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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Katie Wooten Bryant and San City at the AECs last year. Photo by Mark Walter Lehner of Hoofclix.

When San City stepped out of the living quarters — there was no room for him inside the trailer — at Dream Acres Sport Horses in Ponce de Leon, Fla., the little weanling resembled an ugly duckling. Or that was Katie Wooten Bryant’s opinion, after her mother Linda Crabtree had purchased the now 7-year-old Hanoverian stallion sight unseen and imported him from Germany. But horses with Samson’s breeding (San Remo X SPS Bounty/Bolero) tend to mature slowly, and the breeder told Katie not to look at the full picture until the horse reached 5 years of age. Luckily for Katie, Samson started to come into his own long before he turned 5.

Katie began showing Samson in hand as a 3-year-old, and he was named Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Region 3 Champion that year, as well as ranked USDF Horse of the Year Reserve Champion. “He started to look so much better as a 3-year-old,” Katie said. “He started out a little tight in his shoulders, but as he got older his movement became much more free.” While Katie initially thought Samson would be a sales project, she started to fall in love with him when she broke him. “I had hopped over little fences on him, but when I free jumped him in preparation for his stallion inspection, I knew I had to keep him. He’s bred to be a dressage horse, and his movement is to die for; but when I saw him jump, I thought he could really be something.”

Caroline Roffman rides San City at the 2011 FEI Championships. Photo by Katie Wooten Bryant.

Like a fine wine, Samson only improved with age. He started his eventing career as a 4-year-old, running in novice at Poplar Place. Later that year, he won his first training-level start at Chattahoochee Hills. While Samson’s bloodlines scream dressage through his sire San Remo, by Sandro Hit, the stallion also has excellent jumping breeding through his dam line, which goes to Lombard. But Katie always worried about whether he had the fitness capabilities to run around an upper-level track. “There were times during his 4-year-old year that I was discouraged, because he was very much a warmblood type and I worried about how that would translate to eventing.”

But Samson continued to rise to the challenge. Katie ended up getting pregnant at the end of 2010, so she sent Samson to Caroline Roffman in Wellington to work on his dressage. Under Caroline’s tutelage, he received the highest score ever given in the history of the USEF/Markel National Young Horse Championships, earning an 89% on the preliminary day to ultimately bring home the FEI 5-year-old Reserve Champion title. By then, Katie was back in the saddle, and she really began to focus on Samson’s eventing career. He won the 5-year-old Young Event Horse qualifier at Cedar Ridge and qualified for the YEH Championships at Fair Hill, where he finished 10th.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHbL_-5de-M
San City’s 5-year-old FEI test 

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Next week on EN’s Got Talent: We’ll learn more about how Samson’s eventing career continued to blossom in his 6-year-old year — during which Julie Richards took over the ride when Katie got pregnant again — and what his competition schedule looks like for 2013. We’ll also meet some of Samson’s babies and discover the fabulous, chill personality that makes him so desirable as a breeding stallion. “He’s gotten out at Julie’s barn and just walks around saying hi to everyone,” Katie said. “He doesn’t know he’s a stallion. He can stay tied to the trailer at a horse show. The disposition plus the talent just makes him fantastic.”

Sinead Halpin sent us a statement on Tate’s spring campaign, which has been recently altered after a clinical evaluation with the Team USA vets. While we’re disappointed we won’t be seeing Sinead and Tate rock Rolex, we’re totally supportive that Team SHE is putting Tate’s health first. Best wishes to Team SHE going forward. Go WEG 2014!

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From Sinead:

We are off to a crazy start down here in Ocala, just having arrived with 13 horses, six people and two dogs! We have already had three days of team training sessions where Tate and Cue were superstars. We also had 10 horses competing at the last few Florida-based events. It is really great to be able to start the season down here, and it’s very exciting to be part of the changes that are happening in our sport. Some of these changes are a new coach, a new veterinary panel and new selectors. Everyone seems to be navigating these adjustments quite well.

The first apparent change in format is how the vet evaluations at the first training session were conducted. After the third day of sessions, all the horses had a full work up, including flexions, scans and an updated history on paper. The hope is that this way we have a starting point and can get ahead of things instead of playing catch up at major competitions. Tate looked fantastic in his clinical evaluation, showing no sensitivity to flexions and also looking great (and wild) on a circle. During the second part of evaluations, Dr. Revenaugh found a weakened area in one of Tate’s scans. This was very surprising because Tate was as close to perfect as you can get in a clinical exam.

Following the exam, Coach O’Connor, Dr. Revenaugh, Dr. Furlong and I had a good chat about moving forward. With the ultimate goal being the WEG in Normandy in August 2014, we decided that we should spend the next few months strengthening this weakness. Our original plan of Rolex this spring seems an unnecessary risk if it’s going to compromise the horse or the big picture plan with Team USA.

This new veterinary process is already proof that the new team system is working. We hopefully stopped a problem before it happened, as well as established an open level of communication between coach, rider, vet and owner. I am pleased to say that those involved with the Tate and On Cue syndicate have been amazing and fully supportive of putting the horse first.

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.

Thank you for your continued support and Go USA!

Sinead and Team S.H.E

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Eagle at the Aiken training sessions held earlier this month. Photo by Kate Samuels.

USEF Eventing High Performance is back in Aiken this week for another round of training sessions with David O’Connor. The sessions will once again be held at beautiful Stable View Farm. David will have a microphone this time around, so everyone (riders included!) will be able to hear him much better. Auditors are welcome. Click here for detailed driving directions (simply plugging the address into your GPS will take you on a wild goose chase). Here’s a look at the schedule for Tuesday’s training sessions. It looks to be a very busy day!

Tuesday, Feb. 26 – Dressage
8:00 AM: Allison Springer/Copycat Chloe
8:45 AM: Phillip Dutton/Mighty Nice
9:30 AM: Phillip Dutton/Fernhill Eagle
10:15 AM: Jennie Brannigan/Cambalda
11:00 AM: Boyd Martin/Master Frisky
11:45 AM: Boyd Martin/Trading Aces
12:30 PM: Lunch Break
1:00 PM: Doug Payne/Crown Talisman
1:45 PM: Emily Beshear/Here’s To You
2:30 PM: Erin Sylvester/No Boundaries
3:15 PM: Holly Payne/Santino
4:00 PM: Will Faudree/Andromaque
4:45 PM: Susan Beebee/Wolf

Additionally, the USEF is hoping to see a strong turnout at the High Performance Owners’ Day at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Palmetto Country Club. Join leading event riders for a round of golf and learn more about how to become involved in the sport on an ownership level. Drinks and food will be served following the golf outing at Fox Frolic Farm, where David will host a Q&A about ownership. Events like this are critical to securing new owners and supporters for the sport. If you’re interested in attending, see below for contact and RSVP information.

After eight years as an equine vet, Kelleyerin Clabaugh of Aramat Farm decided to put her life on hold to pursue her dream of mucking stalls and learning to ride from an upper level three-day event rider. She is now a working student for eventer Meika Decher of Polestar Farm in Lake Stevens, Wash. EN will be following along as Kelleyerin navigates the ins and outs of being a working student, and has the time of her life along the way. Go Kelleyerin!

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From Kelleyerin’s blog:

Introducing “Phaolan,” the Little Wolf; or “Henry,” as was his name when I bought him; or “Puppy,” as Meika has taken to calling him.

Hopefully he jumps this well!

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True to his new name, the Little Wolf is adorable and affectionate and playful. But, like a wolf, he is intelligent, brave, athletic, easily offended and quick to strike. Phaolan is a coming 4-year-old TB gelding by the same stallion as my mare Phena. I purchased him impulsively right before quitting my job and moving up to Polestar. He had been at Portland Meadows but had not raced. He was then purchased by a gallop girl after he developed a reputation for being a bit of a handful. I was lucky enough to get him next. After seeing him effortlessly free jump a 4-foot oxer from a lumbering lope, I had to have him. Never mind that he looked like a pig-eyed, post-legged yak, and he tried to kick me when I touched him.

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Fortunately, body clipping revealed that he does have angulation to his hind legs and he is not microphthalmic.

One of the things I had hoped to learn at Polestar was how to bring along young OTTBs. Phaolan was broke and had the basics, but steering malfunctions were common and adding leg elicited either nothing or cow kicking. As Meika says, “All the buttons on the dash aren’t there yet”. Since I have been here, I have been riding horses with dashes like a modern luxury car — tons of switches to flip to cue various movements. But at his level of training, Phaolan is a lot like my first car, a 1959 VW bug that I had to push to start. The steering wheel didn’t always turn the tires and the dash only had two nobs: the choke and the windshield wiper. That car almost got me killed, but I giggled every time I drove it.

On other horses, I am learning to refine and quiet my commands. On Phaolan, I am learning to distill them down to the very simplest ingredient and whisper it to him. And if he doesn’t respond to the whisper, yell at him! So far there are two things with regard to training young horses that Meika has said that have surprised me. First, not to treat him like a baby. Second, to hold him accountable for his mistake, even if he didn’t know he was making one. At first, these seemed unfair to me. He IS a baby. He doesn’t know anything, so how can I expect anything of him? How can I discipline him when he didn’t know what the right answer was?

But it turns out that in my attempt to be kind and fair, I was being a nag. When he didn’t move off my leg, I kept squeezing and squeezing and Squeezing and SQUEEZING!!!! And nothing would happen. I was so exhausted that when he finally did move, I almost fell off because my legs were so tired. I was teaching him to tune me out because there was no reason to listen. So, taking Meika’s advice, the next time I wanted him to walk forward, I gently squeezed and when he did not move, I smacked him with a dressage whip. And we MOVED! Fortunately, the puppy is well balanced, comfy and inherently lazy, so the bucking subsided fairly quickly. And next time when I squeezed, he did not wait for me to hit him, he walked forward. Imagine that!

Rider profiles have been pouring in since last week’s announcement of the return of the Lower-Level Event Rider Profile. Today we meet Heather and her horse Bobby from Albuquerque, NM. Want to be featured on Eventing Nation? Fill out the questionnaire and send it to [email protected]. Reminder: we must have permission from the photographer to use any photos.

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Your Name: Heather

Age: 27

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Primary horse’s name: Bobby Socks

Age, breed, pertinent info: Bobby is an 8-year-old TB/Mustang gelding. I used to compete with his sire, and Bobby was an accident. The mare’s owner did not want any more horses at the time, so she gave him to me before he was born. It’s been a privelege to have known him from Day 1 and to have the opportunity to bring him along exactly as I want.

Level currently competing: Novice

Short-term goals this spring/summer: I am hoping to get Bobby back to up to training level after a year of injuries and soundness issues. Last spring he tore a hind suspensory ligament, which was followed by developing arthritic changes in his stifles during stall rest, and we are slowly but surely getting sound and fit again! Our first recognized event in over a year will be at Abbe Ranch HT in Colorado in June, followed by Coconino HT (AZ) in July, and Goose Downs Farm HT (NM) in August.

Year-end goals: I would like to compete in the Classic Format T3D Event at Meadowcreek Park Fall HT in Texas in November.

Overall goals? Rolex! My short-term goal is to compete a 1* with Bobby, and my long-term goal is to complete a 4* in Kentucky.

What’s the best thing you’ve learned recently? While going through the painfully slow process of rehabbing my horse from his suspensory tear, I discovered quite a few holes in his flatwork training. He’s so fun and easy to jump that I may have skipped over some important dressage in his previous training in favor of the fun stuff. But being forced into months of walking and trotting on flat surfaces gave me the chance to go back and fix all those little holes, which has improved our dressage drastically. Lesson learned — never rush the foundation!

Favorite eventing moment/story?  My favorite eventing moment was completing Bobby’s first training level event. I had entered the show not knowing that it was a tough, hilly, long XC course with quite a few combinations and technical elements that presented problems for riders and horses more experienced than me and my horse. Despite being somewhat terrified and having an extremely ugly (but clean!) show jump round, I headed out to XC with blind faith in my brave little steed. Sure enough, he carried me around that course like we’d been doing it for years, clean and inside the time. Not even the fact that he had stopped mid-dressage-test to poop (he made it clear what he thinks of dressage …) could tarnish how great I felt at the end of that show. I can’t say enough words to explain how wonderful and brave my horse is, and I know that it’s his can-do attitude and spunk that make him so special.

"Rain? What rain?" Photo courtesy of Phillip Dutton's Facebook page.

A very rainy weekend at Pine Top is winding down. Thanks to the hard work of the event officials and volunteers, the footing held well across all three phases. Despite standing rain in the dressage arenas, riders reported that it wasn’t slippery. And when footing around certain cross-country jumps began to break down, volunteers moved the jumps several inches away to provide the best possible take-off points for horses and riders. Volunteers are critical to the sport, and we really can’t say enough about the caliber of people who helped at Pine Top this weekend. It’s far easier to volunteer on a sunny, warm day; true colors are revealed in the pouring, chilly rain. EN salutes the volunteers and event officials who kept Pine Top running smoothly this weekend. Go eventing.

Events This Weekend:

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

Your Sunday Links:

Horses in Wellington Test Negative for EHV-1

Gulf Coast Circuit Announces EHV-1 Security Measures

No New EHV-1 Cases Reported at HITS Ocala

Two NJ Farms Quarantined After EHV-1 Scare

New Stubben Bit Wins Award for Innovation

Johnny Depp Describes Narrow Escape in Fall

New Film to Feature Show Jumper Jappeloup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC4EteyUpwg
Jennie Brannigan and Ping in their first outing since Boekelo 

Suave Jazz is ready to show off tomorrow in the 100-Day Challenge final evaluation at the PA Horse World Expo. Photo courtesy of the Retired Racehorse Training Project Facebook page.

The Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100-Day Challenge concludes tomorrow at the PA Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, Pa. Four Thoroughbreds — Declan’s Moon, Alluring Punch, Suave Jazz and Gunport — have battled it out for top honors, each one serving as a wonderful example of how ex-racehorses are ideally suited for second careers. Here’s a look at the judges who will determine which Thoroughbred will be crowned the victor of the 100-Day Challenge:

• Nick Karazissis — a leading hunter/jumper trainer from California who grew up riding Thoroughbreds
• Bev Strauss — eventer, racehorse trainer and director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, one of the country’s oldest and most respected Thoroughbred placement organizations
• Donnan Jones — a dressage guru to international eventers for decades, Olympic dressage rider and wife of legendary Throughbred bloodstock agent Russell Jones

But the decision isn’t only being left up the three judges. If you’ve followed along with EN’s coverage of the 100-Day Challenge, be sure to vote in the polls on the RRTP website before the final evaluation and judging tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.. There are six polls to determine which of the Thoroughbreds you think are best suited for the following categories:

• Dressage
• Three-Day Eventing
• Show Hunter
• Show Jumper
• Foxhunter and Trail Horse
• The One You Wish You Could Own

Here are the most current videos of the four Thoroughbreds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3W9idiy-8I
Suave Jazz 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBra59aAC-8
Alluring Punch 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi0BVK2e-vk
Declan’s Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4DGavlFVDI
Gunport 

Check out the RRTP YouTube channel to see more videos on the progress the four Thoroughbreds have made in the past 100 days. If you’re in the Harrisburg area, be sure to stop by the PA Horse World Expo tomorrow at 2 p.m. to watch the final evaluation and judging of the 100-Day Challenge. Click here for a full schedule of events at the expo, as well as information on tickets and directions.

Most Americans will be glued to their televisions watching highlights of the 85th annual Oscars this weekend. The rest of us will be constantly hitting refresh on Eventing Nation to follow Samantha Clark’s excellent coverage at Pine Top. As Kate said yesterday, Pine Top Advanced is often considered the first major event of the season, during which all the big names will be out for a tune-up run. Stay tuned to EN this weekend for results, photos and rider interviews. Go Pine Top.

Event This Weekend:

Pine Top: [Website] [Ride Times]

Your Friday News:

The Red Hills CIC3* will start the 2013 Adequan USEA Gold & PRO Tour Series season next month. The Gold Cup format has changed this year to incorporate 11 qualifying events, giving horses and riders the chance to compete for $40,000 in the Adequan Advanced division at the AECs. [USEA]

Dr. Lydia Gray, SmartPak‘s medical director and staff veterinarian, gives advice on how to keep weight on older horses during winter. Owners of geriatric equines must take into account the horse’s ability to chew, digest and absorb food, as well as any additional vitamins and nutrients that might be needed. [SmartPak]

Rachel Alexandra is on the mend a week after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Complications during the birth of her Bernardini filly left veterinarians unsure if she would survive. Now the 2009 Horse of the Year “is recovering with the same courage and determination that made her a champion on the track.” [ESPN]

German scientists have discovered the gene that controls how tall a horse will grow. The gene, LCORL, limits the growth in size of horses, meaning a strong expression of LCORL will lead to smaller horses. Warmbloods show wide genetic variation, which leads to a variety of height ranges. [Horsetalk]

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.

Best of the Blogs: COTH’s Molly Sorge knows that when George Morris calls, you answer — no ifs, ands or buts. [COTH]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om-A-KB59Qo
As seen on Horse Nation: mini horse foal vs. giant soccer ball 

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].

__________

Kurt Martin and Anna Bella. Photo by Pam Eckelbarger of HoofClix.

Last week we met Kurt Martin and Anna Bella, a coming 7-year-old Holsteiner mare currently going preliminary. While he originally found the mare at Windsor Farm Sales in Upperville, Va., as a sales prospect, he ended up buying her for himself after discovering she was the most naturally talented cross-country horse he’d ever ridden. But their partnership didn’t develop overnight. “She’s a hard nut to crack,” Kurt said. “When I got her, she had lived in a field for two months. She didn’t want to be in the barn and didn’t want anything to do with people. I started giving her treats to help overcome that. Now she pricks her ears and comes to me.”

Kurt said one of the biggest challenges with the mare has been dealing with her independent personality. After time off this winter, Anna Bella pulled the same “I-don’t-need-you” routine. “When I got her, they told me they thought she just needed one person, and that’s what it is,” Kurt said. Anna Bella has thrived emotionally and competitively under Kurt’s one-on-one attention. After a successful stint in the Level 5 jumpers at HITS last summer, the mare finished out the season at preliminary, finishing in the top four in all but one of her five runs at that level.

Anna Bella. Photo courtesy of Kurt Martin.

Anna Bella is a very natural jumper, and Kurt is working on developing her dressage work. “She’s definitely a jumper with a big, round neck,” Kurt said. “But she’s a little up in front, so that will help us out. Right now we’re trying to get her to connect and stay soft. Transitions come very easily for her, as do flying changes and leg yields. Her canter is two times better this year; last year it was more short and quick, whereas this year it’s much more forward and open.”

Kurt has been working with Boyd Martin down in Aiken this winter to fine-tune Anna Bella’s jumping before her first event of the season in preliminary at Paradise Farm. “She’s an absolute star,” Kurt said. “She’s so quick with her feet and her legs. She becomes electric — always looking for the next fence. It’s just such a great feeling to have a horse that wants to go and jump hard and is also 100-percent rideable with a good temperament. This year, we’ll hopefully be able to produce a little more at shows. She did good work last year for a green horse; this year she really should come along.”

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7_oREEkVI
Anna Bella’s prelim dressage test at Middleburg 

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If all goes according to plan, Anna Bella will tackle her first CIC* at Red Hills, and Kurt has his sights set on the CCI2* at Fair Hill in the fall. “She’s brave and I don’t think she has any limits,” Kurt said. “It’s my job to put her on the path to get there. I am going to go a little slow at the beginning and try to build that confidence and experience, and later on we can really pump it out. Every horse has its place; if they’re not in the right place, they’re not going to get as far. She just hopefully landed in the right place with me.” 

Next week on EN’s Got Talent: We’ll meet San City, a 6-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Katie Wooten Bryant and ridden by Julie Richards at the intermediate level. Aly Ratazzi tipped me about this lovely stallion: “I have met him in person, and he is the most well-mannered stallion — so chill.” In addition to having a lovely temperament, San City is a already an accomplished dressage competitor;  he was the 2011 USDF FEI 5-year-old reserve champion. Thanks for the tip, Aly!

Gangnam style is out. The Harlem Shake is in. And when a video goes viral on YouTube, parody videos are bound to happen — at a rate of 4,000 a day in this case. EN’s sister site Horse Nation tracked down a variety of Harlem Shake videos featuring horses standing around looking very confused or, in one case, running away from the strange dancing humans. This is our favorite horse-themed Harlem Shake video thus far. If you find a version you like better, leave us a link in the comments. Click here to see the full rundown of Harlem Shake videos with horses — and those creepy horse masks — playing a leading role.

Colleen Rutledge and her youngest daughter Ciana. Photo by Samantha Clark.

Eventing Nation would like to wish a very happy birthday to Colleen Rutledge. Colleen lost her 8-year-old son Connor two weeks ago. Since then, she has shown incredible courage and remained positive, inspiring many people through her bravery and showing the true quality of her character. The eventing community is stronger and better because of wonderful people like Colleen. We wish Colleen all the best as she prepares for her first event of the season — including Shiraz’s first outing — next weekeend at Pine Top. Read more about what Colleen has been up to on her blog.

Events This Weekend:

Fresno County Horse Park: [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Paradise Farm: [Website] [Times]

Rocking Horse II: [Website] [Times]

Your Sunday Links

New Zealand Eventer Lizzie Brown Eyes Rio

FEI Issues Frangible Pin Clarification

Equine Canada Announces New CEO

Switzerland to Host FEI Sports Forum

Horse Dealer Transported Pony with Strangles

Artist Peter Max Helps Horses with Paintings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-oCF5GsBAE
A fun throwback: Colleen and Luke tackle Burghley in 2011 

Suave Jazz takes in the crown at the Maryland Horse World Expo.

The four Thoroughbreds participating in the Retired Racehorse Training Project’s 100-Day Challenge will appear for their final evaluation next week at the PA Horse World Expo. It doesn’t seem like much time has passed since we first met the four superstars — Declan’s Moon, Alluring Punch, Suave Jazz and Gunport — and fans started picking their favorite Thoroughbred. We first saw all but Gunport — who was sidelined with a hock injury — in action last month at the Maryland Horse World Expo, and now comes the final test.

Steuart Pittman recently announced the three judges who will decide which Thoroughbred takes home the top prize. The judges are: Nick Karazissis, a leading hunter/jumper trainer from California who grew up riding Thoroughbreds; Bev Strauss, eventer, racehorse trainer, and director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, one of the country’s oldest and most respected Thoroughbred placement organizations; and Donnan Jones, a dressage guru to international eventers for decades, Olympic dressage rider and wife of legendary Throughbred bloodstock agent Russell Jones.

Boyd Martin and Doug Payne analyze their position on Dartfish at the Aiken training sessions. Photo courtesy of the USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook page.

Since the USEF High Performance spring training sessions began last month, David O’Connor has been recording riders using Dartfish, a video software that allows him to view, analyze and edit footage of riders to help them better understand his coaching. Dartfish has become an incredible training tool used by many of the world’s top athletes, including 400 medal winners at the 2012 London Olympics. Three-time gold-medal winner Usain Bolt uses Dartfish because it “slows everything down so you can work on your technique,” according to Dartfish’s website. Many of the riders at the training sessions have commented on how much Dartfish has benefitted them thus far. Kudos to David for harnessing the power of video technology to help our riders improve in 2013.

Events This Weekend:

Fresno County Horse Park: [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Paradise Farm: [Website] [Times]

Rocking Horse II: [Website] [Times]

Your Friday News:

Andrea Leatherman posted a statement on her Facebook page yesterday after losing her 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare Neveah to a heart-related event on cross country at the Ocala Horse Trials one week ago today. Eventing Nation continues to extend its deepest condolences to Andrea and wishes her all the best in her recovery from her injuries, which include punctured lungs, cracked ribs and a concussion. From Andrea:

“Last Friday, I lost my beloved mare Neveah to a heart attack on cross country. Words can’t describe the pain and confusion one feels going through something this tragic. As riders, we hope and pray we don’t have to go through something so emotionally and physically painful. Neveah was the whole package. She put an uncontrollable smile on your face when you rode her, tried her heart out, never said no and had amazing talent. I called her ‘my little female Mensa’ and felt so blessed to have had her in my life.

“I am so deeply saddened by her loss and will miss her so much. As for my injuries, they will heal. I can’t thank everyone enough that has reached out to me. My family, friends and the eventing community have been such an incredible support system. The endearing hugs, words, thoughts, prayers and flowers have deeply touched me and helped me to begin my recovery during the past week. Give your horses and ponies an extra hug every day.”

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Preakness Stakes winner and Horse of the Year, is in serious condition after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair part of her small colon that was damaged during a difficult delivery of her Bernardini filly. The veterinary team at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., say it is too soon to make a prognosis about her recovery. [The Blood-Horse]

William Fox-Pitt is showing his philanthropic side by supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK, the charity of the year for the 2013 Mitsubishi Motos Badminton Horse Trials. “Alzheimer’s Research UK is a hugely deserving cause, dedicated to defeating dementia and giving hope to people now and future generations,” William told a local newspaper. [Midweek Herald]

Champion racehorse Frankel appropriately started his stud duties on Valentine’s Day and is reportedly booked through the rest of the year. His book for this year includes Danedream, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and six-time Group One winner Midday. Frankel stands for £125,000. [Horse & Hound]

Two meat-plant workers have been taken into custody in the first arrests in the European horse-meat scandal. The Food Standards Agency also recently reported that six slaughtered horses testing positive for phenylbutazone were shipped to France for consumption `and have already entered the food system. [Horsetalk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzIF9XeapTk
Kristin Schmolze’s Cavaldi finds a creative way through Phillip Dutton’s grid

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].

Kurt Martin and Anna Bella. Photo by Pam Eckelbarger of HoofClix.

Kurt Martin first saw Anna Bella, a 6-year-old Holsteiner mare, at Windsor Farm Sales in Upperville, Va., about one year ago when she was green broke and recently had a foal. The farm asked Kurt if he could sell the mare as an eventer; thus, their partnership was born. “I said I would need time to see what she could be,” Kurt said.

“I prepped her for a month before bringing her to Aiken. I cross-country schooled her about three times, and she was just so straight forward about everything.” Kurt fell in love with the mare and bought her for himself soon after. “She was a little rough in the beginning, and we weren’t sure how careful she was going to be,” Kurt said. “But she turned out to be a super trier; she was just trying a little too hard at times, but that’s what makes her so great to ride.”

The further Anna Bella progressed into her training, the better she became at her job. Kurt took Anna Bella to the first event of her career in novice at Paradise Farms in February 2012, about two months after he’d begun her training. “She was very much on her toes, and she’s still like that; she has a lot of go,” Kurt said.

“But she wasn’t crazy. She was very bold and jumped double clean on cross country. She’s not scared of a single thing in the world.” One week later, the pair went training at Pine Top, where Anna Bella again jumped double clean on cross country. “She just kept rolling,” Kurt said. Anna Bella continued to run at training through the spring and summer last year, placing in the top four in four of her five starts.

Kurt Martin and Anna Bella. Photo by Pam Eckelbarger of HoofClix.

Kurt and Anna Bella took a detour to the jumpers during the summer at HITS, where the mare excelled in the Level 5 jumpers and even competed in a 1.3-meter mini prix. “She really rises to the occasion in the big ring,” Kurt said. “It showed how versatile she is to go in and jump clean rounds under the lights.It was also neat to be jumping her at the height of advanced fences. She could really excel at straight show jumping.”

But Kurt and Anna Bella didn’t stay away from eventing for too long. After her stint in the jumper ring, Anna Bella moved up to preliminary at the Maryland Horse Trials in May. “She just ate it up,” Kurt said.

Kurt describes Anna Bella as one of the most naturally talented cross-country horses he’s every had the pleasure of riding. While the mare always excelled on cross country, the show jumping didn’t come as naturally to her in the very beginning. Kurt believes her time spent at HITS last summer helped Anna Bella come into her own with her jumping style.

“It was an important part of her conditioning and training to get her into the show ring in that type of environment,” Kurt said. “The horses have to take in whatever is on course and then try to go a little faster in the jump off. It came very naturally for her and she always finished with her ears pricked and loving it.”

Next week on EN’s Got Talent: It’s clear Anna Bella excels as a jumper, so we’ll discuss how Kurt is addressing her dressage training and what he says for the future in her eventing career.

“She’s definitely a jumper with a big, round neck,” Kurt said. “But she’s a little up in front, so that will help us out. Right now we’re trying to get her to connect and stay soft. Transitions come very easily for her, as do flying changes and leg yields. Her canter is two times better this year; last year it was more short and quick, whereas this year it’s much more forward and open.”

Sign up for Howdaa's "The Psychology of a Comeback" with Sinead Halpin. Photo by Samantha Clark.

I introduced you to Howdaa, Meg Kep and Dana Romano’s new business venture, earlier this year after I participated in the inaugural Working Student Bootcamp with Sinead Halpin Eventing. Since then, Howdaa has officially launched its website and is about to kick off four different online classes that address topics ranging from the basic principles of dressage to sports psychology. This new online education portal provides live classes, discussions and hands-on opportunities with equine experts and professionals. Here’s a look at what Howdaa is currently offering:

Learn Howdaa be a Working Student — Feb. 15-March 31 — Meg Kep

Meg Kep, head groom for Sinead Halpin, will show potential working students the ropes in this four-week long class that covers barn management, horse health and nutrition, equine first aid and proper grooming techniques for competition. Participants will have their skills assessed by Meg by sending in a video, which she will critique during a live chat. For those interested in being a working student, this class is a must. Click here to sign up for Learn Howdaa be a Working Student. Cost is $125.

The Gaits of Brilliance: Path to the Olympic Podium — Feb. 19 @ 4 p.m. — Robert Dover

How do top riders start out at local schooling shows and eventually find their way to national, international and Olympic stages? Robert Dover will answer those questions in a live chat, during which participants are welcome to ask their own questions. Robert will address seeing the dream, deciding to go after it, failure and embracing it, learning how to succeed and giving back. Click here to sign up for The Gaits of Brilliance: Path to the Olympic Podium. Cost is $30.

The Basic Principles of the Art of Dressage — Feb. 20 @ 4 p.m. — Robert Dover

Some horses are born to do dressage. For other horses, dressage takes hard work, practice and the right foundation. Robert Dover will discuss the dressage basics — forward, straightness, three sets of aids, balance, rhythm, tempo, frame and half-halts — during a live chat in which participants can ask questions. Click here to sign up for The Basic Principles of the Art of Dressage. Cost is $30.

The Psychology of a Comeback — Feb. 26 @ 7:30 p.m. — Sinead Halpin

Many people were stunned when Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville were not named to the 2012 Olympic team. Hear the story from Sinead’s point of view during a live chat as she discusses dealing with the crushing disappointment and making a comeback mere weeks later with an incredible performance at Burghley. Bring your questions about your own struggles with the psychology of competing. Click here to sign up for The Psychology of a Comeback. Cost is $25.

Connor Husain and Piece of Hope won their intermediate division at Pine Top. Photo by Samantha Clark.

The Pine Top Winter Horse Trials marked the first event of the season for which Eventing Nation was on site to provide live coverage. Samantha Clark brought us excellent reports, photos and video interviews, which you can view by clicking here and here. Will Faudree finished both first and second in the first open intermediate division with DHI Colour Candy and Andromaque, while Connor Husain and Piece of Hope put in an impressive performance to win the OI-2. Caitlin Romeo and Spirit of the Outback won the OI-3 on a 32. Click here for full results.

Pine Top Winter Horse Trials Results:

Open Intermediate 1
1. Will Faudree and DHI Colour Candy
2. Will Faudree and Andromaque
3. Sally Cousins and Ideal Contini

Open Intermediate 2
1. Connor Husain and Piece of Hope – 36.4
2. Erin Renfroe and DeCordova – 38.4
3. Jennie Brannigan and Indie – 40.4

Open Intermediate 3
1. Caitlin Romeo and Spirit of the Outback – 32
2. Lynn Symansky and Donner – 39.2
3. Rachel Jurgens – 42.4

Open Preliminary 1
1. Mara DePuy and Alimit – 30.9
2. Will Faudree and Riesling De Buss – 31.8
3. Ryan Wood and D-Day Vant Plantanenhof – 32

Open Preliminary 2
1. Kaylin Dines and Why Not – 32.3
2. Lindsay Beer and Karbon Kopy – 25.9
3. Lizzie Snow and Ringfort Tinkaturk – 30.5

Open Preliminary 3
1. Ariel Grald and LBF O’Leagh’s Image – 23.6
2. Boyd Martin and Muggle – 28.4
3. Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie – 29.6

******

Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni on their way to winning OI-A at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Horse Trials. Photo by Dave Elle.

The Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Horse Trials wrapped up the lower-level divisions today, with the intermediate divisions having completed earlier in the weekend. Michael Pollard dominated the open intermediate divisions, winning the OI-A on Schoensgreen Hanni and the OI-B on Mensa after laying down an incredible impressive 17.6 in dressage. Click here to watch a video of Michael and Mensa’s test, courtesy of The Horse Pesterer. Marcia Funk and Double Rivers Basil Brush won the intermediate rider division. Click here for full results.

Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Results:

Open Intermediate-A
1. Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni – 36.4
2. Sydney Conley Elliott and Pancho Villa – 38
3. Kyle Carter and FR’s Trust Fund – 41.6

Open Intermediate-B
1. Michael Pollard and Mensa – 20
2. Peter Atkins and HJ Hampton – 31.2
3. Julie Norman and Consensus – 35.2

Intermediate Rider
1. Marcea Funk and Double Rivers Basil Brush – 42
2. Rowdie Adams and RF Blitsfee – 42.4
3. Savannah Fulton and Ringfort Tinkatoo – 43.6

Open Preliminary-A
1. Heather Morris and Picture This – 28.7
2. Lynne Partridge and Zoe – 28.7
3. Lauren Kieffer and Lndmk’s Monte Carlo – 29.1

Open Preliminary-B
1. Clayton Fredericks and Sorrento – 20.4
2. Heather Morris and Twizted Syster – 23.6
3. Bonner Carpenter and Basco – 24.8

Open Preliminary-C
1. Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett – 23.1
2. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica – 23.9
3. Leslie Law and Tout de Suite – 23.9

Elisa Wallace's Pocket rides Katy Long's Miles at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Horse Trials. Many thanks to Megan Johnston for sending us this photo!

Yesterday marked the return to competition for Caitlin Silliman, who’s been grounded since last September after she fractured her skull in a fall. Caitlin rode Remington XXV and Catch A Star — both of which are being aimed at Rolex — in open preliminary at Pine Top, where Samantha caught up with her for a video interview. Be sure to check out Samantha’s report for more from Caitlin, as well as other rider interviews, plenty of photos and the top-notch EN analysis you know and love.

Events This Weekend:

Pine Top Farm [Website] [Entry Status/Times] [Results]

Ocala Horse Properties [Website] [Times] [Results]

Your Sunday Links:

Todd, Nicholson to Anchor New Zealand Team in Rio

Full Show Lineup Returns to Kentucky Horse Park

West Coast Dressage Young Talent Search Launched

SmartPak Introduces Cartoon to Discuss Omega 6

Australia Reviews Policy on Importing Horses

Sweden Joins Great Britain’s Horse-Meat Scandal

$50,000 Grant Available to Research Hippotherapy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhdo1qksu5I
Peter Atkins’ helmet cam from the Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Horse Trials

There’s been a lot of chatter about the 17.6 dressage score Michael Pollard and Mensa earned in their intermediate division at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter II Horse Trials, which ultimately helped them to an 11.2-point victory in OI-B. Thanks to our good friend The Horse Pesterer, we have some great game tape to study. David O’Connor has placed a heavy emphasis on accurate geometry in the USEF High Performance Spring Training Sessions and has worked with the riders on squeezing every last point out of a dressage test. I’d say Michael has taken David’s advice seriously! Michael also had a great day on Schoensgreen Hanni, winning the OI-A on a 36.4. Click here to view his dressage test on Hanni.

Andrea and Neveah. Photo via Andrea's Facebook.

We just received word from Buck Davidson that Andrea Leatherman punctured her lungs in a rotational fall earlier today at the Ocala Horse Trials. The fall claimed the life of her Thoroughbred mare Neveah. Buck reported that all of Andrea’s limbs are moving fine but she is in a lot of pain, in addition to recovering from a concussion.

As we reported earlier today, Andrea and Neveah suffered a rotational fall at the fourth jump on the intermediate cross-country course at Ocala. Neveah expired shortly after the fall. Andrea regained consciousness at the scene and was transported to Ocala Regional Hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment for her injuries.

All of us at Eventing Nation wish Andrea a speedy recovery. As Buck said, Andrea is tough and we are confident Andrea will pull through this quickly. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Neveah. This is a very sad day for the eventing community. We will continue to update you as we receive more information on Andrea.

I’m very pleased to introduce Lainey Ashker as EN’s newest guest blogger. Lainey and her OTTB gelding Anthony Patch were named to the USEF National List this year. The pair most recently finished fifth at last year’s Fair Hill CCI3* following a spectacular double-clear cross-country trip. Many thanks to Lainey for blogging for EN. Take it away, Lainey!

________

Anthony Patch enjoys his daily brooming session.

Rockstars do it. So do movie stars. Even some flocks of birds enjoy spending the winter months in warmer climates. However, no one does it in more style and grace (or lack thereof) than we event riders. Yes, my friends, the new year is upon us and thus it’s time for our coats (both human and horses) to come off and to make the tedious pilgrimage straight down Highway 95 to Ocala, Fla. (don’t forget to stop at the Ag Station!)

With five horses in tow, two very chatty lovebirds and an absurd amount of luggage scattered about, I have made it to the sunshine state relatively in one piece. I decided to arrive in Ocala in mid-January in order to give my horses ample time to lay up from the previous season, but also provide myself some cushion to leg everyone back into work before the USEF High Performance Training Sessions and, of course, for the start of the 2013 horse show season.

With me in Florida is my eager working student Abbey Meyer, with whom I have had the pleasure of knowing now for over four years and who has since graduated from college and is now focusing on her riding career with her very promising young OTTB. Amanda Conti, a native from Louisville, Ky., is with me for a short while, hoping to make the jump from training to prelim with her exuberant and talented Kentucky-bred OTTB. One would think that only seven horses between three women would make the days go by easily, but somehow between perfecting raking patterns, scrubbing the trailer floors, decorating our barn aisle, and “brooming” and “raking” Al’s head, we three gals fall into bed come nightfall.

What I love most about boarding my horses with my longtime coach and friend of nearly 11 years, Buck Davidson, is the fact that there is never a dull moment around the farm. Whether it’s dodging eight other riders in the dressage practice area, setting jumps for the 10-plus groups of horses and riders on jump days, galloping in a team of the top four-star horses around the farm’s in-house race track, or avoiding the rebellious clan of goats that always seem to escape whilst on a trot set, life on the BDJ stables is nothing short of exciting … and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

This week I will be gearing up for the first of our HP Training Sessions with David O’Connor, which I will be taking aboard one of my very talented and lanky TBs, Roadstar. This weekend marks the beginning of the show season with the Ocala Horse Properties Horse Trials, where I will not only be riding three but coaching three more. And after a (hopefully) successful weekend comes to a close, I will be celebrating my 29th birthday surrounded by close friends and family and a bountiful amount of Tony’s sushi! Until next time, sit back, set your watch and let’s get this party started!

It’s here, Eventing Nation: the first event of the season where EN will be providing live coverage! Samantha Clark is on site at Pine Top to bring you live reports, photos and videos from one of the first key events of the season. All the heavy hitters have come out to play, including Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos, Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbot, Will Coleman and Twizzel, and Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend, even if the rain clouds don’t go away. Stay tuned to Eventing Nation to get your Pine Top fix. Go eventing!

Events this Weekend:

Pine Top Farm [Website] [Entry Status/Times]

Ocala Horse Properties [Website] [Times] [Live Scores]

Your Friday News:

Mark Todd stole the show at the International Eventing Forum, where he gave a show jumping presentation on gymnastics and rideability. He began by using poles on the ground and gradually created different exercises that added and reduced the required number of strides. “The more adjustable your horse, the more options you have,” he said. [COTH]

The USEF High Performance Spring Training Sessions continue today in Ocala, with Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville kicking off the day at 8 a.m. If you would like to audit, please make sure to use the back gate (6500 NW 110th Reddick, FL 326886) for all training session parking and then follow the parking signs. Please be respectful of the lessons and the property.

The Aiken Standard published a really nice piece yesterday about Emily Beshear, who plans to ride Here’s To You at Rolex this spring. Emily and Quincy were named to the USEF National List this year, and will kick off their season with a run at intermediate this weekend at Pine Top. Best of luck to Emily this spring! [Aiken Standard]

Irish jump jockey Davy Russell is being hailed a local hero after he scared away thieves who were trying to steal diesel from a truck. Trainer Jimmy Mangan was driving to Kilkenny when a car swerved in front of him and forced him to pull over. Thieves jumped out of the car and proceeded to attempt to siphon diesel from the truck. But Davy passed by just then, jumping out of his own car to help. [Horse & Hound]

Today is the last day to vote for Eventing Nation and Horse Nation in the Equestrian Social Media Awards. Eventing Nation is nominated for Best Blog (category #17) and Best Use of Facebook (category #2), while Horse Nation is nominated for Best Newcomer (category #16). There are many other wonderful nominees worthy of your votes, so be sure to vote in other categories too. [ESMAs]

The British horse racing industry is facing criticism from the activist group Animal Aid after three horses died on racecourses Monday. One horse broke its neck, while two others suffered broken legs. Animal Aid said 105 horses have been killed on British tracks since last April’s Grand National. [Horsetalk]

The burger saga continues in Britain and Ireland, with new reports showing up to 80 percent horse DNA in meat found in Northern Ireland. An investigation is currently underway as to the source of the meat. In the meantime, Britain’s Food Standards Agency has removed the burgers in question from market shelves. [Horsetalk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Edis2mHf8
When jumping a 7’1″ wall goes wrong — as seen on Horse Nation

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].

Lauren DeNeve and Forrest Nymph at Rocking Horse I. Photo by Jennifer Marriott.

Last week we met Forrest Nymph, a 14.3-hand New Forest Pony mare who successfully moved up to preliminary last month. Ridden by Lauren DeNeve and owned by Beth Davidson of Black Dog Farm, this plucky mare has the movement and scope to go far up the levels. At Farrah’s first preliminary at the Ocala Horse Properties Winter I Horse Trials, Lauren was very pleased with her overall performance.

Despite a bobble in her canter work, Farrah still earned a 30.9 in dressage; jumped clear on cross country with time; and pulled one rail to finish 10th. “She felt really good and is becoming more rideable after each event,” Lauren said. “She’s definitely starting to improve.”

Jumping comes very naturally to Farrah, who Lauren says has springs for legs. “The only thing that’s presented a challenge is water,” Lauren said. “She really didn’t like water at first, so I override her a bit to the water. It can be a bit unnerving to ride her as the fences get bigger because of how small she is. Her neck disappears going down drops. But the size of the fences doesn’t faze her at all. She needs to learn to brush through things on cross country because she still tries to clear it.”

Lauren DeNeve and Forrest Nymph at Rocking Horse I. Photo by Jennifer Marriott.

Lauren and Farrah have trained with Grand Prix show jumper Debbie Stephens, who labeled the mare “an international-type show jumper. She lands far out from the fences,” Lauren said. Leslie Law has also seen the mare and commented on how talented she is. Wynn Norman, breeder of superstar pony Theodore O’Connor, has compared her to Teddy himself. Wherever Farrah goes, people are immediately interested in her. “People see she’s entered in preliminary and are intrigued that a pony is running at that level,” Lauren said.

Lauren and Beth’s plans for Farrah don’t stop at preliminary. The mare has already schooled the intermediate water and coffin lines at Longwood. “We are working with Debbie and Leslie on her jumping,” Lauren said. “Getting her flatwork to where it needs to be will be our challenge. We’re tentatively planning a move up to intermediate late this year or early next year.” Lauren plans to aim Farrah at the Ocala CCI* in April, and Beth would like to see Farrah run at the American Eventing Championships this year.

Farrah will be available for syndication in the very near future, according to Beth; her profile was recently added to the Experience Eventing website. While details of the syndication are still being finalized, the tentative plans are to offer embryos along with shares. “Everyone compares her to Teddy because you just don’t see a pony going at the upper levels very often,” Lauren said.

“If Karen O’Connor was riding her, I definitely think she could go all the way. If I had the balls to do it, I think the pony could do it. I’ve ridden through the two-star level, and growing up doing eventing, I always hoped I would have the opportunity. I never thought I would be running a pony at the upper levels. Even though all the jumps look huge, I’m very happy to have the ride.”

Next week on EN’s Got Talent: Elizabeth Billings told me about Anna Bella, a stunning 6-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Kurt Martin. Imported as a 3-year-old from Europe by Windsor Farm Sales in Upperville, Anna Bella became a mommy before being sold to Kurt as an eventing prospect in late 2011.

“She went from being a completely green, rank ball of power to going novice and then training in one month in Aiken,” Elizabeth said. Kurt sought training with Mara DePuy and Boyd Martin, both of whom were very impressed with the mare. After winning several preliminary events at the end of last year, Anna Bella is poised to tackle the upper levels this year. Thanks for the tip, Elizabeth!