EN TRENDS:

Articles Written 4,385

Article Views 10,828,515

Sally Spickard

Achievements

Become an Eventing Nation Blogger

About Sally Spickard

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

Latest Articles Written

Manufacturer of Relax Pro Responds to Recent FEI Tribunal Decision at Paris Olympics

By Sally Spickard on Mar 20, 2025 9:30 am -

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

A recent FEI Tribunal decision surrounding an equine anti-doping case with Belgian Olympic eventer Tine Magnus and her horse, Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, resulted in the tracing of the substance in question, trazadone, to the supplement Relax Pro – Global Medics – Equine Care Group. Tine has denied the allegations from the outset and vowed to investigate the matter alongside her team. A provisional suspension was issued by the FEI pending a Tribunal outcome, which was made formal in February of 2025.

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

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

In the wake of this decision and subsequent settlement, the manufacturers of Relax Pro have released the following statement. It is printed in full below:

It was recently announced that a batch of Relax Pro contaminated with Trazodone led to a positive doping test for the horse Dia van het Lichterveld Z, ridden by Belgian eventing athlete Tine Magnus during the Olympic Games in Paris.

We deeply regret this incident—for Tine Magnus, for the entire Belgian eventing team, and for the equestrian sport as a whole. This is not a case of deliberate doping aimed at enhancing performance but rather an unfortunate case of contamination. As soon as thorough research confirmed that a batch of Relax Pro contained traces of Trazodone, Global Medics transparently communicated this objective information on its official website, pending further in-depth investigation.

Immediate Measures Taken

Although this situation is beyond our control, we take it extremely seriously and have taken immediate responsibility by implementing the following measures:

• As a precaution, the affected batches (24D02CA en CA/23J31) were immediately withdrawn from the market. If you, as an end user, still have Relax Pro in your possession with the mentioned batch numbers, please contact Global Medics immediately regarding the product return. We emphasize that at no point was there any risk to equine health, as this was an accidental contamination with an extremely low concentration and thus a clinically irrelevant dose of Trazodone. We can also confirm with certainty that all newly produced products are completely free of this contamination.
• Our production is outsourced to the external manufacturer UTB, while Global Medics focuses on product development, innovation, and distribution. UTB is a respected Belgian producer of nutritional supplements for both human and veterinary use, supplying not only Global Medics but also numerous other equine supplement distributors.
• Global Medics has appointed a legal expert to conduct an objective and legally sound investigation into the exact origin of the contamination in the specific batch of Relax Pro. Current findings indicate that the contamination occurred at the production level, resulting from a contaminated magnesium raw material sourced from Spain. This tainted magnesium, used by UTB in the production of Relax Pro, contained traces of Trazodone. Investigations are still ongoing to determine exactly how this occurred.

Commitment to Quality and Safety

For nearly 30 years, Global Medics has been committed to providing high-quality supplements to support equine health, with a worldwide distribution network. Throughout these three decades, this is the first time we have faced a positive doping test.

While Tine Magnus is undoubtedly the greatest victim of this situation, Global Medics has also suffered significant reputational and business damage. We emphatically state that Trazodone was never intentionally added to our products, contrary to some insinuations in equestrian media and on social platforms. This contamination occurred entirely outside of our control, at the raw material supplier level.

A Broader Issue in the Industry

This incident raises an important question: how can supplement distributors and riders protect themselves from unforeseen contaminations of this nature? It is concerning and disappointing that, in such crisis situations, there is not more unity and understanding within the industry to support Tine Magnus and collectively seek solutions for the future.

We remain fully committed to transparency, innovation, and the highest standards of quality.

In the meantime, we are allowing the experts to complete their investigation, and once the legal inquiry is concluded, we will share the full, objective story.

Lifestyles of the Fast & Fearless: Jennie Brannigan & FE Lifestyle Win SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

By Sally Spickard on Mar 15, 2025 11:30 pm -

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Sally Spickard.

It proved to be a quintessential cross country day today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International (Raeford, NC), with immaculate conditions providing the perfect canvas on which to roll out the stories of the day. We were all keen to see how Derek di Grazia’s refreshed track would fare after he took over the reins from the legend himself, Ian Stark, who had been the designer in residence for the top levels at Carolina for the better part of a decade.

What we heard from the riders over the weekend was that Derek had laid out “plenty to do”, but in a way that they believed the horses would read and respond well to each question asked. As a general rule, Derek has the trust of the riders who take on his designs, and he’s widely respected for the subtle nuance and insistence that riders ride well and accurately that permeates his style.

And what a treat it was to watch the course debut in full. While it caused its fair share of influence, the cross country today was overall a display of strong riding and horses finishing confidently, leaving the riders feeling good about the next step on their spring calendars, wherever that may be.

It would not be a day for a third consecutive wire-to-wire victory in the Sandy River Equestrian Center CCI4*-S. Overnight leader, New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, ran into early trouble on course with Artist at fence 9C, a tricky corner on a tough line from a brush arrowhead at 9B. Monica and Artist unfortunately knocked the MIM-pinned rail at this question, resulting in 11 costly penalties. From there, Monica opted to cruise around to tick off her primary goal of boosting Artist’s confidence in his final major prep before Kentucky, and she finished clear from that point on.

Photo by Sally Spickard.

This opened the door for a rider who had already turned in a fast clear round to step up onto the top spot on the podium, and that rider was Jennie Brannigan, who piloted Tim and Nina Gardner’s FE Lifestyle (Leo von Faelz – Berina A, by Brandenburger) to the win on a final score of 40.3. Jennie had been in second behind Monica going into cross country today, and earns her first 4* win here at Carolina and her 12th win at the level in her career. They finish the weekend on a score of 40.3.

“It means a lot,” Jennie reflected. “I think it’s really easy to just move on to the next thing when you do well, always looking ahead. And while it’s important to keep the big picture in mind, it’s just as important to celebrate the moments when things go right. Finding that balance is hard.”

It wasn’t so long ago that Jennie experienced a big down weekend at this event. In 2019, Jennie brought FE Lifestyle to Carolina to contest his first 4*. Midway through the cross country, at the coffin complex, Jennie fell from “Foxy”, causing her to break several bones in her face and lose a few teeth.

“It’s been such a journey with this horse,” she said. “I broke my face at this venue riding him, and now, to be here, with Annie Eldrige’s support [Jennie has been basing at Annie’s farm leading up to this event] — it’s a full-circle moment. To be honest, I’ve been working so much and I’m so exhausted that it’ll probably take a few days for it all to sink in. But this horse deserves it. He’s phenomenal. He’s just pure joy to ride, and I’m so happy that the flatwork is coming along.”

“We’ve had him since he was a baby,” FE Lifestyle’s owner, Nina Gardner, said. “And he’s been a real project in terms of his development. I feel so invested in him because I’ve always seen this incredible potential, but he has a way of reminding you of his quirks when you least need them. So, it’s really nice to see it all come together today. Hopefully, he’s growing out of some of those adolescent moments!”

For Jennie though, the win is, yes, worth celebrating — but she’s the most proud of her riding this weekend.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carolina International CCI and HT (@carolinainternationalcci)

“I really believe that being a good horseman and being a strong competitor should go hand in hand,” she told us. “My goal with all of my horses was just to ride well, and so I tried to not get just caught up in [being a] champion. I wanted to be a good horseman, and that means the world to me. Winning used to mean the world to me, and I think being a horseman means a ton, so obviously it’s pleasing when you can ride well, be a good horseman, and be competitive. In the past, I would have just gone flat out and not ridden well, and now that doesn’t mean as much to me as winning because you’re riding well, not just because you’re willing to go the fastest.”

Jennie now looks ahead to Badminton, which is her top choice on where to take the 15-year-old DSP gelding. This would be his eighth 5* start; he’s completed Burghley twice, finishing as high as 12th, and placed as high as fifth at Maryland 5 Star.

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

Second-placed Waylon Roberts (CAN) has had a circuitous path to this point in the season with the astonishing mare OKE Ruby R (Namelus R – B. Termie R 6, by Germus R), who is owned by John and Michelle Koppin. Waylon and “Ruby” finished on the podium in the MARS Bromont 4*-L last year, but shortly after, Waylon and his team made the decision to pull the mare from competition for a few months to give them time to build her body condition and fitness up.

“It was mostly about her body condition,” he explained. “I just felt like she didn’t have enough flesh on her—she looked too lean. And if I kept running her at this level and pushing her without addressing that, it wasn’t going to be sustainable. She’s an internal worrier, one of those horses who probably burns calories just standing still. She’s super intelligent, always thinking. She knows where every other horse on the property is at all times -— she’s like a mama bear, always watching over everyone else but not necessarily thinking about eating when she should. So, we pulled her out of competition, took the pressure off, and let her reset. And this year, she’s come back more confident in herself.”

In addition, Ruby was diagnosed with EPM over the winter, and thanks to the dedicated efforts of Waylon’s vet in Aiken, SC, Dr. Tom Wendel, Ruby eventually was back to feeling herself again.

This season, she’s come out right where she left off, earning one of two clears inside the time on cross country at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase in Bruce’s Field earlier this month and then finishing nearly on her dressage score this weekend at Carolina, moving all the way up from 23rd after dressage on a final mark of 42.1.

“For me, this was a bit of a fact-finding mission,” Waylon said of this weekend. “So this was really our first test of her fitness and conditioning since last August. I always have to set a good pace with her because that’s just what she and I like. And she answered everything I asked of her today. There were a few moments of seat-of-the-pants riding, which, honestly, is just a bit of our style.”

For Waylon — and for all of us — the big takeaway from this process is the importance of trusting your gut and listening to your horse. “That’s where experience comes in. You have to trust your gut. Even though everything seemed to be going well, I knew we weren’t at 100%. She finished second in the Bromont 4*-L, which was my personal best performance ever, but results don’t always tell the whole story.”

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Also earning a spot on the podium are Allison Springer with Nancy Winter’s No May Moon (Catherston Dazzler – Ebony Moon, by Mystic Replica), the feisty MARS Bromont CCI4*-L winner from 2024. This diminutive Connemara/Thoroughbred mare, called “Mayzie” in the barn, is anything but in personality and athleticism, and she too enjoyed a steady climb up the board after starting the weekend in 12th.

“I just feel incredibly blessed to have such an amazing mare and to have Nancy Winter in my life,” Allison said. “She’s believed in me since I was a kid, and now this little mare is making dreams come true for both of us. She was just massive — so, so good.”

“I thought it was a great course,” Allison said of Derek di Grazia’s design today. “There were certainly a few things I wondered about, but I have so much confidence, not just in my mare, but also in Derek as a course designer. He’s such a gifted designer, and I’m incredibly grateful to this entire organizing committee for putting on such a class event. For a horse like Maizie, who’s only been at this level for about a year, the thing that makes her such a great cross country horse is getting to run great courses at top competitions like this.”

It’s a special story for Allison and Nancy, who have been partnered together over horses for many years. Nancy herself is a big fan of the Connemara breed. “We wanted to try a Connemara sport horse type, but I don’t know much about breeding,” Allison elaborated. “I happened to see on Facebook that someone in the U.S. had some semen from Catherston Dazzler, and I thought, ‘That stallion has produced a lot of top horses.’ Of course, Nancy knows everyone, and she had a connection to the breeder. So we gave it a shot, and that’s how we got Maisie. Her full brother, Crystal Crescent Moon, is now going Intermediate — he’ll go cross country in the morning tomorrow, and he’s just fabulous.”

Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach Z. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Ema Klugman and the Bronte Beach Syndicate’s Bronte Beach Z (Verdi TN – Dalphine, by Chopin) stamped their ticket to Kentucky with a strong prep and a fourth place finish today on a score of 45.1. For Ema, who’s a full-time attorney in Washington D.C., the process of laying out her season necessitates a different strategy from other pro riders — there’s only so much PTO to go around for a season.

“So we really needed this weekend to go well!” Ema laughed. “I work full-time, so I can’t just take another week off to go and do another FEI event.

“She’s a warmblood, so she’s not the fastest horse in the world, but we wanted to give her a good fitness run while staying competitive without taking unnecessary risks,” Ema continued. “It would be silly to have something go wrong here just because I was pushing for speed. I think we struck the balance well—she cooled out in five minutes, so it didn’t take much out of her. She loves her job. I’ve had her since she was five, so it’s really fun to see her at this stage.”

Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Fifth on the weekend were Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel and her own Bacyrouge (Mylord Carthago – Lelia, by Clyde de la Combe), who also made some major moves in the standings, jumping up from 24th after dressage into 16th after show jumping en route to this top-five finish. Lindsay is aiming for the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event next month with the 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding.

“He’s just such a fantastic cross country horse,” Lindsay said. “I’m so lucky to ride him. I just have complete faith in him. And he was exactly as I thought he would be.”

It’s a big balancing act for Lindsay and her husband, Xavier, who have two kids and spend the majority of their time at their home base in Canada. “We spend most of the time at home,” she explained. “We do a few weeks to start the season in Aiken, and then we sort of just compete, traveling back and forth from Canada. I’ve got two kids in school and lots of horses at home, so we sort of go back and forth a lot, but it works for us.”

Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Sally Spickard.

And one last shout to sixth-placed Will Faudree and Jennifer Mosing/Sterling Silver Stables’ Pfun (Tadmus – Celerina, by Cento), who notched yet another top-10 finish here at Carolina (that’s a total of 7, plus one time competing at the then-CIC2* level, for those keeping track). This is to be Pfun’s last competition at the 4* or above level, as at the age of 18 Will feels this special Irish gelding owes him absolutely nothing. Will was quite emotional as he finished cross country on Pfun, something he admits doesn’t usually happen. But when the curtain closes on a storied career, it’s natural to feel that wave of emotion that comes with knowing it was the last time. We’ll have a full retirement tribute to Pfun, aka “Ted”, coming on EN later this week.

Colin Gaffney and Baymax. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Looking to the numbers, we didn’t see any clear rounds inside the time today. This isn’t all that surprising — 4*-S events tend to be more difficult in terms of time in some ways due to the short, technical nature of the track. Couple that with the fact that not every rider would have been planning to press for the time — many riders choose to save this for Long-format events — and this is fairly standard, especially at this point in the season. Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray were the quickest home, accumulating two seconds of time en route to a 10th place finish. Colin Gaffney and Baymax showed marked improvement as they gain more experience at this level, earning the second-quickest time of the day with 2.0 time penalties and a seventh place finish in just their second run at 4*.

And with that, we wrap up another year at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, and what a great weekend it was for our sport. Let’s all take away a few lessons from the weekend, which above all include listening to our horses and making them our priority, always. Thanks for following along with us, and Go Eventing.

Setters Run Farm Carolina International (NC): [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [H&C+ Live Stream] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

: Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Sharon White and Claus 63. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Katherine Coleman and ESI Baltic Breeze. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Ema Klugman and Chiraz. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Caroline Pamukcu and She’s the One. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Caroline Pamukcu and King’s Especiale. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Allie Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Elisa Wallace and Lissavorra Quality. Photo by Sally Spickard.

: Dana Cooke and FE Quattro. Photo by Sally Spickard.

An Artistic Display: Monica Spencer and Artist Hold the Lead in Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI4*-S

By Sally Spickard on Mar 14, 2025 7:00 pm -

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.

After New Zealand’s Monica Spencer picked up some time penalties in the show jumping at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, SC earlier this month, she ruefully laughed and told reporters that she needed to get herself back into more of a “competition mode.” It was a good wake-up call early in season, she said, and she put that mode to good use today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International, retaining her lead in the Sandy River Equestrian Center CCI4*-S division with her own Thoroughbred gelding, Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore, by Satin Blush).

“I think it was about riding away from my jumps more aggressively,” Monica said of what she focused on today. Generally speaking, the big Twin Gates Derby Field here at the Carolina Horse Park and the large amount of space it offers can elicit more than a few time penalties; today, 36% of the 4*-S field accumulated at least one second of time over the amount allowed. “I tend to be a pretty relaxed rider by nature, which can sometimes mean I’m a little too relaxed. So today, I focused on landing and immediately riding forward, really getting into competition mode.”

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Monica’s been candid that show jumping would be the most challenging for Artist, who’s already broken the old “Thoroughbreds can’t do dressage” mold. But she can see him improving with each round. “I think he’s improved a lot,” she explained. “He’s always tried to jump clear — he wants to be careful. But as a full Thoroughbred, he’s not bred to be a show jumper, so it’s very much a learned skill for him. That makes it even more special when he jumps clear rounds at this height, which is really the top of his ability. He’s putting his whole heart and soul into it, and I have a lot of respect for him. He’s getting stronger as he gets older, and you can feel his confidence growing, which is really cool.”

The World Championships medalist plans to use Derek di Grazia’s course to set herself and Artist up for a run at Defender Kentucky next month, and while she’s not planning to put the pedal to the metal, necessarily, she also wants to lay down a solid effort. This will be her final major prep event; she generally likes to drop her horses down a level or two for their final pre-5* run to give them an extra boost of confidence. Artist, for example, will likely run a casual Intermediate before heading for Kentucky.

“I’ve only had one proper run on him so far this year, so this event is about getting into competition mode,” Monica said. “I’m not going to chase the time, but I’ll go quick enough.”

“I think you have to treat every fence like it could cause problems. That keeps you sharp for the whole course,” Monica said, nodding to the cumulative, big picture effect of a Derek di Grazia course rather than one specific question that she’s concerned about. “My approach is to take it one combination at a time — tick that one off, move on to the next. But overall, it’s a well-presented course, and even though some parts are tough, the jumps are designed in a way that makes them easy for the horses to read. So as long as I give him a good ride, I think he’ll go well.”

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jennie Brannigan and Tim and Nina Gardner’s FE Lifestyle (Leo von Faelz – Berina A, by Brandenburger) continued their strong run with a double clear effort today, remaining on their score of 30.3 and in second overnight.

“He was fresh!” Jennie said after her round. She also retained the 1*-S lead today with Royal Scandic. “Honestly, I schooled most of them this morning, except for him, because they’d all been good in dressage and seemed relaxed. But once you walk over here, it’s a whole different ballgame. Every rider was saying, ‘My horse feels fresh today!’ So I think I got a little lucky — I’ll take it! But my horses are jumping great, and even when I don’t feel like I have the perfect rideability or my rhythm isn’t quite right, I always want to ride forward.”

Jennie is another rider keen to get out for a crack at Derek di Grazia’s inaugural design here — more on that shortly. “Bringing Derek in was a really smart move,” she said. “If we all want to be able to ride a Derek course before heading to Kentucky, Badminton, or wherever, this is the perfect prep. It’s getting very close to being a can’t-miss event on the calendar.”

Katherine Coleman and ESI Baltic Breeze. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Rounding out the top three today, moving up one spot, are Katherine Coleman and ESI Baltic Breeze (Baltic VDL – Brooklyn Breeze, by Fortunus), a former sales horse who’s flown a bit under the radar behind his 5* stablemate and half-sibling on the dam side, Monbeg Senna, but has continued to surprise and impress Katherine as he gains more strength and experience. The 10-year-old Irish gelding is contesting his third 4* event this weekend, likely aiming at a 4*-L in the summer, potentially at Bramham in the UK, where Katherine bases full-time. She comes to Wellington, FL for the winter, training with riders like show jumping Olympian Lauren Hough as well as World Championships dressage athlete Katherine Bateson and German Olympian Bettina Hoy for some specialized help. This year, she’s come over with her top three horses with two of them aiming for Kentucky (Monbeg Senna in the 5* and Sirius SB in the 4*).

“Honestly, I can’t believe he’s in third!” Katherine laughed when asked about ESI Baltic Breeze, who’s called “Wally” in the barn. “He’s behaving better than my two more experienced horses, which is hilarious. He’s one of those horses I originally thought would make a great young rider horse because he’s so easygoing and straightforward. I even tried selling him for that purpose. He doesn’t give you a huge feeling off the ground when he jumps, but I’ve realized he just keeps stepping up — jumping bigger and bigger and proving how careful he really is. He’s really impressed us. And now I’m starting to think maybe I should hold on to him!”

Katherine’s enjoying being back stateside for an extended period of time this year. She last competed here at Carolina in 2018 (and won the then-2*, now 3* in the process), and her family are planning to travel from Louisiana to cheer her on at Kentucky. “Honestly, my dad was a big reason for choosing Kentucky over Badminton,” she said “He loves coming to Kentucky, and it’s a lot easier for my family to be there and watch.”

Caroline Pamukcu and King’s Especiale. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Also jumping up the leaderboard from 10th into fourth are U.S. Olympian Caroline Pamukcu and King’s Especiale, a towering 18+ hand Dutch gelding owned by Redfield King’s HX Group. For Caroline, the process with “King” has been to lengthen his neck on the flat and to encourage him to build his efficiency over the jumps instead of soaring over them and taking extra time. Today, she picked up one second/.4 penalties to add to her score for a two-phase total of 35.2.

“I’m still kicking myself for the time fault,” Caroline said. “I’m trying to figure out how to make the time without sacrificing his rideability. He’s huge — over 18 hands — super adjustable, a great jumper, but he jumps so high, and that eats up time. There were a couple of places where I thought about leaving a stride out, but I second-guessed myself. I don’t want to be the rider who just guns it for the time — I want him to stay rideable and balanced.”

Caroline also has her Paris horse, HSH Blake, here in the 3*-S, where he sits third after show jumping. That makes all three U.S. team horses in attendance this weekend; Boyd Martin has taken the reins for Liz Halliday on The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Nutcracker, who’s competing in the 4*, and Boyd’s also got his own Paris horse, the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B, in the 3*-S, which he’s currently leading after two phases.

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Allison Springer and her Bromont 4*-L winner, Nancy Winter’s No May Moon (Catherston Dazzler – Ebony Moon, by Mystic Replica), once more proved their ability to jump their way up in the standings, adding no penalties today to sit in fifth on a score of 35.8. We saw Allison out on cross country yesterday evening, and she was keen to get out for a first ride around the refreshed course, noting that she felt the questions were there to be understood by the horses, and that she had immense trust in Derek to put fences in place that would be seen and understood well when approached.

The updated Pine Water at fence 12ABC. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Looking to Derek di Grazia’s design, we have a course with 24 questions and an optimum time of 6:15. Derek has put a new look and feel on this first iteration. The two water complexes have been completely changed, and Derek’s also reversed the direction of some of the loops and even had the grounds team and course builders working on re-grading ground and laying down new grass on certain parts of the ground to give himself a blank canvas.

“One of the good things about this venue is that it offers a mix of everything: you have flat areas, wooded sections, and terrain changes,” Derek noted. “Riders will get a chance to navigate different types of challenges, which is important. Then, of course, there are the existing features like the water jumps and banks, and the goal is to figure out how to use them in a new way to create a balanced and educational test. In a first year, you don’t want to try to change the world — you want to come in and create something that works within the existing framework. For me, the biggest priority was finding a track with good flow. That starts with looking at the jumps available, determining what needs to be created, and then piecing together a course that not only meets the level but also feels appropriate for this time of year.”

What, exactly, does that “flow” look like to a designer?

“It’s interesting because the property itself, especially at the beginning of the course, actually feels quite open,” Derek said. “It gives off a very galloping-course feel, which is great. And when they took the fencing out on the racecourse, that helped open things up even more. I want to present different types of exercises that not only test the riders but also help educate the horses. At the same time, I design courses as a complete picture—it’s never just about one combination. The entire course should work together as a cohesive test, and that’s how I approach it, whether I’m designing here or anywhere else.”

[Preview the full course on CrossCountryApp here]

With that, we’ll look forward to seeing the course in action tomorrow. Derek has designed the 4*, 3*, and Advanced tracks here, while Beth Perkins has designed the remaining FEI and National tracks. We’ll kick things off bright and early at 8 a.m. with the 1*, followed by the 2* beginning at the very specific time of 8:59 a.m., the 4* starting at 11 a.m., Advanced beginning at 1 p.m. and finishing up with the 3* beginning at 2:10 p.m. You’ll be able to catch the full live stream of all cross country on Horse & Country here.

Setters Run Farm Carolina International (NC): [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [H&C+ Live Stream] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Kiwi is the Featured Flavor on Day One of Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI4*-S

By Sally Spickard on Mar 13, 2025 4:55 pm -

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

For anyone who says Thoroughbreds can’t dance, they may want to tune in next time Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore, by Satin Blush) goes down centerline. This elegant Thoroughbred gelding was a purchase made when Monica Spencer was still based in the southern hemisphere who went on to stamp her firmly on the world scene with a standout performance at the 2022 FEI World Championships for Eventing. There, the pair finished 21st individually and earned a team silver medal for the Kiwis.

Now, Monica is basing herself here in the U.S. for the foreseeable future in Virginia, and en route back north from basing at Buck Davidson’s Ocala farm she’s made her first trip to Carolina International. Her efforts in the 4*-S today with Artist resulted in the sole sub-30 score of the day and sends her into tomorrow’s show jumping with 1.7 penalty points in hand over second-placed Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle (30.3).

While Monica didn’t quite replicate the 22.4 earned earned at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase earlier this month, she earned a healthy number of 8s from the judging panel of Sandy Phillips (GBR) and Bea di Grazia (USA). The 4* riders today used FEI 4* Test C, which has had a few updates for the new year and can be viewed here if you want to study up.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“I just feel really privileged to have a horse like him,” Monica said. “One that I can go out and compete with at these great events. He’s such a professional. He actually felt a bit nervous out there today, which surprised me given the atmosphere in that ring. But he did his job, and, like I said, I really appreciate having him. He’s a joy to ride.”

Monica is prepping to go to Kentucky next month with “Max”, and she’s brought all of her up and coming horses also to compete here this weekend. “Everyone has spoken so highly of this event,” she said. “We didn’t compete here last year; instead, we stayed in Ocala and did Terranova, which was a lovely event in its own right. But this year, we felt ready to leave Florida, and we thought, ‘Hey, let’s do Carolina on the way [back up north] and then head back to Virginia next week.’”

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Sitting second overnight are Jennie Brannigan and the Gardners’ FE Lifestyle (Leo von Faelz – Berina A, by Brandenburger), who earned a 30.3 from Sandy and Bea and ticked another box as they inch towards their 5* goal in May. Jennie made the decision to save her dollars and brave the Pennsylvania winter this year in lieu of going to Florida, and while she admits it’s been challenging she also feels like the dedicated work she’s put in is paying off in these early days of the season.

“It was interesting being by myself this winter,” Jennie said. “With Eric [Duvander] deciding to stay on the West Coast— which we’re all happy for him but also a little sad — I rode with Bettina Hoy when she came to teach Philip. I rode with her once this winter and again at the showcase. It’s been really good for me to be locked in the indoor and forced to focus. I was kind of nervous about the Showcase because I had just come down and had only been jumping in an indoor. It was great to have Bettina’s help and Peter’s support there. I was really excited that it went well, and since then, I’ve just been trying to build on that.”

Jennie enjoyed a solid day of dressage across the board today — she’s also leading the 1*-S aboard Royal Scandic — and was also pleased with her efforts on a test that she had not ridden before this morning.

Jennie waves to her longtime supporters, Tim and Nina Gardner, after her test on their FE Lifestyle. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“This was my first time ever riding this test, and historically, it would have been extremely hard for me — especially the left lead canter work,” she said. “So I’m pretty thrilled with him. I don’t want to speak too soon, but it’s starting to feel like we’re establishing a clear pattern of consistency. We’ve had one-off good tests before, but this feels like something to really be excited about. Knock on wood!”

Right now, Jennie has entered both Kentucky and Badminton, and this weekend will be his sole 4* prep run ahead of whichever 5* she opts for in the end. “I also think that, as Americans, we often tend to overrun our horses,” she said. “I was already planning not to event my upper-level horses until this event anyway. Doing the Showcase was way earlier than I’d normally start, but I’m lucky that these horses have been produced at the top level for a while. It goes against my nature — I like to give my horses a long winter break. So if I’m not running them anyway, why am I spending the money? Everything has just gotten more and more expensive. I’m really grateful to Annie [Eldridge] and Ariel [Grald] for letting me stay at their place [in Southern Pines leading up to the Showcase and Carolina], and we’ll see how the rest of the weekend goes. So far, knock on wood, it’s all good.”

Allie Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Allie Knowles and the 17-years-young Morswood (Ricardo Z – Princess in Arms, by Present Arms xx) will take third place into show jumping tomorrow on a score 31.7, and Allie’s theme for the weekend so far can be summed up with one word.

“Gratitude. That’s the word for today,” she said. With multiple 5*s under his belt at this stage in his career, Allie’s made the decision not to run any more events at the level with “Ginge”, instead focusing on letting him do what feels the most comfortable for him as he nears full retirement.

“I can’t believe he’s 17 this year—that’s crazy!” she said. “And he looks amazing. Honestly, he’s only gotten better every year. Or maybe I’ve just gotten better at riding him! Either way, he’s been my little warhorse. We’ve done a whole lot of growing up together. This is going to be a fun weekend. I walked the course and thought, ‘Alright, let’s do another four-star. Let’s do this.’ I’ll go as fast as I can and do my best in show jumping — our weakest phase, for sure. I’ll be more nervous tomorrow, but I’m going to try to take the pressure off both of us. We’ve got nothing to prove. We’re doing this for fun. He’s keeping me at the advanced level until my next younger group is ready.”

Allie Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Allie plans to take Morswood to the Cosequin Lexington 4*-S next month, and potentially maybe the 4*-L at MARS Bromont in June after that. ” I’ve retired him from the five-star level,” she elaborated. “He’s done eleven of them for me. He always tried his heart out, and we had medium success — maybe made it around half the times we tried. But I realized it was just a little outside of his ability. At Maryland [last October], I could feel how hard he was trying, and I thought, ‘I don’t want to feel this again -— where he’s giving everything but can’t quite make the distance or width.’ So I decided to keep him where he’s comfortable. We’ll do the four-star at Kentucky, and Bromont sounds really fun too. I haven’t done the four-star at Bromont in a long time, and it has a similar feel to Bramham, where I had a great run last year. I told the O’Briens [owners of Morswood and several other horses for Allie], ‘Who knows, this might actually be our best year.’ He’s jumping amazing, stronger than ever -— knock on wood, the soundest horse I’ve ever had. He’s just rock solid. I’ve said this so many times, but we’re just going to enjoy our career together.”

Tomorrow, we’ll move on to show jumping starting at 9 a.m. with the 2*-S division. The 4*-S will jump starting at 1:40 p.m. In addition to a new cross country designer in Derek di Grazia, we’ll also see a new show jumping designer in the USA’s Brody Robertson, who takes over from former designer Marc Donovan this year.

As always, you can catch the live feed (where all FEI show jumping tomorrow and all cross country on Saturday available) on Horse & Country here.

Setters Run Farm Carolina International (NC): [Website] [Schedule] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Orders of Go] [H&C+ Live Stream] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen Take First 2025 US Equestrian Open Qualifier in Bouckaert International CCI4*-S

By Sally Spickard on Mar 10, 2025 11:25 am -

Caroline Pamucku and HSH Double Sixteen. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Phillip Dutton will retain his points lead in the inaugural season of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing after the first qualifier of the year at Bouckaert International. However, it’ll be Caroline Pamukcu, who’s on a return tour this spring after having her first baby in the off-season, who takes the qualifier winner’s spoils this weekend with a CCI4*-S win aboard the Double Sixteen Partnership’s HSH Double Sixteen (Robin de Pres – Azaria, by Fruits of Love).

This is the second win for the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding originally campaigned in Ireland by Leila Barker; in 2024, he won Ocala International’s 4*-S before finishing in the top 10 in his 4*-L debut at Tryon and on the podium in the Bromont 4*-S later on in the summer. Even at 10, he’s got extensive experience competing at the FEI levels, and Caroline’s kicking on to her spring goals, which include a potential trip to Europe on the USEF European Development Tour, which she’s applied for with a few of her horses. We’ll know more about who is selected for this year’s Tour in a few weeks.

This was Caroline’s first FEI back since having her baby, Blake (named, of course, after her Paris Olympic horse HSH Blake), but she’s feeling her fitness come back and she went out of the start box this weekend with the intention of being competitive. For her, FEI events are where she likes to be competitive, using National competitions if her horses need “practice” or less competitive runs.

“When we go to FEI events, it’s important to go in with the mindset to win,” she said. “Especially with how FEI rankings [and EquiRatings stats] impact team selection now. Past generations may have thought about it differently, but going forward, my generation has to focus on that. When you go to an FEI event, you have to win.

On cross country Saturday, which this year was designed by Australia’s Clayton Fredericks, who’s taken over from previous designer Hugh Lochore, Caroline and “Six” put down the quickest turn of foot, accumulating 4.4 time penalties to end the weekend on a score of 40.2.

“I brought two horses for the four-star — Double Sixteen, my full Thoroughbred who won, and Tolan King, who was actually one of my sale horse rejects. I had him for three years, and no one would buy him. Eventually, I told the owner, ‘Hey, we should just keep him and produce him,’ because he’s a very nice horse, it’s just that no one bought him,” Caroline described.

“Both of them are kind of underdogs — they’re small and unassuming. Double Sixteen is a full Thoroughbred, and Tolan King is nearly full Thoroughbred. If you walked past them in the barn, you wouldn’t think much of them, but they are absolute lions. They love their job and have an incredible work ethic. I call Six a little Jack Russell -— he has so much personality. He even sits in the field like a dog! We call him a little Jack Russell, but he’s also the sweetest creature and always in your pocket. Tolan King is a little more of a worrier, but once you’re on him, all he wants to do is go, go, go. They both just love their job.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Caroline M. Pamukcu (@carolinempamukcu)

Returning to riding with a full string of Advanced and prospective 5* horses, while balancing a baby, is of course a major transition, but Caroline gives full credit to her team for making sure the horses were ready to step right back in when the season got underway.

“We were really lucky,” Caroline said. “We timed having a baby as best as we could. Last year, all my horses were nine years old, so we figured if they missed moving up to five-star as nine-year-olds, that was fine. They finished their season around September, and I kept riding as much as I could, but physically, I wasn’t super comfortable, so I handed the reins over to Mason [Reidy], my head rider, and my team members like Matt Crutchfield, who’s been with me for five years, and my groom Chloe, who’s been with me for years. Sharon [White] came up and jumped the horses or flatted them as much as she could. My team really stepped up when I had to take a step back, and this weekend showed what a good job they did. I literally felt like a catch rider! They put in all the hours of fitness and flatwork -— that was Mason and my team. I just started riding again…I took about a week off after having the baby and then started riding as much as I could, but physically, I’m not strong enough yet to do 12-hour days. My crew warms up the horses for me, and Sharon still comes over a few days a week to warm them up so I can just focus on jumping them around. I’m really grateful for my owners for being patient—it’s a big deal to take six months out of my year to have a baby.”

Caroline’s got points on the board now for the US Equestrian Open, which awards a series points leader cash bonus of $25,000 to the highest points earner across qualifiers. Caroline earns 40 points for her win, as well as another 20 points for finishing fifth with the Tolan King Partership’s HSH Tolan King. This won’t be enough to threaten current leaderboard topper Phillip Dutton, who adds 55 points to his existing 75 thanks to a third and fourth place 4*-S finish with the Jewelent Group’s Jewelent and Caroline Moran’s Quasi Cool, respectively, but she will take second on the current leaderboard after this weekend. You can learn more about the points system for the Open here and view the current leaderboard here.

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Taylor Crawley for Liz Crawley Photography.

Hitting second on the final standings at Bouckaert is Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo with Horse Scout Eventing’s Dyri (Diarado – La Calera, by King Milford), who finished second in the 4*-L at Morven Park to cap off his 2024 season. Initially leading the division after dressage and show jumping on a score of 25.8, Lucienne added some intentional time on cross country to finish in second on a final score of 45.8.

Lucienne has Stable View’s 4*-S next on her calendar for both Dyri and Tremanton, who also had a successful run at Bouckaert, finishing 12th overall, as she looks ahead to her bigger spring goals of both horses’ as well as her first CCI5* at Kentucky in April.

“I’m really happy with how Dyri has come into the new year, he had a big holiday after Morven in October,” Lucienne said.

“He’s still improving in the dressage,” Lucienne said. The 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding earned a 28.5, which shaves a few points off of his Morven 4*-L score of 30.7 en route to a second place finish. He’s gone as low as 26.0 at the level, and Lucienne believes “he is good enough to get sub-25 on a day when I can get him in the ring as I’m now getting him at home.”

Lucienne had positive feedback for new designer Clayton Fredericks, describing the cross country as “fresh and more challenging…you had to keep thinking right up to the penultimate fence.”

Phillip Dutton and Jewelent. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Phillip Dutton is aiming Jewelent (Valent – Bellaney Jewel, by Roselier) and Quasi Cool (Quo Vados – B-Estelle, by Lord) at the 4*-L at Tryon in May, adding nothing but strategic time to his dressage marks with both horses and even jumping all the way up from 16th after dressage to third overall with Jewelent.

“I was very very pleased,” Phillip said of his rides and also with Clayton Fredericks’ designing on cross country. “I thought it was a great track. It was testing enough for this time of year but not over the top, which is hard balance to get. You want to encourage good riding and test the riders and horses but then not make it that hard that its zaps their confidence. All credit to Clayton. I think he’s not afraid to test things a bit, which is good. I think he’s got confidence in what he’s doing and he mixes up the parts where he asks for technicality and accuracy and holding a line, and then he sort of gives you three or four fences to get the horses in front of you again. It’s all pretty fair — everything he’s doing is forward riding and a good, honest horse is rewarded.”

“I am factoring the Open in [to my competition strategy this year],” Phillip said of his points standing after this weekend. “In eventing, money’s not everything — everyone does what’s best for their horse — but if there is money that’s put out there, as riders and owners we need to, within reason, support it because it’s only good for the sport. So I’m trying to support the events that are part of [the US Equestrian Open]. And even with last weekend in Aiken [at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase], there’s a place for people to be a little bit more targeted with the events that put on the money. They’ve got to be supported and that’s the future of the sport, so hopefully riders and owners and supporters will get behind all of that because its really good for everybody if we can get some prize money.”

Looking to the other feature divisions at Bouckaert International, the 18 years young Tsetserleg (owned by the Turner family) took home a casual win in the 3*-S with Boyd Martin in the irons, finishing on a score of 26.7. Mia Farley and Cecile Zovighian’s exciting young mare, Nikita, led start-to-finish in the 2*-S to end the weekend on a score of 25.5. Mya Poulos and her own DHI Rock Dancer moved up to win the 1*-S on a score of 32.0. Alyssa Phillips‘ Aachen partner and Cosequin Lexington 4*-S winner, Oskar, is back in action this year after spending the end of 2024 on the sidelines, winning the Advanced from start to finish and ending on a score of 42.4.

Bouckaert Equestrian International (GA) [US EQUESTRIAN OPEN QUALIFER CCI4*-S]: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Eventing Community Mourns Loss of Caroline Moore

By Sally Spickard on Mar 9, 2025 10:00 am -

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ros Canter (@ros_canter_eventing)

We are deeply saddened to report the passing of Caroline Moore, a 5* rider and world-renowned coach and mentor who has left an incredible legacy on our sport and its humans and horses, on Friday night. Caroline had been diagnosed with stage four cancer three years ago.

In addition to her own riding career, Caroline was well-known for her coaching talents. She was instrumental in helping riders earn medals at Junior, Young Rider, and Senior Championships, including the European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games. She was a fellow of the British Horse Society as well as a selector for British Young Riders and a Youth Performance Coach for British Eventing. She was also a close friend and supporter of Olympic medalist Ros Canter and co-owned her World Championships winner, Allstar B.

Truly, Caroline’s accolades and achievements cannot be overstated. As she moved more into coaching, she founded the Performance Mentoring Programme (PMP), an educational academy that provides access to world-class training online. This project underscored Caroline’s commitment to education and accessibility. “I’m a great believer that you can take an average rider and an average horse and turn them into a champion with good training,” she said in an interview with EquiRatings earlier this year. “It’s not just about a privileged bunch of riders—good training should be available to everyone.”

Even as she waged the battle of her life against cancer, Caroline’s unwavering positive spirit and resilience kept her going.

“I’ve always been a very positive person,” she told EquiRatings. “I mean, people are naturally half empty or half full, glass-wise. And I’ve always been, there’s a way through somehow, and it suited me. I love a challenge…I think when you have a diagnosis like I had, you either get self-absorbed and only think about cancer all the time, or you can rise above that. As much as your body allows, you carry on, and you do the best possible job that you can.”

And she lived. Sky diving. Gliding. Climbing mountains. White water rafting. Traveling to the most remote corners of the world in an effort to see as much of it as she possibly could. “I feel like I probably put an extra 10 years into my life anyway with things that I’ve done,” she said inn January. “So I feel very satisfied, and I have no regrets whatsoever…I haven’t enjoyed it by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve enjoyed the journey of getting closer to my family, having a bunch of friends, and completely changing what I do in life.”

For Caroline, the resiliency she cultivated was, at the end of the day, a skill. “You either have a skill to believe that things will be okay, or you need to try and find the skill to be able to do that,” she explained to EquiRatings. “And it’s not just for my situation—it applies to competing, training, business, and life itself…I never wanted anybody to call me sloppy in what I did in life. So everything I’ve done—whether in riding or coaching—has been with that in mind.”

The eventing community and beyond has been touched for eternity by Caroline’s generosity of spirit and dedication to what she loved. May we all live our lives in honor of that spirit, and in honor of Caroline herself.

The EN team is keeping Caroline’s loved ones and those she has impacted in our hearts. If you have a memory of or story about Caroline you’d like to share, we’d love it if you told us about it in the comments.

Hit the Road with Ride iQ’s 2025 Summer ‘Van Life’ Internship

By Sally Spickard on Mar 8, 2025 9:30 am -

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ride iQ | Equestrian Audio Lessons App (@rideiqofficial)

Here’s a fun (and paid!) opportunity for a creative dynamic duo who wants to be a part of the Ride iQ family!

Ride iQ is looking for an adventurous, driven, and creative intern duo to join them for an unforgettable summer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at the heart of the equestrian world, helping to expand Ride iQ’s mission while capturing incredible content and making meaningful connections.

Spend Your Summer on the Road with Ride iQ! 🚐🐴

Travel to top equestrian events, immerse yourself in the equestrian community, and gain hands-on experience with an innovative equestrian brand—all while living the ultimate Van Life Summer Internship!

Ride iQ is looking for an adventurous, driven, and creative intern duo to join us for an unforgettable summer. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at the heart of the equestrian world, helping to expand Ride iQ’s mission while capturing incredible content and making meaningful connections.

View Job Description

📍 Where?

Everywhere! You’ll travel across the eastern U.S. in the Ride iQ van, stopping at key equestrian events along the way.

🗓️ When & How Long?

8 weeks | June 1 – July 31, 2025

🎥 What You’ll Do:

Assist with event activations, content creation, community engagement, and more
Capture and share behind-the-scenes moments from equestrian events
Represent Ride iQ and connect with riders, coaches, and industry leaders

🙌 Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is for you if you’re passionate about horses, marketing, and adventure! Ideal candidates are:
✅ Outgoing and comfortable engaging with people
✅ Creative, with an eye for capturing great content
✅ Organized and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

🚐 What You Need to Know:

Apply as a duo (friends, teammates, siblings—any dynamic duo ready for adventure!)
You’ll be traveling and working together for the full 8 weeks
Comfort with van life is a must – overnight stays will include a mix of campsites, parking areas, and occasional accommodations
This is a fast-paced, on-the-go role, perfect for a team that thrives on adventure

📩 How to Apply (as a team):
Applications close March 20. Submit a joint application including:

Your resumes
A brief intro about why you and your partner are the perfect road warriors
Any content samples (if available)

Send applications to [email protected]. All applications will be reviewed after March 20—don’t miss your chance to hit the road with Ride iQ!

2025 Beckons: A U.S. Spring Season Primer

By Sally Spickard on Mar 7, 2025 12:00 pm -

We are fully immersed in spring season for the horses and riders aiming at 4*-L and 5* competition in 2025, and with the first US Equestrian Open qualifier underway at Bouckaert International this weekend, we’ve worked on both a U.S. and a UK early season preview for you to stay in the loop. European riders/events, don’t worry! We haven’t forgotten you. We’ll be releasing a “Road to the FEI European Championships” season preview in the coming weeks that will highlight key European pairs and prep events on the calendar en route to Blenheim in September.

Stay tuned for more updates on this article and beyond as we swing into all systems go! We’ll see you on the road, and Go Eventing.

Allison Springer and No May Moon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Bouckaert International – March 6-9 – Fairburn, GA – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

The first 4*-S of the season kicks off, well, today actually in Georgia at the storied Bouckaert Farm venue formerly known as Chattahoochee Hills. This venue has hosted everything from Mandatory Outings for U.S. teams to the American Eventing Championships and everything in between (including a music festival or two!) throughout its history, making it one of the well-loved facilities in our sport.

This weekend marks the first US Equestrian Open Qualifier event as we look ahead to the Final at Morven Park in October. You can read more about the Open competitors and who’s projected to win (hint: it’s between the two Aussies-turned-Americans, according to the numbers) over on the Open website here.

Clayton Fredericks (AUS) has taken the course designing reins over this year, relieving previous designer Hugh Lochore (GBR), which means we’ll see some changes in the works as Clayton puts his own spin of technicality and bravery on display.

19 4* combinations will contest the top division at Bouckaert, including established horses such as Buck Davidson’s Sorocaima, Phillip Dutton’s Jewelent and Quasi Cool, Lucienne Bellissimo’s Dyri and Tremanton, Boyd Martin’s Luke 140 and Miss Lulu Herself, and many others. We’ll also see some horses still gaining experience at the level and likely heading to the Cosequin Lexington 4*-S at Defender Kentucky at the end of April.

Bouckaert Equestrian International (GA) [US EQUESTRIAN OPEN QUALIFER CCI4*-S]: [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]

Carolina International – March 12-16 – Raeford, NC – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Next on deck is the Setters Run Farm Carolina International, which has a slight uptick in 4* entries in comparison to its 2024 field with 38 horses and riders entered. Many Kentucky or Badminton-bound pairs will historically target this track, favoring its mild terrain offerings and, until this year, its bold, forward Ian Stark-design.

This year, Tokyo Olympics and longtime Kentucky designer Derek di Grazia has taken over the design. While he’s been predictably mum on exactly what he’s got in mind for the 2025 event, we can bet that he’s gone over every inch of terrain and chosen the questions that will most naturally align with the inherent challenge of changing ground.

We’ve got some newer-to-us horses to see in this year’s field, including three horses for Katherine Coleman, Hayley Frielick’s newest Advanced horse Sportsfield Lumiere (as well as the return of her 5* partner, Dunedin Black Watch, in the 3*!), Colin Gaffney’s Baymax, and Elisa Wallace’s Lissavorra Quality. We’ll also have a strong showing from horses and riders we’ve become accustomed to seeing at these outings, such as Will Faudree’s Pfun and Mama’s Magic Way, Jennie Brannigan’s FE Lifestyle, Lisa Marie Fergusson’s Honor Me, Allie Knowles’ Morswood, and many others. This will also be Cooley Nutcracker’s first 4* start with Boyd Martin, who has taken over the ride on a few of Liz Halliday’s horses as she continues to recover from a traumatic brain injury sustained last fall at AECs.

Horse & Country will carry the live stream of this event, and we’ll update this preview with US Equestrian Open preview content soon.

Carolina International CCI & H.T. (NC): [Website] [Competitor Info] [Spectator Info] [Carolina Club Tickets] [Volunteer]

The Event at TerraNova – March 27-30 – Myakka City, FL – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Another popular stop en route to Kentucky or another spring Long format comes to us in Florida at The Event at TerraNova, just to the east of Sarasota in Myakka City. Riders such as Phillip Dutton are using both Bouckaert International as well as TerraNova as their preparation route, with Phillip entering some of the same horses he has at Bouckaert, along with Denim and Possante, who just ran around well at the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field earlier in March.

U.S. team member Lauren Nicholson will also be in action with I’ll Have Another at TerraNova, one of her very exciting horses coming up to this Championship and, eventually, 5* level as his career progresses. Paris Olympian Caroline Pamukcu features on just about every entry list this spring as she aims her burgeoning string of 4* horses at their respective goals and returns to riding full-time after having her first baby over the off-season.

The Event at TerraNova: [Website] [Entries]

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Galway Downs International – March 27-30 – Temecula, CA

The West coast gets underway with its 4* season at the proposed host site of equestrian sports at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Galway Downs. It’s an exciting time for West coast-based eventers, with several newer pairs stepping up to the Advanced and 4* level and others notching up some competitive results as they enter into another season at the level and look ahead to what’s next. Featuring on the entry list in the 4* at Galway Downs are Taren Hoffos with her two Advanced horses, Master Class and Regalla, a special mare she’s produced up from her young horse years who just won her last outing at Twin Rivers. Erin and Marc Grandia are also coming down from the Pacific Northwest with their super horses, GHS Calexico for Marc and Hyacinth for Erin, who finished on the podium in the Advanced at Twin Rivers.

Galway Downs International: [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Stable View April FEI – April 4-5 – Aiken, SC – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

More entries have yet to fill in our April events to date, but Stable View’s 4*-S, with a cross country designed by Helen West (GBR), is another stalwart on the prep calendar. It’s a bit closer in proximity on the calendar to Kentucky, but several Kentucky 4* or 5*-bound pairs will still elect to have one more practice run ahead of the big dance. Stable View, along with other venues like TerraNova and Galway Downs, boasts a decent amount of infrastructure that creates atmosphere, making these venues logical stops on a prep path to get horses into a more intensive environment.

Featuring on the early entries are Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo with her two top horses, Dyri and Tremanton, Ariel Grald and the beautiful Diara, U.S. Olympian Kim Severson with her newest Advanced horse, Cooley Corraghy Diamond, and Lucia Strini with two newer horses to the level in DHI Kevin G, with whom Lucia won the 3*-L at TerraNova to cap off 2024.

Stable View April FEI: [Website] [Entries] [Live Stream]

Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Twin Rivers Spring International – April 10-13 – Paso Robles, CA – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

We don’t quite have a line on entries for Twin Rivers’ (Paso Robles, CA) April 4*-S, which comes just a couple weeks before Kentucky and should feature a mix of combinations planning to stay on the West coast for the spring and also potentially a few travelers looking for one last run or perhaps a Combined Test before they hit the road to the middle of the country. We’ll update this preview once we have more entries!

Twin Rivers Spring International: [Website]

Ocala International Festival of Eventing – April 17-20 – Ocala, FL – US Equestrian Open Qualifier

Dani Sussman and Jos Bravio. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Another popular stop on the Florida calendar comes at the Florida Horse Park, whose A-team of organizers always ensure some of the best conditions you can have and a well-oiled machine to give competitors a top-flight experience. The Ocala International also features Long formats at the 1*-3* level, making it a proper end of winter season goal for horses and riders looking for a Long format to contest. The 4*-S also typically features an Advanced CT that features the 5* test used at Kentucky for any 5*-bound pairs who want one final prep test and show jump at height for finishing touches. The 4*-S generally features horses and riders who are newer to the level and perhaps aiming for a 4*-L at an event like Tryon or Bromont. We’ll update this preview with more information on entries as they file in.

Ocala International Festival of Eventing: [Website]

Spring Target Events

Below is a list of key events that many pairs will be aiming for throughout the 4* season this spring.

Potential Spring Targets (U.S.)

Potential Long Format Targets (UK & Europe)

We’ll keep this article updated with additional entry information, US Equestrian Open Fan Guides, live streams, and more, so keep an eye out for more coming your way soon!

Grand Slam of Eventing Series Will Not Run in 2025

By Sally Spickard on Mar 4, 2025 10:30 am -

Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

The Grand Slam of Eventing Series, a prestigious and coveted title awarded to a rider who wins Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley in succession, will not run in 2025 — the first time the series has not run since its origination in 2001.

Sponsored by Rolex for its two-decade and then some run, the Series found itself without a sponsor for the first time, it was reported last fall. Pippa Funnell (2003) and Michael Jung (2016) are the only two riders to achieve this goal and win the $350,000 prize that coms along with it, though a handful of other riders have come close in winning two of the legs in succession.

“The organizers of the Grand Slam of Eventing are currently exploring alternative formats for the series,” a press release circulated by US Equestrian reads. “While discussions with potential sponsors are ongoing, a new sponsor for the series has not been identified at this time.”

Pippa Funnell and Primmore’s Pride after their Kentucky victory in 2003. Photo by Michelle Dunn.

Eventing’s grandest prizes have seen some evolution as the sport continues to modernize. Most recently, the US Equestrian Open of Eventing was announced with a $200,000 prize fund on offer at the CCI4*-L Final at Morven Park in October. This event is expected to attract international talent as well, with its timing just before the Maryland 5 Star as well as the option to buy in to the final for $5,000. The only other six-figure prize pools exist at the CCI5* level.

Could a new format to the Grand Slam of Eventing be on the horizon? Much will depend on the ability to secure a sponsor, of course. We’ll keep you updated with more from this developing story as it becomes available.

Victory Dance: Will Coleman Repeats 1-2 Finish at $100k SVC Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

By Sally Spickard on Mar 1, 2025 6:51 pm -

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

I think we’ve seen this film before, and we DID like the ending. It was another winning weekend in Aiken for Will Coleman, who repeated his 1-2 finish — and became the first rider to win twice on the same horse — at the $100,000 Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services.

This weekend, Will brought his top two horses to play, first in Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic HS (Chin Champ – Wildera, by Quinar), who’s fully back in action after being sidelined for most of 2024 to allow a minor injury to right itself, and also with Will’s veteran partner, the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record (Arkansas VDL – Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio). Once more, the stablemates were good for the top two spots on the podium, though Will was able to save over 10 points off his finishing score with “Chin” and over 7 points off his final mark with “Timmy”.

When the dust settled, it was once more the incredible Chin Tonic HS who took the top honors and the lion’s share of the prize fund, finishing with just 2.4 time penalties added for a final of 19.7. Off the Record was one of two horses to finish on his dressage score, ending the event on a 26.0. Waylon Roberts and the Koppin family’s OKE Ruby R (RUBY RUBY RUBY RUBAYYYYY) were the other pair to finish on dressage, replicating their clear inside the time performance from last year and finishing seventh on the weekend.

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

I told Will he’d bested his 2024 scores by a healthy margin, and he was quick to give credit to the team of coaching advisors he works with, including Great Britain’s Ian Woodhead as well as his daughter, Amy, who’s a newer addition to Will’s squad this season.

“I think every off-season we try to find ways to improve,” Will said. “I’ve been working with Ian Woodhead for a long time in the dressage, and he’s taken me to a new level on the first day. This year we got his daughter, Amy Woodhead, involved as well. Amy’s one of the top dressage riders in the world and spent four or five years working under Carl Hester. She’s come in and been able to sit on some of my horses and point out some additional things that I think we can hone in on in the training: trying to produce a more relaxed outline and not ‘over-manufacture’ the work too much. I think it’s been really, really helpful, so a huge thanks to both her and Ian for continuing to push me to get better and train my horses better.”

Initially, Will said he might have gone a bit quicker than he had intended. After all, he had nearly 16 seconds in hand by the time he went out of the start box as the final rider. He also had just himself to beat, having already laid down a clear inside the time with Off the Record. To compete with the traditionally tight optimum time of 4:24 today around Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country, there isn’t much time to spare, and while Will may have had a conservative hint to his strategy, he also noted that on this type of track it can be detrimental to go out too slow. Remember: smoother riding means faster riding.

“He’s got a huge step and he was happy to be out,” Will said. “It’s sort of a hard thing to do to come to something like this and go terribly slow, because you want the horses to stay in a nice rhythm and not fall behind you. Mark had set some difficult lines and you didn’t want to be backwards jumping into any of these things. Chin just felt good…it would have felt, in a way, a little disruptive to pull him out of rhythm and force him to go slow. I just had to keep him comfortable and work with him instead of against him.”

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Will needed a few of those extra seconds to get home on Chin Tonic, but he did one better on his first ride, Off the Record, stopping the clock 9 seconds under the optimum time and earning the quickest turn of foot on the day.

Will and “Timmy” have a special relationship — they’ve been all over the world together, earned a silver medal at FEI World Championships, and picked up the first-ever U.S. win at CHIO Aachen in 2021 — and that bond was put on display today as they carved their way around the track, never looking out of sync.

“I think I could pull just about anyone out of the crowd and put them on him, and he’d go around about the same,” Will grinned. “At this stage, I think Timmy actually rises to the occasion at events like this. Getting him into an atmosphere, around a crowd — I think he really enjoys that. Honestly, it’s more about the horses enjoying what they’re doing [more] than me necessarily enjoying coming here. Obviously, I do, but I think the horses like feeling important, like everyone’s watching them, and I want to nurture that.”

Will hasn’t yet said exactly what his plans are for his two top athletes this year, though he did indicate on a recent EquiRatings Eventing Podcast interview that he was looking at the big picture of the 2026 FEI World Championships at Aachen next summer as well as, down the road, the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. He’ll determine his plan of attack for Chin Tonic as the season progresses, and while he’s unsure how much 5* competition Off the Record, who is 16 this year, will do going forward, the prospect of the US Equestrian Open and its $200,000 prize pool at the Final happening at Morven Park in October likely also looms large.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Aiken fan favorite Boyd Martin also repeated his podium placing in 2025, though he swapped horses for this year’s finish. Boyd unfortunately had an early parting of ways from the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B at fence 7 (both were unscathed), who had been in third going into cross country, but Yankee Creek Ranch LLC’s Commando 3 (Connor 48 – R-Adelgunde, by Amigo xx) stepped up to the plate and demonstrated his blossoming confidence and maturity with a podium finish on a score of 30.9.

“Connor” displaced a frangible pin at this event last year, but this year he came out like an old pro. “I didn’t quite know what to expect,” Boyd admitted. “He’s a bit of a spooky horse, and when I worked him this morning, he was spooking and shying at the [bounce house in the kid’s corner]. I thought I’d be in for a tricky ride, but as soon as we were on course, he was just fantastic. He’s really seasoned, and I feel like this could be a big year for him.”

“I was just shocked,” Boyd said of his fall from Fedarman B. “‘Bruno’ and I have been flawless in the cross country over the last few years, and it just goes to show you can’t take anything for granted in horse sport. Looking back, maybe I need to do a bit more cross country schooling with him. I felt like I got there about right, but he had a bit of a spook at the corner, and I popped off the side. Luckily, it was a nice, soft landing thanks to the synthetic footing!”

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Also improving on her 2024 finish and final score is New Zealand’s Monica Spencer, who managed a very keen Artist (Guillotine – Maxamore, by Satin Blush) to a speedy round that cost just 3.6 penalties’ worth of time on the clock and moving her into fourth place on the weekend. Monica also took home the High Point Thoroughbred Award and the Liz Halliday Trophy given to the top-placed lady rider of the event.

“Normally, he’s so polite and rideable on cross-country, but today, he was like, ‘we’ve got to go faster!’ And I was thinking, ‘Oh dear, I shouldn’t have worn the loose ring snaffle!'” Monica laughed. “It was fun to ride, but I think they upped the ante a little bit this year. It was definitely a bit tougher. The back rails on the corners were set a little further away, and the fronts were at very severe angles. You really needed a good, honest cross country horse, and he certainly was that for me today.”

“It is special [to win the Liz Halliday Trophy],” she continued. “There’s a real hole in the circuit with Liz gone. Winning this award in her name means a lot, and we just hope she’s making a recovery and that we’ll see her back soon.”

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Fifth-placed Jennie Brannigan made her return to Grand-Prix Eventing for the first time since the event’s first year in 2019, this time bringing forward Tim and Nina Gardner’s FE Lifestyle (Leo von Faelz – Berina A, by Brandenburger), who she hopes to aim at Badminton in May. Jennie executed a class dressage test and a fault-free show jumping yesterday and went on to go clear today with 2.8 time penalties on the clock and a finishing score of 33.9.

The cross country here, despite its unique elements and visually nerve-wracking questions, typically rides quite well, and we saw much of the same today. A handful of pairs had some issues, particularly at some of the corner questions, but Capt. Phillips always works in several different options at some of the trickier questions to allow less experienced horses and riders to get around safely. Boyd’s was the sole rider fall of the day, and six other pairs encountered trouble of some sort in the form of glance-offs or runouts. No horse or rider injuries have been reported.

Will Coleman gets a champagne bath from his fellow podium mates. Photo by Shelby Allen.

A few other special awards were handed out today, including the Annie Goodwin Sportsmanship Award, given to Sara Kozumplik, the Triple Crown Best Turned Out, awarded to Chin Tonic HS and his grooms Erin Jarboe and Emily Cardin, Top Rookie awarded to Alexander Conrad, and High Point Thoroughbred, presented by Rebecca T. Newell and William L. Griffin to Monica Spencer’s Artist.

The Showcase and its format have of course stirred much conversation in terms of its place in our sport. One thing remains clear above all, though: we met numerous people this weekend who had never experienced eventing before, and they were all enthralled. Perhaps some of them will try it for themselves. If not, they’re at least likely to return next year, and to tell their friends about it. This has a butterfly effect on the sport as a whole, and its value really can’t be understated.

As for how Will is celebrating his win? “I’m going to drive home to my wife and my two kids, go to sleep, and get up tomorrow…I’ve got a horse jumping 1.40m at WEC [Ocala] at 1.” Incidentally, that horse is another Hyperion Stud-owned ride, Comme Again HS. No rest for the winner indeed.

And so ends another great weekend – with much preferable weather! — in Aiken. If you haven’t had the chance to check out this unique event, definitely add it to your bucket list! We’ll see you next year for #AnEventLikeNoOther!

$100k Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field (SC): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replay] [EN’s Coverage]

The Go Eventing Podcast is LIVE!

By Sally Spickard on Feb 25, 2025 9:00 am -

We are so proud to bring you the very first episode of The Go Eventing Podcast, which is now live on most major podcast platforms and also on our main podcast hub here.

Here’s what you’ll find in our first episode, featuring 5* rider and Pan Ams team gold medalist Will Faudree.

This episode is brought to you with support from Sentinel Horse Feed, Guardians of Equine Health.

Host and Eventing Nation Managing Editor Sally Spickard kicks things off with the inimitable Will Faudree as our first co-host, setting the stage for a season filled with insightful discussions, laughter, and deep dives into the heart of eventing.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover…

News & Notes: Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

Will and Sally break down the upcoming eventing season, including the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field this weekend (February 28 – March 1).

One Big Thing: FEI Eventing Open Forum & Rule Changes

What’s shifting in eventing rules? Will recaps the FEI Eventing Open Forum and proposed format changes for LA28

Heart Horse: Remembering Antigua

A walk down memory lane to revisit Will’s heart horse and long-time best friend, “Brad”

No Such Thing as a Dumb Question: Horse-Friendly Courses

What makes a course horse-friendly?

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

Maybe There ARE Dumb Questions: Mason’s Fan Club

How on earth will Will top his Barbie-themed jog outfit this year at Kentucky? #heiskenough

[Mason’s Favorite Song]

[Mason’s Second Favorite Song]

Will’s Barbie-themed Kentucky jog outfit from 2024:

🎧 Listen Now & Join the Conversation!

Got thoughts on today’s episode? Send us your questions, stories, and feedback — we want to hear from you! Find us on Instagram and Facebook @goeventing or email us at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts.
#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

Follow The Go Eventing Podcast!

By Sally Spickard on Feb 22, 2025 9:30 am -

It’s almost time for the launch of The Go Eventing Podcast, coming your way with bi-weekly episodes starting this Tuesday, February 25.

Our first episode features co-host, 5* rider and Pan American Games team gold medalist Will Faudree, and we’ll be diving into topics such as the upcoming noseband measurement tool implementation, the recent FEI Eventing Open Forum, and what Will has up his sleeve for the Kentucky trot-up this year.

If you want to go ahead and be ready to listen on Tuesday, be sure to follow us on Podbean here, where you can also find your favorite podcast platform or listen to new episodes (or simply search on your app of choice! If we aren’t there yet, let us know by emailing [email protected]).

We’ll see you on Tuesday, and Go Eventing!

Preview the Entry List for the $100k Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

By Sally Spickard on Feb 21, 2025 9:00 am -

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo by Shelby Allen.

We are officially ONE WEEK away from the start of competition at the $100,000 Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services and we cannot wait to be on the ground at our favorite “unofficial” open to the eventing season.

With $100,000 on the line and plenty of spectator appeal at this condensed-format event, the excitement is building and we now have a list of the entries who we’ll be seeing in a week’s time.

For those unfamiliar with the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase, this event is run with all three phases, with the major difference being a much shorter (think 4-5 minutes at most) cross country course that looks more akin to a motocross track than a traditional course. Now of course, we all love the longer courses that traditionally feature in our sport, but we love this event because of its spectator friendliness and atmosphere. It’s a great way to introduce new people to the sport — in fact, I have a few family members coming for the first time to see eventing for themselves — and we highly encourage you to check it out!

Tickets are still on sale here, and if you’re not able to join us in person you can also find the live stream on Horse & Country here.

Alexandra Baugh and Hubert Des 3 Arbres
Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle
Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS
Will Coleman and Off the Record
Alexander Conrad and Malibu Preacher
Dana Cooke and FE Quattro
Hallie Coon and Cute Girl
Phillip Dutton and Denim
Phillip Dutton and Possante
Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way
Will Faudree and Pfun
Emily Hamel and Corvett
Sara Kozumplik and Rubens d’Ysieux
Sara Kozumplik and Rock Phantom
Sarah Kuhn and Mr. Cash van de Start
Boyd Martin and Commando 3
Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker
Boyd Martin and Fedarman B
Austin O’Connor and You’ve Got the Lux
Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R
Monica Spencer and Artist
Allison Springer and No May Moon
Allison Springer and Vandyke
Sharon White and Claus 63
Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times
Arden Wildasin and Billy Beaufort
Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy

The list includes former winners Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS (2024) and Boyd Martin and Fedarman B (2022), returning and looking to reclaim their titles. Boyd will also debut on a bigger stage with Liz Halliday’s Ocala Horse Properties’-owned Olympic horse, Cooley Nutcracker. It will surely be an emotional weekend for all of Liz’s family and friends as we all wish she was here with us as she continues to recover from a traumatic brain injury sustained last summer, and we know she’s cheering on “Bali” every step of the way.

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B en route to the 2022 win. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

But it’s very much anyone’s game. There are several factors to consider here: the horses won’ t quite be 5* fit and will likely be somewhat fresh in some cases with the increased atmosphere. Riders will be factoring in their various spring plans in terms of how competitive they try to be, but with $100,000 on the line we know there will surely be some speedy cross country rounds on Saturday.

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

Key among the speed demons are Waylon Roberts and OKE Ruby R, who were the sole pair to catch the time last year and went on to podium in the 4*-L at Bromont later that summer. Sara Kozumplik also has an ace in her pocket with Rubens d’Ysieux, who absolutely lives for these shortened events these days. Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist are another pair whose relationship will take them far on a twisting Mark Phillips-designed course and Allison Springer is also mounted on a couple of dirt bikes in the Connemara crosses No May Moon (2024 Bromont 4*-L champ) and Vandyke.

Of course, the competition is not the only feature on the schedule. There’s plenty to do for spectators too, including a combined driving demo on Saturday featuring Annie Goodwin Rising Star Award winner Taylor Bradish and some of your favorite eventers, cross country and show jumping rider-led course walks, a Silent Auction benefitting the Annie Goodwin Rising Star fund, and a team competition featuring a Ride for Charity voting opportunity. Click here to learn about all of the happenings!

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Shelby Allen.

The schedule for competition is as follows:

Friday, Feb 28 – Morning

Dressage

8:00 am – 2:00 pm EST

Friday, Feb 28 – Evening

Show Jumping

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST

Saturday, March 1 – Afternoon

Cross-Country

12:30 pm – 3:00 pm EST

We’ll look forward to seeing you in Aiken, and in the meantime, Go Eventing!

Our coverage of the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field is brought to you by Deirdre Stoker Vaillancourt. You can learn more about Deidre’s Aiken real estate offerings here.

Equestrian Australia Announces 2025 High Performance Eventing Squads

By Sally Spickard on Feb 12, 2025 9:30 am -

Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

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

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

🥇 Gold

Chris Burton
Andrew Hoy
Shenae Lowings
Kevin McNab
Shane Rose

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

🟢 Green

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

Ema Klugman and RF Redfern. Photo by Sally Spickard.

🔜 Generation Next

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

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

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

US Equestrian Announces Updated Selector Roster

By Sally Spickard on Feb 11, 2025 10:30 am -

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

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

The new selector list is as follows:

• Deborah Furnas (Ocala, Fla.), Chair

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

• Jonathan Elliott (Yelm. Wash.)

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

• Sinead Maynard (Citra, Fla.)

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

• Michael Pollard (Rome, Ga.)

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

• Ian Stark (Selkirk, Scotland)

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

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

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

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

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

By Sally Spickard on Feb 4, 2025 10:44 am -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Go Eventing Podcast is Launching February 25!

By Sally Spickard on Jan 30, 2025 11:59 am -

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

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

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

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

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

Stay tuned, and Go Eventing!

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

By Sally Spickard on Jan 25, 2025 9:30 am -

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

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

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

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

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

The Fine Print:

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

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

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

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

By Sally Spickard on Jan 9, 2025 10:55 am -

Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

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

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

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

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

Information on this case is available here.

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

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

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

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

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

By Sally Spickard on Jan 8, 2025 2:00 pm -

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.

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

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

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

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Sally Spickard on Jan 4, 2025 9:30 am -

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

Posted by Boyd Martin on Thursday, January 2, 2025

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

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

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

By Sally Spickard on Dec 17, 2024 12:30 pm -

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

Photo courtesy of Amelia Newcomb Dressage.

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

Amelia:

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

Here are my top elements, in no particular order:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equestrian Canada Names 2025 High Performance Squads

By Sally Spickard on Dec 14, 2024 9:00 am -

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

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

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

Congratulations to the following horses and riders:

A Squad

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

B Squad

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

Development Squad

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

Eventing Nation

Sally Spickard

Achievements

About Sally Spickard

Latest Articles Written

Manufacturer of Relax Pro Responds to Recent FEI Tribunal Decision at Paris Olympics

Lifestyles of the Fast & Fearless: Jennie Brannigan & FE Lifestyle Win SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

An Artistic Display: Monica Spencer and Artist Hold the Lead in Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI4*-S

Kiwi is the Featured Flavor on Day One of Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI4*-S

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen Take First 2025 US Equestrian Open Qualifier in Bouckaert International CCI4*-S

Eventing Community Mourns Loss of Caroline Moore

Hit the Road with Ride iQ’s 2025 Summer ‘Van Life’ Internship

2025 Beckons: A U.S. Spring Season Primer

Grand Slam of Eventing Series Will Not Run in 2025

Victory Dance: Will Coleman Repeats 1-2 Finish at $100k SVC Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

The Go Eventing Podcast is LIVE!

Follow The Go Eventing Podcast!

Preview the Entry List for the $100k Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field

Equestrian Australia Announces 2025 High Performance Eventing Squads

US Equestrian Announces Updated Selector Roster

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

The Go Eventing Podcast is Launching February 25!

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

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

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

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

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

Equestrian Canada Names 2025 High Performance Squads

Stable View

Success Equestrian

FutureTrack

Sport Horse Nation

Kentucky Performance Products

Strides for Equality Equestrians

USEA

USEF

FEI