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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

USEA Foundation Announces Rebecca Farm Travel Grant Recipients

By on Jun 30, 2017 4:44 pm -

Alyssa Phillips and Bliss III. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

The USEA Foundation has just announced the 16 riders who will receive travel grants to offset the cost of making the journey to compete in the three-star divisions at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana on July 19-23, 2017.

Congratulations to:

 

 

Madeline Backus, Colorado

Andrea Baxter, California

Kirsten Buffamoyer, South Carolina

Anna Collier, Washington

Hallie Coon, Massachusetts

Ashlynn Dorsey, California

Ellen Doughty-Hume, Texas

Molly Kinnamon, Pennsylvania

Emilee Libby, California

Jennifer McFall, California

Hillary Moses, Pennsylvania

Emily Pestl-Dimmett, Washington

Alyssa Phillips, Texas

Bunnie Sexton, California

Maya Simmons, North Carolina

Erin Sylvester, Pennsylvania

The USEA Foundation’s Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider’s Committee will interview the grant recipients prior to the start of the event. A decision will be made in November as to which riders will receive the $30,000 International Developing Rider Grant and the $10,000 National Developing Rider Grant, which will be presented at the 2017 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Long Beach, California in December.

All FEI competitors at The Event at Rebecca Farm are invited to take part in the interview process for the grants at the event. Please speak to the Rebecca Farm secretary at the venue to be placed on the schedule.

These generous grants are made possible by Jerome Broussard and his family in memory of the indomitable Rebecca Broussard, whose greatest wish was to help riders attain their dream of representing the U.S. at the Olympics, World and Pan American Games.

[USEA Foundation Proudly Announces the Recipients of the 2017 Rebecca Broussard Travel Grants]

A Bustling Spring for Jan Byyny: USEF’s Newest Eventing Selector

By on Jun 29, 2017 2:50 pm -

Jan Byyny and Urrem at Bromont in 2016. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Between being named the newest USEF Eventing Selector and bringing her top mount Inmidair back to the Advanced level following a three-year hiatus, Jan Byyny has had a bustling spring season.

She’s already attended Carolina International, Kentucky and Luhmühlen as a selector, and now that Jan has a better feel for her new role, she kindly took time out of her busy schedule to take us behind the scenes.

“When I was asked to be a selector, my first thought was, ‘I want to be selected for teams. I don’t want to be the one selecting. I’m not done competing yet.’ But since I won’t have a horse that could be considered for the next year or so, I changed my thought process,” Jan said. “I decided if I want to be selected for future teams, then I want to know how it all works.”

Jan is no stranger to representing Team USA, having won winning individual bronze and team gold with Shared Dreams at the 2003 Pan American Games at Fair Hill. She was selected as an alternate for the 2004 Athens Olympics and also represented the U.S. with Task Force at both the 2005 World Cup Finals in Malmö and the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.

She was also selected to ride at Luhmühlen in 2005 with Waterfront when the U.S. sent a group of riders to compete in the new CCI4* at the venue. Returning to the venue 12 years later as a selector brought an entirely new experience.

Jan enjoying a rare quiet moment at Luhmühlen with her mom Jo, who made the trip to Germany with her.

“We had such a great group of American riders, and everyone really worked together. I was so proud of them,” Jan said. “Even though it was called a ‘soft’ four-star, is there such a thing? Maybe it wasn’t Badminton, but Luhmühlen is never Badminton. It’s Luhmühlen. And the show jumping was tough.”

With her first overseas trip as a selector complete, Jan has been working with the other four selectors — Bobby Costello, Phyllis Dawson, Debbie Furnas and Derek di Grazia — to select the team that will compete next week in the Nations Cup CICO3* at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia.

“It is a great group of people. Everyone has a little bit of a different way of looking at things, and I think that’s a healthy thing. We may not always agree, but at the end of the day we all want the same thing — for the U.S. to be the best,” Jan said.

“As a selector, you have to be able to say what you think and not be afraid to be wrong. You listen to the other four people and hear their opinions and then have to be able to say, ‘That’s a great point. I hadn’t thought about it that way.’”

Having been in a position as a rider when she wasn’t named to a team or placed on a training list, Jan said it’s eye-opening to see the “nuts and bolts” of how selection works. “If you’re ready, you’re going to be selected. If you’re not, you’re not. It’s really that simple.”

Jan Byyny and Inmidair at Kentucky in 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Inmidair’s Comeback

While Jan is fully immersed in being a selector, she is also actively seeking her own competition goals. Next week will mark a major milestone as Inmidair, an 18-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding Jan owns with her parents Dick and Jo, returns to FEI competition for the first time since finishing seventh at the Kentucky CCI4* in 2014.

A soft tissue injury in his foot forced Inmidair’s withdrawal as an alternate from the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and since then Jan has slowly and carefully rehabilitated him. He returned to competing at Pine Top in February and ran the Advanced at Fair Hill’s April Horse Trials. A sixth-place finish in the Virginia CIC2* last month officially signaled that “JR” is back.

“I want to enjoy my time I have with him because he is an awesome horse. He thinks he’s better and badder than ever! He has been so happy to be back out. I learned a valuable lesson at Virginia because I’ve been trying not to jump him too much, but he was wild. I had to gallop him before going cross country just so he would be rideable,” Jan said.

“It was great information to take away. I said to myself, ‘Jan if you’re going to keep going with him, you have to train him!’ I want to be a horseman and competitive. If I’m going to do this, I want to win, but I want to do it the right way.”

Jan said having three years away from competing at the Advanced level proved to be a valuable time, both to produce her younger horses coming up the levels and also to focus on furthering her own education.

“I realized things I needed to improve on. We had success before because JR is really talented and we’re both gutsy, but now we have to be better than that because the sport has moved on,” Jan said.

“When you haven’t run Advanced for awhile and you want to make time and be competitive, you have to make sure you have prepared yourself to do that. That’s not always an easy task, but it’s a fun task. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Jan Byyny and Urrem at Carolina International 2016. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As for the horses in her string she hopes will be in contention for teams in the coming years, Urrem, a 9-year-old Selle Francais mare Jan owns with her parents, continues to be a standout. The mare sustained a tendon injury in the Plantation Field CIC2* last year but is back to competing now; Jan plans to aim her for the Fair Hill CCI2* this fall.

“She’s probably one of the nicest horses I’ve ever had. The way she went around Plantation last year made me think she was ready for the next level, but I think it’s good to make sure you have your i’s dotted and t’s crossed before stepping up to Advanced. She’s super brave, fun and careful — completely an alpha mare but probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever had.”

Jan also has Volcan de Caverie, an 8-year-old Selle Francais gelding, who hasn’t finished outside the top 10 since stepping up to the Preliminary level at Sporting Days in March.

Jan on the mower preparing for Surefire.

In the midst of all this, Jan continues to run a thriving training and boarding facility alongside her boyfriend Tom Finnen at Surefire Farm, which once again hosted one of Area II’s most popular summer horse trials last week in Purcellville, Virginia.

“Going to Luhmühlen as a selector wasn’t ideal timing since we were getting ready for Surefire the following weekend — thank you to Tom for staying home to keep getting everything ready! — but I am so grateful that I had the opportunity,” Jan said.

“Even though I wasn’t competing, I felt proud to be an American. Everything about it was inspiring — even watching the CIC3* with all the Germans preparing for the European Championships and seeing the quality of the dressage. Being a selector is a fascinating role, and I feel honored that I was asked.”

Fab Freebie: Horseware Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose Sheet & Fly Mask

By on Jun 29, 2017 8:49 am -

Photo by Kate Samuels

Fly season is in full swing across North America, and we’re excited to team up with Horseware to help you combat flying foes. The Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose Fly Sheet is one of our top choices this season thanks to the design, fit and fabric.

Let’s start with the fabric. It’s self-healing. How many times have you brought a horse in from the field only to find that he rolled on a stick and ripped his fancy new fly sheet in half? But with the Fly Buster Vamoose you don’t have to worry. Holes and indents are easily fixed, and the fabric remains as strong as ever.

Think that sounds too good to be true? Check out this video Charlotte Dujardin posted on Instagram showing how easy it is to repair a hole in the Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose:

It’s like magic! Even better, the sheet features Horseware’s patented Vamoose technology, which means the fabric has been treated with permethrin. In addition to repelling mosquitos, ants, ticks, flies, midges and chiggers, the permethrin treatment can survive 70 trips through the washing machine.

The Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose Fly Sheet is on sale right now for $200. Horseware also just launched a fly sheet trade-in for U.S. and Canadian residents. If you trade in a clean, used flysheet from ANY blanket brand, you can get $30 off any Rambo fly sheet. The trade-in runs through July 21. Click here to find a participating retailer near you.

And now it’s time for one lucky EN reader to win a Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose Sheet and Fly Mask from Horseware! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Entries will close Sunday at midnight EST, and we will announce the winner in Monday News & Notes. Go Eventing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Announcing the 7th Annual EN Blogger Contest Finalists!

By on Jun 28, 2017 3:25 pm -

The 7th Annual Eventing Nation Blogger Contest drew its usual massive number of entries, and the chinchillas judging panel narrowed the submissions to eight finalists. This is an international contest that once again attracted attention from all over the world, and we have to thank everyone who took the time to enter.

We will be publishing the finalists’ first round entries over the next week, so be sure to keep checking back to EN. Give us your feedback in the comments, and please offer your encouragement and support to the finalists! We hope you enjoy their creativity, insight and love of the sport.

Without further ado, congratulations to the finalists:

Rebecca Barber
Tilly Berendt
Madelyn Floyd
Amber Leone
Amy Nelson
Drew Palmer
Jolynn Wagner
Renee Wright

Now our finalists will be hard at work on their round two submission. Here’s the prompt:

Eventing has been approved for inclusion in the Olympics through 2024 under an altered format, but the sport still faces uphill battles both in the U.S. and abroad. What can we do to make eventing more appetizing, engaging and understandable to the mainstream public? Share your ideas in an interesting, funny, informative and creative way.

Entries are due Wednesday, July 5 at midnight EST. Good luck to all the finalists! Go Eventing.

Meet the 2017 USEF Eventing Selectors

By on Jun 28, 2017 12:39 pm -

With the U.S. team for the Nations Cup at Great Meadow CICO3* expected to be named at any time (click here to view the selection procedure), let’s take a look at the USEF Eventing Selectors for the 2017 season.

Jan Byyny is the newest selector, taking the place of Marcia Kulak, who served as a selector during the 2013-2016 seasons. Bobby Costello remains the chair, and Phyllis Dawson, Debbie Furnas and Derek di Grazia also remain selectors.

Jan has had a busy spring to kick off her new role, acting as a selector at Carolina International, Kentucky and Luhmühlen. She also has her top mount, Inmidair, making a return to the three-star level at Great Meadow.

Stay tuned for an interview with Jan as we catch up on all the latest with her, and read on to get to know the five USEF Eventing Selectors.

Bobby Costello at Luhmuhlen in 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Bobby Costello garnered a slew of top results during his career as an international event rider, including placing eighth individually at the 2000 Sydney Olympics aboard Chevalier. He also won team gold at the 2003 Pan American Games with Dalliance. He has served on the boards of the USET, USEA and USEF; chaired the USEF Active Athletes (2001-2008) and USEF Eventing High Performance (2009-2012) committees; and is chair of the USEF Eventing Selectors.

Jan Byyny and Urrem at Bromont 2016. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jan Byyny is an international event rider with numerous top results to her name, including winning individual bronze and team gold with Shared Dreams at the 2003 Pan American Games at Fair Hill. She was selected as an alternate for the 2004 Athens Olympics and also represented the U.S. with Task Force at both the 2005 World Cup Final in Malmö and the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. She has competed at Kentucky, Badminton, Burghley, Luhmühlen and Pau.

Phyllis Dawson, right, serves in many roles within the sport, most recently sitting on the USEA Board of Governors. Diane Pitts presented Phyllis with an award at the 2016 USEA Convention for her excellent sense of humor as seen during the BOG Joke and Talent Night. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phyllis Dawson competed at many of the world’s most prestigious international competitions during her career as an event rider at the highest level of the sport. She represented the U.S. at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul with Albany II, where they finished 10th as the highest-placed American pair, and the 1997 Open European Championships at Burghley with Snowy River. She operates a training and breeding facility out of her Windchase Farm in Purcellville, Virginia.

Bobby Costello, Debbie Furnas and Emma Ford at Luhmühlen in 2014, the final selection trial before the U.S. team was named for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Debbie Furnas worked with Torrance Watkins and Stephen Bradley before going on to manage Bruce Davidson’s Chesterland Farm during the heyday of his success. She also served as the U.S. team stable manager at the 1994 World Equestrian Games at The Hague. She later worked with the Canadian eventing team at the 2006 WEG in Aachen, going on to become Canada’s stable manager in 2007 and working with the team at the 2010 WEG in Lexington, when they won a silver medal.

Derek di Grazia still actively competes at the Intermediate and two-star level, seen here with Ringwood Justice at Twin Rivers in March. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Derek di Grazia represented the U.S. at the 1986 Gawler World Championships with Sasquatch before becoming one of the world’s top cross country course designers. He is the course designer for Kentucky CCI4*, as well as Fair Hill and Bromont. Derek will make his championship debut as the course designer for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, becoming the third U.S. course designer in history to design at an Olympics. He still actively competes at the two-star level.

Who Jumped It Best? Essex Preliminary Rider Edition

By on Jun 28, 2017 7:52 am -

It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? Essex Preliminary Rider Edition! The Mars Essex Horse Trials made a triumphant return this past weekend at Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey.

Buck Davidson swept the Open Preliminary division, with Alice Roosevelt and Fernhill Zoro taking the win in the Preliminary Rider division. Thanks to Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto, we have beautiful photos of the Preliminary Rider division tackling Morgan Rowsell’s course.

Put on your George Morris hat and vote in the poll below for which horse and rider combination you think present the best overall picture. Click here to view full results from the Mars Essex Horse Trials. Go Eventing.

Corinne Ashton and Call Calvin. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Genevieve Faith and Burned You Too. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Anne Hambleton and Should Expect. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Ellie Luther and Fair Fiona. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Stefanie Mazza and Brigantine. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Alice Roosevelt and Fernhill Zoro. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Great Meadow Entry List Goes Live, Canadian Team Announced

By on Jun 21, 2017 12:03 pm -

Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Twenty-one U.S., eight Canadian and five British combinations will contest North America’s only FEI Nations Cup leg, Great Meadow, which will once again host an exciting weekend of competition July 7-9 in The Plains, Virginia. View the entry list here.

NAME Horse Name Nationality
Lisa Marie Fergusson Honor Me CAN
Holly Jacks-Smither More Inspiration CAN
Rachel McDonough Irish Rythm CAN
Selena O’Hanlon Foxwood High CAN
Jessica Phoenix A Little Romance CAN
Jessica Phoenix Pavarotti CAN
Jessica Phoenix Abbey GS CAN
Waylon Roberts Kelecyn Cognac CAN
Justine Dutton Jak My Style GBR
Matthew Heath One of a Kind GBR
Ben Hobday Mulrys Error GBR
Nicky Roncoroni Watts Burn GBR
James Sommervillie Talent GBR
Woods Baughman Montesquieu USA
Emily Beshear Silver Night Lady USA
Jennifer Brannigan Cambalda USA
Jan Byyny Inmidair USA
Jenny Caras Fernhill Fortitude USA
Holly Caravella Never Outfoxed USA
William Coleman Tight Lines USA
Hallie Coon Celien USA
Bruce Davidson Copper Beach USA
Mara DePuy Congo Brazzaville C USA
Phillip Dutton I’m Sew Ready USA
Savannah Fulton Captain Jack USA
Lillian Heard LCC Barnaby USA
Alexandra Knowles Sound Prospect USA
Chelsea Kolman Dauntless Courage USA
Boyd Martin Steady Eddie USA
Kurt Martin Anna Bella USA
Hillary Moses Zanadoo USA
Doug Payne Vandiver USA
Lynn Symansky Donner USA
Michael Walton Woodstock Wallaby USA

Great Britain announced last week which horses and riders will cross the pond to compete, and Canada followed suit in naming its team today.

  • Lisa Marie Fergusson (Vancouver, BC) and Honor Me, owned by the rider
  • Selena O’Hanlon (Kingston, ON) and Foxwood High, owned by John and Judy Rumble
  • Jessica Phoenix (Cannington, ON) and Pavarotti, owned by Don J. Good, or A Little Romance, owned by Donald Leschied
  • Waylon Roberts (Port Perry, ON) and Kelecyn Cognac, owned by Anthony Connolly and L. Skye Levely

Reserve:

  • Holly Jacks-Smither (Orangeville, ON) and More Inspiration, owned by the rider and Bruce Smither

We expect the U.S. to announce its team soon as well — we’ll update this post with that info as soon as we get it!

After three legs of the 2017 Nations Cup series, Britain currently holds first place in the overall standings with 270 points thanks to finishing second in each leg so far. Germany sits second on 200 points, with France in third on 100 points.

Team USA is tied for fourth place on 80 points with Ireland and Sweden after the team of Hannah Sue Burnett, Caroline Martin and Katherine Coleman finished third at Houghton Hall. Click here to view the series leaderboard.

The Nations Cup series next heads to Wiener Neustadt in Austria for the fourth leg June 30-July 2. The Nations Cup schedule for the rest of the season is:

CICO 3* Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 30 June – 2 July 2017
CICO 3* The Plains (USA) 8 – 9 July 2017
CICO 3* Aachen (GER) 19 – 23 July 2017
CICO 3* Le Haras du Pin (FRA) 10-13 August 2017
CICO 3* Waregem (BEL) 22 – 24 September 2017
CCIO 3* Boekelo (NED) 5 – 8 October 2017

The competition at Great Meadow begins Friday, July 7 with the first horse inspection at 10 a.m. EST and dressage starting at 5 p.m. EST. Dressage will resume Saturday, July 8 at 8 a.m. EST, with show jumping at 5 p.m. EST. Cross country starts at 9:30 a.m. EST Sunday, July 9.

Tickets for Great Meadow are available for sale at this link.

Great Meadow: Website, Schedule, Tickets

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Get Excited for Millbrook

By on Jun 19, 2017 6:11 pm -

The countdown is on to one of my favorite events of the summer: Millbrook Horse Trials at beautiful Coole Park Farm in Millbrook, New York. Scheduled for Aug. 3-6 this year, the event hosts divisions from Beginner Novice all the way to Advanced, making it one of the largest horse trials on the East Coast.

The Advanced division is also one of the most competitive national divisions of the entire U.S. season, with many key combinations using Millbrook as a prep run before going on to major fall competitions. There is simply no better event to see so many key contenders — not to mention up-and-coming young horses — in one place.

If I haven’t sold you yet, take a look at this preview video from Marion de Vogel, who always captivates us with her stunning videography work. Click here to check out the omnibus listing for Millbrook. Entries close July 18. Go Eventing.

Star-Studded Lineup Announced for Event Rider Masters at Barbury

By on Jun 19, 2017 11:47 am -

Can Andrew Nicholson, the king of Barbury Castle, win again? Photo by Adam Dale.

Event Rider Masters announced the lineup last night for leg 3 of the series at St James’s Place Barbury International Horse Trials July 8-9 in Wiltshire, England. In addition to three North American riders — the highest number at an ERM leg thus far — Badminton winners Andrew Nicholson and Nereo will also compete.

Lauren Kieffer will ride D.A. Duras, Debbie Adams and Jacqueline Mars’ 9-year-old KWPN gelding. Hannah Sue Burnett is competing with Cooley Dream, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Cooley Dream LLC. Rebecca Howard is also competing Blithe Hill Farm’s Riddle Master in the 16-year-old Canadian Sport Horse gelding’s first major appearance since finishing 10th at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

And there are even more names to get excited about: Rio individual silver medalists Astier Nicholas and Piaf de b’Neville, Tattersalls CCI3* winners Victoria Panizzon and Chequers Play The Game, Thomas Carlile and Blenheim 8/9-year-old winner Upsilon, Mark Todd and his Olympic partner Leonidas II, and Kentucky third-place finishers Zara Tindall and High Kingdom.

Click here to view the full entry list of 40 combinations that will compete in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* section at Barbury. All of the action will stream live on the Event Rider Masters website, starting with dressage on July 8 and concluding with show jumping and cross country on July 9.

Diarm Byrne of EquiRatings and the fabulous Nicole Brown will once again serve as your hosts, and we’ll surely hear from statistics wizard Sam Watson in the commentary box, as he is also competing aboard Ardagh Highlight following a strong fourth-place finish in the horse’s CIC3* debut in the Nations Cup at Tattersalls.

Following the first two Event Rider Masters legs at Chatsworth and Wiesbaden, Sarah “Cutty” Cohen holds a commanding lead on the series leaderboard with 51 points. Marcio Carvalho Jorge sits second with 37 points and will have the opportunity to gain ground at Barbury, where he will compete Lissy Mac Wayer. Gemma Tattersall, who sits third on the leaderboard with 30 points, can also gain valuable ground with Pamero 4.

Who will top the podium and take the largest chunk of the £50,000 in prize money at Barbury? Mark your calendars for July 8 and 9 and be sure to watch live on eventridermasters.tv. Go Eventing.

Barbury ERM Links: Website, Entries, Live Stream, Rankings

In Loving Memory of John Alliston

By on Jun 16, 2017 8:32 pm -

John Alliston in his happy place at Kentucky.

In a time of unimaginable loss for the eventing community, it is with a very heavy heart I must tell you that John Alliston, father of California-based British eventer James Alliston, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 9, in Gloucestershire, England.

He is survived by his incredible wife Petey, wonderful sons James and Mike, and a slew of family, friends, colleagues and students who are left reeling with the news that one of the most treasured people in their lives is with us no more.

John was well known as a distinguished agricultural academic in the UK, serving as an Emeritus Professor at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, England, at the time of his death. Last year he was awarded the Farmers Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award for dedicating more than 50 years of his life to agriculture and education and, above all, to other people.

John received the Farmers Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award on Oct. 7, 2016.

He served as a much-loved Dean of Agriculture during the more than 20 years he spent with the university, and his legacy in academia will be most defined by the way he mentored and counseled the next generation. 

Possessing an uncanny ability to see potential in others and gently but firmly coax it out, John played a critical role in establishing the Institute of Agricultural Management Leadership in 2002. With a passion to improve the leadership qualities of his students and develop a vision for the future of agriculture in the UK, John helped shape the scope of one of the world’s most important industries.

But John would never be one to boast or brag about these achievements. Persistently and even stubbornly humble, he was much more interested in other people, and that fact is perhaps best emulated by the way John and Petey welcomed others into their home.

If a door can be a window to the soul, the door to John Alliston’s kitchen says everything you need to know about him. John and Petey ushered countless members of the eventing community into their kitchen over the years, beckoning them to leave a permanent mark on their hearts and home.

One small section of the Allistons’ signed kitchen door.

No sooner would you step foot into the kitchen when John or Petey would hand you a pen and ask you to mark your height and sign your name on the door. Oh the stories that kitchen door could tell. There are names of Olympians signed there. Names of riders who appear on magazine covers. It is a prized collection, an Eventing Who’s Who.

But to John and Petey, the names on the door all fell under one simple label: family. Because when you entered their home, whether as a practical stranger or a longtime friend, you were family.

From a logistical standpoint, this made all the sense in the world to John and Petey. When James moved to America to pursue his eventing dream, members of his new American eventing community would inevitably need a place to stay in Gloucestershire. If John and Petey discovered you were in the area for any reason at all, the decision was made for you as to where you would stay.

Nothing made John more proud than to cheer for James at events.

I experienced my first taste of this hospitality within minutes of meeting John and Petey five years ago. As devoted supporters of James’ eventing career, John and Petey always traveled from England to support him at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and various other horse trials throughout the year, and I had the pleasure of meeting them at a party in Kentucky.

When I told Petey I was excited to be traveling to Badminton Horse Trials for the first time, she asked where I was staying. I had found a tiny hotel in Bristol, about 20 miles from the event, with the right price for EN’s travel budget. Petey promptly informed me that I would be canceling my hotel reservation and staying at their home.

Fairly stunned by such an overt display of kindness and generosity from someone I had just met, I was politely attempting to decline Petey’s offer when John stepped in to both meet me and confirm within the same sentence that I would be staying at their home, and they would not take no for an answer.

Everyone who met John and Petey instantly became family.

I didn’t realize it then, but John and Petey would ultimately become another family to me. For anyone who has met them and been taken under their wing, you will know this feeling all too well. In my first overseas assignment for EN — and my first time driving a car on the other side of the road — there are no words to truly capture what their kindness meant to me.

When I think of John and Petey, I often think of a quote from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire: “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” So many members of our eventing community have depended on the kindness of John and Petey, who never remained strangers for very long to anyone lucky enough to come across their path.

John possessed an innate ability to make you feel welcome, respected and valued. He also had a wonderful laugh and a wickedly sharp sense of humor. I will forever treasure the memories from the hours spent in the Allistons’ kitchen, John topping off my wine glass and Petey trying to convince me to eat just a bit more.

In that way John and Petey created a sacred space. There is a sense of safety within those kitchen walls that leaves anyone sitting at one of the weathered benches feeling grateful to have captured that moment in time, one full of laughter and gratitude and appreciation for this collective experience that binds us all together — the intoxicating love of horses.

That is how I will always remember John Alliston.

Marilyn Little and Clearwater Finish 3rd in $216,000 Upperville CSI4*

By on Jun 13, 2017 2:29 pm -

Marilyn Little and Clearwater. Photo by Rebecca Walton/Phelps Sports.

Marilyn Little is one of five American riders competing at Luhmühlen CCI4* in Germany, which starts tomorrow with the first inspection, and she’s had a busy lead-up to the competition at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Virginia.

On Sunday she piloted Karen O’Connor’s Clearwater to a third-place finish in the $216,000 Upperville Jumper Classic CSI4*, delivering a time of 47.19 seconds in the 12-horse jump off. Tracy Fenney and Reve Du Paradis won on a time of 46.33 seconds, with Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Presence in second on 46.42 seconds.

RF Scandalous, who will make her CCI4* debut at Luhmühlen, landed safely in Germany last week, and you can learn more about Marilyn’s preparation leading up to the event in this video she posted today on her Facebook page.

In addition to Marilyn and RF Scandalous, we also have four other American combinations competing in the Luhmühlen CCI4*: Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot, Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly, Sharon White and Cooley On Show, and Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Go Team USA!

Leslie Wylie will be your boots on the ground at Luhmühlen, so keep it locked on EN for everything you need to know. The competition will stream live on FEI TV starting with dressage on Thursday. Go Eventing.

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scores, FEI TV

Dempsey Euthanized Following Postoperative Complications

By on Jun 13, 2017 11:58 am -

Tamie Smith and Dempsey at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

We are heartbroken to report that the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate’s Dempsey was euthanized yesterday following postoperative complications while in recovery at the University of Montreal Veterinary Hospital.

The 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood underwent surgery Monday morning to repair a fractured ulna, which he sustained in a fall with Tamie Smith at fence 13B, a brush wedge on the CCI3* cross country course at the Bromont Three-Day Event in Quebec, Canada.

While the surgery was successful with a strong prognosis for a full recovery, Dempsey suffered complications in recovery that would not have allowed him to have a proper quality of life.

“I am absolutely devastated. Dempsey lived life to the fullest every day and I feel incredibly lucky to have ridden him. He was one of the most talented horses I have ever come across and from the first moment I jumped him I knew I had to have him, a reality made possible thanks to the incredible members of the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate LLC,” Tamie said.

“Our barn will certainly never be the same without his sense of humor and zest for life, and we will miss him more than I can comprehend.”

Tamie and Dempsey finished second at the Rebecca Farm CIC3* last year before heading overseas to complete the Blenheim CIC3* and Boekelo CCI3O*. This season they also had top-10 finishes at the Galway Downs CIC3* and most recently the Jersey Fresh CIC3*.

The EN team extends our deepest condolences to Tamie, super groom Shannon McCormick, the members of the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate, and all who knew and loved this promising horse — a bright star gone out too soon. Rest in peace, Dempsey.

[Dempsey Euthanized Following Postoperative Complications]

Great Britain Announces Team for Nations Cup at Great Meadow

By on Jun 13, 2017 7:43 am -

Ben Hobday and Mulrys Error. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

North America’s only FEI Nations Cup leg is fast approaching at Great Meadow, which will once again host an exciting weekend of competition July 7-9 in The Plains, Virginia. Great Britain announced this morning which horses and riders will cross the pond to compete.

Matthew Heath, 34, from Oxfordshire, riding his own and Hazel Livesey’s One of a Kind II

Ben Hobday, 29, from Northumberland, with Sallie Ryle’s Mulrys Error

Nicky Roncoroni, 38, from Gloucestershire, and Lorna McWilliam and Janey Roncoroni’s Watts Burn

James Sommerville, 29, from North Yorkshire, on his own and Jennifer Sommerville’s Talent

American-based Brit Justine Dutton will fill the reserve team slot with Kathleen Cuca’s Jak My Style.

Matthew, Ben and James will all make their senior team debut for Team GB alongside Nicky, who rode on the team that finished second in the Nations Cup earlier this month at Tattersalls in Ireland.

After three legs of the 2017 Nations Cup series, Britain currently holds first place in the overall standings with 270 points thanks to finishing second in each leg so far. Germany sits second on 200 points, with France in third on 100 points.

Team USA is tied for fourth place on 80 points with Ireland and Sweden after the team of Hannah Sue Burnett, Caroline Martin and Katherine Coleman finished third at Houghton Hall. Click here to view the series leaderboard.

The Nations Cup series next heads to Wiener Neustadt in Austria for the fourth leg June 30-July 2. The Nations Cup schedule for the rest of the season is:

CICO 3* Wiener Neustadt (AUT) 30 June – 2 July 2017
CICO 3* The Plains (USA) 8 – 9 July 2017
CICO 3* Aachen (GER) 19 – 23 July 2017
CICO 3* Le Haras du Pin (FRA) 10-13 August 2017
CICO 3* Waregem (BEL) 22 – 24 September 2017
CCIO 3* Boekelo (NED) 5 – 8 October 2017

The competition at Great Meadow begins Friday, July 7 with the first horse inspection at 10 a.m. EST and dressage starting at 5 p.m. EST. Dressage will resume Saturday, July 8 at 8 a.m. EST, with show jumping at 5 p.m. EST. Cross country starts at 9:30 a.m. EST Sunday, July 9.

Tickets for Great Meadow are available for sale at this link.

Great Meadow: Website, Schedule, Tickets

All Aboard Collapses, Dies at River Glen Horse Trials [Updated]

By on Jun 11, 2017 10:44 am -

AJ Dyer and All Aboard. Photo by Terry Dyer.

We are heartbroken to report that All Aboard, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding known as “Ranger” owned and ridden by AJ Dyer, collapsed and died this morning on the Intermediate cross country course at River Glen Horse Trials in New Market, Tennessee. AJ was uninjured.

AJ shared the following statement:

“Ranger felt super today as we started the Intermediate cross country at River Glen. He was jumping well up through fence 18, when he suddenly felt uncoordinated on approach to #19. I circled, trying desperately to pull him up and I yelled for help. I dismounted as quickly as I could, and then he collapsed. His death appears to be acute cardiac or pulmonary failure. The University of Tennessee will be performing a necropsy.

“Thank you to the organizers at River Glen, to Tracy, and Wayne Quarles for helping me. Thanks to everyone back in the barns for your support and hugs, down to helping strip my horse’s empty stall. Thanks to all my friends for the texts, phone calls, and messages.

“Heaven was sent an amazing horse today, who still had so much left to accomplish. I’m so grateful for the blessed time I had with Ranger. Please hug your horse today, you never know when it could be the last. I will never again feel upset at finishing cross country with a runout, or falling off, or missing a top placing. Never again will I take for granted walking home beside my horse, able to pat his neck or kiss his nose. Ranger, I’ll miss you more than you’ll ever know.”

Bred in Kentucky, All Aboard (Silver Train – Melina’s Fuse, by Lite the Fuse) raced seven times as a 3-year-old under the Jockey Club name San Silvestro before AJ bought him as an eventing prospect. He began his eventing career as a 4-year-old with AJ, who produced him from Novice level.

AJ and All Aboard stepped up to the two-star level in 2016, with top-10 placings at Chattahoochee Hills, Loch Moy and Richland, where they won the CCI2*. They also completed the inaugural Ocala Jockey Club CCI2* last fall.

The USEA confirmed that All Aboard will undergo a necropsy, and samples will be analyzed as part of the ongoing USEA Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Study.

It has been a somber weekend for eventing in North America, as we also said goodbye to Kelly Morgan’s Jaeda yesterday at Bromont. The EN team extends our deepest condolences to AJ and all who knew and loved Ranger, and our thoughts continue to be with Jaeda’s connections during this very sad time.

This article has been updated with a statement from AJ.

Jaeda Dies on CCI3* Course at Bromont International [Updated]

By on Jun 10, 2017 3:10 pm -

Booli Selmayr and Jaeda. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

 We are devastated to report that Jaeda, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare owned by Kelly Morgan, collapsed and died on the CCI3* cross country course at the Pedigree Bromont CCI Three-Day Event in Quebec, Canada. Her rider, Booli Selmayr, was uninjured.

A post-mortem exam performed at the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire St-Hyacinthe revealed that Jaeda suffered an acute diaphragmatic hernia. FEI Veterinary Delegate Ann Basket said, “An injury of this type could not have been foreseen and is very uncommon in equestrian sport.”

Booli shared the following statement:

“Jaeda was the horse of a lifetime. I remember the first time I took her Prelim and felt what it meant to gallop cross country. I remember her first Intermediate, and how it felt like nothing for her to skip over the tables and how much she loved lining up the combinations cross country. I remember her first Advanced and how genuinely thrilled she was sailing over the spreads and how she pinged over the wedges and skinnies.

“She absolutely loved her job. Not many of us get the opportunity to be paired with such a remarkable horse and I am so grateful that Jaeda found her way in to my life. Jaeda was the equestrian’s dream: a wild Thoroughbred mare with an incredible team of people who believed in her and she gave back every inch of herself. She was happiest at a competition.

“Thank you all for your wonderful texts, calls, message and emails. Let Jaeda remind everyone to never give up on the slightly hot-headed or unconventional. You might just have a Dragon Princess of your own.”

Bred by Heidi Bradford and John Gilchrist in British Columbia, Jaeda (Persian Star – Sweet Jennifer, by Kentucky Cookin) raced five times under the name My Strawberry Angel at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver. Samantha St. Jacques produced Jaeda through the Intermediate level before Kelly Morgan bought her to gain mileage at the lower levels.

Kelly competed Jaeda at Training level, and when she broke her wrist in a non-riding related incident in 2014, Booli stepped in to help compete the mare. Booli instantly saw a talent in Jaeda that indicated she could go the very highest level of the sport. With Booli’s upper-level horse Kennedy ready to enjoy a slower pace of life, Kelly and Booli swapped horses.

Booli stepped Jaeda back up to the Intermediate level in 2015, finishing 18th on their dressage score in the mare’s CCI2* debut at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International that fall. Jaeda moved up to the Advanced level with Booli in 2016 and skipped around the Fair Hill CCI3* cross country with one of the fastest rounds last year.

Booli and Jaeda completed CIC3* competitions at Plantation Field, Morven Park and Pine Top, where they finished in seventh place this spring. They also completed four additional National level Advanced horse trials in the U.S. during their partnership together.

Affectionately known as the “Dragon Princess,” Jaeda had a fire about her that inspired all those she graced with her presence. As for the edge that defines a great upper-level event horse, she had it in spades, oozing bravery and a palpable zest for life.

The EN team extends our deepest condolences to Booli, Kelly, super groom Sarah Wohrman and all who knew and loved the Dragon Princess. We are so very sorry for your loss.

This article has been updated with a statement from Booli and the results of the post-mortem examination.

Who Jumped It Best? GMHA Beginner Novice Edition

By on Jun 10, 2017 11:00 am -

It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? GMHA Beginner Novice Edition! Take a look at these photos from the Beginner Novice Rider division at last weekend’s GMHA June Horse Trials and vote for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture.

Many thanks to Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto for providing these beautiful images. Click here to view final scores from GMHA. Go Eventing!

Lucy Boynton Lie and Firefly. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Maddie Delande and Magyar’s Lexi. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Mary Huribal and Game Changer. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Martha Flynn and The Last Straw. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Marc Griffith and Austin. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Stephanie Jackson and Tough Love. Photo by Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Margaret Sanford and Irish Gates Ace in the Hole. Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.

Friday Videos from World Equestrian Brands: Top CCI3* Tests from Bromont

By on Jun 9, 2017 4:30 pm -

The hardworking Horse Pesterer resumed his video duties today at the Pedigree Bromont International Three-Day Event, capturing footage of the top five tests in the CCI3*. Click here to view all of his videos. Three cheers for David Frechette!

Bromont Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Scores, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato – 1st on 43.2

Ryan Wood and Powell – 2nd on 43.8

Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux – 3rd on 44.9

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois – 4th on 49.5

Will Coleman and Boris O’Hara – 5th on 50.1

Lauren Kieffer & Caroline Martin in Top 15 After Dressage at Bramham

By on Jun 9, 2017 2:08 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.

Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V lead the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials CCI3* on 36.7 at the conclusion of dressage in West Yorkshire, England.

Gemma and “Pebbles” didn’t quite catch their personal best of 33.7 from the first leg of Event Rider Masters at Chatsworth last month, but it’s still the second best score at three-star level for the 12-year-old Anglo European mare (Urkel X Unabresse M X Quick Star) owned by Vicky Gosling and Vicky Hart.

We saw two scores in the 30s in the CCI3*, with yesterday’s leaders Jesse Campbell and Cleveland, his own 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Watermill Swatch X Rielone, by Lennard), settling for second place on 39.5. Pippa Funnell and Sandman 7, an 11-year-old Rheinlander (Sandro Boy Junior X Prisma, by Paradiso) owned by Jenny Nolan and Ruth McMullen, round out the top three on 40.6.

Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras, a 9-year-old KWPN gelding (Numero Uno X Medoc, by Quattro) owned by Debbie Adams and Ms. Jacqueline Mars, scored in the 40s for the first time at three-star level to sit tied for 12th on 45.0 after dressage.

“The exciting thing is there were a few points left on the table — his changes weren’t perfect — but he was super ridable and totally focused,” Lauren said. “In the beginning when I first started riding him it was about getting him relaxed in the ring and focused. He has all the tricks and now it’s about getting him stronger so he can hold his presence throughout the test. The exciting thing for me is he went in the ring with all that atmosphere and held his focus.”

Lauren said Ian Stark’s cross country course will be one of the toughest three-star tracks she’s ever tackled. Click here to take a virtual tour of the course thanks to CrossCountry App. “We brought ‘D’ here to get mileage around tougher courses and it’s certainly going to be that,” she said.

Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.

Looking to the Bishop Burton Under 25 CCI3*, Thibault Fournier and Siniani de Lathus, an 11-year-old Sell Francais gelding by Volchebnik, held onto their lead from yesterday on a score of 40.0 for France.

Caroline Martin piloted Pebbly Maximus, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Nazar X Kelshamore Lady) owned by Sherrie Martin, to a score of 47.7, the second time they have scored in the 40s together at three-star level, to sit in seventh place.

“He was a little bit feisty, and he did a really good medium and good shoulder-in. He’s come so far,” Caroline said. “(USEF Developing Coach Leslie Law) has helped me a lot with him, and it has to do with how he trains the horses. He doesn’t force them to do the shoulder-in or haunches-in. He makes them want to be able to work for you. He plays to their mental side and they become happier horses.”

Caroline Martin and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Casado X Funny Girl, by Fernblick), did their test yesterday and now sit just outside the top 10 in 11th on a score of 49.0. Click here to read Caroline’s comments on her test with “Dirk.”

Looking to the CIC3*, Paul Tapner and Prince Mayo, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Bonnie Prince X Crosshue Lass) owned by Fred and Penny Barker, held onto their lead from yesterday on 42.1.

We had a third American pair join the competition today in Tiana Coudray and Under The Clocks in the CIC3*. “Ninja,” a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Woodborough X Regal Kate) owned by Murray Lamperd and Jade Wishart, scored 48.6 for equal 23rd in the CIC3*.

Tiana, who recently moved yards to Swindon, has had “Ninja” in her program for about three years now, keeping him fit and in work for Murray, who would then travel to England from Australia to compete the horse. She competed him in a CIC2* at Barbury last year, and this is her first chance to take him around a three-star track.

“He is an absolute legend. You just have to take your hat off to him. You look at his record and see everything that he’s done — four four-stars around the world. It’s such a privilege to ride him. He’s lived with us for nearly three years now, and I would do a Prelim and Intermediate on him and then Murray would fly in a week before and take him to Burghley or a big event like that,” Tiana said.

“Murray has a family and a business in Australia, so it’s not always feasible for him to go back and forth to compete the horse. This year is the first time I’ve gotten to take him to a three-star. I’m really glad to be sitting on him, bearing in mind I’ve only done a couple Intermediates on him and it’s a big course! I’m hoping I can stay out of his way and let him do his job.”

CIC3* how jumping will take place tomorrow morning, with Tiana and Ninja scheduled to jump at 10:30 a.m./5:30 a.m. EST, followed by cross country in the afternoon.

BETV will stream cross country live all day from Bramham tomorrow starting with the CCI3* at 9:30 a.m. local time/4:30 a.m. EST. Click here for the full event schedule.

Cross country ride times for our North American contingent are:

Lauren Kieffer and D.A. Duras: 11:03 a.m./6:03 a.m. EST

Caroline Martin and The Apprentice: 12:38 p.m./7:37 a.m. EST

Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus: 1:56 p.m./8:56 a.m. EST

Tiana Coudray and Under the Clocks: 4:35 p.m./11:35 a.m. EST

Best of luck to Lauren, Caroline and Tiana as they take on Ian Stark’s track! Go USA Eventing.

Bramham Links: Website, Entries & Live Scores, XC Live Stream, EN’s Coverage

Five Bromont Fast Facts from EquiRatings

By on Jun 9, 2017 9:42 am -

It’s three-star dressage day at the Pedigree Bromont International Three-Day Event, and we’re kicking it off with five fast facts from EquiRatings! The sport’s top data company has started publishing really cool infrographics on their blog, so be sure to click over and check out the Bromont infographic here.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

1. The only Canadian rider to finish on their dressage score since the Bromont CCI3* began in 2008 is Hawley Bennett-Award with Gin & Juice. They finished on 51.9 to win in 2009.

Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance. Photo by Jenni Autry.

2. Two Canadians have won the CCI3* in the history of event: Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice in 2009 and Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance in 2014.

Boyd Martin and Kyra. Photo by Shelby Allen.

3. Boyd Martin has had 30 international top-five placings since June 1, 2016. That’s the second highest in the world in that timeframe, only behind Oliver Townend with 36. Boyd is competing six horses in total at Bromont.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

4. Jennie Brannigan is on a clear cross country hot streak of 26 straight international runs. She is competing both Stella Artois and Cool As Ice in their CCI3* debuts at Bromont.

Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

5. In the last five years, Boyd Martin and Steady Eddie are the only pair to make the time on cross country in the CIC3* at Bromont.

Keep it locked on EN for all of our coverage from Bromont. Go EquiRatings. Go Eventing.

Bromont Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Thursday Videos from Standlee Hay: Must-Watch Tests from Bromont

By on Jun 8, 2017 5:26 pm -

How lucky are we to have David Frechette in eventing? An ambassador for North American equestrianism, The Horse Pesterer made the trek to Canada for the Pedigree Bromont Three-Day Event. Enjoy his day one coverage and click here to view all of his videos.

Allison Springer & Lord Willing – 1st in CCI2* on 37.8

Bobby Meyerhoff & Rascal Rap – 3rd in CCI2* on 43.9

Boyd Martin & Ray Price – 5th in CCI2* on 46.5

Holly Payne Caravella and CharmKing – 3rd in the CCI* on 41.4

Valerie Vizcarrondo and Favian – 5th in the CCI* on 44.3

Meg Kep & Anakin – Heroes in the CCI*

Bromont Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Caroline Martin & The Apprentice 5th at Bramham After Dressage Day 1

By on Jun 8, 2017 1:42 pm -

Caroline Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.

France leads the way in the Under 25 CCI3* at Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials after the first day of dressage in West Yorkshire, England, with Thibault Fournier and Siniani de Lathus, an 11-year-old Sell Francais gelding by Volchebnik, in first place on 40.0.

Caroline Martin and Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Casado X Funny Girl, by Fernblick), sit fifth on a score of 49.0, which she said left her a bit disappointed but also wisely pointed out that they didn’t come to Bramham to win the dressage.

“I went out and attacked the test at Houghton Hall, and he broke into the canter in the trot work. I was being tentative today about not letting him do that, but I didn’t go for it as much as I should have,” Caroline said. “He can tense his back a bit in the trot work, and I didn’t push for it and could have squeezed out more points. The canter was quite good, but we did miss one change.”

With heavy rain predicted for Saturday, Bramham is not going to be a dressage show, and pairs with strength in the cross country phase will undoubtedly rise up the leaderboard. The Apprentice, or “Dirk,” made the time for the first time at a CIC3* in his first start at the level with Caroline at Carolina International, which they won on their dressage score of 44.3. In three CIC3* runs together, Caroline and Dirk have added just 1.6 time penalties to their record.

“The course is even more beefed up this year, and it caused quite a bit of trouble last year. My plan is to go for it a best as I can, and I know (USEF Developing Coach Leslie Law) supports that,” Caroline said. “I wanted to come here and try to show everyone that this is a good horse. I am under 25 but I want to be considered for senior teams later.”

Caroline is spending a month competing in England on the Karen Stives Developing Tour, which seeks to give up-and-coming U.S. riders valuable experience at overseas competitions. She placed 17th in the Nations Cup at Houghton Hall CICO3* last month with Dirk with a clear round inside the time on cross country.

“The Karen Stives tour has honestly been life-changing for me. To be able to spend a month in England and be a part of a High Performance group has really changed my view on every aspect of my program. I try to be as competitive as I can in the States, but being here makes me want to be better in all three phases. It gives me that bit more of an edge and gets me out of my comfort zone.”

Caroline also has a second ride in the Under 25 CCI3* in Pebbly Maximus, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Nazar X Kelshamore Lady) owned by Sherrie Martin. These two are coming off a strong performance at Houghton Hall, where they scored 43.1 in the dressage to smash their personal best and ultimately finish 15th in the  CICO3*. They are slated to go tomorrow at 5:04 p.m. local time/12:04 p.m. EST.

Looking to the other divisions at Bramham, Jesse Campbell and Cleveland, his own 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Watermill Swatch X Rielone, by Lennard), lead the CCI3* on 39.5, the only score in the 30s so far at the halfway point of the division. Paul Tapner and Prince Mayo, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Bonnie Prince X Crosshue Lass) owned by Fred and Penny Barker, lead the CIC3* on 42.1. Click here to view live scoring.

We have a second American competing at Bramham in Lauren Kieffer, who is riding D.A. Duras, a 9-year-old KWPN gelding (Numero Uno X Medoc, by Quattro) owned by Debbie Adams and Ms. Jacqueline Mars, in the CCI3*. They go tomorrow at Friday 9:08 a.m. local time/4:08 a.m. EST.

There is no live stream from Bramham for dressage, but BETV will live stream cross country on Saturday starting with the CCI3* at 9:30 a.m. local time/4:30 a.m. EST. Click here for the full event schedule.

Bromont Links: Website, Entries, Ride Times, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram

Share Your Eventing Fail Photos to Win a C4 Oh Crap! Strap

By on Jun 8, 2017 12:15 pm -

Photo by Emily Cochran

Eventing is a humbling sport. Whether you’ve hit the dirt on a simple hack or taken a spill on cross country, all eventers will experience Newton’s Third Law Of Motion at some point — what goes up must come down!

We’re big fans of neck straps here at EN — if they’re good enough for William Fox-Pitt, they’re good enough for us! — and they can make all the difference when it comes to staying in the saddle or parting ways with your horse. That’s why we’re excited to team up with C4 to give away one of their new Oh Crap! Strap Skinny Belts.

How to win: In honor of EN’s new #EventerFailFriday series launching, we want to see photos of your eventing fails. Enter to win by posting a photo or video of one of your most humbling eventing moments on Instagram using the hashtag #EventerFailFriday. Entries close Thursday, June 15 at midnight EST. We will randomly draw a winner and announce in next week’s inaugural #EventerFailFriday post.

Click here to buy your own C4 Oh Crap! Strap for $34.99, and here to browse C4’s full line of equestrian belts. Go Eventing.

Panizzon Wins Tattersalls CCI3* on Record Score, Dutton Best American

By on Jun 4, 2017 2:50 pm -

Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play The Game. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Vittoria Panizzon and Chequers Play The Game clinched a record-breaking win this afternoon at Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair in Ireland, adding just 1 show jumping time penalty to their dressage score to finish on a final score of 35.5.

That gives Vittoria and “Elvis,” a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Stravinsky X Mirakel, by Lancer II) owned by Amy and Patricia Lambert, a new record for the lowest finishing score in the history of the CCI3* at Tattersalls.

No combinations had ever finished on a final score in the 30s in past runnings of the CCI3*, and this year we ultimately saw two pairs complete on a sub-40 score, including Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo in the horse’s first CCI3*.

Piggy and “Red,” a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo X Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern, were one of five combinations in the field to finish on their dressage score, taking second place on 39.3. As EquiRatings pointed out, in any other year that score would have been enough to win the CCI3*.

Willa Newton and Caja 20 finished on their dressage score of 43.6 in the mare’s CCI3* debut to take third place. The 9-year-old Rheinlander mare (Carenzo X Ravenna, by Ragtime) owned by Joey Newton and Sarah McCorquodale won the 2016 Blenheim 8/9-year-old class, which has empirically proven to be a consistent indicator of form at CCI3* and ultimately CCI4* level. Keep your eyes on these two!

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton finished both of his horses in the top 10, with Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca X Bellabouche, by Babouche VH Gehucht Z) owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Annie Jones and Caroline Moran, leading the way for the North American contingent in fifth place thanks to a clear round and 1 time penalty to complete on 46.0.

The weather spanned the gamut today in Ratoath, ranging from beautiful sunshine to pouring rain, and Phillip had the good fortune of being the first in the ring to jump during a strong deluge. “Z was spectacular,” Phillip said. “He had the one time penalty, and since I was the first to go I wasn’t quite sure how quick it was going to be, but he jumped well.”

Fernhill Revelation, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (YOU X Hallo Noble Girl, by Hallo) owned by Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Annie Jones and Caroline Moran, sat in third place after cross country and ultimately finished seventh on 48.6 after knocking two poles in the show jumping. 

“I blame myself a little bit because I was pushing him for the time and I think it cost us at least one of the rails if not both,” Phillip said. “I think I would have been better off with a time fault or two but you’re in there and trying to win and that’s the risk you take.”

Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Buck Davidson and Carlevo, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Caresino X Ramatuelle, by Levernois) owned by Carlevo LLC, jumped one of the six clear show jumping rounds inside the time to finish sixth on 48.2. 

“Minus the mishap at the last water yesterday, he was right there,” Buck said. “I think he will come on a lot from this and I’ve got some things to work on, but I’ve got a really exciting young horse that can do all three phases.”

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kathryn Robinson and Gayle Robinson’s Let It Bee, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding (Lamerto H X Baroness, by Brentano II), finished 11th for Canada, adding one rail to complete on 55.3. They now have 41 international runs together as a combination, making them the most experienced partnership in the field. 

“I was really happy with how Bee jumped, though disappointed with the rail as it was totally my fault. I rode him to that fence as if he hadn’t just done a 10-minute cross country. I should have helped him a bit and waited. But bar that mistake by me, I was happy that we made the time as it was very tight. I’m also happy with how he has come out of it, and I can sit down and make a plan for the rest of the season,” Kathryn said.

“I’m thinking I’ll probably do some CICs next, maybe some of the Event Rider Masters legs,” Kathryn said. “I was thinking of potentially going to Pau at the end of the season, so we’ll see how he feels after this. At the moment he’s full of himself!”

Katherine Coleman and Back to Business, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Harlequin Du Carel X Moxella, by Quick Star), jumped clear with 2 time penalties to finish 12th on 59.7 in the mare’s first CCI3* appearance.

“I was so pleased with the little mate,” Kathryn said. “It’s her first season at three-star and her first CCI, and she absolutely took it all on and jumped her socks off. I’m excited about her for the future.”

It’s been a wonderful week in Ireland following along with our North Americans, and it’s exciting to see more members of Team USA competing at this event. Phillip Dutton said it best: “Ireland is a very horse-friendly country, and Tattersalls has a good educational cross country course and atmosphere for dressage and show jumping. The footing was very good. It’s also a fun show, and the Guinness is very nice!”

So if you’re wondering which event to place on your bucket list next, make it Tattersalls. Until then, sláinte! Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from #Tatts2017. Go Eventing.

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