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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

Luhmühlen CCI4* Cross Country Open Thread: Ingrid Klimke Leads Overnight

By on Jun 20, 2015 3:44 am -
Fence 28 of Capt. Mark Phillips' cross country course. Photo by Leslie Wylie. Fence 28 of Capt. Mark Phillips' cross country course. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

It’s cross country day at Luhmühlen! Capt. Mark Phillips has designed a great course for the riders, and we’ve got a brilliant group of competitors to see this morning.

The official start time will be 9:54 a.m. local time / 3:54 a.m. EST, and you can watch live on FEI TV or follow along with our open thread below.

If you’re awake with us this morning, refresh this page periodically for the latest updates. The optimum time is 11 minutes 10 seconds. We’ll see our sole U.S. pair, Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen at 6:15 a.m. EST.

Three pairs have withdrawn overnight: Andreas Dibowski and It’s Me, Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Ducati van den Overdam, and Tom McEwan and Diesel. Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam will be our first pair out. Here’s to safe, fast and clear rounds for all!

Luhmühlen: [Website] [Entry List] [Schedule] [Start Times] [Leaderboard] [FEI TV]

 

7:49 a.m. EST: Clark’s appeal goes through, as head-on photos clearly show Glen’s shoulders over the jump. USA! The scoreboard has been updated: zero jump and one time penalty will send him into 7th place.

6:46 a.m. EST: John Kyle says Clark was eliminated for not clearing the flag – this may very well be appealed so we’ll keep an eye on that. Stay tuned for the full report coming your way!

6:44 a.m. EST: That’s a wrap on the cross country! 14 were clear in the time, and while several problems were evident everyone got home safe and sound. There was just one fall on course, and not a severe one. We’ll call this a big win. Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada will lead going into show jumping.

Screenshot (61)

6:43 a.m. EST: Oh No!! Rocana stumbled badly coming into the water of 17, both of them made an incredible save to stay on their feet. They were unable to make the B work, and they’ve retired. How heartbreaking, but Michael surely knows his mare will be back to win another day. Might as well save her legs. What a horseman. “Nothing even the great Junginator could do” – John Kyle

6:42 a.m. EST: What Michael does for fun.

michael 3

6:41 a.m. EST: Michael Jung’s a man with a plan with Rocana. The mare looks like she could do this course in her sleep. Actually, she probably could.

6:40 a.m. EST:

6:36 a.m. EST: Last to go for the day, Michael Jung and Rolex winner fischerRocana FST are on their way out of the box! They’re in third at the moment.  

6:33 a.m. EST: Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon neatly through the water at 5.

dibo

  6:27 a.m. EST: Owner of the best save ever at Badminton Nick Bschorer is on course with Tom Tom Go.

6:27 a.m. EST:

6:24 a.m. EST: The scores are now showing Clark was eliminated. Again, we did not see or hear of a problem on the feed, so we aren’t quite sure what is going on.

6:22 a.m. EST:

6:21 a.m. EST: Clark’s score is now showing a 20, a 57.4 total. We will update if this changes but it looks like he was awarded the 20 at the last combination at 28. The camera did not show what happened, we only saw him make it through.  

6:19 a.m. EST: Ingrid Klimke has taken the lead overnight with a clear inside the time! Can she win her second CCI4* tomorrow?  

6:18 a.m. EST: Correction, unsure if Clark went clear yet. The scores are showing a 20 with a question mark at 28B. Stay tuned.  

6:17 a.m. EST: Clark and Glen drift right over the B element of fence 28, one of the more troublesome combinations on course, but they’ve got it done and they are home CLEAR! Just one second over for a time of 11:11. He’ll stay in 8th or better on a 37.5. USA! USA! USA!  

6:15 a.m. EST: Ingrid had an amazing ride through the water at 17. FRH Escada is as game as ever and I now have goosebumps.  

6:12 a.m. EST: Clark is a bit down on his time but he’s looking super keen through the arena. clark 2

6:11 a.m. EST: Ingrid Klimke, in second currently, is on and clear through 6 with FRH Escada.

6:10 a.m. EST: Clark and Glen looking sharp so far. You jump those jumps, Clark.

clark

6:08 a.m. EST: Clark and Loughan Glen are away!

6:07 a.m. EST:

6:01 a.m. EST: This camera angle is weird. And it makes this fence look more intimidating than it probably is.

mark

5:57 a.m. EST:

5:56 a.m. EST: For those of you tuning in, Chinch would like to apologize for some spacing issues you’ll see below. He’s too busy in the biergarden to pay attention to my internet woes.  

5:55 a.m. EST:

5:49 a.m. EST:

5:46 a.m. EST: Joseph Murphy and Electric Cruise have retired.

5:45 a.m. EST:

5:44 a.m. EST: Andrew Nicholson picks up 20 at the same place Blyth Tait did at fence 28. He cleared on second attempt and is now home, surely just a bit over time.

andrew

5:42 a.m. EST: Just five more to go before Clark Montgomery’s start time.

5:38 a.m. EST: Joseph Murphy and the lovely Electric Cruise are away.

5:38 a.m. EST: Andrew Nicholson and Qwanza are on course and clear through 12. Qwanza is also making his return to the four-star level; his last completion was his 7th place at Rolex in 2012.

5:37 a.m. EST:

5:32 a.m. EST: Looking great, Rebecca! She’s home clear and inside the time in 11:03! She’s in fourth at the moment on 42.5.

rebecca 2

5:31 a.m. EST: Rebecca and Riddle Master dig deep and show their experience at the water a 17 after a sticky moment at the B element. She’s clear through that and back on her way.  

5:28 a.m. EST: Just now hearing that Jonelle Price’s time was 11:09 – one second under the time with the pull up at the penultimate. She will take the lead on a 32.8 at the moment.  

5:25 a.m. EST:  Blyth Tait have a refusal at the B element of fence 28 and are clear on the long route. They seemed to have a miscommunication approaching the fence. What a bummer!  

5:25 a.m. EST: Oh Canada! Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master are away!  

5:20 a.m. EST: Blyth Tait is all business. As he should be. “Let me show you how it’s done.” Fun fact, this is Blyth’s first CCI4* since Burghley in 2011, where he retired with Santos. Before that, it was 2004 and Burghley/Athens.  

5:18 a.m. EST: Germany’s Kai-Steffan Meier and Sunny Side First go for a swim at the water after 17A. Both are up on their feet and looking grumpy but otherwise healthy.

5:17 a.m. EST:

5:16 a.m. EST:

5:14 a.m. EST: Andrew Hoy has retired on course. John Kyle calls him “Hoy Boy”. Catchy, John. Catchy.  

5:12 a.m. EST: 4 clear inside the time so far, not counting Jonelle who is still pending final time due to her flag down.  

5:12 a.m. EST:

5:10 a.m. EST: Jonelle has evidently been let go and has finished. Unsure what happened there. Maybe the steward wanted to tell her how obsessed we are with Faerie Dianimo. #justsayin

jonelle 2

5:08 a.m. EST: Jonelle has been flagged down at the second to last fence. No info yet.

Screenshot (60)

5:05 a.m. EST: Look at it! Just look at it. This horse is fantastic.

Screenshot (59)

5:05 a.m. EST: Jesse Campbell and Kaapachino are bang on the optimum time!

5:02 a.m. EST:

5:00 a.m. EST:

4:53 a.m. EST: One completes, one retires. Kevin McNab and Fernhill Quality Street are the fifth combination to finish. Lizzie Brown and Henton Attorney General retire after problems at 17.

4:48 a.m. EST:

4:47 a.m. EST: Kevin and Fernhill Quality Street are having some come to Jesus moments setting up for some of these questions. The horse does not want to set up and sit back, and it’s costing them a good amount of time.  

4:43 a.m. EST: Kevin McNab and Fernhill Quality Street are looking great so far. In case you were wondering, there are 11 combinations on course. I feel like that’s a lot. Lizzie Brown and Henton Attorney General are on and clear through 5.  

4:42 a.m. EST: Claas Hermann Romeike and Cato 60 are having a REALLY good go.

Screenshot (58)

4:40 a.m. EST:

4:38 a.m. EST: Strong riding for Germany’s Claas Hermann Romeike and Cato 60.

11

4:37 a.m. EST: Another has retired: Fraser King and Nadal. The last four horses on course have retired. Fraser’s came after a loss of impulsion at 17B.

4:35 a.m. EST:

4:32 a.m. EST: Fraser King and Nadal has just picked up 20 at fence 10. Looking game everywhere else so far.

fraser

4:31 a.m. EST: And another retires, Kirsty Johnston at Opposition Detective after two refusals at 12B.

4:30 a.m. EST:

4:26 a.m. EST:

4:20 a.m. EST: Elmo Jankari and Duchess Desiree pick up a 20 at fence 9, as did Victoria Carlerback and Volt at Kallstorp.

4:19 a.m. EST: Just under a minute over time for Julien and Waldano’s second CCI4* completion. A big fist pump as he crosses the finish! 12:06 is the final time.

4:16 a.m. EST: Julien Despontin and Waldano slipped badly coming out of the arena, but they righted themselves in the #saveoftheday so far. Well sat! I would GIF it for you, but you know. Technology hates me.

4:14 a.m. EST:

4:12 a.m. EST: Julien Despontin is clear through 12.

julien d

4:12 a.m. EST:

4:05 a.m. EST: Michael and Sam are home in 10:54, well inside the time as usual. Just another day at the office. Our third starters, Annabel Wigley (NZL) and Frog Rock, have retired after two refusals at fence 5A. Overnight leaders Julien Despontin and Waldano are on course! Can they keep up their incredible weekend?

4:01 a.m. EST: Michael and Sam make quick work of the arena, basically bang on the time so far too. Michael O’Toole is clear through 11.

Screenshot (58)

3:59 a.m. EST: Michael Jung is just ridiculous. Not human. Hasn’t put even a hair wrong so far on course. He’s clear through 15.

3:58 a.m. EST: Ireland’s Michael O’Toole and Green Fort Endeavor are now on course.

3:57 a.m. EST: Sorry my GIFs are apparently not working. Working on it. #technicaldifficulty

3:54 a.m. EST: And we’re off! Michael and Sam are on their way. 2b60ee0e5476a6bc367cd9a56523c81a

3:51 a.m. EST: Michael and Sam look like they’re out for an afternoon gallop, not warming up for a four-star. No big deal.

michael

3:48 a.m. EST: Hey, someone is awake! Maybe.

3:47 a.m. EST: Here is your overnight top 10 following dressage:

Screenshot (57)

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Mark Todd and Blyth Tait Head to Head

By on Jun 19, 2015 2:00 pm -

Mark Todd and Blyth Tait are in attendance this year at Luhmühlen, and they sat down in a candid head to head to reminsce about years past when they competed (and won!) at this popular German three-day.

Both Mark and Blyth have previously won at Luhmühlen, although as they say, things have changed since then! They fondly recall a great beer tent — obviously a key component of any event’s hospitality — and other things from years past.

The two eventing legends chat about everything from the dressage scoring this weekend to what they would have done had it not been eventing — Blyth admits he would have been a jockey, if not only to avoid the dressage!

You won’t want to miss any of this video; there are plenty of gems, both funny and sage, to be found. Enjoy, and happy Friday!

 

Tryon Equestrian Center, Colorado Horse Park to Host American Eventing Championships

By on Jun 18, 2015 9:10 pm -

After a much anticipated wait, the USEA has announced Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina and Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado as the new host sites for the American Eventing Championships. These parks will play host for a three-year term with Tryon hosting the 2016 competition in late summer.

Colorado Horse Park will host the AECs during one of the three years — the host site for 2017 and 2018 have yet to be named between the two venues. Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas has played host to the AECs for the past three years, with 2015 being the last year of the current term.

Since its grand opening, Tryon International Equestrian Center has hosted multiple equestrian competitions, including Grand Prix show jumping, and offers 10 rings with all-weather footing, 850 permanent stalls, cross country from Beginner Novice to Advanced, and a vast array of amenities for competitors.

“We are thrilled and honored to be chosen as the site of the AEC,” said managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners, Mark Bellissimo in a USEA release. “When we built TIEC, we envisioned bringing championships and major events for multiple disciplines to Tryon, and we are excited to host the sport of Eventing. The Colorado Horse Park has a history of running fantastic Eventing competitions, and hosting the AEC there will be a great way for more eventers to experience top sport in Colorado.”

Colorado Horse Park, also well-received by eventers who frequently make the trip, features 13 rings, 300 permanent stalls in addition to ample temporary stabling space, and a cross country course designed by David O’Connor. Both venues seem well equipped to handle the “festival of Eventing” envisioned by the USEA and organizers of the American Eventing Championships.

To read more information about this announcement, click here to visit the USEA. Stay tuned for more updates on the new sites of the American Eventing Championships as they become available.

Go Eventing.

[USEA Selects Tryon International Equestrian Center and the Colorado Horse Park for American Eventing Championships]

 

Land Rover Great Meadow International CIC3* Cross Country Preview

By on Jun 18, 2015 4:06 pm -

Thanks to the wonderful organizers at the Land Rover Great Meadow International and MyCourseWalk , we’ve got our first look at Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross country course. Riders will contest the course on Sunday, with dressage on Friday and show jumping Saturday.

It’s promising to be a great weekend at North America’s newest CIC3*, and it’ll also be an opportunity to see Pan Am contenders from many nations getting in their last preparations.

Stay tuned for much more from Jenni as she is on the ground at Great Meadows this weekend. Go Eventing.

Great Meadow International: [Website] [Ride Times]

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Luhmühlen Drone Flyover

By on Jun 17, 2015 5:00 pm -

Happy Luhmühlen week, EN! The CCI4* officially kicked off today with the First Horse Inspection, the report for which you can check out here. We’re eagerly anticipating this weekend’s action, what with Great Meadow and many other events stateside and Luhmühlen in Germany — dare we say we’ve gotten to eventing heaven?

We’ll have live coverage coming your way from both Great Meadow and Luhmühlen this week, so stay tuned for much, much more. In the meantime, get an early preview of the Luhmühlen cross country course with this drone’s eye view video.

Luhmühlen: [Website] [Entry List] [Schedule]

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Announcing the 5th Annual EN Blogger Contest Final Three

By on Jun 17, 2015 1:00 pm -

We’re feeling very lucky to have so much quality and talent to sift through as we move forward to the final round of our Blogger Contest. Once again, we received some really great submissions from our Round 1 finalists, and we spent a lot of time debating the finalists that will move on to the final round.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s Blogger Contest Final Three!

Ash Hayworth [Round 1 Entry]

Seija Samoylenko [Round 1 Entry]

David Taylor [Round 1 Entry]

We’ll be posting their Round Two submissions on Bloggers Row in the coming days. In the meantime, they’ll be hard at work on our final prompt for this year’s contest, the one that will crown EN’s next blogger/chinchilla cage cleaner extraordinaire.

Final prompt, due on Wednesday, June 24 at 8 p.m. EST:

You’ve seen EN’s popular #EventerProblems series. Now we want to hear your problems. Write a post with at least three #EventerProblems and provide supporting visuals (photos, videos, memes, GIFs, etc.) for each one. Please be sure you have permission to use any photos and properly credit any photos used in your articles.

Good luck to all of our finalists and, as always, thank you for your continuing support of Eventing Nation.

How to Binge Watch Great Meadow and Luhmühlen This Weekend

By on Jun 17, 2015 9:00 am -
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry. Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice at Great Meadow. Photo by Jenni Autry.

An action packed weekend is on tap for you this weekend, with both the Luhmühlen CCI4* as well as Great Meadow International running this weekend. If you’re not able to attend one of these events this weekend, you’re in luck because both events will be streamed live.

Land Rover Great Meadow International

The USEF Network will be streaming the action from the Land Rover Great Meadow International beginning with the dressage on Friday. Both the CIC3* as well as the Pan American Prep division will be included on the live stream. The streaming schedule is as follows and can be found here.

Friday, June 19
4-9 p.m. ET: Dressage 

Saturday, June 20
6:30-9:10 p.m. ET: Show Jumping

Sunday, June 21
9:30 a.m. ET: Cross Country 

Jenni will be our eyes on the ground this weekend, so stay tuned for much, much more from #LandRoverGMI.

#LandRoverGMI Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Tickets, Volunteers, Sponsors, USEF Network

Tim Price and Wesko. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Tim Price and Wesko. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Luhmühlen

Wylie has donned her globetrotting pants, as she turned right around from Bromont and headed to Germany to cover Luhmühlen for us. Don’t lie, Wylie, you just wanted to check out that Biergarden. We can’t blame you.

The CCI4* at Luhmühlen begins with the First Horse Inspection today at 5 p.m. local time/11 a.m. EST. Dressage will run on Thursday and Friday, followed by cross country on Saturday and show jumping Sunday.

If you are a subscriber, you can take advantage of FEI TV’s live stream of the cross country and show jumping by clicking here. The schedule, for all you night owls or very early risers, is as follows:

Saturday, June 20

3:20 a.m. ET: Cross Country

Sunday, June 21

4:20 a.m. ET: Show Jumping

We’ll also have live reports coming in straight from Germany, so keep it locked here all weekend for as much eventing coverage as you can possibly handle.

Luhmühlen: [Website] [Entry List] [Schedule]

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Relive Kings Temptress Winning Rolex

By on Jun 16, 2015 3:30 pm -

Witnessing Mary King take home first and second at Rolex in 2011 was a privilege. That was a banner year for Mary, who won Rolex with Kings Temptress and placed second with Fernhill Urco. She announced yesterday that she is retiring Kings Temptress after many years of upper level competition, so we thought we’d take a look back at the Rolex we will all remember for a long time.

Mary and “Tess” earned a 47.7 in the dressage and initially was placed below Fernhill Urco, who earned a 41.7. Mary ultimately went double clear on cross country with Tess, and they were one of just two pairs to end the weekend on their dressage score (Jessica Phoenix and Exponential were the other pair).

We continue to wish Tess the happiest of retirements.

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A Horse of a Different Color: Shakespeare In Love

By on Jun 16, 2015 1:30 pm -

"A Horse of a Different Color" features horses and ponies that have been successful in the sport of eventing while representing a unique breed. Do you have a horse that you think would be a great feature subject? If so, email [email protected].

Shakespeare In Love demonstrates his versatility. Photos courtesy of Jane L. King and JJ Sillman.

Shakespeare In Love demonstrates his versatility. Photos courtesy of Jane L. King and JJ Sillman.

Often times, we see a horse who struggles in its first career, whether it be racing, western pleasure, or driving. From there, the horse switches paths and finds its niche in the sport of eventing. Suddenly, a horse who previously showed little to no talent or success was an exciting event horse.

This was not the case with Karen Thompson’s Shakespeare In Love, a 16-year-old American Saddlebred gelding. “Will” is a horse of many talents, and he’s got a collection of ribbons to show it.

“He came to me as a 5-year-old as a sale horse,” Karen said. “I showed him in the saddleseat world for the owners at the time. I showed him under saddle and as a fine harness horse. From 2004 to 2006, I showed him under saddle, and then we spent three years under harness as a pleasure driving horse.”

Eventually, Karen decided to keep Will, and they’re now in their 11th season competing together, having taken just one year away from the show ring.

Karen and Will competing at the 2008 World’s Championship Horse Show, Louisville, KY — Country Pleasure Driving division. Photo courtesy of Doug Shiflet.

Karen and Will competing at the 2008 World’s Championship Horse Show, Louisville, KY — Country Pleasure Driving division. Photo courtesy of Doug Shiflet.

A natural show-off, Will collected many top placings and ribbons in competitions such as the Saddlebred Breed Horse Show during the Kentucky State Fair. Karen noticed that he took to driving more, given his personality and overall difficulty to ride, and she thinks he was more successful in the driving ring.

In 2010, Karen took the season off from competing, wanting to focus her energy elsewhere for a period of time. “I thought we would give Will some time off and maybe pleasure ride him, but that didn’t work out very well for him,” she recalled. “He was 11 and really fit, so it was hard for him not to work.”

Karen returned to competition with Will, focusing on hunter pleasure for the following years. “At the time, my goal was to go to the national hunter pleasure show, but we needed to be able to jump just a single fence in those classes. It’s kind of silly from a sporthorse perspective, but we needed to learn.”

This goal brought Karen to the doors of Go Big Eventing, Erin Pullen’s barn in Shelbyville, Ky. “My friend recommended Erin to me, and so I asked her if she could teach us how to jump one jump. She looked and me and said ‘Why just stop at one?'”

Famous last words. Karen first began working with Erin two years ago, and she hasn’t looked back since. Karen discovered that her Saddlebred loved to jump. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “I never got to that hunter national championship because I felt like we needed to focus on this. He really liked to drive, but if you were to ask him what he preferred to do all day, he would say cross country.”

As fun as this journey has been, there has been plenty of hard work involved to get to this point. “It was a lot of retraining,” Karen said. “I had never studied dressage before, but I was surprised to see how similar saddleseat and dressage are. Will was already familiar with a lot of the bending and lateral work, but it’s been learning to relax that has been the biggest struggle.”

Photo courtesy of JJ Sillman.

Photo courtesy of JJ Sillman.

In the saddleseat and driving ring, judges look for that fiery, flashy presence — clearly not the ideal for a dressage judge. “To teach him that he didn’t need to go into the ring and immediately prick his ears and snort has been challenging,” Karen said. “That was the biggest transition, and it’s not so much of a physical change as it is a mental change.”

Karen and Will continued to improve, though, and they’ve now completed four events at Beginner Novice, even adding one win in for grins. Karen notices Will beginning to embrace the relaxation that is involved with the dressage tests, and he has taken to jumping like a fish in water.

“He’s got an incredible work ethic, and he’s so smart, which is why I think he’s been successful in so many different areas,” Karen said.

As with many Saddlebred owners, Karen has had to work with conformation that is different from a horse that is more bred for sport. “Naturally, he’s more comfortable carrying his head higher than it should be,” she explained. “I think the upright neck carriage and shoulder makes it difficult for the horse to raise its back up, but we’re working on it and with the relaxation comes a better way of going.”

Karen and Will most recently moved up to Novice at IEA, placing 13th. Karen plans to let her horse tell her what he’s ready to do, although she feels Training level is not out of his reach. “I just want to be mindful of him,” she said. “I know that whatever I ask, he will give to me, so I need to be mindful of what is best for him. But for now, we’re just taking it one day at a time.”

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: This Kid and Her Pony Are Awesome

By on Jun 15, 2015 1:00 pm -

Maja Marchwicka i JARY zwycięzcami finału grupy A1, HPP-B DiM – Leszno 2015. Poniżej zwycięski przejazd z rozgrywki.

Posted by Świat Koni on Sunday, April 12, 2015

What’s cuter than a little girl and her pony? Better yet, what’s cuter than a little girl who can ride the snot out of a tricky jumper course on her game little pony?

That’s exactly what you’ll see in this video of Polish rider May Marchwicka and her pony, Jary. Yes, this gutsy pair won their class, in case you had any doubt.

We think May could give some valuable tips on shaving seconds off the clock. Hats off to you, May! Way to show everyone how it’s done.

Mary King to Retire King’s Temptress

By on Jun 15, 2015 11:00 am -
Mary King and King's Temptress at Badminton. Photo by Nico Morgan.

Mary King and King’s Temptress at Badminton. Photo by Nico Morgan.

After withdrawing her homebred 15-year-old mare, King’s Temptress, following the dressage at Badminton last month, Mary King has announced that she will be retiring “Tess” due to arthritic changes and persistent lameness.

“Sadly Tess’s lameness has persisted and due to some arthritic changes we have had to retire her from competition,” Mary wrote on her Facebook page. “She is going to now have babies and get fat! (what she has always wanted!) In the past she has had 5 successful embryo transfers and I have been advised this time to let her have her own baby. She will be AI’d next week…husband yet to be decided!”

King’s Temptress enjoyed a storied career with Mary in the irons, winning Rolex in 2011, the year that Mary finished first and second aboard Tess and Fernhill Urco. The mare finished fourth in her CCI4* debut at Luhmühlen in 2009 and completed Burghley three times, finishing 18th, seventh, and third each time.

Mary has been well-known for piloting horses she bred herself to the upper levels of the sport, so we’re waiting anxiously to see what stallion will pair with King’s Temptress to produce the next generation of eventers. We’ll post more updates on this as they become available.

Happy retirement, Tess!

Weekly OTTB Wishlist from Cosequin

By on Jun 13, 2015 1:30 pm -

With the abundance of OTTB competitions available, it’s really interesting to see how people approach their re-training strategy. It’s so encouraging to see everyone from seasoned pros to capable young riders putting their young Thoroughbreds through their paces in preparation for an upcoming competition.

We’ve got three fresh OTTB listings for your review this week. Don’t forget, if you bring one of our featured horses home, we’d love to read your blogs about your progress! If this is you, please email [email protected]

Photo via After the Races.

Photo via After the Races.

Our first listing this week is Senor Amarga, a 3-year-old 16.1 hand filly available through After the Races. Senor Amarga (Senor Swinger – Amarga, by Came Home) is unraced and, according to her listing on After the Races, mostly untrained as a racehorse. It is said that she has some knee conformation that her trainer did not think would hold up to racing, but she has been cleared by the vet for other disciplines.

If you’re looking for a young horse with a clean slate, you’ll want to find out more about Senor Amarga on After the Races here.

Photo courtesy of CANTER Texas.

Photo courtesy of CANTER Texas.

This pretty girl is available through CANTER Texas. By the way, CANTER just launched a brand new website, and it’s pretty fancy. Be sure to check it out here!

Go For Mula (Mula Gula – Go for Diamonds, by Grindstone) is a 3-year-old filly who has just four starts to her name. She is listed as having some soreness upon retirement, so a lower intensity career may be best for her. Go For Mula stands 15.3-16 hands and is said to be very friendly and even prettier in person.

Go For Mula on CANTER Texas

Photo via Second Stride Inc.

Photo via Second Stride Inc.

Finally this week is a listing from Second Stride, Inc. Tater Downs is an older model (7 years old), but don’t let that deter you! If you’re a racing fan, you’ll be excited to know that this guy is a half-brother to Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup contender Ready’s Echo.

Tater Downs raced 25 times, placing 16 times and earning over $150,000. He stands 16.2 hands and is ready to take on a new career in a forever home.

Tater Downs on Second Stride, Inc.

Friday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Racehorse to Event Horse

By on Jun 12, 2015 6:00 pm -

Raise your hand if you’re preparing for a Retired Racehorse Project competition this year! Area IV rider Mallory Stiver is working towards the competition in Kentucky, and she’s making her debut in next weekend’s Sport Of Kings Challenge in Oklahoma.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Mallory’s 5-year-old OTTB, PF Hugo Boss, who raced at Remington Park, where the Sport of Kings Challenge will be held. Lainey Ashker, Steuart Pittman, and Robin Hessel will be the judges for the Sport of Kings Challenge, and Mallory was selected as a finalist to compete for the top honors.

Enjoy this video of Hugo Boss, aka Huey, and Mallory’s progress since he came off the track in July of 2013.

Are you competing in the RRP this year? Send us your prep blogs and look for them right here on EN! You can email us at [email protected].

Product Review: Woof Wear Smart Event Boot and Smart Overreach Boot

By on Jun 11, 2015 12:30 pm -
Photo by Sally Spickard. Photo by Sally Spickard.

When you’re not an Advanced level eventer (yet), it’s difficult to find the right cross country boot without feeling like it’s overkill. Do I really need to gallop around (canter around) in the exact same tack that Boyd Martin uses? Probably not. I used to have a huge mental block with appearances and what the “cool” kids are doing. Call it a character flaw.

It wasn’t until I started really trying to actually learn about the products I was using that I began to let go of that image obsession. Sure, I like to look well turned out and professional whenever I ride. Does that always happen? No. But when it comes to my tack, I want it to be safe and functional for my needs.

I’ve always been a Woof Wear fan. Their boots have always fit my budget and my needs, and so I was really excited when I saw that they were coming out with a new line of Smart Event Boots. It was like a next-level deal, offering newer technology and top of the line design.

Now, let me preface this by saying that I use these on my baby, just-turned-5-year-old OTTB, who is not going to be galloping around Rolex anytime soon. So, sure, maybe getting the latest and greatest boots may look funny to someone. But there I go again getting on my image obsession bandwagon. What is the most important to me is the level of protection I am offering my young horse, who is still growing and developing, while he tests out new terrain and obstacles.

It’s been a very wet spring here, and while I’m not really complaining about the cooler temperatures, it’s definitely made life at the barn interesting with the sheer amount of mud that seems omnipresent. So I was excited to take the new boots, along with the Smart Overreach Boots, for a spin to see how they felt and held up.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Obviously, a huge feature of every cross country boot worth its salt is the fact that it offers 360 degree protection around your horse’s lower leg. While open fronts are fantastic for show jumping and hacking in the arena, I prefer to have cross country boots for times when I’m on uneven ground or going off the property to school cross country. There’s just something about knowing that your horse is protected from the unexpected makes my anxiety subside a little.

The Woof Wear Smart Event Boots are incredibly easy to put on and adjust to your horse. These boots come in small, medium, and large sizes. Jesse is right at 16 hands with average sized bone structure and took a medium easily.

These boots feature D30 impact protection within an anatomically designed PU shell on 7mm thick neoprene. Lots of layers of protection there — but what about ventilation? Not to worry. The outer shell is well ventilated (without compromising coverage), allowing for plenty of airflow while the boots are on. This is extremely important, as the airflow keeps the tendons and ligaments cool and prevents overheating and, subsequently, injury.

The D30 impact protection is pretty cool. While lightweight, this technology still provides great protection, and while, thankfully, I didn’t have any moments where I felt my horse would have hit himself, I felt very comfortable knowing that a funny step or trip would meet with the ultimate protection. But what’s really cool is how the D30 technology works. Here’s the description:

D30 impact protection is a patented technology used to create a soft and flexible shock absorbing barrier featuring unique molecular properties. At rest, its molecules flow freely, but on impact, they lock together to absorb impact energy and reduce the force transmitted. This reaction is counter intuitive. The greater the force of the impact, the more the molecules lock together and the greater the protection.

Pretty cool, right? I thought so, too.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

The boots also feature Repel Technology, which adds a water resistant factor to the boots. There’s nothing worse than running around with water-logged boots that slip down and attract dirt and other unmentionables. I’m pleased to say that even through mud and water, these boots stayed in place and, though they were damp when I pulled them off, did not seem to hold water.

Nor were my horse’s legs abnormally wet to the point where I felt like they weren’t getting the ventilation needed. The tendons were not overheated and quickly cooled back to normal temperature as if it were a normal workout with no boots or open fronts.

The Smart Overreach Boots were also a hit, especially for my horse who tends to overreach quite a bit. While he is barefoot at the moment (somehow I’ve been blessed with a Thoroughbred with decent feet!), I still don’t want a wayward hoof to fit a strike point in the wrong area. The Overreach Boots feature Poron Xrd foam in the strike area, which also offers the “protection on demand” concept of the D30 impact protection.

The Overreach boots fit Jesse comfortably and did not turn while in use, which is also a huge plus. Jesse also took a medium in the Overreach Boots, although if he were shod I would probably think about getting him a Large to be safe.

Overall, I was very pleased with this new offering from Woof Wear. I really think this is a great product for both amateur and professional riders, no matter what level their horses are competing. Protection is of the utmost importance, and it’s something you can’t skimp on. While I know that “image” isn’t everything, these boots come from a well-known line in Woof Wear and they look very stylish and polished as well. Icing on the cake when you’re talking state of the art protection, if you ask me.

You can find more information on the Toklat website on the Smart Event Boots (Front, Hind) and the Smart Overreach Boots, and you can also order some for yourself! Trust me, your horse will thank you!

Sarah Braun’s Long Road Leads to Triumph

By on Jun 11, 2015 11:00 am -
Sarah Braun and Perfect Intentions during their Advanced debut. Photo courtesy of Full Tilt Photography. Sarah Braun and Perfect Intentions during their Advanced debut. Photo courtesy of Full Tilt Photography.

Sarah Braun was on top of the world in 2012. She had just come off of winning team gold placing fifth individually in the CH-Y** at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships and was confidently eyeing a move up to Advanced with her then 12-year-old OTTB mare, Perfect Intentions.

But her big Advanced move up, which she prepared for under the watchful eye of coach Hawley Bennett-Awad, was not to be that year. Just days after Sarah and Hawley had discussed their plans post-Young Riders, Perfect Intentions, known as “Candy” in the barn, broke her hip in an apparent pasture accident.

“I had just started her back to work after Young Riders, and I came out to the pasture to catch her,” Sarah said. “She normally walks right up to me, but this day she was out in the field and just looking at me. I knew down in my gut that something was wrong, and when I put her halter on, she couldn’t walk.”

Candy’s right hip was broken, and there was no evidence to be found as to how it had happened. The mare spent the better part of a year rehabbing before briefly returning to competing in 2014.

Sarah regrouped and again began planning an Advanced move up with her mare. Once again, however, her plans were dramatically thwarted when Candy suffered an episode of colic that required emergency surgery. Ever the fighter, Candy spent the next several weeks at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, battling pneumonia while recovering from her surgery.

“She was in the hospital for just over three weeks before she came home,” Sarah said. “Then she got pneumonia twice after she came home, and the medication wasn’t helping. She then had to go back to the hospital for another 12 days to clear that up, and — knock on wood — she’s been completely fine ever since.”

Nearly two years after her success at Young Riders and the initial plans to move up to the Advanced level, Candy was finally ready to start her comeback tour with Sarah.

They returned to competition this past January in the Preliminary division at Galway Downs. They added eight faults in show jumping to finish in fifth place — a win for Sarah no matter what color ribbon she brought home.

“It was pretty emotional crossing the finish line after cross country,” Sarah said. “I just started bawling. I couldn’t help it. She knew exactly what her job was, and she was just so happy. You could tell in her eyes how happy she was to be back.”

It’s been full steam ahead for Sarah and Candy ever since. After placing competitively in their next two events at the Intermediate level, Candy was finally ready to take the next step that Sarah had been planning for so long. The move-up date was set for Copper Meadows Horse Trials, held this past weekend in Ramona, California.

“Hawley told me she had a small gift for me, and she handed me a box. I opened it up and inside was a necklace with a lucky horseshoe and Candy’s name on it,” Sarah said. “She hoped it would be our lucky charm for our first Advanced, so we started the weekend off on the right foot.”

Sarah's good luck gift from Hawley.

Sarah’s good luck gift from Hawley.

Sarah and Candy didn’t quite have the dressage test or show jumping round they hoped for, but Sarah did her best to take a deep breath and shake it off before heading to tackle her first Advanced cross country course.

“Hawley told me before we went in the box to just think of it like another Intermediate round. I took a deep breath as they counted down, and Candy literally launched out of the box and was foot perfect the whole way around. We had a couple of hairy moments, but she handled everything perfectly and did everything I asked,” Sarah said.

“I gave Candy a huge hug after we finished. Hawley was the first one to come running over and give me a hug. It was such a special moment.”

Sarah and Candy ultimately took home a blue ribbon in their first Advanced start, finishing the weekend with a clear cross country round and 7.2 time penalties.

She credits Hawley, who she works for as head groom at Hawley Bennett Eventing, for a lot of encouragement along the way. As tough as the road to get here has been, she can look back knowing she learned important lessons.

“The majority of the time I’ve been here (working for Hawley), I didn’t have a horse,” she said. “She always told me to keep my chin up and fight the fight.  I wouldn’t be where I am without Hawley’s undying support and faith. I’ve experienced things I would have never thought possible, traveling the world and getting to watch the best in the world.”

Quick to thank each and every person who has helped her and Candy on their path, Sarah has a list of important people whose help has been invaluable.

“Even though I met my vets, Dr. Korin Potenza and Dr. Nick Huggons of San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, during really unfortunate circumstances when Candy colicked, I’m so grateful that our paths crossed. I haven’t known them very long but they have become a huge part of my life. Not only did they save Candy, they have also given me the opportunity to have the ride on their OTTB, Crowning Event, who has really started to come into his own,” Sarah said.

“My parents have been my biggest supporters and fans who have helped me get to where I am today. They not only support me emotionally and financially, but they gave me the greatest gift imaginable when they purchased Candy for me for Christmas seven years ago.”

We are thrilled to see a happy ending for Sarah and Candy, although it’s by no means an ending to their story. Here’s to a new beginning and a well-deserved one for Sarah and her Perfect Intentions.

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: Bramham Flyover

By on Jun 10, 2015 5:00 pm -

Another big ticket European event is approaching this weekend, and a small but mighty American contingent will be representing the Stars and Stripes. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica are entered in the CCI3* after receiving a Land Rover Competition Grant, along with UK based Katherine Coleman and Courage Under Fire.

Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace are entered in the Under 25 CCI3* after a solid prep outing at Tattersalls earlier this month.

Be sure to check out Samantha Clark’s in-depth cross country course preview here, and British Eventing also just posted this wonderful flyover view of the Bramham Park grounds, and it’s breathtaking. It definitely puts perspective on how beautiful these European events truly are. Enjoy this bird’s eye view and a peek at some big questions on the cross country course.

Our very own Samantha Clark is  our eyes on the ground this weekend, so stay tuned for much more as we cheer on our Americans at Bramham.

Bramham International: Website, Entries, Schedule, Live Scores, EN’s Coverage, @samanthalclark, Twitter, Instagram

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Wiser Concepts supplements are available only through your veterinarian. Learn more at KPPvet.com.

Longtime Eventing Breeder and Advocate Dee McMaster Passes Away

By on Jun 10, 2015 2:30 pm -
Dee McMaster and her granddaughter, Codi. Photo courtesy of Lisa Robinson. Dee McMaster and her granddaughter, Codi. Photo courtesy of Lisa Robinson.

We are greatly saddened to hear that longtime event horse breeder and supporter Dee McMaster passed away suddenly in her sleep last night. Together with her daughter, Melissa, Dee had worked hard over the years to support a sport that was dear to her, always looking for the best crosses in which she may find a new generation of eventing greatness.

Dee had found success in breeding eventing prospects, producing several young horses who placed well at Young Event Horse competition in her home state of Florida. She had also recently purchased the stallion SWB Talbot, whose first crop of foals was on the ground this spring. SWB Talbot is syndicate owned and will continue breeding this year to produce event and sport prospects here in the U.S.

Melissa McMaster would often take the reins on the homebred horses once they were ready to compete, and under the MMC Eventing name you will find several horses who were bred or sourced by Dee herself. “She really loved the breeding part of this, and she hoped that one day she would get to sit in the white tent at Rolex and watch a horse she bred go down center line,” Melissa said.

A memorial fund in honor of Dee has been set up — you can click here if you would like to support the McMaster family. We’d like to thank Dee for all of her contributions to the sport, and the entire EN team sends its most sincere condolences to the McMaster family today.

Meet the 2015 Area III NAJYRC Teams

By on Jun 10, 2015 9:00 am -

NAJYRC is just around the corner, and the team announcements continue to come in anticipation of the event, to be held July 14-19. Area III is the defending CH-Y** team and are sending a solid group of riders to contest both the CCI1* and CCI2*. Coaches Julie Richards and Leslie Law will be helping prepare their teams at training camp this summer.

CH-Y** Team Members

Adrian Jones and Irish Odyssey. Photo courtesy of Steve Berkowitz.

Adrian Jones and Irish Odyssey. Photo courtesy of Steve Berkowitz.

Adrian Jones has been named as a rider for both teams, although she will only be representing Area III on one at the end of the day. Adrian is an accomplished one- and two-star rider, and has both Irish Odyssey (CCI2*) and Magnificent Toy (CCI1*) qualified.

Both owned by Laura Jones, Irish Odyssey is a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare and Magnificent Toy is a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding.

Adrian and Irish Odyssey represented Area III at NAJYRC in 2014, finishing 11th overall in the CH-Y**. She most recently placed second in the CCI2* at Jersey Fresh with Irish Odyssey and 10th in the CCI1* at Ocala with Magnificent Toy.

Do you know which horse you will end up taking to NAJYRC? Both horses are fantastic and ready to go! While this is great, it also makes the decision of who to take more difficult. As of now, I am planning on taking whichever horse the team coach would like me to take.

Nicole Doolittle and Tops. Photo courtesy of Ivegotyourpicture.com.

Nicole Doolittle and Tops. Photo courtesy of Ivegotyourpicture.com.

This will be Nicole Doolittle’s fourth appearance at NAJYRC and her second in the CH-Y**. Lexington has treated Nicole well — she won individual gold in the CH-J* in 2013 and finished 10th individually on the gold medal team in 2014.

Nicole returns to NAJYRC with former CCI3* horse Tops, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. This pair most recently won the Intermediate at Virginia Horse Trials.

This is your fourth trip to NAJYRC — what is your plan of attack for 2015? This year I plan on entering the competition as both a fitter horse and rider. We’ve really worked on our fitness and hopefully that will help us throughout the competition this year! I would love to have three good, consistent phases, in hopes for an individual medal.

Diane Portwood and Cinerescent. Photo by Rare Air Photography.

Diane Portwood and Cinerescent. Photo by Rare Air Photography.

Also making her return to Lexington and stepping up to the two-star team is Diane Portwood and her own Cinerescent, a 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Diane and Cinerescent were 14th in the CH-J* in 2013 and most recently completed the CCI2* at Ocala.

This pair has had a solid year of Intermediate and two-star competition and should be ready to make a splash at NAJYRC this summer.

How are you looking to build on your experiences from 2013 this year? The 2013 NAJYRC was a great experience, but I do regret not getting to know my teammates more than I did. A huge part of what makes the NAJYRC so special is the bond that is formed between teammates. This is something most of us have never gotten the chance to experience, and I hope that I’ll be able to build a more of a comradery within the Area III team. I’m also hoping that I won’t have as much of an issue with show ring nerves now that I have quite a few bigger shows under my belt.

Calvin Ramsay and Hoodwink. Photo by Ivegotyourpicture.com.

Calvin Ramsay and Hoodwink. Photo by Ivegotyourpicture.com.

Calvin Ramsay is another NAJYRC veteran, having competed with Flintstar in the Y-** in 2014 and with Hoodwink the CH-J* in 2013, who has had great success in Kentucky. Placing second individually in 2014 and fourth in 2013, Calvin is returning with Hoodwink in 2015.

Calvin is ready to bring his A game this year on a horse on which he’s had consistent results. This pair has campaigned at the Intermediate and two-star level since the winter of 2014, so expect them to show everyone how it’s done at NAJYRC.

Since this is your third time returning to NAJYRC and you’ve historically done quite well, are you feeling more pressure than you might otherwise? I feel excited by I try to avoid getting nervous. It keeps my mind off the possible problems that could happen to me and that helps me focus on actually riding.

Lauren Kieffer and Spring Easy (left) and Effervescent (right). Photos by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin and Spring Easy (left) and Effervescent (right). Photos by Jenni Autry.

Caroline Martin is another with a dual threat this year. She’s got two horses qualified for the CH-Y** team, and it will be exciting to see which is selected to start the team.

Spring Easy is an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Sherrie and Caroline Martin. He placed third in his CCI2* debut at Galway Downs last year and has since stepped up to complete an Advanced and a CIC3* in 2015.

Effervescent is another 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse also owned by Sherrie and Caroline. The gelding made his CCI2* debut this year at Ocala, where he placed 23rd. Caroline has said that she believes Effervescent may do better in the dressage at NAJYRC, but that Spring Easy is the more experienced of the pair.

Caroline will wait until training camp to determine which horse will be selected as her first choice. This will be Caroline’s third trip to NAJYRC — she won individual gold here in 2013 aboard Quantum Solace.

What is the the biggest part of being a member of the Area III team? The team is all about a group effort and not just yourself. I really want to help everyone else in the sense of supporting them. It will be really great to have all of the kids from different areas together.

CH-J* Team Members

Mikensey Johansen and Exterminator. Photo by Jessica Johansen Lively.

Mikensey Johansen and Exterminator. Photo by Jessica Johansen Lively.

Competing at her first NAJYRC is Mikensey Johansen and her 7-year-old OTTB, Exterminator. Miksensey and her family purchased “Moe” as a 3-year-old, and he was trained by Werner Geven.

Mikensey took over the ride in 2014, competing at Novice and Training level before stepping up to win their Prelim debut in 2015. This pair has one CIC1* and one CCI1* under their belt and are looking forward to representing Area III for the first time.

What was your first reaction when you saw the announcement? I was very excited. Moe and I have come a very long way and I believe we will do it. I have a lot of trust in him and he has a lot of trust in me.

Parker Miller and Jos Baco. Photo by Marcie Miller.

Parker Miller and Jos Baco. Photo by Marcie Miller.

Parker Miller and her own 13-year-old Argentinian Thoroughbred, Jos Baco, were also named to the CH-J* team for Area III. She and Jos Baco have come up the levels together, steadily working their way up before stepping up to Prelim this year.

Parker and Jos Baco were most recently 10th in the Prelim championships for Area III at Poplar Place. They also completed the CCI1* at Ocala earlier this year.

What is the most exciting part about being named to the team this year? I think honestly the most exciting part is knowing that all of my hard work has paid off. I have had this dream since I was 10. I think I really got lucky teammate wise because they are all of my really close friends and I actually ride with Briggs (Surratt) every day!

Briggs Surratt and Hat Trick at Rocking Horse. Photo by Patricia Dileo.

Briggs Surratt and Hat Trick at Rocking Horse. Photo by Theresa Bender.

Briggs Surratt is also making his return to Kentucky this year representing Area III. You may remember Briggs from a great piece his father, Andy, wrote about him last year.

Briggs and his 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Hat Trick, were unfortunately eliminated at NAJYRC last year, but they’ll be bring a whole year’s worth of experience with them in their re-attempt in 2015.

This pair recently stepped up to the Intermediate/two-star level and completed the CIC2* at Red Hills earlier this year.

What are you looking forward to the most about being on the Area III team? I’m looking forward to building relationships with my team and working towards winning the gold together.

Congratulations to all Area III team members! Remember, if you or anyone you know is interested in guest blogging from Lexington, please email [email protected].

4 for C4: Our Favorite Things About the New Reversible Pad

By on Jun 9, 2015 5:00 pm -
Photo by Sally Spickard. Photo by Sally Spickard.

When C4 announced they were launching a new line of reversible saddle pads at AETA this year, we did a little happy dance. After getting a sneak peek at the new pads, which come in four different color combinations, we immediately knew that the popular belt company had hit a home run.

C4 has exploded on the eventing scene as the go-to option for color combinations. C4 belts are used for belts as well as “oh-crap straps” for eventers of all levels, and they’ve got a team of sponsored riders who love the product and what the company stands for: giving back.

We got a chance to take a saddle pad for a test ride, and we’ve compiled a list of our favorite features from this summer’s must-have item.

The flip side of the black and white pad. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The flip side of the black and white pad. Photo by Sally Spickard.

1. Feed your color crazy with two colors in one pad.

The C4 saddle pad is currently offered in four color combinations: forest green/orange, red/blue, black/white and pink/navy. While I’m personally rallying for a purple pad, the black and white offered a sharp option that still matches my overall theme.

The pad is 100% reversible — no funky seams or mismatched logos to be found on the flip side. I’ve ridden in my pad many times now, and even though the logo on the underside is against the horse, I have not seen any damage or wear and tear.

C4 rider Siobhain O'Connor shows off her navy pad. Photo by Suzanne O'Connor.

C4 rider Siobhain O’Connor shows off her navy pad. Photo by Suzanne O’Connor.

2. Look polished and professional while having fun.

With the fun colors available, it’s easy to go nuts matching everything from your ear bonnet to your studs. This pad can easily blend in with either a loud and all-out outfit or a more minimalist theme. The presence of the C4 logo on the side and on the billet keeper is classy and elegant.

C4 rider Justine Dutton catches some air aboard the 6-year-old Cougar. Photo by Tori Hain.

C4 rider Justine Dutton catches some air aboard 6-year-old Cougar. Photo by Tori Hain.

3. It stays cool on the hot days.

It’s nice and humid here in Kansas City, thanks to a full month of rain in May. For that reason, I’m always looking for a good way to ensure my horse stays ventilated under saddle. I was pleased to see that this pad did not get bogged down with sweat, nor did it trap a lot of heat underneath.

When I remove the pad after a long ride, my horse has normal sweat marks that are evenly patterned (from a well-fitted saddle!) and are minimal thanks to a light fabric that allows air to circulate.

C4 rider Earl McFall looking sharp in Dragonfire Farm red aboard Let's Go DF. Photo by Jen McFall.

C4 rider Earl McFall looking sharp in Dragonfire Farm red aboard Let’s Go DF. Photo by Jen McFall.

4. Wash away!

I was a bit worried about the logo wearing off in the wash. I’m pretty hard on my things, as in I don’t necessarily take the time to hand wash or take them to a professional clear. So one criteria is that I must be able to take my pads and just throw them in the wash with like colors. I expect them to come out on the other side no worse for the wear.

Luckily for me, the C4 pad did exactly that. I usually hang dry my saddle pads before tossing them in the dryer to fluff them. I did dry my C4 pad for experiment’s sake and did not see any ill effects on the logo or stitching. Overall, this pad seems sturdy and in it for the long haul.

Are you wanting your own C4 pad? Not to worry — we’ve got you all set! For a limited time only, you can now receive 25% off the C4 reversible saddle pad with this special EN promo. Time to stock up! Click the banner below to go shopping now.

Monday Videos from Tredstep Ireland: Bromont Rewind

By on Jun 8, 2015 5:00 pm -

You may have spotted a familiar face at Bromont this weekend. The Horse Pesterer, our friendly neighborhood videographer, has just finished uploading his videos from the competition this past weekend, giving you plenty of reason to shirk your Monday work duties (we won’t tell your boss).

Footage from all three phases is available on The Horse Pesterer’s YouTube channel, including videos of CCI3* winners Marilyn Little and RF Demeter, among many others. Be sure to click through here to view all of your favorite riders’ videos.

Eventers Honor Seema Sonnad with a Sea of Purple

By on Jun 8, 2015 3:00 pm -
Missy Ransenhausen and Rachel Gross following cross country with Seema's OTTB, VS Pass Play. Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.

Missy Ransehousen and Rachel Gross after cross country with Seema’s OTTB, Keegan. Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.

Eventers at this past weekend’s Plantation Field Horse Trials donned purple to honor the memory of rider, owner, mentor and volunteer Seema Sonnad, who passed away suddenly last month. The event was made all the more emotional for Missy Ransehousen, who rode Seema’s OTTB, VS Pass Play, in the Open Preliminary division.

Seema, who boarded and trained with the Ransehousens at Blue Hill Farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania, had planned for “Keegan” to compete with Missy at both Fair Hill’s May horse trials and Plantation Field’s June horse trials to aid in her goal of competing in a one-star later this year.

“The funny part is that Seema had joked with me and told me that I needed to knock a few points off of his dressage score, and he scored a 28 this weekend; he usually scores in the high 30s, Missy said. “Dressage is not his strongest phase, but he’s an excellent jumper. He did such a phenomenal job with Seema; he really took great care of her.”

 

Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Thomas.

Missy does not have any immediate plans to compete Keegan again, but she has enjoyed keeping him in work and seeing the outpouring of support and love for Seema at Plantation Field.

“It was really great to see people chipping in with the purple and having a good time,” she said. “I think any time that you ride a horse for someone who has passed away, it’s emotional in a sense that you want to fulfill what they felt the horse deserved.”

Plans are being made to plant a tree in Seema’s honor overlooking the cross country course at Plantation Field, a fitting tribute to someone who volunteered and competed at the venue for many years.

Screenshot (38)

“It really was an amazing — and emotional — weekend for all of us,” Lisa Thomas, a member of the Blue Hill Farm family, said. “It was just fabulous to see so many people, from volunteers to the competitors, wearing purple. Seema is definitely smiling down upon us.”

Thanks you to Lisa Thomas of Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Service for sharing this photo gallery of Missy and Keegan, as well as other riders who donned purple for Seema. If you wore purple or snapped a photo of someone in purple this weekend, please post it in the comments.

#becauseofSeema

Blogger Contest Round One: David Taylor

By on Jun 8, 2015 11:00 am -

We announced the six Blogger Contest finalists last week, and now we’re bringing you each submission from Round 1 here on Bloggers Row. We will be posting all six entries over the next few days, so be sure to check them out and leave your feedback in the comments.

All entries will be reprinted without editing for fairness’ sake. Thanks again for your support and readership, EN! We are thrilled to have such quality entries yet again this year.

David Taylor

Product Review: Kerrits Ice Fil Tech Tank

I, like most equestrians, have a slight obsession with apparel (I too am seeking help with my problem). Whether I’m schooling my horse around the farm or riding with a well know clinician, I want to look my best. This quest for a smart look often has me blurring the men’s/women’s equestrian clothing line.

Let’s be honest, in the grand scheme of things, guys are outnumbered in this world of horses.

When you head to the local tack shop there really isn’t much on the shelves for guys other than a couple of dusty show jackets, a few very expensive polo shirts, and the same 8 pairs of breeches that have been on the rack for 4 years. “Why do women get all the good stuff?” is a constant thought running through my head.

I decided to turn to the internet with my list of criteria for a trendy men’s riding shirt to write a product review about. The accursed search engine kept returning with women’s equestrian wear. One shirt in particular kept popping up. It met all of my criteria – except one… the word “men’s.” Frustrated by the lack of results that could be considered appropriate for a man; I decided to find out whether that ladies’ shirt was really as special as advertised.

I made a quick run to the local tack shop to see if they carried the Kerrits Ice Fil Tech Tank. And since this item wasn’t men’s wear, of course they had it, oh! and in 4 different colors, no less. I grabbed the largest size they had which happened to be in Caribbean (teal). I headed to the register, hoping they wouldn’t ask who the shirt was for (my wife is a size small). I quickly paid for it and headed to the barn.

Since my goal was to do a product review, I decided to do my due diligence in reporting on this great equestrian apparel item. I decided to put my humility aside and go all in! I put the shirt on — and noticed right away how light the fabric was. Upon making sure no one was around when I stepped outside, it became instantly clear that on this hot day this awesome fabric was quickly wicking away perspiration and leaving me feeling cool and fresh.

The shirt also has open mesh weave in high heat zones allowing increased airflow to cool me down even more. My favorite feature was the extended back, which means while in the saddle my lower back stays nicely covered keeping my college spring break ink out of sight. These are traits not often found in typical men’s equestrian apparel, and a pleasant surprise for me.

The material is nice and stretchy but not constricting. So when an afternoon ride has not gone as planned and the normal post-ride routine turns into a 6 pack and a large pizza, this shirt is able to handle my newly developed curves. To top it all off this shirt and all other Ice Fil Mesh shirts by Kerrits offer 30+ UPF sun protection.

If Kerrits ever enters the men’s equestrian wear market, a shirt made from this fabric and with these features, but in a different color palette could make a permanent home in my wardrobe.

I have no problem saying with certainty after an afternoon in this great shirt that women should get them in several colors to keep the sporty style going day after day. Once again, the ladies got the good stuff.

Fab Freebie: Win a Year’s Supply of Summer Games Electrolytes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on Jun 8, 2015 9:00 am -
Photo courtesy of Kentucky Performance Products Photo courtesy of Kentucky Performance Products

Summer is officially here, and it’s hot! If you live in the Midwest, it’s also quite a bit more humid than most of us would prefer. Supposedly, it’s better than being cold but sometimes I’m not so sure. I think I’m meant to live in California, anyway.

With the onset of the hot and dry weather comes an increase in the hydration needed for your horses. Especially for those who are in full work, it’s important to keep the balance of electrolytes in mind when providing your horse with supplements. Kentucky Performance Products offers a great option with their Summer Games Electrolyte supplement. Here’s some handy info on what it has to offer:

Does your horse sweat…
…during training or competition?
…while traveling?
…when standing in his stall or paddock?

Then you need Summer Games Electrolyte! Electrolytes play a critical role in hydration, muscle function, and the thirst response. When electrolytes are out of balance, your horse is at risk for dehydration and the health threats associated with it.

Summer Games Electrolyte will quickly replenish the electrolytes and trace minerals lost during sweat and stimulate your horse’s desire to drink, supporting proper hydration and optimal health.

Summer Games contains a research-proven electrolyte formulation that was originally developed for the top horses competing at the 1996 Olympics. Formulated using the results of extensive studies investigating the composition of sweat, Summer Games contains both key electrolytes and trace minerals in the actual amounts that are lost during sweating.

Summer Games is concentrated and easy to use:

• Adjustable serving rates allow you to meet your horse’s ever-changing electrolyte needs.
• Affordable price allows you to consistently replenish key electrolytes in appropriate ratios.
• Concentrated formula ensures your horse receives both critical electrolytes and trace minerals, not sugar and other fillers.
• Unique ingredients support optimal performance and speedy recovery during and after exercise or stressful situations.

Convinced? Then you’re in luck! We’ve teamed up with Kentucky Performance Products this week to offer a whole year’s supply of Summer Games Electrolyte — just in time for the hottest part of the year. Someone’s horse is going to be very happy — and hydrated!

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. We’ll draw a winner at random after entries close at midnight on Friday, June 12. Look for your name in Friday’s News & Notes — you could be the lucky winner! Good luck and happy summer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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