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The sun’s afternoon intermediate and preliminary report

By on Sep 6, 2012 4:23 pm -


Lauren Kieffer and Czechmate, owned by Court and Kylie Ramsay, scored 26.6 in the Prelim Horse

The sun has broken through the clouds and is currently blessing us with warmth pummeling us with its searing rays of fiery hotness.  Much to my amazement, the locals keep talking about how cool it is today.  The dressage action is heating up as well and no pair was hotter in the intermediate division than Danielle Dichting and The Graduate.  They lead the division by two points with a 27.4.  Holly Payne and Santino are in second and Texas’ Heather Morris is third aboard Sportsfield Maisie Grey.  With five arenas in action, I didn’t get to watch the entire intermediate division.  But from the pairs I did watch, I was super impressed with the quality of horses and riders overall, as is to be expected at the AECs I suppose.  25 of 38 pairs are within 10 points of the lead going into the cross-country.  Texas is ruling the intermediate top-10, with three riders at the top of the division.  One word: plastics.

Intermediate Scores:
1. Danielle Dichting and The Graduate 27.4
2. Holly Payne and Santino 29.4
3. Heather Morris and Sportsfield Maisie Grey 30.2
4. Buck Davidson and No More Rocks 31.2
5. Jessica Schultz and Lock N’ Load 31.4
6. Erin Brooke Freedman and Viola 31.6
7. Erin Flyn Tamplin and Three’s A Ruckus 32.0
8. Ashley MacVaugh and Fernhill Can Do 32.8
[Full Scoreboard]

Mary Frances Cargile and Take The Mick of Texas scored a 36.8 in the intermediate:

 

Three preliminary divisions are competing this weekend.  Jennifer Lewandowski and Park Avenue III of Michigan lead the Preliminary Amateur Championship by one point over Lynne Partridge and her own El Cid.  Victoria New and the experienced Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val sit atop the Prelim Junior/Young Rider division.  Jenny Caras stands both 3rd and 4th in that division aboard Fernhill Stowaway and Fernhill Fortitude respectively.  The Preliminary Horse Championship division is one of two divisions still competing this afternoon.  Doug Payne and Royal Tribute lead that with a few pairs left to ride.


Megan Harris and her 15.1hh Connemara Sparrow’s Owen rocked the Prelim Horse dressage

Brie Murray and Sweet William head into the training cross-country tomorrow leading 50 other pairs in the Training Amateur Championship division.  Annie Read and Dante’s Diva are ahead in the Training Junior Championship by 2.3 points.  Doug Payne also leads the Training Horse Championship by scoring a 22.7 aboard Lysander.  Lauren Kieffer occupies the 2nd and 3rd spot in that division aboard Landmk’s Legendary Romance and Landmark’s Monte Carlo respectively. Both horses are owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars.  Marilyn Payne is tied for 11th in that division with Safe Harbor.  Mother, son, and daughter in the Payne family are all having a great day at the AECs.

[Full AECs Dressage Scores]

In other news, I can say with absolute conviction that the ants at Chattahoochee Hills bite.  #mandown #medic

If you are out and about at Chattahoochee, be sure to stop by the Chronicle booth to donate to the Road to Recovery initiative.  The initiative was started by Pollard Eventing as a way to focus support from the tragic trailer accident earlier this year. Every donation gets a Road to Recovery bumper sticker.  Read more about the initiative at the Pollard Eventing website.

Go eventing.

Becky Holder: Retiring Comet, Dressage, and Hugh’s Cross-Country

By on Sep 6, 2012 1:32 pm -

Becky Holder leads the advanced division of the American Eventing Championships with her longtime partner Courageous Comet.  Becky and Comet scored a 27.3 in their last upper level dressage ride together.  Two weeks ago at Richland, Becky told Samantha that the AECs would probably be Comet’s last upper level event and Becky affirmed that to me today.  Becky, ever the true horsewoman, told me that she wants Comet to be able to enjoy his retirement as a happy and healthy horse.  There will be enough time to discuss Comet’s lengthy legacy after this weekend, but for now there’s enough work to be done to stop him from enthusiastically tearing apart his stall!

Becky echoed what many riders have told me–that the AECs course is much improved by new course designer Hugh Lochore.  In the past, the course has sometimes felt like a collection of mobile fences scattered about the field.  Hugh has gone to great lengths to incorporate more natural terrain and hopefully the result will be an even better weekend of cross-country.  Many thanks to Becky for taking the time to chat with us and go Comet!

Video: GMHA Vermont Strong, presented by Jamco

By on Sep 6, 2012 1:31 pm -

This awesome video was submitted to us by Paula Wehde, who is a TV producer at WOA-TV and created this video about the GMHA Festival of Eventing earlier last month.   The video focuses on the XC upgrade to intermediate and also the rebuild from the destruction of hurricane Irene in 2011.  Watch Brian O’Connor, Marty Hunt (executive Director or GMHA), Jane Hamlin as well as action from the event.  Thanks for sending this to us Paula and go eventing.

 

***********

Jamco is attending the AECs this weekend!  If you’re at Chattahoochee Hills, stop by and check out their show special trailer.

Courageous Comet’s AECs Advanced Dressage Recap

By on Sep 6, 2012 12:09 pm -


Becky Holder and Courageous Comet #alwayslow20s

Courageous Comet performed what will in all likelihood be the last upper level dressage test of his extraordinary career with typical poise, panache, and talent.  He sits in a familiar position atop the advanced leader board at the end of the dressage with a 5.6 point lead.  When I spoke with Becky, she affirmed her feeling that the AECs are a great place to retire Comet, with the venue being so close to home and Comet having won here before the WEGs in 2010.  As an eventing fan, it has been an absolute privilege to follow Comet’s career with Becky as one of the top horses in the history of American eventing and, I think, our sport worldwide.  I’ll never forget that feeling of hushed commotion as everyone around the Rolex main arena at once inhaled and moved one inch closer to the edges of their seats when Comet would enter the arena.  Here’s to a great rest of the weekend for Becky and Comet.

[Live AEC Scores]

After getting eliminated in the show jumping at Full Gallop a few weeks ago, Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison won the Kentucky Classique intermediate by a staggering 47 points last weekend.  They return to advanced at the AECs looking for a good run to send them off to represent the USA at Boekelo.  Jon and Will are off to a great start with a 29.3 and second place heading into the cross-country on Friday.

Michael Pollard and the “Hanni Badger” led off the dressage at 8am.  Ever the perfectionist, Michael told me after his test that Hanni was a bit “up and out” with her frame.  That was a costly detail that turned what would have otherwise been a fantastic score into a good score for third overnight.

Our generous host this weekend, Carl Bouckaert, rode Cyrano Z to 4th place in the advanced.  They are competing here at home just a month after their Olympic performance together in London for Belgium.  Carl’s facility at Chattahoochee Hills is a world-class facility that we are all very fortunate to have hosting this world-class event.

The second Boekelo-bound pair to compete in the advanced division, Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot, are placed 5th overnight with a 30.4.  Becky’s other sensational grey, Can’t Fire Me, was a bit distracted by Comet’s whinnying from the stables (a bit of gamesmanship from the veteran, perhaps?) but that didn’t stop Teddy from giving Becky two horses in the top 6 with a 30.7.

[Update: Hannah is not on the Boekelo list, I was mistaken earlier.]

As expected in these championships, the advanced leader board is tightly packed with the top 10 horses within 10 points of the lead and 2nd through 14th separated by 10 points.

Two horses that really stood out to me in the advanced were two dark bays who competed right in a row–Sir Rockstar, ridden by Libby Head, and Fernhill Cubalawn, ridden by Alexandra Green.  Both horses need to be more confirmed in the changes, but they presented a great picture with lovely movement and I look forward to seeing them jumping tomorrow and Saturday.   Alexandra, like many of the other riders, did a great job of schooling her horse around the arena before the judge rang the bell.  Those few important moments are a great opportunity to work through a few transitions, however, too many of us get stuck waiting and trotting in circles.

When I wished Leslie Law good luck this morning he modestly said “I’m going to need it.”  But no luck was necessary for a quality test with Zenith ISF as they moved into 12th place with a 34.5.  Joe Meyer of New Zealand is riding the 20 year old Snip in the advanced.  The veteran is well within striking distance in 9th on a 32.7.  The always nice and classy Laura VanderVliet delivered a good test aboard Mighty Mangaroo for a 40.9 and, as always, I’ll be cheering them on this weekend.

The announcer, Giles Rowsell, has been kind enough to point out multiple times today that, since these are championships, whips are not allowed in the dressage arena.

The Chattahoochee Hills weather is cloudy and misty, keeping things cool and making everything damp but nothing wet.  Don’t mistake this for a complaint as a wet mist is about the best case scenario for Georgia in early September.

I will surely fail in my efforts to cover as many levels as possible but thankfully our friends at the USEA and Chronicle are here as well.  We’ll be linking to their coverage all weekend and I’m particularly excited for the USEA’s coverage because they have their full team in action this weekend.

The advanced dressage is in the books.  The intermediate, preliminary, and training continue with 5 arenas in action this afternoon.  Advanced, prelim, intermediate, and training will run cross-country on Friday and show jump on Saturday.  Novice and beginner novice start their competition with the dressage on Friday.  Stay tuned for much more from the AECs.

A few photos of the advanced dressage, with full apologies to the riders for my photographic incompetence:

Go eventing.

Video: Walk AECs advanced course with Michael Pollard and Hugh Lochore

By on Sep 6, 2012 7:35 am -

Welcome to the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships at beautiful Chattahoochee Hills!  I won’t do this nearly enough this weekend so I want to start by extending a huge thanks to the USEA, the organiers, our hosts at Chattahoochee Hills, and all of the volunteers for making this weekend what is sure to be a great success.

[Live AEC Scores and Ride Times]

Check out this great course walk from Pollard Eventing as Michael Pollard walks the AECs advanced course with course designer and the always awesome Hugh Lochore.  The ground at Chattahoochee Hills could use perhaps a bit more rain but it is fantastic going for Georgia in September.  Stay tuned for much more from Georgia as the advanced starts at 8am.  Go eventing.

Emily Beshear — Are We There Yet?

By on Sep 5, 2012 1:05 pm -

Four star eventer Emily Beshear is headed overseas for the Blenheim CCI3* in England next weekend.  Emily and her lovely horse Here’s To You aka Quincy competed at Rolex earlier this year and they will join Marilyn Little-Meredith to represent the USA in the CCI3* after Marilyn rerouted from Burghley [Entries].  Emily owns and operates Brickland Farm out of Somerset, Virginia along with her husband and top sport horse vet, Jeff Beshear.  For much more from Emily, check out her website and Facebook.  Many thanks to Emily for keeping us updated on her trip to Blenheim and back.
—-

Photo by Samantha

From Emily:

While driving to JFK airport on Thursday afternoon/evening we ended up stuck in traffic more often than not…frustrating but I just kept thinking that once we got to the airport the stress of travel would subside and it would be smooth sailing. Looking back I could not have been more wrong! We arrived at JFK Thursday at 10pm… we arrived at Washbrook Farm, Aston Le Walls, UK at 6am on Sunday. For those trying to do the math I will happily break it down for you since those hours are permanently etched into my brain:

–10pm JFK vetport arrival – no other horses, asphalt stalls, & metal channels inside the stall to hold the partitions when they need to convert to tie stalls…the beginning of my sleepless nights even though we did stay at a nearby Hampton Inn. Visions of abrasions danced in my head… The reason for the Thursday arrival was that the cargo had to arrive before noon the day we shipped so we didn’t want to risk being late on Friday. Lesson learned, stay at a private farm the night before.
–Noon – cargo loaded…then the waiting game begins. Quincy was not allowed out of his stall as I was made aware that it is far too risky. If a horse gets loose (or dog it appears) it is very likely to be shot as they cannot allow any chance of an animal on any of the runways.
–6pm – planned loading time to ship horses over to the plane.
–7:30pm – actual loading time to ship the horses over to the plane. Quincy now begins the portion of the journey that goes from confinement to no movement allowed. We were vanned to the airport to go through all of the normal passenger check in as the flight we were on was a KLM combo… meaning a giant passenger plane with cargo just behind. We were told they would take care of the loading and we would get to see the horses once we boarded the plane.
–10pm – time to board. The official KLM groom gave us a quick peek at the boys, Quincy was travelling with Walstraed (Jules Ennis’ horse that is travelling to school with her at Hartpury) and a 2 year old Arabian colt heading to England to race.
–11pm – take-off. Jules & I decided it was best to have Jeff hang out with the horses during take-off and landing. It sounds like Quincy’s eyes have never gotten so big…and that’s saying something!
–11:55am (with 6 hour time change) – Amsterdam landing. The plan was to get the horses out of their little box & van to a stable where they could stretch their legs for 4 hours or so. The trip to England was said to take 10 hours or so… but now we found out that the horses couldn’t leave their little box until the vet was there to see them. So we made our way to meet them at the animal hospital hoping it would not take too long.
–2pm – the vet arrives and we load straight onto the truck to head to England… Quincy literally got to walk 100 feet from one box to the truck.
The plan was to head to Calais for the ferry crossing just in case it was busy…
–6pm – serious traffic back-up as we near Calais….
–7pm – we arrive at the cargo entrance for the ferry and luckily there’s no line.. figuring the trucks decided not to wait..instead we are told that we need to turn around and come back once the ferry is not so busy. Thankfully our drivers understand that we will not be ok with prolonging the horses’ time on the truck.. apparently there are several ferry companies so they made a couple of calls to change our “booking.” We got the go ahead with the news that the ferry was running 2 hours late but we were booked on the 8pm & by this time it was already 9pm..
–10:30pm ferry boarding… if the time does not seem to match up with the planned time, you’re right! There are many extra hours added in here and there.. Here I am envisioning the ferry that crosses the Potomac and in rolls what looks to be a cruiseship! Once on the ferry you can’t stay with the vehicles so we check the horses for the umpteenth time and head up to the lounge area which includes a restaurant, thankfully… and by the end of the trip it is full of snoring people of benches and chairs.
–Midnight – off the ferry with only one more side trip to customs in Dover…which should be quick since there were no other cargo trucks aboard. But of course that is not how our trip is going so it really should not have been a surprise to hear that it will take 30 minutes before they can see us. Then after 30 minutes we’re told it would be another hour… I was in and out of consciousness so much that the whole thing really is a blur.. at some point we begin driving again but now we’re in England so I keep feeling as though the truck is about to tip over on the windy roads so there’s not really any sleep yet again.
-Somewhere around 4am – we deliver the Arab racehorse to his farm, which happens to be the Sultan of Oman! I really wish we’d gotten to see that farm in the daylight…
–6 am – we arrive! Quincy got to go into a stall then out for a hand graze…

I’ll have to have a brief delay on sharing our first two days in England as recapping the journey has exhausted me my computer battery. Photos and the fun of round-a-bouts and searching for a wheelbarrow to come! I can leave you with a quick trivia question though: What is the difference between a “humped zebra crossing” and a “humped tucan crossing”? Just one of the many thoughts to ponder.

Sneak peek: We have arrived at Blenheim! but there is horrible cell reception so my posts may be a bit delayed… or written at a pub with a pint!

Mary Hirsch — Willow Draw Schooling Derby: Rain Can’t Stop Eventers

By on Sep 5, 2012 9:00 am -

From Mary Hirsch:

Why yes, it did rain on the Willow Draw Derby on Sunday, August 26, just north of Weatherford, Texas.  But so what, this is eventing.  Enthusiasm stayed high and it was hard to tell if the galloping pairs even knew they were getting wetter with every stride.

Some 55 entries from Preliminary to Green As Grass rode dressage in the mercifully covered arena.  Then about an hour after their dressage time it was out of the start box onto the cross-country course, beginning with 5 stadium jumps.  The efficient Willow Draw system has scores out promptly – and posted online on a live basis, no less – so riders may go on their way as early as possible. But Sunday many stayed out in the rain to cheer on their friends riding cross-country later in the day. Riders and horses had the option to school on Saturday, and put it all into effect for a score on Sunday.

[Results]

Some divisions were spared the falling water, and overall even the spectators judged overcast, wet and 75-85 degrees better than the baking 95-105 temps that might have been. Unfortunately the last division, Green As Grass, had to finish with dressage and forego cross-country when the skies finally let loose a torrential downpour that made the course less safe and lasted for quite some time.

Willow Draw schooling horse trials and derbies are a special advantage for riders in the general area. Owners Tre’ and Janet Book pride themselves on obstacles that would do credit to a recognized event, fully decorated and flagged. The original course design is thanks to former Irish Team Olympic coach Mary D’Arcy O’Connell and previous-Olympic team and 4* rider Stuart Black, with further input from noted decorator Debra Sue Rogers.

Burghley Final Results in Perspective

By on Sep 2, 2012 11:46 am -

The show jumping course at Burghley wreaked havoc on the field and allowed just four clean rounds out of 52 competitors.  Five times that many competitors (that’s 20, for all you literary types) finished with double-digit show jumping penalties.  Every one of the top 10 pairs coming into the show jumping pulled at least a rail.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville entered the Burghley arena with two rails in hand and they exited having pulled just one more rail than that and finishing Burghley in second place after a heartbreaking rail at the second to last fence.  Andrew Nicholson and Avebury of New Zealand jumped up from second to win with one rail.  Last year’s champions, William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk, maintained their third spot with two rails down.  Allison Springer and Arthur moved up one place with two rails down and finished the weekend in 6th.  Sinead, Allison, and the rest of the US contingent deserve our tremendous congratulations and thanks for proving once again that US eventing can show up at international competitions and get the job done in a big way.

Andrew Nicholson won his third Burghley title today (1995, 2000).  Andrew is one of the best eventers ever and an unquestionably deserving champion, especially after his disappointment with the rain delay right before his Olympic dressage ride a month ago.

Eventing is a sport of perspective.  It would be easy to look back on Sinead’s disappointing three rails and project that disappointment to the weekend as a whole.  Easy, but also completely idiotic.  Sinead and Tate just delivered one of the all time best US performances at an overseas four-star.  The same goes for Allison and Arthur as a pair and the US Burghley contingent as a whole.  Sinead and Tate’s dressage and cross-country performances dominated an international field on foreign soil unlike anything I have ever seen from a US pair.  They will head into the off season and the USA’s unquestioned best pair right now, with a second at Burghley 2012, a third at Rolex 2011, and a 15th at Burghley 2011 for their four-star record.  In an era when pairs from overseas have been consistently showing up to Rolex and taking top placings, Sinead and Allison just proved that we can return the favor.

Sinead and Tate’s performance should not eclipse that of Allison Springer and Arthur, who finished a spectacular year of four-stars by following their second at Rolex with a sixth at Burghley.  I, like many eventing fans, have been extremely skeptical of Arthur after his past spookiness caused Allison so much heartbreak.  But Arthur and Allison have come through in the clutch at their two biggest events this year and I think it’s time to put much of that skepticism aside.

Kristi Nunnink and the lovely mare R-Star produced the best US show jumping round, finishing the weekend with just a rail and 30.2 time added to their dressage score.  They head home from Burghley with a 26th place finish.  Kate Hicks and Belmont leave Burghley with a clear cross-country round and that makes them champions in my book.  They added 27 penalties today and finished Burghley in 50th place.  Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries finished two spots behind them with 21 penalties today.  The six US Burghley competitors will head home with two top-10 finishes, four clear cross-country rides, and five completions.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a huge thanks to Samantha for her wonderful weekend of coverage (stay tuned for much more).  I also want to thank all of the volunteers, officials, and organizers who make Burghley possible.  Finally, many thanks to all of you for making Eventing Nation part of your Burghley weekend.

Go Sinead and Tate, go USA, go Andrew, and go Burghley.

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury Win Burghley

By on Sep 2, 2012 10:33 am -


Photo by Samantha

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Avebury won Burghley just a few minutes ago by pulling one rail in the show jumping.  They moved up from second after overnight leaders Sinead and Manoir De Carneville pulled three rails.  Our disappointment that Sinead didn’t win should in no way dampen the incredible achievement of her weekend to finish the hardest four-star in the world in second place.  Show jumping be damned–Sinead and Tate for president!  Stay tuned for much more from Burghley.

Watch Burghley SJ Videos Online Now [Update: Kate Hicks and Erin Sylvester]

By on Sep 2, 2012 10:30 am -

Burghley.tv is up and running with free, online, no-registration, and on-demand video. The Burghley rides are available for on-demand viewing shortly after each ride. Click the link below for Burghley.tv.  Show jumping rounds will be available approximately 2 hours after each ride, according to Burghley.tv.

[Burghley.tv, Live Scores]

For more coverage of Burghley, check out the Horse & Hound live blog and follow Samantha on Twitter.

Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries:

Kate Hicks and Belmont:

Go Burghley.

Burghley Show Jumping Live Blog from Horse & Hound

By on Sep 2, 2012 9:27 am -

Our friends at the Horse & Hound are live blogging every ride of every phase of Burghley. They have kindly allowed us to join in the fun right here on EN. If you want to follow Burghley live online, that’s the best way. In terms of online video, Burghley TV will be offering free on-demand viewing of every ride the same day as each ride but not live.  The show jumping is scheduled to begin at 5:30am ET in reverse order of placing, with the final rides set to start at 9:30am ET.

[Results, Burghley.tv, @SamanthaLClark, H&H Live Blog, Burghley homepage]

Go Burghley.

Michael Pollard: Team Building

By on Sep 2, 2012 9:20 am -

Michael Pollard posted the following thoughts on Facebook and he was kind enough to send them to us as well.  I think it’s a terrific look at why thing have gone so well thus far at Burghley for Sinead and the American contingent.  For much more awesomeness from Michael, be sure to like Pollard Eventing on Facebook.
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From Michael:

I had a hard time sleeping last night as I read the clamor to denounce the US selectors for leaving Sinead and Allison off of the Team following their incredible first two days at Burghley. While certainly Sinead, in particular, is showing why she would have been a tremendous asset, in my opinion, this whole debate is being framed in the wrong light.

Much has been made about Tate’s nosebleed as the primary source of leaving him off of the team, but let’s face facts…If Sinead and Tate had gotten anywhere in the ballpark of a 36 on the flat, anytime this year, her selection would have been assured and the veterinary issue would have been worked through (Clearly it didn’t prevent him from being one of the only horses inside the time at Burghley). While the veterinary concern may have been there, often these types of issues are used as a justification to take someone out of the running when their performance has been marginal. It only took a few weeks on her own for Sinead to come back at Hartpury with nearly ten points better than any other performance she had achieved all year. Then that progress continued to lead the Burghley field in the dressage. It wouldn’t have been possible for her to do that a few short weeks earlier. This must be attributed to the support between all the ladies at Maizey Manor leading up to Burghley. In fact, they probably operated….as a Team…

Thus, the real question should be, why is it that a partnership of this ability did not flourish until after the US team blanket was unwrapped? Is it due to motivation to prove everyone wrong? Or a late coming to form? Perhaps these points played a role, but I think it also points to an inherent problem with our team system. Rather than getting the best out of our top riders, I have seen time and again how team training seems to result in worse scores. I’m not a statistician, but I would venture to guess that over the last two decades our team riders finished on higher scores at championships than they received in the qualifying events getting there. If anything, you would think that spending the time to focus on an individual horses performance should improve ones score, but why does this appear not to be the case so often? Clearly, the ladies at Maizey manor were able to foster this type of atmosphere.

I have no idea how much Bettina played a role in test preparation before Burghley with Sinead and Allison, but if we can’t figure out as a nation a way to use her in an official capacity we are crazy. She is without question the best in the world at preparing a horse and rider to achieve their best test in an eventing dressage test, and if we don’t realize that, someone else will.

I hope Sinead can pull it out today and do what only two Americans have ever done. She rode superbly the first two days, and looked like a Burghley champion. I’m certainly cheering for her, and it is nice for all of us to have a result on the world stage that can get the negative vibes out of the current eventing conversation. Then, after we digest the magnitude of what has been shown this weekend, I hope we can figure out why our system doesn’t improve our scores. There are more riders of Sinead’s quality in this country and there is no reason we can’t start to have our share of big results like this, but if we can’t improve and develop our talent, it will be wasted.

RIP Heartbreak Hill

By on Sep 1, 2012 5:50 pm -

In some tragic news from earlier today at Burghley, Paul Hart’s Facebook page and the Horse & Hound have reported that Heartbreak Hill “Harry” broke his leg between fences while galloping on the flat and was humanely euthanized on Saturday.  From Paul’s Facebook:

“It is with deep deep sadness that we inform you that Heartbreak Hill now resides in heaven. He broke his leg between jumps 19 and twenty while galloping on the flat. He was a great horse and one that will live on in the hearts and minds of all that knew him. We Know Marie and Bil Clifford will look after him well. Paul is devastated as one can only imagine. Bye Harry, we will miss you big man…….“

Paul posted his own statement, writing “I have lost my best friend trying his heart out for me like always. Held him in my arms until he was gone. He died so bravely doing what he loved best. I will miss my Harry so much who took me places I dreamed of as a kid. My champion man Harry has gone. He will be so missed as my friend. May the Cliffords lead him into heaven to rest as he as served and shared so much with me so willingly. MY CHAMPION BOY. Harry Man.“

Heartbreak Hill was a 16 year old South African thoroughbred.  Paul Hart and Heartbreak Hill have had a long career together including representing South Africa at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington.  They were part of the controversial dispute that led to Alex Peternell and Asih representing South Africa at the Olympics rather than Paul.

Go Harry.

Sinead and Manoir De Carneville Lead Burghley by 5.5 points after XC!

By on Sep 1, 2012 12:03 pm -

There are two ways Sinead could have responded to being questionably and heartbreakingly left off of the US Olympic team.  She could have gotten frustrated, grumbled, given up, and headed home to prepare for next season (and she would have been pretty darn justified in doing so).  Or she could head to Burghley and take the overnight lead into the show jumping.  Sinead chose to do the later.  She jumped the Burghley cross-country on Saturday aboard Manoir De Carneville clear and seven seconds under the optimum time.  For the first time in recent memory and in an era when US eventing has struggled to even complete overseas events, the the stars and stripes fly atop the Burghley leader board on Saturday night.  You can argue whether it is fair or worthwhile to ask whether Sinead and Tate should have made the Olympic team, but there’s no doubt in my mind that after today the answer to the hypothetical question is a resounding and obvious YES.

Sinead will head into the show jumping with a rail in hand, 5.5 points ahead of Andrew Nicholson and Avebury.  Second placed after the dressage, Andrew Nicholson and Avebury picked up just 0.8 time penalties to give Andrew a collective 2 seconds total over the optimum on two rides today.

Allison Springer and Arthur, Tate’s stable mate from Maizey Manor, continued the excellent day for the United States by coming home clear with ears pricked and adding just 9.2 time penalties to their dressage score and finishing Saturday in 7th.  Allison and Arthur advanced their string of great 2011 performances today and they are poised for another top four-star finish.

[XC Results, Burghley.tv]

Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries finished the course, picking up 20 jumping penalties at the Rolex combination and 27.2 time.  Kristi Nunnink and R-Star jumped clear with 30.4 time penalties to head into the show jumping on a score of 79.9 in 32nd.  Will Faudree fell from Andromaque at the Dairy Mound steps.  Both horse and rider were reportedly standing up quickly and alright.  Kate Hicks and Belmont completed the course provisionally clear with 52.4 time penalties.

Only three  four pairs — Sinead and Tate, Andrew Nicholson and Avebury, and Mark Todd with Major Milestone, and Oli Townend with Armada — finished clear and inside the time.  New Zealand has 4 riders in the top 10, the USA has 2, Great Britain has 2, Australia has one, and Ireland has one.  9 pairs finished with a stop, 9 were eliminated, and 16 retired.

Sinead’s performance will be the headliner from today, but perhaps the fact that four out of six US starters came home clear at Burghley is just as big of a story.  Whether today is a mere coincidence or a sign that brighter skies are already shining over US eventing, I couldn’t be prouder of our horses and riders representing the USA at Burghley today.

Sinead and Tate are 3 for 3 clear rounds at CCI4*’s, including Rolex ’11 and Burghley ’11, where they finished 15th after 4.8 time on the cross-country and two rails in the show jumping.  Tate continued his perfect career of clean FEI cross-country rides today.  Go Sinead and Tate and go USA!

Sinead and Manoir De Carneville Provisionally Double-Clear at Burghley!!!

By on Sep 1, 2012 9:52 am -


Photo by Samantha from Rolex ’11

Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville have just jumped provisionally clear and 7 seconds under the optimum time around the Burghley cross-country course to maintain their overnight Burghley lead going into the show jumping!  That’s right, you read that correctly, Sinead is one clear show jumping ride away from winning Burghley for the USA.  Cross-country is still underway, stay tuned to Eventing Nation for much more including a full report from Samantha.  [Results, Burghley.tv, @SamanthaLClark, H&H Live Blog]

Go Sinead and Tate and go USA!

Burghley XC Live Blog from Horse & Hound [Updates]

By on Sep 1, 2012 9:12 am -

Our friends at the Horse & Hound are live blogging every ride of every phase of Burghley. They have kindly allowed to join in the fun right here on EN. If you want to follow Burghley live online, that’s the best way. In terms of online video, Burghley TV will be offering free on-demand viewing of every ride the same day as each ride but not live.  Cross-country starts at 6:00am ET.

[Results, Burghley.tv, @SamanthaLClark, H&H Live Blog, Burghley XC fence gallery, Burghley homepage]

US Saturday Ride Times:
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries 7:52am ET
Kristi Nunnink and R-Star 8:16am ET
Will Faudree and Andromaque 9:00am ET
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville 9:32am ET
Kate Hicks and Belmont 9:48am ET
Allison Springer and Arthur 10:16am ET

Go Burghley.
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Update 8:55am ET — Kristi Nunnink and R-Star jumped clear with 30.4 time. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries finished with 20 jumping and 27.2 time. Thus far only one pair, Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe have jumped double-clear.

Update 9:09am ET — Will Faudree fell from Andromaque at the Dairy Mound steps, both were reportedly up and fine.

Update 9:45am ET — Sinead and Tate jumped provisionally clear and 7 seconds under the optimum time to maintain their lead at Burghley!!!!!!!

Update 10:11am ET — Kate Hicks and Belmont completed the course provisionally clear with 52.4 time penalties.

Update 10:46am ET — Allison Springer and Arthur completed a brilliant round to finish on 9.2 time penalties and clear, capping off a terrific day of cross-country for the USA. 

Watch Burghley Cross-Country Videos Online Now

By on Sep 1, 2012 9:09 am -

Burghley.tv is up and running with free, online, no-registration, and on-demand video.  The Burghley rides are available for on-demand viewing shortly after each ride.  Click the link below for Burghley.tv.  Cross-country rounds will be available approximately 2 hours after each ride, according to Burghley.tv.

[Burghley.tv, Live Scores]

For more coverage of Burghley, check out the Horse & Hound live blog and follow Samantha on Twitter.  Go Burghley.

Emily Beshear: The journey to Blenheim begins…

By on Aug 31, 2012 6:20 pm -

As the USA enjoys dressage success at Burghley, four star eventer Emily Beshear is headed overseas for the Blenheim CCI3* in England next weekend.  Emily and her lovely horse Here’s To You aka Quincy competed at Rolex earlier this year and they will be the sole US competitors in the CCI3* [Entries].  Emily owns and operates Brickland Farm out of Somerset, Virginia along with her husband and top sport horse vet, Jeff Beshear.  I might be a bit biased here since I worked with Emily and Jeff for several years during my time at UVa, but I think they run the top program in the US that most people haven’t heard of.  I couldn’t mention the Beshears without also mentioning their son and future four-star rider (!), Nicholas.  For much more from Emily, check out her website and Facebook.  Many thanks to Emily for keeping us updated on her trip to Blenheim and back.
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From Emily:

Pre-Game Preparation

The common question the past few weeks seems to have been “How excited are you?” or some version of that…honestly, I’ve barely had a moment to really think about anything more than the day at hand. Wednesday night, while packing, the enormity of what we are about to do started to sink in (especially due to the enormity of the trunks needed to pack all of our gear) and I finally started to feel the twinges of excitement. Until you are preparing for a trip of this magnitude I don’t think you can really appreciate how all-consuming the weeks prior can become…being that this is my first overseas competition I thought I’d share some of those details:

  • It takes a village – Literally! When we began to plan our Blenheim adventure I had a small enthusiastic group that had great plans to raise the money needed to ship Quincy and I to the UK… In the works were eventing camps, jumping derbies, and a raffle just to get started. All of my amazing sponsors supported us by donating prizes for the raffle as well as for the derbies.  Then came the offers from family and friends to host a couple of fundraising dinners.  Before I knew it we had scheduled something for every week from mid-June through mid-August. At one point I truly wondered how I was even going to have time to ride and prepare for this event that we were doing so much to raise funds for… Fortunately I did have a very good group helping to keep things running smoothly.  Quincy was very good to go with the flow since there were days when I would ride him at 5:30 am (before teaching camp all day) and then again at 7:00 pm (since the light wasn’t good enough at 5:30 am to jump…). The long days were certainly worth it but I must say the most amazing support was from individuals that simply want to give us this opportunity.  Over 175 individuals helped us make this a reality by either attending a fundraising dinner, sending a donation, or participating in our raffle. And that does not take into account all of the people that were behind the scenes making this work… I cannot thank you all enough!
  • Hire a travel agent! If anyone wants to know how to arrange the flights and lorries and stabling and cottage and phone service….I will have to direct you to my travel agent, Jeff Beshear.  If it had been left to me I doubt we would actually get there anytime this year!  The amount of time needed to organize and make all of the pieces of the puzzle fit is very daunting.  So I happily took on the task of packing..because that will be easy!
  • Is anyone capable of packing without having to sit on every single bag and trunk to make it close? After days of organizing and consolidating I thought everything would easily fit into the 2 giant cargo trunks that were loaned to me by Chris and Michelle Adamson.  (Actually, the first thought was that I would only need one of the giant trunks… ) But it never seems to fail that there’s always “one more thing”.  Katie Shipplett gave me the great advice to get the storage bags that shrink wrap everything.  It’s amazing how small coolers and blankets can become once you suck the air out…unfortunately I learned quickly that the bags are fairly sensitive and not really meant to be shoved in with objects that may have rough edges. Let’s just say I’m hoping the duct tape will hold otherwise people may want to stand back when the trunks are opened…
  • Don’t forget all of the horses and critters at home…critter #1 being the 9 year old Nicholas that is  being forced to stay home since his first week of school happens to be the week of Blenheim.  Jeff got to add the title of “handler” to his resume… I “handled” the horse plans by being clever enough to have Katie in the barn and giving her a vague wish list of what the horses should do while I’m away.  I think my plan to compete them right after we return will be good incentive… more on my exciting new additions after this journey!
  • # 1 lesson learned this summer – I’m actually pretty good at delegating but I’m still too much of a control freak to have a groom travelling with us :)!
So now the preparation is over and the journey has officially begun. We fly to Amsterdam Friday evening followed by a 12 hour lorry ride to the Taylor’s yard (arriving Sunday morning while they are having a horse trial!).  I only know all of this because I am sitting beside my travel agent and I’m able to share it with you because he also happens to be my driver! I promise to have fun from here on out because otherwise Jeff may never want to go through all of this again and I certainly can’t do it without him :). and let’s all hope he decides to add “paparazzi” to his list of titles this week!  Follow us here or at www.emilybeshear.com.

Burghley Dressage Live Blog from Horse & Hound

By on Aug 31, 2012 4:01 am -

Our friends at the Horse & Hound are live blogging every ride of every phase of Burghley.  They have kindly allowed to join in the fun right here on EN.  If you want to follow Burghley live online, that’s the best way.  In terms of online video, Burghley TV will be offering free on-demand viewing of every ride the same day as each ride but not live.

[Results, Burghley.tv, @SamanthaLClark, H&H Live Blog, Burghley XC fence gallery,  Burghley homepage]

US Friday Ride Times:
Will Faudree and Andromaque 4:51am ET
Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville 6:10am ET
Kate Hicks and Belmont 6:40am ET
Allison Springer and Arthur 7:47am ET

Go Burghley.

 

[UPDATE 9:02am EST]

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville had an oustanding test to take the lead with a 36.3 at the lunch break.  Allison Springer and Arthur are behind them in second with a 40.0.  Will Faudree and Andromaque sit inside the top ten, 8th with a 45.8.  There’s still a half-day of dressage to come, but so proud of our American riders… well done, all!

Jacky Green — At C track left…

By on Aug 28, 2012 4:30 pm -

Burghley is almost here!  Jacky Green works for Team New Zealand and operates out of Maizey Manor Farm in the UK and she is a regular Eventing Nation contributor.  Today Jacky has kindly sent us a report as the horses and riders head out from Maizey Manor to Burghley.  Thank you for writing this Jacky and thank you for reading.
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From Jacky:

The empty dressage ring says it all. Team USA, Germany and Ireland have all departed from Maizey Manor today for the hike up to Burghley. The convoys we have gotten used to (note to John, am learning American talk and no UK strange references!) drove out around mid day with trucks and assorted hire cars loaded up to the hilt.  Bettina’s car and trailer take up as much room as the 6 horse trucks, Meg’s car was full to the brim with Tate’s preferred bedding, Emily Dunn’s puppy Cooper prepped for the journey by finding a last minute piece of horse poo to scoff and then they were gone.

No bunch of riders have tried harder than these guys to give Burghley their all.  They have been in that grass arena (Oh yup, thanks for that Team Canada!) in wind and rain and sun and drizzle.  Irish Sarah, Meg and Emily are sick to death of studding already but boy have they practiced.  Even Arthur has conquered his fear of the corner by K and the pikey ponies in the field opposite who are now experts on the four star test.  Bettina Hoy has taught and taught and taught in that ring and expectations are high for Team Maizey Manor as they have left no stone unturned.  Alison Springer bribed local super hero Russ Hardy to position fences at his Boomerang cross country schooling venue to mimic Burghley with a bottle of Mount Gay rum.  Esib Power and Sinead Halpin went eventing at the weekend on babies to take the pressure off.  Bettina Hoy was spotted leaving for a Saturday lunch in killer heels and skinny jeans to “get out of jods!”  None of us bought that one!

The normal arena has had skinnys, short backed corners, narrow bending lines and huge oxers for added practice. The wet summer has produced perfect going on the acres of gallops and the horses have been up that hill day by day.  I don’t think I have ever had a more cohesive group based here for such a long time that do their utmost to help and support each other.  If this was a team competition then Maizey Manor would be going pretty strong right now!  Rebecca Howard (Canada) has to wait til Blenheim to strut her stuff and our only blip on the horizon has been the last minute scratching of Sharon White who has been enormous fun, has made the most of her base with Rodney Powell and Alex Franklin and has made us laugh every time we have caught up with her.  Sharon is heading up to Burghley on Thursday to support her fellow riders….as long as her first UK drive alone works out ok tonight as she has robbed Rodney of his BMW to go out to supper.  Since her first disaster was the electric gate refusing to let her out of Manor Farm, it’s not all plain sailing.

And finally, best of the quotes. Sinead on hearing I am not going to Burghley til Thursday “But what will we eat?” Emily Dunn (by text) “Seb (September Bliss) has already taken a chunk out of my arm with his teeth” upon arrival at Burghley.  Alison, “say goodbye to Arthur , he’s not coming back.”  Yay!  But sadly no more entertainment from the kitchen window watching Irish Sarah trying to turn him out via the International arena, the pikey ponies and the wind.  Happy times and good luck to the team!