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Sally Spickard

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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.

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Weekend Winners: Coast-to-Coast Recap + Social

By on Jun 13, 2022 3:00 pm -

School’s out for many, which means it’s time to #goeventing for the summer! Diving right in to this week’s Weekend Winners column…

Leading us off, a battle of the sub-20s was duked out at Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington, but it would be Stephanie Goodman and Esmèe who took home the Unofficial Low Score Award, finishing on an impressive 18.6 in their Open Novice division. They were not too far ahead of Kendall Pugh and Rafiki, however, who finished on a 19.7 in their Beginner Novice division. Well done to all!

Here’s a look at other winners from events this weekend, as well as some social media to live vicariously through:

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, Wa.): [Website] [Final Scores]

CCI3*-S: Sophie Click and Tarantino 54 (35.3)
CCI2*-S: Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 (30.4)
Open Intermediate: Meika Decher and Archie McPhee (64.6)
Open Preliminary: Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma (33.9)
Preliminary Rider: Amy Haugen and Ebenholtz (40.1)
Jr. Training: Addison Maxwell and Better Than Free (27.3)
Open Training: Kelsey Devoille and Cute Casalita (25.0)
Training Horse: Morgan Wenell and Kremer VD Falieberg (21.1)
Jr. Novice A: Krisalyn Brown and Jack Wi Ro Z (25.3)
Jr. Novice B: Abigail Popa and Gio (30.7)
Novice Amateur A: Sarah Hallman-Luhn and Vantage Point (28.5)
Novice Amateur B: Lorilee Hanson and Contigo (26.2)
Novice Horse A: Natalie Sullivan and Firn Limit (21.4)
Novice Horse B: Marc Grandia and Sunsprite Chiasso (21.1)
Novice Rider: Hope Cochran and Freesela (29.4)
Open Novice: Stephanie Goodman and Esmèe (18.6)
Beginner Novice Amateur A: Kendall Pugh and Rafiki (19.7)
Beginner Novice Amateur B: Teri Sowder and Sweet Basil (31.7)
Beginner Novice Horse: Karen O’Neal and Escapade (21.4)
Beginner Novice Rider: Kady Ellifritz and Yankee Bay (29.7)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Kate Schultheis and Ready Or Knot Here’s Mouse! (28.2)

Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run H.T. (Chelsea, Mi.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Preliminary: Carrie Mulks and Colony’s Finale (42.4)
Open Modified: Ali Kuhn and Little Hall (33.9)
Open Training: Jamie Allison and Jedi (26.9)
Training Rider: Hannah Willford and Kontiki (27.5)
Open Novice 1: Nancy Koch and Quality Rox (32.0)
Open Novice 2: Kasidy McMartin and Newtown’s Llewellyn (28.6)
Novice Rider: Valerie Spicer and Oliver Wendell Douglas (33.3)
Open Beginner Novice 1: Caitlin Henderson and Battle of Ramada (25.6)
Open Beginner Novice 2: Jane Papke and Wilderness Run (26.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Jessica Lebert and No Nottings Nest (30.5)
Starter 1: Lily Shultis and Rebel Nation (30.7)
Starter 2: April Habenicht and SF Lonely Heart (24.7)

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, Ut.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Preliminary: Eileen Galoostian and Ardeo Living The Dream (32.6)
Open Preliminary/Training: Shallary Guymon and Coco Chanel (69.6)
Open Training A: Rosie Smith and Seamus (26.7)
Open Training B: Kimberly Castro and Athenian Conqueror (31.4)
Open Novice A: Jacqueline Cameron and Penny Lane (30.0)
Open Novice B: Sara Windley and Georgia Peaches (38.2)
Open Beginner Novice A: Olive Bevilacqua and Amos Leigh (35.6)
Open Beginner Novice B: Mark Rivers and Flirtacious (36.9)
Open Beginner Novice C: Emily Rosenbaum and Inquizitive (27.5)
Open Beginner Novice D: Donna Hayden and FlynnStone (26.2)
Intro Jr.: Alice Macleod and KF Alamode (35.9)
Intro Open: C’Dale Jore and A Zarabanda (36.9)

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, Va.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Preliminary 1: Mia Farley and Invictus (33.2)
Open Preliminary 2: Mia Farley and BGS Calculated Chaos (38.2)
Open Modified 1: Colleen McCarthy-Orta and Jackson Maine (31.7)
Open Modified 2: Catherine Meehan and Salute the Captain (27.5)
Open Training 1: Kendyl Tracy and Justified (24.4)
Open Training 2: Nicholas Beshear and Rule of Thumb (28.1)
Training Rider: Colby Poe and Windchase Brego (26.5)
Training Senior: Lexie Horn and Doctor Jones (30.6)
Open Novice 1: Martin Douzant and He’s My Rock (30.3)
Open Novice 2: Krissy Smith Shellenberger (23.6)
Novice Senior: Emma Tuit and Rapid Romero KV (28.7)
Novice Rider: Lauren Allen and FGF Bob’s Wired (27.5)
Novice Junior: Quidley Kellermann and Cruising Along (26.9)
Open Beginner Novice 1: Autumn Rae and C’Adagio (28.2)
Open Beginner Novice 2: Autumn Rae and Lowenbrau (22.1)
Beginner Novice Rider: Karen Eichert and Mizz Indy Cat (29.4)

Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, Mo.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Modified: Courtney Kuriger and Eagle Rising (37.5)
Open Training: Lisette Healy Kremer and Roulette (31.4)
Open Novice CT: Abbey Clark and Smokin Star (35.0)
Open Novice A: Camryn Holcomb and Quite Breit (29.2)
Open Novice B: Skylar Thornton and Ace of Spades (29.7)
Open Beginner Novice A: Julie Wolfert and Dolcetto (22.4)
Open Beginner Novice B: Darcy Kammeier and Let It Be (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice C: Michaela Frye and Small Talk (34.0)
Beginner Novice CT: Mae Lieberman and Casper
Starter CT: Addison Wheeler and Gingersnap (34.3)
Open Starter A: Stephanie Heise and Hyperion (30.1)
Open Starter B: Cayla Bethea and Impressed by Surprise (28.0)

River Glen H.T. (River Glen, Tn.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Rebecca Hoos and Little Cruz (47.5)
Open Modified: Brooke Kahl and Nata Montada SCF (29.5)
Open Training: Katherine Brown and Gorsehill Amy (30.3)
Open Novice: Chelsey Sawtell and Dutchess (26.7)
Beginner Novice Rider: Christine Pasko and Essential Elegance (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice: Lisa Bauman and Joyride B (32.2)
Starter Jr.: Catherine Goosmann and Another Irish (24.7)
Starter Sr.: Allison Thompson and Kacey (26.3)

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Tiffany Wandy and CV Outlaw (49.6)
Open Preliminary: Dan Clasing and Et Cetera (25.5)
Open Training: Molly McMillen and Lily (30.0)
Training Rider A: Olivia Ford and Kilcannon Pride (29.4)
Training Rider B: Kaylyn Cunningham and Ollivander (35.0)
Jr. Novice: Sophia Fedak and B E Never Say Never (36.5)
Novice Rider: Laura Fazio and Royal Dancer 43 (22.8)
Open Novice: Delaney Emerson and Redfield Lavei (29.2)
Open Beginner Novice A: Brooke Sidorsky and Daddy Said Yes (30.6)
Open Beginner Novice B: Tara Astacio and Money to Burn (30.2)

Take a look at some social media from the weekend below!

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on Jun 13, 2022 12:01 am -

Photo via Pippa Funnell on Facebook.

Nicola Wilson received a visit from some well-wishing friends and colleagues last week as she continues to recover from a fall at Badminton in May.

“It was so wonderful to take time out from my training duties at Bramham International Horse Trials to visit Nic and Al along with William [Fox-Pitt], Dickie Waygood and Liz Brown,” Pippa Funnell wrote on her Facebook page. “What an inspiration she is, so incredibly cheery and positive and in such good form making very good progress. Those doctors and nurses are going to struggle to hold her back.”

The most recent update from Nicola’s channels indicate that she currently is (as of June 2) on bed rest and without hand or arm function, but with good feeling. It’s anticipated that she’ll remain at the spinal rehab unit at James Cook Hospital for the next three months.

U.S. Weekend Results

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, Wa.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run H.T. (Chelsea, Mi.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, Ut.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, Va.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, Mo.): [Website] [Final Scores]

River Glen H.T. (River Glen, Tn.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Final Scores]

Major International Events:

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Just north of the U.S.-Canadian border at the return of the MARS Bromont International, Jennie Brannigan took home the title in the headlining CCI4*-L division with Tim and Nina Gardner’s Twilightslastgleam. Bromont has been hailed for its test of 4* mettle (and, perhaps 5* worthiness), making it an excellent place to spot some future Kentucky or Maryland horses. Catch up on all of our coverage from Bromont this weekend here.

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, England): [Website][Final Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

It was a devastating weekend at Bramham International that saw the loss of two horses as well as two riders transported to local hospitals.

These stories sadly contrast with the other end of the spectrum: the triumph felt by Great Britain’s Izzy Taylor, whose partner in the CCI4*-L Monkeying Around proved he belongs — for good — at this level and, hopefully, beyond. You can read back through Tilly Berendt’s coverage of Bramham here.

Melbourne International (Melbourne, Australia): [Website] [Final Scores] [Live Stream Replay]

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Mare (@mare_mare_downunder)

In the southern hemisphere, Melbourne International marks the celebration of the Queen’s long birthday weekend. Similar to its Adelaide counterpart, the Australian International Three-Day Event, the Melbourne International is also very publicly placed, with the cross country track meandering its way past the zoo, a hotel, in front of a mansion, and through vast park and polo fields in Victoria. See for yourself in this look at the 4*-L cross country track on CrossCountryApp. The course was designed by Ewan Kellett.

Monday News & Reading

There is still time to register for the upcoming US Equestrian DEI Community Conversations, scheduled for TODAY (June 13) at 5 p.m. EST. This edition, which is held over Zoom with a panel of speakers, will center around Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for Transgender and Non-Binary Equestrians. You can register for a Zoom invite here. There’s no cost to attend and you do not need to be a US Equestrian member.

Sometimes, the right horse is all it takes to realize goals you thought were too far-fetched to achieve. That’s how northern California-based Alice Chan feels about the Morgan mare she found as a three-year-old. “I never imagined that at this age, I would be wanting to move up the levels of eventing,” Alice wrote for the USEA. “But as we all know, this is a sport of true partnership, and when your partner is game, it changes everything.” [Alice Chan and Merriewold Quintessa Conquer a Lifetime of Firsts Together]

“He was a big part of our family. It was hard saying goodbye when he’d always been around – getting married, having children, breaking my back and 10 ribs in a bad hunting fall; Paddy was always here to go the stables and have a cuddle with.” British rider Serena McGregor pays tribute to the horse that took her to her first Badminton and many other destinations in the 27 years they spent together. [Former 5* Eventer Was Part of the Family]

It’s time to start thinking about taking care of your horse in higher temperatures, depending on where you live. Horses are generally, of course, fairly adept at self-regulating, but it’s good to know how to manage and avoid stress in hot weather. [How to Help Your Horse Avoid Heat Stress This Summer]

The #FuturetrackFollow: The Mongol Derby

The Mongol Derby is returning this year! Last held in 2019, the toughest horse race on the planet makes its return on the Mongolian steppes. We know of at least one eventer — Area IV’s recent Tryon 3*-L winner Julie Wolfert — competing, but if you know of another please tip us by emailing [email protected]! In the meantime, here’s a fun look back at our very own Leslie Wylie’s trip to Mongolia:

Sunday Links

By on Jun 12, 2022 12:01 am -

Allie Knowles and Ms. Poppins. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

I live in California, so I’m typically a few hours behind any action happening on the other side of the pond first thing in the morning. When I looked at our EN group chat yesterday, my heart sank. Tilly Berendt had informed us that a horse had died at Bramham. At the time, we didn’t realize that was only the first tragic event of the day.

While my sadness cannot come close to that of Allie, Toshiyuki, and all who owned, bred, cared for, and otherwise loved the two horses we lost yesterday, from my position following the sport in every corner of the world so closely: with each word about a dead horse or rider I have to write, I love our sport a little less. And unfortunately, all of us here at EN and in equestrian media have had to write too many such words in our careers.

I don’t know what the answer is, and indeed it’s difficult to push off the inner cynic that says the cycle will continue. What I do know is that we are at a greater risk than ever to lose our sport in large ways. All sports, in many ways, are under a greater microscope than ever before. More importantly than even that, it will never feel easier or ok to lose a horse in sport.

U.S. Weekend Action:

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, Wa.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run H.T. (Chelsea, Mi.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, Ut.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, Va.): [Website] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, Mo.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

River Glen H.T. (River Glen, Tn.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]

Major International Events:

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, England): [Website] [Schedule & Orders of Go] [Live Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Links & Reading

Want a chance to win a Vespucci Figure 8 bridle and Edwina Jumper Reins from World Equestrian Brands? Be sure to enter their contest happening now — it’s a fun one!

Cornelia Dorr lands a win for the U.S. in Ireland

Lisa Chan Has Gone From Fatigues To Fashion To Styling An FEI Win

33 Do’s and Don’t for Dealing with Colic

Gene Editing: A compromise or a boost to animal welfare?

Ride and Die: A Look Into Why Riders Struggle with Body Image Distortion and Eating Disorders

Got an itchy horse? SmartPak has plenty of solutions here.

Sunday Video

#ICYMI, catch the replay of yesterday’s Belmont Stakes, where Mo Donegal took the win in convincing fashion. Fun fact: Vicki and Steve Sukup, who have own two horses for Elisa Wallace (Simply Priceless and Riot Gear), are part owners of Mo Donegal.

Saturday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: How Important is ‘Seeing a Stride’ on Cross Country?

By on Jun 11, 2022 12:00 pm -

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Abby Powell.

Is it important to see a stride on cross country? It’s an interesting question to ask, because chances are you’ll quickly see opinions on both sides. Some — and indeed even some course designers — will insist that the basis of cross country riding is instinct and feel, not measurements. Others will ride and set tracks like metronomes that require dead accuracy and commitment to a stride.

But what’s the most important factor about seeing your stride? Lucinda Green, as a part of her XC Academy, often gives lectures online on various aspects of cross country riding. The latest talk, which was made available free even if you aren’t an Academy member, focuses on the topic of striding. Spoiler alert: Lucinda’s of the school that feel and instinct matter more than “seeing a stride” — but I’ll let her tell us why:

Equi-Jewel®

Simply put, horses need energy.

Energy is traditionally supplied by cereal grains such as oats, corn, and barley. These feedstuffs deliver energy as carbohydrates or starch. But what if you want to supply more energy to your horse without increasing the feed intake? Feeding a fat supplement is an excellent way to achieve this.

Fat is considered a source of “calm” energy and is thought to modify behavior in some horses, making them more tractable. This, in turn, allows horses to focus their energy on work rather than nervousness.

Learn more at https://kppusa.com/2017/10/20/high-energy-advantages/

The horse that matters to you matters to us®.

KPPusa.com

Liz Halliday-Sharp Retains MARS Bromont 4*-L/3*-L/2*-L Leads; Sharon White Best of Day Two

By on Jun 10, 2022 6:30 pm -

Sharon White and Claus 63 are the best-placed of day two in the MARS Bromont CCI4*-L. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Sun sets on dressage at the beautiful MARS Bromont International, happening this weekend just north of the Canadian border in Quebec and playing host to divisions from 2*-L through 4*-L. Mother Nature has ensured the grounds are, er, well-irrigated this weekend with ample amounts of precipitation making for a gray week thus far. Tomorrow’s forecast looks less wet, but the general feel coming out of the camps is that Derek di Grazia’s 10 minute 5 second cross country course will be a proper endurance test, made even more so by the conditions.

Liz Halliday-Sharp has the good fortune of being well-sat after phase one, leading the 4*-L with The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Moonshine, the 3*-L with Ocala Horse Properties’ Shanroe Cooley, and the 2*-L with Miks Master C, also owned by Ocala Horse Properties. In the 3*-L, Liz is also in third after dressage with the Calmaria Partnership’s Cooley HHS Calmaria.

As Liz sat down to make her plan for the season, Bromont was one she had her eye on, never having made a trip north of the border prior to this. The return of the Canadian international event after three years was a welcome addition back to the spring calendar, and when you’ve got as many horses as Liz does, options are vital. “I physically can’t run them all at one event!” she told me. Liz prefers to space her horses out — making things more manageable on not just her but also her team — at competitions to avoid overdoing it at one show with too much happening. “It allows me to focus more and to do a good job when I am not doing so much in one weekend. But it does make for many weeks on the road.”

That road warrior schedule saw a new addition to it just a few weeks ago: former Maya Black ride Miks Master C joined Liz’s string earlier this year, originally to be sold. But once Liz had a chance to ride the 10-year-old Swedish gelding by Mighty Magic, she went to work to add him to her burgeoning string. The fact that Liz brought him here to Bromont for a “get to know you” run around the 2*-L was necessitated by Liz’s intense schedule — “my thinking was, I’m on the road so much and I had the opportunity to bring him up here,” she explained. “It’s all about the big picture, just a chance to get to know him better and get in a good run.”

Missing from the Halliday-Sharp roster this weekend, though he was originally entered in the 4*-S, is Deniro Z, the 14-year-old Dutch gelding who had been tapped in 2021 to be Liz’s partner at the Tokyo Olympics. An injury before the Olympics sidelined Deniro for the remainder of 2021, and Liz brought him back out at Virginia Horse Trials last month for a light Advanced/Intermediate run. Liz says she felt Deniro’s fitness wasn’t quite where it needed to be to come up to Canada and make a competitive run — “he was a good boy at Virginia and had a great run, he did all the things. But I know my horse and I know I would have had to ask a lot to come here and go inside the time,” she elaborated.

This weekend is the final North American qualifier for the FEI World Championships in Pratoni this fall — while the team and individual spots up for grabs are still very much anyone’s game, you have to feel for but also respect Liz for making a tough call for a horse that could well have stamped his ticket to Italy this weekend. “I wanted to come here one hundred and ten percent ready to give it our best shot,” Liz said. “And there’s no point to coming here and doing a substandard job and not looking out for my horse. At that point it’s a simple decision to look out for the horse.”

Best of day two in the 4*-L at Bromont was West Virginia-based Sharon White with Claus 63, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Catoo who scored a 29.7 this morning and will be in second overnight. This is another step on the developmental ladder for Claus, who Sharon says can get emotional but who this year has stepped out showing more poise, confidence, and maturity than past years. In fact, despite the fact she labeled his test in the Lexington 4*-S in April as his best, she now gives that accolade to the test today.

“I’m beyond thrilled with him,” Sharon said. Claus 63, like most of Sharon’s horses, was originally sourced in Germany by Dirk Schrade, and Sharon’s also enlisted the routine help of Bettina Hoy on the flat. Typically, you’re likely to see Sharon getting in a remote lesson via FaceTime with Bettina at major competitions; that dedication to continued development, not just of her horses but of herself, pays off as Claus’ scores continue to cement and become consistently competitive.

“This is probably his best test to date,” Sharon continued. “He tends to be a little emotional and tense and he was so with me today, so soft in his back. I just floated around and was calm the whole time. Kentucky was definitely a specific plan, I wanted to get him into atmosphere and he was brilliant there. And this test was even so much better than that. Obviously the atmosphere is different — everything is so welcoming here, where Kentucky is very electric, so it’s quite different but the pattern worked really well in my training thought process for him. He went in there today and was just like, ‘I got this’.”

Sharon will go out of the box wanting to deliver a proper test to her rising star, as this is the major spring goal she’s eyed all season. “I just think it’s spectacular,” she said. “The terrain here is such a good step for a horse. It’s so much more than it is at any other venue in North America — this is, I think, the best terrain we have. So it really puts a base on your horse, it really shows you where they’re at, it helps them turn into five-star horses. That’s why I brought him specifically, for the endurance of the course tomorrow. And the course is always beyond lovely, Derek does a great job but it’s always a test of endurance.”

Watch Sharon and Claus’ test below:

 

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A post shared by Sharon White (@lastfrontierfarm)

The 4*-S also began competition today, and it will be Virginia rider Sara Kozumplik and her two-time Devon Arena Eventing champion Rubens d’Ysieux leading the way ahead of cross country after scoring a 29.1.

Bromont holds a special place for Sara, who did her first three-day event here in 1997 with the mare HRH, and that’s just one reason why she brought her trio of top horses up north with her (she’s also in the top 10 after leading early in the 2*-L with Otta B Quality and as well as the top 10 with her newest ride, Rock Phantom, in the 3*-L). It will be good for Rubens to get to jump a big, proper track like what Derek has put together for tomorrow, and for her other two this weekend is all about information gathering.

Sara Kozumplik and the “unicorn” Rubens d’Ysieux dance their way to the 4*-S lead. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Rock Phantom, a horse brought over by Edy Rameika, who along with The Unicorn Group owns the trio of horses here with Sara, from former rider Nilson Moreira da Silva, is one Sara’s still getting to know, and this weekend is a way to learn more about what the 11-year-old Irish gelding needs from her. “Rock Phantom has never been here, and he hasn’t done many Derek courses,” Sara explained. “I have him in the three-star to get to know him. I think I’ll learn a lot about him around a proper big track without jumping a four-star that he doesn’t need to jump yet.”

Sara also puts the spotlight on longtime event organizer here at Bromont, Sue Ockendon, who has worked inexhaustibly throughout her tenure to build this event up to be one of the most beloved and most competitive international events on the continent. “There were many years that Bromont ran because of the efforts Sue put in,” Sara said. “She always ensures the best courses and brings in top judges each year. This is the only Olympic venue continuously in use and that’s from Sue. She’s built it up and hasn’t given up.”

Dom Schramm and Bolytair B are aiming to practice their #brakingskillz tomorrow on cross country. Photo by Joan Davis / Flatlandsfoto.

I did a slight double take when I saw Bolytair B sitting second after dressage in the 4*-S with Dom Schramm. Dom and Bolytair B partnered up for their first trip around Badminton in May, but Dom wound up easing off the gas and putting in a slow, steady ride after his brakes and adjustability went a bit by the wayside on cross country. Dom’s got his eye on Pratoni for the Aussies this year, and he knew he needed to work on not just the technical elements of rideability, but the mental aspect as well.

Three weeks in the field, followed by a week of hacking and a few light practices led Dom back up to Canada and one of his perennial favorite events — and he says it’s the one place where Bolytair B will step off the trailer and take a deep breath. In fact, it’s the absence of relaxation that would ultimately undo the 16-year-old Dutch gelding in the Badminton warm-up with its close crowds and fishbowl feeling.

“I think that warm-up was poor Bolytair B’s worst nightmare,” Dom recalled. “I’m kind of at this crossroads right now that I need to figure out. He’s a very good cross country horse but it’s difficult to go fast when you go fast and you can’t come back. Unlike a lot of horses, nothing really backs him off and you can go to a place where it gets a bit sketchy — I just know that about him.”

And it’s not just about bitting. Dom says he felt he had the right setup for Badminton, but of course nothing can replicate the conditions of a big 5* event, and besides — there’s the mental component to consider, too. “I think he was just cooking from the inside at Badminton,” he explained. “If you can kind of help with the mental, then the control sort of comes with that. So I’ve got this balance of what does it take to have him go out of the box not completely frazzled and anticipatory and ready to get really stressed, and the other piece is much like if you’re driving a Lamborghini, it’s one thing to have a powerful engine, but you also have to have the ability to slow down and steer and then go fast again.”

It’s the eternal puzzle every horseman and horsewoman is trying to figure out at any given point, and Dom thinks he’s close to cracking the code. Tomorrow will be an opportunity for Dom to try some new things with the absence of pressure. After that, he’ll set his sights on returning to Europe in early August, either to eventually be named to the Australian team for WEG or head to Burghley in early September.

The 4*-L will be the first division to see across the country tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m. EST; Jessica Phoenix and Mighty Mouse will be the first to see. Abby Powell will be along first thing in the morning with the course preview (if you want an early peek, click here to see the CrossCountryApp map) as well as a full report at the end of the day. There is no live stream from Bromont, so watch this space for more.

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [XC Ride Times] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Enjoy a few more scenes from Bromont on day two:

Walk the Bramham International CCI4*-L Cross Country with Ian Stark

By on Jun 10, 2022 11:30 am -

A very typical Ian Stark entrance into the water at Bramham. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Ian Stark, who has been designing at Bramham International since 2010 when he took over from Sue Benson, took us for a virtual spin around his CCI4*-L track with CrossCountryApp for this weekend. It’s a signature Ian design: dimensionally large and imposing but not optically difficult to understand for the horses. The relentless undulation of the ground at Bramham is key here, necessitating both stamina and manoeuvrability as Ian tests the physics of using a turn to accelerate to an attacking distance throughout.

This being the first running of Bramham since 2019, many questions and routes remain the same from what would have been 2020’s design, but there are some new paths cut through trees this year to create new galloping lanes. The general flow, however, will feel familiar to those who’ve been here before.

Riders will start at the highest point of the estate, near the stables, and they’ll also finish in this same area. And right from the word go, Ian’s got questions that he needs answers for. He’s placed the first combination at fence three, a brightly colored set of Orchard Dale Ice Cream Cones set on a bold, left handed three strides. This combination gives riders intelligence on what they might need to bear in mind for the next combination, which will ask a similar but more intensive question.

Fence 4, the Coopers Marquees Question, is the first frangible device on course — an upright rail with another bold, forward left turn to a large bird. Then it’s another sweeping left turn to a corner — hope you did your homework at fence 3 to set up for this one!

Another big test will come at fence 6AB, the Bramham Round House, and fence 7AB, the Bramham Leap. The Bramham Round House features a big trakehner followed by a sharp right turn to an angled brush, then followed by a straightness question at The Bramham Leap. Ian’s asking riders to be bold but also to be straight and adjustable; at this point in the course you may still have riders fighting with a fit horse to obtain a rhythm, but the “keep coming” nature of these early questions should serve to encourage that rhythm to emerge if it hasn’t already.

The A Element of the Bramham Leap. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Bramham Leap, B element. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

It’s a classically Ian rail into the water at fence 11ABC, a slightly softer question than he’ll ask later at the main water (18ABCD), which gives off a distinctly Carolina International vibe, from a distance at least.

The first drop in the water at fence 11. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Fence 12, the Joules Leap of Faith, is one of Ian’s self-professed favorite fences on course — “probably one of my favorite fences of all time,” he describes. And it certainly is something to behold: a big log that gives off the look that you’ll be leaping off into the great unknown. Ian admits here that he enjoys watching the riders’ expressions as they jump this question (this is one designer, remember, who very jovially says he doesn’t mind if riders lose a bit of sleep before riding his courses).

Fun fact, there’s also a mini-sized version of this fence on the BE80 (U.S. equivalent of Beginner Novice) at Bramham!

The Joules Leap of Faith. Photo via CrossCountryApp.

Several more accuracy-testing questions stand between the riders and home once they’re through the main water at 18, and one final pull uphill will ensure these 4*-L horses get a proper fitness test. It’s sure to be a delightful day of classic cross country action, and you can follow along live on H&C+ beginning at 4:30 a.m. EST. Replays are typically available within a day or two of the live stream.

View the full guided cross country tour on CrossCountryApp here.

Stay tuned for the final dressage report to come from Bramham later today. Go Eventing!

Bramham International: [Website] [Schedule & Orders of Go] [Live Scoring] [Saturday XC Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Be Your Riding Idol for a Chance to Win a Vespucci Figure 8 Bridle from World Equestrian Brands

By on Jun 10, 2022 9:00 am -

World Equestrian Brands rider Allie Knowles and Ms. Poppins at Houghton Hall earlier this month. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Contest alert! Our friends at World Equestrian Brands are running a fun photo contest this week for a chance to win a gorgeous and functional Vespucci Figure 8 bridle with . Here’s the scoop:

Re-create an Iconic photo of one of your riding idols to win a Vespucci Figure-8 Bridle with coveted >Edwina Jumper Reins!

Get creative, have fun, and *remember* to stay safe! Photos with stick, fake, real, or even no horses will be accepted.

Peter Menet, the designer behind Amerigo and Vespucci, collaborated with International Show Jumper Edwina Alexander to develop a rein that allows the rider to keep a more accurate and steady contact. These reins feature double the amount of leather stoppers down the length of rubber reins than their peers.

The rules:

  • Join the World Equestrian Brands email list here
  • Tag World Equestrian Brands on Facebook or Instagram with your photo and tell us which one of your idols you’re embodying.

The deadline for entry is 6/14/22, the winner will be announced on 6/19/22.

About the Edwina Jumper Reins (available in hook and buckle styles):

Designed together with Edwina Alexander Showjumper, these reins are a more effective version of the traditional “continental” reins that have been around for years. Their secret lies in the fact that they have nearly double the amount of leather stoppers sewn down the length of the reins, so you can always get a perfect position. They provide not only a better grip, but allow the rider to keep a more precise and steadier contact.

The Edwina reins are also slightly shorter than normal, to avoid the danger of getting the foot caught up in the excess loop – if using them for showjumping or eventing – especially when riding smaller horses. The shorter length also helps in managing the excess loop while galloping.

Liz Halliday-Sharp Leads the Way in MARS Bromont CCI4*-L

By on Jun 9, 2022 6:15 pm -

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Moonshine. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Lexington, Ky. based first-time Bromont competitor Liz Halliday-Sharp marked MARS Bromont CCI dressage day one with two firsts and a third at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park in picturesque Bromont, Quebec.

Riding before the judging panel of Marilyn Payne (USA) at C, Peter Gray (CAN) at E and Sue Baxter (GBR) at M, Liz and The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Moonshine earned a 25.8 to take a healthy lead over early leaders Phillip Dutton and Caroline Moran’s Quasi Cool (31.1).

“I am really thrilled with the horses,” Liz commented. “Cooley Moonshine did one of the best tests he has done which is fantastic. He is a horse I think the world of. He went in and got sort of equal scores from the judges which is great — that is what you are looking for.” Indeed he did; the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cobra earned strikingly similar scores across the board: 74.38 at M, 73.54 at C, and a 74.58 at E.

Nine of the 4*-L competitors rode their tests today, with eight more pairs to come tomorrow morning. Sitting third overnight behind Phillip Dutton will be Canadian Olympian Jessica Phoenix with Saskia Goedhart’s Mighty Mouse, a 13-year-old gelding by Contenda making his 4*-L debut this weekend and earning a score of 32.0 to start things off.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Liz Halliday-Sharp will also take the dressage lead in the CCI3*-L, scoring a 28.1 with Ocala Horse Properties’ Shanroe Cooley, a seven-year-old Irish gelding by Dallas making his Long debut at this level. Liz will also be third overnight with The Calmaria Partnership’s Cooley HHS Calmaria, who scored a 29.3 to keep the scores tightly bunched up top. It’s a big, open track designed by Derek di Grazia (assisted by Jay Hambly this weekend) — one that should suit Liz’s big, bold jumpers and give them a chance to stretch out and really test their fitness.

Of course, a decent amount of rain the area has seen this week means the ground’s a bit wet now, and more rain is currently forecasted for Friday. But Saturday’s forecast looks drier, and we could see perfect footing if it has a chance to absorb and dry in the coming day.

“My biggest thoughts are that it is unusually wet,” Liz commented about the track. “I think it is a good track — strong enough but fair, big and bold like you would expect.”

Sandwiched between the two Halliday-Sharp rides in the 3*-L is Boyd Martin, who will be second overnight with longtime owner Bonnie Stedt’s Miss Lulu Herself. This nine-year-old Hanoverian mare is a product of Boyd’s own breeding program, sired by Stolzenfels and out of Noisette. This is the first 3*-L for Miss Lulu Herself, and she earned a 28.3 to mark a competitive debut on day one.

Sara Kozumplik and Otta B Quality. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Looking to the two CCI2*-L divisions this weekend, it will be Sara Kozumplik aboard her own Otta B Quality, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding competing in his second 2*-L; he was third at his last go in the Long format at Tryon in 2020.

Sara remarked on social media that she felt she could have produced a better score, noting that she felt she hadn’t gotten “Otter’s” canter loose enough to earn some better marks. Luckily, there’s still much to do and much opportunity to make good on those scores, and she’ll be looking to give both her up-and-coming partners confidence-boosting, competitive rides come Saturday.

20-year-old Ayden Schain is the dressage winner in the U25 CCI2*-L, scoring a 26.3 with Dawn Barclay’s Fernhill Hole Shot to slot into the lead ahead of second-placed Cassie Sanger and Fernhill Zoro (27.8). Cassie is also well-placed in third with her second 2*-L ride, Redfield Fyre (29.4). Less than 20 penalty points separate the 16-strong U25 field, which should make for an exciting cross country competition on Saturday.

Ayden Schain and Fernhill Hole Shot. Photo by Cealy Tetley.

Dressage resumes tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. EST with the conclusion of the 4*-L the 2*-L as well as the dressage competition for the 4*-S also running this weekend. There is no live stream from Bromont, but Abby Powell arrives tomorrow, Chinch in hand, and will have more content coming your way soon.

In the meantime, take a look at some more sights and sounds from Bromont and we’ll be back tomorrow with much more. Go Eventing.

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Ride Times] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

#ThrowbackThursday: Bromont 1994 Highlights

By on Jun 9, 2022 1:30 pm -

Get into the spirit for the return of MARS Bromont International this weekend and settle in for a dive into the RNS Video archives. This one comes from the 1994 running of Bromont — recognize any famous faces?

While there is sadly no live feed from this year’s Bromont, we’ll have more reports to come to keep you up to speed on the action. Stay tuned!

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Ride Times] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

#GoEventing in the Midwest: All Smiles at Mill Creek Pony Club H.T.

By on Jun 9, 2022 9:00 am -

Last weekend marked the first event of the spring for Kansas City, held each April at Longview Horse Park just to the east of the city. Mill Creek Pony Club hosts this event at the Horse Park, which also plays host to other horse events as well as a fall horse trial, and it’s always a stable of the close-knit Area IV’s calendar.

This year, Mill Creek tapped JJ Sillman as their event photographer, which means we’ve got candids for absolute days to enjoy. You can purchase your own photos from Mill Creek by clicking here.

These shots really encapsulate that #goeventing vibe and we are HERE for it. Enjoy!

Carrie Meehan celebrates second place with Gold to Blue Trapper Jack. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Kris Greenway and Ash B’dash en route to a clear cross country. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Elle Lunsford and Sweet Creature make some moves on cross country. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Appreciation. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

A job well done! Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Karen Demauro celebrates a clear round and third place in the Open Beginner Novice. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Mallory Stiver records her mom, Ginger’s, show jumping round. Photo by JJ Sillman Photography.

Enjoy a few more scenes from Mill Creek:

All Systems Go – with a Dash of Drama – at MARS Bromont International

By on Jun 8, 2022 7:00 pm -

Ema Klugman and RF Redfern. Photo by Red Bay Stock.

It’s all systems go — with a bit of drama — at the return of the MARS Bromont International, which is welcomed back to Quebec, Canada this weekend after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Long format horses in four divisions and representing four nations presented their horse to the Ground Jury of Marliyn Payne (USA), Sue Baxter (GBR), Peter Gray (CAN), Bea DiGrazia (USA), Cara Whitham (CAN) this afternoon for inspection.

Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre (U252*-L). Photo by Red Bay Stock.

Four horses were held during the horse inspection; one, Emalee Bodimeade’s Marvin (U252*-L), was not accepted on re-inspection, and another, Alex Green’s Fernhill Limited Edition (3*-L) was withdrawn from the hold box. Kendal Lehari’s 2*-L ride, Darcy as well as Maddie Hale’s Cinzano 87 (U252*-L) were both accepted upon re-inspection. Meanwhile in the 4*-L, Jessica Phoenix withdrew the stallion Humble GS prior to the jog.

Sharon White and Claus 63. Photo by Red Bay Stock.

This leaves 83 horses in the Long format divisions going forward in to dressage. We’ll see the 4*-S horses trot up on Sunday ahead of show jumping.

We now look ahead to the commencement of dressage tomorrow morning, beginning at 8:40 a.m. with test rides in each ring. The 3*-L and U252*-L will be the first divisions to see, followed in the afternoon by the 4*-L. The remaining 4*-L riders as well as the 4*-S pairs will ride dressage on Friday. You can glance at ride times here.

We’ll be back all week long with more updates from Bromont, and Abby Powell will be on the ground beginning Friday and will bring us a preview of what Derek di Grazia’s got up his sleeve this week. Until then, Go Eventing!

The Bromont CCI Three Day Event is made possible in part through a contribution from the Government of Canada. The Bromont organizing committee also wishes to thank the Gouvernement du Québec, Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement Supérieur, and the City of Bromont for their support of this year’s event.

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Dressage Ride Times] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Andrea Davidson and Kyle Carter Hosting Benefit Clinic for Jennifer Wiedrick This Saturday

By on Jun 8, 2022 11:47 am -

On April 7, amateur eventer Jennifer Wiedrick suffered a heavy fall that resulted in a break at her C4 vertebrae. Jennifer subsequently underwent surgery to place a rod in her neck and is currently recovering at Shepherd Center, a neurological treatment and rehabilitation facility, in Atlanta, Georgia.

To help support Jennifer’s ongoing recovery, which will likely require skilled nursing for the rest of her life as well as in-home modifications, a GoFundMe has been set up and a benefit clinic will be hosted at Barnstaple South in Ocala this Saturday, June 11. Andrea Davidson and Kyle Carter will be donating their time and the funds collected from the one-day clinic to Jennifer’s recovery fund.

Julie Wiedrick and Webster at the Ocala Jockey Club in 2016. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

“Please join Kyle Carter and myself in a fundraiser clinic for Jennifer Wiedrick this Saturday, June 11 at Barnstaple in Ocala,” Andrea wrote on social media. “The clinic will be 100% donated to Jenny and her family. There is no set amount for the clinic, so please come and show your support.”

If you’d like to ride, please email or direct message Andrea at [email protected]. You must include your preferred clinician and whether you’d like dressage, show jumping, or cross country help. There is no set price for the clinic; rather participants are encouraged to donate what they feel comfortable for their lesson.

We’re pulling hard for Jennifer and her family and will provide further updates on her recovery and ways to help as they are available.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Jun 8, 2022 12:01 am -

I’ll let Simon Grieve intro today’s News & Notes, as I think his post from earlier this week will resonate and help others understand why months like Pride month matter. It’s prudent to be cautious not to fall into exploitation — and for me it’s a good reminder to check in and figure out where I can do better with my understanding and ongoing commitment to learning more outside of “awareness months” — but these months are intended to celebrate, educate, and commemorate. Let’s not forget that! We want to celebrate all riders from all types of backgrounds, and everyone has a different story to tell.

U.S. Weekend Preview:

Aspen Farm H.T. (Yelm, Wa.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Cobblestone Farms at Revel Run H.T. (Chelsea, Mi.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Golden Spike H.T. (Ogden, Ut.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Middleburg H.T. (The Plains, Va.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Queeny Park H.T. (St. Louis, Mo.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

River Glen H.T. (River Glen, Tn.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Unionville H.T. (Unionville, Pa.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Major International Events:

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Bramham International (West Yorkshire, England): [Website] [Schedule & Orders of Go] [Live Scoring] [Saturday XC Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Wednesday News & Reading

There is still time to register for the upcoming US Equestrian DEI Community Conversations, scheduled for Monday, June 13 at 5 p.m. EST. This edition, which is held over Zoom with a panel of speakers, will center around Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for Transgender and Non-Binary Equestrians. You can register for a Zoom invite here. There’s no cost to attend and you do not need to be a US Equestrian member.

During Pride month but equally importantly at all times, understanding our peers who are members of the LGBTQ+ community is key to broadening perspectives. You can take a look back at a previous DEI Community Conversation on exactly this topic here. Want to dive deeper? I find the “How to Be a Better Human” podcast to be on my frequently-played list most weeks and this episode was a great listen.

It’s been a dream year so far for Canadian rider Lindsay Traisnel. She’s traveled from Canada to France and back, cultivating her riding career as she’s gone. Now she operates Windsor Equestrian Centre with her husband and fellow eventer Xavier Traisnel, working together to run the barn and also raise their two daughters. Oh — and she just ran around the Kentucky 4*-S in April, no big deal. Read more about Lindsay here.

Want to improve your body control in the saddle? Me too. Luckily there are a few exercises that are simple to incorporate into your next ride that can help you hone in on this. Read more here.

Watch This on H&C+

Don’t miss the cross country phase of competition at Bramham International on Saturday (June 11)!

Wednesday Video Break

I’ll just leave this here…

@bookipsies It’s adults vs children basically. Also don’t ask me what western people do I have no idea but they look so fun and I love the buckles. #greenscreen #equestrian #horses #horseriding #thoroughbreds #ottb #horsetraining #horsegirl #equestrianlife #eventinghorse #eventing #dressage #warmbloods #warmbloods4days #dressagehorse #dressagehorses #hunterjumpers #hunterhorse ♬ original sound – Sydney Steverson

Sponsor Corner

Ever wondered if the Haygain Forager is hard to assemble? See for yourself:

Welcome Back MARS Bromont! What You Need to Know

By on Jun 7, 2022 1:30 pm -

Lauren Kieffer and Landmark’s Monte Carlo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s been three years since we’ve seen horses and riders hop over the border to our lovely neighbors in the North and the MARS Bromont CCI. Located at the south end of Quebec, just over the Vermont/Canada border and just to the east of Montreal, Bromont is a slice of eventing paradise and poutine and we can’t wait to be back this week.

Abby Powell will be our eyes on the ground this weekend, and we’ll have loads of action coming your way all weekend. Here are a few need-to-knows as well as a quick preview of the entry list. Want horse stats? Hop over to the USEA’s Fact Facts for a round-up.

This year, a total of 133 entries across two CCI2*-L, a CCI3*-L, CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S divisions will compete, riding dressage before the Ground Jury of Marliyn Payne (USA), Sue Baxter (GBR), Peter Gray (CAN), Bea DiGrazia (USA), Cara Whitham (CAN) and tackling Derek di Grazia’s (assisted by Jay Hambly) cross country track on Saturday.

Bromont also marks the return of the Bromont Rising Grant Program for riders under 25. This program provides funding assistance as well as special coaching, course walks, and lectures at competitions to a handful of young riders who submitted applications. There is also a U25 CCI2*-L with 17 horses and riders entered.

18 combinations will contest the headlining CCI4*-L division, with another 13 entered in the CCI4*-S:

  • Fresh off a trip to Badminton with Leamore Master Plan, Ariel Grald brings forward the young star Forrest Gump 124, owned by Annie Eldridge, for his first 4*-L
  • Phillip Dutton will compete Caroline Moran’s Quasi Cool (who made a remarkable recovery from a gruesome eye injury not six months ago), who finished second in the 4*-S at Kentucky in April
  • Canadian multi-Olympian Jessica Phoenix will compete the stallion Humble GS, owned by Charlotte Schickendanz, as well as Jim Phillips’ Wabbit. She’ll pilot Karl Niemuller’s FE Blackjack in the 4*-S
  • It will be a 4*-L debut for the 13-year-old Contessa, one of Boyd Martin’s rides owned by Club Contessa
  • The 2021 Le Lion 7-year-old winner, Cute Girl, who was picked up by Hallie Coon in the off-season, will step up to her first 4*-S with Hallie in the irons

You can preview the full entry list here. We’ll have much more to come all weekend from Bromont, as well as Bramham in the UK, so don’t go anywhere and thanks for following along!

MARS Bromont International (Quebec, Canada): [Website] [Entries] [Volunteers] [Scoring] [EN’s Coverage] [EN’s Instagram]

Weekend Winners: GVRDC, GMHA, Indiana, Archer Farms, MCTA, Ocala

By on Jun 6, 2022 9:00 am -

Plenty of action to round up this fine Monday, so let’s dive right in:

This week’s Unofficial Low Score Award winner is Dr. Melanie Helms, who won her Beginner Novice division at IEA with PS Gran Torino on a 20.3 — a personal best for this pair since their partnership began in 2021. Nicely done!

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Results]

Training/Novice: Tessa Bennett and Beck and Call (32.5)
Open Novice: Peytyn Geer and Dublin Red (36.5)
Beginner Novice A: Farley Wagner and Kieran (27.1)
Beginner Novice B: Anna Hendey and Sheldon (31.3)
Intro A: Molly Krotz and All Tuckered Out (38.5)
Intro B: Karen Kelley and Full Gallop’s King Red (33.0)
Intro C: Mary Snyder and Cadillac Carter (35.7)

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Mikki Kuchta and Special Reserve (39.9)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Sills and Mile Neuf Cent (36.7)
Jr. Training: Jillian Perry and Estrella Bosque (23.3)
Open Training A: Lisa Niccolai and KC’s Celtic Kharacter (32.0)
Open Training B: Alex Conrad and Lexington II (24.7)
Training Rider: Kathleen Bailey and Kennebec Rugby (28.9)
Jr. Novice: Anna Meretei and Diego Future Trend (23.9)
Open Novice A: Emily A. Mainolfi and Tucker (26.4)
Open Novice B: Jennifer Fitch and Caraway Daireing Romance (26.9)
Novice Rider A: Andrew Beal and Capstone’s MJ Tasmania (25.8)
Novice Rider B: Kathleen Bailey and Kennebec Echo (31.4)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Molly Czub and Zuko (30.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Jill McClabb and Innis (35.9)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Miriam Evans and Santino (26.8)
Open Beginner Novice A: Audrey Littlefield and Mr. Pumpkin (26.2)
Open Beginner Novice B: John R. Bourgoin and Take That (29.1)

IEA H.T. (Edinburgh, Ind.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Jessena Defler and Gasparo van de Falieberg (43.4)
Open Preliminary: Adalee Ladwig and Santiago (37.0)
Open Modified: Gina Pletch and Charlotte La Bouff (23.1)
Open Training A: Kate Kirchdorfer and Galway Bay Cooley (31.2)
Open Training B: Lia van der Wal and Continuous (27.1)
Open Training C: Aspen Duffin and Tag You’re It (27.2)
Training Three-Day: Arielle Ferrell and Parkmore’s Miss Demeanor (35.4)
Open Novice A: Corinna Garcia and Schiller Nav (23.3)
Open Novice B: Cathrine Wunderlich and Concatulations (25.8)
Open Novice C: Kaylianna Mcmorris and Fernhill Future Star (24.4)
Open Novice D: Abigail Walker and The Perfect Storm MK (28.3)
Open Novice E: Bonnie Coulter and Network News (29.7)
Novice Three-Day: Kyla Tovar and Kilcoltrim Jacko (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Marin Swyers and Harrison (20.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: Melanie Helms and PS Gran Torino (20.3)
Open Beginner Novice C: Emily Hummel and What’s His Face SSH3 (29.1)
Open Beginner Novice D: Julie Jarrell and All Dun Up (27.8)
Open Beginner Novice E: Siena Perry and Little Brown Bird (30.9)
Open Beginner Novice F: Rehgan Weber and Maximus (27.5)
Open Starter A: Brad Hall and Montauk Blue (31.0)
Open Starter B: Christy Schlough and Vanquish (30.3)
Open Starter C: Ava Bischoff and Jack On The Rocks (23.1)

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wy.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Anna Cummings and Fernhill Cruiseaway (49.0)
Preliminary: Julie Bryer and Fernhill Dynamic (38.9)
Modified: Payton Robinson and That’s The Stuff (39.7)
Training: Madeline Backus and Baratheon (27.2)
Novice Junior: Kara Miller and Chesterland’s Knockout (24.4)
Novice Senior A: Anna Cummings and Charlie Fly (29.7)
Novice Senior B: Heather McWilliams and Southern Soiree (35.7)
Beginner Novice Junior: Lauren Weichold and River Waltz (35.9)
Beginner Novice Senior A: Deanna Hovland and Action Cover Z (34.4)
Beginner Novice Senior B: Melinda Hofmeister and My Brigadier (31.8)
Tadpole Junior: Addy Dunlap and Peachy Keen (33.8)
Tadpole Senior: Brittany Foust and HH Ragamuffin Gunner (32.2)
Starter Junior: Vivian Inman and French Jewel (37.3)
Starter Senior: Madeline Backus and Slew the Blues (28.0)
YEH 4 Year Old: Kim Wendel and MBF Reality (71.3)

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, Md.): [Website] [Results]

Open Preliminary: Erin Kanara and Windchase Lionstar (29.7)
Preliminary CT: Tiffany Wandy and CV Outlaw (37.4)
Open Modified A: Katie Lichten and EHF Casiro Royale (32.4)
Open Modified B: Erin Kanara and Royal Empress (29.8)
Open Training: Lillian Heard and Bellines Quality Lady (23.6)
Training CT: Angelina Pezzuto and High Prince (36.1)
Training Rider A: Annaliese Clayton and Dewey Square (33.8)
Training Rider B: Payton Myers and Tekkenistic (30.2)
Jr. Novice: Emma Hayes and Where’d It Go (32.2)
Novice Rider A: Ty Burke and Carmella (31.4)
Novice Rider B: Alec Cole and Phamtom Spot (35.0)
Open Novice A: Kaitlin Clasing and Limelight SPF (34.9)
Open Novice B: Kaitlin Clasing and Above the Fold (26.4)
Open Beginner Novice A: Shari Young and Pure Cotton (31.3)
Open Beginner Novice B: Angela M. Bailey and Sir W Dudley (29.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Sutton Wetcher and Good JuJu (28.1)

Ocala Summer I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Results]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Georgia Dillard and Galileo WP (26.4)
Open Preliminary: Kalli Core and Mastermind (32.5)
Preliminary Rider: Stephanie Cordell and Codename Toby (35.0)
Modified Open: Jon Holling and Fernhill Copain (27.8)
Modified Rider: Lydia Bradshaw and Cassio’s Picasso (25.3)
Open Training: Libby Head and Face Value (25.3)
Training Rider: Susannah Karatzias and Cassius (29.8)
Novice Rider: Colleen Tilley and Yourdecisionnotmine (29.7)
Open Novice: Libby Head and Filly Gumbo (27.5)
Beginner Novice Rider: Kristen Mumme and Darby Rose (31.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Kalli Core and Flagmount’s Keen Ice (37.5)

Equestrian Canada Names 2022 High Performance Squad Athletes + Fundraising Goal for WEG Set

By on Jun 4, 2022 11:13 am -

Colleen Loach and Vermont. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Equestrian Canada has named its 2022 High Performance Squad athletes as well as its Development Squad as the country looks ahead to this fall’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, where an all-important Paris Olympics qualification is on the line.

Named to the High Performance Squad are:

  • Hawley Bennett-Awad and the Jollybo Syndicate LLC’s Jollybo
  • Holly Jacks Smither and her own Candy King (More Inspiration was also named to the list)
  • Colleen Loach and Peter Barry’s Qorry Blue d’Argouges, Peter Barry’s Vermont, and Peter Barry, Amanda Bernhard and the rider’s FE Golden Eye
  • Jessica Phoenix and her own Pavarotti as well as Charlotte Schickedanz and the rider’s Wabbit
  • Karl Slezak and Kirk Hoppner and the rider’s Fernhill Wishes
  • Mike Winter and Jonathan Nelson and Emma and Mike’s El Mundo

Dana Cooke and Mississippi, who are currently overseas competing in Ireland, are one pair named to Equestrian Canada’s Development Squad. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Recently, Equestrian Canada released its fundraising goals for the season, identifying a goal of $250,000 to help bring the equestrian program forward to reach new heights. You can make a donation by clicking here, and stay tuned for more ways to get involved coming soon.

 

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EN Gear Grab Photo Challenge: Show Us Your Best Eventing Face

By on Jun 3, 2022 11:30 am -

After our most recent Who Jumped It Best poll went viral — not for the skill showcased by the riders but rather for the grimaces of comically extreme focus on each rider’s face — we’re here to give the people what they want: a “faces of eventing” photo challenge.

We know the fine faces pictured below won’t mind us using them as examples, mostly because we also know we ALL have at least one photo like this. I can personally attest that my face while riding looks like I am actually quite angry to be in the saddle and that you probably shouldn’t get on my bad side (RBF problems, I suppose).

Caitlin Davison and M Cloudy de Lune SE. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Lauren LoPiccolo and Csongor. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

So we’re putting it to you now. Send us or show us your finest eventing face and we’ll put a few of the best options up for a reader vote to win some EN gear. We know you’ve got some, so let’s see ’em! Send them to [email protected] or tag us on social (we’ll also put up a comment thread on Facebook for submissions). We’ll post a gallery of finalists on Monday!

Need some more inspiration? Allow these grimaces to send you into a spiral of show photo stalking to find a face that gives these a run for their money:

Exhibit A: Any photo of Tom McEwen, it seems. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dom Schramm can typically be counted on for a good in-saddle stare. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

You can also follow the (unaffiliated but incredibly awesome) Faces of Eventing Instagram page for more inspo…

 

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Thursday Video: Badminton in the Rearview

By on Jun 2, 2022 4:30 pm -

Hard to believe Badminton is a month removed already, so I went digging for some highlight reels to relive the weekend. Lucky I did, as I stumbled upon this gorgeous min-reel from All I See Media that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of eventing and the tradition of the historic Badminton Horse Trials. Enjoy!

Don’t forget: you can still catch the archived replays from not just this year, but previous Badmintons as well, with your Badminton TV pass that’s good for a year with a one-time purchase. Click here to check it out.

Who Jumped It Best? Woodside Preliminary Challenge Edition

By on Jun 2, 2022 9:00 am -

Woodside’s annual Preliminary Challenge is a huge draw for the West coast, and to celebrate this year’s edition we’ve got a big field to sift through to find our next Who Jumped It Best champion!

This monster Who Jumped It Best was taken at fence 19B, a drop into the water on the Preliminary challenge cross country course. It was followed by a brush fence and then the final table on course.

Take a look at the photos below and cast your vote for the pair that presents the best overall picture. Eternal EN karma and bragging rights to the winner! Many thanks to Sherry Stewart for providing the shots for this column.

Tamie Smith and Crafty Don. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Grace Wechser and Raskadero. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

David Adamo and Baral Silversee. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

James Alliston and Flinterro Z. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Josh Barnacle and Skyrise. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Erin Kellerhouse and Bon Vivant GWF. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Katy Robinson and Teki to the Limit. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Lauren LoPiccolo and Csongor. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

India McEvoy and E’zara. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Jolie Wentworth and KF Klosterbrau. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Haley Dwight and WS Radagast. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Caitlin Davison and M Cloudy de Lune SE. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Sally Phillips and Dark Knight Royale. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Rachel Graham and Grey Moon Runner. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Julia Beauchamp and Playing the Game. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Miranda Olagaray and Tanqueray. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Quinn. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Grace Walker Alonzi and Frantz. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Aylish Arana and Rosso Bellezza. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Faith Farrell and Case Closed II. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Camille Forstadt and Perfect Synchronicity. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Grace Wechser and Girl of California. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

Get in the Habit of Being Uncomfortable: Insights from Michael Jung and “Ride Big”

By on Jun 1, 2022 11:43 am -

In this excerpt from his book Ride Big, professional athlete performance coach John Haime talks about where we can find the opportunity to grow as riders and competitors, and shares valuable insights from 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day winner Michael Jung.

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Challenging what’s comfortable to you is uncomfortable.

Let’s be clear…

I am not asking you to “smash” your zone of comfort or make a huge jump outside of what you’re familiar with. That would be stressful and too much. We know through psychological models like Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” and other theories of motivation that safety, security, and comfort are fundamental human needs. In fact, after food, water, and shelter, safety and security are next in line. Human beings want to feel safe and secure, and have some level of comfort. What I am asking you to do is to expand your area of comfort in calculated ways so that you can more fully express yourself, enhance your riding capabilities… and grow.

Your job as a rider when it comes to increasing your performance and exploring your abilities is finding your own balance between a passive state of seeking safety and comfort, which is normal (and a primary human need), and an active state of seeking growth and Riding Big. If you want to Ride Big, you’ll have to slowly loosen your hold on your security blanket. After all, while a basic level of safety and comfort is important, I think you’ll agree that missing your riding potential is not necessarily comforting!

“Why would I want to feel uncomfortable? Don’t I want to be comfortable to ride well?”

This is a question I’m asked often, and it makes sense to ask it.

Chances are you are in the habit of being comfortable when you are in the ring or on the field. It just feels good, so you stay there. This false feeling of comfort is short-term thinking driven by a natural instinct to feel safe, secure, and comfortable. But if you want to break the habit of
being comfortable and riding in that confined little space, you must take a longer-term approach, test the limits, challenge yourself in a practical, step-by-step way, and build a new habit of feeling uncomfortable.

Michael Jung and fischerWild Wave. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Michael Knows Growth

Eventer Michael Jung learned about the idea of comfort zones in the barn when he was a little boy starting to ride. One of the leading riders of this generation knows a thing or two about inching forward and stretching the limits. After all, you don’t become one of the world’s leading equestrian athletes living in the confined spaces of a small comfort zone. Nobody in the past 20 years has highlighted Riding Big more than Michael Jung. This well-rounded eventing champion owns three gold and one silver medal from the Olympic Games, including individual gold medals in both 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio. He also has two gold medals and one silver from the World Equestrian Games, and seven gold medals from the European Championships. In 2016 he became only the second rider in history to win the Grand Slam of Eventing.

Michael grew up on horses on his family’s farm in Horb-Altheim, Germany. “I grew up in the barn and got to ride all sorts of horses,” Michael says. “And, no, it wasn’t easy. I had many mistakes, many problems and I fell off 1,000 times — but I was always willing to learn and always found a little step that made me happy to do better.”

Michael believes that many people don’t push the edges of the comfort zone for a number of reasons:

1. Riders think that they didn’t really learn it and therefore can’t do it.

2. Mistakes are essential to growth and riders are often afraid to make them.

3. There are many things that don’t work right away and riders give up too easily, even though they know it’s the right way.

I talked to Michael about some steps he would recommend to help you expand your comfort zone. Here are a few he says are key:

1. You have to decide to go through the problems and not around the problems. Michael believes that even though riders know they are doing the right thing, they don’t persist and too easily look for other ways around the problem. He suggests you stay with it and solve the problem. “This is where you gain confidence — when you go through the problems and not around them,” he advises.

2. Don’t be afraid to fall off. “I fell off 1,000 times, and I learned from each one.”

3. Never be too shy to make mistakes. This is the way you learn, develop, and grow. “If you don’t make mistakes, it’s very difficult to get better.”

4. You always have to try and push forward. Failing is always a step forward to improvement and getting closer to where you’d like to go. If you don’t fail, you don’t have defined reference points to evaluate and improve.

5. Sometimes you need to go one, two, or even three steps back. “To build confidence, I believe in backing up to go forward,” says Michael. “This builds confidence for both you and your horse — it takes pressure off both.”

Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.

Build the Habits

I love what Michael shared about mindset in training and the idea of “going through a problem instead of around a problem.” This is what the idea of being uncomfortable is about. Are you willing to stay with a challenge and experience the pain of doing it again and again until you get it right? Let’s face it, it’s far easier to go around the problem, do what’s easy and what’s comfortable — even though it may be wrong or won’t last or won’t advance your abilities.

Building a habit is about repetition. If you don’t have the staying power to continue the repetition, push up against the perimeter of your area of comfort, and work to make it automatic, the habit doesn’t stick. The first habit for you to develop is the habit of practicing becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.

This excerpt from Ride Big by John Haime is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Jun 1, 2022 12:01 am -

June 1 marks the beginning of LGBTQ Pride Month, designated as such to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. I joined a book club a few years ago and one book that came up in our discussion was The Stonewall Reader, which takes readers through the fight for LGBTQ rights and the events that led to the uprising. It was really educational and a useful tool for learning more about the LGBTQ community and its history — if you’re up for a good nonfiction read, you can pick up a copy here.

To honor our LGBTQ friends and fellow equestrians, we’ll be sharing bits of cultural history and significance, stories on and by LGBTQ riders, and more all month long. Have something you want to share? Email us at [email protected] (and yes, our allyship extends well beyond the confines of a single month!) to let us know. In order to gain greater understanding of the world around us, including our sport, it’s important to understand those who make it up — their history, their personal stories, their voices. We look forward to learning more this and every month!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring H.T. (Geneseo, Ny.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

GMHA June H.T. (South Woodstock, Vt.): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

IEA H.T. (Edinburgh, Ind.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

The Spring Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wy.): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

MCTA H.T. at Shawan Downs (Cockeysville, Md.): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Ocala Summer I H.T. (Ocala, Fl.): [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

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

Wednesday News & Reading

The role of the cross country course decorator is one that’s often unsung. Yet decorations and the skill with which they are applied can have a massive effect on how a question is presented and subsequently rides. There’s an awesome book on this exact subject: Cross Country Completion: Considerations About Jump Decorating and you can read a really informative excerpt from it here.

US Equestrian will consider proposed amendments to bylaws at its 2022 Mid-Year Meeting, including one proposal to designate Modified instead of Preliminary as the lowest USEF-recognized eventing level. You can read more about the proposed amendments here. All Senior Active members are invited to comment on the proposed amendments by submitting comments through the proposed amendments form, email, or mail. All comments must be received by USEF on or before June 14. Your membership number must be included along with your comments.

Does your horse suffer from, er, low energy? I’ve had a few of those myself. Practical Horseman is here to help you motivate your energy-saver in this article.

Listen, it’s a real issue that helmets (in horse sports and beyond) simply are not inclusive. This isn’t a fashion issue — it’s a safety issue. A new advocacy group led by Caitlin Gooch is drumming up awareness about this very real issue and how it can be fixed. Follow Saddle Up, Helmet On here and read more about helmet inclusivity here.

Watch This on H&C+

Lots of live streams in your future!

Wednesday Video Break

How Ingrid Klimke uses Haygain for her horses:

Tuesday Video: Twist and Turn Around Devon’s Arena Eventing Track with Boyd Martin

By on May 31, 2022 5:00 pm -

Arena eventing isn’t quite the same as the traditional three-day, three-phase format, but we have to admit: it’s definitely fun to watch. We don’t often get crowds up close and personal in our sport, and the return of Arena Eventing at The Devon Horse Show provides that thanks to its location in the famous Dixon Oval.

Boyd Martin donned a Cambox to ride around the track, designed by Captain Mark Phillips, aboard the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B; the pair finished in second behind winners Sara Kozumplik and Rubens d’Ysieux. Boyd also finished third with Nancy Hathaway’s Fernhill Prezley. Want to relive Sara’s winning round? Click here to watch it!