Toujours Prêt aka “Beau”. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
I had some ‘proud mom’ moments myself this weekend watching my 6-year-old Thoroughbred, Beau, act like a seasoned pro in his first competition. Due to my busy work schedule which often requires weekend travel, I’ve finally admitted I can’t do it all myself. This horse is the first one of mine I’ve ever ‘allowed’ to be schooled, trained or competed by someone else, as I’ve always been a bit stubborn about ‘producing my own horses’. But I’m a grown up now (supposedly), and part of being a grown up is making good decisions. Having my friend and coach John Michael Durr take Beau to his first event was a good decision. And I have to admit, it was fun playing owner/groom/photographer for the day. All the pride with none of the pressure!
Bruce Duchossois was a remarkable member of the eventing world. He was a beloved owner, friend and supporter of the sport, and his presence has been greatly missed since his passing in 2014. In his memory, a life size statue of Bruce holding his dog Chummy and leading his horse Kim’s Song was unveiled last week at Bruce’s Field. [Statue of Duchossois unveiled at Bruce’s Field]
The American Driving Society has been reinstated into the US Equestrian Federation as the USE affiliate for driving. The USE decided to no longer recognized the ADS as an affiliate association early in 2017 due to “requests for substantive exceptions that the USEF cannot accommodate.” [USE and The American Driving Society Reach Agreement]
In a moving ceremony at the Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday, show jumping double-gold Olympic champions Nick Skelton and Big Star officially retired. Nick is a legend in the sport, having been racking up accolades and earning the respect of his peers over the last four decades. He came back from a terrible injury that could have halted his career to win on the world stage in Rio. [Two Legends Bow Out]
Worm control is especially critical in young horses because they are less likely to develop a tolerance than healthy, mature adult equines. Learn about guidelines for parasite control in foals and yearlings in this informative article: [Keeping On Top of Worms in Young Horses]
For all the moms out there in the eventing nation, here’s to you! Thanks for driving us to the barn, supporting our horsey habits, being our biggest fans, building us up when we’re down and giving us a kick in the pants when we need one. Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to the best Smallzie ❤️❤️❤️ And the other amazing Eventing Moms!!
Happy Mother’s Day ❤
Without these two women my dreams wouldn’t have stood a chance. Thank you seems a silly thing to say. Love to all the amazing Mums today and always
In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.
Maybe it’s Rolex and Badminton back-to-back, maybe it’s because the eventing season is in full swing, maybe it’s something in the water. Whatever it is, there are a ton of incredible experienced Intermediate event horses listed right now and looking for their next partner in crime!
Evening Melody aka Harper. 8yo, 16.1 OTTB Gelding. Unraced, no tattoo. Successfully competed through CCI* and Intermediate. Harper such a joy to ride and has a puppy dog personality. Loves his job and has to be the center of attention. He’s looking for his next person to take through the levels. He would be more comfortable competing up to prelim/1* but is capable of doing Intermediate. He would make a great YR looking for something steady that will jump anything. Always scores low 30’s. Located in Kentucky.
Great Bourton. Photo by Captured Moment Photography via Sport Horse Nation.
Great Bourton is a 2008 bay 16.3h Zangersheide gelding. Super competitive and experienced 1* horse. Has won and placed at Preliminary and Open Intermediate consistently finishes on low 30’s dressage score. Recently finished second in the OP at Plantation Field. Solid in all phases. Very sound and a pleasure to handle. Easy to trailer, shoe, clip and a great traveler… nothing phases him. He’s new to our barn on the east coast but has been completely class to work with. Located in Pennsylvania.
Storm Watch is a very handsome dark bay 7 yr old 16.2+hd registered IDSH that I bred and brought along through Preliminary. He is 3/4 TB by Brandenburg’s Windstar. He did very well last season, and should be able to do a CCI* this year, as well as move up to Intermediate. He’s already qualified to do both. I believe he has the scope to go Advanced and be very competitive. He placed in the top three in five events of his eleven total events, ribboning in all but one. He is quite a good mover with dressage scores in the 20’s and 30’s. He is schooling 3rd level with clean changes and half passes in both trot and canter. Stormy is sensitive and responsive to aids, but he is safe and allows for mistakes. He is super to have at shows, hauling and settling in well, and in general is a pleasant horse with a friendly disposition. He has zero jump faults cross country with no cross country issues and will jump whatever you put in front of him; banks, ditches, water, and skinnies. He has plenty of gallop, and is quite adjustable to his fences with a huge stride if you need it, but also willing and able to add up. He should suit a capable amateur or a pro. Could be an excellent Young Rider horse. He does have quite a jump, and might not be suitable for a rider with a loose leg. He is sound, and in full work. Located in Oregon.
An exceptional opportunity for a JR / YR / Am to take on the ride on proven Advanced eventer, Normandy Soldier (aka Vinny). 15yr old, TB gelding approx 16.0h (on his tippy toes!). Vinny has won several International events at the 2* level and too many Intermediates to even list them all – but has made it clear he does not want to play at 3* – hence the reason we are looking for someone to take him on to spend the later part of his career at the lower levels. With the right partnership and program – he’s a safe bet at 2* / Intermediate level. Absolute robot on the flat, unreal Show Jumper (jumped many clears at Adv / 3* level) – He is NOT a XC packer (if such a thing even exists past 1*?!) – he requires a rider that believes in him XC. If you are nervous XC – this horse isn’t for you! He likes pace and a bold ride – he’s amazingly safe (goes in his dressage snaffle bridle for all phases) and will happily ‘fill a gap’ if left to his own devices. He is a genuine podium prospect at JR / YR champs this year and for many more years to come. Unbelievably sound, clean legs. Never been injured his whole career. We are looking to lease him / lease to buy option is in the contract – priority will be given to JR’s / YR’s with genuine capacity to fulfill Vinny’s ability; who are in a good program with a reputable trainer. Located in Florida.
Lawnvale Irish is an experienced eventer that’s a true Preliminary packer. He’s received ribbons through Intermediate including a CCI1* and has recently been a winner at Novice level horse trials with an amateur rider. He’s a great mover and jumper with consistent dressage scores in the 20s. Lawnvale Irish would be best suited for a junior, young rider or adult amateur rider. Located in Pennsylvania.
HATTIE – Intermediate Event Horse. Bay Irish Sport Horse (3/4 TB) mare, 16.1 hands, 9 years old. This beautiful mare was bred to Event – she is out of a successful four-star Cavalier mare who has jumped clear around Rolex multiple times, and by the popular TB eventing sire Harry the Hat. She is athletic, bold, and nicely sensitive, with good movement and an uphill balance. She is a terrific and safe jumper, and a cross-country machine – she has done over 15 Preliminary and 6 Intermediate events without XC penalties. She is a super Young Riders horse; she recently took an inexperienced rider to the Preliminary level; they have been in the top placings in 4 out of 5 events in 2017. She would also suit the ambitious rider who wants to go Advanced; she has the ability to move up to the 3 and 4 star levels. She could take you to Rolex! Sound, fit and ready to go. Located in Virginia.
Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.
Thomas Carlile and Upsilon. Photo by Benjamin Clark / Event Rider Masters.
A personal best is a great way to begin the 2017 Event Rider Masters Series, and that’s exactly what France’s Thomas Carlile and the 9-year-old Anglo Arab Upsilon pulled off today in dressage at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials. Their personal best score of 33.2 gave them a narrow lead in a competitive CIC3* division with an exciting day of show jumping and cross country ahead tomorrow.
“Upsilon is such a wonderful horse and has so much ability. We’ve really worked on strengthening him up for this phase and he certainly delivered today,” Thomas said of the stallion owned by Ecuries Carlile Complet Eventing and Scea de Beliard. “Looking to tomorrow, I believe he will only have a pole down in the show jumping if I make a mistake. It would be nice to have a bit of breathing space going out on the cross-country, but with Gemma and plenty of others breathing down our neck I doubt we’ll have such a luxury!”
There were an impressive five sub-40 dressage scores today. Great Britain’s Gemma Tattersall and the Pebbles Syndicates Quicklook V scored a personal best as well and sit close behind Thomas and Upsilon in second place on 33.7. Chatsworth is Gemma’s first FEI event back with the 12-year-old Anglo European Studbook mare since the Rio Olympics last summer.
“Wasn’t Quicklook V amazing!” Gemma said. “We’ve both been working hard on our flat work and it really came off today. We have been aiming her at this competition and there’s everything to play for tomorrow, as we want to give the French a run for the top spot of the ERM podium!”
Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V. Photo by Benjamin Clark / Event Rider Masters.
Germany’s Bettina Hoy and her 13-year-old Westphalian gelding Designer 10 are sitting in third place with a 38.4. The pair rerouted to Chatsworth after having problems early on the cross country course at Badminton last week.
“There was a big atmosphere in the arena today and Designer 10 behaved really well, I am delighted. He loves being here in England,” Bettina said. “He was strong last weekend and we had a bit of disagreement early on the course, however the result is we are now here taking part in the ERM. I hope to compete in future legs across the 2017 series with either Designer 10 or Seigneur Medicott.”
Bettina Hoy and Designer 10. Photo by Benjamin Clark / Event Rider Masters.
Rosalind Canter (GBR) and her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood Zenshera were another to score a personal best, and they are now a hair away from a podium placing with 38.7. Nicola Wilson and James and Jo Labert’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood Bulana round out the top five on 39.9, cracking into the 30s for the first time in the mare’s FEI career.
Tomorrow will be a big day, and the number crunchers at ERM’s Official Statistics Provider EquiRatings predict this won’t be a dressage show!
— Event Rider Masters (@EventRiderMstrs) May 13, 2017
You can rewatch the live stream of dressage at www.eventridermasters.tv and tune in tomorrow for finale! Show jumping runs from 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. BST/5:15-7:30 a.m. EST and cross country is from 1:45-4 p.m. BST/8:45 a.m.-11 a.m. EST.
The Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials in Derbyshire, England kicks of the 2017 Event Rider Masters series this weekend. Thanks to the incredible power of technology, we can get a virtual preview of the CIC3* course through the innovative Cross Country App.
This year’s Ian Stark designed course has 33 efforts with an optimum time of 6 minutes 18 seconds. The time at Chatsworth is notoriously difficult to make (only two riders have ever actually made time on cross country–click here for 9 more fast facts about Chatsworth), but the pressure is on, with 40 horse and rider combinations vying for £50,000 in prize money at this event and a chance to win an additional £50,000 series bonus.
Dressage takes place today with show jumping and cross country running in that order on Sunday. Don’t forget the entire competition will be live streamed for FREE on www.eventridermasters.tv. Go Eventing.
Carmen Schatte and her stunning Dutch Warmblood mare Lady Elvira attacked the cross country course at Poplar Place Farm last weekend, turning in a confident double-clear round to finish fourth in the Preliminary/Training division.
Carmen has brought Elvira along from the Beginner Novice level and in the last three years their partnership has developed into something truly awesome.
After an unfortunate elimination last fall, Carmen and Elvira dropped back down a level to regain their confidence. Now they’ve truly hit their stride, earning three wins at Novice and Training level since Thanksgiving. You go girls!
RNS Video was on site at the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event and Horse Trials in Chesterfield, SC last week and has posted one of their famous montages of the Look at the Lake Water Complex. The horse and rider combinations seen in this video are competing in the long-format three-day divisions and have already negotiated two roads and tracks sets and a steeplechase course. They are fit, fierce and fighting for the finish line!
Long live the long format! Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.
The feeling you get when it’s just you and your horse
It’s why we do what we do.
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It is why the horse that matters to you matters to us. Not sure which horse supplement best meets your horse’s needs? We are here to help. Contact Kentucky Performance Products, LLC at 859-873-2974 or visit our website at KPPusa.com.
Jessica Payne gets bucked off “Punky.” Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
“If you’re going to ride, you’re going to fall.”
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s when and how bad it’s going to be.”
These are phrases horseback riders of all disciplines have heard and we know them to be true. No matter how sweet and safe your horse might be under saddle, one day you’re going to unintentionally part ways.
The best case scenario is you’re on your feet and swinging back into the saddle in no time at all, but we all know just how serious the results of a fall can be.
Danny and Keli Warrington are determined to help reduce the risk of catastrophic injuries through the LandSafe Rider Fall Safety System and are traveling the U.S. teaching riders how to fall using a progressive training program.
“Our goals are to save lives, reduce injuries and increase safety education,” Danny said. “I want people to understand that they’re not victims, that they have a choice in that moment during a fall and that there is training out there.”
Eventing has seen huge strides in safety technology through advanced jump construction, frangible technology and rule changes. However Danny felt that rider responsibility was a missing link in discussions about safety. Other sports such as gymnastics and martial arts teach athletes how to reduce the risk of injury early on in their training. He wondered why riding does not do the same.
Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Danny retired from competitive eventing last year and dove into researching and developing a program to reduce the risk of rider injuries during falls. He discovered that Lindsay Nylund, an Olympic gymnastics athlete and coach, had a head start with his own Horse Rider Fall Safety Training program.
“I didn’t need to rewrite the book, I needed to get people safe,” Danny said. So he and Keli traveled to Australia to train and collaborate with Lindsay, who encouraged them to take that education back to the States and start teaching.
I was invited to audit one of the LandSafe clinics at Peter Barry’s beautiful farm in Aiken, South Carolina earlier this spring. I will be the first to admit that I was skeptical, even critical, of some of the videos I’d seen from previous clinics because riders were putting their arms out to break the fall. But what they learned in the process was how to protect their head and neck and roll themselves away from danger.
The biggest takeaway for me was seeing the riders find a new awareness of their body mechanics and discover that they can have control over a fall.
“The most important thing is you, your head, your neck and your safety. I really feel like we can do more for ourselves,” Danny said. “We’re trying to give your brain something to think about during a fall and train you what to do in that ‘heart moment’ (when you know you’re going down).”
Danny Warrington and Carol Kozlowski demonstrate the brace position. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
With LandSafe, you don’t have to bring your horse along to learn to fall. Using a simulator and a careful progression of techniques, you can learn to fall in a multitude of scenarios and practice in a safe environment. Before you start throwing yourself off a hydraulic horse, you start learning specific tumbling techniques on the mat.
Danny and Keli start the clinic off with basic stretches to warm-up. Next you learn about the ‘brace position,’ which is the “root of all rolling.” In this position your wrists and elbows form your ‘crash mat,’ and you’re made to practice it constantly as both a component of rolling and as a ‘finishing move’ (even if a participant lost their balance coming out of a roll, they were encouraged to keep their hands up in the brace position rather than reaching back to catch themselves).
From simple forward rolls you move on to rolling over one shoulder. Then you incorporate a trampoline and practicing leaping and rolling. Before you know it you’re doing a perfect dive roll over a stack of trapezoid mats like a seasoned gymnast.
Stretches first! Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
The “angry cat” strengthens the back and protects the head. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Jennifer Bozza practices the brace position. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Jessica Payne demonstrates a strong brace position during a roll. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Oops! Here’s what happens when a brace position collapses. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Carol Kozlowski practices rolling over one shoulder. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Keli has a high-level competitive gymnastics background herself in addition to her riding experience. She demonstrated each of the various rolling techniques and expertly spotted the riders when they got to the actual falling portion of the clinic.
Her heightened level of understanding of body mechanics thanks to her gymnastics experience has been an asset to her riding career and was a valuable example for all of us observing at the clinic.
“She knows where the ground is and how gravity works. That takes over when she gets in trouble,” Danny said.
“It helped a ton when we were breaking racehorses,” she confirmed. “I always seemed to land on my feet when others might not have.”
That’s because she has been trained to control her body in the air and “spot the ground,” and it’s now a skill that is embedded into her inherent physical responses. “When a normal rider gets in trouble, instinct takes over because they have no training,” Danny said. “You have to be trained out of instinct and into reaction and response.”
Jennifer Bozza bounces off a trampoline and into a perfectly executed dive roll. Photos by Leslie Threlkeld.
Once the clinic participants were proficient in their dive rolls and brace positions, they met Punky, a large, imposing character with a naughty streak. Built on a 24-foot track, Punky’s hydraulic gears allow him to buck, spin and unceremoniously dump his rider on command.
With one person at the controls and the other spotting on the inflatable mat, riders can repeatedly and consistently practice their fall techniques at various speeds. Danny and Keli are also teaching emergency dismounts and how to escape from a rear.
“The first time you jump off is the scariest thing you’ll ever do, but by the end of it we’re bucking and spinning and you’re just gaining confidence,” Danny said.
He stressed that the goal of LandSafe is not to teach riders to bail out, he’s teaching them to control the energy of the fall.
Watch the steady progression of clinic participants learning to roll on the mat and later fall safely off Punky in the below video. (Note: The riders aren’t wearing helmets during these exercises because Danny and Keli want riders to learn how to “clear their head and neck” as they roll without the bulk of a helmet to begin.)
Four-star eventer Jessica Payne admits to being bad at falling, so much so that it’s a running joke within her family. She, like most riders, has plenty of stories about falls that she can look back on and laugh about, but they could have been far more serious.
Both of her parents are in the medical field and her father is a neurosurgeon who of course takes neck and back injuries very seriously; Jessica said she’s been wearing air vests since before they were available in the U.S.
Her husband and fellow eventer, Doug Payne, grew up vaulting and attempted to help Jessica learn a more graceful way to fall to no avail. As soon as the LandSafe clinic came to Aiken, he signed her up.
“I’m honest about it: I’m a terrible faller. I don’t know how to do it,” Jessica said. “But today I had these ‘aha’ moments so hopefully now I have the tools to know what to do.”
Jennifer Bozza is an adult amateur who participated in the clinic. She said she felt like the fear of falling was keeping her from moving up and this clinic has helped her feel like she can allow a fall to happen and feel more in control of it.
She summed it best when she said, “I love the idea of tucking instead of splatting.”
Visit the LandSafe website for more information and to find a LandSafe clinic near you.
Phillip Dutton and Mr Medicott. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Another Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in the books and another win for Michael Jung. Reigning champions Michael and fischerRocana FST knocked it out of the park this week to secure a third consecutive victory at Rolex, a feat never before accomplished in the history of the competition, and added another fancy watch to Ze Terminator’s collection.
Phillip Dutton and Mr Medicott were at the top of their game despite very little preparation, and this world class horse will retire from the four-star level as a USEF National Four-Star Champion. Phillip has extra reason to celebrate as this marked his 40th Rolex completion – wow!
It was an incredible week. Thank you for riding along with EN. Go Eventing!
Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is something we look forward to for months but when we finally get here it always seems to fly by incredibly quickly. We’ve arrived at the final day of competition of the 2017 edition of the Best Weekend All Year.
This morning’s final horse inspection confirmed 39 horse and rider combinations that will move on to show jumping this afternoon, when we will find out if Michael Jung can make history yet again with a third consecutive Rolex victory on the talented fischerRocana FST.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Under Suspection. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Where to begin about today’s cross country at Rolex Kentucky? The horses and riders displayed remarkable athleticism, the spectators were as enthusiastic as ever and the weather, as usual, was really weird.
I spent the day at the Rolex Head of the Lake, and myself and several other photographers agreed we had never seen so much action there before. A massive table at 10a immediately followed by a humongous drop into the water and then a narrow fish a few strides later. That was just 10abc. On a bending line to 11, competitors then negotiated a very large narrow brush in the water, back to dry land and over another massive narrow brush before galloping away.
There were a few riders to take surprise baths (thankfully everyone walked away safely) and some impressively scrappy rides and ‘just get it done’ moments. However there were also some absolutely lovely trips, including a few from our rookies! Check out today’s 42 finishers through the iconic complex in the gallery below.
Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Dressage at the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover, is complete. It is absolutely thrilling to see Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at the top of the leaderboard ahead of reining champs Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST.
The scores overall are extremely close, with ten points separating third and 30th place. Tomorrow’s course is a monster and we expect to see plenty of combinations taking care in the high temperatures expected for the day.
It was a bittersweet end to the dressage phase as Allison Springer and her incredible partner Arthur trotted down the center line in the Rolex arena for the final time. They received a heartfelt standing ovation and the deafening applause continued as they took their final lap. We’ll certainly miss this pair.
Will Coleman is over the moon with OBOS O'Reilly after a personal best test. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
It was an emotional first day of competition at the 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. We kicked off the morning with the test ride by Kathleen Murray and Ballynoe Castle RM ahead of the legendary Irish Sport Horse’s official retirement. James Alliston and Parker, the first competitors in the ring, threw down a personal best and James’ mile-wide grin melted our hearts.
There were some tense moments as the wind picked up, the flags started flapping and an ominous sky sent us reaching for rain gear. Photographer Anthony Trollope called it “good weather for sailing,” but thankfully the storm passed us by. We’re looking forward to another full day of dressage tomorrow with some heavy hitters still to compete, including reigning Rolex Champion Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST.
Don’t miss a moment of EN’s coverage! Click here to read more and be sure to download the newly released EN app on your phone or tablet!
The one and only Shannon Brinkman captured special behind-the-scenes photos at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event first horse inspection today. Check out her incredible collection below and be sure to follow her on Facebook for more images throughout the weekend!
Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
The 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event has finally arrived and it was a perfect sunny day for the first horse inspection. The horses were immaculately turned out and our riders looked sharp. Fifty-nine pairs will move on to dressage, which begins just after 10:00 a.m. EST tomorrow morning. Click here for Jenni’s full report of the jog and check out the RK3DE contenders in the gallery below.
Andrew Diemer at Longleaf Pine H.T. Photo courtesy of Dana Diemer.
This weekend Andrew Diemer returned to the sport of eventing after a seven year hiatus. Competing at Beginner Novice seems like a pretty unremarkable come back for the 2008 NAJYRC team silver medalist and national Intermediate rider. However, in the winter of 2015 Andrew found himself in critical condition at Johns Hopkins Hospital with endocarditis, a bacterial infection in his heart that destroyed two heart valves. Four emergency surgeries with in 96 hours left Andrew with two mechanical valves and a permanent pacemaker. Collateral damage to his right foot resulted in a transtibial amputation of his lower right leg a few weeks later.
Andrew returned to riding almost immediately upon release from rehab and began competing again in his other equine passion, polocrosse. In October of last year he anchored a national championship winning team, earning a best player award. He began working toward a return to eventing about the same time and took over the ride on his dad’s horse. Future plans revolve around having fun with the sport while he completes his degree. April is National Limb Loss Awareness month! #amplifyyourself!
The Fleeceworks RK3DE Scavenger Hunt is returning as one of EN’s contests at Rolex this year! One lucky EN reader will win a clinic with Tamie Smith at the facility of your choice. Stay tuned for the announcement will full details about the scavenger hunt coming later today on EN. Be sure to follow Fleeceworks on Facebook and Instagram for more!
Congratulations to EN reader Michelle von Schmidt-Pauli, winner of Majyk Equipe’s VIP Trip to Rolex! Michelle has never attended Rolex before, and we are so excited to team up with Majyk Equipe to help her make the trip to Kentucky for the first time. Be sure to check out Majyk Equipe’s full line of protective equine boots on their website. [Majyk Equipe]
Rolex week is finally here! Here at EN, we fondly refer to the RK3DE as eventing’s Super Bowl, and it’s all hands on deck to bring you the best and most ridiculous coverage of the event for the next full week! The best advice I ever received about going to Rolex is to “pack for everything” which I’ve now experienced is 100% true. Bring hats, clothes, outerwear and shoes suitable for heat waves, blizzards and floods. Never, never go to Rolex without your rain gear, no matter what the weatherman says.
The Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials in Leesburg, Va. needs volunteers for all positions April 29-30. If you’re interested in helping out, contact Amy Geyer at [email protected].
Rolex allows spectators to bring their dogs, but there are some rules. For the safety of the competitors and other people and animals enjoying the show, dogs must be on leashes at all times and according they are not allowed in the Rolex Stadium any of the Grandstands or Hospitality Tents, even if they “fit in a Louis Vuitton bag.” In exchange for a small donation, The Lexington Humane Society will provide on site doggie daycare because you don’t want to be the person whose canine destroys Michael Jung’s winning streak. [Should I Bring My Dog to Rolex?]
Eventing stars gathered in advance of Badminton CCI4* and to honor the memory of Hannah Francis, who bravely fought bone cancer and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for cancer research. Another £18,000 was raised through ticket sales. The event included talks from course designer Eric Winter along with famous names in the sport, music, dinner and a live auction that included absolutely incredible items. [Willberry Does Badminton]
The second annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship is one month away, and collegiate eventers around the country have been hard at work practicing, fundraising and working together to make sure their college or university will be well represented. Check out what Clemson University’s team has been up to this season as they prepare for the Championship in the above video created by April Ann Crawford.
The Intercollegiate Championship will once again take place at Virginia Horse Trials in Lexington, Va. on May 25-28. Ten teams from ten schools competed in 2016, and the organizers are looking forward to welcoming even more students this year. Want to know more? Click here to learn more about Intercollegiate Eventing and how you can get involved!
Do you want to let the Eventing Nation know about your school’s eventing team? Send photos and videos links to [email protected].
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive at the Rolex Horse Inspection. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Seasoned Rolex-goers have their plan of action set early. They’ll hit all the trade fair for great deals, snag autographs from their favorite riders, earn those 10,000 steps 10 times over on official cross country course walks and exploring the stunning Kentucky Horse Park. Everyone has their must-do list between rides, but Rolex is rolling out some new activities and entertainment opportunities this year that you need to know about. Here are seven things you must do at Rolex Kentucky 2017.
Farm-to-Table Fundraiser
Love local eats? Support the 2017 Rolex Kentucky official charity Central Kentucky Riding for Hope and sign up for the Farm-to-Table Fundraiser on Thursday, April 27 in the famous “Big Barn” at KHP. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvre beginning at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by a three-course dinner for which a special menu featuring locally sourced ingredients has been set by Kentucky chefs Jeremy Ashby and Janey Thompson (check out the menu!). Tickets are available online or call 859-254-8123.
Leslie and John doing some pre-race warmup stretches in the media center before the RK-5K. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Run for Charity
Here’s another way to support Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. The RK-5K Twilight Race has become a popular tradition at Rolex. Take your pick between a timed 5k or a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk (that sounds more my speed!). The race is Friday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. and the proceeds go to the official charity.
Last year EN challenged Chronicle of the Horse in a race to the 5k finish. A strange series of events that followed unsurprisingly resulted in John, Wylie and Chinch bringing “shame upon this family” and owing a debt in beer. I say, this calls for a rematch! (Breaking: EN is now interviewing for new staff members with marathon experience, the ability to focus on a single task and can start this week.)
If you just want to register for the race, click here.
Camp in comfort. Photo via Flickr/CC/Ranch Seeker. (This is not an example of Rolex glamping).
Glamping
Experience your Rolex-cation in a whole new way with glamping in the Kentucky Horse Park! Glampers (glamorous campers) will stay in waterproof canvas tents complete with a bed, table and chairs, a light, blankets and pillows. There will be a fire pit for cooking and socializing and an area that you can charge your phone (you might be ‘camping’ but you still need to read EN). Click here to learn more. Glamping not your style? Click here for regular KHP camping info.
Champions Live!
New for 2017, Rolex is bringing you “Champions Live!”, a panel discussion featuring an equestrian champion from each of the three Olympic disciplines. This year’s featured champions are Eventing’s own Phillip Dutton, show jumping legend and NBC Analyst Melanie Smith Taylor and Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin.
The panel will be moderated by the one and only James Wofford, a champion several times over! Meet in the Kentucky Club at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, following the final horse inspection. The panel is FREE and open to anyone with a Sunday grounds ticket. If you can’t make it in person, USEF Network will be live streaming the entire session!
Pre-Show Jumping Show
The show jumping opening ceremonies will have a special guest this year. Dan James will be performing in the Rolex Arena at noon on Sunday. Dan is one-half of the training and entertainment duo Double Dan Horsemanship. Dan James and Dan Steers have taught clinics and performed in exhibitions all over their home country of Australia and other major events around the world since forming Double Dan Horsemanship in 2009, including performing on Australia’s Got Talent in 2011.
Their mission is to “help create well rounded horses that are able to go on to do any discipline or job to achieve that perfect equine relationship.” Don’t miss the chance to watch how it’s done!
Watch Pony Club Mounted Games at Rolex! Photo by Leslie Wylie.
ALL the Demos!
There is never a shortage of interesting FREE demonstrations and exhibitions taking place in the Walnut Ring. Several of these performances occur more than once so don’t panic if you’re favorite Rolex competitor is in the ring at the same time as a demo you really want to see.
Some of this year’s demos include the Keeneland Pony Club Quadrille, a Pas de deux to “Beauty and the Beast,” Fleur De Lis Vaulters, the Prince Philip Cup Games, tons of breed exhibitions and a preview of the 2017 Thoroughbred Makeover. There is much more to see! Click for a full schedule.
“Hello, and welcome to the EN Tailgate Party. Can we get you some champagne? A new tattoo?” Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Party with EN
And of course, you won’t want to miss the party of the year. The EN Tailgate, presented by Amerigo, is full free swag, refreshments, games and general insanity. Chinch will be there and so will a few other celebrity guests. Enjoy watching the cross country while you party down; we’ve got a great location this year. Stay tuned for more details. See you there!
What is your Rolex must-do? Let us and your friends know in the comments. Want more ideas? Check out our must-do lists from years past (2014, 2015, 2016).
Cinaero Studios posted a new promo video for the July 2017 Great Meadow International CICO3* in The Plains, Va. and it definitely got our hearts pumping! Last year, Great Meadow was the site of the first FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing outside of Europe and is once again on the Nations Cup calendar this year.
Eyes are also on Great Meadow as it, along with Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland, is on a short list of venues being considered to host a new CCI4* in the United States. If approved by the FEI, the new CCI4* will join Rolex Kentucky as the second four-star in the U.S. and become the seventh CCI4* event in the world.
Tickets for the 2017 Great Meadow CICO3* are already on sale. Visit the Great Meadow website for more information. For more about the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, click here.
In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.
On Tuesday, the OTTB Wishlist brought you three gorgeous grey Thoroughbreds available through CANTER. Since there’s almost nothing more eye-catching than a perfectly groomed grey horse in the warm-up at a competition (and some folks are partial to all that purple shampoo and white hair snowstorms) we’re sharing four more greys looking for their next partner.
WhateveritTakes. Photo courtesy of Emily Urban via Sport Horse Nation.
WhateveritTakes (Jeb) is a 2007, 17H Thoroughbred gelding. Very eye-catching on the flat with lovely gaits and super scopey, tight jump with flying changes. Has serious upper level potential for YR, professional, or amateur. Gone BN & N (Unrecognized/recognized) with current amateur owner with clean record. Suitable as a hunter/jumper as well. Awesome, quiet disposition and a great horse to ride out of the ring alone or with a group. No soundness issues. A must-see horse! Located in Tennessee.
Zulu Belle. Photo courtesy of Pippa Moon via Sport Horse Nation.
Peanut is a 2007 15.3h Grey Holsteiner Mare by Riverman. Bred in Canada, she got a later start, but is ready for a serious career. She is a lovely mover, has a huge jump, and a real trier. Milage eventing novice with no dressage score above 28. Brave, careful, and schooling the training level questions. She should move along quite quickly with an experienced and ambitious rider. Not mareish, great feet, good bone, no vices. Recent Result: 3rd out of 15 at Full Gallop ON on a dressage score. Located in South Carolina.
BamBam. Photo courtesy of C’est La Vie Farm via Sport Horse Nation.
BamBam is an 11 year old Welsh cross gelding who stands 13.2H and is sadly outgrown. He has competed at both unrecognized and recognized events as well as qualifying and competing at Pony Club Championships in Showjumping in 2016 in the 3 foot division. He has done every pony club rally as well as camp and taken my daughter up through her C2 rating with plenty of scope to do the 3’3″ jumpers. Very sadly for sale, only the absolute best home for this guy. He has a lead change and was shown in short stirrup when my daughter was little. Serious adult inquiries only. Located in Maryland.
Cristal. Photo courtesy of Brett Elise Handy via Sport Horse Nation.
Amazing mare for any young rider or professional looking to move up through the levels or pack around at 1.20 jumpers.
Super easy to ride, straight forward mare. Has competed at the Tryon Equestrian Centre at 1.15m with ease. Completed training level eventing and schooled preliminary level. Looking for a forever home. I do not have the time or resources out of veterinary school. Serious inquiries only. Videos available. Located in California.
Listings included in this article are randomly selected and confirmed to be current and active before inclusion. Sport Horse Nation features user-generated content and therefore cannot verify or make any warranty as to the validity or reliability of information.
Holly Hudspeth and Last Monarch. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
We are deeply saddened to report that Holly Hudspeth’s beloved partner Last Monarch died on Friday, April 14. Holly confirmed to EN that “Stewie” a 16-year-old Thoroughbred, contracted a lung infection and after spending a week in an equine hospital with no improvement, the decision was made to end his suffering.
Holly and Stewie partnered in 2006 and she developed him from the Novice to four-star level. They finished 17th in the 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and were short listed for the U.S. World Equestrian Games Team the same year. Out of 69 events on his USEA record, Stewie has over 60 clear cross country rounds and very few show jumping rails.
“Stewie had the most unique personality,” Holly said. “He was like taming a wild mustang on a daily basis. Yet his bravery on the cross country and carefulness in the show jump arena was unparalleled throughout my career. I appreciate everything Stewie gave me during our time together. He was one of a kind. RIP wild man, you will be missed.”
Holly and her husband Chuck had their first child, a daughter named Hailey, in 2011. Stewie was later sold to Mexican eventer Alfonso Gomez Benet so he could continue doing what he loved–run and jump!
Holly and Stewie had a lot of fans, including the staff here at EN. Holly was one of our first guest bloggers and chronicled her journey to Stewie’s first four-star in 2010.
We extend our sincerest condolences to Holly, Alfonso and all those who loved Stewie.
David O’Connor and Wilton Fair on the cover of USCTA News. Photo used with permission from USEA.
There is no time like the present to be a Developing Rider in the U.S, as the USEA, USEF and a number of devoted individuals are going above and beyond to support the future of the sport.
The USEA Foundation announced today the formation of the Wilton Fair Fund which provides $1,000,000 to support riders 29 and under who have not yet ridden for a senior team. Donated by David and Cheryl Lenaburg, the fund will allow up to $100,000 in educational grants to be given annually.
“This is an exciting time for the USEA Foundation,” said Kevin Baumgardner, the USEA Foundation Chairman. “Our mission has expanded significantly over the past several years, and we are now administering grant programs that make a difference in all areas of our sport. The Wilton Fair Fund is another big step forward for us. We cannot thank the Lenaburgs enough for their vision and generosity. We look forward to working with them for years to come.”
Wilton Fair was a 17.3-hand Irish wonder and is one of the USEA’s top 100 historical horses. The horse had already won the 1987 Burghley CCI4* with Sir Mark Todd when Mr. Lenaburg purchased “Wilbur” for David O’Connor to ride. Together they completed multiple CCI4* events around the world, won Rolex Kentucky in 1990 and represented the U.S. at the inaugural FEI World Championships in Stockholm the same year. They also won the 1993 Fair Hill CCI3* in some of the worst weather conditions that event has ever seen. Click here to read more about their incredible career together including the story behind the term ‘Wilbur Weather.’
“We believe that the developing side of the program is really important,” David O’Connor said. “You get caught because the senior riders can’t be riders forever, and then suddenly you’re in a hole. We’ve seen that happen. That’s the exciting part about the programs we’re coming up with. They’re really going to help with the ability for the U.S. to play for a long time.”
The first of the Wilton Fair grants will be awarded for the 2018 season. Click here for more information and a list of the types of educational opportunities that the funds may be used for.
“The Princess Bride” is a cult classic film adapted from William Goldman’s novel of the same name. If you grew up in the 90s, you saw the movie too many times to count and likely memorized a string of quotable lines from its endearing characters: the brave romantic hero Westley, beautiful Princess Buttercup, the friendly giant Fezzik and his partner in crime, the indefatigable Inigo Montoya, brilliantly portrayed by actor Mandy Patinkin.
So when a horse named Inigo Montoya left the start box at The Fork Horse Trials last week, myself and several others couldn’t help but throw out a few heartfelt phrases from the movie. I got such a kick out of it, I figured we just had to catch up with this horse and rider pair to learn more about their partnership and how the name came about.
Ava Cox and Inigo Montoya. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Inigo Montoya is a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding owned and ridden by 17-year-old Ava Cox of Seattle, Wa. Ava met “Amigo” last year when she had gone to California in search of her next horse. “I was looking for a young one to bring up. We had talked about getting a horse that was already doing a one-star and had been there, done that. But I had just sold a packer I purchased when I was younger and I wanted to get something young without a lot of miles,” Ava said.
“We didn’t even know about Amigo. We went to dinner with a friend and she mentioned a horse that might be for sale. It was a last minute look and almost didn’t happen.”
It was a perfect match right from the start. “When I rode him it just felt right. We meshed really well,” Ava said. “He got me and I got him. Our of probably ten horses we tried, he was the one. He’s so sweet and has the best personality. I think we just got along really well right from the get go.”
They ran Novice at The Event at Rebecca Farm last summer and then competed at Training for the rest of the year. Ava traveled East with her trainer Jordan Linstedt, who is prepping for Rolex Kentucky, and has enjoyed competing and taking lessons in a new area of the eventing nation. At The Fork, they took the opportunity to run the new Modified level instead of skipping ahead to Preliminary.
Ava Cox and Inigo Montoya. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
“I have kind of become a little bit of a backed off rider and always looking for another stride. Because he’s young I feel like I need to get him to the fence on a perfect stride so I’m a little more controlling,” she said. “The biggest thing is me trusting him to go to the fences, and doing the Modified at Tryon was the first time I was able to do that. Even though the fences were bigger, he was a different horse and paying attention to where he was putting his feet.
“Modified was by far the best decision I could have made because it showed me what I need to be ready for for Preliminary. It was a really good balance between technicality and fence height. I’m really happy with how it turned out and I hope there will be modified levels on the West Coast in the future.”
Ava said she doesn’t want to jeopardize Amigo’s confidence by moving up too soon, so she will continue running Training and Modified where possible with the hope of moving up later this year. “I’d love to go to NAJYRC but I’m not going to change my training with him to meet a goal like that. If he’s ready he’ll move up, but if not there’s no harm. I’m not in a rush.”
As for Amigo’s clever competition name, Ava credits her dad for coming up with it. “He loves that movie,” she laughed. “I didn’t want to name him after a movie but it stuck. I had told my dad he could have first choice on a name and he was so happy when I told him I’d name him (Inigo Montoya).”
Inigo Montoya the character is brave and fiercely loyal to his friends and family. Ava said the name suits her horse perfectly. “He’s such a brave, confident horse. On course he always takes care of me and back at the barn he just wants to hang out with me and cuddle.”
We wish Ava and Amigo the best of luck, and if you see them at a competition be sure to say, “Hello!”
