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.
Jordan Linstedt Eventing was out in full force at Whidbey Island, one of the premier events in the Pacific Northwest. The event celebrated 38 years running this year, and you can read Chesna Klimek’s great recap here.
Jordan had a total of 15 horses and 12 students competing this weekend, which certainly made for an action packed event. This recap video features some beautiful scenery and plenty of big smiles, which is what eventing is all about. Enjoy!
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RNS Video has once again put together a great water complex compilation video, this time with footage from the Intermediate/Preliminary and Open Preliminary divisions at Champagne Run Horse Trials this past weekend in Lexington, Ky.
The first fence at the water complex, the jump in over a log at 16a, caused quite a bit of trouble, and you’ll see the riders handled their struggles there in a variety of different ways. Allie Knowles had a lovely trip through the water with her first horse, The Dark Mark, only to have her second ride, Komik, slam on the breaks at 16a. Be sure to watch to see how Allie handles the situation — very nicely done.
Many thanks to RNS Video for the footage, and and be sure to stop by the RNS Video YouTube channel for many more videos from competitions around the U.S.
Phillip Dutton and Get Ready in the Open Intermediate. Screenshot via the Democrat and Chronicle website.
The Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials ran their 25th anniversary edition of the annual event this year, and Phillip Dutton celebrated in style. With three rides in the CIC2* and four in the Open Intermediate, Phillip brought six horses home in the ribbons — definitely not an easy accomplishment!
Local news source, the Democrat & Chronicle, was on hand to cover the event, and they posted a few great photos and a quick write-up on the action. You can read the full post here.
Phillip rode Fernhill Cubalawn to the win in the CIC2*, finishing on his initial fourth-place dressage score with two double clear jumping rounds. He also picked up second and fourth aboard Atlas and Fernhill Fugitive, respectively.
Fernhill Cubalawn is a new ride for Phillip, having recently been purchased from Alex Green by Tom Tierney and Simon Roosevelt. Both Cuba and Atlas are aiming to compete at Blenheim later this year, according to a blog posted today on his website.
Jennie Brannigan, who led after dressage with Nina Gardner’s Henry, finished the weekend in third place. This is an exciting horse for Jennie; the pair have not finished worse than sixth since beginning their partnership at the beginning of this year.
Phillip picked up catch rides on two of Kristen Bond’s mounts, Seams Ready and Get Ready, in the Open Intermediate, ending the weekend in second and third respectively. He also picked up the win in the division aboard Mansfield Park. Well done, Phillip!
Nilson da Silva and The Phoenix Syndicate LLC’s Cash were the winners in the CIC* after laying down one of just two double clear cross country rounds to move from second to first. Drew Keller and Detailed Just Right moved up from ninth after dressage to take home second, and Barbara Allen and My Main Man moved up from fifth to third on the weekend.
Nilson da Silva and Cash with their blue ribbon. Photo courtesy of Nan Rawlins/FLAIR.
At Champagne Run at Kentucky Horse Park, Cathryn Green and Coin Toss III picked up the win in the Intermediate/Preliminary division. Cathryn was the only rider to go double clear on cross country, and she picked up the win handily with plenty of breathing room.
Anna Kjellstrom and Garfunkel ended their weekend in second place and William Hoos with Celtic Rhythm picked up third place after adding just time penalties on cross country to their original dressage score.
Roebke’s Run in Minnesota also ran CIC divisions this weekend. Cynthia Wiseman and Vote Yes were the sole finishers in the CIC2* and will take home a blue ribbon for the weekend. In the CIC*, Laura Markham and Storm Warning had the quickest cross country run of the day, allowing a move up from second to finish first. Ann Bower and Prospero ended their weekend in second after accumulating a few too many time penalties on cross country to retain their lead.
On the West Coast, in Washington, Jordan Linstedt and Revitavet Capato led from start to finish to win the Advanced/Intermediate division at Whidbey Island HT. Jeanine Allread and Snap Decision II picked up second place, and the third entry in the division, Brooke Phillips, elected to retire on cross country.
Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Eventing is all about chasing the dream. There is never a straight path to success, a concept that event riders are very cognizant of. What leads to success, however, is the ability and the drive to chase those dreams despite the setbacks and downfalls you may experience.
So here’s to all of the dream chasers out there who continue to inspire each other on a daily basis to work hard and perform their best. Eventing is a community, and we’re all chasing our dreams together each day.
If your horse is your prized possession, think about protecting it with personalized insurance care from Premier Equine Insurance. As with any investment, it is important to protect our horses in the event of an accident. Premier Equine Insurance is a family-owned company that is dedicated to bring you personalized and prompt attention. Owned by husband and wife David and Kirsten Buffamoyer, Premier Equine Insurance has three locations to serve you and is just one phone call away at all times. Be sure to stop by or call in for your FREE quote and consultation today!
Good friend of EN, The Horse Pesterer, was out and about at the GMHA Team Jumper Challenge this week, and there have been several videos uploaded from the competition.
Among the entries was Denny Emerson, who can be seen in the above video aboard Bealieu’s Cool Concorde. Daryl Kinney, who rides for Denny, also had a couple of entries in the combined test format competition.
Many thanks to The Horse Pesterer for sharing these videos! Go GMHA.
Another new episode of EventionTV‘s handy videos was released this week. Lameness and hoof issues are difficult problems to deal with; luckily we have some awesome farriers out there who really know how to help. In this week’s video, Evention is armed with some helpful tips for lameness issues.
So yeah…. here is my epic tan line produced courtesy of the two-day Stephen Bradley clinic. Maybe I should have used more sunscreen. – Wendy Angel
This is me on my horse Elsewhere on a very hot day. We are dressed for the beach and my husband is enjoying a Corona while calling the test! – Kim Hennessey
Hot or Not! I’m going to go with NOT! Yes those are my body parts! – Autumn Grogan
The poll has spoken, and our winners have been chosen! Congratulations to Wendy Angel, Kim Hennessey, and Autumn Grogan! You are the proud new owners of an Ovation Cool Rider shirt in the color of your choosing! We’ll be reaching out to you with more details on claiming your prize.
We’ve got plenty of contests still to come this summer, so keep it locked right here for much more from our sponsors!
It’s Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day, and we here at EN got to thinking about the importance of helmets. I sent out a request for all of our writers to tell me why they wear a helmet, every ride every time, and I got some great stories back. We’re all about setting an example here, and ensuring our own (and Chinch’s) safety is the best way to set a good example for others to mind their melon.
Jenni Autry:
I was lucky to be introduced to riding by a group of people who took helmet use very seriously. As a result, the #mindyourmelon philosophy naturally became a part of my everyday routine. It was never a question of whether or not to wear a helmet — that’s just what we did.
That’s not to say I haven’t taken my share of bareback gallops across fields on summer mornings wearing just a ball cap; luckily, I lived to tell those tales. I’m older and wiser now. Wear your helmet — every ride, every time.
Chinch:
I didn’t even know what a helmet was until three months ago when I met Boyd Martin and he told me about his wife’s accident. Since then, I’ve written countless demand letters to every helmet manufacturer so that I can have a chinchilla-sized helmet.
The one Jenni makes me wear is hideous and a tad bit loose, but I still do it because this melon is worth millions. Plus, whatever Boyd says goes, or so I’ve been told by all of my lady friends.
Erin Critz:
Riding is a dangerous sport with serious risks and significant consequences. Riding fundamentally changes who we are. Riding accidents can do that as well.
Some time around ’96 or ’97, one of the assistants at the barn I rode at had a terrible accident. The horse she was riding was known to be a bit barn sour and to have formerly had a rearing problem. She was hacking out to the polo field sans helmet when the horse decided he wasn’t going to play that day.
He didn’t just go up. He threw himself in to the air with what could only be described as an obvious intent to flip. His full weight came crashing down on her, mashing her on to the hard packed dirt and gravel of the barn driveway. Yelling, panic, ambulances, lights, fear, noise, noise, noise – all followed by uncomfortable quiet and the weight of worry.
She spent a week or two in a coma. News slowly filtered back to the barn. She had a traumatic brain injury and was very lucky to have survived at all. We were advised, or more appropriately warned, that TBIs can change people.
When she eventually came back to the barn it was almost like a ghost was living in her body. She had this far away stare and a new anger that was alien. The anger was justified – previously simple tasks were often challenging for her post-accident. It was heartbreaking.
This person was so unlike the one we had known. The person we had known would surface in glimpses and turns of phrase, but we mostly had this new, revised version to contend with. Gradually she faded away and left the barn. There was a strange relief that accompanied her departure, like we were no longer haunted, but she also left a large hole behind.
She is one of the reasons why I wear a helmet every ride, every time. This sport and it’s risks shapes and changes who we are and who we become. I like myself pretty well. Wearing a helmet helps keep me intact, both physically and metaphysically.
Lindsey Kahn:
I grew up riding Western in a barn where helmets were not required, and were even frowned upon by older generations of riders. When I bought my first horse at age 12, I learned first-hand how unpredictable horses could be, and regularly found myself face-down in the dirt after losing an “argument” with my flighty gelding.
It took me until college to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t indestructible, and that it was in my best interest to protect my skull if I wanted to continue to ride and train horses. Wearing a helmet became habitual for me when I learned to jump and decided to try my hand at eventing.
Now, wearing a helmet isn’t even a question that crosses my mind; if I’m going to ride, I buckle one on first. While it took me about twenty years to get into the habit of wearing helmets, it’s better late than never, and I’m not going back.
Lila Gendal:
I have been riding horses since I was 5 years old. I was never given the option to not wear a helmet. Everyone I know wears a helmet, and I would never in a million years get on a horse without my helmet. Eventing is a dangerous sport and involves a fair amount risk already, so why wouldn’t I take the extra 10 seconds it requires to put my helmet on? Always, safety first!
Colleen Peachey:
I. Love. Riding. And every time I place my toe into my stirrup iron, I have two goals in mind. I want each and every ride that I take to be fun and SAFE. Whether I’m riding my trusted mature gelding (Ripley), or either of my two young horses in training (Mark and Rufus) I ALWAYS strap on an approved helmet when I ride.
Accidents happen – horses can spook. Or they can stumble (Lord knows that I do on a regular basis). I’ve certainly had my share of spills. No matter the hazards exist or the accidents that can happen, I kick on. Because I am responsible for running my own farm, and because I care about the people who care about me, I wear a helmet to protect myself in the best way I can. For myself. For my family & friends. For my horses. Riding has risk, so one of the best choices that I can make is to always #mindyourmelon.
Photo by Jenni Autry.
Kate Samuels:
I wear a helmet every time I ride because to me, there is a fine line between accepting the inherent risk that accompanies equestrian pursuits, and simply tempting fate. Helmet design has come so far these days, so that they are comfortable, stylish, breathable in the summer, warm in the winter, shade your face from sun rays, and most of all, they protect your noggin should something unexpected come along. When the opportunity comes along to look good, set a good example to others, be comfortable AND be safe, you’d be remiss to not wear a helmet!
Sally Spickard:
I grew up in an environment where wearing a helmet was not really an option. I am thankful to have had that message from day one, because I feel like it created a habit that I still keep today. Have I ever been spotted without a helmet? Absolutely. Do I consciously decide to wear a helmet every time I ride now? Most definitely.
I have been fortunate enough to not have any serious injuries sustained while riding, but I do have several quite scary (and some comical) falls on my record, and I still have a helmet with a big dent in it that came from a wayward hoof that was aimed directly for my head on the fall down. It’s not difficult to snap a helmet on every day, but it is difficult to lay in a hospital bed (or worse) for months while you heal from a TBI.
Leslie Wylie:
Thanks to a combination of naughty horses and my inability to differentiate a hunt cap from a helmet, I went to the emergency room on multiple occasions with concussions growing up. As a result, I now experience occasional “abnormal activity” in my left frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls language. Which is hilarious because I’m a writer.
I like to think of it as a little party up in there, neurons lobbing wadded up bits of dictionary at one another, heated Scrabble tournaments going down in every corner, a boozy spelling bee gone wild, but my neurologist doesn’t think it’s funny. He says another concussion would be the equivalent of an annoyed neighbor calling the police to complain. I want to party forever. So that’s why I wear my helmet — every time, every ride.
Here’s the video I took when I kicked my old hunt cap to the curb!
One of the cutest horses competing this weekend at Maryland HT: PL Trinity, offered for sale by Defying Gravity Eventing.
Last week, we previewed the busy month of July for eventers across the country. This weekend, we’re kicking off the weekend edition of What’s On Tap, bringing you information and scoring links for each event running. Even on weekends where there aren’t CCI4* events, there are still countless eventers out dancing in the sandbox and kicking ass on cross country.
Don’t forget, if you have photos, videos, stories, or other insanity in the middle that you’d like to share with us, email [email protected]. We’d love to see how everyone’s weekend went! Best of luck to all competing, and thank you to all organizers, volunteers, judges, coaches, and everyone in between who makes these weekends possible!
The Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials are running the 25th anniversary edition of their event this weekend. After being cancelled last year, the event is back with a vengeance this year and once again has Derek di Grazia on board as the course designer. The event will be running Beginner Novice through CIC2*, so expect a busy weekend!
Stuart kicked off on Friday with dressage, and many power hitters can be found among the entries. Daniel Clasing and his EN’s Got Talent mare, Crimson, are contesting the CIC2*, the mare’s first start at this level. Jennie Brannigan and the exciting Henry are also out in the CIC2*. Phillip Dutton’s got two rides in this division: Atlas and Fernhill Cubalawn. Not one to sit around and twiddle his fingers, P-Dutty also has four rides in the Open Intermediate.
Roebke’s Run, one of the biggest events in the Midwest, is also running it’s annual summer event this weekend. The Schweiss family deserves a big shout out for organizing such a fantastic event in an area where upper level divisions are more difficult to come by. Schweiss Stables is a gorgeous facility, and the family has worked hard to improve the grounds to cater to more competitors. Riders such as Lisa Borgia, Cynthia Wiseman, Leah Lang-Glucsic, and Julie Wolfert are ready to roll in their respective divisions, and it promises to be a great Minnesota weekend.
Also on deck for the weekend is the Maryland Horse Trials, which is running Beginner Novice through Preliminary divisions. Marilyn Little is out in full force this weekend and will hop up on six horses before the day is done, including Karen O’Connor’s former mount, Mandiba, who is running in the Open Preliminary. Boyd Martin also has six rides in the Training and Preliminary divisions.
On the West coast, Whidbey Island in Washington is running an Advanced/Intermediate division, where Jordan Lindstedt, Jeanine Allred, and Brooke Phillips are set to duke it out for the blue ribbon. Whidbey Island also has several sub-divisions of Beginner Novice through Preliminary running, and it looks to be a great weekend on tap for Washington eventers.
Champagne Run at the Kentucky Horse Park is also in full swing for the weekend, running divisions all the way from Starter through Intermediate-Preliminary. Apparently, Breyerfest is also happening at the Horse Park this weekend, so head’s up to all competitors that the entry gates are quite busy!
This is one of the busier weekends I’ve seen in a few weeks, which is always such a great thing to see. Once again, we wish the best of luck to all competitors this weekend! Stay cool, #mindyourmelon, and have fun!
EN loves photos shot between the ears! If you happen to be out for a hack, are riding in some obscure place or just take some cool photos aboard your mount, send them to [email protected] with a quick blurb about the photo’s story. Also, don't forget that we've launched a new advice column, presented by World Equestrian Brands! If you have a question you'd like answer by a World Equestrian Brands team member, email [email protected].
Carrie Wehle sent in this between-the-ears shot of her walk to dressage warmup with Foghorn J Leghorn, who she’s competing in the CIC* at Stuart Horse Trials in Victor, N.Y., this weekend. Best of luck to Carrie, and Go Eventing.
Welcome to Throwback Thursday! Each Thursday, we will be bringing you some vintage eventing photos and posts. Do you want to show us your first horse or a photo of your early riding days? Email [email protected].
Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Our mystery rider this week is a hard-working individual who packed up and moved East to take advantage of a training opportunity with Buck Davidson. I’ve been privileged enough to meet this young lady a few times, and she is definitely one who deserves her success.
Who else is envious that she had a Palomino pony?
This week’s featured rider is none other than Katy Groesbeck! Congratulations to all who guessed correctly. We’ll be back next with another round of #tbt trivia, complete with prizes from our awesome sponsor, Ice Horse! Be sure to click the banner below to read up on their products – you could be the proud owner of an Ice Horse product next week!
Classic pictures and videos are priceless, but today’s innovations make it so much easier to keep our horses feeling and performing their best. They may be black and white, but Ice Horse’s line of products deliver a full spectrum of cold therapy. Check out the Ice Horse Evendura ice compression wraps, the Big Black Boot for concentrated hoof cooling and Ice Horse continuous cooling machines.
We announced the final four contestants on our Fourth Annual Blogger Contest on Tuesday, and now we’re bringing you their entries hot off the press. All entries will be posted without editing for fairness’ sake. If you have feedback, we’d love to hear it! Post it in the comments below.
Be sure to check out the bios from each finalist here!
From @RolexHusband:
US Ready to Rumble at the WEGs, #Boyllip, Rodney Dangerfield and the horse with 2 cars.
-Rolex Husband (@RolexHusband)
SO, the US team has been selected for the WEG this year and everybody seems to be pretty pumped about the group and how could you not as everyone selected IS A BOSS. I really had my heart set on an #allWomenWEG team this year after Rolex but you can’t argue with having the Australian dream team and Buck on the squad. Let’s take a closer look at the team that is ready to ride into Normandy and show the world how we do things in the US of A! ‘Merica
I am going to start with the obvious dynamic duo that is Boyd and Phillip (or as I affectionately like to refer to as #Boyllip). I had my doubts about Boyllip this year, but after Boyd showed the world that you really only need one good leg to place 3rd at a 4 star (as long as your best mate will jog your horse for you) he showed the selectors that he belongs. Boyd and Shamwari (ShamWow) will represent the US and Boyllip well.
Phillip wasn’t going to let his 20th anniversary of International team competition come into jeopardy so he laid the smack down at Luhmhlen and earned a top ten placing aboard Mighty Nice. So Mighty Nice gets the nod as Phil’s mount, right? NOT SO FAST! Insert Trading Aces, better known as the horse who OWNS TWO CARS. A Land Rover and a Mercedes at that! I want a Land Rover or a Mercedes, this horse has BOTH. Yup, won them for being awesome with both parts of Boyllip. So Phillip gets his best mate’s horse that has consistently shown he belongs.
Next we look at Sinead “I get no respect” Halpin with Manoir de Carneville. Talk about a Rodney Dangerfield moment if Sinead were to be passed over for Normandy of all places. I mean, her HORSE IS FRENCH folks! That would have been a slap in the face.
A couple of years ago some organization that knows stuff (USEF) named this horse on the Global Talent list. That means if you take all the horses in the US, Tate is the best (guess who is this year’s sole “Global Talent” – yup, ShamWow). Still wasn’t good enough to represent the US at that time apparently so Sinead and her French Steed, Tate, finally get their stage.
Now insert Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless (Sparky – how cool is that?! Who doesn’t want a horse named “Sparky”?). Kim is a Legend. This pair’s worst finish was 11th at Rolex in their short time together. No doubt Kim “The dressage Queen” Severson is schooling this horse in the art of dressage and will put up some good numbers, fly around XC and finish up strong for this team.
I also view Kim as the “maternal” member of the squad. I can imagine she will have to keep Boyllip under control and away from shenanigans during their stay in France…
BIG BUCK (again “affectionately” as it seems like Buck has trimmed up over the years – Good work Buck) and Ballynoecastle (say that 3 times fast) RM. I wonder if Buck gets jealous of Boyllip and their hand-in-hand shenanigans together. ANYWAYS, Buck and Reggie are another pick that are simply good. Buck will ride around cross country like he owns it and they will no doubt put up an impressive performance.
Now let’s chat about Lynn Symansky and Donner. Historically speaking, they probably would not have made the cut with their bout of troubles this year. But let’s not forget that this pair already rocked around a little horse trials in France last fall at Pau (is it “Poo” or “Pow” – asking for a friend)
Again, consistency is a theme and Lynn and Donner are no exception.
So that covers the horse and riders for our team that will lay the smack down in Normandy. I am somewhat sad that my Home girl Marilyn Little wasn’t on the “A” team (especially since she dropped the BOOM hammer at Jersey this past weekend winning by 18 points) but these 6 pairs should be able to get the job done.
Marilyn, keep it up and let’s shoot for the Olympics.
It’s National Farrier’s Week, and our friends at SmartPak posted a special edition of “If Horses Were People” in honor of the men and women who keep our horses’ feet in tip-top shape. The video had me absolutely rolling. Our patient farriers work tirelessly to ensure that our horses are well taken care of, but our horses don’t always make their jobs the easiest. This video is a true testament to how valuable our farriers are.
Do you have a special shout-out for your farrier? Post it in the comments below!
We announced the final four contestants on our Fourth Annual Blogger Contest on Tuesday, and now we’re bringing you their entries hot off the press. All entries will be posted without editing for fairness’ sake. If you have feedback, we’d love to hear it! Post it in the comments below.
Be sure to check out the bios from each finalist here!
From Lynn:
The USEF Selection Committee has broken their silence and named the team slated to be shipped out to Normandy. While they made it sound like they took things like decent dressage, clear cross country, speedy stadium and soundness into consideration for this decision, we’re fairly certain that there were a number of other important things on the table. Fernhill Fearless (a scanty 16.0 hands) with his petite rider Kim Severson (topping out at 5’3) are the pair most likely to fit through a hula hoop should such a question arise. Conversely Donner, at a monstrous 17.1, would be better nicknamed the flying moose and can certainly reach the peanut butter on the top shelf at the supermarket should anyone be craving a late night snack in France. Ballynoe Castle RM has recently come out as an excellent wedding planner and made an appearance at his groom’s ceremony, this experience certainly made him attractive since he can organize the competitor’s party. Trading Aces has been reported to do an excellent impression of a certain Sesame Street character and was likely included for his value as comic relief. However, we think ultimately the reasoning behind each choice went something like this:
We needed someone who speaks french. With a team populated by Irish horses, an American and one furiously proper German,Manoir De Carneville was a necessary addition to the team so he could help us navigate his motherland. While his teammates wander around lost and agog of coastal France, Tate will be rolling his eyes and tipping his beret at the locals in apology before herding everyone in the right direction. Don’t ask him how to order another pain au chocolat, he’s trying to cut down on the sugar and will expect you to do the same.
There’s no party worth attending unless the Irish have been invited. Trading Aces, Fernhill Fearless and Ballynoe Castle RM hail from the island of all things rainy, green and hangover inducing, and you simply can’t throw an international party without a pack of Irish dudes to keep the fun rolling. Sparky brings the tall drinks to the table and despite suffering from short man syndrome also brings the laughs, Reggie makes friends with everyone in the bar and ends up buying the rounds, and Oscar quietly nurses his Jameson in the corner until someone wants to scrap in the parking lot at which point he kicks everyone’s butt in the name of the USA, and then orders another drink.
Since Tate is french and doesn’t operate on any kind of functional schedule and Reggie, Sparky and Oscar can’t be trusted to remember their ride times when they were probably at it all night at the competitor’s party, we needed a rigorous German raised up on the efficiency of the Swiss to keep the team in line. Shamwari 4 was the natural choice here, who, despite the fact that he’s been caught associating with an aussie lately, operates like a well oiled Hanoverian machine and will quietly disapprove of his disorganized teammates until they are guilted into getting their act together from his sheer aura of organization and determination.
This is the American team isn’t it? To round out the ‘ol stars and stripes, we needed a home grown Captain America to join the ranks and carry the team. Donner is the more than capable glue to hold this team together, and much like Steve Rogers of the Avengers, he has the handsome face and charming personality to keep the many different players working together. Shammie frowning extra hard at Tate for fooling with his perfectly groomed mustachio for too long before the first jog? Donner swoops in to diffuse the situation. Oscar getting his grump on because Sparky has talked about the distance to the keyhole from the uphill skinny for the tenth time? Donner is there to change the subject to the second water. Bravely forging the center line in the face of a big atmosphere and worldwide pressure for success, Donner can keep his cool while internally bald eagles are singing the national anthem to the glorious chime of the liberty bell. Go USA! Go Eventing!
Thoroughbred racehorses that go on to second careers are unique in that they have two retirements in their lifetimes: the first from the track and the second from the show ring. Thoroughbred Legends seeks to honor off-track Thoroughbreds that went on to accomplish great things as upper-level eventers and now enjoy a second retirement in their golden years. If you know of a great Thoroughbred for this series, email [email protected].
Will Faudree and Antigua. Photo by Mike McNally.
Will Faudree was 20 years old and a working student for Phillip Dutton when he began searching for a new horse. While he wasn’t completely sure what his ultimate goals were, Will knew he wanted to have a horse to learn on and as he moved to the upper levels of eventing. “Phillip really wanted me to get a horse that could teach me. I’d been fortunate enough to have great instruction growing up, but I always had green horses that I learned a lot from but that couldn’t take me as far as I wanted to go,” Will said.
“Phillip had a conversation with my parents, and we’d looked at a couple horses, but Phillip had his eye on (Antigua). He’d seen the horse at the Sydney Olympics, and it had become available.” Will went to Australia on a horse-shopping trip, and “Brad” was the first horse he looked at. He went on to look at a few other horses, but the 11-year-old unraced Australian Thoroughbred was Will’s top pick. “He passed the vet with flying colors, and the rest was history.”
Antigua, registered in Australia as Under Arm, is sired by the French stallion Match Winner and out of the Australian mare Great Mistake by Dorset. Will knew this horse would be one that could teach him. “He’d been to the Olympics, and he was still young enough that I knew he would take me far.” Will brought Brad home with him in 2001 and set to work forming a partnership with his new horse.
“He’s an old soul,” Will said. “I really think he knew what his job was; he knew that he was a mentor to me.” Will and Brad made quick work of the upper levels, never incurring a cross-country penalty through their time together. Will made it around his first Rolex in 2003 with Brad, finishing 12th overall. That year, the pair also was selected to represent the USA at the Pan American Games, where they took team gold.
Will and Brad improved upon their Rolex placing twice more, finishing 10th in 2004 and sixth in 2006. In 2006, they were selected to the World Equestrian Teams eventing squad and traveled to Aachen, achieving a top-20 individual placing. In addition, this pair competed at Badminton and Burghley, finishing in the top 25 at each.
“At Carolina International this year, we honored the members of the gold medal winning 1984 Olympic team,” Will recalled. “I told Karen Stives that I owed a large part of my career to her. After I’d gotten around my first WEG in 2006, she congratulated me and said, ‘Don’t expect your next horse to fill his shoes.’ I always remembered that and was always so thankful to be reminded of how special he was for me.”
Brad turned out to be everything Will hoped he would be, and then some. “I think that Phillip’s goal was for Brad to teach me the correct feel,” Will said. “I’d give anything to go cross country on him again; he was just such an amazing athlete. I never had a cross-country penalty on him, and not because I’m a great cross-country rider. It was because I would screw up royally, and he would pat the ground and get me out of it as if to say, ‘See? Now next time you have to help me out!’
“I didn’t teach that horse a damn thing. He taught me so much, and I’m so grateful for him. My favorite Broadway musical is ‘Wicked,’ and there’s a song that will always remind me of him: ‘For Good.’ One of the lyrics says ‘Who’s to say if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.’ That’s Brad to me. He changed my life. He gave me the plane ticket to the career I’ve dreamed of my entire life.”
Will wrote a lovely tribute to Antigua, which he gave in a speech at Antigua’s retirement ceremony in 2009. Click here to read the text of the speech.
Welcome to Throwback Thursday! Each Thursday, we will be bringing you some vintage eventing photos and posts. Do you want to show us your first horse or a photo of your early riding days? Email [email protected].
Who else is envious that she had a Palomino pony?
Happy Thursday! I know you all have been losing sleep wondering who the next Throwback Thursday subject would be. Never fear, your day has come! This week, we’ve got a rider who is a transplant from West coast to East coast. She’s been hard at work at the upper levels with an incredible horse that she is privileged to partner with.
What California cutie is pictured in our lead photo this week? Take a guess and post it in the comments below!
Classic pics are priceless, but today’s innovations make it so much easier to keep our horses feeling and performing their best. They may be black and white, but Ice Horse’s line of products deliver a full spectrum of cold therapy. Check out the Ice Horse Evendura ice compression wraps, the Big Black Boot for concentrated hoof cooling and Ice Horse continuous cooling machines.
We announced the final four contestants on our Fourth Annual Blogger Contest yesterday, and now we’re bringing you their entries hot off the press. All entries will be posted without editing for fairness’ sake. If you have feedback, we’d love to hear it! Post it in the comments below.
From Maggie:
Measuring Up
WEG 2014 is fast approaching, and wonder of wonders, the US already has made their six selections for team and individuals. For the first time in a long time, we are leaving several pairs at home that certainly deserved to head to Normandy. At the same time, every single pair that did get named deserves to go as well. Our bench is finally getting deeper and the selectors can now select among a wider range of strengths and weaknesses, and bring along an alternate or two that absolutely can step up to the plate.
Now that the team is selected, how do they compare? We can discuss qualitative factors all day long, but today I’m going to look at the quantitative side. To do so, I am using data from CCI4* results only. If the horse has not yet completed a 4*, then I use the horse’s best CCI3* score instead.
The following list shows the best final CCI4* scores achieved by the US pairs:
Buck Davidson / Ballynoecastle RM — 51.7 at Rolex 2014
Phillip Dutton / Trading Aces — 57.5 at Rolex 2014
Sinead Halpin / Manoir de Carneville — 48.3 at Burghley 2012
Boyd Martin / Shamwari — 48.8 at Luhmuhlen 2014
Kim Severson / Fernhill Fearless — 59.7 at Rolex 2014
Lynn Symansky / Donner — 54.8 at Rolex 2013
For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume that the four best scores are selected for the team, with Kim and Phillip acting as individuals. One score is dropped from each team’s final four scores.
If each pair achieves or exceeds their personal best final score at a CCI4*, then the US would finish with a 148.8, using Sinead, Boyd, and Buck’s scores. The following shows where the US would place in the 2006 and 2010 WEGs, the only two short-format Games thus far.
2006 1 USA (2014) 148.8
2 Germany 156.0
3 Great Britain 180.0
4 Australia 197.3
5 USA (2006) 198.1
2010
1 Great Britain 139.4 2 USA (2014) 148.8
3 Canada 151.5
4 New Zealand 154.8
5 USA (2010) 160.3
The US is kicking butt and taking names (save those pesky Brits) in past WEGs. How do they compare to the riders of today? Not all the teams have named lists yet, but many of the most competitive countries have. I took the three best CCI4* scores from each of the other countries to compare with our team score.
2014
1 Germany 118.7
2 New Zealand 122.8
3 Great Britain 134.4
4 USA 148.8
5 Australia 150.0
Unfortunately, this puts the US solidly in fourth, even if our riders equal their personal best final score.
The nice thing about eventing is that each performance is independent from one another. A rider that has a bad dressage test will not necessarily have a lot of rails or have a rough cross country run. Barring fatigue, the phases do not affect one another. What if each of our riders equal or surpass not just their personal best final score, but their personal best in every phase?
For this exercise, I used the horse’s personal best CCI4* score for each phase, regardless if this was with another rider. Buck, Sinead, and Lynn have been the exclusive rider for their mounts at the 4* level, but both Trading Aces and Shamwari have attempted or completed CCI4* levels with other riders. I believe that since Boyd and Phillip have had very little saddle time with their respective mounts, their dressage scores can drop to that achieved by the horse with others in the saddle.
Using the personal best phase for Sinead, Boyd, and Buck, we get a team score of 126.2. This would put us solidly in first for both 2006 and 2010 WEGs, but still would place only third compared to the best CCI4* scores of the current team selections from other countries. And don’t forget, there are still a few countries who have yet to announce lists and teams.
The upshot of this analysis is that it takes into account only four star experience and ignores experience at three stars. It’s obvious that the US depth is increasing, but many of our partnerships are still very young and haven’t grown into the dressage potential they ultimately should have. Right now, three of these pairs have only one four star together, and therefore only one data point to analyze. Phillip, Boyd, and Kim will very likely all drop their dressage scores by significant amounts in the next two months. And while Germany may currently look unbeatable, it’s hardly likely to be a dressage show. Michael Jung can score a 33.0 all day, but the rest of the German team has to finish too, something they failed to do in 2010.
Young Riders from all over North America are converging upon the Kentucky Horse Park next weekend in one of the most sought after competitions of the year. NAJYRC features riders from all disciplines competing in team and individual formats for medals.
Last year, Nicole Doolittle and Tops took home the top individual honors for Area III, and the USEF Network has a highlight video of Nicole’s winning weekend.
Are you competing, training, grooming, or horse show mom-ing for NAJYRC this year? Do you want to share your experiences with EN? If so, email [email protected] so that we can get you set up to guest blog during the competition.
We announced the final four contestants on our Fourth Annual Blogger Contest yesterday, and now we’re bringing you their entries hot off the press. All entries will be posted without editing for fairness’ sake. If you have feedback, we’d love to hear it! Post it in the comments below.
From Wendy:
So anyone who knows me or has read my blog chronicling my tales with Oliver as a newbie eventer knows that I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout nothin’. Analyze the chosen U.S. eventing team for WEG? SURELY YOU JEST. I pretty much know they are all big names on incredible horses, and I’m excited to watch them compete. And they must all have balls of steel to do what they do. Perhaps they should be sponsored by these guys.
But other than knowing that I might like to be Sinead Halpin’s best friend and Boyd Martin’s personal assistant for ALL THE THINGS, I don’t have too much to say besides yay, team! Go U.S. Eventing! But I can offer you this lovely infographic that I created myself. Lucky for you readers, I am better at this than I am at eventing. Or maybe I’m not. Perhaps I should take up knitting.
We announced the final four blogger contest entrants yesterday, and we will be posting their Round 2 entries on Bloggers Row beginning today. They’ve each sent in a bio for us to share with our readers, so without further ado here are your final four!
Wendy Angel:
Wendy Angel, 35 is a recovering weenie newbie eventer who tries to not be a disgrace to the sport every time she rides, but she never takes herself too seriously. She and her luggy Percheron/TB cross (the TB part is hiding….) Ollie live in Atlanta, where she works in marketing. [Round 1 Entry]
Maggie Deatrick:
I’m a twenty-something corporate drone trying to make a bid at the upper levels and wondering when I signed up for a 9 to 5 job behind a computer. As much fun as it is to watch people’s faces when I casually mention my mechanical engineering degree and how much I love calculus, I spend more of my time thinking about the mechanics of a perfect half halt. [Round 1 Entry]
Lynn Marie Garvin:
Lynn Marie is an accomplished obsessor of clean water troughs and pristinely swept aisle ways. She regularly lurks at dressage warmups and on cross country courses taking photographs of complete strangers and then slinking back to her car as if nothing creepy at all has occurred. She has imaginative competitive upper level eventing daydreams in her car when that song by Bastille comes on the radio, but don’t think for a minute she isn’t regularly reality checked by her OTTB mare when she actually gets on to ride.
Accolades: Can blow bubbles with world champions but prefers to keep it casual to not intimidate the amateurs. Known to wear a cape. Preferred gait is skipping because it’s faster than walking and kind of like jogging’s fabulous gay brother that everyone admires for his fashion sense and self confidence.
Lynn Marie didn’t feel like writing a bio about herself so she gave the honors to her pet rat, Arthur, who heard that EN has a blogging chinchilla and wanted in on the fun:
Lynn Marie is human, when she’s home and awake she feeds me treats and when she’s asleep she snores a lot. Sometimes I sit on her shoulder while she’s on the computer and give her editing tips, but mostly I just ask for treats. She is a pretty ok human. [Round 1 Entry]
Rolex Husband:
Who is this Rolex Husband? Nobody knows. Well some do but that is beside the point. Groom extraordinaire, supportive husband, and pretty good in front of a grill; I enjoy doing my little part for the equine community and always look for the humor in life. [Round 1 Entry]
EN Guest Blogger Brian O'Connor participated in Sharon White's fundraising event JUMP! Across the Pond last weekend. He kindly sent us his thoughts on a successful weekend. Stay tuned for much more from Brian as our "Behind the Mic" humor columnist over on Bloggers Row!
Team Orange! Photo by Sara Lieser
From Brian:
Well, to all the EN fans around the country (and the world) … “ORANGE” YOU SAD YOU COULDN’T BE PART OF THIS FUN?
We got up early to go to Sharon White’s fundraising party, Jump Across the Pond 2014, to help her raise money to take her great team of two-star and three-star horses to England this fall. She deserves the trip, especially after such a great finish to her 2013 season and solid performances through our spring tour this year.
This event is now getting bigger and better each time. The outpouring of support is tremendous, and riders come out from all over Area II to participate. The competition requires riders to do a derbycross type of outing: stadium jumps, then a series of cross country fences and then back to a series of stadium jumps again.
They are timed and closest to the optimum is the task at hand here; many divisions were topped by riders who were only one second or two seconds apart! In fact, Dr. Paula Horne, who is the official vet at many of the Leesburg area events, won her division by finishing right on the time exactly! And she won a bridle for doing so too …
Many sponsors, coaches, other events and organizers, and tack shops gave wonderful gifts to Sharon to either give as prizes or put in the silent auction for bidding. Sharon has raised thousands of dollars over the past five or so years, and the event is one of the most fun and hilarious days going!
I am sure you can see by the montage of photos that turning out in a special orange outfit was mandatory. There were so many to choose from, it is hard to say which is the best. However, I do think the eyelashes, the dreadlocks, the spandex full body suit, the hats, and the face painting (and horse painting) all qualify for blue ribbons.
Halftime arrived and yours truly — who was challenged a month ago to a “ride off” between myself, Sydney and Mike Smallwood, and Glue Stick — was fit and ready to go!
We had been trading “smack talk,” videos, and verbal challenges over the last few weeks and now had to step up to the plate. We each had to jump at least two show jumps, five cross country jumps and, of course, had to negotiate the water jump!
Mike had a ringer up his sleeve: Olympian Phyllis Dawson’s niece, Phyllis Dawson Stearns, 9 years old, was Mike’s lead pony. She was adorable and full of energy! Needless to say, Mike and I tied in a draw (just like World Cup Soccer), and we were beaten out by our cute assistant. Go Phyllis!
The day was just too much fun to call it work. I played patriotic music throughout the event (July 4th and all, remember) and had some other music gems to go with special horses (i.e. for the horse Bee Gee, I played “Stayin Alive”).
Put this event on your calendars for next year — it is not to be missed!
GO EN, and GO ORANGE! Thanks to Sara Lieser who “Chronicled” the day with her photos!
Courtney King Dye’s inspiring story will continue to be retold for years to come, and as the inspiration behind the Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day, she told the story of why she advocates helmets for every ride.
Want to win a new helmet from Tipperary? Check out our contest running this week in honor of Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day.
Go Courtney.
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We were once again blown away with superbly written entries for Round 2 of our Fourth Annual Blogger Contest. After a lot of deliberation and perhaps a smidge of chinchilla input, we’ve narrowed the field down to our final four contestants. Congratulations to Wendy Angel, Maggie Deatrick, Lynn Garvin, and Rolex Husband!
Stay tuned for a brief introduction post on our four finalists, as they have each sent in a short bio for us to share with you.
We will also be posting the Round 2 winners’ entries on Bloggers Row this week, so be sure to keep an eye out for their entries, and please leave feedback in the comments.
Meanwhile, our finalists will be hard at work on their final assignment that will determine EN’s Next Top Model newest chinchilla wrangler.
Final Round Assignment, due Tuesday, July 15 at 5 p.m. EST:
EN’s resident freedom fighter Chinch is on a mission to better the sport of eventing. You’ve seen his campaign to return freedom of tweets to British Eventing members, and now he wants to write a letter of demands to the FEI. Help Chinch write his letter with at least three demands.
