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Jenni Autry
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Jenni Autry

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About Jenni Autry

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

Latest Articles Written

The Event at Rebecca Farm Announces 2018 Travel Grant Recipients

By on Jul 2, 2018 1:47 pm -

Kristen Bond and Enough Already. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The USEA Foundation’s Rebecca Broussard International Developing Riders Committee has announced the recipients of the 2018 Travel Grants for The Event at Rebecca Farm, which will take place July 18-22 in Kalispell, Montana.

The Travel Grants are awarded annually to multiple riders competing in the CCI3* or CIC3* who “display the potential qualities of an international rider” and are designed to offset the cost of travel expenses to the event.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2018 Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Travel Grants:

  • Andrea Baxter
  • Maya Black
  • Kristen Bond
  • Helen Bouscaren
  • Ellen Doughty-Hume
  • Matt Flynn
  • Ashley Hays
  • Alexis Helffrich
  • Allie Knowles
  • Emilee Libby
  • Jordan Linstedt
  • Caroline Martin
  • Jen McFall
  • Bobby Meyerhoff
  • Hillary Moses
  • Katherine Rivera
  • Frankie Thieriot Stutes
  • Chris Talley

Each year three types of Rebecca Broussard International Developing Grants are awarded. In addition to the Travel Grants, the committee also awards a $10,000 National Developing Rider Grant, affectionally called the “Little Becky,” and a $30,000 International Developing Rider Grant known as the “Big Becky.”

Prior to the start of the Event at Rebecca Farm, recipients of the Travel Grants will participate in interviews with the committee, which will be used in selecting the recipients of the International Developing Rider Grant and the National Developing Rider Grant. Both grants will be presented at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention on December 5-9, 2018 in New Orleans.

All of the Travel Grant recipients and any FEI competitor at The Event at Rebecca Farm are invited to take part in the interview process at the event.

The grants are made available by Jerome Broussard and his family in memory of his wife Rebecca, whose greatest wish was to help riders attain their dream of competing on a U.S. Eventing Team at the Olympic, World and Pan American Games.

Congratulations to all the riders who have worked so hard to prepare for the competition at The Event at Rebecca Farm. Travel safely!

[Recipients of the 2018 Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Travel Grants Announced]

Who Jumped It Best? Groton House Farm Intermediate/Preliminary Edition

By on Jul 2, 2018 11:00 am -

Groton House Farm celebrated the 41st anniversary of their horse trials over the weekend. The event has long been a staple on the New England eventing calendar and runs a top notch competition for the Novice, Training, Preliminary and Intermediate/Preliminary levels.

Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto was on hand snapping photos and kindly provided these shots of horses and riders tackling the drop into water on Janine McClain’s cross country course. Take a look at the photos and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which pair you think present the best overall picture. Go Eventing.

[Groton House Farm 2018 Final Results]

Rachel Barbessi and Fast Break. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Kathleen Fenn and Darling Harbour. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Ellie van Gemeren and Coldplay. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Babette Lenna Gonyea and Marketscan. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Katie Lichten and RF Luminati. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Maddie Lichten and Yarrow. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill Quinsey. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Caroline Teich and Dondarrion. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Canada Names Nations Cup Team for Great Meadow CICO3*

By on Jun 29, 2018 10:45 am -

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me at The Fork 2018. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Equestrian Canada has named the Nations Cup team that will compete in the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International CICO3* on July 6-8 in The Plains, Virginia.

Congratulations to the following horses and riders (listed in alphabetical order by rider name):

  • Lisa Marie Fergusson (Vancouver, BC) and Honor Me, her own 12-year-old Welsh Sport Horse gelding
  • Selena O’Hanlon (Kingston, ON) and John and Judy Rumble’s Foxwood High, a 15-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding
  • Jessica Phoenix (Cannington, ON) and her own Pavarotti, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding
  • Waylon Roberts (Port Perry, ON) and Anthony Connoly and L. Skye Levely’s Kelecyn Cognac, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

The following Canadian combinations will also compete at Great Meadow as individuals:

  • Shelby Brost (Red Deer, AB) and her own Crimson, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare
  • Jessica Phoenix (Cannington, ON) and Amara Hoppner’s Bogue Sound, an 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding
  • Waylon Roberts (Port Perry, ON) and Michelle & John Koppin’s Lancaster, an 11-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding

The Canadian athletes will be supported at Great Meadow by Dr. Rob Stevenson, Chef d’Équipe; David O’Connor, Technical Advisor; Dr. Jan Henriksen, Team Veterinarian; Dr. Usha Knabe, Equine Therapist; and Fleur Tipton, EC Eventing Manager.

[Canadian Eventing Athletes Named for 2018 Brook Ledge Great Meadow International FEI Eventing Nations Cup]

U.S. WEG Team Horses to Compete in Combined Test at Great Meadow [Updated]

By on Jun 28, 2018 12:49 pm -

Lynn Symansky and Donner competing at Great Meadow 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.

In addition to hosting the FEI Nations Cup on July 6-8 in The Plains, Virginia, the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International will also host a combined test for horses and riders named to the U.S. WEG Eventing Team.

Four of the five horses named to the U.S. WEG team will compete in the combined test alongside three of the reserve horses. The combinations will perform 2017 4* Dressage Test B, the same test that will be used at WEG, and tackle Marc Donovan’s show jumping course.

The following U.S. WEG team combinations will compete in the combined test:

  • Phillip Dutton and Z
  • Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus
  • Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg
  • Lynn Symansky and Donner

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous, the fifth combination named to the team, will not be be competing in the combined test at Great Meadow and instead will be at Tryon International Equestrian Center for show jumping at Tryon Summer 4. You can follow results here.

The following U.S. WEG team reserve combinations will also compete in the combined test at Great Meadow:

  • Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready
  • Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
  • Sharon White and Cooley On Show

The action at Great Meadow begins Friday, July 6 with the CICO3* first horse inspection at 3 p.m., followed by dressage for the combined test at 4:30 p.m. CICO3* dressage will take place Saturday, July 7 starting at 8 a.m., with show jumping for the CICO3* at 5:40 p.m., followed by show jumping for the combined test. Cross country for the CICO3* will take place Sunday, July 8 at 9:30 a.m.

General admission tickets are $25 for a one-day car pass or $40 for a weekend car pass, and parking is free. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the U.S. WEG team horses in action! Click here to view the full event schedule.

Follow the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Go Eventing.

This article has been updated with details on RF Scandalous and Marilyn Little’s show schedule.

Great Meadow Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets

Great Britain Announces Long List for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Jun 28, 2018 7:31 am -

Laura Collett and Mr. Bass. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The British Equestrian Federation has announced the long-listed and reserve combinations, selected by the British Eventing senior selectors, for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

The athletes named on the long list are (in alphabetical order):

Sarah Bullimore with Chris and Sue Gillespie and Brett Bullimore’s Reve Du Rouet

Ros Canter with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B, and her own Zenshera

Laura Collett with Nick How, Keith Scott and her own Mr Bass

Tina Cook with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red

Piggy French with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, and Trevor Dickens’s Vanir Kamira

Kitty King with Diana Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor L A N

Tom McEwen with Jane Inns, Ali McEwen and his own Toledo de Kerser

Harry Meade with Charlotte Opperman’s Away Cruising

Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate and her own Arctic Soul

Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan’s Ballaghmor Class, Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class and Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS

Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana

The reserve combinations announced are (in alphabetical order):

Alex Bragg with Sally Ellicott’s Zagreb

Emilie Chandler with Sally Williams and Nicola Dickson’s Coopers Law

William Fox-Pitt with Jennifer Dowling’s Little Fire

Kitty King with Diana Bown, Sally Lloyd Baker, Sally Eyre and Samantha Wilson’s Vendredi Biats

Imogen Murray with Aivar Ward and M S Team’s Ivar Gooden

Gemma Tattersall with Clive Smith’s Pamero 4

The squad of five will be announced at the beginning of August. A total of 15 combinations will be submitted to the FEI as the nominated entries on August, 13 2018.

“It is fantastic to have such a strong group of combinations long-listed for this year’s World championships,” Richard Waygood, Eventing Performance Manager, said. “There have been some impressive performances across the board so far this season and I’m very excited to be working with such a superb group of athletes.”

[GB’s long-list is announced for FEI World Equestrian Games]

US Equestrian Announces Nations Cup Teams for Great Meadow & Aachen

By on Jun 27, 2018 11:18 am -
Hot off the presses! US Equestrian has announced the combinations that will compete on the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Teams for both the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International in The Plains, Virginia on July 6-8 and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at Aachen, Germany on July 19-21.U.S. Eventing Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander will coach both teams.

The following combinations will make up the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at Great Meadow (listed in alphabetical order:

Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) with Park Trader, Carl and Cassandra Segal’s 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) with Sportsfield Candy, Kevin Keane’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Sydney Conley Elliott (Bossier City, LA) with Cisko A, Carol Stephens’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding

Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, FL) with Spring Easy, the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding she owns with Sherrie Martin

The following will serve as the reserve combinations for Great Meadow (listed in alphabetical order):

Kristen Bond (Shamong, NJ) with Enough Already, Liz Bond’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Lillian Heard (Cochranville, PA) with LCC Barnaby, her 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Lauren Kieffer (The Plains, VA) with Paramount Importance, Jacqueline Mars’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding

The following combinations have been selected for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup CICO3* at Aachen (listed in alphabetical order):

Will Coleman (Charlottesville, VA) with OBOS O’Reilly, Four Star Eventing Group’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Buck Davidson with Carlevo, Carlevo LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding

Lauren Kieffer with Landmark’s Monte Carlo, Jacqueline Mars’s 12-year-old Irish Thoroughbred cross gelding

Kim Severson (Charlottesville, Va.) with Cooley Cross Border, The Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy will serve as the reserve combination.

Find out more about the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International presented by Adequan and CHIO Aachen.

Stay up to date on U.S. Eventing by following US Equestrian on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and follow USA Eventing on Facebook. Use #USAEventing.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

[US Equestrian Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Teams for FEI Eventing Nations Cup USA, CICO3* Aachen]

U.S. Eventing Team Named for 2018 World Equestrian Games

By on Jun 26, 2018 7:04 pm -

Photos via US Equestrian

The news is out! US Equestrian has announced five combinations for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the FEI World Equestrian Games at Tryon, which take place Sept. 11-23 in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Following the 2017-2018 selection trials, the combinations for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad were recommended to the US Equestrian Board of Directors for consideration to be named to the Nominated Entry List, which will be finalized Aug. 13.

The following combinations have been named to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the WEG (in alphabetical order):

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Z, the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, and Ann Jones

Lauren Kieffer (The Plains, VA) and Vermiculus, Jacqueline Mars’s 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and RF Scandalous, the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Jacqueline Mars, Michael Manders, and Phoebe Manders

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, PA) and Tsetserleg, Christine Turner’s 11-year-old Trakehner gelding

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, VA) and Donner, The Donner Syndicate’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Additionally, the following eight combinations have been named to the reserve list to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for the WEG (in alphabetical order):

Will Coleman (Charlottesville, VA) and OBOS O’Reilly, Four Star Eventing Group’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Will Coleman and Tight Lines, The Conair Syndicate’s 11-year-old French Thoroughbred gelding

Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready, Kristine and John Norton’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Liz Halliday-Sharp (Ocala, FL) and Deniro Z, The Deniro Syndicate’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, Team Rebecca, LLC’s 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare

Kim Severson (Charlottesville, VA) and Cooley Cross Border, The Cross Syndicate’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection, Mary Ann Ghadban’s 14-year-old Holsteiner mare

Sharon White (Summit Point, WV) and Cooley On Show, her 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

For more information about the WEG team selection process, view the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team selection procedures.

[US Equestrian Names Land Rover U.S. Eventing Squad for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018]

Ryan Wood Takes $20,000 Preliminary Win at Mars Essex Horse Trials

By on Jun 25, 2018 9:40 am -

Ryan Wood and Ruby. Photo by i{mpack} studio.

Ryan Wood emerged as the big winner in the $20,000 Preliminary Essex division at the Mars Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, New Jersey, piloting Summit Sporthorses’ Ruby to first place on their dressage score of 27.7.

Ruby, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare (Royal Prince X Dinara, by Donnerwerth), was bred in New Jersey by her owner Ilona English and is out of the same dam as Ryan’s three-star partner Powell, which made the win all the more special for his team.

“This event is phenomenal. This was my first time here and I can’t wait to come back. I will be promoting it to everyone in Pennsylvania,” Ryan said. “It means a lot to win here and to win for Ilona on her homebred horse. To come to Essex and take out the top division and win the silver cup is very special.”

Ryan Wood accepts the Essex Silver Cup from Rod and Diann Ryan. Photo by i{mpack} studio.

Ryan and Ruby led after both dressage and cross country, and with rails tumbling on Chris Barnard’s show jumping course, the pressure was on to deliver a clear round as the final pair to go. Only eight of 31 (25.8% of the field) managed clear show jumping rounds.

“It was interesting to see the rails coming down,” Ryan said. “The first jump looked like the softest one on the course, but it came down more than any other jump. The treble looked tough and it jumped better than any other combination on the track. It was all very well thought out. Chris Barnard is a master at designing show jumping tracks.”

Michael Walton and Brave New World, an 11-year-old Westphalian owned by Mia Marano, moved up from sixth after cross country to finish second in the Preliminary Essex division on 32.90. Hallie Coon finished third on Helen Coon’s Cooley SOS, a 7-year-old Irish Sport Horse, on a score of 36.20, moving up from 21st place after dressage.

In the Open Preliminary division, Kaitlin Clasing took the win with her own Warren LVS, a 6-year-old Zangersheide, on a final score of 29.80. They sat second going into show jumping and clinched the win with a clear round after Elizabeth Bortuzzo and Belongs To Teufer knocked three rails to finish second on a final score of 35.10.

Kaitlin praised Morgan Rowsell’s cross country course and the organization of the event in general, which Morgan co-organized alongside Ralph Jones.

“They put so much care into the courses and the footing,” Kaitlin said. “Everything is so well done here for the lower-level horses, which is important for a horse like (Warren LVS) because this could be a stepping stone for things to come in the future.”

Juli Hutchings-Sebring won the Preliminary Rider division on her own Welbourne, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood, on their dressage score of 37.50.

“I heard the announcer say that we were in the lead in show jumping and then I heard my horse nick a rail and I was saying to myself, ‘please don’t fall, please don’t fall,’ because I knew I couldn’t afford to have a rail,” Juli said.

“This is such a fantastic event; it was really exciting. It felt like a much bigger event than for the level that I competed in. It felt like the atmosphere of a two-star or even bigger because of the spectators, so it was exciting for us. It’s nice to take a win home to my students.”

For three decades, the Essex Horse Trials was one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar, attracting top American and international competitors as well as thousands of fans who enjoyed its social aspects as well. The event was originally conceived in 1968 as a competition for young riders. Proceeds from the event benefit the Greater Newark LifeCamp in nearby Pottersville, which provides an enriching day camp experience for approximately 300 Newark-area youths per day for six weeks during July and August.

Children enjoying The Willow School Activity Tent. Photo by i{mpack} studio.

The Mars Essex Horse Trials, located at the historic Moorland Farm, offered a host of family-friendly activities throughout the weekend, including a Mars Candy Hunt and a Children’s Activity Center sponsored by The Willow School.

The Essex Fox Hounds paraded their pack of hounds in the arena on Saturday, followed by the Tewksbury Foot Bassets the next day. Sunday also featured a classic car show and shopping in the Essex Market.

Essex returned to the eventing calendar last year following a lengthy hiatus, and Morgan Rowsell hailed the second year revival of the event as a resounding success.

“It was a great follow-up to last year. We’re getting better and better every year,” he said. “To bring an event like this back takes a herculean effort and I’m positive that with the support we have from the community, Moorland Farm, and the Far Hills Racing Association, the sky is the limit.”

Click here to view final scores from the event.

Who Will Make the U.S. Team for the 2018 World Equestrian Games?

By on Jun 24, 2018 10:17 am -

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

With the final U.S. selection trial at Luhmühlen now behind us, the countdown is officially on for the USEF Eventing Selection Committee to name the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2018 World Equestrian Games at Tryon.

The U.S. team will be made up of five total combinations, with four ultimately named as team combinations alongside one individual combination. The long list, which we expect to be released within the week, will name the five team combinations, plus a list of alternate combinations. Nominated entries are due to the FEI on August 13. The new CIC at Bromont on August 17-18 will serve as the final mandatory outing for the U.S. WEG team.

Eventing at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games will take place Sept. 12-16 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Click here to view the USEF Eventing Selection Procedure for WEG.

There are several key factors to consider when thinking about the riders and horses best suited to represent the U.S. at WEG. The removal of the dressage coefficient, which means scores are no longer multiplied by 1.5, plays as an advantage to horses that might not be able to challenge the leaders in the first phase but can climb the leaderboard with fast and clear jumping rounds. With Capt. Mark Phillips’ course largely expected to be a test of speed and endurance, fast and reliable cross country horses are paramount. It goes without saying that horses need to be able to jump clear on the final day in show jumping.

With those parameters in mind, which horses and riders do we think will be named to the U.S. WEG team? Read on for EN’s detailed analysis on the key horses and riders (listed alphabetically by rider name) that have been at the forefront of the conversation throughout the U.S. selection trials. We make our picks for the team at the bottom of the post.

* All dressage scores prior to 2018 have been converted to reflect the new scoring system.

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

WILL COLEMAN

When looking for speed horses, look no further than Tight Lines. The 11-year-old French-bred Thoroughbred (Turgeon X Merindole, by Tel Quel) owned by The Con Air Syndicate has finished on his dressage score in three of his last four international runs with Will Coleman. That includes Fair Hill last year, where he finished second on 30.9 to win the USEF National CCI3* Championship, and Kentucky CCI4* this year where he finished 12th on 38.3.

Tight Lines’ strength lies in the jumping phases, and the first phase can present its challenges. The horse’s dressage average of 33.3 at three-star and four-star level over the past two seasons is competitive, but his score of 38.3 (converted to 57.5 under former scoring) at Kentucky this year was the highest of his entire international career across all levels.

OBOS O’Reilly smashed his personal best at Badminton CCI4* to sit seventh on 24.6 after dressage, but retired on cross country after an early runout on course at The Lake. Will Coleman re-routed the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS Quality X Omard Clover Queen, by Clover Hill) owned by the Four Star Eventing Group to Tattersalls CCI3* and missed out on the win with a rail down in show jumping, ultimately finishing fifth on 32.4.

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

BUCK DAVIDSON

Buck Davidson and Copper Beach delivered the best CCI4* finish of the horse’s career at Kentucky CCI4* this spring. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Radolin X Cloverballen) owned by Sherrie Martin and Carl and Cassie Segal placed 10th on 36.0 with 1.6 time penalties added on cross country and a clear show jumping round. While he delivered a fast round at Kentucky this year when we had good ground, this horse averages 9.6 time penalties on cross country at CCI3* and CCI4* level in eight completed runs.

Carlevo, an 11-year-old Holsteiner (Caresino X Ramatuelle, by Levernois) owned by Carlevo LLC, completed his first CCI4* at Kentucky this spring. He sat 12th after dressage on 32.2, but 9.2 time penalties on cross country, plus one rail down and 5 time penalties added in show jumping, pushed Carlevo down the leaderboard to finish 20th on 54.4.

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

PHILLIP DUTTON

Phillip Dutton has ridden at every major championship since 1994 and brings a wealth of experience to teams. With injuries sidelining Mighty Nice and Fernhill Cubalawn this year, The Z Partnership’s Z, a 10-year-old Zangersheide (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z), has risen to the forefront. Z did not disappoint in his CCI4* debut at Kentucky this year, emerging as one of only four horses to finish on his dressage score to place fourth on 33.7.

The removal of the dressage coefficient benefits horses like Z who can finish on their dressage score or very close to it. He is very speedy on cross country and averages 1.2 time penalties in his five international runs over the past calendar year; he made the time in both of his CCI runs at Tattersalls and Kentucky during that timeframe. He is also a very strong show jumper and has jumped seven clear rounds in a row at international level, with only one rail down in his entire career with Phillip stretching back to 2015.

I’m Sew Ready, a 14-year-old KWPN (Lupicor X Jarda, by Elcaro) finished 13th on 39.7 in his second CCI4* at Kentucky this year, adding 1.2 time penalties on cross country, plus one rail down and 2 time penalties in show jumping. He has not made the optimum time on cross country in his 11 runs with Phillip since he took over the ride from Kristen Bond in 2016. I’m Sew Ready has also only jumped one clear show jumping round at international level in the last year.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

LIZ HALLIDAY-SHARP

Deniro Z has been on a serious upward trajectory since he started eventing as a 7-year-old. The 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by The Deniro Syndicate won his first CCI2* last year before going on to finish 16th in the slop at Boekelo in his first CCI3*. He impressed once again in his CCI4* debut at a tough Luhmühlen last week, adding 4.4 time penalties and two rails down in show jumping to complete on 42.2. He has 11 consecutive cross country runs without a jumping penalty.

While Deniro Z is still very green to the level, he is improving across multiple key performance indicators every time out. His flying changes are currently holding him back from challenging the leaders in dressage, though he did manage two out of four clean flying changes at Luhmühlen. He has not yet made the time on cross country at three-star or four-star level, so speed remains a question.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Jenni Autry.

LAUREN KIEFFER

Lauren Kieffer has been quietly waiting for redemption following the 2016 Rio Olympics, and she is poised to get the opportunity following a strong spring season. Veronica, a 16-year-old KWPN mare (Pacific X Kimbel, by Ferro) owned by Team Rebecca, emerged as a WEG frontrunner following a strong eighth-place finish at Badminton, where she delivered her third consecutive CCI4* dressage test in the 25.0 territory.

Veronica is not a fast horse on cross country and has not made the optimum time in any of her international runs since 2014. But the mare’s strength in the first phase means she can give herself enough of a buffer to accumulate time penalties and still be in a competitive position on the final day. In her seven completed runs at CCI4* level, Veronica has delivered a clear round in show jumping three times, including at Burghley last year, and has only had more than one rail once at Pau in 2014.

A full brother to Lauren’s first CCI4* partner Snooze Alarm, Jacqueline Mars’ Vermiculus has blossomed over the last season. After being withdrawn following cross country in his four-star debut at Kentucky last year, the 11-year-old Anglo-Arabian (Serazim X Wake Me Gently) completed this year with a sixth-place finish on 34.8. This is another horse who has never made the optimum time at three-star or four-star level, but he jumped a clear show jumping round on the final day at Kentucky this year.

Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

MARILYN LITTLE

Marilyn Little has pared her eventing string down to just one horse in RF Scandalous. The 13-year-old Oldenburg (Carry Gold X Richardia, by Lario) owned by Phoebe and Michael Manders and Jacqueline Mars finished third at Kentucky on 32.8 to become the new USEF National CCI4* Champion under immense controversy due to visible blood on the mare’s mouth during cross country.

The mare can hit some seriously low numbers in dressage and has trended at the 25.0 threshold in five out of her last six international runs. While she is dominant in the first phase, she is another horse with question marks surrounding her speed on cross country. She has never made the optimum time on cross country at three-star or four-star level, averaging 7.3 time penalties at those levels. The mare’s strength in the first and final phases arguably makes up for her lack of speed on the cross country. In her 17 international runs with Marilyn, she has only had a rail down twice in show jumping. She also delivered clear show jumping rounds in all three of her completed runs at CCI3* and CCI4* level.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

BOYD MARTIN

Like Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin has battled injuries in his string this year. And like Phillip, Boyd is a rider you want on a team. Boyd has never recorded a cross country jumping penalty at a championships, a streak that now stretches back to 2010. He was the highest placed American rider at both the 2010 WEG and 2014 WEG, delivering top 10 finishes with Neville Bardos and Shamwari 4, respectively. He has a 100% cross country reliability rating at championships, which includes two Olympics and two WEG appearances.

While Boyd has seen some of his top horses sidelined, he still has a strong option in Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg. The 11-year-old Trakehner (Windfall X Thabana, by Buddenbrock) is green to the level but has delivered strong results. He finished third at Fair Hill last fall to become the USEF National CCI3* Reserve Champion, adding only 1.2 time penalties on cross country. He stepped up to CCI4* level at Kentucky this spring, adding 2 time penalties on cross country and one rail down in show jumping to place 11th on 37.2. Tsetserleg has had a rail down in his last three international runs, but he jumped clear rounds in his three runs prior to that.

Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.

KIM SEVERSON

Cooley Cross Border is the only horse listed in this article to have won a CCI3* in the last calendar year, giving Kim Severson the second win of her career at the Blenheim Palace International CCI3*. But he struggles with consistency on cross country, having jumped clear in only one of his four runs at CCI3* and CCI4* levels over the past two seasons.

The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Diamond Roller X Whos Diaz, by the Cross Syndicate) owned by the Cross Syndicate is always a threat to lead the dressage, and he set a record at Carolina International CIC3* this year with a jaw-dropping 20.8. He is also an extremely strong show jumper and has only had two rails down in his entire international career across all levels. On paper, he is a world-beater. On the day, his consistency on cross country remains a major question mark.

Tamie Smith and Wembley. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

TAMIE SMITH

Tamie Smith has competed Kevin Baumgardner’s Wembley sporadically over the past two seasons, but they have managed to quickly forge a successful partnership. Their first international run of the 2018 season at Galway Downs CIC3* did not go to plan, but the stars aligned at Kentucky for his CCI4* debut and the first time Tamie had ridden at the level since 2009. The 15-year-old KWPN (Lester X E-Vip, by Cantus) sat 11th after dressage on 32.1, added 4.4 time penalties on cross country, and had one rail down in show jumping to finish 14th on 41.5.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

LYNN SYMANSKY

Lynn Symansky somewhat famously said that Donner, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Gorky Park X Smart Jane, by Smarten) owned by The Donner Syndicate, made Kentucky’s cross country course feel “boring” this year. But when your horse has jumped clear cross country rounds in eight of his nine CCI4* runs, such a declaration is understandable.

Donner’s performance in the first phase has improved leaps and bounds over the last two seasons, culminating in a personal best of 30.3 at Burghley last year, where he finished sixth. While he trends towards a rail down in show jumping, he makes up ground on the cross country. A rail down at Kentucky this year still saw him finish sixth on 35.3.

While Lynn’s partnership with Mary Ann Ghadban’s Under Suspection is not nearly as established, she has delivered consistent results during the 2018 season with the 14-year-old Holsteiner mare  (Contender X Naomagic I, Exorbitant xx). In their two international runs together this year, Lynn and Under Suspection finished sixth at Carolina International CIC3*, and second in the CCI3* at Bromont with 2.4 cross country time penalties and one rail down to complete on 38.6.

Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Jenni Autry.

SHARON WHITE

Sharon White has been steadily chipping away at Cooley On Show‘s performance in the first phase, which culminated in a personal best score of 28.9 at Carolina International CIC3* this year. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Ricardo Z X Jogantina, by Grand d’Espagne) owned by Sharon delivered in a big way at Kentucky, making the optimum time for the second time in his career at 3*/4* level to finish eighth on 35.6. He is on a rapidly improving form line across all three phases.

TEAM PREDICTIONS

  • Phillip Dutton and Z
  • Lauren Kieffer and Veronica
  • Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous
  • Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg
  • Lynn Symansky and Donner

ALTERNATE PREDICTIONS

  • Will Coleman and Tight Lines
  • Buck Davidson and Copper Beach
  • Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready (direct reserve to Z)
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z
  • Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus (direct reserve to Veronica)
  • Tamie Smith and Wembley
  • Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border
  • Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection (direct reserve to Donner)
  • Sharon White and Cooley On Show

Who do you think will make the U.S. WEG team? Weigh in with your own analysis in the comments below. Stay tuned as we await the U.S. WEG team announcement. Go Eventing.

Are You an Eventing Guru? Test Your Knowledge with New App

By on Jun 23, 2018 10:00 am -

Do you love tracking statistical trends in eventing? Are you a numbers wizard? Then you will love the new app called Stacks!

EquiRatings and SAP teamed up to create the app, which allows eventing fans to test their expertise by predicting scores and results from competitions.

The app just launched ahead of Leg 3 of Event Rider Masters in Arville, Belgium. Here are some examples of questions used during today’s dressage at Arville:

  • Mark Todd on commentary suggested Balmoral Sensation (Clarke JOHNSTONE) could deliver a test in the twenties? Will he be right?
  • The leader Chris Burton is on 23.6, does Upsilon, the ERM dressage holder, take over the lead?
  • Fernhill By Night (Liz HALLIDAY-SHARP) scored below 28 in each of their five tests before Wiesbaden (33.2). Will they get back below 28 today?
  • Cloud Dancer (Jonelle PRICE) gave Jonelle her best ever CIC3* test (22.1, Blenheim 2015). Will they score 26 or below today?

You can find the app by searching “EquiRatings Stacks” in the app store on your phone or tablet. The app is available for both iOS and Android. Be sure to check tomorrow for questions about show jumping and cross country from Arville.

How high can you build your stack?

Go Eventing.

An Event Rider’s Crash Course in Playing Polo

By on Jun 22, 2018 12:20 pm -

Whitney Ross and Pistol on the left, with Jenni Autry and Bodie on the right. Photo by Kira Topeka.

North America’s only FEI Nations Cup Eventing will take place July 6-8 at the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan, and the event is rolling out some exciting changes this year in The Plains, Virginia.

Admission is free on Friday, July 6 for spectactors, and the evening bareback puissance has been replaced by a polo exhibition in the main arena. Top event riders will play in an arena polo match against members of the Great Meadow Polo Club in what is sure to be a thrilling evening of sport.

With that in mind, Great Meadow asked me to take a polo lesson to help spread the word about the Friday night polo exhibition. A quick evaluation of my sporting skillsets reveals me as woefully ill-suited to playing polo. Prowess at playing baseball, pool, lacrosse or really any activity involving hand-eye coordination would have benefited me greatly.

Thankfully, the instructors at the Great Meadow Polo School are well versed in teaching polo players of all experience levels and abilities. The school was established by John Gobin and Whitney Ross alongside the Great Meadow Polo Club to build future generations of players in the Northern Virginia area.

Students have the unique opportunity to play in their home arena at Saturday night’s Twilight Polo, which hosts matches each Saturday from May through September at Great Meadow. Polo school lessons also take place in the arena, which is where I found myself for a crash course in this fast-paced sport.

Learning to hit the ball. Photo by Kira Topeka.

Polo vs. Eventing

Whitney Ross, assistant manager for the polo school, took me under her wing for my lesson. Rebekah Pizana of the Greenhill Winery & Vineyards Polo Team kindly offered to let us use her polo ponies, Pistol and Bodie. Both are pint-sized Argentinian-bred geldings who generously tolerated my lack of hand-eye coordination during the lesson.

The first concept I had to wrap my brain around is that contact is completely different in eventing and polo. Contact is sacred for event riders — we devote an inordinate amount of time to developing feel and correctly using contact across all three phases.

In polo, you only use contact when you absolutely need it, essentially to turn, slow down or stop. At all other times your reins should be looped and your hand should be shoved well up your pony’s neck. Accidentally touching his mouth can mean slowing down your pony inadvertently, which is not at all what you want when chasing the ball.

Once I had the correct contact (or lack thereof), we moved on to hitting the ball. Like with contact, success with hitting the ball required me to totally override my instincts as to how event riders are supposed to sit in the saddle and maintain our upper body position.

The proper technique for hitting the ball. Photo by Chris Weber.

To hit the ball, polo riders have to get low — bend forward at the hips, rotate through the body, and swing. If event riders are ever leaning that far forward and low with our upper bodies, it means something has gone terribly wrong and you need to sit up immediately lest you find yourself on the floor.

Needless to say, every warning signal in my brain was going off as I practiced getting low enough with my upper body to hit the ball. After practicing at the walk and trot, Whitney seemed confident enough that I wouldn’t fall face first between the goal posts, and I had a crack at cantering around and trying to score.

The key word here is trying — I definitely missed the ball more than I managed to hit it, but when I did get a good shot I couldn’t stop smiling. Polo is definitely a blast to play. Many thanks to Great Meadow, Kira Topeka, John Gobin, Whitney Ross, Rebekah Pizana, Bodie and Pistol for a fun afternoon.

You can take a polo lesson, too! The Great Meadow Polo School provides top notch instruction from international professional polo players and has taught countless riders to play in the Northern Virginia area and beyond. Click here to learn more and sign up for a lesson.

Would I play polo again? Absolutely! Photo by Kira Topeka.

Twilight Polo

If you’d rather enjoy the thrill of polo with both feet firmly on the ground, Twilight Polo is a fantastic way to spend a Saturday night. Now in its 25th year, Twilight Polo has brought thousands of members of the Northern Virginia community together to enjoy fast-paced arena polo with friends and family.

Every Saturday from May through September, Twilight Polo features three matches with halftime games for both children and adults. Following the final match, the evenings conclude with music and dancing in the pavilion. You can bring a picnic to enjoy on the grass hill overlooking the arena, or book reserved seating.

A rotating list of local food trucks are always on site for Twilight Polo. Glasses and bottles of wine from Greenhill Winery and Vineyards, sponsor of the 25th Silver Anniversary year, are available for purchase at the wine bar. Old Bust Head Brewery also sells pints of craft beer. Click here to view the Twilight Polo schedule.

Great Meadow International

Be sure to attend Great Meadow International on Friday, July 6 for the arena polo exhibition featuring top event riders. Admission is free all day. The Meadow Market Trade Show will be open with special opening night deals, so it’s also a great opportunity to go shopping.

Riders will be signing autographs in the Meadow Market Beer Garden at 5:30 p.m., where Old Bust Head Brewery will be serving up craft beers. The polo exhibition will take place at 6 p.m. Any riders interested in playing in the exhibition match should email Kira Topeka ASAP to reserve a spot.

If you missed the announcement on the star-studded entry list that will be competing in the Nations Cup, click here to get caught up on the latest news from Great Meadow.

Click here to view the full event schedule. Be sure to follow the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit the event website to lean more.

Great Meadow Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets, Vendors

Preview the Star-Studded Entry List for Great Meadow CICO3*

By on Jun 21, 2018 9:00 am -

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti at Great Meadow 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We are just two weeks away from North America’s only FEI Nations Cup Eventing leg, the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International CICO3*, presented by Adequan. The competition will take place July 6-8 in The Plains, Virginia, and we have a preview of the star-studded entry list:

  • Shanon Baker (USA) and Ballingowan Zeal
  • Emily Beshear (USA) and Olney Uncle Sam
  • Tracey Bienemann (USA) and Geoni
  • Kristen Bond (USA) and Enough Already
  • Shelby Brost (CAN) and Crimson
  • Will Coleman (USA) and Off the Record
  • Will Coleman (USA) and Tight Lines
  • Will Coleman (USA) and Soupcon du Brunet
  • Charlotte Collier (USA) and Clifford M
  • Buck Davidson (USA) and Park Trader
  • Buck Davidson (USA) and Carlevo
  • Cornelia Dorr (USA) and Louis M
  • Phillip Dutton (USA) and Sportsfield Candy
  • Sydney Conley Elliott (USA) and Cisko A
  • Sydney Conley Elliott (USA) and QC Diamantaire
  • Will Faudree (USA) and Caeleste
  • Will Faudree (USA) and Michel 233
  • Lisa Marie Fergusson (CAN) and Honor Me
  • Clayton Fredericks (AUS) and Luksor
  • Savannah Fulton (USA) and Captain Jack
  • Lillian Heard (USA) and LCC Barnaby
  • Ben Hobday (GBR) and Shadow Man
  • Lindsay Kelley (USA) and Cooley Cruise Control
  • Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Landmark’s Monte Carlo
  • Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Paramount Importance
  • Ema Klugman (AUS) and Bendigo
  • Allie Knowles (USA) and Sound Prospect
  • Allie Knowles (USA) and Business Class
  • Allie Knowles (USA) and Morswood
  • Chelsea Kolman (USA) and Dauntless Courage
  • Leslie Law (GBR) and Voltaire de Tre
  • Caroline Martin (USA) and Spring Easy
  • Caroline Martin (USA) and Islandwood Captain Jack
  • Caroline Martin (USA) and Jump Jet
  • Megan O’Donoghue (USA) and Palm Crescent
  • Selena O’Hanlon (CAN) and Foxwood High
  • Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Bogue Sound
  • Jessica Phoenix (CAN) and Pavarotti
  • Will Rawlin (GBR) and VIP Vinnie
  • Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Lancaster
  • Waylon Roberts (CAN) and Kelecyn Cognac
  • Kim Severson (USA) and Cooley Cross Border
  • Tamie Smith (USA) and Fleeceworks Royal
  • Georgie Spence (GBR) and Halltown Harley
  • Allison Springer (USA) and Lord Willing
  • Erin Sylvester (USA) and Paddy the Caddy
  • Lynn Symansky (USA) and Under Suspection
  • Chris Talley (USA) and Unmarked Bills
  • Chris Talley (USA) and Sandro’s Star

Great Britain named their Nations Cup team earlier this month, and we are waiting on pins and needles for the USA and Canada to name their teams.

Located in the heart of Virginia horse country and only 50 miles from Washington, D.C., attending Great Meadow International is the perfect opportunity to explore the rich horse history of Middleburg and beyond. More than 15,000 spectators are expected to be in attendance this year.

The Meadow Market is receiving a complete overhaul for the 2018 event, with a new layout featuring a stage for demonstrations and mini educational lectures. There will be live music throughout the weekend in the beer and wine garden overlooking the main arena. You can also win prizes and special discounts through the Meadow Market Scavenger Hunt.

Great Meadow has added tailgating overlooking the arena for both days of competition at the Nations Cup. Both the ringside tailgate spaces and reserved ringside boxes will give a prime viewing spot for the arena polo exhibition featuring celebrity players on Friday evening — stay tuned for more details!

The 2018 Great Meadow International Tailgate Contest sponsored by Red Truck Bakery will take place on Sunday, July 8 during cross country. The theme is “Around the World” to celebrate the Nations Cup. Scores will be based on interpretation of the theme, creativity and aesthetic appeal. Reserve a Great Meadow International Tailgate here, and don’t miss EN’s top tailgate tips here.

Dressage kicks off on Saturday morning in the main arena with world class footing from Attwood Equestrian Services, followed by show jumping in the evening. The competition concludes on Sunday with cross country and the prize giving.

General admission tickets are $25 for a one-day car pass or $40 for a weekend car pass, and parking is free. Click on the following links to purchase tickets: General Admission, Ringside Boxes, Tailgating, VIP Tent.

Click here to view the full event schedule. Be sure to follow the Brook Ledge Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit the event website to lean more. Will you be attending Great Meadow this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Great Meadow Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets, Vendors

Jonty Evans Remains in ‘Stable But Serious Condition’

By on Jun 20, 2018 5:27 pm -

Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift at Badminton 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Horse Sport Ireland confirmed in an update today that Jonty Evans remains in “stable but serious condition” following his fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift at Tattersalls International Horse Trials on  Sunday, June 3.

Jonty has been moved from the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Beaumont Hospital to a high dependency ward in Connolly Hospital, located in Blanchardstown, West Dublin, Ireland.

“Unfortunately, there is no change to report in his condition from the most recent update. Jonty remains unconscious with a very serious head injury. The family deeply appreciate all the care for Jonty from the Beaumont Hospital staff and the support and messages from all his family and friends.”

Horse Sport Ireland will issue further updates if there are changes in Jonty’s condition. EN continues to send our best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

[Update on Jonty Evans 20th June 2018]

Luhmühlen Victory Gives Jonelle Price Back-to-Back CCI4* Wins

By on Jun 17, 2018 8:54 am -

Jonelle Price all smiles after jumping a clear round to win with Faerie Dianimo! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Following Shamwari 4’s heartbreaking withdrawal from Luhmühlen this morning, Jonelle Price suddenly found herself with the opportunity to take back-to-back CCI4* wins. She entered the arena for show jumping in the same situation she faced with Classic Moet at Badminton: Without a rail in hand, she had to jump clear to win.

And that’s exactly what Jonelle did, piloting Faerie Dianimo to a beautiful clear over Frank Otto’s challenging track to win her second CCI4* in as many months — and nine months after giving birth to her son, Otis.

“If you’d asked me in January — when I was just trying to get back up to full fitness and do a full day’s work — if I’d be sat here at the end of June with two four-star wins under my belt, I would have said you were completely mad,” Jonelle said. “It’s beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. I’m feeling incredibly lucky right now with these two special mares.”

Faerie Dianimo, a 13-year-old British-bred mare (Dimaggio X Faerie Dazzler VII, by Catherston Dazzler) Jonelle owns with Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green, jumped one of the six clear show jumping rounds to finish on 28.3.

“Faerie Dianimo is pint-sized. She is tiny. She thinks in her head she’s about 18 hands high. It’s that attitude that has seen her get to the very top level of the sport. She fights me a bit on the cross country, and in the dressage she can get a bit hot, but it’s these qualities that make her such a competitor. It was almost like she knew how important it was today. All credit to her.”

Laura Collett and Mr. Bass. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Britain’s Laura Collett and Mr. Bass were the only pair out of the 31 horses and riders that completed the CCI4* to finish on their dressage score, taking second place on 29.9 in the horse’s debut at the level.

“He’s an unbelievable horse. He tried his heart out in there. The real top horses seem to know when it really matters,” Laura said. “He dug really deep, and I had to keep reminding myself that there wasn’t really another horse I’d want to be sat on going into the show jumping. I just have to remember to let him do his job because he knows it better than I do.”

Laura has produced Mr. Bass, a 10-year-old Holsteiner (Carrico X K-Jeunesse, by Exorbitant xx) she owns with Nick How and Keith Scott, from an unbroken 4-year-old, which she said makes such a strong result at his first CCI4* all the more rewarding.

“We know each other inside and out, which I think makes it even more of a special partnership and bond. It makes it easier to come to a big competition like this knowing that he’s like my best friend and we have a really special connection. That for me is important,” Laura said.

“To get a horse to four-star is a huge amount of effort. We all work day in and day out, and there are a lot more lows than there are highs, so we really have to appreciate days like this.”

Ros Canter and Zenshera. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Team GB took four of the spots in the top five, with Ros Canter and Zenshera jumping a stylish clear to finish in third place on 29.9. (Laura Collett and Mr. Bass finished on the same score but made the optimum time on cross country to break the tie in their favor.)

“I brought Zenshera here last year for his first four-star. We came into this week a little more confident that we could do this level together. He’s been an absolute star all week. He wasn’t the most talented young horse, but he just tries his heart out all the time. He has a huge love for the job, so he makes me life really very easy.”

Ros said she was particularly pleased that Zenshera, a 14-year-old KWPN (Guidam X Telvera, by Matterhorn) she owns, delivered a clear show jumping round today, as he had a rail down at both Luhmühlen and Pau last year.

“He kept his head in the dressage and he went as fast as he could on cross country. (Show jumping) is his weakest phase, and he pulled it out of the bag for the first time. I’m really very proud of him.”

Kitty King and Ceylor L A N. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kitty King and Ceylor L A N, an 11-year-old KWPN (Veron X Winanda LAN, by Ahorn) owned by Diane Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson, also delivered an impressive clear round for Britain to finish fourth on 32.2.

Britain’s Willa Newton and Chance Remark, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Actinium X Cuildooish Lady, by Farney Clover) owned by Feenea Machin and Peter Thomas, had one rail down to finish fifth on 33.9.

Ireland delivered one of its strongest performances at a CCI4* in the last decade, with Sam Watson securing the best four-star result of his career aboard Horseware Ardagh Highlight. The 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Puissance X Gentle Servant, by Kings Servant) Sam owns with Belinda Keir had two rails down to finish sixth on 41.6.

Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ireland’s Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack of Diamonds X Highland Destiny, by Flagmount King) owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella, also had two rails down to finish seventh on 41.6. (Sam Watson was closer to the optimum time on cross country to break the tie in his favor.)

Deniro Z  jumped beautifully for Liz Halliday-Sharp and unfortunately knocked two poles in the triple combination to finish eighth on 42.2 — still an incredibly strong result in the horse’s CCI4* debut for America.

“He was jumping out of his skin and was unbelievable in the warm-up. He felt like he hadn’t even run the day before,” Liz said. “At the treble he dropped behind my leg a little bit, and I wasn’t quick enough to give him enough leg to move him up. It’s really unlike him to have two down, and he jumped the rest of the track like a total pro. I’m very proud of him in his first four-star.

Deniro Z, a 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by the Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties, had a big support crew today, as Boyd and super groom Mike Pendleton stepped in to lend a helping hand following Shamwari 4’s withdrawal.

“We are gutted for Boyd,” Liz said. “He had such a great round yesterday. The sport can be very tough, and we appreciated his support today.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play the Game, a 14-year-old KWPN (Stravinsky X Mirakel, by Lancer II) owned by Amy and Patricia Lambert, had one rail down to finish ninth on 42.2 in the horse’s CCI4* debut.

Sweden’s Anna Freskgård and Fly Away vd N.Ranch, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood Quidam’s Rubin X Retina Van de N. Ranch, by Voltaire) she owns with William Fryer, pulled two rails and added 3 time penalties to round out the top 10 on 50.3.

Click here to view final results in the CCI4*. You can watch CCI4* show jumping on demand here.

We are relieved to report that Chloe Raty is back home in Belgium resting comfortably and recovering following her rotational fall yesterday with Axel Z, who was euthanized due to sustaining critical spinal injuries. Chloe suffered no major injuries in the fall.

Belgian chef d’equipe Alec van den Abeele spoke in the press conference today on Chloe’s behalf, thanking Luhmühlen officials for the support and help she received after yesterday’s devastating accident.

CIC3* show jumping is underway now. Stay tuned for much more from Luhmühlen. Go Eventing.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Watch the Replay of Luhmühlen CCI4* Show Jumping

By on Jun 17, 2018 4:23 am -

Update: You can now watch the replay of CCI4* show jumping in the video above!

After many of you experienced technical difficulties watching the Luhmühlen cross country live stream on Horse & Country TV, you will be relieved to know that CCI4* show jumping will be shown on Luhmühlen YouTube Channel. You can watch right here on EN!

CCI4* show jumping starts at 10:30 a.m. /4:30 a.m. EST, followed by CIC3* show jumping at 1:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. EST. Only the top 10 of CIC3* show jumping will be shown live at this link.

Martin Otto always designs a beefy show jumping course at this venue, and we can anticipate yet another leaderboard shake-up in the final phase. One rail separates the entire top five, so there is absolutely no margin for error. Stay tuned as we crown a CCI4* winner in Germany!

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, SJ Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Dramatic Morning at Luhmühlen: 29 Horses Move to CCI4* Show Jumping

By on Jun 17, 2018 3:46 am -

Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s been all change on a dramatic morning at Luhmühlen, as Boyd Martin withdrew overnight leader Shamwari 4 prior to the final horse inspection for the CCI4*. Shamwari 4’s withdrawal moved Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo into the lead, and we had some tense moments when the mare was sent to the holding box.

In addition to Faerie Dianimo, the ground jury of Andrew Bennie (NZL), Sandy Phillips (GBR) and Christoph Hess (GER) also sent Alice Dunsdon’s mount Cool Investment to the holding box. Both Faerie Dianimo and Cool Investment were ultimately accepted to send all 29 combinations that presented to the ground jury on to show jumping.

Liz Halliday-Sharp’s mount Deniro Z, the sole horse representing America in the CCI4* following Shamwari 4’s withdrawal, looked fresh and feisty this morning. He sits in eighth place going into show jumping after an impressive cross country round yesterday in his debut at the level.

There was a funny moment at the jog when a dog wandered on to the jog strip just before Jonelle presented Faerie Dianimo. Whoever runs the sound system here at Luhmühlen clearly has a wry sense of humor, as the song “Who Let the Dogs Out” promptly started playing over the speakers, and the dog was pronounced “Accepted!”

The CIC3* horses presented to the ground jury of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN) and Christoph Hess (GER) following the CCI4*. All 45 horses were accepted, including Woods Baughman and Maverick McNamara for America.

It’s another warm day here in Germany, and the sun is shining for Luhmühlen’s finale. CCI4* show jumping starts at 10:30 a.m. /4:30 a.m. EST, followed by CIC3* show jumping at 1:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. EST. Both CCI4* and CIC3* show jumping will stream live on Luhmühlen’s YouTube Channel.

Martin Otto always designs a beefy show jumping course at this venue, and we can anticipate yet another leaderboard shake-up in the final phase. One rail separates the entire top five, so there is absolutely no margin for error. Stay tuned as we crown a CCI4* winner in Germany!

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Boyd Martin Withdraws Overnight Leader Shamwari 4 from Luhmühlen

By on Jun 17, 2018 1:03 am -

Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 on cross country yesterday at Luhmühlen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin announced this morning that he is withdrawing overnight leader Shamwari 4 prior to the final horse inspection at Luhmühlen CCI4* due to an injury sustained on cross country yesterday.

He released the following statement to EN:

“Unfortunately I have decided to withdraw Shamwari from today’s showjumping. When I finished the cross country yesterday he looked sore in his hind leg. A number of the top vets here at the competition all agreed that he has strained his hind tendon, and it would not be right to try to present him for the trot up. It is a very rare injury.

“Shamwari has been in good health and had a wonderful preparation towards this year’s Luhmühlen CCI4*. He has been closely monitored by Dr. Kevin Keane, Dr. Susan Johns and Dr. Dean Richardson through his whole preparation and through this event. He had no pre-existing issue coming into this event and we were looking forward to a great result.

“Being a 16-year-old horse, this will most likely be the end of Shamwari competing at the top of the sport. It has been an absolute privilege to ride him. He is one of the best horses I have ever ridden, and it was sad that he never won a four-star. I truly thought that this weekend was his. I would like to thank his owners in the Shamwari Syndicate, Silva and Nox, coach Erik Duvander, his groom Mike Pendleton and my vet Kev Keane. I look forward to get Shammie back to the promised land for him to heal up.”

Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo are the new leaders following Shamwari’s withdrawal. The final horse inspection starts at 8:15 a.m./2:15 a.m. EST, with CCI4* show jumping set to start at 10:30 a.m./4:30 a.m. EST.

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Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 Storm to Luhmühlen CCI4* Lead

By on Jun 16, 2018 11:40 am -

Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4. Photo by Jenni Autry.

With Mike Etherington-Smith upping the ante for his second year as course designer at Luhmühlen, we expected cross country day to shake-up the CCI4* leaderboard. After an influential day that saw only 20 of 46 starters (43.4% of the field) jump clear rounds, America tops the leaderboard thanks to Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 storming around to move from eighth up to lead on their dressage score of 27.4.

Five pairs (10.9% of the field) jumped clear rounds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes, 17 seconds, and Boyd was the first to make beat the clock with Shamwari 4, finishing 5 seconds inside with the 16-year-old Hanoverian (Star Regent xx X Donnice, by Der Clou) owned by the Shamwari 4 Syndicate.

Boyd and Shamwari have a history of strong results at this venue, having finished third in 2014 the last time they competed at Luhmühlen. After a cracking round today, the stage is set for them to improve on that result tomorrow.

“He wasn’t done much lately, and he fought the whole way around. I was a little bit rusty in the first couple of minutes, and then we got going in a nice rhythm, and he had plenty in the tank at the end,” Boyd said. “I think he’s the best horse in the world. He hasn’t been at this level in a couple of years, and we’ve been plotting for this event for about six months. We’ve really taken our time preparing him, and he came out and gave me a fantastic round.”

Shamwari last competed at a four-star at Kentucky in 2016, and Boyd said he has strategically saved the horse in the hopes of making a return trip to the World Equestrian Games, where they finished seventh individually to deliver the top American result in 2014.

“He’s an older horse, and I’ve been thinking about the WEG in the back of my mind, so I tried not to run my race too early,” Boyd said. “I picked Luhmühlen because it usually has really good ground and not too many hills — probably the friendliest four-star to hopefully get him ready for the WEG.”

While Luhmühlen has been considered a softer CCI4* in recent years — 77% of starters jumped clear rounds in 2017 — the course certainly didn’t ride soft today.

“To be honest when I walked the course I thought it was a little bit soft when compared to other years when I’ve been here with Capt. Mark Phillips (as the course designer), but it rode very, very difficult, which is credit to the new course designer Mike Etherington-Smith,” Boyd said.

“You really had to work on your time the whole way around. There were lots of corners and narrows. The problems were split throughout the course. I’m very thankful I have a real trier of a horse in Shamwari.”

Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo finished three seconds over the optimum time to add 1.2 penalties, which moved them from sixth after dressage up to second place on a score of 28.3.

“I’m not complaining by any stretch of the imagination. To be up amongst the leaders — you don’t take it for granted. … Fairie Dianimo absolutely loves the cross country, and for all the reasons she gives me a bit of grief on a daily basis, she really comes to the fore on a day like this,” Jonelle said.

“She really demonstrates the athleticism and determination, and she kept galloping to the finish. I was a little bit angry with myself for adding a couple of seconds, but I’m very happy and hopefully have a happy healthy horse in the morning and we can jump a good round.”

Faerie Dianimo, a 13-year-old British-bred mare (Dimaggio X Faerie Dazzler VII, by Catherston Dazzler) Jonelle owns with Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green, are another pair with strong previous form at Luhmühlen, having finished second in 2015 on their dressage score.

Laura Collett and Mr. Bass. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Laura Collett piloted four-star first-timer Mr. Bass to an impressive clear round and one of the fastest of the day, finishing 8 seconds inside to move from 18th after dressage up to third on a score of 29.9.

Mr. Bass, a 10-year-old Holsteiner (Carrico X K-Jeunesse, by Exorbitant xx) Laura owns with Nick How and Keith Scott, is well known for his cross country jumping prowess, and he easily skipped around the beefy track today.

“He made it feel like a Pony Club event, which I know I’m very lucky because a four-star shouldn’t feel as easy as he made it. He’s a very special horse to me and I’ve had him since he was a 4 year old,” Laura said.

“I thought walking (the course) it was pretty tough … You got to fence 11, and I just thought, ‘You know you’re at a four-star.’ There is a big difference between three-star and four-star in the intensity, and that’s how it rode. You had to be on your game at every opportunity. I was just lucky that Mr Bass is totally on his A-game. I just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.”

Great Britain took four of the top six spots on the leaderboard after cross country. Willa Newton and Chance Remark, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Actinium X Cuildooish Lady, by Farney Clover) owned by Feenea Machin and Peter Thomas, added 1.2 time penalties to move from 14th up to fourth on 29.9.

Ros Canter and Zenshera, her own 14-year-old KWPN (Guidam X Telvera, by Matterhorn), were originally given 50 penalties for missing a flag, but the penalties were quickly overturned on review. They added 2.8 time penalties to move up one spot on the leaderboard to fifth place on 29.9.

(Mr. Bass, Chance Remark and Zenshera are all on the same score. Mr. Bass wins the tiebreaker because he made the optimum time, and Chance Remark is ahead of Zenshera due to being closer to the optimum time.)

Kitty King and Ceylor LAN delivered an impressive performance in his first CCI since Rio. The 11-year-old KWPN (Veron X Winanda LAN, by Ahorn) owned by Diane Bown, Jacqueline Owen and Samantha Wilson, added 5.6 time penalties to move up two spots on the leaderboard to sixth on 33.0.

Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Puissance X Gentle Servant, by Kings Servant) he owns with Belinda Keir, skipped around 6 seconds inside the time to climb from 29th after dressage to seventh on 33.6 as the best Irish pair.

Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Cathal Daniels and Rioghan Rua, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Jack of Diamonds X Highland Destiny, by Flagmount King) owned by Frank and Margaret Kinsella, were another pair to initially receive 50 penalties for missing a flag. The ground jury ultimately elected to remove the penalties more than 4 hours after cross country had ended, which moves them up to eighth place on 33.6. (Sam Watson is on the same score and breaks the best-of-the-Irish tie by being closer to the optimum time.)

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z delivered a cracking clear round for the USA in the horse’s CCI4* debut, coming home with 4.4 time penalties to climb from 17th up to ninth place on 34.2. Three cheers for both of our American pairs sitting inside the top 10 after cross country!

“His first CCI2* was just last year, so it’s incredible to have him jump around the way he did. It was a hard track, and it rode tougher than it looked,” Liz said. “There was never a place where you could make time up. You were always doing something out there, and he was just a warrior. He looked for the flags and fought the whole way and made a lot of complexes look easy.”

Liz took all of the direct routes with Deniro Z, a 10-year-old KWPN (Zapatero VDL X Zonne-Trend, by French Buffet xx) owned by the Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties, and she said the course rode nearly exactly to her plan.

“I would have loved to have made the time, and we were on it all the way up until the main arena, but for a first four-star from a 10 year old who is green, he was perfect. He’s come away a happy horse. I think he learned a lot and will come away a stronger horse from the experience. I love him to pieces.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play the Game, a 14-year-old KWPN (Stravinsky X Mirakel, by Lancer II) owned by Amy and Patricia Lambert, added 10.8 time penalties to move up one spot to 10th on 38.9.

Sweden’s Anna Freskgård and Fly Away vd N.Ranch, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood Quidam’s Rubin X Retina Van de N. Ranch, by Voltaire) she owns with William Fryer, were the fourth pair to jump clear and inside the time, which moved them all the way from 42nd place after dressage to 11th on 39.3.

At the time of publication, final cross country results for the CCI4* have still not been finalized due to multiple instances of 50 penalties being awarded for missed flags. As a result, we are not including a detailed breakdown of the fence analysis. Click here to view the fence-by-fence report on live scoring.

We saw two horse falls today, one of which tragically resulted in an equine fatality. Axel Z, ridden by Chloe Raty of Belgium, was euthanized due to spinal injuries sustained in a rotational fall at fence 18b. While the rail was pinned with a MIM clip, the frangible technology did not deploy. Click here to read the full report. Chloe sustained no major injuries in the fall, and our thoughts are with her and her team during this terribly sad time.

No major injuries have been reported for Jesse Campbell and Cleveland, the other pair who fell on course when the horse stumbled between fences in the second water complex. Click here to view final scores after cross country.

Please note: The results of the top 10 could change pending the outcome of the ground jury’s review of footage for the 50 flag penalties. We will update this report with changes if any are made.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

 

Axel Z Euthanized Following Rotational Fall at Luhmühlen CCI4*

By on Jun 16, 2018 7:53 am -

Chloe Raty and Axel Z at fence 17B in the Meßmer Teich water complex. Their fall occurred at 18B, the upright rail coming out of the water. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We are devastated to confirm that Axel Z, ridden by Chloe Raty of Belgium, has been euthanized due to spinal injuries sustained in a rotational fall on the CCI4* cross country course at Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen.

The fall occurred when Axel Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide (Asca Z X Odessa, by Gastal), left a leg at fence 18b, an upright rail set on a bounce stride in the Meßmer Teich water complex. While the rail was pinned with a MIM clip, the frangible technology did not deploy.

Axel Z rotated over the fence and fell, pinning Chloe underneath him. She was wearing an air vest, which officials confirmed did deploy. Both horse and rider were transported off the course via ambulance. Luhmühlen confirmed in a press conference following cross country that Chloe was examined at a local hospital and sustained no major injuries.

X-rays at a local veterinary clinic revealed a fracture in the first lumbar vertebrae of Axel Z’s spine. FEI veterinarian Dr. Jürgen Martens confirmed Axel Z was euthanized due to the catastrophic nature of the injuries.

When asked in the press conference why the MIM clip did not deploy, course designer Mike Etherington-Smith said, “The way the clips are designed is to help reduce the possibility of a rotational fall. There is no guarantee that they won’t happen. It’s all about minimizing the risk.”

Chloe and Axel Z were competing in their first CCI4* at Luhmühlen. Our thoughts are with Chloe and all who knew and loved Axel Z.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, XC Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

How to Watch Luhmühlen Cross Country Live

By on Jun 16, 2018 2:39 am -

The massive angled log into the first water at fence 17A on the CCI4* course. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning from cross country day at Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen! The action kicks off at 9 a.m./3 a.m. EST, and we have all the details on how to watch live.

While you have likely been enjoying the free live stream for dressage on Luhmühlen’s YouTube Channel, cross country will not be shown there today. Horse & Country TV has the exclusive broadcast rights to air cross country.

You must be an H&C TV subscriber to access the live stream today. Subscriptions cost $8.99 per month. Click here to subscribe. H&C TV is available in the U.S. on Roku, mobile apps and at www.horseandcountry.tv.us.

The live stream will also be available for subscribers to watch on demand after the event on H&C TV’s website. An hour-long highlights show from Luhmühlen will be featured on the main H&C channel on Sunday, June 24, at 9:30 p.m. EST. This program will also be available on demand online after it has aired.

CCI4* cross country starts at 9 a.m./3 a.m. EST, followed by CIC3* cross country at 1:45 p.m./7:45 a.m. EST. Start times for our American contingent are as follows:

  • Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4: 10:32 a.m./4:32 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z: 9:52 a.m./3:52 a.m. EST
  • Woods Baughman and Maverick McNamara: 2:33 p.m./8:33 a.m. EST

Click here for CCI4* start times.

Click here for CIC3* start times.

EN wishes safe trips for all today. Go Eventing.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, XC Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Tim Lips and Bayro Set Dutch Dressage Record to Lead Luhmühlen CCI4*

By on Jun 15, 2018 2:19 pm -

Tim Lips and Bayro. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As we expected, the leaderboard saw a major shake-up on the second day of CCI4* dressage here at Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen. EquiRatings confirmed that Tim Lips set a new Dutch dressage record today when he piloted his stalwart partner Bayro into the lead on 24.1.

The score likely would have crept even lower had Tim not lost his stirrup after the reinback. “I couldn’t do medium canter because I was searching for my stirrup!” (It’s comforting to know that Olympians can lose stirrups in dressage like the rest of us mere mortals!)

Nicole Werner, Tim’s dressage trainer, flew in from Holland today to help him and gave the following advice: “She said, ‘You have an extremely good horse. Don’t ride for a 7. Ride for a 9.’ I think most of that I did, so I was very pleased.”

Bayro, a 12-year-old KWPN (Casantos X Vanya, by Corland), has competed at Luhmühlen for the last three consecutive years, finishing 11th and seventh in the CCI4* in 2017 and 2015, respectively, and third in the CIC3* in 2016.

Tim and Bayro have never made the optimum time on cross country at this venue. With only 10 seconds separating the top 10 after dressage, every second over the time on Mike Etherington-Smith’s course will prove extremely costly on the leaderboard. (Click here for a full course preview.)

“Bayro is not the fastest horse, but I’m definitely not the fastest rider. … He always gives me a good feeling here, and I hope I can repeat it tomorrow,” Tim said. “Normally with this course designer when you walk the course you think, ‘Woah, this is big,’ but they always ride nice.”

Jesse Campbell and Cleveland. Photo by Jenni Autry.

New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell and Cleveland were trending to take the lead until the final flying change, which was late behind to see them settle for second place on 24.6.

“This week I had a slightly new approach with Cleveland,” Jesse said. “He’s like a wild animal sometimes, and sometimes I work him a bit too hard in the lead-up. This week I tried to trust him as much as I could with my training — that what I had done at home was good enough. I wanted him to be peaked physically when we got in the ring. I think we got it nearly spot on.”

Cleveland, an 11-year-old KWPN (Watermill Swatch X Rielone, by Lennard), is making his CCI4* debut here at Luhmühlen, and Jesse said he is looking forward to tackling the course tomorrow.

“You have to be strong and disciplined at the same time,” Jesse said. “I think if you’re not careful, you can get sucked into the way the course is set up. In the middle part he puts in a lot of loops with not so many jumping efforts. I think if you’re not careful you can lose time there.”

Shane Rose and CP Qualified. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Shane Rose and CP Qualified sit in third place on 25.5, which is all the more impressive when you consider he has only ridden the horse a handful of times since October — starting Wednesday when he flew in from Australia.

After they were eliminated on cross country at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4*, Shane went home to Australia while “Darcy,” a 15-year-old Holsteiner (Quite Capitol X Mareike II, by Corofino 1), stayed in Europe so he could take another crack at securing qualification for the World Equestrian Games.

Sam Griffiths has kept the horse in work at his yard in Dorset, England. While a late-entry snafu kept the horse from running any preparation competitions this spring, Darcy has been galloping and cross country schooling with Sam in the lead-up to Luhmühlen.

“Considering the short preparation, I’m really happy with the test. I fluffed the change after the half-pass left, but other than that I’m really happy and am looking forward to tomorrow … I’ve flown over for this to get a qualifying score. I’m certainly going to go out a little cautiously and gauge how he’s traveling. He’s a horse that doesn’t waste time, but he’s not a very fast horse,” Shane said.

“The course suits him. Whilst a lot of other people would like the rain, he really likes being on top of the ground. For conditions in Europe, this is probably as good as I can get it. It’s not hilly, which suits him as well.”

Click here to view full scores in the CCI4* at the conclusion of dressage. Looking to our American contingent, Boyd Martin, who led after the first day of dressage with the Shamwari 4 Syndicate’s Shamwari 4, now sits in equal eighth on 27.4. Liz Halliday-Sharp and the Deniro Syndicate’s Deniro Z sit 17th on 29.8. Click here to read about their tests in yesterday’s dressage report.

CCI4* cross country starts at 9 a.m./3 a.m. EST tomorrow, followed by CIC3* cross country at 3:45 p.m./9:45 a.m. EST. Start times for our American contingent are as follows:

  • Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4: 10:32 a.m./4:32 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z: 9:52 a.m./3:52 a.m. EST
  • Woods Baughman and Maverick McNamara: 2:33 p.m./8:33 a.m. EST

The only way to watch cross country in the U.S. is through Horse & Country TV. Click here for a full fence-by-fence preview of the course. We wish safe trips for all horses and riders tomorrow. Go Eventing.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, XC Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Course Preview: Luhmühlen CCI4* Requires Serious Attack Plan

By on Jun 15, 2018 12:34 pm -

Now in his second year of designing the cross country course at Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen, Mike Etherington-Smith has definitely upped the ante in terms of the track’s technicality and difficulty. This year’s course demands an attacking, forward ride right from the start, and we can almost certainly expect it to cause more trouble than last year, when 77% of starters jumped clear rounds.

While the course follows much of the same route, the optimum time has been wheeled much tighter. Last year, 17 pairs made the time (36% of starters). This year we can expect the optimum time of 11 minutes, 17 seconds to be more difficult to catch. As Jesse Campbell so aptly put it: “You have to be very determined for 11 minutes and 17 seconds.” Riders are meticulously planning their routes around the twisty, winding track to ensure no precious seconds are wasted.

That said, we definitely have fast ground here in Germany. Following 12 weeks without rain in the area, the grounds crew at the venue are literally working around the clock watering the course to provide the best possible going for the horses. A massive thank you has to go out to the entire Luhmühlen grounds crew for their mammoth effort.

Lots of twisting and turning!

The first three jumps, Auftakt der Sparkasse Harburg-Buxtehude, AGCO/Fendt Haus and Fledermaushotel, are galloping fences set at maximum width and designed to settle horses and riders into a rhythm. Fence 4 is the beefy Trakehner, followed by the Hasenstal table at fence 5, which brings riders to the first question on course.

Horses will make two passes through the revamped water complex at the Krüll Premium Cars Village. Riders will need to kick boldly up the mound to the first brush at fence 6A, before going on to jump the second brush into the water at 6B, then turn left to jump an arrowhead in the water. After looping around the field, riders come back to the water and bounce two hanging rails at fences 7 and 8A, then splash through the water and out to a left-pointed brush corner at 8B.

Then it’s on to the Charles Owen Royal Works, the hollow at fence 9, where riders will navigate two houses. The Hof Sudermühlens Jagdszene at fence 10 is a let-up table in the woods before the next question on course at fence 11, the Heiner’s Wellenbahn. Riders will jump a large house set on a slope at 11A, then navigate down the hill to two sharply angled brushes set on one stride at 11BC.

The Horseware Jump includes fence 12, an imposing ditch and wall, with a right-pointed brush corner at fence 13. Fence 14 at LVM Am Waldrand features a line of two angled logs that leave little room for error. The Hof Sudermühlens Jagdszene at fence 15 is a let-up table with a bit of a drop on the landing side.

The massive angled log at fence 17A in the Meßmer Teich water complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

There is a definite feeling of increased intensity going forward to the latter half of the course, starting with the Meßmer Teich water complex. Riders will jump an open oxer at fence 16, then jump into the water over a massive angled log at fence 17A, before kicking on to a triple brush at 17B. There is not much time to get organized after that for the up bank and bounce over a set of rails at 18AB. The entire series of fences requires boldness, accuracy and control in quick succession.

The Biertisch, a big hammock at fence 19, and Auf nach Tryon, the bridge at fence 20, are two straightforward let-up fences. Riders will then head towards the main arena, first jumping the big Rennbahnhindernis brush at fence 21, then entering the arena and jumping a maximum width table at fence 22, Lotto Niedersachsen Tisch.

The collapsible corner at fence 23A in the main arena … note the green MIM technology! Photo by Jenni Autry.

The Longines Kombination at fence 23 follows soon after and is a domino effect type of question — get the first part wrong and the rest could snowball. It starts with a left-pointed corner at 23A, with a right bending line to a table at 23B, then a right bending line to another left-pointed corner at 23C. All of the tables and corners in the main arena feature MIM frangible technology and are collapsible.

Riders then leave the main arena and go on to the Manzke Kombination at fences 24 and 25, an open oxer set at maximum width and height followed by a left bending line to a right-pointed open corner. Fence 26, a table called Auf dem Trainingsplatz, brings horses and riders to the final real question on course.

The final water, the DHL Komplex, starts with a set-up table at fence 27, followed by two angled boats set on one stride in the water at 28AB, then three strides to a curved brush at fence 28C. Horses will need enough gas left in the tank to power through this final tricky combination.

The final major question on course: the DHL Komplex at fence 28. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Riders then head for home. A narrow brush at fence 29, Vogelnest, is designed to ride straightforward but still needs to be respected. The Ariat Kombination at fence 30AB is the final question on course, with a line of a table to an angled rolltop. Fence 31, appropriately titled Luhmühlen 2018, will bring riders to the finish.

The course is beautifully presented, and our hats are off to builders David Evans and Carl Fletcher for their spectacular handiwork. The footing feels significantly better today after constant watering. Be sure to scroll through the beautiful photos of each fence taken by Antonia van Baath and listen to Mike Etherington-Smith’s audio commentary. Many thanks to our friends at CrossCountry App!

Stay tuned for quotes from the riders as to their thoughts on the course. CCI4* and CIC3* cross country will stream live on Horse & Country TV, which is the only option for watching in the U.S. Stay tuned for full details on how to watch live. CCI4* cross country starts at 9 a.m./3 a.m. EST. Go Eventing.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Scoring, XC Live Stream, Timetable, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Watch the Luhmühlen Dressage Live Stream

By on Jun 15, 2018 3:00 am -

Both days of dressage are streaming live from Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen on Thursday and Friday, June 14 and 15, and you can watch live here on EN. The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 14:

  • CIC3* dressage from 8.30 a.m.- 12.45 p.m./2:30 a.m.-6:45 a.m. EST
  • CCI4* dressage from 1:40 p.m.-2:55 p.m./7:30 a.m.-8:55 p.m. EST

Friday, June 15:

  • CIC3* dressage from 9 a.m.-12:25 p.m./3 a.m.-6:25 a.m. EST
  • CCI4* dressage 1:15-4:50 p.m./7:15-10:50 a.m. EST

All three of our American combinations go Thursday at the following times:

  • Woods Baughman and Maverick McNamara: 10:30 a.m./4:30 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z: 3:32 p.m./9:32 a.m. EST
  • Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4: 4:40 p.m./10:40 a.m. EST

Dressage starting orders:

Keep it locked on EN for wall-to-wall coverage from Luhmühlen. Go Eventing.

#Luhmühlen: Website, Start Times & Live Scoring, Timetable, Dressage Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter