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.
Eventing moms are among the most amazing there are. Equestrians need strong support groups, no matter how big or small they are, and at the heart of just about every core group is a strong mother. From Valerie Ashker’s enthusiastic whoops as she follows Laine around a cross country course to the unending support that Marilyn Payne shows Doug as he continues to evolve into a superstar, we really couldn’t ask for a better group of mothers in our sport.
To that end, please enjoy this short video wishing each and every mother out there the happiest of Mother’s Days. It goes without saying that these strong women have helped mold us into who we are today, and we truly couldn’t do any of this without you.
Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.
It’s the nicest it’s been all weekend here at Jersey, just in time for the CCI divisions to wrap up competition. The CCI2* will kick off show jumping in just under an hour, followed by the CCI3* at 1 pm EST.
In the CCI2*, Lynn Symansky and Osborne 9 were the only overnight withdrawal. As we reported yesterday, Lynn had a fall from Donner that got her a bit too banged up to be able to ride today. The good news is that both Lynn and Donner will be just fine!
Ian Roberts and Faolan. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Two horses were held in the CCI2* jog: Justine Dutton’s Huck Finn and Liz Riley’s Infinite Truth. After the CCI3* horses jogged, these two horses were brought back for re-inspection and were both passed on the second attempt. The horses all looked wonderfully turned out and sound – definitely a sigh of relief after a long day yesterday. 16 horses will move on to show jumping in the CCI2*, and 11 will show jump in the CCI3*, so it will be a quick afternoon.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Sally Spickard.
In the CCI3*, there were two overnight withdrawals: Buck Davidson’s Petite Flower and Emilee Libby’s Nonsensical. I have yet to speak with Buck today to get confirmation on the reason for withdrawal, but I do know that Nonsensical was a bit sore, so Emilee decided to withdraw.
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Sally Spickard.
No horses were held or spun in the CCI3* jog, and the horses all looked fresh and ready to show jump today. I will be back later on with full reports on both the CCI2* and CCI3* to wrap up the weekend. Go Jersey.
Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Today went by in an absolute whirlwind, and I regret to say that I was unable to catch the majority of the CCI2* cross country and missed all of the CIC2*. Never fear though, as I have the full score recap here for you and will also be covering the CCI2* show jumping tomorrow, in addition to the CCI3*. Oh, to have a clone or two here so I could be in more places at once!
In the CCI2*, Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon delivered a double clear run to stay in the lead going into show jumping. This is Delta’s first CCI3* and, as stated previously, she and Emily are still strengthening their partnership. Emily said earlier this week that she would find out exactly how much fitness the mare needed for a longer run, and I think she found that her training techniques have paid off.
Victoria Jessop and Desert Mystery. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Lynn Symansky and Osborne 9 added just .4 time to their score to move up into second place. Unfortunately, Lynn had an untimely dismount from Donner in the CIC3*, resulting in a quick trip to the hospital and it looks like Lynn will be unable to ride Osborne tomorrow. The good news is that both Lynn and Donner are expected to be just fine.
I did get to see Victoria Jessop and Desert Mystery through the water complex, and they definitely looked to be having a great run. The pair moved up from sixth to third going into show jumping tomorrow, and I’m sure Victoria is quite pleased tonight.
Justine Dutton and Huck Finn. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Lara Knight and Shooby Do had a humorous moment on course after the first time through the water. After landing off of the skinny coming out of the water, Shooby Do decided that he wanted to head back to the barns, so although he stayed in the lanes he was definitely picking up way more speed than Lara wanted. I heard her “No!” all way down the galloping lane that was headed for the barn, which got several laughs from the onlookers. Lara went on to finish clear with time to sit in 10th going into tomorrow.
Melissa Miller and High Finance. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Kristen Bond, who was in second and eighth overnight, withdrew both of her mounts this morning. I have been unable to confirm why, so as soon as I can find out I will update this post. Lillian Heard also had a very scary fall at the “cardiac hill” combination with FYI. It appears that both FYI and Lillian fell over the first drop down, and Lillian was down for quite awhile and eventually transported to the hospital. I spoke with Boyd earlier and he told me that Lillian broke her collarbone and punctured a lung – definitely not the way anyone wants to end their day. FYI is fine and resting. We wish you the speediest of recoveries, Lil!
The CIC2* seemed to suffer a bit from a late onslaught of heavy rain, which caused the cross country to be put on hold for several minutes. I spoke with Erin Sylvester, who had a student riding in this division, and she said the footing definitely deteriorated after the rain, which caused several problems at the end of the day.
Overnight leaders Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett retained their lead with just .4 time added to win the division. Sitting in third aboard her other ride, Landmarks Monte Carlo, Lauren unfortunately had a fall on course. I saw her walking back and although quite muddy she seemed to be ok.
Sally Cousins and the lovely Ideal Contini moved up from fourth to second after show jumping, adding just 2 time to take home the red ribbon this weekend. Tik Maynard and Sapphire also delivered a very solid cross country run, making their way from 12th after dressage to sixth after show jumping and, finally, third overall. Congratulations, Tik! Sinead was here to cheer Tik on today, and her cheering clearly worked!
Tomorrow, competition wraps up in the CCI divisions, beginning with the final horse inspection at 9 am. Check back in the morning for more from the final day of Jersey Fresh!
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The CIC3* rode much better overall than the CCI3* this afternoon. We did not see any double clear rounds in this division and overall saw some more conservative rides. Doug Payne and Erin Sylvester were among the quickest through the course, both coming in with just 10 time penalties to finish 1-2 on the weekend.
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Doug had a fantastic round with Tali and will most certainly be pleased with this lead up to Saumur in just a few weeks. Doug said previously that he was only going to ask for about 80% from Tali, and if that’s what we saw this weekend then it’s definitely scary to think about how exceptional this horse could be in the near future. We’re getting ready to talk with the top finishers momentarily, so I will update this post with video from that as soon as I can.
Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Erin Sylvester was out with a vengeance to make up for a less than ideal weekend at Rolex. She and Bucky were certainly up for the challenge, and they looked positively fierce at the two water questions that I saw them at. I’m sure Erin is over the moon with her weekend, jumping seventh to second to end the weekend.
Lisa Barry and F.I.S. Prince Charming. Photo by Sally Spickard
Unfortunately, Lynn Symansky and Donner fell on the landing side of the corner at 15A, the first trip into the water. Both were quickly on their feet, but this is definitely not the ending to Donner’s first event back since Pau last year that Lynn wanted. It looked like Donner stepped on Lynn on her way down, and I believe Lynn was being evaluated by the medical staff. I will update you with more info as I receive it.
[Update]: According to Lynn’s Facebook page, she did take a trip to the hospital but will be just fine. It’s a big relief to know that if Donner did in fact step on Lynn there was no injury sustained on either end. It does look like Lynn will be unable to ride her CCI2* horse, Osborne 9, which is unfortunate considering the pair were in second after cross country today. Feel better soon, Lynn!
Danny Warrington and Will Smith. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Katie Wherley also fell from Mr. Indiscretion at the water, this time on the landing side of the second water question after a big jump in. Again, both horse and rider seemed to be fine, which is the most important thing to take away from any falls on course today.
Caitlin Silliman clocked in the fastest time of the day, incurring only 6.8 time penalties to move all the way up from 10th after show jumping to fourth overall. Caitlin will certainly be happy to have a great, confidence building round for Hoku this weekend.
I’ve got Doug and Erin’s interviews up below, and you can check out Phillip’s thoughts over on the CCI3* report.
Doug Payne Winning Interview:
Erin Sylvester (broken up into 2 parts, my apologies!):
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Sally Spickard.
It was virtually Badminton 2.0 here at Jersey Fresh, with only half of the starters completing the course when all was said and done. The fortunate part about the morning was that the weather cleared up and we’ve had some wonderful sun and warmth to ensure the footing stayed stable.
Maddy Mazzola and Mojito. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The course started off fairly well, with very few issues popping up. As the division progressed, problems began to crop up, particularly at both water questions (fences 8 and 15AB), as well as fence 6, which was an combination involving a jump over the left side of a coop that was very inviting for runouts.
Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Photo by Sally Spickard.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, overnight leaders Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz elected to retire at the top of the big hill. The announcer indicated that it looked like Mango had run out of steam, so Michael likely made a horseman’s decision and decided to regroup and try again next time. Michael said that Mango’s fitness was the question mark this weekend, and now he knows what to work on going forward. The good news is that Michael was thrilled with how Mango jumped and handled the course overall, and they certainly looked confident through the water when I saw them. Michael was very excited to get Mango out on a CCI track, so I’m sure he is gutted, but they will be back to fight another day.
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Buck Davidson had an up and down day, bringing home both Copper Beech and The Apprentice home with just a bit of time to take second and third going into show jumping tomorrow. Mar de Amor had a runout at fence 6, where Buck decided to call it a day. He also picked up two stops with Petite Flower, although he had one of the best rides through the first water that I’d seen all day with the mare. I did speak with Buck after his rides, and he said that he felt that it was best he save Dinero for another day after his runout. He was also pleased with Flower, and feels the most confident about her show jumping tomorrow. Check out Buck’s interview below for more thoughts on the day.
Sharon White and Under Suspection. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The corner at fence 8A, the first Jersey Shore water question, also rode quite rough all day. The water in the complex is quite deep, and it appeared that many horses lost a good amount of impulsion on the approach, causing them to really have to reach for the corner. Maddy Mazzola and Mojito and Buck Davidson with Petite Flower were my favorite rides through this element today, really giving their horses a forward, positive ride to make quick work of the corner.
Emilee Libby and Nonsensical. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Three pairs turned in double clear rounds: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive, Sharon White and Under Suspection, and Emilee Libby and Nonsensical. Phillip had a really great run with Fernhill Fugitive today, with the horse looking very in front of the leg and rideable as they made the tricky course look easy, easily moving up from sixth after dressage to first going into show jumping.
Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Emilee Libby and “Nonnie” had a rocking good round through the water questions, where I was camped out. Emilee had a huge grin on her face after clearing 15AB with ease, and even with taking the long route at 14 they still came in well under the time.
Sharon White will be absolutely thrilled with Under Suspection, as this was the mare’s first attempt at a CCI3*, making it look like child’s play. Sharon’s fans and supporters were out in full force today, and she got some of the loudest cheers all day.
Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The water complex claimed several victims today. Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek had a scary fall at 14A, and Lizzie was a bit slow to get up but she appeared to be ok, as did Coal Creek. Bobby Meyerhoff also fell from Utah B at the corner at 8A, and while both horse and rider were quite wet they both were up and walked home just fine. Holly Payne fell from Never Outfoxed, and Over Easy jumped over the highest part of the brush at 14B and fell into the water, taking Barbara Crabo with her.
Gina Miles and Jessica Phoenix both retired at the water after picking up refusals – again, the depth of the water may have had some impact on impulsion, and the brushes coming back into the water also proved difficult to get over.
I’ve got lots of video and plenty of photos to fill this post with, so keep checking back. I will have this post completed with all of the media once the CIC3* completes, as well as a report on the CCI2* and CIC3*.
Part of the water complex on course. Fence 21AB on the CIC3* course.
The CIC3* cross country has just kicked off with Jessica Phoenix and A Little Romance. The course took more than its fair share of victims for the CCI3* riders, so here’s hoping the CIC3* riders have a bit better of a go. Refresh this page for updates as they come in!
12:34: Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair have a great trip the second time through the water. The first two riders were about 1 minute over time; conservative riding so far.
12:36: Danny Warrington and Will Smith have a bit of a scary moment at 15A, the corner in the water, but recovered and jumped out clean.
12:45: Katie Wherley and Mr. Indiscretion stumble and fall on the landing into the water at 20B. Both horse and rider are up and appear to be fine.
12:51: Leaders Doug Payne and Crown Talisman make quick work of their first trip through the water.
12:53: Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy have a refusal at fence 7.
12:55: Doug and Crown Talisman turn in the quickest round so far but still add a few time penalties.
1:04: We have yet to see a double clear round. A bit more conservative riding for the CIC3* riders overall.
1:50: Doug Payne and Crown Talisman have won it! Erin Sylvester gets up for 2nd after a great ride on Bucky, Phillip and Shamwari 4 are 3rd. Full report coming soon!
It’s an exciting day around EN today, and Badminton is still taking names as we speak. The CCI2* cross country has just wrapped up at Jersey Fresh, with overnight leaders Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon remaining in the lead.
The CCI3* cross country is set to get underway in about 10 minutes, and I’ll be here with live updates for you. Stay tuned!
11:00: Buck Davidson and The Apprentice are your trailblazers. Looking confident and clear through the two water questions.
11:01: Lauren Kieffer and Lucky Devil have a runout at 6B. Clear at second attempt.
11:06: Buck Davidson and The Apprentice are home clear – 11 seconds over time.
11:10: Lauren Kieffer and Lucky Devil are home with 20 jumping and 10 time.
11:15: Courtney Cooper and a Who’s A Star have a refusal at 15B. Clear on second attempt.
11:15: Sharon White and Under Suspection are the first double clear of the division!
11:26: More than a few riders taking the longer option at 14, the second water. Course seems to be riding well so far.
11:27: Jessica Phoenix and Abbey GS have a refusal at fence 6. Really had to ride through the water to the corner at 8A.
11:29: Jessie and Abbey GS have a refusal at 14A and have elected to retire.
11:32: Holly Payne falls from Never Outfoxed at fence 8A, the corner in the water. Holly looks ok, horse is up and loose.
11:45: Emilee Libby and Nonsensical had a huge jump into the water the second time around at 14B but recovered well and jumped out beautifully. Big grin for Emilee!
11:49: Buck Davidson and Copper Beech are home clear with about 7 time.
11:49: Liz Riley tried her hardest to stay in the tack after a big jump out of the water at 15. Both horse and rider are just fine. Good effort, Liz!
11:52: Emilee Libby are our second double clear for the day! Leaders Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz are on course.
11:46: Barbara Crabo and Over Easy have a refusal at I believe fence 6. Clear on second attempt.
11:58: Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz ran out of steam on the big hill. Michael has decided to retire. Heartbreaking for our leaders.
12:00: Over Easy practically jumped the middle of the brush at 14B and fell into the water. Both were up quickly and are walking home.
12:01: Mackenna Shea and Landioso fell at the double brush at fence 3. Both up and ok.
12:06: Dana Widstrand and Relentless Pursuit have a runout at fence 4B. Clear on the option.
12:12: Dana and Relentless Pursuit pick up another refusal at fence 18. Dana has decided to retire. Looked like Rover was pulling a bit hard on her today.
12:19: Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe had a runout at fence 23.
12:21: Buck and Mar de Amor had a runout at 6 and have called it a day.
12:30: Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive had one of the best rides through the water the second time aroun. Great run for this pair.
12:34: Gina Miles and SVR Ron picked up a stop at 14A and also 15B and put her hand up to retire. Big pats for Ron and big cheers from the crowd for Gina.
12:36: Phillip and Fernhill Fugitibe are the third double clear!
12:40: Maddy Mazzola and Mojito make quick work of both water questions.
12:44: Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek fell at 14A. Lizzie slow to get up but she’s up now.
12:47: Bobby Meyerhoff and Utah B fall at the first water at the corner 8A. Both are up and walking home. Good boy Utah B for staying put!
12:51: Buck and Petite Flower have a refus at 6. This combination catching a lot of riders out today.
12:57: One half of the starters today completed the course. Phillip and Fernhill Fugitive will be the leaders, Buck with Copper Beech and The Apprentice in second and third. Full report to come after the CIC3* completes!
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The rails were falling this morning in the CIC3* show jumping, and only five riders were able to turn in double clear rounds. I would chalk much of the misfortune up to fresh horses, and some rounds were positively lovely until the last two fences were knocked with the front legs. The course definitely rewarded forward riding, and riders who maintained a good rhythm, particularly through the related distances and combinations, were rewarded with clear rounds.
Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman added nothing to their overnight dressage score of 42.0 to remain in the lead going into show jumping later this afternoon. Tali adds polished show jumper to his record and we are looking forward to seeing him eat up cross country later on today.
Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Second place after dressage, Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4 had an unfortunate pair of rails down to drop them down to fourth place. Lynn Symansky and Donner were the first to go this morning, and while Donner definitely looked full of himself, Lynn kept a firm lid on him and was handsomely rewarded with a double clear round to kick off the day. Lynn said yesterday that she knows Donner does better on a three-day format, but her hard work to prepare for this event certainly paid off. This pair moved from sixth to second after show jumping.
Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Third place combination Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere had two rails down this morning. Boyd definitely looked to be grimacing through some pain, but he will hopefully be more fully recovered by the time he goes to Waredaca, the final prep before Luhmuhlen. Meanwhile, Erin Sylvester, the last to go, had a lovely double clear ride with No Boundaries, which will move them up to third place behind Doug and Lynn.
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star also had a lovely round, knocking just two rails down with a couple of bobbles to come home with 8 penalties to add on. Hoku definitely has had some show jumping demons in the past, and Caitlin seems to be doing a commendable job of keeping the mare’s confidence up.
Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Dom Schramm and Cold Harbor had a cracking good round this morning, producing a double clear that had Dom pumping his fist and giving Cold Harbor a huge pat after the last. Well done, Dom!
Dom Schramm and Cold Harbor. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The CCI2* cross country has just gotten underway, so we’ve got a full day ahead of us. Unfortunately, I heard over the loudspeaker that Lillian Heard and FYI fell this morning at the first element of the massive hill combination. Lillian was down for several minutes and was eventually taken off the field with the medical team. I will post more updates on Lillian as they come in. FYI was on his feet and appeared to be OK, according to the announcer.
[Update]: I’ve just gotten word that Lillian is conscious and talking with some pain. She is being taken in for further evaluation. Best wishes, Lillian!
Tipperary rider Peter Atkins signs an autograph after his Badminton dressage test. Photo via Run Henny Run on Facebook.
It’s cross country day! World class athletes will be taking to the galloping lanes all over EN, including Badminton. As we all know by now, Clark Montgomery has a firm hold on the lead, the first time an American has led after dressage at a European four-star since Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville accomplished that at Burghley in 2012.. I’m sure David O’Connor was doing a happy dance last night, as he should be.
Here in Jersey, the CCI and CIC divisions will run cross country today, with the CIC divisions show jumping in the morning. It’s set to be an exciting day, and the weather forecast doesn’t look spectacular for either event, so here’s to safe rides and exciting results. Let’s get this started!
Lauren Kieffer and Lucky Devil. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Lauren Kieffer barely had time to take in her newly crowned title of USEF National Champion at Rolex with Jersey Fresh coming up so fast. Lauren brought three horses with her to Jersey this weekend, Lucky Devil in the CCI3* and Meadowbrook’s Scar and Landmarks Monte Carlo in the CIC2*.
So far this weekend, Lauren is having a great run. Lucky Devil currently sits in 15th in the CCI3* with plenty of room to move up over the next two days. In the CIC2*, Lauren is 1-2 after dressage with Meadowbrook’s Star and Landmarks Monte Carlo. While I was sadly unable to view any of the CIC2* dressage, I will certainly be excited to catch some of the action as the CIC divisions wrap up tomorrow.
I caught up with Lauren for just a moment before the riders’ party began, and she told me a bit about how her weekend is going so far. Best of luck for the rest of the weekend, Lauren!
Fence 23 ABC on the CCI3* course. Photo by Sally Spickard.
There’s plenty of action coming down the pipe tomorrow on the cross country course at Jersey Fresh. While there is also a CCI2* and both CIC2* and CIC3* running as well, I was only able to grab full course photos of the CCI3*. John Williams has done a marvelous job utilizing the terrain at this facility, and it’s definitely safe to say (and perhaps even an understatement) that the course will test horse and rider fitness across all levels.
There is plenty to do for the entirety of the CCI3* course, and the technical questions really never stop coming. John has ensured that there are plenty of breather-type fences scattered about to give the riders time to catch their breath, but before you know it there’s another combination coming your way.
I was also able to walk the portions of the CIC3* course that are shared with the CCI3* with Dom and Jimmie Schramm, so you might find their commentary on various combinations helpful. The videos are slowly but surely uploading, so check back on this post for those.
Particularly interesting to me is fence 23ABC, which is a quite frightening (to me) drop down to two angled rolltops. While Dom and Jimmie didn’t seem nearly as concerned on our course walk as I was about this question, there is no doubt that this will require 110% accuracy, especially if the rain comes down as hard as it’s supposed to tonight which will cause the footing on the approach to deteriorate. Be sure to check out my video of Dom and Jimmie’s commentary on this question, which will almost certainly ride differently between the CCI and CIC divisions. The combination comes near the end of the course on the CCI and at the beginning in the CIC, so it will be very interesting to see how differently it rides throughout the day.
Many, many thanks to Lisa Mackintosh, the press officer here at Jersey, who has been a complete angel all weekend and even volunteered to drive both myself and the Chronicle of the Horse reporters around the course to save us from the physical exertion today. I must admit, though, I did not feel quite as bad about the sad state of my fitness after talking to Lauren Kieffer and hearing her remark that the big hill on course had her practically on her hands and knees!
Dom and Jimmie’s commentary on the first water question:
Dom and Jimmie at Fence 12:
Side note: I apologize for not grabbing a photo of the first fence. I was too busy enthralling myself with my terrible videography skills to notice that we’d already started.
Part of the water complex on course. Fence 21AB on the CIC3* course.
Fence 23 ABC on the CCI3* course. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The CIC3* dressage has just wrapped up here at Jersey Fresh, and Doug Payne and Crown Talisman find themselves atop the leaderboard after scoring a 42.0. Tali, as we know, is a wonderful dressage horse who is more than capable of being competitive on the flat. The pair had a minor bobble in the first canter serpentine, where Doug said he felt he softened a bit too much, allowing Tali to change leads. Aside from that, though, the judges were impressed and awarded Tali the winning score. Check out the video before for Doug’s thoughts on today; he feels great about this weekend being a prep for his trip to the CCI3* at Saumur next month.
Phillip Dutton and Shamwari 4. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Phillip Dutton is riding Shamwari 4 for Boyd this weekend and, true to Dutton form, piloted Shammie into second place on a 43.4. Shamwari certainly looks every bit the top horse that he is, and his test was truly professional and polished. While Boyd is certainly disappointed that he wasn’t back in top form in time to ride Shammie himself, who better to trust than Phillip to get your horse around?
Jessie Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti came out swinging with a lovely test. Pavarotti looks to be in tip-top shape and Jessie did a great job of riding a forward and accurate test to come into fifth place on a 49.6.
Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Lynn Symansky and Donner, the Flying Deer, also came to play today. When I saw Donner at Rolex, he hadn’t quite figured out that he was only there for the dressage and I’m sure he wasn’t too happy when he figured out he wouldn’t be attacking the cross country that weekend. Never fear though, Donner, your time has come this weekend! Lynn and Donner scored a 50.0 to take sixth place going into the next two phases.
Erin Sylvester and No Boundaries. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Erin Sylvester was the last to go today, and she and Bucky once again showed their improvement in this phase, earning a 50.6 to go into seventh places. This pair will certainly be riding with a vengeance this weekend, and it’s great to see them competing here after a scary fall at Rolex left them no worse for the wear.
Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Katy Groesbeck, a recent West Coast transplant, also put in a solid effort with Oz the Tin Man, scoring 52.0 for eighth place. I last saw Katy in Texas at the American Eventing Championships, and I know she and Wort are more than capable of putting in a great dressage score. While Katy said that she hasn’t had the most shining of records since she moved East, she and Wort are still learning and putting the pieces together as they experience many new events together. I’m fully confident that this pair will remain in contention throughout the jumping phases.
Jimmie Schramm and Bellamy. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Jimmie Schramm was thrilled to have had a great showing with Bellamy today, with the judges giving them a 54.4 to go into ninth place overnight. Jimmie has had a less than ideal spring prep with Bellamy, but these two are more than ready to break out and compete this weekend. Dom and Jimmie have a great support system between the two of them, and Dom made sure everyone could hear his support after Jimmie did her final salute today.
Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Our top 10 is rounded out by Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star, who rode a relaxed test to score a 54.8. This pair is another that re-routed after an early end to their Rolex trip, and Caitlin will likely be using this weekend to get a positive experience for Hoku in preparation for the rest of the season.
I’m about to head out to grab some photos from the CCI3* cross country course, so check back soon for a course preview. In the meantime, here are some ride videos and interviews to keep you entertained.
Also, a quick shout-out to Silva Martin, who is here supporting Boyd and coaching a few students before their dressage tests. Silva looks great, and it’s a delight to see her out and about again.
While I’m here, I must give a big shout-out to the organizers and officials here at the Horse Park of New Jersey. Everything is running smoothly, and I am happy as a clam with quick Wi-Fi and hot food. Go Jersey.
[Update]: I spoke with Ronald Zabala-Goetschel for a few minutes today. Ron withdrew both of his mounts, Wise Master Rose and Mr. Wiseguy, from competition this weekend. Unfortunately, Ron has been battling the after effects of a head injury, and has found that riding is still quite difficult for him.
While he wanted to qualify for WEG this year representing Ecuador, he has decided to take more time off and focus on his breeding program while he continues to heal. The prognosis is positive, but he still needs more time. “I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to my horses,” Ron said today. “Keeping them safe is my biggest priority.” Mr. Wiseguy also had a scary bout of colic last night, so that was the major contributing factor to Ron withdrawing the horse today. Best wishes to Ron and his continued recovery!
Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Boyd and Otis Barbotiere were the first in the ring this morning in the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh. This is Boyd’s first competition back since breaking his leg, and the pair looked none the worse for wear as Otis put down a lovely and fluid test to score a 44.2 for the early lead. Boyd told me yesterday that he plans to just ride the dressage and show jumping this weekend to give his leg a rest, and I’m sure he will be riding through some discomfort in the show jumping tomorrow.
Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Maya Black and Doesn’t Play Fair also enjoyed a great test this morning, and even with a couple of slight bobbles the judges rewarded this pair with a 48.6 for second place.
Danny Warrington and Will Smith. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Danny Warrington and the striking Will Smith, a tall, nearly black Hanoverian gelding, laid down quite an expressive test, earning a 56.4 for third place early on. This horse is a very flashy mover, and Danny just moved the horse up to Advanced this year, with this event being its CIC3* debut.
Dom Schramm and Cold Harbor. Photo by Sally Spickard.
I was riding along with Dom Schramm and Cold Harbor this morning, as Dom rode every inch of the ring to squeeze out every point possible on a tense horse. Cold Harbor got a big pat from Dom at the end of their test, and I’m sure this horse will be itching to get out jumping as soon as possible.
We’re on the first of two breaks in the CIC3*, and Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man will kick us back off in just a few minutes. Stay tuned for more from Jersey!
Team FLAIR rider Buck Davidson and Petite Flower at Jersey Fresh. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Good morning from New Jersey! It’s a whirlwind of a weekend across Eventing Nation as well as across the pond. Badminton is in full swing, and the second half of the dressage riders will look to challenge overnight leaders Paul Tapner and Kilronan today. Francis Whittington and Easy Target and Lucinda Fredericks and Flying Finish bring up the rest of the top three, but I’m sure there will be plenty of challenges today as dressage wraps up. Jenni will be bringing you updates from England, and meanwhile I am here at Jersey Fresh ready to tackle the CIC division dressage today. Boyd Martin will kick things off with Otis Barbotiere, who he said yesterday he will just be doing the dressage and show jumping with as he is still getting back into jumping after breaking his leg at Carolina International.
Are you planning to attend cross country day at Jersey tomorrow? If so, brush up on your eventing trivia, as you might be picked for a rapid-fire round of EN-style trivia to win a pretty cool prize! Keep an eye on our social media pages for more details.
If you watched this year’s Grand National, you remember the crazy false start that happened. The British Racing Authority will be launching an inquiry into the actions taken by the jockeys, who lined up at the start before being instructed to. The stewards’ inquiry was not resolved on race day, so the matter was turned over to higher authorities. [Grand National Race Start Investigated]
China’s equestrian scene is rapidly growing. To that end, the China Equestrian Association is making strides to improve the racing and equestrian industry and make it more popular in the country. Challenges include a lack of qualified veterinarians and well-equipped facilities, but these things are on the table to undergo improvement. [China Equestrian Scene Improving]
Taking the trip to Badminton this year?Horse & Hound has some great tips for visitors this year. I’m mostly disappointed to be missing out on all of the shopping, but there’s always next year. My wallet probably needs a break after Rolex anyway. [8 Badminton Visitor Tips]
As if there wasn’t enough excitement to be had right now, Burghley tickets have gone on sale. Held September 4-7 this year, this event is yet another four-star that is a must-see on everyone’s bucket list. The Capt. Mark Phillips designed cross country course is one of the world’s most challenging, and even though this year’s event comes shortly after WEG, plenty of pairs will still be aiming here as their destination fall event. [Burghley Tickets On Sale]
Friday Video:
Check out this awesome video on the evolving nature of the water jump
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].
Meghan O'Donoghue and Pirate at Rolex. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Did you guess our featured horse this week? Thanks to the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program, we’ve got another ex-racehorse’s foal photos to show off. The little bundle of adorable pictured below is none other than Meghan O’Donoghue’s Pirate!
Who would’ve thought? What future superstar is pictured?
Many thanks to TIP for allowing us to use these photos, and thanks for playing!
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.
Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz have certainly built a reputation for laying down some phenomenal dressage tests, and today was no different as the pair put in a 41.6 to take a hold of the lead from Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Mango positively floated through the movements during his test, and Michael was thrilled with his performance and his position going into cross country on Saturday. This is Mango’s first attempt at the CCI3* level, as he has been the victim of unfortunate luck in the past and has become a seasoned Advanced campaigner in the meantime. Michael is looking forward to cross country as a test of Mango’s fitness but feels he has built the horse up well coming into the weekend. Be sure to check out the video below for Michael’s thoughts on today.
Buck Davidson and Mar de Amor. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Buck Davidson deserves a standing ovation for not only wrangling four horses around the sandbox today but also for bringing them all home inside the top 8. His last ride of the day, Petite Flower, earned a 49.0 to slide into 8th place going into cross country. Buck rode each horse to the best of its talents, and while Mar de Amor showed the most tension out of the four, all of his rides really showed off their strength in this phase. Buck said that he thought perhaps Dinero got his tongue over the bit prior to the test, so that was likely the reason behind some uncharacteristic tension in his test.
Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Mackenna Shea, one of the West Coast representatives riding this weekend, stepped up with a lovely test from Landioso, who scored a 45.4 to step into fourth place behind Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star. Their score today beats their score of 46.7 last year, and I’d say Mackenna’s weekend is off to a rocking start after watching their effortless ride.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive displayed some of the best changes we saw today and overall put together a good looking test for a 47.4 and 6th place after dressage. Lizzie Snow also had a wonderful ride on Coal Creek, although their score likely suffered a bit from Coal Creek’s excitement to get up center line and get the test over with.
Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Allison Springer and Copycat Chloe were perhaps the most relaxed I’ve seen them this year. This pair is out for redemption after cutting their Rolex weekend a bit short. Chloe and Allison have worked exceptionally hard to really hone in on those dressage skills, and if anyone knows how to ride a tough horse, it’s definitely Allison. The pair earned a 54.2 to sit just outside of the top 10 in 11th place.
We’ve had just one withdrawal today: Darren Chiacchia and Amendment 15 withdrew and did not compete today.
Tomorrow, we’ve got the CIC divisions beginning competition, with Boyd and Otis Barbotiere kicking things off at 8:30 am. I spoke with Boyd briefly earlier, and he told me that he plans to ride the dressage and show jumping with Otis and have Phillip take Shamwari 4 around. Boyd is still trying to get his sea legs back and has been having a bit of discomfort jumping, so he thought it best to ease back into things this weekend.
I’ve got more videos and interviews coming your way, so refresh this post to see the latest. Stay tuned for much more!
Courtney Cooper Post-Dressage Interview (side note: I apologize for the fact that I am unable to keep my facts straight when referring to R Star’s competition plans this weekend!):
Buck Davidson and Copper Beech. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The CCI3* dressage has just kicked off here at Jersey Fresh, and the first nine horses have put in their tests to complete about a third of the division. Buck Davidson was the first rider in with The Apprentice, who laid down a superb test to put in for the lead on a 47.0. Buck’s lead didn’t last long, however, as Courtney Cooper and her homebred, Who’s A Star, waltzed in with a wonderful test to take early command on a 44.6.
Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Buck’s second ride of the day, Copper Beech, was the last to go before the first break, and the 2006 Irish gelding, “Sean”, laid down the relaxed and expressive dressage test we’ve gotten used to seeing. With that ride, Buck has taken over the lead with a 43.2 and will sit happily in first and third going into the break.
Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The scoring in the CCI3* is proving to be similar to that in the CCI2*, with moments of brilliance and, above all, relaxation, being rewarded the most generously. Kurt Martin, Caroline Martin, and Holly Payne all dealt with some tension from their respective horses, with Never Outfoxed misbehaving the most for Holly. Holly rode like a true professional, doing her best to keep a tight lid on her horse, who definitely would have rather been running cross country today. We do, however, know that all of these horses are more than capable of running and jumping, so the next two phases should prove to be influential.
Sharon White and Under Suspection. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Sharon White’s lovely mare, Under Suspection, is making her CCI3* debut this weekend and currently lie in fourth place on a 52.8. This mare is a fantastic mover, and while this score is a bit higher than her fourth-place score at Fair Hill last month I’m sure she will be pleased with this effort today.
We’re on the first of two breaks for the CCI3* today, and there are still plenty of heavy hitters to challenge Buck for the lead, including Michael Pollard with Ballingowan Pizazz and Buck Davidson with both Mar de Amor and Petite Flower. Go Jersey.
Emily Beshear and Shame On the Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.
It’s a dreary day here in New Jersey for the Jersey Fresh International Horse Trials, but there has been some fantastic dressage to watch while we try to stay warm. The top 5 are tightly bunched with a mere 5.9 points separating them currently. Emily Beshear and the lovely mare Shame On the Moon came out on top after putting in a lovely test that this mare is capable of. Emily thought she left a few points off the board due to the sloppy footing, but the test still pleased the judges enough to score a 43.9.
Kristen Bond and Seams Ready. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Kristen Bond’s second ride of the day, Seams Ready, came with a late run to take over second place from Lynn Symansky after scoring a 45.0. Seams Ready is a fantastic mover, and the judges were definitely drawn to the bigger movers in the class. Kristen gave a big thumbs up when she exited the arena with a big smile.
Lynn Symansky and Osborne 9. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Lynn Symansky and Osborne 9, who is making his CCI2* debut, also impressed with some really lovely movement to score a 45.4. This horse exhibits some brilliance that makes him an exciting horse for the future for Lynn, who did a great job keeping the dark bay gelding under wraps.
Alyssa Peterson and Music Man II. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Alyssa Peterson and Music Man II also had a commendable ride, scoring a 48.7 for 4th place overnight. Music Man II is a big, lanky gelding and Alyssa does a wonderful job of keeping all of his moving parts working together. The pair had a lovely, quiet test and will be pleased with this test in their CCI2* debut.
Victoria Jessop and Desert Mystery. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Great Britain’s Victoria Jessop rounds out the top 5 with Desert Mystery. Victoria rode with a big grin throughout her time in the arena, and the lovely Desert Mystery really put forth a great effort to break into the 40s with a 49.8. Victoria has brought Desert Mystery up through the levels, beginning their career together at Novice in 2009, and this is also the horse’s CCI2* debut.
Justine Dutton and Huck Finn. Photo by Sally Spickard.
I must also give a nod to “the other Dutton,” Justine Dutton, and Huck Finn, who scored a 53.5 for 11th place after putting in an accurate test. Justine previously submitted the story of her and Huck to EN earlier this year, and it was a pleasure to see her lovely ride this morning.
The CCI3* is set to begin dressage in about an hour, and it’s slowly but surely warming up as the day gets older. Stay tuned for much more from Jersey Fresh.
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 would've thought? What future superstar is pictured?
We’ve got another dose of adorable for you today, EN. I can’t say too much about this horse without giving the answer away, so we’ll just suffice to say that this is one powerhouse of an event horse. Who knew this little foal was destined for such greatness?
We can’t even deal with the cute.
What are you thinking this week? Can you guess the popular event horse pictured? Post your guesses below. Happy guessing!
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.
A few weeks ago, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials cross country course was unveiled in a detailed video with course designer Giuseppe della Chiesa’s comments on his vision for this year. The Badminton Facebook page also unveiled a 3D fly through video, which really gives viewers and idea for how the course will flow. Who’s getting excited?
Collegiate eventing is a growing sport among college athletes, offering an alternative to the traditional hunter/jumper, saddleseat and western options typically seen in athletic programs. We recently spoke with Hannah Forte, who is a member of the University of Kentucky Dressage and Eventing team. Do you have a tip about a college team? Email [email protected].
Photo via the UK Dressage and Eventing Team Facebook page.
From Hannah:
The UK Eventing Team was founded in 2005.-The University does recognize the Eventing Team as a club, but all of our funding comes from our own fundraisers and donations. The team is constantly working on fundraisers. Currently, fundraisers include t-shirt sales, auctions, and raffles. We can often be found volunteering at horse park events as well as Rolex (a huge perk of going to UK).
We currently have 48 members on the eventing team. We do not require team members to have their own horses, and try to create events that everyone can participate in, such as team bonding experiences and opportunities to send a large amount of “grooms” to shows and clinics to help. In addition to unmounted team involvement, we work very hard to find rides so everyone can participate in clinics and Intercollegiate Eventing League (IEL) competition. Our team goes far beyond just competing; we spend a lot of time in and out of the barn together!
Our members are based all over the Lexington area. A large portion of the girls are located at Cathy Weischoff’s Carriage Station Farm. While we do not have a regular trainer, we are very involved with our local dressage expert Reese Koffler-Stanfield. We also recently held a clinic with Allie Knowles at her farm in Paris, Kentucky and we are hoping to have even more opportunities to ride with her.
Primarily the team competes at IEL competitions including the fledgling event at FENCE last April, and we competed at FENCE again this year. We also sent a team to the IEL competition at Chatt Hills, and another to the Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park.
We don’t have any sponsors, but we do have lots of amazing support and donations. We have a great network of people backing us, and we are always looking to make new connections.
Fun fact: We are actually most notably known for our sledjoring team. Unfortunately, lack of snow has slowed our progress this season.
We can be found on Facebook! Go UK Eventing and Dressage.
Sinead Halpin and the talented pony mare, Forrest Nymph, have been working hard to forge a partnership together since Sinead took over the ride last fall. This past weekend, Sinead successfully moved “Farrah” up to Intermediate at MCTA, where she produced two clear jumping rounds to finish 7th overall. Congratulations to Sinead, Black Dog Farm, and Farrah!
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EN isn’t just your leading source for eventing news, results and commentary; it’s a community where fans of this crazy sport come together to share their war stories. We love hearing from readers and, in turn, sharing your thoughts with the world. All reader submissions are eligible for the Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month in which they are published. All winners will receive an Omega Alpha supplement of their choosing. Have something to share with EN? Send it to us at [email protected]!
Matt Brown and Aida at Woodside. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
We would like to send a big chinchilla congratulations to Sherri Harvey, whose story, “Matt Brown and East-West Training Concepts”, has been selected as our Omega Alpha Reader Submission of the Month for April.
“Because of the continued dedication to his philosophy, his hard work, continuous self-evaluation, and help and support from Cecily, winning happened. What you put out to the universe comes back to you. I am honored to know Matt Brown. Where will his journey take him? Stay tuned to find out.”
Sherri will receive a free supply of an Omega Alpha supplement of her choosing. Want to win an Omega Alpha supplement? Send in your story, clinic report, video or other article to [email protected]. If it’s published this month, it will be eligible for May’s giveaway. (Month to be determined by date of publishing, not date of submission.) Many thanks to Sherri for writing and to Omega Alpha for supporting Eventing Nation. Go eventing!
Here are a few of our other favorite reader submissions from April:
“While much of the eventing world was focused on The Fork this past weekend, collegiate eventing took center stage at the Chattahoochee Hills April Horse Trials. Five colleges: University of Georgia, Auburn University, University of Alabama, Clemson University, and the University of North Georgia, made up nine teams consisting of 32 riders who competed over the weekend.”
“While I feel like my horse is more fit earlier this year, we haven’t really jumped all winter so I was thrilled with him. He really didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend, allowing me to make the most of our time with Jim. It was such a great experience, and I love Jim’s teaching style. He worked as hard as I did to get the best out of us, and I hope I’ll have another opportunity to ride with him soon!”
” Every time we shows he puts his bog boy pants on and gives me his best. His vibrant personality makes him a great jumper who is wonderfully bold and really “attacks” the jumps. Each time we go out he gets better, bolder and learns something new. Of all the Arabians and Thoroughbreds I have ridden his is smarter, hotter, more athletic, and more energetic than any of them and I believe he will have a great career in front if him.”
