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Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on May 1, 2019 12:01 am -

Planking an oxer at KY is a great way to workout. Photo courtesy of Lara Miller.

One of the great traditions of Kentucky is that the course opens up at the end of the cross-country day to allow the thousands of spectators to walk the course, climb up on the fences and indeed, plank the oxers. Social media is filled with people lying on giant tables, clambering over the wooden ducks, and generally having fun on a course that was pristine only hours earlier.

National Holiday: May Day

Major Weekend Events:

#MMBHT: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, Dressage Timetable, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Course Preview, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

One of the posts I most look forward to after a big event like Kentucky is the photographers gallery afterwards. I love seeing the quiet moments between horse and rider amidst the atmosphere, the look of pure joy or grit or focus on a rider’s face and the look of eagles the horses have. [Scenes from Land Rover Kentucky]

The 5* at KY wasn’t the only event turning heads. The Kentucky Invitation Grand Prix, held in the evening on Saturday after a long day of cross-country, in the rain and during dinner-time, was an absolute rousing success, with a sold-out stadium and spectators lining the rails. The crowd was responsive and eager to watch the horses jump fences larger than themselves. [What Show Jumping Could Be]

David Britnell is determined not to forget a single thing as he heads to his first Badminton with Continuity. He has a long laundry list of items he needs to pick up in the trade fair, a plan for who is handling the horses at home, and a bunch of young horses who are getting drilled in the parts of the test that they can do. [Badminton First Timers’ Blog]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

The Fate of the Five: Show Jumping Powerhouses of Kentucky

By on Apr 28, 2019 9:48 am -

It’s the final day of Kentucky, our servers are fried (not this year!), our chinchillas are hysterical giving birth (seriously!), and yet coverage soldiers on.

After yesterday’s cross country, the stage is set for a repeat win. Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class find themselves sitting in an enviable position, with a rail’s advantage over every horse but one. There’s a good chance he will canter into the stadium with a rail in hand, period.

Chasing him are a few horses who are almost incapable of jumping anything but a clear, as well as several others who have a good shot of adding nothing. It will all come down to who can handle the pressure in this moment.

A reminder that the scoring for time penalties has changed. Instead of one penalty point per second over optimum, it is now 0.4 penalties per second.

THE FATE OF THE FIVE

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Master Class

Pros: It’s hard to make an argument against a clean round for this horse and it’s even more difficult to argue they’ll have more than one rail. In their last 13 rounds at Advanced/4/5*, these two have jumped clear rounds in 11 of them. They’ve jumped four clear consecutive rounds at this level. They haven’t had a rail in 2017, and then prior to that they last had a rail in 2014. They haven’t had more than a rail since early in 2014.

Cons: In two long format events at 4/5*, he did have a rail at one — the CCI4*-L at Boekelo back in 2014. That and Kentucky are his only two runs where show jumping was last. And once upon a time, back in 2013, he had multiple rails (8, 16 and 16) at three consecutive events. Those days appear to be long gone, however.

Prediction: No rails. (But even one rail will hold the win if Tsetserleg has one down).

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin (USA) and Tsetserleg

Pros: Tsetserleg is certainly capable of a clear round, jumping clear in seven of his 15 rounds at Advanced/4/5* and clear in three of seven rounds when show jumping was last. He and Boyd also put in a clean round to finish third at the Fair Hill CCI4*-L in 2017, so he has proven the ability to put in a clean round at the long format.

Cons: Boyd and Tsetserleg have yet to jump clear over a 5* stadium course; last year at Kentucky they had one rail and then suffered an uncharacteristic three down at WEG. In the horse’s career at Advanced/4/5*, they have been a one or none horse in all but two rounds, but in the 4/5*-L format, they’ve had one or more down in three of four attempts.

Prediction: One rail

Tim Price and Xavier Faer. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tim Price (NZL) and Xavier Faer

Pros: Xavier Faer has jumped clear in 50% of the stadium rounds at Advanced/4/5* he has done with Tim Price in the irons, and he notably has done it when it matters, jumping clear at Badminton in 2017 to clinch a spot on the podium in third. In three of the five 4/5*-L rounds they have jumped together, three have been clear, while the other two each have only one rail.

Cons: Despite his strong long format record in show jumping, he has only jumped clear once in his last five runs, most recently at Burnham Market CCI4*-S.

Prediction: One rail

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Z

Pros: This horse is a supremely good show jumper and I fully expect them to put the pressure on those above. This horse last had a rail in his first start of 2017 and last had a time penalty in mid-2017. In nine rounds where show jumping was last, they only had a rail back in 2016, which also happened to be the horse’s first attempt at Advanced level. Z has also jumped clear in four of four 4/5*-L rounds.

Cons: The only con is that his record isn’t 100% perfect.

Prediction: No rails.

Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Piggy French (GBR) and Quarrycrest Echo

Pros: This horse has literally never had more than one rail in his entire Advanced/4/5* career and that includes several rides under Tina Cook while Piggy was out for maternity leave. Piggy and Quarrycrest Echo have jumped clear in nine of 15 rounds at these levels.

Cons: Quarrycrest Echo has had one rail at 50% of his 4/5*-L attempts. The rails both came in team situations; one at Strzegom for the 2017 European Championships and the other at WEG last fall.

Prediction: Clear

THE CLIMBERS

Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Felix Vogg (SUI) and Colero

Pros: Colero hasn’t had a super long career at this level, but in nine rounds at 4/5* he’s been clear in six of them. He has also never had more than a rail at these levels.

Cons: Colero did have a rail in the horse’s only 5* round, at WEG last fall. They also have the possibility of time penalties, having had them in four of their nine rounds. They had time penalties in both of Colero’s 4/5*-L finishes.

Prediction: Clear round, with a time penalty or two.

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Doug Payne (USA) and Vandiver

Pros: Doug has totally turned around the show jumping form of this horse. In 23 rounds at Advanced/4/5*, they have only once had more than one rail. They’ve jumped clear rounds 65.2% of the time, and are clear in four of their seven runs when show jumping was last.

Cons: Their form has faltered a bit lately, as they’ve only been clear in one of five rounds in 2018 and 2019 and had a rail in each of the others. In three 4/5*-L finishes, they’ve been clear in only their first CCI4*-L, had a rail in their only CCI5*-L round, and their only career finish with more than one rail came at Blenheim CCI4*-L in 2017.

Prediction: One rail.

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Ariel Grald (USA) and Leamore Master Plan

Pros: In 13 career stadium rounds at Advanced/4/5*, this pair has jumped clean in 10 of them, and only once had more than one rail down. They jumped clear in both of their CCI4*-L rounds and clear in four of six rounds when show jumping was last.

Cons: This is their first attempt at CCI5*-L, and two of the three times they did have rails did occur when show jumping was last.

Prediction: Clear round.

OTHERS OF NOTE

Paddy the Caddy will almost certainly jump a clear round and could be the first to do so in the order. Wizzerd, Pfun and Voltaire de Tre all stand a strong chance of jumping clear as well.

LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Cross Country Powerhouses of Kentucky

By on Apr 27, 2019 9:11 am -

It’s cross country day at #LRK3DE! The cross country consists of 28 numbered obstacles (45 total jumping efforts when taking all the direct routes) across 6,452 meters of the Kentucky Horse Park. The horses will have to cover the distance under the optimum time of 11 minutes, 20 seconds, or they will incur time penalties, 0.4 added to their score for each second they are over. Click here for a full course preview.

Derek di Grazia of the United States has been the course designer here since 2011. Derek currently designs many courses in North America, including both Bromont CCI4*-L and Fair Hill CCI4*-L, two key qualifiers for this event. He has also been designated as the course designer for the Tokyo Olympics next year. In years where the weather was nicer and the ground was good at Kentucky, as it was 2012-2014 and then again in 2018, the course averaged 24.2% of the field making the time. From 2015-2017, when the horses ran through rain or mud or both, only 5.53% of the field made the time.

The horses listed below fall into four different categories: horses who have been proven both consistent and fast at the CCI5*-L level, horses who are very fast when clear but could pick up a jump penalty, horses who consistently are clear cross-country and are fast at the 4*-S level but haven’t yet replicated that speed at 5*, and horses who have stellar 4* form and speed but the 5* is a bit of a question mark. With the weather being clear, there will almost certainly be a larger percentage of horses who make the time compared, similar to last year.

At five-star level, a cross country run that is clear and inside the time could potentially move you up many places, especially with the dressage losing some weight due to the removal of the coefficient in scoring. Here are the projections of horses who will make the biggest moves up the leaderboard tomorrow … or maintain their place at the top.

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

THE STALWARTS

Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Piggy French (GBR) and Quarrycrest Echo: This horse has been stronger than ever since re-debuting at this level after Piggy returned from maternity leave. His only blips have come when he was fairly green to the CCI4*-L level at the 2017 Europeans at Strzegom, which had an enormous amount of trouble, and at Luhmuhlen in his first CCI5*-L, where it was judged he missed a flag but still finished within the time. In his last five cross-country runs, he has finished inside the time or as the fastest time in four of them. The fifth was his warm-up run for this event at Belton, where Piggy took her time across the country.

Potential Hiccups: In four CCI4/5*-L runs, Quarrycrest Echo has only two clear runs and he’s never seen a Derek di Grazia course. Piggy will need to be on her game to tackle his course, which can have a unique flavor to those who have never ridden around them.

Ride Time: 12:10 PM

Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Erin Sylvester (USA) and Paddy the Caddy: Erin Sylvester and Paddy the Caddy have stormed around four CCI4/5*-L cross-country courses and been inside the time at two of them and no more than ten seconds over at the other two. The two inside the time rounds have both coincidentally been over Derek di Grazia courses; Fair Hill in 2017 and Kentucky last spring.

Potential Hiccups: A couple of time penalties (less than ten seconds worth) is a possibility, but a stop is unlikely. This pair hasn’t had a blemish on their cross-country jump record at A/4*/5* since way back in 2016.

Ride Time: 12:30 PM

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Master Class: This horse had a sparse record last year and despite clocking in a clear round and winning Kentucky last year, it isn’t much more robust. In fact, Cooley Master Class hasn’t run cross-country at the A/4/5* level since Kentucky last year. Still, he won off even fewer credentials, and in his career has only two stops in thirteen runs at A/4/5*.

Potential Hiccups: Fitness. In case you missed it, his last top-level run prior to this was winning Kentucky last year. That didn’t exactly stop him from winning last year, though.

Ride Time: 1:56 PM

Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Z: This horse has an incredibly clean record at A/4/5*, with no jump penalties and only one rider fall in his first year at the level. In four CCI4/5*-L completions, he has never had a time penalty save for WEG. At WEG Phillip had to ride clean for team purposes, so sacrificed some speed in favor of accuracy. When left to his own devices, the horse will make time because Phillip wills it to be so.

Potential Hiccups: Possibly a potential for time, depending on how much team orders contributed to WEG time penalties.

Ride Time: 1:20 PM

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Boyd Martin (USA) and Tsetserleg: It’s difficult to look past a high-profile stop sometimes. Boyd and Tsetserleg have a very clean cross-country record; aside from an early career parting of the ways, these two have a completely clean record save for that one hiccup at WEG. The likelihood of them going around clean is pretty high.

Potential Hiccups: Time is this pair’s Achilles heel as they’ve only once made the time at A/4*/5* and never at the CI-L format. But when the weather is good, they have twice been within five seconds of the optimum time.

Ride Time: 2:44 PM

THE HEARTBREAKERS

Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Felix Vogg (SUI) and Colero: Colero has been Felix’s main partner during his time in the States, and they’ve had great success over here…but also some problems. WEG in particular didn’t go their way, with a missed flag and two stops placing them well down the order. A stop at their subsequent event at Ocala Jockey Club didn’t help but they seem to have sorted the issues this spring, with clean runs at Carolina and The Fork

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps and time. This pair has only once made the time, at Carolina this spring where an unusually large number of pairs made the time, and their most recent run at The Fork marked the first time they even came within ten seconds of the fastest time of the day. Other than Carolina they’ve never been within ten seconds of optimum time, either.

Ride Time: 11:10 AM

Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Will Coleman (USA) and Tight Lines: This is a horse who will likely either have the fastest round of the day on a clear round or will have stops. Tight Lines has no career stops at the A/4* level and has twice run clear and inside the time at CCI4*-L. He’s also run clear inside the time once at CCI5*-L, at Kentucky last year, and in fact has never had a time penalty at CI/4/5*-L when running clear. However, in three CCI5*-L attempts, he has twice had two stops; in his first attempt and at WEG last fall.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps.

Ride Time: 12:25 PM

Tim Price and Xavier Faer. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Tim Price (NZL) and Xavier Faer: Xavier Faer can be a brilliant cross-country horse, proving it with his Badminton run in 2017 that ultimately landed him third place. His record with Tim Price is fairly strong but the occasional stop and a rider fall have marred it. He’s struggled overall at the CI-L format at 4/5*; they have had issues at 50% of their six start in that format and only run clear once in three 5* starts. Having said that, if Tim goes clear on this horse, he goes fast; he’s only had four seconds of time over optimum in those three clear CI-L runs.

Potential Hiccups: Consistency over the jumps.

Ride Time: 1:05 PM

Others in this Category: Cooley On Show, Harbour Pilot, and Johnny Royale

THE WANNABE SPEEDSTERS

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Deniro Z:  These two had a lot of hype around them coming into this event and for good reason. Both Liz and the horse were on absolute fire this spring season. However looking at the numbers it’s hard to make an argument that this horse will make the time today. In his two CI-L 4/5* runs he has averaged 18.5 seconds over optimum and prior to this season had only occasionally finished even within ten seconds of optimum. But Deniro Z cantered around easily at Carolina and not only made the time but finished with the fastest round of the day, nineteen seconds under the time.

Potential Hiccups: Fitness allowing the horse to make the time.

Ride Time: 10:40 AM

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Libby Law.

Doug Payne (USA) and Vandiver:  Doug Payne has really made this horse a contender in all three phases but their success at the A/4*-S level hasn’t quite translated to the CI/4/5*-L levels yet. This pair has two clear runs around Kentucky and while they have consistently made time at A/4*-S, their best pace at the CI4/5*-L format has been thirteen seconds over optimum.

Potential Hiccups: Fitness allowing the horse to make the time.

Ride Time: 1:35 PM

Others in this Category: Glenfly, Honor Me

THE UNKNOWNS

Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin (USA) and Islandwood Captain Jack:  This horse has struggled on the flat in his first year at the level and Thursday was no exception but he’s excelled in the jumping phases. In his two career CCI4*-L finishes he has finished within ten seconds of the fastest time of the day or under the optimum time and he’s never had a jumping penalty at A/4*.

Potential Hiccups: Experience. This is not only the horse’s first 5* but only Caroline’s third time leaving the start box at this level. She’ll also be the first to leave the start box today, and won’t have the advantage of seeing how the combinations are riding.

Ride Time: 10:00 AM

Buck Davidson and Jak My Style. Photo by Valerie Durbon Photography.

Buck Davidson (USA) and Jak My Style:  Buck and Jak My Style have an abbreviated career together but it’s been increasingly successful. In their only CCI4*-L together, they finished only one second over the time and have finished either with the fastest time of the day or within ten seconds of optimum in four of their six A/4* runs together.

Potential Hiccups: Experience. This is the horse’s first 5* and his career with Buck is not that long.

Ride Time: 12:00 PM

Lauren Kieffer and Paramount Importance. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Paramount Importance:  Paramount Importance is a new partner for Lauren as of last year but he has been around the blocks, having previously been to the 2017 European Championships at Strzegom with Ludwig Svennerstal. Despite his experience, this is his first 5*-L, so he’ll be relying on Lauren to help keep his perfect A/4/5* cross-country jump record intact.

Potential Hiccups: Experience and time. This is the horse’s first 5* and he’s never made the time; it’s unlikely today is the day for that.

Ride Time: 12:05 PM

Others of Note: Leamore Master Plan, Lancaster

Dressage Powerhouses of Kentucky: Day Two

By on Apr 26, 2019 9:00 am -

Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Welcome back to the 2019 edition of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event! Yesterday we watched as half of the horses put on their dancing shoes and today the second half of the field will get their chance. Quite a few of the heavy hitters ended up in the Friday sessions, so this preview will be a bit longer than yesterday’s. Click here to see the order of go with ride times and here for all the details on how to watch live.

In case you missed the action yesterday, here’s a quick recap. The competitors will be performing the 2017 FEI 5* Test A. In case you only tune in for North America’s biggest event, don’t forget that we have transitioned to a new scoring system for dressage. Starting last year, we no longer utilize the 1.5 multiplier on the penalty marks for dressage, making the scoring a straight conversion to penalties. An average of 70.0% from the ground jury will translate into 30.0 penalty points, instead of 45.0 as it would have prior to 2018. This clusters the competitors closer together after the first phase, making the jumping phases more influential.

Judging the competitors will be Christina Klingspor of Sweden, who presides over the ground jury. Martin Plewa of Germany and Mark Weissbecker of the United States join her as members of the ground jury.

THE FIELD

The chart below visually shows the range of each pair (in draw order). The pale orange demonstrates the range that each pair scores in 67% of the time while the black mark shows their average over the last twelve months. A narrow orange bar denotes a pair of very high consistency in the dressage phase; Quarrycrest Echo is one of of the most predictable horses in the field, for example. A wide orange bar shows a pair who have varied greatly in their scores and thus make it much more difficult to predict with any certainty.

The pairs who went yesterday have their actual score marked as a black dot with their score labeled, so you can see how they did compared to their typical scoring range.


FRIDAY

Piggy French (GBR) and Quarrycrest Echo: Quarrycrest Echo and Piggy French come into the arena holding the best dressage average at A/4/5* of the entire field over the last twelve months. They also tie for the best 5* average (from multiple 5* tests) in the field and have proven to be one of the most consistent pairs. There is a 95% likelihood they will score between 25.48 and 31.67.

Aiming for: Top of the Leaderboard

Ride time: 10:08 a.m.

Tim Price (NZL) and Xavier Faer: Tim Price will have a crack at the Grand Slam next week if he wins with Xavier Faer here, and so he’s brought a horse who is no slouch on the flat. Although Xavier Faer’s best test at 5* is only a 31.0, he’s averaged 29.43 in his tests over the last 12 months and he laid down a personal best of 26.3 at Weston Park Advanced earlier this month.

Aiming for: Top Five

Ride time: 1:16 p.m.


Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Master Class: Oliver Townend has brought back last year’s winner Cooley Master Class for a chance of a back-to-back win. This horse’s score of 28.7 last year doesn’t quite crack the top five of 5* personal bests in the field but he does own the best 4* personal best in the field, a 22.4 at the 2014 Ballindenisk 4*-S. Still, a score more in line with his A/4* average of 28.3 is most likely.

Aiming for: Top of the Leaderboard

Ride time: 1:32 p.m.

Phillip Dutton (USA) and Z: Next up is perennial favorite Phillip Dutton, who brings Z to his second Kentucky as a more seasoned competitor. This horse owns the second best 5* score in the field, a 27.6 laid down at WEG last fall and his twelve month average of 29.68 is almost a full four points lower than his overall A/4* average, demonstrating how far this horse has come in this phase.

Aiming for: Top Five

Ride time: 1:40 p.m.

Doug Payne (USA) and Vandiver: Doug Payne has clearly been doing some homework with Vandiver; in their last four tests they’ve broken 70% three times whereas prior to that they had only broken that mark twice in twenty tests at the A/4/5* level. They are likely to score a new 5* personal best and will only be aided by being in the last session today.

Aiming for: Top Five

Ride time: 2:36 p.m.

Boyd Martin (USA) and Tsetserleg: Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg own the best 5* score in the field, having achieved a 27.1 at WEG last fall. This pair sit equal with Quarrycrest Echo and Piggy French for best 5* average in the field and seem to really step up when it matters, as their 5* average is three and a half points better than their A/4* average.

Aiming for: Top of the Leaderboard

Ride time: 2:44 p.m.

Buck Davidson (USA) and Copper Beach: Copper Beach and Buck Davidson have had a long career together at the top levels by now, and they’ve been no stranger to the leaderboard. Copper Beach has laid down one of the top three 4* personal bests in the field but has yet to replicate his 4* success at this level. With their time slot in the very last session, this pair have a great shot to best their 5* PB of 30.7 and end up near the top contenders.

Aiming for: Top Ten

Ride time: 2:52 p.m.

Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Vermiculus: Vermiculus is now making his third start at Kentucky with Lauren Kieffer and having the last slot of the day could make a big difference in this cheeky horse’s score. This horse burst onto the 5* scene with a bang in 2017, laying down a 29.2 that not many expected out of him. Although he hasn’t broken the 70% barrier since early in 2018, Lauren will squeeze every point out that she can.

Aiming for: Top Ten

Ride time: 3:00 p.m.

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Dressage Powerhouses of Kentucky: Day One

By on Apr 25, 2019 8:15 am -

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Welcome to the 2019 edition of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event! Yesterday marked the beginning of the competition, with the first horse inspection occurring in the afternoon and today we’ll have the first half of dressage. Click here to see the order of go with ride times and here for all the details on how to watch live.

The competitors will be performing the 2017 FEI 4* Test A. In case you only tune in for North America’s biggest event, don’t forget that we have transitioned to a new scoring system for dressage. Starting last year, we no longer utilize the 1.5 multiplier on the penalty marks for dressage, making the scoring a straight conversion to penalties. An average of 70.0% from the ground jury will translate into 30.0 penalty points, instead of 45.0 as it would have prior to 2018. This clusters the competitors closer together after the first phase, making the jumping phases more influential.

Judging the competitors will be Christina Klingspor of Sweden, who presides over the ground jury. Martin Plewa of Germany and Mark Weissbecker of the United States join her as members of the ground jury.

THE FIELD

The chart below visually shows the range of each pair (in draw order). The orange demonstrates the range that the pair scores in 67% of the time while the black mark shows their average over the last twelve months. A narrow orange bar denotes a pair of very high consistency in the dressage phase; Deniro Z and Quarrycrest Echo are two of the most predictable horses in the field, for example. A wide orange bar shows a pair who have varied greatly in their scores and thus make it much more difficult to predict with any certainty.

Orange bar represents 67% of scores, black line is 12 month average.

THURSDAY

Liz Halliday-Sharp (USA) and Deniro Z: This horse has turned quite a few heads since he first stepped up to Advanced eighteen months ago, finishing inside the top ten in all but two of his twelve finishes at the Advanced/4*/5* levels. Part of this pair’s success has been due to the consistency in the first phase; their worst score for those levels is a 31.9 and they’ve beaten the 70% threshold in ten of fifteen starts. The only downside is their early draw of third in the competition, which means the judges might be a little reluctant to be generous with their marks.

Aiming for: Top Three

Ride time: 10:16 a.m.

Hannah Sue Burnett (USA) and Harbour Pilot: This veteran pair is no stranger to the leaderboard after day one, with scores breaking 70% in their last three consecutive 5* starts. These two have come out strong in 2019, with a twelve month dressage average that ranks second in the field. However like Liz, Hannah Sue’s early ride time may hamper her quest to lead at the end of the first phase.

Aiming for: Top of the Leaderboard

Ride time: 11:08 a.m.

Hallie Coon (USA) and Celien: Hallie Coon threw down the gauntlet with this mare in their first 5* start last fall at Pau, breaking the 70% mark for the first time in their A/4/5* career. These two have since broken that personal best again, clocking in a 26.3 at the beginning of the year. Their scores have regressed since then to just under 70% but these two have already proven the ability to be cool under pressure.

Aiming for: Top Five

Ride time: 11:24 a.m.

Felix Vogg (SUI) and Colero: Felix Vogg and Colero have broken the 70% mark in only three of the horse’s nine career starts at the A/4/5* levels, but they picked an exceptionally good time to lay down a personal best for the horse, the World Equestrian Games. Felix Vogg is no stranger to pressure, having represented Switzerland a few times already, and Colero has stepped up to perform when it matters.

Aiming for: Top Five

Ride time: 11:24 a.m.

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Start Times, Live Scores, How to Watch Live, EN’s Ultimate Guide, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

Jog Wednesday’s News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Apr 24, 2019 12:01 am -

❤️❤️❤️Photo credit: Jj Jayhawk Sillman

Posted by Jimmie Holotik Schramm on Monday, April 22, 2019

I take great pleasure in bringing you the very first post of Kentucky, every year since 2015. I get to peruse all of the riders posting their first photos on ground and decide which one gets to lead the action. This week is one of the biggest weeks of the year for the EN team and we’ve got all hands on deck ready to bring you the latest news.

National Holiday: JOG Day

Major Events:

#LRK3DE: Website, Schedule, Entries & Drawn Order, How to Watch Live, USEF Network, Horse & Country TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fresno County Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

University of New Hampshire Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

St. John’s H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

With Kentucky and Badminton back to back, they often get compared to one another. Horse and Hound points out that Badminton is the older event but admits that Kentucky’s naming of an official vodka is something that Badminton could use more of. [Differences Between KY and Badminton]

Let’s meet our cross-country trailblazer, Islandwood Captain Jack. As a horse that Caroline Martin has brought along from the ground up, Islandwood Captain Jack has blossomed, particularly in the jumping phases. A horse who is extremely food-oriented, ‘James’ will insist on being first to his stall for every meal. [Behind the Stall Door]

As we edge into May, the heat starts to rise and good ground can be hard to find. The Brits are notorious for scratching when the ground gets too hard, something we generally don’t have the luxury of doing over here. British -based Kate Honey has some tips on how to take advantage of schooling cross-country riding in an arena. [How to XC School in An Arena]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

By the Numbers: Fair Hill CCI4*-S

By on Apr 18, 2019 1:00 pm -

After a couple of years serving as the final prep event prior to Kentucky, Fair Hill has moved back to its traditional date just one week before. This means that the majority of Kentucky entrants local to the area have chosen to compete in the Advanced combined test, leaving the CCI4*-S division open to the up-and-coming horses aiming for a CCI4*-L later this spring.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Division Stats

  • In the last four years, not one pair has gone clear inside the time on cross country.
  • The last two runnings have seen the third-placed pair after dressage finish on top.
  • The dressage leader hasn’t won this division since 2015.

Boyd Martin and On Cue. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Dressage Divas

Percentage of pairs expected to score in the 20s — 4.76% (one of 21)

  • Boyd Martin and On Cue hold the strongest dressage average at this level from multiple runs and have dipped into the 20s in two of the mare’s four starts.
  • Cayenne is another horse new to the level but piloted by an experienced rider. Under Felix Vogg, she scored sub-30 in her first two starts at the level.
  • Fernhill Singapore also has dipped into the 20s in 50% of his first four starts at the level under the guidance of Phillip Dutton.
  • The final pair to keep an eye out for is an experienced horse with a new-to-the-level jockey. Alexa Lapp makes her CCI4*-S debut with Cambalda, who executed a strong 29.5 in the rider’s first Advanced at Carolina.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Show Jumping Powerhouses

Percentage of pairs expected to go clear in show jumping — 47.6% (10 of 21)

  • In four show jumping rounds at this level, Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Singapore have yet to have a rail down.
  • Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times have had four Advanced and 4*-S starts since June of last year and have only incurred one rail thus far.
  • Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico have racked up a solid show jumping record, incurring a rail only twice in eight starts.
  • Lindsay Kelley and Cooley Cruise Control also only have a total of two rails on their record in eight starts.

Erin Sylvester and Campground. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Cross Country Machines

Percent of pairs expected to come within 10 seconds of optimum time — 9.5% (two of 21)

  • Erin Sylvester and Campground have finished either inside the time or with the fastest time at their last three consecutive cross country runs, one of which was in the Advanced at Fair Hill. The horse had a hiatus but was back at the level at Carolina recently.
  • Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise have made a mark in their seven starts at this level, clocking in times that were the fastest of the day twice and within 15 seconds of the fastest time of the day on two other occasions.
  • Felix Vogg and Cayenne have run into trouble in the horse’s first two 4*-S outings, but at the beginning of the year, Felix guided her to the fastest round of the day in her first Advanced run at Rocking Horse.

Emily Beshear and Olney Uncle Sam. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jack of All Trades

  • Olney Uncle Sam and Emily Beshear are a pair to really keep an eye on. These two will likely make it into the top five after dressage, and their one-or-none record in show jumping shows they more often jump a clear round than not. Although they aren’t the fastest overall on cross country, they started to pick up the pace last fall and could climb into a top placing this weekend with a fast round.

PREDICTED WINNER: Emily Beshear and Olney Uncle Sam

Emily Beshear and Olney Uncle Sam. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Keep Your Eye On

  • Boyd Martin and Ray Price
  • Boyd Martin and On Cue
  • Alexa Lapp and Cambalda
  • Katherine Coleman and Monte Classico

Fair Hill CIC & H.T. [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Results]

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Apr 17, 2019 12:01 am -

Spring has sprung. Photo by Maggie Deatrick

Between studying for a professional exam and a nagging back injury, I still haven’t had a chance to get on my horse even though he has been home for two weeks now. I’ll have my first taste of playing owner at Fair Hill, and while I’ve had my trainer compete my horse before, it’s always been for events that I myself cannot attend.

National Holiday: National Cheeseball Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Fair Hill CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Holly Hill H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Longleaf Pine H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

River Glen H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

I happened to venture to a T3D last fall and I’m sharing my (mis)adventures. The long and short of it is read the rules three times, then don’t overthink it! I had a few obstacles that kept me out of the ribbons but the good news is my young horse had no idea and loved getting a neck ribbon for Fittest Horse. [The Miscalculations of Endurance Day]

If you’re under 25 and headed to Bromont in June, pay close attention. Bromont is hosting the inaugural Bromont Rising Program, which will award a $3,000 (CDN) grant to 10 U.S. and Canadian riders under the age of 25 who are headed to compete at Bromont this June. Riders will also have the opportunity to participate in a training camp, receive coaching at the event, and have dinner with Jessica Phoenix and Boyd Martin. [Bromont Rising Program Supports U25 Riders]

Sara Gumbiner is headed to Kentucky for the second time with her long-time partner Polaris. Polaris has a scheduled nap time every day, and if you mess with it, it messes with him. He would also like some green apples (plzkthx) and a a stall in which he can oversee the goings-on at the barn. [Behind the Stall Door]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Pinnacle Benefits:• Perfect for indoor and outdoor use• Requires no watering, saving time and resources• Dust free,…

Posted by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces on Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Apr 10, 2019 12:01 am -

The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man. Photo by Maggie Deatrick.

It’s no secret that I lost my heart horse, two weeks ago today. He was just shy of 17 years and while he had been retired from upper levels for a year, I had hoped to see him out teaching bravery to more riders for years to come. Spending some time with this handsome lad helped ease a small bit of heartache as he blithely grazed, unaware of the significance of the halter he now wears.

National Holiday: National Siblings Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Plantation Field H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

FENCE H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Charlotte Collier is testing out the waters with her pink ensemble. Charlotte found herself with the ride on Clifford M a few years ago and hasn’t looked back, storming up the levels to the 4* level starting last year. This spring, she’s set her eyes on a try at Bramham and if all goes well, a crack at a 5* in France in the fall. [The Power of Positivity and Pink]

Sam Griffiths has pulled the great mare Paulank Brockagh from the Badminton list. With an eye towards Tokyo, Sam has decided to take a crack at Luhmühlen instead, to try and keep the 16-year old mare’s legs fresh. Since she has completed Badminton six times, Sam feels it’s best for the horse to have a lighter track this year. [Former Winner Withdrawn From Badminton]

British Eventing has run headlong into some growing pains. Between a new website with all the usual bugs and a new fixtures calendar that has blindsided some venues and pitted others against one another, BE has had to take a step back to re-assess. [Social Media Backlash]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

#tuesdaytipdayBefore you even think about choosing an arena footing, you must have 100 percent confidence in your…

Posted by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces on Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am -

For many trainers, the journey to the 2019 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover is in full swing! Photo via Elisa Wallace’s FB page.

It’s now March, which means that Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover is starting to really ramp up now. Trainers have chosen their horses, and the beginning of a new career is well underway! It helps that we are starting to get a hint of spring up here in the north, which means it is time to start leaving the arena … before the fields turn into mud.

We’ve got a healthy serving of Thoroughbred news to serve up for you today, including our “Weekly OTTB Wishlist, Presented by Cosequin” and an announcement about the 2019 recipients of the inaugural Thoroughbred Makeover “Give Back to Go Scholarship,” awarded by the Daignault Family Foundation. Be sure to follow along with the Makeover trainers who are blogging about their journeys for EN: Lindsey Burns, Hillary McMichael, Clare Mansmann.

National Holiday: Jewel Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Ocala II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Top Spring H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

MeadowCreek Park H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

The national eventing organization is working diligently to work out the bugs on their new website. Sound familiar? It’s not the USEA this time, but British Eventing that is working through the growing pains that come with a complete website overhaul. They urge you to reach out with any bugs you find. [British Eventing Working Around the Clock]

If you haven’t seen this video, drop everything and watch to the end. We’ve all been at events with loose horses but this one really takes a liking to Imogen Murray and her ride, dashing through their ring several times. The pair plays it super cool….I hope the judge gave that horse a 10 for submission. [Loose Horse in Dressage]

It’s good to be reminded that sometimes training a horse needs to be about the process and not the destination. It can be tough with a youngster who just seems to want develop slower than their peers. You watch your fellow competitors jump up the levels, running prelim by the time the horses are six while you’re still hoping to make the big move up to Novice at the end of their 8 year old year. But horses develop at their own pace and it’s important to keep that in mind. [Managing Expectations]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

View this post on Instagram

#tuesdaytipday If your additive comes in bales that need to be mixed into the footing, chances are more than good that it will not be consistent. You will have pockets where there is more fiber, and spaces that there is very little. Safe footing is consistent with just enough grip, just enough glide, so your horse can move comfortably. Wondering what’s in your ring? Give us a call. . . #ringenvymuch #hunterjumper #horses #equestrian #jumper #dressage #showjumping #equitation #hunter #equestrianlife #equine #jumping #horselover #thoroughbredsofinstagram #attwoodequestriansurfaces #trainonthebest #safety #performance #innovation #goldstandard #footingnerds #horsehour #horsechathour

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Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Mar 6, 2019 12:01 am -

My view into work yesterday. Photo by Maggie Deatrick.

I’d like to think that we’ve just experienced the final snow of the year up here in Pennsylvania but somehow I know better than to get optimistic. It seems like we always get one last big blow right before April.

National Holiday: Ash Wednesday

Major Weekend Events:

Red Hills CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Southern Pines H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Full Gallop Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

 

Your Wednesday News & Notes

The Auburn Eventing team hosts an online Facebook auction every year and the one for this year just started today! This auction helps with funding for Intercollegiate Champs and hopefully more! There are already have over 70 items in the Facebook album from lessons to photoshoots to hand-painted wine glasses. [Auburn Eventing Facebook Auction]

Sometimes an off-the-wall solution can result in a story. Ann DeMichele and owner Suellen Myers went down the rabbit hole trying to figure out why Roanoke, a jumper bred by Myers, was so spooky. After realizing that bright contrast bothered him, they settled on a pair of green-tinted goggles to keep him focused in the jumper ring . [Behind the Photo]

Flying from England to Australia is a trek but doing it with horses is even more involved. Between three weeks of quarantine prior to take-off, another two weeks upon landing, a traveling vet and a heft price tag, flying horses to Australia is no easy task. [9 Things You Never Knew]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Feb 27, 2019 12:01 am -

The calm before the storm. Photo via Kate Chadderton’s Instagram page.

Sometimes the cross country warmup is a relatively stoic place and sometimes it can be downright nerve wracking, when the going gets tough. When the announcer seems to be calling a never-ending stream of stops, falls and sticky rides, it can really ratchet up the tension back in warm-up. At a time like this, having some of your mates at your side can make a big difference.

National Holiday: Polar Bear Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Rocking Horse III H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

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

Sporting Days H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Twin Rivers H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

In order to help everyone plan their lives, the USEA has released a tentative schedule for the AECs. Scheduled for the week before Labor Day, the AECs will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time. This is sure to bring a huge draw from all levels, and the USEA has planned accordingly with the schedule. [Tentative AEC Schedule Announced]

Black Tie, Oliver Townend’s ride for the 2014 WEG, has been retired from eventing. At 18, Black Tie has proven his worth despite his small stature, not only competing at WEG but also finishing in the top four at Luhmuhlen and winning Burnham Market. His owner, who competed him through the UK-Novice level, wants the Thoroughbred to retire on top. [British Team Horse Bows Out]

The Pan Americans might be more important to the U.S. but the European Championships are quite the spectacle. They’ll be held the weekend before Burghley but down at Luhmühlen. Treat yourself and make a week of it; start the week down at Luhmühlen and finish up at Burghley. [Tips for Attending the European Championships]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Feb 20, 2019 12:01 am -

Finding the barn zen. Photo via Matt & Cecily Brown FB page.

There’s absolutely a certain attention to detail that is required to run a barn, a quality that can sometimes border on obsessiveness. Whether it’s the pattern in the barn aisle or the organization of a tack trunk, there’s definitely a feeling of satisfaction when all is in order.

National Holiday: Cherry Pie Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Advanced H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Off-track racehorses aren’t a huge anomaly at the upper levels of jumping, but this one is specifically unique. Life Is Beautiful had a first career as a harness racer in Sweden before being sold to Japan upon retirement. Despite an economical jump, he caught the attention of Shino Hirota’s trainer, who urged her to buy the paint horse. Now Shino has qualified with Life Is Beautiful for a World Cup. [Harness Horse Secures World Cup Slot]

Syndication seems to be catching on across across the pond. Lucinda Green is testing out the waters this season with offers for ten members to join a year long syndicate effort for 2,000 GBP apiece. Participants will get to participate in events as owners, attend a mid-season barbecue and receive detailed updates. [Lucinda Green Offers Deal]

I’m Sew Ready may be a two-time four-star finisher but he’d rather just go with the flow. ‘Jackson’ is about as laid back as it comes according to Emma Ford, Phillip Dutton’s longtime groom. Unswayed by turkey vultures, toddlers on his back, or being the last to come in, Jackson would rather eat than run. [Behind the Stall Door]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

View this post on Instagram

#tuesdaytipday Several decades of experience with equestrian surfaces, makes Nick Attwood the perfect person to turn to if you are thinking about creating an effective sport horse training surface. Attwood’s EuroTex Footing, contains a shredded textile, which stabilizes the sand particles — this mimics the effect of the rooting system of turf, which has a stabilizing effect on the surrounding soil particles. EuroTex footing give more resilience, reduce the amount of packing and help to hold moisture in the surface, which leads to reduced dust. The secret with EuroTex really is “in the sand.” #attwoodequestriansurfaces #goldstandard #safety #performance #innovation

A post shared by Attwood Equestrian Surfaces (@attwoodequestriansurfaces) on

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Feb 13, 2019 12:01 am -

All bundled up at Pine Top. Photo via C-Square Farm Facebook Page.

Just because all the competitions are in the south or in California doesn’t mean the competitions are warm. Pine Top was subject to just such a cold front last weekend, which left everyone including the dogs scrambling for layers.

National Holiday: Get A Different Name Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Rocking Horse Winter II H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Paradise Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Fresno County Horse Park CCI & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Riding with a top clinician can be extremely validating or utterly demoralizing. Luckily for Lauren Sprieser, it was the former when she got the chance to ride with Isabell Werth. After going out on a limb to acquire her new ride Elvis, she spent the next three months breaking him down to basics. It paid off in the clinic when Isabell immediately announced them ready to kick it up a gear. [When the Queen Met the King]

Nana Dalton has a long trek back to get to Badminton after a double mastectomy. Nana is bravely bearing all in her life, the pain of surgery, the realization that it’s not always a quick rebound, and the relief of getting back on a horse. [Getting Back on My Feet]

In a few weeks, Andrew Hoy will sit on his old friend Rutherglen again. The pair, who tackled the London Olympics in 2012 together, will reunite at the Bruce’s Field Eventers’ Grand Prix. Andrew flew out to ride Rutherglen in January and reports that his junior rider is doing an exemplary job of keeping the horse well-tuned. [London Pair Reunite]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Feb 6, 2019 12:01 am -

Proud squid is the best type of squid. Photo courtesy of Cecily Brown.

This winter has been a bit of a new experience for me; after I spent last winter commuting back and forth between Aiken and Philadelphia on weekends, I decided it would be easiest and best for everyone if my trainer had sole custody this winter. He’s done splendidly with my guy so far, and I’ve surprised myself by enjoying the owner position more than I realized.

National Holiday: National Chopsticks Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Full Gallop February H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Ocala Winter I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Pine Top I H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Fitch’s Corner has concluded its runs after a quarter-century of events. Run by Fernanda Kellogg and her husband Kirk Henckels, Fitch’s Corner made itself a summer destination for all level riders for Prelim and below. With abundant prize money, a collectible car parade, and a trade fair, it gained a reputation as a spectator event for those trying to escape the city. [Fitch’s Corner Event Ends]

At the barest hint of physical trouble I’m prone to call out my vet, but like many riders I will just suffer through pain until I just can’t ride. Lauren Sprieser recounts how important it is to pay as much attention to our own bodies as we do to our horses. [The Most Impatient Patients]

Nana Dalton had a hell of a year in 2018, and not in a great way. Between a head injury that took months to resolve and a double mastectomy paired with reconstruction, Nana couldn’t sustain her business and yard in the the same way. After taking a step back, downsizing and regrouping with her five-year old son in mind, Nana is exploring ways to make her career financially stable. [Life Turned Upside Down]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jan 30, 2019 12:01 am -
I thought that Pennsylvania was getting spared the brunt of the polar vortex, since our high today is supposed to be 29. But then I realized that by the time I leave work tomorrow it will be in the teens and dropping fast and when I leave for work tomorrow, the temperature will be the balmy temperature of 3. I should feel lucky though, because the Midwest is about to take the brunt, so I’m sending my warmest thoughts over to them!

National Holiday: National Inane Answering Message Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Sporting Days Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Three Lakes at Caudle Ranch H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Galway Downs H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Padraig McCarthy recently taught a clinic in Aiken, drawing eventers (and the stray jumper) from all levels. Emphasizing straightness, Padraig put an emphasis on poles and accuracy with both the training and intermediate level. Exercises required a varied number of strides from fence to fence and warmup for cross-country was all downhill…literally. [It Starts With Straightness]

Since a large portion of the country will be stuck at home waiting for the historically low temperatures to pass, it’s a perfect time to dream of that May vacation to Badminton. Luckily the box office for Badminton is open and ready for business for the May 1-5 event. [Badminton Tickets Go On Sale]

Sydney International is taking steps to raise the bar, year after year. Under the management of Eventing NSW president Shane Rose, Sydney has committed to running all FEI levels aside 1* through 4*, is expanding the national tracks into the 2000 Olympic course, and is holding the dressage in the Olympic Arena. [Sydney Takes New Direction]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jan 16, 2019 12:01 am -

Photo via Natalie Hollis’ FB page.

Look, the center of the eventing world might have shifted to warmer climes where migrated riders think 50 degrees is cold, but up here there’s quite a lot of fun still to be had. Destination Farm might have had 8-10″ of snow but they also have a long tradition of teaching working students how to sled behind Korbin the super paint … always wearing helmets of course.

National Holiday: Appreciate a Dragon Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Grand Oaks H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Retired Racehorse Project (RPP) Thoroughbred Makeover competitor Isabella de Sousa and RRP creator Steuart Pittman were both recently honored at the Pegasus Awards. Steuart received the 2018 EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award for his dedication to Thoroughbred aftercare and raising the profile of the breed, while Isabella was honored for her involvement in the competition, with bringing new fans through her journey with Zenyatta’s first offspring, and her success in the equitation ring. [Winners at US Equestrian Annual Meeting]

Mike Pendleton’s hard work at Windurra paid off with a month’s worth of riding under Michael Jung. Boyd Martin fundraised Mike’s trip to Germany in thanks for Mike’s years of service of riding and breaking Windurra’s young horses. Mike even got to sit on the legend La Biosthetique Sam himself for a lesson. [Giving Mike a Leg Up]

Silva Martin is about to step back into the international ring with Rosa Cha W. Silva and Rosa Cha have both overcome major obstacles to get back to competing at the CDI level. Silva had both her accident and a very difficult pregnancy while Rosa overcame a severe bout of founder after contracting Potomac Horse Fever. [Ringside Chat]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jan 9, 2019 12:01 am -

The view from Quadrocana. Photo via Dominic Schramm’s FB page.

The folks in Ocala and Aiken are about to get off to a running start, with events in both locales kicking off the eventing season. Based on the photos, it seems like those based in Ocala are getting some warmer temperatures as they prep for the start of the season.

National Holiday: National Take the Stairs Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Majestic Oaks H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Stable View H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Things may be gearing up in the U.S. but over in England they still have another three months before the start of the season. Matthew Heath recounts a few of his to-dos that he has taken care of in the off-season: repainting the yard, getting more involved with his wife’s stud starting up, and of course endless road hacking for the horses. [Why New Year’s Resolutions Aren’t For Me]

Fifi Prime, a former editor for the USCTA News, has passed away. For 22 years Fifi ran the USCTA News (now Eventing USA), transforming it from a newsletter to a magazine while covering Olympics, WEGs and Pan Ams. An eventer herself, she competed her own Sparrow Hawk extensively before loaning him to the USET and was deeply involved in the Ledyard International Three Day Event. [In Memorian: Fifi Prime]

The USHJA is dealing with an identity crisis. While they’ve spent years catering to the professionals and making the sport bigger and shinier, they’ve forgotten to cater to the base that created it: the adult amateur. USHJA President Mary Babick is trying to bring the sport back to its roots. [Power In Numbers]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Jan 2, 2019 12:01 am -

Beaches where I am not. Photo via Jenni Autry’s Instagram.

After a long holiday in which some people worked and did home improvements (me) while others took the time away for a quick beach vacation in the warmth and sand (not me), it’s time to get back to work! I’ll be the first admit that while I love doing nothing, I also am climbing the wall with no news happening. Ready for the new year!

National Holiday: Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Wait for it…..

Your Wednesday News & Notes

The Chronicle recaps their 10 best blogs of 2018. 

The USEA looks back at a year of eventing. 

The Chronicle presents some of their favorite photos from 2018.

The Chronicle reminisces over some of their favorite moments from 2018.

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Dec 26, 2018 12:01 am -

You can tell an equestrian’s tree by the number of horses that appear on it. Photo by Maggie Deatrick

And so begins the time between Christmas and New Year’s, which for me usually mean a lot of digesting food, eating leftovers for lunch for days, and pretending there’s plenty of time to take down the Christmas decorations. I won’t lie, there have been years where the tree stayed up until February.

National Holiday:  Boxing Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Recognized horse trials are on vacation for the remainder of 2018!

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Nana Dalton is back in the saddle after a preventative double mastectomy and is aiming for Badminton if all goes well. 

Heidi Coy is a rising star for Britain after winning the junior Europeans last summer with her 8-yr old Royal Fury. 

Rosie Thomas lost her horse of a lifetime last week when she had to put down Barry’s Best, who she completed ten 4* competitions with.

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: 

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Dec 19, 2018 12:01 am -

Work hard, play hard. Photo via Boyd Martin FB page.

Some of the best team building happens in the offseason, when the whole crew has spent all day slogging through the wet, cold, miserable weather and the best thing you can do it give the horses a day off and head to the nearest Mexican joint for tamales and margaritas and maybe something hot to drink. 

National Holiday:  Look for an Evergreen Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Recognizeds are on vacation for the remainder of 2018!

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Camilla Mortensen usually imparts a story about her spicy mare Cairo, but today’s blog is a love letter for her first Thoroughbred. Huey was a heart for Camilla to point herself into after two ended relationships and a cross-country move. He did all the things but jump over 3 feet, so when it came time to decide between her heart and her ambition, she chose to let him go to someone who loved him as much as she had…who then passed him to another who loved him until the end. [Everything I Needed to Know]

Riders are often intrepid souls and two entrepreneurial spirits bumped in together at a farm in Georgia. Ainsley Jacobs started Ride Heels Down apparel four years ago, then happened to move to a barn where Mary Campbell of Mare Modern Goods was already boarding. Despite being competitors in the market, the two became close friends, with Ainsley even converting Mary to the dark-side of eventing. [Community is Stronger Than Competition]

Is your horse on the naughty list? What funny “naughty” things has your horse done this year? Share the stories (and photos if you have them)  for a chance to be featured on EN’s sister site Jumper Nation next week! Post them to Facebook here or email [email protected].

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: When the Weather Outside Is STILL Frightful….Move to Hawaii and Still Build a Covered Arena

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Dec 12, 2018 12:01 am -

Watch out for that tentacle! Photo by Maggie Deatrick.

‘Tis the time of year to start bringing our horses back into work, which in bone cold weather can be less than fun. Thanks to my brand new toy (a Soloshot3) I managed to capture my horse’s opinion about this on tape. Riding this long legged horse often felt like riding a bad-tempered squid on rollerskates when he was younger, and while his work ethic has vastly improved, occasionally the tentacles still lash out when he is feeling indignant. 

National Holiday:  Poinsettia Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Recognizeds are on vacation for the remainder of 2018!

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Speaking of gearing things up, Lauren Sprieser is prepping her two young prospects for Wellington. One of her horses is finally putting the pieces together after years of exuberance and flailing, a process that I can identify with. The other is a recent acquisition and while he came with big fancy gaits, she’s taken apart the pieces to go back and install a few more basics. [Building Into December]

Researchers at UIC College of Medicine are conducting a brief anonymous survey of equestrian’s attitudes about wearing a safety helmet. They are interested in getting responses from many equestrians and pleasure riders across all different types of riding and driving.  Donate a few minutes of your time towards aiding in helmet awareness research! [UIC Survey]

Is your horse on the naughty list? What funny “naughty” things has your horse done this year? Share the stories (and photos if you have them)  for a chance to be featured on EN’s sister site Jumper Nation next week! Post them to Facebook here or email [email protected].

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: When the Weather Outside Is Frightful

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.

Wednesday News & Notes from Attwood Equestrian Surfaces

By on Nov 21, 2018 12:01 am -

Photo by FEI/Liz Gregg.

From the FEI press release: “Ingmar De Vos was today re-elected unopposed as President of the FEI at the General Assembly in Manama (BRN), where he pledged to build on the success of his first term in office. The Belgian native received unanimous support for a second four-year term from delegates representing the FEI’s 133 National Federations. It is the first time since 2002 that there has been an uncontested election for the FEI’s top role.”

National Holiday:  World Hello Day

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Your Wednesday News & Notes

Andi Lawrence never thought she’d end up as head groom for a rider whose poster adorned her childhood bedroom. After answering a help wanted ad for Kim Severson, that’s exactly what happened. Six months later, Andi was accompanying Kim and Cooley Cross Border all over Europe en route to their win at Blenheim. Now Andi is looking to take the big leap out on her own with Cooley Northern Mist.  [Horseman’s Spotlight]

The Portuguese Eventing Association (ACCE) will be holding an upcoming clinic with Sir Mark Todd. The ACCE together with the Portuguese Equestrian Federation (FEP) are excited to announce that Mark will be coming to Lisbon to give a clinic to 20 riders at the fantastic facilities of Sociedade Hipica Portuguesa. For more details, and quotes, please see the press release. [Mark Todd Clinic in Lisbon]

In New Zealand, Taupo has developed their facilities with a world-class indoor arena. The venue, which already holds a world-class event, began work on the indoor arena (including conference center, seating for 300, a commercial kitchen and cafe, and offices) in 2016. The arena is set to officially open this Friday, November 23. [Taupo Finalizes World-Class Facility]

Attwood Wisdom of the Week: It’s All About That Base

No matter what kind of footing you choose for you arena, it will not work properly without the appropriate base. Say for instance, your footing is uneven. The one solution would be to harrow it. And harrow it. And harrow it some more. But the only way to get that surface you want is to level that base. All the harrowing in the world will not fix uneven footing.

Now say your footing runs shallow and deep, or has pockets of deep and uneven footing. The good news is that it can be laser graded. The bad news is the undulations in the base will still recur and once again you will have “deep spots”.

For footing success, the base needs to DRAIN properly and be leveled properly. That is why Attwood compacts and laser levels the base to our specifications for slope before any footing is installed. Of course base recommendations vary by footing choices, location (hilly or flat), and what part of the country your arena is being built (wet or dry).

Want to know more about the most advanced footing solutions on the market today? Please call Attwood Equestrian Surfaces at 888-461-7788.