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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.

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Blair European Championships Cross Country Course Preview

By Jenni Autry on Sep 7, 2015 3:00 pm -

The first fence on Ian Stark's Blair course. Photo via CrossCountry App.

It’s an action-packed week for international eventing as many of Europe’s best head straight from the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials in England to the 2015 FEI European Championships at Blair Castle in Scotland.

We’re lucky to have a cross country course preview from the designer himself, Ian Stark, whose audio commentary is available thanks to our friends at CrossCountry App in the embedded preview below and at this link on the website. Click the arrows in the top right corner to view in full screen mode and scroll through all the fences.

Many thanks to local rider Caroline Mosley of Orange Fox Eventing for recording the preview. Here’s a great blog post where you can learn more about Caroline, and you can also like her Facebook page here to follow along with her career.

It’s also a busy week for Samantha Clark as she takes a quick break from Burghley (and celebrates her birthday today!) before heading to Blair to bring us excellent coverage of the Euros right here on EN. Click here for a full list of all the teams competing via our good friends at Horse & Hound.

Blair 2015 Links: Website, Entries, Schedule

Will Faudree Undergoes Neck Surgery After Fall at Five Points

By Jenni Autry on Sep 7, 2015 9:00 am -

Will Faudree and Hans Dampf before their fall at Five Points. Photo courtesy of Allie Conrad Photography.

Will Faudree is resting comfortably at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, after undergoing surgery on his neck yesterday following his fall with Hans Dampf on the Advanced cross country course at Five Points Horse Trials on Saturday. Hans Dampf was uninjured in the fall.

Will broke the C6 and C7 vertebrae in his neck, and a surgical team led by Dr. Melissa Erickson operated on two sections of his spine, fusing his C6 vertebrae to C5 and his C7 vertebrae to T1 to stabilize the injury. The surgeons were also able to relieve nerve pressure to restore feeling to the left side of Will’s body, which he lost in his left arm, hand and leg following the fall, Will told EN this morning.

The fall occurred at a large white table set in water that Hugh Lochore also used on the CIC3* course at Carolina International Horse Trials earlier this year (click here to see a photo of the fence). Will had already jumped the Advanced cross country course clear with Pfun earlier in the division and was having a good go on Hans Dampf before the fall, he said.

“I was having a fantastic round on Hans Dampf, and where I had the fall could have happened to anyone. I was a little bit unsure of how he was going to go into the water. Pfun had stepped into the water and then taken one stride to the table, and Hans jumped the lip of the water, went to jump the table and realized how wide it was. He clipped it with his toes on the way down, and we both went down,” Will said.

“I did a somersault off over his head, and my air vest didn’t go off until he went down. It was an unfortunate bummer of a mistake, and it was not the horse’s fault. He’s amazing, and I can’t wait to get back out there to ride him again. He gave me a fantastic ride up to that point. It’s a part of the sport, and it was a fall that can happen any day. It’s how you hit the ground that defines your injury.”

Hans Dampf is Will’s newest ride, having been imported from Germany in June. Now owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables, the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Heraldik xx formerly campaigned with Andreas Dibowski through the CCI3* level in Europe. “Hans” finished ninth at Boekelo CCIO3* last year and also won the CICO3* at Malmö.

Will and Hans were competing in their second competition together at Five Points; they finished third in an Advanced/Intermediate division at Full Gallop Farm’s August Horse Trials last month. Five Points was meant to be the horse’s final prep run before contesting the CICI3* next week at Plantation Field International Horse Trials, where Will was entered to compete four horses.

Now Will is planning for all of his horses to go on a competition break this fall, focusing instead on their fitness work and training with his dressage instructor, John Zopatti. Will hopes to be released from the hospital later today to begin his road to recovery and ultimately getting back in the saddle.

“I’ll be back out there again; it’s going to be awhile,” Will said. “I’m very fortunate and very lucky to have the support from Jennifer Mosing and all my friends and family that have been here to help me through this. I also want to thank my great surgical team led by Melissa Erickson at Duke Medical for piecing me back together.”

We’re wishing Will all the best for a speedy recovery.

Burghley Show Jumping Live Blog from Horse & Hound

By Jenni Autry on Sep 6, 2015 5:00 am -

It’s show jumping day at Burghley! We’re thrilled to once again be joining our friends at Horse & Hound in their live blog for top notch commentary. There is no live stream from Burghley, so stay right here with H&H Live and follow EN’s live updates on Twitter @eventingation for updates on all the action.

The first group will show jump at 10:30 a.m. local/5:30 a.m. EST, and the final group will start at 2:25 p.m. local/9:25 a.m. EST to determine the next winner of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Burghley TV will publish on-demand video of each show jumping round at this link, so be sure to keep checking back throughout the day. Click here to follow the live scoring, and stay tuned for Samantha Clark’s coverage right here on EN. Go Eventing.

#LRBHT: Website, Entries, Live Scores, XC Fence Report, Schedule, Burghley TV, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram, @samanthalclark

U.S. Hall of Fame Event Horse Giltedge Dies at 29

By Jenni Autry on Sep 4, 2015 12:20 pm -

David O'Connor and Giltedge on their way to winning the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2001. Photo used with permission from Shannon Brinkman.

The international eventing community has lost a legend in Giltedge, who died yesterday at his owner Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm in The Plains, Virginia, at a ripe age of 29 years old. Inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame in 2012, the quirky Irish Sport Horse gelding will be remembered as one of the most highly decorated and influential horses in U.S. eventing history.

One could say Giltedge’s legendary partnership with David O’Connor would never have come to fruition without William Micklem, who spotted the horse in Ireland and recommended that Karen and David try him in 1994 as an 8-year-old. Karen ultimately decided to choose a different horse, Prince Panache, for herself, but David ended up with Giltedge, who was then called Giltex.

“He looked the part — leggy, lean and the most fantastic look in his eye,” David recalled at the horse’s USEA Hall of Fame ceremony in 2012. “This wasn’t the most fantastic horse I’d ever seen. He was a good mover, not great. He was a good jumper, but not with endless scope … But William said, ‘You have to get him because he’s going to come into his own under your system.’ So we did.”

It’s a scene William still recalls very clearly: “As Karen and David O’Connor tried Giltedge in Eric Smiley’s yard in the north of Ireland, I knew they were not convinced he was good enough, so they had to take a risk and trust my judgement, but I had no doubt how special he was,” William said.

“Two years earlier I had seen him at Rademon Horse Trials for the first time and saw him use his huge intelligence and great jumping technique to save himself from a difficult situation on the cross country. He was always so quick to asses a situation and always so courageous.”

View image | gettyimages.com

Giltedge’s breeding had also caught William’s eye: “He was by Glen Bar, who was by the extraordinary Thoroughbred stallion Bahrain, but was also 25% Irish Draught, which is often forgotten. I believe Giltedge’s longevity and intelligence spring from his Irish Draught genes and that he was the equal of those other great Irish eventing legends bred the same way: Kilkenny, Carawich, Eagle Lion and Custom Made.”

While breeding plays an important part in any great horse, William knows David’s relationship with “Tex” ultimately cemented their names in eventing history. “It was the outstanding partnership that David formed with him that took his talent to a new level,” William said. “Without doubt they were one of the world’s great eventing combinations, and Giltedge thoroughly deserved his place in the USEA Hall of Fame.”

In their storied career together, David and Tex won at least one medal each time they represented Team USA at major championships between 1996 and 2002, establishing themselves as the go-to anchor pair that could always be counted on in team scenarios during this period of U.S. eventing.

Together they won the following medals: team silver, 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games; team bronze, 1998 Rome World Equestrian Games; individual silver and team gold, 1999 Winnipeg Pan American Games; team bronze, 2000 Sydney Olympic Games; and team gold, 2002 Jerez World Equestrian Games.

View image | gettyimages.com

In all, David and Tex won 21 events in their career, including the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in 2001 and Fair Hill CCI3* twice in 1995 and 1997, marking themselves as an extremely consistent combination. The horse only pulled one show jumping rail in all of the CCI events he ever completed, and his owner Ms. Mars spoke very fondly of him at the 2012 USEA Hall of Fame ceremony.

“Tex has always had and always will have a special place in my heart because he is a little engine that is ‘I think I can,’ and he did, but he never could have done it without the big engine of David pushing him along,” Ms. Mars said. “They were a fabulous team, and although David had other great horses, Tex was there for him at the right place at the right time in David’s team career.”

Like many of the great ones, Tex was well known for his quirks, which longtime O’Connor Equestrian Team groom Max Corcoran recalled today. The horse never did tolerate cross ties, and he was a head shaker, though David discovered that if he allowed Tex to scratch his nose right before he went into the ring, he would keep his head quiet during his dressage tests.

As one of the most famous stories about Tex goes, the horse was fully tacked up and waiting in his stall when David tried him in Ireland in 1994 because, as the OCET team discovered upon bringing him home to the U.S., Tex hated having his head touched for bridling, braiding or any other activities involving his ears — something Max remembers well.

View image | gettyimages.com

“One of my first away events with Karen and David was to Red Hills in 2002. Vanessa Roman was one of David’s grooms at the time and was there looking after Tex. He hated his ears being touched, and it took her three hours to braid him. She couldn’t get the top two braids done, so David did them. Tex only really ever trusted a few people to be up by his ears and only had his forelock braided for three-day events, and the braid stayed in all weekend from Wednesday to Sunday,” Max said.

“He taught me a ton as far as looking after horses — how taking your time was critical, how there are many ways to accomplish something, how to listen to the horse. I thank Tex for all he did for the U.S. and for David, for teaching so many of us valuable lessons about horsemanship, that not all horses are the same and reminding us to be patient.”

David likes to tell the story of Tex’s final competition of his career at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, where the horse served as pathfinder for the U.S. team on a grueling cross country course and ultimately helped Team USA win gold. Following the medal ceremony — and after nearly a decade of reluctantly tolerating having his forelock braided for competitions — Tex turned to the wall of his stall and rubbed off his entire forelock in one fell swoop.

Tex deserved a grand retirement after everything he achieved, and that’s exactly what he received at Ms. Mars’ Stonehall Farm, officially retiring at age 16 and attending Rolex one final time in 2003 for his retirement ceremony. David used him in demonstrations around the U.S. for several years after, riding at different events without a bridle — just like Tex always wanted.

View image | gettyimages.com

Tex lived out the remainder of his days under the wonderful care of Sue Clarke, enjoying a large field at Stonehall with the rest of the “Fab Four” and fellow OCET Olympic horses: Prince Panache, Custom Made and the late Biko, who died last year at 30 years old.

There are many people to thank for playing key roles in Tex’s life: Pat Harris, who overhauled Tex’s nutrition program when he struggled with tying up; his vet crew of Kent Allen and, later in his life, Paul Deihl and farrier Paul Goodness; Ed Gibney, Sam Burton, Colleen Roberts (née Hayduck), Sue Clarke, Max Corcoran, and, of course, David and Karen O’Connor and Ms. Mars.

David learned the news of Tex’s passing while at Burghley coaching Team USA. When asked about his favorite memory of one of the greatest horses in U.S. eventing history, David said he’ll always remember Tex’s one-of-a-kind personality and competitive drive to excel as an event horse.

“He wasn’t the fastest horse in the world, but he was so competitive in his mind. He tried so hard in everything that he did. He loved being in the game,” David said. “You know the expression ‘he was a gentleman and a scholar’ — Tex was both. He thought about things in his own way. He was a beautiful horse every day.”

Rest in peace, Giltedge.

Click here to watch Ms. Mars and David O’Connor speak about Giltedge in his 2012 USEA Hall of Fame induction ceremony, including how they decided to change his name from Giltex to Giltedge.

Matt Brown’s Fall Season Back On Track After Colic Scare

By Jenni Autry on Sep 2, 2015 9:30 am -

Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF at Richland. Photo by Rare Air Photography.

Matt and Cecily Brown have experienced just about every high and low of eventing in the past few weeks. After receiving the good news in July that Matt had been awarded two competition grants to make his overseas debut — at Blenheim with Super Socks BCF and Boekelo with BCF Belicoso — things started coming unraveled.

Super Socks BCF and BCF Belicoso, both 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse geldings owned by the Blossom Creek Foundation, competed in the Intermediate divisions at Fair Hill in August, with both horses having a slow run around cross country with their bigger fall events in mind.

“It became evident the night after cross country that Belicoso had injured himself, and while his prognosis is very good, he will require some lay up this winter and his fall season is out,” Cecily said on Facebook yesterday. “We put our hopes in Super Socks, thinking that out of two grants, luck could surely not be cruel enough to snatch them both away.”

Then the unthinkable happened this past weekend when Super Socks colicked badly and had to be rushed to New Bolton Center while Matt and Cecily were in Whidbey Island attending her sister’s wedding. Boyd Martin’s groom Sergio Reyes valiantly stepped in to take “Flaxen” to New Bolton, where the vet team thankfully was able to get the horse through the night without needing surgery.

Matt and Cecily were able to bring Flaxen home from New Bolton yesterday morning. While the horse will be able to return to regular work in just a few days, they knew having Flaxen ready to travel overseas and compete at Blenheim in two weeks was out of the question.

“We were devastated to have to call Joanie Morris and tell her that Flaxen would not be able to go to Blenheim, but relieved beyond words that Flaxen avoided surgery and was home where the kisses are plentiful and the cookies even more so,” Cecily said.

“Joanie, being the eternal pragmatic, simply said we should switch his entry to Boekelo from Blenheim to allow him more time to recover. One call to the selectors and it was done, and our despair and disappointment at missing Matt’s first overseas event turned to excitement and jitters all over again.”

The teamwork and consideration shown here speaks volumes about the support eventers give each other every day in this community — from Sergio Reyes stepping in to take Flaxen to New Bolton to USEF Managing Director of Eventing Joanie Morris finding a way to get Matt overseas this fall.

I’ve often said it would be beneficial to the USEF Eventing High Performance program as a whole to see more flexibility in the grant process. So many times a last-minute injury or unexpected set of circumstances crops up, leaving riders unable to use a grant they worked so hard to receive.

With that in mind, I applaud the USEF Eventing Selection Committee for reallocating two grants yesterday. The first reallocation allowed Matt Brown to use his Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant from the USET Foundation, originally awarded for Blenheim, to compete at Boekelo instead after Super Socks BCF’s colic scare.

The selectors also reallocated Jennie Brannigan’s USEF Land Rover Competition Grant originally given for the Rebecca Farm CCI3*. Because Tim and Nina Gardners’ Cambalda was ultimately chosen as the traveling reserve horse for the 2015 U.S. Pan American Games team, the timeline ended up being very tight for “Ping” to also make the trip to compete in Montana.

With the horse’s welfare in mind, Jennie and the Gardners opted not to use the grant at Rebecca, instead requesting that it be reallocated to get Ping across the pond to compete at the Pau CCI4* next month. It’s wonderful to see a decision made in the horse’s best interest rewarded by allowing the grant to be switched to another competition.

Kudos to the selectors for working with both Matt and Jennie to help them realize their goals for the fall season. Congrats to all of yesterday’s fall grant recipients, and click here to see July’s list of USEF fall grant announcements.

Go Eventing.

Your Ultimate Guide to the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

By Jenni Autry on Sep 1, 2015 5:00 pm -

Lynn Symansky and Donner, Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch, and Tim Bourke and Luckaun Quality head out on a hack. Photo via Laine Ashker.

Burghley week is finally upon us, and we’re anxiously counting down the minutes until Wednesday’s first horse inspection (4 p.m. local time, 11 a.m. EST) for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. In the meantime, we’ve pulled together every detail you could possibly need to know about one of the most highly anticipated CCI4* events of the season.

Burghley Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, EN’s Coverage, Course Preview, Burghley TV, @Twitter, @samanthalclark, Instagram

Strong American Contingent Ready

The U.S. is represented by three combinations at Burghley: fellow first-timers Laine Ashker and her own Anthony Patch and Lynn Symansky and The Donner Syndicate’s Donner, as well as Burghley veteran Colleen Rutledge with her homebred Covert Rights. We’ll also be cheering on U.S.-based Irish rider and Burghley first-timer Tim Bourke on his own Luckaun Quality.

Having drawn number 28 in the order of go, Lynn and The Flying Deer will likely be the only pair from the U.S. contingent to do their dressage on the first day. Lainey and “Al” drew number 54 and are likely to go before the lunch break on the second day of dressage, followed by Tim and “Obie” at number 60. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights will be in the final group on day two with number 78.

While Burghley is not streamed live, Burghley TV will post on-demand videos of every ride from all three phases. We’ll also once again be joining our friends at Horse & Hound in their live blog for all three phases, and Samantha Clark will be live tweeting at both @eventingnation and @samanthalclark. EN will also be running a live updates thread for cross country on Saturday.

Past Winners Return to Burghley

Seventy-four combinations in all are currently slated to compete at Burghley, though we are still anticipating some horses being withdrawn due to next week’s FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle. Click here to see the full list of entries and their drawn numbers for the order of go.

Three riders have won Burghley five times: Andrew Nicholson (2014, 2013, 2012, 2000, 1995), Mark Todd (1999, 1997, 1991, 1990, 1987) and the great Ginny Leng (1989, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983). But only one rider, William Fox-Pitt, has won a record six times (2011, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2002, 1994).

Andrew Nicholson will unfortunately not be aiming for a fourth consecutive victory aboard Avebury following his neck injury at Gatcombe last month, but a slew of other past Burghley winners will compete in the event. William will seek a seventh victory at Burghley this week with four-star first-timer Fernhill Pimms (who is also listed as William’s direct reserve horse for Blair).

Five-time winner Mark Todd has Leonidas II entered in his quest to tie William’s record six victories. This horse placed fourth at Badminton earlier this year and is coming off a third-place finish at Barbury Castle in July, so we can expect Toddy to be very much in the thick of things.

Two-time winner Andrew Hoy will ride Rutherglen, who competed last year at Burghley but did not complete Capt. Mark Phillips’ course. Oliver Townend, who won in 2009 aboard Carousel Quest, has three entries in his stalwart campaigner Armada (who is listed as a reserve for Blair), CCI4* first-timer Samuel Thomas II and Harry Dzenis’ former ride Dromgurrihy Blue, who completed Burghley last year with Harry.

Pippa Funnell, who won in 2003, will compete Redesigned, who finished 16th in 2013. That horse is also listed as a reserve for Blair behind her direct reserve horse Second Supreme. (Pippa is slated to compete Sandman 7 on the British team at Blair; click here for a full list of Blair teams courtesy of Horse & Hound.)

Michael Jung will make his Burghley debut with La Biosethetique Sam FBW and fisherRocana FST. Photo courtesy of Laine Ashker.

Michael Jung will make his Burghley debut with La Biosethetique Sam FBW and fischerRocana FST. Photo courtesy of Laine Ashker.

Michael Jung Makes Burghley Debut

Burghley’s past winners will have to take on Michael Jung, who is making his first appearance at this event. There’s been quite a bit of chatter about The Terminator competing La Biosthetique Sam FBW and fischerRocana FST in three CCI4* events in just over fourth months.

Michael won Rolex Kentucky this April with Rocana and finished third with Sam. Then the horses also competed at Luhmühlen, where Sam finished third and Rocana retired on course after stumbling in a water complex and missing a jump. Now Michael is slated to make his Burghley debut aboard his 2010 WEG gold medalist Sam and his 2014 WEG silver medalist Rocana.

As for other notable combinations to watch, Sam Griffiths is competing with both 2014 Badminton winner Paulaunk Brockagh and Happy Times, Paul Tapner is sure to impress on Kilronan, and Nicola Wilson is entered to ride her Kentucky mount Annie Clover (who is also her direct reserve horse for Blair).

Jonelle Price is coming in hot with Classic Moet, who finished fourth at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. Also keep an eye on Bill Levett and Improvise, Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo, and Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy.

Burghley Facts & Tidbits

Stephen Bradley remains the only American to ever win Burghley, which he did in 1993 on Sassy Reason. (Bruce Davidson and Irish Cap won the 1974 World Championships, which were hosted at Burghley, so he is also listed on the winner’s page.)
While Burghley has a reputation for being one of the toughest four-stars in the world, it actually has the highest cross country completion rate of any CCI4*. That’s a fact courtesy of our good friends at EquiRatings, who published in their latest newsletter that Burghley has a 62.6% completion rate, with Luhmühlen in second at 56.9%.
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville hold the EquiRatings record for the lowest dressage score recorded in the last five years at Burghley, delivering a 36.3 in 2012. Though one too many rails down ultimately cost them the win, that impressive second-place finish remains the best American result at Burghley in recent memory.
Judy Bradwell, who won Burghley in 1970 and has judged at the event many times, has also produced four past winners of the Burghley Young Event Horse 4-Year-Old class. She has yet another promising 4-year-old entered in this year’s Young Event Horse class in Grappa Nera. (Click to watch Samantha Clark interview Judy at Burghley in 2011.)

If you have any questions about Burghley, please ask in the comments below. EN’s live coverage starts Wednesday with Samantha Clark at the helm. Be sure to keep it locked on EN and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-the-minute coverage of #LRBHT.

09/02: This post has been updated to reflect additional withdrawals.

USEF Announces Additional Fall Grant Recipients

By Jenni Autry on Sep 1, 2015 2:29 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook's Scarlett. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Hot off the press! The USEF has just announced the recipients of USEF Land Rover Competition Grants for The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* and the Galway Downs CCI3*. In addition, two previously awarded grants have been reallocated to other competitions for Jennie Brannigan and Matt Brown.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Ellen and Alex Ahead and Eric Markell, have received a grant for The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI3*, taking place October 15-18 in Elkton, Maryland.

The following combinations have received grants for the Galway Downs CCI3*, taking place October 28-November 1 in Temecula, California: Phillip Dutton and Mr. Candyman, a 2007 Holsteiner gelding owned by Annie Jones, Bridget Colman and Caroline Moran, and Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, a 2007 Thoroughbred cross mare owned by Marie Le Menestrel.

Matt Brown has had a grant reallocated for the Boekelo CCIO3*, taking place October 8-11 in Boekelo, The Netherlands. He will now compete at Boekelo instead of Blenheim with Super Socks BCF, a 2006 Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Blossom Creek Foundation.

The USEF explained in a press release that Matt requested to use the USET Foundation’s Jacqueline B. Mars Competition Grant, which was originally awarded to him for the Blenheim CCI3*, for Boekelo instead. He was originally intended to compete Super Socks BCF at Blenheim and BCF Belicoso at Boekelo.

Jennie Brannigan has also had a grant reallocated and will now compete Cambalda at the Pau CCI4*, taking place October 21-25 in Pau, France. Nina Gardner’s Cambalda, a 2002 Thoroughbred cross gelding, originally received the grant for the Event at Rebecca Farm CCI3*. Jennie and the Gardners elected not to compete at that event due to the tight timeline with Ping also serving as the traveling reserve horse for the 2015 U.S. Pan American Games team.

The USEF confirmed in a press release that Jennie is also using her free Dutta Corp flight that she received as the winner of the 2014 Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* to make the trip to Pau.

Congrats to all the grant recipients!

[USEF Announces Additional Eventing Competition Grant Recipients for Fall Competitions]

Eventers Cleaning Up in Jumper Classes Around the Country

By Jenni Autry on Aug 28, 2015 11:00 am -

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice in the 1.30-meter class at Swan Lake. Photo by Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group.

Phillip Dutton and Doug Payne both won $1,000 1.30-meter Open Jumper classes yesterday at different shows along the East Coast, and Tamie Smith also flexed her show jumping muscles in a 1.30-meter class in California earlier this week.

Phillip’s appearance at Swan Lake’s Fall Festival in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, especially had the crowd doing a double take as they realized a two-time Olympic gold medalist had infiltrated hunter/jumper land.

“It was so great to pop around the corner and see you in the ring!” hunter rider and Swan Lake competitor Deloise Noble-Strong wrote on Phillip’s Facebook page last night. “I was talking to everyone going, ‘Did you see we have eventing royalty here?'”

Phillip said Swan Lake’s Fall Festival proved to be an ideal first outing for Mighty Nice after the horse’s successful recovery from a bone chip on his stifle sustained at this year’s Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. “Happy,” an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, was the only horse in the $1,000 1.30-meter Open Jumper class to go clear in the jump off, giving him the win.

“(Mighty Nice) is pretty pleased to be out,” Phillip said after the class. “He’s such a cool horse. Hopefully he’ll have a bit of luck on his side. At the big events little things have gone wrong, so he hasn’t had his chance to show how good he is, so hopefully he’s on the right track now for the rest of the year.”

Happy, owned by Caroline Moran, Annie Jones, Michael Bombar, Kevin Keane and Evie Dutton, will compete in the Plantation Field International CIC3* next month before going on to the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*, which Phillip won in 2007 aboard The Foreman.

Doug Payne won the $1,000 1.30-meter Open Jumper class at Tryon IV in Mill Spring, North Carolina, yesterday thanks to going clear in the jump off with a speedy time of 32.715 seconds with Laura Regan’s Rocket. (Click here for a quick video from the jump off.)

The Dutch gelding, by Corland out of Jashine-Rona, is one of a number of very talented pure show jumpers in Doug’s barn right now. Doug also won the $1,000 1.20-meter class yesterday aboard Barbara Calabro’s Confire La Pomme (video above), as well as ribboned in a number of other classes.

Mai Baum & Tamie clean in the 1.30 today!!! The partnership is finally coming together!!! Beyond thrilled!!! Hutch your the bomb!!!

Posted by Tamie Smith on Wednesday, August 26, 2015

On the West Coast, Tamie Smith, Heather Morris and Mackenna Shea were all out jumping at the Showpark All Seasons Summer Classic in Del Mar, California, on Wednesday with good results.

Tamie has been diligently working to cement the partnership with Ellen and Alex Ahearn’s Mai Baum, who was named as an alternate to this year’s U.S. Pan American Games team. “Lexus,” a 9-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, jumped a beautiful clear round in the 1.30-meter class (video above).

Heather Morris jumped Team Express Group’s Charlie Tango in the 1.20-meter class (video here) in preparation for next month’s American Eventing Championships in Tyler, Texas, where they’ll be competing in the Merial Open Intermediate division. They’ll then head east for the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI2*.

Mackenna Shea also jumped in the 1.20-meter class aboard a very cute mare named Ghypsy (video here), and it’s great to see her staying busy as her upper-level partner Landioso recovers from last week’s colic surgery. “Landi” came home from San Luis Rey Equine Hospital on Sunday and is continuing to heal well.

Results Links: Swan Lake Fall Festival, Tryon August IV, Showpark All Seasons Summer Classic

[Penny Brennan and Phillip Dutton Lead Open Jumpers at Swan Lake Fall Festival]

Virginia Horse Trials Will Unveil New Courses & Clinic Series

By Jenni Autry on Aug 26, 2015 5:30 pm -

VHT has launched a three-year plan to open up new tracks and better the footing for the event. Photo courtesy of VHT.

Virginia Horse Trials has been undergoing a major transformation since last year, when longtime organizers Brian and Penny Ross stepped down and Andy Bowles took the reins for the much-loved fall event. This year we’re excited to announce that VHT will be upping the ante even more with what’s being hailed as a “weeklong eventing extravaganza.”

“Our aim at VHT is to combine training and competition to help riders have the best possible experience,” Andy said in this press release. “In addition, it marks the start of a three-year improvement plan on the horse center side cross country course, that focuses on footing/flow and the arrival of John Nicholson as designer of the Oak Hill cross country courses.”

The week’s festivities will start with a series of clinics taught on Oct. 27-29 by New Zealand team riders Tim and Jonelle Price, as well as popular U.S. clinicians Doug Payne and Sharon White. The Prices said they are looking forward to teaching their first ever clinics in the States (and, lucky for them, it just so happens that Virginia is gorgeous in the fall!).

“My recent experiences in America have revolved around Rolex Kentucky with all the pressure of competing a horse overseas that that entails, so I can’t wait to see more of the States and meet people and horses in a situation where I can be more relaxed,” Tim said. “And, of course, we will be bringing a little bit of Kiwi magic with us to all the training days, and that is a very special magic.”

There will be plenty of Kiwi magic going around at this event, as new designer John Nicholson will also unveil his inaugural cross country courses in the U.S. Brother to Andrew Nicholson, John is well known for the creative and artistic flair he brings to his courses in New Zealand and Australia, and it’s definitely going to be a unique experience for riders at this fall’s VHT.

VHT will also unveil an improved rider party on Saturday evening, as well as outdoor show jumping and $4,000 in prize money for the international classes. The event will also proudly host the Area II championships this year, along with an Adult Team Challenge. As an added bonus, schooling rounds for both dressage as well as show jumping will be available on the Thursday prior to the event for both VHT competitors and any riders who want to attend.

“I am not only excited to ride on the new courses Virginia Horse Trials is unveiling this year, but I am thrilled about the pre-event activities and opportunities,” Sharon White said. “I think these additions will help many of the less experienced riders develop and prepare for the show and will also give young horses an opportunity rarely available to do schooling rounds, maximizing the experience they can obtain in a weeks time.”

Andy said the new changes are a part of his goal to make the event “a show riders look forward to coming back to year after year, enjoying a week-long opportunity to better themselves and their horses at a world class venue.”

Be sure to check out Virginia Horse Trials’ website at this link and like the event on Facebook for much more VHT news.

[Virginia Horse Trials to Host Weeklong Eventing Extravaganza]

Ride Around Richland with Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless

By Jenni Autry on Aug 26, 2015 11:33 am -

Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless are peaking at just the right time before their upcoming trip overseas to compete in the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. The 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned by Jill and David Hopcroft competed in his first FEI event since Rolex this past weekend at Richland, where he and Elisa improved on their previous best CIC3* finishing score by a whopping 21.9 points.

This dynamic duo delivered a 45.4 dressage test, dropped one rail in show jumping and accumulated 2.0 cross country time penalties to finish in seventh place on a final score of 51.4 in a very competitive field. Elisa has been training with Karen O’Connor since before Rolex — which Elisa chronicles in detail in this month’s cover story of Practical Horseman — and it’s clear the hard work with “Johnny” is paying off.

This horse is a cross country machine and a blast to watch in Elisa’s helmet cams. Their helmet cam video from Rolex has now crossed the 75,000 view mark on YouTube, and this latest helmet cam from Richland is also one you have to watch. Best of luck to Elisa and Johnny as they take on Blenheim next month! Go Eventing.

Richland Links: Final Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

Andrew Nicholson Back Home After Eight-Hour Neck Operation

By Jenni Autry on Aug 20, 2015 9:51 am -

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We have good news coming from across the pond this morning, as Eventing NZ confirmed that Andrew Nicholson has been released from John Radcliffe Hospital following an eight-hour surgery to stabilize his cervical spine after his fall at Gatcombe on Aug. 9.

“I am very pleased to be back at home and wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone myself for their kind messages and support, which have meant a lot to me and my family,” Andrew said in a statement.

“In terms of my injury I realise I have been incredibly lucky. My surgeon, Mr Jeremy Reynolds, told me that the injury I sustained to my neck would have caused paralysis at the time of injury, in 98% of cases. I was extremely fortunate this did not happen.”

The team of spinal surgeons at John Radcliffe repaired fractures and stabilized Andrew’s cervical spine, which he injured while falling with Cillnabradden EVO after the last fence in the CIC3* division at the Festival of British Eventing.

“Obviously I won’t be riding again this season, as it will take some time to fully recover,” Andrew said. “Whilst I have to take things easy, I am up and about and fully mobile, and look forward to getting back to full fitness in due course.”

We’re relieved to hear that Andrew is OK and resting comfortably at home. Keep it locked on EN for further updates on Andrew as he recovers, and please join us in sending him well wishes.

[Statement from Andrew Nicholson via Eventing NZ]

Preview Mark Phillips’ 2015 Burghley Cross Country Course

By Jenni Autry on Aug 19, 2015 1:00 pm -

Burghley has released the preview video for this year’s cross country course! Click to watch Capt. Mark Phillips explain his thought process for each fence on this year’s track, which will run in the reverse direction for the first time in a number of years. That means the big hill comes up on course much earlier than in years past, and considering the time is always tough to make at Burghley, the new direction is almost certainly going to shake things up.

Usually horses and riders head to the main arena after the first few fences, but but this year they’ll go the Lion Bridge, the first combination on course and also a new addition this year. Fence 4A is a table on the hill, then down to splash through the water and over a boat in front of Burghley House, which should make for a nice photo opportunity and viewing area for spectators.

The next two key elements on course also involve water at the Anniversary Splash In and Out at fences 5AB, 6AB and 7, when riders will jump two hedges at 5AB, go up and over an island in the water, with the option to jump out over a bounce of hedges at 6AB on the left or jump a step out and then continue on to a hedge on the right. That path to the right will take a bit longer, and this complex has the potential to eat up quite a bit of time early on the course.

The path to the left at Capability’s Cutting. Screenshot via Burghley.TV

The Slate Mine at fence 8 is the first max fence on the course, set at 2 meters wide and 1.20 meters high. Then horses and riders will head to Capability’s Cutting at fences 9 and 10, which feature two different paths to take. On the left, riders jump over a house at fence 9 and down to the bottom of the cutting, which gives three to four strides to get organized before the corner at fence 10. Going to the right gives more landing space off the house at fence 9, but just one stride to get ready for the corner at 10.

Going too quickly at this section of the course means horses will be more likely to hit a wall at the 8- and 9-minute markers, but riders also have to be careful not to get too down on the clock here, as there aren’t that many opportunities to make up time later on this year’s course. This year’s track definitely requires very careful clock management.

Iconic Cottesmore Leap. Screenshot via Burghley.TV

Next is Cottesmore Leap at fence 12ab, which comes at about the 3 1/2 minute marker on course. The famous ditch and brush is set at a max height of 1.45 meters with a max base spread of 3 meters, followed by five strides on a bending line to the right to a triple brush that is “big and very missable,” as Capt. Mark Phillips puts it.

The Land Rover Dairy Farm starts with quite an imposing 1.20-meter gate coming up the hill at fence 14A, followed by a big table with the terrain dropping away off the back at BC, which the horses won’t be able to see until they’re in the air. Then it’s on to the Rolex Combination at 15ABC, where finding the right line is crucial at the AB element to avoid ending up in the ditch, not to mention finding the right line for the curving four strides to the corner that follows.

The big log coming up out of the water at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery. Screenshot via Burghley.TV

Maltings 360 at fence 16, 17AB and 18 will likely be a popular spot for spectators since there’s so much to see here. There’s a big white classic Burghley oxer at 16, followed by a triple brush on the mound at 17A, with three strides to a brush corner at 17b. Then 18 is another max width white oxer. The Captain’s Log, a trakehner at fence 19, is one of the few let up fences on course.

Capt. Mark Phillips says the Land Rover Trout Hatchery at fences 20ABCD and 21 is a candidate for the toughest question on course, as there are five elements that come up quickly one after the other. There’s four strides from the brush at A to the jump into the water off a right turn at B, followed by four strides left to a step with a bounce to a big log at C and D. The the hedge at fence 21 comes after two quick strides on dry land and one stride back in the water.

Fence 24AB, Discovery Valley. Screenshot via Burghley.TV

Fence 24, Discovery Valley. Screenshot via Burghley.TV

Fence 22ab at Herbert’s Hollow is virtually the same as last year except in reverse direction, with six strides after the hedge to an open oxer. Discovery Valley at fence 24AB almost always causes trouble on course and should be no different this year. The combination will ride quicker if horses and riders stick to the lower side of the terrain, but the line opens up much later if choosing that path. Finding a line quickly is critical, as the double brushes are separated by just one stride and set on a severe angle.

Fence 25 is the iconic Elephant Trap, set before the climb to the Leaf Pit at fence 26AB and 27. Riders will have just two strides after the moon fence to prepare for the massive drop down into the pit before galloping on to the sun at fence 27. This is at the 9-minute marker on course, about 2 minutes from the end, so riders will definitely be trying to making up time. Riders will then go back through Discovery Valley at fence 28, which will require some set up, so they can’t come in guns blazing.

Fence 25, Up & Under. Screenshot from Burghley.TV

Fence 29, Up & Under. Screenshot from Burghley.TV

Then riders will head through the main arena at fence 29, Up & Under, which is built to resemble a rugby pitch in celebration of Land Rover’s partnership with the Rugby World Cup. Horses will jump over a table built to resemble grandstands, then take four strides to jump over a rugby ball, with another four strides taking them out over a second grandstand table. Then they’ll kick on for the final two fences.

The course is provisionally set at 6,370 meters with an optimum time of 11 minutes, 10 seconds. Capt. Phillips has hailed it “a real four-star track, a real Burghley,” going on to say that because “the hill comes at the beginning, riders are going to have to figure out where to take time out and where to make up the time.”

In addition to watching the preview video above, you can click here to see beautiful photos of each fence, and there’s also a very cool animated flyover video here that shows you the path horses and riders will take across the hallowed Burghley grounds. What do you think of this year’s course, EN? Weigh in with a comment below!

Burghley Links: Website, Entries, Course Preview Video, Fence Photos

Who Jumped It Best? Aachen Cross Country Edition

By Jenni Autry on Aug 17, 2015 1:30 pm -

It’s time to play Who Jumped It Best? Aachen Cross Country Edition! We posted a lot of pictures during the Aachen CICO3* of Ingrid Klimke, who finished one-two in a total domination of the competition, plus all our U.S. and Canadian riders.

Here’s a look at some of the other competitors from different countries who also had super cross country rounds. Take a look at the photos and vote in the poll at the bottom of the post for which horse and rider you think present the best overall picture.

#Aachen2015: Website, Final Scores, Team Scores, EN’s Coverage, Instagram

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Bettina Hoy and Designer 10. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Michael Jung and fischerTakinou. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianamo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Michael Ryan and Donlough Striker. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Mark Todd and NZB Campino. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Francis Whittington and Easy Target. Photo by Jenni Autry.

USEA Unveils Latest USEF Rule Change Proposals

By Jenni Autry on Aug 17, 2015 11:15 am -

The USEA is proposing the addition of a Modified level between Training height (shown in photo) and Preliminary height. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The USEA has unveiled the latest USEF rule changes that will be discussed at this December’s USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Washington D.C., and put forward to the USEF Eventing Technical Committee for discussion at that time. The rule change proposals would then be voted on in January at the USEF Convention.

“We have an outstanding Board of Governors, and we manage to put aside our differences and check our egos at the door,” USEA President Diane Pitts said. “We roll up our sleeves and work our way to what we believe are the best solutions to the issues and problems we face. We work to be responsive to the membership, and this year we spent a lot of time discussing the need to ensure that the lower levels remain welcoming and to stop the perceived upward ‘creep’ in cross country questions at the lower levels.”

Read on for a summary of the three key rule change proposals.

Addition of a Modified level

After many years of discussing the possibility of adding a division between the Preliminary and Training levels, the USEA is now officially proposing the addition of a new level called Modified, which would be introduced starting in 2017.

“The transition from Training to Preliminary has long been considered the most difficult transition in the sport of eventing,” the USEA states in its report. “Among other reasons, the introduction of a Modified level is viewed as a way to prevent the perceived need to increase speeds and difficulty at the lower levels.”

The dressage test for Modified level would include medium paces at the trot and canter, an introduction to leg yields, and changes of lead through the trot. Jumps would be set at 3’5″ for both cross country and show jumping.

Riders would be required to obtain two qualifying scores at Training Level or higher in order to compete at the Modified level. This division would not be required as a prerequisite for competing at Preliminary, and organizers would not be required to offer the new division.

Requirements for helmets and body protectors

The USEA is also proposing a rule that would require all riders to wear a helmet and body protector that meets the current ASTM/SEI standard and “strongly recommend” that riders wear a helmet meeting the newest ASTM/SEI standard, which will go into effect in January 2016. Body protectors meeting the BETA standard would also be accepted under this rule.

The current ASTM standard for helmets is ASTM F1163 O4a, and the new standard taking effect in January is ASTM F1163-13. Any helmets labeled ASTMF1163 O4a would be legal under this proposed rule, as well as helmets meeting the new ASTM F1164-13 standard. Riders4Helmets published an excellent explanation of the new standard at this link.

The current USEF Rules for Eventing recommend that body protectors meet the ASTM standard F1937 or be certified by the SEI; this new rule would now require that body protectors meet those standards. BETA certified vests would also be accepted under this new rule; those are labeled “Level 3 body protector” with the year 2000 or 2009 shown on the label.

Opening dates

The USEA is also proposing that entries for all events open on the Tuesday prior to the date that falls six weeks before the first day of the event. Currently, CCN events (an international term that refers to a three-day event) open eights weeks prior to the first day of the competition, and having two sets of opening dates has caused confusion for some competitors, the USEA said.

Other important notes

Country Design Thresholds: The USEA Course Designers Committee is continuing to work on the language for the Levels of Horse Trials Appendix in the USEF Rules for Eventing, as well as the USEA Course Design Guidelines. You’ll remember that proposed changes to this appendix caused quite a stir in the lead-up to last year’s USEA Convention, with the proposal ultimately being withdrawn during the convention.

Overall Leaderboard Revision: The USEA Board of Governors has voted to now include results from Beginner Novice, Novice and Training level events on the USEA Overall Leaderboard using a separate points scale system. The leaderboard previously only counted points from the Preliminary level and higher.

Amateur Upgrade Policy for Juniors: The USEA’s Amateur Upgrade Policy will now not apply if an eligible junior enters a non-age restrictive Rider division or Open division when a Junior Division is offered. Juniors not eligible to compete in a non-age restrictive Rider division will access the full benefits of the upgrade policy.

Full text of the rule change proposals is not yet available on the USEF website, but we’ll post links to those documents just as soon as they’re available. Click here to read the USEA’s full Board of Governors meeting report. What do you think of these USEF rule change proposals and new USEA policies?

[Report From the USEA Board of Governors Summer Meeting]

Landioso and Revitavet Capato Recovering After Colic Surgery

By Jenni Autry on Aug 17, 2015 9:00 am -

Mackenna Shea and Landioso after his colic surgery at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital. Photo via Mackenna Shea.

We’re sending lots of positive thoughts out to West Coast this morning as Landioso and Revitavet Capato, two upper-level horses that competed at the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, are recovering after undergoing colic surgery in the last two weeks.

Landioso, Mackenna Shea’s 13-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, was taken into surgery early yesterday morning at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, California, to remove a severe impaction.

“I want to thank everyone at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital for taking such great care of him, as he is truly the most incredible horse a girl could have,” Mackenna said on her Facebook page. “Things went well in surgery, and we are hopeful Landi will get to come home soon.”

Mackenna and “Landi” had been gearing up for their fall campaign on the East Coast prior to the colic scare, and they were entered to compete in the star-studded CIC3* at Plantation Field next month with plans to also aim for the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3*.

Revitavet Capato after returning home from Pilchuck Equine Hospital last week. Photo via Jordan Linstedt.

Revitavet Capato, Jordan Linstedt’s 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, continues to recover well after undergoing colic surgery at Pilchuck Equine Hospital in Snohomish, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 8.

“He had a kink, gas build-up as well as food blockage in the large colon that would not have resolved with out surgery,” Jordan said on her Facebook page. “His good health, level of fitness and stoic personality has made him a great patient.”

Capato returned home to Jordan’s base in Redmond, Washington, last Wednesday and is doing great, Jordan said. “He jumped in the trailer, towed me to his stall, rolled in his fresh shavings and nickered to all his buddies,” she said. “Someone is very happy to be home, and I’m so happy to have him back.”

We wish Landi and Capato continued good news in their respective surgeries and look forward to seeing both of these lovely boys back out competing.

North American Riders Rehash Cross Country Day at Aachen

By Jenni Autry on Aug 14, 2015 4:01 pm -

Big Phil celebrates with Chinch. Photo via EN's Instagram.

It’s been a good day all around for the North American contingent at the Aachen CICO3*, as Team USA finished in third place in the FEI Nations Cup standings, and Canada also completed their three-rider team in seventh place. Read on for soundbites of what the U.S. and Canadian riders had to say after cross country. Click here if you missed the final end-of-day report and here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage from #Aachen2015.

#Aachen2015: Website, Final Scores, Team Scores, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Phillip Dutton

“To go at that speed, you’re always chancing things a bit, but (Fernhill Cubalawn) is such an honest horse. He wants to do it, and he wants to please. He’s always looking for the flags. I was really happy with him.

“When I walked the angled brushes, I thought they had to be ridden really positively, and I actually think keeping the horses on a little bit of a shorter stride and letting them see it and read what they had to do was better, and that’s what I ended up doing.

“The corner before coming into the main arena definitely caused more trouble than we thought it would. Lynn paid the price for going first out for the team. The horses were just not reading it and seeing where they had to go. That was another fence where you wanted to add another stride so the horses could see what they were doing.

“I have to thank Karen Stives for my grant to come to Aachen. She’s done an incredible amount for the sport in both her riding career and since then. It’s essential for the U.S. riders to get overseas and see where the goal posts are. I think you can become a little bit complacent at home. It’s not so much about coming over and having success. Our big goal is to do well at the next Olympics. That’s what these trips are about.”

#camericanpride. Photo via EN’s Instagram.

Rebecca Howard

“(Riddle Master) is just looking to jump the flags — that’s what he does — so you can get away with taking a few risks on a track like this where time is such a factor. The coffin was hard, even after we got through the double brushes. He’s always a bit funny with keyholes, so that was always going to be particularly difficult. I knew he’d probably add a little bit and pick his way up to the keyhole.

“I was hoping to jump into the first water a bit bolder because of the time factor. If anything, he does tend to jump a little shallow into water, and he was his usual careful self jumping in, so I did change my plan a little on landing there. Aside from that, everything rode according to plan, and I’m really happy with him.”

Holly Jacks-Smither

“I was on my time with two options, and at the brush corner, I thought, ‘This is where Lynn had a runout; let’s not be hasty.’ I took an extra tug when I should have just ridden the horse I was on today, and we had the runout. But he was brilliant today.”

“He used to be a horse that would always add strides. There was a six-stride combination at the beginning of the course where he did five. In the water, I was going to do eight to five, and we did seven to four. I should have ridden the horse I was sitting on at the corner, not the horse I was riding last year. He’s just gotten so much better.”

“The most disappointing day was yesterday in show jumping, because I know we can do it. Walking the cross country course, I didn’t know if I could do it, and now I feel like I can go to Rolex next year and be ready. It was absolutely worth the trip.

“I think the cross country was the question in my mind coming over here: Could I do it? I had a really bad fall last year. I had bad luck at Plantation Field and Fair Hill, and I was just doubting if I could do this. We trained with Jon (Holling) all winter, and I realized I could do it, so completing the course just felt really good.”

Troll power! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lauren Kieffer

“I’m super happy with (Veronica). She was really strong today. Usually I have to use the bottom rein for just the first two fences, but she was a bit of a tank the whole way around. That’s where my time penalties came from. I had to be careful because I got worried about getting her back.

“Going out, the priority was to get a clear round for the team, so I rode some combinations more carefully. It’s not easy out there, and as much as everyone talked about it being softer, there were a lot of fences catching everyone out. She had to fight for it a bit, and not everything was smooth, but she’s a fighter. I couldn’t be happier with her. She did what she was supposed to do. I would have liked to have gone faster, but I might have had a 20 if I’d done that.

“By the time I went out, I knew it was riding tougher than it walked, so I went out not necessarily to have a smooth ride but an aggressive ride. I rode hard the whole way around. It’s too bad Lynn had to go first, because it’s pretty obvious at that corner that the horses weren’t really reading it. You know if Donner has a runout, then it’s a problem. I would have liked to be faster, but I tried to get it done for the team.”

Colleen Rutledge

“I’m thrilled that I came to Aachen because it was a great learning experience. It’s not the result I had imagined or the result I had wanted, but the sport has highs and lows. I now have a little bit of a different plan for what I’ll do in both dressage and show jumping with (Covert Rights), so it’s been very beneficial from that standpoint.

“In show jumping yesterday, the rails were mine every time I tried to help. We mixed it up and put him in a different bit to try to get him to take a different shape, and it’s just going to take time. We’re in the process of making him a better horse.

“This is a learning experience and an atmosphere that we can not reproduce at home. The only thing that comes close to this is Rolex. To be able to come here on the spur of the moment and get thrown into this, I’m thrilled to be on a team with three unbelievably experienced people.”

Lynn Symansky

“I thought he was phenomenal until the fifth to last fence. He felt fantastic; he was up on all his minute markers. He would have easily made time. Being first in the going has its good and bad parts. You don’t second guess your plan, but at the same time, you don’t know how your plan might need to change. He just didn’t quite lock onto the corner and had a fly by.

“It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day, it did contribute to bringing home a third-place finish in the Nations Cup. It wasn’t in the plan for us to even be here until the last minute, and it’s been great to be able to practice in this type of atmosphere and on this type of course ahead of Burghley. He completed safe and well, and that’s what matters.”

Ingrid Klimke Sweeps Aachen, Team USA Finishes Third

By Jenni Autry on Aug 14, 2015 2:17 pm -

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn at Aachen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We didn’t have to get very far into cross country day at the Aachen CICO3* here in Germany to see that Rüdiger Schwarz’s course was by no means going to ride any softer than it has in previous years. Once just two of the first 10 riders out of the start box came home clear, it became clear that Aachen was once again going to live up to its very stiff reputation.

The best certainly prevailed in the end, with Ingrid Klimke delivering two of the five double clear rounds to finish in first and second place with FRH Escada JS and Horseware Hale Bob on scores of 32.1 and 37.0, respectively — complete and total domination. Fast rounds guaranteed a large jump of the leaderboard, and the top four finishers all proved to be horses and riders that went clear and inside the optimum time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds.

Last year’s winners Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo made the time to move up from sixth to finish third on 37.2, as did Tim Price and Wesko, who moved up from 11th to finish fourth on 40.2. Michael Jung and fischerTakinou jumped clear with 3.6 time penalties to round out the top five. Dirk Schrade and Hop and Skip, who finished 10th on 47.6, were the only other pair to make the time, which decisively gave Germany the Nations Cup victory.

But the real shake-up in the Nations Cup competition happened well after cross country had ended as the ground jury reviewed video footage from a tough day on course, where just 55 percent of the field jumped clear rounds. Germany won on a score of 120.5, with New Zealand giving the home team a strong run for their money, finishing three of their team riders in the top 10 to take second on a score of 126.8.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Jenni Autry.

While the scores originally had Great Britain finishing third and Team USA finishing fourth, that changed when the U.S. officially moved up to third place in the Nations Cup standings after the ground jury reviewed video footage of British rider Holly Woodhead and determined she had missed a flag at fence 20b, the brush corner in the second water complex. That knocked the British team out of the standings.

It all happened so suddenly that Team USA missed out on appearing in the final press conference as the third-place Nations Cup team (though don’t worry, I have plenty of quotes from everyone!). Here’s how the U.S. ultimately pulled of a third-place finish on a wild day: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn jumped clear with 2.4 time penalties to finish 12th on 48.8, with Lauren Kieffer and Veronica also jumping clear with 10.4 time to finish 15th on 54.0.

Lynn Symansky and Donner picked up 20 jumping penalties at the brush corner at fence 22A — unlucky considering they were team trailblazers and it quickly became clear that horses were not reading the corner well. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights finished a whirlwind past few days that undoubtedly took a lot out of the horse with a runout at 16b, the influential angled brush at the coffin, before parting ways at fence 20B in the second water complex.

But even with just two clear rounds, the U.S. still managed to finish a team at what is arguably the toughest CIC3* competition in the world and bring home third place to boot. As Colleen Rutledge put it at the end of the day: Imagine where we could have been had all four team members jumped clear rounds. After a day when a lot of teams struggled to get through the finish flags, the U.S. can return home with their heads held high.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Germany completed their team without using a drop score, but Australia, Ireland and Canada all completed their teams despite having only three members, which says a lot about the way these riders all scrapped and fought today. Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master finished in 18th place on 54.9 as the highest-placed Canadian combination thanks to jumping clear with 2.4 time penalties.

Holly Jacks-Smither punched her fist in the air as she cleared the final fence with More Inspiration, celebrating the completion of her first overseas event and first team competition for Canada, which she finished in 30th place. They were going foot perfectly and guns blazing up until the brush corner at fence 22A, another unlucky victim caught out early on before riders started adjusting more for that line.

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee had a tough day but still completed. Eleven horses and riders picked up 20 jumping penalties at the angled brush at fence 16b in the coffin, including Kathryn and Bee. They also picked up another 20 jumping at that pesky brush corner at fence 22A, which saw five refusals in all today to become the second-most influential fence on course behind the angled brush at the coffin.

Eleven riders ultimately completed the course with jumping penalties. Three were technically eliminated after missing flags and then continuing to complete the course: Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison, Niklas Bschorer and Tom Tom Go 3, and Claas Hermann Romeike and Cato 60.

Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration: All smiles after completing Aachen! Photo by Jenni Autry.

Flora Harris and Bayano were the only pair to be eliminated on refusals, with their final stop coming at the brush corner at fence 22A. Jock Paget parted ways from Clifton Lush after the horse jumped awkwardly over the angled brush at 16B, launching Jock out the side door next to the coffin. Stefano Breciarroli retired Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve at the coffin.

The only scary fall of the day came when Wieloch’s Utah Sun got his legs caught up on the big table at fence 9 coming out of the first water, falling on his shoulder and depositing Louise Svensson Jähde on the ground. Both Louise and the horse were up right away, and he was transported to the local vet hospital for examination. A small cut on his chest was stitched, and the horse suffered no other injuries.

You can catch up on a full play-by-play of every detail that went down on cross country day in EN’s live updates thread here. I still have much more to bring you from Aachen, including comments from Coach David O’Connor, Team USA, Team Canada, Team Germany, Team New Zealand and course designer Rudiger Schwarz, so stay tuned! Go Aachen. Go Eventing.

#Aachen2015: Website, Final Scores, Team Scores, EN’s Coverage,Twitter, Instagram

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

: Super groom Shannon Kinsley and Veronica at Aachen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

click to view a larger image

Breaking Down Team USA’s Day at Aachen

By Jenni Autry on Aug 13, 2015 6:13 pm -

On the left: Super groom Kendyl Tracy, USEF Eventing High Performance Manager Joanie Morris, and U.S. Coach David O'Connor watch Lynn Symansky's show jumping round this afternoon at Aachen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

If you feel like you blinked and two-thirds of Aachen is suddenly over, you’re not alone. The competition always seems to fly by here in Germany at this hotly contested leg of the FEI Nations Cup, so let’s take a few minutes to break down the day, specifically in how things went for our North American pairs.

David O’Connor has kept Aachen high on his list of events to target as the High Performance program continues on in this re-building phase, and the U.S. has been able to send a team to this event for two of the past three years. Considering the U.S. hasn’t completed a team at any major competition at the three-star level or higher since 2012, the goal in returning to Aachen this year seems self explanatory.

The U.S. selectors sent a strong group of proven cross country horses and riders, and fifth place in the team standings is about where David said he expected to be sitting after dressage and show jumping considering the scores these specific combinations typically average at this level. The entire top 10 was sitting in the 30s after dressage with the U.S. well down the leaderboard, but we also didn’t bring a “30’s horse” to Aachen.

“These are a lot of Olympic teams here,” David said this afternoon. “You’re going to see a lot of these horses next year (at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro), and I wouldn’t say that this is our strongest group in regards to which horses can hit those low dressage scores. It’s getting there, but it’s a step-by-step process.”

The good news is the U.S. does have a number of exciting younger horses currently coming up through the levels — especially at the two-star level — that are capable of hitting those low dressage scores and delivering consistency in the other two phases as well. The reality is a lot of those horses are only just now stepping up to the Advanced level and won’t be putting in a full three-star season until next year.

Looking at today’s results, Donner, Fernhill Cubalawn and Veronica all scored right about where David expected them to, he said. While we know Covert Rights is capable of hitting the low 40s with Colleen Rutledge, the horse has also had a less than ideal lead-up to Aachen considering he was still in England on Tuesday night. With the U.S. receiving very last minute notice that “CR” could be added to the team, he shipped to Germany overnight, arriving Wednesday in time for the first horse inspection.

“Colleen’s horse is a difficult one to jump, and he usually has two rails,” David said. “We put a different bit on him to see if that made a difference, and I think that’s the right way to go, but this horse is new to the program. It’s Colleen’s first team competition, and the preparation hasn’t been as great for her, so it’s understandable why we didn’t see the dressage score we know they can do. Now we know what to work on for Burghley.”

David has consistently preached developing a string and keeping young horses coming through the pipeline since he took over as U.S. coach, and the reality is we are poised to start reaping those rewards in the very near future. Once these current hotshot two-star horses start stepping up to the three-star level, we’re going to be able to hold our own in the type of low scoring scenarios we saw today at Aachen.

If our hotshot horses make it to events like Aachen and then don’t deliver on the world stage, then we’ll have a big problem on our hands. But until then, the goal is to continue getting off our island, gaining overseas competition experience and completing teams with the current horses we have in our arsenal. With that in mind, David said he is happy at the end of today.

Tomorrow brings a whole new challenge in Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course. If you read my course preview on Tuesday, you saw that the course has been softened in several areas in comparison to how it looked the last time a full U.S. team competed here in 2013, but that doesn’t mean David is expecting it to be easy.

“I think it’s a little softer than when we have been here before, except for the coffin,” David said. “The coffin is strong; it’s a four-star fence. It might actually be a little surprising for the horses because the course is softer up until then. The angle (on the tractors) is as strong as you’ll see anywhere in the world, and I think those will cause trouble. The rest of it I think is quite nice.”

As for what the riders are thinking on the eve of cross country at an event that Paul Tapner hailed a “CIC4*” on last week’s episode of the Eventing Radio Show, I caught up with all seven of our North American riders today to get their comments on the course, as well as some other general thoughts on Aachen.

Phillip Dutton: “It’s a good galloping cross country course with a couple of pretty difficult lines. I’m glad I came to compete here; it’s a very good competition. Part of the idea in coming to this event is that it’s a mini world championships because everyone is here. All credit to everyone else, it just means we need to get better.”

Rebecca Howard: “There are certainly a few tough questions. By all reports it looks like they’ve softened it from previous years. Based on the videos I’ve watched, I was expecting it to look different at the waters. It’ll be about who can get closest to the time, and there’s plenty to do as you’re trying to do that.”

Holly Jacks-Smither: “It’s the biggest course I’ve ever jumped around. Once (More Inspiration) gets rolling, he’s going to be quite good. It’s a twisty, turny course, and he’s fast and he turns well. I think he’s the only horse I’d want to be sitting on.”

Lauren Kieffer: “The course is tough enough, and I think the coffin is going to be really influential. Those angles are severe. You’re also coming off a long gallop with no set-up fence. Once you can survive those, you still have to get through the tiny toothbrush on the other side of the keyhole.”

Kathryn Robinson: “The course looks really nice, and I’m really happy with it. It’s fair questions and a fair test. You cross your tracks a couple of times, so you just have to keep focused on where you’re going.”

Colleen Rutledge: “I didn’t have the test I wanted or expected today, but the course looks good. I’m excited for the course.”

Lynn Symansky: “The angled hedges in the end are my biggest worry. It’s just hard to find that line at a severe angle, and they are quite upright. The course gets you galloping, and I don’t think there is anywhere you can spare a second. I plan to go out with pace, but I have to keep Burghley in mind and not be silly about what I do out there.”

Cross country streams live on ClipMyHorse.tv starting at 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. EST) tomorrow, and we’ll also be running live updates here on EN. Click here to catch up on all of EN’s coverage of Aachen so far, and be sure to read the end-of-day show jumping report here. Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS currently lead on 32.1, and Germany leads the team competition on 118.1.

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Ingrid Klimke Holds Aachen Lead, Two U.S. Riders In Top 20

By Jenni Autry on Aug 13, 2015 2:32 pm -

Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS are your overnight leaders in the Aachen CICO3* after jumping clear and inside the time over Frank Rothenberger’s show jumping course, which was set on the same field where the horses and riders did their dressage earlier today. Seventeen pairs jumped clear and inside the time, which is about 40 percent of the field, but it sure seemed like feast or famine out there in looking at the leaderboard.

The 96 seconds allowed to complete the course ultimately proved very difficult to make, with 13 riders racking up time penalties. If you spent even a split second out there to settle your horse or took one too many outside lines, the clock became a big issue. Show jumping definitely shook things up for the North American contingent, with just two of our seven riders going clear and inside the time over the course.

Team Rebecca’s Veronica was jumping out of her skin today and didn’t even come close to touching a rail, producing a beautiful double clear with Lauren Kieffer to move up to 13th place on their dressage score of 43.6. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn, owned by Tom Tierney and Simon Roosevelt, also jumped a super double clear to move up 10 spots on the leaderboard to sit in 18th place going into cross country.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.

That gives Team USA two riders in the top 20 after the first two phases, and those clear rounds also contributed in boosting the U.S. up to fifth place in the team standings. Lynn Symansky and The Donner Syndicate’s Donner pulled one rail but picked up 5 time penalties to sit in 36th place on 58.9 (which is currently counting as our third team score), and Colleen Rutledge and her own Covert Rights are right behind them in 37th place after dropping three rails, one more than his current three-star average.

All three Canadian riders pulled one rail in show jumping, but time penalties further impacted their team score. Rebecca Howard and Blithe Hill Farm’s Riddle Master were the only pair to make the time allowed and are now sitting in 29th place on a score of 52.5. Kathryn Robinson and her own Let It Bee picked up 2 time penalties and are in 33rd place on 55.1, and Holly Jacks-Smither and her own More Inspiration picked up 9 time faults to sit in 41st on 67.5.

Rails and time penalties impacted every single team score in the Nations Cup competition, and we saw plenty coming from seasoned pairs and even world-beaters. (Click here to see the fence report.) Last year’s Aachen winners and current World Champions Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo had the crowd gasping when they pulled a rail at the final fence of the triple combination, which dropped them from second to sixth place on a score of 36.2.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW also pulled one rail to fall from ninth down to 14th place on a score of 43.9, just behind Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (though he did jump clear on his individual horse fischerTakinou). Sara Algottson Ostholt and Reality 39, who were sitting in fourth place after dressage, had a rough go in show jumping, dropping two poles and picking up 5 time penalties. It wasn’t any easy afternoon out there.

Sandra and Opgun Louvo’s rail moved 21-year-old British wunderkind Holly Woodhead up to second place individually with DHI Lupison; Holly and Luke’s double clear keeps them on their dressage score of 34.3. The rest of the top five also jumped clear and inside the time, and Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo now sit in third on 34.5, Ingrid Klimke and her team horse Horseware Hale Bob sit in fourth on 37.0, and Michael Jung and fischerTakinou sit in fifth on 37.2.

With show jumping concluded, Germany still holds the lead in the team competition on a score of 118.1, which doesn’t give them much breathing room over second-placed New Zealand going into cross country tomorrow. The Kiwis are holding second in the team standings on 121.2, with Great Britain in third on 123.6. Just 5.5 penalties are separating the top three teams, so every second is going to count for a lot tomorrow.

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

There’s a big gap in the team standings after that, with Sweden sitting in fourth on 143.9, with the U.S. in fifth on 148.9. Australia sits in sixth on 155.3, Ireland is in eighth on 167.4, and Canada sits in ninth on 175.1. But this show is far from over, and while the general consensus from the riders is that the first part of Rüdiger Schwarz’s course is softer than it has been in years past, that new coffin combination at fences 16 and 17 has everybody talking.

Thoughts on cross country from the U.S. and Canadian teams are coming your way next, and I also caught up with Coach David O’Connor to get his comments on Team USA’s day here at Aachen. Stay tuned for that, and keep checking back to this post for more photos of our North American riders. Click here if you missed the dressage report from this morning, and don’t forget to check out the full cross country preview here.

#Aachen2015: Website, Live Scores, Team Scores, Schedule, Aachen Preview, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

: Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

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

Individual scores (click to a view a larger image)

Team scores (click to view a larger image)

Ingrid Klimke Leads Aachen After Dressage, 2 North Americans In Top 25

By Jenni Autry on Aug 13, 2015 10:57 am -

Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS at Aachen CICO3* 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Those watching today’s dressage at the Aachen CICO3* were treated to a slew of excellent tests from some of the world’s best in the sport, with nearly a quarter of the field cracking the 30s threshold. To even inch into the top five, horses and riders had to deliver a test with both accuracy and flash, and that’s ultimately what separated the leaders from the rest of the pack today.

Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS lead at the conclusion of the first phase on a score of 32.1 after delivering a test that was an absolute treat to watch. This 11-year-old Hanoverian mare is coming off a win at Luhmühlen this year and looks to be in beautiful form. Holstein Park Leilani won Aachen in 2013, and Sandra Auffarth won last year, but no female rider has ever won on a mare, so these two will have that on their minds as they look ahead to this afternoon’s show jumping.

Ingrid’s leading score does not count toward the team competition, as Horseware Hale Bob is Ingrid’s mount in the FEI Nations Cup competition; they scored 37.0 early in the day for sixth place currently. But don’t worry about the Germans. They’re handily holding the lead in the team competition by more than eight points after completely dominating on the flat. (Click here to see the team leaderboard.)

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 are your new leaders on 35.9. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Reigning World Champions and last year’s Aachen winners Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo put on a spectacular show in the little white box to score 33.2 for second place. Michael Jung is a bit further down the leaderboard but still very much on the radar, sitting in seventh place with this year’s Strzegom CCI3* winner fischerTakinou on 37.2. The Terminator is also in ninth place on 39.9 with his team horse Halunke FBW, which gives Germany three counting team scores in the top 10.

But Great Britain is waiting in the wings thanks to a class performance from 21-year-old Holly Woodhead, who scored 34.3 with DHI Lupison to sit in third place. This year’s winners in the Under 25s at Bramham CCI3*, Holly and “Luke,” an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding she brought through the levels herself, are also heading to Blair Castle next month to compete against the seniors in the European Championships at Blair Castle. Watch out for Holly: a very bright star for Britain’s future!

Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo were the last pair to go in dressage today and made it count, scoring 34.5 for the Australian team. The Aussies are down to only three riders in the team competition after Chris Burton withdrew Graf Liberty this morning when he said the horse wasn’t feeling quite right at the last minute. That said, the Australian team is still in very good shape after dressage, sitting in fourth place in the team competition behind New Zealand.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 round out the top five for Sweden on a score of 35.9, which is helping the Swedish team to fifth place in the team standings currently. Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianamo, who finished second at Luhmühlen this year, were second out this morning, scoring 37.4 to sit in eighth place as the highest-placed Kiwi combination.

Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve, the sole combination competing at Aachen for Italy, scored 39.9 to round out the top 10. This pair finished second at this competition in 2011, the year Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW won it. To recap, every single score in the top 10 cracked the 30s, and the quality of the competition is straight-up fierce here at Aachen.

Looking to the rest of the leaderboard, Lauren Kieffer and Team Rebecca’s Veronica are the highest-placed combination for Team USA after dressage, scoring 43.6 for 17th place currently. That’s the mare’s best score at the level since she did a 39.6 with Karen O’Connor at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* in 2012, so Lauren was definitely pleased with the quality of the work.

“It was probably her best trot work she’s had all year,” Lauren said. “Her canter work was good, and she had good changes. She always scores between a 43 and a 46 without fail.” “Troll” has been feeling sassy since arriving in Holland and then Germany for Aachen, and Lauren said she has ridden her a lot more than she usually would, which certainly paid off today.

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

Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee are leading the way for Team Canada on a score of 45.1, which has them in 23rd place. Little mistakes in the flying changes and walk knocked points off, but Kathryn said after that she was mostly pleased, though she knows those bobbles proved costly in this caliber of a field.

“He’s not the greatest on changes, and I knew that’s where I was going to lose marks,” Kathryn said. “He’s a horse that really wants to please you, and that doesn’t always work in his favor because sometimes he listens too much. But I was happy with him; you never know when you go into an arena like that what they’re going to do.”

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn were the final pair out for Team USA this afternoon, scoring 46.4 for 28th place. He said after the test that Coach David O’Connor told him to really go for it in the trot half passes — which Cuba is super at and always seems to nail in his tests — but unfortunately today they broke to canter in the movement to the left.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.

“We made a couple simple errors where he cantered in the half pass, and then he thought about changing in the counter canter,” Phillip said. “It’s easy to say, but I think without that, he would have been pretty competitive. It wasn’t meant to be today, but I couldn’t be more excited about the horse and where he’s going and the improvement that he’s made.”

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master went just after Phillip and Cuba and scored 48.5 for 30th place for Canada. “He again did another test that was mistake-free, which has not been the case up until this year. But the horse can do such lovely quality, so it’s a bit frustrating when I can’t quite produce that in the ring,” Rebecca said.

“He did a fine test, but I was a little bit managing him. He warmed up beautifully and had an amazing ride this morning, and then when I switched warm-ups, it just takes a little bit to get him back. So I’m just trying to figure out how I can maintain that quality and get that same consistency back in the ring.”

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lynn Symansky was sitting on a fully loaded Flying Deer this morning in Donner, who scored 49.9 for 37th place. “This kind of atmosphere is tough for him — something that’s a little more enclosed. Even in high-atmosphere places, he usually does OK as long as we have a little more space to get out of the barns and graze and move around, so he’s just been a little more on edge than normal,” Lynn said.

“I’ve actually gotten a lot of good quality work out of him this year in arenas with footing. On the grass, he just felt like he got a little stuck and holding, so we did what we could. I am a bit disappointed, and I think we could have put in a better test, but it was a great preparation for Burghley to come here in this kind of atmosphere and be on the grass in a similar arena. Overall I’ll take it, and we’ve got more work to do.”

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights scored 50.7 in their debut for Team USA, which is a bit of a disappointing outcome after the excitement of getting her on the team at the very last minute. But the horse has been hauled through countless countries in the past few days, and he just didn’t deliver his usual energy and responsiveness in the little white box today.

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

“He was great in warm-up, but then he went into the ring, and he had nothing,” Colleen said. “I had put on smaller spurs to make sure he didn’t explode, but then I came out and asked him for the first medium trot, and nothing happened.” Colleen will go back to the drawing board in regards to warm-up as she looks ahead to Burghley, but we might have to chalk this one up to the horse having a less than ideal preparation for the event.

Holly Jacks-Smither said she wanted to score in the mid- to low-50s with More Inspiration in their overseas team debut for Canada, and that’s exactly what they did, scoring 54.5 to sit in 42nd place. “That’s where we’ve been scoring for the last three or four months. I think you’re always disappointed because you want to have your best test at a competition like this, but this is where I wanted to be,” Holly said.

“He got a little tense when I first took him around the ring and started doing some flying changes, and so I was a little bit sticky in my counter canters because I was worried about him swapping. Bu he stayed really settled, and I think he got better as the test went on. He’s 10 years old, so hopefully another year from now he can get five or six more marks off and score in the 40s.”

Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration. Photo by Jenni Autry.

After the first phase, Team USA is in seventh place in the team standings, with Canada in eighth place. But the general consensus amongst the riders is that this certainly isn’t going to be a dressage competition. The course is being set now for this afternoon’s show jumping, which starts at 5:30 local time. Click here for the start order.

In the meantime, the riders are continuing to chatter about Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course, especially that new coffin complex with the angled tractors. While we wait for show jumping to start, you can relive all the action from dressage by scrolling through this open thread, and be sure to check out the full cross-country course preview at this link. There is no live stream of show jumping, but we have been told that tomorrow’s cross country will live stream on ClipMyHorse.tv.

#Aachen2015: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Team Scores, Schedule, Aachen Preview, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

Aachen CICO3* Dressage Live Updates

By Jenni Autry on Aug 13, 2015 2:30 am -

Good morning from Aachen CICO3*! It’s a beautiful morning with temperatures predicted to creep into the 90s as we reach the afternoon on what is going to be a very exciting day of both dressage and show jumping in this FEI Nations Cup. Unfortunately, there is not a live stream today, but I’ll be live blogging ringside all day from the press tribune, so keep refreshing this page for the latest from #Aachen2015.

#Aachen2015: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Team Standings, Schedule, Aachen Preview, Course Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

U.S. and Canadian ride times & scores:

Lynn Symansky and Donner: 9 a.m. (3 a.m. EST) 49.9
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica: 10:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. EST) 43.6
Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration: 10:37 a.m. (4:37 a.m. EST) 54.5
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights: 12:15 p.m. (6:15 a.m. EST) 50.7
Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee: 12:22 p.m. (6:22 a.m. EST) 45.1
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn: 2:37 p.m. (8:37 a.m. EST) 46.3
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master: 2:45 p.m. (8:45 a.m. EST) 48.4

Final #Aachen2015 dressage scores:

2:50: Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master score 48.5 as the final combination for Canada, and Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo score 34.5 as the last pair to go in dressage. Click here for final scores, and stay tuned for the full report. I have quotes from all the U.S. and Canadian riders, so those are coming your way next. Show jumping starts at 5:30 p.m. local time, which is in 2 1/2 hours.

2:44: Phillip and Cuba score 46.3 provisionally. Rebecca and Rupert are starting their test now!

2:41: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn are leaving the ring now. We’re waiting on their score. Next in is Rebecca Howard with Riddle Master, the third and final team members for Canada. Go Rupert!

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

2:39: Damn: Fernhill Cubalawn broke to canter during the half pass to the left in the trot work. Quick recovery from Phillip Dutton, but that will cost them. They’re into the canter tour now.

2:34: Kilpatrick Knight gives a big spook at the judge’s box at C toward the end of the test. Hang on, Austin! They just did their final halt and salute. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn are entering the ring now for Team USA.

2:30: Sandra and Opgun Louvo score 33.2 for second place with just a few riders left to go! Austin O’Connor and Kilpatrick Knight are in the ring now for the Irish team. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn will be the last pair out for Team USA, followed by Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master as the final pair for Canada.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.

2:27: Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo deliver the super performance we’ve come to expect from them. Lots of pats for the horse after the test! Tim Price and Wesko’s score is in: 40.2 for ninth place. When Wesko scores a 40.2 are is barely in the top 10, you know the field is massively competitive.

2:21: Here come last year’s Aachen winners and the current World Champions Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo, the final combination for the German team. Sandra is rocking an old school black velvet helmet — love it! #worldchampionstyle

2:14: Tim Price and Wesko are next in for the Kiwis. They won Luhmühlen last year and finished at Kentucky this year. Tim Lips’ score has been announced as 41.3, which puts them in 10th place with just a few more to go.

2:07: Tim Lips and Concrex Bayro are in the ring now for the Dutch team. This is a striking grey Dutch gelding — quite a fancy mover. In case everyone is losing track of how many scores we’ve now seen in the 30s, we’re up to eight. #30sfordays

2:04: Wow! Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison score 34.3 in their senior team debut for Great Britain, which puts them in second place. Holly and “Luke” won the Under 25s at Bramham CCI3* this year and are heading to the FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle next month. She’s just 21 years old.

1:59: Ludwig Svennerstal and King Bob are next in for the Swedish team. In the meantime, Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS official score has been announced as 32.1. #nobigdeal That’s the seventh score in the 30s so far.

1:52: Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS score 32.4 to sail into the lead! Her score was announced just as 21-year-old Holly Woodhead was circling the ring before her test with DHI Lupison, so the loud cheers didn’t exactly come at a good time for her! But the horse has settled nicely.

1:49: Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS completed their test to much applause from the German crowd. (Also in a string girth. Has she always used string girths and I’ve just never noticed before?) The stands have filled in nicely, and lots of spectators are lining the rails around the arena. It’s a perfect day here in Aachen.

1:45: We’re back underway after the lunch break with this year’s Luhmühlen winners Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS, who are competing as individuals. Ingrid already went already went earlier in the day with her team horse, Horseware Hale Bob; they scored 37.0 and are currently sitting in second place.

12:59: Here’s a look at scores at the lunch break now that the leaderboard has been updated.

12:53: A score of 37.2 for Michael Jung and fischerTakinou will move them into third place just ahead of Halunke FBW. That’s six scores in the 30s here at Aachen. #30sfordays

12:49: That’s a wrap for Michael Jung and fischerTakinou. We’re now on a one-hour lunch break before the final group of the day, when Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn and Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master will do their tests. Stay tuned for more photos!

12:47: Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve score 39.9 to move into fifth place. That gives us five scores in the 30s so far. Michael Jung and fischerTakinou are into the canter work now.

12:42: Michael Jung and fischerTakinou are the final pair to go in this group before the break. They are competing as individuals here at Aachen. Michael went this morning with his team horse, Halunke FBW, scoring 39.9, so he’ll be trying to best that on his second ride of the day.

12:38: Stefano Brecciaroli and Apollo VD Wendi Kurt Hoeve are in the ring now for Italy. They finished second at this event in 2011 and are putting in a very nice performance thus far. This 15-year-old Belgian gelding is such a nice mover.

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

12:30: Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee score 45.1 for Canada to move into 15th place as we head to the end of the second to last group. A few bobbles throughout, but Kathryn said she was pleased overall. Stay tuned for comments from Kathryn later in the day!

12:21: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights score 50.7 provisionally. We’ll wait to see if that is confirmed. CR was definitely quiet, but that does seem harshly marked to me. He hasn’t had the ideal preparation just coming in from England yesterday after traveling overseas for the first time. Now he needs to find his mojo for show jumping this afternoon! Kathryn and Let It Bee are starting their test now for Canada.

12:19: That’s the final halt and salute for Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights in their Team USA debut. Consistent and correct work throughout the test, though she was kicking CR along. Quite the opposite problem from what Lynn and Donner were experiencing this morning! Now we anxiously await the score while Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee enter the stadium as the next combination out for Team Canada.

12:16: Nice trot work for Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Good expression, though it looks like she is really pushing him along. It’s really warm out there in the sun with temperatures creeping up. They’re into the walk work now, and all is going well so far.

12:12: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights are circling the ring now! CR looks very handsome rocking a blue and red Team USA ear bonnet. Colleen just gave him a big pat. Looking relaxed and ready. Go, girl, go!

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

12:08: Padraig McCarthy and Simon Porloe are in the ring now for the Irish team. Colleen Rutledge will make her Team USA debut next aboard Covert Rights, who is competing overseas for the first time here at Aachen. This horse is a 9-year-old homebred Clydesdale/Thoroughbred gelding.

12:07: Mark Todd and NZB Campino score 43.6 to tie them for eighth place with Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Dirk Schrade and Hop and Skip’s provisional score is being announced as 43.7 for the German team.

12:01: Dirk Schrade and Hop and Skip are in the ring now for the German team. Their test is going very nicely so far. This gelding is one of the oldest horses in the field at 16 years old. Two other horses are also 16: Clifton Lush and King Bob, who will go in the final group of the day with Ludwig Svennerstal for the Swedish team.

11:59: Oh my gosh, you guys. Quicklook V’s barn name is PEBBLES! How adorable is that? It’s official: #newgirlcrush

11:55: Oops. Mark Todd got a little lost in the walk with NZB Campino to pick up an error. Mistakes happen even to the best in the world! They’ve recovered nicely and are now working their way through the canter tour.

11:44: Sara and Reality 39 take the lead on a score of 35.9! That now gives us three scores in the 30s about halfway through this Nations Cup field. This 11-year-old Hanoverian mare has been flying under the radar a bit in the last year. She competed with two-time Aachen winner Frank Ostholt last year and has mostly competed at the two-star level with Sara this year. Sara and Reality 39 finished third in the CCI3* at Montilibretti in April.

11:41: Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 just finished their test for the Swedish team, and Merel Blom and Rumour Has It N.O.P. are next in for the Dutch team. We’re about five horses away from Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights, the next combination out for the U.S. team.

Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 are your new leaders on 35.9. Photo by Jenni Autry.

11:37: Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V score 41.0 to keep the British team very much in the hunt here at Aachen. The Brits are bringing the heat! This 10-year-old Anglo European mare placed fifth in her first CCI3* at Tattersalls in May. She’s by the Dutch stallion Urkel and out of a French-bred mare named Unabresse M, bred in Britain by Vicky Gosling and Vicky Hart.

11:34: More on Chris Burton’s withdrawal of Graf Liberty this morning: Chris said the horse wasn’t quite right before his test, and he has his eyes set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, so no reason to risk running here at Aachen. Disappointing, but relieved to hear it wasn’t anything serious. Chris is still here ringside supporting the Australian team.

11:29: We’re back underway at Aachen! Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V are the next to go for the British team. Great Britain brought five horses to Aachen, but Izzy Taylor withdrew Allercombe Ellie before the horse inspection. I just chatted with Pippa Roome, guru of all things eventing at Horse & Hound, and she said the mare wasn’t quite right yesterday. A shame, but Team GBR still has four very strong team members.

11:18: Caroline Powell and Onwards and Upwards score 49.3, and Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof just finished their test as the sole combination competing for Belgium. We’re now on a quick break. Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights and Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee will both go in the next section. Keep it locked on EN!

11:05: Niklas Bschorer and Tom Tom Go 3 scored 43.8 as individuals for Germany to move into seventh place behind Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Caroline Powell and Onwards and Upwards just finished their test as individuals for New Zealand, and Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof are the final combination to go before the next break.

Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration! (#OTTBgotmoves) Photo by Jenni Autry.

10:57: Paul Tapner and Indian Mill scored 44.1 for Australia, which puts them in seventh behind Lauren and Veronica. Australia now only has three team members after Chris Burton withdrew Graf Liberty this morning. Peter Thomsen and Horseware’s Barny just finished their test as individuals for Germany, and Niklas Bschorer and Tom Tom Go 3 are next in, also as individuals for Germany.

10:50: Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration score 54.5 in for Team Canada! Holly said on Tuesday that she was aiming for a scoring in the mid- to low-50s with “Morris,” which is where he’s currently scoring at this level back home across the pond. The 10-year-old OTTB gelding handled his first overseas test beautifully. More comments coming from Holly soon!

10:40: A score of 43.6 for Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, which is their best score at a CIC3* in three years and trends below their average at this level. That moves the U.S. into fourth place in the team competition. I just talked to Lauren after her test, so stay tuned for her comments. Spoiler alert: She is very happy with Troll!

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica. Photo by Jenni Autry.

10:35: That’s the final halt and salute for Lauren Kieffer, who gives Veronica a pat. Mistake free and accurate. Now we await the score as Holly Jacks-Smither and More Inspiration circle the ring. They are making their overseas and team debut here at Aachen for Canada.

10:24: The scoreboard is showing a 39.9 for Michael and Halunke FBW, which puts them into third place provisionally. Michael Ryan and Dunlough Striker are about to start their canter tour now, and then Lauren Kieffer and Veronica will be next in the ring for Team USA!

10:21: Michael Jung and Halunke FBW just finished their test, and Michael Ryan and Dunlough Striker are in the ring now for Ireland. The Irish are competing with a three-man team after Mark Kyle and Jemilla’s last-minute withdrawal before yesterday’s horse inspection.

10:17: Jock Paget and Clifton Lush score 46.2. This horse had a lengthy break after sustaining an injury at Burghley in 2013 and rebounded beautifully this past spring to finish third at Badminton. He last competed at Aachen in 2013 but picked up 20 penalties on cross country, so Jock will be looking to improve on that!

10:13: Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Peter Parker score 49.7. We’ve had two scores in the 30s so far, but that may be set to change as Michael Jung and Halunke FBW enter the ring. This is a counting score for the German team. Michael is also competing his Strzegom CCI3* winner fischerTakinou as an individual.

10:07: Jock Paget and Clifton Lush are the second combination out for the Kiwi team. Jock needs a score of 50.3 or better to take the team lead from Great Britain in the early going of the Nations Cup. You can follow the team scoring at this link.

10:02: We’re back underway now with Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Peter Parker. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica are four pairs away, and I can see them in warm up behind me. Troll looks relaxed and in the zone, and Lauren just gave her a pat on the shoulder as they’re working in the canter. USA! USA! USA!

9:57: Fun observation during the break: I noticed on Tuesday while Ingrid was hacking Horseware Hale Bob that she was using a string girth. I hadn’t seen one of those in years! She used it during their test today, too. They’re currently leading, so clearly it’s working for her. Go string girths!

Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob are your leaders at the first break on 37.0. Photo by Jenni Autry.

9:51: Louise and Wieloch’s Utah Sun just wrapped up their test to take us to a 15-minute break. Alice Naber-Lozeman and ACSI Peter Parker will kick off us off after the break as the first combination out for the Dutch team.

9:45: Flora and Bayano score 44.5, which will slot them in fifth place just behind British teammates Francis Whittington and Easy Target. Louise Svensson Jähde and Wieloch’s Utah Sun are the final pair to go before the first break.

9:40: Flora Harris and Bayano just got a bit lost during the walk tour of their test but are recovering nicely. Bayano is coming off a win in the Bramham CCI3* in June — a lovely Dutch gelding that is a treat to watch on the flat. Love this horse.

9:36: Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon score 49.8 as individuals for Germany. That’s the highest score that horse has done at a CIC3* in the last three years, so that definitely gives an indication that’s it not easy out there. Definitely a good amount of atmosphere that has these horses buzzing.

9:30: Bettina and Designer 10 score 42.7 to slot into third place as we cruise through this first group on the order of go. You can click here to view the ride times and here to see live scores.

9:27: It’s a gorgeous morning here at Aachen, and the stands are starting to fill in. Lots of applause for Bettina Hoy as she completes an accurate test with Designer 10 — big pats for the horse. Perhaps lacking some of the expression and impulsion we saw from tests like Faerie Dianimo and Horseware Hale Bob.

9:20: We had a quick break due to Chris Burton and Graf Liberty’s scratch. Claas Hermann Romeike and Cato 60 just completed their test, and Betinna Hoy and Designer 10 are next in. Neither of those rides will count toward Germany’s team score.

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

9:10: Lynn Symansky is sitting on a very hot Flying Deer today in Donner and had to ride very tactfully to keep the lid on. They scored 49.9 as the first pair out for Team USA. Kudos to Lynn for toughing that one out.

9: Ingrid and Horseware Hale Bob answer back with a score of 37.0 to just sneak past Jonelle Price into first place. Ingrid is also competing this year’s Luhmühlen winner FRH Escada JS at Aachen, but Horseware Hale Bob is her mount for the team competition.

8:50: A score of 37.4 for Jonelle and Faerie Dianamo to easily cruise to the lead in the early going. Any guesses as to how many scores in the 30s we’ll see today from this class field?

8:45: It’s clear that it’s going to be a very exciting day of dressage here at Aachen! Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo just delivered a beautiful test for New Zealand. This pair is coming off a second place finish at Luhmühlen CCI4* in June.

Francis Whittington and Easy Target. Photo by Jenni Autry.

8:37: A lovely, accurate test from Francis and Smokey to score 43.4 — a great first team score for the Brits. Great Britain is the only country to have ever bested Germany in the Nations Cup here at Aachen, winning the team competition in 2011.

8:30: We’re underway! Francis Whittington and Catherine Witt’s Easy Target are first in the ring for Team GBR.

8:24: Unfortunately, Chris Burton has withdrawn Graf Liberty prior to the start of dressage. That will give Australia a three-man team for the competition.

Aachen CICO3* Cross Country Course Preview

By Jenni Autry on Aug 12, 2015 3:56 pm -

Fence 17AB — the coffin complex underwent a facelift this year. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Rüdiger Schwarz’s Aachen cross country course officially opened for walking this afternoon, so I scooted out of the media center before the horse inspection to snap photos and bring you all a front-row view of the track. The U.S. hasn’t competed here since 2013 (click here to see that year’s course), and Rüdiger has definitely made some key changes since then. Canada has never competed here, so it’s all going to be new for the Cannucks. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

The first three fences start out as they always do here at Aachen: flowing, gallopy elements to get horses and riders settled into a rhythm. The first question on course comes once again at fences 4 and 5, which this year are tables set on two mounds. With it being two years since I’ve been to Aachen, the most noticeable difference that jumped out to me at this point in the course is the quality of the turf and galloping lanes.

The first question on course comes at fences 4 and 5. Photo by Jenni Autry.

If you read my Aachen preview last week, then you know it’s been 10 years since eventing came to Aachen. This track was first laid out in 2005 for the test event for the 2006 World Equestrian Games, and eventing has returned to Aachen every year since. Fast forward 10 years, and you have turf that is continuing to improve each year the event runs. So kudos to the grounds crew, who were out there diligently punching the ground today while I walked. Your hard work is paying off.

The first water complex has in years past typically featured a combination with an imposing corner, which has brought numerous riders to grief over the years (including Marilyn Little when she competed here in 2013 for Team USA). This year, that combination is an inviting skinny rolltop to a wedge, which looks like it should ride fairly smoothly based on how it walks — or at least more smoothly than that corner did.

That pesky corner is gone from the first water complex this time around. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Horses and riders will then gallop on to the Normandy Bank complex, which in years past has featured more complicated questions like a skinny brush combination coming off the bank. This year, there’s just one brush corner coming off the bank instead of multiple elements. Next up is a series of single fences that showcase Rüdiger’s penchant for using landscaping to keep the riders honest to their lines. Both fences 14 and 15 feature sweeping lines of shrubbery that force you to make a plan and stick with it.

Fence 16 brings us to into the real meat of the course. There’s almost always a sharply angled combination at Aachen, and this year it takes the form of two skinny tractors that leave very little room for error (though these fences are very nicely presented with good ground lines). Remember that Michael Jung and Sam made one hell of a save at the angled fences in 2013, and Paul Tapner and Kilronan also pulled off a super save last year. This combination regularly surprises the world’s best.

The angled combinations are almost always a game-changer here at Aachen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

If horses and riders make it through there unscathed, then they kick on to the coffin complex at fence 17, which sports a difference look this year with an owl hole as the out element. Then comes the second water complex at fences 19 and 20. Riders will splash through the water first before jumping a table on the turf at fence 19, then they’ll make a sharp lefthand turn to 20AB. Remember how I said that tricky corner was missing from the first water complex? It’s now on the back half of the course at 20B. #surprise

Next up is a right-pointed brush corner to an inviting open oxer at fence 22ABC, the final combination before riders enter the electric main stadium, where Friday’s promising weather forecast will almost certainly attract thousands of cheering, screaming fans. The final four fences are virtually identical to how they appeared in 2013, meant to give the spectators a great viewing experience at the end of the course.

Surprise! That corner in the water isn’t gone for good. It’s just been relocated to the second water complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Horses and riders will jump over a table at fence 23 as they enter the main stadium, followed by a lefthand turn to the third and final water complex at fences 24 and 25 — a sizable brush jump in, an up bank out, and then on to a narrow brush — before pressing on to the last fence, a brush table, at fence 26.

There’s plenty here to keep horses and riders on their toes, and the last half of the course is definitely stacked with combinations that leave little room for error. Paul Tapner, who is competing this weekend on Indian Mill, hailed Aachen a “CIC4*” in last week’s episode of the Eventing Radio Show, and that’s a pretty accurate moniker for the track. You just never know what’s going to happen at Aachen, and that’s half the fun of being here to see it all live.

The good news for everyone watching back home is that I have been assured by the good people at ClipMyHorse.tv that cross country will stream live in all countries outside Germany on Friday. So plan to tune in at this website at 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. EST) to watch Team USA, Team Canada and a slew of the world’s best eventing competitors battle it out around Rüdiger’s track. Stay tuned for much more from Aachen. Go Eventing.

#Aachen2015: Website, Entries, Schedule, Aachen Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

: The start box! Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 1: Gut Kuckesrath. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 2: Double Hedge. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking through the trees to fence 3. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 3: Oxer. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking up the hill to fence 4: The Camel Humps Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 4: The Camel Humps Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fences 4 and 5: The Camel Humps Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking up the mound to fence 5: The Camel Humps Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 6: Hay Rack. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 6 and looking to fence 7 on the right. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: The bridge in the first water complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 7: Rolex Park Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking over fence 7 to fence 8A. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 8A: Rolex Park Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 8AB: Rolex Park Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 9b looking to fence 9

: Fence 9: Harvester Cart. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 10: The Hurdle. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 11AB: Normandy Bank. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking over fence 11B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Down the hill from fence 11B. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 11C at the Normandy Bank. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Looking to the main stadium from Fence 11. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: The galloping lanes after fence 11. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 12: Oxer. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 13: Bullfinch. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Landscaping at fence 14. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 14: The Wildbach Stairs. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Landscaping at fence 15. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 15: Farm Yard. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 16AB: The Coffin. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 16AB: The Coffin. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 16b to the coffin at fence 17. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 17AB — the coffin complex underwent a facelift this year. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 17B at The Coffin. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 18: Farm Yard. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: The riders will splash through the water before going to fence 19. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 19: Double Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 19 with 20AB in the background. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 20AB: Double Water Comple. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 20AB: Double Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 20B looking to fence 21 on the right. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 21: Double Water Complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 22A: Oxer and Corner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 22ABC: Oxer and Corner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 22BC: Oxer and Corner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 23: Fruit Table. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 24: Pond in the Main Stadium. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: The jump into the water over fence 24 at the final water complex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 25AB: Pond in the Main Stadium. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Side view of fence 25AB. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Fence 26: The Way to Blair Castle 2015. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: The finish! Photo by Jenni Autry.

All Horses Pass Inspection at Aachen CICO3*

By Jenni Autry on Aug 12, 2015 12:28 pm -

Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We just wrapped up a quick 30-minute horse inspection here at Aachen CICO3*, where all horses presented to the ground jury of Martin Plewa (GER), Sue Baxter (GBR) and Sándor Fülöp (HUN) passed. Despite appearing on the official jog order, Mark Kyle unfortunately did not present Jemilla for Ireland, and Izzy Taylor did not present Allercombe Ellie for Great Britain. That sends 43 horses and riders in total forward to tomorrow’s dressage.

The trot up clipped along without any drama, aside from some of the horses presenting out of order, which always keeps the journalists holding their breath to see if someone is actually a no show or just freestyling with the jog order. Last year’s Aachen winners and current World Champions Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo went out of order by several horses but — phew! — they will return to defend their title.

Team USA looked sharp down the jog strip. Lauren Kieffer and Lynn Symansky wore navy blazers with white jeans and light brown boots. First-time team member Colleen Rutledge also wore the navy blazer but mixed things up with a smashing pair of cream slacks and nude heels that complimented Covert Rights’ light bay coat very nicely. Phillip Dutton rocked the navy blazer and khaki combo with Fernhill Cubalawn.

Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Holly Jacks-Smither has been battling a sprained ankle since she rolled it last week before flying over to Germany, but she looked very sound down the jog strip today in making her team debut for Canada. Canadian team therapist and vet Usha Knabe has been taking excellent care of the horses but also helping Holly with her ankle by taping it and using acupuncture.

Riddle Master looked very handsome in the late afternoon sun with Rebecca Howard at his side, and she and Holly both looked super in the same salmon pink top. Kathryn Robinson also looked great in red jeans and a flowing white blouse, going down the strip alongside Let It Bee with her game face on; she looks very ready for redemption following the Pan American Games. Go Canada!

Real talk for a minute: Who DOESN’T have a crush on Wesko? Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ring familiarization is underway now for the eventers. The big main stadium is pulsing as the the first half of the team final and individual qualifier for the 2015 European Dressage Championships wraps up, and then the parties will get pumping at the many bars and restaurants here on the grounds. Aachen is like Disney World for horse people.

I walked the cross country course just before the horse inspection started and will be bringing you those photos next. If you missed my update from this morning, which has an interview with Team USA Coach David O’Connor and lots of photos, click here to catch up. Keep checking back to this post for more photos from the horse inspection. Click over to Instagram to see more jog photos. Click here for ride times.

#Aachen2015: Website, Entries, Dressage Order of Go, Schedule, Aachen Preview, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

: Holly Jacks-Smither: Accepted despite a sprained ankle. This girl is tough! Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Lauren Kieffer said Veronica has been feeling very sassy and ready to go, and she certainly looked it at the horse inspection! Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee: Game faces ON! Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Real talk for a minute: Who DOESN’T have a crush on Wesko? Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Paul Tapner and Indian Mill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Chris Burton and Graf Liberty. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Peter Thomsen and Horseware’s Barny. Photo by Jenni Autry.

: Alice Naber-Lozeman flashed ACSI Peter Parker a sweet smile down the jog strip. Photo by Jenni Autry.

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