Sally Spickard
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Sally Spickard

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About Sally Spickard

Sally Spickard is a Korean adoptee living in San Diego, California. Sally joined the Eventing Nation team in 2013 and has subsequently written for Noelle Floyd, Heels Down Mag, and other publications both in and out of the equestrian world. Sally is an eventing fan through and through and enjoys telling the stories of riders who are not well-represented within equestrian media.

Latest Articles Written

Equestrian Australia Announces 2025 High Performance Eventing Squads

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Equestrian Australia has updated its High Performance Squad lists for 2025 as the nation looks ahead to the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.

Australia’s squads are divided into three categories, and include both eventing and para equestrian athletes. Gold is the highest tier, designated as “Podium & Podium Ready”, followed by Green (Podium Ready & Podium Potential), and Generation Next (Developing & Emerging). The 2025 lists can be viewed in full here, and are as follows for the eventers:

🥇 Gold

  • Chris Burton
  • Andrew Hoy
  • Shenae Lowings
  • Kevin McNab
  • Shane Rose

U.S.-based Aussie Ryan Wood and Cooley Flight. Photo by Shelby Allen.

🟢 Green

  • Andrew Barnett
  • Olivia Barton
  • Sammi Birch
  • Andrew Cooper
  • Sophia Hill
  • Sam Jeffree
  • Bill Levett
  • Jess Rae
  • Hazel Shannon
  • Ryan Wood

Ema Klugman and RF Redfern. Photo by Sally Spickard.

🔜 Generation Next

  • Teagan Ashby
  • Oliver Barrett
  • Christine Bates
  • Isabel English
  • Cathryn Herbert
  • Sonja Johnson
  • Ema Klugman
  • Emma Mason
  • Olivia Shore
  • Jess Somerfield
  • Kenya Wilson
  • Sam Woods

Of course, we have to give a hearty shout-out to Ema Klugman, our resident 5* rider, lawyer, and columnist right here on EN! Congratulations to all of the named riders for their well-deserved recognition.

To learn more about the Equestrian Australia High Performance program, click here.

US Equestrian Announces Updated Selector Roster

Sinead Maynard and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Earlier this week, US Equestrian released an updated list of its selection panel, who will provide recommendations to the Eventing Sport Committee regarding team selections for major international events and championships, including the World Championships (the next of which will take place at Aachen in 2026), the Olympic Games, and the Pan American Games.

The new selector list is as follows:

• Deborah Furnas (Ocala, Fla.), Chair

A longtime member of the Selection Committee, Deborah Furnas will chair the committee of incoming new selectors. With experiencing helming programs for the likes of Torrance Watkins, Bruce Davidson Sr., and Stephen Bradley, Deborah also holds a wealth of team management experience having served as the stable manager for the U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague, Netherlands (1994), coordinated team efforts for the Canadians at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen (2006) and Kentucky (2010).

• Jonathan Elliott (Yelm. Wash.)

Also a current member of the selection panel, Jonathan Elliott has developed multiple horses and riders to the top levels of the sport. He finished as high as fourth place at what was then known as Rolex Kentucky in 1998 and also competed at Burghley before starting Aspen Farms in Yelm, WA with his wife, Suzy.

• Sinead Maynard (Citra, Fla.)

Sinead Maynard stormed onto the high performance scene with her French “princess” Manoir de Carneville, earning a podium finish behind Mary King in her first Kentucky (2011) and becoming the highest-placed U.S. rider at Burghley in finishing second in 2012, shortly after narrowly missing out on her own chance to ride in the London Olympics. Since then, Sinead has established herself was a sought-after clinician and coach, working through outlets such as Ride iQ to share her expertise in development of both horse and rider.

• Michael Pollard (Rome, Ga.)

Michael Pollard is another new name to the selector list, stepping back into the sport incrementally over the past few years after taking a hiatus for a period of time. Michael is a Pan American Games gold medalist and worked as a member of high performance eventing throughout the majority of his professional career.

• Ian Stark (Selkirk, Scotland)

Scottish Olympic medalist and Sports Hall of Fame member Ian Stark, who has advised the U.S. team on cross country for several years, steps into the role as a selector and brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the selection table. The impact of his shrewd eye has already been felt in team results over recent years, with his dedication to bold, accurate cross country riding standing at the forefront of his teaching.

Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The Eventing Selectors are appointed by US Equestrian’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Moroney, following recommendations from the USEF Eventing Athletes Working Group, Eventing Performance Working Group, and Eventing Sport Committee, according to the USEF. The Selectors provide their recommendations to the Eventing Sport Committee (ESC) for team selections for international CCIOs and major championships, including World Championships, Olympic Games, and Pan American Games with final approval from the USEF Board of Directors.

We are still awaiting word on an incoming chef d’equipe and/or Technical Advisor for the U.S. team following the departure of Bobby Costello at the end of 2024.

FEI Releases Tribunal Decision + Statement from Tine Magnus (BEL) Following Positive Test at Paris Olympics

Tine Magnus and Dia van het Lichterveld Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Shortly following the Paris Olympics (summer 2024), the FEI released information regarding a provisional suspension of Belgian athlete Tine Magnus after her Olympic horse, Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, tested positive for the banned substance Trazodone, commonly used in horses to facilitate stall rest and recovery, under the the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).

Tine denied the allegations from the outset and vowed to investigate the matter alongside her team. A provisional suspension was issued by the FEI pending a Tribunal outcome, which has now been made formal.

“The athlete was able to trace the source of the Banned Substance in the horse’s system back to the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group,” a statement from the FEI this week reads. “This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the athlete from two highly recognized toxicologists. This contamination hence accounted for the positive finding in the horse, and the athlete had clearly established on a balance of probabilities, how the Banned Substance Trazodone entered the horse’s system. Consequently, the FEI and the athlete entered into a Settlement Agreement.”

The settlement amounted to a total of five months of suspension from the original date (September 3, 2024), ending on February 3, 2025. Tine was also fined CHF 4,000 (approximately $4,412 USD). The Belgian team, which finished fourth in Paris, as well as Tine’s individual placing, will remain disqualified as a result of the positive test.

On February 3, Tine released a statement on her social media pages. The following text has been translated; please forgive any translation errors. You can view the full statement on Tine’s Facebook page here.

“After the FEI informed me on September 3, 2024 that the samples taken on July 27, 2024 during the Paris Olympics had tested positive for the banned substance “Trazodone”, I ended up on a roller coaster. I was suspended immediately and in addition the fourth place achieved by the Belgian Eventing Team was also up for discussion.

As so often is the case with doping and disciplinary cases, I was banned completely. I no longer existed. All of this while I was 1000 percent convinced I was doping positive was absolutely innocent. I have always worked to the extreme to make my horses perform top without tools.

Together with my attorneys, I investigated how on earth it was possible that my horse tested positive. After all, I want to spoil myself against a doping complaint. Therefore, the FEI writes that I as a responsible person must prove whether there is cross contamination or another cause. As an athlete, you must be able to explain and prove how the prohibited drug has ended up in your horse’s system. This is a heavy burden on the shoulders of athletes, and fortunately, I passed that ordeal. I can confirm with lifted head and declare that I have never deliberately used doping.

What turned out to be the case now, the vet team advised me to use some supplements. These supplements were sold by his company to the Belgian Federation and delivered. These supplements were then made available to me.
We asked Professor Tytgat, the most renowned toxicologist associated with KU Leuven to investigate all these supplements for the possible presence of Trazodone. When Professor Tytgat RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone, we have had RELAX PRO purchased buses elsewhere tested with the same lot number by Professor Tytgad and by Professor Kintz in Strasbourg. Once again, RELAX PRO tested positive for Trazodone.

These results were presented to the FEI because I wanted to demonstrate that I had never intentionally administered a prohibited drug to my horse. On the package of RELAX PRO said nota bene “doping free”. The FEI told me that even when in fact I have done nothing wrong as in this case, I cannot appeal to the concept of No Fault or Negligence. As an athlete carry your risk liability even if you don’t get a blame.

Article 10.6.2 of the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Rules states the following:
No Fault or Negligence does not apply in the following circumstances: where the presence of the Banned Substance in a Sample came from a mislabelled or contaminated supplement. Persons responsible are responsible for what their Horses ingest and have been warned about the possibility of supplement contamination.

The FEI has finally offered me to agree to a suspension until February 2, 2025 and pay a fine. Cause [sic] I’m sporting this black period fast as possibly wanted to close, I agreed to this. I will soon be able to participate in official competitions again.

I thank my partner Dieter, my brother Sam, family and the owner of DIA, Kris, for always trusting me, as well as my lawyers Klaas Koentges, Piotr Wawrzyniak and Luc Schelstraete, who assisted me in the procedure at the FEI.”

This case provides a strong reminder to perform due diligence as to the viability of supplement or medication use in terms of its relation to the Prohibited Substance List; as well as emphasizes the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure proper testing and labeling is undertaken to prevent scenarios such as this.

To read the full FEI Tribunal decision on this case, click here.

The Go Eventing Podcast is Launching February 25!

Eventing Nation has always been your go-to source for the latest news, stories, and behind-the-scenes action in the *insane* world of eventing. Now, we’re bringing that excitement straight to your ears with the Go Eventing Podcast, dropping with bi-weekly episodes starting February 25, 2025!

Hosted by the EN Managing Editor Sally Spickard, joined by a new co-host for each episode, The Go Eventing Podcast will feature candid conversations with top riders, course designers, and other industry thought leaders, plus deep dives into the biggest competitions, training insights, and all the ridiculous eventing commentary you’ve come to expect from team EN. We wanted to create a space to host discussions about important topics facing our sport and the broader equestrian industry, as well as a place for our fellow eventing diehards to gather. Whether you’re in the saddle, on the road, or mucking stalls, we’ve got the perfect companion to keep you entertained and informed.

Our first episodes will take you inside the Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (February 28 and March 1), the FEI Eventing Open Forum, rule changes coming our way this year, and much more.

Now, we need your help! We’ll have a segment on each episodes for questions from our readers. Anything goes! What does your favorite rider eat for breakfast? When do you know if it’s the right time to move up? Why won’t your horse bend left? We want to hear it, and we want our co-hosts to answer your burning questions. Click here to submit your question for an upcoming episode.

Want to receive updates from EN in your email, including new podcast episodes announcements and other news? Sign up for our FREE newsletter here.

Stay tuned, and Go Eventing!

Your Chance to Win a Private Lesson with William Fox-Pitt + Support Strides for Equality Equestrians

Sierra Lesny rides cross country in front of William Fox-Pitt. Photo by Lisa Madren.

We are looking forward to the return of 5* winner and Olympic medalist William Fox-Pitt, also a popular clinician who makes frequent trips to the U.S. to teach. William’s clinic in Ocala, FL will take place March 5-8 and is hosted by Rhonda Sexton and Sara Kozumplik at Overlook South and Barnstaple South. If you’d like to ride in this clinic, you can email [email protected] to inquire.

We’re pleased to partner with Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) to raffle off an exclusive private lesson with William while he is in Florida! Proceeds from this raffle will be used to benefit Strides for Equality Equestrians’ mission of expanding opportunity and visibility for marginalized equestrians. You can learn more about this organization here.

So, what’s the skinny? Here’s how to win your private flat lesson with William!

1: Click here to purchase raffle tickets in bundles of 5, 10, 20, or 30 tickets between now and January 31, 2025.
2: We’ll draw a winner at random using a random number generator from the list of purchasers. The winner will be notified via the email address provided on the purchase page no later than February 3, 2025.

The Fine Print:

Eventing Nation is hosting this raffle on behalf of Strides for Equality Equestrians. 100% of donations/ticket purchases will be given to Strides for Equality Equestrians.

The winner of this raffle is responsible for transport of their horse, stabling and lodging if applicable, and for securing their own spot in the full clinic if they choose (subject to availability). Scheduling requests will be accommodated to the best of the organizer’s ability. The private lesson will be held at Overlook Farm South (13749 NW 115th Street) in Ocala, FL between March 5 and March 8, 2025. Winner must be at least 18 years old or must have a parent or guardian purchase the raffle tickets and handle the registration if winner/recipient is a minor. Winner or parent/guardian must sign a Release of Liability form and any other participation paperwork required by the clinic organizer.

Best of luck and we can’t wait to live vicariously through our winner!

FEI Opens Horse Abuse Case Against Andrew McConnon (USA); USEA, USEF Reciprocate with Provisional Suspensions

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The FEI has opened disciplinary proceedings against USA Eventing Athlete Andrew McConnon (FEI ID/10071279), following allegations of horse abuse involving numerous horses over an extensive period of time.

You can read EN’s timeline of this case here.

The disciplinary proceedings against Mr. McConnon are in accordance with Article 30 of the Internal Regulations of the FEI Tribunal for multiple alleged breaches of the FEI General Regulations, including Article 142, which prohibits horse abuse.

Mr McConnon has been provisionally suspended, effective from the date of notification (January 8, 2025), meaning that he is suspended from participation in any events or activities related to the FEI and/or any National Federation, in whatever capacity, as long as his provisional suspension has not been lifted by the FEI Tribunal.

Information on this case is available here.

In order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings, the FEI will not provide further comment on this case at this time.

According to FEI regulations, “During the period of a Suspension the Person, Horse and/or body suspended may take no part in any Competition or Event and/or in any activities related to any Competition or Event, as an Athlete, Support Personnel, Horse and/or Official or in the organisation of, any Competition or Event under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any Competition or Event under the jurisdiction of an NF in accordance with the Statutes or in any FEI and/or NF related activity (e.g. FEI courses, meetings, General Assembly etc.). For the avoidance of any doubt, training FEI Athletes and/or FEI Horses (whether at FEI Events or anywhere else) is to be considered as an FEI related activity. Persons are entitled to train their own Horses at their own facilities or at private facilities (i.e. not linked to any FEI or national Events/trainings’ facilities).”

After this statement was released, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) stated that they will issue a reciprocal suspension of Andrew barring him from competing in USEA recognized events pending the outcome of the FEI investigation. Per the FEI release and US Equestrian regulations, the USEF will also issue a reciprocal suspension barring Andrew from any USEF-licensed competition pending the investigation outcome.

We will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they are made available.

‘I Don’t Regret a Second’: Doug Payne Calls Time on Eventing Career, Shifts to Full-Time Show Jumping

Doug Payne and Vandiver in Tokyo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Nearly three decades after competing in his first three-day event, Tokyo Olympian Doug Payne has pulled the curtain down on his eventing career, transitioning his operation to show jumping full-time beginning this year.

It’s a decision Doug and his wife and fellow 5* rider, Jessica, have made over time, slowly scaling back their eventing string and focusing instead on developing show jumpers within their pipeline over the past few seasons. For the Paynes, who now have two young children, the evolution of their business has necessitated a firm eye on the big picture.

“I’ve never been someone to chase quick results or make impulsive decisions,” Doug said. “Everything we’ve done—whether it’s selling a horse or focusing on jumping-bred horses—has been for the greater good of our family and our business. This transition is just the next logical step.”

It began, in many ways, in 2014, when Doug sold one of his top eventers, Crown Talisman, to Great Britain. The decision was a difficult one; “Tali” was one of the top horses in the U.S. at the time, and many eyes were on him to be a potential team horse for the Americans in future championships. But with the funds earned from the sale, the Paynes were able to purchase property on which to build their dream farm. That farm, located just north of Durham, NC, has become a busy training hub, out of which Doug and Jess train their personal horses and maintain a robust clientele.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision for the long-term stability of our business and our family,” Doug said of the choice to sell Crown Talisman. “Every major decision we’ve made since then has followed that same philosophy—investing in something sustainable rather than going after short-term gains.”

Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.

In the ten years since the sale of Crown Talisman, Doug has accomplished much in the eventing space. In 2021, he was named to the U.S. team for the Olympics in Tokyo, where he would become the highest-placed U.S. rider (16th) with Debi and Kevin Crowley’s Vandiver. He completed 11 CCI5* events and earned a USEF National CCI5*-L Championship honor with his, Jess’ and Didi Callahan’s Quantum Leap’s third place finish at Kentucky in 2022.

But if there is one constant guarantee in life, it’s change. For Doug and Jess, the idea to transition to show jumping germinated about five years ago. They had always focused on buying young horses to develop (Quantum Leap is one recent example, having come into Doug’s program as a yearling and spending his entire eventing career with Doug), and they eventually decided to focus on purchasing jumping-bred horses to make a real run at the sport.

“Our decision five years ago to shift to jumping-bred horses has really started to pay off,” Doug said. “We’ve been consistently jumping at FEI levels for five years now, and honestly, it’s been a great challenge. The level of talent, especially at places like Wellington, is incredible. You’re surrounded by the best riders in the world, and there’s so much to learn. It’s motivating because I’m constantly trying to get better. The experience I gained in eventing—handling pressure, making split-second decisions—is a huge advantage. Now it’s about figuring out how to apply that to this new chapter.”

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The fact that the Paynes wanted more schedule flexibility to make more time for raising their two children, Abigail and Hudson, made them eager to explore a new avenue. When Doug was eventing full-time, the family would spend nearly 90% of their year on the road, traveling to events. With a heavier focus on show jumping circuits, that number is slashed nearly in half.

“Eventing requires a massive commitment to being away from home, and that’s something I’ve done for 20-some years,” Doug explained. “But at this point, I didn’t want to miss out on these years with my kids. Being able to step back from constant travel has been one of the biggest benefits of this transition. It’s given us a chance to breathe and focus on what’s really important.”

Initially, Doug planned to compete the event horses he had remaining until their careers were finished, but that timeline was adjusted after it was determined that Quantum Leap would retire from upper-level competition. “His ultimate welfare is paramount and Quantum owes me absolutely nothing, having completed seven five-stars, a USEF national championship and five top ten finishes,” he said. “And I would never want to have something to happen to him.”

Doug plans to find a lease for Quantum to take the role of professor, and perhaps he’ll eventually serve as his daughter, Abigail’s, horse if she wants to ride. “He has a home forever with us, that much is for sure,” he said.

With Quantum Leap out of the 5* world, it became clear that the other two primary eventers in Doug’s string could move sooner than later. Camarillo is another horse Doug had produced up to the 5* level, as well as the 1.30m jumpers. The former stallion, Quiberon, competed through the 4* level in eventing but has also shown versatility with ribbons in International Hunter Derbies and jumping classes through 1.30m. Starr Witness, the jaw-dropping chestnut mare who competed to the 4* level with Doug won her first Grand Prix dressage show in 2024, is currently expecting her third foal, by the stallion Europa PVF, who is owned by Doug and Jess along with Ellen Ziemer.

So while it’s not an easy decision to put one career down and pick up another and to move some of his special horses on to new pathways, Doug is eager for the challenge and very much at peace with the choice.

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

“You get struck with this mix of emotions—thankfulness for all the opportunities you’ve had and for the immense support from so many people who got you there—but also a sense of peace,” he said after a moment. “I’ve always loved the challenge of eventing, but after doing it professionally for over 20 years, I feel ready to move on. It’s a chance to take everything I’ve learned and apply it to something new, and that’s exciting to me.

“I don’t regret a second of eventing—it’s taken me around the world and given me experiences I could’ve never imagined. The sport has shaped who I am as a rider and as a person,” he continued. “But I don’t feel a sense of loss. I feel motivated by the new challenges ahead, and I know I’m still using so much of what eventing taught me every day. It’s not like I’m leaving all that behind—it’s more like I’m building on it in a new direction.”

Doug says his immediate goals are to continue to produce his horses, including his current top jumpers Quintessence and Chaccolate RFB, in the Grand Prix ring, and to work to rank well so that he can have a shot at representing the U.S. in team competition.

“I’d love to represent the U.S. on a team—it’s definitely on my radar. But I’m realistic about the challenge. Jumping has so much depth, and you really have to earn your spot. Still, it’s something I’m determined to give a shot. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. I just want to keep improving and making the most of the opportunities we have.”

“I think I’m in a place where I can look back and be proud of what we achieved, but also be really excited about what’s ahead,” Doug concluded. “It feels like the right move for me, my family, and our program.”

Video Break: When an Olympic Show Jumper Meets an Olympic Eventer…

What happens when a five-star show jumper takes a lesson with a five-star event rider? Olympic show jump rider and Stübben NA athlete Daniel Bluman joined up with his brother Steven to see if they have what it takes out on the Windurra USA cross-country course. 💪

Posted by Boyd Martin on Thursday, January 2, 2025

What happens when a pair of well-respected show jumpers is invited to try out eventing for the first time?

Boyd Martin welcomed show jumpers Daniel and Steven Bluman to his Windurra USA base in Pennsylvania to see how the brothers took to eventing. It’s safe to say: we think they’re hooked!

Ask Amelia Newcomb Anything: 3 Things for Eventers to Remember about Dressage

We recently polled our readers to find out their burning questions about dressage, and now we’ve enlisted Amelia Newcomb‘s help to answer them! Do you have a question for Amelia? Submit your question here or using the widget at the bottom of this article and you could see your question addressed right here on EN! 

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

EN Reader: What do you think is most often overlooked by eventers in dressage?

Amelia:

We all know that dressage is consistently voted as the LEAST popular of the three phases of eventing, and I like this question because it highlights a few elements that I think would make eventers start to like dressage a little more.

Here are my top elements, in no particular order:

Dressage improves rideability and balance for the other phases. When a horse and rider partnership are struggling to improve their ability to have more power to the base of the jumps, or more adjustability in their technical obstacles, or even simply more obedience going through shadows or water, schooling the aids on the flat or dressage training days are the base of the solution.

If you can’t get a medium or collected canter in the arena just from asking with your aids, you can’t expect to have that aid and a reliable reaction from your horse as you’re galloping towards that trakehner fence and need to engage your horse’s hind end for a bit more power. Your cressage work makes your horse more reliable, and physically able, to respond to you at a moment’s notice.

Dressage helps horses improve soundness and longevity. Regardless of how many therapies or treatments we give our horses, jumping and galloping is hard on their bodies, just like weightlifting, marathon running, or other high-impact sports are for us. We have to balance our training with yoga, pilates, or stretching, and that is exactly what dressage is for our horses.

When you have days where you’re focusing on the suppleness, swing, and roundness of the horse’s back, you’re showing them how to carry their body in better efficiency and allowing their body to recover while still working their muscles. Your horse will be able to carry their body in better symmetry, and in better form, meaning they will be less likely to get injured, and they’ll be able to stay sounder longer in their careers.

Dressage in the small court is HARD! This is one that I know gets overlooked a lot. As dressage riders, we’re used to either riding in the large court (20×60) or having the knowledge about swapping from it to the smaller court (20×40). But for most eventers, they generally compete in the small court because most tests have the option to choose which court, and it’s a lot easier to set up the small court and not have to change it through the day.

The short court means tighter diagonals, shorter time to develop lengthens, less time on the long side for transitions, and of course, the 20m circle markers “change”. Not to mention, when you have really fit horses for going cross country, they aren’t as supple to make those tighter changes.

Taking the time to learn the subtleties of riding in the small vs large court can make a big difference in performance. I have a great video on riding in the short court that I think will help if you want to check it out here.

Want more education and resources from Grand Prix Dressage Rider and Trainer Amelia Newcomb? Check out her most popular free mini courses here

You can read more from Amelia here, including her column “Ask Amelia Anything”. Want to submit a question for Amelia to answer? Click here or use the widget embedded below — we’d love to feature your question!

Equestrian Canada Names 2025 High Performance Squads

Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Equestrian Canada has named its list of High Performance horses and riders for the 2025 season as the nation looks to build toward the upcoming 2026 FEI World Championships and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The nominations were made according to the NTP Eventing High Performance Squad Criteria outlined here.

The A squad is the top designation, aimed at combinations who have shown strong performances at the CCI4*-L and CCI5* levels. The B Squad follows, with CCI3*-L performances taken into account. The Development Squad identifies up and coming horses and riders that can slot into the development pathway, which provides access to coaching, financial support when possible, and development toward Championship performances.

Congratulations to the following horses and riders:

A Squad

  • Dana Cooke / Mooresville, NC with Quatro, owned by Kingfisher Park
  • Waylon Roberts / Aiken, NC with OKE Ruby R, owned by Waylon Roberts and Michelle Koppin
  • Karl Slezak / Tottenham, ON with Hot Bobo, owned by Karl Slezak and Katlyn Hewson-Slezak
  • Michael Winter / Cirencester, GBR with El Mundo, owned by Michael Winter, Emma Winter and Jonathan Nelson

B Squad

  • Jessica Phoenix / Cannington, ON with Fluorescent Adolescent, owned by Makalya Rydzik and Sharon Hall
  • Jessica Phoenix /Cannington, ON with Freedom GS, owned by Charlotte Schickedanz and Tom Nowaskey
  • Lindsay Traisnel / Maidstone, ON with Bacyrouge, owned by Patricia Pearce

Development Squad

  • Saffron Klotz / Ottawa, ON with Ballingowan Clarity, owned by Saffron Klotz
  • Sarah Legear / Abbotsford, BC with Mojito, owned by Sarah Legear
  • Chelsea Lowe / Uxbridge, ON with Fernhill Malito, owned by Park Donna Pledge
  • Poppy Von Maltzahn / Ottawa, ON with MHF Lady, owned by Poppy Von Maltzahn
  • Kyle Charles Morton / Hampton, ON with Shannondale Gambit, owned by Kyle Charles Morton
  • Mégane Sauvé / Saint-Paul, QC with Nuance, owned by Mégane Sauvé
  • Gabrielle Shank / Sturgeon County, AB with Billy, owned by Nicholas Shank

Video Break: Will Faudree Tests Those Dressage Skillz

After 2 fabulous months at Gavalin Farms ( fabulous 3 day event training facility) I promised Will Faudree a ride on…

Posted by Tina M. Konyot on Friday, December 6, 2024

Will Faudree may have caught a bug of a different sort earlier this month when he got his first taste of some Grand Prix dressage movements aboard U.S. Olympian Tina Konyot’s Grover. Tina had come down to Southern Pines to base out of Will’s Gavilan Farm for a few weeks when she offered the reins to Will, who told EN he’d not ever really sat on a big-time dressage horse before. If you watch the videos with sound, you’ll hear Tina encouraging Will to reward Grover or lengthen his reins, instilling confidence in both horse and rider.

We’ll give Will a hall pass to do some dabbling if he chooses, but we know he’s still an eventer through and through! 😉

Can’t view the videos above? Click here to view them directly on Facebook.

Go Eventing (and dressage).

Liz Halliday, Diabolo Up for 2024 USEF Horse of the Year and Equestrian of the Year Awards

The nominees for the 2024 USEF Horse of the Year and Equestrian of the Year Awards have been announced, and eventers are well-represented with two nominations.

Vying for International Equestrian of the Year is Liz Halliday, whose slew of strong results eventually earned her a berth on the Paris Olympic squad. We continue to keep Liz actively in our thoughts as she continues to fight her way back from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a fall at AECs in August.

Liz’s profile for this award reads as follows:

Elisabeth “Liz” Halliday began riding when she was 8 years old as a member of the United States Pony Club. The California native moved to England in 2000 to work for famed eventer William Fox-Pitt and was based in Europe for many years before bringing her operation to the U.S. with locations in Ocala, Florida, and Lexington, Kentucky, in 2020.

Halliday achieved her first CCI5*-L completion in 2016 at the Kentucky Three-Day Event with Deborah Halliday’s HHS Cooley. She has also brought numerous horses to top-ten finishes at the level, including Ocala Horse Properties, LLC’s Deniro Z, The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver, and The Nutcracker Syndicate’s Cooley Nutcracker. Halliday has represented the U.S. Eventing Team in several FEI Nations Cup competitions, including the 2022 CCIO4*-S at Bromont in Canada, where she rode Miks Master C to individual victory and led the U.S. team to secure the win.

In 2023, the pair saw success at CHIO Aachen with a 5th place finish in the CCIO4*-S and they went on to be a part of the silver medal-winning team at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Halliday continued her consistency in 2024, marking several top results with both Cooley Nutcracker and Miks Master C, with a top-ten finish coming for Cooley Nutcracker at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L in April, as well as a top-twenty finish at CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S with Shanroe Cooley in July, contributing to the U.S. Team’s second-place finish. The pair were named as traveling reserves for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker went on to make their Olympic debut, finishing 19th overall in individual competition.

Also in contention for the eventers, competing for International Horse of the Year, is the Diabolo Group’s Diabolo, who is ridden by Will Coleman. Diabolo has come to be a standout in Will’s program, collecting a win in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S in April en route to being named as Will’s direct reserve for Paris.

Diabolo’s profile for the award reads:

Joining Will Coleman’s string of competition horses in 2023, Diabolo, owned by the Diabolo Group, is familiar with the top of the leaderboard at eventing competitions. The 2012 Holsteiner gelding began his FEI career in Australia with Stuart Tinney, who then passed on the ride to daughter Gemma Tinney. Diabolo competed through the CCI4*-L level in Australia before coming to the U.S. where his success has continued under Coleman’s wing.

With 24 FEI starts, Diabolo has only finished outside of the top ten at two events.

Together, Diabolo and Coleman have had two first-place finishes at the CCI4*-S level in 2024. The pair captured the win at the Lexington CCI4*-S in April on their dressage score of 29.9, being the only combination to go double clear in both the cross country and show jumping phases.

Diabolo was selected to be Coleman’s alternate mount for the Paris Olympic Games where he did not contend, though shortly after went on to win the $60,000 Adequan Advanced Final at the USEA American Eventing Championships in August. Their success this year did not stop there, as Diabolo and Coleman capped off the competition year winning the CCI4*-S at Plantation Field International in September.

There are many noteworthy horses and riders in the running for these awards, so you can learn more about the horse nominees here and the rider nominees here.

Voting will run through 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2024. Click here to cast your vote.

The USEF International and National Equestrians of the Year will be named on Thursday, January 23, 2025, during the Pegasus Awards Dinner at the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky. The International and National Horses of the Year will be named on January 25, 2024, at the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner.

The 2025 World Class Grooming Aiken Equine Educational Series Announces Schedule

If you’re heading to Aiken this winter, don’t miss out on the chance for some education from the best in the business. World Class Grooming has announced the schedule for its popular Aiken Equine Educational seminars, and sign-ups are now available to reserve your spot. All proceeds from the $15 per session admission cost will be used to benefit the USEA Grooms Program.

The sessions will be held each Tuesday beginning January 14 and concluding on February 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Here is the session schedule:

  • Jan 14, 2025: The Art of Clipping – Emma Ford, co-founder of World Class Grooming
  • Jan 21, 2025: Finding the Right Bit and Bridle for Your Horse – Kim Gentry, “The Bit Lady,” Bits N’ Such
  • Jan 28, 2025: The Importance of Healthy Feet and The Art of a Good Farrier – Dan Martzall CF, co-founder of Red Oak Equine
  • Feb 4, 2025: Saddle Fitting, the Relationship Between Performance and a Good Fit – Lauren Garrett-Bond of MidAtlantic Saddlery, Society of Master Saddlers’ apprentice
  • Feb 11, 2025: Effective Goal Setting and Managing Focus and Intention in the Saddle – Dr. Tyler Murry, Certified Mental Performance Coach, PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology
  • Feb 18, 2025: Best Management Practices for Horses with EMS, IR, and Cushing’s Disease – Kate Echeverria, DVM, MS, DACVIM from KE Equine of Norton, MA

Ready to sign up? Click here to reserve your spot!

DOKR Committee Names Olympic and Perspective Eventing Squads for 2025

Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The Eventing Discipline Committee of the German Olympic Equestrian Committee has named its senior squads for 2025 as it looks ahead to the 2025 FEI European Championships at Blenheim as well as the next FEI World Championships on home turf at CHIO Aachen in 2026.

As German publication Buschreiter reports, two key names are off the list in 2018 World Champion Sandra Auffarth, who has expressed that she will be more heavily focusing on show jumping this year, as well as Paris Olympian Christoph Wahler with Carjatan S; Christoph has indicated he will be involved with youth coaching this year. It won’t be a year of solely coaching, though — Christoph is listed on the Performance-Oriented Development Squad with D’Accord FRH.

The Squads for 2025 are as follows:

2025 Eventing Olympic Squad

  • Calvin Böckmann (Warendorf/Rhineland) with Altair de la Cense and The Phantom of the Opera
  • Malin Hansen-Hotopp (Gransebieth/Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) with Carlitos Quidditch K
  • Michael Jung (Horb/Baden-Württemberg) with fischerChipmunk FRH and Jim Knopf P
  • Julia Krajewski (Warendorf/Westphalia) with Ero de Cantraie and Nickel
  • Jérôme Robiné (Warendorf/Hesse) with Black Ice

2025 Performance-Oriented Development Squad

Anna Siemer and FRH Butts Avondale (GER). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

  • Nicolai Aldinger (Egestorf/Lower Saxony) with Timmo
  • Arne Bergendahl (Hamminkeln/Rhineland) with Bronco NRW and Luthien NRW
  • Emma Brüssau (Warendorf/Baden-Württemberg) with Dark Desire GS
  • Ingrid Klimke (Münster/Westphalia) with EQUISTROs Siena just do it
  • Libussa Lübbeke (Wingst/Lower Saxony) with Benedetta, Caramia, and Darcy F
  • Dirk Schrade (Heidmühlen/Schleswig-Holstein) with Casino
  • Anna Siemer (Salzhausen/Westphalia) with FRH Butt’s Avondale
  • Christoph Wahler (Bad Bevensen/Lower Saxony) with D’Accord FRH

2025 Perspective-Oriented Development Squad

  • Antonia Baumgart (Düsseldorf/Rhineland) with Lamango and Ris de Talm
  • Vanessa Bölting (Münster/Westphalia) with Ready to Go W
  • Rebecca-Juana Gerken (Tasdorf/Schleswig-Holstein) with TSF Solara
  • Pauline Knorr (Warendorf/Westphalia) with Aevolet M-A-F
  • Ben Leuwer (Wachtberg/Rhineland) with Citius
  • Pia Leuwer (Wachtberg/Rhineland) with Jard
  • Johanna Marloh (Seevetal/Lower Saxony) with Crazy Carlotta
  • Katharina Meyer (Hanstedt/Lower Saxony) with Aspen T and Chapeau Claque
  • Anna-Lena Schaaf (Voerde/Rhineland) with Fairytale
  • Brandon Schäfer-Gehrau (Warendorf/Rhineland) with Very Special

You can read more on Buschreiter here.

The article information above has been translated from German; please forgive any mistranslations. 

Enter EN’s Holiday Giveaway with Thiandro Equestrian

It’s time to get ready for a *very stylish* giveaway with Thiandro Equestrian! This newly-launched line of equestrian apparel is all about inclusivity, and their full line of products is now available – just in time for the holidays!

We are giving away a $400 SHOPPING SPREE to Thiandro so you can be one of the first to try out this new brand!
To enter this giveaway, please provide the information requested in the embedded form below, or at this link. For a bonus entry, head over to EN’s Instagram (@goeventing)!
By entering this giveaway, you agree to receive EN’s weekly email newsletter, and you’ll also be signed up for updates from Thiandro Equestrian. We will not share your information with any additional parties. You can unsubscribe from either list if you wish — but we’ll miss you!
This giveaway will close on Monday, December 9 at 5 pm ET. We’ll contact the winner via email no later than Wednesday, December 11.
This giveaway is open to entries from anywhere around the world, but shipping fees will apply for those residing outside of the continental U.S. 

EN’s Holiday Gift Guide: The Organizing Freak

Is your favorite eventer the type who color-codes their tack trunk and alphabetizes their fly spray? Then this gift guide is for them! We’ve rounded up the best organizational goodies to help them keep their barn, trailer, and life in perfect order. From clever storage solutions to must-have planners, we’ve got everything the neat freak eventer needs to stay on top of their game (and their stuff!).

EquiFit’s Essential Personalized Hanging Boot Organizer

Featuring personalization like labels on each pocket, plus intuitive construction and durability, the EquiFit Essential Boot Organizer is the perfect addition to any barn aisle.

Custom Arena Dressage Letters from DecoPony

A perfect trainer gift for your idea list! Help your coach keep their barn organized and looking top-notch with these Custom Arena Dressage Letters from DecoPony — and be sure to check out all of DecoPony’s options for customization.

LeMieux’s Elite Circular Grooming Tote & Brushes Set

LeMieux has made a big splash on the equestrian market this year, and their accessories for staying organized will make every neat-freak’s heart sing. Shop for this set, which includes a full set of flexi-brushes to get to every nook and cranny on your horse’s body as well as a sturdy tote bag, here.

Easy-Up® 4 Basket Swivel Cart from Schneider’s Saddlery

This convenient basket is perfect for organizing your tack room, grooming/wash bay, or horse show aisle. The swivel baskets make it easy to access items on each tier, and makes it simple to keep this organizer clean. Snag one here.

Fairfax & Favor Britannia Navy Travel Bag

For the road warrior who’s always on the go, why not consider a nice travel duffel for all of their necessities? Fairfax & Favor produces high-quality products that lend themselves well to equestrian style and lifestyle. The scotch grain featured on this bag ensures it’ll hold up to even horse show travel, all the while keeping your items safe and protected (and organized!). Grab one here.

The Ultimate Horse Show Packing Form from EquiForm

EN’s own Allie Heninger has more than one side hustle, and one of them is helping riders stay organized with her business, EquiForm. This Packing List is perfect for ensuring no needed item is left behind — and we all know that as much as we could pack in our sleep, something is always liable to get missed. Get some piece of mind and a great stocking stuffer for your gift list here.

A subscription to barn management software

There are loads of options for barn management software these days, and while our team has not taken any for a personal test drive, we’ve gathered a few options below. Software that provides a stable user experience can be invaluable for managing the day to day of horse life. You can level up your barn and your client services with just a few clicks of a button!

BarnManager
Stable Secretary
HippoVibe

Ariat Equestrian Belt Bag

A perfect trainer gift, or simply a gift for the rider who always sticks their phone into their waistband. This classy Ariat Equestrian Belt Bag has space for your phone as well as essentials like ID and credit cards, which works well for the busy trainer who’s always on a horse or the horse show attendee who needs a better solution than a waistband or a bra (!!) for carrying their phone. Shop for your gift here.

Eventing Community Rallies Around Liz Halliday

Liz Halliday and Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

After Paris Olympian Liz Halliday suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall on cross country at the USEA American Eventing Championships in August, the eventing community was quick to rally around her in support.

Each rider leaving a cross country start box understands the inherent risk they are shouldering in doing so. Knowing this, though, never softens the devastation when one of our own goes down. An accident like Liz’s brings sharply into focus the value of life, and the rapidity with which it can be so dramatically changed.

Liz was transferred from Lexington to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a research rehabilitation hospital in Chicago, IL, at the end of September. She is fighting her way back, as the world continues to ebb and flow around her, all the while holding open a space for her to step back into when she’s ready.

In demonstration of the strength and community found within the eventing world, Liz’s supporters quickly jumped into action after her accident and subsequent brain surgery. A long road lies ahead. Traumatic brain injuries require an immense amount of recovery, and no two cases are identical.

Luckily, Liz was surrounded by family and friends.

Liz with her crew of supporters in Paris.

Liz’s mother, Debby, was quickly by her side, and hasn’t left since. She was joined by a core team of Liz’s dedicated close friends and longtime owners including Chris, Dilan, and Rob Desino, Mark Williams, and Jenni Autry, who were with her in Kentucky and have relocated to Chicago to support her. Before she left Lexington, Liz’s barn crew visited every day and they have traveled to Chicago to see her since. Members of her extended family have been flying in for visits and countless other friends and family members have stopped by to see Liz as she recovers.

“I have been truly blessed with the support of her amazing group of friends,” Debby noted. ”They have literally carried me through the past difficult months and helped immensely with the many problems that needed to be solved. They give Liz constant positive energy with their love and enthusiasm.”

“Liz is doing so well,” Debby continued. “She is alert, aware and very interactive. Her frequent smiles brighten our days and she is working hard on her rehab, as we knew she would.”

“We are taking this journey one day at a time and cherishing every nugget of progress,” Debby added. “Liz’s determination and resilience is quite inspiring. The outpouring of loving messages from the eventing community has been overwhelming and immensely heart-warming. I am deeply touched by how many people care and are sending their wishes and prayers for Liz’s recovery.”

Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

So while Liz fights a courageous battle to retrieve the life she so suddenly lost, it’s apparent she’s hardly doing so alone.

Without a timeline on when Liz will return to riding, especially at the level she had been, the time eventually arrived to make some decisions about how Liz’s horses and program would carry on.

In the immediate aftermath of a major incident like Liz’s, the task of keeping her program running, which was home to over 20 horses at any given point in time, fell to the crew of grooms and working students she employed at her Lexington base.

“It’s been pretty tough, I can’t lie about that,” Liz’s head groom, Jordan Crabo, shared. “It’s been so weird to have been going strong and looking at this crazy fall season, to suddenly there being nothing. So it’s been quite weird and hard, but the support we’ve had around us has really been amazing.”

Together with her coworkers, Laila Chance and Cam Stacy, Jordan entered into a new, temporary yet longterm, normal. What has been the oddest void, Jordan said, is the inability to ask Liz questions, to bounce ideas off of her. “She really had us work on figuring things out on our own, so it’s not like we were fully crutched on her, but I found I really missed being able to just ask her a question,” she said. “I’ll be riding, and I’ll just think, ‘I just want to ask Liz what she thinks’. Even when she was gone all the time, there was a constant communication.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley. Photo by Irish Eventing Times.

The girls had immense support from Renee Lane, who is also involved with Liz as an owner and has been instrumental in getting the crew and horses settled into Liz’s Ocala farm for the winter. The horses were primarily put on vacation, taking the daily training grind off the plate of the staff while they sorted out a longer term plan.

Over time, a plan emerged.

The Desinos and other owners of Liz’s horses, along with Debby, identified riders that Liz held in high regard, who might be suited to taking the reins on her competition horses while she was recovering. Lynn Symansky was tapped to come in and help Liz’s team with their training, and will also take the ride on a few of the horses while overseeing the Ocala farm.

Liz’s top horses, both Cooley Nutcracker (Liz’s Paris horse) and Miks Master C have been sent to Boyd Martin. Shanroe Cooley and Cooley Galavant were sent to Will Coleman. Other young horses will also be put into Boyd’s and Will’s programs, while Cooley Quicksilver will stay on at the Ocala farm with Lynn Symansky as he is prepared for sale, something Liz had planned to do prior to her accident. Cooley Optimist, a coming 8-year-old, who Liz regarded as one of her top up and coming horses, will be given to Lynn Symanksy to ride.

In total, it’s been a large team effort to make arrangements for Liz’s horses, and to do so in a way that bore in mind that this was to be a temporary set of solutions that honored what Liz would have chosen for them.

Liz Halliday and Miks Master C. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Chris recalled the pressure of making what felt like impossible decisions on behalf of someone who could not make them for herself, expressing gratitude to Erik Duvander and Peter Wylde for stepping in to provide guidance.

One priority of Liz’s team was to ensure that her working students and grooms would have ongoing tutelage and support in her absence. This is where Lynn Symansky comes in. Lynn has known this group of people for many years, even renting a room from the Desinos in the infancy of Ocala Horse Properties during her first season in Ocala. When the call came in asking for help, it was an easy answer for her.

“Certainly there are a lot of emotions involved,” Lynn said. “I came down [to Ocala] a few weeks ago to meet with Renee Lane and iron out last minute details, and it was bizarre driving up to her farm when I had always been used to coming here to cross country school or what have you. It’s an emotional thing for all of us, and my responsibility is to be able to take this very seriously and do right by Liz. I want to honor the program Liz had created and be able to give her girls something to take forward, and I just think this is what anyone would do to help.”

It’s early days for the horses who have moved to Boyd and Will. The plan for the horses is to allow the riders to get to know them over the winter, and then to bring them into competition in the spring season.

“It’s very much a green light to do what they think is best for the horses,” Chris said. “ Everything has just been done under the understanding that when the day comes that Liz would be able to take them back, they would be given back. And I think the riders just want to help, it’s not so much of a personal gain for them.”

Liz Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Boyd echoed this sentiment. He and Liz kept up a friendly competitive spar, always trying to beat each other to the ring in the earliest hours of the morning for their respective pre-rides. “It would usually be us two up there, ribbing each other about being the first one up,” he recalled. “It was strange not to have her there this fall. And so when the Desinos called, it was an automatic yes to whatever it was they needed. To be honest, I don’t look at it as if I’ve suddenly gained these nice horses for myself to ride.”

“I couldn’t imagine what she and her family are going through and all of her friends and her team,” he continued. “You know, basically reaching the pinnacle of the sport [at the Olympics] and have put in two decades of hard work – and then having a huge setback like this…I was eager to help in any way I could.”

Will Coleman shared similar sentiments, expressing no set plans for the horses in his program other than to take the time to get them acclimated to the new arrangements.

“It’s a difficult situation for everyone because no one wants to be here,” he said. “It’s just such a tough thing, what they’re going through and first and foremost, she’s on everybody’s mind and we want her to make the fullest recovery possible. I understand from the owners’ standpoint, they have these horses in the prime of their career. So I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting to know them…I don’t have any plans at this point other than to bring them into my program and get a sense of where they are for me.”

“The first thing I told Chris and Rob was to be 100 percent clear that I’m looking at this as me taking these horses until the point Liz can take the reins back,” Will continued. “And when that day hopefully comes, no questions asked, those horses go back to her. I think that’s the case for everybody who’s been on the receiving end of one of these special horses.”

Liz with her longtime friends and owners, Chris and Rob Desino.

“The idea has always been that we will have our Liz back,” Chris Desino said. “We’re very realistic that that could take some time, and in the meantime Liz has these incredible horses who we need to keep going so that they’re ready for her to take back the minute she is able.”

It’s true, what Will said – no one wants to be here. We’d prefer that Liz was here with us, that she, too, was heading into a normal offseason with her fellow competitors after another busy, grueling year.

But one thing remains crystal clear: Liz is a fighter. She’s bold, she’s brave, she takes no shit. We don’t know exactly what the future holds for her, but we do know she has the best medical care to be found, surrounded by the people who love her the most, and cushioned by the collective strength of the eventing community at large, whose cards, gifts, and well-wishes adorn the room that she currently calls home, and who will welcome her back with open arms when she is ready.

Additional updates on Liz can be found on her website, where her team provides periodic updates on her rehab and recovery. You can continue to send your well-wishes to Liz by using #KeepFightingLiz or #LapForLiz on social media. 

Liz Halliday Update from 11/23

Liz Halliday’s team has provided a new update on her continued progress at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, where she continues to fight her way back from a traumatic brain injury suffered in a cross country fall at the AECs on August 29:

“We know it has been a bit of time since we provided everyone with an update, as we continue to be focused on being with Liz for each and every step on her rehabilitation journey. Her grit and determination shines through each day and her body continues to show increased stamina.

After spending time at the Shirley Ryan Clinic we are more confident than ever that Liz is with the best team possible, and her daily progress and work ethic is evident to them as well as us.

We want to thank each and every one of you who has gone above and beyond to continue to keep Liz and all of us in your thoughts. Your words of encouragement and support mean the world to us all and to Liz.

Her peers, friends, sponsors and community have stepped up in a way we could not even have imagined. The Equestrian community is a remarkable family and one we are so blessed to be a part of.

With love and thanks, Liz’s Family & Friends”

You can continue to find additional updates on Liz’s recovery on her website here. Keep Fighting, Liz!

FEI Releases New Equine Online Reporting Hub + Other Welfare Measures, but What of the Inquiries They Already Have?

The FEI, at its annual General Assembly in Abu Dhabi, recently unveiled significant updates to its Equine Welfare Strategy Action Plan, focusing on safeguarding the well-being of equine athletes across all disciplines. A quick summary of the updates can be found below or in greater detail here.

1. Online Welfare Reporting Tool:

A new Welfare Hub has been launched, centralizing tools for injury tracking, lifecycle data, and reporting horse welfare concerns. Stakeholders, including riders, officials, and fans, can now confidentially report welfare issues online.

2. Optional Spurs for All Disciplines:

Spurs are no longer mandatory in any FEI discipline, allowing riders to adapt their equipment choices based on the needs and sensitivities of their horses.

3. Noseband Measuring Device:

The FEI is developing a standardized noseband measurement tool and accompanying protocols to ensure correct tack use. This initiative is aimed at enhancing horse comfort and addressing concerns over overly tight nosebands. the FEI Measuring Tool will begin use gradually at FEI events in the first part of 2025.

4. Improved Tack and Equipment Guidelines:

A dedicated Tack App is being refined to provide up-to-date clarity on approved bits and other equipment. Reviews are planned annually to ensure transparency and accessibility for riders and teams.

5. Enhanced Rules on Fitness to Compete:

Veterinary delegates will soon have expanded authority to check any part of a horse’s body during competitions, not just legs, to ensure horses are fit and sound for sport. Workshops in 2025 will address these updates in detail.

6. Out-of-Competition Testing:

A robust testing program aims to enhance integrity and ensure health issues aren’t masked outside of competition settings. Details were presented at the Assembly for implementation across disciplines.

But Questions Remain

What’s starkly missing from the welfare discussion, however, is a clear and transparent operating procedure for how reports are handled, nor is there an answer to the status of the cases currently open for investigation under this category. A review of public case records with the FEI reveals no open investigation associated with a suspension against riders like Andrew McConnon, who came under fire several weeks ago after videos surfaced of an individual alleged to be Andrew severely abusing two different horses. There is currently an Open Investigation of a dressage rider listed in the Case Status Tables, however, which raises more questions as to the investigation of riders like Andrew, which the FEI has confirmed is an ongoing one but has also confirmed is not currently associated with a suspension.

EN has subsequently followed up with the applicable governing bodies in the weeks since our initial story about Andrew and incident reporting as a whole. We’ve received little to no response, with the FEI continuing to decline to comment on an active investigation as well as declining to answer our questions regarding how incident reports are handled and what time frame can be anticipated.

The most we have been able to obtain from the FEI in terms of updates is the following quote, received on November 22, 2024:

Andrew Mc Connon is currently not suspended by the FEI, which is why he is not listed on the Case Status Tables. The FEI is still investigating the matter and can therefore not provide any further information or comments at this point in time.”

The USEA, which had indicated that it could have the power to suspend a member, but confirmed it did not have a precedent to follow in this case, has also made no definitive moves in this specific instance, citing the fact that they were still awaiting further information from USEF and the FEI regarding the investigation. US Equestrian had previously denied the issue jurisdiction, due to the incident not occurring at a USEF-licensed competition (this rule is set to expand to allow incident reports for things that occur on private property, but is effective from December 1, 2024 only).

These interactions leave stakeholders and observers feeling left in the dark. As we stated before, it’s a larger problem than one person, one video, one comment — these incidents are all symptomatic of a system that fails at many turns to protect its most valuable members: the horses. When not all cases are treated with equal expediency, when there is a clear lack of transparency in how reports are handled and passed up the chain, it becomes easy to lose trust.

We don’t have the perfect solution, and while we appreciate that more initiatives are being set out for equine welfare, we nonetheless implore our governing bodies to show, through actions, that they are safeguarding our horses. We implore them — and the stakeholders who also have a voice — to realize that what the current process is is simply not sufficient. We worry that the reporting floodgates will open at the end of the year, with little improvement to processes and transparencies.

We will continue to follow up on the investigations that are active and will also lobby for a greater level of transparency when it comes to reporting and open investigations, and will provide updates here on EN as they are made available to us.

Badminton TV to Move onto ClipMyHorse.TV Platform in 2025

Tim Price and VITALI during the Cross Country phase, Badminton Horse Trials, Gloucestershire UK 11 May 2024

After introducing a native live-streaming platform in 2022, MARS Badminton Horse Trials (UK) has announced that their Badminton TV service will be shifting to the ClipMyHorse.TV platform in 2025 and beyond.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with ClipMyHorse TV who will enhance the Badminton TV experience. Eventing fans worldwide will have the ability to follow the action via a Badminton Season Pass (£21.99) or the ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Subscription,” commented Event Director Jane Tuckwell.

User enhancements such as multi language commentary, live stream rewind and jump back functions will provide a high-quality streaming experience on web, mobile devices and smart TV.
“It is ClipMyHorse.TV’s mission to promote equestrian sports by making it as easily accessible as possible, creating the best streaming experience on all devices. Through this new partnership, ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Members will also be able to access Badminton TV content.” explains ClipMyHorse.TV Managing Director Markus Detering.

Existing Badminton TV subscribers will be contacted directly on how to activate their subscription on the ClipMyHorse.TV platform as the 2025 event draws closer, while the BBC will continue to broadcast their Sunday highlights program as per previous years.

MARS Badminton returns May 7-11, 2025 and you can find more information on this CCI5* event here.

Preview Alec Lochore’s CCI4*-L Cross Country at The Event at TerraNova

We’re getting ready to watch some exciting cross country on Saturday in Florida as our final major event of the season continues at TerraNova in Myakka City. Alec Lochore is the cross country designer, having taken over from former designer Capt. Mark Phillips at the outset of this season. You can read more about Alec’s goals for this property and his design philosophy, which centers around providing a good preparation path for horses and riders, in our interview with him here.

The B&D Builders CCI4*-L is the headlining divisions this weekend, and the cross country course for this division is set at an optimum time of 10:33, with 25 numbered obstacles and 42 total jumping efforts. While the TerraNova property is not blessed with a ton of natural terrain, the hardworking crew here has gotten creative to include as much terrain change as possible, including the use of a new “Mount Myakka” drop complex set at the far corner of the course at fence 18.

The new “Mount Myakka” hill brings some new terrain change to the grounds at TerraNova. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

The track will also take competitors through the main, Lakeside arena for the first time this year as well, with an ABC combination of angled brushes creating an exciting showing for those in attendance under the Pavillon.

Mia Farley, who won the dressage in this division on Friday with Karen O’Connor’s Invictus on a score of 27.9, said she chose this event for this 8-year-old for its more forgiving terrain, given where he is in his career. “We thought it would be a good goal to run the four-Long here at the end of his eight-year-old year,” Mia said. “I was most comfortable with TerraNova because I know the terrain is a little more forgiving. That being said, I do think the flat ground makes it pretty hard to have rideability, actually.”

It is true – we see chatter often about the world’s statistically flatter courses at the 4* and 5* level, and while it’s easy to immediately think of “softer” when you think of flatter going, Mia brings up a good point in that many times these horses almost need terrain to help back them off and slow them down. To aid with this, Alec and his team have gotten creative, creating turns into questions that compel the competitors to rate their horses accordingly; though, of course a horse that tends to be more on the muscle may still struggle with this, especially earlier on in the course.

“I do think the time will be hard,” Mia said, again alluding to the idea that the flatter terrain may not allow some horses to catch the time as they work on rideability. “I’m personally impressed with the course because they have a lot of gallop stretches but then a lot of turning back to the combination so the turns will help — but you’ve got to slow down to make the turn. They have the coffin [at fence 6] that should, I would hope, slow people down. It’s really steep coming in; it’s so steep that they’ve just put a frangible pin at the A and C element because I think the question is really kind of the ‘cliff’ down to the ditch.”

Mia also noted the Corner, Gate, Corner question at 8ABC as a unique element on the course, involving a left-handed corner, up a mound to an innocuous-looking pinned vertical, then down a turn to a right-handed corner.

We’ll also see riders bouncing into the water at the first water question, at 11ABCD:

Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Mia’s thoughts are that the time might be harder to get up on in the first third of the course, with more turns and loops to complete at the outset before getting to more open galloping in the the middle of the course.

You can view the full course embedded below, and you can also view the other courses across levels on CrossCountryApp here.

Cross country for the B&D Builders CCI4*-L begins on Saturday, November 16 at 11:45 a.m. ET, following the CCI3*-L cross country which will lead off the day starting at 9:40 a.m. You can view the full schedule here. You’ll be able to view the free live feed from cross country all day at this link.

The Event at TerraNova (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer]

Meet the 2024 FEI Best Groom: Bettina Cardinael

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A round of applause for Bettina Cardinael (FRA), who was named the Cavalor FEI Best Groom at the FEI Awards this week! This prestigious award celebrates the hard work of equestrian #supergrooms — those dedicated, behind-the-scenes heroes without whom the sport wouldn’t be possible. Bettina’s recognition comes after an incredible year as groom to Belgian Olympian Lara De Liedekerke Meier, with career highlights including a CCI5* win at Luhmühlen and a 13th-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Bettina spoke of her special bond with one of Lara’s top horses, Origi, noting the daily routines and small habits she builds at home to keep him calm and confident on the road. “I love working with Lara; she is hardworking, human, and kind to her horses,” Bettina shared, adding that she’s thrilled to have played a part in the team’s success and to receive this honor from Cavalor. A well-deserved spotlight on one of eventing’s unsung stars!

Watch Indoor Eventing at the Stuttgart German Masters Today

Photo courtesy of Stuttgart German Masters.

We’re getting into indoors season in Europe as the Stuttgart German Masters get underway, featuring an indoor derby tonight that’s drawn a star-studded roster.

Top names such as Michael Jung, Ingrid Klimke, David Doel, Cathal Daniels, Malin Hansen-Hotopp, and many others will contest this evening’s class, which can be viewed live with English commentary on ClipMyHorse.TV with a paid subscription. The indoor evening class will begin around 3:45 p.m. EST and can be found by clicking here.

Here’s a look at the full entry list:

No. Horse Rider
1. Zaragoza
bay 8y. G/ Zapatero VDL/ Laudabe/ / 108AC25/ Bente Bartels, Gerrit Jan Hazelaar
Wilken,Jordy
2. Eastbourne
15y. G/ / Elmshorn/ / 104ZH25/ Sarah Field
Sjoborg,Sofia
3. For ever Pleasure N
chest 12y. M/ Firth of Lorne/ Phantom/ / 106SY26/ Schmülling,Pia/ Breeder: Neukötter,Heike
Schmülling,Pia
RUFV Hesel u. Umg.
4. Ballypatrick SRS
bay 13y. G/ Pacino/ Clover Hill/ / 105TH93/ Ruy Fonseca and Renata Rabello Costa/ Breeder: Austin Broderick
Fonseca,Ruy
5. Jamira
dbay 11y. M/ Donauklang/ Accuse/ / 106YG14/ Möritz,Corinna/ Breeder: Möritz,Corinna
Möritz,Anika
RFV Obercarsdorf u. Umgebung e. V.
6. Anapurna de Soulac
dbay 14y. G/ Gatsby de Soulac/ Gaiac de la Roque/ / 105JB29/ Mme Mailys MEYRE
Brun,Lucas
7. Gredington Mailthyme
bay 14y. G/ Jaguar Mail/ Queens Soldier/ / 105EH94/ Kate Churton
Duffort,Arthur
8. Fairytale
chest 17y. M/ Fidertanz/ Laurentianer/ / 104YH84/ Neukäter,Gerd/ Breeder: Neukäter,Gerd
Schaaf,Anna Lena
Reiterverein Stockum
9. Tullibards You Make Me Feel
grey 8y. G/ Beowulf/ / / 107IP50/ Hans Kühnle
Weimann,Katja
10. Kilcandra Ocean Power
chest 11y. G/ BGS Ocean View/ Bonnie Prince xx/ / 106IQ78/ Familie Jung/ Breeder: Cousins,Vincent
Lux,Sven
RSG Altheim
11. Rioghan Rua
chest 17y. M/ Jack Of Diamonds/ Flagmount King/ / 103YI06/ Margaret Kinsella
Daniels,Cathal
12. Grazia K
bay 8y. M/ Gem of India/ Lemon Park/ / 107OF10/ Brandt,Alexander/ Breeder: Kietzmann,Axel
Siemer,Anna
RUFV Hausstette
13. Vendee Globe’Jac HDC
15y. G/ / Shogoun II/ / 104XZ43/ S.A.R.L. Haras Des Coudrettes
Gualtieri,Lisa
14. Gunpowder du Leou
bay 8y. S/ Entebbe de Hus/ Oberon du Moulin/ / 108FT76/ E.A.S. Ecurie Lolli/ Breeder: E.A.R.L Ecurie Pascal Leroy
Lejeune,Camille
15. Callfield
bay 13y. G/ Canstakko/ Heraldik xx/ / 105RK84/ Hansen-Hotopp,Malin/ Breeder: Hacker,Doja Claudia
Hansen-Hotopp,Malin
Club der Vielseitigkeitsreiter Inse
16. Cascamara
bay 10y. M/ Cascadello II/ Templer GL xx/ / 106WX34/ Lauber,Claudia/ Breeder: Bergendahl,Helmut
Klimke,Ingrid
RV St.Georg Münster
17. Sammy Davis Junior
bay 15y. G/ Imperial Heights/ Condios/ / 104TD17/ Margaret Kinsella, Cathal Daniels/ Breeder: Amanda Vogan
Kuehnle,Jennifer
18. Crunchip M
grey 15y. M/ Cassini Boy Junior/ Feiner Stern/ / 105IL98/ Böckmann,Liam/ Breeder: Münker,Franz-Josef
Böckmann,Calvin
RC Bergerhof
19. Captain Kadou
bay 12y. G/ Kannan/ Olisco/ / / Jos Houben/ Breeder: M. Macault 99
Doel,David
20. Ignatz H
bay 9y. G/ Inliner/ Carolus/ / 107EX18/ Faye Füllgraebe-Jung/ Breeder: Jürgen Hatzmann
Jung,Michael