Sally Spickard
Articles Written 4,393
Article Views 10,891,710

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

Down but Not Out: Twin Rivers Ranch Needs Your Support to Recover from California Floods

Flash flooding pushes loads of water onto Twin Rivers property last week. Photo courtesy of Bec Braitling.

Andrea Baxter, her family, and Bec Braitling were in the midst of a normal morning on January 9. She, like most California residents, had kept one weary eye on the always-open weather apps since late December as historic “atmospheric river” weather has dumped record-breaking water on a state more prone to drought and fire risk than flooding. The severe weather had brought with it warnings of flash flooding in San Luis Obisbo County, home to Area VI staple venue Twin Rivers Ranch, but so far the water had kept away from the property.

“We bought [Twin Rivers Ranch] in 2001,” Andrea told EN’s Tilly Berendt this morning. “And we knew that it was in a ‘100 year flood zone’, but in saying that it’s never flooded. I think the last flood was in 1960, and by flood, I think that it just maybe barely tipped over the levee.”

The dressage area will need some serious rework after sustaining major flood damage. Photo courtesy of Bec Braitling.

She was in for an unpleasant surprise, however, on returning back home later that afternoon. “I don’t think anybody ever imagined that this kind of water could ever come our way,” she said, describing the scene when she pulled onto the property. Four inches of river covered the dressage courts, and the rising water was making its way onto a significant chunk of the venue’s 500 acres, home to parts of the cross country course, the trot hack field, and the racetrack.

“You call it a flash flood. And that was, you know, we hear about flash floods, and we do hear about them in California, but where we are in particular, it’s just never applied to us. So you know, it’s just crazy how you don’t realize these things can happen until they happen to you,” Andrea explained.

Debris is strewn about the cross country course. Photo courtesy of Bec Braitling.

At that point, Andrea, her parents, Bec, and anyone else who was currently on the property ran down to save what they could of the dressage arena — Andrea here jokes about her mother urging the group to pick the letters up in order, spoken like a true organized horse person! — but still lost about 20% of the framework (someone will have quite a few questions when the letters wash up in the yard, I’d say). The cross country, meanwhile, was in many parts underwater, leaving much to clean up in the river wash wake.

As of today, January 17, Andrea says the water has receded, and while more rain has continued to dump on the area no other flash floods have occurred. The damage done is substantial, however, and so the venue has launched a GoFundMe with a fundraising goal of $25,000 to help cover the costs of bringing in jump builders to assist with getting the cross country in top shape, repairing of the dressage footing and arenas, and other clean-up tasks.

Luckily, all horses and horse areas were safe from the floods — but some of the land was reclaimed by the river. Photo courtesy of Bec Braitling.

The first weekend in March will play host to the first event on the Twin Rivers calendar, and while Andrea says there is much to be done, and the dressage will likely be moved to a different part of the property for this event, riders shouldn’t worry about missing the event. “The main major damage was to the dressage area, race track, and north field where we trot hack,” Andrea explained. “In terms of the March event, we should be able to pull it off. I don’t think we’ll be running dressage in the historic location, but we have somewhere else appropriate for the dressage. But the cross country is in decent condition and in terms of the jumps, it’s going to be more cleaning debris and making sure the footing is safe.”

At the time of this article’s publication, the Twin Rivers GoFundMe had reached nearly $5,000 in donations. You can send a donation to help the clean-up efforts here, and you can also follow the Twin Rivers social channels as well as here on EN for more updates and ways to help.

Tilly Berendt contributed to this story.

US Eventing Grooms Association Unveils 2023 Winter Education Series Schedule

Hailey Burlock and Dondante. Photo courtesy of Alleyn Evans of Shannon Brinkman Photo.

Venturing to Florida in the winter season carries many benefits, but chief among them is the ample opportunity for learning while you’re in the area. An undeniable hotbed of eventing action, particularly in the winter, the Ocala area plays host to a whole array of recognized and unrecognized competitions, clinics, lessons with top pros, and educational seminars. And these aren’t just riding opportunities — the US Eventing Grooms Association is also aiming to educate as many riders as they can reach about the ins and outs of immaculate horse care.

In 2022, the USEGA began offering educational seminars in cooperation with the Event Riders’ Association, and this winter those sessions will continue with a full slate of six seminars on the docket. Each seminar will be held at a farm in the Ocala area — best to follow the USEGA/ERA Facebook Group for more updates on where to attend and if there will be any live streaming available. This year’s educational seminars include:

January 24: Grooming 101 with Max Corcoran
February 7: Veterinary Care with Dr. Shane Harley
February 13: All Things Show Jumping with Chris Barnard
February 21: Equine Massage Therapy with Jo-Ann Wilson
March 7: Nutrition and Supplements with Cat Hill
March 14: Everything Finance! with Rich Booth

Continuing education is always something we’re up for, and EN will be bringing you reports from a few of these sessions — stay tuned for more! Go Eventing.

Sunday Video Break: A World Champion’s Beginnings

Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Abby Powell.

By now, the eventing world is well familiar with the name Yasmin Ingham.

Maybe as a U.S.-based fan you first heard of the charming young woman from the tiny Isle of Man when she made a first trip to the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, finishing second to 2010 WEG gold medalist Michael Jung.

Maybe you remembered the name when she pulled off what was still a decisive upset despite the accolades she’d collected to that point, taking the full spoils of last year’s FEI Eventing World Championships.

Or, maybe you were keen to know who would be on the radar in a few years’ time, quietly amassing results at the Junior and Young Rider levels before arriving on the international stage — so you were already in the know when she became a household name.

Either way — Yasmin has established herself as an eventing force to be reckoned with, and EN’s Ema Klugman dug up this excellent find of Yasmin competing (and, surprise, winning the gold medal) at the 2013 FEI European Eventing Championships for Ponies. This was just Yasmin’s second FEI competition, and she would finish on her dressage mark with the Irish pony Craig Mor Tom. Watch and enjoy!

Wednesday News & Notes from SRF Carolina International

We’ve been monitoring the heavy storms that have lashed the West coast to start 2023, causing heavy flooding in both burn areas as well as locations more prone to drought than not. I’m situated in the Bay area of northern California these days, and while our neighborhood escaped much of the damage thanks to the mountains nearby taking the brunt of the storm, many have fared far worse.

A bit further south from here is Paso Robles, which is home to Twin Rivers Ranch. The facility certainly has an appropriate name this week as storm waters caused a massive surge of flooding throughout the property.

“We survived the night!” Twin Rivers-based Bec Braitling wrote on Instagram yesterday. “The River dropped enough to reveal the damage. Overall…. Not too bad!!! The jumps all survived (for the most part, some moved a little 😂) but there’s a LOT of river action. The lower field has some debris but the ground/ tracks are going to recover just fine. We have the best team at Twin and everyone pitched in last night to save the things that really float. It’s going to take a bit of work to get things back to how they were but if anyone can do it it’s these guys.”

Take a look at some scenes from Twin Rivers:

No updates yet on how we can help the venue, but we’ll certainly keep an eye out for more information and will share anything else that is shared in the coming days.

Elsewhere in California, therapeutic program and public riding school CBC Equine, located in Elk Grove, suffered massive flood damage to its barns. The nonprofit organization has posted an Amazon wish list of items needed to help the program get back on its feet.

If you’d like to donate an item or a few from CBC Equine’s Amazon wish list, click here.

I know this is not an all-inclusive list of facilities affected by the storms, so if your program could use some visibility, please tip us by emailing [email protected].

[AP News: Latest Updates on California Flooding]

U.S. Weekend Preview – Welcome back, everyone!

Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ram Tap Horse Park Combined Test (Fresno, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Wednesday News & Reading

Today we’re remembering much-loved eventing supporter Jean Horst Gore, who passed away last weekend at the age of 87. Perhaps best known in the eventing community for her leadership and service to the Maryland Combined Training Association (MCTA), Jean could always be found volunteering or otherwise supporting the events she loved. [In Memoriam: Jean Horst Gore]

I’m all for an deep-dive on the good old r/oddlysatisfying now and then, and it turns out farrier work falls under this category. Ok, maybe all 270 million people who saw this magical farriery saw the video on TikTok, but same concept applies. In fact, the video uploaded by Sam Dracott became the most-viewed TikTok uploaded in the UK last year. Wild! Don’t worry, I’ve got the video for you (click here if the embedded TikTok doesn’t show up in your browser):

@samdracott_farrier Satisfying!! #samdracottfarrier #farrier #asmr #oddlysatisfying #horsetok #farmtok #horses #horse #satisfying ♬ original sound – Sam Dracott Farrier

US Equestrian is currently seeking bids for the 2024-2026 North American Youth Championships across disciplines, including eventing (National Eventing Team Championship for Juniors and Young Riders). US Equestrian and the organizing committee National Federation must receive applications before 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, for consideration. [Bid Process Open for 2024-2026 NAYC]

A new pilot series, FEI Eventing World Challenge, designed to introduce eventing to more nations will begin in 2023. The new series, which will run in the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Vaulting and Para Dressage, has been developed as an introduction to the sport, serving as an education basis at grassroots level. [More details available for 2023 FEI Eventing World Challenge]

Do you know a rising equine media star who deserves some recognition? Nominations are closing soon for the 2023 AHP Equine Media NextGen Award, given to “an up-and-coming professional who has made a significant impact in advancing equine media while upholding journalistic excellence, integrity, and trust in a competitive communications world”. The nomination deadline is January 31. [AHP Equine Media NextGen Awards]

Sponsor Corner: Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International

One of the best parts of Carolina International is the annual Painted Ponies Art Walk, hosted to benefit the Carolina Horse Park Foundation through the auction of several exquisitely painted, life-size “ponies”. We can’t wait to see the unveiling of this year’s Painted Ponies!

Wednesday Video Break

Meghan O’Donoghue and Pirate. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We love a good “where are they now?” update, and here’s one from one of my personal favorite 5* horses, Meghan O’Donoghue’s Pirate! The OTTB-that-could is 20 this year, but it feels like yesterday we saw him storming around Kentucky!

Training Tip Tuesday Video Break: Cross Discipline Learning with McLain Ward

We can all learn a thing or three from just about any successful rider, regardless of the discipline they primarily compete in. Olympic show jumper McLain Ward is a regular siting in Wellington this time of year, and most recently he donned his teaching cap for the USEF Horsemastership Training Series. This clinic and seminar series is aimed at developing young riders into future jumping stars.

In this clip from the Horsemastership Training Series, McLain works with a horse on rideability and balance, narrating as he goes. Watch and learn, then check out the rest of the content from this week over on USEF Network (soon to be housed on ClipMyHorse.TV!).

6 Online Learning Platforms Every Eventer Can Learn from in 2023

Virtual training can be like having a coach right there with you — even if you’re riding at home on your own. Photo by JJ Sillman.

One of the most interesting advancements within the equestrian world in recent years is that of online education. Perhaps fueled by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, or perhaps also aided by the evolution of technology and the growth of other online learning platforms, riding education has come a long way in digital form.

Now, this isn’t to say that every online platform is created equal, or even that virtual learning is an all-out replacement for in-person lessons. But let’s face it: we don’t all live in a riding or eventing hub. Many riders live in rural areas, or in states without strong eventing calendars or a robust roster of certified instructors. So what’s a rider to do?

I’ve gathered some of the most prominent online education platforms that have gained momentum within the eventing space recently. This isn’t a sponsored article — nor is this a comprehensive list — and I encourage our readers to do their own research on what type of learning makes sense for their current skill set. I wouldn’t, for example, recommend starting your riding career with online education, nor would I recommend many of these lessons for full beginners. Riding comes with responsibility, so be sure to make your training decisions wisely!

Equestrian Masterclass

Equestrian Masterclass was launched by NöelleFloyd.com, originally focusing on the hunter/jumper space but expanding into over disciplines. Users have the opportunity to participate in full-scale educational curriculum featuring well-produced videos and exercise breakdowns from top riders such as Karl Cook, Ian Millar, Anne Kursinski, Tik Maynard, and many more to come.

Cost: $19.99/month or $199/year with a 7-day free trial

Horse & Country TV

H&C+ subscribers not only gain access to a full slate of live streams each season (and not only in eventing — H&C+ carries dressage, show jumping, driving, Western, and many other disciplines!), but also a library chock full of both educational and entertainment content. While the educational content on the H&C+ platform is not customized or module-based, there are still plenty of learning opportunities with content from Hannah Sue Hollberg, Will Coleman, Carl Hester, Alex Hua Tian, and more.

Cost: $12.99/month or $99.99/year (H&C+ Gold is also available with more perks for $249.99/year) with a 7-day free trial

Lucinda Green XC Academy

Learn from British eventing legend Lucinda Green herself thanks to her XC Academy program, which features educational webinars and lectures as well as practical exercises distributed to members on a regular basis. Focusing on Lucinda’s “Greenprint” for producing confident horses and riders, this platform focuses primarily on improving cross country riding — but features plenty of content that builds better, more aware riders all around.

Cost: £25 / $30 per month, membership spots open again on February 1, but you can join the wait list here.

Piggy TV

After producing a successful vlog for several seasons, British 5* winner Piggy March launched her own subscription product, Piggy TV, in 2022. More of a fan club-meets-training community feel, Piggy TV brings you behind the scenes of Piggy’s bustling program while also sprinkling in training advice for both horse and rider on a regular basis.

Cost: £9.99 or $12.15/month+

Practical Horseman OnDemand

Fans of Practical Horseman’s magazine learning will appreciate their venture into video training with OnDemand, a full library of filmed training sessions and lessons. Find exercises broken down by top riders, full lesson videos, interviews, and much more from your favorite riders with this platform. The videos are not created in module format like some, but the vast amount of videos available will be helpful for any rider looking to learn.

Cost: $24.99/month

Ride iQ

With a brand new look in 2023, audio app Ride iQ is growing rapidly and always looking for what’s next in the rapidly-expanding equestrian tech space. Ride iQ features unique, guided lessons taught by a strong staff of top riders, including Leslie Law, Doug Payne, Kyle Carter, Lauren Sprieser, and many more. What’s really cool about these lessons is that they can be done “in ear”, while you ride your own horse. Think of it as a Peloton class, but done in partnership with your horse! Riders who don’t have the benefit of regular lessons say Ride iQ has changed the way they ride on their own. In addition to an ever-growing library of lessons, Ride iQ also features an engaged private Facebook community (as do many of the other platforms on this list) as well as podcasts and regular Q&As with coaches and industry experts.

Cost: $29.99/month or $299/year with a 14-day free trial

Do you have an app or platform you like that I didn’t include on this list? Add it to the list in the comments!

Video: It’s Hell Week at Sharon White’s

 

💪 First week of the year? You know what time it is: Hell Week!

We began this annual tradition thanks to the guidance of Jimmy Wofford, who can’t be here with us this week but whose exercises we refer to time and time again.

In these videos we’re using exercises from Jimmy’s Gymnastics for Horses book. The footwork and jumping exercises are useful foundational practice for young and experienced horses (this is my young mare, Jaguar Duende) while we get to work on our balance and position.

Balance matters for obvious reasons, but a big reason I emphasize balance and position so much is that this stability creates confidence. Putting a hand behind the back is the beginning of independence when jumping. You do your part, your horse does their part — the better balanced you are, the better your horse goes, the more you believe in each other. Moving the hand then to your chest, to the top of your head, up in the air, etc. improves your ability to keep your center of gravity while jumping.

More coming from Hell Week — stay tuned!

Posted by Sharon White on Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Each year we look forward to video missives coming out of Sharon White’s Last Frontier Farm. “Hell Week” is a tradition coined by Jim Wofford, a longtime coach and mentor to Sharon, and it’s always certain to yield a few interesting takes on popular exercises.

If you can’t view the video above, click here to watch it on Facebook.

Here’s what Sharon had to say about this exercise, which features several gymnastic exercises from Jimmy’s books (here’s one you can add to your bookshelf):

“In these videos we’re using exercises from Jimmy’s Gymnastics for Horses book. The footwork and jumping exercises are useful foundational practice for young and experienced horses (this is my young mare, Jaguar Duende) while we get to work on our balance and position.

Balance matters for obvious reasons, but a big reason I emphasize balance and position so much is that this stability creates confidence. Putting a hand behind the back is the beginning of independence when jumping. You do your part, your horse does their part — the better balanced you are, the better your horse goes, the more you believe in each other. Moving the hand then to your chest, to the top of your head, up in the air, etc. improves your ability to keep your center of gravity while jumping.”

Read more about Hell Week:

Three Exercises for a Stronger Position from Sharon White’s ‘Hell Week’

A Hunter Princess Gone Rogue Tackles ‘Hell Week’

Heavenly Hell Week with Wofford

And the Winner of the Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway Is…

We knew our Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway would get a lot of attention, and we were right! The #BestWeekendAllYear looms large April 27-30, and we teamed up with AthletuxOcala Horse PropertiesDubarry of Irelandand Equestrian Events Inc. to send one winner and three friends to this year’s event.

Please join us in congratulating Hannah C. from Colorado — our drawn winner of this ultimate getaway! Hannah and her barn buddies will receive:

  • Four (4) General Admission Tickets for each day of the event
  • One (1) Land Rover Tailgating Premium Package (2 entries w/vehicle & 6 additional GA tickets for Saturday of the event – Tailgate area)
  • $750 in travel funds via VISA gift card
  • Dubarry Crew Jacket (1) and a $250 E-voucher for use on dubarry.com/us
  • Package of Eventing Nation merchandise

Thank you to all who entered our giveaway! We’ll see you in Kentucky. Go Eventing!

[Get Your Tickets to the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event]

Wednesday News & Notes from Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International

Please join us in welcoming the 2023 Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI & H.T. to the Eventing Nation family of partners! We’re getting keyed up for the upcoming International, celebrating its 10th anniversary March 16-19 in Raeford, NC. A key stop on the Land Rover Kentucky prep calendar as well as a popular stopover for riders competing at other FEI levels and moving up the National levels, Carolina International always seems to help usher in a bustling international eventing season here in the U.S. and this year, due to calendar modifications, is the first 4*-S of the year.

We’ll be bringing you much more about Carolina as we approach, including content about this year’s incoming title sponsor, Setters’ Run Farm — you may recognize the name as associated with super eventing supporter Annie Eldridge, who among other things decorating her busy schedule owns horses for FEI World Championships rider Ariel Grald.

[More on the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International]

We’re just one week removed from the kick off of the new calendar year’s worth of competing — hang in there, score-stalking junkies!

Wednesday News & Reading

This week marks the beginning of the new EA21 National Camp, hosted in Ocala via the USEA’s Emerging Athlete 21 program. 19 young riders are taking part in this weeklong National Camp via invitation after participation in the various regional camps around the country. David O’Connor was the coach tapped for the first day of instruction, which saw the riders working on fundamentals, critical thinking, and practical application. [Focusing on Fundamentals on Day One of EA21 National Camp]

As winter hits Ukraine, the Ukrainian Equestrian Charity Foundation is seeking donations of hay and blankets as it continues to provide aid to those fleeing or otherwise affected by the ongoing war with Russia. [UECF Seeks Hay and Blankets]

If you’re in Ocala this winter, you can check out the return of a popular schooling jumper series hosted at a collection of farms in the area. The series kicks off at Will Coleman’s this week and rotates to Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook South next week. [Check out the full schedule]

“No horse, no hoof” will never not ring true, and this theory applies in a recent study conducted by PhD candidate Yogi Sharp, Dipl. WCF, BSc (Hons). His goal was to test the notion that hind hoof balance has much to do with the overall musculoskeletal posture and health of the horse. “I just wanted to specifically test the theory of the hoof being a neurosensory organ that informs posture because, you know, that’s been suggested, but no one’s ever actually quantified or tested it,” Sharp said to TheHorse.com. [Correcting Hind Hoof Balance Could Fix Whole-Horse Issues]

Wednesday Video Break

Since we’re in a Carolina mood today, here’s a throwback helmet cam from Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless in 2018:

Tuesday Video: Learning How to ‘Fail’ with Landsafe

If you’ve ever attended a Landsafe Equestrian clinic put on by Danny and Kelli Warrington, you know the basic concepts behind the idea of falling in a safer way that could help reduce risk of severe injury in the event of a rotational fall. If you haven’t attended, we’ve got the perfect vlog to take a peek behind the scenes and pique your interest.

YouTuber Gypsy Equestrian, based in Texas, recently attended a Landsafe clinic and gleaned a lot of useful information, even as a rider who doesn’t event herself. There are a lot of fundamental topics covered in these excellent clinics, which focus on rider safety and muscle memory to become more instinctive with our reactions.

Landsafe Equestrian is always on tour, so you can check out their upcoming dates — or schedule a clinic at your farm — here.

Celebrating 10 Years at Stable View: Training Incentive Announced in Prep for Aiken Opener

Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

The winter portion of the 2023 season is kicking off soon, and in preparation for its Aiken Opener H.T. January 21-22, Stable View Farm is offering a new training incentive to those who compete in its schooling series this month.

2023 also marks the 10 year anniversary for the Aiken, SC venue, which hosts two 4*-S events each year along with a packed calendar of unrecognized events, recognized hunter, jumper, eventing and dressage competition.

Riders wishing to polish up their phases ahead of the Aiken Opener have the option to compete in three schooling shows: Schooling Jumpers on Wednesday, January 4, Schooling Dressage on Wednesday, January 11, and a Combined Test on Saturday, January 14. Riders entering both the Schooling Jumpers and Schooling Dressage shows will receive half off their Combined Test entry, making for a three-show package at an entry price of $100. You can view all prize lists and entry forms on the Stable View website here.

We’re looking forward to a full-slate season at Stable View. Follow along on their website and Instagram for the latest updates and event openings!

Wednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Do’s and Don’ts of Working with ‘Pushy’ Horses

I used to have a horse who would be classified as “pushy”. It was partially my doing for being pretty lenient with cookie-giving (I’m a sucker, what can I say?), and it wouldn’t have been an issue if he wasn’t the type to want to escalate things when boundaries were mentioned.

Suffice it to say I wish I would have had access to the resources — even five years ago! — that are now readily available at my fingertips online.

Now, let me also put in a disclaimer here that not all training advice is good advice. One balancing factor that comes with the increased availability of information is knowing how to sift good information from not-so-good. Common sense and horse sense should govern well here, but it’s always good to do your research on who is teaching, what their credentials are, and what their results have been.

Noelle Floyd’s Equestrian Masterclass often shares shortened clips from their various curriculum on YouTube, and this one contains lots of useful pointers from Tik Maynard. Have a look and maybe pick up a few new clues!

Is your horse challenged by GI tract imbalances, diarrhea, and/or ulcers?

Neigh-Lox® Advanced provides a scientifically advanced blend of ingredients that work synergistically to maintain your horse’s digestive tract in peak condition by supporting both the gastrointestinal tissues and the beneficial bacteria that populate the gut. Maintaining a healthy digestive tract reduces the risk of colonic and gastric ulcers, colic, laminitis related to hindgut acidosis, and oxidative stress that damages digestive tract tissues themselves. Horses with a well-balanced GI tract have good appetites, absorb more nutrients from their diets, maintain a strong immune system, and stay healthier.

The horse that matters to you matters to us®. KPPusa.com

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FEI Eventing (@fei_eventing)

What’s been your favorite eventing story of the year? Each year, I try to pick a favorite, but inevitably one of two things happened: I can’t remember a damn thing — like, this season may as well have never happened — or I get stuck waffling between sentimental favorites. I think one of the best that sticks in my mind is this great one sniffed out by Shelby Allen at the FEI World Championships on Danish rider Hanne Wind Ramsgaard. [“If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It”]

Wednesday News & Reading

Time is running out to enter our Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway! You and three friends could win travel funds for your trip to The Best Weekend All Year, general admission to each day plus premium cross country tailgating, and Dubarry gear — all you need to do is enter by December 31 for a shot at winning. [Fly Away to LRK3DE]

In most other major eventing nations, certification is required in order to become an instructor. In the U.S., certification is available through the recently-revamped Eventing Coaches Program (ECP — formerly known as the Instructor’s Certification Program). [Certification: An Important Choice]

Is your horse depressed? Just like us, our horses experience their own gamut of emotions — and yes, depression can indeed be one of them. Our friends at KPP have some tips for spotting and helping depression in horses. [Is Your Horse Depressed?]

Don’t forget to cast your votes for the USEF Equestrian of the Year Honors! Included in the field are FEI World Championships team rider Will Coleman along with Off the Record, nominated for International Horse of the Year. [Cast your votes by December 29]

FEI World Championships Ground Jury member and 5* dressage judge Peter Gray finds a whole new level of thrill in the judge’s box. He may have competed internationally in the sports of eventing and dressage, but the view from the box is one that can’t be replaced — and it’s this love of all this horses and sport that has led him down a path he wouldn’t trade in for anything. [Gray’s Found His Next Chapter in the Judge’s Box]

What’s gone into the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s rating of equestrian helmets? Don’t forget: this isn’t their first spin around the testing-out-the-melon-protector block. The Helmet Lab has made a name for itself for its research and ratings of helmets for all types of sports, from football to motorsports and, now, to equestrian. [Rating Helmet Safety]

Tack Facts with Sterling Essentials: Raise your hand if your New Year’s Resolution is to clean your tack more! [Then watch this video]

Sponsor Corner: Haygain sales will support World Horse Welfare during the month of September, with 2% of proceeds committed for sales through December 31. Shop for a good cause here.

Wednesday Video Break

Working on your own fitness this winter? Try these tips to solidify your jumping position, thanks to Coach Tony Sandoval:

Fly Away to the #BestWeekendAllYear: How to Win the Ultimate LRK3DE Getaway

Kentucky is JUST around the corner (yes, it’s December, and yes, we already have our hotels booked and yes, we know we’re crazy – but we know you are too), and if you’re a diehard eventing fan like us you’ve already been making plans for the #BestWeekendAllYear.

Allow us to level up your plans! Beginning today, entries are now open for The Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway, presented by Eventing Nation, Athletux, Ocala Horse Properties, and Dubarry of Ireland. If you’re planning to attend Kentucky next year (April 27-30) – keep reading!

For the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, we’re pleased to offer one winner and three friends

  1. Four (4) General Admission Tickets for each day of the event

  2. One (1) Land Rover Tailgating Premium Package (2 entries w/vehicle & 6 additional GA tickets for Saturday of the event – Tailgate area)

  3. $750 in travel funds via VISA gift card

  4. Dubarry Crew Jacket (1) and a $250 E-voucher for use on dubarry.com/us

  5. Package of Eventing Nation merchandise

You have several options to enter! Each entry will count on its own, so if you use all entry options, you’ll have up to 4 chances to win.

Option 1: Use this form to enter your email address. You will be signed up to receive emails from: Eventing Nation, Athletux, Ocala Horse Properties, and Dubarry, but you may unsubscribe at any time.

Option 2: Follow ALL of the following accounts on Instagram: @goeventing, @athletux, @ocalahorseproperties, @dubarry.usa, @kentuckythreedayevent

Option 3: Tag a friend in the comments on the contest announcement post on any of the following Instagram accounts: @goeventing, @athletux, @ocalahorseproperties, @dubarry.usa@kentuckythreedayevent

Option 4: Share the Instagram post announcing this giveaway from any of the following accounts to your story (must be public to be viewable): @goeventing, @athletux, @ocalahorseproperties, @dubarry.usa@kentuckythreedayevent

Entries are open from December 15, through Saturday, December 31. We will announce the winner during the week of January 2, 2023. You must be 18 or older (or have a parent/guardian enter on your behalf) to be eligible to win. This contest is open to anyone regardless of location.

Use this link to fill out the entry form if the form below does not function in your browser.

Christmas Day Video Break: He’s Baaaaack!

It’s the moment I know we’ve ALL been waiting for: London 52’s first jump school after vacation!

If you’re new to this party, allow us to fill you in.

As most riders do, Badminton winner and Tokyo gold medalist for Britain Laura Collett gives her horses a solid vacation after major competitions. Generally, this means most of them come back into work right around the close of each year. London 52 is an annual attraction on this first-day-of-school event because of his aerial antics and pure enthusiasm for returning back to work.

Here he is! (Can’t see the embedded Instagram post below? Click here to watch it in the app)

ICYMI, here’s a look at “Dan’s” previous antics (Laura, we think you’re missing a serious cash grab not selling tickets to this, tbh):

Go Dan, and Go Eventing!

Sunday Links from SmartPak

A very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating this weekend! We’re enjoying a light couple of weeks here at EN and hope you are also getting some downtime — and don’t forget to take care of those taking care of our horses this weekend, especially in the parts of the world hardest hit by winter.

Sunday Links

How does water temperature affect horses’ drinking habits?

William Fox-Pitt: Bringing Out Your Horse’s Best

The Top 9 USEA Instagram Posts of 2022

Everything You Never Knew About Sleigh Bells

Sunday Video:

Stuff riders say during gift giving times — I think we can ALL relate!

Jackie Potts Receives British Equestrian Medal of Honor

Last week, British Equestrian honored leading equestrian figures for their services to the industry. Eight individuals were presented with the British Equestrian Medal of Honor by the Federation’s Chair, Malcolm Wharton CBE, and CEO, Jim Eyre. The presentation took place in the main arena at the London International Horse Show, presenting medals to:

Charlotte Fry (2021)
Gareth Hughes (2021)
Sophie Thomas (2021)
David Trott (2021)
Professor Eric Jenkinson (2022)
Dr. Chris Meadon (2022)
Jackie Potts (2022)
Charlotte Thornycroft (2022)

The British Equestrian Medal of Honor is awarded to those recognized as having completed acts of international endeavor in relation to equestrian sport, and for outstanding services to the Federation or its Member Bodies.

Jackie Potts, longtime head groom and manager-of-all-things for William Fox-Pitt, needs little introduction as one recipient of this prestigious award.

A familiar figure on the eventing circuit, Jackie has been the head groom at William Fox-Pitt’s yard for over thirty years. The epitome of a world-class groom, Jackie’s knowledge, skill and attention to detail are second-to-none and she is always ready to offer support to those who need it. She has five Olympic Games, five World Championships and eight European Championships on her CV, and too many three-day events to count. Jackie is a founding Director for the International Grooms Association and a longstanding ambassador for the British Grooms Association. Being a groom is, in her own words, ‘a way of life, not a job’.

Hear from Jackie after her award (can’t see the embedded video below? Click here to watch it on Facebook):

 

We caught up with super-groom Jackie Potts after she was presented with a British Equestrian Medal of Honour earlier today. Watch the video to hear some of Jackie’s highlights of working with Fox-Pitt Eventing for over 30 years and how she hope that receiving this award will inspire a new generation of grooms 🫶 👇

#LIHS2022

Posted by British Equestrian on Friday, December 16, 2022

You can read more about the recipients of the British Equestrian Medal of Honor here.

Will Coleman, Off the Record Represent Eventers in 2022 USEF Equestrian of the Year Awards

Off The Record’s crew. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Eventers, it’s time to rock the vote!

The USEF Horse of the year and Equestrian of the Year Awards are put to a popular vote each year to determine the winning athletes, pulling from a pool of finalists from multiple disciplines. Eventing doesn’t always make the cut in these awards, but this year FEI World Championships team member Will Coleman represents the insanity in the middle along with the Off the Record Syndicate’s Off the Record.

The International and National Equestrians of the Year will be announced at the 2022 Pegasus Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 12, and the International and National Horses of the Year will be announced at the 2022 SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 14, at the 2023 US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky.

[View all nominees and vote]

Voting is open now through 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 29. Click here to vote now. Please note that you must be logged in to your USEF account to vote. After submitting your selections, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your vote. You must confirm your ballot in order for your votes to count!

Let’s take a look at the full field of nominees for International Equestrian of the Year:

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

Will Coleman
Ocala, FL
Eventing

2022 World Championship silver medalist Will Coleman is a notable athlete and competitor for U.S. eventing. His decorated 2022 hit its pinnacle with helping the U.S. Eventing Team qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics with an incredible effort at the World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, highlighted by a clutch clear show jumping round with medals on the line, but they don’t end there. Coleman’s consistency placed him within the top 10 as an individual in every CCI5*-L competition he entered this year, finishing seventh at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ with Dondante, seventh at the FEI World Eventing Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro with Off The Record, and sixth at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill with Dondante.

Additionally, Coleman took home a win at the Carolina International CCI4*-S with Dondante, placed third at the Great Meadow International CCI4*-S with Off The Record, and was second at the Morven Park International CCI4*-L with Chin Tonic HS, as well as a pair of top 10 placings at CHIO Aachen on both Chin Tonic HS and Off The Record.

Coleman, who owns and operates Okonokos Farm in Ocala, Fla., a conditioning and training site utilized by U.S. Eventing, is living a “lifelong dream” that began when he was six years old in Charlottesville, Va., on a Shetland pony and continues today.

Kate Shoemaker, a member of the U.S. Para Dressage Team that won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, enjoyed another banner year in 2022.

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo by Matt Turer / US Equestrian.

Adrienne Lyle
Wellington, FL
Dressage

Coming off a team silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games just last summer, U.S. dressage athlete Adrienne Lyle has not slowed down.

In August, Lyle posted an 83.704% in the Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle Championship at Herning 2022 on Salvino—the second-highest score of her career and good for sixth place amongst a strong international field. The combination was the only American team partnership to compete in the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, and Freestyle at the World Championships, where they also played a key role in qualifying the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Ranked 11th in the FEI Dressage World Ranking at the time of her nomination, Lyle took home two national championships at the 2022 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, winning the Markel/USEF Young Horse Four-Year-Old Dressage National Championship with Fürst Dream and the Markel/USEF Young Horse Five-Year-Old Dressage National Championship with Valor, positioning herself for an exciting present and future with U.S. Dressage.

Kate Shoemaker. Photo by Taylor Pence / US Equestrian.

Kate Shoemaker
Wellington, FL
Para Dressage

She shone on the international stage, most notably at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, where she was the U.S. team’s highest-placing individual medalist. In Herning, riding her own mare Quiana, she scored a personal-best 80.275% to win the silver medal in the FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Freestyle. The pair also contributed the highest score toward the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team’s team bronze effort, which qualified the U.S. for a team berth at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Riding Quiana and Solitaer 40 during 2022 season, she also earned a team silver and individual overall CPEDI3* championship in Doha, Qatar, as well as top individual CPEDI3* results in Wellington, Fla., and a team victory and individual reserve honors in Tryon, N.C., among other notable achievements.

Shoemaker’s contributions to para dressage in 2022 went beyond her own competition performances. Through her mentorship and coaching, and through training and lending horses, she has made a lasting impact on the sport. In 2022, she helped put together four horse-and-rider partnerships, including helping her Herning teammate Roxanne Trunnell secure the ride on Fortunato H2O. In October, she also coached a pair of up-and-coming riders at the Perrigo CPEDI3* at Tryon: overall winner Fiona Howard and junior rider Genevieve Rohner, who achieved a personal best score.

And the nominees for International Horses of Honor:

Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Off The Record
(VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay, Ard Ohio)
2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding
Owner: Off The Record Syndicate

Off The Record, frequently called “Timmy,” began his international career with Olympian Will Coleman in 2015. Seven years into that partnership, the combination was as strong as ever in 2022. Off The Record and Coleman finished 12th at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L and two months later placed sixth at CHIO Aachen as a member of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team.

A top-three finish at the Great Meadow CCI4*-S set up Off The Record for three days of key results at the Pratoni del Vivaro 2022 FEI World Eventing Championship. After a 26.4 dressage score, Off The Record and Coleman were trailblazers for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team on cross-country day, finishing just two seconds over time. On show jumping day with medals on the line, Off The Record and Coleman produced the only clear round for the team, managing the questions asked throughout the difficult track with poise, demonstrating the scopiness, rideability, and talent the 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding is known for.

The pair finished as the highest-placed individual U.S. combination in Pratoni del Vivaro, taking seventh place overall and helping the U.S. to a silver medal—its first eventing team medal at a World Championship since 2002.

Orafina. Photo by Sportfot.

Orafina
(For Fashion x Corofina, Canturo)
2012 KPWN mare
Owner: Kent Farrington LLC

Orafina has been a member of Kent Farrington’s string for the past two years, developing through the levels to become a top international CSI5* horse. The pair started the 2022 season with several top placings in Wellington, Fla., at the Winter Equestrian Festival, including a win in the $75,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge CSI5* and a second-place finish that same week in the $406,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI5*. They also captured a win in the $140,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3* just a few weeks later. Farrington then traveled to Thunderbird as part of the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team where he and Orafina earned top honors in the $186,900 Longines Grand Prix CSIO5*.

With Orafina in top form, the pair secured several podium-topping performances at Spruce Meadows before continuing their Canadian tour success, notching another victory in the $215,000 RBC Grand Prix CSI5* in Ottawa to mark their ninth victory together in 2022. Farrington piloted Orafina to another international win in Tryon, taking the $139,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI3* with the pair closing out their season in California, earning a final win in the $74,200 CWD Jump-Off Challenge CSI5* and a second-place finish in the $450,000 Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix CSI5*.

Quiana. Photo by Matt Turer / US Equestrian.

Quiana
(Quaterstern x Rubina, Rubinstern Noir)
2014 Rheinland mare
Owner: Kate Shoemaker

Quiana began her partnership with Paralympian Kate Shoemaker in January 2022, and the pair quickly became a winning combination. Quiana and Shoemaker won their first CPEDI3* together and helped the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team earn the silver medal at CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar. They finished in the top three in the Grade IV classes at their next CPEDI3* in Randbøl, Denmark, including a personal-best 75.813% in the Individual Test.

The impressive results secured Quiana and Shoemaker a spot on the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark. The duo helped the U.S. earn a team bronze medal and qualify for a team berth at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Quiana and Shoemaker closed out the World Championships by scoring a personal best 80.275% to win the silver medal in the FEI Para Dressage Grade IV Freestyle and being the U.S. team’s highest-placing individual medalists.

Following their World Championships success, Quiana and Shoemaker finished their remarkable 2022 season by sweeping the Grade IV classes at the CPEDI3* in Riesenbeck, Germany. With Quiana’s help, it was the first time that Shoemaker topped the podium at an international competition in Europe.

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Salvino
(Sandro Hit x Dynastie, Donnerhall)
2007 Hanoverian stallion
Owner: Betsy Juliano LLC

Currently ranked 11th in the FEI Dressage World rankings with Olympian Adrienne Lyle, Salvino closed 2022 as one half of the top-ranked U.S. Dressage combinations in the world. And for good reason.

Success for Salvino, also known as “Vinny,” started at the 2022 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in February and March. At AGDF 7, he and Lyle placed first in the CDI5* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special. Then, at AGDF 11, another first-place finish, this time in the CDI4* Grand Prix.

Salvino added to a long list of career accomplishments during August’s Herning 2022 FEI Dressage World Championship where, with Lyle, he was a part of the only The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team combination to compete in the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, and Freestyle in Denmark. In the Freestyle, Salvino posted the second-highest score of his career with an 83.704% that put him and Lyle sixth in the extremely competitive Blue Hors FEI World Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle Championship.

A 2007 Hanoverian stallion owned by Besty Juliano LLC, Salvino notoriously loves showing off for a crowd, and Lyle felt the excitement and energy in Denmark. The pair have successfully completed three championships together. Lyle says that she’s grateful and cherishes everyday she gets to spend with Vinny as the pair has formed an incredibly close partnership over the past seven years.

[Click here to cast your vote by Dec. 29!]

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

Is there much better of a feeling than returning to the saddle after some time off? Our team here at EN is a mixed bag of current and former riders, and we love to cheer each other on as we wrangle with life, babies, jobs, and words about horses. EN’s Maggie Deatrick returned from a competition hiatus earlier this month with Cthulhu (or as he’s affectionately know, “Squid”), finishing 11th in her first Prelim since 2019. Welcome back, Maggie!

U.S Weekend Preview

Your only assignment this weekend is to enjoy the holiday break!

Wednesday News & Reading

Don’t forget to enter our Ultimate LRK3DE Giveaway! You and three friends could win tickets, premium tailgating for cross country, a travel voucher valued at $750, and Dubarry gear for the trip. Entries are open until 12/31, so don’t delay! [Fly Away to LRK3DE]

Part of competitive success is the ability to “get in the zone” — but this is, of course, much easier said than done. Daniel Stewart is back in his latest column with some thoughts on “mojo-mantras” and how they can encourage us to go into a flow state. Super interesting stuff. [Pressure Proof with Daniel Stewart]

Have provisions intended to protect racehorses from falling through the cracks failed? Is aftercare really at the top of the priority list for most stakeholders? Writing for Thoroughbred Daily News, Nicole Forbes makes the case that the system has, in fact, failed. “To be frank, it might be too late,” she writes. “I’m honestly not sure if we can act fast enough on an industry-wide solution to eliminate this crisis.” [Op/Ed: The System Has Failed]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh has sought to identify whether or not dressage judges’ marks are indicative of “conflict behaviors” and “horse antagonistic responses”, Horse Sport reports. With more attention being paid to horse body language, this study and its results will provide useful information that can be used to improve judging. [Conflict Behaviors and Dressage Scoring]

Not all candy canes are created equal — and your horse doesn’t actually need all the sugary treats this holiday season. As knowledge of equine nutrition continues to expand, sugar content comes under higher scrutiny in terms of its effects on overall health. Should you let your horse indulge this winter? [Sugars and Peppermints: Not Safe Treats for All Horses]

Best of the Blogs: A Good Ride on Good Horses

Tack Facts with Sterling Essentials: Can you use Sterling Essentials on buffalo leather? Find out here.

Sponsor Corner: “Not all steam is created equal.” That comes early in the story of Haygain’s development of high-temperature hay steaming. This Business of Horses podcast host Amanda Watson elicited that knowledge nugget from Royal Agricultural University professor Meriel Moore-Colyer in a recent edition. [Read more + listen]

Wednesday Video Break

I love a good horse-y vlog, and this one’s been a favorite to watch!

Tuesday Video: All the Highlights from Maryland 5 Star

This year’s MARS Maryland 5 Star was one for the books, and if you’re anything like me you came home from the event and immediately tuned in to the replay coverage to catch up on any moments you might have missed in person (if you haven’t done this yet, or you’re just looking for something to do over the holiday break, USEF Network has all the on-demand your heart desires!)

I’m getting definite FOMO from this highlight reel, and I was there! If you missed out on this year’s event, you’ll definitely not want to miss it in 2023. Save the date for October 19-23, 2023!

Saturday Video: A 90% at London International

Charlotte Fry (GBR) riding Glamourdale – winners of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/23 – London Excel (GBR). Photo: ©FEI/Jon Stroud

The recently-crowned double world champions, 26-year-old Lottie Fry and the fabulous 11-year-old stallion Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale – Thuja, by Negro), stormed to victory with a massive score of 90.995% at the fifth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League series on home ground at the London International Horse Show last night. You won’t want to miss the video!

Announcing the 2022 EN Blogger Contest Winner!

Only here at EN do Blogger Contests take six months. We could say it simply adds to the suspense, but the reality is: we owe you an apology! Our finalists have been patiently waiting to hear the results of the 2022 EN Blogger Contest, and we are pleased to — at very long last — announce the winners who will be joining the team in 2023!

We received an overwhelming number of initial entries as well as reader votes on the eventual finalist pieces. While we’ve identified our official winner and runners-up, who will each receive cash prizes, we have also extended offers to continue writing for EN to two other finalists.

Without further ado, your Blogger Contest results are:

Winner: Diana Gilbertson

Photo courtesy of Diana Gilbertson.

Diana, a UK resident and adventure junkie, has displayed the highest level of enthusiasm throughout the entire Blogger Contest process, despite our clunky delays in wrapping this contest up. Her writing exudes a passion for the sport and we’re thrilled to give her a crack at continuing on this path she’s found herself on. Diana now joins Tilly Berendt (winner: 2017) as our second winner from the UK. Welcome to the team, Diana!

Runner-up: Allie Heninger

Photo courtesy of Allie Heninger.

Also known as the Autoimmune Equestrian on social media, Allie is an amateur rider who brought her deep perspectives to her writing and whose passion for horses and perseverence is evident in everything she does. We look forward to adding her viewpoint to our roster of writers from all types of backgrounds!

Runner-up: Sydney Steverson

Photo courtesy of Sydney Steverson.

Sydney had us absolutely rolling when she sent in her first entry (which we’ll share here on EN soon) depicting the conversations we have with our horses on cross country. Her second entry, The Terror and Hope of Cross Country Day, accurately sums up the eventing experience for approximately 99% of us. Sydney hails from the midwest and is also an avid TikToker (is that the right term? I’m old) with a sense of humor and a perspective that lends itself well to inspiring as well as entertaining. We can’t wait to see what else Sydney has up her sleeve — welcome to the team!

Other writers who have been extended offers to continue writing for EN are: Cheg Darlington and Cassidy Oeltjen.

Congratulations to all of you, and thank you to all who submitted pieces for this year’s Blogger Contest. If this wasn’t your year, we encourage you to re-submit during our next contest — you never know!

Go Eventing.

Friday Video: 5 Steps to Introducing Spooky Jumps

Slow and steady always wins the race when it comes to introducing new or “scary” concepts to our horses. In partnership with Equestrian Masterclass, Tik Maynard has broken down the steps horses go through when encountering something frightening:

⭐️ Denial (your horse might refuse to look at the jump or acknowledge it’s there)

⭐️ Fear (your horse wants to move backwards or run away from it)

⭐️ Curiosity (your horse will look at the object, sniff it, or fee it)

⭐️ Play (Touching or sniffing with their nose or touching with their legs)

⭐️ Acceptance (Understanding what the object is and feeling familiar around it)

Now, how to translate this into working with spooky jumps? Let’s take a dive in with these short videos from Noelle Floyd: