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.
Another busy day at Badminton is in the books as we inch closer to Saturday’s thrilling cross country test. But for now, it’s about keeping a lid on the energy and ekeing out the most relaxation one can accomplish with a 5*-fit event horse. Here’s a look at what’s been going on around the grounds through the lens of social media!
We’ve got an excellent contingent of American, Canadian and American-based Australian riders tackling Badminton this week, which means we’ve got plenty to catch up on after the majority of them rode their dressage tests today. It’s either a first time or a return for the first time in many years for these riders, so the palpable energy has been gratitude to be here — mixed with a bit of good-natured tolerance of the first bit of competition!
On Friday we’ll see the remainder of the North Americans ride as follows:
9:38 a.m. BST / 4:38 a.m. EST: Dom Schramm (AUS) and Bolytair B
9:46 a.m. BST / 4:46 a.m. EST: Karl Slezak (CAN) and Fernhill Wishes
10:18 a.m. BST / 5:18 a.m. EST: Mike Winter (CAN) and El Mundo
2:56 p.m. BST / 11:56 a.m. EST: Emily Hamel (USA) and Corvett
Mike Winter’s daughter Amelia, who runs the Team Canada Instagram page, will be doing a takeover of our @goeventing story tomorrow — be sure to follow along!
Now, let’s catch up with the U.S. riders who rode today as they passed through the mixed zone:
Tamie Smith pats Mai Baum after a solid and competitive test. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum 25.6 – 4th
On her dressage test today: “I was really pleased with him – he’s been on on fire all week and he was just really with me. He got a little bit overwhelmed by the crowd but held it together.”
“On grass you don’t get the same kind of pushing power you’d get in the arena, and he wouldn’t be experienced with that. He’s never made me nervous going into dressage before, and I yesterday I was slightly like, ‘oooh — this isn’t what I’m used to!’ But he’s never been this fit and ready to go, and I was really pleased with everything. He could have maybe gone a little bit more forward, but when I went to ask for that he broke to canter, so I just played it a little bit safe there.”
On her plan for Friday’s “day off”: “I’ll probably take him out for a little gallop and we’ll jump school, but [I’ll mostly be] walking the course and studying my lines to be prepared for Saturday.”
On the decision to bring Mai Baum to Badminton: “He did Kentucky last year and…I feel like he’s the best horse in the world. He’s just an unbelievable creature, so I want to be at the best event in the world with him. It’s not every day you have a horse to take to Badminton, and I feel like I do — so I could have played it safe and gone to Kentucky but, you know, neither one of us have 30 years ahead of us. So we’re ready!”
Phillip Dutton and Z. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Phillip Dutton and Z 33.2 – 24th
On his dressage test: “Well, I’m pleased with where we’re at because yesterday with the [Grassroots Championship] cross country going, he was all confused and was pretty wound up. And so that’s carried over a bit to today. I was just trying to sit there and keep him as quiet as I could, so it could have been a lot worse. In hindsight, I wish I found a better place to work him yesterday. But anyway, it’s all great experience, and we’re just so grateful to be here.”
On Z’s attitude and work ethic: “He’s a bit of a workaholic and loves to work. But he does overthink it a bit — at home he’s really quiet, but at the shows he can be a bit of a handful. But lately, he’s figured out in the dressage to be quiet, and then I don’t care so much if he gets wound up on the cross country day. That’s why it got a bit confusing for him yesterday, I think because he saw all the horses galloping around. He came out of the stall shaking in anticipation as he thought he was going cross country. So I’ve worked him a lot and spent some time trying to get through to him that he doesn’t need to worry about cross country yet.”
On the decision to bring Z to Badminton (Phillip has not competed here himself since 2003): “Obviously this is arguably the best event in the world and, I don’t know, I’m not getting any younger. So I’d like to experience it again. And this is the right horse for it, and all the owners decided to be a part of it as well.”
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan 35.4 – 31st
On her test today: It’s not what I was hoping for. He’s been getting better and better in the dressage each time he’s run a five-star, so we’ve been sort of slowly creeping marks down, but dressage is just not his strength. He gets a little exuberant and quite tense. So this was not quite what I had hoped for. He got a 33 at Luhmühlen last year but, you know, he’s just been a lot more keyed up this week, really feeling the atmosphere.”
On the atmosphere at Badminton today: “My horses haven’t had a whole lot of opportunity to see crowds. You know, in the last couple years, there were no spectators at Luhmühlen and no spectators at Kentucky last year. So I mean, I did go to Aachen, but that’s later in the season, so they’ve been out a few times — so this is a lot. I mean, at least for mine, this is the first time he’s been in front of the crowds this year.”
On Eric Winter’s cross country course: “It looks really, really fantastic. It’s good to see it’s a different type of track than I’ve seen before, but I think it’ll suit my horse. Lots of big jumps and lots of galloping to do so I think it’ll be right up our alley. He’s got a massive stride and a huge jump and he just loves to run and take things on. So I think that this will be great for him. You know, last year was a bit of a learning year for both of us and that we went to Luhmühlen and then we went to Aachen and did sort of the twisty or more technical tracks just to gain mileage. But yes, I think this is back to old time, cross country roots of running and jumping. So I’m excited to get out there.”
Matt Flynn and Wizzerd. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Matt Flynn and Wizzerd 35.8 – 33rd
On his test: “You always wish there could be a bit better. So I guess that’s the biggest thing but I’m happy with him for today and there’s always room for strong improvement.”
On the cross country course: “Yes, that’s impressive. So that’s really something, and just the magnitude of the atmosphere and the decoration and it’s definitely not a dressage show. There’s a lot of work to do this week.
Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby 37.8 – 39th
On her test today: “This is not his phase, I will admit. I went in there and thought, ‘oh’, like he got that feeling like he was going to absolutely blow a top. But he was really good. I’ve never felt him that tense and still ride that sort of okay in the test. So I mean, I know everybody’s got their own standard for what they’re looking for here. I brought a jumping horse, not a dressage one, and I’m happy with him. He’s a good horse and the dressage is hard for him. He’s really long, so it’s made him nervous because it’s physically hard for him. But I’ve been riding this horse for ten years, and this is actually my tenth five-star, so I know him really well. I know not to get my hopes up about this phase — and that’s why I bring him here, so that we can hopefully climb our way up.”
“When they’re 16, they are who they are, and if I come in here thinking I’m going to lay it down on the flat — that’s not fair to him. I’ve got to accept him for who he is. Now I do expect him to lay it down in the jumping, so we’re going to go out there with some expectation.”
Her thoughts on the cross country: “I don’t know what to think. It’s big! You need a horse that turns really well, that’s my takeaway. And you really need to know where you’re going. I think people who have never been here before, like myself, have a bit of a disadvantage. So I’m going to walk it like seven times if I can stand it! I found Burghley super confusing when I first went there. This is less confusing — you sort of do the cross country courses like a big circle around the property. It’s flat, you can see all your points of reference.”
On the decision to come here to Badminton: “By the end, I’ll be thinking this is the most fun thing I’ve ever done but for now I’m like, ‘what was I thinking coming here, I should have gone to Kentucky!’….This horse has afforded me the luxury of going to big events. He’s taken me to Burghley, taken me to Kentucky. He’s taken me all over the place. And like, I was like, you know what? I better go [to Badminton] just so I can figure it out with the horse I know really well. And a horse I know it doesn’t matter if the jumps are the biggest things you’ve ever seen. He doesn’t care about that.”
Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way 39.0 – 41st
On Mama’s Magic Way’s dressage test: “He stayed rideable-ish in there. I was getting run off with everywhere, but he’s so talented. It’s just getting his mind in the right spot. We wish we could just do our dressage at home and then just send videos in for them to judge! I was hoping they would start doing that with COVID. My EquiRatings would have gone way up! But it’s not a dressage competition — Saturday is the big test. The score is disappointing, but I was happy that we didn’t have any complete blowout meltdowns.”
On the decision to bring Mama’s Magic Way here: “I did Badminton 17 years ago. It was the last year it was long format, and I’ve always wanted to come back. And although I’ve had horses at the five-star level in the past 17 years, it always never kind of fit in and this year, you know, Jennifer Mosing who owns him said let’s go to Badminton, so here we are.”
On returning to Badminton for the first time since the great Antigua: “It’s fun to be back. I was 23 when I was here last and now I’m 40 — Antigua is the horse that gave me a career, and I did my first Badminton on him, my first Burghley on him, my first Pan American team, my first World Equestrian Games. So that horse was so many firsts, and I unfortunately lost him last year at the age of 34. He looked a million bucks ’til the day he died.”
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Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Abby Powell.
A popular fixture on the Area I calendar and perennially among the first late-summer Advanced offerings each year, Millbrook Horse Trials will sadly vacate its August 4-7 dates this year, the event announced on Wednesday.
“With great regret, the Board of Millbrook Horse Trials (“MHT”) announces the cancellation of this year’s event, which was scheduled to be held August 4-7 in Millbrook, N.Y. This will be a disappointment to many, especially in our own community of Millbrook. As the only Area I eventing competition that offers all levels, from local beginners to the very top international competitors, MHT is an important summer fixture for competitors and spectators.
Despite the effects of the Pandemic, last year’s event was particularly vibrant and well attended and we were expecting to expand on that this year. Unfortunately, however, we have not been able to come to a mutually acceptable agreement with one of the landowners on whom we rely to host the competition.
“The USEA has committed to assist Millbrook to make sure that this incredibly important event continues into the future,” said United States Eventing Association President Max Corcoran who grew up in USEA Area I. “We will work with the organizers of Millbrook to solve this and make sure that the event is viable.”
The Board of the Millbrook Horse Trials is grateful for the support we receive from sponsors, volunteers, officials, and many others each year. We are committed and hopeful that the Horse Trials will return to the eventing calendar for 2023.”
This is a developing story, and we’ll continue to provide updates on this news as they become available.
Good morning and welcome to the first day of Badminton Horse Trials, presented by MARS Equestrian! It’s going to be a wonderful day of dressage competition as we’ll see the first half of the 83-combination field today in front of the judging panel of Christian Landolt, Anne-Marie Taylor, and Seppo Laine.
You can view full ride times here. We’ll see some notable rides today to get things going in full swing, and we’ll also see a good bit of our North American representatives today. Here are some notable times:
11.18 a.m. BST/6.16 a.m. EST – Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby 37.8
11.26 a.m. BST/6.26 a.m. EST – Phillip Dutton and Z 33.2
11.42 a.m. BST/6.42 a.m. EST – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum 25.6
12.06 p.m. BST/7.06 a.m. EST – Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan 35.4
3.48 p.m. BST/10.48 a.m. EST – Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way 39.0
4.44 p.m. BST/11.44 a.m. EST – Matt Flynn and Wizzerd 35.8
Refresh this page frequently for updates from day one, and don’t forget you can also tune in live or on demand yourself by picking up the Badminton TV pass. It’s just $20 or £19.95 and is good for an entire year from the day of purchase, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on all the action yourself.
Thanks for following along with us!
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12:07 p.m. EST: A really nice test from Hazel, who often dips under 30 or at least obtains a low 30s mark for the most part. That wraps up dressage for day one, and it’ll still be Tom McEwen who leads the way on his score of 23.4. The top 10 are quite competitive and we’ve still got plenty of heavy hitters yet to come tomorrow, so expect this board to look different tomorrow. Tilly will be along with her report later, and I’m wrapping up the quotes from the U.S. riders for a round-up to come so stay tuned for much more from Badminton. Thanks for following along with me this early morning! You can catch up on full scores here and see ride times for Friday here.
12:04 p.m. EST: Willingapark Clifford is another older horse, 17 this year, and he’s showing that experience in his workmanlike manner in the ring today.
GIF via Badminton TV.
12:01 p.m. EST: And we’ll wrap up day one with another 5* winner, Australia’s Hazel Shannon with her Adelaide winner Willingapark Clifford. They’ve won the Australian 5* three times and also competed at Kentucky in 2019. Hazel’s based with Kevin McNab in England these days as she looks to make a bid for the Aussies’ high performance squad.
12:00 p.m. EST: A 34.4 for Reve du Rouet, who says we actually got his age wrong and he’s 8, not 18.
GIF via Badminton TV.
11:52 a.m. EST: Next up we’ll see Sarah Bullimore, coming off a weekend in Kentucky with Corouet, riding her longtime partner Reve du Rouet. Reve du Rouet is among the more experienced horses in the field; he’s making his 17th start at the 5* level here this weekend. Fun fact: this horse did his very first 5* at Kentucky back in 2014, where he finished 13th.
11:49 a.m. EST: Well some tension is going to hold this pair back from earning a PB here today, but they’ll bee keen to move on the jumping phases. Wizzerd shows off some fancy footwork to make the first flying change happen and hops his way through the second. The changes on the diagonal score a bit stronger. Our final Americans of the day will take a score of 35.8 into cross country. Just two more to see before the end of the first day of dressage!
GIF via Badminton TV.
11:43 a.m. EST: Next in for the Americans will be Matt Flynn and Wizzerd. Matt’s spent a good bit of time in Europe over the last year, rerouting to Montelibretti and Pratoni in Italy after an unfortunate parting of ways at Boekelo. This is a horse who I think we’re just waiting to see have his day; Matt’s a supremely empathetic and quiet rider and the horse just screams traditional event horse in his type and way of going. I’d love to see them squeeze out a low-30s or even a high-20s score today.
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11:38 a.m. EST: Big fan of James’ quiet hands and Milchem Eclipse’s obedient way of going. They aren’t earning the highest marks from the judges, but consistency is the picture here as they go into the walk work.
11:33 a.m. EST: Big smiles from Alice as she finishes her test, which was quite solid and should make her happy as a starting point. We’ve just got a few more to see today, and it’ll be British rider James Rushbrooke next in to make his debut with Milchem Eclipse. This is another one we won’t see challenging the leaders, but they’ll be good for a solid mid-30s mark if they can put all the pieces together.
11:28 a.m. EST: Next we’ll see Alice Casburn and Topspin — at just 20 years old Alice is our youngest rider this weekend, and her partner is a homebred. It’s quite a cool story, according to Tilly’s notes in our Form Guide, as Alice’s mother Caroline actually competed at this level with Topspin’s grandsire as well as dam. Alice and Topspin have only had international experience since 2018, but they’ve got a strong record as they head into their Badminton debut. This won’t be a pair to challenge the leaderboard on the flat, but you can anticipate a solid low-to-mid-30s mark for them to work off of.
11:27 a.m. EST: I tell you, we’re getting enough 7s and 7.5s on this test that we may yet see Classic Moet squeak in with fairly strong score here — especially when you consider the fact she’s a good bet to finish on whatever she starts with. Tension in the canter work will keep them from challenging their best score, but a 31.4 is a great starting point to work from!
GIF via Badminton TV.
11:19 a.m. EST: 2018 Badminton winners Classic Moet and Jonelle Price, who also competed at Kentucky with McClaren last weekend, will now do their test. This wouldn’t be the strongest phase for “Molly” but we already know she’s an all-out cross country machine who eats big tracks for breakfast. Classic Moet has earned a sub-30 score before, in fact a 27.6 was the score she started on in 2018, but she’s more likely to go low-to-mid-30s in this phase.
11:18 a.m. EST: A really lovely test for Emily, who receives a 9 on her final halt and salute. A 28.5 puts her into equal tenth with Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On — once more showing the absolute depth competing here at Badminton this weekend. All scores in the top 10 are sub-30.
11:14 a.m. EST: A strong, accurate shoulder-in early on for Emily and Valmy Biats. She’s trending with 7s and 7.5s for a lot of these movements.
GIF via Badminton TV.
11:11 a.m. EST: We’ll now see Emily King, who this weekend rides Valmy Biats, in his first start at the 5* level. This is a French-bred horse that’s quite capable on the flat, and he’s partnered with a very talented dressage rider in Emily.
11:10 a.m. EST: Felicity really goes for it in her extended canter and while the flying changes wouldn’t be this horse’s strongest suit she still earned some strong marks for some of her movements. They earn a 32.7, just under one point higher than their Bicton score but still considerably lower than their first attempt at this level, a 37.8 at Pau in 2019.
GIF via Badminton TV.
11:04 a.m. EST: A little bit of sass from Creevagh Silver de Haar keeps this pair from scoring overly competitively, but they’ll take a solid score of 35.5 into cross country. It won’t be a shabby score to have if they can jump around clear. Next in will be Felicity Collins with RSH Contend OR, the horse she’s produced herself and has found multiple successes in the junior ranks with. They were top-10 at the Bicton 5* last year, where they earned a 31.9 on the flat.
10:57 a.m. EST: Next in are Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver de Haar, a pair making their 5* debut at Badminton this weekend.
10:55 a.m. EST: Will and Mama’s Magic Way score a 39.0, a little higher than what we’re used to seeing here but there’s still a lot to do and Mason’s one who could certainly jump a fast clear on Saturday. I’m loving the team spirit among the North American (and honorary North American, Mr. Schramm) contingent this week:
Tamie Smith gives Will a post-ride pep talk. GIF via Badminton TV.
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10:53 a.m. EST: Will is doing well to manage the tension here, having to ride conservatively but still asking for what he can in the canter work. I apologize for not having any GIFs of this ride, my live stream is freezing a bit so the quality isn’t great at the moment.
10:50 a.m. EST: This is the first time Will’s competed at Badminton since 2005, when he finished 22nd with the great Antigua. He was a bit sudden in his first halt, but he’s beginning to ride through a little more as we go into the lateral work. “Mason” is looking fit to run on Saturday!
10:47 a.m. EST: We’ll next see our penultimate U.S. pair for today, Will Faudree with Jennifer Mosing/Sterling Silver Stables’ Mama’s Magic Way. This is a horse Will knows quite well at this point, and he’s poised to have a cracking weekend after two solid 5* completions in America. Hector earns a 33.9 which he should be properly pleased with!
10:45 a.m. EST: The changes have gotten stronger as we go for this pair, but a bit of tension otherwise showing up throughout. I’d probably put them into the mid-high 30s which is about what their average has been in international competition.
10:40 a.m. EST: We’re back underway with Hector Payne and Dynasty. Hector is a former rider for William Fox-Pitt and has inherited much of William’s trademark quietness in the saddle as a result. This is the third 5* for Dynasty, and Hector will be looking to improve on a 28th place at Pau in 2020. A 34.4 was their mark at Pau, so we’ll see if they shave a few points off today.
10:20 a.m. EST: We now go into our final coffee break of the day and will resume at 3:40 BST / 10:40 EST with Hector Payne and Dynasty. Will Faudree will also be in the final group at 10:48 a.m. EST, as will Matt Flynn with Wizzerd at 11:44 a.m. EST.
K, so it’s time for the fun stuff now, right? — Vendredi Biats, probably. GIF via Badminton TV.
10:18 a.m. EST: Two 9s on the final halt and salute for Kitty King, who absolutely delivered a beautiful test with Vendredi Biats. This should be one to perhaps challenge that top 5 position on the board! And it does: a 24.8 puts them ahead of Mollie and into second, inching closer to Tom McEwen’s score of 23.4.
GIF via Badminton TV.
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10:11 a.m. EST: Now we’ll see one more before a short break, and that’ll be Kitty King with Vendredi Biats, who first debuted at this level at Badminton in 2019. This is another pair more than capable of a competitive score in the 20s.
10:10 a.m. EST: A 25.1 and 8s across the board for the collective Harmony mark. That’s good enough to put Mollie into second ahead of Tamie Smith, I’ll eat my words now!
10:09 a.m. EST: This test should score pretty nicely — it won’t challenge Tom or Tamie but she should go top 10 with a mid-high 20s mark.
10:08 a.m. EST: Really nice changes on this horse, again some of the better changes we’ve seen today. He’s one that stays consistently uphill in the bridle and responds properly to Mollie’s leg by coming up into his withers.
10:06 a.m. EST: This is a lovely, workmanlike horse that also has fantastic gaits that are accentuated by his ability to relax. He’s earned 7.5s across the board for his extended work, some of the better walk work we’ve seen thus far.
A look at Charly Van Ter Heiden’s reinback. GIF via Badminton TV.
10:04 a.m. EST: Next up are the very exciting Luhmühlen winners, Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden. You may remember this pair as the star of Tilly’s Luhmühlen Tour Diaries, which have since been nominated for an American Horse Publications Equine Media Award.
10:03 a.m. EST: Sofia earns a 10 on her halt before the reinback and ends up with a 29.6 to go into the top 10. Nicely done!
9:58 a.m. EST: We’ll now see Sweden’s Sofia Sjoborg with DHI Mighty Dwight, who will look to build on their 5* debut at Pau in 2021 this weekend.
9:53 a.m. EST: Lots to like here, despite some tension in the canter and walk work but this pair came here to jump. They should be about mid-pack for now and will look to climb from there.
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9:52 a.m. EST: The first changes come a bit undone for Carjatan; Christoph actually came to a half after his second to regroup. He’s not quite getting the brilliant marks his trot work was getting, but he’ll make up some ground with some solid marks on his extended canter and his stretching circle.
9:50 a.m. EST: Quite a few 8s and 9s earned in the trot work for Christoph and Carjatan S, who’s a very big, expressive mover with plenty of suspension. I’m a big fan of Christoph’s style here, allowing the horse to take the contact up and forward rather than pulling him down to meet the hand. He’s lost a few marks on the walk work, earning as low as a 2 for his medium walk from Anne-Marie Taylor at B, but he’ll likely be able to climb back with some quality canter work.
9:45 a.m. EST: Tom was really able to ride Possible Mission into the bridle, earning some good marks despite some bobbles. A 34.2 will fit right about in line with this pair’s averages. Next in will be Christoph Wahler, our sole German rider this weekend, with Carjatan S. This pair were runners-up at Luhmühlen in 2021 and are one to watch as a potential spoiler to be on that podium if they’re able to jump clear and fast.
9:39 a.m. EST: A great effort from Helen and My Ernie, and now we’ll see Tom Rowland with Possible Mission come down centerline.
9:32 a.m. EST: Next to see and a very warm welcome back to this level for Helen Wilson, who rides the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding My Ernie for his first start at the 5* level.
9:29 a.m. EST: Once again, the flying changes are holding a score back from being more competitive but a lot to like about this test from Ben. I think this one will be really fun to watch on Saturday — he just looks like he’s ready to devour a big, open track like what awaits. A 30.7 puts them into the top 10 for now.
Shadow Man says “lemme at ’em!!”. GIF via Badminton TV.
9:25 a.m. EST: One of Ben’s claims to fame as a rider is his penchant for Clydesdale crosses, but this week he’s partnered with the Belgian Warmblood that’s a bit leaner than some of his past partners. This is a horse that’s spent a good part of the season thus far in the show jumping ring, and he’s definitely capable of squeezing into the 20s in this phase of competition.
9:22 a.m. EST: Arianna scores a 37.4 to go even with Sarah and Woodcourt Garrison, keeping about in line if maybe a shade higher than her average at this level. This pair knows each other like the back of hand and hoof and should be fun to watch on Saturday. Next in will be Ben Hobday with Shadow Man, another horse making his debut at the level this weekend.
GIF via Badminton TV.
9:16 a.m. EST: Sarah and Woodcourt Garrison score a 37.4, which trends in line with their averages in international competition. Next to see will be Italian combination Arianna Schivo and Quefira de l’Ormeau, who competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio as well as the 2018 World Equestrian Games in North Carolina and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo together.
9:13 a.m. EST: Woodcourt Garrison doesn’t quite want to let the neck go and stretch down in the canter circle, losing a few marks. And quite a spread on the marks for the final halt: a 7.5 from Seppo Laine at H and a 5.0 from Anne-Marie Taylor at B.
9:11 a.m. EST: This is another thing I really appreciate about the new collective mark for Harmony. You’ll remember there have been collective marks in the past for rider position and horse gaits, which caused a lot of favor toward the bigger-moving horses when a horse that isn’t fancy couldn’t be rewarded as well for obedience. The Harmony collective mark is intended to emphasize a proper relationship between horse and rider, meaning even a rider on a less flashy horse can make up ground on the Mai Baums of the world with good communication with its rider.
9:10 a.m. EST: Sarah’s really come in going for it, asking Woodcourt Garrison for a big, forward step. Alex Bragg, joining John Kyle in the booth, says this test does favor the big movers while also testing accuracy. The best tests we’ve seen are those that are asking for the bigger step without losing balance, and Sarah’s accomplishing this so far. It wouldn’t be the fanciest horse in the field, but he’s listening well as we go into the walk work.
9:06 a.m. EST: A 32.7 puts Cathal into 12th at the moment. Next we’ll see another horse making his 5* debut, Sarah Ennis’ Woodcourt Garrison. And though this may be the technical 5* debut for this horse, he’s not short on experience: he’s been around the European Championships as well as the Olympics in Tokyo with Sarah, representing Ireland.
9:03 a.m. EST: A very type-y British-bred horse, this Barrichello, who is 13 this year. He’s gotten some good marks but Cathal’s riding through a bit of tension and trying to coax as much relaxation and throughness as he can. That work pays off as the gelding stretches down and forward to the bridle on the stretching circle. They won’t quite challenge the leaders with this bit — the changes in particular need some development — but it’s a solid first effort on this very technical 5* test B.
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8:56 a.m. EST: Welcome back! I’m feeling much more bright-eyed after a caffeine infusion during the break and ready to tackle the afternoon session of rides at Badminton. We’ve still got two more U.S. riders to see this afternoon — Will Faudree (Mama’s Magic Way) and Matt Flynn (Wizzerd). They’ll come forward later, but first it’s Ireland’s Cathal Daniels who will ride Barrichello, a horse making his 5* debut this weekend.
7:30 a.m. EST: And that’s all to see as we go into a lunch break! We’ll be back in this live updates thread at 9 a.m. EST with Cathal Daniels and Barrichello the first to see after the break. Here’s a look at your top 10 after the morning session — live scores can be found here.
7:30 a.m. EST: Amanda’s 25.9 will be good enough for top 5 heading into the lunch break! What a cool little horse — showing us all that the OTTB CAN do dressage!
GIF via Badminton TV.
7:29 a.m. EST: I hope Amanda’s quite pleased with this test, what a trier this horse is! She looks absolutely thrilled and even earns a 9 on her final halt and salute. Well done!
7:25 a.m. EST: Just for fun, here’s Fusaichi Pegasus winning the 2000 Kentucky Derby:
7:23 a.m. EST: Amanda Pottinger and Just Kidding will be the next to see. A fun fact: Just Kidding is a racebred horse by the American Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. I also now feel supremely old as Just Kidding is 16 and I can vividly remember watching Fusaichi Pegasus during his racing years.
7:21 a.m. EST: Some really nice work for Esib and Soladoun, who worked through a bit of tension to produce some great moments. She looks pleased with big pats for the 15-year-old Thoroughbred who should absolutely relish the cross country on Saturday.
GIF via Badminton TV.
7:16 a.m. EST: I know my live updates are just absolutely RIVETING, but you definitely want to snag a Badminton TV pass to watch live and on-demand all weekend. The stream has been working wonderfully this morning, and the commentary from John Kyle and his various guests is always a treat; I know I learn a lot each time I listen. You can purchase your pass for the weekend here.
7:13 a.m. EST: A 35.4 will be the starting mark for Ariel and Leamore Master Plan, who is looking raring to go and attack that Eric Winter track on Saturday. We’ll next see Ireland’s Esib Power with Soladoun, returning to this level for the first time since 2018.
Pats for “Simon” from Erik Duvander after Ariel’s test. GIF via Badminton TV.
7:11 a.m. EST: Ariel’s lost some marks in her walk work and flying changes; Leamore Master Plan is a bit busy in the mouth and listening well but just not giving us tons of expression as she rides through any tension she feels. Again, this is one we should anticipate gaining ground as we get into the jumping phases. Riding is very much an art of riding the horse on the day, and Ariel would be one of the more empathetic riders we see here in the U.S.
7:07 a.m. EST: Ariel has been around the world already with Leamore Master Plan, having done three 5* events that include a third place at Pau and a 10th at Burghley. Dressage wouldn’t be their absolute favorite phase, but they’re absolutely capable of slotting in under the 30 marker.
Leamore Master Plan stretches into the early extended trot. GIF via Badminton TV.
7:05 a.m. EST: A 33.3 will put Rose and EG Michaelangelo into 13th early on, very respectable for their first attempt at this level! This pair has nary a cross country penalty on their international record.
Quite obsessed with the very kissable snip on EG Michaelangelo’s nose. GIF via Badminton TV.
7:05 a.m. EST: Rose will lose a few points here in the flying changes, but honestly this has been a great test especially for a debut in the big stadium. The atmosphere didn’t seem to bother this pair. We’ll next see another American pair, Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan.
7:00 a.m. EST: Rose is a product of Pony Club, and she’s been building this partnership with the 11-year-old EG Michaelangelo since the Irish gelding by Chellthago Z was five. This is a pair who’s consistently trended in the low-to-mid-30s in this phase and look to be on their way to at least keeping in with that pattern, if not improving it, today.
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6:56 a.m. EST: Those changes will have held this pair back from a superbly competitive mark, but again this will be a pair looking to gain some ground come Saturday. They’ll take a 35.9 into the next phase of competition. Next up will be Britain’s Rose Nesbitt with EG Michaelangelo, making their 5* debut.
6:54 a.m. EST: Austin gets a bell during his canter work to signify and error of course. He’s having to work hard to coax these changes out of Colarado Blue, who bless him is definitely more of a jumping horse than a dressage horse.
6:53 a.m. EST: Here we are with some scores: Phillip scores a 33.2 with Z, and Lillian earns a 37.8 for 12th and 14th, respectively. These are both horses who will make up ground in the jumping phases.
6:50 a.m. EST: I’m still not seeing a score for Lillian or Phillip, but I’ll keep you updated! We’ll now move on to Irish Olympian Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue. This horse got the call up for Tokyo and went on to finish individually in the top 15. His barn name is “Salty” and I was truthfully hoping there was a fun story there, but Austin says it’s just the name he came to the stables with and it stuck.
6:48 a.m. EST: The stretching canter circle is the lowest scored movement for Tamie and Mai Baum, earning a couple 6.5s. But it’s a very strong test, one we’ve come to anticipate here. A 25.6 will go into second — hey, it’s not the record maybe some were hoping for but Tamie isn’t here to win the dressage. She’s here to do much more than that, and she’s put herself into a good position to be competitive.
GIF via Badminton TV.
6:47 a.m. EST: Lots of 9s now coming in, for the halt, rein-back and now some of the canter work.
GIF via Badminton TV.
6:45 a.m. EST: Tamie’s scoring a bit stronger in her walk work than current leader Tom McEwen was with Toledo de Kerser.
6:43 a.m. EST: Ah, Mai Baum just breaks into canter for a step in his first half-pass to the left after scoring 9s on his early movements.
6:42 a.m. EST: Oliver Townend set the 5* score record with Cillnabradden Evo in 2019 at this event, scoring a 19.7. This horse could be one to beat this record.
6:41 a.m. EST: A 33.7 for Bundy and Tresca NZPH. We will next see one of the more hotly anticipated pairs this weekend: Americans Tamie Smith and Mai Baum.
6:37 a.m. EST: A score update! Piggy March goes into equal second on a 25.7, tied with Oliver and Swallow Springs. No score yet for Lillian or Phillip.
6:35 a.m. EST: Angela Tucker shares a memory of competing Phillip’s horse, True Blue Girdwood, around an Open Intermediate when Phillip came over to base with her one year. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting on some score updates and we are next seeing New Zealand’s Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH. This is Bundy’s first Badminton since 2007.
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6:31 a.m. EST: Phillip will lose a few marks on loss of connection here in the canter, but this would be one of the more forward and flowing tests this horse has done and he gets a big pat at his final halt. I don’t think this will be the top score we’ve seen from this pair but they’ll certainly be doing their best to finish on whatever mark they start on.
GIF via Badminton TV.
6:29 a.m. EST: Not quite square or immobile in the halt, followed by some tension in the reinback. Now into the canter work, and we’ll see if we can pick up some more marks here. Phillip’s worked hard with this horse over the years, particularly on his flying changes.
6:27 a.m. EST: Z is one you can anticipate going into a sub-30 mark if Phillip can keep him focused and relaxed, which he seems to be accomplishing so far. A little trip in his left 8-meter circle into the shoulder-in, but he’s looking quite loose over his topline if perhaps a touch unsteady in the bridle.
6:26 a.m. EST: The score page appears to be down at the moment, so we’re still waiting on Piggy’s scores and will update you as soon as possible. We now move into our next U.S. rider, Phillip Dutton and his Tokyo partner, Z.
6:23 a.m. EST: Angela Tucker says she gets the feeling LCC Barnaby is a cross country machine, and she’d be correct: he’s one you’ll want to watch come Saturday!
LCC Barnaby works through his flying change. GIF via Badminton TV.
6:22 a.m. EST: Lillian’s riding conservatively here; LCC Barnaby is a workmanlike guy who wants to do the right thing and stay connected.
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6:18 a.m. EST: This is a first visit to Badminton for this pair, who won’t threaten the leaders on the first day but who can certainly lay down a textbook cross country ride. Lillian is a very popular coach here in the U.S., and her efficient way of going on cross country is something to watch and pick up a few tips from.
6:17 a.m. EST: Always love to have a judge’s perspective in the commentary box, and Angela Tucker now joins John Kyle in the booth. Piggy looks pleased with the efforts of her big mare, and we now get to our very first American rider: Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby.
6:10 a.m. EST: And welcome back, we’re now getting underway with our second session and it’s Piggy March coming forward with Vanir Kamira, who won Badminton’s last run in 2019.
5:48 a.m. EST: A break in the extended trot and some other small mistakes will keep this test from being the most competitive, but he looks pleased nonetheless — he’ll go into 10th on a 33.6. We’ll now move into a 20 minute break and will see 2019 Badminton winners Piggy March and Vanir Kamira next at 6:10 a.m. EST. Live scores can be found here, and here’s a look at the early top five:
5:41 a.m. EST: A 28.5 is good for early fifth place, not quite the lowest we’ve seen from Billy Walk On, who is 13 this year, but we’ll also see Pippa back tomorrow with 2019 Burghley winner MGH Grafton Street. Next up before our first coffee break of the day will be Australia’s Bill Levett with Lassban Diamond Lift, who finished 15th at Badminton in 2019. Fun fact, Lassban Diamond Lift’s barn name is Sparkles so, that’s fun.
5:39 a.m. EST: Our third 10 of the day comes out for Pippa’s final halt and salute, this time from Christina Landoldt!
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5:34 a.m. EST: Next we’ll see Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell with one of my absolute favorite horses, Billy Walk On. This horse was second at the pop-up Bicton 5* last year and will be looking to finish strongly this weekend after withdrawing during the last go in 2019.
5:33 a.m. EST: A 25.7, which bests the 27.8 earned at this event in 2019 by Swallow Springs with Andrew Nicholson. We’re just a handful in and already quite bunched at the top of the leaderboard!
5:31 a.m. EST: A 7, 8, and 9 for Oliver on his final halt and salute, who looks pleased with this effort from the 14-year-old Irish horse by Chillout.
GIF via Badminton TV.
5:26 a.m. EST: Swallow Springs would be one you’d look for a sub-30 score (honestly, I feel like a sub-30 will be more the norm this weekend than not), and Oliver’s trending in the upper 20s/low 30s at the moment as we go into the canter work. You also remember that this is a relatively new partnership, so surely the best is even yet to come as they continue to solidify.
5:24 a.m. EST: Ros waits for her score, which will feature one 10 from Seppo Leine: it’s a 26.4 and good to sneak ahead of Nicola Wilson into second. We’ll now see Oliver Townend with his first ride, former Andrew Nicholson ride Swallow Springs. This is the first 5* for this partnership.
5:21 a.m. EST: TBH, I’m mostly envious of Ros’ skill gathering the double reins up after the stretching circle at the canter. A severely underrated skill.
5:19 a.m. EST: Ros rides for a strong extended canter, which comes quite early in this 5* test B, so you’d better have your horse on the aids and straight right away.
GIF via Badminton TV.
5:17 a.m. EST: Told you this field is the strongest we’ve seen in recent history: we now move from the European Champion to the World Champion, Ros Canter and Allstar B, winners of the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.
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5:15 a.m. EST: Nicole will be pleased with this first 5* test for her partner, who scored a 20.9 at Europeans in Avenches last year, but a few points left on the board will keep them away from repeating that. Not to worry, though — they still earn a 26.6 to be quite competitive, a very strong score particularly for a debut.
5:14 a.m. EST: Very impressed with the strong crowd gathered for this first morning dressage session – I think it’s safe to say the fans are happy to have Badminton back!
5:08 a.m. EST: William, a 14-time 5* winner, earns a 31.4 with Oratorio to go into early second place. We’ll see him return tomorrow with Little Fire. Without that early error, he would’ve notched in just below the 30 mark. We’ll next see Nicola Wilson with the first of two rides, the 5* debutant and reigning European Champion JL Dublin.
5:06 a.m. EST: A touch quiet for William and Oratorio, which is causing their scores to trend a bit lower than what we’ve seen this horse earn before. His personal best at the 5* level is a 27, earned at the pop-up 5* at Bicton in 2021.
5:04 a.m. EST: Pats from a happy Tom after earning a personal best with Toledo de Kerser:
GIF via Badminton TV.
5:01 a.m. EST: Joseph Murphy scores a 31.5 with Cesar V, and we’ll now see William Fox-Pitt with the first of his two rides, Oratorio. Harry Meade has helped prep William’s horses this spring after he took a tumble earlier in the spring that kept him out of the saddle. Oratorio has jumped clear around Badminton in the past. And a bummer early on as he’s picked up an error in his test, turning the wrong way after the initial centerline. That’ll be two penalty points added.
4:59 a.m. EST: Tom will likely want a few points back in his walk work and the first flying change, but we also saw a healthy number of 8s and 9s coming in and fully anticipate a top score: a 23.4 is the provisional, which would be a personal best for Tom at this level.
4:58 a.m. EST: We’ve got a 10, ladies and gents! A 10 on the extended canter from judge at H Seppo Laine.
4:57 a.m. EST: Toledo de Kerser wouldn’t be one you’d peg to have tension in the ring and while he’s looking a bit more tense in the walk he’ll be able to make up some points in the canter work.
4:55 a.m. EST: Already a couple of 9s on the board for the first few movements.
4:53 a.m. EST: Padraig goes into the very early lead with a 31.7 aboard Fallulah. Now we’ll see one of the first heavy hitters in Tokyo partners Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser. This will be one you can fairly expect to go into the 20s and could easily also be one you could see at the top of the board come Sunday.
4:47 a.m. EST: Now we’ll move on to our first Irish pair, Joseph Murphy and Cesar V. Joseph is fresh from Kentucky, where he competed Calmaro in the 5* and finished in the top 10. Cesar V is 14 this year and makes his 5* debut at Badminton this weekend.
4:45 a.m. EST: You can find live scores at this link. Kirsty’s is the first to hit the board: a 32.8 that will be a strong score to be on if they can jump clear on Saturday.
4:42 a.m. EST: A really nice job managing the excitement for Padraig, who brought Fallulah to her 5* debut at Pau in 2021.
4:36 a.m. EST: A really nice test to get us started from Kirsty. John Kyle mentions that Christian Landholdt spent some time watching the 5* test ridden in Kentucky to help himself prepare for judging this weekend. Pretty cool! Next to see will be Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy and Fallulah.
4:32 a.m. EST: Classic VI gets a bit wonky in the reinback and hits the rail, but we’re safely into the canter work and Kirsty’s doing a wonderful job of keeping the mare’s focus on her. Nice changes — a bit of anticipation but she’s being obedient.
4:29 a.m. EST: And we are underway with the first to see, Kirsty Chabert and the 13-year-old British Sport Horse, Classic VI.
It’s time to choose the winner of our 2022 World Equestrian Brands Kentucky Top Dog contest! We enjoyed all of your submissions this year and have narrowed the field down to the following finalists. Cast your vote below by Friday, May 6 at 5 p.m. EST and we’ll announce the winner in this post and in News & Notes over the weekend!
The winner will receive eternal EN karma as well as an Equilibrium Therapy Massage Mitt from World Equestrian Brands — pretty envy-worthy, if you ask us! Take a look at the finalists below and vote in the poll at the bottom of this post. Best of luck to all!
You know you’ve done something right when an eventing legend seeks you out to give you a compliment. Sara Kozumplik had the ride of the day through the very trick Park Question fence on the Lexington 4*-S cross country course this past weekend with Rubens d’Ysieux. The coffin combination did a number on the competitors, causing problems for almost half of them, but Sara and Rubens delivered. This prompted World Champion and Olympic medallist Lucinda Green to reach out to Sara — we’ll call that a career highlight!
Want to stay in the loop with Badminton Horse Trials? We’re sending our Daily Digest each evening this week with the latest news, information and stories from Badminton. It’s free to sign up + there are opportunities to win items from our new #goeventing merchandise line each day! Sign up here.
You can also join the Eventing Nation league in your Equiratings Eventing Manager app — pick your team and play against your fellow eventing nerds, what could be more fun?? EN merch to the league winner when the dust settles! Download the app here — our league code is EQYLJD.
Many of the horses running Badminton are powered by Haygain Steamed Hay. Yours can be, too! Enter to win an Haygain HG One High Temperature Steamer in person at Haygain’s booths at both events, or online at this link.
Healing humans with horses is the mission of the STAND Foundation. This really insightful interview at The STAND Foundation in Washington, DC demonstrates the intrinsic benefits of time spent with horses. The STAND (Strengthening Thoughts and Nurturing Dreams) Foundation provides provide opportunities where individuals gain knowledge, skills and confidence through wellness workshops, horsemanship and horseback riding — you can learn more about them here. Click here to watch the interview!
“In an unusual training regimen for Kentucky Derby contenders, Crown Pride canters perfect 20-meter circles behind the chute at Churchill Downs. He is composed, quiet and focused. Minutes later when he enters the track, he flips a switch internally and becomes an intense Thoroughbred pulling for his head to run faster.” Ahead of this weekend’s Kentucky Derby, read up on one of the more interesting storylines that will be lining up come Saturday to Run for the Roses.
What’s it like to be a vet at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event? Vet student Jackie Guezille, who is currently attending Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, got a behind-the-scenes look as a part of the accepted group of students who would be shadowing attending vets during the event. Read all about her experiences here.
Fleeceworks Royal is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery to repair a pastern injury sustained on cross country at Kentucky. The latest update shared by Tamie Smith shows Fleeceworks Royal walking in her recovery stall — once she’s able, she’ll return home to California to continue her rest and recuperation.
Just two weeks until we get our first sneak peek at the venue for this fall’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, to be held in Italy at Pratoni del Vivaro. The venue will host a test event for WEG later this month, and we’ll have eyes on the ground to bring you all the must-know information. Read the latest from Italy here.
Wednesday Video Break
I’m always appreciative of Elisa Wallace’s helmet cam videos — here’s one from her Kentucky trip with Let It Be Lee. Be sure to watch all the way through to the end; Elisa didn’t have the end she wanted to with Lee, who lost some confidence after losing his front shoes and wound up eliminated on refusals. But, as Elisa says, you don’t know until you try and now she has more information to move forward with. It’s an interesting watch, and I’m sure we’ll share this on its own at some point but I thought it worth sticking in!
Piggy French and Vanir Kamira win Badminton 2019. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
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In all of the spectacle that is Kentucky, and considering the fact that Badminton was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, it’s almost a shock to remember that we have not one but two 5* events in the span of two weeks once again in 2022. As we roll straight into our coverage of Badminton, where Tilly Berendt is our eyes on the ground, we’re pleased to see that the event will also be bringing back its robust live stream coverage for viewers worldwide.
This year’s Badminton Horse Trials, presented by MARS Equestrian, will be streamed live on the event’s in-house Badminton TV, which is available for both live and on demand viewing. The Badminton TV pass costs $25 and gives viewers access not only to the full live stream but also to archived content including 2018 and 2019 replays. The pass is good for one year from the date of purchase, so you’ll be able to go back and rewatch anything you’d like once the event is over!
Badminton TV will be the provider for both jogs (Wednesday and Sunday), as well as interviews with top riders each day, special features and the full prize-giving ceremony on Sunday. For those of you in the UK, the final top 10’s show jumping will be shown live on BBC 2 and the BBC website iPlayer.
You can click here for instructions on viewing Badminton TV on your various devices.
We’ll update this post with the streaming schedule, but for now here is the FEI schedule for this week (note: all times are listed in BST — 5 hours ahead of EST):
To view more and purchase your pass here. You can also click here to stay in the loop with our Daily Digest, which will be sent out each evening beginning Tuesday, May 3 with the latest updates and links to EN’s coverage.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
We knew it would come down to the last phase, but we also knew if Michael Jung came in and took hold early it would be nearly impossible to shake him off of it. Most storylines can’t be predicted, and even the ones that perhaps have some elements of predictability generally throw in a few curve balls along the way to fruition. But as the dust begins to settle on the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian, it’s Germany’s Michael Jung who stands atop the podium for the record fourth time, this time partnered with Sabine and Klaus Fischer, Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff and DOKR fischerChipmunk FRH (Contendro I – Havanna), cementing his win with a flawless show jumping to finish on the lowest-ever 5* finishing score in history: a 20.1.
He didn’t exactly have boulders of pressure weighing on his shoulders — not that it would’ve necessarily made a difference, he’s entered Rolex Stadium just millimeters ahead of second place before — as some untimely rails from Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF would lower the U.S. pair down and out of the running to win. Thus, Michael cantered down the ramp and into a packed stadium with over ten penalty points to spare, his next closest competitor Great Britain’s rising golden girl, Yasmin Ingham, who had just two seconds of time to finish on 31.7 and solidify no worse than third after her round. She moved into second on the podium following Boyd’s rails.
But pressure or no pressure, for Michael this weekend has been about the relationship with his horse. And when the relationship becomes the priority, success — in its many forms — usually follows.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Abby Powell.
To that end, Michael sets a handful of records this weekend: he earns the lowest ever 5* finishing score with his astounding 20.1 (British Olympian Laura Collett held the previous record, winning Pau in 2020 on a score of 21.3. Michael also now holds the title of the most Kentucky 5* wins — a record he had previously at least tied by winning three times (William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend, and Kim Severson have also won thrice). He also, because he might as well kill a whole bunch of birds with one stone, achieves the largest ever margin of victory at Kentucky — an 11.6 penalty point difference between first and second place. To boot, he’s also tied with New Zealand’s Mark Todd for second-highest number of 5* wins, this being his 11th. Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt holds the top spot in terms of 5* wins with 14 (and counting) to his name.
Michael’s partnership with “Chip”, who is 14 this year, has been one he’s been building since he first acquired the ride in 2019 from compatriot and Tokyo individual gold medalist, Julia Krajewski. When you think about it, three years is not an enormous amount of time to build the partnership and trust that’s needed to compete for gold medals and 5* wins, especially when you’re a rider who would typically prefer to make your mark on horses from their younger years on.
“It takes a little time in the beginning, but we had a super connection from the beginning,” Michael said. “For the top spot, you have to build a very good partnership you have to trust each other. You have to know many many little informations from how is the reaction there and how you have to prepare [for the fences], how you have to prepare the dressage, and how is the horse on the traveling and everything. And it takes a while for a better connection. But I think from last year we get a very good partnership. I just have to know on the five-star level how to ride him on a long course, on a tough course, how much time he needs on some fences to prepare him.”
The pressure of coming in with a win on the line was good practice for the upcoming FEI World Championships for Eventing in Italy, happening mid-September. We’re accustomed to seeing Michael in or close to the lead after dressage — in fact, he would’ve won that individual gold had it not been for an ill-timed frangible pin at a corner in Tokyo that fell several strides after he and Chipmunk had cleared it — but this would be new territory for Chipmunk. Could he deliver on the final day, proving not only his mettle but also his focus and maturity in front of a packed house?
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
“I had a really great feeling in the warmup that makes you feel a little more relaxed,” Michael said. “But still the pressure was on, and that was a test for the WEG. I tried to stay really concentrate and focused, but this horse is amazing.”
Michael has been pleased with his partner, who has stepped up beautifully into the role of his top event horse after the retirement of La Biosthetique Sam and fischerRocana FST. “It was just to enjoy every phase of this competition,” he explained. “How strong he can gallop with all the hills, jumping really straight and not looking left or right. Today he jumped like a real show jumping horse, very strong and scopey and powerful. And this is a great feeling for the rider.”
Michael also maintains a small string of show jumping horses, and this off-season Chipmunk accompanied the string, as Michael’s event horses often do, on some show jumping tours. In three FEI show jumping starts at the 1.25m and 1.30m designations, he’d not had a pole down. This extra practice not only gives the rider additional information for the final phase of eventing, but builds confidence in the horse as show jumping courses are generally much more technical than eventing show jumping tracks.
With Pratoni approaching quicker than most, including myself, realize, it’s time to make a real push for results that will lead to selection. The Germans aren’t exactly lean on talent this year, but Michael’s certainly done much to stamp his ticket to Italy this fall (honestly, as if we ever had doubts). And hey, the extra Land Rover lease never hurts anything.
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Shelby Allen.
I think it’s safe to say that Great Britain’s Yasmin Ingham collected more than a few adoring fans this week on her first trip to compete at Kentucky. Bringing forward the stunning French gelding, Banzai du Loir (Nouma D’auzay – Gerboise du Coche), this would be the weekend she’d go for the competitive finish — after all, she’s got some major British depth to compete with for a spot on a senior team (she’s already won just about all there is to win in the British junior pipeline). She’s got her eye not only on Pratoni this fall, but also on Paris in 2024 — and this 11-year-old gelding might just be the one to eventually stamp her ticket.
Banzai du Loir has some show jumping depth in his breeding: his sire Gerboise du Coche show jumped to the 1.55m level. “Banzai” is also about 66% blood, giving him a good combination of power and stamina. Both of those elements were showcased this weekend with two nearly flawless jumping rounds — Yasmin collected just some time both yesterday and today in the show jumping. “I didn’t even feel him get close to touching a pole,” she remarked after her ride.
You’d be hard-pressed to find Yasmin without a smile mapping her face. The nearly 25-year-old from the tiny (think 13 miles wide) Isle of Man in the Irish Sea has immensely enjoyed her weekend in the Bluegrass State — and it’s now made even sweeter by a second place finish and a seat next to Michael in the final press conference.
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Abby Powell.
“If someone told me I’d be coming here and I’d be in second place to Michael…it’s a dream come true,” Yasmin remarked.
Yasmin told us that she felt the packed-in crowd at Rolex Stadium did her a bit of good, giving Banzai a push of energy and pizazz to give them a boost. “He was a little bit tired after yesterday’s cross country, so I think it did him good to have a bit of clapping and cheering and I could just feel him really rise to the occasion. I think he’s made for the big stage and I’m just so lucky that it’s me that gets to ride him.”
But she certainly wasn’t free of nerves, in fact she admits she hasn’t eaten much these last few days! “Every time I look at something I would usually like, like a donut, I’d want to be sick so I’m so glad I can actually eat something now!”
Yasmin’s been here with her parents, Lesley and Steve Ingham, as well as a whole support crew that includes one of Banzai du Loir’s owners, Janette Chin. The community on the Isle of Man is small — we’re fairly certain the entire population was glued to the H&C+ livestream during her rides! — and the efforts to get here are nothing short of monumental. In a word, I think Yasmin’s current state, once things begin to settle in, would be gratitude.
Almost as monumental, Yasmin also takes home the win in EN’s annual Golden Chinch Jog Awards, taking home a new pair of Fairfax & Favor ankle boots for the occasion (honestly, we think that’s why she came here, right?).
Quantum Leap’s entourage look on. Photo by Abby Powell.
For the second year in a row, we’re treated to an American-bred USEF CCI5* National Champion and winner of the USET Foundation Pinnacle Cup and the Roger Haller Perpetual Trophy, this year earned by Doug Payne with the U.S.-bred Holsteiner gelding Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol – Report to Sloopy). The now 11-year-old gelding was purchased by the Paynes as a weanling, part of the Paynes’ strategy to establish their own pipeline of top level eventers and show jumpers. In fact, they’ve bought four horses from Didi, so Quantum was really the opening of that pipeline that’s fed horses into Doug and Jess’ program ever since. Quantum Leap was bred by Elizabeth “Didi” Callahan of Cool Na Grena Sporthorses and is out of the full Thoroughbred mare, Report to Sloopy.
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Shelby Allen.
“Baby Quantum” is not such a baby anymore, and he’s come a long way from the gangly youngster with legs going every which way. This horse just debuted at the 5* level in 2021 at this event, where Doug said he learned a lot about what he would need in terms of fitness as he matured. He retuned to the level in sharp form last fall at the Maryland 5 Star, finishing seventh and confirming himself as a competitive 5* horse for Doug. This weekend he adds just a few seconds of time to his overall mark, which was enough to eke him ahead of fourth-placed Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF.
“It’s a privilege to ride these horses, but there are so many people who make that happen,” Doug said. “It’s probably going to sink in in a few days, but it’s a lifetime of work.”
This achievement comes at a particularly poignant time, as Doug announced yesterday that his veteran partner, the old soul Vandiver, will be stepping down from competition at this level. While he’ll tick around a few Prelims with #supergroom Courtney Carson, it’s certainly the end of an era for a partnership that has spanned nearly ten years at at least the Advanced level.
Family photo time for the new USEF National 5* Champion! Photo by Abby Powell.
So, what a time for Quantum to step up into the spotlight, on the weekend when his stablemate is stepping down. And hey — it’s proof that these events are anything but a dressage show: Quantum Leap began the weekend in 25th, climbed to equal fifth after cross country and finished on the podium.
“This has been a tough day, actually,” Doug reflected. “You’re driven every day to get better and improve, but with Vandiver stepping down, it’s incredibly exciting to have another one stepping up to fill his shoes. The future is bright and I want to think of it as a starting point more than anything.”
Boyd Martin high-fives a fan in the victory lap. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF didn’t have the epic performance the crowd was hoping for, lowering two rails — the front rail of the out element of the triple heading down the diagonal of the arena, as well as the second to last fence — and adding 1.2 time penalties to drop into fourth position on a score of 38.5. Boyd remained pragmatic in yesterday’s press conference, knowing he’d go out to give it his all but acknowledging that all the stars align on the day a rider wins a 5*. At 15, Tsetserleg has looked strong in the early parts of this season and while performances will need to be competitive to book a ticket to Italy this fall, we certainly can’t write off the little black Trakehner who could as a contender for the U.S. come WEG time.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shelby Allen.
It’s been since 2014 that we’ve seen Buck Davidson placed in the top five at Kentucky — too long, if you ask us! Buck’s had to be patient with the 15-year-old Holsteiner, Carlevo (Caresino – Ramatuelle), who has improved in each 5* completion but who has also struggled here and there with his cross country in particular.
Carlevo isn’t the quickest-footed horse in Buck’s stable, but he’s got a genuine try and wants to do the right thing, Buck says. Some struggles with brush fences came to a head last fall at Maryland when the two had a crashing fall — “that one hurt a lot,” he recalled — and he spent some time this winter building up the gelding, who is owned by Katherine O’Brien, and his confidence. Buck learned that a stronger ride to brush fences helped give the horse more confidence and boost over the fences, and that knowledge and the trust they’ve continued to build paid off in a big way with a clear cross country yesterday. Carlevo would also be one to lower a rail or two, but Buck navigated Steve Stephens’ track with determination, just coming home a little too slow to be able to retain his third place position and secure the USEF National Championship.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Abby Powell.
Last year, Carlevo was 17th at Kentucky, which was a progression from 20th in his debut in 2018. Buck, always the competitor, wasn’t satisfied with just a completion last year, and this year he gets his due and proves Carlevo’s mettle as a competitive 5* horse. It’s probably the superstitions, let’s be honest — Buck’s one of the more superstitious riders in the field. Aside from his traditional lucky red socks, Buck changes breeches for each ride (“I have really good sponsors,” he laughed after he shared this bit) and pays attention to what he’s got on him when he has successful rides so he can replicate it next time. Whatever works, Buck — we’re glad to have you up there again!
Meghan O’Donoghue’s crew cheer her on. Photo by Abby Powell.
Bits & Bobs
Steve Stephens returned as show jumping course designer for the second year, bringing his experience around the world designing as well as advising U.S. show jumping teams to build his challenge for the riders this weekend. As is typically expected at this event, the track was testing and influential: six of the 30 finishers put in clear rounds inside the time. There was not a single “bogey” fence, but rather rails flew all around the course; the penultimate fence at 12 proved to be the most complicated, coming down nine times.
Will Coleman and Dondante. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Several pairs were able to climb up the board thanks to clear jumping rounds, including Will Coleman and Dondante (26th after dressage to seventh overall), Phillip Dutton and the off-track Thoroughbred Sea of Clouds (31st after dressage to 10th overall), Meghan O’Donoghue and another ex-racer, Palm Crescent (37th after dressage to 11th overall), and Hannah Sue Burnett with Harbour Pilot (24th after dressage to 13th overall).
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. Photo by Shelby Allen.
This was the second 5* for the 11-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, Calmaro (Carpalano – Elster W), who showed his inexperience while also maturing as the weekend went on under Irish Olympian Joseph Murphy’s tutelage. The gray gelding owned by Claire and Charley Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan and Joseph finished with two clear jumping rounds which would be good enough for ninth place after starting the weekend in 17th. In his 5* debut last year, Calmaro was 14th at Pau. Despite losing a shoe in the show jumping this afternoon, he managed a clear round inside the time — in fact the quickest of the day in a time of 76 seconds. This is a horse originally campaigned by Laura Collett, and he’s only been in Joseph’s program since 2020.
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Abby Powell.
Hannah Sue Burnett reflected on the lengthy career of her longtime partner, Harbour Pilot. “William” certainly went through some, er, rideability growing pains in his younger years, but Hannah Sue and her husband, show jumper Matthias Hollberg, have taken to calling the 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Cruising “Benjamin Button” as he’s continued to get better with time. They move up from 24th after dressage into 13th with just one rail and time penalties added. Hannah Sue says she’s not sure what will be next for Harbour Pilot, telling us her priority is that he retires sound — whenever that may be.
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Colleen Rutledge lowered one rail and dropped into 15th overall after starting the weekend in second on Thursday, but you wouldn’t see any disappointment on her face. Covert Rights, the fan favorite quarter Clydesdale, has historically struggled in the show jumping, but today Colleen said she finally felt him using and understanding his body better than ever.
“He gave me absolutely everything,” Colleen said. “He was phenomenal on cross country. He went in (to show jumping) and this is hard for him and he jumped it fantastic.”
Colleen credits a new fitness regimen using Aquatred for how well Covert Rights went this weekend, and says it added to his fitness yesterday. “He feels so much stronger and so much more cognizant about where his body parts are.”
Colleen and “CR” were held at this morning’s horse inspection (“I needed to run fast enough that he could show that he was fine,” she said), and she was also held at length on cross country yesterday when Ashlynn Meuchel and Emporium fell at the Head of the Lake, but Colleen’s keeping it all in perspective.
Colleen and her husband, Brian’s, daughter Ciana underwent a kidney transplant earlier this year. While Ciana was hospitalized, Colleen spent her time in the hospital with her daughter. We’re pleased to report that the transplant has taken well and Ciana was able to come home and was even at Kentucky this weekend.
“Honestly, maybe that’s why we’ve had such a great weekend so far,” Colleen said yesterday following cross country. “I haven’t been able to overdo and overthink things. It’s been all about perspective and doing what’s important.”
Alex McLeod and Newmarket Jack. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Our highest placed rookie this weekend was full-time vet Alex MacLeod with her own Irish Sport Horse gelding, Newmarket Jack. Alex had to fight through her show jumping round after losing her stirrup in the treble, and to be honest she’d like to have that round back.
“I’m honestly a little disappointed in myself,” Alex said. “But it feels amazing to finish and he’s such a horse to have jumped that course for me. I’m really proud of him — next time we’ll be better!”
But to look back at this pair’s progression, there’s much to be proud of. After all, when Alex was first getting to know Jack as a four-year-old, he was “feral” to the point where Phillip Dutton told her she shouldn’t jump him while they sorted out their communication. Now, they’ve become a 5* pair, all while balancing vet school, then internships, and moving across the country from Pennsylvania to California. We will call that a win, Alex, and we hope you do too.
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Nearly all of our other rookies also finished the weekend and are now confirmed 5* pairs: Millfield Lancando and Booli Selmayr added just one rail and time on cross country and show jumping to their dressage mark to finish 25th, Lexington native Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135 (a half-brother to fischerChipmunk, sharing a sire in Contendro I) added two rails today to finish 28th, and Lexi Scovil with Chico’s Man VDF Z added one rail and some time to finish 29th. Marc Grandia and Campari FFF sadly ended their weekend early with some refusals on course yesterday, but we know they’ll be back to fight another day.
A congratulatory handshake from Pippa to Michael. Photo by Abby Powell.
We, as always, appreciate you following along with us all weekend long. Kentucky is our biggest and busiest event of each season — the days are long, the words and stories are endless, but the end is always the same: we’re grateful to have this sport and we’re thankful that all horses and riders are safe after a dramatic weekend.
Lastly, there is an enormous number of people who are needed in order for these events to run. From the officials and organizers, to the emergency crews, volunteers, course decorators, and sponsors, it’s a true community effort and we couldn’t be more appreciative.
We hope you have enjoyed the #BestWeekendAllYear as much as we have. Thank you for waiting while our team hustled to the airport and onto our various first flights home — we certainly hope these incredible stories were worth the wait. We’ll have more content coming your way this week and it’s just two days until we head straight into Badminton, where a strong American contingent is set to compete and our international dream team led by Tilly Berendt will bring you all of the up to the minute updates from England.
Sharon White cheers for Dan Kreitl earlier today in the 4*-S (and models our new #goeventing hats spectacularly while she’s at it). Photo by Shelby Allen.
Until then, I’m off to have a cocktail and a sleep in the sky. Pat your horse, cheer for your buddies, make good decisions and as ever, Go Eventing.
Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
As we finish out a weekend that’s felt, dare I say, “normal” here at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on 2021.
It almost feels like eons ago at this point, but the event nearly did not run at all in 2021 due to concerns over funding after it was decided there would be no spectators allowed if the event did go forward. But thanks to the dogged determination of Dorothy Crowell, Sara Kozumplik, and Lynn Symansky, a massive fundraising effort supported not only by large donations but also by the dollars and cents of an equally massive grassroots contingent was pulled off to eventually raise enough money to save the 2021 event.
2021 was a special year from the perspective of those who attended — it was eerie to be in a mostly empty Horse Park, but the event was intimate, well-run, and the relief at being here was palpable from all present. And this would never have happened were it not for the efforts of the thousands who donated.
This weekend, the larger sponsors who helped support the event last year were given VIP treatment in the Hospitality Tent, but we wanted to also take a moment to thank the fans who pitched in, too. Here’s a note from Sara Kozumplik:
“This post is to say thank you, the grassroots that made 2021 happen because that also made this year happen,” Sara said.
And we couldn’t agree more: THANK YOU for helping to make the #BestWeekendAllYear happen once more. Eventing is a community and a family, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
As we stood at the edge of the vet box chatting with Pippa Funnell, the last rider of the day to see on the 5* cross country, she grinned at the media still gathered about. “That was a bit of a masterclass, wasn’t it?” she said, referring to Michael Jung’s commanding round earlier in the day that will see him remain in the lead overnight. It’s no small compliment coming from the first rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam and who most recently won the 2019 Burghley Horse Trials.
A masterclass is what we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from the three-time Kentucky winner, Michael Jung. He was last here in 2018, where he finished second (he’d won the previous three years, don’t worry), and this weekend he returns with a new partner in Sabine and Klaus Fischer, Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff and DOKR’s fischerChipmunk FRH. Despite the fact that this would, technically speaking, be the first 5* of the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Contendro I, he’s not exactly light on experience: he’s been around a World Equestrian Games course in 2018 with former jockey Julia Krajewski as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Michael, where he finished eighth individually.
Michael says he very much enjoyed the ride today, which easily stopped the clock with 11 seconds in hand as the quickest of the day. This is a partnership he’s had since 2019, and Michael says he learned a lot about both his horse and their partnership today.
Michael Jung and fisherChipmunk FRH. Photo by Shelby Allen.
“He needs sometimes good preparation because sometimes he’s he’s too powerful,” Michael explained. “So I have to collect him slow down and have him really concentrate on some jumps. But I had a great ride and I’m I’m gives me a lot of a lot of good experience good, good support for the next for the next competition.”
It helps, of course, to be in a system as consistently successful as Michael’s — surely there are some tried and true methods in place there. But at the root of it remains the goal to build mutual trust. “I feel very safe and I think we have a very good partnership now.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, if Michael and fischerChipmunk are clear in the show jumping, it will be the all time lowest 5* finishing score of all time. This would take the title away from Great Britain’s Laura Collett, who won Pau in 2020 on a score of 21.3. Michael will be seeking his 11th 5* win, which would equal Mark Todd’s record.
fischerChipmunk is historically a fairly consistent show jumper and has spent some time this past winter in the show jumping ring as Michael often does when not out eventing. Chipmunk did tip one rail in Tokyo during the individual jumping round, but this could theoretically be written off as traditional events only have one jumping round.
It was a day of redemption for Boyd Martin, who “went past this big dent in the ground where I crashed last year” (he and Tsetserleg TSF fell just a few fences from home last year in what Boyd calls a lapse in focus as he relaxed a bit too far from home) on his way home to a double clear eight seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 4 seconds.
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shelby Allen.
“I feel like if I think something and he understands it,” Boyd said of “Thomas”, the 15-year-old Trakehner gelding by the Kentucky-winning stallion Windfall II. “I just eased up a bit last time mentally and I just said to myself ‘ok, keep riding every step until you cross that finishing line’.”
Tsetserleg is a U.S.-bred horse, produced in Missouri by Tim and Cheryl Holekamp of New Spring Farm — you may recognize the name as supporters of the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Lion d’Angers Grant, which was founded along with Tseterleg’s owners, Christine and Thomas Turner of Indian Creek Farm. This has been the first Trakehner Boyd’s partnered with, and the fact that he’d been able to see the great Windfall competing with Darren Chiacchia when he first came to America makes this partnership that much more special.
“To be quite honest, he’s probably not the fanciest horse…but he’s got a he’s got a heart of gold and you know, his best attribute is how hard he tries and he cross country — he just will do everything he can to please me.”
“I really wanted to stay focused all the way to the finish because, as we know, with five-star eventing and Derek DiGrazia’s courses there’s tough jumps all the way around,” Boyd continued. “And especially as the horses get tired, it changes so I’m thrilled to have him, grateful for the owners, the Turner family, and we’ve got a few more Windfall babies in work now so there might be a reincarnation of Thomas coming along in the future.”
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Boyd got a taste of the 5* win last fall when he took home the top honors in the inaugural Maryland 5 Star with the Anglo-European mare On Cue, and he’s keen to give Thomas his due with another tomorrow. He’ll have his work cut out for him: Thomas wouldn’t statistically be the strongest show jumper in the field, and Michael has two rails in hand, but Boyd’s done a lot of work with Peter Wylde in the past few months that should have Thomas tuned up for the final phase of competition. “It’s a weird drug, you know,” Boyd told NBC’s Donna Brothers after his ride. “You win it, you’re on a high for a couple days or a week and then you start to get this hunger to do it again. To repeat that again and again, it takes a lot of focus, a lot of hard work, a top horse and all the stars have got to align. So who knows when the next one will come along, but I’ll be trying my heart out to do it again.”
Sitting in third after her first Kentucky cross country is Great Britain’s Yasmin Ingham, the youngest rider in the field this year at the age of 24. Yasmin delivered a golden clear round aboard Banzai du Loir with just seven seconds of time and moved up a spot from fourth onto the podium overnight. It’s a family trip for Yasmin, who has her whole support crew including her parents.
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir. Photo by Shelby Allen.
The French Banzai du Loir (Nouma d’Auzay x Gerboise du Cochet) is owned by Jeanette Chinn and Sue Davies makes his 5* debut this weekend, but you wouldn’t necessarily have known it from watching them today. “I was delighted with my horse in his first time at the level,” Yasmin said. “He just was brilliant at all the combinations. The coffin came up quite early on in the course, and he did just go a little bit green, but once he got that behind him, he just powered on. He’s just an incredible horse to ride, and so much size and speed and he really does have all of what it takes to be a top event horse.”
Yasmin’s not exactly unaccustomed to the pressure that comes with competing for a title — she’s won just about every medal there is to be won as a pony and junior rider. She’s also won the national eight- and nine-year-old titles at the 4*-S level and also won the hefty 4*-L at Blenheim last September with this horse. This would be her first really competitive finish at the 5* level should she finish it out tomorrow, and it’s reasonable to think she’ll finish no worse than where she is now: Banzai du Loir’s only had one rail at the 4* level to this point.
Banzai du Loir was sourced by Rachel Wakefield of Uptown Eventing, and Yasmin began her partnership with him in 2019. “We’ve sort of just not rushed anything,” she said. “He’s such a young, special horse that we think it’s good to take it slow and educate them properly and it’s always confidence first with him.”
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Buck Davidson wasn’t sat on the quickest horse in the field today with Katherine O’Brien’s Carlevo (Caresino – Ramatuelle), but despite 25 seconds of time he’ll remain in a competitive fourth position ahead of tomorrow’s show jumping on a score of 37.4. This pair had a crashing fall at the Maryland 5 Star last fall, and it’s a quirk about brush fences that Buck says has plagued the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Eurocommerce Caresino as he’s stepped up to this level (he was 17th in his debut at Kentucky in 2021).
“Sometimes out of something bad, some good things come,” Buck said. “He’s never jumped that well all the way around and I think I’m better off at the brushes to keep coming and give him more room, which sort of hurt me at the [Head of the Lake] a little bit. I feel like in the past I’ve kind of shut him off a little bit and I was debating whether or not I was going to jump that corner in the water anyway. When you shorten his step, he doesn’t jump very well.”
Buck, on our course walk with Ride iQ yesterday, mentioned that he’s a rider who trusts his feet more than his eyes, meaning he intends to ride the horse he’s on, not the step he walks on the course. This philosophy proved to be useful today as he put some of his newfound knowledge about Carlevo to work. “That’s Derek job, to put things out there for us to solve them,” Buck explained. “I was really proud of my little horse and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Tied for fifth ahead of show jumping tomorrow are Doug Payne and Quantum Leap (Quite Capitol – Report to Sloopy) as well as Sydney Elliott with Carol and Arden Stephens’ QC Diamantaire (Diarado – Lantana), who will each take a score of 38.4 forward.
This is the third 5* for Quantum Leap, who was bred in the U.S. by Elizabeth Callahan of Cool Na Grena Sporthorses. “He was crazy genuine,” Doug said, noting that in 2021 at the now-11-year-old Zweibrücker gelding lost a bit of fitness after the Hollow, which eventually led to a 20. Now, Doug says, “I barely have to touch him, he’s more fit, stronger and made everything feel easier.” Quantum Leap was also in the top 10 at the Maryland 5 Star last fall and stands in strong position to be the one of, if not the, top-placed U.S. horse on the board tomorrow.
Sydney Elliott has had a partnership with Carol and Arden Stephens for over a decade, ever since Arden came to her as a 12-year-old to learn the ropes of eventing and pursue her goals. That has turned into a fruitful relationship that now involves sourcing horses from Belgium’s Kai Steffen Meier and Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, including both Sydney’s first 5* horse, Cisko A as well as the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire. Photo by Shelby Allen.
“I was a little concerned he’d go out there like he did last year, when he was over-jumping everything,” Sydney said. “But he came out like he finished last year. He wasn’t over-jumping, he was on a mission from start to finish so I could hang on to some of those seconds better than last year and even when he was tired, he still kept his form.”
Sydney stayed in Europe for three months after completing Aachen and Boekelo with Team USA, and she says the trip did her and “Q” a lot of good in terms of experience and maturity. “He had never seen a crowd until Boekelo and there was a little bit of a crowd at Aachen and that did actually terrify him quite a bit,” she explained. “And a few weeks later we went to Holland and the moment he stepped on that ground he was confident and I could tell that he had definitely grown up. It was extremely educational for both of us.”
Derek di Grazia’s track was challenging in a “very Derek” type of way: while the fences, to these riders’ eyes at least, may not have walked the biggest in the world, where Derek really tests the riders is with terrain and lines. Even the galloping lanes were intentionally roped and decorations strategically placed to keep riders on their toes and free of “gimmes” in terms of lines. We saw this effect scattered throughout the field as the course yielded 56% clear jumping rate, with just three riders (Michael Jung, Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton) securing rounds with no jump or time penalties. This is a lower average than recent years, but higher than 2017’s 46% clear rate, according to EquiRatings.
Four pairs retired on course: Leslie Law (Voltaire de Tre), Lauren Nicholson (Landmark’s Monte Carlo), Will Faudree (PFun), and Tamie Smith (Fleeceworks Royal).
We are relieved to report that both Fleeceworks Royal, who pulled up apparently lame after fence 11, as well as Ashlynn Meuchel’s Emporium, who had a scary fall at the Head of the Lake and was subsequently entangled in some tack and unable to get up, have both been reported to be up and resting at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute this evening. As much love as we have for this sport, the well-being of the horses who put their most genuine efforts on the line for us each and every day is always paramount, and we are very happy to have good news this evening after a worrying day. Thank you to the responders and veterinary units who helped ensure these horses were taken care of in the safest manner possible in trying conditions.
At the time of publication, no other injuries to horses or riders have been reported after today’s cross country.
Fence 7, the Park Question, was incidentally the most influential combination on the 5* course; its 4*S counterpart was also the most influential earlier in the day. The 5* Park Question garnered six refusals — two at each element — and the single element that caused the most trouble was the B element of the final water (23B), where three riders came to grief.
Sarah Bullimore and Corouet. Photo by Abby Powell.
Great Britain’s Sarah Bullimore, second after dressage with the little and quirky Corouet, was having a cracking round but sadly had trouble at the Mighty Moguls combination a few from home. Sarah was understandably disappointed, but Corouet’s efforts around a testing endurance track today showed the U.S. fans exactly how much talent resides in that diminutive body.
Our highest-placed rookie pair after cross country is Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack, who added 11.2 time penalties and answered all the tough questions to sit in 20th place on a score of 52.1.
Dan Kreitl and Carmango. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Dan Kreitl In Command of Lexington CCI4*-S
I’m not sure Dan Kreitl imagined he’d be leading a competitive Lexington 4*-S, but after turning in the sole double clear of the day he finds himself atop the leaderboard with Kay Dixon’s Carmango (Chirivell – Taramanga). Carmango is nine this year, and he’s been with Dan since his earliest eventing days but only began his FEI eventing career last year. This wasn’t necessarily done on purpose, but rather Dan has taken his time producing the horse and prioritized national competition. This meant going back to gain international qualifiers last year, which brings he and “Fritz” to this point: just their fourth 4*S together.
“It was only his third four-star, and same for me — we just moved up to the level this year,” Dan said after his ride. “It didn’t go exactly as I planned everywhere, but he’s an athletic horse and super honest, he does his job the best he can. It was probably the most fun cross country course I’ve ever had.”
As for making the optimum time, Dan came out of the start box with a plan in mind to at least get close. “I came out of the startbox with my foot on the gas and that was my plan, to try to get ahead and I could slow down at the end,” he explained. “I didn’t get ahead, so I just kept on kicking. He’s a fast horse and on the straightaways and galloping fences I didn’t slow down much, I just tried find them right out of stride and keep an efficient, smooth ride going.”
Dan is one who balances many demands on his attention and time: he’s from Indiana but has trained for many years with West Virginia-based Sharon White. His wife, Alyssa, is battling a rare form of cancer, and the couple also have two children. Dan also runs a real estate company — it’s safe to say he’s got a few things on his mind at any given time. But for Dan, the horses have always been his outlet when life is difficult, and his longtime relationship with the wonderful Kay Dixon has empowered him to not only do right by his horses but further his own education and development as a rider.
Second and third in the CCI4*S are Liz Halliday-Sharp with The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver, who is bound for Luhmühlen in June on a score of 29.7, followed by Phillip Dutton with Caroline Moran’s Quasi Cool on a score of 37.4. Dressage leaders Doug Payne and Catherine Winter’s Starr Witness sadly came to grief at the very influential Park Question — the coffin complex caught out seven riders and ended their days while also causing a total of 20 refusals — causing Doug to hit the turf. Luckily he was uninjured and able to compete his other 4* horse, Camarillo, as well as his 5* horses and his show jumper this evening (busy guy).
We’ll get back underway tomorrow with the 4*S horse inspection bright and early at 7:30 a.m, followed by the 5* horse inspection. Show jumping begins at 11 a.m. EST with the 4*S, followed by the 5* at 3:45 p.m.
Thank you as always for following along with us — and for being patient with me while I write entirely too many words about this sport we all love entirely too much — and we’ll look forward to closing out the show with you tomorrow.
Boyd Martin, Tsetserleg TSF, and supergroom Steph Simpson. Photo by Abby Powell.
Though the riders are the ones who dominate the headlines, we want to give a shout to the teams working behind the scenes and nearly around the clock to keep the horses happy, healthy, and performing at their best. Grooms are among the heroes of our sport, and we appreciate each and every one! If you want to read more about #supergroom Steph Simpson, click here — and click here to catch up on the rest of our #supergroom series. Plus, stay tuned for a very special edition to come soon!
There are still some opportunities to win prizes this weekend! First off, enter our Kentucky Top Dog contest for a chance to win an Equilibrium Massage Mitt from World Equestrian Brands — you can find out more on how to enter here. Plus: Spotted at the Hound & Hare Booth Selfie Contest: Tag us in a selfie on Instagram taken at the Hound & Hare booth (#17 in Sponsor Row), where our buddies from Fairfax & Favor will be hanging out all weekend long. As long as your post is publicly visible and tags @goeventing and @fairfaxandfavor, you’ll be entered to win a Mini Windsor bag!
Welcome to the actual best time of the year: Kentucky week! With Kentucky this week and the hotly anticipated return of Badminton next week, it’s time to buckle up for two absolutely epic weeks of eventing. We know it’s the age of information overload, so we’ve made all things Kentucky as easy to find as possible in our Ultimate Guide. Keep this page bookmarked all weekend as we’ll update it daily with the latest updates and content.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the daily Kentucky news by signing up for our free Kentucky Daily Digest emailhere. We’ll send a new edition out first thing each morning to catch you up to speed if you’ve got a life and aren’t going to be glued to the internet all week long.
The prestigious CCI5* is back at its best after running behind closed doors in 2021, and will be the first Rolex Grand Slam leg of 2022. The new, tough CCI4*-S, which earned the nickname of “5*-Short” or “4* Olympics” in 2021, also returns for a second year, and the Rolex Stadium will once again host the Kentucky Invitational CSI3* show jumping put on by Split Rock Jumping Tour. Doug Payne’s signed himself up to be the busiest rider of the week, it seems, with two horses in the CCI5*, one horse in the CCI4*-S and another in the CSI3* show jumping. Aside from our lone eventer, there is a star-studded 38-strong entry list for the Kentucky Invitational — click here (click on a “Results” box to view the entries) to follow the schedule and results.
There’s plenty on the line for competitors in either class, not least that $25,000 prize pot in the CCI4*-S and the $375,000 prize pot in the CCI5*.
There’s also a battle for FEI World Rankings points: Jonelle Price, who currently sits second in the rankings, has a serious opportunity here to topple Oliver Townend from the top spot, as he won’t be here to defend his title. Finally, competitors across both classes will be looking to impress their respective selectors, as all eyes are on this September’s FEI World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.
As always, there’s additionally the ongoing U.S. winner drought here at Kentucky. Though the U.S. 5* winner drought was broken by Boyd Martin at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star last fall, it’s still been 14 years since the last American winner (Phillip Dutton and Connaught won in 2008) of the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Boyd, for his part, came tantalizingly close last year with eventual Maryland winner On Cue, finishing second to Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. There’s certainly a handful of serious threats to the top of the podium on this year’s entry list, but the threat of a strong international contingent that includes Michael Jung looms large as it always does.
The CCI5* ground jury will be made up of president Nick Burton (GBR) and members Christian Steiner (AUT) and Gretchen Butts (USA), while the CCI4*-S competitors will be working hard to impress president Peter Grey (CAN) and members Beatrice di Grazia (USA) and Charlotte Skinner-Robson (USA).
Great Britain’s Philip Surl will act as Technical Delegate for the five-star, with the USA’s Andrew Temkin taking the role for the CCI4*-S. Both cross-country courses are designed by Derek di Grazia, and both show jumping courses in the Rolex stadium will be designed by Steve Stephens.
If you’re in North America, you’ll be able to watch Kentucky in its entirety via USEF Network. The stream will be provided free if you’re watching live, and $12.95 to watch both live and on demand if you sign up for a USEF Network subscription at 50% off using code LRK3DE22.
For followers in any other country, you’ll need a subscription to Horse&Country or, if you don’t fancy being locked into a membership, you’ll be able to buy an event pass for £9.99, which will give you access to the entirety of the competition.
Don’t forget to follow EN, too – we’ll be bringing you all the insanity in the middle you could possibly need, with lots of bonus content on the ‘gram! Want to know the juiciest stats throughout the competition?
First and foremost, we’re excessively amped for our cross country course walk led by Kyle Carter and Buck Davidson, in partnership with Ride iQ. We’ll be heading out from the first water beginning 30 minutes after the final horse on Friday afternoon — you can also pre-register here for updates on this event sent to your phone and email.
We’re also thrilled to be launching some exclusive EN merch this week in partnership with Dapplebay. Don’t worry, we’ll also be launching an online store after Badminton so if you’re not attending in person this week you’ll be able to cure your FOMO very soon! If you are on site, you can shop sticker packs, hats, and tote bags designed in collaboration with Ride IQ at the Dapplebay booth (#137 indoors at the Trade Fair) while supplies last!
Autograph Signings: This is by no means a comprehensive list — we’ll add to it as we find more, but you can always send them to us on Instagram via DM or email [email protected] so we don’t miss it!
Woods Baughman
World Equestrian Brands (booth 213 in Trade Fair): Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Will Coleman:
Haygain (booth 100 in Trade Fair): Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Phillip Dutton:
Triple Crown (booth 152 in Trade Fair): Friday at 1:00 p.m.
Tamie Smith:
Haygain (booth 100 in Trade Fair): Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Nutrena Feed (booth 14 in Sponsor Row): Friday at 2 p.m.
Sharon White:
World Equestrian Brands (booth 213 in Trade Fair): Friday at 11:00 a.m.
SeraKūl is hosting a launch party at the Griffin Gate Hotel on Thursday, 4/28 from 5-7 p.m. EST in the Junior Ballroom. Attendees can RSVP here and get autographs from Tamie Smith and Phillip Dutton while they’re there!
We’re always grateful for the support of our sponsors who help us make coverage of epic proportions at these events possible. Below you’ll find a list of events, promotions/deals, and contests you can dive into all week long with our sponsors:
CONTESTS:
Land Rover Kentucky Top Dog Photo Contest: It’s the return of the ever-popular Kentucky Top Dog contest, and we’re expecting this year’s pooches to really nail it! This year we’re teaming back up with World Equestrian Brands to offer the winner a to-die-for Equilibrium Massage Mitt. Click here to learn how to enter!
Annual Kentucky Pick ‘Em and Win Contest: Also returning this year is our annual Pick ‘Em & Win contest — all you have to do is submit your predicted winner and their finishing score for tie-breaking purposes here and you’ll be entered to win a pair of Ice-Vibe boots from our pals at Horseware! Click here to enter! [ENTRIES CLOSED]
Daily Digest Drawings: If you’re signed up for our #ICYMI email and/or our Kentucky Daily Digest newsletter, you’re automatically entered to win prizes such as EN merch, sponsor swag, and more! We’ll also post trivia bits in the newsletter for extra chances to win — if you aren’t signed, best to do so here!
Spotted at the Hound & Hare Booth Selfie Contest: Tag us in a selfie on Instagram taken at the Hound & Hare booth (#17 in Sponsor Row), where our buddies from Fairfax & Favor will be hanging out all weekend long. As long as your post is publicly visible and tags @goeventing and @fairfaxandfavor, you’ll be entered to win a Mini Windsor bag!
EquiRatings Kentucky Eventing Manager: You’re given $10 million (theoretically, sadly) to pick the strongest four-pair team to win Kentucky in this addicting EquiRatings game. Download the EquiRatings Eventing Manager app here to be the first in the marketplace once this event opens.
Kentucky Performance Products(booth #193 in Trade Fair): Receive 20% off plus free shipping when you place an order at the KPP booth, plus you can enter to win a year’s supply of the very popular Summer Games Electrolyte + pick up some swag while you’re at it.
Zoetis Equine (all over the Horse Park!): This year Zoetis Equine returns as a major sponsor in a big way. You’re likely to see Zoetis and its signature orange all over the Horse Park, including an upgraded experience for veterinarians on site and sponsorship of the schooling area including an area for owners and riders to mingle. You’ll also be able to enter to win a prize of grand proportions using some of the life-sized orange horses you’ll see around the Horse Park. You can follow Zoetis Equine on Instagram here to stay in the loop for what’s happening and when!
World Equestrian Brands:
Spend a minimum of $250 and get 20% off your purchase (storewide, except: saddles, Like New/Outlet items, and EQ Therapy products)
Also, get 25% off EQ Therapy products (excludes accessories/replacement items)
Promotion starts 4/28 and ends at end of day 5/1 (midnight for online sales)
Haygain (follow the delicious smell of steamed hay to booth #100 in the Trade Fair): Check out the full line-up of Haygain Way products: High Temperature Hay Steamers, the Forager Slow Feeder and ComfortStall flooring. You can also:
Sign up to win a Hay Steamer (for you remote watchers, click here to enter)
Attend an Ask a Vet Q&A (which will also be streamed on Haygain’s Instagram) Wren Burnley, DVM Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Attend an autograph signing with Will Coleman and Tamie Smith Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Fairfax & Favor (booth #17 in Sponsor Row at Hound & Hare): Stop by the Hound & Hare booth not only to try on your new absolute stunners of boots, but also for fun happenings such as:
Enter to win a gorgeous boot and helmet bag set from the 1912 Collection
Get an autograph from sponsored rider Lauren Nicholson (time and date TBA)
Tag us in a selfie at the Hound & Hare booth or with Lauren Nicholson any time this weekend, and you’ll automatically be entered to win a Mini Windsor bag!
Achieve Equine (booth #207 in Trade Fair): Achieve Equine will have FLAIR® Strips, VIP Equestrian™ Impact Protection Pads and Iconic Equestrian™ 2-in-1™ Saddle Pads available at the booth.
If you visit the Achieve Equine booth and fill out a comment card, you can enter to win an bundle prize pack that includes 2 Six Packs of FLAIR Strips, 1 VIP Pad, and 1 Iconic Equestrian 2-in-1 Pad. Winner will be selected by random drawing Sunday afternoon. Need not be present to win.
Achieve is also offering awards for competitors this year: The FLAIR Protect and Perform™ Award is awarded to the highest placed horse and rider combination that wore a FLAIR® Strip in both the Cross Country and Show Jumping phases of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. One FLAIR Protect and Perform Award will be awarded to a 5* competitor and one FLAIR Protect and Perform Award will be awarded to a 4* competitor.
Legends Equine Feed (booth #15 in Sponsor Row): TBA
If we could pick one sentiment expressed by riders ahead of Saturday’s cross country test here at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian, this would be it.
In his 11th year as designer here, Derek di Grazia says he starts the process of mapping out the next year’s track as soon as three or four weeks after the conclusion of the current year’s event.
“Last year I came about three weeks after this event with everything off the fields, so there’s nothing,” Derek described. “I start from nothing and basically build the track of where I want to go, and then once I have the track I start figuring out what jumps I want to go where, and that’s usually on my second to third visit. By the third visit that’s finalized, and we start building on the fourth visit, and then the fifth, sixth and seventh visits we’re finishing.”
It’s a process, one filled with both creative and technical elements, to create a track that squarely challenges its competitors without posing a major safety risk. In any 5*, there is a veritable mix of experienced pairs and first-timers, and a course designer must have the ability to challenge all with his or her design. Variety is also the spice of a good course designer’s life, and Derek tends to change things up a fair bit each year — this year’s course, for example, explores a few new lines and areas of the park that haven’t been used in a few years. The Sunken Road in the infield is one fence making a resurgence this year, repurposed with a big log ahead of a drop leading to a triple frangible arrowhead.
The downside of Fence 16ABC Sunken Road. Photo via Cross Country App.
“It is very different from last year,” Derek said. “You could say the track is in reverse, but it’s also going places that I’ve never been before and lines that I’ve never taken before in the park. The overall impression is that the course looks very different from the course that was presented last year.”
“My development of a course is something where I try every year to bring something new forward,” he continued. “So we’re not looking at the same track and the same combinations. Obviously we have features here that we use, but I try to mix it up, have it come in a different order and do that.”
Chinch for scale: Fence 9 here, the Whiskey Barrel Table, is 7 Chinches tall and and 9.5 Chinches wide. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The course starts and ends in the same areas as it traditionally does, but twists through in some different directions to the point where it’s running, in many ways, in the opposite direction of its 2021 predecessor. The track wouldn’t look like the biggest one ever built at this level, but here’s where Derek is, as Colleen Rutledge puts it, “a little bit of a Machiavellian genius”. What may seem like an innocuous question (though, to be fair, I’m not sure there is such a thing at this level) is made infinitely more difficult by the terrain, which he so often loves to play with in subtle ways, the positioning on the course, and the fact that Derek does not want riders married to a set striding. This course wouldn’t be a “mathematical” one, as Doug Payne put it. Rather, it will test the instincts and reactions of each horse and rider.
“This is going to separate those that want to be from those who are and you’ve got to be able to ride, not just off of your eye but off of your leg, and probably off of your butt,” Colleen noted. Tamie Smith agreed: “I think it’s going to be very reactionary, which I think the designers are starting to lean towards. It used to be more of an accuracy type thing and how you jumped in but now you don’t know how your horse is going to react to these terrain type questions and you got to have feel and I think that’s what makes a good cross country rider and a good cross country horse.”
Check out that divet under the Fence 6 the Triple Scoop, which is set downhill on the way to the MARS Sustainability Bay. Photo by Abby Powell.
“I think that the way in which it’s set, that you’re going to see a whole lot of different solutions for the same problem,” Doug Payne added. “I think it’s going to require you to be super sharp and reactive, and it’s more of an instinctive test than it is a mathematical formulation.”
The course carries an optimum time of 11 minutes, 4 seconds with 28 numbered fences and 41 total jumping efforts, making it a definitive test of fitness across Kentucky’s rolling terrain.
Click the image to view the full, guided course preview.
The first major question on course comes at fence 4AB, the MARS Sustainability Bay featuring a big log into the water followed by a left hand turn to a corner. After two more rhythm fences comes the Park Question — perennially one of the more influential questions on course — at 7ABC. “We’re seeing this much earlier this year than usual, and it comes after a couple of big, galloping, gimme fences,” Derek described on his guided course preview with CrossCountryApp. “It’ll be a pretty big adjustment to come back for this, which begins with a MIM-ed upright set of rails. They’ll land on a downhill slope to the ditch, and then ride back up a slope to the angled brush, so a great line, the right canter, and plenty of commitment is key. There’s a long route here, but anyone intent on being competitive will be going straight here.”
When we say steep, we mean STEEP. The landing side of Fence 13A Pete’s Hollow measures 22 Chinches from the bottom to the apex of the hill. Yeah, we measured. Photo by Abby Powell.
Pete’s Hollow comes at fence 13ABC this year and features a steep downhill after the jump in that will feel “like jumping into space”, followed by a left-handed corner and a left-handed, uphill climb to a narrow box.
The Land Rover Head of the Lake also has a new look this year, with riders approaching it on the far side whereas they jumped in on the opposite side in 2021. The gentle downhill leading to the rolltop in should ride fairly confidently, and riders then have a long gallop across the water and up a steep incline to a brush, followed by a left-handed corner and a big brush corner in the water at element B.
These sharply angled brush fences with challenge riders are they leave the Cosequin Cove. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The final water at fence 23, the Cosequin Cove, seems to be a question that might pose some issues due to its late positioning on the course. After a drop into the water, riders will only have a handful of strides to gather themselves and hold their line to a very steeply angled pair of brushes. This will be a question where a tired horse off the bridle will be likely to have a runout here — a heartbreaking occurrence this close to home, especially if you’ve gone clear to this point. And if you make it through this, you’ll only have a few seconds to think about the yawning ditch in front of a skinny rolltop that awaits at fence 24, the Ditch n’Roll.
But once you’re past 24, you’re very nearly home — just one combination, the Mighty Moguels at 26, stand between you and the coveted finish line — this question is a narrow box to a narrower wedge, so not a gimme.
As of this time, the weather forecast on Sunday calls for scattered thunderstorms, so in all likelihood we can add weather as another contributing factor that will have riders making sure they have their plans and their instincts in check as they head out of the start box. Cross country will begin at 12:50 p.m. EST on Saturday following the 4*-S — you can view more information in our Ultimate Guide here.
And if you are here at Kentucky and want to take a spin around with us, you can join us at 4:45 p.m. EST this afternoon (Friday April 29) for our walk in partnership with Ride iQ and Hound & Hare, led by Kyle Carter and Buck Davidson.
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Shelby Allen.
After the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event ran behind closed doors in 2021, I think it’s safe to say that we were all anticipating the official start of competition this week. Thursdays here are traditionally quieter as more people begin to arrive on Friday, but there was still enough atmosphere in Rolex Stadium as the day went on to remind us that Kentucky is BACK, baby.
Tamie Smith has been partnered with Judith McSwain’s Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman – Mariso, by Corofino) since the 13-year-old Holsteiner mare was three. “”She had a great test, super rideable, had really good positive tension, I’m thrilled with her,” Tamie commented after her test, which scored a 32.9 for the day one lead.
The blessing, and perhaps a shade of a curse, of having a string of elite horses all competing at the top levels is that sometimes the schedule of one — say, a horse designated as a traveling reserve for the Olympic team in Tokyo — takes priority.
“It probably would’ve been sooner [that the mare debuted at the 5* level], but last year I wasn’t even home because of Tokyo so she kind of got put on the back burner and I didn’t want to prepare her too soon and do something in the fall when she hadn’t been able to compete really,” Tamie said, noting that her travels to Tokyo with Badminton-bound Mai Baum — the road to which ran through Great Meadow, followed by pre-export quarantine in Germany, followed by the great journey to Japan and back — necessitated lighter schedules for her other horses. “I compete my own horses as they go up the levels,” she commented. “I have people who help me with the younger horses, but once they’re at Prelim and above, especially a mare, I have a really good partnership with them and the owners are super understanding. It’s a journey and it’s a process and I always err on the side of caution and making sure we’re really 110 percent ready and not leaving anything on the table, so it just takes awhile.”
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Tamie would’ve been keen to have some movements marked more competitively, noting in particular her flying changes and extended trot but that’s the sport for you. “I have to say I’m disappointed with the score, but that’s the way it is. That’s our sport. I don’t think she had a bad test. But hopefully it’s just the same for everybody and they’re just not handing them out.” This was consistent with remarks from several other riders, that the judging panel of Gretchen Butts, Nick Burton and Christian Steiner were judging pretty tough today.
We’re thrilled to see all three horses in the early lead were all bred here in the U.S. Fleeceworks Royal was bred in California by Charlotte Wrather and went on to be the 2016 recipient of the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Le Lion d’Angers Grant, competing as a 7-year-old championships and finishing in the top 25.
Two very experienced horses complete the day one top three in Colleen Rutledge‘s homebred, Covert Rights (BFF Incognito – Let’s Get it Right xx, by Covert Operation xx), who earned a 33.8 to sit second in his fourth appearance here at Kentucky. Doug Payne will be in third overnight on a 34.9 with Debi and John Crowley’s Vandiver (Windfall II – Visions of Grandeur, by Mystic Replica xx), who at the age of 18 continues to perform at his best in his twelfth season competing at at least the Advanced level.
“I am probably my harshest critic,” Colleen reflected. “There was multiple places that I definitely let left points on the board, one of which was our inability to halt after the walk. And then I blew our second change, but he’s such a good, consistent creature. My whole goal was to just play and have a good time…he actually almost relaxed too much in the arena, which you can’t really get upset with.”
Colleen Rutledge and Covert Rights. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Covert Rights is a horse Colleen bred out of her first Advanced mare, Let’s Get It Right, and also carries some Clydesdale in his blood. “This feels amazing,” she said. “Sitting up here on my personal homebred, who’s out of my first Advanced. He’s just a blast to ride every day. No matter what.”
It’s a sixth appearance here in the Bluegrass for Vandiver, made all the more special by the fact that his breeders and owners, Debi and John Crowley, are here to support. “Frankly, at this stage I think we’re just having fun,” Doug said in the press conference.
“I’ve been working really hard to get him supple, loose, relaxed and this is by far the best he’s ever been,” Doug said. “He put in a huge effort and he was great.”
Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Abby Powell.
Elisa Wallace was over the moon with her off-track Thoroughbred, Donna Biggs’ and Rosemarie Spillane’s Let It Be Lee (Bernstein xx – Sugaree xx, by Broad Brush xx), who raced “twelve times and made $12,000” she recounted in the mixed zone. This pair is making their first 5* start together — Elisa has had the ride on 14-year-old Thoroughbred since 2019 after he was first bought as a three-year-old by Suzy Elliott, then campaigned through 3* by Kyle Carter.
It was actually Kyle Carter who put Lee on Elisa’s radar, calling her up one day to let her know he had “a black horse [Simply Priceless], and he’s like your black horse,” she recalled. He was right, and now he’s earned a very respectable 35.2 to sit in fourth place overnight. “It’s always hard bringing another one up after you’ve had your lifetime horse, but I think Lee is going to be another lifetime horse,” she said.
Elisa Wallace and Let It Bee Lee. Photo by Abby Powell.
“There’s always an adjustment period, for sure,” she reflected, referring to the fact that Lee had already competed through 3* with another rider. “And there’s no shortcuts in building a partnership, it doesn’t matter if it’s a wild mustang or your event horse. It’s just takes time.” Elisa works with Lee in the same way she does her mustangs, which helps solidify her partnership. “It’s just building that trust,” she explained. “That’s part of my program and that’s what I like to do. A horse I can hop on bareback with a neck rope and I can hold a line, I can do it out there [on cross country].”
Completing the day one top five are local pair Allie Knowles, who brings forward Katherine O’Brien’s 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Morswood (Ricardo Z – Princess in Arms, by Present Arms xx) for his second 5* start after finishing 11th in his debut at Maryland last fall.
“I thought he actually put in a great test,” Allie commented after her ride. “This is only the second time he’s been in this ring, and both times he feels different than any other time I’ve ridden him, and that’s just the atmosphere and lack of experience. I was very happy that he didn’t stop trying, he didn’t let the nerves get the best of him. There’s always room for improvement, but I think this is a good starting spot for the weekend.”
Allie Knowles and Morswood. Photo by Abby Powell.
Morswood was previously campaigned by Great Britain’s Piggy March as well as Ireland’s Susannah Berry, and it was Allie’s longtime coach Buck Davidson who called Allie about the gelding while on a shopping trip for another rider. “He called me and said ‘this is your horse’, there wasn’t even a question,” she said. “Buck hasn’t done me wrong yet — he’s had a hit on almost every horse, so when he said that you have to take it seriously. He’s been my coach for over ten years, he knows my riding, he knows my mental game. He rode the horse and said ‘this is it’.”
Allie says it’s Morswood’s laidback attitude and aggressive attitude on cross country is a good mix for her, noting she’d be stronger on the flat and more timid on cross country. “Him being nervous in here and bold out there is a nice offset,” she explained. “And I love small horses, and he is very small. I think it’s a bit of his pony attitude. All of my best horses are basically ponies.”
Bits & Bobs:
Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope. Photo by Shelby Allen.
It’s thrilling to have British legend Pippa Funnell back here at Kentucky for the first time since the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 — before that, she was only here in 2003 en route to winning the Rolex Grand Slam. For her part, Pippa’s happy to be here with two of her rather strong string (she’s also got two horses — Billy Walk On and MGH Grafton Street — entered at Badminton next week). “It’s lovely to be back,” she said. “For sure at my age, you can question is it the right thing to keep going? But the horses I’ve got are sort of part of my family. They keep me motivated and they’ve made me decide to keep going because I know if I stopped they’d go to other riders, and then I’d lose them as my family. I’ve only got five now eventing and I’ve had them for a long time and I just sort of made the decision. It would’ve been very easy through Covid to make the decision to say no after two years not doing it.”
Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancando. Photo by Abby Powell.
It was an emotional debut at the 5* level for New York-based Booli Selmayr and Millfield Lancado (Lancer II – Fancy II, by Langata Express xx), who overcame some tension in the warm-up with “Lance”, who she said tried extremely hard in the big, imposing Rolex Stadium. Once the ride was over, Booli said, she was able to take a moment to absorb where she was and soak it in. She’s riding in black and blue in honor of her best friend, Jessica Halliday, who passed away after a valiant cancer battle in the fall. “She always wanted me to get to this level, and these are her colors so she could be at Kentucky with me.”
Woods Baughman and C’est La Vie 135. Photo by Shelby Allen.
While perhaps not the ideal test Woods Baughman, the second of our 5* first-timers this weekend, the Kentucky native is looking forward to letting his tall son of Contendro loose on cross country come Saturday. Some traffic in the warm-up caused C’est la Vie 135 (Contendro – Aneke, by Aarking xx) to lose his cool just before the pair had to go down the ramp, and that tension stayed with them throughout their test. In the end, they’ll take a 39.5 into cross country, and Woods is staying practical about it. “I know we didn’t come here to win it, but I would’ve liked to score a little better,” he commented. “But it is what it is, and I’m looking forward to getting out there on Saturday.”
Alexandra MacLeod and Newmarket Jack. Photo by Abby Powell.
Our third debutant, full-time veterinarian Alex MacLeod was also pleased with her horse, Newmarket Jack (Newmarket Jewel – Newmarket Chantepie, by Newmarket Venture), in the first phase today. This pair traveled from California for this event after a whirlwind prep tour in southern California that was truncated by the EHV-1 outbreak. “It’s a dream to be here,” Alex said. “Honestly, he went in there and he did his best. We did a good test for us. We’re not a dressage pair, we’re both fairly green at it and he went in there and was as rideable as he was anywhere.”
Liz Halliday-Sharp in Top Two Places After Day One in Kentucky 4*-S
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. Photo by Abby Powell.
Liz Halliday-Sharp made a big splash in the CCI4*-S, taking first and second place with The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver and Cooley Moonshine, respectively.
The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Womanizer x Kylemore Crystal), who is lovingly called “Monster,”, was the very first horse of the day in front of judges Peter Gray and Bea di Grazia, but his score of 25.7 remained untouched on the first day of dressage for this division.
A big fan of Derek di Grazia’s, Liz is looking for a strong preparatory run ahead of Luhmuhlen this summer. “I think that’s a track that will really suit him, he’s a horse that loves to travel, and I thought since he’s done Kentucky and Pau, it would be great for him to go to Luhmuhlen. It’s been a long-time decision. He’s a quite quirky, wiggly, goofy type of horse. But, he was very professional in the ring. He tried hard for me today, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” she said.
Stablemate Cooley Monshine, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Cobra x Kilpatrick Duchess), sits just a hair behind in second on a score of 26.8.
California’s Helen Alliston captured third with her own Ebay (Escudo x Komtessa). Will Coleman piloted Hyperion Stud’s Chin Tonic HS (Chin Champ x Wildera) into fourth on 28.9, and Dan Kreitl is fifth with Carmango (Chirivell x Taramanga).
>Robin Walker and SBT Barolo (Loughehoe Guy x Tentore Flight) are sixth on 29.3. Seventh place goes to Natalia Neneman and Electric Lux (Lux Z x Kilnamac Sue) with a score of 30.8, and Phillip Dutton is eighth on 31 aboard Quasi Cool (Quo Vados x B-Estelle).
Canada’s Colleen Loach is 9th with FE Golden Eye (Goldfever 3 x Cascade), and Jennie Brannigan rounds out the top ten with Twilightslastgleam (National Anthem x Royal Child).
The four-star continued with dressage Friday morning at 8:00 a.m., followed by the final 5* dressage groups beginning at 1 p.m. EST. If you need more info on what’s happening and when, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Kentucky here.
Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise. Photo by Shelby Allen.
It’s official: WELCOME BACK to Kentucky, everyone! The sun was shining, the crowds were out in full force, the horses were dapper and so were their riders, and we are officially underway in the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by MARS Equestrian.
Hallie Coon and Global Ex. Photo by Shelby Allen.
This afternoon was time to get our first official glimpse of the 5* horses and riders for the First Horse Inspection (the 4*-S horses did not trot today as they did in-barn inspections — they will join the trot-up Sunday morning), where the ground jury of president Nick Burton (GBR) and members Christian Steiner (AUT) and Gretchen Butts (USA). Generally we expect to see a few fresh, fit antics from these horses who’ve spent the last few months building up to peak fitness, but we were sadly disappointed everyone managed to (mostly) keep all four feet on the ground.
Jennie Brannigan and FE Lifestyle. Photo by Abby Powell.
In total, we saw 45 horses present and all pass. Some were asked to be seen twice: Doug Payne’s Quantum Leap was asked to jog twice but not held, while Booli Selmayr (Millfield Lancado) and Alex MacLeod (Newmarket Jack) were both held, but accepted upon re-presentation. There was also some lengthy discussion after Allie Knowles and Morswood jogged, but the horse was accepted afterward.
We’ll update this post with more photos, but the real treat of the day will be the return of our Unofficial Jog Awards, presented by Fairfax & Favor — so stay tuned as Tilly’s already hard at work dishing it out. We hope you brought your thick skin, riders! (Don’t worry, we still love you!)
Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire. Photo by Abby Powell.
Tomorrow we’ll see the start of dressage, with the 4*-S first to see beginning at 8:00 a.m. with Liz Halliday-Sharp and Cooley Quicksilver. The Ground Jury for the 4*-S consists of Peter Gray and Bea di Grazia. The 4*-S test rider will be Nick Larkin with Cellusana Alex Too, and the 5* will test Jeri Fuller-Matheny and Zarcita ahead of the start of competition.
Then at 1:00 p.m. we’ll get underway with the 5*, where we’ll see Will Coleman and Dondante first. We’ll see roughly half of each field on each day.
Abby, Shelby and I are off for a spin around the course, so stay tuned for much more from Kentucky and as always, thank you for following along! Go Eventing.
Spring in Kentucky is fairly unbeatable (until you look at the always-changing weather forecast, maybe). Photo by Sally Spickard.
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No matter how many I walk through the gates (or in my case today, climbed over a fence, I suppose), it will never feel less magical. While this sadly may be one of the sunnier days we’ll see as we get toward the latter part of the week, it was nonetheless the perfect late afternoon to take an early wander around before the gears begin grinding in earnest.
Even though there were hardly any people at Kentucky Horse Park late this afternoon, a certain buzz filled the air as I took a slow walk down the entry path that leads past the main lake in front of Rolex Stadium. Sponsor Row’s tents of trade fair vendors were working on their set-ups and grounds crew were making some adjustments to the facilities in preparation for the record crowds expected beginning tomorrow and Thursday.
fischerChipmunk FRH out for a graze and customary roll. Photo by Sally Spickard.
After greeting a few long-lost buddies in the media center (last year, media numbers were limited and many of our international buddies were unable to make the trek to the behind-closed-doors event), I traipsed off to see who I could find back by the schooling rings and barns.
Zoetis Equine is even more visible as a sponsor this year, supporting all schooling areas, the veterinarian experience, and several fan engagement spots marked by life-sized orange horses scattered about the park. Photo by Sally Spickard.
I’d arrived mostly too late to catch many rides, but the grooms out for an afternoon hand graze were out in full force, adding to the peaceful ambiance with just a hint of buzz. It, of course, helps that the temperatures today didn’t quite top 70 and the winds were a bit strong, making for some perky, bundled-up horses.
Traffic jam, Claus 63 style. Photo by Sally Spickard.
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The weather forecast has declined as we’ve gotten closer to the weekend, and it well could be that tomorrow is our last fully sunny day. But be that as it may, we’re here and we know a little weather won’t scare away the eventing faithful who have waited three years for this weekend.
So buckle in, EN! We’ve got a busy two weeks ahead of us and we’re so happy to have you here following along with us — many of you in person once again. We’ll see you tomorrow at the First Horse Inspection, which will be held at 3 p.m. at High Hope Inspection Lane.
Jennie B. pulls off the skater chic vibe well, if you ask me. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Tamie’s a busy lady in her final stateside event before hopping over to Badminton: Fleeceworks Royal will contest the 5* while Solaguayre California (pictured) and Elliot V will compete in the 4*S. Photo by Sally Spickard.
I would like to sit here to count how many of these elite, 5* event horses spook at this Zoetis horse placed by the lower schooling ring. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Photo by Sally Spickard.
Colleen Loach brings forward her two very talented and exciting younger horses, FE Golden Eye (pictured) and Vermont this weekend in the 4*-S. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Oh hey, a Thomas sighting. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Until then and as always, #goeventing!
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It’s nearly “GO” time at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and we’re keeping you entertained with a steady flow of information as we await the first horse inspection tomorrow afternoon. Today, we’re meeting the 5* riders who are entered to compete this weekend. We’ll be back tomorrow with some fun facts about the field of horses!
Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Ahead of this week’s Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, we’re excited to announce the return of our Pick ‘Em & Win Contest, presented by Horseware!
The rules are simple: predict the winning horse and rider combination, along with the winning score for tie-breaking purposes. This form will close at 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 27 ahead of the first horse inspection. The winner will be determined by the closest to the finishing score. This year’s winner will receive a pair of full-size Horseware Ice Vibe boots, a tried-and-true staple in eventers’ barns for their ease of use and functionality.
To enter, you can use the embedded form below or, if you can’t see the form, click here to access it. Entries will close at 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 27. We’ll draw a random winner from the correct answers Please note: By filling out this form and entering this contest, you agree to receive emails from both Eventing Nation and Horseware. We will not share your information with any other parties, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Indy, 2019 Top Dog Winner. Submitted by Rachael Leneweaver.
It’s time to unroll the slew of contests we’ve got on the docket for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and what better way to kick things off than with the ever-popular Top Dog Photo Contest?
Each year, we ask you, dear EN readers, to shower us with your pooches and you never fail to deliver! And since spectators will be welcomed back to this event for the first time since 2019, it’ll also be the first time we’ll receive all entries from on the ground.
This year we’ve teamed back up with World Equestrian Brands, distributor of several top-quality brands ready to kit out your horse and yourself, to offer an envy-worth Equilibrium Massage Mitt as the prize to our eventual winner. The Equilibrium Massage Mitt is perfect for promoting relaxation and improving flexibility. The Message Mitt is intended for use on muscle groups in the back, neck, quarters, and hamstrings.
SHARE a photo or video of your dog(s) enjoying Kentucky this weekend (the more ridiculous, the better!) on your public Instagram, Twitter or Facebook page
FOLLOW/LIKE both Eventing Nation and World Equestrian Brands on social media
Via Photo Upload:
If social media isn’t your thing, never fear! Use this form to submit your photo. You can also email your photo to [email protected](please include your name + your dog’s name + your zip code) if the form gives you trouble.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at some doggos from past years:
2014 Top Dog, Caitlin O’Shea’s Sophie. Photo by Adam Frizzell
Submitted by Skye-Anna Nye-Smith.
Kaylen Moon’s Top Dog entry, Tucker, ponders his options at Head of the Lake.
Kelly Lasher: “#ENTopDog Brewski in one if his favorite “if I fits, I sits” spots.”
Time to dive into a fresh new edition of Who Jumped It Best? This selection comes to us from the 3*-S and Intermediate divisions at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles, Ca., from behind the lens of Sherry Stewart.
You know the drill, vote for the pair that presents the best overall picture in the poll below. Eternal EN karma to the winner. Good luck!
Josh Barnacle and Bittersweet 2. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Hailey Blackburn and Kilbunny Amigo. Photo by Sherry Stewart
Andrea Baxter and Laguna Seca. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Alessandra Allen Shinn and Fool Me Once. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
James Alliston and Monkey. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Jordan Linstedt and FE Friday. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Kaylawna Smith-Cook and AEV Above Authority. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Kelly Pugh Goodman and Ringwood Trendsetter. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
James Alliston and Irish Pop. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Lauren Billys and Can Be Sweet. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Audrey Sanborn and OBOS Quality Time. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
Buck Davidson and Jak My Style. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
We’ll see a few changes to the running order come cross country day after some key withdrawals from the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, which kicks off next Wednesday. Buck Davidson has withdrawn Kat and Roberto Cuca’s Jak My Style, who was to be the trailblazer as the first drawn in the order. Jak My Style will instead contest the 4*-S at Kentucky, while Buck’s two other rides, Carlevo and Erroll Gobey) will compete in the 5*. This will put Will Coleman with Team Rebecca LLC’s DonDante as the pathfinders come next Saturday.
Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Photo by Shelby Allen.
We will also not see Tight Lines, the quirky and quick French-bred Thoroughbred partner of Will Coleman‘s; the 15-year-old gelding was withdrawn last week.
From Will: “Unfortunately Phish sustained a tendon injury after a gallop in our preparation for Kentucky. He’s going to be fine. Probably out for the year, but we hope to be back strong in 2023.”
Joe Meyer and Johnny Royale. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Also withdrawn is Johnny Royale, the ride of New Zealand’s Joe Meyer, after the 14-year-old Thoroughbred was sold to Eugenia “Bean” Fletcher as a partner to show her the ropes at the Advanced level. “It’s difficult to miss a five-star event and we were not actively marketing him,” Joe commented. “It was just that right person at the right time. The Team Johnny Syndicate has Buccaneer to cheer on at Kentucky (he’s entered in the 4*-S] and the four-star Long at Tryon in the next few weeks. They have been super supportive in this decision and are excited about a new horse to join the syndicate in Johnny’s place.”
Josephine Schnaufer and Pasadena 217. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
German rider Josephine Schnaufer and Pasadena 217 will also not hop aboard a plane to the U.S. after Josephine dislocated her elbow in a fall from another horse, finding herself unable to ride for the next few weeks. She was also concerned that her horse would not achieve the necessary fitness in time for Kentucky. “My plan B is going to Luhmühlen,” she told EN.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on all things Kentucky AND Badminton, so stay tuned for much more.
Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
This isn’t the first time Lexi Scovil has prepped for her 5* debut with Chico’s Man VDF Z (Chico’s Boy – Chardonnay Z, by Caretano Z) — in fact, she’d originally thought she might debut at the level at Pau in Germany instead. That decision was rerouted once the pandemic took hold in 2020.
Determinedly, Lexi entered both Kentucky and Maryland in 2021, but a confidence dip here or an ill-timed abscess there would ultimately result in her early withdrawal from both. So when she pulls into Kentucky Horse Park early next week, it’ll likely feel like at least one monkey gone from her back.
“It’s been a funny couple of years,” Lexi reflected. This was actually our second Rookie interview, our first being ahead of last year’s inaugural Maryland 5 Star. “It’s really disappointing in the moment when the plan doesn’t work out, but my motto is that everything happens for a reason. I have so much more faith in my horse now — he feels softer and stronger.”
Despite the disappointment of missing the previous 5* opportunities, Lexi is looking at it as for the best. “I actually feel really confident going in to the point where maybe we didn’t need to be going to the others.”
With horses, especially the more interesting personality types common among elite athletes, we toe a constant line of pushing through difficulty and “acknowledging when the universe is telling you to back off,” as Lexi puts it. In training horses, there is endless potential to overthink and overanalyze. Lexi, a self-professed overthinker, says in her past run-ups to big events she’s allowed too much clutter into her brain and, as a result, her core training program.
For young professionals who are just coming into their own programs and building their own systems, there is a mounting sense of pressure to “prove” they belong. Whether it be through acquiring more horses to ride, bigger sponsors, more training clients, or more career accomplishments, it’s easy to get pulled in every direction while also chasing something that’s never quite in your reach. It can be overwhelming, and it can make you forget to trust in yourself. Why would you, when everyone else knows better?
Lexi Scovil and Chico’s Man VDF Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
She recalls her preparation for Kentucky in 2021, where she encountered enough bumps along the way that she felt it best to wait for another opportunity. “I asked for a lot of advice from really good people, and kind of cobbled together my plan with their advice rather than going with my gut,” she explained. “And it culminated in my horse not jumping around at Carolina and not feeling confident.”
Upon rerouting to Jersey Fresh — “the best he’d felt up to that point” — Lexi was coming to a realization: she needed to employ her gut instincts more, because her horse responded better when she rode him intuitively.
This has involved selecting “Sprout’s” preparation events with his confidence in mind. “I try to find places to run him quicker and others to just produce him and give him that feeling of confidence to build on.” The result? She says this more intuitive approach, combined with the extra time to build fitness and strength, has made the 12-year-old gelding feel “like a completely different horse” this year. It’s validation for her that she’s on the right track by closing out the chatter — internal and external — and focusing instead on what she knows to work.
“He feels better as a result. I’m going based on how he’s feeling and making sure he trusts me, and I trust him. That pressure off has produced so many more good rides than ever before when I was feeling the crunch,” she explained
So come what may, Lexi says she’s ready for Kentucky to finally become a reality. She competed at Kentucky Horse Park at NAJYRC four years in a row as a junior, finishing as high as third individually in the CCI3*-L (formerly CCI2*) in 2012. In between, she’s had other horses who’ve stepped up the levels, but for one reason or another never quite made that next jump to the 5* level.
Lexi Scovil and Sky Show at NAJYRC in 2012. Photo by Brant Gamma.
“I’ve had a few that I thought maybe would go (five-star), and it always seems to come down to the step up where you realize whether they want to do it badly or quite have the talent or not,” Lexi explained. It was the 4*-S at Chatsworth, a spring fixture on the British Eventing calendar where she and Sprout debuted at the level, that gave her that gut feeling that maybe this horse was the one to do it.
“He did his first four-star at Chatsworth, which I thought was a pretty significant course,” she said. “And he just marched around. I’d always known he had the talent and that was when I first started to believe he would help me get (to five-star). It’s a completely different thing to have ability and to also have the desire to do it and to do it with you.”
It was during her time in England that Lexi rode with and worked for British Olympian and multiple five-star winner William Fox-Pitt. His philosophy — which would probably be “slow and steady wins the race” if summed up in one tidy cliché — has helped her understand the importance of knowing when to push and when to give.
“William was really good with believing that you go out once in awhile to go fast but you’re not there to win every time,” she explained. “So often if you look at his setups for his Badminton horses, they rarely win anything on the way there because he’s out just producing them. So I’ve really tried to just go out and give the horse good jumps so that the next course he had that much more confidence.”
While she admits she’s got some twinges in her stomach these days, Lexi is approaching the week ahead with as much calm as she can cultivate. After the rollercoaster of a ride she’s taken to get to this point, the actual being there and competing are worth enjoying, not just stressing over. “I’m just ready to go and give it a shot. I believe in him so much, so we’re going to go out and have a good time. However it goes, it goes, but I think we’re in the right place mentally and I have confidence because I really know my horse.”
Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack at Twin Rivers last weekend. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
After Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack (Newmarket Jewel – Newmarket Chantepie, by Newmarket Venture) won their second 4*-L, the Area VI fall finale at Galway Downs last November, the question started coming: are you going to Kentucky?
In truth, Alex hadn’t really considered the option seriously. It wasn’t that she felt she and ‘Jack’, her partner since 2014, weren’t ready for the next step – he’d made easy work of this 4*-L, finishing on his dressage mark to seal the win – but rather that it was inopportune timing for her, professionally.
Alex has been featured on EN multiple times throughout her career, and common among all of them is the fact that she’s always preferred to have variety in life. After pursuing horses full-time for a short period, in fact, she found that she missed having something else, too. “I thought I would really like that,” she recalls. “Because I thought I would be happy to focus on just this. And then, as crazy as it is, I really didn’t like it the way I thought I would.”
This observation has led her to now, where she’s in the midst of a specialty diagnostic imaging internship, working full-time and managing Jack’s training and competition in between. In 2021, she moved to Los Angeles for the first part of her residency, splitting her time between work and commuting to and from the barn in the tangled L.A. traffic. In July of this year, she’ll pack up and move once more, this time to begin her residency in Massachusetts.
“I would like to have some more flexibility,” she concedes. Luckily for me, I had caught her in between destinations with some time to catch up on her drive to the barn (the one time L.A. traffic has worked to my advantage, I suppose). “I’m hoping to eventually have a bit more autonomy in my life so horses don’t have to be in the middle of the night. But I definitely like having horses not be the only thing I do.”
Balancing a full-time career with a pursuit of the highest level of a sport is a tall order; arguably, it’s tougher to be in this scenario than it is to be a professional rider. There are less opportunities to practice, less overall time in the saddle, and a limited amount of days you’re allowed to skip work to go off to an event.
For this reason, when Kentucky first began to materialize as a hint of a plan – “I just started daydreaming a little over the winter break and started to sketch out which events I’d like to do, and when I was done I realized the schedule set me up for Kentucky,” Alex explains – one of the first thoughts she had was: “how am I going to get the time off from work?”
Like all working amateurs, Alex has to balance a predetermined amount of paid time off with her event schedule. When a rider is competing at the Advanced and 4* level, travel becomes a necessary part of the gig – but travel eats up vacation days. By the time Alex’s schedule got her to Kentucky, she would need to ask for a whole extra week’s worth of time off.
“I’m very lucky to have a boss who is also a horse person,” Alex said. “She was really supportive and said we’d work out how to get the time off, and I’m really grateful for that.”
It was all systems go for a 5* debut, though it wasn’t what younger Alex would’ve pictured, necessarily. “I always thought I’d be further along in my career, maybe,” she laughs. “Or at least not in the middle of residency with so little flexibility!”
Alex MacLeod and Newmarket Jack put the finishing touches on their Kentucky prep with a steady cross country to finish third in the Advanced. Photo by Sherry Stewart.
A Slight Change of Plans
But the best-laid plans almost came to a screeching halt when the news hit: California was in the throes of a devastating EHV-1 outbreak. Suddenly, the shows she’d circled as her prep events were canceled: first Twin Rivers, followed by Copper Meadows in March. No one wanted to leave the safety of their barns – and the virus even found its way into barns with no in/out traffic. For the month of March, many barns went into lockdown, including Alex’s.
That left Galway Downs, whose date on the first weekend of April lay devastatingly close to the initial date of the competition ban pullback. Organizers at Galway Downs made several adjustments to make the event work, implementing strict biosecurity protocol to mitigate risk.
“All the credit to Galway for pulling the event off,” Alex said. “They really bent over backwards to not only make the event happen but to make it happen in a way where we all felt safe.”
The timing was close, but Alex could still grab two prep runs: one at Galway and one two weeks later at Twin Rivers, giving the pair two weeks in between Twin Rivers and Kentucky. Jack had come back into work feeling incredible, but she’d let the prep runs tell her for sure whether or not her plan was a go.
She needn’t have worried. “He was incredible,” she says of the first run at Galway, where they won the 4*-S. “We didn’t get much practice at all coming into that, and he did really well.”
One more run at Twin Rivers, where they finished third in the Advanced, gave Alex the good feeling she needed to kick on with the plan.
Photo by Sherry Stewart.
‘Where I Want to Be’
We have to imagine that a first time at a big, lifetime goal-caliber event like Land Rover Kentucky can go by in an absolute whirlwind. As much as every rider treats this event like any other, there is still anticipation and build-up – especially this year. Spectators will return to the event for the first time since 2019, and ticket sales are reportedly near record highs. It’s safe to say it will be a special year.
Alex says she’s reminding herself to stop and enjoy it, amidst the excitement and nerves. It’s something she’s dreamed of doing for as long as she can remember. For those of us looking on, it’s a representation of what could be done, even if you aren’t a full-time professional with a string of horses. Even if you hold high career aspirations that lie outside of horses – it can still be done.
“If you want to do it at this level, you’re not really going to lead a balanced life,” Alex says. “But you can do it, and it’s the way I do best. Mentally, I am happier at competitions – maybe I’m not as good at handling pressure as others, but when it’s your career and everything you have and are is riding on that, I find I don’t enjoy it as much. I’m very competitive, I’ve always wanted to do this at a high level, but I also want to have a career.”
That she comes to Kentucky with Jack, the horse she fell in love with despite the fact he was so ‘feral’ that Phillip Dutton, whom she worked for at the time, told her she was not allowed to jump him until his flatwork improved, makes the realization of a longtime goal even more special. The horse may not have been the easiest, but isn’t that often the most rewarding, in the end?
“I’ve never had a doubt about the horse’s ability,” she says. “He doesn’t look particularly impressive when he jumps, but he feels easy and nothing feels like he’s finding it mentally tough or big.”
Of course, Alex explains, she’s tempered her expectations – you don’t know if you’ve got a 5* horse until you have a 5* horse. She’s setting out with a similar attitude to the one she took up at Fair Hill in 2019, ahead of her and Jack’s 4*-L debut.
“At Fair Hill I wanted to be fast where I could, but the time and making the time were irrelevant,” she says. “That wasn’t the point. The point was to have a good, positive ride and to ride him well all the way through, and that’s my goal for Kentucky as well.”
But for Alex it’s largely about appreciation of the horse. Some toil for years and never find an Advanced horse, let alone a 5* horse. Some find one and don’t find another for decades in between. Alex knows this opportunity is special, made even more so by the fact that her family, including her parents Carla and Scott MacLeod, and many close friends from vet school and beyond, will be at the event to cheer her on.
“I don’t know when I’m going to be able to do this again,” she explained. “Of course I hope I’ll do it again with this horse, but you don’t know. I want to take in the moments, not just be so anxious and worried the whole time. I want to remember that I’m where I want to be.”
