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Sally Spickard

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About Sally Spickard

Sally Spickard is a Korean adoptee living in San Diego, California. Sally joined the Eventing Nation team in 2013 and has subsequently written for Noelle Floyd, Heels Down Mag, and other publications both in and out of the equestrian world. Sally is an eventing fan through and through and enjoys telling the stories of riders who are not well-represented within equestrian media.

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EHV-1 Updates: Ocala Has Two Confirmed Cases, FEI Continues to Monitor European Outbreak

By on Mar 9, 2021 12:00 pm -

In an update provided by the World Equestrian Center – Ocala on Sunday, March 6, a horse in Barn D at the facility presented with a high fever and was subsequently sent to the University of Florida for testing. At this time, the results of that horse’s EHV-1 test are pending; a positive test would bring the Ocala case total to three. Two horses, both originating from Chestnut Hill Farm, had previously tested positive for the virus and have been recovering in isolation.

A report published on Friday, March 5 by the Florida Department of Agriculture, outlines the dates: “The index horse was housed at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) Barn D during week 7 (February 17 – 21, 2021), and the second horse was housed in Barn D during week 8 (February 24 – 28, 2021). The second horse left the World Equestrian Center on February 25, 2021.”

The FEI meanwhile has continued to provide updates to its timeline of events corresponding to the current outbreak of EHV-1 in Europe, which has to date claimed the lives of 10 as of Monday, March 8. It’s important to note that at this time there is no indication that the two (potentially three) cases in Ocala are related to the outbreak in Europe, though the Florida cases were reported on the FEI timeline.

Update 3:15 p.m. EST on March 9: The FEI has confirmed an 11th equine death in a veterinary clinic in Valencia, Spain, where the outbreak originated. A horse in Belgium that competed at the Spanish Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera also tested positive; the event was abandoned with immediate effect on Friday, March 5. The FEI has also promised an investigation into the outbreak, questions surrounding which include the fact that the competition at Valencia continued for at least one day after the FEI was notified of the outbreak and requested abandonment with immediate effect.

Update 7:53 p.m. EST on March 9: We’ve also confirmed a case of EHV-1 in Maryland at Laurel Park, where four barns have been placed under quarantine following a horse displaying neurological signs of the virus. The quarantine will last for a minimum of 14 days, pending any further positive tests.

Update 9:03 a.m. EST on March 10: World Equestrian Center – Ocala has confirmed a negative EHV-1 test for the third horse out of Barn D, where the other two cases were found. The facility has resumed activities but has implemented stricter ship-in and health certification requirements for those competing.

We will continue to monitor this situation as it continues to unfold and encourage all owners to take extra precautions in terms of biosecurity and horse movements, particularly in Florida. As a reminder to those competing at Red Hills H.T. in Tallahassee, Fl. this weekend, the event has implemented biosecurity measures including the requirement of a three-day health certificate.

**Hey Competitors Coming to Red Hills**

Please see the Biosecurity measures being implemented at the competition…

Posted by Red Hills Horse Trials on Friday, March 5, 2021

Copper Meadows H.T. in Ramona, Ca. is also taking some extra precautions for its event this weekend: all competitors must submit proof of vaccination and no horses who have been to Florida or Europe in the past month will be permitted on the show grounds. To see more from Copper Meadows, click here.

A map (updated as cases are brought to the department’s attention or at the first of the month) of reportable equine diseases is maintained by the Department of Agriculture and can be found here.

A US Equestrian press release outlining precautionary recommendations and compliance protocol reads as follows:

A recent outbreak of an aggressive strain of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) has resulted in the immediate cancellation of international events in 10 countries on the European mainland through March 28, 2021. The outbreak originated at a competition in Valencia, Spain, and is present in at least three other countries in Europe to date. There are no current EHV-1 outbreaks related to the Valencia competition evident in the U.S. at this time, but USEF is recommending members take important steps to protect their horses. USEF is working closely with competition organizers and veterinarians to ensure we are as prepared as possible for a potential outbreak in the U.S.

Below are some best practices you can implement immediately:

  • Review and ensure you are prepared for quick implementation of an isolation plan at a competition grounds and/or at your home farm or facility
  • Check your horse’s temperature twice daily and maintain a temperature log
  • Isolate horses at first signs of symptoms or illness and contact your vet immediately
  • Keep separate feed buckets, brushes, rags, and tack/equipment for each horse
  • Ask your veterinarian about appropriate cleaning solutions
  • Eliminate communal or shared water troughs and buckets
  • Practice hand washing in between handling horses
  • Maintain social distancing for horses; limit nose to nose contact with other horses at the ring
  • Ensure your horse is vaccinated for EHV (Rhinopneumonitis vaccine) in line with GR845

Please note that the vaccine does not protect against the neurological form of EHV, which is referred to as Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) but does reduce the clinical signs and shedding of the virus. Early identification and reporting of ill horses is critical in order to trace possible points of exposure and to aid in the prevention of further spread of the disease. The first 30 minutes following identification of a potentially infectious horse frequently determines the extent and scope of transmission and potential outbreak. You should contact your veterinarian immediately for testing if a horse begins to display any symptoms of EHV. Competition managers should also be notified if the horse is at a competition.

If you are aware of individuals who are not following proper reporting protocols, please contact Debbie Saliling, USEF Director of Compliance, at [email protected].

#InternationalWomensDay: Five Incredible Women of Eventing

By on Mar 8, 2021 10:33 am -

It’s #InternationalWomensDay and a day we here at EN look forward to each year. If you missed Tilly’s incredible walk down history lane last year, it’s well worth another read here. There are countless women who have blazed trails in equestrian sport, so we’re celebrating a few more today:

1. Torrance Watkins

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Torrance Watkins was the first woman inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame in 2003. The first woman to win an Olympic medal in eventing, Torrance picked up individual bronze in the 1980 competition at Fontainebleau aboard the 15.1 Paint, Poltroon. – the same year many countries would boycott the Moscow Olympics. She would also be a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team in Los Angeles the following Games in 1984.

2. Karen O’Connor

Five-time Olympian Karen O’Connor certainly needs no introduction to even the most casual of eventing fans. With partners such as Biko, Prince Panache, Theodore O’Connor, Upstage, and many more, Karen solidified her name as one of the greats throughout five Olympics, three World Equestrian Games, and two Pan American Games and was inducted into the USEA Hall of Fame in 2018.

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3. Jackie Potts

We would be remiss not to mention one of the hardworking members of the grooming and horsemanship community, and who better to lead us off than Jackie Potts? Jackie has been the head groom for British rider William Fox-Pitt for nearly 30 years and has collected multiple grooming awards from organizations such as the FEI and British Eventing. As someone who has traveled to five Olympics and five World Equestrian Games, Jackie is full of incredible information on how to keep top horses ticking along in their best form, and she sets an example for care that we all can strive to follow.

4. Karen Stives

Another USEA Hall of Fame inductee (2006), Karen Stives and Ben Arthur collected an individual silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, becoming the first woman to win an individual medal in eventing at the Olympics (worth noting that Torrance also won an individual medal, in 1980, though the competition was not officially a part of the 1980 Moscow Olympics). She would also be named USCTA Rider of Year three times, in 1981, 1987, and 1988.

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5. Mary Coldren

Event organizer extraordinaire Mary Coldren has been a stalwart part of U.S. eventing since 1984 as a competitor, volunteer, organizer, treasurer, licensed official, and many other hats. Mary has been Fair Hill International’s show secretary since 1995 and has served on Fair Hill’s Board of Directors for 10 years. She has been dubbed by The Chronicle of the Horse the “unofficial queen of ride-time scheduling, she’s the cheerful wizard behind the curtain at many East Coast events, making sure each rider has a workable time schedule and the day goes smoothly.”

Shannon Lilley and Mary Coldren at the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

We could truly go on endlessly celebrating the fearless women who make up our incredible sport. There are not many sports on which men and women have the opportunity to compete together, and that deserves some celebration. What amazing women would you like to add to our list?

And finally as a special treat, please enjoy this compilation of footage from the 2000 Sydney Olympics featuring both Ingrid Klimke and Sleep Late and Karen O’Connor and Prince Panache:

Weekend Winners: Chatt Hills, Full Gallop, Rocking Horse, Sporting Days, Southern Pines

By on Mar 8, 2021 9:30 am -

It was another busy weekend of eventing and we’ve got plenty of winners to celebrate! #ICYMI, the Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field offered some thrilling competition over the weekend – you can catch up on all the action in our coverage here.

This weekend’s Unofficial Low Score Award was earned by Alyssa Phillips and FE Calestino, who won their Open Training division at Rocking Horse on a score of 17.1.

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate: Katie Lichten and Sapphie Blue B (34.3)
Open Preliminary: Eliza Farren-Englert and Creffino PJ (42.4)
Preliminary Rider: Carter McInnis and Greystone Lad (49.3)
Modified: Mikki Kuchta and Chiraz (30.9)
Open Training: Mikki Kuchta and Special Reserve (31.4)
Training Rider: Morgyn Johnson and Peter Parker GS (28.3)
Novice Rider: Breeana Robinette and Cape Kimberly (27.6)
Open Novice: Hanna Grace Johnson and Reenmore Riley (29.3)
Beginner Novice Rider: Jennifer Boshart and Blaze of Charm (26.7)
Open Beginner Novice: Samuel Moreland and Smarty Pants WB (32.2)

Full Gallop Farm March H.T.: [Final Scores]

Training: Shannon Riley and Ingress (35.4)
Training/Novice: Mia Volpentesta and Flipside (32.6)
Novice A: Ainsley Hagen and Risque S (23.3)
Novice B: Alex Conrad and Miles (29.8)
Beginner Novice: Lilly Rodman and What Opposition (27.8)
Starter: Rebecca Lee and A Proper Villain (30.6)

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T.: [Final Scores]

Open Intermediate A: Jacob Fletcher and Atlantic Domino (25.7)
Open Intermediate B: Woods Baughman and C’est La View 135 (29.5)
Open Intermediate Friday: Cosby Green and Copper Beach (30.4)
Open Preliminary: Alexandra Knowles and Street Call (29.4)
Open Preliminary Friday A: Alexandra Green Kerby and Isslehooks First Sight (25.6)
Open Preliminary Friday B: Rebecca Roth and Chapter Two (32.1)
Preliminary Horse: William Ward and JVK Fionn MacCumhail (33.3)
Preliminary Rider: Beth Murphy and Jimba (28.4)
Jr. Training: Audrey Littlefield and Prince Renan (28.6)
Open Training A: Conor Rollins and Alfonzo (29.3)
Open Training B: Meghan O’Donoghue and Faldeus (31.4)
Open Training C: Alyssa Phillips and FE Calestino (17.1)
Sr. Training A: Kristin Michaloski and Ice Breaker (25.9)
Sr. Training B: Zea Palthey and Resdret (26.6)
Training Horse A: Leslie Law and Tullibards On Tour (25.9)
Training Horse B: Kendyl Tracy and Oboras Goldwing (28.6)
Training Horse C: Woods Baughman and Kamara CFF (25.8)
Jr. Novice: Emma Wick and Avalon Realta (33.3)
Novice Horse A: Leslie Law and Really All Gold (24.1)
Novice Horse B: Susannah Lansdale and Four Star (25.0)
Open Novice A: Hannah Hawkins and Quality Beach (26.2)
Open Novice B: Liz Lund and R Mani CF (29.3)
Sr. Novice A: Cecily Peters and Tomgar Conspiracy (26.7)
Sr. Novice B: Katie Szewczyk and Suspicious Behavior (32.4)
Jr. Beginner Novice A: Peyton Brienza and The Brave Little Toaster (33.3)
Jr. Beginner Novice B: Landry Lies and DJ (31.3)
Open Beginner Novice: Melanie Helms MD and PS Gran Torino (31.3)
Sr. Beginner Novice: Cami Pease and Vibrant (25.3)

Sporting Days Farm March H.T.: [Final Scores]

Intermediate CT: Mallory Distler and Quality Start (37.3)
Open Preliminary: Courtney Cooper and Excel Star Tick Tock (26.5)
Preliminary Horse: Kelly Ransom and Heart of Hollywood (31.1)
Preliminary Rider: Sophie Miller and Quarlotta C (36.0)
Preliminary/Training: Savannah Fulton and Cash Point (31.0)
Open Training: Michael Pendleton and Napoleon Z (23.0)
Training Horse: Ryan Wood and Woodstock Argo (30.7)
Training Rider A: Mia Volpentesta and Flipside (31.4)
Training Rider B: Nancy Hathaway and Killea Gynis View (28.9)
Training Rider C: Bailey Yablonovitz and Fiddler’s Choice (37.1)
Novice Horse: Meredith Payton and Manu Forti’s Royal Blue (27.6)
Novice Rider A: Lea Kilpatrick and Zatango (29.8)
Novice Rider B: Tracie Sales and Ebony (30.2)
Novice Rider C: Lauren Traut and Three Cups Jammy Dodger (27.6)
Open Novice: Alison Eastman-Lawler and Lexington II (25.7)
Beginner Novice Horse: Savannah Fulton and FMF Sol (29.0)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Carla Lindsay and Paint Misbehavin’ (34.3)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Tracey Davis and Celtic Cruise (29.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Meaghan Marinovich Burdick and Autograph (27.0)
Starter: Elizabeth Burns and Nazrullah (32.5)

Southern Pines H.T.: [Final Scores]

Advanced CT: Andi Lawrence and Cooley Northern Mist (30.3)
Intermediate CT: Kim Severson and Cooley Criminal Mind (27.3)
Modified Jr.: Audrey Ogan and Second Amendment (38.8)
Open Modified: Erin Kanara and Captivate (27.1)
Open Preliminary: Andrew McConnon and D’Luxe Steel (25.6)
Preliminary CT: Charlotte Stillfried and Palma D (28.8)
Preliminary Rider: Caitlin Romeo Fernhill B Good (25.0)
Modified CT: Caroline Brown and Sydney (34.6)
Modified Rider: Hannah Schofield and Fastidious (30.8)
Open Training A: Leslie Lamb and Mr. Puff Higgens Jr. (28.5)
Open Training B: Madison Chisholm and Reloaded (29.8)
Training Rider A: Camilla Baldini and Dichterlieben (40.0)
Training Rider B: Erin Weil and Patriot Games (32.6)
Training Jr.: Carlin Keefe and Hoodwink (38.9)
Novice CT: Taylor Snyder and Winter Tanz (31.4)
Novice Rider A: Kimberly Rushton and Brit’s Party Favor (25.5)
Novice Rider B: Audrey Wiggins and Spook Hill At Last (23.8)
Novice Jr.: Sidnee Milner and My Valentine (25.7)
Open Novice A: Erin Murphy and Rough Heart (25.5)
Open Novice B: Martha Wunder and Mr McGoey (28.1)
Beginner Novice CT: Kristyn Berger and Down Home Blues (32.5)
Beginner Novice Rider: Katelyn Tyler and Dream Weaver (28.0)
Beginner Novice Jr.: Kylee Narron and Woodstock Renegade (23.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Hayley Norfleet and Ranier VT (28.5)

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum Clinch Win in Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Mar 6, 2021 6:41 pm -

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

It came down to six seconds when all was said and done. A thrilling day of shortened cross country at the $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field brought us down the order in reverse order of standing, building pressure on overnight leaders Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. After second-placed Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z collected a handy clear round, Tamie Smith – who has been working out of Ocala this off-season – had six seconds of time in hand to seal the victory.

And she may have needed it – the 15-year-old jet black German Sport Horse gelding Mai Baum, owned by the Ahearn family and Eric Markell and first discovered by Michelle Pestl, was impressed by the twisting, technical track set by Captain Mark Phillips early on. “Wild” was the term Tamie used to describe “Lexus”, whose answer to a question he’s unsure about is to just try harder. But Tamie knows the gelding like the back of her hand, and as they continued to tick off the questions you could see the horse responding in kind to her quiet insistence that he just keep going. In the end, they wouldn’t need the six seconds, finishing inside the time allotted of 3 minutes and 49 seconds to officially win the event on a final score of 23.3.

It’s been a long road with Mai Baum, who splashed onto the East coast scene in commanding fashion to win the then-CCI3* USEF National Championship at Fair Hill in 2015. All was set to make a bid for the U.S. team traveling to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, but it was not to be as the gelding suffered a tendon injury that took him out of contention. He would make his way back under the careful care of the Next Level Eventing team out of Temecula, Ca., eventually partnering with Tamie at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and finishing 11th at Boekelo later that year.

We’ve long been waiting for “the black stallion” to make his CCI5* debut and we very well may get our wish this year: Tamie says Mai Baum is slated to head to Kentucky, along with stablemate En Vogue, owned by Ruth Bley.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Finishing second, third, and fifth and pleased with all of her rides today was Liz Halliday-Sharp, who won this event twice in a row in 2019 and 2020. “I’m not disappointed to finish all my horses in the top five,” she told Frankie Thieriot Stutes after her ride aboard Deniro Z. “I’m happy for Tamie that she came over here and had a great run.”

Liz ends her weekend with Ocala Horse Properties’ Deniro Z in second on a 25.8, Deborah Halliday’s Fernhill By Night in third on a 28.4, and Ocala Horse Properties’ Cooley Quicksilver in fifth on a 30.0. Splitting the difference in fourth place is Boyd Martin with The Long Island T Syndicate’s Long Island T, who cruised around with three seconds of time to finish on a score of 29.5. “I was thrilled with all three of my guys today. It’s a twisty, turny course with a few accuracy courses and the first run of the year and I’m pleased with all three of them,” Boyd reflected after his last ride. Boyd also finished Luke 140 inside the top 10, ending the weekend in ninth with a score of 31.5.

Buck Davidson told Frankie Thieriot Stutes that his last trip to the Grand Prix Eventing with Cassie Segal, Lisa Darden, and Natalie Sandler’s Erroll Gobey, a Holsteiner gelding who is 11 this year, was tougher and says the horse has really grown into himself to feel much more confident for this attempt. “He’s really growing up and did it easily,” he said. This pair ends their weekend in sixth place on a 30.6.

Doug Payne also enjoyed a fruitful weekend, collecting just one second of time among his three rides. Doug and Jessica Payne’s Quantum Leap ends the weekend as the highest placed Payne horse, finishing seventh on a 31.1. He’s closely followed by stable mate Starr Witness, owned by Laurie McRee and Catherine Winter, in eighth on a score of 31.2. Debi Crowley’s Vandiver finished his weekend on a double clear cross country, in 12th on a 33.2.

In all, we only saw a couple of issues pop up on course: Clayton Fredericks parted ways from FE Stormtrooper at the big Aiken Post Office corner, fence 9, and Tamie Smith popped off her first ride, Danito, at fence 11, the Battle of Aiken Cannon. Both horses and riders looked to be no worse for the wear after the mishaps.

The time proved to be a formidable test, and riders who didn’t set out with the rockets burning weren’t likely to catch up on the clock by the end. Generally speaking, the course rewarded really positive riding – second-guessing a distance could prove consequential on the leaderboard as a few pairs found out. A total of nine riders collected double clear efforts, making for a 27% double clear rate for this year’s course. This makes for a tougher track on paper than years past: 2020’s Grand Prix saw a 54% double clear rate and 2019’s had 63% of cross country starters jump double clear.

You can view the complete listing of final scores here and catch up on our live updates from cross country here. We’ve really enjoyed following along with this exciting showcase of eventing each year and thank you for being here with us. Our gratitude goes out to all the organizers, officials, volunteers, grooms, and riders who make these events possible – it’s truly a team effort! Go Eventing.

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Entries, Live Scores, XC Course Preview, H&C TV, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage

Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field Cross Country Live Updates: Tamie Smith Seals the Deal

By on Mar 6, 2021 2:15 pm -

Photo courtesy of Aiken Horse Park.

Welcome to what is sure to be a thrilling finale of the $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, Sc. We’ve been treated to some exciting action over the first two phases from which West coast rider Tamie Smith and Mai Baum have emerged as overnight leaders on a score of 23.3.

We’ll see a total of 35 combinations leaving the startbox to context Capt. Mark Phillips’ cross country today beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST. You can follow along with a Horse & Country TV subscription (which is well worth the low monthly cost and also comes with no obligation) by clicking here. Refresh this page periodically for the latest updates from the last phase of competition.

Optimum time for the track, which consists of 22 jumping efforts, will be 3 minutes and 49 seconds.

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Entries, Live Scores, XC Course Preview, H&C TV, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage

5:36 p.m. EST: Tamie says Lexus was a bit “wild” at the beginning – “I’m not sure that was a ride you’d want to copy!” she tells Frankie – but what an accomplishment for the German Sport Horse gelding who will head to Kentucky in April if all goes to plan. Here’s a look at your final top 10 (view full scores here) – stay tuned for more from Bruce’s Field! Thanks for following along with us.

5:27 p.m. EST: She did it!! Tamie stuck to her guns and got Mai Baum’s confidence blooming the farther she went. Tamie comes all the way from California to WIN the third annual $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field!

GIF via H&C TV.

5:26 p.m. EST: Over the Carolina Bay Flower Box to the corner:

GIF via H&C TV.

5:24 p.m. EST: Lexus stands wayyy off from the fence 2, the Palmetto Golf Club but they’re clear.

5:23 p.m. EST: Tamie has six seconds of time in hand.

5:22 p.m. EST: Pressure’s on! Liz comes home handily inside the time. Can Tamie and Mai Baum hang on?

GIF via H&C TV.

5:20 p.m. EST: Deniro Z and Liz take out the right flag at the big open corner at fence 9 – hard to tell from the camera angle but he looked to be safe from my view.

5:18 p.m. EST: Boyd could not afford a second of time to take the lead, he’ll instead pick up about 1.2 time penalties to finish on a provisional score of 29.5. We’ll now see Liz Halliday Sharp and Deniro Z, currently in second on a 25.8.

5:16 p.m. EST: Boyd hangs out for five strides to the big corner:

GIF via H&C TV.

5:14 p.m. EST: Boyd Martin and Long Island T are our next to go, with just three more to see. This pair is currently on a 28.3.

5:12 p.m. EST: Sara and Rubens d’Ysieux are clear! She picks up about 2.4 time.

5:11 p.m. EST: Sara and Rubens clear through the Banksia Bank at 10 and 11.

GIF via H&C TV.

5:07 p.m. EST: Clayton is home with 9 seconds of time. Next in will be Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens d’Ysieux, on a score of 29.7.

5:05 p.m. EST: Buck says he brought Erroll Gobey here a couple years ago and had some trouble, so he’s really pleased with the 11-year-old’s performance here this weekend. “He’s definitely grown up and he was good in all three phases so I’m really happy,” he tells Frankie.

5:03 p.m. EST: Now away are Clayton Fredericks and FE Always In Time, coming in on a score of 30.6.

5:02 p.m. EST: Buck and Erroll Gobey over the Carolina Bay Flower Box to the Triple Brush at 15 and 16. Buck has finished just under the time!

GIF via H&C TV.

5:00 p.m. EST: “I really can’t complain, one second cumulative for all three is pretty awesome.” – Doug after his ride with Quantum Leap.

4:58 p.m. EST: We’ll next see Buck Davidson with Erroll Gobey, coming in on a score of 30.6.

4:57 p.m. EST: Another great run for Doug, and they come home one second over to add .4 time. Overall a great showing from the Payne team this weekend!

4:55 p.m. EST: A nice shot over the Hitchcock Woods Fox Squirrel at fence 6 for Quantum Leap:

GIF via H&C TV.

4:53 p.m. EST: And we’re off with Doug and Quantum Leap!

4:50 p.m. EST: We’re just on a slight hold while the crew fixes the ground line at the Banksia Bank. We’ll see Doug Payne with Quantum Leap next, currently on a score of 30.7.

4:47 p.m. EST: Bummer, Tamie hits the deck at the bounce of the Banksia Bank, when Danito peeked and ducked to the left. They look to be ok, and we’ll see Tamie back shortly with overnight leader Mai Baum.

4:44 p.m. EST: “Blackie” slips on landing coming back down the Banksia Bank, and she comes home about 4 seconds over time. Next out are Tamie Smith and Danito, in sixth currently on a score of 29.2.

GIF via H&C TV.

4:40 p.m. EST: We’ll now see Liz back on her second of three rides, Fernhill By Night, currently on a score of 26.4.

4:39 p.m. EST: Boyd and Luke 140 are home 7 seconds over time to finish the weekend on a 31.1.

GIF via H&C TV.

4:34 p.m. EST: We’re moving now into the top 10, and it’s really anyone’s game at this point given the challenges of the time. We’ll see Boyd and Luke 140 shortly.

4:33 p.m. EST: Lillian says this was good practice for her – she actually calls herself not the fastest rider so this was good for her to go out and get the time.

4:30 p.m. EST: We’ll have about five minutes before we see Boyd Martin back with Luke 140, coming forward on a score of 28.3.

4:29 p.m. EST: Lillian comes home easily inside the time with LCC Barnaby, the second fastest time of the day – I believe I heard 3 minutes, 42 seconds.

4:25 p.m. EST: Next out are Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby, currently in 13th on a score of 33.1. This pair is quick across the country so this should be fun!

4:24 p.m. EST: 10 seconds over for Annie and Fedarman B – a different camera angle of the Bruce’s Field Logs:

GIF via H&C TV.

4:22 p.m. EST: “The cross country is pretty quick and fast and you’ve got to react quickly and the horses have to be looking for the next jump pretty early on. I think it is educational for everyone.” – Phillip after his ride on Fernhill Singapore.

4:20 p.m. EST: Next out are Annie Goodwin and Fedarman B on a score of 34.4.

4:19 p.m. EST: Phillip sees a good one and pushes Singapore to meet him there. They’re home now easily inside the time!

GIF via H&C TV.

4:18 p.m. EST: Phillip goes around the chevron to get to the Carolina Bay Flower Box, which sets him up on a really nice line to walk down to the corner in four:

GIF via H&C TV.

4:14 p.m. EST: Doug comes home one second inside the time for Doug’s second double clear of the day. Phillip Dutton is back now with Fernhill Singapore, currently in 15th on a score of 33.9.

4:12 p.m. EST: A good shot over the Banksia Bank for Doug and Starr Witness:

GIF via H&C TV.

4:07 p.m. EST: Bummer! Clayton parts ways from FE Stormtrooper after a bit of a miscommunication heading to the big Aiken Post Office corner. They got a bit off their line and FE Stormtrooper ended up jumping too wide, jostling Clayton. He’s right up on his feet and looks no worse for the wear, as does his horse. We’ll next see Doug Payne with his Pan American Games partner Starr Witness, currently in 12th on a score of 31.2.

4:06 p.m. EST: “It’s great to know that we can get it done and be a good bit inside and not feel like I took any huge risks. The horse was brilliant, it’s his first run of the year and I couldn’t ask for more.” – Liz with Frankie on her ride aboard Cooley Quicksilver.

4:04 p.m. EST: Liz gets a shot of confidence with a double clear and the fastest of the day so far! She’ll feel great about that as she looks ahead to her higher placed rides. Clayton Fredericks is back now with FE Stormtrooper, on a score of 33.9.

4:02 p.m. EST: A pat for Cooley Quicksilver after a great shot over fence 7, The Willcox.

GIF via H&C TV.

p.m. EST:

3:56 p.m. EST: We’ll see Liz Halliday-Sharp riding out of order next with her first of three rides, Cooley Quicksilver, currently on a score of 30.0.

3:55 p.m. EST: The best moments:

GIF via H&C TV.

3:54 p.m. EST: Sharon and Cooley On Show pick up just one second of time, so close! A great ride from these two.

3:53 p.m. EST: Sharon and Cooley On Show elect for the inside turn here to the Carolina Bay Flower Box to the big corner:

GIF via H&C TV.

3:49 p.m. EST: Dana comes home with 3.6 time penalties to finish on a 39.5. Next out will be Sharon White with Cooley On Show, coming forward on a score of 34.6. “Louie” is ready to go!

GIF via H&C TV.

3:46 p.m. EST: A look at the big open oxer, The Aiken, at fence three:

GIF via H&C TV.

3:45 p.m. EST: Dana Cooke and FE Mississippi are next out of the box on a score of 35.9.

3:44 p.m. EST: Phillip has Z in a nice rhythm and makes quick work of 15 and 16, the Carolina Flower Box to the Triple Brush. This pair adds two seconds of time.

GIF via H&C TV.

3:41 p.m. EST: Fun fact: Doug forgot to start his watch at the start! He credits a strong partnership with “Quinn” and the 17-year-old’s adjustability for making the intensity of this type of track much more doable. “There’s not much that compares to it,” he tells Frankie.

3:39 p.m EST: 3 minutes, 46 seconds for Doug and Vandiver, the second double clear and fastest time of the day so far. Phillip Dutton and Z are next out on a score of 34.1.

3:38 p.m. EST: Doug illustrates the inside turn at the chevron here. This is en route to fences 8 and 9, the Carolina Bay Flower Box and the Aiken Post Office corner.

GIF via H&C TV.

3:35 p.m EST: Clayton and FE Ophelia add a handful of time (apologies, I missed the exact time!). Next out will be Doug Payne with his old campaigner, Vandiver. Look for this pair to be quick and nippy!

GIF via H&C TV.

3:30 p.m. EST: Sydney is the first one inside the time! 5 seconds inside the time for this pair, putting them on a finishing score of 37.5. “He was super! This course is made for him, just tight turns and just keep moving. He’s fantastic,” she tells Frankie at the end. Clayton Fredericks and FE Ophelia are next out on a score of 34.2.

3:28 p.m. EST: Sydney shows us the flower box to the corner that comes after the aforementioned turn:

GIF via H&C TV.

3:26 p.m. EST: Next out are Sydney Elliott and QC Diamantaire on a score of 37.5.

3:25 p.m. EST: Emily and Corvett come home 12 or 13 seconds over time. “This horse is jumping his eyeballs out!” comes over the loudspeaker.

GIF via H&C TV.

3:22 p.m. EST: Nilson says Rock Phantom was pretty strong the whole way around, and had he been able to ride a bit more the beginning he may have made the time. We’re getting closer to that elusive double clear!

3:20 p.m. EST: Nilson and Rock Phantom come home with a clear round, quite quick looking. He’ll hold the quickest round of the bunch so far with 3 minutes, 56 seconds. Next out will be Emily Hamel with Corvett – this one is always fun to watch with his unorthodox jumping style!

3:15 p.m. EST: Colleen and “CR” are home with 9.2 time penalties. “What a good man!”, she tells him at the finish. Next out will be Brazil’s Nilson Da Dilva and Rock Phantom, on a score of 38.6.

3:12 p.m. EST: This GIF illustrates a turn that may end up being somewhat influential, depending on whether you elect to go inside or outside of the chevron. You’re setting up a line to a flower box to a big corner that I’ll capture next.

GIF via H&C TV.

3:10 p.m. EST: Missy Miller and Quinn are also home clear, with 7.2 time penalties added. Colleen is back now with a quick turnaround for her second ride, Covert Rights, currently on a score of 47.2.

3:08 p.m. EST: In case you guys thought that remote event reporting was glamorous, allow me to dissuade you. But – at least I have a desk dog?

3:06 p.m. EST: Buck Davidson will not be running Carlevo, and Holly Jacks Smither has also withdrawn her second ride, Candy King.

3:05 p.m. EST: Boyd picks up 10.4 time penalties, also on a very smooth-looking ride. We’ll have to see what he takes from this ride to modify in his next two. Next out is Missy Miller with Quinn on a score of 40.0.

3:04 p.m. EST:

3:02 p.m. EST: Thomas shows off his skinny skillz:

GIF via H&C TV.

3:00 p.m. EST: Karl Slezak comes home in 4 minutes, 5 seconds. Next out will be Boyd Martin with Pan American Games gold medal winner Tsetserleg.

GIF via H&C TV.

2:57 p.m. EST: I apologize for not catching it on GIF, but Karl Slezak is the first to get more bold with his lines – we’ll likely start seeing more of these decisions as it becomes more apparent that the time requires some extra gumption. Holly Jacks Smither muses that the time is definitely possible, noting a couple places where she added too much.

2:56 p.m. EST: Another Canadian rider, Karl Slezak, sets out of the box with Fernhill Wishes with plenty of speed to burn. Commentator Kevin Keane observes that the riders will likely need to get ahead on the clock early, because they aren’t going to find it easily later on.

2:54 p.m. EST: Holly is the quickest so far on 4 minutes even.

GIF via H&C TV.

2:50 p.m. EST: Canada’s Holly Jacks-Smither and her longtime partner More Inspiration are now on course riding on a score of 42.2.

2:49 p.m. EST:Emporium comes home clear in 4 minutes, 21 seconds. Ashlynn looks thrilled!

2:47 p.m. EST: “I am absolutely thrilled with how he ran. Really and truly it’s not going to be easy, the ones that get the time are going to have to have incredibly smooth, bold rides with absolutely no wasted moments.” – Colleen on her ride with Frankie Thieriot Stutes. Indeed, her ride looked quite quick and was still 15 seconds over!

2:45 p.m. EST: 4 minutes and 14 seconds is the time for Colleen and Confidence Game, who really looked to gain confidence as he went. Next up will be Montana-based Ashlynn Meuchel and Emporium, on a score of 44.9.

2:43 p.m. EST: Confidence Game gets a test of footwork through the Banksia Bank question. Colleen is using all of her experience to get this lesser experienced ride of hers around, but they’re having a positive ride to this point.

GIF via H&C TV.

2:41 p.m. EST: Next out are Colleen Rutledge with the stallion Confidence Game, currently on a score of 48.4.

2:39 p.m. ET: A look at the tricky Banksia Bank at fence 10, a nice ride from Alex and “Elmo”. Alex is home clear with 11.2 time penalties.

GIF via H&C TV.

2:35 p.m. EST: Jules is home in 4:17, picking up time over the optimum of 3:49. Next out is the only young rider in field, Alex Baugh with Mr. Candyman, currently on a 49.1.

GIF via H&C TV.

2:32 p.m. EST: There’s a LOT to look at for these horses, almost like you’re in a bit of a fishbowl. It’s hard to get up to a good rhythm in some areas, and Cooley O feels some effects of this stickiness early on but they’re kicking on a bit more now.

2:30 p.m. EST: And we’re all set to go here in Aiken! First out of the box will be Jules Ennis with Cooley O, standing in 38th on a 52.4.

Quebec’s Centre Equestre Equilibre to Host Advanced, Intermediate H.T. in July

By on Mar 6, 2021 9:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Centre Equestre Equilibre.

The Centre Equestre Equilibre (Bishopton, Quebec), owned by (Martin and Anne Grimard, is home to about 50 horses and several riders who compete in Canadian and American events at various levels. With over 20 years of experience on national and international eventing grounds, the Grimards in partnership with organizer Molly Hooper Bull, have announced the addition of Advanced and Intermediate levels this July, with a CCI4*S to come in the future.

At the end of 2015, the Centre Equestre Equilibre acquired a 206-acre lot, which showed great potential with its rolling hills and outstanding footing. The infrastructures, however, were designed for cattle breeding. The fields and buildings have been upgraded to adapt to the needs of sport horses with several additions: an 85×200 indoor arena, some outdoor sand arenas, cross-country courses, a water jump, to name a few. The first Equilibre event took place in 2018 and was awarded Cheval Quebec’s Aramis for Best National Event in Quebec. A special mention was made for the event’s professionalism, attention to detail, and experienced team. Additionally, Anne Grimard was awarded the Trophee des Batisseurs by the HTC-Q, for her involvement, dedication, and support with the development of athletes and eventing.

“My husband is the president of the HTC-Q, and I am the director of, and responsible for the safety and development of athletes in this association,” Anne explained in an email interview. “Our mission has always been to make eventing known and recognized, and to develop athletes.”

Photo courtesy of Centre Equestre Equilibre.

“In 2020, as a result of Canadian athletes being unable to cross the border to the USA, the Centre Equestre Equilibre was approached by a team of Olympic athletes, supported by Canadians and Americans of experience, to discuss the possibility of hosting a CCI-4* event,” Anne wrote. “Their primary criteria were the installations, professionalism, and the Centre Equestre Equilibre’s ability to deliver and ease of adaptation. The construction of a second water jump (80×100) and of an additional outdoor sand arena (250×250) is already underway.”

The Grimards are currently waiting for CCI4*S approval for 2022 or 2023. Meanwhile, they’ve assembled an all-star team of Molly Hooper Bull (who is also credited with organizing at Stable View in Aiken, Sc.), Capt. Mark Phillips and Chris Barnard for course design, and further assistance from Peter Gray and John Williams. “It is a privilege for us to work with such an experienced team that takes to heart the development of our sport,” Anne wrote. “The reputable Molly Hooper is credited with helping organize the Stable View CCI-4* Event, and we are honored to have Dylan Barry helping us build our new cross country obstacles and the help of experienced Olympic athletes is invaluable.”

Photo courtesy of Centre Equestre Equilibre.

“A great cross country course, designed for safety, will be the highlight of our July event,” Anne continued. “Our team will have the occasion to prove itself and show Equestrian Canada that we offer a great opportunity for Canadian riders to develop and qualify right at home.”

Safety and sustainability took the lead as the event continued to evolve. “We take the riders’ satisfaction to heart, so we doubled down on our efforts to become the leading authority on building eco-friendly and safe cross country obstacles in Canada. We also feel privileged for being supported in our success by our sponsors.”

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect travel (at the latest update, Canada’s border is now open to non-essential travel with proof of a negative COVID-19 test). “We hope the state of the COVID-19 pandemic will improve so that we may see a vast number of high level riders from Canada and the USA,” Anne concluded.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum in Control of Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Mar 5, 2021 6:01 pm -

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

It was a bit of feast or famine during the show jumping phase that wrapped up the first day of competition at the $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, Sc. The show jumping phase, sponsored by Jack Wetzel, featured a tricky track and plenty of shadows cast by the setting sun to catch out more than a few riders. Michel Vaillancourt’s track here at the Grand Prix is notoriously tough and saw only five combinations jump clear inside the time in 2020; this year’s iteration shows an improvement in clear rounds with 14 riders managing double clear rounds today.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum (23.3) (owned by the Ahearn family and Eric Markell) will hold onto their lead on the wings of a double clear round this afternoon as the final pair in the ring. As the sun set, looming shadows made for increasingly spooky horses and fumbled distances, but Tamie sat cool as a cucumber and let “Lexus” do his thing as he “pinged around” to make light work of the course. “As long as I don’t mess up, he’s pretty amazing!” she told Frankie Thieriot after her ride. Tamie’s second ride, Ruth Bley’s Danito, lowered one rail and picked up a second of time to drop down to sixth overnight on a score of 29.2, but the California-based rider said she’s proud of both horses for their efforts today.

Liz Halliday-Sharp kept the pressure up on her quest to turn in a hat trick of wins at the third Eventing Grand Prix (she won here in 2019 aboard Fernhill By night and in 2020 with Deniro Z), moving into second and third with Deniro Z (25.8) and Fernhill By Night (26.4), respectively, thanks to clear rounds. Fernhill By Night came home one second over the time allowed – “I maybe just chickened out and helped him a little too much in some spots,” she reflected – but both horses are in striking distance as we look ahead to Capt. Mark Phillip’s cross country test tomorrow. Liz also brings her third ride, Cooley Quicksilver, into the top 10 overnight in eighth place on a score of 30.0.

Liz Halliday Sharp and Deniro Z. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Looking to tomorrow for Liz, it should come as no surprise that she’s here to win. “I’m obviously going to go for it on all three of my horses, I think that’s the best way to do it,” she said. “It looks like an awesome course; it’s great that we get to use some of the [steeplechase] race course this time and I think that’s going to open things up a lot.”

Boyd Martin didn’t have his best day with Christine Turner’s Tsetserleg, who lowered three rails and collected two seconds of time to drop out of the top 20 after two phases on a score of 40.6. He is, however, still well in contention for a strong finish as he moves up into a tie for fourth place with Long Island T and Luke 140, both on a score of 28.3.

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg. Photo by Christine Quinn Photography.

Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens d’Ysieux had perhaps the loveliest round of the bunch, a forward and bold ride that moved the pair up into seventh on a two-phase score of 29.7. This pair has a good track record in the show jumping, which paid off over a track that was causing issues left and right.

Completing the top 10 in a tie at 30.6 are Clayton Fredericks with FE Always In Time and Buck Davidson with Erroll Gobey (owned by Cassie Segal, Lisa Darden, and Natalie Sandler). Doug Payne also has his three rides within 10 penalties or less of the leader, with Quantum Leap the highest placed in 11th on a score of 30.7.

Our biggest mover of the show jumping was Lillian Heard, who moved up from 26th into 13th aboard the well-seasoned LCC Barnaby, who will no doubt be a treat to watch in tomorrow’s cross country finale. Lillian said she felt “Barnaby” make a stronger effort as the course progressed, and they’ll take a score of 33.1 into tomorrow.

In total, Michel Vaillancourt’s track saw a 39% double clear rate. 50% of the completed rounds were done so without jumping penalties. One pair, Nilson Da Silva and Magnum’s Martini, elected to retire on course. Five pairs have been withdrawn ahead of tomorrow’s cross country: Phillip Dutton and Sea of Clouds, Mike Pendleton and Steady Eddie, Waylon Roberts and Lancaster, Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill, and Allison Springer and Business Ben.

Cross country action kicks off at 2:30 p.m. EST tomorrow and will be streamed live exclusively on Horse & Country TV. I’m looking forward to my first open live update thread of the new season, so be sure to follow along right here on EN for the latest updates. Many, many thanks to the team on the ground at Bruce’s Field, including Aiken Horse Park Foundation Director of Marketing Kate Boggan, photographer Christine Quinn, and Athletux’s Frankie Thieriot Stutes for their assistance in making this remote coverage possible!

Take a look at what riders will be tackling thanks to CrossCountryApp:

Last but most certainly not least, don’t forget to cast your votes in the Ride for Charity Challenge happening in conjunction with the Grand Prix Eventing this weekend. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information.

Go Eventing.

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Entries,  Live Scores, XC Course Preview, H&C TV, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage

Tamie Smith Leads Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing After Dressage

By on Mar 5, 2021 3:42 pm -

Tamra Smith and Mai Baum competing at Twin Rivers in 2020. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

A total of 43 horses cantered down centerline today to kick off the $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, Sc. Riding FEI CCI5* Test A before the judging panel of Mark Weissbecker (C), Debbie Adams (E), and Jame Hamlin (H), a healthy mix of seasoned competitors and rising stars – many of which are Land Rover Kentucky-bound – gave us an early glimpse of what they’ve been working on this off-season. That practice paid off for Tamie Smith and 2020 USEA Rider of the Year Liz-Halliday Sharp, who will take all top four spots on the leaderboard into this afternoon’s show jumping.

Tamie Smith made another trek from her home base in southern California to the East coast this season and laid down the professional performances we’ve come to anticipate with the Ahearn family and Eric Markell’s Mai Baum (1st – 23.3) and Ruth Bley’s Danito (2nd – 24.8) to grab the first-phase lead.

Mai Baum had a quiet year in 2020 but has made the trip east with his stablemates this year to aim for – and it’s almost hard to believe, given the 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding’s breadth of experience – his first go at the CCI5* level in Kentucky. “He likes to show off and he knows when it’s time,” Tamie told Frankie Thieriot after her ride aboard “Lexus”. This pair is certainly no stranger to competitive dressage scores, setting a USEA Advanced record in 2020 with a 17.7 at Rebecca Farm and previously earning an FEI personal best of 21.9 at Galway Downs in 2019. It has to be a great feeling for Tamie to have her old friend back in action – certainly taking a ride on Mai Baum feels akin to coming home.

Ruth Bley’s Danito, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, completed his first season at the Advanced/4* level in 2020 and looked to have grown even more confident and comfortable in his body over the off-season. Tamie is well-respected for her quiet technique on the flat, allowing horses like Danito to really shine in their natural talent. These skills reflect on Danito’s record, as well: he’s earned a sub-20 score once at the Advanced level and has an FEI personal best of 24.1, nearly beaten by today’s performance that brought a 24.8.

“He was super,” Tamie said. “He can get a little bit tense and he’s still a little bit green at the changes, but he stayed with me the whole way and just tried his heart out. I think it’s one of his better tests.”

Also dynamically competitive on the flat is Ocala-based Liz Halliday-Sharp, who brings two horses in the top 10 forward to the jumping phases. Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties, looks not to have missed a beat since his last big run at Tryon in November, earning a 25.8 as the second last horse to go before the judges this afternoon. Deniro Z has contested two CCI5* events in his blooming career, and today’s performance is his best score of the bunch (28.4 – Burghley, 2019 / 30.9 – Kentucky, 2019).

On the topic of old friends, we also saw Liz’s old campaigner Fernhill By Night out for a spin, taking fourth place into show jumping with a score of 26.0. Liz told Frankie after her ride aboard “Blackie” that the 18-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Deborah Halliday was happy to be there this weekend; he’s proven himself to be a stalwart short-format competitor as he’s gotten older so look for him to nip right around these technical jump tracks today and tomorrow. Stablemate Cooley Quicksilver, owned by The Monster Partnership, earned a 30.0 for 11th place after dressage.

Buck Davidson got his weekend off to a great start with Katherine O’Brien’s Carlevo, scoring a 27.1 to complete the early top five. Buck and the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding had a competitive year in 2020, finishing in the top three in five out of seven starts. This season, they’re off to a rocking start as well, picking up two early wins at Rocking Horse in January and February.

Boyd Martin also enjoyed a good day in the sandbox, bringing each of his three horses into the top 10. After kicking the day off with The Long Island T Syndicate’s Long Island T and scoring a 28.3, Boyd would return later to tie himself aboard The Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140.Rounding out the day was crowd-favorite Tsetserleg, the reigning USEF National Champion and Pan American Games gold medalist owned by Christine Turner, who slid ahead of his stablemates to take sixth on a 27.8.

Show jumping has just kicked off in reverse order of dressage standing, so we’ll have much more to come later this evening from Aiken. You can view the live stream on USEF Network here or on Horse & Country TV here. This post will also be updated with current photos as they become available.

Also of note is the charity challenge happening in conjunction with this weekend’s festivities. Riders have been divided up into color teams, each one representing a different local nonprofit or charity. You can go online to vote with a nominal donation for your favorite team – to view more information and cast your vote click here.

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: Website, Entries, Live Scores, XC Course Preview, H&C TV, USEF Network, EN’s Coverage

Thursday Video: Valegro Gives a Riding Lesson

By on Mar 4, 2021 5:30 pm -

There’s just something quite special about a superstar of an equine athlete who can pull double-duty as a beginner-friendly ride. For as much pomp and circumstance as dressage champion Valegro was accustomed to during his heyday, he seems equally keen to let SkySports series “Driving Force” host Judy Murray hop on for a ride.

If you want more of Charlotte Dujardin’s episode of “Driving Force”, you’re in for a treat! Watch the full episode below:

Volunteer Nation: 6 Events to Help This Weekend

By on Mar 4, 2021 2:30 pm -

Frank on jump judge duty at Pine Top Farm. Photo by Shelby Allen.

One perk of volunteering these days is the opportunity it affords to be around the sport when competitions are still closed to spectators. As Shelby Allen’s dog, Frank, can attest, jump judging gives you a front row seat to the action! Of course, there are also plenty of other jobs available at this weekend’s events, all with their own opportunity to help you learn a little more about the sport.

We always look forward to the USEA’s “Volunteer of the Month” column – catch up on the latest story about Billy Jackson, who spends much of his time riding and volunteering at Poplar Place Farm in Hamilton, Ga.

We’ve compiled some resources on volunteering with COVID-19 regulations in mind. We’ll reference this list each week in Volunteer Nation, so take a few moments to familiarize yourself with what’s new and different.

COVID-19 Resources for Eventers
Volunteers Adapt to the New Normal
Volunteers Weigh In on New COVID-19 Protocols

As always, you can earn merit points when you donate your time through the USEA’s Volunteer Incentive Program. Registering to volunteer through EventingVolunteers.com makes it easy and seamless to both find a job and shift as well as learn what your role will entail.

Event: Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field
Dates: Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 7
Address: 931 Powderhouse Road SE, Aiken, SC, 29803
Positions Available: None

Event: MDHT Spring Forward Cross Derby
Dates: Saturday, March 6 through Sunday, March
Address: 71235 Park Mills Road, Adamstown, MD, 21710
Positions Available: None

Event: Rocking Horse Winter III H.T.
Dates: Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 7
Address: 44200 S.R. 19 N , Altoona, FL, 32702
Positions Available: General Help

Event: Sporting Days Farm II H.T.
Dates: Friday, March 5 through Sunday, March 7
Address: 3549 Charleston Hwy, Aiken, SC, 29801
Positions Available: XC Finish Timer, XC Jump Judge, XC Score Runner, XC Warm-up, Dressage Score Runner, Dressage Steward, Hospitality Helper, General Help, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Scribe, SJ Steward, SJ Timer, XC Control, XC Start Timer, XC Starter, Dressage Bit Check, Dressage Steward, SJ In-Gate

Event: Southern Pines H.T.
Dates: Thursday, March 4 through Sunday, March 7
Address: 2814 Montrose Rd., Raeford, NC, 28376
Positions Available: Event Prep – XC, XC Crossing Guard, General Help, SJ Jump Crew, SJ Warm-up, XC Warm-up, Event Takedown – XC

Other Events This Weekend:

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: Volunteer Information

Elisa Wallace Announces Retirement of Simply Priceless

By on Mar 4, 2021 10:32 am -

Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Elisa Wallace has announced the retirement of her longtime five-star partner, Simply Priceless, at the age of 20. The Australian Thoroughbred gelding completed 17 FEI events with Elisa in the irons during a partnership that first began in 2013. Together, the pair would make their then-CCI4* debut at what was then known as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, finishing in the top 20 in 2015. They’d return to the following year to finish in the top 10 and would also complete Burghley as the top-placed American and rookie pair in 2016 (14th).

Elisa posted the following reflection on her social media:

This spring has been a bit different for Johnny aka #SimplyPriceless (2001 16.3hd Australian Thoroughbred) He will not be heading to Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event this year, as I have decided to retire him. I love this horse will all my heart. My horse of a lifetime. He made so many dreams come true that seemed to be so unattainable. So many opportunities and so many lessons learned.

He was an underdog and often doubted but Johnny always came through. He took me over the biggest tracks in the world attending FIVE 5⭐️s. With our most notable finishing 8th at Kentucky and 14th at Burghley and we made the Alternate list for the Rio Olympics.

He was the horse that gave me wings. No jump was too big for him, as he made Cottesmore Leap feel like a novice fence, he was a machine. He would fight to get inside the flags for me. Truly an amazing horse.

Johnny’s antics about how stupid dressage was always made me laugh and I learned to not sweat the small stuff. That placings at a regular horse trials really didn’t matter because he only thought championships were worthy. He did humor me with one of our best tests at Burghley.

So many rides of a lifetime with him. I always loved hearing people cheer for him because he deserved it.

A horse that is quirky and demanding of his humans. He’s tough as nails and defies science sometimes and the horse with the biggest heart would never tell me no. He is 20 this year and a wild man as ever. So now it’s my turn to give back to my best friend and give him his best retirement with all the cookies he wants.

A big thank you to his syndicate that has been so supportive of us through the years. Steve Sukup Vicki Larson Sukup, Susan Day, Kal Loveless Larry Loveless, and Rick Wallace.

Please join us in wishing Johnny a happy retirement, where Elisa says he’ll have a field to roam and friends to hang out with for life. Go Eventing.

Your Guide to the $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field

By on Mar 4, 2021 9:00 am -

Bruce’s Field. Photo by Shelby Allen.

It’s nearly time to kick off one of the first big competitions of the 2021 season, and it’s one that riders have been looking forward to after the cancellation of so many events last year. The $50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, Sc. is a condensed-format showcase intended to show off the sport’s best athletes and features a star-studded entry list.

While the event is closed to spectators this year, the USEF Network and Horse & Country TV will be providing a livestream beginning tomorrow, March 5 at 7:30 a.m. EST. Saturday’s cross country will be shown only on Horse & Country TV (which is well worth a subscription with a load of content ready for your viewing!).

I’ll be providing recaps from each phase along with live updates from the cross country phase on Saturday. In the meantime, bookmark this post or visit the Grand Prix Eventing website for the latest information on how to follow along.

Schedule:

  • Friday, March 5th – 8:00 a.m. EST – 2:30 p.m. EST: Dressage
  • Friday, March 5th – 3:30 p.m. EST – 5:30 p.m. EST: Show Jumping
  • Saturday, March 6th – 2:30 p.m. EST – 5:00 p.m. EST: Cross Country

The cross country course designed by Capt. Mark Phillips features 22 jumping efforts winding through four of the arenas and their surroundings – take a look at the course below:

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand-Prix Eventing: [Website] [Ride Times] [Dressage Order of Go] [Cross Country Course] [H&C TV Live Stream] [USEF Network Live Stream]

Updates on EHV-1 European Outbreak + One Case Reported in Ocala

By on Mar 3, 2021 12:22 pm -

We continue to monitor the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe, which has forced the cancellation of all FEI events on the European mainland in an effort to contain it. The outbreak, which began in Valencia, Spain, had claimed the lives of four horses as of March 1, and 84 on-site horses were also exhibiting clinical signs. The venue was hosting a show jumping competition at the time of the outbreak.

Wednesday morning, March 3, the FEI has released a further update on the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe, noting that 15 horses are currently being treated at external veterinary clinics in Valencia and Barcelona. Since the first fatalities at Valencia, two other horse deaths have been reported in Barcelona and Germany, bringing the total toll to six.

Also on Wednesday, the World Equestrian Center – Ocala reported that its management had been made aware of a case of EHV-1 in Ocala. The case was not reported on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center. At the time of this article’s publication, calls to the Florida Department of Agriculture to confirm details of this case had not been returned. A map (updated as cases are brought to the department’s attention or at the first of the month) of reportable equine diseases is maintained by the Department of Agriculture and can be found here.

Update 3:20 p.m. EST: EN has confirmed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that a single case of EHV-1 was reported on March 1 out of Marion County, where Ocala is located. A horse showing neurological symptoms is being treated at an isolated facility, according to a spokesperson.

The World Equestrian Center – Ocala also issued a travel restriction out of an abundance of caution Wednesday afternoon prohibiting ship-in horses or horses arriving from other venues such as the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington. US Equestrian has also acknowledged the case and will continue to monitor the situation, recommending the restriction of horses’ movements in the meantime.

EHV-1 cases have also been reported in Canada, with one key outbreak occurring in Quebec in February at Venturing Hills Equestrian Farm. A fundraising effort to assist this farm, which has seen two horses die and at least 18 infected, can be found here.

We will continue to provide updates on this situation as they become available. To view the latest biosecurity updates from the FEI, click here.

A US Equestrian press release outlining precautionary recommendations and compliance protocol reads as follows:

A recent outbreak of an aggressive strain of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) has resulted in the immediate cancellation of international events in 10 countries on the European mainland through March 28, 2021. The outbreak originated at a competition in Valencia, Spain, and is present in at least three other countries in Europe to date. There are no current EHV-1 outbreaks related to the Valencia competition evident in the U.S. at this time, but USEF is recommending members take important steps to protect their horses. USEF is working closely with competition organizers and veterinarians to ensure we are as prepared as possible for a potential outbreak in the U.S.

Below are some best practices you can implement immediately:

  • Review and ensure you are prepared for quick implementation of an isolation plan at a competition grounds and/or at your home farm or facility
  • Check your horse’s temperature twice daily and maintain a temperature log
  • Isolate horses at first signs of symptoms or illness and contact your vet immediately
  • Keep separate feed buckets, brushes, rags, and tack/equipment for each horse
  • Ask your veterinarian about appropriate cleaning solutions
  • Eliminate communal or shared water troughs and buckets
  • Practice hand washing in between handling horses
  • Maintain social distancing for horses; limit nose to nose contact with other horses at the ring
  • Ensure your horse is vaccinated for EHV (Rhinopneumonitis vaccine) in line with GR845

Please note that the vaccine does not protect against the neurological form of EHV, which is referred to as Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) but does reduce the clinical signs and shedding of the virus. Early identification and reporting of ill horses is critical in order to trace possible points of exposure and to aid in the prevention of further spread of the disease. The first 30 minutes following identification of a potentially infectious horse frequently determines the extent and scope of transmission and potential outbreak. You should contact your veterinarian immediately for testing if a horse begins to display any symptoms of EHV. Competition managers should also be notified if the horse is at a competition.

If you are aware of individuals who are not following proper reporting protocols, please contact Debbie Saliling, USEF Director of Compliance, at [email protected].

Maryland 5 Star Up to the Challenge Ahead of Rescheduled October Event

By on Mar 3, 2021 9:00 am -

An aerial view of the Fair Hill Special Event Zone. Photo courtesy of Maryland 5 Star.

The Maryland 5 Star, the newest five-star event – joining Kentucky, Badminton, Luhmühlen, Burghley, Pau, and Australia as just the seventh event at the level in the world – drew the unenviable short straw of being the new event in a year decimated by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Forced to pivot away from its grand launch originally scheduled for October of last year, the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill organizing team is now looking ahead to its rescheduled premiere this October 14-17 in Cecil County, Md.

Equipped with a team possessing a wealth of experience in event management both in and out of the equestrian world, the Maryland 5 Star aims to provide quality equestrian sport through the running of a CCI5*, the USEF CCI3*L National Championship, and the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships, encapsulating the sport from every angle.

As many events have experienced in the last twelve months, the process of pivoting to a closed venue or having to cancel altogether is a formidable one. When it became clear that last year’s event could not go forward, the team immediately set about ensuring the 2021 event would be the best it could be.

Event Manager for Marketing, Promotion, and Competition Management Kaleigh Collett explains: “It was inevitable that we would have to cancel last year. There was simply too much unknown going into October and with it being the inaugural event we wanted to present it in the best light we could, and we didn’t feel it would be the best in those circumstances. Having this extra year has given us some time to really focus and and fine-tune the event. We’re still trying to be cautiously optimistic and move forward as best we can.”

Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Abby Powell.

Current USEF protocol prohibits spectators at all licensed events through June of this year. With the potential for this rule to be extended into the fall, the team is looking at their revenue streams from a variety of angles.

“We are thinking about it in several ways – no spectators, limited spectators, higher percentage, and full capacity,” Kaleigh explained. “To say that we aren’t reliant on spectators wouldn’t be true; with any event it would be a huge revenue source, but our hope and plan is to run the competition in some way. Hopefully by early summer we’ll know more about a spectator population.”

To that end, the event is holding off on opening ticket sales at the moment, but will make them available should spectator protocol shift to allow a certain percentage of fans to attend. The event has a ticketing partner in place and will be ready to open ticket sales once they have more direction from the governing bodies.

Recognizing the importance of a quality streaming and digital approach, particularly given the evolution of sporting events in the wake of the pandemic, the organizing committee has also tapped the expertise of Connie Sawyer for Broadcast Production. Connie currently oversees television and streaming production, distribution, on-site logistics as well as the implementation and delivery of Longines rights and FEI Jumping World Cup™ Series and brand standards at all Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North America Events.

Connie Sawyer. Photo: Maryland 5 Star

“(Connie) will be overseeing the live broadcast/live stream component, which we know even during COVID or post-COVID we can use to grow brand awareness for the event and as a way to enhance the overall viewership of the event,” Communications Director Chris Daley said. “Certainly live streaming and broadcast has become more and more important in the last year, so we want to make sure we’re putting proper focus on that element of our event.”

Also joining the leadership team is Director of Operations Dan Laufner, whose previous operational experience has spanned other sports such as professional tennis and NASCAR. “There will certainly be a learning curve to go through with the eventing competition side of things which I am really looking forward to,” Dan said via email. “For me, it’s more about applying overall event production best practices, my experience and success in overcoming unexpected challenges, working collectively with all vendors and key venue constituents, and bringing a fresh perspective/commercial innovations to provide the best and safest experience possible for all. As a reminder, we have a great partnership with Fair Hill International and one of the best Competition Directors in Mary Coldren whom I will work hand in hand to maximize the success of the competition.”

“We are thrilled to have Connie and Dan join our team because they will provide us with a very high-level of expertise within their particular areas,” said Jeff Newman, President and CEO of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, said in a recent press release. “I have known Dan for many years and worked closely with him on other major sporting events. He is someone we can lean on and trust to ensure logistics and operations run smoothly during our inaugural year.” Jeff added, “Connie will not only help us oversee and produce a high-quality broadcast and livestream for viewers, she brings so much added value with her deep event background and extensive relationships in equestrian sports.”

Dan Laufer. Photo: Maryland 5 Star.

With massive facility upgrades and additions being made to the historic Fair Hill acreage as well as the ongoing support of the newly formed Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland’s (The Sport Corp.), the Maryland 5 Star promises to be the event of the fall season. We look forward to bringing you along for more sneak peeks at the facility and more previews of the competition to come as we inch closer to October.

Go Eventing.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Mar 3, 2021 12:01 am -

It’s funny, but I didn’t actually know that the Asian Games were a thing until about five years ago when a coach mentioned them to me. From that moment on, I was on a mission to learn as much about these Games as possible – after all, younger Sally spent hours on the internet trying to find traces of fellow Asian eventers. Now thanks to Instagram, it’s much easier to connect with other riders and follow their journeys as inspiration, and it continues to hold great importance that I do my part to lift these riders up in media so as to increase representation. After all, it’s a lot harder to be it when you can’t see it!

Annie Ho, who has represented Hong Kong in three Asian Games and two Asian Championships, is one such rider I’ve really enjoyed following. Like Yuxuan Su, Annie has had the opportunity to grow her skills thanks to support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I’m really intrigued by this model of development and investment – you can read more about this in my feature on Yuxuan Su here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

$50,000 Liftmaster Grand Prix Eventing at Bruce’s Field: [Website] [Entry Status] [Course Preview] [Live Stream] [EN’s Coverage]

Chattahoochee Hills H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Full Gallop Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Stabling] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Rocking Horse Winter III H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Sporting Days Farm March H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Southern Pines H.T.: [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Wednesday Reading List

Fresh podcast alert: catch up with Michele Arana, of In Stride Equestrian which I featured here in N&N a few weeks back, on this episode of the Life 100 Podcast.

SmartPak’s recent response to questions surrounding the fit of its new Piper Evolution breeches is a great example of a brand willing to own its role in inclusivity. Take a look at the conversation here.

Tune in on Wednesday, March 10 for a livestream interview between Eric Dierks and David O’Connor, presented by the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association.

COVID-19 claims another horse show victim, this time in New Zealand as the popular Horse of the Year Show has been abandoned for 2021.

Hot on Horse Nation: What’s it like to keep a horse in Alaska? HN contributor Allie Carlson gives us an inside look.

Ones to watch: Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF, who handily won their Preliminary division this past weekend at Twin Rivers. Tommy became a hay steamer when “Josh” developed an unusual condition, eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis, that eventually resulted in his eye swelling completely shut. After ointments and antihistamines controlled the inflammation, Tommy turned to steamed hay.

Strides for Equality Equestrians provides an update on what it’s currently working on in its ongoing efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the equestrian industry.

Wednesday Video Break:

Let’s get to know Jamaican eventer Lydia Heywood in this episode of Young Black Equestrians:

Weekend Winners: Pine Top, Three Lakes, Twin Rivers

By on Mar 1, 2021 3:00 pm -

We’ve got plenty of results to cover today, so let’s jump right into it! Eventing action was in full swing in Georgia, Florida, and California this weekend. Across all events, it was Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool who brought home the lowest finishing score of the weekend, winning the Open Intermediate B at Pine Top on a 21.9. Of course, Phillip also neatly collected another incredible score aboard Carlchen in the Advanced B, earning a 15.0 from judge Janis Linnan in the Advanced B. Both Quasi Cool and Carlchen are owned by Caroline Moran. Stay tuned later this afternoon for video of Phillip’s test on Carlchen.

Pine Top Advanced H.T.: [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Advanced Coverage] [Show Photographer]

Advanced A: Jenny Caras and Trendy Fernhill (34.5)
Advanced B: Phillip Dutton and Carlchen (34.2)
Open Intermediate A: Daniel Clasing and MW Gangster’s Game (31.1)
Open Intermediate B: Phillip Dutton and Quasi Cool (21.9)
Intermediate Horse: Tim Bourke and Lennard (33.2)
Intermediate Rider: Isabelle Bosley and Night Quality (40.9)
Open Preliminary A: Erin Kanara and Warren LVSZ (25.9)
Open Preliminary B: Tim Bourke and Flying Quality (29.1)
Open Preliminary C: Lillian Heard and Cooley Gentleman (25.7)
Preliminary Rider: Sydney Shinn and Nyconn Cat (35.5)
Jr/YR Preliminary: Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover (28.1)
Preliminary/Training: Paige Drury and Fernhill 13 (32.4)
Open Training A: Julie Wolfert and Namibia (24.5)
Open Training B: Waylon Roberts and Fernhill IKandy (23.3)
Sr. Training: Carrie Stryker and Just For Today (32.8)
Jr. Training: Marissa Griffin and Conguistador (27.4)
Training/Novice: Deborah McWhirter and FE Show Business (32.1)
Open Novice A: Annie Goodwin and Global Halcyon (22.4)
Open Novice B: Bennett Camp-Crowder and Cooley Compass (26.7)
Novice Rider: Mary Carol Harsch and Foster’s Bold Favorite (27.1)

Three Lakes Winter II H.T.: [Website] [Final Scores] [Show Photographer]

Intermediate/Preliminary: Sarah Bowman and Atlus Louvo (45.0)
Open Preliminary A: Matthew Bryner and Nile Gold (30.9)
Open Preliminary B: Liz Halliday-Sharp and Shanroe Cooley (30.9)
Preliminary Rider: Carson Crowell and Levity (32.8)
Open Training A: Holly Jacks-Smither and Willbrook Brown Yeats (32.7)
Open Training B: Lauren Nicholson and Hindine (26.6)
Open Training C: Lauren Nicholson and I’ll Have Another (24.6)
Training Rider A: Teah Wilson and Junior Mint (32.1)
Training Rider B: Kristin Osley and King of Beer (40.5)
Open Novice A: Kimmy Cecere and Pappy Van Winkle (27.9)
Open Novice B: Joe Meyer and Ardeo Harlequin (24.1)
Novice Rider A: Amanda Smith and Tug of War (32.1)
Novice Rider B: Mim Strote and England Calling (30.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Cemone Rovira and Mr. Sandman (31.3)
Beginner Novice Rider: Eleanor Winter and Giant Frosty (36.8)

Twin Rivers Winter H.T.: [Website] [Final Scores] [EN’s Advanced Report] [Show Photographer]

Advanced: Helen Alliston and Ebay (31.7)
Open Intermediate: James Alliston and RevitaVet Elijah (33.6)
Open Preliminary: Tommy Greengard and Joshuay MBF (24.5)
Preliminary Rider: Alexis Larson and PL Diamond’s Inspiration (33.3)
Jr. Training Rider: Shelby Murray and Reverie GWF (24.1)
Open Training: Jordan Linstedt and Lovely Lola (26.4)
Sr. Training Rider: Emily Schmitz and Fernhill Blueprint (29.3)
Training Horse: Jennifer McFall and Hallelujah DF (33.1)
Jr. Novice Rider A: Molly Duda and Lilly (26.7)
Jr. Novice Rider B: Olivia Doman and London Calling OHF (26.7)
Novice Amateur: Leah Forquer and Oakley’s Hunt SE (31.7)
Novice Horse: Chloe Smyth and BBC (29.1)
Open Novice: Tommy Greengard and Leonardo Diterma (25.7)
Sr. Novice Rider: Faith Dalessandro and Spurs and Stilettos (23.8)
Jr. Beginner Novice: Avonlea Wang and Black Gold (25.8)
Open Beginner Novice: Nick Cwick and Livius (27.5)
Sr. Beginner Novice: Kira De Torres and The Great Gatsby (34.2)
Introductory: Toora Nolan and Sir Elliot (31.7)

🦖🦖🦖🌟🌟🌟🦖🦖🦖
T-Rex was a baller around his first Advanced!!
Cheers 🍻 with a 🦖 beer!!! How was I so lucky to find that!? 🤣🤣

Posted by Andrea Baxter on Saturday, February 27, 2021

West Coast Advanced Season Kicks Off at Twin Rivers

By on Mar 1, 2021 1:00 pm -

Helen Alliston and Ebay. Photo by Ride On Photo.

West coast Advanced riders got a chance to stretch their legs at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, Ca. this weekend, kicking off the upper level season that will quickly include Copper Meadows (March 12-14) and Galway Downs (March 25-28) this month. Riders will then return to Twin Rivers April 8-11 for the inaugural CCI4*L.

Helen Alliston and her own Ebay, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, netted their first national Advanced win of their partnership, adding a small amount of time on cross country and one rail in show jumping for a finishing score of 31.7. This will be Ebay’s first full season at the level – he first made the step up the CCI4*S level in 2019 at Woodside, where he won – and Helen plans to work on building the gelding’s confidence more this spring.

“I worked really hard at home all of last year with Ebay and our partnership is feeling really solid now,” Helen said. She’s tentatively aiming for Rebecca Farm’s CCI4*L in July as Ebay’s 4*L debut, but the immediate goal for the spring is just confidence and miles. “He’s greener than he seems and hasn’t ever had a full season at Advanced, so I just want to really solidify him at the level before I do a Long.”

USEA Foundation Frangible Technology Fund fences at Twin Rivers!

Posted by Sherry Stewart on Friday, February 26, 2021

This weekend’s run, though, was a great pipe opener for the gelding, with whom Helen has been partnered since 2016 when he was still learning at the lower levels. “He was the bravest he’s been on cross country so I was able to go pretty fast and he came home super confident, which was great,” she said.

Second in the Advanced were Emilee Libby and Jakobi, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood with excellent jumping power and talent to boot. Thanks to two clear jumping rounds without time, Emilee and Jakobi moved from fifth into second to end their weekend on a 32.3. This pair is headed to Kentucky to make their CCI5* debut together – Emilee’s return to the level for the first time since 2008, when she finished 21st aboard Cahir.

“Jakobi felt great in every phase this weekend,” Emilee told EN. “The cross country track was the best I’ve seen at Twin, which is very exciting for their inaugural 4L in April. I wanted to see where Jakobi’s fitness was, and he galloped around easily and inside the time. We have eight weeks until Kentucky and everything feels on track!”

Emilee Libby and Jakobi. Photo by Ride On Photo.

Completing the top three in the Advanced this weekend are Erin Kellerhouse and Woodford Reserve, a 10-year-old Dutch gelding who we talent-spotted a few years back when he caught our eye at the Preliminary level. Erin and “Woody” make for an eye-catching pair and successfully made their debut at the Advanced level in February of 2020. This pair added 9.7 time penalties on cross country to finish third on a score of 37.1.

Finally, please join us in congratulating Tayler Ravenscroft, who made her show photography debut as the newest arm of Ride On Video, Ride On Photo. Thank you, Tayler, for providing the below images from the weekend – and if you competed at Twin Rivers, keep an eye on on the Ride On Photo website for your show photos and please support your show photographers/videographers.

To view all final scores from Twin Rivers, click here. As always, many thanks to the Baxter family and Twin Rivers Ranch for hosting these important spring (and beyond!) events! Go Eventing.

Thursday Video: Two More Training Exercises from Caroline Moore

By on Feb 25, 2021 5:00 pm -

Care to add a couple of new tools to your toolbox this season? British Eventing’s training series with Caroline Moore (which we’ve shared previously here) continues with two new exercises: the square and the curving line with a bounce.

In each of these exercises, you’ll be targeting accuracy, engagement, and balance. These are good tricks to pull out when space is limited, and the added benefit of these low-impact exercises are the reduced wear and tear on your horse’s legs. These videos are well-produced and even provide diagramming to help drive Caroline’s message home.

Bookmark these for your next training session and take note of how they benefit you and your horse. To see more from British Eventing, click here.

Function Meets Fashion: Build Your Show Outfit with Ariat’s New Line

By on Feb 25, 2021 1:30 pm -

Image courtesy of Ariat.

I can still remember the time I purchased my first show outfit. Truth be told, I had scraped by with a gifted show coat and a secondhand pair of Tailored Sportsmans through my high school and IHSA days. So this, for my first proper, recognized event, was a pretty momentous occasion. Nevermind the fact I had exactly $100 to spend (hello, consignment rack), I was out to find the outfit that would give me the look of a true event rider – or so I hoped, at least.

But alas, this was still the time of approximately three brands of breeches and two brands of show shirts. As I cast an eye over the well-worn consignment rack (can we all agree that consignment offerings have gotten so much better in recent years?), I felt a bit crestfallen. I have never been what you would call a “fashionista” (let’s be honest, I’ve never had enough disposable income to support this habit), but I enjoy the confidence that comes with a killer outfit that fits well and looks good. I’m only human, after all. And these options, well, they weren’t it. I settled on the best bargain I could find and went on my way, telling myself it didn’t actually matter what I wore, anyway.

Fast forward nearly two decades and we now are faced with almost the opposite challenge: an all-out plethora of apparel choices for any equestrian sport, any day of the week, and any style. As our clothing evolves to reflect the athletic nature of our sport, while still holding a candle to tradition, it’s Ariat that stands out as a brand that marries these two concepts of function and fashion – and has stood the test of time while doing so. As I rifled through the catalog showcasing Ariat’s newest offerings for the spring, I could feel younger Sally turning green with envy.

The new Ariat Speranza collection dazzles without losing technical ability. Image courtesy of Ariat.

“Old world elegance meets modern innovation” is the tagline accompanying the new Ariat Speranza collection – and it’s a perfect way to describe the process of creating a design that respects the sport’s roots while acknowledging innovation. Designed and made in Italy, the Speranza line – which includes show coats and breeches – contains details that keep to this concept: ultra-smooth, 360-degree stretch fabrications, contoured European tailoring, and refined details.

Gone are the days of the non washable wool coats or the “don’t wash my breeches unless you have a death wish” pleas to a hapless partner, as Ariat’s apparel is all machine-washable. And as much as we gripe about the tradition of white breeches, we can take some comfort in the fact that brands such as Ariat offer thoughtful design to make said white breeches more tolerable and even enjoyable.

Breeches have gotten more comfortable, better fitting, and more athletically tailored over time, and the Tri Factor Grip Breech stands out as a particularly great option for eventers. In a nod to the athletic nature of our sport, these breeches include innovative features such as:

  • Ariat® V3® elastic “V” panel built into the back waistband for superior stretch and recovery
  • CFS™ Calf Fit System provides custom support at the calf and ankle, alleviating pressure points and friction
  • Moisture Movement Technology™ keeps you drier
  • Ariat® Hex Grip knee patch for optimal grip in the saddle
  • Compression garment provides sleek fit and retains its shape
  • Freeze Point™ cooling technology reduces skin temperature up to 2.8°C/5°F

Finally to complete your look just in time for the new show season, Ariat has two new show shirts to offer this spring: the Auburn show shirt and the Sunstopper Pro 2.0 show shirt.

Both of these shirts offer exceptional sun protection – a must for eventers spending long days in the saddle cross country schooling or doing fitness sets. The breathable fabric featuring in both of these show shirts lends itself well to those sweaty summer days, and the modern wrap collar always makes for a comfortable fashion statement. For male riders looking for more options, the new Ariat TEK Show Shirt is a polished, performance-ready shirt featuring a tie loop and AriatTEK Heat Series technology for staying cool.

Image courtesy of Ariat.

It’s true that a show outfit is an investment, and it’s also true that your horse does not care what you show up in – nor should your fellow competitors. But it’s undeniable that stepping into an outfit that fits well and that allows you to move and perform comfortably gives you a fresh injection of confidence. And we could all use a little more of that in the saddle, if you ask me!

You can check out all of Ariat’s show collection here. Go eventing!

After a Leg Up from Hong Kong Jockey Club, Yuxuan Su Thrives in Pursuit of Excellence

By on Feb 25, 2021 9:00 am -

Yu Xuan Su and Diva De Lux at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Photo by Foto Trailer.

Tucked away on the easternmost side of busy, bustling Hong Kong, looking out over Clearwater Bay, is the Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre, a haven for horse lovers that serves as a springboard – the site where many come to catch “the bug”. With nearly 8 million residents in a 426 square mile territory, there isn’t much space for equestrian sport – but it exists in these small, well-maintained incubators, within a network of Public Riding Schools, and on the two horse racing tracks heavily patronized by eager fans and bettors.

Yuxuan Su was six years old when he discovered horses and began riding at the the bayside riding center. Fascinated by the athletic partnership between horse and rider, something about the horses kept him enamored. Horses in Hong Kong require wealth and land, something his family was unable to spring for, so he spent much of his time at the Equestrian Centre, working off lessons and spending as many minutes as he could around the horses.

It was from here that the rest of his life would spring, a lifelong pursuit of excellence and education rooted not only in horses but in a desire to see and know the world. And it all began inside the little slice of riding heaven that existed solely to do what it had done for Yuxuan: open the doors to the incredible world of horses for more new riders who otherwise wouldn’t have the exposure.

Opportunity, Investment, Engagement

Embed from Getty Images

It was the Summer Olympic Games of 2008, during which the equestrian events were hosted in Hong Kong with the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), that spurred the rise in popularity of equestrian sports that continues today.

Long recognized among the largest community benefactors in Hong Kong, HKJC recognized the potential that lay in producing top equestrian athletes to represent the country in future championships. Investing in this talent development as well as the ongoing improvement of the community, HKJC bolstered its equestrian support. The establishment of the HKJC Equestrian Team and Junior Equestrian Training Squad expanded a program that already opened the door to horses for many through its network of British Horse Society-accredited Public Riding Schools. Each year, these Public Riding Schools (three of these are open to the public and one is designated for HKJC members only) attract over 80,000 visitors of all ages.

Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre, where Yuxuan grew up riding and mucking stalls for lessons.

These developmental efforts supported by HKJC are intriguing. One unique aspect of the program here is the support riders receive at all stages of their involvement. The Jockey Club provides financial support, physiotherapy, coaching, and even horses for those who do not have their own – a commonality in a small country where importing a horse is often the easiest way to find one. With these barriers to entry removed, talent is able to be properly nurtured.

And the efforts are paying off. In 2016, HKJC opened the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, a merit-based program that provides team members with support personnel and competition horses. In 2018, Hong Kong collected its first-ever Asian Games gold medal thanks to the efforts of team rider Jacqueline Siu’s individual dressage victory. This program continues to grow, with more connections to young rider development put into place in recent years.

Combined with the impact and reach of HKJC-supported events such as the Longines Masters of Hong Kong and Asia Horse Week, the benefits of supporting equestrian sport and talent development are innumerable in terms of community engagement. Notably, the Jockey Club also supports the Jockey Club Youth Football Programme, collaborating with the Hong Kong Football Association and Manchester United to provide a similarly-constructed pathway program for aspiring football (American soccer) players.

Yuxuan Gets His Shot

When The Hong Kong Jockey Club elected to pluck a 13-year-old Yuxuan from the stable, where he was mucking stalls in exchange for lessons, and place him in the earliest formations of the Junior Equestrian Team, they succeeded not only in cultivating a talent that would reap rewards in the form of Asian Games medals, but also in setting a young man free to pursue his passions in a multitude of directions.

If you were to sit and look at Yuxuan’s riding career alone, it reads impressively, telling the story of a dedicated rider willing to put in the time it takes to eke out success in a demanding, often isolating sport. After completing secondary school, and through the support of the HKJC Junior Equestrian Team, Yuxuan traveled to Australia to work under show jumper Clive Reed and would also spend time training with Lucinda Fredericks. Shortly after moving to London to begin his undergraduate studies in philosophy at King’s College, Yuxuan met the man who would become his most supportive owner: Howard Green. “He’s still my main owner today,” Yuxuan explained. “He lives in Hong Kong but has his event horses based (in the UK). He just kind of put his faith and trust in me and gave me this opportunity.”

Suddenly, Yuxuan, despite his relative inexperience in terms of competition (he’d primarily competed on the local circuit back in Hong Kong and commented that the sheer size and number of competitors at shows in Australia blew him away), found himself with three talented horses to ride and produce. He wasn’t about to squander this opportunity.

Yuxuan Su and All or Nothing. Photo by HorseMove Thailand.

That hard work and dedication paid off: Yuxuan won individual bronze in eventing at the 2017 FEI Asian Eventing Championships and was a member of the silver medal-winning team at the Games in 2019.

But among the successes – and the toiling it took to get to them – existed an entirely separate part of Yuxuan’s life.

After his time in Australia, Yuxuan took a gap year, one in which he “completely didn’t see a horse”, to travel and volunteer with a friend, see a little more of the world. This experience coupled with an innate desire to do more and be more solidified Yuxuan’s conviction that he keep one foot in the horse world and with the other continue to explore the vast rest of the world.

“I missed being around the horses, but the travel confirmed that there is a massive world and a lot to see a do out there,” he explained. “I feel like that’s where my life is now. I want to still be in touch with the world and have interests and passions outside of horses whilst this eventing is my career.”

And so it’s with this general curiosity that he descended on London, eager to begin his first year of university. When the opportunity from Mr. Green came, there was one caveat: the horses were being kept in livery in Leicestershire – two hours by train from London.

“The horses were in full livery, so I spent Monday through Wednesday or Thursday in London and the rest of the week I would travel and stay at the stables with the horses,” he recalled. “I had masses of support in that I didn’t have to worry about the horses when I wasn’t there. But at the same time, it still felt like I threw myself in the deep end. Mentally, it was tough to deal with the riding and the added pressure of going to school and moving to a new country where I knew no one.”

I don’t detect any regret or self-pity in Yuxuan’s voice as he recalls the hustle of his university days. “I kind of have this thing where I just say yes and deal with it after,” he laughs. But then he sobers a bit. “As a consequence, I kind of threw myself into this space of being in uni, having these really nice horses to take to events, and this pressure to represent Hong Kong and qualify for the Asian Games…off the back of having done nothing. It didn’t really sink in until I started going to these national events in the UK, I realized I had been a big fish in a small pond for so many years and that this was a whole new world.”

Photo by Matt Nutall Photography.

The pressure and the unknown are enough to make anyone question their reason why. “I was at a point where I did take a hit to my confidence in my riding, and I didn’t know if I was good enough for it. I was almost convincing myself I didn’t want to do it. Looking back, I can see that it was all just brand new to me and that there was a lot of this pressure – a lot of it from myself.”

Several years have passed since those grit-it-out days in university. Yuxuan says he’s been able to find more balance, and this year off from the Asian Games and Championships cycle will allow him to focus on building his partnerships with his small string of horses. He’s still not flush with spare time, however: he’s just completed his Master’s studies in bioethics and is preparing to embark in pursuit of his doctorate next. He is, in a word and perhaps an understatement still, driven. But, he says, all of this perspective, these experiences and skills only benefit his riding career.

“I think it’s quite easy when you work in horses and in the equestrian industry to be fully consumed by it,” he explained. “Because it is so time-consuming and requires so much effort. So having some time outside of that has helped me to understand how everything fits in to the bigger picture. And I feel I’m really able to think critically about my riding, something I think I’ve taken away from uni.”

A lifelong athlete who also played rugby and competed in powerlifting, Yuxuan enjoys seeing the correlations among sports and applying concepts he’s learned elsewhere to his riding, and vice versa.

In all, it’s an athlete, a scholar, a professional who make up significant parts of Yuxuan’s identity, one that has been crafted and shaped by the world at large. And he owes a lot of this direction his life has taken to that early experience and exposure to horses as well as the support The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Mr. Howard Green.

“I can honestly say it wouldn’t have been possible without (HKJC and Mr. Green),” he said. “If I hadn’t been on the Junior team and hadn’t been able to go and train and compete abroad and be exposed to that world of sport, I wouldn’t have even considered it possible to do this for a living. So that sort of exposure to it and the initial access to these opportunities were massive.”

Arena Building 101, Presented by FutureTrack

By on Feb 24, 2021 3:30 pm -

Arena building in progress at Poplar Place. Photo courtesy of FutureTrack.

You’ve finally bought the piece of land you’ve been eyeing and all systems are go to build your own facility – congratulations! It’s a big step to bring your horses home or to create riding facilities at your home barn, but the initial investment can pay off in terms of money saved on boarding or having that much more time to spend with your horses.

But just like anything worth keeping, it’s important to start at the bottom and work your way up when it comes time to put in your arena. Building an equestrian riding arena is no small investment of time or money, and there are a lot of common mistakes that arena builders see often.

To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’re pleased to present a six-part series with FutureTrack Footing, which offers full arena building services in addition to a 100% white nylon product fiber footing for stable, high-quality riding surfaces. We’ll answer some common questions about horseback riding arena construction and wrap up the series with a building checklist you can save for future reference.

FutureTrack is owned by the father-son team of Jack and Michael Pollard and is based out of Dalton, Ga.

What are the most important considerations when planning to build a riding arena and budget?

Location: Poor placement can affect your arena in the long-term – though there are ways to improve an existing arena that has been poorly placed – so consider a few factors when creating your site plan. A low area of the property may experience drainage from higher up. Placing an arena right next to a main road may cause issues in terms of lighting placement. Consider the type of soil – will it be rocky or full of roots from nearby mature trees? These will add extra costs during the excavation process.

Purpose and Size: What will you use this arena for? If you’re planning to jump and do flatwork, consider adding more width than a standard dressage arena width. How many horses will be in the arena at any given time?

Contractors: A common issue FutureTrack co-owner Michael Pollard says he sees often is, through no fault of their own, grading contractors may not understand the special needs of an arena intended for horses. “There will always be someone who comes in and will put an arena wherever they’re told to, but they simply don’t know that these things do affect the horses,” he explained. “The base of an arena is a lot more than what a house foundation would need. And once the base is bad, it’s really hard to make it ‘good’.” Michael recommends doing your research and finding a grading contractor experienced with grading specifically for riding arenas.

Drainage and Base: We’ll dive deeper into drainage in a future column, but this is also something to consider when building a riding arena. Here, again, the grading comes into play; for example, an arena on even a slight slope will encourage water to run downhill, building speed and creating more erosion over time. At the same time, while an arena requires proper drainage, it also requires proper levels of water retention – a balancing act, if you will. In addition, there are new options for bases, including mats and grids, for future shock-absorption.

Surface: What will you put on top of your base? These days, the options are endless. Many facilities now opt for additives or additive-based mixes for footing, as these provide a greater level of stability and cushion for the horse.

Ongoing Maintenance: Every arena will require a degree of maintenance. Having the right maintenance equipment and the understanding of what your arena needs will be key to keep your investment in top form over time.

In part two of this series, we’ll take a closer look at arena foundations and considerations for laying the right base.

Did you know that FutureTrack Footing offers free estimates and full arena construction services in addition to high-quality fiber footing? Click here to learn more and request your quote.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Feb 24, 2021 12:01 am -

The Life of Jimmy Winkfield

Jimmy Winkfield is the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. Learn more about him and see this painting in person at the museum!

#blackhistory #blackhorsemen #blackstories

Posted by International Museum of the Horse on Monday, February 15, 2021

Care for a walk down history lane with me? This week’s rabbit hole dive subject is Jimmy Winkfield, the last Black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby – which he did consecutively in 1901 and 1902. In fact, he rode in four Kentucky Derby races in succession, never finishing worse than third. During a time when racism ran rampant and racing was becoming almost exclusively white, an offer to ride in Russia became too tempting to turn down, and Jimmy soon found himself on a ship headed to the other side of the world.

His success as a race jockey is underscored by another display of boldness: a harrowing journey from Russia across the Transylvania Alps to Poland, fleeing oncoming Bolsheviks with 250 Thoroughbreds, Polish noblemen and horsemen.

Jimmy’s race career would spill all over Europe, finding success in each corner and spinning into an equally successful second career as a trainer. After 60 years away from the U.S., Jimmy returned with his daughter, Liliane, for a reception in his honor hosted by Sports Illustrated. The pair were denied entry to the party through the front door.

I’ve hardly done Jimmy’s incredible story justice, so I highly recommend this article over on America’s Best Racing to learn much more about his life.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Full Gallop Farm Mid-February H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Stabling, Volunteer

Pine Top Advanced H.T.: Website, Schedule, Entry Status, Stabling, Volunteer

Three Lakes Winter II H.T.: Website, Entry Status, Ride Times, Volunteer

Twin Rivers Winter H.T.: Website, Entry Status/Ride Times, Stabling, Volunteer

Wednesday Reading List:

For your next trot set: tune in to the latest episode of The Equestrian Podcast, featuring Erin Brown, also known as The Concrete Cowgirl. Erin has extensive experience managing stables and is a strong advocate for riding programs serving her local communities. She is also an active representative on the USEF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion External Thought Leaders Group and contributed to the development of the USEF DEI Action Plan.

British Eventing has issued an update regarding current COVID-19 restrictions in England and Scotland. With a return to play anticipated, the organization is working on protocol to unveil in the coming days: “Our member bodies are working on various ‘return to play’ plans for release in the coming days with specific details for their sectors and stakeholder groups.”

Somehow, it’s nearly allergy season again. How prepared are you? Allergic reactions can manifest in a multitude of ways and can also be exacerbated by barn and living conditions. Learn more about allergens and avoidance in this blog from Haygain.

We’re off and running with EN’s Patreon, a dedicated eventing super-fan hub that we created in January. To say thank you to our Patrons, we’ve teamed up with Horse & Rider Books for a giveaway this week. Want to enter? Consider joining the party on Patreon!

The popular “Sire Madness” game is back for this year’s Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. Breeding aficionados will love this game that tracks the performance of Thoroughbred sires across disciplines. Learn how to play here.

Could the 2032 Olympics be held in Queensland, Australia? There’s definitely a chance, and that chance could get stronger with an endorsing nod from the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Summer Commission this week.

#ICYMI: Kate Samuels spent the weekend tracking down this incredibly cool story about Indiana-based Dan Kreitl and his Advanced debut on three self-produced horses.

Research has found that omeprazole, commonly used as a treatment for gastric ulcers in horses, is more effective when fed to fasted horses. Dive into the study on The Horse here.

Wednesday Video Break:

Learn more about Jimmy Winkfield:

Tuesday Video: USEA Webinar for 2021 Rule Changes

By on Feb 23, 2021 5:00 pm -

There are some rule changes afoot in the USEF Rules for Eventing set forth in 2021. Set to take effect on April 1, 2021, these changes will be important to familiarize yourself with ahead of your next competition. To help lay out the changes for this year, the USEA and USEF Eventing Rules Working Group chair Malcolm Hook have put on a webinar that can be viewed in the embedded video above. Please note, the video will go into replay on-demand mode once the live session concludes.

To view more on the forthcoming changes to the USEF Rules for Eventing in 2021, click here.