. A big part of the reason for going to Ocala has always been for me to take a lot of lessons and learn as much as possible. In 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Canadian High Performance training sessions with David O’Connor, and I was so grateful to be able to join in the training sessions this year with our new Canadian coach Clayton Fredericks.

Training with different coaches can be a great way to get a new point of view or a new perspective on the training process, and I think that Clayton’s priorities for the riders and horses were a really good addition to where I am at with Ollie at this point in his career. I can hardly wait to get back out and contribute to good results for Team Canada! I also took my 5-year-old Thoroughbred Seahawk over to Clayton for some jumping lessons, and it was so good for me to have Clayton push me to demand a better balance and quality of canter from Seahawk. He’s not a baby anymore!

With the EHV outbreak at HITS, we missed a couple of opportunities to compete in late February. I was really disappointed to miss Rocking Horse 3 and the combined test at Longwood Farm, but I couldn’t risk exposing my horses to the virus right before migrating back up north. I did, however, compete Nations Poet at Rocking Horse 3 for Scott and Lisa Robinson. Since Poet was not at my barn and had no plans to travel in the near future, we were happy with our plan to stay far away from other horses at Rocking Horse (which proved to be no problem; over half the field scratched!). It was Poet’s first event ever and he was such a star. Beginner novice is always such an exciting experience, and, quite frankly, I find it more nerve-wracking than competing at the upper levels!

A big, huge, unending thank you to all of my sponsors and supporters for making it possible for me to run away to Ocala to train and compete. Without the help of great brands and people, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this! Now that we are back in Maryland, we have a couple of combined tests, jumper shows and unrecognized HTs on the calendar at Loch Moy and other nearby farms. True Bellamy and Seahawk are being aimed towards the Young Event Horse competitions, as well as some more training level horse trials throughout the year, starting at The Fork in April. Willow, Cricket, Cherubino and any other horses that come my way will be out and about in Area 2 getting on with their seasons.

Ollie’s goal for the year is Galway Downs CCI3* in late October in Temecula, Calif. In order to prepare for this, we will do a couple intermediates in July, and the CIC at Richland Park in late August, followed by Plantation and Morven Park Advanced. All in all, it sounds like a busy and exciting year of eventing, and for that I am grateful. Looking forward to an awesome 2013!

Leonor Munoz: Riding My First CCI* Championship

By on Mar 11, 2013 9:00 am -

We received a wonderful email from Leonor Munoz, who just won the individual silver medal and the team bronze medal for Costa Rica with Andrea Sanchez, Gregorio Beeche and Victor Wolf at the Central American Championship Games in Costa Rica. Eventing is a new sport in many Central American countries, and the dedication and love these riders show for the sport is truly inspiring. Congrats Leonor, Andrea, Gregorio and Victor. Go eventing!

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Coach Ian Roberts stands with Victor Wolf, Andrea Sanchez, Leonor Munoz and Gregorio Beeche.

From Leonor:

I am 27 years old and have been riding for 22 years; yet, as a rider, I have only been introduced to eventing two years ago. The FEI, in collaboration with the USEF, sent Jose Ortelli Sr. from Argentina down to Costa Rica and other Central American countries to, as Jose says, have the eventing bug bite us.

The bug did in fact bite us. We started enthusiastically learning and training, traveling to eventing shows, watching YouTube videos, taking clinics, reading books, building jumps, organizing our first shows and, of course, checking out Eventing Nation’s website at least three times a day. This all was with the medium-term goal — that looked so far away at the time — to get a team prepared and ready to show at the Central American Championship Games here in Costa Rica, our home country, and win a team medal.

We were very lucky along the way to have great collaborators to guide us — Jay Hambly as course designer; Aaron Rust as jump builder; Wayne Quarles as TD; but very very very specially, for some God-given reason, we where tremendously lucky to meet up with Ian Roberts and his wife Kelly Plitz, who where vacationing at Costa Rica. Being the horse crazy eventers they are, they offered to help out, because working with us apparently was more fun than getting a sun tan at the beach.

All this long introduction is to share that I am proud to say that championship took place this week. What seemed impossible became reality, and next to to my team members, Andrea Sanchez, Gregorio Beeche and Victor Wolf, we came out victorious with a team bronze medal around our necks. And, as Ian said just before heading out to the airport yesterday afternoon, me winning the silver individual medal just made it that much bit sweeter.

Central American and Caribbean Games at Veracruz 2014 — here we come!

Final Scores from Red Hills International

By on Mar 10, 2013 2:29 pm -

Phillip Dutton accepts the keys to his new Mercedes at Red Hills. Photo via the PRO Facebook page.

The Intermediate show jumping just wrapped up at Red Hills International, concluding all divisions at the event. As always, Red Hills put on a spectacular show that attracted healthy crowds and local media to help promote the sport. Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice took home the win in the CIC3* yesterday, while Jennie Brannigan and Indie won the CIC2*. Julie Richards and San City — who was most recently featured on EN’s Got Talent — won the CIC1*. Today, Lisa Barry and F.I.S. Prince Charming took first in the Advanced division, while Sara Kozumplik and Tatton Winter won the Intermediate division. Here’s a look at the top five finishers in all divisions.

[Full Scores]

CIC3*

  1. Phillip Dutton – Mighty Nice  50.2
  2. Marilyn Little – RF Smoke on the Water  50.7
  3. Buck Davidson – Ballynoe Castle RM  54.1
  4. Jennie Brannigan – Cambalda  55.2
  5. Selena O’Hanlon – Foxwood High  55.6

CIC2*

  1. Jennie Brannigan – Indie  52.4
  2. Marilyn Little – RF Azarah  56.4
  3. Marilyn Little – RF Black Pearl  57.8
  4. Bonner Carpenter – Basco  62.5
  5. Mara Depuy – Chequers Macon  62.9

CIC1*

1. Julie Richards – San City  39.9
2. Kyle Carter – FR’s Trust Fund  43.8
3. Elizabeth New – Uppercrust D  44.7
4. Ann O’Neal Pevahouse – Don Bosco  49.2
5. Anna Sheets – Weatherly  51.8

Advanced

1. Lisa Barry – F.I.S. Prince Charming  50.5
2. Sydney Conley Elliot – Pancho Villa  56.7
3. Joe Meyer – Sanskrit  59.1
4. Phillip Dutton – Fernhill Fugitive  62.5
5. Sara Kozumplik – Flagmount’s Sterling Prince  65.1

Open Intermediate

1. Sara Kozumplik – Tatton Winter  40.4
2. Holly Jacks – More Inspiration  42.4
3. Leslie Law – Picasso  43.6
4. Kate Samuels – Nyls Du Terroir  47.6
5. Jennie Jarnstrom – Cape Town  50.8

Open Preliminary-A

1. Mara DePuy – Alimit  29.7
2. Leslie Law – Tout de Suite  30
3. Alexandra Green – Falkonet  33.10
4. James Daniel Conner III – Carter’s Bridge  33.3
5. Caitlin Henderson – Creative Dreamer  39.7

Open Preliminary-B

1. Caroline Martin – Center Stage  33.2
2. Dana Carlin – Domestic Dispute  33.5
3. Jennifer Simmons – GV Tuscany 34.8
4. Kurt Martin – DeLux Z  37.8
5. Lauren Kieffer – Meadowbrook’s Scarlett  39.1

Preliminary Rider

1. Nicolette Merle-Smith – Cappucino Ice  33.5
2. Lauren Clark – Coolumn XV  33.5
3. Laura Jones – Magnificent Toy  35.7
4. Lauren Clark – Yoscha Bosche  36.6
5. Carmen Schatte – The Flying Tomato  36.9

Video of the Day: Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton at Red Hills

By on Mar 10, 2013 1:00 pm -

Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton had a fantastic trip yesterday around the CIC3* cross-country course at Red Hills International, coming home with no jump penalties and some time to finish in ninth place overall. Peter’s helmet cams are now legendary thanks to Henny’s signature pricked ears as he rocks around cross country. We also love hearing Peter’s constant encouragement for Henny — lots of “Good boy, Henny!” — on course in his helmet cam videos. We’ll next be seeing Peter and Henny at Rolex next month. Until then, run Henny run!

Phillip’s Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing

By on Mar 10, 2013 12:01 am -

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice won the CIC3* at Red Hills. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Phillip Dutton took home top honors in the CIC3* at Red Hills International for a second year in a row thanks to a clean cross-country trip on Mighty Nice that just edged Marilyn Little and RF Smoke on the Water. Just .5 faults meant the difference between first and second place, with time penalties on cross country serving as the final determining factor for who went home with the win. Phillip also took sixth place in the CIC3* with Atlas, showing his anticipated Rolex mounts are in fine form. Samantha Clark reported yesterday that Phillip will give his horses a quiet run at The Fork as a final prep for Rolex, which is just six short weeks away. Go Red Hills.

In other news, don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour this morning!

Events This Weekend:

Red Hills International  [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Full Gallop [Website] [Entry Status] [Results]

Southern Pines I [Website] [Entry Status] [Results]

Flintridge [Website]

Your Sunday Links:

Phillip Dutton Defends Crown at Red Hills

Agency to Probe Risk of Bute in Humans

Western Dressage Clinic Introduces Sport

Horse Meat Testing Continues in Britain

Orphaned Cow Takes Up Carriage Driving

Florida Horse Rescued From River

Take the SmartPak Joint IQ Quiz

Check out Will Faudree’s New Website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQRdVoKV6Z4
Phillip talks to PRO about his winning XC trip on Mighty Nice

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

Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 7, 2013 11:41 pm -

Otis Barbotiere is back in work! Photo courtesy of Boyd's blog.

We’re thrilled to announce that Otis Barbotiere, Boyd Martin’s Olympic mount, has returned to work after four long months of walking an hour and a half each day. Boyd gave a shoutout on his blog to the members of the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate for their patience during Otis’ time off, as well as his faithful crew — Lindsay Taylor, Beau Guimond and Caitlin Silliman — for handling the hours and hours of walking needed to help Otis recover from his injury. It looks like Otis has come away from his time off beautifully. He looks fantastic and we can’t wait to see him back in action this year. Go Otis.

Events This Weekend:

Red Hills International  [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Full Gallop [Website] [Entry Status] [Results]

Southern Pines I [Website] [Entry Status]

Flintridge [Website]

Your Friday News:

HSBC will ends its partnership with the FEI at the end of the 2013 season. HSBC has sponsored the HSBC FEI Classics series since 2008 and will remain the title sponsor through Burghley. Pau and Adelaide will start the new 2013/2014 series and will continue to be supported by HSBC. [FEI]

New EHV-1 cases have been reported in Illinois and Tennessee. The Horse has launched an interactive timeline to show where EHV-1 has spread since the first case was reported in Ocala on Feb. 21. Scroll through the timeline and click on the individual cases to see the news relating to each case. [Horsetalk]

Show your team spirit and rider pride at Red Hills for a chance to be the PRO Tour Fan of the Day. Post a photo of yourself sporting your swag on cross-country day to the PRO Facebook page. The person with the most “likes” will win a prize from a PRO sponsor. Sign up at the Martin Collins tent at the Avenue of Shops. [PRO]

The British Eventing Team has named Chris Hunnable and Jonathan Chapman to its selectors panel. Chris, 48, competed as an individual at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Jonathan, 48, is British Eventing’s National Safety Chairman. [Horsetalk]

With spring just around the corner, SmartPak is addressing how to handle sweet itch. An insect bite hypersensitivity, sweet itch is the most common type of allergic reaction in horses. Research shows that introducing omega-3 fatty acids into the diet can help reduce inflammation caused by sweet itch. [SmartPak]

Jennifer Wooten married Dr. Andres Macouzet last Saturday in Tepoztlan, Mexico. Andres is an equine veterinarian at Santa Lucia Farm in Santa Ynez, Calif., and specializes in lameness. According to Char Eurick, the wedding was “an epic adventure,” with the reception lasting 12 hours. Jen and Andres are now honeymooning in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Congrats Jen and Andres! Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wooten.

Laine Ashker: Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable

By on Mar 7, 2013 1:00 pm -

Eventing Nation mourned with Laine Ashker last month when her lovely gelding The Big Island passed away due to complications following colic/exploratory surgery. I asked Laine to write a tribute piece to Lyle for her next EN column. She also brings us an update on the USEF High Performance Spring Training Sessions and explains why we won’t be seeing Anthony Patch at Rolex this year (hint — it involves a trip to Pau!). Take it away, Laine!

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By Alexandra Arabak

The problem with horses is that one canʼt ever get too comfortable. For as elegant and sturdy as they appear, horses are actually quite fragile and capricious in nature when it comes to their health, both internal and external. This past month has been somewhat of a whirlwind filled with many moments that I will remember forever and those that I only hope to forget.

As many of you have already heard through the respective online “grapevine,” I lost my horse, The Big Island, on February 13 midday due to a ruptured cecum. Lyle had been dealing with small bouts of “colitis” for about a year and after taking him to over three of the nationʼs top equine hospitals across the country for gastroscopies, ultrasounds and whatever other stomach work-up that can be done, it was determined that his “flora” was off kilter and to immediately put him on Succeed. Everything seemed to have been progressing forward until we arrived in Ocala at the beginning of the year, where his small bouts of colitis re-appeared. More tests were taken — from fecals to blood work-ups, in addition to more ultrasounds and scans — only to find that I had a perfectly healthy 18.1-hand 7-year-old horse who was clearly in great discomfort.

On my birthday, February 10, the decision was made by my mother, myself and the great Dr. Hughes of Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital to open Lyle up for an exploratory/colic surgery to see if we could find some answers to what was ailing my poor boy. Mom and I watched through the early hours of the morning as our brave boy underwent surgery, and we were there to be with him as he came out of the anesthesia. Dr. Hughes found Lyle to have a displaced colon and, although she didnʼt think it to be the overall answer to his past ailments, we were relieved to know that it was a temporary fix and we could be well on our way to having our boy back in the shed row Floridian barn within weeks. He was making great steps the first day out of surgery as I constantly took him on strolls around the premises, allowing him to graze for a while as his massive body soaked up the Vitamin D from the embracing Florida sunshine. His morale was high, as was his appetite, which gave the vets, my mom, and I a small sense of relief.

Forty-eight hours post surgery, Lyle took a turn for the worse, which would eventually lead to his demise. A ruptured cecum, the vets said, something so random and small that proved to be so deadly and final. I laid in the stall, stroking Lyleʼs head, embracing his final breaths of being a living entity, watching his stomach as his pulsating breaths slowly dissipated. How fragile these creatures are and yet how vulnerable we become for them. Lyle, like all of my horses, is my family. Unlike all of my other horses, Lyle was known for his tall stature in addition to his astonishing looks. He was mighty and intimidating in presence, but his attitude was anything but. Always a perfect gentleman, Lyle showed up for work on time and in great spirits on a daily basis. What he may have lacked in floaty, lofty movement he made up for in heart, as he never had a single cross-country jump penalty in his short-lived career, which included four intermediates as a 6-year-old. He gave me confidence that I have only had the honor of finding on a select few horses, and I felt limitless when bounding across the country on the California-bred bay gelding. His loss will haunt me for years to come, but I will find great relief in the memories we shared. I only hope that somewhere in heaven some little girl is now realizing her dream of what itʼs like to ride a real four-star horse … and I bet heʼs loving every minute of it.

Roadstar has stepped in as Lainey's mount for the USEF High Performance Spring Training Sessions.

On a lighter note, my other horses have really stepped up since the loss of Lyle. Roadstar has easily qualified for a one-star, which I hope to compete come mid-April. He has been my stand-in for Al in the USEF High Performance Training Sessions here in Ocala this month, and I have been very proud to show off this young up-and-coming talented Thoroughbred to David and receiving his helpful advice. Raptor Force has skipped over three training-level events and will soon make the big move up to the green-colored numbers. Although heʼs a sale horse, I am blessed to have him in my string, as he too gives me a ton of confidence and brings in a very positive aura around the barn in a time where things could easily turn sour.

Furthermore, I have made the executive decision with the guidance from my vet, my mother, and my coach to bypass Rolex with Al this spring in order to save his legs for Pau CCI4* in the fall. Being that Al is not a “spring chicken,” I need to make the right choices in regards to planning his show schedule toward the ultimate goal (WEG and Olympics). Although the decision to not run Rolex this year is a hard one for me, I need to do right by my horse as I know he (along with any other horse in the world) has a limited number of four-star XC courses left in him, and I want to make every single one count!

As I grow older in this sport, I have learned that horses are as variable in nature as they are humbling to their human counterparts. You must cherish every moment you share with your equine partner, as you never know just how long youʼll have him in your life. You see, the only other problem about horses is that they have your heart and everything else in life becomes secondary, whether you like it or not. Until next time, guys, sit back, take a deep breath, and give your pony a hug that both you and he will never, ever forget.

RIP The Big Island

EN’s Got Talent: San City Shows Versatility

By on Mar 7, 2013 11:03 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].

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San City and Katie Wooten Bryant. Photo by Mark Walter Lehner of Hoofclix.

Last week we met Katie Wooten Bryant and San City, a 7-year-old Hanoverian stallion, owned by Katie and her mother Linda Crabtree, whose eventing career really started to take off last year. After winning his Young Event Horse qualifier at Cedar Ridge and placing 10th in the 2011 5-year-old YEH Championships at Fair Hill, Katie started the 2012 season with Samson at training level. He won two of his three training starts, placing third in the other. “After the Young Horse Championships, I started really pushing it,” Katie said. “As a 5-year-old running the trainings, he was so successful and had such a willingness around the course. He started to get that eventing horse feel of looking for the next jump. Before that, he was a good boy and a nice mover and jumper, but then he started to realize he liked it. That’s when I thought I had everything in the making; I had the jump and dressage, and now I have the attitude.”

After Samson’s incredibly successful spring campaign at training level, Katie bumped him up to preliminary at Poplar Place in June. The pair qualified for the AECs at preliminary, where they finished 19th. “In the beginning as a 3- and 4-year-old, I had to push him a little bit more so he would have that fight in cross country,” Katie said. As we hit prelim (age 6), those issues started to dissolve and become less of a problem. He’s always had a say-yes attitude and been willing to do whatever I asked. He’s never been a dirty stopper or not liked ditches or water. Dressage has always come very easily to him. In show jumping, he’s always been great. The challenge was getting past his warmblood personality. A lot of the Thoroughbreds you compete against have that natural drive and fitness level. We have to create that with him and get him extra fit.”

San City shows off his great canter. Photo by Aly Ratazzi of Rather Be Riding Photography.

After the AECs, Katie handed the ride over to Julie Richards, as she was expecting another child. Julie’s first outing on Samson was the CIC1* at Poplar Place last September, which Samson won. The pair then tackled the intermediate at Chattahoochee Hills, where they placed third. Julie and Samson wrapped up his very successful season back at Poplar Place, where they won the intermediate. Now Katie is preparing to take the ride back this year. Samson will spend three months this spring working on his dressage with Caroline Roffman before his first start of the season at Full Gallop in June. Katie plans to move Samson back up to intermediate at River Glen in August and tackle the CIC1* at Poplar Place in September. The pair will round out their 2013 season at the Hagyard Midsouth 3-Day Team Challenge CCI1* in October.

“The thing I love most about him is his say-yes attitude,” Katie said. “I’ve sat on a lot of horses and I’ve brought a lot of horses up through the levels. His willingness to do whatever I ask him to and never back down at a challenge makes him an incredibly easy ride. Even as a 4-year-old, I ran him through a little prelim coffin ditch with multiple questions. His ability to handle it and figure it out as a 4 year old was really impressive. I had my upper-level mare going at that time, and he was sitting on his hind end and setting up for the corner, whereas my mare would fly around the corner. He has this natural ability to set himself up. He’s always been that way. So that on top of the attitude makes my job a lot easier, and I always know that no matter the challenge, he’s going to go head first.”

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN1n-pjc4kw
San City and Julie Richards at Poplar Place 

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Samson passes his trademark personality and talent on to his babies, all of which Katie describes as “little saints who are so easy to break.” One of his 3-year-old fillies is being aimed at the Young Event Horse Championships for next year. Katie has two of his babies that were both Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Region 3 Champions in hand — just like their dad. “It’s fun because he’s so diverse as a sire,” Katie said. “We had a hunter person almost buy him as a 5-year-old. He’s been so successful in the dressage ring and so successful in the event world. The hunter people around Caroline’s barn always oo and ah over him. A lot of his foals could be successful in any discipline.” Katie hopes this is just the beginning of a wonderful partnership with Samson. “I hope he’ll take me as far as I want to go,” Katie said. “I hope he’s with me for a long time to make all my dreams come true.”

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Next week on EN’s Got Talent: We’ll meet Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance, a 7-year-old Trakehner mare who won the Ontario Eventing Championships at preliminary last fall and is moving up to intermediate this season. The mare also competed in the indoor eventing at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, where she placed third overall. Gail Rogers, who owns the Thoroughbred stallion A Fine Romance, sire of A Little Romance and many other talented event horses — including Selena O’Hanlon’s A First Romance — tipped me about this talented youngster. Thanks for the tip, Gail!

Tuesday Video: Pony Commercial Goes Viral

By on Mar 5, 2013 3:55 pm -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekr05T9Iaio

If Budweiser is the king of beers, then Clydesdales are the kings of horse commercials. But a plucky little moonwalking pony has been making waves since Three, a mobile phone network in the UK, launched a new ad campaign last week. The star of the commercial, a Shetland Pony named Socks, has since garnered 2.2 million views on YouTube. Socks has a few more tricks up his sleeve on ThePonyMixer.com, where you can make your own dancing pony video. Wieden + Kennedy, the London-based ad agency responsible for the commercial, hopes the moonwalking pony will help drive home the ad campaign’s slogan — “Silly Stuff. It Matters.” Go Shetland Ponies!

Bruno’s Sunday Links from ERS-Eventing

By on Mar 3, 2013 12:01 am -

Jordan Taylor and Cambridge in the Advanced division at Twin Rivers. Photo by Bill Olson.

It’s a somber day in Eventing Nation as we mourn the loss of Bruno Bouvier, a French event rider well known and loved in the international eventing community. He passed away after a rotational fall on cross country in the CIC2* at Barroca D’Alva in Portugal. A police inquiry into the accident has been launched, according to the FEI. EN extends its deepest condolences to Bruno’s family and friends.

On another note, Rowdie Adams fell from her horse Hector yesterday in the Intermediate Rider division at Rocking Horse. Thankfully, she didn’t suffer any major injuries, but will be grounded and stuck in a neck brace for “quite a while,” she said on her Facebook page. Get well soon, Rowdie!

Events This Weekend:

Rocking Horse HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results] Note: Ride times for cross country have been modified.

Sporting Days HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Twin Rivers HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Results]

Meadow Creek HT: [Website] [Results]

Your Sunday Links

Bruno Bouvier Killed in Fall at Barroca D’Alva 

Lucinda Greens Talks Desensitizing Spooky Horses

Red Hills Horse Trials to Feature Paso Fino

SmartPak Talks Spring Deworming Strategies

Horse Dies After Dramatic Cliff Rescue

Equine Canada Names 2013 Board

Are you a Young Rider in Aiken? You’re invited to meet your fellow competitors 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, March 4 at Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, 716 E. Pine Log Road. Cost is $10 per person. There will be door prizes and special guests. Questions? Contact Nancy Marks at 914-318-7306 or [email protected].

Attention Rolex Riders: Tipperary Equestrian is currently seeking riders who will be competing at Rolex to test a new product. If you’re interested, please contact Caitlin McConnell at [email protected] or call 1-888-313-8842 x31.


2013 Ocala Symposium: Show Jumping with Yogi Breisner – Part I: Training Level 

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

French Eventer Killed in Rotational Fall at Barroca D’Alva

By on Mar 2, 2013 4:37 pm -

Bruno Bouvier. Photo courtesy of Nico Morgan Photography.

We’re very sad to report that French international event rider Bruno Bouvier was killed today in a fall on cross country at Barroca D’Alva horse trials in Portugal. Bruno, 60, suffered a rotational fall at fence five, a triple brush; his horse, Arcilloso III, was uninjured. A regular competitor at Burghley, Blenheim and Badminton, Bruno was a much-loved member of the international eventing community. Eventing Nation extends its deepest condolences to Bruno’s family, friends and connections.

Horse & Hound has the full report:

French international event rider Bruno Bouvier was killed in a fall on the cross-country phase of Barroca D’Alva horse trials in Portugal earlier today.

The 60-year-old event rider had a rotational fall at fence five, a triple brush, while riding the 10-year-old gelding Arcilloso III in the CIC** competition. Bruno suffered fatal injuries as a result, but his horse was not hurt.

Tributes have been flooding in from his fellow event riders on twitter.

Gemma Tattersall: “Totally gutted and sad to hear about Bruno Bouvier RIP you were such a great man. #terrible”

Ruth Edge: “R.I.P Bruno Bouvier such a sad loss of a great man.”

Andrew Heffernan: “Such sad news about Bruno Bouvier. A great guy who was a real character and will be sadly missed.”

Dan Jocelyn: “Extremely saddened to hear of the news of Bruno B today. Good friend, great rider, condolences to his family. Great ambassador for eventing.”

Barroca d’Alva event director Nicholas Melbourne Hart and president of the ground juryJose Miguel Mexia de Almeida expressed their profund regret via a statement released by the FEI.

“On behalf of the whole sport, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bruno Bouvier’s family and to allhis friends in the equestrian world,” they said.

Bruno had competed at the highest level, including regularly travelling to the UK for Badminton, Blenheim and Burghley, during his career.

Rocking Horse and Twin Rivers Results

By on Mar 2, 2013 3:30 pm -

Hawley Bennett Awad and Gin & Juice won the Advanced division at Twin Rivers. Photo by Bill Olson.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice delivered double-clear rounds in cross country and show jumping to win the Advanced division at Twin Rivers on a 34.1. James Alliston and Tivoli and Kristi Nunnink and R-Star followed closed behind on 37.4 and 37.9, respectively. Mackenna Shea and Landioso took the open intermediate division on a 28.6. All other divisions are still running. From the pictures sent to us by Bill Olson, it looked to be a beautiful, sunny day in Paso Robles, Calif.

[All Scores]

Advanced

1. Hawley Bennet-Awad / Gin & Juice 34.1
2. James Alliston / Tivoli / 37.4
3. Kristi Nunnink / R-Star 37.9

Open Intermediate

1. Mackenna Shea / Landioso 28.6
1. Frankie Thieriot / Uphoria 29.6
2. Barb Crabo / Over Easy 29.6

*****

The Open Intermediate divisions have wrapped up at Rocking Horse Winter III, with Buck Davidson and Santa’s Keeper winning OI-A on a 35.2 and Ashley Leith and Tactical Manuever winning OI-B on a 39.6. Lauren Kieffer had an excellent day, placing fourth on Veronica in OI-A with a 36.6 and taking second and third in OI-B with a 44.6 on Cosima and a 50.6 on Czechmate, respectively. All other divisions are still running. Despite the EHV1-scare in Florida and the numerous subsequent scratches from the event, all the divisions saw a decent turnout. Kudos to Rocking Horse for requiring 72-hour health certificates and implementing various biosecurity measures.

*Note: Rocking Horse has adjusted cross-country ride time for Sunday. Please click here for new times.

[All Scores]

Open Intermediate A

1. Buck Davidson / Santa’s Keeper 35.2
2. Fred Scala / Debelius 36
3. Nora Battig / Steppin’ Out 36.4

Open Intermediate B

1. Ashley Leith / Tactical Manuever 39.6
2. Lauren Kieffer / Cosima 44.6
3. Lauren Kieffer / Czechmate 50.6

Video of the Day: Jennie Brannigan Talks Hackamores

By on Mar 2, 2013 1:30 pm -

Jennie Brannigan jumps Indie in a hackamore at the Plantation CIC3*. Photo by Samantha Clark.

The Dutton Eventing Team YouTube Channel published a video of Jennie Brannigan discussing her use of hackamores on Indie and Cambalda. While Mark Phillips has teased the True Prospect Farm team about their favoritism toward hackamores, Jennie said she finds this type of bit helps her horses jump better behind. While Phillip Dutton is a big believer in the “less-is-more mentality” when it comes to bitting and often uses basic snaffles, Phillip also uses hackamores regularly on his rides. Watch the video to learn more about how the True Prospect team uses hackamores. Weigh in, Eventing Nation. Do you use hackamores?

Horse in Florida Develops EHV-1 Neurological Signs

By on Mar 2, 2013 9:30 am -

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One of the four horses testing positive for EHV-1 at Miles Away Farm in Loxahatchee, Fla., has now developed neurological signs, the Florida Department of Agriculture reported yesterday. The horse is being treated at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and is one of the six additional horses linked to HITS Ocala that originally tested positive for EHV-1.

Calder Farms in Ocala has now also been placed under quarantine, but the horse there that originally tested positive for EHV-1 after HITS Ocala remains clinically healthy and shows no signs of infection. A horse not connected to HITS Ocala and located at Tequestrian Farm in Wellington has now also tested positive for EHV-1.

The FEI tent at Wellington Showgrounds was released from quarantine on Thursday after test results came back negative for the horses stabled on the premises. The following farms and premises remain under quarantine:

  • HITS Showgrounds, Ocala – entire facility
  • Up Country Farm/Synergy Farm, Ocala
  • Montera Farm, Ocala
  • Flutterby Farm, Ocala
  • Foxwood Farms, Pinellas Park Black Forest Farm, St. Augustine
  • POD-F Farm (Littlewood Farm), Wellington
  • Brookmore Farm, Oviedo
  • Kings Ridge Farm, Reddick
  • Tequestrian Farm, Wellington
  • Redfield Farm, Ocala
  • Miles Away Farm, Loxahatchee
  • Calder Farms, Ocala

* The quarantines do not necessarily encompass the entire premises.

Florida and other states have not imposed movement restrictions at this time. Please remember to practice biosecurity measures as the threat of EHV-1 remains. Suspected cases of EHV-1 can be reported by calling 850-410-0900 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-800-342-5869 after hours and weekends. Check this PDF from the Florida Department of Agriculture for the most up-to-date information on the EHV-1 outbreak.

Event Riders Association Petitions FEI

By on Mar 1, 2013 2:11 pm -

 

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The Event Riders Association in Great Britain has developed a petition asking the FEI to reconsider many of the new Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MERs) rules put into effect this year. The ERA states that the new rules impact animal welfare, as many Advanced horses and riders must go back to one-star competition to re-qualify “as a pair,” which requires a number of additional runs. The ERA also expresses concerns about the extra financial burden stemming from the the new MERs. The petition currently has 166 signatures, with a goal of obtaining 1,000 signatures before the FEI Eventing Committee meets on March 4. Click here to view the petition.

The ERA petition states the following:

The new requirements to participate in Eventing introduced in 2013 are having considerable negative impact on riders and horses.

1. Advanced horses and riders are having to go all the way back to 1-star competition, putting additional mileage on horses and extra costs on riders and owners. ERA propose that any horse and rider who have both achieved a 3-star or 4-star MER, should not be required to do 1-star level competitions regardless of Category.

2. The requirement to achieve all FEI MERs as a combination is again impacting the welfare of horses and creating considerable additional cost for riders and owners and impacting the value of schoolmaster horses. ERA support the GBR NF proposal that where multiple MERs are required by the FEI, one of those MERs can be achieved separately by horse and rider.

3. The MERs required for a Category are too high, even with the mitigations in place for 2013. ERA propose that the mitigations introduced as a temporary measure in 2013 are made permanent.

4. 15 MERs at 3-Star level to gain a B Category is too hard, given the number of runs that are available and practical at that level. ERA propose that the number of 3-star MERs required to gain a Category B or A are immediately reduced to 10 and that the number of MERs is further reviewed before 2014.

5. Defining an uncategorised International Athlete as a “National Rider” is derogatory and causing upset. ERA propose that the term “National Rider” rider is changed to “Uncategorised International Rider.”

Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month: February

By on Mar 1, 2013 11:05 am -

EN isn’t just your leading source for eventing news, results and commentary; it’s a community where fans of this crazy sport come together to share their war stories. We love hearing from readers and, in turn, sharing your thoughts with the world. All reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month in which they are published. All winners will receive an Omega Alpha supplement of their choosing. Have something to share with EN? Send it to us at [email protected]!

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Vicki and Hoppi

We’re pleased to announced that Vicki Martinez’s reader submission, “Hoppi, My Horse of a Lifetime: One Amateur’s Story,” is the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month for February. Vicki and Hoppi completed their 10th season of preliminary together last year. From Vicki: “It makes me wonder if many other horses have gone more than a decade of successful eventing in to their 20s — and that on a second career after stadium jumping his first decade. Hoppi has been a rock for me through the highs and lows of life, always encouraging life’s important qualities: discipline, commitment, courage, trust, humility, and most of all, balance.  I am incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with Hoppi, my horse of a lifetime.”

Vicki will receive a free supply of an Omega Alpha supplement of her choice for sharing her story about her incredible partnership with Hoppi. Want to win an Omega Alpha supplement? Send in your story, clinic report, video, or other article to [email protected]. If it’s published this month, it will be eligible for March’s giveaway. *Month to be determined by date of publishing, not date of submission. Many thanks to Vicki for writing and to Omega Alpha for supporting Eventing Nation. Go eventing!

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Here’s a look at other reader submissions we loved from last month:

Most educational: “Florida’s First Line of Defense” by Colleen Hofstetter

Colleen explains the history and reasoning behind Florida’s agriculture inspection stations, which all horse owners are required to stop at when entering the Sunshine State. From Colleen: “The Interdiction Stations are considered to be essential in safeguarding the state’s agricultural production, which is second only to Florida tourism, and generates approximately 57 billion dollars in direct sales each year. Horses, in the eyes of Florida, are part of the agricultural industry; the Florida equine industry has an estimated horse population of 350,000, with an overall estimated economic impact of $6.5 billion annually and a capital investment of $7 billion (USDA).” This post is particularly interesting considering the recent outbreak of EHV-1 in Florida. Thanks for writing, Colleen!

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Best clinic report: “Nicola Wilson Clinic Report,” by Maggie Deatrick.

Maggie audited a Nicola Wilson clinic — one of the first the fabulous British event rider has given in the States — at Locochee Farm in Middleburg. Nicola challenged the horses with a variety of seemingly simple exercises that proved to be much more challenging in practice. From Maggie: “Although only six jumps were set up in the indoor, Nicola managed to create courses that were challenging in a consistent manner. Generally, the courses started with an outside five or six stride line, followed by a bending five to seven stride line, and some combination thereof. There were two bending lines that mirrored each other, so one could ride a bending line bending either way from both directions.” Thanks for writing, Maggie!

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Most challenging: “A Collaboration: Learning from Other Disciplines” by Rebecca Barber

Rebecca challenges eventers to get out of their comfort zone and cross train in other disciplines to better themselves as riders. When she rode hunters last summer with hunter trainer Baily Dent, Rebecca found herself able to be more effective in a lighter seat. From Rebecca: “It was definitely frustrating and at times outright humbling (imagine jumping the same 2 foot vertical 10 times while struggling to maintain a rhythm, stay light in the seat, and perform a proper crest release), but at the same time it was completely worth it.  Not only could I feel a difference riding her horses but I was able to translate it into my riding of ‘my’ eventer.” Thanks for writing, Rebecca!

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Most inspirational: “From Race Tracks to Galloping Lanes” by Brooke Schafer

Brooke tells the story of her OTTB Mighty Military, or “Ghost,” who had a war-horse career on the racetrack and retired to a successful eventing career. After a nasty bout of sinusitis sidelined his competition schedule, Brooke his hoping to move up to training level with Ghost in April. From Brooke: “When I went home for a month to Kentucky for Christmas, my friends reported to me that Ghost was extremely depressed while I was gone. After returning, Ghost wouldn’t let me out of his sight and often nickered loudly to me whenever I had to leave. I have a bond with him that is not like any other I’ve ever had with a horse. I trust him with my life every day and I hope we are able to go far together in the upcoming years.”

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Friday News & Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Mar 1, 2013 12:01 am -
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The EHV-1 saga in Florida continues. As we reported earlier this week, seven total horses have now tested positive for EHV-1 wild type, six of which were linked to HITS Ocala. While the quarantine at the Winter Equestrian Festival has been lifted, a variety of biosecurity measures remain in place to safeguard horse welfare. As we announced yesterday morning, Rocking Horse III will still run this weekend. All horses must have a health certificate dated within 72 hours of arriving on the show grounds stating the horse is EHV-1-free.
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Event officials at Red Hills emailed all registered competitors for the March 7-10 event yesterday afternoon, confirming that the event will also require a 72-hour health certificate. “We are prepared with a quarantine barn in the event of any suspicious horse,” officials said. “We have a terrific team of veterinarians in place should any horse require attention. But if you have any concerns about the health of your horse, please be judicious and err on the side of caution.”
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Clayton Fredericks is implementing his own quarantine at Oak Lane Farm in Ocala, according to an email newsletter he issued yesterday. Lessons with ship-ins have been suspended for 10 days. None of Clayton’s horses will be competing this weekend, and it seems unclear at this point as to whether or not he will make the trip to Red Hills. “Having observed the effects of Foot & Mouth Disease in the UK and Equine Influenza in Australia, I know that we cannot be too cautious, and, of course, the horse’s welfare is paramount,” Clayton said.
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Events This Weekend:
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Rocking Horse HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
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Sporting Days HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
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Twin Rivers HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
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Meadow Creek HT: [Website]
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Your Friday News:
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The USEA published excellent EHV-1 biosecurity guidelines from Spruce Meadows Veterinary Services and Dr. Emily Sandler. These tips include keeping equipment cleaned and restricted to one horse, daily monitoring of temperature and overall health, and avoiding common grazing and turnout areas. [USEA]
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Sinead Halpin and Hawley Bennett are the newest members of Team FLAIR Eventing, joining Lainey Ashker, Buck Davidson, Eric Dierks, Phillip Dutton and Allison Springer. “We look forward to supporting their efforts — while protecting their equine athletes’ lungs — as they ride toward the pinnacle of international eventing,” Dr. Jim Chiapetta, FLAIR president, said. [FLAIR]
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Alltech is sponsoring the Alltech Equine Advantage Series in Australia, which will double the prize money at five one-star events this year. The top 25 riders in the series will be invited to compete in the final at the 2014 Sydney International Horse Trials. [An Eventful Life]
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The New England dressage community is supporting a footing upgrade project for the Green Mountain Horse Association. The New England Dressage Association and Central Vermont Dressage Association each pledged $5,000 to match donations made to the footing project by members.  [COTH]
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The British Equestrian Federation has launched a new fitness campaign designed to increase participation in horseback riding. “Trot to be Trim” helps Brits lose weight while enjoying the companionship and thrill of riding horses. The program has already helped a variety of people achieve their weight-loss goals. [British Eventing]
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Eventers are dog people, and SmartPak provides an excellent reminder that your dog’s teeth need TLC, just like your horse’s. This SmartPak Blog post reminds us of the importance of regularly brushing your dog’s teeth, providing chew toys and bones that remove plaque and tartar, and feeding supplements that fight  bad breath and bacteria. [SmartPak]
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkenlkhXpxE
Evention talks tackling ditches
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2013 Featured Rolex Riders — Part 2

By on Feb 28, 2013 3:11 pm -

Will Coleman and Twizzel at Rolex last year. Photo by by Jennifer Whitfield.

Rolex Kentucky posted the second blog installments from the 2013 Featured Rolex Riders on its website today. As we reported early this week, Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville will no longer compete at Rolex, due to a clinical evaluation from the Team USA vets that raised concern. The others horses featured in the blogs are still on track to tackle Rolex. Most notably, Will Coleman indicated in his most recent blog that Twizzel will likely retire after Rolex. Here’s a sneak peak at the latest blogs:

Jennie Brannigan (Cambalda)

I recently realized that I probably mention something about Kentucky at least five times a day… Just little comments, but it’s clear I’m getting the Rolex fever. It’s a funny feeling getting ready for an event you’ve dreamed about going to for so long. You want to be excited, but with horses you’re so used to the ups and downs. So you try not to get too excited until you’re at the event, where your anxiety about getting there is immediately replaced with the anxiety about doing well! Then if the event goes well, it’s replaced with the anxiety to stay on form at the next big competition. (Continue reading)

Will Coleman (Twizzel)

Before Jim and Sarah Wildasin ever even considered owning top-level event horses like Twizzel, they, and their daugher Arden, fell in love with this sport at its highest level, in part because of their annual pilgrimages to Rolex and Badminton. Year after year, they have carved out time to sit and watch every single horse do the dressage, cross-country, and show-jumping, educating themselves while enjoying all the intricacy and excitement the drama provided. They loved the art of it all, the essence of the sport itself, from the barns to the arena to the course. I’m proud to ride for them, hopefully one more time, because I think they do appreciate all the little things that go into a horse performing well, either in that grand arena or out in those rolling hills on cross-country day, but hopefully both! This will probably be our last ride together. Twizzel will most likely retire after this. I have enjoyed every minute of it all. Thanks to Jim and Sarah. (Continue reading)

Sinead Halpin (Manoir De Carneville)

The support that Tate and I have received over the past year has been incredible. I was really looking forward to competing at Rolex and hopefully allowing some of Tate’s supporters to come out and see him do his thing, but for the moment the timing is not quite right, and, as we have learned in the past year, timing is everything. Some people might ask why I am sharing this information publicly, and, to be honest, I feel like I owe it to all those who have been part of this ongoing journey with us. Tate is completely sound and happy. He is staying in full flatwork — his precious night turnout is not being taken away — and he will still take part in Team USA training sessions. (Continue reading)

Stephen Blauner (Neville Bardos and Trading Aces)

As you have figured out by now, I am a huge fan of the syndicate model of ownership. One of the nice things about being part of several syndicates is the ability to “spread the risk.” Most of Neville’s owners also are part of the Oscar syndicate, so there is absolutely no pressure from the owners on Boyd to “push the envelope.” If Neville isn’t ready to run Rolex, we will still have Oscar. Otis Barbotiere was a star at the 2012 London Olympic Games, but is slowly coming back from an ankle injury. No pressures from the owners to get him ready for Rolex. Odds are that one (or more) of the three will run at Burghley or Blenheim or Boekelo. And there will be syndicate members there to watch. (Continue reading)