In Tuesday’s news and notes, Annie wrote about Nina Ligon’s purchase of this year’s Luhmuhlen champion, Euroridings Butts Leon. Woodburn’s passing overshadowed that story, but it is a decisive move to accomplish what I think is a very admirable goal–going to the Olympics. I’m very jealous but also very happy for Nina because she is one of the hardest workers I know. In eventing you need countless things to come together to succeed, but having enough sound big-time horses is at the top of the list.
As I look at the best horses for the United States, I wonder how many sound big-time horses we will have next July. The good news is that US training list rider Julian Stiller added an incredibly talented horse to her arsenal this week when she bought the German European Games long listed horse Charlie Weld from Kai Ruder. As we all know, Joules is based in the UK at her own beautiful Headley Stud farm and she was named to the USEF training list earlier this summer.
Charlie Weld is a 9 year old Hanovarian and one of the top Olympic prospect horses in all of Europe. He won the Le Lion d’Angers 7 year old world championship CCI2*, and then won the Bramham CCI3* this June with Kai Ruder.
I spoke with Julian about her new ride and she said that she is particularly excited because Kai does such a good job producing horses to the top level. Kai sold Julian her previous top London prospect horse, *Carolinas, who was sadly injured this spring. Joules said that she will wait to see how a first few intermediate competitions go before making an autumn plan, but Boekelo might be in the future for Charlie Weld.
I wrote about visiting the amazing Headley Stud during my trip to England earlier this summer, and it truly is an incredible training facility. Joules also has a great coach in Mark Todd. With the addition of Charlie Weld to her other numerous advanced horses, she likely has one of the top 15 best arsenals of horses in the world, and she is putting all of the right pieces together to be a top rider for the US for a long time.
Anyone looking to upgrade their eventing arsenal for the Olympics has until the end of the year to do so and vice versa for anyone looking to sell their top horse. But frankly, after the recent sales of Mensa, Euroridings Butts Leon, and Charlie Weld, there just aren’t that many truly world class horses left on the market.
When Phillip and Woodburn set out on the cross-country course, they were almost guaranteed to produce a double-clear and skyrocket up the leader board. He was one of the best cross-country horses ever ridden by one of the best cross-country riders ever, and it was an absolute privilege to watch them go to work. Like watching Michael Jordan play basketball or Peyton Manning throw a football, people will tell their grandchildren about getting to watch them to compete live. I have often said that if eventing had still had the long-format Woodburn never would have lost a three-day. We’ll miss you Woodburn, but we will always remember your gallop. Here are a few videos looking back at Woodburn’s prolific career:
Phillip has posted a wonderful tribute to his great partner who was euthanized last night. It reads in part:
“…The feeling of coming out of the start box on Woodburn with him rising up with confidence to take on each jump was such a privilege. He was a highly strung athlete that was potentially brilliant in whatever he did. He excited everyone that worked with him because of his amazing talent and potential in each phase. I have experienced so much disappointment and sadness this year, but this seems to have effected me more because of how good he was and how good he could have been.
Everyone associated with Woodburn is so devastated, none more so than his groom of many years and best friend, Emma Ford. My thoughts and prayers are with her. So many people helped him through his career in this country including Liz Millikin, Emily Basheer, Kevin Keane, Brendon Furlong, Steve Tiechman, Katie and Henri Prudent, Lauren Hough, Oded Shimoni, Mark Phillips and Sara Ike. I also want to thank on mine and his behalf his owners Jess, Sharon and Robyn Sweely, Annie Jones and Mardie Faucette.“
As Phillip points out, the pair incredibly never had a single cross-country jumping fault. Read Phillip’s full remembrance at [PhillipDutton.com]
It shocks saddens me to write that one of the best athletes in the history of eventing has passed away. Phillip Dutton’s World Equestrian Games mount Woodburn passed away on Tuesday at the New Bolton Center veterinary hospital at the University of Pennsylvania from what is believed to be internal bleeding. I spoke with Phillip, who told me that his stable manager Emma Ford arrived at True Prospect Farm early Tuesday morning and could immediately tell that Woodburn was in distress. Phillip’s vet, Kevin Keane, quickly arrived and Woodburn was rushed to New Bolton. Woodburn got to New Bolton as quickly as he could, but the team of vets was ultimately unable to save him from the internal bleeding that is suspected to have originated in his spleen. A necropsy will be performed to learn more.
To simply stand by Woodburn in his stall was to behold eventing greatness and watching him gallop across the cross-country was so much more. Phillip expressed it best by noting “It’s fair to say that I will never ride a better cross-country horse. He had great speed, endurance, athleticism, and he was very clever. He was the entire package.”
Phillip told me that he was still in shock, and Eventing Nation’s well wishes reach out to the entire True Prospect team. In many ways, Woodburn was a king in that barn and he was deeply loved by everyone at TPF. The 15 year old thoroughbred competed at Rolex 3 times, finishing 10th, 12th, and then 2nd in 2010, and he represented the United States at the WEGs in October of that year. Woodburn was having a light year after the WEGs and was on track to possibly representing the United States at the London Olympics in 2012.
I just spoke with Denny Emerson’s wife, May, who told me that they have just received word from the doctors that Denny will not need neck surgery following his cross-country fall at the Stoneleigh Burnham Horse Trials on Sunday. As May said, Denny is incredibly fortunate. Denny broke his C1 vertebrae, but he was able to move immediately following the accident and remarkably did not receive damage to his spinal chord. Denny is currently at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in New Hampshire with a halo rig to relieve any pressure on his spine.
The great news is that Denny is expected to make a full recovery after 3 months. Denny will be moving out of the special care section of the hospital soon, likely tonight. The big challenge so far is that the doctors have not completely figured out the pain medicine regiment yet, so Denny is in a great deal of pain and he is not receiving visitors.
The eventing community can breathe a big sigh of relief knowing that Denny has been given two thumbs up from the doctors. Thank you to May for taking a few minutes out of a very busy and hectic day to speak with me and we continue to wish Denny the best on his road to recovery. Go Denny.
Good afternoon Eventing Nation. Hopefully it is both sunnier and cooler where you are than here at the Eventing Nation command center. The past 24 hours have been a bit of a roller coaster in terms of eventing news with some good and some bad and frankly I can’t wait to get to the weekend and get to write about the events. I haven’t heard an update from Denny and his connections, but Denny has a number of ways to get in touch with his countless fans when he wants to and we’ll post an update when he does. From everything unofficial I have heard about his fall, its seems like Denny was up and alert after the fall, which is always the most important thing. Now for a few links…
Grace Pilkington, and her mother Deborah were driving in New Hampshire on their way to the Area I young rider eventing camp at GMHA on Sunday afternoon with their horse Hershey in a bumper pull trailer when they noticed what looked like smoke coming from the trailer. The smoke was actually steam coming from a water cooler that had caught fire. Deborah and Grace quickly parked the trailer on the side of the highway and they rushed back to the trailer to find that the front of the trailer was on fire. Grace, just 14 years old, rushed into the burning trailer and guided Hershey out with Deborah helping from behind. 8 foot high flames soon engulfed the trailer, but neither Grace nor Deborah was injured and Hershey escaped with just a singed fetlock thanks to Grace’s heroism.
As is often the case with heroic moments, Grace told the Nashua Telegraph newspaper “I wasn’t really thinking.” She just wanted to save her horse. Hershey spent Sunday night at the farm of an off-duty Nashua County Fire Rescue lieutenant. Deborah and Grace were struck by the kindness of everyone involved, including around 15 drivers who stopped to help and a local veterinarian who checked Hershey for injuries. The fire fighters reportedly stopped traffic on the highway to let Hershey graze in the median.
On Monday, Grace, Hershey, and Deborah continued on to the GMHA young rides camp, although Hershey will get the week off. Grace and Hershey finished 5th at the Fitch’s Corner Area I novice championship last week. Deborah said that she has nicknamed Grace “Boyd Martin” for her decision to run into the burning trailer to save Hershey.
It’s been at least 24 hours since we have posted a helmet cam video, so let’s take a look back at Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Indie at the Stuart preliminary a few weeks ago, via Brant Gamma Photography and Toklat Equestrian Products. Jennie and Indie finished in 3rd on their dressage score.
Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz’s CIC2* helmet cam video is also online, although embedding has been disabled. They finished in 5th and are of course entered at Burghley. [Shiraz Helmet Cam Video]
Eventing Nation sends our well wishes and a massive “get well soon” to Denny Emerson. Denny had a fall at the Stoneleigh Burnham Horse Trials on Sunday in Greenfield, Massachusetts. According to Denny’s Facebook page, he is in the hospital with a neck/back injury and they are waiting to decide if surgery is necessary. He is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, NH. The Stoneleigh scores show Denny with a fall in the Novice division from Diamond Camilla, and the word is that he stood up after his fall. We will of course update you as more is learned. Denny is a personal hero of mine and he has touched the lives of countless US eventers, and he is still competing at 70 years young. Get well soon Denny from all of us at EN!
Now for your eventing news and notes. Fair warning, as you have already seen, today is a mixed bag of good news and bad news.
–Get out your tea and crumpets Eventing Nation and let’s talk about Burghley. Christmas comes early in England my friends. And no, that doesn’t mean elfing anyone. Burghley.tv is going to offer online video of every Burghley dressage, cross-country, and show jumping ride for free. There goes 4 consecutive days of Coren’s life. All you have to do is fill out a registration form as the event approaches. As we all know, there are currently 13 North American pairs entered–10 from the US and 3 from Canada. Get ready because I’m going to list them all: Twizzel, Titanium, Shiraz, Rafferty’s Rules, Pawlow, Neville Bardos, Manoir De Carneville, Icarus, Chapel Amble, Andromaque, Exponential, Gin & Juice, and Madison Park. The Canadians will fly out on the 22nd of August, and the US horses on the 25th, off the top of my head. The USEF has awarded Burghley grants and will offer placing incentives for the US pairs, so in that sense also Christmas comes early. One way or another, we are less than 30 days away from the start of the competition with the hardest cross-country course in all of eventing. [Entries, One Month to Bughley from HJU]
–My search continues for videos from Young Riders. A commenter on Monday pointed out that the USEF Network has some free video coverage of Young Riders. Click the link and then look in the scrolling sidebar for the XC videos. [USEF Network]
–Millbrook is the big event for the upper levels in the US this weekend. In the UK, Gatcombe will be making headlines with the British Open Championship for eventing. Five previous British Open champions will be competing at Gatcomb, and Samantha will be at Gatcombe as part of her UK homecoming tour. [Gatcombe field, Horsetalk]
–In case you aren’t already sick of Burghley in this post yet, a ton of Burghley horses will be running this weekend. Titanium, Shiraz, Neville, Icarus are all running at Millbrook, and Pawlow, Andromaque, are entered at Gatcombe. For most of these horses is will be their last run before the big dance.
–The European Pony Championships ran over this past weekend in Poland. The Frenchies won with 157.7 penalties, with the Irish taking silver, just 0.1 points back. The Brits took bronze with 159.2. [BE happy]
–Apparently dressage judges get long listed just like riders. 11 five-star judges have been long listed for the London Olympics. A blind draw of the long listed judges will take place at the FEI September 23rd. To improve your chances of being randomly selected, please mail anonymous donations with your name to the FEI headquarters. 9 of the long listed judges are from Europe. [List]
–Your USEA events that are opening today: The Meadows of Moorpark HT, Corona Del Sol, Flying Cross, Windy Wyoming HT, Dunnabeck HT, Marlborough, GMHA, Plantation Field, Coconino, and the Equestrians Institute CT. Yes, I did have to look that up.
–We have a few great fundraiser shout-outs. The North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association is hosting their annual eBay fundraiser auction to help send their riders to the AECs in Chattahoochee Hills. Click here to view the auction items, which are all identified by “NCDCTA AEC Fundraiser” in the title.
–The second fundraiser is for Colleen Cobia, who is the DC for the Wasatch Pony Club, the organizer for Golden Spike Horse Trials in Utah, and a great asset to Area IX. Colleen was schooling a young horse before heading to Lexington for the Pony Club Nationals, and she was bucked off. She has a severe spinal cord injury and is currently is currently paralyzed from the chest down. The good folks of Area IX are are putting a on an eBay fundraiser, including some Rebecca Farm posters signed by many riders, officials, and coaches. Click here and here to bid on the posters and Eventing Nation wishes Colleen a speedy recovery.
–Pennfield has a new dealer in Middlebury, Vermont: Eastern Hay and Grain. If you are in the area be sure to check out Eastern Hay and Grain and, as always, go to the Pennfield dealer search to find a dealer near you.
Lastly, I leave you with a video tribute to Silva Martin’s father, Christoph Stigler, who passed away recently. We continue to wish the Martin family all the best in this very tough time.
That’s all for now, hopefully today will bring good news from Denny. His Facebook and the forums are lighting up with well wishes. As always, wherever you might be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Go Denny.
Welcome to a brand new week and a brand new month on Eventing Nation. It’s brand new like that great smell when you open a fresh can of tennis balls. Of the 8 USEA events this coming weekend, Millbrook Horse Trials stands out with a packed entry list, particularly in the advanced. But, before we jump ahead of ourselves, here’s a look at a few horse trials from last weekend all over Eventing Nation.
Video of Colleen Rutledge from the Jersey Horse Trials [Jersey Scores]:
We posted this Sunday morning, but it’s the only good look at the young riders XC I have found online:
The Flying Kyle Carters of Area III had a great day of show jumping, adding just 1.8 penalties to their cross-country score to move up from second and take the team gold in the Young Riders CH-Y**. Today was an almost exact repeat performance of young riders last year, when Area III moved up from third to win the two-star in the show jumping. Area V nearly had a sweep of the team golds, but the Area V & IX team slid to second with three rails down. Canada brought home two bronze team medals today with a third place finish for Team Canada in the 2* combined with Team Ontario’s bronze in the 1*.
Team 2* Results:
1. Area III +1.8 168.6 2. Area V & Area IX +12 178.2 3. Team Canada +25 233.2
There were big movements in the individual competition show jumping as well. Dynamic Image and Devon Brown of Area III had a one rail margin by the time they entered the arena, but they didn’t need it and jumped a double clear to maintain the gold. Jacob Fletcher and Falcon Splash from Area V moved all the way up from 7th after the cross-country to win silver. Jacob and Falcon Splash just missed the medals in 2010, when they finished 5th in the young riders 2*, and it’s great to see them take home silver today. Sarah Kamensky and Urlanmore Beauty jumped six places to win the bronze.
Individual 2* Results:
1. Devon Brown and Dynamic Image +0 50.5 2. Jacob Fletcher and Falcon Splash +0 57.2 3. Sarah Kamensky and Urlanmore Beauty +0 58.4 4. Rowdie Jo Adams and No Money Down +4 58.5 5. Libby Head and Sir Rockstar +0 59.7 6. Joelle Baskerville and Malibu +8 62.4 7. Arden Wildasin and Totally Awesome Bosco +0 62.4
The 2nd through 5th finishers were separated by just 2.5 points. I hope all the riders define their weekend by much more than whether or not they went home with a medal, because ultimately that was determined by such an incredibly close margin–a few seconds on the cross country, an inch in the show jumping. Go eventing.
Area V dominated the young rider’s one-star championship by winning the team competition by 20 points and taking home the individual gold medal .courtesy of Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay.
There were some big scores put up early in the young-riders CH-J* show jumping, but the higher placed riders stepped their game up with 3 of the last 7 rides having double-clears. Alyssa Phillips and Sundace Bay of Area V jumped one of those double-clears and moved up from 2nd to win the gold. Overnight leaders Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin from Ontario pulled one rail and will go home with the silver. The 3rd placed rider after the cross-country, Victoria New and Bally Whatnot, had a heartbreaking fall in the show jumping but they will still take home a gold for being part of the winning Area V team. Brooke Pickering and Abbey Rode moved all the way up from 9th after the dressage to finish with bronze.
Young Rider Individual One-Star Results:
1. Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay +0 52.7 2. Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin +4 56.3 3. Brook Pickering and Abbey Rode +0 56.7 4. Zachary Brandt and Cavallino Cocktail +0 58.8
Area V added just 8 show jumping penalties for their 3 final counted riders in the show jumping to take team gold by 20 points. Area VI finished in second with 16 show jumping penalties added. Team Ontario will take home the bronze medal.
Team CH-J* Results:
1. Area V +21.1 184.4 2. Area VI +16 205.2 3. Ontario +28 219.8
Congrats to all of the riders in the one-star on a wonderful weekend of competition, whatever the final result. The CH-Y** division is just about to start. It’s going to be an exciting finish with the top 3 riders are separated by less that a rail, and the top 2 teams by just 0.6 points. Good luck to all of the competitors and go eventing.
As a follow up to our story yesterday about Nina Ligon competing at the Pardubice three-day in the Czech Republic, Nina had a mixed day in the show jumping. Jazz King jumped a clean show jumping round to win by a big margin in the CIC3*. On the other hands, Tipperary Liadhnan pulled 4 rails to drop to 6th in the CCI3*. Only considering Paddy’s history, 4 rails is not unexpected. The good news is that this is Nina’s first big show jumping ride with him, and a 6th place finish at a CCI3* is a quality finish for any pair, especially after racking up a CIC3* win. Apparently Paddy was stung by something on his stifle so there was some question if he would jog Sunday morning. Nina’s coach, Kim Severson reported that Nina gave both horses a great ride. Both Jazz King and Paddy fly back to the United States on Friday. At the time of writing this, a complete final scores page had not been posted online.
EN Blogger and Jersey Fresh CCI2* Lisa Marie Fergusson returns this afternoon with a recap of the Stuart Horse Trials and a look ahead to moving up at Millbrook as part of her quest to win $15,000 by placing first at the Fair Hill CCI3* this autumn. Since the Jersey CCI3* winner, Andrea Leatherman, sold the beautiful Mensa to Carl Bouckaert, Lisa is the only remaining rider in the Bit of Britain Challenge. Thanks Lisa for writing this and to Bit of Britain and John Nunn for sponsoring the challenge. Bit of Britain’s sister companies Nunn Finer and Tack of the Day have been EN sponsors from the very beginning and for that we are incredibly grateful. —-
From Lisa:
Hello once again to all EN readers, Lisa and Smartie ( Smart Move) here with an update on our journey toward our Bit of Britain Challenge at Dansko Fair Hill being held in Elkton MD this October. Before I start, just a quick shout out to Bit of Britain, who since my last post has furthered their commitment to helping motivate and provide incentives for the hard working riding community with their newest of challenges, the “Chase the Challenge Across America”. I don’t know much about them but I do love a company that gives back to our sport.
Since our last update Smartie is back at work and has successfully completed his first event back. For those of you who have not had the opportunity or the pleasure of competing at the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials, put it on your calendar for 2012. It really is a fantastic event that is very well organized, very well attended and have excellent cross country courses for all levels. At the competitors’ party I chatted with Bonnie, one of the land owners, for quite a bit. She shared with me a great story of the humble beginnings of the event which started with a maximum capacity of 26 competitors and has grown into one of the great Eastern US events. Wonderful people, outstanding facility and an excellent event, I can’t say enough good things about it. As you have probably already heard the ground was unusually hard at Cosequin this year, and I think most everyone was either really conservative on the cross country course or simply scratched all together. Smartie and I chose to run conservatively and benefit from a great technical course but not to worry about making time. As it turned out Smartie was still pretty quick with just 4 time faults but he felt more adjustable and rideable than ever, I simply let him choose a comfortable pace and we went with that. The courses were designed by Derek di Grazia, and if you have had the chance to run any of his courses, Derek finds a way to ask all the questions but does not try to trick you or your horse. It’s a great challenge and confidence builder for a horse and rider combination at the appropriate level. I ran my young horse, Tali (Honor Me,) at Novice level, it was his first recognized show, and the cross country had quite a few challenging questions that you rarely see at that level, like a corner and a full coffin, which I thought was great. Overall Smartie and I had a good show, finishing third, and got back on track after taking a well deserved month off.
Smartie’s next excellent adventure…… Millbrook Advanced.
Smartie is a cross country machine and has boldly galloped around some of the more challenging intermediate cross country courses. He is an extremely brave and scopey horse, and – at only 7 yrs old – is still growing and developing. He is continually getting stronger and more rideable, but he is a horse that likes a challenge, and a cookie…or two! Smartie’s attitude is “bring it on”….which is the best feeling in the world as you get set to gallop out of the start box! I really believe he is up for the challenge and that the move up won’t faze him at all. I have talked with several competitors who feel that Millbrook is a great event to make the move to Advanced. I guess we will know soon enough.
This year Smartie has proven himself at the 2* level with solid performances each time out and I truly believe he is ready and has earned the opportunity to give Advanced a go. However, Advanced really is a whole other level, so we will take it one stride at a time and will keep you posted and let you know how it goes and yes…GO EVENTING!
All the horses passed the final horse inspection at young riders Sunday morning. Clare Green and Windbrook were held, and Scott Kuhlman and Savannah Fulton withdrew their horses after the jog-up, according to the USEA. The weather in Lexington is beautiful and sunny with a high of 90 predicted. [USEA Jog Report, Photos]
New young riders champions will be crowned when the show jumping begins at 1:00pm with the CCI* and then the CCI**. We’re having a couple of technical difficulties at the EN command center this morning, but we’ll hopefully be back right after the show jumping with a full report. Click for scores:
In his Saturday recap, Jon Holling steps his game up and delivers a message that, even two years removed from the young riders ranks, resonates with me as a rider who never accomplished my young riders goals while I had a horse who definitely should have. Thanks for writing this Jon and thank you for reading. —- Area V waiting out the afternoon thunderstorms, photo via Emma Kate Fisher
From Jon:
Cross Country day is in the books for the 2011 NAJYRC. I must say that overall the level of riding was very good today. It is encouraging to see so many good riding kids in our sport. This was particularly evident in the two star division. I can honestly say that there is no way I could have kept up with some of these riders when I was their age. The two star track had trouble scattered around in a few places, but as a good course should it rewarded good bold riding. The riders that came out and attacked the course in a controlled manner were predominately rewarded for it in the end. Obviously, big hats off to Devon Brown, Joelle Baskerville, and Kendyl Tracy, they all had great rides and are at the top of the leader board for a reason. I really feel the need to mention Lizzie Snow as well. I did not see her ride today, but I did hear she was doing everything she could to keep a lid on Coal Creek. Coal Creek is an exceptional athlete and I am certain that Lizzie will get this partnership back on track in short order. I had penciled them in last week as the individual gold and I am sure if they are given time that they will achieve great things together. The team competition is very close, and I expect a very exciting day tomorrow. Area V and IX have a razor thin lead over my home area III. I am disappointed that our Area IV, VII and VI team did not have a better day. Unfortunately that is the way it goes sometimes in the sport of Eventing, I know we will get them next time.
The one star competition actually got some of the best weather of the day. The clouds came in and kept things a bit cooler. Again, great job to the top three in this division. Sable Giesler, Alyssa Phillips, and Victoria New all finished with great clear rounds over what I felt was a very legitimate one star track. The team competition is tight in this division as well. Area V has a good lead on VI and team Ontario, but I would think it will all come down to the show jumping. The standings have a way of moving around on Sunday. It is always interesting to watch what pressure from big competitions does to riders. Some of these kids are able to block out everything and just do their jobs. Others can actually take the pressure and turn it into motivation to focus and perform at their best. Others unfortunately will crack and make crucial mistakes. To those who had a day they would like to forget, I would like to assure you that pressure is most definitely something you can learn to deal with. You’re all event riders and the amount of stress you are under at NAJYRC is huge. To those at the top I say great job and enjoy your success until about nine o’clock tonight. Then go to sleep and get ready for tomorrow. To those at the bottom, remember to keep your chin up, pat your horse and get ready for next time your moment to shine is coming I guarantee it. I often hear people tell the riders at NAJYRC that they are all champions. I think that gets lost on the kids somehow. I know I never bought it when I rode at this competition, but trust me everyone that is here has earned their spot. So assuming the rain subsides, I expect to see some superb dancing at the party tonight. And watch out because Caiden has taught me a few new moves.
This week Tamra Smith was named to the Pan American short list with Mar De Amor. Just a few days before she competed at The Event at Rebecca Farm with the help of the Rebecca Broussard International Developing Riders Travel Grant. Tamra was kind enough to send us this post about her experience and the inspiration of spending a weekend remembering Rebecca Broussard. —-
From Tamra:
Last weekend at Rebecca Farm was full of everything that comes with eventing and competing. But it also was full of remembering a staple in our sport, Rebecca Broussard. We spent the week remembering a wonderful woman who was instrumental to the sport of eventing. It was inspiring to hear her beliefs, the story of her life, and what she brought to fruition. I never knew Mrs. Broussard well, but I could see the passion she had for our sport and helping people.
The Rebecca Broussard International Developing Riders Grant was developed in her memory. This grant will be awarded to help developing riders travel and compete at Rebecca Farm each year. Candidates that travel and compete at Rebecca Farm will then go on and interview for an international grant. Each year $30,000 will be awarded to one individual to help them achieve there goals of riding at the top level of the sport of eventing and help them get that much closer to competing for Team USA.
I was fortunate to receive a travel grant to help with competing at Rebecca Farm. I then interviewed with the USEA Endowment Trust committee for the international grant and although I was nervous I quickly became intrigued with what I learned about Mrs. Broussard and her vision for the sport of eventing. This woman helped so many people start and continue their careers. Her generosity both within there local community and the eventing community is astronomical.
I asked what Mrs. Broussard’s vision was….and what I mostly got out of the committee’s response was that Becky wants to keep this sport alive! I reflected on that and thought to myself, what can I do to keep eventing alive? I love this sport. It has kept me up in my darkest days and kicked me right back down when I needed that. It has been what saved me and raised me from a kid to a woman, and it created most of my lifelong friendships.
I was reminded by Mrs. Broussard’s example to try and help promote eventing! No matter how big or small our contribution is……eventing needs a rebirth! We need to pick our sport up and believe again! Believe that we have brilliant horses with talented riders and supportive owners and sponsors! And mostly an amazing supportive community! We need to have pride and even when the going is not going well we need the eventing community to stick behind this sport and pick it up, instead of pointing fingers. There are too many people in this world who thrive on failures, our country sure isn’t about that and neither is eventing!
Let’s create what I had as I watched the 1984 Olympics. I sat on my living room floor and said, “I wanna go to the Olympics and represent my country!” We need that passion back in this sport again.
So when someone looks at you and says….you are an eventer!? Say: yes, and we have the best equine athletes in the world, we have the toughest competitors in equestrian sports, and know that we have the most supportive community in any sport because we know how hard it is to lead from start to finish, and sometimes the under dog comes from nowhere and wins, sometimes the best of the best wins, but there is one thing for sure in eventing…..you never know!
Keep kicking on…and let’s do our part to bring eventing ALIVE!
There’s another North American based young rider competing this weekend, but she’s riding on the other side of the world. Thailand’s Nina Ligon stayed in England after the Olympic test event with Jazz King and her new ride Tipperary Liadhnan while things are relatively quiet here in the US in terms of competitions. Nina is competing to gain experience and all-important FEI points because the Asia FEI region will likely only get to send one or two ridersto the Olympics next year and who is sent will be based on points acquired by top placings at FEI competitions.
It’s so far so good for Nina as she leads the CIC3* at the Pardubice event in the Czech Republic after the cross-country aboard Jazz King. She also sits second in the CCI3* with Tipperary Liadhnan. Nina has a 10 point lead on Jazz King, but Paddy is in second by just one point. Good luck to Nina in the show jumping tomorrow, I’ll be rocking my Thai eventing hat.
The weather finally relented in Lexington with a cloudy but dry Saturday morning providing a great setting for the Young Riders cross-country. There were some big movements on the scoreboards and a few falls, but overall it was a great day of cross-country.
I spoke briefly with David O’Connor, who spent the morning watching the horses gallop across the young rider courses that he designed. David said that he felt the 2* course in particular was a very tough track with many new questions this year. He gave credit to a field of quality horses and good riders in the 2* for negotiating the course really well.
There were a few scattered issues and falls throughout both courses, but the problems did not seem to be focused on any one jump or complex. For example, overnight 1* leaders Florence Miller and Tuscan Sun had a tough fall at a lone cabin that was not part of a complex, but both are fine. Coal Creek ran away with Lizzie Snow a bit in the 2*, but again both are fine.
David told me that the 2* horses were finishing a bit hot (around 104 and 105 degrees). The 2* horses had to gallop all the way up the hill to the quarry for a new question this year. Although the 1* horses rode after the 2*, they finished cooler. None of the horses looked like they were struggling home, partially thanks to good fortune with the weather, and partially thanks to smart riding.
On the scoreboard, Area V widened their narrow lead after the dressage to a healthy 25.9 points by adding an incredibly impressive 1.2 XC penalties for the 3 counted team scores. Area VI moved up from 4th and now holds the silver medal position going into the show jumping, and team Ontario slid one spot to third.
CH-J* Team XC Results:
1. Area V +1.2 163.3 2. Area VI +10.9 189.2 3. Ontario +28.0 191.8
There were 10 double-clears in the young riders one-star division and the most notable belongs to Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin. They moved up from 3rd to take the lead. There were a few issues in the one-star. Of the 26 starters, 4 didn’t complete the course, and 5 finished with at least a stop.
CH-J* Individual XC Results:
1. Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin +0 52.3 2. Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay +1.2 52.7 3. Victoria New and Bally Whatnot +0 53.7 4. Brook Pickering and Abbey Road +0 56.7
The CIC2* cross-country rode much more smoothly, with only two riders not completing the course and just 4 others having a stop. Overnight leaders Dynamic Image and Devon Brown of Area III extended their lead slightly with one of 8 double-clears for the 2* division. Devon and Dynamic Image will go into the show jumping with a 3.9 point lead ahead of Joelle Bakersville and Malibu.
CH-Y** Individual XC Results:
1. Dynamic Image and Devon Brown +0 50.5 2. Joelle Baskerville and Malibu +2.0 54.4 3. Kendyl Tracy and Ever So Lucky +0 54.5
The dressage leading Area III team traded places with the Area V & IX team, and they will go into the show jumping just 0.6 points apart. Team Canada is well back in 3rd, but the red and white looks to be in strong position to medal in both the 1* and 2*.
CH-Y** Team XC Results:
1. Area V & IX +0 166.2 2. Area III +4.8 166.8 3. Team Canada +37.5 208.2
The show jumping is shaping up to be a nail biting finish on Sunday. In the one-star, the top three riders are separated by less than a rail, although the Area V team has a big lead in the team competition. In the two-star, the top three riders are separated by less than a rail, factoring in cross-country times, and the top two teams are within a point.
Lastly, and on an unrelated note, I want to extend Eventing Nation’s condolences to the Martin family for the passing of Silva’s father. I have not spoken with the Martins about the circumstances, but this is yet another challenge that couldn’t come at a harder time for Boyd and Silva.
Area VII’s Lizzie Snow is competing at the 2* at young riders this weekend. Lizzie was kind enough to send us a quick guest blog about the dressage and looking ahead to the cross-country on Saturday. The photos in this post are courtesy of Lizzie and Lexi Scovil from Area IV. For more coverage of Friday, check out the USEA press release here, and photos here. Thanks for writing this Lizzie and thank you for reading. —-
From Lizzie:
Hello Eventing Nation!
Time is flying by at NAJYRC this year. It is ridiculously hot here in Lexington and the sun is relentless. Tomorrow is already Saturday and David’s cross country courses look fantastic. The crew here has been aerating and trying to help the footing as much as possible. The ground is quite good and we’re supposed to get some rain tonight which will make the ground excellent.
As far as dressage results go, my (very small) 2 person Area VII team both had very good tests. Florence Miller and Tuck are currently first in the one star with a very forward, fluid test. Devon and I had a great test and are currently sitting in fourth going into cross country tomorrow. Forward and accurate tests seemed to be making the best marks in both the 1* and 2*.
One thing that stood out to me is that even at the junior and young rider levels, is that Canada is producing top results with the 2* team in 3rd and the 1* team in 2nd. Their horses and riders were all very correct and obedient. There were many great tests and the scoring was very consistent throughout both days of dressage. There were no scores under 50 in the 2* and only one in the 1*. Kyle’s group of kids in Area III had super tests and the results showed with the 2* team sitting in 1st.
Now back to cross country… The courses have some decent questions on them but they are very open and gallopy which, to me, makes it more inviting. The 2* questions certainly keep you on your toes and make you ride forward. I haven’t walked the 1* but what I’ve seen of it looks positive. David has set up questions that if you ride accurately and forward, they should work out correctly. Lots of people, including myself, have been running fluids on their horses in prep for tomorrow because of the heat and I’m sure everyone will be running lots of bags tomorrow.
Things get started early tomorrow with the 2* starting at 8 and the 1* shortly after. They’ve already condensed the interval times to 3 minutes instead of 4 and can cut out loops if we get thunderstorm delays and have to run later in the day. Everybody is looking forward to tomorrow and I have a fantastic support team with coach Jon Elliot and lots of great helpers and grooms and parents. They’ve been a great support system all week! Of course I’m wishing extra good luck to my team mates Lexi Scovil and Scott Kuhlman. And if we run out of things to do tomorrow there’s always the campground yard sale where we can go shopping….
Tonight we have the latest installment of legendary Jacky Green’s guest blog for Eventing Nation. Jacky works for Team New Zealand and also runs her Maizey Manor Farm in the UK, where many US competitors stay on their route to Badminton and Burghley, including Will Faudree. Thanks for writing this Jacky as always and thank you for reading. —- Photo via Uptown Eventing
From Jacky:
One of the highlights of the summer season is the Amlin sponsored Eventers Grand Prix held in the stunning main arena at Hickstead as part of the Royal International. The Bunn family have long been renowned for their Sussex venue and it is not often that eventers get to jump on the hallowed turf of the International arena with its permanent features including the Derby bank which thankfully this class uses with the white rails on top but a more inviting side departure from the top than the Derby horses have: more than one eventer peeped over the nearly vertical drop on the course walk and it was most accurately described as a cliff edge!
Massive crowds, lots of bling in the tradestands, sunny skies that unfortunately seemed to bring out some truly revolting sights of overweight bodies with skimpy tops that left nothing to the imagination, an odd mixture of Essex and Northern accents, some truly terrifying showjiumping grooms, tattoos, ice cream, strawberries, awesome showjumping and amazing atmosphere. That is the Hickstead factor. With several outside rings hosting more jumping classes, hunters, show ponies, sidesaddle, plus the dressage located in a quieter area it really is a complete showcase of everything equestrian.
23 starters were in the invite only Grand Prix with a smattering of showjumpers and familiar faces and at 3pm the show got underway. The first part of the course runs over showjumps at around 1m30 with some tight turns required and then out of the arena and over a hedge into the Bunn’s back garden with a series of cross country fences all crammed into a small, hilly wooded space. Through a spooky water twice, most with knockdown rails on top and back over the hedge, up the famous Derby bank before a fast and furious run around the main arena over the Derby feature fences such as the Irish Bank, the Devils Dyke, a huge bullfinch, another water and then the final long run down to a hedge with a single white pole just inches above it. Mark Kyle is a bit of a Derby specialist and his early challenge was laid down with an incredibly fast round on the diminutive Step In Time which despite adding 20 seconds for 4 knockdowns held the lead for the entire class until Gary Parsonage and Peter Street went last. Andrew Nicholson jumped an immaculate clear on Avebury but could not match the leaders speed to wind up 3rd, Oliver Townend went fast and clear on Pepper Anne and was flying down to the last hedge with a real chance of taking the lead when the mare just tipped the rail on top to leave her 3 seconds adrift and eventual 4th place. In the meantime there had been some good tries, some smart rounds and a few eliminations when at nearly 5pm Gary Parsonage rode in on Peter Street, set off at speed and jumped an immaculate fast clear to win the class. Gary becomes the only rider in the classes 14 year history to win 4 times, most notably with Peter Street winning back to back on 08/09, 2nd in 10 and an emotional win here yesterday upon which he immediately retired Peter Street who at 17 looked amazing. He really has been a class specialist here, as Gary said, it takes a lot of looking to find a horse to excel here, they have to be careful but brave, fast and athletic, not fazed by the atmosphere and fit and sound as well. Hats off to Peter Street and also to Gary who retired him when at the top of his game, a delighted crowd cheered him round his laps of honor and I am sure Peter Street will have the cheers of Hickstead ringing in his ears for a good while into his retirement.
Yesterday we announced our very first EN blogger contest, with the winner getting to join the Eventing Nation Team as a part-time writer. From the quality of entries we have already received I can tell that this is going to be a fun and competitive next few weeks. The entry guidelines are pretty straightforward and you can find them here. For those of you looking for a little extra inspiration, here is a WWTBAB FAQ.
Who can enter the contest?
Anyone. Seriously, we want a diverse group of entrants and that means anyone in the eventing community. I’d love to get applications from Australia to Europe and everything in between, from vets and farriers, from professionals and amateurs, literally anyone. While it’s more likely you will get Coren’s vote if you have a British accent and are a successful male eventer (but most importantly that you have a British accent) all shapes and sizes are welcome, even encouraged.
Even if I don’t have any writing experience?
Can you make people laugh? Especially if you don’t have any writing experience.
What do I get if I win?
You get to write for Eventing Nation! That means that when you Google yourself you will actually appear. You’ll win the adoration of eventers across the world (and their friend requests), awesome events like Bromont and companies like Devoucoux will give you free clothes, and you’ll get phone calls from riders whose autograph you got at Rolex 7 years ago.
What’s the pay like?
Did I mention you get free clothes?
Don’t you guys have enough bloggers already?
That’s like asking William Fox-Pitt if he has too many top horses or me if I have too much ice cream.
For the writing submission part of the contest, I can write about anything related to eventing? Is this true?
You can write about whatever you want as long as it fits he criteria of funny, interesting, creative, and informative. Here are a few completely non-binding suggestions.
1) Write about your most memorable event 2) Write about your favorite rider no one has heard of 3) Predict the results at the Pan American Games 4) Make fun of the FEI 5) Write about why eventers are cooler than show jumpers
When is it due?
Didn’t you read my post? Monday, August 1st at 11:59pm.
Good luck to everyone and just remember to have fun. Go enter.
If you live in Arkansas, Oklahoma, the western half of Louisiana, or Texas, give yourself a pat on the back because your Area V young riders have the lead after the one-star dressage. The extreme heat continued at the Kentucky Horse Park today, but the Area V riders can take comfort in the fact that it is probably even hotter back home!
The Canadian team took the second position, just 1.7 points and 5 cross-country seconds back from the lead. The Canadians are jointly coached by Rebecca Howard, who is coaching the 2* riders, and Peter Gray is coaching the 1* team. The Area I, III, & VII mix team is well within striking distance in third.
One-Star Team Dressage Results:
1. Area V 162.1 2. Ontario 163.8 3. Area I, III, & VII 168.4 4. Area VI 178.3 5. Area II 180.2
In the individual competition, Area VII’s Florence Miller and Tuscan Sun took a 4 point lead. Area V has all of their riders in the top 17 and they are led by Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay in second. Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin are in 3rd, but win the contest for coolest horse name.
One-Star Individual Scores:
1. Florence Miller and Tuescan Sun 47.3 2. Alyssa Phillips and Sundance Bay 51.5 3. Sable Giesler and Evil Munchkin 52.3 4. Victoria New and Bally Whatnot 53.6 5. April Simmonds and Sunday Best 54.8
As a follow up from the dressage bling crackdown story we linked to yesterday, dressage-news has clarified that the rider was not required to wear a top-hat, simply prevented from wearing the helmet with pink bling. The story yesterday was quite vague and I am glad there was a correction. [dressage-news]
Congrats to all the young riders for braving the heat yesterday and today. Stay tuned for much more from young riders. Cross-country begins tomorrow with the 2* at 8:00am. Go eventing.
