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.
Perhaps it’s no longer appropriate to dub these social media round-ups as #RoadToTokyo, as the Tokyo Olympics are officially underway and most of the equestrian athletes are well settled in to their digs at the beautiful Equestrian Park. Dressage competition began today (yesterday? the time zone gymnastics for these Olympics have been making my brain hurt), and you can keep up with the results of day one here.
Before the Games could begin in earnest, though, came the all-important, ever-traditional opening ceremony, which always features artistic displays and proud representations of all nations competing in these Summer Olympics. While spectators have been prohibited from all Olympic events this year due to ongoing Covid protocol, the opening ceremony was nonetheless an event these participants will never forget.
Set to begin their portion of competition this coming Friday, July 29, the eventers have been filling their days with some leg stretching hacks, some schooling sessions and plenty of hand grazing. Access to the air-conditioned indoor arena and other schooling areas is scheduled to allow all nations access while still keeping things distanced. Riders will also have the opportunity to have ring familiarization sessions as well as a training session under the lights before competition begins.
Let’s take a look at the first few days from Tokyo and the opening ceremony through the lens of social media!
Want to stay in the know with all things Olympic eventing? We’re getting ready to kick off daily editions of our Olympic Digest starting Wednesday, July 28. You can sign up for free right here.
It’s a smaller but mighty field tackling the first CCI4*-L of the U.S. summer season at The Event at Rebecca Farm in lovely Kalispell, Mt. If you’ve not had the chance to make the trek to Montana, allow me to reassure you that yes, it’s 1000% worth it and yes, you will want to go back every year.
The FEI competitors along with the Training and Novice Three-Day combinations completed the First Horse Inspection this afternoon in front of the ground jury consisting of president Wayne Quarles along with Robert Stevenson and Helen Brettell. Ian Stark returns this year as the cross country course designer for the FEI levels, which Marc Donovan will design the 4*-L and 4*-S show jumping tracks. Chris Barnard is the show jumping designer for the CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L divisions.
In the CCI4*-L, all nine combinations will move forward to dressage, which begins for this division on Friday. Unfortunately in the 4*-S, Madison Temkin and Dr. Hart were sent to the hold box initially and subsequently not accepted by the ground jury. In the CCI2*-L, Taylor McFall and High Times will also sadly end their weekend early with a scratch from the CCI2*-L. Chin up, ladies, we’re thinking of you – a tough break for these two talented young riders.
We are pleased to have Erin Tomson on the grounds reporting from Rebecca Farm; she’s a gem of a human who also spent her morning volunteering and doing some press for Strides for Equality Equestrians so she’ll be checking in as the week progresses.
We’ll update this post with photos from Hope Carlin from this afternoon. We’ll also see some of her work here on EN for dressage, and then for the jumping phases we are proud to once again partner with Shannon Brinkman Photography, who is the official photographer at Rebecca Farm. If you’re competing this weekend, be sure to check out Shannon’s booth and website to order your photos. Our show photographers and videographers work endlessly hard at these events and we are ever grateful for them! Speaking of videographers, riders at Rebecca Farm can also order their ride videos from Ride On Video, who is also providing the free live stream of the action all week long. You can view the broadcast schedule here (times are listed in Mountain Standard Time) and the live stream here.
You will also see riders wearing black and white ribbons (available at check-in for those of you on site) this week (and beyond) in honor of Annie Goodwin, who passed away last week after a cross country schooling accident and who is sorely missed and deeply loved.
Another important part of this event each year is the Halt Cancer at X program, and you’ll see many riders decked out in pink ribbons or attire this weekend to promote this fundraising drive. Created in memory of Rebecca Farm founder Rebecca Broussard, Halt Cancer at X was launched in 2012 by Sarah Broussard and has since awarded over $700,000 in grants to local organizations and research programs. You can learn more about Halt Cancer at X here.
This week’s coverage is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products – and you can win some cool KPP swag and receive a discount on product all year long just by entering through this simple survey. Good luck!
Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44 (JPN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
We’ve got a few entry updates to the Olympic eventing roster for Tokyo as we count down the days until the first horse goes down centerline.
For Japan, Yoshiaki Oiwa will call upon his experienced partner, Calle 44 (Cristo 5 – Sara IV, by Quebec), substituting for his originally selected horse, Tullyoran Cruise JRA. No further information regarding the switch was given. Calle 44, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding, most recently finished fourth in the CCI3*S at Strzegom last month and also partnered with Yoshiaki for the 2018 World Equestrian Games, where they finished 20th.
Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Riding for Switzerland, Felix Vogg has switched horses to the 13-year-old Westphalian gelding Colero (Captain Fire – Bonita, by Bormio xx) over his originally selected horse, Cartania. Colero most recently finished inside the top 10 in the CCI4*S at Avenches and was also Felix’s partner for the 2018 World Equestrian Games. This pair also finished sixth at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2019.
Jan Kaminski’s Jard (POL). Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The Polish team has also swapped their traveling reserve pair, naming Jan Kaminski and Jard (Czuwaj – Juczinia, by Chef Supreme), an 11-year-old Polish gelding to replace Mateusz Kiempa and Libertina; Mateusz posted on his Instagram that the 12-year-old Brandenburg mare was “not fit to go”. Jan and Jard most recently finished 13th individually in the CCIO4* Nations Cup at Strzegom.
Stay tuned for more news and updates from #Tokyo2020!
Helen Casteel and Unapproachable at the 2019 American Eventing Championships. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
It’s today! The 2021 American Eventing Championships open for entries today! After seeing AEC canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re excited to welcome back one of our favorite competitions each year. The chance not only to rub elbows with some of the best riders in the country but also to celebrate the achievements and milestones of riders at every level is something special. Leslie Wylie will be our boots on the ground for AEC, which is once again being hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. This year’s event will run August 31-September 5, and more information can be found here. Be sure to get your entries in early!
Riders competing at Rebecca Farm this weekend will be wearing black and white ribbons in honor and memory of Annie Goodwin, who tragically passed away after a cross country schooling accident last week. Annie was set to compete at Rebecca Farm with her top partner, Fedarman B. The ribbons are available at check-in for anyone wanting to wear one, per Jennie Brannigan on Facebook.
Want to ride with Allison Springer? Now’s your chance! The five-star rider is hosting Pop UP Clinics at her new farm in Upperville, Va. You can sign up for the first clinic, happening July 24 here.
US Equestrian is managing a Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics hub where you can keep up with all of the latest action from all three equestrian disciplines. Click here to bookmark the Olympic and Paralympic Hub.
How has show jumper Peter Wylde helped the U.S. eventers hone their craft? Find out in this interview with Practical Horseman.
Want to get all of the latest Olympic eventing news in your inbox? Sign up for our free Olympic Digest newsletter, sent each Monday and then daily beginning July 28. Upon sign-up, you’ll receive a welcome message containing links to any editions that were already released. You can view this week’s edition here and sign up here.
To steam or not to steam? That’s the question, and Haygain has a new case study on the effects and benefits of hay steaming in their latest blog.
Olympic Beat:
Take a walk down memory lane in this cool excerpt from The Chronicle of the Horse revisiting the 1964 Olympics, which were also held in Tokyo.
Several new equestrian teams will represent their countries in this year’s Olympic Games. Fielding a team for any sport is a huge accomplishment, and this year we look forward to welcoming new eventing teams from China and Thailand as well as debuts in other disciplines from Morocco, Egypt and more.
A Ugandan weightlifter who went missing from his pre-Olympic camp in Tokyo has been found in a sad illustration of the lengths some will go to escape bad living conditions.
Wednesday Video:
Let’s relive some of the incredible achievements from the Rio 2016 Paralympics:
“What if I fall? Oh my darling what if you fly?”Many tears of joy and gratitude to my best friend and Eventing partner, Rubens D'Ysieux, who just gave me the ride of my life around my first show jumping Grand Prix ♥️🦄 (It was his first one too)Completely my fault getting him way too far off the triple. Still finished 🥉 in this $20,000 class Next stop Millbrook Horse Trials in a month
We know Sara Kozumplink Murphy’s partner, Rubens D’Ysieux, to be a top-quality show jumper who’s always reliable for a good jaunt around the final phase of an event, but come to find out this pair can also call on their “turn and burn” skillset as demonstrated in this quick Grand Prix round!
Sara and Rubens jumped around the $20,000 HITS Open Prix in Culpeper, Va. this past Sunday, finishing in the prize money in third place. Enjoy this speedy round!
It’s a nearly 19-hour flight, in total, from Liege, Belgium to Tokyo, Japan with one brief stop in Dubai along the way, which means our globetrotting eventers have been on a massive journey to the Tokyo Olympics. Luckily, the travel to the Olympics is nearly completed for the event horses, who have begun arriving at the gorgeous Equestrian Park. Eventing does not begin until Friday, July 30 so the teams will have ample time to allow their horses to settle in (do horses get jet lagged?), acclimate and be ready to perform come next week.
Major, major props to all of those behind the scenes orchestrating this traveling circus and the hard-working grooms and support staff who have been there every step of the way taking care of their charges.
Let’s catch up with the travelers as they make their way along their final routes to Tokyo, where our U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican horses have all just arrived!
Oliver Townend (Official)’s Ballaghmor Class (Thomas) gets his first look at Equestrian Park 😎 Groom Jess McKie was on-hand to get him settled in. #tokyo2020 #roadtotokyo #gamesready #behindthescenes
Ever wondered what the view was like from the stadium in the Equestrian Park in Tokyo??Well here it is…..🤩📹 thanks to Irish team vet Marcus Swail EquiVET Ireland
Thanks to the video skills of Team Ireland traveling vet Marcus Swail, we’ve got a bigger glimpse of the Equestrian Park venue in Tokyo, which is set to host the majority of competition for the three equestrian disciplines beginning this weekend with dressage. Cross country for the eventing competition will be held on Sea Forest Island, requiring trailer transportation for the horses.
A glimpse at Sea Forest Island from Dr. David Marlin:
A view of the Tokyo Olympics xc course that you probably won’t see!Dr David Marlin has landed in Tokyo ready to work…
I’ll be on the ground in Tokyo beginning July 26, and after a brief isolation period with any luck I’ll be seeing the sights for myself – and sharing them with you! Thanks for following along as we inch closer to the #Tokyo2020.
We’ve been treated to some incredible content this year as Great Britain’s Piggy March created a vlog to keep her followers up to speed on her training and competitions. In her latest vlog, Piggy takes some time to be vulnerable after news broke this week that she and Brookfield Inocent, owned by John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn, would not be traveling to the Tokyo Olympics as traveling reserve. Great Britain will instead send 2018 World Equestrian Games champion Ros Canter and Allstar B as traveling reserve; the team departed for Tokyo this week from their Pre-Export Quarantine at the British National Showjumping Training Centre.
It was a tough decision from all parties involved, and at the end of the day the decision was made to not have “Arthur” travel all the way to Tokyo to potentially sit on the sidelines. With the European Championships approaching in September, the preparation for that event would have been tough to complete with a trip to Tokyo in between, and with this year’s Olympics limiting the number of owners allowed to travel as spectators, Piggy’s owners elected to take the tough decision not to send Brookfield Inocent.
“I am totally behind my owners, I do understand where they’re coming from,” Piggy reflected in her vlog. “It is a massive ordeal for potentially a horse to go out there and do nothing.”
But that doesn’t make the disappearance of another Olympic dream any easier to stomach; Piggy narrowly missed out on a berth for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics held in London after both of her top prospects sustained injuries. Understandably, she admits that this has been a month of ups and downs, a lot of feeling of failure or not being good enough. “I have cried a lot, I have banged my head against the wall, it has been fairly grim to be honest,” she said. “As an athlete, it’s all you want to do. You try everything you can do and you feel somewhere along the lines you’ve let your horse down.”
Piggy hugs Brookfield Inocent. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It was a moment back at her lorry at Keysoe, the weekend after the British team exhibition at Windsor, that helped bring Piggy back around. Her four-year-old son, Max, noticed his mother was upset and asked why she was sad. She told him she just wasn’t good enough, that she hadn’t been good enough. Max thought about this for a second and reminded his mom of how many trophies she had in her home. “Don’t give up,” he told her. “Don’t be sad.”
Piggy says her family reads a lot of Peter Rabbit, and one of their favorite sayings from the books is “A good rabbit never gives up”.
“As with everything, time is a good healer and I have got better at sort of being able to talk about it or understand it,” she said. She reiterated several times during her vlog that her intent with her reflection was not to elicit sympathy or spark a debate or, most importantly, to put her owners or the selection process down. Her ownership team has been absolutely wonderful and supportive through the years, she says. “They’re very passionate about the sport, they’ve been fabulous through the years.”
The depth that Great Britain has is undeniable; without a doubt, the selectors could likely have picked an entirely different team of three and had just as strong of an offering for Tokyo. We’re gutted for Piggy and her team and we look forward to seeing them kick on later this year, with any luck at the European Championships, which are currently slated to be held at Avenches in Switzerland September 22-26. A crowdfunding effort has been launched to help the event meet its goals.
It’s time to recap our big winners from this weekend’s recognized events! This weekend, our Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Jennifer Brown and Simply Classic, who won their Intro division at Full Moon Farm on a score of 18.8. Congratulations, you two!
Intermediate/Preliminary: Rebecca Hors and Little Cruz (36.7)
Open Preliminary: Megan Edwards and Loughnatousa Reiner (32.3)
Preliminary/Training: Hannah Brandt and Philosophical (32.5)
Modified/Training: Cora Severs and Cuervo (26.1)
Jr. Training: Breeana Robinette and Cape Kimberly (25.9)
Open Training: Jennifer Coleman and SS Palantir (24.8)
Sr. Training A: Corey Evans and Prairie Rose (30.8)
Sr. Training B: Cecilia Jones and Mooney Maguire (31.3)
Training Horse: Megan Edwards and Spotted Chap (24.3)
Training/Novice: Alyssa Plewacki and Elixir (32.1)
Jr. Novice A: Larkin Albarado and SF Lil Bit O Texas (31.4)
Jr. Novice B: Victoria Baugh and Curioso (27.1)
Novice Horse A: Seth Chapman and Imperial Scout (30.0)
Novice Horse B: Michelle Zhuravlev and Standing Ovation (28.5)
Open Novice: Bernard Morauw and VC Questera (22.6)
Sr. Novice A: Annie Garrett and Color Me Surprised (25.2)
Sr. Novice B: Arielle Ferrell and Parkmore’s Miss Demeanor (25.5)
Sr. Novice C: Madeline Bletzacker and Landtino S (26.2)
Beginner Novice Horse A: Bennett Adkins and Max Q (29.5)
Beginner Novice Horse B: Laura Crowl and C’Zara (22.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice A: Lillian Roberts and Go Right Guppie (32.1)
Jr. Beginner Novice B: Amma Yamada and Manning (27.0)
Jr. Beginner Novice C: Sidnee Milner and Peter Pan (33.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Shelley Peters and The Mystery Machine (29.0)
Open Beginner Novice B: Hannah Reeser and Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (21.3)
Sr. Beginner Novice A: Makinley Neill and D’Stinctive (25.8)
Sr. Beginner Novice B: Erica Stokes and Milky Way (20.5)
Sr. Beginner Novice C: Kelly James and Isle of Capri (31.5)
Jr. Starter A: Sabine Nicoson and Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo (33.1)
Jr. Starter B: Brianna Nackes and Simply I Suppose (33.1)
Sr. Starter A: Adalee Ladwig and Symphony Dansee (29.2)
Sr. Starter B: Stephanie Calendrillo and Donkey (26.7)
Summer Coconino Western Underground Inc. H.T.: Final Scores
Intermediate CT: Travis Atkinson and Don Darco (33.9)
Preliminary CT: Frederic Bouland and Fairwinds 54 (43.6)
Preliminary Open: James Atkinson and Archenemy (28.3)
Training Open: Reagan Pickering and Denfer des Sablons (28.2)
Novice Open A: Chris Kawcak and Maggie Belle (23.3)
Novice Open B: Laura Worl Kober and Sterling Impression (24.8)
Beginner Novice Jr.: Emma Luke and Accreditation (28.8)
Beginner Novice Open: Melanie Hall and Inside Straight (28.0)
Beginner Novice Rider: Ava Chase and Kingston (31.0)
Intro Open: Violet Pickering and Practical Magic (31.7)
Pre-Competition Open: Vanessa Barnes and My Shining Star (43.3)
Open Preliminary: Hannah Sue Burnett and Coolrock Wacko Jacko (30.2)
Preliminary Rider: Jamie Leuenberger and Tough and Groovy (39.1)
Open Training: Hannah Sue Burnett and Chakiris Star (26.6)
Training Rider A: Jenny Lackey and Dallo De La Galerna (35.8)
Training Rider B: Kristin Michaloski and Ice Breaker (38.5)
Novice Rider A: Devon Champlain and Champagne Event (30.7)
Novice Rider B: Leeci Rowsell and Man of Conviction (28.6)
Open Novice: Meg Kepferle and Dassett Profile (25.7)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Willow Palmer and Schocolatine (22.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Grace Harvey and Phantom of my Dreams (32.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Alina Bittle and Caparo WG (31.3)
Congratulations Charlotte Carrajat, winner of the Golden Nugget award! The Golden Nugget award is given lowest scoring pony club member 18 or under, awarded by Clarissa Wilmerding! #2021EssexHorseTrials
Open Training: Cindy Buchanan and Fabby Abbey (35.9)
Training Rider: Maggie Buchanan and 3, 2, 1 Blastoff (25.5)
Novice Rider A: Devin Handy and Connect the Dots (26.0)
Novice Rider B: Melissa McNally and Land of Jewels (24.5)
Open Novice: Emily Hamel and Excel Star Future Hero (34.3)
Beginner Novice Rider A: William Slater and Sir Wallace (33.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Rachel Narrow and Pretty In Pink (29.7)
Beginner Novice Rider C: Mary D’Alonso and B.E. Crusieland (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice A: Heidi Wardle and Generalist (30.0)
Open Beginner Novice B: Leigh Boyd and Champlain Shakespeare (19.7)
Intro A: Celeste Pokora and Killian (23.5)
Intro B: Jennifer Brown and Simply Classic (18.8)
Intro C: Lily Bisson and Sedona (25.5)
Starter: Isabelle R. Strouble and Just My Size (34.4)
Open Modified: Jocelyn Have and Cadbury VT (31.7)
Open Training A: Amy Snyder and Genuine Offer (30.5)
Open Novice A: Tessa Bennett and Beck and Call (31.9)
Open Novice B: Kelly Beglane and Ali’s Winner (33.1)
Open Novice C: Peytyn Gear and Dublin Red (30.2)
Open Beginner Novice A: Taylor Wing and Time To Tango (28.0)
Open Beginner Novice B: Carol Kozlowski and Kieran (28.8)
Open Beginner Novice C: Meredith Junko and Danielle Sinclair (30.3)
Open Beginner Novice D: Sophie Gardner and Slane Iceman (26.5)
Open Intro A: Suzanne Chang and Brogan (30.6)
Open Intro B: Karen Kelley and FGF King Red (25.8)
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
In all of the hustle and bustle surrounding the upcoming Olympics, it’s somewhat easy to forget that a whole eventing calendar continues to tick – and this week we’ve got the most beautiful of all events (yes, I’m inserting my personal opinion here but I bet I’m not alone!) coming up: The Event at Rebecca Farm. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, and with 26 full divisions running beginning Wednesday the action promises to be nonstop.
Set in picturesque Kalispell, Montana, The Event at Rebecca Farm is the manifestation of determination to continue the legacy of the former Herron Park event while also growing the sport and creating a destination event that riders from all over the country would want to travel to. With an annual economic impact of $4.4 million, the event has become a staple for the Kalispell area and beyond – and this year promises to be one of the best in recent memory as the event welcomes back spectators.
Lots of pink ribbons will be on display to promote breast cancer awareness and Rebecca Farm’s Halt Cancer At X initiative. And yes, that bum belongs to Sandro’s Star. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
In addition to the top-notch competition, Rebecca Farm is well-known for its dedication to its Halt Cancer at X program, launched in 2012 in memory of The Event’s founder, Rebecca Broussard. Creative fundraising is the name of the game and proceeds have enabled Halt Canter at X to award over $700,000 in grant funding to local organizations and research projects.
In short, the Broussard family has dedicated their lives and livelihoods to this event and to the overall sport, and our gratitude for their ongoing contributions will never seem sufficient.
Each year, we look forward to Rebecca Farm, having circled it on our calendars (and, for those competing, sending in entries the SECOND they open) months before. This year, we’re pleased to welcome Erin Tomson, who has contributed to Eventing Nation in the past and who is also a member of Strides for Equality Equestrians, as our boots on the ground. We’ll also be working with Shannon Brinkman Photography and Hope Carlin to bring you snapshots from Montana, and Ride On Video will be providing a free live stream of the action. Our coverage of Rebecca Farm is presented by Kentucky Performance Products.
Ros Canter and Allstar B. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Today British Equestrian announced a change to its traveling roster for the Tokyo Olympics, just as the bulk of the event horses are beginning their respective journeys to the final destination in Japan. Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent, who had been tapped as traveling reserve pair for the British squad, will now be replaced by 2018 World Equestrian Games champion Ros Canter and her longtime partner, Allstar B (Ephebe For Ever x Erkstein).
After careful consideration and full collaboration between Performance Director Richard Waygood and the owners of Brookfield Inocent, Alison Swinburn, and John and Chloe Perry, it has been decided that ‘Arthur’ will not travel to Tokyo for the Olympic Games. This decision has been made with the understanding and support of their rider, Piggy March.
Alison Swinburn, on behalf of the owners, said: “The chance to represent your country on the Olympic stage is the pinnacle of every owner’s ambition but, taking everything into account, we have to put those dreams on hold for now. We wish the best of luck to the team in Tokyo, and they’ll have no bigger supporters as we all cheer them on.”
Richard Waygood added: “Tokyo will be a Games like no other and I’m grateful to Piggy and her owners, Alison, John and Chloe, for their openness and consideration around what was an extremely tough decision. We hope to see Piggy and Arthur in British team colours in the future.”
This brings into the squad the reigning World Champions, Ros Canter and Allstar B, owned by Ros and Caroline Moore, as travelling reserves.
Full combination details:
Rosalind Canter (35) based in Hallington, Lincolnshire, with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B (bay, gelding, 16yrs, 17hh, Ephebe For Ever x Erkstein, Breeder: FAJ Van der Burg NED, Groom: Sarah Charnley)
As things begin to ramp up to fever pitch levels for the athletes heading to Japan for the Tokyo Olympics, we’re seeing an increased level of movement from the eventers on their various paths to Asia. The eventers are the second group of equestrian athletes to arrive in Olympic Village, and the U.S. horses are due to arrive tomorrow on Japanese soil.
Support personnel for Team USA, including the majority of the traveling grooms and USEF Eventing Managing Director Jenni Autry, have traveled ahead to prepare for the horses’ arrivals, while the riders and grooms Emma Ford, Christina Curiale and Hailey Burlock see to the horses’ departures from Aachen.
Here’s a look at the last couple of days for our North American based friends, starting with the most satisfying video of Courtney Carson packing for Vandiver’s next travel leg:
We’re getting achingly close to the final travel day for our event horses, grooms and riders as the Tokyo Olympics rapidly approaches. The dressage horses have already flown the coop as the first to hit the ground in Tokyo and will be closely followed by the eventers early this coming week. The show jumping horses and riders will be the final group to head into Pre-Export Quarantine before going on to Japan.
Yesterday, we caught up with Doug Payne’s well-traveled head groom, Courtney Carson, who caught us up on the happenings at camp in Aachen, Germany. Luckily, the sun seemed to poke its head out yesterday, so here’s hoping for drier days after western Germany and northwest Europe were devastated by heavy flooding over the past week.
Let’s take a look at what the event horses and their humans have gotten up to in the last couple of days, and stay tuned for much more to come from the long and winding #RoadToTokyo!
Last but not least, we took a trip around the (Instagram) world to find out what nearly all of the other event riders on their various paths to Tokyo. Don’t forget to follow everyone to show your support!
We were lucky enough to grab a few minutes of Doug Payne’s head groom Courtney Carson’s time today as she and the rest of Team USA make their final preparations for the last leg of travel to the Tokyo Olympics. The team has been in Pre-Export Quarantine at CHIO Aachen in western Germany and are getting ready to fly out to Tokyo early next week.
Catch up with Courtney and learn what life’s been like in Germany in our recorded Instagram Live. For more answers to your questions, hop on to the @usefeventing Instagram Story for a few short interviews with the team! And lastly, follow us on Instagram (@goeventing) for more as we get closer to Tokyo 2020.
We know that horses are flown all over the world on a regular basis, but it’s not every day we get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes view at the logistics involved in equine transport.
Peden Bloodstock is the logistics arm of the trek to the Tokyo Olympics, and with nearly 200 horses in need of global transport to Japan it’s good to have a wealth of experience on hand to ensure things stay on schedule. This short video from the FEI illustrates the planning and logistics that have gone into transporting the earliest Tokyo arrivals, the dressage horses and riders, to their final destinations. In a few days’ time, they’ll do it all again in reverse.
Some interesting statistics from this video:
15 flights will travel in and out of Tokyo over the coming days to transport the Olympic horses
100,000 kg / 220,462 lbs of equipment will be transported
60,000 kg / 132,277 lbs of feed will be transported
About 10 people are on the flight, including a Peden Bloodstock professional groom and a vet
German dressage rider Isabell Werth always accompanies her horses on flights
Temperatures on board range from 57-62 degrees Fahrenheit / 14-17 degrees Celsius
Horses flying from Liege airport in Belgium will stop briefly in Dubai before continuing on to Tokyo Haneda airport, with a total flight time of just over 18 hours
Stay tuned for more from Tokyo as we hurtle toward the Olympics, which open on Friday, July 23.
Annie Goodwin and Fedarman B. Photo by Shelby Allen.
We are heartbroken to report that Annie Goodwin, a professional rider who competed through the CCI4* level and based in Aiken, Sc., has passed away after a cross country schooling accident at Stable View Farm at the age of 32. Stable View released the following statement to the USEA:
We at Stable View are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Annie Goodwin, a beloved local rider. She was an exceptional Eventer.
The tragic accident happened on Wednesday afternoon while schooling over a Training level obstacle. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injury shortly thereafter at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The horse was not injured in the accident.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Annie’s family and loved ones. Please have consideration and respect for all involved during this difficult time.
Stable View will be closed for the next two weeks while our community grieves.
Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to Annie’s family and loved ones.
We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to let you know that if you don’t have a Haygain hay steamer in your barn, you are truly missing out on not just endless respiratory benefits but also the best smell in the world. If you see me with my head stuck in a Haygain at any point, just go about your business.
As the athletes heading to Tokyo hit the road, one essential part of the packing for many was a High-Temperature Haygain Hay Steamer. A gold standard indeed!
Cool (and impactful) job alert! Mulatto Meadows, the home ranch of Brianna Noble and the Humble access program, has moved to a new, sustainable ranch in Castro Valley, Ca. This move brings about a need for a Program Manager/Instructor to help run a growing program. Click here to see the full job description.
Not super familiar with Brianna or Mulatto Meadows? You can learn more about this awesome program here. You can also read about the new facility here.
We are pleased to support Strides for Equality Equestrians and the access programs/equestrian nonprofits that are listed within its Access Directory. All throughout the Olympics – one of our peak traffic periods – we’ll be sharing tidbits about each program in the Directory on our platforms, so stay tuned for more!
Kim Walnes sits down with Glenn the Geek on the latest episode of the Stable Scoop podcast to reflect on grief. Kim, who competed as a member of the U.S. team in the 1980s with her legendary partner, The Grey Goose, lost her daughter 30 years ago to murder. It’s a frank and open conversation you won’t want to miss.
Olympic Beat:
Alex Hua Tian writes about the countdown to the Olympics, the magnitude of riding as a part of Team China, and the pre-travel quarantine protocol each member is following in this blog for Equestrian Surfaces.
An “unprecedented” amount of broadcast coverage is expected for the Tokyo Olympics, which open on July 23. A forecasted increase of 30% over the amount of broadcast content produced in Rio in 2016 is expected to cover multiple channels the world over. With no spectators, foreign or domestic, allowed to take in the Games, the broadcast now becomes even more critical for the success of the Games. Where will you be watching from?
What does U.S. Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander have to say about all of the Tokyo preparations and lead-up?Practical Horseman‘s Julia Murphy sat down to chat with Erik about what he’s been working on with the riders heading to the Olympics, what trajectory the team is on in the final lead-up and more in this article.
Want to get all of the latest Olympic eventing news in your inbox? Sign up for our free Olympic Digest newsletter, sent each Monday and then daily beginning July 28. Upon sign-up, you’ll receive a welcome message containing links to any editions that were already released. Sign up here.
Wednesday Video Break: “Historians estimate that one in four cowboys were African American, though you’d never guess because the conventional Hollywood image of a cowboy is a white man. Black cowboys have been written out of history, along with the original cattle-raising Native Americans and Mexican vaqueros who taught them. So what are the real origins of cowboy culture in the US? And is there more to modern black cowboy culture than Old Town Road and Lil Nas X? The Guardian‘s Josh Toussaint-Strauss talks to some of the Black riders who are keeping the history of Black cowboy culture alive.”
We’ve shared many a Bobbie Jones helmet cam here on EN in the past, and now Bobbie, who is based in Kentucky, has shared with us some rider’s eye views from her side gig galloping racehorses.
“I started (galloping) in November of 2019,” Bobbie told EN. “Galloping racehorses was something always wanted to do ever since I saw The Black Stallion when I was three, so when a good friend of mine offered me the opportunity I jumped on it!”
Bobbie, who also works as a vet tech in addition to eventing, says she tries to get out on the track as often as she can. “It’s a lot harder than I originally thought,” she said. “I figured since I can do 30-40 minute trot sets and gallop cross country courses that it would be a breeze…I was greatly mistaken! Galloping racers make you use muscles you didn’t know you had!”
Despite the challenges, Bobbie says galloping has made her physically stronger and given her a better understanding of off-track Thoroughbreds. A regular face in Thoroughbred Incentive Program competitions, Bobbie says this experience will only help her in her retraining process. “I wish more people would come to the backside of tracks and see what goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “These horses are so well loved by their owners, trainers, grooms and riders.”
Take a spin with Bobbie and hang on! Thanks for sharing!
We’re just 10 days away from the Opening Ceremony at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and all systems are ticking along as the horses and riders continue on in their Pre-Export Quarantine or, for some lucky dressage horses, begin to make their final preparations to fly to Tokyo.
Today’s activities for Team USA included some much-needed time on Aachen’s gorgeous gallop track to blow off some steam as well as some flatwork practice. It’s looking a bit chilly and rainy in Germany and seems that the weather might remain a bit damp for the next few days. Let’s take a look at what our friends from North America been up to via social media:
Today Shane Rose & Virgil and Stuart Tinney & Leporis had their final gallop before departing Australia for #Tokyo2020 #AusEquestrianTeam #EAHighPerformance #Equestrian #Eventing #camp
And we’ve seen the first equine arrival at the Tokyo Olympics Equestrian Park! Dressage will be the first discipline to open the Games, so we’ll see most of these horses arriving in Japan in the coming days.
𝗧𝗢𝗞𝗬𝗢 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬| Mary Hanna and Calanta have touched down in Tokyo and have settled into the #Tokyo2020 Olympic stables!#Dressage #Equestrian #MaryHanna #AusEquestrianTeam #EAHighPerformance
Stuart Tinney and Leporis on their way to a second place finish in the 2019 Aus3DE CCI5*. Photo courtesy of Kirsty Pasto.
Originally selected as traveling reserve for the Australian Olympic eventing team, Stuart Tinney and Leporis will now step up to fill Chris Burton’s shoes after Chris, a two-time Olympian, withdrew Quality Purdey. Chris Burton finished fifth individually for Australia in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 aboard Santano II.
[Update] July 13 at 8:27 p.m. EST: Equestrian Australia has sent out the following joint statement from EA and Chris Burton regarding the withdrawal of Quality Purdy:
With great disappointment, we confirm Chris Burton and Quality Purdey have unfortunately withdrawn from the Tokyo 2020 Australian Eventing Team.
Following pre-Olympic Veterinary inspections it was determined that Quality Purdey has sustained a minor injury, and although with time will make a full recovery, the decision has been made that her welfare shall not be compromised.
We wish to acknowledge the exceptional horsemanship and overall sportsmanship displayed by Chris Burton throughout this process. Despite the personal disappointment of forfeiting his place on the Australian Team, which would have been his third Games, Chris’s concern was Quality Purdey’s well being and the overall best interest of the Australian Equestrian Team.
“It shows the strength of the Australian squad, that Clever Louis, who is fit and sound, wasn’t selected as my replacement,” said Chris Burton of the situation.
Reserve combination Stuart Tinney and Leporis, who will be supported by co-owner and groom Karen Tinney, will now move into the team. Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam, owned by Scuderia 1918, and supported by groom Lucy Hartley, have been named as the travelling reserve combination.
Stuart Tinney will pilot the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding Leporis (Lasino – Miss Danny, by Heraldik), who is owned by Stuart and Karen Tinney. This pair took second in Leporis’ first five-star at the 2019 Australian International and has finished outside of the top 10 at the four-star level just once in eight starts. Stuart had originally pinned his Tokyo hopes on Elisabeth Brinton’s Celebration, but the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding sustained “an unforeseen paddock injury” removing himself from contention for selection.
Athletes basing in Australia have been undergoing Pre-Export Quarantine at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, home of the Sydney 2000 Olympic equestrian events, before departing for Japan.
Let’s recap the big winners from the recognized events happening all over the country (and north of the border, too)! This weekend, our Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Melissa Alaimo and Fascinating Rhythm, a Clydesdale-Thoroughbred mare who lived up to her name and earned a 20.2 finishing score in the Open Novice at Huntington Farm. Congratulations!
Open Intermediate A: Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill (30.1)
Open Intermediate B: Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Monte Carlo (30.9)
Open Preliminary: Andrew McConnon and D’Luxe Steel (27.2)
Preliminary Rider: Katarina Midgley and Ditch (29.6)
Modified A: Lauren Nicholson and Windchase Starfire (30.7)
Modified B: Nataly Pacheco and Forrest Nymph (27.6)
Open Training: Julie Richards and Montsant (31.0)
Training Rider: Katherine Walling and Somestarsomewhere (30.5)
Novice Rider A: Katie Beninati and Rumer MWF (32.1)
Novice Rider B: Brianna Uhlmer and Angelo II (23.3)
Open Novice A: Katie Malensek and Mei-Fleure (28.4)
Open Novice B: Jenny Caras and Primetime Spy (30.9)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Ella Hubert and Here Comes the Sun (38.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Harper King and Intrepide (26.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Lauren Lambert and Fernhill Liverpool (29.2)
Jr/YR Preliminary: Audrey Littlefield and Prince Renan (31.3)
Preliminary: Anna Loschiavo and Fernhill That Guy Jack (28.5)
Jr. Training: June Clark and Dealin’ Diamonds (42.5)
Open Training A: Lisa Niccolai and Celtic Kharacter (27.9)
Open Training B: Ayden Schain and Big Sam (35.4)
Jr. Novice: Geneva Ruml and James Bond 007 (35.1)
Novice Saturday: Alison Eastman-Lawler and Lexington II (28.0)
Open Novice A: Melissa Alaimo and Fascinating Rhythm (20.2)
Open Novice B: Francesca Weeks and Antonya (27.4)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Eleanor Winter and Figlio (24.4)
Open Beginner Novice A: Kate Homan and Steve’s Sonata (31.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: Susan Berrill and Lally Move On (29.7)
Many thanks to Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto for sending these winner shots from Huntington Farm. Don’t forget to support your show photographers and videographers by ordering!
Alison Eastman-Lawler and Lexington II (Novice). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
June Clark and Dealin’ Diamonds (Jr. Training). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Francesca Weeks and Antonya (ON-B). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Susan Berrill and Lally Move On (OBN-B). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Audrey Littlefield and Prince Renan (Jr/YR P). Photo courtesy of Joan Davis/Flatlandsfoto.
Open Intermediate A: Allison Springer and Business Ben (38.9)
Open Intermediate B: Allison Springer and Crystal Crescent Moon (38.4)
Open Preliminary A: Ema Klugman and RF Redfern (30.2)
Open Preliminary B: Martin Douzant and Olympus (32.0)
Preliminary Rider: Zara Flores-Kinney and Elusive Dassett (36.1)
Modified Rider: Casey Poe and HHS Tiger Lily (34.3)
Open Modified: Martin Douzant and Beall Spring Seahawk (28.3)
Open Training A: Mike Pendleton and Ad Lib (28.1)
Open Training B: Lynn Symansky and Bounce 6 (24.8)
Open Training C: Wendy Pickenpaugh and Padis Celtic Measure (33.8)
Open Training D: Allison Springer and Castlefarm Querly Bet (28.6)
Jr. Training: Emma Wick and Avalon Realta (26.9)
Open Novice A: Alexandra Peterson and Captain Crunch (24.8)
Open Novice B: Robyn Weaver and Wishbone (27.6)
Novice Rider A: Alexis Horn and Doctor Jones (28.6)
Novice Rider B: Ashley Brush and Rhythm & Blues (33.8)
Novice Rider C: Nancy Seybold and Eli (29.8)
Jr. Novice A: Abigail Mazzatta and DCE Pandora’s Dream (33.1)
Jr. Novice B: Maya Kozauer and Rhapsody In Red (25.0)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Dawn Cregger and Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter (28.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Emma Hayes and Where’d It Go (31.9)
Open Beginner Novice A: John Secan and Potter (28.9)
Open Beginner Novice B: Brooke Bayley and Carrick Diamond Toome (26.9)
Jr. Beginner Novice A: Sasha Pittman and Highly Suspect (30.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice B: Madison Springle and Andante (32.9)
Round Top H.T.: Many thanks to Jonathan Horowitz for sending in the following recap from Round Top in Castle Rock, Co.!
Rose Schild and According to Morgan finished on their dressage score of 24.8 at the Round Top Horse Trials for their second win in a row at Training in Area IX events. Photo by Kathleen Bryan.
The Round Top Horse Trials in Castle Rock, Colorado returned on Saturday after a hiatus in 2020 with a 30-percent increase in entries from 44 the last time the event was run in 2019 to 57 in 2021. Levels from Intro to Training were offered in a one-day format.
“This is an opportunity for the young horses to get out and have a good experience,” organizer Libby Stokes said.
At Training, two of the six entrants finished on sub-30 dressage scores, with the 24.8 of Rose Schild and her 13-year-old bay Zweibrucker mare According to Morgan edging the 27.9 of Ashley Horowitz and her 5-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare Tiny Dancer. It was the second blue ribbon in a row for Schild and According to Morgan after winning at Training at The Event at Archer in June.
Tiare Santistevan and L’Orange, a 14-year-old bay Holsteiner gelding that is part of a riding program at Colorado State University where Santistevan is an instructor in the Equine Sciences Program, won Novice with a dressage score of 23.8 and clear cross country and stadium jumping rounds. It was just the second recognized event ever for “Larry” after Archer one month ago. They earned Round Top’s longstanding Pawn of Prophecy Trophy as the Novice champion in a field of 17. Rowan Sisk and Silver Lining were second, finishing on their dressage score of 29.8.
Emmy Williams won at Beginner Novice with Fortunate Rebel, an 11-year-old grey Irish Sport Horse gelding that was previously based in Florida. They finished on their dressage score of 25.3 in a field of 21 in their first event together. Vicki Baker and Midnight Grace were second with 27.0, and Amy Bowers and Black Velvet were third with 29.0 as the other sub-30 scores.
At Intro, Mindy Wiper and Dorothee won with a score of 25.6 in a field of 11. The Intro level featured the lowest dressage score of the day, a 17.8 by Madeline Backus and San Ampere, although they withdrew after cross country.
The next event in Area IX will be the Spring Gulch Horse Trials in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on August 7 and 8.
CCI3*-S: Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (38.4)
CCI2*-S: Melissa Boutin and Obeah Dancer GS (40.0)
Open Intermediate: Lindsay Beer-Drury and Kennystown Frankie (47.6)
Open Preliminary: Holly Jacks-Smither and Candy King (25.7)
Open Training: Holly Jacks-Smither and Josephine (31.4)
Training: Claudia Oppendisano and God of Thunder (27.6)
Jr. Pre-Training: Morgan Parker and Rush Hour (31.3)
Open Pre-Training: Katie Bondrager and Glendening Norma Jean (30.8)
Sr. Pre-Training: Jay Hambly and Captain Midnight (28.2)
Jr. Entry: Tori Horan and High Card (30.3)
Open Entry: Carolyn Pass Cormier and Noble Marabella (28.1)
Sr. Entry: Suzanne Stieglmayr and Zarona Too M (25.6)
The horses and riders selected to represent their countries at the postponed 2020 Olympics in Tokyo have begun their respective journeys to Asia, with some stopping in quarantine in Aachen and others isolating in private facilities ahead of their final haul to Japan. We’re enjoying keeping up with the movements of the athletes via social media, and today we’ve got some new “arrivals” to follow, including representatives from Great Britain, Australia, and others.
We’re hard at work ramping up our Olympic coverage as we’re less than two weeks away from the Opening Ceremony on July 23. The Olympic eventing will begin dressage competition on Friday, July 30 and conclude on Monday, August 2. Want to keep up with Olympic eventing updates via email? Sign up for our free Olympic Digest, sent each Monday and then daily beginning July 28.
This week, the U.S. horses will spend some time honing their dressage and show jumping with Martin Plewa and Peter Wylde and enjoying all that the incredible CHIO Aachen facility has to offer. The traveling contingent of grooms who are accompanying the horses and riders have also been hard at work making their charges comfortable, stretching legs while waiting for riders to arrive, and all in all keeping the whole ship running. You all are our heroes! Make sure to thank a groom today.
Peden Bloodstock is operating the Pre-Export Quarantine at CHIO Aachen – here’s a look at some of the logistical scheduling courtesy of Tamie Smith:
Now for the social goodies! Don’t forget to follow all of your favorite riders and grooms to see more behind the scenes from the #RoadToTokyo.
We spend a lot of time talking about the results from recognized events each week, but let’s not forget about the spectacular schooling show opportunities that also exist as an additional way to experience eventing! Whether you’re looking for miles for a young horse, you’re new to the sport of eventing and want to try something new in a fun environment, or you simply don’t feel like or have the hundreds of dollars needed for showing at the recognized level, schooling shows like Stable View’s Eventing Academy are designed for every horse and rider.
The Stable View Eventing Academy is held periodically in Aiken, Sc. and features a flagged schooling day with rings and the cross country course available for practice on the first day, followed by a three-phase unrecognized show the second day. Participants can choose to just come and practice, or they can stay for the entire weekend and make it an experience. The price tag on the whole shebang? $70 for cross country schooling and $150 for the three-phase schooling horse trials. Pony Club members also receive a discount on their Eventing Academy entry.
Stable View has just wrapped up its July Eventing Academy, and you can view the results here. The next Eventing Academy is lined up for August 7 and 8, and you can learn more about the series and fill out your entry form here.
Let’s take a look around social media from a fun weekend in Aiken! Go Eventing.
