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Leslie Threlkeld

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Monday News and Notes from Event Clinics

By on Jul 6, 2015 12:38 am -
The main barn at Chattahoochee Hills was transformed for the competitor's party this weekend. #partylikeapollard. Photo via Pollard Eventing on Facebook.

The main barn at Chattahoochee Hills was transformed for the competitor’s party this weekend. #partylikeapollard. Photo via Pollard Eventing on Facebook.

Unless I’ve got a place to go where I’m going to stay the whole night, I generally try to hunker down at home on July 4th. I was forced out of my comfort zone this time due to a fat leg at the barn that needed tending. So after dinner, we steered clear of the town crowds and hiked out onto a golf course to watch the fireworks show from a distance. We ended up being treated to a laser lights rock concert courtesy of five different sparkling explosion extravaganzas in the area, thousands of chirping frogs in the trees and a fabulous view of the stars. It was lovely!

Oh, and I’m not much of a soccer fan, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say it: USA! USA! USA!

U.S. Weekend Action:

Kelly’s Ford H.T. [Results]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Results]

Camelot Equestrian Horse Park H.T. [Results]

South Farm H.T. [Results]

Monday News:

Lottie Lobb and Megan Bourke of Great Britain aim to create an Indian Olympic equestrian team. Currently based in Coimbatore, they are training aspiring riders at an equestrian club in the city. As the duo, who just finished a sting in Japan, travel from country to country, they try to learn from the best riders while teaching newcomers to the sport. [The Times of India]

The next generation of German champions is on the rise. At the weekend’s European Junior Riders Championships, the Germans were in a “league of their own,” capturing the gold, silver and bronze medals. Their performances were attributed to quality horses and correct classical riding. Surprised? [Eurodressage]

How dedicated are we to safety? We’ve got the helmets, the vests, the frangible pins, but what about a mouth guard? This potential new technology would not only protect your chompers, but it could detect whether or not you have a concussion. [Horsetalk]

You and I both know we’re incurable eventing nuts, but there are certain signs that give us away. Such as instantly knowing what the abbreviation WFP refers to and what your nightmares are made of (how fast can you count to 20?). Here are 19 signs you fit the description. [Horse and Hound]

Camilla Speirs rode two winners in the Irish Sport Horse Eventing series at Ballinamona. Loughnavatta Cedar took the 6-year-old trophy and LEB Lias Jewel won the 5-year-old class. [Horse Sport Ireland]

The FEI has updated their Athlete Categorization. Click here for the current list.

Tatendrang’s son Laduma was competing alongside him at Chattahoochee Hills this weekend. Bred by Anissa Cottongim, owned by Alice Andrews and ridden by Jonathan Holling, the now 5-year-old gelding out of Lovely Lady (by Tizian) finished sixth in Open Novice-A.

Sunday Video: Watch Guy Williams Break a Hickstead Course Record

By on Jul 5, 2015 5:30 pm -

Not only did Guy Williams (GBR) break a course record in the June 27 British Speed Derby at Hickstead, he also became the first rider to win the prestigious title on four separate occasions.

There were 30 horses entered in the Speed class, and the course included several of Hickstead’s permanent obstacles including the road crossing, the Irish bank and the less steep side of the Derby bank. The goal in the Speed Derby isn’t just to run fast, but to run fast and jump clear, as any knockdowns would add a whopping four seconds to a competitor’s time.

Guy’s 13-year-old Belgium Warmblood Casper De Muze – who already has a gaggle of wins on his record this year – looked keen. Guy hardly took a pull and had a solid plan to shave as many milliseconds off their time as possible by taking the most efficient routes.

Their bravery paid off when they finished 0.43 seconds faster than second place Harriet Nuttall and Silver Lift and set a course record of 91.95 seconds. “Casper is unbelievably fast,” Guy said after his win. “He just doesn’t even have to try, and he deserves to win.”

[Guy Williams Breaks Course Record in Speed Derby]

Jennie Brannigan Stays Busy at South Farm + Other Weekend Scores

By on Jul 5, 2015 3:30 pm -

Twighlightslastgleam and I reppin America for the Fourth of July 🙂

A photo posted by Jennie Brannigan (@jenniebrannigan) on

It may be a holiday weekend, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of action around the eventing nation. Some of us think riding across the country and hanging out with all our best horse show friends is just as good as barbecuing in the backyard and trundling out to the lake to watch fireworks.

In Butte Valley, California, Intro through Preliminary competitors turned out for the Camelot Equestrian Horse Park’s inaugural recognized horse trials as well as YEH-4yo and FEH-2yo divisions. California’s own Rebecca Braitling went home with two blue ribbons. She and Connie Baxter’s Soaring Bird added two extra seconds to the clock on cross country to run away with the win in Open Preliminary. In Open Training, Rebecca and Corrine Young’s Domina D’Revel produced a foot-perfect performance to move up from sixth after dressage to win a large division.

Camelot Equestrian Horse Park H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Camelot Equestrian Horse Park

Camelot Equestrian Horse Park

The South Farm Horse Trials in Middlefield, Ohio had a great turnout for Intro through Preliminary divisions. Beginner Novice, Novice and Training all had good enough entries to warrant three divisions apiece. In the sole Preliminary class, Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner’s Indie led from the start, scoring a 26.1 in dressage and adding some time on cross country.

Jennie wasn’t finished with just one win for Nina, however. She also finished on a 26.1 to win Open Novice A with Ideally, she was fourth in the Preliminary with Mixed Blessing, and second with Twilightslastgleam and sixth with Broomer in Open Training A.

South Farm H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

South Farm Horse Trials

South Farm Horse Trials

Kelly’s Ford Horse Trials in Remington, Virginia  hosted Beginner Novice through Preliminary recognized divisions as well as a massive Starter/Tadpole and Intro contingent. Time penalties were prevalent on cross country in the Preliminary division, but Alex Reed and On Broadway timed their ride perfectly, crossing the finish with three seconds to spare. That moved them up from seventh place after dressage and show jumping to the top of the standings in their third appearance at the level. Likewise, Sawyer Gilker and Fine Art moved up from sixth after the second phase to finish second with just 6.4 time penalties.

Kelly’s Ford H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Kelly's Ford

Kelly’s Ford

Down South in Georgia, Chattahoochee Hills suffered similar weather at it’s second summer series event as it did last weekend. A ton of rain on Saturday resulted in at least one weather hold, and several riders opted to withdraw before cross country. Werner Geven and Carden Burdette’s Thoroughbred gelding Vilas County were not to be deterred. They jumped clear on cross country with 6 time penalties to move into the lead in Intermediate-A , which they maintained today despite two rails in show jumping. Calvin Ramsay and Mac Gilly Cuddy gave them a run for their money, finishing just over a point behind in second.

Open Intermediate-B saw just three finishers out of seven starters. Andrea Glazer and Mary Macklin’s Mahogany Beauteo finished on top, with Lydia Kennedy and Double Dare in second and Werner and Tom Goodner’s Kid Kaline coming third.

There were three Preliminary divisions. Jessica Pye and Jo Ellen Krueger’s Deejay edged ahead of Andrew Palmer and Anissa Cottongim’s Tatendrang to win Open Preliminary-A on a 31.2. Nicholas Cwick and Kadi Eykamp’s Double Rivers Silk Stockings jumped clean and fast both days to move up from seventh and win Open Preliminary-B. Ashlyn Hayworth and her own Thoroughbred Oliver led Preliminary Rider from the start, finishing on a 38.6.

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills

Chattahoochee Hills

Kentucky Horse Park to Paint Iconic Fencing Black

By on Jul 5, 2015 1:30 pm -
Photo courtesy of www.kentuckytourism.com Photo courtesy of www.kentuckytourism.com

As you take I-75 exit 120 and begin the short drive down Iron Works Pike to the entrance of the Kentucky Horse Park, the highly visible white plank fencing has long been an invariable symbol that you have arrived in the Horse Capital of the World. That will soon change, as the Park is transitioning nearly 30 miles of fencing from white to black.

The iconic white fencing has been in place since the park opened in 1978, but it is expensive to maintain. Switching to black fencing will save an astounding estimated $50,000 annually in materials and labor costs that can be redirected to key operational needs that benefit the Park’s horses and guests.

“We realize the significance of this change and fully understand and appreciate the tradition of the white fencing at the park,” Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director Jamie Link said in a statement. “But the reality is that white fence paint costs about three times as much as black paint, white fencing requires repainting at least twice as often as black fencing, and white fencing requires more routine maintenance and resources to keep it at an appropriate level for the Kentucky Horse Park.”

Much of the fencing at the Park is already black, including the plank fence bordering the steeplechase track and other areas of the cross country course, and black fencing is not uncommon at other Lexington farms due to its lower maintenance costs.

The transition will be complete long before we all pile into Lexington for the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Pressure washing, scraping or replacing damaged boards and applying the new paint will begin very soon. Fences surrounding show rings, however, will remain white for visibility and safety purposes.

But the fencing is not what defines the Kentucky Horse Park – it’s the horses and the history that makes the Park so special to thousands of horse lovers around the world. That’s what keeps us coming back!

[Kentucky Horse Park Transitioning to Black Fencing]

Champion Your Champions: Nominations Are Open for 2015 FEI Awards

By on Jul 5, 2015 11:30 am -
Equestrian heroes celebrated at the 2014 FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines. Left to right: HRH Princess Haya, Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), Melissa Tan (SIN), Jackie Potts (GBR), Lambert Leclezio (MRI) with (centre) Sydney Collier (USA) and her service dog Journey. Photo by FEI/Liz Gregg

Equestrian heroes celebrated at the 2014 FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines. Left to right: HRH Princess Haya, Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), Melissa Tan (SIN), Jackie Potts (GBR), Lambert Leclezio (MRI) with (centre) Sydney Collier (USA) and her service dog Journey. Photo by FEI/Liz Gregg

Nominations are now open for the annual FEI Awards, which serve to honor the world’s exceptional equestrians and salute excellence, courage, commitment and dedication in the sport.

“Our sport is unique and extraordinary,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said in a statement. “Our athletes and everyone working in the equestrian community have amazing track records of success, incredible personalities and fascinating back stories. Time and time again as spectators and on television we see sensational victories, but there is so much more to our sport than meets the eye.

“These awards honour everyone who makes our sport happen, highlighting the true value of horse sport and its contribution to our global society. HRH Princess Haya created these important awards and I am proud to continue this tradition, which is now part of our community.”

This year’s winners will be celebrated during the glamorous FEI Awards Gala in San Juan, Puerto Rico on November 13, 2015.

The categories include:

Longines Rising Star Award – This award is for a person aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment. Seventeen-year-old Lambert Laclezio won last year as the first athlete to represent the island nation Mauritius at a World Championship when he competed in the vaulting competition at the 2014 WEG.

Reem Acra Best Athlete – This award celebrates the athlete who has demonstrated exceptional skills in the arena and taken equestrian sport to a new level over the previous 12 months. Dutchman Jeroen Dubbeldam, individual and team show jumping gold medalist at the 2014 WEG won this award last year. Charlotte Dujardin is also a previous Best Athlete Award recipient.

Against All Odds Award – This award acknowledges people who have pursued their equestrian ambitions despite physical issues or extremely difficult personal circumstances. Para-Equestrian dressage athlete Sydney Collier of the USA accepted this award last year with her service dog, Journey.

Best Groom Award – This award is for that important person who works behind the scenes and ensures the horses he or she looks after are given the best possible care. Eventing has been represented in this category for two years running. William Fox-Pitt’s groom Jackie Potts (GBR) was last year’s winner, and Ingrid Klimke’s yard manager Carmen Thiemann (GER) won in 2013.

FEI Solidarity Award – This award is for an individual or organization that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding equestrian sport. The equine therapy center Equal Ark in Singapore received this honor last year.

Nominations close at midnight on August 28. Click here to nominate your equestrian champion.

[FEI Awards 2015: quest for global equestrian heroes begins]

Tatendrang Makes an Emotional Return to Eventing at Chattahoochee Hills

By on Jul 5, 2015 9:30 am -
Andrew Palmer and Tatendrang at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Andrew Palmer and Tatendrang at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The 9-year-old Trakehner stallion Tatendrang returned to competition this weekend at Chattahoochee Hills, finishing second in Open Preliminary-A. This was he and his longtime rider Andrew Palmer’s first horse trials together since November.

“Tate” is one of 32 horses in Andrew’s barn exposed to the toxic substance monensin after consuming contaminated ADM Alliance Nutrition feed in January. After less-than-ideal results from a stress test, it was recommended that Tate be rested to prevent strain on his heart muscles. He was cleared to return to full work in May.

Tate’s owner Anissa Cottongim kept the entry to Chatt Hills quiet to avoid a jinx. “We’re being a little superstitious and not saying exactly where we are running,” Anissa told EN. “I’ll breathe easier after he gets around the first cross country course!”

Tate didn’t miss a beat and appears to have come back better than ever. His dressage score of 26.1 is a career personal best, and a clear cross country with 3.2 time penalties moved them into first place.

In show jumping this morning, Tate pulled one rail to finish second. Immediately following the news of the round, Anissa said she was crying, happy and relieved all at once. “I’ve been crying all weekend!” she said. “We weren’t trying to win ribbons, we were trying to just get around. This was a warm-up!”

THEY DID IT!!! First HT back since Nov after the monensin scare and not only does he complete but they come in SECOND…

Posted by Tatendrang on Sunday, July 5, 2015

“Tate knew the minute he got to the show grounds on Friday what he was there for,” Anissa said. Andrew reported that he was exuberant during his flat school but felt great. “Yesterday when he went out for dressage it was pouring down rain, and Andrew said Tate just kept getting bigger and bigger underneath him.”

“He was pretty eager the whole time,” Andrew confirmed this morning after show jumping. “He got off the trailer and was just super alert. He stood in his stall and talked and talked and talked. He was just excited to be here. He was a little strong in dressage… he knew what he was here for.”

Anissa was not able to be at Chatt Hills in person, so she’s been relying on Andrew and friends for updates. On Saturday – cross country day – her phone wouldn’t charge so she sat on her computer all day watching for results. “When I finally got hold of Andrew last night he kept saying ‘I knew he was going to be good, but I didn’t know he was going to be that good.'”

Andrew said he expected the stallion to be a bit rusty on cross country, but he clearly wasn’t. “He got right back into the groove. He had great gallop and just was game for every fence. It was fun and felt really good. We were about mid-course and I was just kind of galloping along and had a huge smile on my face because it felt like he was picking up where he left off.”

Tate celebrating at Chatt Hills. Photo via Tatendrang's Facebook page.

Tate celebrating at Chatt Hills. Photo via Tatendrang’s Facebook page.

Even if his owner couldn’t attend his emotional return to competition, Tate was not without a fan club to cheer him on. “People have been coming up and saying they’ve heard of him and they were glad to see him back,” Anissa said. “All of the support has helped a lot. Mentally, physically. All of that has really helped us.”

Now that this milestone is behind them, Anissa, Andrew and Tate can tentatively look towards the future. “Before all this started we had our entire year planned, now we’re a little superstitious.”

The plan in pencil is to run Intermediate at the next event, and they’re still hoping to get to Advanced by the end of the year if all goes well. Whatever happens, we’re delighted that Tate is back in action after a long, emotional roller coaster ride.

Go Tatendrang.

Fourth of July Celebrations Around Eventing Nation

By on Jul 4, 2015 5:06 pm -

Happy Fourth of July, EN! We hope you have a fun and safe evening chowing down on burgers and dogs, watching fireworks, playing with sparklers (my favorite!) and celebrating America’s independence.

Happy Fourth of July! #SaveAHorseRideAMustang

Posted by Wallace Eventing on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Tate wants to wish everyone a VERY happy 4th of July!!!!!! Not only has he just made a successful comeback sitting in…

Posted by Tatendrang on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!! ❤️

Posted by Tamie Smith on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July from Donner . #bornintheUSA #allAmerican #ottb

Posted by Lynn Symansky Equestrian on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Was thinking about this as a Fourth of July trot up outfit. Too subtle?

Posted by Pollard Eventing on Friday, June 26, 2015

Batteries not included aka king. Dylan rode king in the williston july 4th parade tonight. All artwork and handmade poms in mane and tail done by his mom Jean White

Posted by Stacey Emory on Friday, July 3, 2015

Some of our Orange Spirit and Most Patriotic award winners!

Posted by Sharon White on Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July everyone! I love this country

A photo posted by Schrammo (@domschramm) on

Twighlightslastgleam and I reppin America for the Fourth of July 🙂

A photo posted by Jennie Brannigan (@jenniebrannigan) on

NAJYRC CCI2* Running As Non-Championship Division Due to Insufficient International Entries

By on Jul 4, 2015 9:00 am -
Alexandra Willoughby and Tiki Car at the 2014 NAJYRC. Photo courtesy of ©Brant Gamma Photos Alexandra Willoughby and Tiki Car at the 2014 NAJYRC. Photo courtesy of ©Brant Gamma Photos

There will not be a CCI2* Championship division at the July 14-19 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championship this year due to “insufficient international entries.” Instead, there will be a non-championship CCI2*-Under 21 division.

The United States was the only North American country to field teams for the CH-Y2* competition, and FEI rules require a minimum of two countries with a team of at least three horses to be entered in order to hold an FEI Continental Championship.

“Following the close of Nominated Entries, the FEI requirement of at least two National Federations represented with teams was not met in order to run the Young Rider eventing and reining divisions as Continental Championships,” stated a USEF press release.

The rules do not allow an Individual Championship without a Team Championship. However, the USEF has been granted permission to run a non-championship CCI2*-U21 division during NAJYRC so riders can still compete for qualifications and support their teammates in the CCI* Championship division, which has not been affected.

“For eventing, the Organizing Committee will hold a CCIYR2*, allowing competitors the opportunity to ride and still feel a part of the championship experience. A CRIJ and CRIYR competition was offered for reining, but due to lack of entries will not be held.”

USEA Area V Young Rider Coordinator Catherine Texter Baker told EN that the USEF was notified by the FEI on the morning of July 3 that there could not be Team or Individual Championships for the two-star Young Riders. “USEF & USEA did all they could but the FEI rule is clear. There was nothing that could be done – just so very sad for Young Riders,” she said.

This cancellation is a huge blow to the Young Riders that have worked for years to achieve their dream of competing at NAJYRC, and we are very disappointed for those affected.

[Update on Eventing and Reining Championships at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North]

Monday News and Notes from Event Clinics

By on Jun 29, 2015 12:39 am -
A gorgeous morning at Chattahoochee Hills. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld. A gorgeous morning at Chattahoochee Hills. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The weather wreaked havoc at events all over the country this weekend. Groton House in Massachusetts made the call to compress the show from three days to two when it became clear the weather was going to get nasty. That turned out to be a good decision. Encore Horse Trials in Michigan was forced to run the event as a combined test. And down in Georgia, there were two weather holds due to storms on Saturday. Beginner Novice cross country was ultimately postponed until Sunday. As you might expect, however, everyone worked together to accommodate the conditions. Eventing is by all accounts a team sport, in its own way.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Groton House Farm H.T. [Scores]

Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. [Scores]

Horse Park of New Jersey I H.T. [Scores]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. [Scores]

Inavale Farm H.T. [Scores]

Encore H.T.  [Website]

Abbe Ranch H.T. [Scores]

Monday News:

“It was epic. The way this all went down is at the heart of why I am an eventer and eventing coach. Everyone pitched in. People were approaching our stabling coordinator to offer their help. I don’t believe I heard a single complaint about the decision to make the change.” [David Wilson describes the event at Groton House]

Horses are on display in an art gallery in New York City. A recreation of Jannis Kounellis’s original 1969 living installation art piece “Untitled (12 Horses)”. The horses are tied to the wall, eating hay, drinking water, snorting and pooping (as they do), but anyone that has spent time sitting quietly in a barn knows how peaceful and calming such a setting can be. [Art That Snorts]

Grooms are the unsung heroes of the sport, and Mark Bellissimo aims to honor them. Several horse shows will present a $500 award to the groom of the winning horse in the highest-money grand prix class of the week over $25,000. They will als receive media recognition, and the top three grooms at the end of the year will be awarded substantial prize money and be honored in the Chronicle of the Horse. [Grooms Initiative]

Surprise! Michael Jung wins again. Actually, he won first and second place at the Strzegom CCI3* in Poland. Michael and his horses produced two of the five clear show jumping rounds. Great Britain won their second consecutive FEI Nations Cup team competition, buffering their lead in the series’ standings. [Strzegom 3*]

Trevor Breen has earned his second victory at the famed Hickstead Derby. Trevor and his one-eyed wonder horse Adventure De Kannan captured hearts and the win in 2014. This weekend Trevor and 16-year-old Loughnatousa WB – who won in 2012 with rider Paul Beecher – produced the only clear round out of 37 competitors. [Hickstead Derby]

Monday Video: Jessica Bortner-Harris’s 5-year-old OTTB gelding, Better Terms (Willis) was supposed to be her horse for the Retired Racehorse Project, but an injury has him sidelined with four weeks of stall rest. He definitely hasn’t lost his sense of humor!

Jumping Clinic with Laine Ashker

By on Jun 28, 2015 3:00 pm -
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Jenni Autry.

When poles were flying in the Rolex Arena this April, Laine Ashker and her four-star OTTB superstar Anthony Patch were the first pair to deliver a double-clear show jumping round. In fact, fallen rails are few and far between throughout their storied career together.

Results like that don’t happen without doing your homework. Laine might be famous for her selfies, but she works hard to achieve her goals and inspires others along the way. That’s why we’re happy to see she’s sharing some of her secrets on social media!

Laine has been uploading gymnastics exercises she utilizes when schooling at home and explains why they are beneficial to the horse and rider. From Laine’s gymnastics to Phillip Dutton’s OTTB retraining behind-the-scenes to Evention‘s popular how-tos, providing fun and accessible educational mini-clinics like these is definitely a trend we can get behind.

Al demonstrates a fun gymnastic of tall cross rails (they get taller as your horse gets more comfortable) one stride apart separated by a 9 ft bounce pole. The cross rails help with straightness and slowing the horse off the ground and the rider should focus on his or her position in the air over the jump to facilitate a rounder bascule.

A video posted by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

A wide oxer to a bounce question is always great to gauge the strength of your position in asking your horse to shorten his stride.

A video posted by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

V-poles help the horses learn how to lift their shoulders and wait on the approach to a jump.

A video posted by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

A series of verticals and cavaletti separated by 9-foot bounces is a great exercise for teaching the horses to move their feet and strengthen their hind end.

A video posted by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

Here’s a fun exercise to aid in the development of a properly balanced canter through a turn: five verticals set at 4-5 ft on the inside and 10 ft on the outside on a turn.

A video posted by Lainey Ashker (@laineyea) on

Keep them coming, Lainey! We’ll definitely be setting these exercises up at home.

My Pony’s Sunblock

By on Jun 26, 2015 12:00 pm -
Grey and pale horses can burn more easily than you might think. Photo by Naomi Eastwood Grey and pale horses can burn more easily than you might think. Photo by Naomi Eastwood

Owners of grey, pale or partially white horses are faced with a certain level of heightened maintenance requirements. You find yourself buying purple shampoo in bulk, getting to the show especially early to wash off poop stains that would otherwise be invisible on a dark horse, and be prepared for everything you own to be covered in white hair.

Sunburns, however, are a far more important yet often underestimated aspect of owning a horse with a white or pale coat. In the summer you have to be especially attentive, but your horse will be much happier and healthier if you take extra precautions to protect their delicate features.

I’m speaking from experience, and I’m here to tell you what has and has not worked for Willow, a 13-year-old Appaloosa pony mare I lease from my friend Amy Keller. She is the first horse I’ve had that is not bay or chestnut; she’s what is called a vintage Appaloosa, and she has a pink nose, pink eyes and white on most of her body. She’s not made it easy, but we’ve finally come to an agreement on a sunburn prevention regiment.

The cutest pink pony face.

The cutest pink pony face. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

When Willow went from being stalled during the day to living out 24/7 two summers ago, she sometimes burned slightly around her lips and on the tip of her nose. Her pink eyes were fine, in part because she wore a fly mask all the time. But I knew I had to find something to protect her soft little schnoz.

The logical first option is to apply sunscreen, so I started slathering a waterproof sport sunscreen on the pony’s nose in the morning before I went to work. That did not go well.

The first couple of times, she instantly wiped the greasy, smelly goo off on her legs and the grass before giving me a dirty look and leaving the scene. Then, she started refusing to be caught. Not for breakfast, not for riding, not for her favorite treats.

After one too many mornings chasing her around the field for 20 minutes, I gave up on the sunscreen. I took an old horse-sized fly mask with ears and a long nose and hemmed it to fit comfortably while still covering her nose and mouth. On the days she kept it on it worked great, but most of the time she removed it as soon as I left the property.

Photo by Naomi Eastwood.

Willow’s nose, lips, eyes and even her back must be protected from the sun. Photo by Naomi Eastwood.

Facing the possibility of having to move her to a barn with a stall she could stay in during the day, I consulted my good friend the Internet. It turns out there are tons of sunscreens made specifically for pets, and I soon discovered a product called My Pony Sun Block. Sounds perfect right?

What I immediately liked about the product’s description is the fact that it’s a fragrance-free powder instead of a smelly cream. It is also chemical free and contains only zinc oxide and titanium, which provides a physical block against burns and also protects against cancer.

It’s been more than a year since I bought the first container, and just this month I am using up the last of it. I will definitely be getting more! Willow is not at all offended by it at all and in fact seems to like “putting on her makeup.”

Whereas before I couldn’t bribe her to be caught, now I don’t even need to use a halter. Dabbing it all over her nose, around her lips and even around her eyes, she’s remained burn free and unperturbed for two years. I find that “powdering her nose” is even a nice way to brighten up her white features for the show ring.

Willow has her make-up on and is ready to show! Right after she finishes her nap. Photo by Cortney Bryant.

Willow has her protective “make-up” on and is ready to show! Right after she finishes her nap. Photo by Cortney Bryant.

I don’t rely solely on the sunblock, however. If she’s going to be turned out on a hot day, she wears a full coverage fly sheet with UV protection and a fly mask in addition to her sunblock. I’ll also smooth the powder on to her back, which is also susceptible to burns.

My Pony Sun Block has really been a great find for Willow. While some horses tolerate sunblock creams, gels or sprays, this opinionated pony did not, so this product is perfect for her.

It’s affordable and the container has lasted forever. It’s easy to apply as a powder or paste and it does not wash off completely when she drinks or splashes in the water trough. It even lasts 24 hours or more, which is perfect when you can’t make it to the barn every day.

I will continue to use My Pony Sun Block for this pony and for any pink nosed ponies in my future. If you’ve been struggling to find the right solution for your horse or pony, give it a try. It is an inexpensive investment.

Some other things to note about sunburns:

It’s not just grey or pale horses. White socks and blazes on dark horses are susceptible to burns, too.

Keep your horse in during the day to avoid the sun’s exposure as much as possible if he or she is prone to burn.

If your horse does develop a sunburn, protect the area from further sun exposure and apply aloe to soothe the skin. Triple antibiotic ointment or a zinc oxide diaper rash cream can help heal areas that are sore or peeling.

If the burn is around the eyes, consult your veterinarian before applying a topical treatment.

If the skin has blistered or is oozing, call your veterinarian.

If you’re taking all the necessary precautions and your horse is still inexplicably burning, there may be another problem such as allergic reaction or liver disease. Call your vet.

There are dozens of useful articles online about preventing and treating sunburns in horses. And as is typical with the horse community, plenty of forums offer advice from horse owners who have been there before – that’s how I found My Pony Sun Block.

Learn more about My Pony Sun Block here. If you have a horse prone to burns and found a great solution, let us know in the comments!

Hawthorne Hoof Beat: Summer Hoof Care Tips

By on Jun 24, 2015 1:00 pm -

We're pleased to bring leading monthly farrier tips to EN readers on behalf of Hawthorne. This month, we've collected several important summer hoof care tips from farriers Dwayne and Jennifer Holder.

Photo by Leslie Threlkeld. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We were recently introduced to Dwayne and Jennifer Holder, a husband and wife farrier team who work every day with two goals in mind: a sound horse, and a happy owner. To kick off our new series on hoof care, they shared a few important seasonal tips.

1. During the muddy season, it’s important to regularly pick the horses’ feet and not let mud stay caked on the hooves. However, it’s better to brush the mud off rather than hosing.

If the horse’s feet are already wet from the mud, soaking their feet with the hose every day could make the hooves too wet, leading to flaking hoof walls and an unhealthy, sloughing frog.

2. In the summer hooves get very hard, but if the feet are too dry they will become brittle and crack. Talk to your farrier about ways to treat and prevent brittle hooves.

However, there is a difference between a hard hoof and a brittle hoof. “Horses tear their feet apart in the summer, and there is nothing me or you can do the stop that,” Dwayne said. “There is nothing wrong with a hard, dry foot if they’re still pliable.”

3. Educate yourself. As a horse owner, you should be able to tell when the feet are too wet or too dry. There are plenty of resources on the internet that will give you a basic understanding of healthy hooves and proper hoof care.

Of course, you can always talk to your farrier about caring for your horse’s feet. They will be more than happy to answer your questions.

4. To ensure your farrier can do the best possible job, provide good working conditions — a flat, dry, well-lit area to trim or shoe. If these needs are met, Dwayne doesn’t care “if it is in a driveway or a two-car garage.”

Many thanks to Dwayne and Jennifer for their best practice tips for the summer. Stay tuned for much more from the Hawthorne Hoof Beat!

Eventers Selected to Carry Pan American Games Torch to Toronto

By on Jun 24, 2015 9:00 am -
Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti carry the Pan Am Games torch at Will O'Wind Farm. Photo via Facebook.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti carry the Pan Am Games torch at Will O’Wind Farm. Photo via Phoenix Equestrian on Facebook.

Throughout its 41-day tour of Canada, the Pan American Games torch is moved using more than 60 different modes of transportation, including several trips on horseback. Canadian event riders Selena O’Hanlon and Jessica Phoenix were among the 3,000 torchbearers honored with the task of escorting the flame to Toronto during the traditional torch relay.

On a rainy June 12, Jessica carried the torch with the help of her Canadian Pan Am team horse, Pavarotti. Coincidentally, they carried the torch at Will O’Wind Farm in Mono, Ontario, where they will be jumping the Pan Am cross country course in a few weeks time.

Selena O'Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Selena O’Hanlon, who is an alternate on the Canadian Pan Ams team with Foxwood High, was nominated to carry the torch by her student Kelsey Flewit. She will run (on foot) a short section of road near the University at Kingston.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to run with the torch,” Selena said. “I remember my teammate Hawley Bennett telling me about her run with the torch (for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics). Running with it at home will be extra special because all my friends and family can come cheer!”

As is tradition, the torch was lit during an official ceremony in the Games’ previous host country. It then traveled by air from Mexico to Canada before the start of the torch relay on May 30. The Pan Am flame will make its final stop on July 10 at the Opening Ceremony of the Toronto Pan American Games.

You can follow the torch’s progress to Toronto here.

How Eventers Celebrated Father’s Day

By on Jun 22, 2015 6:00 pm -

We’d like to take a moment and celebrate all the eventer dads out there who help out hand grazing, dumping water buckets, filming rides and cracking bad jokes to keep our spirits high.

Here are some of our favorite of yesterday’s dad dedications from around eventing nation. We’ll start with Caroline Martin and her dad, in the most awesome Kodak moment of yore. We won’t lie, this one had us all laughing.

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Rusty may or may not have scraped several of us off the ground on various occasions as safety officer at some of the country’s biggest competitions.

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If EN had a dollar for every naughty Jack Russell…

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The perfect phrase to describe eventer dads.

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Some eventer dads have their hands full.

Happy Father’s Day to the best Daddy a little girl (and an OTTB) could have! From atop the Eiffel Tower with “Daddy’s…

Posted by Mellisa Davis Warden on Sunday, June 21, 2015

Some eventer dads have many children.

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Some dads watch their daughter travel the world pursuing her dreams.

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Some dads are Olympians!

#FathersDay is all about celebrating Dads! We want to celebrate a special type of dad, the #HorseShowDad! Here’s…

Posted by Cosequin Equine on Sunday, June 21, 2015

Tatendrang became a daddy (again) on Father’s Day.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TATE!!!! Just born in GERMANY!!!! Filly out of Poppea by Lafayette.

Posted by Tatendrang on Sunday, June 21, 2015

Go dads!

Monday News and Notes from Event Clinics

By on Jun 22, 2015 12:02 am -
Friends wear white ribbons in support of Ex and Christine at Midsouth. Friends wear white ribbons in support of Ex and Christine at Midsouth.

Christine Duke, of Zionsville, Indiana, lost her beloved horse, Sportsfield One O Two, to colic last week. Chris rode “Ex” from the Novice level through Intermediate and was supposed to compete him at Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trials in Kentucky this weekend, his first event since 2012. Ex was an amazing cross country horse and he got to have wings one last time. He was called Super Man and Clark Kent because he was super sweet in the stall and changed into a wild man cross country. To show their support and honor Ex’s spirit, Christine’s friends and other competitors wore ribbons that said “Sexy Exy” on them for cross country. What a lovely gesture! Thanks to Liz Messaglia for sharing this story with us.

Weekend Action:

Great Meadow: [Live Scores] [EN’s Coverage]

Luhmühlen: [Live Scores][EN’s Coverage]

Great Vista H.T. [Website] [Ride Times]

Surefire H.T. [Results]

Lost Hounds Pony Club H.T. [Results]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T. [Results]

Fox River Valley PC H.T. [Results]

Corona del Sol H.T. [Results]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. [Results]

Midsouth PC H.T. [Results]

Golden Spike H.T. [Results]

Monday News:

19-year-old Jordan Kelly moved from Washington State to Alabama to be a working student for Debi Crowley after spotting the position available on Sport Horse Nation. She started a blog to keep her family up to date about her experience, but it has since morphed into place where she offers tips about some of the things she has learned as a working student. [Life of a New Working Student]

While the North Americans were kicking butt at Luhmühlen, the U.S. Dressage team was making a statement at Rotterdam in the Netherlands. They earned team bronze in the CDIO5* on a team average score of 71.019%. A new CDIO format was implemented at the show, utilizing all three Grand Prix test and keeping spirits high until the very end. [U.S. Dressage Earns Bronze Medal]

Andreas Ostholt and So is Et won the CIC3* at Luhmühlen. Leading after cross country, Andreas had a rail in hand but couldn’t afford any time penalties as well on a tightly timed course. He made a bid for the final fence and though he pulled the back rail, he made the time to clinch the win. [Andreas Ostholt Takes Out Luhmühlen 3*]

Nicole Huttar believes that Thoroughbreds are much more than just racehorses. As a partner farm of Turning for Home, Nicole has retrained and rehomed 19 Thoroughbred ex-racehorses at her own Jumping H farm. [A Passion for Horses]

Competitive Trail Riding is gaining momentum around the country, and it’s now made it to the Garden State. One of the visions of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association is “a job for every horse.” There is even a division for aged equines that cannot be ridden. And the classes look fun – horse riding and super soakers? Yes please! [ACTHA Offers a Different Kind of Equestrian Fun]

So much girl power this weekend!

Pony Clubbers Unite + Other Weekend Results

By on Jun 21, 2015 6:00 pm -
Dorothy Crowell and Hennison at Midsouth. Photo via Sycamore Hill Farm's Facebook. Dorothy Crowell and Hennison at Midsouth. Photo via Sycamore Hill Farm's Facebook.

Whew! It’s been quite the whirlwind weekend between Luhmühlen and Great Meadow, but there were several other events taking place around the U.S. as well. Let’s take a look at some of those results.

Four of this weekend’s horse trials served as fundraisers for local Pony Clubs. These are traditionally fun and friendly competitions to attend and serve to benefit the future of the sport through education and horsemanship experience.

The Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trials takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. This was a very well attended competition, with riders from Starter all the way to Intermediate/Preliminary, with a whopping seven Beginner Novice and six Novice divisions.

In Open Intermediate/Preliminary, Hope Walden and Elaine Walden’s Lily Langtry took an early commanding lead, scoring 28.1 and crossing the finish line just one second over the optimum time. Dorothy Crowell and Hennison finished second on a 37.5 in the horse’s very first Intermediate.

Meghan O’Donoghue had Pirate out for his first event since Rolex. They were third after the first two phases but withdrew before cross country. Kentucky got a good bit of the same rain we saw passing through Virginia yesterday, which may account for the multiple withdrawals prior to the start of cross country across the levels.

In Open Preliminary-1, Nita Sanfilippo wins the biggest move award with her own Alarmabull. Out of 18 competitors in this class, two finished on their dressage score: Nita and Erin Pullen and her own Tag. Rails were flying in show jumping and time was tough to catch, as is often the case at KHP. Nita moved from 14th after dressage all the way up to second with a double-clear show jumping round. Another double-clear on cross country secured their win.

Melissa Miller-Slusser and High Finance picked up time on cross country but were well enough ahead after dressage and show jumping that they could afford it. They finished on a 35.3 to top a division of 19 starters. Courtney Carson and Bird is the Word moved up from fifth to second while Molly Tulley and Miriam vaulted from 14th to finish third as the only pair to finish without additional faults.

Midsouth PC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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Midsouth

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Midsouth

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Midsouth

Shepherd Ranch Horse Trials in Santa Ynez, California benefited the Shepherd Ranch Valley Pony Club. Founded in 1976, it is one of the oldest Pony Clubs in the area.

Stacey Winter and Serenade performed brilliantly in dressage to score a 20.7 and take an early lead in Open Preliminary. A clear cross country round and one rail in show jumping secured their first Preliminary win. Gina Economou and Samantha Magowan’s Calidore scored a 28 in dressage to tie for fifth. One time penalty on cross country and a double-clear show jumping round moved them up to finish second. Taren Atkinson and Gustav rounded out the top three.

Kelsey Holmes and Heart of Gold SE led from the start in Preliminary Rider, adding nothing to their dressage score of 33.0. Ruth Bley and Rodrigue Du Granit were second and Dawn Robbins and Kleary’s Foolish Heart were third with a rail to add for each.

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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Shepherd Ranch

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Shepherd Ranch

Fox River Valley in Barrington, Illinois had a huge turnout with more than 270 horses and very well attended lower level divisions. Fox River Valley is one of the oldest events in the country having been established in the 70s. The cross country takes place in the lovely Spring Creek Forest Reserve.

There was quite a bit of shakeup after cross country in the Intermediate/Preliminary, but Kristen Rozycki and Full Circle held their own, finishing well ahead of the pack on their dressage score of 27.7. Hayley Lofgren and American Rhythm added two rails but moved up from sixth to second while Sam Kelley and Someday Never Comes moved from seventh after dressage to finish third.

There was a lot of movement on the leaderboard in Open Preliminary, with plenty of rails and a number of time faults, but, like Kristen, Madigan Murphy and Willdebrant led from the start, adding minimal penalties to finish 10 points ahead of the competition. Catherine Amrich and Hermann were second, and Jonathan Ketzler and Chances Are came in third.

Preliminary Rider had 21 starters, and the winner proved that eventing isn’t always a dressage show as she catapulted up the leaderboard from 17th place after dressage. Kristen Burgess and Regatta were the only combination to finish on their dressage score and they were rewarded in spades, or rather, a blue ribbon. Michelle Mercier and Prince of Kiltealy were second and Anna Hasselquist and Houston were third.

Fox River Valley PC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

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Fox River Valley

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Fox River Valley

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Fox River Valley

Lost Hounds Pony Club Horse Trials in Edinboro, Pennsylvania welcomed Beginner Novice through Intermediate riders. The live scores show Intermediate and Preliminary as having run as a combined test with Holly Shine and Sunday Afternoon Mission winning the Intermediate and Rachael Davis and In Stride topping the Preliminary.

Lost Hounds Pony Club H.T.  [Website] [Live Scores]

Finally, Golden Spike Horse Trials in Ogden, Utah welcomed Intro through Preliminary competitors. Summer Peterson and her own Jake the Fish led the Prelim from the start, adding 2.4 time penalties to their dressage score to finish on 30.8. Golden Spike is good to them, as they were the winners in the same division here last year.

Half the field in Preliminary had trouble on cross country which heavily influenced the final scores. No one in the division made the time, but curiously, the top three all added 2.4 time penalties on cross country.

Golden Spike H.T. [Entry Status/Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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Golden Spike

Sunday Video: Fox River Valley Training Water Complex

By on Jun 21, 2015 3:30 pm -

The Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials at the Spring Creek Forest Reserve in Barrington Hills, Illinois is a favorite of Midwest eventing and has been for more than 40 years. This weekend they ran Beginner Novice through Intermediate/Preliminary horse trials in conjunction with a Pony Club eventing rally.

The proceeds of the event go directly back to providing equestrian education and experience for young riders. Fun fact: Allison Springer is an A graduate of the Fox River Valley Pony Club.

RNS uploaded this fun montage of the Open Training competitors splashing through the water complex. There were 21 entries in this division, and Robin Walker and Susan Martin’s Canadian Exchange were the winners, finishing on their dressage score of 28.9.

Fox River Valley PC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Great Meadow Open Thread: Jennie Brannigan Wins CIC3*, Lauren Kieffer Wins Pan Ams Class

By on Jun 21, 2015 9:28 am -
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning and thanks for joining us for the Land Rover Great Meadow International cross country phase. Keep refreshing this page for updates all morning as a star-studded list of riders tackle Mike Etherington-Smith’s new course. The CIC3* will head out on course first followed by the Pan Ams division after a 20 minute break.

Despite last night’s torrential downpour, the footing has reportedly held up pretty well and the grounds crew has been hard at work laying down stone dust on either side of the fences. It is sunny and warm this morning in The Plains, Virginia which is a big help to dry out the ground.

Mike has designed a gorgeous course on what Jennie Brannigan said is probably the best turf in the country, and we’ve been anticipating eventing’s return to Great Meadow for a long time. You can see the full course in pictures here and a drone flyover here.

Jennie Brannigan and Tim and Nina Gardner’s Cambalda lead the CIC3* on a career best score of 39.8 followed closely by Buck Davidson and Carl and Cassie Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM. Lauren Kieffer and Marie Le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook’s Scarlett moved into the lead in the Pan Ams divisions after show jumping. Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa are 0.6 penalty points behind in second place.

Great Meadow: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

12:42 p.m. EST: Morgan McCue has reported on Facebook that Abecca GS, owned by Lance McCue, and her rider Sally Cousins are A-OK after parting ways on course in the CIC3* division. The live scores initially reported a rider fall and then changed to a horse fall. According to Morgan, Sally popped out of the tack at the offset cabins near the end of the course, and Becca walked back to the vet box before stopping to munch on grass. Good to know they’re both just fine!

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

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

11:40 a.m. EST: Our entire Pan Am team finish in the top five at Great Meadow. CAN’T WAIT for Toronto. USA! USA!

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11:39 a.m. EST: Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett are the winners! Clear round with just 6 time penalties; they finish on a 49! Marilyn and RF Scandalous are second with a 50.4.

11:38 a.m. EST: Lovely round by Lauren and Scarlett. Lauren looks really pleased crossing the finish!

11:37 a.m. EST: 10 time faults for Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa to finish on 53.9. That moves them down below Marilyn and RF Scandalous.

11:35 a.m. EST: Lauren rides through the step combination on a long rein. Very smooth and nicely done.

11:34 a.m. EST: Will Faudree and Pfun finish with 18.8 time despite 20 penalties at 9.

11:32 a.m. EST: Our top two after show jumping are on course now. Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa are having a good round so far. Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett are clear through the pond at 5. Ears pricked and focused!

11:31 a.m. EST: 12.4 time penalties for Matthew Brown and BCF Belicoso. They finish on 57.6.

11:28 a.m. EST: Pan Am American alternates Will Faudree and Pfun have a runout at 9C after the step. Sinead and Jimmy said Will took a tug down the hill and the horse took his eye off the fence.

11:26 a.m. EST: 4.8 time penalties for Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous. They move into the lead!

11:25 a.m. EST: Really positive riding at the steps from Matt Brown. He’s giving BCF Belicoso a great round.

11:23 a.m. EST: The scoreboard has updated Sally Cousins’ score to reflect a horse fall. We will update you on the condition of Abecca GS as soon as we know.

11:21 a.m. EST: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive have moved into the lead with a clear round and 11.2 time faults.

11:19 a.m. EST: Guillermo de Campo had one refusal and 30.8 time. Daniela Moguel gallops right past the Angled Brushes at 4 with Agave. They would have told the ground jury earlier that they will do so and use this as a training round.

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11:17 a.m. EST: Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous are having a truly gorgeous round. They’re moving right along and may be the first to get close to the time.

11:14 a.m. EST: Sinead Halpin says Guillermo De Campo’s Quelite looks like a really happy horse!

11:13 a.m EST: Daniela Moguel and Cecelia are clear with 17.2 time. Lauren and Vermiculus were clear with 12.4. Looks like Abraham had a third refusal on course resulting in elimination.

Donner finishes second at the #landroverGMI CIC3* with a beautiful cross-country run. #ottb #eventing #flyingdeer

A photo posted by Lynn Symansky (@lynn.symansky.equestrian) on

11:07 a.m. EST: Muggle runs out to the right twice at the Angled Brush at 4. The horses didn’t appear to understand the question so Moreira da Silva retires.

11:05 a.m. EST: Abraham Ojeda and Obusero have a hard stop at the table at 3. They’re clear on the second attempt and picked up another stop at 4. Abraham is carrying on and is clear through the pond at 5.

11:03 a.m. EST: Lauren Kieffer gives Vermiculus a really positive ride through the steps at 9.

11:00 a.m. EST: We’re underway with the Pan Ams division. Daniela Moguel and Cecelia are the first on course. She went to take the long route at the step at 9. The horse tripped around the turn but recovered and is clear through the combination.

10:41 a.m. EST: Sinead Halpin is in the commentator’s booth and says the footing is brilliant despite the rain yesterday. That’s great news! James Wofford says there is a very good drainage system at Great Meadow that has contributed to that.

10:40 a.m. EST: Here’s the top 10 for the CIC3*. The Pan Ams division gets underway at 10:57 a.m. EST. Screen Shot 2015-06-21 at 10.39.18 AM

10:38 a.m. EST: Jennie and Ping are the CIC3* winners! They picked up 8 time penalties for a final score of 47.

10:36 a.m. EST: We’re being told Reggie didn’t get his shoulders through the flags of the skinny at fence 9C, but Buck carried on, resulting in a technical elimination.

10:34 a.m. EST: According to the live scores Buck and Reggie received a technical elimination for missing a jump. That’s really unfortunate.

10:33 a.m. EST: 7.6 time faults for Lynn Symansky and Donner to finish on 50.4. Jenni is having to really kick through the coffin at 20.

10:32 a.m. EST: Jennie Brannigan and Ping have now passed the area where Buck and Reggie are being held.

10:29 a.m. EST: Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM have been pulled up. We’re not sure why yet.

10:28 a.m. EST: Pan Am alternates Michael Pollard and Cyrano finish with an unfortunate 20 and 31.2 time.

10:27 a.m. EST: Overnight leaders Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda are on course.

10:23 a.m. EST: Tamra and Mai Baum are clear with 8.4 time to move into second.

10:18 a.m. EST: Cyrano another one to duck out at the side on 4B.

10:17 a.m. EST: Kurt and DeLux Z had a cracking round with 17.2 time.

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10:13 a.m. EST: Clear round with 8 time for Sydney Conley Elliott and Cisko A. Ellen Doughty-Hume and Sir Oberon were clear with 15.6 time. We’re into the top six in the CIC3* division now.

10:09 a.m. EST: Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights with 0.8 time. Crackerjack sidles out to the side at the C element after the step at 9.

10:08 a.m. EST: Cisko A just cruising on a long rein with Sydney Conley Elliott. They go beautifully through the main water complex.

10:06 a.m. EST: Ellen and Sir Oberon finish clear with 15.6 time. That moves them up to third in the clubhouse.

10:05 a.m. EST:

10:01 a.m. EST: Sally Cousins fell somewhere on course but it was not reported on the video. We’ll let you know if we find out more.

9:59 a.m. EST: Sir Oberon trots in the water before the B element but jumps through the combination clear with Ellen Doughty-Hume.

9:56 a.m. EST: Bobby Meyerhoff and Dunlavin’s Token are unfortunately eliminated after a third refusal on course.

9:55 a.m. EST: Abecca GS props a bit between the two Angled Brushes at 4. Sally Cousins makes it happen!

9:54 a.m. EST: Sara Kozumplik-Murphy and Fly Me Courageous had the look of eagles in their eyes at the startbox. They finished with 2.8 time, the fastest clear round so far.

9:53 a.m. EST: Justine Dutton parts ways from Jollybo at the Angled Brush at 4. He jumped the first one and then put on the breaks in the one-stride to B. Justine jumps up right away and she’s fine.

9:51 a.m. EST: Bobby Meyerhoff and Dunlavin’s Token had way too much momentum coming off the bank at 9 and couldn’t find their balance for the skinny at C. They skidded to the side and picked up a second runout. Bobby was going for a third attempt.

9:48 a.m. EST: Buck and Flower were really cooking around the course but they pull in 11.2 time penalties. The ground may be just a bit holding.

9:47 a.m. EST: We’re getting some scores in now. Colleen and Escot 6 finish on 112.7 with a stop and 18 time penalties. Erin Sylvester and Mettraise were clear with 30 time penalties for 112.6 final score. Michael and Ballingowan Pizazz were clear jumping with 17.2 time faults.

9:43 a.m. EST: Rats! Maggie Deatrick and Divine Comedy run out at the Angled Brushes at 4. She jumped through the pond after and retired.

9:42 a.m. EST: Flower’s being very brave and fresh this morning!

9:41 a.m. EST: We’re seeing the horses leave the box and jump the first 8 fences or so on the live stream, but they’re not reporting how they finish.

9:40 a.m. EST: Buck Davidson and Petite Flower leave the box blazing. Flower was bouncing around at the box. She was ready to go!

9: 38 a.m. EST: We’ve seen Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizzaz leave the startbox. Started off fresh but has settled in nicely.

9:33 a.m. EST: Colleen Rutledge and Escot 6 are the first out on course. Erin Sylvester is out with Mettraise. She has withdrawn No Boundaries.

9:26 a.m. EST: We’re just moments from the start of cross country.

Ultimate Multitaskers: Riders Split Time Between Great Meadow and Surefire

By on Jun 20, 2015 7:20 pm -
Jan Byyny sets fences at Surefire Farm. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jan Byyny sets fences at Surefire Farm. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We’re fairly accustomed to our top riders competing multiple horses at one show, but it’s unusual for competitors to be entered at two sanctioned horse trials on the same weekend.

Jan Byyny and Tom Finnen’s 300-acre Surefire Farm in Purcellville, Virginia is a popular summer stop for hundreds of riders. This weekend more than 300 horses are competing from Intermediate through Beginner Novice. The divisions are huge, averaging 20 or more horses per division. The lower levels are particularly well attended, with five Training divisions, five Novice divisions and three Beginner Novice divisions.

The event of course falls on the same weekend as the Land Rover Great Meadow International presented by Adequan, and together the two competitions make up “a festival of eventing in hunt country.” With tailgating and a wine and beer garden added to the list of attractions this year, spectators in town for Great Meadow were encouraged to make the short trip to enjoy the Surefire Horse Trials, where several of the same competitors would also be competing.

Jan and her team were wonderfully accommodating for the competitors who were also riding tonight at Great Meadow, particularly when the show jumping phase was moved up an hour-and-a-half to avoid incoming inclement weather, and they deserve tons of credit for their flexibility and clever scheduling.

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The Training through Intermediate divisions completed all three phases at Surefire today, and it’s not surprising to see many of our Pan Am team riders and alternates sitting in the top placings. In the single Open Intermediate division, Buck Davidson and Michael Pollard finished in the top two.

Buck, who is riding Petite Flower and Ballynoe Castle RM in the CIC3* division at Great Meadow, led the Surefire Intermediate from the start with Sherrie Martin’s The Apprentice in the Irish gelding’s first event since Rolex. Buck also finished second with Riviera and third with Bigtime Irish in the Preliminary-A division as well as third with Carlevo in Preliminary-C.

Michael Pollard is riding Pan American Games alternate Cyrano and the talented Ballingowan Pizazz at Great Meadow. Michael and Walterstown Don, owned by Jack Pollard and Christine Turner, finished on their dressage score for second in the Surefire Farm Intermediate. Michael and Heather Gillette’s Boris O’Hara were seventh in Preliminary-A.

Phillip Dutton is riding USEF Four-Star National Champion and Fernhill Cubalawn as well as Fernhill Fugitive in the Pan Am division at Great Meadow. Both of these horses are short listed for the team; one will be a traveling alternate for the other.

At Surefire, Phillip was eighth with Peter Barry’s Mr. Candyman in Open Intermediate, eighth with Candace and David Garrett’s D.O.D. Rockefeller in Open Preliminary-A. Phillip also rode August Vettorino’s Kilcarna French Fancy in Open Training-A and Ann Jones’ The Manager in Open Training-D.

Phillip’s daughter was competing alongside her dad this Father’s Day weekend. She finished fifth and ninth in Open Training-C with Santa’s Playboy and The Dude.

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Surefire is also hosting a USEA Large “R” Course Design seminar, guided by Surefire’s cross country course designer Tremaine Cooper.

Sarah Cousins had four of her own horses competing at Surefire: Westerly finished tenth in the Open Intermediate; Rock Party and Christopher were 12th and 13th in Open Preliminary-A; Wizard was fifth in Open Preliminary-C. Sarah is competing Lance McCue’s Abecca GS in the CIC3* at Great Meadow.

Colleen Rutledge, who has both Covert Rights and Escot 6 in the Great Meadow CIC3*, rode Cynthia McNemar and Leslie Schulz’s up-and-coming star Roulette in the Open Intermediate at Surefire and finished 14th. The 7-year-old was second at the Virginia Horse Trials CCI1* just a few weeks ago.

Guillermo de Campo is a member of the Pan American Games Mexican team with Quelite. He rode Triunfo in the Open Preliminary-C at Surefire and finished 13th.

Allison Springer is not competing at Great Meadow this weekend but she’s been busy in Purcellville so we’ve got to give her a some good rides. The lovely gray mare Copycat Chloe added 1.6 time penalties on cross country to finish sixth in Open Intermediate in her second event of the year.

Allison and In The Irons Farm’s Cascani and Nancy H. Winter’s Gold Dust Moon won Open Preliminary-A and Open Training-A respectively. Mary Ann Ghadban’s Capture the Spirit was sixth in Open Training-D, and Nancy H. Winter’s Loughin’s Aragorn was tenth in the same division. Allison also has one Novice and two Beginner Novice horses to compete tomorrow.

We’ll have some photos from Surefire Farm coming up soon!

Surefire H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores]

Apple Tree Farm Issues #EventersChallenge

By on Jun 20, 2015 4:00 pm -
The Apple Tree Farm crew offered pony rides to kids at the Nashua PAL Youth Safe Haven. Photo via Facebook.

The Apple Tree Farm crew offered pony rides to kids at the Nashua PAL Youth Safe Haven. Photo via Facebook.

Caitlin Dwyer and her trainer Alison Eastman-Lawler of Apple Tree Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire are encouraging eventers to give back to their communities through a video project they have dubbed the Eventers Challenge.

“We’re going to challenge the eventing community to take time out of your busy day to do something nice for your community,” Alison said.

The crew from Apple Tree Farm kicked things off by going to the Nashua PAL Youth Safe Haven and offered pony rides to children for their end of the school year celebration.

Most of these children had never met a horse before. Photo via Facebook.

Most of these children had never met a horse before. Photo via Facebook.

“At Apple Tree Farm we’re lucky enough to do what we love every single day,” Caitlin said. “So we decided to bring some ponies down here to the PAL Youth Safe Haven in Nashua, New Hampshire to give back to the community. So we’ve been here doing pony rides all day.”

Apple Tree Farm nominated Therese Grittner, Ryan Wood, Dani Douphinette, Jessica Halliday, Dawn Dascomb, David Wilson, Courtney Cooper, Kim Sevigny Falana, Bethany Mauchly and Megan Moore to carry on the project. They also challenged Eventing Nation to share their video and help the idea go viral – ask you shall receive!

“Do something creative, find something fun to do,” Alison said. “Take a video, tag your friends and lets get this going.”

We think this is a great way for eventers to give back to their community and to share their love of horses with others. We can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #EventersChallenge on your videos!

Today Apple Tree Farm went to the Nashua P.A.L. Youth Safe Haven to give pony rides during their end of the school year celebration. We wanted to do this as our way of giving back to our wonderful community. That being said, we want to challenge the people tagged in this post to do something nice for their community in order to complete the #EventersChallenge ! Pick something to do for your community, record a video, and tag others to complete the challenge!! (Don’t forget to hashtag #eventerschallenge ). Eventing Nation We need your help to make this thing go viral in the eventing world!!!

Posted by Alison Eastman-Lawler on Friday, June 19, 2015

Great Meadow International Cross Country Drone Flyover

By on Jun 20, 2015 12:20 pm -

The Land Rover Great Meadow International presented by Adequan is shaping up to be a stellar competition from every perspective – from the standard of riding to the hospitality to the pristine venue itself. We’ve already seen tomorrow’s cross country course preview via MyCourseWalk and now we can enjoy a different view of the course through this amazing drone flyover produced by Jamie Rees.

Set to a classy tune, we get a close up look at the fences as we traverse Great Meadow’s gorgeous grounds like a bird. It gives you a great sense of the quality construction of the fences, the perfect ground conditions and distractingly beautiful scenery that is a staple characteristic of Northern Virginia.

To avoid the forecast storms for this evening, the organizers have moved the show jumping time up from 6:30 to 5:00 p.m. EST. Cross country tomorrow begins at 9:30 a.m. EST. All phases are available to watch for free on the USEF Network and we’re bringing you all kinds of coverage all weekend, so keep coming back to Eventing Nation!

Great Meadow: Website, Ride Times, Live Scores, Schedule, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

 

Hope the Wonderhorse is Extra Wonderful Six Months After Rescue

By on Jun 20, 2015 9:00 am -
Hope the Wonderhorse with Rachel Medley. Photo courtesy of Allie Conrad. Hope the Wonderhorse with Rachel Medley. Photo courtesy of Allie Conrad.

Six months ago we met Hope the Wonderhorse, an emaciated 2-year-old filly with a strong will to survive. She was days from death when she was rescued and her prognosis for survival was slim to none, but through round-the-clock care and the contributions of a concerned community, Hope defied the odds every day. She is now the strong, healthy, rambunctious filly she was always meant to be.

“She is one feisty son of a gun,” said Rachel Medley, co-founder of the Sandhills Horse Rescue and Hope’s primary caregiver from the start of the ordeal. “She has an opinion and is looking for someone to give it to. I think that’s what really enabled her to survive.”

Despite her ill health and shocking physical state, Hope quickly made it clear that she was not ready to give up on life. As long as she was game, her caretakers were too. She never turned down food, nickered at all her visitors and the light in her eye never faded.

Suspended

In the beginning, Hope was so weak that she couldn’t rise without assistance. As a result, she would stand for days until she reached the point of exhaustion. Then when she did lay down, she would panic and thrash, reopening healing wounds. Securing the use of a sling, which allowed her to get the rest she needed to facilitate healing, was major step forward in her recovery.

“In that deep REM sleep her body was recovering and able to heal wounds and get infection out. In a state of exhaustion all the time she couldn’t heal as quickly,” Rachel said.

The first sling – an Anderson sling – was provided by Justin and Tory McCloud of North Carolina Equine Assistance and Specialized Transport. They would drive an hour every other day to the Sandhills Horse Rescue and set up the sling so Hope could have a nap.

The Anderson sling was essential at the time, but it was not a perfect fit for Hope and Rachel knew they needed something more long term. So she set up a fundraiser to help buy a custom fit sling ideally suited to Hope’s needs.

“We raised the money we needed for the sling within four or five hours of making the post,” Rachel said. “People continued to donate, and we wound up raising over $10,000 in 24 hours. It was mindblowing. I couldn’t believe it as the numbers kept going up. My faith in humanity was restored.”

It's hard to believe these two images feature the same horse. Photos courtesy of Allie Conrad.

It’s hard to believe these two images feature the same horse. Photos courtesy of Allie Conrad.

Hope’s new custom sling was delivered within a few days, thanks to the quick work of Liftex who created the sling and FedEx who expedited the delivery.

Hope still lay down in her stall from time to time, however, and rising unassisted continued to be difficult. As she strengthened, she was soon trying to “help” her caretakers when they came to lift her to her feet.

“It got to a point where it was getting very dangerous for her and for us,” Rachel said. “We thought if she doesn’t figure out how to get up on her own in a week or so we had to figure something out. She was getting violent, stronger, heavier.”

Animals are inherently intuitive, however, and Hope must have known the time had come. Two days later, while no one was there to witness it and one couldn’t guess as to how many attempts it took, Hope stood up unassisted.

“When I came out in the morning and she had shavings all over her neck and mane, I totally lost it. It was a big day.”

That was a turning point in Hope’s recovery, Rachel said. “I always felt that when she can lay down and get up on her own is when I would breathe a sigh of relief.”

Extra Wonderful

After that, Hope seemed to get stronger – and feistier – every day. She was turned out for gradually longer amounts of time with her friend Maggie; the wounds on her face and hips rapidly healed; and she gained precious weight. Now in her 3-year-old year, she’s blossomed into a healthy, shining mare.

“When she was bad it was worse in person than in pictures. Now it’s the opposite. She looks so good in person – the pictures don’t do her justice,” Rachel said. “She has an aura or presence about her that seems to magnify whatever condition she’s in. Maybe that’s me projecting that onto her, but it seems like she exudes extra of whatever she is. If she’s wonderful, she’s extra wonderful.”

Photo courtesy of Allie Conrad.

Photo courtesy of Allie Conrad.

Even in the early days of Hope’s recovery, she was making an impact on the veterans who came to Rachel’s farm for the Old Glory Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization for soldiers and their families. Hope’s impression on the program has evolved as she is truly an embodiment of her name.

“In a lot of ways she’s a mascot not only for the rescue but for the foundation. Initially she was fighting every day to survive and now it’s ‘I’m recovered. Let me thrive and look to the future.’ Her resiliency and journey of resiliency resounded with veterans that come here,” Rachel said.

“It used to be they’d meet her and say wow, I connect because she’s gone through trauma and is fighting to move forward. Now they’ve seen her journey for six months and they’ve come to see her and participate in that journey.”

For the foundation and for the rescue, Hope has brought people together. Many elements had to combine to result in a successful recovery, and the experience has since created a community and formed friendships with Hope at the heart of them.

“It has been really the ultimate exercise in ‘it takes a village.’ If you take out any of the elements of everyone who came together, the horse wouldn’t have made it,” Rachel said. “Now there are friends I have who come to farm that have become part of the volunteer force.

“We all know we met because of Hope, but it’s become more than that now because they are coming to help with other rescues we’ve taken in.”

Before and After

A lingering wound on Hope’s withers is the only remaining sign of “before,” and she has been moved to a farm closer to Dr. Lisa Kivett so it can be closely monitored.

“Dr. Kivett is the woman behind the scenes as far as what has helped me make this happen for Hope,” Rachel said. “She kept the horse alive. She kept driving forward and put so much blood sweat and tears into this horse.”

Hope is almost to full strength. She feels good – very good – and is starting to learn about ground manners and personal space. She has been showing off her athleticism running fast laps in the field, and Rachel said there is no denying there is Thoroughbred in her ancestry somewhere.

“Her personality is such that she will be a tough nut to crack when it comes to riding!” Rachel laughed. But as they have all along, Rachel and the rest of Hope’s support team will take it one day at a time.

“In my opinion she has the right to as rich a life as possible. If her wound on her withers heals with minimum scar tissue and she can comfortably wear a saddle or harness, we will teach her anything she wants to learn and do any job she wants to do.”

The Sandhills Horse Rescue has taken in additional horses since Hope inspired its creation this January. Currently they are housing two mares who foaled within two weeks of each other, and some of the leftover money from Hope’s sling fundraiser is facilitating their care. The rescue will stay well within its funding abilities but hopes to one day be able to take on more horses at one time.

Please visit the Sandhills Horse Rescue and the Old Glory Legacy Foundation websites, and be sure to find Hope the Wonderhorse on Facebook and follow her incredible journey.

Friday News and Notes from FLAIR Nasal Strips

By on Jun 19, 2015 12:14 am -
Congratulations to Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Josh Jenkins on their engagement! Photo via Facebook Congratulations to Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch and Josh Jenkins on their engagement! Photo via Facebook

This weekend is jam packed with eventing excitement, and with both Luhmühlen and Great Meadows live streaming their events, it’s a sure bet many of us won’t be dragged away from our computers for anything other than our own horses. It’s weekends like this one that definitely motivate me in my own riding and get me thinking about how all the hard work eventually pays off. The riders we’ll see competing this weekend have put in a lot of hours and made a lot of sacrifices to be where they are, and they did because they love the horses and the journey they’re taking with them. That’s what makes our sport so special!

Luhmühlen Links: Website, Live Scores, Entry List, Schedule, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, Twitter, Instagram

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Great Vista H.T. [Website]

Great Meadows CIC [Website] [Entry Status]

Surefire H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Lost Hounds Pony Club H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Bucks County Horse Park H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Fox River Valley PC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status]

Corona del Sol H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Midsouth PC H.T.  [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

Golden Spike H.T.  [Entry Status/Ride Times]

News and Notes:

The USEA announced last night that the AEC will be hosted at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and the Colorado Horse Park over the next three years. These are both fabulous venues with all the amenities an eventer could ever want, and the fact that one of the three years will be hosted in the West meets the longtime requests of West Coast riders to have the AEC closer to home. The fact that the TIEC is practically in my backyard, well, that’s a bonus! [USEA Selects TIEC and Colorado Horse Park for AEC]

The FEI has appointed Göran Akerström (SWE) as the new FEI Veterinary Director. Göran was Chief Veterinary Officer at the Swedish Trotting Association for five years and was Head of the Equine Welfare department for the past two years. He holds a masters degree in veterinary science and was once veterinary inspector for the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the Swedish Animal Welfare Agency where he specialized in equine sports, welfare, disease control and horse transportation. He will start his position September 1, 2015. [FEI Appoints New Veterinary Director]

Megan Kepferle has become Assistant Trainer and Head Rider at Sinead Halpin Eventing. For the last five years, Megan has been Head Groom and Manager at SHE and will now be available for lessons on and off the property as well as coaching at local shows. Since Sinead is so often on the road as a high performance rider, this new arrangement will allow SHE to provide a full-service year-round program. As part of SHE’s interest to expand their program for eventing newbies and riders with goals unrelated to high performance, they will be offering Intro to Eventing Workshops and short-term day camps this summer. [Intro to Eventing Workshop Form]

A yellow card and verbal warning were issued by the ground jury at Bromont. Peter Barry had an unfortunate lapse in concentration while riding on the CCI2* course, and he accidentally jumped a three-star fence, incurring a technical elimination and a yellow card. Kelli Temple’s mare grabbed a heel early on course and it was irritated during the final horse inspection. The horse was spun and, at the discretion of the ground jury, Kelli received a verbal warning. [Ground Jury Awards Yellow Card and Verbal Warning]

Instead of complaining, make suggestions. That’s what German eventing team trainer Christopher Bartle is doing in response to the International Olympic Committee’s 2020 Agenda and the FEI’s proposals to overhaul eventing. Christopher suggests a two-phase cross country course, and it’s not the first time he’s brought it up. He says his idea is one of many and he’s looking to stimulate discussion. [Christopher Bartle Wades into 2020 Agenda Eventing Debate]

Congratulations to Audra, the winner of this week’s Fab Freebie from Kerrits! Audra will receive a stylish Competitors Koat — so she will be ready to ride into the show ring!

Best of the blogs: The Story of Little Orphan Andee

Too cute for words:

Some of our yearlings having a lazy Sunday morning, can you hear the snores

Posted by Irish National Stud on Sunday, June 7, 2015