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.
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are nearly here! On Sept. 2 more than 80 top horses and riders, including eight American combinations, will tackle Capt. Mark Phillips’ legendary cross country course in Stamford, England.
The course runs in the clockwise route for the third time this year, which makes the optimum time significantly more difficult to catch. Mark said he expects no more than 10 pairs to make the time. He included 11 alternate routes on the course this year, significantly more options than in previous years.
Burghley released the course preview video today, so be sure to watch above. Here’s a look at the map of all 34 fences on the course:
Courtesy of Burghley
Click here and scroll down to view photos of each fence, as well as Mark’s notes on the course. “Riders are going to have to determine the best ‘game plan’ for their own particular horse,” he says. “This is a classic Burghley track and whoever wins will be a true champion and certainly deserve to take home the Land Rover prize money.”
We can’t wait to cheer for our American combinations: Andrea Baxter and Indy 500, Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection, Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack, Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby, Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie, Mackenna Shea and Landioso, and Lynn Symansky and Donner.
We are all about supporting lower-level riders here at EN, so we’re excited to present a special edition of Who Jumped It Best from GMHA’s Festival of Eventing. Take a look at these photos of horses and riders tackling a fence on Janine McClain’s Novice course and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which pair you think presents the best overall picture.
Thank you to Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto for providing beautiful images from the event. If you missed EN’s full event report from GMHA, click here to catch up. Go Eventing.
Amy Atkins and JEF Finn Lad. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Julia Grella and Hard Honey. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Marc Griffith and Austin. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Madison Hinman and Wellsworth. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Hanna Kingston and Renorie. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Kathrin Midgley and The Minnick Verse. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Mickey Rathbun and Bramble. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Liza Teich and Moonstruck. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott. Photo by Jon Stroud/FEI.
Bettina Hoy gave us a dressage exhibition at Strzegom today, scoring 24.6 with Seigneur Medicott to set a new European Championships record and take a nearly 10-mark lead after the first day of dressage.
She now holds the dressage record for both the Europeans and World Equestrian Games (20.8 with Woodsides Ashby at Jerez in 2002), and Bettina coyly said after her test that she’s not sure anyone will catch that score on the second day tomorrow.
“I did expect Seigneur Medicott to do a very good test,” Bettina said. “He’s lovely to ride. He’s such a beautiful horse and he always wows the spectators and also the judges. I don’t know if anyone can overtake me. Certainly they will try. Ingrid (Klimke) and Michi (Jung) will try, but I don’t know if they can.”
That’s an astute observation on Bettina’s part. Ingrid Klimke and her Europeans mount Horseware Hale Bob are averaging 33.3 in dressage over the past 12 months, with Michael Jung and his mount fischerRocana FST averaging 37.3, according to EquiRatings.
While those are very strong sub-40 averages, they are nowhere in the stratosphere of Bettina’s score of 24.6, and she has positioned herself and the German team very well indeed as we look ahead to the remainder of the competition.
“The team is feeling very positive,” Bettina said. “We are lucky to have such a good system of training riders in Germany and we all motivate each other.”
After the first day, Germany holds a comfortable lead in the team standings on 60.9, with France in silver position on 75.9 and Great Britain in bronze position on 82.4, just 0.6 penalties ahead of Sweden.
Thomas Carlile and Upsilon. Photo by Jon Stroud/FEI.
Thomas Carlile and Upsilon, widely expected to challenge for the lead in dressage for France, scored 2 marks off their 12-month average to sit in second place on 34.4. They had the misfortune of following Bettina’s record-breaking performance, and while the 9-year-old Anglo Arabian stallion is a striking mover, the test couldn’t match the quality of the leader.
“Bettina is a super rider to watch,” Thomas said. “I expected to be behind her, but perhaps not quite so far behind! Upsilon is mature for his age and very precise, so I was able to put the pressure on myself, but in a good way.”
Luhmühlen CCI4* winners Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot scored 36.3 to give Germany two riders in the top three after the first day. They are one of seven combinations in this Europeans field that averages sub-40 scores for dressage. With six tests scoring in the 30s today, we are almost certainly in for another exciting day tomorrow.
Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot. Photo by Jon Stroud/FEI.
Looking to the rest of the day one leaderboard, the next six riders all scored personal bests at three-star level: Switzlerland’s Felix Vogg and Onfire on 37.2 for fourth, Sweden’s Louise Svensson Jähde and Wieloch’s Utah Sun on 38.3 for fifth, and Great Britain’s Ros Canter in her senior team debut with Allstar B on 38.6 for sixth.
Dr. Ernst Topp (GER), Sue Baxter (GBR) and Dr. Slawomir Pietrzak (POL) are presiding on the ground jury at Strzegom, with Rüdiger Schwarz as the cross country course designer. Rudiger, who also designs at Aachen, has reportedly designed a “strong but fair” course that will test accuracy all the way around the twisty track.
While Andrew Nicholson can’t compete in the European Championships as a Kiwi, he is in Strzegom this week acting as a cross country advisor for the German team, who are looking to win the Europeans for a consecutive fourth championships.
Michael Jung is also bidding to win a fourth consecutive individual gold medal, which would set a record for the most European wins by any rider in history. Can anyone stop the Germans? You can tune in live to day two of dressage on FEI TV starting at 10:15 a.m. local time/4:15 a.m. EST.
EN is proud to have our Europeans coverage powered by EquiRatings, who are also the official statistics provider for the championships. Be sure to follow EquiRatings on Twitter @EquiRatings for real-time data, analysis and commentary as the action unfolds. Go Eventing.
The 2017 European Eventing Championships are finally here! All 77 horses passed the first horse inspection today at Strzegom in Poland, and now all eyes will be on Michael Jung to see if he can take a record fourth Europeans title.
Don’t miss this hype video featuring highlights from the Blair Castle Europeans in 2015, when an injured Michael battled through a broken leg to pilot fischerTakinou to victory. Will anything stand in his way in Poland? Keep it locked on EN to find out.
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Can Michael Jung pilot fischerRocana to a fourth consecutive individual gold medal at the European Championships? Photo by Libby Law Photography.
All 77 horses were accepted in today’s first horse inspection at the European Championships at Strzegom, sending 13 teams and individual riders from 19 nations forward to dressage. Dr. Ernst Topp (GER), Sue Baxter (GBR) and Dr. Slawomir Pietrzak (POL) are presiding on the ground jury.
All eyes will be on Germany, who arrived in Poland as the hot favorites having won team gold for the last three consecutive Europeans: 2015 at Blair Castle, 2013 at Malmö and 2011 at Luhmühlen. The man who led Germany to victory each time, Michael Jung, returns to defend his individual gold title.
Ginny Leng remains the only other rider in history to win the Europeans three times since the championships began in 1953. If Michael Jung can pilot fischerRocana FST to gold, he will become the first rider in history to win four individual gold medals at the Europeans.
With Aachen winners Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob, Luhmühlen CCI4* winners Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot, and Blenheim winners Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott joining Michael on the German team, they bring forward a very strong bid to top the podium.
But there are plenty of other nations coming forward with strong teams to challenge the Germans. France dethroned Germany in Rio to take team gold, but only one combination from that winning Olympic team — Thibaut Vallette with Qing du Briot ENE HN — are competing on the French team at Strzegom.
With cross country penalties in both of their international runs this season, there are questions marks as to whether Thibaut and Qing du Briot, who won individual bronze in 2015 at Blair Castle, can replicate their previous Europeans performance.
What we know for sure is that Thomas Carlile and Upsilon are virtually guaranteed to deliver a spectacular performance for France. The striking stallion set the Event Rider Masters dressage record of 30.8 at Barbury last month, and he can jump just as well as he can move. (Interesting side note: Matthieu Vanlandeghem’s mount Trouble Fete ENE HN is out of the same dam as Upsilon, O’Vive by Fusain du Defey.)
Great Britain come to Poland hoping to reclaim the European title, which they won for eight consecutive championships before Germany’s hot streak began in 2011. With Chris Bartle leading a strong team that includes 2009 individual gold medalist Tina Cook, the Brits are hungry for redemption following a disappointing performance in Rio.
While they were not named to the British team and compete as individuals, Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V remain favorites to play spoiler for a podium finish. The mare has scored in the 30s in dressage in four of her last six international outings and is widely expected to challenge for the lead after the first phase.
While Germany, France and Great Britain are expected to battle for the team medals, we all know anything can happen in eventing. Rüdiger Schwarz’ cross country course is expected to be a twisty, technical challenge, which means you are definitely going to want to watch all the action alive.
FEI TV is live streaming the European Championships starting tomorrow with the first day of dressage at 10:15 a.m. local time, 4:15 a.m. EST. Click here to check broadcast times in your area. Click here for ride times and live scoring.
EN will have a full recap of all the action after each day of the competition. Keep checking back for everything you need to know from the Europeans! Go Eventing.
Summer is winding down, and it’s hard to believe that the first day of fall is just five weeks away. What better way to celebrate the last gasp of summer than with a contest! We’re teaming up with World Equestrian Brands to give away an Equetech Kingsley Gilet to keep the elements out as the season changes to colder weather.
This technical, water-resistant gilet with a cozy pillow collar has Bio-Down insulation, which keeps you super warm and also gives a down feel while still being machine washable. The gilet, which retails at $142, has two zip pockets with Equetech snaffle zipper pulls, contrasting suede piping and a two-way zipper. Available in navy or mink.
Photo courtesy of World Equestrian Brands
How to enter: It’s easy! Simply snap a selfie with your horse. Post the photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ENsummerselfie, or email your photo to [email protected].
Entries are due by midnight EST on Wednesday, August 23. We will randomly select a winner. Good luck! Be sure to check out the full line of Equetech apparel available from World Equestrian Brands here.
If you read William Micklem’s latest EN column — Does Size Matter? In Praise of Smaller Horses — then you’ll love this helmet cam starring Hwin, a 14.1-hand Mustang mare, pinging around the Training cross country course at River Glen Horse Trials.
Team Tredstep rider Elisa Wallace and Hwin added one show jumping rail to their dressage score to finish 11th in their division on 45.0. It’s clear watching the video that Hwin loves her job — look at those pricked ears! Go Hwin. Go Eventing.
Michael Jung has won the last three European Championships in a row: 2015 with fischerTakinou, 2013 with Halunke FBW and 2011 with La Biosthetique Sam FBW. He heads to Strzegom with fischerRocana FST next week, where he will look to win a fourth consecutive Europeans title.
Ginny Leng is the only other three-time winner of the Europeans, and she also took her titles in consecutive years: 1985 with Priceless, 1987 with Night Cap and 1989 with Master Craftsman. If Michael wins at Strzegom, he will take the record for most European titles ever won in history.
He talks about the challenge ahead in this video from the FEI, which also features footage from his past victories at the Europeans. Remember that Michael won at Blair Castle in 2015 with a broken leg, which gives the footage of him storming around in the rain a whole new context.
Can anyone stop Michael Jung’s quest to become the only four-time Europeans winner in history? Keep it locked on EN to find out! Go Eventing.
Plantation Field International, Pennsylvania’s premier horse trials, will kick off in just a few weeks on Sept. 14-17, and this year the event is partnering with Retired Racehorse Project to showcase the American Thoroughbred. In honor of the Best. Event. Ever. we’re showcasing three Thoroughbreds from CANTER Pennsylvania this week, all ready to start their new careers as event horses!
Sports car model! Bred for upper-level competition, Shars Dancer boasts some favorite lines in his pedigree, including Dance With Ravens, Danzig, Mt. Livermore and Cox’s Ridge. Retiring with no known issues or vices, this guy’s future looks bright. Checking all the boxes, here’s the type of horse people are constantly requesting — he has the looks, the build and the personality to be a lovely project. We are anxious to see how far this one goes!
This guy is super cool and screams eventer! He has a lofty gate with large bone and an elegant neck. His breeding also has plenty for buyers to love. He is by Eurosilver, a son of Unbridled’s Song. Both are known for throwing outstanding movers with great brains. His dam is by Tale of the Cat, known for good bone and durability. The trainer states he has no vices or issues and that he has great feet. He trains off the farm and does well in turnout with others. He is ready to go to work today! $3,500.
Quite the character! “Doodle” is a funny guy and a barn favorite. Not just pretty to look at, this boy is sweet and gentle with the trainer’s young kids. A lovely sport type with a nice style of movement, this one should be a great choice for eventing. No known issues or vices, Doodle is a clean slate, ready to go right to work for you. A real ham, this guy was begging for grass time during his listing and clearly is well-loved by his connections. Come take a look!
It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? Millbrook Advanced Edition! Take a look at these photos of horses and riders jumping into the water complex on Tremaine Cooper’s course this past weekend in New York.
Vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture. Go Millbrook. Go Eventing!
It happens to the best of us! Elisa Wallace parted ways with Indiana Chrome at the first fence of the Training course at Champagne Run H.T. and she had the good sense of humor to post the video for all of us to see.
But don’t let the video fool you! Elisa and Indiana Chrome, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (City Weekend – Prima Gold, by Strike the Gold), have plenty of successful runs on their USEA record, including two completions at Training this season.
Sometimes you just have to laugh. Go OTTBs! Go Eventing.
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Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift after jumping a clear show jumping round at Badminton 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.
It is a very happy day for eventing fans around the world, as people from far and wide all banded together to raise the £500,000 needed to help Jonty Evans keep his Olympic mount Cooley Rorkes Drift.
The final few thousand pounds needed to prevent the horse from being sold were secured in the early hours of the morning U.S. time, well over 24 hours ahead of the official deadline to raise the funds.
Jonty is expected to make an official statement soon. He tearfully told BBC Gloucestershire: “I’m struggling to put it into words really. I cannot thank people enough for getting involved and believing that this could happen because without the crowd and without the donations, we’d never have made this happen.
“The fact that Art is going to stay with us now and this will be his forever home is a really, really, really special thing. People have done it for us.”
Jonty launched his crowdfunding campaign on July 13. In addition to an online auction that raised £37,000, two large lump sums of £150,000 and £100,000 were donated, with people from around the world donating the remaining £213,000 at jontyandart.com over the next four weeks.
Thank you to ALL who donated to keep Jonty and “Art” together. Now they will embark on their trip to Poland to represent Ireland in the FEI European Eventing Championships at Stzregom next week.
Stay tuned for much more as we follow Jonty and Art at Strzegom and beyond. Go Eventing. #artisawesome
The water complex at Millbrook Horse Trials is always a hot spot for spectactors, with course designer Tremaine Cooper providing plenty of action to watch at this popular event in New York.
This year on the Advanced course, horses and riders jumped a duck at the top of a hill, then a forward five strides down the hill to jump into the water over a hanging log. They then jumped out at an up bank with one stride to an angled brush. Finally, combinations circled around to a chevron brush before leaving the water.
We saw trouble come at both the angled brush and the chevron, as well as a variety of different lines from the duck to the drop in, with riders getting five, six and even seven strides. There is definitely plenty to watch in this video from RNS!
Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift after jumping a clear show jumping round at Badminton 2017. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Time is counting down to keep Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift together. The deadline to meet his fundraising goal and prevent 10-year-old “Art” from being sold is approaching in only three days.
So far, donations totaling £414,745 combined with the auction proceeds of £22,220 leave Jonty with £63,034 left to raise to meet the £500,000 target.
Jonty and Art have been named to the Irish team for the FEI European Eventing Championships at Strzegom next week, and the total funds must be raised to send them off to Poland.
Why should you support Jonty and Art? Special partnerships come and go, but EquiRatings crunched the numbers to quantify what sets Art apart.
EquiRatings looked at the past seven seasons (2010-2016) of international results for horses that ticked the following boxes at 10 years of age or younger:
At least 4 international appearances at three-star and above
At least 1 appearance at four-star level
Maintained a dressage average of 45 penalties or lower
Maintained a 100% clear cross country jumping record
Maintained a 50% or higher clear show jumping record
Only 12 horses emerged from the search: Cool Mountain, La Biosthetique Sam FBW, Opgun Louvo, Lionheart, Lamicell Unique, Fletcha van’t Verahof, SAP Escada FRH, fischerRocana FST, Faerie Dianimo, fischerTakinou and Cooley Rorkes Drift.
Click here to read the full article from EquiRatings: Super 12 — The Hottest Youngsters This Decade.
Imagine what Jonty and Art can achieve if we keep them together! If you have ever known the joy of experiencing a partnership with a horse, please consider donating any amount to help raise the £63,034 still needed.
Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The FEI European Championships at Stzregom in Poland are quickly approaching on Aug. 17-20, and Great Britain’s highly anticipated team announcement came this morning! Congratulations to:
• Rosalind Canter, 31, based in Lincolnshire, with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Ephebe For Ever X Narenca B, by Ekstein)
• Tina Cook, 46, based in West Sussex, with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red, a 10-year-old Baden-Württemberg gelding (Balou du Rouet X FBW Simply Red, by Stan The Man xx)
• Piggy French, 36, based in Leicestershire, with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale)
• Gemma Tattersall, 32, based in West Sussex, with the Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V, a 12-year-old Anglo European mare (Urkel X Unabresse M, by Quick Star)
• Oliver Townend, 34, based in Shropshire, with Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Ramiro B X Ballynattin Pride, by Kiltealy Spring)
• Nicola Wilson, 40, based in North Yorkshire, with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana, an 11-year-old KWPN mare (Tygo X Sulana, by Furore)
Sarah Cohen and Treason were named first reserve, with Alex Bragg and Zagreb as second reserve. The final team of four combinations and two individuals will be announced at Strzegom. Click here to read the full announcement.
Our friends at Horse & Hound have a full list of all the Europeans teams that have been named so far (France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden). Click here to see the teams.
As a reminder, Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift are expected to represent Ireland at the Europeans if he can raise the funds needed to keep the horse from being sold. You can support Jonty’s crowdfunding campaign at jontyandart.com.
We are big fans of Marion de Vogel’s videography here at EN, and her highlights reel from this year’s Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials does not disappoint. She interviewed Boyd Martin about why he always makes the trip to Fitch’s each year:
“Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels put on a spectacular event. The community really gets behind it. The course looks like Rolex; it’s beautifully presented. For the show jumping course, they actually use the jumps from the Atlanta Olympics, and the dressage turf here is first class. It’s a premier lower-level event, and I think it’s great exposure for my up-and-coming young horses.”
Be sure to check out this special edition of Who Jumped It Best featuring photos from the Training Rider divisions at Fitch’s, as well as winner photos provided by Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto. We also have a lifestyle photo gallery to bring you from Mary Hilliard, so stay tuned for that. Go Fitch’s! Go Eventing.
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US Equestrian opened the application process for the U.S. Eventing Team Performance Director, previously known as the Technical Advisor, on July 1, and the Aug. 1 deadline is fast approaching.
The term will run from the date of hiring through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, though US Equestrian is willing to consider other term lengths.
“Applicants are expected to present a draft plan and vision for sustainable international success, including World and Olympic Games level, for the U.S. Eventing Team as part of the interview process,” US Equestrian explained in the Request for Proposal.
“Applicants are expected to have an understanding of the needs of athletes involved in elite and development programs and must have the skills and abilities essential to leading and motivating the athletes and their support teams. While not a pre-requisite of the position, an understanding of Equestrian sport in the U.S. and Eventing in particular is preferable.”
Core Requirements of the U.S. Eventing Team Performance Director Position:
Work with the Eventing Managing Director (MD) and the Eventing Sport Committee (and its working groups) in the development of the Eventing Pathway, programs and systems that support a comprehensive plan for sustainable international success, including the World and Olympic Games level.
Provide leadership, direction and motivation to participants in the Eventing High Performance Program, especially athletes in contention for selection to any senior U.S. Eventing Teams through Tokyo 2020.
Carry out the role of, or lead on the appointment of, the Chef d’Equipe at the Olympic, World Equestrian and Pan American Games and other Nations Cups.
Lead or oversee the setting and reviewing of Targets and Key Performance Indicators for the athletes in the Eventing Elite and Development Programs.
Assist in developing agreed upon competition targets at key marker competitions.
Develop and manage the delivery of coach support to Elite and Development athletes and a system for communicating with coaches and reviewing the progress of athletes. Personally deliver coaching if requested by an athlete.
Develop and implement a stakeholder communication plan in partnership with the MD of Eventing.
Develop and implement a structure and methodology for tracking progress of athletes and horses.
Analyze and present an annual report, with six monthly updates, on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the current U.S. Eventing Team and athlete/horse partnerships.
US Equestrian also noted that the organization does not intend to change the Equine Sports Science and Medicine staff that currently supports the team.
Applications are due by August 1, 2017 and should be sent to Joanie Morris, Managing Director of Eventing, 4047 Iron Works Pkwy, Lexington, KY 40511, or by email at [email protected].
Isabel Finemore and Instant Impact won the Junior Training division at Fitch’s Corner. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
The Area I eventing season is in full swing, with Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials celebrating its 24th year this past weekend in beautiful Millbrook, New York. Hosted at Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels’ stunning farm, Fitch’s is one of the most popular summer events in the area, attracting top riders from all across the region.
Olympians Boyd Martin and Will Coleman had some of their young up-and-coming horses at the event, with a slew of other top names competing as well. Click here to view final scores, and keep scrolling for a photo gallery of some of the winners courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Denise Goyea and Highlife’s Je T’aime won the Preliminary Rider. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Olivia Alminde and Moonstruck won the Training Rider B division. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Isabel Finemore and Instant Impact won the Junior Training division. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Nancy Read and Caribe PCH won the Amateur Novice Masters Challenge. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Darrah Alexander and Ember won the Open Novice division. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Ronan Moloney and Presto GWF won the Beginner Novice Horse division. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
As a special bonus, we have another edition of Who Jumped It Best with photos from the Training Rider divisions. Take a look at the horses and riders below and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which pair you think presents the best overall picture. Thank you to Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto for providing the images.
Olivia Alminde and Moonstruck. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Katelyn Aznaran and Electric Daisy. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Disa Cheston and Sandy Blue. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Sam Colt and Calle. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Sandra O’Donnell and New York Minute. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Jenn Ricci and Shocolatine. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Kevin Roche and Lou. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Danielle Zandirad and Saratoga Badge. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Aachen is the best horse show in the world for myriad reasons, but in particular Aachen does an excellent job of incorporating thrilling exhibitions and specialty classes that add to the fun for both spectators and competitors alike.
Saturday night saw horses and riders from three different disciplines join forces in the Jump N Drive, a combined show jumping, eventing and driving competition against the clock — in the pouring rain, no less!
Here’s the format: The event rider jumps a course in the main arena over cross country jumps, followed by two more riders tackling a show jumping course. Then the event rider runs on foot across the main arena to jump on the driving carriage, which then navigates a marathon course.
Alex Bragg of Great Britain led his team to victory, with Ingrid Klimke’s team in second and Michael Jung’s team in third. Chris Burton, Tom McEwen and Karin Donckers also competed. You can watch Ingrid’s team take on the Jump N Drive in the video above. Click here for full results.
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We officially have a trend. As EN’s readership continues to expand in the U.K. — which has our highest number of readers behind the U.S. and Canada — interest in EN’s Blogger Contest has also grown across the pond.
Last year we declared a British winner for the first time in the history of the contest, and we’re following suit again this year. The winner of EN’s 7th Annual Blogger Contest is …
Tilly Berendt!
Tilly captured our hearts right off the bat with this picture of her participating in a camel race. Add in the fact that she lived in the U.S. for about 10 years working for a slew of top riders, and she brings a unique perspective to the table.
Exhibit A: Her piece on key differences between eventing in the U.S. and the U.K. not only identified some extremely poignant examples — I’m pretty sure I have actually shared a bowl of queso with a Linda from Maryland at a U.S. competitor’s party before — but also had us crying tears of laughter.
Please join us in giving Tilly a big EN welcome to the team! She already has a wealth of journalism experience writing for some of the top equine news outlets in the U.K., so we’re excited to have her as our boots on the ground at events across the pond very soon.
Thank you to all who submitted entries into EN’s 7th Annual Blogger Contest. We have so enjoyed your enthusiasm, humor, passion and insight into this crazy sport that unites us. Go Eventing.
An aerial rendering of Fair Hill’s proposed site plan. Image courtesy of Fair Hill International.
The USEF Board of Directors today approved the recommendation to bring a new CCI4* to Fair Hill International in Elkton, Maryland, starting in 2019.
In January the USEF Board of Directors narrowed the list of five applicants to two, and since then the USEF CCI4* Task Force members — Howard Simpson, Tim Keener and Phillip Dutton — worked to evaluate the applications from Fair Hill International and Great Meadow International in The Plains, Virginia.
“The Task Force applauds both Organizing Committees for their cooperation and commitment throughout this process,” the USEF said in a statement.
The USEF recommendation to award a CCI4* to Fair Hill International will now go forward to the FEI for approval this fall. The competition date will be approved as part of the 2019 FEI calendar after review by the USEF Calendar Approval process.
Fair Hill has extensive plans to transform the current venue to accommodate a CCI4*, with a group effort that combines the Fair Hill Foundation, Maryland Horse Industry Board, Maryland Sports Commission and the Cecil County Government.
Click here to learn more about Fair Hill’s development plans.
Is there anything better than watching an Ingrid Klimke helmet cam? It’s essentially a free cross country lesson. For those of you fluent in German, you also get to enjoy Ingrid’s commentary on her round with Horseware Hale Bob, who won the Aachen CICO3* on his dressage score of 34.5.
Ingrid said in an interview after her round that “Bobby” got pretty wound up being the last horse left in warm-up, as she led after show jumping and was the last to go in the reverse-order format. As a result she set out of the start box a bit faster than intended, but Bobby had plenty in the tank, skipping around in 6 minutes, 42 seconds with the fastest round of the day.
Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage of Aachen. Go Eventing.
Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Phillip Dutton moved up one spot in the latest FEI World Eventing Athlete Rankings and now sits No. 2 on 531 points behind Michael Jung, who continues to dominate the top spot on the leaderboard with 644 points.
Since finishing Mr. Medicott, Fernhill Fugitive and I’m Sew Ready inside the top 10 at Kentucky CCI4* in April, Phillip has continued to enjoy a very strong season. In addition to placing in the top 10 with Z and Fernhill Revelation at Tattersalls CCI3* in Ireland, Phillip also won the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with Mr. Candyman and most recently finished third in the FEI Nations Cup at Great Meadow with I’m Sew Ready.
Mark Todd moved up one spot on the leaderboard to third with 495 points thanks to a slew of strong results with Leonidas II and NZB Campino. Nicola Wilson jumped from 10th up to fourth place, the highest she has ever been in the world rankings, with 467 points after finishing second at Lühmuhlen CCI4* with Bulana.
Hannah Sue Burnett jumped into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time, moving up to ninth from 12th on 406 points. In addition to finishing fourth with Under Suspection at Kentucky CCI4*, she also piloted Harbour Pilot to 10th in the Houghton Hall CICO3* and eighth at Lühmuhlen CCI4*. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Hannah catching up on her exciting season so far.
Team USA has five total riders in the top 25 of the world rankings. Boyd Martin slipped two spots to 11th place on 392 points, Marilyn Little jumped from 35th to 14th on 356 points, and Buck Davidson moved from 38th to 25th with 282 points.
Rebecca Howard is the highest-placed Canadian rider on the rankings, currently sitting in 137th position with 136 points. Hawley Bennett-Award is close behind in the 146th spot on 133 points.
