View Classifieds
Sally Spickard
Articles Written 4,422
Article Views 10,974,779

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

Just the Two of Us: Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey are Ready to Tackle Debut 5* at Kentucky

By on Apr 19, 2025 9:00 am -

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

When Brooke Burchianti can’t sleep, she’s usually thinking about Kentucky.

“I’m not at all mentally stable about this,” she laughs. “It’s all I think about—when I’m trying to fall asleep, when I’m trying to relax. I know there’s nothing I can do until we’re there, but that doesn’t stop my brain.”

It’s a refreshingly honest admission from a rider stepping up to her first 5* at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and a reminder that behind every stellar, confidence-inducing cross country round is a whole host of grit, self-doubt, and sheer perseverance.

Brooke, 26, is one of the most relatable rookies you’ll meet this year at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Based in Washington, PA—closer to Pittsburgh than to the heart of the East Coast eventing scene most associated with living in Pennsylvania—she grew up surrounded by horses thanks to her mom, Karen, who competed through what is now the 3* level, and her grandmother, Joanne, who focused on dressage.

“I was kind of just born into it,” Brooke explains. “My mom put me on her big dressage horse when I was three, and that was it. I don’t think I ever considered doing anything else.”

Her first partner in crime was Roxy, a 28-year-old Welsh pony mare who packed her around her very first unrecognized starter event at the age of eight. “She was a literal saint,” Brooke recalls. “I remember being so nervous—I thought I’d forget my course in show jumping. My mom walked me through the start box, and I was just sweating and so serious about it. But after that event, I knew—this was all I wanted to do.”

She worked her way up through the levels the way so many riders do—on hard-knocking, budget-friendly horses that taught her more than any polished schoolmaster ever could. One of those was her Thoroughbred mare Eternal Hope, who took her to Young Riders and her first FEI events. Hope wasn’t fancy—“she hated dressage,” Brooke says with a laugh—but she had heart, especially on cross country.

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“She just lived for it,” she says. “She wasn’t the easiest, but she made me fall in love with that feeling of galloping something that really wanted to do the job with you.”

After college in Virginia, Brooke returned to her hometown and began working out of her mom’s farm. It’s not exactly eventing central. “People hear Pennsylvania and think I’m down the road from Boyd or Phillip, but I’m five hours from that part of the state. It’s not a very horsey area, so I do a lot of traveling to get to shows or lessons.”

She also doesn’t have a big team or a string of horses at her disposal. In fact, Cooley Space Grey—“Astro” around the barn—is the only horse she has competing at the top levels. But he’s been the one to take her farther than she thought possible.

“I bought him in Ireland as a six-year-old,” she says. “And honestly, I got eliminated a lot at first. He was super difficult—spooky, careful, not easy to ride at all. There were times I thought, ‘What did I do?’”

She remembers falling off at their first Beginner Novice at home in Winona. “He jumped a fence huge, landed and propped, and off I went. I was like, ‘Great start.’”

But something in her gut said to keep going. And little by little, Astro began to trust her.

“I think that was the key—earning his trust. He’s not the kind of horse you can bully or convince,” she muses. “He has to believe you, and he has to know you’re not going to ask him to do something he can’t do. Once he got that, he started giving me everything.”

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Their climb up the levels has been slow, deliberate, and full of lessons. There were dressage scores that missed qualifications by a hair. There were long-format events where Brooke debated whether to even start, only to have her mom encourage her to see the big picture.

“She said, ‘Look, it’s another run, another experience. That matters more than a qualifying score sometimes.’ And she was right.”

Brooke’s 4*-L results include a clear round at Bromont, a solid effort at Morven, and a strong showing at TerraNova last fall, where they finally ticked the last box to qualify for Kentucky.

But even with the boxes ticked, Brooke is quick to temper expectations. “I just want to finish,” she says. “That’s the goal. A clean cross country round would be amazing. A clean stadium would be amazing. But finishing—getting through it—is what I want.”

That humility comes with experience—hard-won over time, with plenty of ups and downs. It also comes from the reality of producing your only upper-level horse without a built-in safety net.

“I don’t have five horses jumping 1.30 every week,” she says. “So I have to stay sharp with what I have. I’ll set a fence big in a jump school, just to keep my eye in, even if I only jump it once or twice. My other horses are going Training or Prelim. But every bit helps.”

Photo by Sally Spickard.

To stay sane in the lead-up, Brooke’s turned to physical outlets—gym sessions, hikes, swimming. Anything to quiet the noise in her head. “I know I’ve done everything I can to prepare. But still—it’s Kentucky. I’m a worrier. I just have to keep moving and try not to overthink everything.”

She’s hoping to reconnect with Emily Hamel once on site—Emily helped her during a stint in Aiken and has been a mentor, especially since their horses share a similar temperament.

“Emily’s been so helpful. Her journey with [Corvett] has been amazing to watch, and it gives me hope because he hasn’t been the easiest either. She gets it.”

In a sport that often glorifies speed and shiny results, Brooke’s story is a powerful reminder that slow and steady—coupled with belief and quiet tenacity—can still get you to the top.

“There’s no big team behind me, no perfect prep. It’s just me, my mom, my horse, and a lot of hard work,” she says. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in Kentucky, but I know I’ve done the best I can. And I’m proud of that.”

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Get a First Look at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Cross Country Course

By on Apr 18, 2025 10:22 am -

It’s time to take a peek behind the curtain and see the fruits of the labors of the top-notch course designing and building team at Kentucky! In just over a week’s time, we’ll be heading out for cross country at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and Samantha Clark went out for an early preview with designer in residence Derek di Grazia.

The direction of the course has been reversed again this year, which sees some combinations like the coffin coming early in the going at fence 6, and Pete’s Hollow tackled before riders head to the iconic Head of the Lake. There’s certainly plenty to do, and while this preview only touches on some of the major combinations on course there will be many more challenges — both in terms of fences as well as terrain — on this approximately 11 minute, 20 second track (official optimum time has yet to be confirmed).

You can catch up on more Kentucky content, including the latest Behind the Barn interviews, on the event’s YouTube channel here.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

‘One Step at a Time’: Lucienne Bellissimo Aims for 5* Debut at Defender Kentucky with Dyri

By on Apr 17, 2025 12:00 pm -

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Shelby Allen.

For Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR), the path to her 5* debut at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event hasn’t been paved with shortcuts or serendipity. It’s been a long, grueling climb, marked by heartbreak, grit, reinvention, and above all, perseverance.

But as Lucienne prepares to ride down the centerline at the Kentucky Horse Park with Dyri it finally feels like the moment she’s been working toward for over two decades has arrived.
“It genuinely means a ridiculous amount to me,” Lucienne says. “But I’m trying not to let it mean too much—because then you try too hard. And with this horse, it has to be about patience. It always has.”

Dyri is a horse Lucienne’s produced tactfully with this goal in mind, managing his general spookiness with patience and ensuring that she’s elevating his confidence while also developing his strength to become increasingly competitive across all three phases.

Imported from Germany as an eight-year-old, he had spent the early years of his career with an amateur rider, jumping 1.10m and dabbling in low-level dressage. Later, Germany’s Dirk Schrade campaigned him through the 2* level before Lucienne took the chance and brought him home. “He’s by Diarado, which makes him incredibly athletic,” she describes. “But he’s also spooky and a bit fragile mentally. He’d be in the lead and then just stop—see a ditch or water and shut down four or five strides out.”

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Lucienne knew right away that this horse wasn’t going to be a quick project. But she also knew he had something special—if only she could find the right way to bring it out.

Over the past few years, Lucienne has invested heavily in Dyri’s education, traveling the country to expose him to varied questions and atmospheres. From Rebecca Farm to Morven Park, from Stable View to Tryon, she’s carefully built a program around the gelding’s unique needs: long gallops on undulating ground, slow and consistent fitness work, minimal jumping to preserve his freshness, and careful planning of competitions. “He’s better when he has more time between fences,” she says. “And he’s one of those who needs to feel a little cheeky—like he’s got something to say. That’s when he gives you his best.”

This careful production isn’t new to Lucienne—it’s the thread that’s run through her entire riding career. But what’s different this time is that she’s still in the irons.

In the past, she’s produced dozens of international-level horses, only to move them on or experience one setback or the other before they reached their peak. Eventing – and any success one finds within it – takes grit and hard work, and Lucienne has built her program on self-reliance. At just 19, she was running a 60-horse operation in the UK while backing and selling horses to keep the lights on. By her early twenties, she was juggling that workload with a five-year chiropractic degree and a growing reputation for producing sale horses.

“I’ve sold hundreds of horses,” she says. “That’s how I built this business. But when you sell everything, you never get to see how far you can really go. That’s what’s different now.”
Her decision to stay in the saddle is all the more remarkable considering how many times life nearly forced her out of it.

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Sally Spickard.

In 2013, a riding accident shattered her foot and ankle, putting her in a wheelchair for a year. While she rehabbed, she lost several owners and had to sell much of her string. It was a devastating blow—but instead of giving up, Lucienne doubled down. She launched Horse Scout Limited, a platform focused on equestrian services and sales, and hustled to raise capital across Europe to get it off the ground. The business, combined with her unshakable work ethic, bought her the independence she’d fought so hard to earn.

Then, in 2018, another freak accident nearly ended everything. While driving in England, a deer ran into the road. Lucienne swerved instinctively—and in the aftermath, had broken 28 bones, punctured both lungs, and faced another long, painful road back. “I’m full of titanium now,” she says with a dry laugh. “You can see it in my riding—my right shoulder sits lower than my left. But I’m lucky. I’m still here.”

The recovery was grueling, both physically and emotionally. But Lucienne is not someone who quits. “I’ve had some very dark days,” she says. “But after years of not being able to walk, after losing horses and owners and getting knocked down again and again—you come to appreciate the small things. Just getting to make the entry for Kentucky is a privilege.”

She credits that perspective with helping her weather the sport’s many inevitable heartbreaks—including the loss of a promising mare, Diamond Duette, who colicked shortly after her 5* qualification. “That one broke my heart,” she says. “But it happens to all of us. And I’ve learned to take a breath and remember how much joy I got out of producing her up to that point. That’s what keeps you healthy in your head.”

Her philosophy now is simple: stay pragmatic, stay focused, and above all, stay patient. “You’ve got to pick your moment,” she says. “I know my horse. I’ve put the time in. Now we just go out there and do our job.”

Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Kentucky won’t be about chasing the win—not yet. The goal is a positive, educational trip for both horse and rider. “He’s fit, he’s strong, and mentally he feels in a good space,” Lucienne says. “He’s been in work since November 1. I’ve taken my time. I haven’t rushed him. I want him to come home confident and happy and feeling like he can do it again.”

Even now, with Kentucky on the horizon, Lucienne continues to think like a producer. “Every year, I make a deal with myself: whichever 13-year-old horse isn’t my top horse, as well as two of my top young horses, I sell. That’s how I keep the business running,” she explains. “I love producing them. But I don’t know how long my body will let me keep riding at this level. So I need the model to work.”

For now, though, Dyri stays. And in just a few weeks’ time, Lucienne will ride into the Rolex Stadium for the first time, not as a seller, not as a groom, not as a spectator—but as a competitor.

“It’s been 20 years in the making,” she says. “This is everything I’ve ever wanted in sport. But I’m not putting that pressure on this weekend. This is just the beginning.”

Want to learn even more about Lucienne? You’re in luck! Her Behind the Barn interview with Frankie Thieriot-Stutes and Lynn Symansky just dropped, and you can watch it below:

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Getting the Kentucky Party Started: Behind the Barn with Will Coleman

By on Apr 11, 2025 9:30 am -

Will Coleman and Off The Record. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s time to get the Defender Kentucky party started in earnest! We’re less than two weeks away from the 2025 running (get your tickets here), and Athletux has reprised their Behind the Barn interview series. This year, we’ve got Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Lynn Symansky leading the charge with interviews that will cover all sorts of fun topics. The first victim interviewee this year is Will Coleman. Tune in and learn how much weight Will carries in the laundry room and much more:

International Olympic Committee Confirms Equestrian Quota for LA28; Eventing Included

By on Apr 9, 2025 1:49 pm -

Noor Slauoui and Cash In Hand compete at the Paris Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board held a meeting and a subsequent press conference today to release final athlete quotas ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Building on the success of the Paris Olympics in 2024, the IOC has determined to keep the athlete quotas the same, at 10,500 athletes.

Included in this quota are equestrian sports, with 200 athletes delegated to the LA28 quota across all three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage, and eventing. This confirms the inclusion of eventing in the sport program at this juncture, which is validating news considering some uncertainty that had surrounded the matter leading up to Paris that eventing was in a vulnerable position in terms of its inclusion in future Olympic cycles.

What we know:

  • The IOC has confirmed a quota of 200 athletes for equestrian sports at LA28, across show jumping, dressage, and eventing.
    • The sport-specific quotas are as follows: 75 for Show Jumping, 60 for Dressage, and 65 for Eventing
  • The IOC has confirmed that they have approved the general venue plans submitted by LA28, which do include the allocation of Galway Downs as the host site for equestrian. LA28, however, has yet to firmly confirm its final plans for venue allocations. We do know there is ongoing uncertainty surrounding host venues, including beach volleyball and sailing, that will likely impact the timing of the final venue plan release to the public.
    • “Today, the Executive Board has validated the master plan in broad terms, and that’s a really practical and very helpful step forward as for the announcement, including each and every detail, let’s be clear, this will be the responsibility of LA,” said Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director, at the press conference when we asked about the venue plan and final approval of host venues.

What we don’t know:

  • We don’t know if eventing will undergo any format changes for Los Angeles. A revised format that would hold cross country last had been floated in the past, but we have not seen any confirmation of any format changes, though it’s a potential that this could yet happen.
  • We also do not yet know the specific qualification criteria for equestrian sports, nor do we know the selection trial schedule. These items will be released as the Olympics draw closer.
    • From an FEI press release: The qualification systems for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games were discussed at the recent FEI Sports Forum. The proposals will be put forward for approval by the FEI General Assembly 2025 and will afterwards be provided to the IOC for final review and sign off. The summary of discussions and the presentation made during the session dedicated to the LA28 Olympic qualification systems are available here.

“We are extremely pleased with today’s IOC decision,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said in a press release. “The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a historic success for equestrian sport, which proved very popular with the live crowds and TV and online viewers worldwide. It’s a great news that our numbers remain unchanged and we are looking forward to delivering exciting sport at the same level of excellence.”

Bradley Champagne: Crafting a Career in Young Horse Development

By on Apr 8, 2025 9:30 am -

Bradley Champagne and Nicciola KW (“Nikki”) compete at the USEA Young Event Horse Championships in 2022. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Bradley Champagne didn’t set out to become a young horse specialist.

Like many ambitious event riders, he once had (well, still has, to be fair) Olympic dreams and a scrappy horse named Taz from a backyard in Northern Ontario that he was convinced would take him there.

But careers in the horse industry often evolve in unexpected ways, and over time, Bradley found himself drawn to a role that not only suited his skills but also filled a growing need in the sport.

Now, after more than a decade riding for Boyd Martin, he has carved out a niche that allows him to shape the next generation of event horses, from their first steps under saddle to the early stages of their careers.

Bradley grew up around horses but wasn’t immersed in formal competition until his late teens. His introduction to eventing was a local Pony Club clinic, where he realized that the cross country skills he’d been practicing—jumping logs in the woods and galloping through snowbanks—actually had a place in organized sport. Dressage, at first, was an obstacle to be endured. “I hated it with every ounce of my body,” he admits. “But I knew if I could just get through that 15-minute ride, I could go jump.”

Bradley and his pony, Ace, test out some cross country “back in the day”.

That early love for the jumping phases carried him through his first competitions and eventually led him to the U.S., where he took a chance on a job with Boyd Martin.

At 19, he wasn’t sure where he wanted his riding career to go, only that he wanted to keep learning. The opportunity at Windurra was a deep-end dive into top-level eventing. “I didn’t really have a plan. I just knew I wanted to be doing this, and I figured if I was going to do it, I might as well jump into a program where I’d either sink or swim,” Bradley says.

For years, he was an all-around team member, doing whatever needed to be done. Like many riders who start in top programs, he rode a variety of horses, from schoolmasters to young, developing horses. Slowly, a pattern emerged. He gravitated toward the ones that needed a little more time, a little more patience—the ones with quirks to figure out. He found he had a knack for working with young horses, and eventually, Boyd noticed, too.

One day, while discussing future plans, Boyd made it official: Bradley would take on the role of young horse manager.

What started as an organic shift has now become his specialty. These days, Bradley spends most of his time starting horses that will either join Boyd’s string or go on to other riders. It’s work that requires a unique blend of patience, adaptability, and trust in the process.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to producing young horses, something Bradley has learned through experience. Some take to it quickly, jumping small courses within weeks. Others require months of slow, deliberate work before they’re comfortable enough to move forward. The key, he says, is to avoid forcing anything: “The biggest thing Boyd taught me was to trust what I know and take it slow. There’s no rush. The last thing you want is for them to have a bad experience.”

Bradley works with a young horse in the roundpen at Windurra.

Bradley’s goal isn’t just to produce talented event horses. It’s to develop young horses in a way that gives them the best possible foundation, no matter where they end up. “One of my main goals is definitely to be known for producing young horses in a way that sets them up for a successful career in whatever discipline they end up pursuing,” Bradley affirms. That philosophy means creating positive early experiences, building trust, and ensuring that each horse leaves his program with a solid education, whether they go on to be eventers, show jumpers, or even amateurs’ trusted partners.

Letting them go is the hardest part. It’s an inevitable reality of the job, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Some move on to Boyd’s upper-level string, while others are sold to new homes.

“As much as I want to tell myself I won’t get attached, I do,” Bradley admits. It’s just a part of the job. If you aren’t forming some sort of bond or attachment, chances are, you’re not actually setting the horse up for success. “You have to form a connection. Otherwise, you’re just putting them through the process.”

Still, he wouldn’t trade the feeling of seeing his young prodigies succeed, whether it’s in a major event or simply moving smoothly through a new challenge.

One of Bradley’s proudest moments came with a mare named Nicciola KW (“Nikki”), a dressage-bred mare who was originally purchased off a video by an owner of Silva Martin’s. After getting her started under saddle and realizing her potential in the jumping, he brought her through the levels and eventually took her to the Young Event Horse Championships in Maryland. “She placed third and won the show jumping portion, and that was such an unreal feeling—to be in that victory gallop on something I’d done every step with.”

Bradley Champagne and Excel Star Bravo 2. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Though he still has his own competitive goals–and a small string of talented young horses with which he’s got a shot to accomplish those–Bradley doesn’t feel torn between developing young horses and chasing upper-level ambitions. He’s keeping an eye on a few promising young prospects, but he doesn’t get too far ahead of himself. “I used to think, ‘I’m going to win the Olympics on this backyard horse from Northern Ontario.’ Now, I focus on what’s in front of me and let the rest happen,” he says.

For other riders looking for a career in the sport, young horse development is a path more should consider. It requires a specific skill set and the right learning environment, but it’s a viable and deeply rewarding way to stay involved in high-performance horses without the pressure of maintaining an upper-level string. “You have to be under someone who knows what they’re doing and can really teach you,” Bradley advises. “And you have to be patient—really patient.”

This role, one he came to, in some ways, by accident, is one Bradley finds much fulfillment from, and it’s a model that others can realistically follow. As U.S. eventing builds its breeding and development pipeline, riders like Bradley are playing a crucial role in producing the sport’s future stars. It’s a job that requires long-term vision, a deep understanding of horses, and a willingness to trust the process. And while not every young horse he starts will go on to the top levels, every single one will leave his program better prepared for whatever career lies ahead.

It’s Been ‘Pfun’: Will Faudree’s Stalwart Partner Steps Down from Upper-Level Competition

By on Apr 7, 2025 1:31 pm -

Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Sally Spickard.

As Will Faudree jumped the penultimate fence on cross country during the CCI4*-S at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International last month, he felt a wave of emotion rising up within him.

He was aboard his longtime upper-level horse, Pfun, a horse he’d had a relationship with for well over the past decade, who was en route to completing an astonishing nine times at this venue just down the road from Will’s Gavilan Farm home base. Across those nine completions, Pfun finished outside of the top 10 just once.

This run at Carolina seemed a fitting finale to Pfun’s lengthy career at the upper levels, and as Will neared the finish flags, the enormity of this decision began to hit home.

“It was just so fun,” Will said. “I jumped the second-to-last fence and reached down and started petting him, and I couldn’t believe we were galloping to the last jump of our career together. I’ll never forget that round. I didn’t have one ‘funny’ fence. It was really rather emotional.”

“Teddy” was a dark gray color when he was imported from Ireland as a coming four-year-old. Originally, he was sourced by Julie Richards and sent to former USEF chef d’equipe Bobby Costello, who was still actively competing but beginning to consider a step back, to produce. During a couple of summers, Will rode the horse while Bobby traveled. In time, Bobby wound up asking Will to take on the horse with the intention of selling him.

Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Thanks to the support of Will’s longtime owner, Jennifer Mosing of Sterling Silver Stables, Pfun became a rooted part of his string. The thought, initially at least, was that if the horse didn’t work out as a top horse for Will, he’d be marketable as a resale or a perfect fit for Jennifer’s kids to eventually ride.

“I just really liked the horse,” Will recalled. “He didn’t have a very natural gallop at the time, but he was always an unbelievable jumper. No one was sure if he’d learn to gallop or make it to the top levels, but I believed in him because he was just so fun to ride and to jump.”

In 2015, Pfun stepped up to the Advanced level and was short-listed for the U.S. team heading to the Pan American Games that year. That fall, though, Will broke his neck in a fall from a different horse, which saw Pfun get an extended vacation until Will healed and was ready to get back out competing.

Christina Curiale and Pfun. Photo by Jenni Autry.

From 2016 on, Pfun was a stalwart campaigner for Will. He would go on to complete three CCI5* events and started a fourth at Kentucky in 2022 when Will opted to pull him up on cross country. At that point, Will made a decision based on the previous seasons of understanding what his horses needed.

“The level of fitness needed for that level was getting hard on his body,” Will reflected. “So we backed off. We prioritized Short events and things like the Showcase [at Bruce’s Field] with him, and I even did a Grand Prix in Ocala with him.”

Pfun was, of course, not quite ready to hang up his horseshoes in full even if 5* events weren’t on the docket anymore. “At the end of last year, I told Jennifer I’d really like to do Carolina on him one more time,” Will said. “It’s a venue he loves. He doesn’t owe me anything, as trite as that may sound. And at Carolina this year, he jumped around like a nine-year-old. I jogged him up after and he looked like a million bucks. I took him for a hack the next day.”

Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

As a rider who takes much pride in the longevity of his horses’ careers at the upper levels, this finale was fitting for Will and Pfun. It’s a common adage amongst eventers that we always want to retire our horses at the right time – not too early, and certainly not too late to the point where an injury or accident occurs. Will feels he accomplished this ultimate goal with this incredibly special horse.

“I’m just so proud,” he said. “He’s had such a long career, and hopefully he has another twenty years left. He’s been the most consistent relationship in my life for the last fifteen years. I had to think outside the box to get him fit, but he always responded.”

While Pfun won’t fully retire from eventing altogether, he won’t contest anymore 4* or higher events. Will has it in mind that perhaps he’ll teach some of his students, but he will stay in work. “He’s been a competitive athlete his whole life, and I think that’s important to maintain to some degree,” he said. “Without the pressure of gallop sets and trot sets, I think he’ll enjoy himself even more. He’s just going to have fun now.”

Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

As Will focuses his efforts on his other top horse, Mama’s Magic Way, as well as a strong string of younger horses, he’ll continue to take the lessons and the gratitude he’s learned from Pfun with him.

“I’m going to miss him so much,” he said. “He’s been such a friend – so consistent, so fun. Honestly, it’s been one of the greatest privileges and honors of my career to ride him. Everyone always believed in his jumping, but I believed in him. I’m so grateful for everything he gave me.”

To have a horse at the top for so long, and truly, actually, enjoying the job in the process, is a reward that, for Will, trumps any ribbon or trophy. “The dream of him doing what he did at Carolina, and me getting on and taking him for a hack the next day…that dream satisfies me more than any plaque.”

Preview the Entry List for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky

By on Apr 2, 2025 12:02 pm -

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Entries for the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, which runs alongside the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event’s CCI5* class, have been published after some logistical juggling on the part of the organizing team to accommodate as many entries as possible in 2025. This 4*-S has grown in scope since its inaugural year in 2021, and is now widely known as both a bucket-list event as well as a stiff test of mettle as a horse and/or rider prepares to step up to 5* or a 4*-L later on in the season. Joking referred to as a “5*-Short” by many, this division always promises a competitive field, and that trend remains true for this year’s entries.

A total of 67 pairs are currently entered in the 4*-S, but we do anticipate that number to drop slightly as a few riders have entered on more than the maximum allowed number of two horses. Naturally, there are likely to be a few withdrawals ahead of competition as well, but for now let’s preview the list we have so far.

Notable on the entry list are Will Coleman and Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic HS, multi-time winners at the 4* level and 11th in their sole 5* start at Kentucky back in 2022. Chin Tonic HS narrowly missed out on a team spot for the Paris Olympics in 2024 when a relatively minor but ill-timed injury saw the now 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding sidelined just before Kentucky last spring. Now, “Chin” is back in action, taking home the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase win at the start of March and building on that with a handy 3*-S win at TerraNova just last weekend.

Will has been open about his plans to target the next World Championships (happening at Aachen in Germany next year) with this horse, prioritizing 4* competitions on this path instead of pushing to get to another 5*. This combination will be favored to win this competition at Kentucky.

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

But similar to Michael Jung’s presence in the 5*, the entry of Chin Tonic HS is of course no guarantee of a victory in this US Equestrian Open of Eventing qualifier leg. We’ve got several other pairs that will mount a serious threat to Will’s win chances, including one of his own other entries, Off the Record. This stalwart partner of Will’s who carried him to the first-ever U.S. victory at CHIO Aachen in 2022, is another horse who won’t necessarily be aiming at a 5* in the near future, but he should certainly be counted in as winner potential with his consistency in all three phases for Will. There’s also a third entry on the books for Will, who will have to narrow down the selection to two horses when it’s all said and done, in a new ride, the 10-year-old Irish mare Very Dignified. Previously campaigned through the 4* level by Ireland’s Robbie Kearns, this mare was added to Will’s string this year, and they’ve eased into things with an Intermediate run at Bouckaert Equestrian last month. This is an exciting new ride, one who’s won at the 4*-L level before (Mallow – 2024), and while we may not end up seeing this mare in Kentucky, she’s certainly one to keep an eye on as her partnership with her new rider progresses.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also poised to make a serious run at the win are Paris Olympians Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. Blake is another horse that’s very much on a Championship trajectory, and while we could see some changes to Caroline’s entries at Kentucky based on whether or not she is awarded a berth on the USEF European Development Tour that would take her to Europe instead, this pair is another one to watch for a potential win in the 4*. Blake also ran a 3*-S, at Carolina in mid-March, with Caroline for a lower-key pipe opener as both he and his rider get back into the swing of things, Blake after his Paris break and Caroline after returning from maternity leave just a few weeks ago.

Caroline has also entered the towering King’s Especiale, another horse she believes has Championship and real 5* potential who’s coming off of a top-15 finish in the 4*-S at Carolina International last month en route to Kentucky.

Phillip Dutton and Possante. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Phillip Dutton has prioritized the 4*-S for his entries this year, though he is planning to head to Luhmühlen in June (we aren’t sure which horses are targeting this 5* just yet). To that end, he’s only got 4* entries this year in two of his current top rides, Denim and Possante. Both of these horses had excellent runs at the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase in Aiken earlier in the season, and they also both finished well at TerraNova’s 4*-S last weekend, at which cross country exerted its fair share of influence.

Alyssa Phillips and Oskar. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Alyssa Phillips is entered again this year with Oskar, who was the inaugural winner of this division back in 2021. Alyssa traveled to Germany to compete at CHIO Aachen last year, where they finished 15th individually. This year, they’ve come out with an Advanced win at Bouckaert Equestrian in March and are poised to make a run at a second title, carrying with them the ability to compete in all three phases.

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

Another pair you should definitely count in for a winner threat is Allison Springer with Bromont 4*-L winner No May Moon, a formidable competitor who is a strong shout for some serious leaderboard climbing in the jumping phases.

Tommy Greengard and That’s Me Z. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

The West coast is sending a strong contingent of consistently competitive 4* horses to Kentucky this year, represented well by Taren Hoffos with two rides in Master Class and Regalla, Tommy Greengard (who spent some time overseas last year training with Tim and Jonelle Price) with That’s Me Z (who finished inside the top 16 at Le Lion d’Angers’ 7-year-old World Championship last fall) and Joshuay MBF, Kentucky 5* winner Tamie Smith and Kynan, James Alliston with a handful of horses that will eventually become two rides: Cora, Paper Jam, Nemesis, and Irish Pop, Sophie Click and Tarantino 54, and Molly Duda with Disco Traveler.

Of course, this preview barely scratches the surface of all of the combinations we’ll see in this very exciting field, so be sure to take a look at the full list below or here on the Kentucky website.

We’ll keep you posted of more developments on both entry lists for Kentucky as it draws ever closer, so keep an eye out right here on EN for the latest news. You can also view our 5* entry preview here.

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [EN’s Coverage]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Full Cosequin 4*-S entry list:

Rider Horse Country
Arielle Aharoni COOLEY BALTIC SEA
Christina Aharoni		 USA
James Alliston NEMESIS
Alliston Equestrian		 USA
James Alliston CORA
Alliston Equestrian		 USA
James Alliston PAPER JAM
Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer		 USA
James Alliston IRISH POP
Alliston Equestrian, Grace Brownrigg, Margaret Burchell		 USA
Lisa Barry ROSIE’S AVENTADORA
Lisa Barry		 USA
Tracey Bienemann VENEZUELAN RIVER
Tracey Bienemann		 USA
Tracey Bienemann MENLO PARK
Carol McRoy		 USA
Jennie Brannigan FE CONNORY
Nina and Tim Gardner, Jennie Brannigan		 USA
Jan Byyny BEAUTIFUL STORM
Jan Byyny, Jo Byyny, and Richard Byyny		 USA
Kimmy Cecere OS HERMINTAGE
Kimmy Cecere		 USA
Sophia Click TARANTINO 54
Sophie Click		 USA
William Coleman VERY DIGNIFIED
Jerome Broussard, Elizabeth Lendrum, Gloria Callen		 USA
William Coleman OFF THE RECORD
Off The Record Syndicate		 USA
William Coleman CHIN TONIC
Hyperion Stud		 USA
Alexander Conrad MALIBU PREACHER
Alexander Conrad		 USA
Dana Cooke FE QUATTRO
FE Quattro Syndicate LLC		 CAN
Hallie Coon LUCKY FORTUNA
Hallie Coon		 USA
Hallie Coon CUTE GIRL
Helen Coon, Hallie Coon		 USA
Sarah Cousins WIZARD
OTTB Syndicate		 USA
Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr COOLEY CANDYMAN
Buck Davidson and Carl Segal		 USA
Gabby Dickerson TRADITIONALLY FERNHILL
Roland Millican		 USA
Molly Duda DISCO TRAVELER
Molly Duda		 USA
Olivia Dutton SEA OF CLOUDS
Sea of Clouds Partnership		 USA
Phillip Dutton DENIM
Caroline Moran, Ann Jones, Ann Lapides, Neill Sites		 USA
Phillip Dutton POSSANTE
The Possante Group		 USA
Mia Farley BGS CALCULATED CHAOS
Mia Farley		 USA
Mia Farley INVICTUS
Karen O’Connor		 USA
Kristi Foresman KINGSTON REUVEKAMP’S
Kristi Foresman		 USA
Hayley Frielick DUNEDIN BLACK WATCH
Kathryn Robertson		 NZL
Hayley Frielick SPORTSFIELD LUMIERE
Hayley Frielick		 NZL
Savannah Fulton CASH POINT
Nelson Warnell		 USA
Colin Gaffney BAYMAX
Colin Gaffney		 USA
Heather Gillette VINCENT CHASE
Heather Gillette		 USA
Ariel Grald DIARA
Annie Eldridge		 USA
Tommy Greengard JOSHUAY MBF
Tommy Greengard		 USA
Tommy Greengard THAT’S ME Z
Andrea Pfeiffer, Tommy Greengard		 USA
Taren Hoffos MASTER CLASS
Copperstrong Group, LLC and Taren Hoffos		 USA
Taren Hoffos REGALLA
Carolyn Hoffos		 USA
Cole Horn MBF COOLEY PERMISSION TO LAND
Cole Horn		 USA
Erin Kanara CHARMED VICTORY
Kaelen Speck		 USA
Ema Klugman RF REDFERN
Team Fern		 AUS
Ema Klugman CHIRAZ
Chiraz Syndicate, Ema Klugman		 AUS
Alexandra Knowles MORSWOOD
Katherine O’Brien		 USA
Ali Kuhn LITTLE HAIL
John Crowell		 USA
Sarah Kuhn MR. CASH VAN DE START
Deborah Kuhn		 USA
Rachel Lawson HIGH TIDE
Rachel Lawson		 USA
Emily Mastervich RIO DE JANEIRO
Nicholas Beshear		 USA
Sophia Middlebrook PRONTISSIMO
Christa Schmidt		 USA
Nilson Moreira Da Silva ELMO
Nilson Moreira Da Silva, Patricia Jefferson and Georgine Muntz		 BRA
Chris Newton NOBLE DISCOVERY
Maxine Preston		 USA
Alexander O’Neal REDTAIL PENUMBRA
Alexander O’Neal		 USA
Caroline Pamukcu KING’S ESPECIALE
Redfield King’s HX Group		 USA
Caroline Pamukcu HSH BLAKE
Mollie Hoff, Deniz and Caroline Pamukcu, Sherrie Martin		 USA
Alyssa Phillips OSKAR
Alyssa and Julie Phillips		 USA
Jessica Phoenix FREEDOM GS
Charlotte Schickedanz		 CAN
Tamra Smith KYNAN
Kynan Syndicate LLC		 USA
Braden Speck BSF LIAM
Braden Speck		 USA
Allison Springer NO MAY MOON
Nancy Winter		 USA
Allison Springer VANDYKE
The RICO Syndicate LLC		 USA
Briggs Surratt CORTURE
Briggs Surratt and Rick Wallace		 USA
Lynn Symansky BOUNCE 6
Linda Graves, Alice Lawaetz		 USA
Chris Talley FE MARCO POLO
Allison Pratt		 USA
Skyeler Voss ARGYLE
Argyle Syndicate, LLC.		 USA
Robin Walker SBT BAROLO
Robin Walker, Alston Kerr and Roger Schramm		 USA
Elisa Wallace LISSAVORRA QUALITY
Donna Biggs		 USA
Arden Wildasin BILLY BEAUFORT
Arden, James, and Sarah Wildasin		 USA

Wesley Clover Parks: A New Era for Eventing in Canada

By on Apr 2, 2025 9:30 am -

Photo by Sunkist Media.

For over a decade, Wesley Clover Parks has been a staple of equestrian sport in Ottawa, Canada, but 2025 marks a pivotal era for the 500-acre facility as it officially steps onto the FEI eventing stage. This year, Wesley Clover Parks will host CCI1* and CCI2* competition, expanding its already impressive resume of international show jumping and dressage events, as well as nationally recognized eventing competition.

While the eventing community welcomes this new addition to the competition calendar, the story of Wesley Clover Parks runs far deeper than just another event venue. This is a facility with history, vision, and a long-term commitment to not only growing equestrian sport but also making it more accessible to the broader community.

From Community Staple to Equestrian Powerhouse

An aerial view of Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Randy Harquail.

Originally established in the 1960s, the park was developed by the National Capital Commission (NCC) and leased by a local municipality. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it flourished as a premier equestrian destination, hosting show jumping, dressage, and eventing competitions—including the well-known Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament.. However, as the decades passed, changing city structures and a lack of reinvestment led to the facility’s decline.

By the early 2000s, the park was losing money to the tune of a quarter-million per year, and its infrastructure—once a crown jewel in Canadian equestrian sport—was visibly aging. The city lacked the resources to maintain it, and its future looked uncertain.
That’s when the Wesley Clover Foundation, spearheaded by Karen Sparks, stepped in.

“We knew the park needed to be more than just an equestrian venue. It had to serve the entire community, not just the small percentage of people involved in horses,” Karen explains. “At the same time, we wanted to honor the equestrian legacy that made this place special.”

What followed was a complete transformation. Under new management, Wesley Clover Parks became a multi-sport outdoor hub, offering:

  • Equestrian competitions (show jumping, dressage, and now FEI eventing)
  • A riding school with beginner-friendly access to horses
  • Cross-country ski trails & mountain biking
  • Soccer fields & charity runs
  • Outdoor education programs for kids
  • Concerts & community events

Despite its diversification, equestrian sport remains at the heart of Wesley Clover Parks, and its eventing expansion is a direct reflection of that commitment.

A New Frontier: Eventing at Wesley Clover Parks

A competitor gallops through the newer water complex on course at Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Golden Canon Photography.

With an established history in show jumping and dressage, adding FEI eventing to the roster was a logical next step.

“We’ve spent the last few years investing heavily in our cross country course,” says Karen. “We now have two water complexes, one designed by Tokyo Olympics course builder and U.S.-based designer Jay Hambly, along with ditches, banks, and solid galloping ground. We’re ready to take eventing to the next level here.”

Wesley Clover Parks will host its first FEI event this September, featuring CCI1* and CCI2* divisions.

But this is just the beginning. The long-term vision is to bring the North American Young Rider Championships (NAYC) back to a single venue that hosts all three disciplines—eventing, show jumping, and dressage—something that hasn’t been done in several years; most recently, the three disciplines were hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2015 but have since been split across multiple venues and time periods.

“We know it’s a long-term goal, but we’re laying the groundwork now,” Karen says. “If we can grow our eventing offerings steadily, we’ll be in a strong position to host major championships in the future.”

Investing in the Future: Young Horses and Young Riders

Photo by Golden Canon Photography.

Further to this is a cornerstone of Wesley Clover Parks’ core philosophies: supporting young horse and rider development.
For jumpers, the facility already offers free entries and prize money for young horse divisions, making it more affordable for breeders and trainers to bring young horses along. That same support structure is now being implemented for eventing, with a focus on:

  • Divisions for all levels (from EV60 to FEI)
  • Schooling opportunities throughout the season
  • Scholarships and bursaries for developing riders funded by the Laframboise Family Legacy Donation
  • Community engagement programs to introduce more people to eventing

“We want to create an environment where young horses and riders have a pathway to success, while also making equestrian sport more accessible,” Karen emphasizes.

The Road to September and Beyond

With its first major event set for September 2025, Wesley Clover Parks is officially entering the international eventing scene, and the team is eager to showcase everything the venue has to offer.

In the meantime, the park will continue working toward its bigger vision—one that balances high-level sport with community integration.

“This isn’t just about hosting another event. It’s about making eventing, and equestrian sport in general, more sustainable in Canada. That starts with building facilities that work not just for elite riders, but for the broader community as well.”

And if the past decade is any indication, Wesley Clover Parks is just getting started.

This article was supported by Wesley Clover Parks. To learn more about Wesley Clover Parks, click here. 

Riders Testing Out AI-Written Dressage Tests; FEI Reviewing Legality

By on Apr 1, 2025 9:30 am -

Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS, who would be likely beneficiaries of a customized test that contains directives written in the style of Soulja Boy, such as “half-pass right from P-L, get my swag on”. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Word is spreading through the barns that several upper-level riders have quietly turned to AI tools—like ChatGPT—to help create customized dressage tests designed to highlight their horse’s strengths (and conveniently avoid their weaknesses).

“I just asked it to write a test that downplays our sticky right lead and shows off his medium trot,” one rider, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “It gave me a test that starts at X and ends with a philosophical reflection. Honestly? Not bad.”

EN has obtained some of the tests, and movements include:

“Begin at X, vibe diagonally toward E while manifesting impulsion.”
“Transition from collected trot to working canter, then emotionally spiral into a flying change.”
“Final halt. Salute. Tell the judge how that made you feel.”

While technically not illegal—yet—officials say they’re reviewing the situation closely. The FEI’s newly-formed AI Ethics & Innovation Committee is expected to issue a statement later this month.

“Well, I think riders should understand that the tests were written for a reason and direct purpose,” one official commented. “But AI really needs to be used carefully as we don’t want people inflating their scores by customizing their test.”

One test even made it as far as an official schooling show before the judge raised an eyebrow at a line reading: “Leg yield left, right, then both at once if you’re feeling spicy.”

Editor’s Note: We’re not saying you shouldn’t use AI to help you write a freestyle. Just… maybe double-check the results before submitting them to the show secretary. And also — it’s April 1st. We’d never lie to you. Except today.

Defender Kentucky CCI5* Entry Preview: The Olympic Champion Returns

By on Mar 27, 2025 10:50 am -

Michael Jung (GER) wins individual gold at the Paris Olympics with fischerChipmunk FRH (who competed as ‘Chipmunk’ in Paris per FEI regulations on naming). Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s high 5* season and we now look ahead to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which has revealed its entry list for us to obsessively study. We’ve got a strong field full of Olympians, former winners or podium finishers both here at Kentucky and elsewhere at 5* events, a bursting roster of 5* rookies, and much more to look forward to, so let’s dive right in.

[To view the full CCI5* list, click here]

Entries for the Cosequin Lexington 4*-S will be posted soon; keep an eye on the Kentucky website here!

First, the headlining division of the weekend. Featuring on the list is one Olympic champion (three times over, that is) in Germany’s Michael Jung, who brings forward the 17-year-old fischerChipmunk FRH for another run at 5* glory.

Michael and Chipmunk haven’t been to Kentucky since 2022 (when they set an astonishing record for the lowest-ever finishing 5* score and largest margin of victory at this event on a 20.1, as well as the title of most Kentucky wins for a single rider for Michael), as the Hanoverian gelding was saved for championships in the intervening years. Michael, in all likelihood, has this fall’s FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim in mind, as well as potentially the FEI World Championships at Aachen in 2026 with this special horse, and as far as 5*s go, it’s difficult not to think that this run could be one of, if not the, last we’ll see Chipmunk at the level. Of course, this is some speculation on my part, but the point remains: whatever the future may hold, enjoy this incredible era of success, longevity, and consistency.

But it’s not just a shoo-in win for Germany — far from it! We’ve got a big contingent of international entries and a good number of U.S. pairs that will launch their own assault on the top of the podium come Sunday.

Tim Price and Falco. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

That includes Maryland 5 Star runner-up and Paris Olympics sixth-place individual finisher Falco, teamed up with Tim Price (NZL). This 16-year-old Hanoverian owned by Sue Benson for Tim is making his first visit to Kentucky, and if his performance at Maryland is anything to go on, it’s safe to say the U.S. suits him just fine. Tim’s also got a second entry in the 11-year-old Jarillo, who made an impressive debut at soggy, soggy Pau last October for a top 10 finish, and a third in the 13-year-old Blenheim 4*-L winner from 2024, Happy Boy, who has started but been withdrawn from two 5*s and will be looking for what could be a competitive first completion in Kentucky.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Paris Olympic team gold medalist Tom McEwen (GBR) has cross-entered Kentucky and Badminton with both JL Dublin and Brookfield Quality, and so we should anticipate that at least one of these will travel over for Kentucky. Tom’s come achingly close to the win here at Kentucky as recently as 2024 when he was second with JL Dublin behind Oliver Townend (GBR) and Cooley Rosalent (who are opting for Badminton this year, along with Maryland 5 Star winner Ballaghmor Class).

Harry Meade and Superstition. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Also representing Great Britain is Harry Meade, who’s absolutely flush with 5* horses once more this season with three entered here at Kentucky (and cross-entered at Badminton while he finalizes his plans), as well as some on the waitlist at Badminton. For Kentucky, Harry currently has entered Superstition, Et Hop du Matz, and Graffenacht, a former ride of the now-retired William Fox-Pitt who’s very nearly won at th level a couple of times and is coming off an early-season 4*-L win at Montelibretti in Italy. It remains to be seen exactly which horses from the cross-entered pairs will end up at Kentucky, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as we see any movement on either Kentucky or Badminton’s entry list.

[View the Badminton entry list here]

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hooney d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re also looking forward to welcoming yet another Paris Olympian in Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier (whose name, if I’m being honest, is right up there with La Biosthetique Sam’s in terms of my pride in my ability to now spell it without double-checking it), who will be bringing her 2024 Luhmühlen winner Hooney d’Arville for what will be Lara’s first trip to the Bluegrass since she competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Lara’s an bright ball of energy and this mare she’s entered is a particularly special one: Hooney’s dam, Nooney Blue, was Lara’s first big-time horse, taking her to Junior, Young Rider, and Senior Championships, carrying her to a first 4* win, and many more achievements — including the aforementioned WEG, at which Belgium finished sixth as a nation. Nooney recently passed away at the age of 28, making this trip bak to Kentucky an incredibly sentimental one.

Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Whew – we aren’t even midway through the plethora of internationals! We’ll also see entries from Calvin Böckmann (GER) and The Phantom of the Opera, who competed at Kentucky in 2024, Jonelle Price (NZL) and her Paris horse Hiarado, and Clarke Johnstone (NZL) with his Paris horse, Menlo Park, Joseph Murphy (IRL) and Calmaro, who return to the 5* level for the first time since they came ninth at Kentucky in 2022. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and Caramia 34, an exciting young pair out of the Warendorf production system in Germany who finished in the top 20 in their 5* debut at Luhmühlen last year and would have done even better had it not been for a tricky pin activation that resulted in 11 penalties.

Monica Spencer and Artist. Photo by Sally Spickard.

U.S.-based Kiwi pair, Monica Spencer and Artist, make a return to Kentucky after finishing seventh last year and 11th at Burghley later on in the year. This full Thoroughbred gelding is inarguably one to watch this weekend, and he’s coming off two strong prep runs at the Stirling Venture Capital Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field and Carolina International, where an annoying pin penalty held them from claiming the 4*-S win.  Monica’s based herself in Virginia for the next few seasons, with several young horses currently progressing through the 2* and 3* levels. It’s just Monica, her husband Andrew, and her son Gus running the ship with this growing string of horses — a true family effort.

Boyd Martin and Fedarman B. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Next up, the North Americans, and there are certainly some pairs here who will be a serious threat to the podium. Boyd Martin has three horses entered, including his Paris horse, Fedarman B, and his direct reserve horse, Commando 3. Boyd finished within sight of the podium in Paris as the top-placed U.S. rider with “Bruno” (5th) and as he was targeted toward Paris previously, this will actually be his first 5* run at Kentucky. Boyd noted last year that he had used strategy with this horse, who he took the reins for on behalf of the late Annie Goodwin, targeting Luhmühlen and Pau as his first 5*s because of their potential similarity to the Paris cross country. He’s run Fedarman B in the 4* here (4th – 2024), and this will be an exciting third 5* endeavor for a fan-favorite pair.

Boyd Martin and Commando 3. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Commando 3 was poised for a competitive debut at Maryland last fall, but the attempt ended early after he parted ways with Boyd early on cross country. The fall wasn’t a cause for concern, and he’d come second in the 4*-S at Kentucky earlier in the year after laying down a 28.9 in the dressage and accumulating just three seconds of time on cross country. So we know he handled the terrain at the shorter distance just fine, and he’s coming off of a 22.6 dressage score in the 3*-S at Carolina earlier this month. Should all things go to plan, this could easily be a podium pair and hopefully the first of a string of success at this top level.

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Luke 140 also makes a return to the 5* level after a slightly longer hiatus than his stablemates as he was sidelined for the majority of last year. He finished fourth in his 5* debut at Luhmühlen in 2023 and is another horse well capable of going sub-30 on the flat. That gives Boyd three potential aces to make a strong run for that coveted 5* win.

We’ve also got several North American (or at least, based in North America) pairs who are some serious leaderboard climber threats that would be great additions to your Eventing Manager team.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Among those are HSH Double Sixteen, ridden by U.S. Olympian Caroline Pamukcu in his 5* debut. “Six” is a 10-year-old full Thoroughbred gelding who won his 4*-S prep outing at Bouckaert Equestrian in early March. While he’s not likely to pull a sub-30 at this stage, he is quick-footed and can deliver a clear round on show jumping day at a long format.

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

Another to keep an eye on will be Australia’s Ema Klugman with Bronte Beach Z, who finished fourth at Carolina (contributing to a whole haul of US Equestrian Open points for Ema, resulting in her sitting second on the leaderboard behind Phillip Dutton) after starting the weekend in 13th. Ema and Bronte were 21st in the 13-year-old Zangersheide mare’s 5* debut last year and were well on their way to another strong performance at Maryland when they unluckily parted ways at the MARS Sustainability Bay water late on course (and not for a lack of effort to stay together!).

Jennie Brannigan and Twilightslastgleam. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Jennie Brannigan has been off to a cracking start this year, winning the Carolina 4*-S with FE Lifestyle, who’s cross-entered at Kentucky but will most likely be heading to Badminton instead. She will have the full Thoroughbred, Twilightslastgleam, with her in Kentucky as another big threat to make some moves up in the standings. He was 16th at Kentucky last year and fifth at Maryland in the fall.

Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Morven Park 4*-L winner Julie Wolfert is another climber, taking the victory in Leesburg after starting about mid-pack following dressage with SSH Playboy. This is an exciting — and long-awaited — 5* debut for Julie, whose Rookie profile we’ll have coming your way soon!

Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Speaking of rookies, we’ve got quite the class this year! Let’s welcome the following to the 5* ranks:

  • Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times
  • Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Gray
  • Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre
  • Julie Wolfert and SSH Playboy
  • Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri
  • Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic
  • Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette

A warm welcome back to the 5* level to Matt Brown, who returns with a debut horse in Alderwood after last competing at the level at Kentucky in 2017 with Super Socks BCF. Photo by Sally Spickard.

While somehow this preview has ballooned to 1700 words, believe it or not there are still some pairs I didn’t dive into, but we’ll have much more information on each competitor in our Form Guide, coming the week of Kentucky. In the meantime, here’s a look at the full entries:

James Alliston USA Karma
Calvin Böckmann GER The Phantom Of The Opera
Lucienne Bellissimo GBR Dyri
Rebecca Braitling AUS Caravaggio II
Jennie Brannigan USA FE Lifestyle
Jennie Brannigan USA Twilightslastgleam
Matthew Brown USA Alderwood
Brooke Burchianti USA Cooley Space Grey
Katherine Coleman USA Monbeg Senna
Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr USA Sorocaima
Mary Bess Davis USA Imperio Magic
Lara De Liedekerke – Meier BEL Hooney D’Arville
Emily Hamel USA Corvett
Hannah Sue Hollberg USA Carsonstown
Clarke Johnstone NZL Menilo Park
Michael Jung GER Fischerchipmunk FRH
Ema Klugman AUS Bronte Beach Z
Libussa Lübbeke GER Caramia 34
Shannon Lilley USA Eindhoven Garette
Boyd Martin USA Luke 140
Boyd Martin USA Commando 3
Boyd Martin USA Fedarman B
Tom McEwen GBR Brookfield Quality
Tom McEwen GBR Jl Dublin
Harry Meade GBR Et Hop Du Matz
Harry Meade GBR Grafennacht
Harry Meade GBR Superstition
Joseph Murphy IRL Calmaro
Lauren Nicholson USA I’ll Have Another
Caroline Pamukcu USA HSH Double Sixteen
Jessica Phoenix CAN Fluorescent Adolescent
Jonelle Price NZL Hiarado
Tim Price NZL Falco
Tim Price NZL Happy Boy
Tim Price NZL Jarillo
Cassie Sanger USA Redfield Fyre
Monica Spencer NZL Artist
Lindsay Traisnel CAN Bacyrouge
Sharon White USA Claus 63
Arden Wildasin USA Sunday Times
Julie Wolfert USA SSH Playboy

Defender Kentucky: [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [EN’s Coverage]

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

MARS Badminton Entries Live with 86 Combinations

By on Mar 24, 2025 12:15 pm -

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

It’s a big week in eventing land as we’re getting a glimpse at entries for the first two CCI5* events in the northern hemisphere at Defender Kentucky and MARS Badminton. Of course, we also have Adelaide sandwiched in between the two as the second 5* of the 2025 calendar (and we’re very excited to be sending a reporter down under for the first time in EN history this year! More on that soon).

MARS Badminton is the first entry list to drop, and we’ve got a strong field of 86 competitors representing 14 nations who’ve put their entry forward.

Emily King and Valmy Biats. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Featuring on the list are our 2024 Badminton winners, Caroline Powell (NZL) and Greenacres Special Cavalier as well as several other pairs that hit the top ten in last year’s running: Lucy Latta (IRL) and RCA Patron Saint finished second in their 5* debut last year, Emily King (GBR) will bring back Valmy Biats to repeat or improve on their fourth-place finish in 2024, Jonelle Price (NZL) returns with 2024 sixth-place finisher Grappa Nera, as does her husband, Tim, with 2024 eighth-place finisher Vitali, as well as Tom Rowland (GBR) and seventh-place finisher Dreamliner and Bubby Upton (GBR) with her top talent, Cola.

We’ve also got entries from Oliver Townend (GBR) and 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star winner Ballaghmor Class, who is 18 this year but Oliver intimated last fall that he didn’t feel “Thomas” was ready to step down just yet. Oliver has also entered his 2024 Defender Kentucky winner, Cooley Rosalent, who ended her 2024 season with a top-20 finish at the very soggy Pau in southern France.

Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne van Bareelhof. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Several smaller federations are also represented at Badminton this year, including two entries for China with Alex Hua Tian‘s Chicko as well as his most recent Olympic horse, Jilsonne Van Bareelhof, with whom he finished in the top 25 individually in Paris last summer. Japan is sending forward one entry in Tokyo Olympians Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed, who were in the top 15 at Burghley last fall. Portugal is represented by Paris Olympian Manuel Grave and Carat de Bremoy, whose Olympic effort came to an unfortunate early end with a fall on cross country that saw Manual go home with some injuries to nurse (Carat de Bremoy was uninjured). Lithuania is anchored by longtime 5* competitor Aistis Vitkauskas and Commander VG.

Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Sally Spickard.

For the North American-based riders, we have a handful of entries from the U.S. on the docket in Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle, UK-based Americans Grace Taylor and Game Changer and Tiana Coudray with Cancaras Girl, and U.S.-based Kiwi Joe Mayer with Harbin.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Two of the three Paris Olympic team gold medalist horses for Great Britain feature on the list in Tom McEwen‘s JL Dublin as well as Ros Canter‘s Lordships Graffalo. We’ve heard Laura Collett is aiming London 52 for Luhmühlen (Germany) in June (come on Laura, we want a London 52 sighting stateside!!), but she is still well-represented on the Badminton list with her two up-and-comers, Hester and Bling.

We do know that some of the combinations listed on the Badminton entries have also entered Kentucky as an option, so this list is certain to shift a bit as we get closer to the event’s start date of May 7. Once Defender Kentucky entries are revealed, we’ll know a bit more about which pairs we can expect to see at which 5*.

Of course, this preview only scratches the surface of the full list, so be sure to check out the full roster as it stands now here. Stay tuned for much more coming your way right here on EN, your go-to source for 5* info!

EN’s coverage of MARS Badminton is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

MARS Badminton: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Tickets] [Badminton TV]

Who Jumped It Best? Ram Tap Advanced Edition

By on Mar 21, 2025 12:30 pm -

It’s time for a fresh new edition of Who Jumped It Best? coming your way from Ram Tap in California! Ram Tap ran an Advanced division earlier this month, and this small but mighty field has given us plenty of decisions to make as we hand out the EN karma award of who tackled this this rolltop table in the best form. Many thanks to Sherry Stewart for providing the images!

You know the drill: cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of this post. Eternal EN karma to the winner! Good luck to all and Go Eventing.

James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith and Carlingfords He’s a Clover. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Sophie Click and Tarantino 54. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Helen Alliston and Call Me Rudi. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith and Kynan. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Can’t see the poll above? Click here to vote.

Book Review: A Poignant Love Story in Kareem Rosser’s ‘When You’re Ready’

By on Mar 20, 2025 3:14 pm -

Kareem Rosser and Lee Lee Jones. Photo courtesy of Kareem Rosser.

Cracking open a new book is always something of a religious experience for me as a lifelong bookworm. While I generally gravitate toward fiction reads, there is something special about getting inside someone’s brain in memoir format.

Having read Kareem Rosser’s first book, Crossing the Line, back in 2021, I knew I was in for a treat when his second memoir, When You’re Ready: A Love Story, was published this past February. For those unfamiliar with Kareem, he’s an exceptional human whose connection to horses came through the sport of polo and the Work To Ride program founded in his home city of Philadelphia by Lezlie Hiner. Kareem has worked hard throughout his life to not only find a path that led him away from the drugs and violence he bore witness to as a young man, but also to facilitate opportunities for others from similar backgrounds. Today, he serves as the Executive Vice President and is a board member for Work To Ride, which is undergoing some exciting transformations with new infrastructure being built and more to come.

While When You’re Ready brings readers up to speed on Kareem’s background, I recommend reading Crossing the Line to learn more about his upbringing and the experiences that shaped him into the person he is today. In this second book, Kareem focuses on the concept of love and his relationship with Lee Lee Jones. Lee Lee is a former eventer (the step-daughter of Phillip Dutton and daughter of Evie Dutton) who experienced a freak accident in 2016 that left her with a traumatic brain injury. The aftermath of the accident has been a journey in healing, acceptance, and above all, the power of love.

This love comes through in Kareem’s writing — from the way he describes Lee Lee and her magnetic energy, her dazzling smile, her tenacious athleticism — to how he describes the moment he knew he was “unbreakably in love” with her. He writes of his experience bringing Lee Lee home to meet his family in the Bottom — the neighborhood in which he had grown up — and how naturally she fit in with his family. He writes of how out of place he felt — a kid from the inner city, experiencing life through the eyes of a well-to-do white family that had things such as debutante balls on their social calendar — but how welcomed, included, and safe he was made to feel not only by Lee Lee herself but also by her family.

Kareem competes in the Philadelphia Polo Classic. Photo courtesy of Kareem Rosser.

As Kareem sat down to put pen to paper to tell the story of Lee Lee and the love between them, Kareem knew that vulnerability would be the key to telling the story authentically. ““I realized that if I was going to write any sort of memoir, I had to be vulnerable, or I don’t think it was worth writing,” he told me. “The important piece here is showing that side of me that most people tend to never really expose.”

Kareem expressed gratitude to spending time in therapy to help him navigate not only Lee Lee’s accident, but the deep depression he felt after as he navigated this new life with her. “Love isn’t static. It evolves,” he said. “When Lee Lee’s accident happened, it wasn’t like we were married, but I had envisioned a future together. And then I had to figure out — how do I continue loving her while also moving forward? That was the hardest thing to accept. One of the biggest things for me was actually finding the vocabulary to understand what I was going through. When you’re in a deep depression, you don’t always have the words for what’s wrong, and that can be the hardest part. Therapy helped me make sense of it all.”

Photo courtesy of Kareem Rosser.

Above all, Kareem insists that not allowing one’s trauma to define you — but also being vulnerable enough to express difficulty or when you’re struggling — is a key to navigating difficult and traumatic situations. “Rather than letting trauma divide you, use it as an opportunity to come together,” he elaborated. “My family, despite all our struggles, has always stayed together, and that’s what has gotten me through the darkest times.”

And that love amongst family rings true in both of Kareem’s books. His writing paints a picture of love in many shapes and forms, of the strength of family bonds, and how collectively we can all help each other heal. Throughout his journey with Lee Lee, Kareem struck up a deep friendship with her mother, Evie Dutton, that remains strong to this day. He writes often in When You’re Ready about the long conversations on the hood of his car after a visit with Lee Lee, and it was Evie who eventually encouraged Kareem to begin dating, assuring him that his love for Lee Lee would never diminish, even if he chose to move on in some ways. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet, but this part of the book made me cry the hardest.

It is the sense of acceptance that, I believe, gives love its power. We accept those who we love where they are. This goes for our horses, our loved ones, our family members. This sense of love and acceptance permeates When You’re Ready, and I truly hope you’ll pick up a copy (and a box of tissues) and carry some pieces of it with you as you go.

To learn more about Kareem and to order a copy of his books, click here. You can also listen to a special interview with Kareem in a Mini episode of The Go Eventing Podcast here, above, or on your favorite podcast platform.

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

By 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 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.

“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]

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

By 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 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 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.”

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 on Mar 9, 2025 10:00 am -

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 on Mar 8, 2025 9:30 am -

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 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 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.