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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

Colleen Rutledge, Alyssa Peterson Win Waredaca Three-Days + Other Scores

By on Oct 26, 2014 3:00 pm -
Colleen Rutledge and Clever Deception accepting their T3D awards. Photo by Brian Rutledge. Colleen Rutledge and Clever Deception accepting their T3D awards. Photo by Brian Rutledge.

The Training and Novice Three-Days wrapped up yesterday at Waredaca, and it was Colleen Rutledge with Clever Deception who came away with the win in the T3D. The five-year-old Thoroughbred stallion was most recently 10th in the YEH 5-year-old class at Fair Hill and on his dressage score of 31.8 to take home the win in the classic format event this weekend.

The jumping phases proved to be quite influential for the T3D competitors, as only four of the 23 finishers were able to finish on their dressage score. Marilyn Payne and Safe Harbor were one of these four pairs, finishing in second place on a score of 32.7, followed by Jocelyn Hawe and Carry On in third place on a 33.9.

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In the Novice Three-Day, Alyssa Peterson nearly pulled off a one-two finish aboard Capture the Spirit and Stylish Talker. These two horses were in tandem the whole weekend, and Stylish Talker lowered just one rail to add to his dressage score for a very successful weekend for Alyssa, who will take home first and fourth place.

Ryan Keefe and  Sheryl Sherman’s Bento Box were able to finish out the weekend in second place, finishing on their dressage score of 33.0. Rounding out the top three are Julie Augustine and Texas Riddle, who also finished on their dressage score of 33.6 and will move up from fourth to third with Alyssa’s rail.

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In the horse trials divisions at Waredaca, Boyd Martin and Quinn Himself took home the win in the Open Preliminary division. This is the Irish Sport Horse gelding’s first season at Preliminary and his first win at the level. With two clear jumping rounds, Boyd was able to move from second into first overall.

Waylon Roberts and West River enjoyed a nice move up the board through the weekend. After lying in 13th place after dressage, Waylon move to fourth after cross country and finally to second overall with two double clear jumping efforts. Preliminary is also new for West River, with this weekend being just his second run.

Boyd also will go home with third place in the division aboard Brewster, a seasoned Prelim campaigner owned by Katie Walker.

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Tatiana Herrero Bernstein and Callisto were the best of the Waredaca Preliminary Rider division, leading from start to finish to end on their dressage score of 27.8. Tatiana and Callisto have been together since Novice level, and the horse has also been campaigned by both Caitlin Silliman and Boyd Martin. This weekend marks Tatiana and Callisto’s first win together at this level.

Charlotte Collier and Rockefeller IV moved steadily up after finishing dressage day in eighth place. They’ll take home runner-up honors, followed by Ema Klugman and Joker’s Win, who impressively moved up from 18th after dressage to take third place.

Waredaca Classic Three-Day and H.T. [Website] [Three Day Scores] [Horse Trials Scores]

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Chatt Hills ran an Open Intermediate division this weekend, where Emily Renfoe and Walk the Line emerged as the winners. Emily added just some time on cross country to finish on a score of 40.6.

Brittany Kart and Llewellyn finished in second place, followed by Werner Geven and Grey Prince.

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

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Bailey Moran and Loughnatousa Caislean won the Open Intermediate at Holly Hills in Louisiana this weekend, moving from seventh after dressage to fifth after cross country and finally to first overall. They were the only pair to finish on their dressage score in the division.

In second place are Lynne Partridge and Zoe, followed by Diana Heinrich and Weja Annabridget, who added just one rail to their score to finish on a total of 44.0.

Holly Hill Fall H.T. [Website] [Entry Status][Scores]

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And finally this weekend, Lacey Messick and Second Hand Rose collected a hat trick third Preliminary win in a row at Heritage Park in Kansas. Lacey was tied for eighth after dressage, but two double clear jumping efforts secured the win for her.

Just three combinations completed show jumping with no time and no rails today: Lacey and Second Hand Rose, Todd Wulf and Sullivan, and Kristine Burgess and Regatta. The leaderboard was definitely shaken up when the dust settled today.

Hayley Clark and Bold Impression, fresh off of a fourth place finish in the Jr. Training at AECs, took home second place with just one rail down, followed by Todd and Sullivan, who moved from fifth to third overall.

Heritage Park H.T. [Entry Status] [Times][Scores]

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Sunday Videos: Get to Know Ingrid Klimke

By on Oct 26, 2014 1:30 pm -

Ingrid Klimke is enjoying a weekend to celebrate her first CCI4* win at Pau with Horseware Hale Bob. Ingrid has been a household name in the eventing world for many years now, and has gained a strong fan following with her kind demeanor and effortless way with her horses.

One of the most popular habits that Ingrid has is wearing her helmet cam during cross country, where viewers can hear her reassuring her horse and expertly guiding them home safely. She works closely with SAP Equestrian, which has developed an innovative way to monitor vital signs and speed while on cross country.

Together, Ingrid and Horseware Hale Bob have ridden together since 2010, when the horse was learning the ropes at the one-star level. After moving up to the three-star level in 2013, Hale Bob has completed just one other four-star at Luhmühlen earlier this year. The pair finished in 28th place with 62 cross country penalties added to their dressage score.

This weekend marks the fourth FEI win for Hale Bob, and a remarkable improvement from his four-star debut, which is a testament to Ingrid’s training and the horse’s maturity. At 10 years old, the Oldenburg gelding is looking to be a new star in Ingrid’s yard for the coming seasons.

You can get an idea for Ingrid’s cross country riding technique with Hale Bob by viewing this helmet cam from the CIC3* at Schenefeld in 2013, where the pair placed third place. She does provide commentary in this video, however it is in German so if anyone would like to translate, we’re sure there’s plenty of insight to be had!

Congratulations to Ingrid and Horseware Hale Bob on their well-deserved success this weekend at Pau. We’re looking forward to seeing more from this pair as we look ahead to next season and those beyond.

Ingrid Klimke Clinches First CCI4* Win at Pau; North America Finishes Strong

By on Oct 26, 2014 11:57 am -
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Ingrid Klimke, who has for so long been a star of the sport for Germany, finally had her day today, securing her first CCI4* win aboard Horseware Hale Bob. Entering the arena with two rails in hand, Ingrid needed one of them in an otherwise flawless round that guaranteed her the win.

After runner-up Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon dropped two rails, the door was wide open for Ingrid to take home the win. She stood in first place after cross country with a bit of breathing room, but the extra rail from Andreas gave her some more leeway. Ingrid finished on a final score of 44.1.

Jean Phillippe Desmaret’s course was made up of many related distances and bending lines, meaning that riders really had to pick a forward pace and smooth out their turns in order to get around. The triple combination came down quite a bit, and it seemed that many horses would build up too much coming out of a sweeping right hand turn to the first of the treble. The course took its toll, as just three riders managed to produce clear rounds.

While the Germans took the top two placings, France took third with Arnaud Boiteau and Quoriano, who put down one of the clear rounds over the winding course. Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo also put in a clear round, with Faerie Dianimo jumping with room to spare over every fence to show how great he was feeling on the final day of competition.

Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries really had their day, jumping a smooth round that resulted in one rail down to finish on a final score of 72.9 and sixth place, the highest placed North American in the field. Erin had a huge grin on her face upon landing from the final fence, and this weekend really was the culmination of months of hard work and preparation. This pair has made the trip overseas just once before, and this marks their most successful completion at a CCI4* to date.

Canadian rider Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee, a gorgeous 13-year-old black gelding, also had a lovely round today, having two rails down to end on a final score of 76.9, which was good for seventh overall and their first CCI4* completion. This pair had attempted Pau two times previously, ending on a letter both times, so redemption is very sweet for these two this weekend.

Nicola Wilson and One Two Many had a miscommunication in the triple combination that resulted in two rails down, but they were still able to move from tenth to eighth overall with a score of 80.8.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica fell victim to the course, lowering three rails. They were able to maintain their ninth placed position, however. Historically, Veronica is not the cleanest show jumper in FEI competition, but Lauren will still be pleased with a great showing to follow up on their cracking performance at Rolex this year.

Jumping first in the order, Sharon White and Wundermaske round out the North American contingent and also had some trouble with the course, knocking four rails for a final score of 128.3.

It’s been a crazy weekend at Pau, as we’ve come to expect with any four-star weekend. While we’re disappointed to not have been there in person, we’re still so very proud of the North American riders and of Ingrid Klimke, who finally gets to have her time in the limelight as the newest four-star winner. Many congratulations to all for a successful weekend, and a big thank you to the Pau press office for sending us press releases and photos, as well as to all who made this weekend possible.

Go Pau!

#Pau2014: Website, Cross Country Times, Live Scores, Free Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook, @LesEtoilesdePau, FEI TV, Free Live Stream

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Pau Show Jumping Live Updates: Ingrid Klimke Wins

By on Oct 26, 2014 8:55 am -
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries at Jersey Fresh 2014 at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Sally Spickard. Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries at Jersey Fresh 2014 at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Show jumping is set to kick off in just a few minutes’ time at 10 a.m. EST, and we’re bringing you all of the live updates here. Be sure to refresh this post as we wind down this year’s CCI4* at Pau. We’ve got three North Americans in the top 10 going into this phase, so we’ll be cheering them on the whole way around this morning.

The course is designed by Jean Phillippe Desmaret, who also designed the two-star course that ran earlier today. Commentator John Kyle remarked that the course was challenging for the Intermediate riders, so we’ll have to see how it rides for the upcoming four-star rides.

Sharon White will be the first out with Wundermaske. You can find the full start list here.

#Pau2014: Website, Cross Country Times, Live Scores, Free Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook, @LesEtoilesdePau, FEI TV, Free Live Stream

11:03 a.m. EST: Here’s the final scores for the weekend. Full report to come shortly.

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11:01 a.m. EST: She’s done it! Ingrid Klimke wins her first CCI4* with Horseware Hale Bob on a final score of 44.1.

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10:58 a.m. EST: Two rails down for Andrea, they’ll hold onto their second place position. Can Ingrid Klimke win her first four-star?

10:57 a.m. EST: Andreas gives Ingrid another rail in hand with the first of the triple down. He can still have another to remain in second.

10:56 a.m. EST: Down to the wire. Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon are in the ring to defend their second place position and put the pressure on Ingrid Klimke.

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10:54 a.m. EST: Joseph and Sportsfield Othello drop to fifth place with three rails down.

10:52 a.m. EST: Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello in the ring down, his only ride of the day with the elimination of Electric Cruise in the jog this morning.

10:50 a.m. EST: The third clear we’ve seen is thrown down by Arnaud Boiteau and Quoriano ‘Ene Hn’, who finish on a 56.8 and are no worse than fourth.

10:48 a.m. EST:

10:47 a.m. EST: Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo have just the second clear round of the day. Fearie Dianimo was jumping out of his skin for Jonelle and looked no worse for the wear from yesterday’s efforts.

10:45 a.m. EST: Just one unlucky rail for Erin and Bucky, but she finishes with a big grin. She’ll finish no worse than 6th on a 72.9.

10:43 a.m. EST: Both Kathryn and Erin Sylvester have beautiful trips through the triple. Erin is clear so far with No Boundaries.

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10:42 a.m. EST: Two down for Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee, but she still gives big hugs to her horse for their first four-star completion.

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10:39 a.m. EST: Lauren and Veronica have three down and will finish their weekend no worse than ninth as Nicola Wilson and One Two Many move up a place.

10:37 a.m. EST: Now to the North Americans, with Lauren Kieffer and Veronica up first.

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10:35 a.m. EST: Nicola Wilson and One Two Many feel their way through the triple but get away with it in an otherwise lovely round. 8 faults to stay no worse than ninth on the weekend.

10:33 a.m. EST: Kevin McNab and Fernhill Quality Street have three down but will still finish in the top 10 on a score of 89.2.

10:28 a.m. EST: Julien Despontin and Waldano 36 have some communication issues about halfway through and come through the finish with four down. Almost into the top 10 now.

10:24 a.m. EST:

10:19 a.m. EST:

10:11 a.m. EST: Laurence Hunt and We Donna’s Niieuwmoed have one down in the treble. So far one element of the treble has come down the most.

10:07 a.m. EST: Two rails down for Francis Whittington and West Side.

10:04 a.m. EST: Sharon and Patch have four down to finish on a final score of 128.3.

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10:01 a.m. EST: Sharon White and Wundermaske are underway.

9:55 a.m. EST: An aerial shot of the CCI4* course:

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9:51 a.m. EST: Here’s a look at the scores after cross country:

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21 Horses Move Forward to Show Jumping In Pau CCI4*

By on Oct 26, 2014 8:02 am -
Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob at Luhmühlen. Photo by Jenni Autry. Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob at Luhmühlen. Photo by Jenni Autry.

21 horses out of 24 original cross country finishers will move onto the CCI4* show jumping at Pau today after successfully passing the second horse inspection this morning. Two horses were withdrawn: Lisa Sabbe’s GQ (Prince of Rides) as well as Regis Prud Hun’s Debiut.

Unfortunately, Joseph Murphy’s second placed ride, Electric Cruise, was spun at the jog this morning. This pair was the only one to make the time yesterday, and it will be a shame to not see them go for the win later this morning. Joseph’s other mount, Sportsfield Othello, will now move into third position and 16.2 penalties off from leaders Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob.

Ingrid has a rail in hand going into the show jumping, followed by Andreas Dibowski who has two rails in hand to maintain position. It will certainly be an exciting finale to this year’s edition of Pau.

Show jumping will commence at 10 a.m. EST, and we’ll have live updates coming your way. You can also follow along on FEI TV or the free live stream, which can be found in the links below.

#Pau2014: Website, Cross Country Times, Live Scores, Free Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook, @LesEtoilesdePau, FEI TV, Free Live Stream

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Weekly OTTB Wishlist Presented by Cosequin

By on Oct 25, 2014 3:30 pm -

OTTBs are among the most prominently represented breed in the eventing world. Each day, hundreds of ex-racehorses find themselves at the end of their racing career and in need of a new home. Luckily, organizations such as CANTER, New Vocations, Recycled Racehorses, and many more are always on alert for new horses that are ready for second careers. Each week, we'll be bringing you a few OTTB ads that caught our eye. Keep an eye out here for your next eventing superstar!

Seeking out ads for ex-racehorses who are ready to move onto their next careers is most definitely not the worst task one could be assigned. What is difficult is not picking up the phone and emptying our savings accounts in order to buy each and every one we find. Willpower at its best!

Pegasus' Boy, featured at CANTER Illinois.

Pegasus’ Boy, featured at CANTER Illinois.

Our first OTTB this week is Pegasus’ Boy, who is featured on CANTER-Illinois. If you’ve ever followed racing, you’ll recognize the name Fusaichi Pegasus, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2000 and went on to sire this handsome four-year-old.

There’s just something about a nice-looking bay with plenty of white to catch the eye. Click here to visit Pegasus’ Boy’s page on CANTER.

My Friend Wes. Photo used with permission from New Vocations.

My Friend Wes. Photo used with permission from New Vocations.

Next up is a horse from New Vocations named My Friend Wes. Wes is also a four-year-old model, racing nine times before retiring. This one actually took home some prize money as well! What a champ.

Wes is looking for his forever home in someone who wants to bring him up confidently. He looks athletic and ready to go in any direction you wish (eventing, please!). You can visit My Friend Wes’ adoption page here.

Canter PA My Dream Catcher

Last, but not least, we stumbled across this handsome gelding from CANTER-Pennsylvania who looks like he may have some serious star quality. Retired sound from racing, he looks to have a lot of power in his build.

Click here to visit My Dream Catcher’s ad to learn more!

If you find your next four-legged partner here on our spotlight, we’d love to hear from you! Email Sally at [email protected] if you’d like to share your story!

Ingrid Klimke Takes Command of Pau CCI4*, Three North Americans In Top 10

By on Oct 25, 2014 11:02 am -
Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob. Photo by Julia Rau. Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob. Photo by Julia Rau.

Pierre Michelet’s track at Les Etoiles course proved to be a solid test for the 31 pairs that ultimately set out on course. The optimum time of 12 minutes and 2 seconds was supremely difficult to obtain, as many riders opted for options throughout the course in an effort to go clear.

Entering the day in a tie for first with William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk, Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob laid down a superb, fast round, coming home with a mere .8 in time penalties to solidify their leading score of 40.1. Ingrid’s co-leader William Fox-Pitt withdrew Parklane Hawk prior to the start after retiring Seacookie TSF early on course as one of the first riders out. [Update: William told Horse & Hound that Seacookie “wasn’t happy on the hard ground” and subsequently withdrew Parklane Hawk on account of the ground as well.]

Just one pair made the time today: Joseph Murphy and his WEG mount, Electric Cruise. This pair positively torched their way home, crossing the finish well inside the time to move up to second place after lying 10th overnight. Joseph was held on course for several minutes while repairs were made to fence 25, where Pippa Funnell had fallen previously. The hold proved to be no issue for this pair, and they continued on their way in high gear to come home strong.

Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon took us all to school with a lovely round. Although Andreas chose to take a couple of longer routes, he made a clear effort to keep his turns efficient and his horse underneath him to save himself as much time as possible. This pair also came home fast, incuring 5.6 time penalties for third place overnight.

Joseph Murphy also has his second ride, Sportsfield Othello, in the top five. The trailblazers on course, Joseph and Sportsfield Othello turned in a clear round with 2.4 time, a bright spot in the early going when the pair found themselves alone at the finish as the course claimed many early victims.

French rider Arnaud Boiteau and Quoriano ‘Ene Hn’ round out the top five, moving up from 17th place after bringing home 4 time faults.

Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries, Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee, and Lauren Kieffer and Veronica fill out the sixth through eighth spots, all turning in lovely rounds with time to really set the standard for the North American contingent. The live stream unfortunately did not show much of any of these ladies, but what we did see looked textbook.

Erin Sylvester and “Bucky” were the quickest of the bunch, adding 9.6 time to jump from 3oth into seventh after cross country. Way to move it, girl! Kathryn Robinson will also be over the moon, as this will be her first CCI4* completion should she finish out the weekend.

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica took a few options, which was a contributing factor to their 27.2 time penalties, but this pair looked primed and strong throughout the few moments we saw on the live stream. They survived a hairy moment when Veronica jumped awkwardly into the final water complex, which also cost some time, but they recovered well.

The day didn’t work out quite as well for Sharon White and Wundermaske, who picked up a runout at the C element of fence 7 when they came out of the water with just a bit too much juice to make the skinny work. They later had a bit of a miscommunication after Sharon chose to go the long way around at the second to last, and the fence judges later hit her with another 20 penalties. They’ll go into tomorrow in 21st place.

In all, four pairs retired on course, five were eliminated and seven came home with jumping penalties. Pierre Michelet’s courses are known for demanding nearly perfect accuracy, and many riders were caught out by related distances that required a clear commitment to the lines.

We saw a handful of falls at the final water, fence 25, where it looked like horses misread the jump in and launched at it a bit too exuberantly. Fortunately, all horses and riders who parted ways walked home on their own.

If you missed any of the action from the morning, you can go back through our live updates to see how everything went down.

The final horse inspection will take place at 9:10 a.m. local/3:10 a.m. EST, followed by the CCI4* show jumping beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST. We’ll have much more from Pau tomorrow, so keep it locked right here.

#Pau2014: Website, Cross Country Times, Live Scores, Free Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook, @LesEtoilesdePau, FEI TV, Free Live Stream

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The Good Witch to Retire in Galway Downs Ceremony

By on Oct 25, 2014 10:00 am -
Jennifer Wooten and The Good Witch. Photo by Samantha Clark. Jennifer Wooten and The Good Witch. Photo by Samantha Clark.

After culminating a widely successful international career with long-time rider Jennifer Wooten-Macouzet and a nearly perfect Preliminary season with junior rider Mia Farley, The Good Witch is set to have an official retirement ceremony at Galway Downs next weekend.

Now 18 years old, Daisy and Donn Tognazzini’s mare will enjoy a special retirement ceremony preceding the CCI3* awards ceremony at Galway Downs on Sunday, Nov. 2. Jennifer and “Pooh” contested five of the six CCI4* events around the world, and the mare was name 2008 USEA Mare of the Year and 2010 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion. She retired from upper level competition in 2012, and Mia took over the reins in 2013.

With Mia Farley, the mare enjoyed more success at Preliminary, earning several wins before finishing the season with a Reserve Championship in the Junior Preliminary division at the Nutrena American Eventing Championships.

Mia Farley and The Good Witch at the AECs. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Mia Farley and The Good Witch at the AECs. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“Pooh is with out a doubt my once in a life time horse. She made things possible for me I never dreamed of, and together we enjoyed years of success at the sports top level,” Jennifer said in a press release from Athletux. “She was the horse everyone hopes to have, but few are fortunate enough to find, and I will always be grateful to her owner’s Daisy and Donn Tognazzini for allowing me to be the one leaving the start box on her.”

Mia, who has Team USA aspirations, credits Pooh with a lot of the learning experience she’s been able to enjoy this year. “There is so much I feel I can do now thanks to her, and I will always be grateful for everything Pooh taught me. I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to ride and compete her, as it has been an unforgettable experience,” Mia said.

EN will be covering Galway Downs this year, so stay tuned for much more from what is sure to be an emotional and sentimental retirement ceremony for one of the great mares of the sport.

Pau Live Cross Country Updates: Ingrid Klimke Leads, 3 North Americans in Top 10

By on Oct 25, 2014 7:58 am -
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica at The Fork. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good morning, EN! The 34 remaining horses and riders in the CCI4* at Pau this weekend are getting set to head out on cross country this morning at 8 a.m. EST. We’ll bringing you live updates as the morning progresses. You can follow along on both FEI TV if you are a subscriber or the free live stream, the links for which you can find in the links below.

The optimum time for Pierre Michelet’s course is 12 minutes and 2 seconds, and while the terrain is rather flat don’t expect the course to be a snooze.

Your North American ride times are as follows:

Sharon White and Wundermaske: 8:28 a.m. EST
Lauren Kieffer and Veronica: 8:36 a.m. EST
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries: 9:12 a.m. EST
Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee: 9:44 a.m. EST

#Pau2014: Website, Cross Country Times, Live Scores, Free Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, USEF Eventing High Performance Facebook, @LesEtoilesdePau, FEI TV, Free Live Stream

10:25 a.m. EST: Wow! What an end to the day. Joseph Murphy and Electric Cruise torch the course to come home well inside the time and into second place. Here’s your leaderboard after cross country. Let’s hear it three North Americans in the top 10! We’ll have a full recap up shortly.

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10:19 a.m. EST: Joseph Murphy still on hold. He’s the last on course. Back underway now.

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10:15 a.m. EST: William Fox-Pitt appears to have withdrawn Parklane Hawk, which means that Ingrid will hold the lead going into show jumping tomorrow.

10:15 a.m. EST: Looks like Joseph Murphy and Electric Cruise will be pulled up, perhaps due to some fence damage.

10:09 a.m. EST: Pippa Funnell has a fall from Redesigned at fence 25, the final water. Sadly just not Pippa’s day today as she fails to complete on either horse.

10:06 a.m. EST:

10:06 a.m. EST: Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee come home clear with 18.4 time. They’ll take the same score as Erin Sylvester into tomorrow, 68.9

10:04 a.m. EST: Jock Paget and Shady Gray are on the way to tackle the course.

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10:00 a.m. EST: Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob have the fastest trip of the day, coming home just two seconds over the day. The pressure is on now to co-leaders William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk.

9:58 a.m. EST:

9:56 a.m. EST: Pascal Leroy and Minos de Petra have withdrawn.

9:56 a.m. EST: Kathryn and Let It Bee are clear at the moment.

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9:49 a.m. EST: Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee are on course now, as are Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob.

9:40 a.m. EST: A BIG leap from Faerie Dianimo for Jonelle Price through the second water.

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9:34 a.m. EST: Nicola Wilson and One Two Many pick up a runout at 25 but look to be having a good run otherwise. She may very well have made the time had that 20 not been picked up. She’s home with 11.6 time.

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9:32 a.m. EST:

9:28 a.m. EST:

9:27 a.m. EST:

9:24 a.m. EST: Erin Sylvester brings home the third fastest trip of the day with just 9.6 time. She’ll go into third for now on a two-day score of 68.9. Go Bucky!

9:20 a.m. EST: Erin is clear through 20.

9:18 a.m. EST: Ben Way and Galley Light part ways at fence 20, both are up and walking away but they’re fortunate to have not had a worse fall.

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9:17 a.m. EST:

9:15 a.m. EST: Erin and Bucky are clear through 9. Andreas Dibowski (or “Dibo” as John Kyle likes to call him) is really giving us a show as he heads for home.

9:12 a.m. EST: Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries are on their way.

9:06 a.m. EST: Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon the gutsy direct route at 4AB that many have been electing to take the option. Takes the right flag out but gets the job done.

9:04 a.m. EST: Anyone else loving the old school look for the free live stream?

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9:03 a.m. EST: Four have retired, three eliminated so far on course.

8:53 a.m. EST: No one inside the time yet. Joseph Murphy is the closest with 2.4 time.

8:50 a.m. EST:

8:47 a.m. EST: Lauren and Veronica have a very big moment of hesitation at the drop into the water at 25B, but they pull it off and carry on their way.

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8:44 a.m. EST: We haven’t seen much of Lauren Kieffer, but they’re clear through 20.

8:44 a.m. EST: The fence judges have given Sharon another 20 penalties for her circle before the second to last fence.

8:43 a.m. EST: Live stream options:

8:41 a.m. EST: Sharon and Patch have a bit of a miscommunication at the second to last, but commentator John Kyle doesn’t think they will be assessed any penalties. They come home with 23.6 time and 20 jumping penalties.

8:39 a.m. EST: Sharon White gives Patch a big pat after a neat trip through the final water at 25.

8:38 a.m. EST: Lauren Kieffer and Veronica are out on course. They’re clear through 4 after taking the longer route.

8:37 a.m. EST: Sharon White and Wundermaske are nearing the last leg, heading to fence 23.

8:36 a.m. EST: Regis Prud Hun and Debiut have made it home with 76 time and 40 jumping penalties.

8:35 a.m. EST: Victoria and Madsen and By Crikey end their day very early with a fall at fence 3. Still just one to get home so far.

8:34 a.m. EST: Looking strong at fence 15.

Screenshot_5

8:31 a.m. EST: Sharon and Patch pick up a runout at the C element of the first water, fence 7C. Came out of the water with a bit too much juice to get to the skinny C element.

Fence 7 BC. Photo via Pau on Facebook.

Fence 7 BC. Photo via Pau on Facebook.

8:29 a.m. EST: Sharon White and Wundermaske are on their way! She’s taken the longer route at 4AB.

8:27 a.m. EST: Alan Nolan and Bronze Flight have a stumble on the landing into the second water, the same fence where Willa Newton had her fall. Just another pop-off, and another early ending. Joseph Murphy’s the only one to come home so far.

Screenshot_4

8:26 a.m. EST: Regis Prud Hun and Debiut pick up their second runout on course at fence 13. They’re clear after jumping the alternate.

8:22 a.m. EST: A big jump into the water at 25 B dislodges Willa Newton from Newmarket Vasco One. Both are up and ok, but that will end their day.

8:13 a.m. EST: Trailblazers Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello are home clear in 12 minutes 8 seconds.

8:09 a.m. EST: Pippa Funnell and Mirage D’elle have retired after a runout at the B element of fence 4, which really comes up quick out of a left hand turn if the horse and rider are not 100% in sync.

Fence 4AB. Photo via Pau on Facebook.

Fence 4AB. Photo via Pau on Facebook.

8:07 a.m. EST: William Fox-Pitt has retired early on, he’s dismounted and is walking home. Looks like Seacookie may not have been 100% today. Will update if more information becomes available.

Screenshot_3

8:05 a.m. EST: In third overnight, William Fox-Pitt and Seacookie TSF are on their way.

8:01 a.m. EST: Ireland’s Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello are first on course. We’re underway!

Joseph Murphy Pau

 

Things We Love from Tipperary, SmartPak, ERS-Eventing.com

By on Oct 24, 2014 3:00 pm -

Fridays are our favorite day of the week. The weekend is finally here, and that usually means a blissful handful of days filled with all things horses. Maybe we’re headed to an event or just plan to spend some extra time at the barn; either way, anything is better than five days of work, right?

Friday is also a popular shopping day, so we thought we’d highlight some more great items from our sponsors. Going into the off-season, it’s a good time to be thinking about what you’ll need for next year and for the impending winter. Be sure to check out these products, and be on the look out for more featured items and deals in the coming weeks!

First up this week is Tipperary’s T2 helmet. We did a review of this helmet recently, which you can check out here, and were really impressed with its quality. The T-Series helmet is ASTM-SEI Certified, lightweight and exceptionally comfortable.

This helmet features sport enhanced styling in a snug low profile with a luxurious matte paint finish. Ergonomically engineered to accommodate a variety of head sizes safely and comfortably.  Unique drop back shell cradles the skull, increasing protection area and supporting helmet retention and stability.

You can click the above image to learn more about the T2 helmet and to order one for yourself.

While you’re assembling a new outfit from head to toe this week, you might want to stop and check out SmartPak’s Piper Breeches. We’re big fans of these breeches here at EN, as they offer a wide array of color options and are supremely comfortable, all while fitting perfectly into a budget.

SmartPak is right when they say they’re too fun to have just one! You can check out all of the options by clicking the image above.

Finally today, to complete your new barn outfit, check out Ovation’s Rhona Country Boot from ERS-Eventing.com. Featuring a Freudenberg German made weatherproof and breathable membrane, these boots will provide comfort in all weather conditions. It’s officially boot season, so make sure to stock up now by clicking the image above.

Go Shopping.

Caption That! Contest Presented by Tredstep Ireland

By on Oct 24, 2014 12:00 pm -
Photo courtesy of Shanon Baker. Photo courtesy of Shanon Baker.

Horses (and their people!) always seem to provide the comedic relief we all need. Shanon Baker sent in this photo of her groom, Prairie, and her Irish Sport horse, Liam, caught in a surprise moment of equine love. #somanyfeels

While many funny things come to mind when we see this picture, we want to know what caption you would choose for the photo! Send your funniest captions to [email protected] with the subject line “Caption That!” and the best options will be put to a vote to determine the winner.

 

Tredstep Futura Sport Top 2

Thanks to our generous sponsor, there is a Tredstep Ireland Futura Sport Top from the Symphony collection on the line. We did a review of this polished looking shirt awhile back, and we’re really excited to give one away to the EN reader with the best caption.

So, get your creativity on EN! Caption suggestions are due no later than 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, Oct. 30. Good luck and have fun!

New Product Sends Signals for a Horse in Distress

By on Oct 23, 2014 3:00 pm -
Photo courtesy of Hamilton BioVet. Photo courtesy of Hamilton BioVet.

Hamilton BioVet has launched a crowd-funding project for Equine Night Check, a new product that will be able to send distress signals when attached to a halter or neck strap.

This project is near and dear to Hamilton BioVet CEO Meg Hamilton, who lost a horse to colic. “For years, I have wanted to use my background in developing electronic technologies to create a product that would detect the earliest symptoms of such conditions and then alert you and the barn manager,” she said in an article published on Horse Nation.

How does it work?

Equine Night Check can detect signs of colic, laminitis, foaling or being cast. By attaching the small device to your horse’s halter or neck strap, it can communicate by sending a remote signal to a cellular interface that can be plugged into any electrical outlet. This will send a text message to the designated phone number giving a description of what Night Check is picking up on.

The halter that will be distributed with Night Check has four breakaway points, but for those who are concerned about leaving any halter on, there will be a neck strap option as well.

Photo courtesy of Hamilton BioVet.

Photo courtesy of Hamilton BioVet.

Night Check is a sensor with state of the art software to decode the activities of your horse and warn you when there is abnormal behavior such as being cast in the stall or showing symptoms of colic.

Night check analyzes your horse’s behavior and calls or texts phone numbers you designate when colic, a foaling mare or other situations are likely. This means you won’t get a text every time your horse kicks the wall during feeding time or lays down to take a good roll.

The battery in Night Check lasts anywhere from three to six months, and the device will also send you an alert when the battery is low.

How far does the signal travel?

The signal from Equine Night Check can travel up to a mile to the cellular interface, which allows the horse to be in a nearby pasture and still efficiently wear the device. If your horse goes out at night, Night Check can still communicate with you should the need arise. The cellular interface can stay plugged in at the barn, which allows it to communicate with Night Check and send messages to your phone if or when needed.

How much will it cost?

The product is expected to retail for $500. The package will include the Equine Night Check sensor, the cellular interface, and either a halter or neck strap.

I’m sold! When will Equine Night Check be available?

Currently, Hamilton BioVet is utilizing IndieGoGo to help fund this project. You can visit the fundraising site here. Those who donate will be eligible for a tiered incentive structure, which can include discounted Equine Night Check products once the device is ready to sell. The incentives for donating start small, and with as little as a $15 donation, donors will be entered to win a free Night Check upon release.

What do you think of Equine Night Check, EN? Would you buy this product? You can learn more about it in this video:

Hamilton Biovet

Wednesday Video from KPP: Hagyard Midsouth CCI* Cross Country

By on Oct 22, 2014 3:00 pm -

The Hagyard Midsouth CCI*, three-day and team challenge all went off without a hitch during a busy weekend at Kentucky Horse Park. RNS Video has begun uploading some of their footage from the weekend, starting with the top finishers in the CCI*.

While video of CCI*-A winner Karl Slezak and Fernhill Dutch Design hasn’t been uploaded yet, we’ve got footage of several other riders who finished in the top 10. Many thanks to RNS Video, and congratulations to all competitors!

[Hagyard MidSouth Scores]

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Interested in e-facts about equine nutrition and horse health information? Click here to sign up for KPP’s nutritional minute.

 

 

Tuesday Video from SpectraVET: Watch the Full PRO Bareback Gambler’s Choice

By on Oct 21, 2014 3:00 pm -

We’ve got one main observation after watching the full video from the PRO Bareback Gambler’s Choice at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International this weekend: Waylon Roberts has a need for speed!

Riding Ellie Luther’s Fair Fiona, Waylon really put the pedal to the metal during his round, gleefully navigating the tricky course to accumulate as many points as possible, including the 4’3 “joker” fence at the end.

Also featured in this video is Laine Ashker with Sheila Wolff’s Jolly Good Sport and Justine Dutton with Janice Murdoch’s Casino Royale.

Why SpectraVET?

Reliable. Effective. Affordable.

SpectraVET is committed to providing only the highest-quality products and services to our customers, and to educating the world in the science and art of laser therapy.

We design and manufacture the broadest range of clinically-proven veterinary therapeutic laser products, which are represented and supported worldwide by our network of specialist distributors and authorized service centers.

Preview the Pau CCI4* Cross Country Course

By on Oct 21, 2014 1:30 pm -
Fence 4AB. Photo via Pau on Facebook. Fence 4AB. Photo via Pau on Facebook.

The Pau Facebook page has published a first look at the CCI4* course competitors will be tackling this weekend. As previously reported, we’ve got five North American pairs set to contest the fall four-star this year, and while EN won’t be there in person, we’ll still be bringing you updates on the action starting with the first horse inspection tomorrow.

Photo via Pau on Facebook.

Photo via Pau on Facebook.

Click here to view the album containing the fence photos. The course looks like a solid four-star effort, with skinnies and angles abounding per the usual Pierre Michelet design.

The Pau action kicks off tomorrow with the first horse inspection at 9:30 a.m. EST/4:30 p.m. local time. Dressage times will be posted shortly after the jogs, and the riders will contest the dressage on Thursday and Friday.

FEI TV will be streaming the action, so if you are a subscriber or wish to become one, click here to check out the streaming options.

Pau Links: [Website] [Entry List] [FEI TV] [Schedule] [Facebook] [Course Preview]

Qalao de Mers’ B Sample Tests Positive for Acepromazine

By on Oct 21, 2014 12:23 pm -
Maxime Livio and Qalao de Mers at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry. Maxime Livio and Qalao de Mers at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The presence of the controlled substance acepromazine in Maxime Livio’s WEG mount, Qalao de Mers, has been confirmed with the results of the B sample released today. We reported last month that the fifth-placed horse tested positive for the controlled substance immediately following the Games, which could potentially put the final results in jeopardy for France.

French publication Equidia reports that Maxime Livio maintains his innocence in the matter, and intends to defend himself in the upcoming FEI Tribunal.

The date of the FEI Tribunal has not yet been announced, and it is during this process that we will find out whether or not France will lose its place in the final eventing standings.

As we previously noted, this would create an opportunity for Canada to move up to sixth place in the WEG team standings, thus securing their qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics and eliminating the pressure from next year’s Pan American Games, as the U.S. must win in Toronto to qualify for Rio.

We will publish more information on this case as it becomes available.

Blood-Horse: Disproving the ‘Bad Step’

By on Oct 21, 2014 12:00 pm -
Photo by Erika Bernsten. Photo by Erika Bernsten.

During a recent symposium focusing on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s necropsy research on catastrophic injuries, findings on the ‘bad step’ myth have been released.

Focusing on racehorses, the idea of a horse taking a bad step that led to a musculoskelatal injury was researched in terms of underlying issues that could have contributed to the injury.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s necropsy study was launched in 2010, collecting data from post-mortem research on horses that suffered fatal injuries during both races and training exercises. The study found that most of the injuries suffered from what many were calling a ‘bad step’ were attributed back to a previous soundless issue or a lameness problem that was lying under the surface.

One case used as an example was that of a five-year-old who suffered a fatal training injury, as noted in the Blood-Horse article.

The necropsy revealed the horse had dorsal metacarpal disease, commonly referred to as bucked shins.

“His bones were just not able to adapt,” (Dr. Laura) Kennedy said. “The trainer was very appreciative of the (mortality review). As sad as this was, it will not happen to another horse in her care. That’s why I say we’re not too late.”

While this study gleaned its data from racehorses, the findings can easily carry over into the sporthorse world as well. Many injuries suffered by event horses, fatal, career-ending, or otherwise, have been attributed to a bad step taken at some point before the injury. Could the findings of this study also be found if the same research was done on event horse injuries?

Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below, EN! You can read the full article on the Blood-Horse by clicking here.

EN’s Got Talent: Roman Place Prepares for Virginia

By on Oct 21, 2014 10:30 am -

We hear all the time about horses at the top of the sport, but what about the next generation of equine talent? EN’s Got Talent introduces the future superstars of the sport, interviewing riders about how they’re tackling training with these youngsters. Have you spotted a spectacular young horse at an event you think should be highlighted in this column? Tip me at [email protected].

Katy Groesbeck and Roman Place. Photo by Jenni Autry. Katy Groesbeck and Roman Place. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Last week on EN’s Got Talent, we met Katy Groesbeck’s newest upper-level prospect, Roman Place. The 7-year-old OTTB gelding found a new home with Katy after spending some time at Buck Davidson’s barn, and he’s flourished under her training.

Now, Katy is preparing “Ruler” for his CCI* debut at Virginia Horse Trials this fall, and she’s confident that he’s ready for the new challenge. “I’m taking a long time to work on the flatwork and prepare for that part of the competition,” she said. “He can do all the movements, so it’s just all about relaxation and his comfort in the arena.

He tends to get a bit nervous going up centerline, and so he’ll withdraw a bit and get behind the leg. He gets sticky and behind the vertical – that’s his go to when he gets nervous. So we’re working on that a lot, getting him more comfortable in the ring. He’s definitely shown improvement as time goes by.”

What about the differences (or similarities) between Ruler and her other upper-level partner, Oz the Tin Man? “It’s a completely different feeling when (Ruler) jumps,” Katy said. “It’s not like any other horse I’ve ridden. Buck tells me he’s an incredible jumper, and he feels different but equally as enthusiastic as Wort does.”

Roman Place taking in the sights. Photo via Katy Groesbeck.

Roman Place taking in the sights. Photo via Katy Groesbeck.

Ruler is smaller in build, standing 15.2 hands, which Katy enjoys since he is a solidly-built horse and “built like a tank.” “My dad asked me if I couldn’t find anything bigger,” she recalled. “But I really like the way he’s built, he really feels solid when you’re on him.”

Katy’s learned that going slower is more rewarding with this particular horse. Along with his nerves in the dressage ring, Ruler also tends to get overwhelmed if too much new information is presented at one time. “He tries really hard, but if you push him too fast he gets a little worried. He can get frustrated and overwhelmed. Doing things slowly and letting him figure it out as he goes is definitely the way to do things with this one.“

Around the barn, Ruler is a favorite. “He’s the easiest horse the deal with,” Katy said. “He can be a bit snarky to other horses, but he also doesn’t get attached to other horses, so he can go down the road by himself without an issue. Around the barn, he’s so mellow that you can ride him double bareback in a halter.”

Katy sees potential for a big future with this young horse, but she’s letting him set the pace for how quickly they progress. “I’m not going to push him faster than he wants to go. If I keep him sound and really loving his job, I don’t think there’s a lot standing in his way.

He’s got a great mind and a huge heart. I just need to make sure that he is enjoying his work and I know he’ll keep trying. I’d love to see him doing what Wort is and possibly even more, but we’re just taking it one step at a time for now.”

Roman Place is currently owned by the Roman Place Syndicate, and there are four shares left. If you’re interested in joining in Katy’s journey with Ruler, visit her website for more information.

Totally Frank Retired After Injury at Fair Hill

By on Oct 21, 2014 9:00 am -
Kendal Lehari and Totally Frank at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry. Kendal Lehari and Totally Frank at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Kendal Lehari and her 9-year-old OTTB were having a great run around Derek di Grazia’s CCI3* cross country course at the Dutta Corp Fair Hil International this past weekend. Unfortunately, Kendal pulled up close to home and took her horse back to the barn; announcers said that the horse looked to be a bit off. Once the horse was examined, it was found that a tendon in his front left had ruptured, effectively ending “Frank’s” eventing career.

“He was great going around the course, handling the complexes really well,” Kendal said. “When  came to the second to last fence, which was a hanging log to an angled brush, he stumbled on landing, regrouped, and jumped out well. He felt fine the first few strides, but then felt weird. I thought he had lost a shoe or stepped on the clip, but when I pulled him up it was clearly something else.”

Back at the barns, Totally Frank’s left front leg was examined, and x-rays were taken. In a devastating turn of events, it came up that the superficial digital flexor tendon was swelling rapidly and had ruptured. Kendal then set about preparing to take him back home to her home base in Ontario, only wanting her partner to be comfortable in the process.

“He traveled great and we’re just trying to keep him as happy as possible,” Kendal said. “I plan to do everything I can to ensure the best recovery possible for him. My hope is that with a good rehab program I may eventually be able to do dressage or jumpers with him. The eventing community has been unbelievably supportive and helpful; we really are a unique sport filled with wonderful people.”

Totally Frank was Kendal’s mount as she targeted the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Now, she’s trying to put together a syndicate to purchase her next upper-level partner as her goals of representing Canada on the world stage continue. For further information on Kendal’s future endeavors, please visit her website.

We’d like to wish Frank a quick and smooth recovery, and also Kendal the best of luck as she searches for a new partner.

Monday Video from Tredstep Ireland: Laine Ashker in PRO Bareback Gambler’s Choice

By on Oct 20, 2014 5:00 pm -

Post by Ab3 Photography.

The PRO Bareback Gambler’s Choice competition pitted three riders and their best bareback horses against each other at the Dutta Corp Fair Hill International.

Laine Ashker, Justine Dutton and Waylon Roberts went head to head for the top honors. While all three have had success in the Puissance classes throughout the year, it was Waylon and Ellie Luther’s Fair Fiona who took home the win and their share of the $3,000 prize.

In second were Laine and Sheila Wolff’s Jolly Good Sport, followed by Justine Dutton and Janice Murdoch’s Casino Royale. Photographer Alec Thayer was on hand to grab the spectacle on video, and he’s uploaded Laine’s round for our enjoyment. We’ll post other rounds as they become avaialable.

Editor’s note: The wind was quite loud during Laine’s round, which caused her to be unable to hear the buzzer telling her to stop. Props to her for continuing such a smooth round sans saddle!

Boyd Martin Recaps His Weekend at Fair Hill

By on Oct 20, 2014 3:00 pm -
Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry. Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Boyd Martin regularly blogs on his website, which is great since it helps keep us in the know on the inner workings of an upper level operation. Boyd posted an update on his successful weekend at Fair Hill and even includes a tidbit about his great save aboard Welcome Shadow.

From Boyd:

Once again this year the Dutta Corporation Fair Hill International provided an unbelievable event. In my opinion it was one of the tougher cross-country courses in both the two and three-stars. Eric Bull and his team built a very impressive course that was both big and technical.

This year I’ve got a very impressive group of up and coming horses; all six horses that I rode on the weekend were brilliant. In the two-star I rode Gloria Callen’s Welcome Shadow and Denise Lahey and Pierre Colin’s SBF Cortez. Both of these horses were super green but were great in all three phases.

Shadow got a little bit nervous in the dressage and unfortunately I got unseated at a duck towards the end of the cross-country, which required me to do a loop to jump the last element; I didn’t think I crossed my tracks but they gave me a stop, unfortunately. Shadow came out Sunday and show jumped terrific, finishing her event in grand style with a clear round. I think I’ll do another two-star with her next year and keep her at intermediate until then to give her more confidence.

Cortez was did an unbelievable dressage test and he scored 43, which put him in 3rd place out of around 110 starters. He was also super around cross-country, picking up just a couple time penalties, then had a couple fences down in show jumping to finish 8th which was a big accomplishment considering he wa s up against such stiff competition. Toronto. Like Shadow, I’d like to keep him at intermediate until he does another two-star next year. Who knows, one of these two might be considered for the Pan-Am Games in Toronto.

You can read the full blog post and learn more about Boyd and his owners’ plans for the horses going forward, as well as his closing thoughts on a great weekend in Maryland, by clicking here.

Cynthia Wiseman: The Final Braid

By on Oct 20, 2014 1:42 pm -

Cynthia Wiseman is an Area IV rider and coach for Stone Ridge Eventing in Springfield, Missouri. She made the decision to retire her long-time partner, Vote Yes, following the Nutrena American Eventing Championships last month. She's generously shared her parting words with us, and you won't want to miss them. Many thanks to Cynthia for writing, and best of luck to "Hampton" in his next chapter.

Cynthia Wiseman and Vote Yes at the AECs. Photo by Sally Spickard. Cynthia Wiseman and Vote Yes at the AECs. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Funny how the stars align sometimes. A single roll of chestnut thread can carry more meaning than one could ever imagine.

Vote Yes (Hampton) and I trotted down center line together for the first time in April of 2009. This spool of chestnut thread was there. Through our first Preliminary, our first CCI*, our first Intermediate, our first CIC**, our first CCI** and every one of the 27 other horse trials that we joined forces on….this spool was there. Who would have ever thought to take a picture of it then? Just a simple spool of chestnut thread.

The 2014 American Eventing Championships were our scheduled retirement. At 18 years of age, Hampton is still going strong, but it was time; time to share this amazing horse with the next generation and perhaps give him a chance to do what he loves even longer.

A bottom of the field dressage test was disappointing, but after walking the cross country course laced with difficult questions I knew our farewell performance would end as it should. This would not be a dressage competition. To quote my dear friend, Lacey Messick…”You got this.”  The following day my Rockstar galloped merrily around a championship Intermediate course as though it was Novice and suddenly we were sitting middle of a star-studded pack of big name riders, big name horses and talented amateurs.

Photo by Julie Wolfert.

Photo by Julie Wolfert.

A long wait for show jumping gave plenty of time for reflection, and as I reached for that spool of chestnut thread to braid one final time it truly hit me.

Braid by braid, I remembered our career together; the rainy cool day in Virginia when we first met, the hell bent runaway gallop back to the barn on our first jump school, and the challenges of developing a partnership with an arrogant talented red head. Gradually, a mutual respect was formed and with that, a trust that made us a solid team and a formidable pair cross country.

Braid by braid, I recalled the thunder of his hooves, the power of his gallop, the quickness of his feet, the unity. How the pre-cross country nausea and nerves transitioned to a calm confidence as we entered the start box. This horse had always gotten us home safe, had never let me down. He was, by far, my most dependable partner, and as dangerous and daunting as this sport is, with him I felt safe.

Braid by braid, I reflected on the influential people in our career. Boo Donoho, who believed in me and believed in her red horse enough to “force” me to give him a chance. I am forever thankful for her trust in me and the opportunity to enjoy this once in a lifetime horse. John Staples, who taught me to trust Hampton, challenged me to ask for more and supported me through our growing pains. Julie Wolfert, who was influential in our final two seasons together and helped us further develop into a more polished team. She had no idea what she was getting into when she said “Yes” and am so thankful that she did. My husband, my daughter, my true friends who tolerated and supported my passion.

Thread

The final braid, and miraculously, the last little shred of chestnut thread. An empty spool.  Funny how the stars align. As I sat on that block with his head in my lap as that final braid was sewn in, the bond was evident.

As Emily Thorne so eloquently wrote, “Sacrifice demands the surrender of things we cherish above all else. Only out of the agony of those losses can a new resolution be born. An undying devotion to a cause greater than one’s self, and a moral duty to see a journey through to its absolute completion.”

Following the AECs, I passed the reins from the greatest horse I have ever had the pleasure to know to a budding Young Rider with NAJYRC aspirations. It’s tough to see the Red One galloping cross country without me, but it is the first time I get to witness his spirit, his heart, his love of the sport as a spectator. In my eyes, he is as spectacular from the ground as he is from the saddle and am honored that he let me share his passion with him.