View Classifieds
Sally Spickard
Articles Written 4,422
Article Views 10,974,797

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

A Star-Studded 4* + Final Outing for Team USA & More: Previewing MARS Great Meadow International

By on Aug 24, 2022 1:00 pm -

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

We’re just a day away from the start of competition at one of the landmark summer events on the calendar each year at MARS Great Meadow International. Held in The Plains, VA, this event has become a late-summer staple for horses coming into full prep mode for their respective fall destinations. This weekend is also the final outing for the U.S. riders (and a Canadian or two) heading to Italy for the FEI World Championships in September, which means there is a positively stacked CCI4*-S division featuring on the docket.

If you’re as eager as we are to follow along with Great Meadow, here’s a quick primer on what you need to know:

The Entries

A total of 43 entries feature in the CCI4*-S division, including Team USA’s squad plus one Canadian pair heading to Pratoni. Just a few notable Friday dressage ride times include (* indicates a World Championships rider or reserve rider):

  • Will Coleman and DonDante: 8:15 a.m. EST
  • Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire: 8:37 a.m. EST
  • Doug Payne and Quantum Leap: 9:40 a.m. EST
  • Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus*: 9:55 a.m. EST
  • Boyd Martin and Fedarman B: 10:02 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver: 10:10 a.m. EST
  • Buck Davidson and Erroll Gobey: 10:45 a.m. EST
  • Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California: 11:15 a.m. EST
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z: 1:30 p.m. EST
  • Holly Jacks Smither and Candy King*: 1:37 p.m. EST
  • Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg*: 2:10 p.m. EST
  • Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan*: 2:18 p.m. EST
  • Will Coleman and Off the Record*: 2:40 p.m. EST
  • Phillip Dutton and Z*: 2:48 p.m. EST
  • Tamie Smith and Mai Baum*: 2:55 p.m. EST

You can view the full entry list on the Order of Go here.

The Schedule

The CCI4*-S competitors will begin their competition on Friday with dressage in front of judges Peter Gray (also a member of the Ground Jury for Pratoni) and Christina Klingspor, followed by show jumping Saturday evening beginning at 5:04 p.m. and concluding with show jumping on Sunday beginning at 1:27 p.m. Other divisions include a CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and Preliminary. A full schedule, along with ride times, can be found here.

How to Watch

Horse & Country is providing the live stream this year as they have for the past few seasons. You do need to have an H&C+ subscription (which starts at $9.99 per month and also comes with a free 30-day trial for new subscribers).

What to Do

There are always plenty of activities happening alongside the competition at Great Meadow. This year, Hilltop Bio is sponsoring a ringside competitors’ lounge. Spectators can also enjoy Great Meadow’s fall family festival with a vendor village, food trucks, tailgates, and catering. Tailgating and VIP passes are sold out, but general tickets and ringside spots still remain — click here to purchase your tickets if you plan to come and enjoy the fun.

You can also join STRIDER CEO Tara Swersie and COO Natasha Sprengers-Levine for a fun tailgate on cross country day (Sunday) beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Piedmont Tailgates area near the show jumping arena. Food and drinks will be available (and we even hear Chinch might make an appearance), so be sure to add this stop to your list.

Last but certainly not least, there’s a very special occasion happening before 4* show jumping on Saturday: Lynn Symansky’s WEG and longtime 5* partner, Donner, will have a retirement ceremony in the main Flemming Farm Arena at 4:14 p.m.

How to Volunteer

There are still many volunteer positions open throughout the weekend. Volunteers for this event receive a t-shirt, box lunch, and passes to park and gain admission to the event. Currently, jobs such as Stabling Check-in, Office Help, Floaters, Cross Country Jump Judges, Hospitality, and Event Takedown are available and can be flexible to your schedule. Click here to see openings and sign up using Eventing Volunteers.

I will be on the ground all week at Great Meadow doing some volunteering/team stalking, so stay tuned for much more from Virginia!

MARS Great Meadow International: [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Order of Go] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [Tickets] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]

Strides for Equality Equestrians Announces Immersive 3-Day Training Camp with Ashley Johnson

By on Aug 24, 2022 11:00 am -

Ashley Johnson and Tactical Maneuver. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Since Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) began in 2020, the group has focused on providing opportunity for riders from diverse backgrounds to access training and immersive experiences within the equine industry. With the formation of the Ever So Sweet Scholarship, supported by Edy Rameika and the USEA Foundation, SEE has given three deserving riders the chance to train with Sara Kozumplik in Florida or Virginia for several months.

But leaving home for months at a time isn’t always an option, yet there are countless riders who would benefit from an immersive training opportunity. In stepped 5* rider Ashley Johnson, who is the coach for a newly-announced 3-Day Training Camp opportunity through SEE.

One applicant will be selected to join Ashley at her own Totem Hill Farm in Ocala, FL. The camp will take place over three weekdays in December of 2022, and there is some flexibility regarding the dates. Room, board, and lessons will be provided. Applicants must arrange and pay for their own transportation to and from the camp.

“Strides for Equality Equestrians is doing meaningful work within our sport to promote a more equitable and inclusive culture towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) people,” Ashley said. “In developing this scholarship with them, my aim is to open another door in the three-day eventing community for a BIPOC rider to develop skills and have personal access to an active upper-level professional. I would love to see diversity in our sport become the norm instead of the exception, and I hope other professionals will join me in considering how they can open doors as well.”

Applicants with the ability to bring a horse are welcome to do so, otherwise a lesson horse maybe available. Applicants interested in using a lesson horse for the camp should provide a video of their riding to ensure they are an appropriate fit for one of Ashley’s available horses. Applications are due on October 15 (along with applications for the fall/winter award of the Ever So Sweet Scholarship), and you can learn more + apply here.

Want to support SEE’s ongoing mission? Mark your calendars for SEE Month, happening in celebration of the organization’s two-year anniversary all throughout the month of October. Click here to learn more about SEE Month and how you can participate.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Aug 24, 2022 12:01 am -

I know, I know — you weren’t really expecting to see a random movie poster as the lead to today’s News & Notes. But, I have a fun fact to go along with it: the newest addition to the Predator franchise (though you don’t have to have been a Predator fan to enjoy this new movie), Prey, was edited by amateur eventer Angela Catanzaro! Angela’s been sharing some of her work on her social media (talk about a cool gig!), and this movie marks one of her proudest accomplishments. Notable for this movie is its entirely-Indigenous cast and the availability of a Comanche language dub for the film. This article on Screen Rant provides some great background on the efforts that were made to properly represent the Comanche. It’s a good movie — I thoroughly enjoyed it despite the fact I wouldn’t call myself a Predator fan, plus I’m always interested in work that a fellow eventer does!

Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me and I’ve actually wound up on a very random cross country school with Angela before, so I reached out to her and she’s agreed to do a profile on her work-horse balance — stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!

U.S. Weekend Preview

MARS Great Meadow International: [Website] [Schedule] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Order of Go] [Scoring] [Live Stream] [Volunteer] [Tickets] [Erin Gilmore Photography] [EN’s Coverage]

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club H.T. (Santa Ynez, CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Town Hill Farm H.T. (Lakeville, CT): [Website] [Scoring]

Major International Events

Land Rover Blair Castle International H.T. (Pitlochry, UK): [Website] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring]

Millstreet International H.T. (Cork, Ireland): [Website] [Timing & Scoring]

Wednesday News & Reading

We’re keeping you in the loop on all things Pratoni as the FEI World Championships for Eventing loom closer. Be sure you’ve bookmarked our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for all the latest coverage, and stay tuned for sign-ups to our free Pratoni Daily Digest coming soon!

If you’ve ever experienced the heart failure that accompanies a close call involving a phone and a horse show porta-potty, you’ll certainly want to help Carolina Horse Park raise funds for permanent bathrooms! The 2022 Envelope Challenge benefitting the Park’s “Fund a Potty” Project is now live and available for participation until September 30. Donors can “purchase” envelopes of different values, contributing towards the overall fundraising goal of $225,000. [Play the Envelope Challenge]

Team USA rider Tamie Smith has two staples in her arsenal when it comes to producing young horses. Her focus on each horse as an individual has lead to much success in building relationships, but that isn’t the only thing that’s important in her program. [More on how Tamie trains young horses]

I’m not going to lie, I’ve begun following show jumping a bit more closely because I am positively obsessed with newly-crowned World Champion King Edward. Also a team gold medalist in Tokyo, King Edward has done the #SuperSwedes proud — and he’s done much of it without shoes. In fact, rider Henrik von Eckermann calls the choice to remove King Edward’s shoes a game changer. [Read more about King Edward’s journey to world champion]

Been thinking of investing in a Haygain Forager? Here’s your sign! Haygain is offering a “buy more, save more” sale through Monday, August 29 on the popular slow-feed option, making it the perfect time to outfit multiple horses or an entire barn. [Shop the sale]

#TackFacts from Sterling Essentials:

Have you met Sterling Essentials’ newest product line yet? Sign me up for the Fresh Helmet Spray, for real. P.S.: you can save 10% off your order this month using code ENAUG.

Watch This on H&C+

Don’t miss the return of MARS Great Meadow International and the final outing for the Pratoni-bound Team USA, streaming live on H&C+ all weekend beginning Friday. Click here to view the live stream / subscribe to H&C+ (30 day free trial available for new members).

Wednesday Video Break

A throwback compilation from the 2019 MARS Great Meadow:

Tuesday Video Break: The Millbrook Hunt Tradition

By on Aug 23, 2022 5:00 pm -

Each August, the Millbrook Hunt begins its season in earnest. A tradition dating back to 1907, the Millbrook Hunt is an homage to history and an opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of the Hudson River Valley. The Hunt also plays a key role in land stewardship and conservation.

We were incredibly sad to see Millbrook’s August Horse Trials, a popular fixture on the Area 1 calendar each year, canceled in 2022 after the event and a key landowner were unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. We’re hopeful that we’ll see the return of this event in 2023 and look forward to more Millbrook shorts like this one from our friend Marion de Vogel.

Ride iQ is Celebrating One Year! How to Enter Their Celebratory Giveaway

By on Aug 23, 2022 3:00 pm -

Graphic courtesy of Ride iQ.

Riding on your own has become more productive and enjoyable thanks to the rising popularity of Ride iQ, a virtual coaching and training app that provides access to guided “lessons” from top professionals such as Doug Payne, Leslie Law, Kyle Carter, Lauren Sprieser, and many more.

This month, Ride iQ is celebrating its one year anniversary, and they’re doing it up big with a cool giveaway from HorsePlay Tack Store. One lucky winner is going to receive a $3,000 shopping spree with HorsePlay, which is a women-owned business based out of Bend, OR featuring anything and everything riders need.

Here’s the scoop on the giveaway, which is taking entries until Thursday, August 25 (can’t see the embedded Instagram post below? Click here to view or here to view/enter on Facebook):

This grand prize just might be every equestrian’s dream giveaway (we know it’s ours)!

⭐️ The grand prize includes a $3,000 shopping spree to @horseplaybend, a 6-month Ride iQ membership, and awesome Ride iQ merch!

We’re excited to partner with HorsePlay on this MASSIVE giveaway! HorsePlay is a female-owned small business based out of Bend, Oregon (but don’t worry, everything’s online!) and they offer everything for the horse, rider, barn, and dog.

To enter, follow the steps below:

👉 Step 1: Follow @RideiQOfficial and @horseplaybend

👉 Step 2: If you’re not a Ride iQ member yet, download the Ride iQ app for iPhone or Android (link in bio) and start your 2-week free trial through the app. You can cancel anytime and maintain access through your trial, but we’re pretty sure you’ll love it! If you don’t believe us, check out our latest reel to see what members are saying about Ride iQ.️ (Ride iQ members: Step 2 is already complete ☑️)

👉 Step 3: Comment on this post with what you’d get at @horseplaybend if you won the shopping spree.

👉 BONUS: Share this post to your grid or stories for a bonus entry! Make sure to tag @RideiQOfficial and @horseplaybend so we don’t miss it!

📍The fine print: entries close Thursday, August 25th at 12pm ET and the winner will be announced and contacted on 8/26. This promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram/Facebook. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram/Facebook of responsibility, and agree to Instagram/Facebook terms of use.

Colleen Loach Withdraws Vermont from Canadian Team for Pratoni

By on Aug 23, 2022 1:15 pm -

Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.

Canadian Olympian Colleen Loach announced today that she has withdrawn Vermont, owned by Peter Barry, from the FEI World Championships squad traveling to Italy next month. The 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding was a part of the Canadian team for the FEI Nations Cup leg at Bromont last weekend, contributing to a silver medal finish as a final prep for World Championships.

“Monty felt incredible in his final prep for the World’s at Bromont Nations Cup last weekend. Unfortunately he came off of [cross country] with a sprained fetlock and so we won’t have the privilege of representing Canada this fall in Italy,” Colleen wrote on social media. “Best of luck to team Canada over there and I will be sending positive vibes your way. A huge thank you to all of my sponsors and supporters. We couldn’t do it without you!”

Equestrian Canada will have the option to substitute a reserve rider onto its final squad heading to Pratoni. The federation had originally designated Dana Cooke (FE Mississippi) and Lisa Marie Fergusson (Honor Me) as reserve combinations. Definite entries are due on September 5, but we can expect an announcement from Canada on who will take Colleen’s place on the final roster ahead of this deadline.

France Names Squad for FEI World Championships at Pratoni

By on Aug 23, 2022 9:00 am -

#EVENTING #ATTELAGE FEI World Championships Pratoni – Roma 2022 –

Après les Mondiaux de Herning, direction Pratoni…

Posted by FFE – Equipe de France on Friday, August 19, 2022

Adding their squad to the Pratoni party are the French, historically among the more consistent podium finishers in World Championships history and looking to add some more hardware to their medal cabinet in Italy next month. A 6-combination squad has been named for FEI World Championships for Eventing, which begin in earnest on September 14 at Pratoni del Vivaro. The French are the current defending bronze medalists in both World Championship and Olympic competition, and we’ll see the return of one pair from the Tokyo team in Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC.

Nicolas Touizant (FRA) and Absolut Gold. Photo by Sally Spickard.

The named horses and riders are as follows, in alphabetical order:

  • Tom Carlile and Darmagnac de Béliard – nine-year-old Selle Français gelding (Canturo x Palme de Moyon, by Barbarian). Owned by S.C.E.A. de Beliard and Jean-Jacques Montagne, and groomed by Camille Coton.
  • Héloïse Le Guern and Canakine du Sudre Z – 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Felton du Mont*Charles de Gaul x Listia du Sudre, by Duc du Maurier). Owned by Bénédicte and Philippe Le Guern, and groomed by Bénédicte Le Guern.
  • Cyrielle Lefèvre and Armanjo Serosah –12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Romando de l’Abbaye x Jolyjo Serosah, by Sassanian). Owned by Charline Guerin, and groomed by Soizic Lefèvre.
  • Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza – nine-year-old British-bred Sport Horse mare (Cevin Z x unrecorded dam). Owned by Martin Thurlow and Jane Young, and groomed by Lucy-Anna Westaway.
  • Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’or – 12-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding (Summer Song x Dambine, by Prince Ig’Or). Owned by Aliette Forien, Nicholas Paul, and the rider, and groomed by Laura Schmitt.
  • Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold*HDC – 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Birkhof’s Grafenstolz x Belle Meralaise, by Verglas). Owned by Haras des Coudrettes, and groomed by Aure Coulange.

France’s Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Olympic team bronze medallists Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut*Gold HDC are the arguable lynchpins of this team — they finished sixth individually at the Games, and were tenth individually at the 2019 European Championships, where they were part of the fourth-placed French team. Nicolas’s own team experience is extraordinarily extensive: though this will be just his second World Championship (he last competed in a WEG in 2006 with his five-star champion Hidalgo de l’Ile), he’s competed at five Olympics and eight Senior European Championships. Most notably, perhaps, is that he’s been European Champion twice — and the second time he managed it, back in 2007, the Championships were held at Pratoni.

Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’Or. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

He’s joined by Tokyo teammate Astier Nicolas, whose selected horse, the 2017 Seven-Year-Old World Champion Alertamalib’Or, might come as something of a surprise to those who had expected to see five-star partner Babylon de Gamma on the list. But although Alertamalib’Or slipped out of the spotlight for a not inconsiderable length of time due to injury, he’s been on exceptional form since his return, winning Saumur CCI4*-L this spring and taking 13th in the huge final selection trial at Haras du Pin CCIO4*-S this month. This will be a second World Championships for Astier, who took individual silver and team gold at the Rio Olympics with Piaf de b’Neville; he previously contested the 2018 WEG with former ride Vinci de la Vigne, finishing seventh.

Each of the four remaining combinations listed will be making a World Championships debut: Tom Carlile, the most experienced team rider of the four, has two European Championships under his belt (2015 and 2017) and was the travelling reserve for Tokyo, though none of those appearances were with the nine-year-old gelding Darmagnac de Beliard, with whom he was fourth at Bramham CCI4*-L in the horse’s level debut this summer. While he’s relatively inexperienced with just nine FEI starts on his record, the striking horse has finished in the top ten in eight of them.

Heloïse Le Guern and Canakine du Sudre Z complete their three-phase climb to take victory in Bramham’s Under-25 CCI4*-L. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

24-year-old Héloïse Le Guern makes her Senior championship debut in Pratoni after representing France a total of five times at Pony, Junior, and Young Rider European Championships. Her partnership with the former Cedric Lyard ride Canakine du Sudre Z saw her take top honours in Bramham’s coveted under-25 CCI4*-L this year, and they impressed for sixteenth place in the Pratoni test event CCIO4*-S back in May. British-based Frenchman Gaspard Maksud also made his French team debut this year, riding at Aachen with the exciting Zaragoza. They earned a spot well in the hunt after an impressive dressage performance, though a very late stumble on cross-country ended their weekend there early — but they redeemed themselves in the final selection trial at Haras du Pin this month, taking fourth place out of over 110 of the world’s fiercest competitors.

Cyrielle Lefevre and Armanjo Serosah. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

A string of very good cross-country performances over tough courses has earned Cyrielle Lefèvre and Armanjo Serosah their first call-up. They debuted at CCI5* at Pau in 2021, finishing clear and inside the time for twentieth place; this feat was followed by a confident run at Badminton this spring. Their top-twenty finish with a quick clear at Haras du Pin cemented their reputation as a swift, reliable pair in this phase — something that’ll prove vital over Pratoni’s tough hills.

The six named combinations will now travel to Saint-Martin de Brehal from the 27th of August to the 9th of September for a final training camp, during which the team, individual, and reserve allocations will be decided.

“For this final preparation stage, we have selected six couples who have run well this season and have been competing regularly for two seasons,” says French chef d’equipe Thierry Touzaint. “These horses are good gallopers, which is important because I think the cross country will be demanding. We know the site well; the course will have a lot of elevation so we will physically prepare our horses as well as possible. The training course is going to be used for that, but also to refine the dressage tests and make the last small adjustments to the showjumping. The novelty is also the arrival at the course of two young riders, who have an interesting profile for the future. This is the reason why I want to throw them in the deep end. In the end, it will be the five couples whose horses are in the best shape who will go to the world championships. The names will be announced on September 5.”

Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza seal the deal with an impressive performance at Haras du Pin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“The Federation provides our riders and handlers with the best experts in their fields to optimize the talent of women, men and their horses,” says Serge Lecomte, President of the French federation, in a translated statement. “Within the French collective reigns a blue spirit, which pushes towards performance with the essential support of the owners and the teams who surround each one, made up of trainers, grooms, veterinarians, farriers… Together, well coordinated, we are stronger.”

“Our National Technical Director is the conductor of all these converging energies that allow France to maintain its rank in the battle of nations… Long live sport and may our best find their way to gold medals!”

The French federation’s National Technical Director, Sophie Dubourg, continues: “Less than two years from the 2024 Paris Games, we are leaving for these Eventing World Championships with the dual objective of obtaining medals, but also of seasoning pairs and riders in major championships. Our leaders will be keen to get on the podium after their fourth place in the teams four years ago at Tryon. Unlike the format of the World Equestrian Games and the Worlds in Herning a few days ago, these two championships are held a few days apart. If it is a pity not to benefit from the emulation created by this multidisciplinary side, there is no doubt that our teams in France will be able to find all the motivation to perform.”

“Participating in these events would not be possible without the support of the owners. We encourage them to keep their horses; their role is essential to allow riders to practice at the highest level and to excel under the colors of France. The federation supports high-potential couples through personalized support dedicated to them and those around them.
We hope that these Worlds will smile on us and we will fervently encourage our Blues!”

Final entries and team/individual designations are due to the FEI on September 5. Want to see more from #Pratoni2022? Click on over to our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for more!

Home Nation Italy Names Riders for FEI World Championships at Pratoni

By on Aug 19, 2022 9:00 am -

Susanna Bordonne (ITA) and Imperial Van De Holtakkers. Photo by Sally Spickard.

It’s not often you’re able to represent your country in championship competition on home turf, and that honor this cycle is bestowed to the Italians, who will play host to competitors from nearly 30 other nations at next month’s FEI World Championships for Eventing at Pratoni del Vivaro to the east of Rome.

Italy’s Marco Cappai and Uter. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

On Thursday, the Italian federation named its final short list of riders it will be sending to Pratoni, with the final designations for team and individual spots to be announced by the definite entry deadline of September 5.

The riders competing for Italy at Pratoni will include:

  • Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy des Melezes – 11-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Aga Khan x Louna de Sainte-Ode, by Bayarde d’Elle), owned by Az. Agricola di Campello Argenta
  • Susanna Bordone and Imperial van de Holtakkers – 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Quidam de Revel x Ava van de Holtakkers, by Argentinus), owned by Maria Giovanna Mazzocchi
  • Marco Cappai and Uter – 13-year-old Italian Sport Horse gelding (Caster de Villa Francesca x Elle d’Aulix, by Lubumbashi), owned by Cascianese Country Club
  • Arianna Schivo and Quefira de L’Ormeu – 18-year-old Selle Français mare (Iolisco de Quinhon*HN x Isabelle du Brulot, by Beausejour IV), owned by Thomas Bouquet and the rider
  • Giovanni Ugolotti and Duke of Champions – 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Duke of Hearts x Nebraska 22, by Noble Champion), owned by Phillip Hunt, Jo Preston-Hunt, and Joyce Snook, or Swirly Temptress – 10-year-old British-bred Sport Horse mare (For Ladies Only x Betty Barclay, by Brentano 11), owned by Karin and Kristina Rausing

Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Two reserve riders, Mattia Luciani on Leopold K and Pietro Sandei on Rubis de Prere, have also been named should any of the short-listed riders be unable to travel to Pratoni.

Looking for more news from #Pratoni2022? Check out our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships for Eventing right here. 

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Aug 17, 2022 12:01 am -

Mark your calendars! It’s nearly time for the 2022 Diversifying The HERD Virtual Summit, a global gathering of equine facilitated practitioners launched in 2021 by The HERD Institute and hosted and led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) within the field. The Summit, happening on Saturday, September 10, features live discussions and an exciting keynote, “Decolonizing Your Equine Program”, presented by Abriana Johnson and Brittney Chambers.

You can register for the Diversifying The HERD Virtual Summit here, and be sure to follow @TheHerdInstitute on social media for the latest updates and content previews.

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Archer and Area IX Championships (Cheyenne, WY): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Caber Farm H.T. (Onalaska, WA): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. (Geneseo, NY): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, VT): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer H.T. II (Ocala, FL): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Waredaca Farm H.T. (Gaithersburg, MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

FEI Eventing Nations Cup CCIO4*-S + International H.T. (Bromont, Canada): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring]

Wednesday News & Reading

A robust field of competitors will compete for the next FEI Eventing Nations Cup win, hosted this weekend at Bromont in Québec, Canada. The U.S., Canada, and Australia make up the small-but-mighty field of Nations Cup competition, mixed in with a 25-strong 4*-S division. Alongside the 4*-S will be 3*-S and 2*-S with a U-25 division for each, as well as Preliminary and Training level offerings. Bromont is a supremely popular venue that’s recently come under new ownership made up of a group of investors with big visions to grow the park’s footprint within equestrian sport. [Read more about the Bromont field]

The rein-back is one of those tricky movements that often eludes even the most well-schooled riders. I thought Mary Ann Grant’s insight on how a properly trained rein-back should feel to be quite interesting: “Think of the rein-back as a forward movement in which the engaged hind legs take the front legs backward instead of the shoulders taking the hind legs back. Likewise, when we walk forward, it is the engaged hind legs that take the front legs forward rather than the front legs pulling the hind legs forward.” [Read the article]

Summer Ever So Sweet Scholarship recipient Nora Huynh-Watkins has been enjoying her time training and all around being a sponge at Sara Kozumplik’s Overlook Farm in Virginia. She’s written a blog update to bring us up to speed on all she’s learned, and you won’t want to miss it. [Read the blog]

Planning ahead for next year’s AEC? Double check your qualifications, as they’re going to be a bit stronger for the 2023 Championship. A development made during the USEA Board of Governor’s meeting last week, the update removes eligibility for third place in national and FEI competition as qualifiers. First and second place only will count toward AEC qualification. The USEA says 89% of previous AEC competitors would still have been qualified to compete under these updated criteria. [Read the full story]

If you’re on the hunt for a new podcast to add to your rotation, might I suggest In Stride with Sinead Halpin? This podcast, put on by Ride iQ, features conversations on the longer side with riders and professionals as they sit down with 5* rider Sinead Halpin Maynard. The latest episode features Team USA member Will Coleman, who sat down for a chat just after returning from competing in Europe earlier this year. Will is one of the best riders to interview on account of his thoughtfulness and studious approach to the sport. I really enjoyed his interview and think you will too. [Listen to it here]

Tack Facts from Sterling Essentials

“I love moldy tack!”….said no rider, ever. Whether or not you find tack cleaning to be zen, the fact remains that your significant investment requires proper care to stay, well, worth all that money. Sterling Essentials’ all-natural cleaning and conditioning products have a markedly different effect when compared to other products. Spoiler alert: We have a full review of this great stuff coming later today, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out some facts in the Instagram post below (can’t see it? click here to view it):

Sponsor Shoutout: Haygain

One of my favorite takeaways watching FEI World Championships (pt. 1) at Herning, Denmark was the inclusion of grooms within the programming. Groom names and photos were listed for each horse and rider combination, and there was much more visibility placed on their handiwork than seen at past championships. I was the world’s worst groom, but I did walk away with a healthy respect for how much is required of a groom and how much responsibility they bear. Props to the International Grooms Association for their diligence in promoting grooms and helping them gain proper FEI representation, and props to Haygain for being big supporters of grooms themselves!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Haygain USA (@haygainusa)

Wednesday Video Break

What a grand feeling it must be to become a double World Champion. That feat was accomplished to wrap up an exciting FEI World Championships for Para Dressage in Herning last weekend. Here’s the recap of Michèle George and Best of B’s ride of a lifetime:

Tuesday Video Break: The Multi-Talented Ingrid Klimke

By on Aug 16, 2022 3:30 pm -

We know Ingrid Klimke is a force to be reckoned with on a cross country course, but did you also know Ingrid’s a world-class dressage rider as well? Proof in the pudding (as if you needed it) can be found in a shiny new bronze medal earned in Herning, Denmark last week as a part of Germany’s FEI World Championships team for dressage. Ingrid was tapped to represent Germany with the uber-talented Franziskus 15 (Fiedertanz 2 – Antara, by Alabaster), a 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion who began his FEI dressage career in 2014 with Ingrid.

Ingrid and Franziskus have been wowing the crowds with their creative freestyle work, one of our favorites of which is shown below (honestly, this is the original #RaveHorse if you ask me):

While we don’t have a video of Ingrid’s performances in Herning, you can easily do a rider search on ClipMyHorse.TV to view each of her rides — here’s a link to the search.

Just for fun, here’s a look at a few other Ingrid and Franziskus rides through the years:

While Ingrid won’t be appearing in Pratoni representing Germany on the eventing, we wouldn’t be surprised if there came a year when we see her on both teams — after all, she’s qualified in both sports for both this championships as well as the postponed Tokyo Olympics. We love to see it and are constantly striving for just a thimbleful of talent equal to hers.

Meet the Horses and Riders Nominated for FEI World Championships for Eventing at Pratoni

By on Aug 16, 2022 10:30 am -

Daniela Moguel and Cecelia. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We’re anxiously awaiting the finalization of team and individual berths for the majority of countries competing in Italy for this year’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, and this morning we have a glimpse of nominated entries to further fuel the anticipation.

Nominated entries from each National Federation were due to the FEI on Monday, August 15, meaning each Federation can submit their “long list” of riders currently in the running for a competition spot. Definite entries are due on Monday, September 5, and we’ll likely see most of the major teams named ahead of this deadline with most final prep runs and selection trials concluded.

27 countries will be represented at FEI World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, and the roster includes the usual heavy-hitters, such as defending team gold medalists (both at WEG in 2018 and at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021) Great Britain, as well as a slew of smaller federations represented by individuals. These individuals include Daniela Moguel for Mexico, Olympian Fouaad Mirza for India, Olympian Korntawat Samran for Thailand, Aistis Vitkauskas for Lithuania, Balázs Kaizinger for Hungary, Nicolas Wettstein for Ecuador, and Olympian Alex Hua Tian for China.

You can view the full list of Nominated Entries here — and keep an eye out on EN for more team announcements as #Pratoni2022 inches closer. The action begins on September 14, and you can get up to speed on all the information you need (and a lot you didn’t) in our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships here.

You’re Invited to Submit Your Photos in Memory of Richard Picken

By on Aug 16, 2022 9:00 am -

The eventing community (and beyond) continues to pay tribute to Richard Picken, who bravely battled cancer and passed away a few days ago. Richard was a well-respected mentor and friend to many in the equestrian world, and the Baugh family has invited all who knew him to submit their photos in his memory to a public album.

“We invite you to upload photos of Richard and yourself as a compilation of memories from people he touched and forever changed through his selflessness, kindness, education and friendship,” Kelly Baugh wrote. “This is to have and hold dear forever. ‘Life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.’ (Jackie Robinson)“

If you’d like to share a photo, click here to visit the Memories album set up in Richard’s honor. Anyone may contribute to this album. You’ll need an email address or a Google, Apple, or Facebook account to contribute.

Richard’s family and friends continue to be in our thoughts. In his memory, below are a few more tributes rounded up from social media. You can also listen to a great interview Richard did with Major League Eventing here.

Richard,
Thank you for showing Colin and Alex the true honor of a Quest and how to Dream.

DON QUIXOTE
Whether I win…

Posted by Jeni Gaffney Dvm on Monday, August 15, 2022

A letter to Richard,

Six days from today will be four years since I first showed up at four schools farm and became…

Posted by Colin Gaffney on Sunday, August 14, 2022

Weekend Winners: Fair Hill, GMHA, Otter Creek, WindRidge Farm

By on Aug 15, 2022 9:15 am -

We spy more than one former 5* horse out winning the blues this weekend! Here’s Neville Bardos, former superstar partner of Boyd Martin, who’s been relishing his role as professor for quite a few years now. His latest victory comes at Fair Hill this weekend in the Open Beginner Novice with Sarah Reese.

We also spotted the former partner of Lillian Heard, Share Option, at Fair Hill in the Beginner Novice Rider division, picking up the win with Emma Yanek.

Meanwhile, this weekend’s Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Bernard Morauw and VC Questera, who won their Novice division at Otter Creek on an impressive finishing mark of 20.8. Nicely done!

Fair Hill International H.T. (Elkton, MD): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate A: Daniel Clasing and Double Diamond C (35.8)
Open Intermediate B: Alex Baugh and Mr Candyman (38.8)
Open Preliminary A: Dom Schramm and Dawn Breaker (30.3)
Open Preliminary B: Meg Pellegrini and Global Naxos (26.2)
Preliminary Rider: Audrey Ogan and Always Cooley (31.7)
Open Training A: Ashley Adams and Global Halycon (30.4)
Open Training B: Daniel Clasing and Et Cetera (25.2)
Open Training C: Sydney Hagaman and Charmeur (21.7)
Training Rider A: Madison Hogan and Quintessential 39 (30.7)
Training Rider B: Megan Smallwood and Nevertheless (35.5)
Novice Rider A: Maeve Kenny and Astaire To The Future (31.7)
Novice Rider B: Robin King and Splash of Sass (28.3)
Open Novice A: Delaney Emerson and Merlins Redfield HSH (29.4)
Open Novice B: Ryan Wood and The Optimist (26.4)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Emma Yanek and Share Option (28.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jennifer Trautmann and Moxley Leonard (29.4)
Open Beginner Novice: Sarah Reese and Neville Bardos (31.6)

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T. (South Woodstock, VT): [Website] [Final Scores]

CCI3*-S: Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill That Guy Jack (33.7)
CCI2*-S: Beth Murphy and Jimba (35.8)
Advanced CT: Lila Gendal and BT Just A Rebel (44.3)
Advanced/Intermediate: Ariel Grald and Isla de Coco (40.7)
Open Intermediate: Madeline Hartsock and Global FX (38.2)
Open Preliminary: Ariel Grald and Diara (28.8)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Sills and Salt (33.4)
Jr. Training: Eleanor Winter and Figlio (26.4)
Open Training A: Megan Tardiff and Vindakova (22.9)
Open Training B: Eliza Quigley and Kwibus (28.2)
Training Rider: Susan Gallagher and Chacco Chip (27.9)
Jr. Novice A: Annabelle Sprague and Freddie (22.5)
Jr. Novice B: Annabelle Sprague and Merry Clover King (22.8)
Novice Rider A: Kate Homan and Steve’s Sonata (33.6)
Novice Rider B: Jennifer Clapp and Sidamo de Brio (31.8)
Novice Rider C: Jacqueline Gilbert and ALF Cross My Heart (25.3)
Open Novice A: Booli Selmayr and Just My Style (24.2)
Open Novice B: Kristal Gessler and Prolific (26.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Jack Brennan and Paladin (33.8)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Nancy Read and Classic Chrome PCH (25.3)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Emma Adams and Cantefina HPF (33.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Alison Eastman-Lawler and Sara Bella (29.3)

Otter Creek Summer H.T. (Wheeler, WI): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Leah Lang-Gluscic and AP Prime (45.7)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Rebecca Gall and Winning Attribute (46.2)
Open Preliminary: Liz Lund and R’Mani CF (42.3)
Jr. Training Rider: Alyssa Kendrick and McBean (59.1)
Open Training: Kirsten Hiles and Wisencrazi (28.6)
Preliminary/Training: Todd Wulf and Kando (26.4)
Sr. Training Rider: Morgan Risseeuw and Farina VT (32.4)
Jr. Novice Rider: Adelyn Rinehart and Wexford Cruise (35.0)
Open Novice: Bernard Morauw and VC Questera (20.8)
Sr. Novice Rider A: Bella Godfrey and Wonder Girl (34.7)
Sr. Novice Rider B: Jennifer Tyler and London ROF (30.6)
Jr. Beginner Novice Rider: Liliana Davick and Briarhill Excell Star Cornetta (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice A: Mark Ward and Moonlight Clover (30.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: Lianne Burgess and Marisol (29.9)
Sr. Beginner Novice Rider: Sue Goepfert and Isabeau VT (33.2)
Starter A: Catherine Christianson and Sonsational Sizzler (32.8)
Starter B: Amelia Nachtsheim and LandDance (29.0)

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. (Mooresboro, NC): [Website] [Final Scores]

Intermediate: Becky Holder and Silmarillion (40.0)
Preliminary: Alan Montemayor and AZ (32.2)
Preliminary/Training: Lisa Borgia and Storm’s End (45.3)
Training A: Brianna Manning and Adrenaline Rush (28.9)
Training B: Bobby Meyerhoff and Aramona K (28.1)
Novice A: Andrew McConnon and Connor (32.1)
Novice B: Zoe Crawford and Willbrook Brown Yeats (31.9)
Novice C: Rachel Parrott and Mr. Barron (31.9)
Novice CT: Maggie Hitron and This Is Gonna Be Fun (42.5)
Beginner Novice A: Amanda Miller and Parkmore Irish Annie (31.5)
Beginner Novice B: Dianne May and Gilligan (31.5)
Beginner Novice C: Morgan Franklin and Mio Bello Ragazzo (35.8)
Beginner Novice CT: Harriet Goodrich and St. Paddy (46.2)
Intro A: Meredith Kapler and Queen Bee (41.5)
Intro B: Hannah Crosby and I Love Lucy (43.5)
Intro CT: Logan Harris and Dandy (38.4)
Starter A: Heather Sinclair and Banoffi (29.3)
Starter B: Evan Harris and Macaroni (29.7)

Germany Names Final Short List for FEI World Championships at Pratoni

By on Aug 14, 2022 4:21 pm -

Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Here we go! Nominated entries for the FEI World Championships for Eventing, happening September 14-18 at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy, are due tomorrow (August 15), and following a final outing at Haras du Pin this weekend Germany has named its final short list. Their final list of nominated entries tomorrow should match this list:

The German team, which will consist of four team combinations, one individual combination, and two reserve pairs, is:

Team

  • Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz, owned by Nikolaus Prinz von Croy
  • Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH, owned by Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff, Klaus and Sabine Fischer, and DOKR
  • Julia Krajewski and Amande de B’Neville, owned by Bernd Heicke and the rider
  • Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S, owned by Lena Thoenies and the rider

Individual

  • Alina Dibowski and Barbados 26, owned by Susanna Dibowski

Team Reserve

  • Nico Aldinger and Timmo, owned by Jutta and Michael Spethmann

Individual Reserve

  • Sophie Leube and Jadore Moi, owned by BG Jadore Moi and the rider

We will provide more updates on this and other Pratoni teams as they become available — and if you’re looking for a full slate of information, click on over to our Ultimate Guide to FEI World Championships here.

Eventing Community Pays Tribute to Richard Picken

By on Aug 14, 2022 12:55 am -

We learned this weekend that Richard Picken, beloved husband of Joanie Morris and renowned show jumping rider and coach, has passed away at the age of 53. Perhaps best known within the tight knit eventing community as a mentor, coach, and friend, Richard spent his life dedicated to equestrian sport and the relationships he cultivated throughout.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Richard began his riding career as a show jumper, eventually transitioning to work closely in many other realms of sport. He would play an integral role in the logistical management of major championships such as the Olympic and World Equestrian Games.

Richard and Joanie Morris met in 2010 and were married in 2013 and subsequently relocated to Four Schools Farm in Kentucky, basing from there as they pursued their respective careers. Richard has coached and mentored multiple riders, including Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Alex Baugh, and countless others. He played a key role in the success of Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice, who claimed individual bronze in Rio in 2016.

Through the years, the crew at Four Schools Farm has become more akin to a family than a group of riders. Consisting of core team members Alex Baugh, Colin Gaffney, Laura Douglas, Courtenay Turner, Morgan Kempe, Michelle and John Koppin, Grace Dilger, and Maddie Hale, the Four Schools team has supported each other through these past few months.

Across social media, riders and friends of Richard have shared their memories of and tributes to Richard. We’ve gathered a few to share with you a small glimpse of the impact Richard had on the community.

We’re sending our thoughts and condolences to all who knew and loved Richard, who will be sorely missed in our community and beyond.

We are forever grateful to have had Richard in our lives. Richard and Joanie took on Alex, and at times, the entire…

Posted by Kelly Baugh on Saturday, August 13, 2022

To our dear friend Richard, thank you for always bringing out the best in us. The support at events, the years of friendship, and always having our backs. We will miss you greatly but always remember. ❤️

Posted by Ryan Wood on Sunday, August 14, 2022

So very sad to hear about the passing of Richard Picken. He always brought out the best in all his students, including…

Posted by Emily Hamel Eventing on Saturday, August 13, 2022

I had amazing show jump rounds today at the beautiful GMHA on three horses that I need to give direct credit to Richard…

Posted by Allison Springer on Saturday, August 13, 2022

Saturday Video from #Herning2022: The Super Swedes Do It Again

By on Aug 13, 2022 12:00 pm -

The reigning Olympic champions of show jumping proved their mettle once again on Friday at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, running away with the team championship and securing World gold. Believe it or not, this is the first time Sweden has taken the World Championship title.

The Dutch and British teams also stepped up to the steep challenge set by Dutch course designer Louis Konickx, capitalizing on mistakes made by other countries to steadily move up onto the final podium. In total, five teams will move forward with qualification berths for the 2024 Olympics in Paris: Sweden, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, and Germany. Host country France will automatically qualify for the Games, and their team finished sixth for their efforts this week.

Perhaps one of the best stories from the week was the all-female Canadian team, who impressed to make the team final thanks to some gutsy rounds during the first two parts of competition. The Canadians suffered some blows with rails down on Friday, prompting them to lose out on an Olympic qualification, but they nonetheless left quite an impression with their efforts.

Meanwhile, the defending World Champions from the U.S. failed to make the team final, finishing in 11th as a team and sending McLain Ward and Brian Moggre forward as individuals. Sadly, both McLain and Brian encountered trouble on course and will not move ahead to Sunday’s individual final. It’s quite a blow for a historically strong program that saw them clinch gold in Tryon during the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games as well as team silver in Tokyo after a thrilling battle with the #SuperSwedes.

Catch up on scores from Herning 2022 here and tune in tomorrow to see who will be crowned the 2022 individual world champion!

Looking for a Late Summer Advanced? Don’t Miss the Return of Kentucky Classique September 2-4

By on Aug 10, 2022 9:01 am -

Sydney Elliot and Commando D’ Osthuy. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

It’s been since 2018 that we’ve seen the popular Park Equine Kentucky Classique at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, but the late-summer staple will return to the calendar over Labor Day weekend (September 2-4) to offer riders a chance at an upper-level run. Kentucky Classique will also serve as Area 8 Championships once more this year.

“The Kentucky Classique was a standard fixture on the fall calendar for years,” longtime organizer Mary Fike said. “When the USEA was looking for a site to host (American Eventing Championships) in this general vicinity, Equestrian Events, Inc. [EEI] and I put our heads together and thought there was a possibility that we could host them, but it meant putting Kentucky Classique on hold for a little while.”

The USEA opted to run AECs at Kentucky Horse Park in 2019 and 2021, with one year skipped in between due to COVID-19. This year, the AECs will be held at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT, but the Championships will return to Kentucky for 2023 and 2024. For this intervening year, however, Mary and her colleagues wanted to ensure riders in the area still had an upper-level target if they needed one. And with Advanced events difficult to come by with the advent of an updated calendaring process from US Equestrian, a good run is quite valuable in terms of fall season prep. But with the years off, Mary wants riders to know that the Kentucky Classique is back on the calendar this year.

“Whether or not the upper level riders are aware of it this year because it snuck in a bit under the radar remains to be seen,” she commented. “But we hope they will support it. Jay Hambly is a well-respected course designer, and Derek di Grazia was just here on an advisory role and was very happy with what he saw. We have the ability to aerate and irrigate the ground, which is really great this time of year when the ground can be hard.”

Kentucky Classique can trace its roots back to the 1990s, when it evolved out of a date held by the former Haypenny Fall H.T. When Haypenny ceased running in 1997, Kentucky Classique stepped up to fill the void and will now celebrate its 31st year of running this year. It’s an event that’s home-grown by nature, not running under the funding or support of a larger organization like some of its counterparts.

“The Kentucky Classique is not supported by any board or organization, so we weren’t really able to underwrite a lot of things ourselves,” Mary explained. “We’ve always tried to step up and do what can be done, so we added an Intermediate and we ran for a few years with some FEI divisions. This year, we looked at the calendar and we really wanted to keep an Advanced on these dates at the Horse Park.”

Mary cites a great working relationship she and EEI have with the USEA, which has allowed them to use some of the fences originally earmarked for use in the AECs for the return of Kentucky Classique, saving costs along the way. She anticipates the event running during years when AECs are not held in Kentucky.

Entries for Kentucky Classique are currently open and will close on Tuesday, August 16. Divisions offered include a Beginner Novice Three-Day along with Horse Trial divisions from Starter through Advanced. The cross country courses are noted to be moderate to challenging for all levels, making it a perfect test for those seeking a fall set-up.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Aug 10, 2022 12:01 am -

It’s going to be a BUSY Wednesday in Herning, Denmark, where the ECCO FEI World Championships are currently underway for four disciplines. Today, we’ll see competition kick off for the para dressage riders and the show jumpers, while the vaulters and dressage riders wrap up with their respective final competitions. It’s a jam-packed day of action, and while Denmark is seven hours ahead of the East coast, the live stream provider FEI TV on ClipMyHorse.TV is generally pretty quick to have replays up for viewing on demand. Check out the full schedule for the day here and view on ClipMyHorse.TV here. Some of the Para Dressage competition will also be streamed live at no cost on the FEI YouTube channel here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Fair Hill International H.T. (Elkton, MD): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

GMHA Festival of Eventing August H.T. (South Woodstock, VT): [Website] [Entry Status] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Otter Creek Summer H.T. (Wheeler, WI): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm Summer H.T. (Mooresboro, NC): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Scoring]

Major International Events

NAF Five Star Hartpury International H.T. (Gloucestershire, England): [Website] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]

Le Grand Complet International H.T. (Le Pin au Haras, France): [Website] [Timing & Scoring]

Wednesday News & Reading

The Maryland 5 Star may be the main attraction come mid-October, but hot on its heels in terms of popularity is sure to be the just-announced Maryland Corgi Cup, happening during the 5 Star and put on by Major League Eventing. If you’ve ever wanted to watch a bunch of dogs with inexplicably short legs race oh-so-quickly across the famous Maryland turf, you’re definitely going to want to book this on your list of things to do during Maryland weekend. Visit the Major League Eventing page to find out more!

Ever wanted to train with a coach-to-the-stars? You may have a chance to! Erik Duvander, former man-in-charge of US Eventing and current coach to many team riders, is giving cross country lessons at Boyd Martin’s Windurra facility in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, August 17. Spots are limited, but you can email [email protected] to inquire about one.

Capt. Mark Phillips shared some thoughts on the idea of instinctual cross country riding in his latest op-Ed for Horse & Hound. “I’m involved in a lot of work to try to reduce the risks of riding across the country, but if riders don’t react, I’m not sure how we prevent serious accidents, because if you keep trying, eventually you will get unlucky,” he wrote. Read the full piece here.

Sometimes, it’s the horse that doesn’t “tick every box” that turns out to be the best outcome. Take the story of West Point, a 21-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who has competed in 100 horse trials through his career despite some distinctive quirks and a failed pre-purchase exam. Read the story here.

Strides for Equality Equestrians has just announced an upcoming two-year anniversary fundraising drive, happening October 1-31 and labeled “SEE Month”. Opportunities to get involved include providing a donation for an online auction or signing up to donate a percentage of lesson or clinic funds on a day during October. Click here to learn more about SEE Month and sign up to participate.

Sponsor Corner: Meet the Haygain Forager.

Wednesday Video Break

With the ECCO FEI World Championships for Vaulting, Show Jumping, Para Dressage, and Dressage currently ongoing in Denmark, it’s cool to get to know more about some of the incredible riders competing through the week. In this video, meet Colombian vaulter Estiven Hernandez:

Tuesday Video: Watch Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry’s Stunning Championship Performance at Herning

By on Aug 9, 2022 3:00 pm -

The ECCO FEI World Championships for Dressage are nearly completed in Herning, Denmark as this “pseudo-WEG” we have this year continues this week. You’ll recall that dressage, vaulting, para dressage, and show jumping are holding their FEI World Championships this week in Denmark, separately from World Championships for Eventing and Driving in Italy and World Championships for Endurance in Spain.

The dressage competition has just the freestyle left to see this week, and Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry left us all speechless with a stunning performance aboard the 11-year-old KWPN stallion, Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale – Thuja, by Negro). An 82.508% would secure the win over Danish rider Catherine Laudrup-Dufour in the Grand Prix Special, and now Charlotte has her eyes set on repeating the victory in Wednesday’s freestyle finale.

Watch Charlotte and Glamourdale’s incredible test:

You can tune in live from Herning all week long on FEI TV (YouTube) as well as on ClipMyHorse.TV (subscription required). The freestyle championship will kick off at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, August 10).

Snag Your Tailgating Spot for Maryland 5 Star Before They Sell Out!

By on Aug 9, 2022 1:15 pm -

Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Tickets are already on sale for the second Maryland 5 Star, happening October 13-16, 2022, and now you can add a tailgating pass to your weekend experience beginning today. But you’ll want to hurry — top spots are already selling out, and supplies are limited.

Tailgating has become a popular way to take in the action for three-day events, and spots are scattered all about the 5* and 3* tracks, which will also come in and out of the main arena and trade fair areas as a new addition this year.

Graphic courtesy of Maryland 5 Star.

Tailgating passes will include the following:

  • Access for one (1) vehicle to park in a reserved, designated tailgating space in one of our three cross-country fields.
  • All passes allow Tailgaters to be parked in their reserved spot for the full duration of both the 3 Star (morning) and 5 Star (afternoon) cross-country competition
  • Eight (8) Saturday General Admission Tickets
  • Access to walk alongside over four miles of the new Cross Country Courses up close and personal to all the action on Saturday
  • Unlimited access to our curated Retail Vendor Areas
  • On-site fan activations
  • Wide variety of food and beverage offerings both out on Course and in the Infield

You can take a look at all the options that are currently available here and other ticket offerings available here, and we’ll look forward to seeing you in Maryland in just a few weeks’ time!

Yes, There’s a Mongol Derby Round Two Kicking Off Tomorrow: Meet the Riders!

By on Aug 9, 2022 11:30 am -

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you! We had to do a double-take as well, as the 2022 Mongol Derby — aka the longest horse race in the world at a stiff 1000 km / 600 mi distance to be covered on half-wild Mongolian horses — is back in quick succession with a second race following up the one that just completed. After consecutive COVID-19 cancellations, the race doubled up this year to allow those who’d signed up for 2020 and 2021 to have their time on the Steppe.

46 riders hailing from all over the globe have arrived at training camp and are hard at work learning the ropes of their GPS navigation and training on horseback ahead of the August Mongol Derby kickoff tomorrow, August 10. Each rider brings with them a mixture of experience, both in the horse world and out, but we’re keeping a particularly close eye on the proclaimed eventers, which for this round include:

You can take a gander at all the bios for this group of riders here. Remember, once the race begins, live GPS tracking will be provided on The Equestrianists using the initials of each competitor.

Ahead of kickoff tomorrow, let’s take a look at pre-race training, as the on-site team for the Mongol Derby is excellent at keeping us up to speed:

You can follow along with @mongolderby on Instagram and Facebook for more, as well as daily blogs and updates on The Equestrianists. We’ll keep you up to speed with more updates like this in the coming days!

#ICYMI: Just Some Cool Eventing Ponies from the FEI European Championships for Ponies

By on Aug 9, 2022 9:00 am -

The 2022 FEI European Championship for Ponies (yes, for ponies) wrapped up in Poland last weekend, crowning new champions across Olympic the disciplines of eventing, show jumping, and dressage.

In eventing, the Irish stepped up to claim team gold. Irish riders Ben Connors with Cornafest Fred (Gwennic de Goariva – Cornnafest Nora), Josh Williamson with Ardeo Fireman (Tinka’s Boy – Darracks Babe), Matthew Love with Lucky For Some (Dunlewey Seamus – Gifted Sister) and Claire O’Ryan with Carhu Melody (I Love You Melody – Lickeen Star) took the lead after cross-country. On the final day, three knockdowns and an added 12 penalties could not threaten their win. On a final team score of 104.1, the young Irish took home the gold medal. The best one of them was Ben Connors, who was clear in the final jumping and finished with the silver individual medal (28.9).

Team silver went to Germany, with the result of 107.6. They kept their second position through all of the trials. Team member Merle Hoffmann with Penny Lane WE (Calido G – Piorett, by Prince Thatch xx) finished with the bronze medal individually (31.0).

The French, defending their last year’s title, lost their dressage lead in the cross-country after one of their riders had a run-out at the last combination and that knocked them down into third. On the final day, the Germans added 8 penalties to the score, but that kept them in the bronze medal position, finishing with the score of 108.9.

The best of the Germans was once again Mae Rinaldi aboard Boston Du Verdon. The dressage leader delivered a double clear cross country and flawless show jumping to finish at 25.6. “It’s amazing. My pony was fantastic all week,’ Mae commented. “Yesterday’s cross-country was long, with demanding fences and combinations, but Boston was great as always. Today we were under a lot of pressure, but my pony jumped great and I’m really happy to win the European Championships for the second time in a row!”

We can’t ever have enough pony eventing action, so enjoy a few missives from social media, and I’ll also link to the FEI TV live stream replays at the bottom of this post if you want to relive the action on your own!

Show Jumping Live Stream Replay:

Cross Country Live Stream Replay:

FEI European Championships for Ponies (Strzegom, Poland): [Website] [Final Results]

Team USA and Canada Riders React to Selection to FEI World Championships Squads

By on Aug 4, 2022 1:06 pm -

On Tuesday, news dropped that the teams for the upcoming FEI World Championships for Eventing were selected for the United States and Canada. As the riders make their preparations for the Championships, happening at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy September 14-18, we rounded up their reactions to the selection.

We will continue to bring you more news from #Pratoni2022 as the clock ticks closer, including profiles on riders tackling the Championships as individuals, spectator guides, more team announcements, and much more. Be sure to bookmark our Ultimate Guide to the FEI World Championships for Eventing to keep up with all the latest in one spot.

Team USA:

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

Will Coleman:

“It’s an honor to be selected for the World Championships. I try not to view selection as something to celebrate, but rather as an opportunity to represent my country and compete at the highest level in our sport. I look forward to the challenge of that. Pratoni will be the ultimate test, and we are busy doing our very best to arrive prepared and in great condition. I owe so much to my owners of Off The Record and Dondante, and I am so happy for them to receive the recognition that comes with this opportunity. To Katie, my family, my staff, and all our support team of farriers, coaches, vets, and sport science specialists, thank you for helping us get to this point. Now let’s keep it going — Go USA!”

Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Ariel Grald:

“I’m thrilled and honored to be named to the U.S. Eventing Squad for the FEI World Championships. It’s a privilege to represent the USA along with an amazing group of riders and horses. I’m incredibly grateful to owner Annie Eldridge, who has always believed in me and Simon. And a huge thank you to groom Meredith Ferraris who takes great care of him. We’ve had an amazing journey so far and I look forward to competing in Italy.

There is plenty of preparation to do leading up to the World Championships and I’m eager to put in the hard work to produce our best performance possible. I have immense faith in Simon and we will be ready to go storm around Pratoni! Go Team USA!”

Captain America a.k.a. Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Abby Powell.

Boyd Martin:

“What a heroic effort for Thomas to be on his fourth Championship team and a testament to his longevity. His soundness and toughness has been phenomenal. He’s never missed a day of work and vetted this year better than he ever has.

I think this particular competition really suits him. Every WEG I’ve gone to, my gut feeling is that they call it a four-star, but it’s always a five-and-a-half star and Thomas’ strength is when its long and tough and big and demanding physically. He’s such a trier and a pure athlete, so I think it’s a perfect competition for him.

This year there was a bit of a hard team to pick — I think there were eight or nine horses all striving for the top spots. In America there were so many horses on or about the same score [in the qualification events] — some were better in dressage, some were better on cross country and others had a pole or two down but it left everyone on a relatively even field. So I’m sure the selection was very difficult this year, where usually the team picks itself and this is one of the years I’ve felt we had a lot of depth to select from and I’m proud to have made the cut.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Boyd Martin (@boydmartineventing)

Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Lauren Nicholson:

“I’m so honored to have been selected and even more thrilled for Ms. Mars and our “village”. There is such a phenomenal group of people behind Bug and I that spend as many sleepless nights as myself and Sally [Robertson] thinking of every little thing we can do to improve, and we wouldn’t be here without them.

I’ve been very fortunate to have been on various championship and Nations Cup teams with my other teammates and I can’t wait to do it again. We’ve still got a lot to do before Pratoni, but we will just continue doing what we have been, focusing on getting better at what we do every day and arriving in the best form possible to represent the USA.”

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Tamie Smith:

“I am super excited and honored to represent my country at the World Championships, especially with the group of amazing people on the team. I know we’re all hungry to bring home an outstanding performance for Team USA!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tamie Smith (@tsmitheventing)

Team Canada:

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Hawley Bennett-Awad:

“Just like the Olympic Games, the World Championships happen every four years for the best in the world! To be selected is a massive achievement.

I am so proud and excited to say I have been selected not for my first, not my second, not my thirds, but my FOURTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! What makes this even more special for me is that Jollybo is finally getting the recognition she deserves and she has been selected to her second world championships!!

Looks like I need to learn some Italian and brush up on my red wines because we are going to Italy! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE that has believed in us through good days and bad. I have a pretty remarkable support team!!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hawley Awad (@hbeventing)

Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King. Photo by Abby Powell.

Holly Jacks-Smither:

“I am so excited to go represent Canada at the World Championships in Italy along with 4 amazing other Canadian pairs and 2 fabulous alternates! There are way too many people to thank.

Vets, farriers, body workers for me and my horse! My ankle surgeon who put me back together last November. My current coaches Buck, Tom, Hyde and Margie. My staff past and present who have been by my side through some pretty tough times the last 24 months. HUGE thank you to the new syndicate members who kept this horse in my barn. My friends who ARE my family. My dad who always told me to work hard at what I love and my dreams would eventually come true! Bill who got me riding, Jinny who took me on as a kid and is still there for me today.

Every experience got me to this point. Jeanine, Penny for the working student opportunities, the times at the track spent with amazing horseman and horsewoman including Bruce. The times with Frankie chasing cows and jumping show jumps.

The new HPAG, thank you for all your volunteer hours, fundraising and turning the Canadian program around the last few months. I am so excited to be part of this!!!

Thank you to my Sponsors, many who have sponsored and believed in me for years through out all the ups and downs of this sport. Bernadette and Liz, thank you for all you guys do to keep things ticking.

My amazing students and past horses who have shaped me into the rider I am today. I’m sure I have forgot people but please know I’m so humbled and blessed by this opportunity and I promise we will go out there ready to compete and kick on for Canada 🇨🇦.”

I am so excited to go represent Canada at the World Championships in Italy along with 4 amazing other Canadian pairs and…

Posted by Holly Jacks-Smither on Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Colleen Loach:

“I’m very excited to be chosen to represent Canada. I feel lucky to be introducing a new horse to the Championship level and I’m very excited for his future. I’m very grateful for the support team around me that helped make this happen! I think it’s going to be a real fitness test, and I think [Vermont] is suited to that.”

Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Karl Slezak:

Mike Winter and El Mundo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Mike Winter:

“Getting the call up to be part of a Championship squad is always very exciting for the whole team. From owners, family, yard staff, coaches, breeder, vet, physio, farrier, etc. It’s the culmination of lots of hard work and credit goes to all involved. Now it’s time to focus on this very important task of producing the result that is expected of us and we expect of ourselves.”