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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.

Latest Articles Written

Preview the 2025 MARS Maryland 5 Star Entries

By on Oct 2, 2025 9:00 am -

Two-time top-10 finishers Buck Davidson and Sorocaima return for a fourth run at the 5 Star. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We have an entry list for this year’s MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, presented by Brown Advisory! This year, the newest CCI5* event celebrates its five-year anniversary and a strong international field is ready to tackle the challenge.

Remember, it’s a new-look cross country course this year, too. Pierre le Goupil of Paris 2024 fame has stepped into the shoes of Ian Stark, who has stayed on to advise this year as he eyes up retirement and the ski slopes. While we’ll still see the track used in similar ways this year as the team works on a long-term vision for the course, we can expect a new look and feel that will bear a different stamp. What, exactly, that stamp is remains to be seen, so let’s talk about what we do know: the entries!

The 25-combination roster is, in alphabetical order:

  • Alex Bragg (GBR) – Quindiva
  • Jennie Brannigan (USA) – FE Lifestyle
  • Jennie Brannigan (USA) – FE Connery
  • Brooke Burchianti (USA) – Cooley Space Grey
  • Bruce Davidson Jr. (USA) – Sorocaima
  • Mary Bess Davis (USA) – Imperio Magic
  • Mia Farley (USA) – Phelps
  • Will Faudree (USA) – Mama’s Magic Way
  • Sophia Hill (AUS) – Humble Glory
  • Shannon Lilley (USA) – Eindhoven Garette
  • Tayla Mason (NZL) – Centennial
  • Boyd Martin (USA) – Luke 140
  • Boyd Martin (USA) – Commando 3
  • Caroline Pamukcu (USA) – HSH Double Sixteen
  • Caroline Pamukcu (USA) – HSH Tolan King
  • Caroline Pamukcu (USA) – She’s The One
  • Caroline Pamukcu (USA) – HSH Blake
  • Jessica Phoenix (CAN) – Fluorescent Adolescent
  • Jessica Phoenix (CAN) – Wabbit
  • Jonelle Price (NZL) – Chilli’s Midnight Star
  • Allison Springer (USA) – Vandyke
  • Monica Spencer (NZL) – Artist
  • Lindsay Traisnel (CAN) – Bacyrouge
  • Felix Vogg (SUI) – Cartania
  • Arden Wildasin (USA) – Sunday Times

We’ll once more have another shot at the title for inaugural winner Boyd Martin, who will ride Luke 140 (the Luke 140 Syndicate) and Commando 3 (Yankee Creek Ranch LLC), both of whom come into the weekend off of banner years which include a comeback for Luke 140 to the 5* levels after a season on the sidelines.

It will also be a hotly-anticipated first CCI5* for HSH Blake (Mollie Hoff, Sherrie Martin, Caroline and Deniz Pamukcu), who has conquered just about every other step along the way with Caroline Pamukcu in the irons. Caroline also has three other horses entered, including a return to the 5* level for HSH Double Sixteen (Double Sixteen Partnership) and She’s the One (Mollie and Annie Hoff, Sherrie Martin) as well as a debut for HSH Tolan King (Tolan King Partnership). She will, however, narrow down to three rides at some point.

Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Canada is also represented well with the on-fire Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge (Patricia Pearce) as well as Jessie Phoenix with both Fluorescent Adolescent and Wabbit on the card.

The weekend will be a welcome back for Jennie Brannigan and Tim and Nina Gardner’s FE Lifestyle, who suffered an injury during transport just before Badminton this spring, truncating the sizzling hot form they had been on. He’s accompanied on the entry list by FE Connery, who finished on the 4*-L podium at Rebecca Farm this summer and now steps up to the 5* level. Allison Springer also has a debut horse in the Rico Syndicate’s Vandyke, top 10 in the 4*-L at Rebecca.

Alex Bragg and Quindiva. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

This year, we’ll welcome several new-to-Maryland faces from the international contingent, thanks in large part to the generous travel grants made available by the Maryland International Equestrian Foundation and Loch Moy Farm. Among those are Quindiva (the Roe family), who with Britain’s Alex Bragg has two CCI5* top-10 finishes under her belt at both Burghley and Badminton. Sophia Hill (AUS) and Humble Glory (Sophia and Andy Hill, Michelle and Ted Landy) are heading stateside after very nearly coming away with the Adelaide 5* win this spring; they’ve also run around Burghley and finished 22nd there last year. Switzerland’s Felix Vogg has also entered his World and Europeans championship horse, Cartania (Phoenix Eventing S.à.r.l. and Felix), who’s also got a strong record at the 5* level with three top-15 finishes at Badminton/Burghley. New Zealand is represented several times over, with both Tayla Mason and Centennial (the Mason family and Sue Rutter) as well as Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star (a 5* debutant horse owned by Nikki Axon and Merrill Halstead coming off a top result at Scone Palace earlier this summer). Monica Spencer will also fly the flags for the Kiwis, basing here in the U.S. for the next few years with Artist (Spencer Eventing) who has three top-1o 5* finishes (and one just barely outside of the top 10).

Speaking of Thoroughbreds, in addition to Artist, we’ll have Phelps (David O’Connor) with Mia Farley (you’ll recall they finished fifth in their debut at the level in 2023, then went on to complete Burghley last year), as well as Sorocaima (Carl Segal) with Buck Davidson. “Cam” returns for the fourth time to Maryland, having finished fourth in 2024.

Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Also lending their depth of experience to the field are Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way, who’ve finished top-20 at Burghley and top-15 at Kentucky and return to Maryland for the second time (they were also 10th at the former Fair Hill International at the 4*-L level in 2019).

Four pairs who made their first 5* start at Kentucky are ready to do it all over again: Brooke Burchianti and Cooley Space Grey, Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic, Shannon Lilley and Eindhoven Garette, and Arden Wildasin with Sunday Times.

The CCI3*-L has 54 entries and provides an excellent sneak peek into some potential future stars of the sport. You can take a look at the full entries for both the 5* and 3* as well as the East Coast Young Event Horse Championships here.

We’ll have much more Maryland content coming your way soon. As a reminder, we’re (well, I am, technically) teaming up with the event to host a new Maryland Masterclass event with Pierre le Goupil and Ian Stark on Friday, October 17. It’ll be your chance to get a first look at the course and hear from Pierre and Ian up close and personal. You do need to purchase tickets in advance, and you can do that here. If you have an interesting question you’d like me to work into the chat, let me know by emailing [email protected] (or better yet, come and ask them yourself!).

We’re pleased to welcome Deirdre Vaillancourt Real Estate as the sponsor of our coverage of the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, presented by Brown Advisory! Deirdre is your go-to resource if you’re considering a move — temporary or permanent — to Aiken. You can browse her current listings or set up an inquiry by visiting AikenSCProperties.com. 

MARS Maryland 5 Star: [Website] [Entries] [Tickets *Use code EVENTINGNATION for 5% off*] [Schedule] [EN’s Coverage] [Sponsor Love: Discover your new Aiken dream farm]

Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation Fund Launches Through USEA Foundation

By on Oct 1, 2025 12:00 pm -

Photo by Madi Hunter for Erin Gilmore Photography.

The USEA Foundation has announced the creation of the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation Fund, a new grant program aimed at opening more doors in the sport of eventing.

This program will provide grants for riders who may face challenges accessing training and education because of financial limitations, social or economic circumstances, or barriers tied to race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or other factors. Applications are due by October 15, with the first grants to be awarded during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in New Orleans this December.

“We are excited about the enthusiasm we have received in fundraising for this new grant program,” said Christine Hryzak of Full Moon Farm Eventing. “We expect these grants will have a great impact helping riders access the training they need to improve in the sport of eventing.”

The launch of this fund is the next big step for the Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation, which has quickly become a beacon for accessibility in eventing. Already, the Foundation has supported national awards and community programs designed to welcome riders from all backgrounds into the sport. Now, by working hand-in-hand with the USEA Foundation, the fund will provide a direct path for riders to access training and education that might otherwise feel out of reach. A five-member committee of USEA members will review applications and select recipients.

Interested riders can learn more, apply, or donate at useafoundation.org. Questions may be directed to Katherine Cooper at [email protected].

Caroline Pamukcu Takes Near-Sweep of Stable View Oktoberfest CCI4*-S

By on Sep 29, 2025 9:00 am -

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Each athlete comes into a prep event for a major competition with a unique plan. For Caroline Pamukcu, the goal for these tune-ups, especially at FEI levels, is to compete. It’s how she plans her season, leveraging National competitions as practice and FEI events as tests, generally speaking. The Paris Olympian brought a full trailer to Stable View’s Oktoberfest in Aiken, SC this weekend and has come away with three of the top four spots in the CCI4*-S, also the final East coast qualifier leg for the US Equestrian Open of Eventing.

Taking the overall win is the Double Sixteen Partnership’s HSH Double Sixteen, a “Jack Russell” of a Thoroughbred gelding who stepped up to the CCI5* level at Kentucky this spring. Now, “Six” is legging up for his fall destination, and finishing on his dressage score of 33.4 wraps up a strong string of prep runs for the fall.

Caroline has not yet made her final decisions on where her horses will aim for their major fall goal. She’s deciding between the MARS Maryland 5 Star as well as the US Equestrian Open CCI4*-L at Morven Park and will likely have a presence at both. With Stable View being her final deciding run, she’ll consult with her team to make the plans final this coming week.

Caroline’s, Sherrie Martin’s and Luann McElduff’s HSH Conner picked up third place after cross country after leading to start the day. 10.8 planned time penalties would drop him down in the order. Stablemate HSH Tolan King (owned by the Tolan King Partnership) moved up from fifth to finish fourth on the day.

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Conner. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

“We’re fine-tuning the program at home,” Caroline said. “I’ve got Samantha St. Jacques in helping me with the dressage at the moment. She’s been absolutely wonderful. She’s a mom herself, and she’s unbelievable. So I’ve got her, and my head rider, Mason, and my other rider, Matt Crutchfield putting in the work with them at home for the flat work. For show jumping, I’ve got Matt videoing my rounds and sending them straight to Anne Kursinski, and then she would tell me how to fine tune my show jump rounds. For cross country, Leslie [Law] was here this weekend, which has been great. I kind of talked through my plan last night, what I was going to do. I was first out, so I kind of told then what I was going to do with the horses.”

Caroline picks up 70 US Equestrian Open points for her efforts this week. Each athlete’s best six qualifier results will count towards the final total; in this pickup, Caroline will drop her lowest accumulator (20 points) to come away with a current tally of 215 points — enough to take over third on the leaderboard, but not quite enough to catch Boyd Martin’s total of 260 or Phillip Dutton’s total of 235. It’s been a goal of Caroline’s to get into the money for the $25,000 leaderboard bonus for the Open for a very specific reason: “I really need a mom car!”

[Learn how US Equestrian Open points work]

[See the US Equestrian Open of Eventing leaderboard]

Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Tolan King. Photo by Eileen Dimond for Liz Crawley Photography.

Caroline’s been vocal about the process of getting back to top level competing after having a baby. While she’s had success on paper this year and has been pleased with her horses, she’s admitted that she hasn’t felt her strongest or at her best form. Now, though, almost a year into motherhood, she says she’s feeling more and more herself (and also well-versed at managing chronic baby-induced sleep deprivation).

“It’s just trying to fit everything in one day,” Caroline said. “There are only so many hours in the day, and that’s been the biggest challenge. This weekend in particular was a challenge because [her husband] Deniz is gone this week for work, and so Blake woke up at three a.m. wanting to have a party and I was running on just a few hours of sleep. And that’s another thing that no one really talks about — it’s a lot of stuff to juggle, so it’s just about finding a balance. But I’ve got incredible owners. I’ve got incredible help at home with Jenny and Chloe and my husband and, you know, great owners, the team has been absolutely amazing this this year. So I really have no excuses not to do well.”

At home, Caroline’s head groom Chloe’s mother, Jenny, has joined the team to help care for (human) Blake. The team is supported by riders Mason Reidy and Matt Crutchfield, as well as Caroline’s business partner, Kelley Hutchinson. She also works regularly with fellow 5* rider and Pan Ams teammate Sharon White.

Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography.

Maryland 5 Star-bound Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic broke up the Pamukcu party at the top of the standings, moving up to second after starting the weekend in eighth. Imperio Magic, an 11-year-old Anglo-European gelding, also debuted at the 5* level at Kentucky, finishing 16th as the best rookie pair, and are now picking up steam to double down on that effort at Maryland in a few weeks’ time.

Mary Bess came out of that Kentucky step-up knowing she wanted to continue to work on “McColl’s” dressage. Over the last year, she’s enlisted the assistance of Grand Prix dressage rider Roel Theunissen, and has also worked with Karen O’Connor for many years. This weekend’s result, she felt, was a hopeful sign that things are going in the right direction.

“He has come so far, but with that I lost some relaxation going into this season,” Mary Bess said. “So I’ve backed off that and we’ve tried to get him relaxed, and I think it’s working.”

She refers to McColl as a real try-hard, pleaser type — as expressed in his enthusiastic jumping style — but that sometimes this eagerness can lead to tension. “I’m just trying to somehow make him realize that in the dressage ring we don’t need so much effort. I don’t know if I’ve communicated that well enough yet, but I feel we’re starting to get to that relaxation that we’ve had in the past.”

The pair traveled to Europe last fall to compete at Military Boekelo. They finished 19th individually there (the U.S. finished in silver as a team), and Mary Bess said McColl felt relaxed there. “I had to start thinking about what I had lost, how did I lose it, and where do we need to go.”

“I’m hopeful I can put it together at Maryland, because this week he was so relaxed and took the pressure well, so I’m hoping it’ll all align because dressage is our biggest struggle,” she continued. “He’s getting it, it’s just very hard for him in the arena at shows. This weekend helped a ton because I backed off and worked on his relaxation. I knew when he went out of the start box he was just relaxed and all about the job, so I was excited because I knew we could go fast.”

Mary Bess and Imperio Magic picked up just two time penalties — the second-quickest of the division — to finish the weekend on a score of 38.6.

Emily Hamel and Corvett. Photo by Jennifer Crawley for Liz Crawley Photography.

Completing the top five are Pau-bound Emily Hamel and Corvett, who finish the weekend on a score of 49.7 with just some time added in the jumping phases. Emily is hoping to become just the first rider to complete all six Northern Hemisphere 5* events in the Maryland 5 Star era with the same horse with “Barry” as she looks ahead to a first start at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in the south of France at the end of October. (Note: Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz also achieved this feat, pre-Maryland 5 Star — and they did compete in the former Fair Hill International at the now-4* level, which was succeeded by the Maryland 5 Star.) This was Emily and Barry’s final prep for Pau, and they’ll now get ready to travel to France to base in Belgium ahead of competition.

Helen West’s evolving cross country track took on some new routes this weekend, making use of some of Stable View’s extensive arena infrastructure to introduce some more technical elements. Fence 8A, a narrow arrowhead into the water, caused a fair amount of influence, with two riders faulting here. Fence 6B, a left-handed open MIM oxer, also caused two problems.

Photo via CrossCountry App.

“I was pleased with how the tracks rode,” Helen commented in a press release. “I thought that the combinations rode pretty much as I expected. I think the first combination in the all weather arena rode tougher than perhaps I expected. The first part of the course was very galloping and then I think going into the arenas was harder to make that adjustment. I think the ground was absolutely stunning and because the footing was so good the horses were traveling over it so well. You just watched them and they were wanting to gallop and jump. Overall, it was a really positive picture and a good day for the sport.”

Looking to the other divisions that completed Saturday, Lucienne Bellissimo enjoyed a confidence boost of a run with Horse Scout Eventing’s Dyri, winning the CCI3*-S on a score of 27.2. Lucienne has entered Dyri in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final CCI4*-L at Morven Park in October. Canada’s Katie Malensek and STX Mex won the CCI2*-S on a score of 27.8. Lucienne Bellissimo also took home the CCI1*-S win with Horse Scout Eventing’s Hermine.

In the Advanced division, Boyd Martin brought home the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B home for the win on a score of 46.3. Lucia Strini took home the Open Intermediate win with Plain Dealing Farm’s Keynote Dassett. Ariel Grald returned to competition for the first time since a heavy fall at Bromont in June left her with several broken ribs and other injuries to recover from. She returned in grand fashion, winning the Open Preliminary with Annie Eldridge’s Obalix. Carolyn May and Patricia Luttgen’s Sky Moon were the winners of the Preliminary Rider division — a win on Carolyn’s debut at the level, no less! Sky Moon, formerly campaigned through Preliminary by Chris Talley and Lee Maher, teamed up with Carolyn, who’s also a USDF Bronze Medalist, at the start of this year, and went on to win team and individual bronze at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships this summer at the 1* level.

Stable View owner Barry Olliff has worked alongside his wife, Cyndy, to implement ongoing additions and improvements to the property. This year, new “tiny home” lodging options were added on-site, as well as new arena space.

“As you’d expect, ‘Constant Improvement’ is what Stable View is seeking to achieve for its April four-star,” Barry said in a press release. “We’re developing the concept of separately roping the four-star so that it becomes its own track. This will mean that four-star riders will – wherever possible – have their own real estate. In addition, we’re taking out four of our paddocks. This will enable us to soften certain turns while offering significantly greater choices in terms of cross country course design.”

Go Eventing!

Stable View Oktoberfest (SC): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [CrossCountry App XC Maps] [Volunteer]

Remembering Bonnie Stedt

By on Sep 24, 2025 9:00 am -

Bonnie Stedt and Boyd Martin.

Bonnie Stedt, a lifelong member of the eventing community, passed away on September 5, Boyd Martin shared on his social media recently. Bonnie, an active competitor until 2016 and in possession of an eternally curious mind about the event horse and the sport, was also involved with breeding horses at her Fox Race Farm and helped form crucial cornerstones in Boyd’s career by taking on an ownership role.

“Along with her generous group of friends in Millbrook, she pushed me to find top horses, build syndicates, and chase the biggest goals—Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Pan Ams,” Boyd wrote in his tribute. “That Millbrook crew shaped my career, no question.”

Bonnie served as the Vice President of the Millbrook Hunt, but before she immersed herself fully in horses, she built a successful career as an executive businesswoman, often credited with being a glass ceiling breaker.

“Originally from Southern California, [Bonnie] began her business management career at I Magnins luxury department store in San Francisco in 1967,” the USEA wrote in their In Memoriam piece. “By the early 1970’s, she began career pathing up the ladder at Filene’s department store in Boston, Massachusetts. She was promoted often, ultimately to Vice President, Stores, and to the position of Senior Vice President, Personnel and Labor Relations.” She would go on to lead HR at American Express as its Executive Vice President for nearly a decade and a half.

“I’ll never forget the day I met Bonnie Stedt,” Boyd wrote. “Silva and I were brand-new to the U.S. and teaching a clinic at Fitch’s Corner Farm in Millbrook, NY. In one of the groups was a big Irish chestnut named Clancy Himself, ridden by a lady named Bonnie. The horse immediately caught my eye. He was clearing the training-level jumps by a good four feet and just about jumping Bonnie out of the tack. She asked me to hop on, and I was happy to give him a spin. Bonnie grabbed my attention just as quickly as the horse. She was loud, funny, and completely unapologetic. We hit it off straightaway. I had no idea then how big a role she’d play in my career as a friend and an incredible supporter.”

Boyd continued:

“A while later, after she’d sent a couple of horses for us to train, one of my working students recognized her name from a college case study about an American Express strike in South Korea. Turns out Bonnie had been Executive Vice President of HR for AmEx in New York. When the strike hit, she flew over, discovered some ugly workplace discrimination, and in 48 hours fired 32 people and got the office back on track. After hearing that story I nicknamed her ‘Machine Gun Bonnie,’ and it stuck.

Over the years she owned or co-owned a whole lineup of top horses with us: Neville Bardos, Otis Barbotiere, Shamwari, Luke 140, Trading Aces, Ray Price, Pancho Villa, Cagney Herself, Mac Himself, Fonz Himself, Quinn Himself, Miss Lulu Herself, Zoom, and plenty of homebreds from her Fox Race farm. When we lost the barn at True Prospect in the 2011 fire, Bonnie was one of the first to show up at our door, driving hours just to help in one of our darkest moments. Along with her generous group of friends in Millbrook, she pushed me to find top horses, build syndicates, and chase the biggest goals—Olympics, World Equestrian Games, Pan Ams. That Millbrook crew shaped my career, no question.

Bonnie passed away in her sleep at her home in Aiken, South Carolina. I’ll miss her terribly, but I’m glad she’s no longer in pain. She was one of a kind, tough as nails, straight-shooting, and incredibly generous. The sport, and my life, are better because of her.”

The EN team sends our gratitude for Bonnie’s everlasting love of the sport and to her family and loved ones for their loss.

New USEF/USEA Eventing Dressage Tests are Coming in December

By on Sep 23, 2025 2:44 pm -

Photo by Sally Spickard.

The USEF/USEA Eventing Dressage Tests have come due for some updates, as is the case every few years, and new tests at most levels were unveiled today. The updated Eventing Dressage tests will go into effect on December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2029.

Not every test has been updated; some tests will still reference the 2022 versions unless further updates are made at a later date. The following tests have changes for the 2026 competition season:

  • Beginner Novice A
  • Novice A
  • Novice B
  • Training A
  • Training B
  • Modified A
  • Modified B
  • Preliminary B
  • Intermediate A
  • Advanced A

There are also new Starter level tests, as well as B option added for this round. Other tests, including some Classic Three-Day tests have also been updated.

You can keep this page bookmarked to view or download all USEF/USEA Eventing Dressage tests. For help memorizing the tests, keep an eye on platforms like Dressage TestPro and EquiForm for the 2026 tests and assistance with learning them.

Out Now: The Go Eventing Podcast E16 with Lauren Nicholson

By on Sep 23, 2025 9:00 am -

Lauren Nicholson and Landmark’s Jungle Gold. Photo by Sally Spickard.

“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. This week, we’re diving back into some important topics facing the horse world and, specifically, our sport of eventing.

🔎 What’s Inside Episode 16?

Host Sally Spickard is joined by U.S. Olympic rider and World Championships/Pan Ams medalist Lauren Nicholson, who’s well-known in the sport for her love producing horses and riders for the future and being a vocal advocate for the sport as a member of approximately 47 USEF and USEA committees.

Lauren sits down with Sally in this episode to discuss topics ranging from her system and business set-up at home, why she chose to be so involved at every imaginable level, why she just can’t help but “poke the trolls” every now and then, and what the future holds for the sport we all love.

Horsepal_Ada4off.jpg

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover…

1:57 – News & Notes: Liz Halliday update, a new Maryland Masterclass and Free Feed for a Year from Sentinel Horse Nutrition

Sally and Lauren discuss some newsworthy items, including a happy new update from Paris Olympian Liz Halliday, a new Maryland Masterclass with Ian Stark and Pierre le Goupil, and a chance to win free feed for your horse from Sentinel Horse Nutrition.

[A New Update from Liz Halliday]

[Purchase your ticket to the Maryland Masterclass]

[Enter to Win Free Feed for a Year from Sentinel Horse Nutrition]

9:05 – Go Eventing Shout-Outs

Sally and Lauren recognize some members of the eventing community, including a listener shout-out to Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa, Ontario. The new FEI eventing at Ottawa, largely thanks to the Laframboise Family Legacy Fund (which also has helped with funding at Bromont CCI Three Day Event, helping keep FEI eventing active in Canada. Their event will have just concluded as you’re listening to this. They ran up to CCI2*-S with courses designed by Jay Hambly. WCP is located right near the city, which is a unique element of this venue.

Submit your own Go Eventing Shout-outs at [email protected]!

18:17 – One Big Thing: Knowing Better to Do Better with Horses 

Lauren’s spent several years as an active member of multiple governing committees. She and Sally spend some time on the topic of committee procedure, amateur representation and rule changes, which then leads them into a discussion on social license and horse welfare. Lauren takes a firm stance that curiosity is key when it comes to treating our horses well, and the people she respects most are those who are willing to learn “what they don’t know.” She advises listeners on what makes her respect her fellow horsemen and women, and how we can look at our horses with longevity in mind.

To see any ongoing Rule Change Proposals that are open for comment, log in to your USEA account (the USEA has the authority to submit rule change proposals to USEF for eventing). USEA members (even Supporting Members) can comment on rules using the Rule Change Proposal Survey(s) under “Online Services” after logging in. View the USEF rule change process here.

1:36:46 – Sponsor Segment: Old School vs. New School, sponsored by Horsepal

*Heads up* We experienced some service issues during this segment, so we apologize for the quality disturbances.

Sally and Lauren discuss some “old school” versus “new school” ideas, especially when it comes to horse fitness, as well as using different technologies and techniques with her horses with the idea of simplicity as a navigating force.

For riders who do want the numbers to back up their feel, products like Horsepal are helping eventers track heart rate, recovery, and conditioning in a whole new way. We’ve just published a review of the Horsepal monitor, and you can order it worldwide at horsepal.com.

[Read EN’s review of Horsepal]

1:58:48 – You Ask, We Answer: 

What does Lauren do on a rare day off? What is her go-to cooking recipe?

[Submit your questions for our co-hosts here]

2:15:52 – Finish Flags

We are nearing the end of Season 1 of The Go Eventing Podcast! Thank you for making it a success! Stay tuned to EN’s socials for a special announcement of our final four co-hosts, coming soon!

🎧 Want to keep following along with eventing at its best?

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the Go Eventing Podcast to help grow our community! Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us anytime at [email protected].

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let’s make this your favorite tack room listen.

#GoEventing #EventingNation #WhereEventingLives

EN’s Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships for Seniors

By on Sep 18, 2025 9:38 pm -

It’s high championship season for European riders this summer, and we’re all set to go with the final FEI Eventing European Championships, this time for Senior riders. The Europeans return to Great Britain for the first time in 20 years at Blenheim Palace, located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. Alongside the European Championships is also a CCI4*-S for 8- and 9-year-old horses, held in a different part of the park and over a cross country course designed by David Evans.

We’ll have much more coverage coming to you from Blenheim thanks to the knowledgeable duo of Tilly Berendt and Catherine Austen, with Cheg Darlington running a cross country live blog on Saturday. A handy way to keep up with our coverage each day is to keep this Ultimate Guide bookmarked, as we’ll add our article links to the bottom of this post. Below, you’ll also find useful links for things like the live stream and scores, as well as a preview of the field, the officials and more.

EN is proud to welcome Horsepal onboard as the sponsor of our European Championships coverage! Horsepal is a newly-launched heart rate monitor brought to you by Tom MacGuinness, founder of Horseware and an FEI eventer and endurance rider, who’s brought his decades of knowledge to practice in the design of Horsepal. You can now purchase Horsepal directly to the UK and Europe — learn more here.

Agria FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim: [Website] [Tickets] [Live Stream] [BBC iPlayer Broadcast] [FEI YouTube Streams] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage] [Support Our Sponsor: Horsepal]

The Schedule

Wednesday, September 17
12:00 p.m. BST | | 1:00 p.m. CEST | 7:00 a.m. EST | 4:00 a.m. PST – First Horse Inspection

Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19
10:30 a.m. BST | 11:30 a.m. CEST | 5:30 a.m. EST | 2:30 a.m. PST – Dressage

Saturday, September 20
11:00 a.m. BST | 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 a.m. EST | 3:00 a.m. PST – Cross Country

Sunday, September 21
8:00 a.m. BST | 9:00 a.m. CEST | 3:00 a.m. EST | 12:00 a.m. PST – Final Horse Inspection
11:00 a.m. BST | 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 a.m. EST | 3:00 a.m. PST – Jumping Session 1
2:00 p.m. BST | 3:00 p.m. CEST | 9:00 a.m. EST | 6:00 a.m. PST – Jumping Session 2, followed by award ceremony

How to Watch

This week, ClipMyHorse.TV has the live stream, though some of the event will be shown on the FEI YouTube channel free of charge. As this publishes, the First Horse Inspection and the Opening Ceremony are scheduled on the FEI page — click here to view the streams.

You will need a ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to view the full live stream/replays. Click here to bookmark the stream for this weekend.

For those in the UK, there will also be live coverage broadcast on BBC for all phases of competition. The content will also be available on demand for 30 days. Here’s the information:

The European Eventing Championships will be broadcast live on BBC Sport across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the app. Coverage will also be available on demand for 30 days after the event.

Broadcast schedule (all times BST, subject to change):

Saturday 20th September – 10:45 to 15:30

Sunday 21st September – 10:50 to 12:10 (Jumping – Group 1)

Sunday 21st September – 13:50 to 15:00 (Jumping – Group 2)

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Horse & Country will be live streaming the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old Class throughout the week. Watch on Horse & Country here.

Full broadcast and live stream information can be found here.

The Players

Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

17 nations are represented this week, with nine of them fielding teams. Germany and Great Britain are the most historically dominant countries, duking it out for the gold medals dating well back into the 90s, but there are a few countries who’ve really been on the up and up of late who could pose a threat to the dynasty. There are also some really cool storylines to follow, not only amongst the heavy hitters but also from nations that are sending individual riders. Turkey, for example, is making its first appearance at a Senior Championships, and Norway is another rarely-represented nation on the roster.

You can view the full field of entries here [note: this list is subject to change]. Tilly Berendt has also primed us right up with her Form Guide to all nations and teams here.

This week’s Officials include (the full list can be found here):

Ground Jury President: Sandy Phillips (GBR) | Ground Jury Members: Katrin Eichinger-Kiniley (AUT) and Valerie Pride (USA)
Technical Delegate: Andrew Temkin (USA)
Cross Country Designer: Capt. Mark Phillips (GBR), assisted by Jay Hambly (CAN), Helen West (GBR) and David Evans (GBR)
Show Jumping Designer: Paul Connor (GBR)
Chief Steward: Nicola Salmon (GBR)

Social Media Channels and Hashtags

Blenheim Palace: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

FEI Eventing: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Equiratings: Prediction Center | Eventing Manager Game | Instagram | Podcast

EN’s Coverage

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC jump clear to be the best of the French at the 2023 European Championships. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

“This Is All for Him”: Laura Collett and London 52 Take European Championship Gold

“A Great Day for Sport”: Andrew Nicholson Debriefs on Europeans Cross-Country

One Withdrawal, But All Presented Pass Deliciously Uneventful Europeans Final Horse Inspection

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Mummy Can You Come Get Me, I’m Scared: The European Championships Cross-Country Day Debrief

Cross Country Day at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships: Follow Along with EN’s Live Blog

Vittoria Panizzon is Finding Firmer Footing Following Overturned Suspension

Flying Solo at the Top: Meet Turkey’s First European Championships Eventer, Kumru Say

“It’s Really Attacking”: Riders React to the Blenheim European Championships Cross-Country Course

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

A Sub-20 and an Amazon Order of Flying Changes: Inside the Michi + Laura European Championships Dressage Match Race

Freida Enjoys ‘the Number One Spot’ with Felix Vogg at Agria FEI Eventing European Championships

From Vaulting to the World Stage: Hungary’s Noémi Doerfer Steps into the Spotlight at Blenheim

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

“Nothing Can Beat That Week”: Former Blenheim Winner Leads the Way on Day One of European Championships

The Future is Bright for Norway as Yasmin Olsson Payne Makes Senior Debut at FEI Eventing European Championships

“It Keeps Me Fit, It Keeps Me Passionate, It Keeps Me Motivated”: Karin Donckers on 15th Appearance at FEI Eventing European Championships

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

And We’re Off! All Horses Pass FEI Eventing European Championships First Inspection

PRE-EVENT COVERAGE

Podium Places and Building Blocks: Unpacking the Teams for the 2025 FEI European Championships

CrossCountryApp Guided Course Preview

A Tight Time, A Wet Weekend, and a Palace Under Wraps: What to Expect from the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships

An Official Rider: Valerie Pride’s Judging Journey to the Heights of European Eventing

World Champions, Olympians and First-Timers to Take On 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships at Blenheim

Experienced Irish Squad Named for Eventing European Championships in Blenheim

Golds Galore for French Young Guns at FEI Eventing European Championships for Juniors/Young Riders

German Squad Named for Agria FEI Eventing European Championships

Belgium Unveils Agria FEI Eventing European Championships Roster

Swiss Team Announced for Agria FEI Eventing European Championships

Great Britain Announces Six-Member Squad for Agria FEI Eventing European Championships for Seniors

Another European Championships Contender Bows Out Ahead of Entry Deadline

France Reveals Nominated List for FEI Eventing European Championships at Blenheim

Baby On Board! Gold Medal Favourite Bows Out of European Championships Selection

Germany Names Long List for 2025 FEI Eventing European Championships

British Equestrian Announces Nominated Entries for Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025

Tickets On Sale + Capt. Mark Phillips Unveiled as Course Designer for Agria Blenheim Palace International and FEI European Championships

Australia Names Boekelo CCIO4*-L Nations Cup Team

By on Sep 18, 2025 1:50 pm -

Ema Klugman and Chiraz. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Australia has tapped a team of up and coming horses and a mix of veteran experience and fresh faces to its FEI Eventing Nations Cup team for Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L (Enschede, Netherlands). The event will take place October 9-12.

The team is named as follows:

  • Ema Klugman and Chiraz (owned by The Chiraz Syndicate and Ema)
  • Kevin McNab and Faro Imp (owned by Sofia Von Moltke and Emma McNab)
  • Isabel English and Cil Dara Bombay S (owned by Sara English, Sofia Von Moltke, Jenny and John Curtis)
  • Olivia Barton and APH Sodoku (owned by Carlene Barton)

This represents a first team appearance for U.S.-based Australian Ema Klugman, who will travel over with her own and the Chiraz Syndicate’s Chiraz, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding ridden to the 3* level by Boyd Martin before Ema acquired the ride. This spring, Ema and Chiraz finished in the top 10 at the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S.

Joining Ema are Olympic rider Kevin McNab and the 9-year-old Faro Imp, owned by Sofia Von Moltke and Emma McNab. Faro Imp is a 4*-L podium finisher, coming second at Strzegom last spring. Isabel English will bring forward the 8-year-old Cil Dara Bombay S, owned by Sara English, Sofia Von Moltke, Jenny and John Curtis, who finished fifth in the Young Horse World Championships in France as a 6-year-old. Olivia Barton, who relocated to Europe from Australia within the last couple of years, will compete with APH Sodoku, a 9-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Carlene Barton. All three of these riders recently contributed to a team bronze at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup leg at Arville (Belgium).

The live stream for Boekelo will be carried on ClipMyHorse.TV, and you can bookmark this page to access the feed.

EN is proud to welcome Horsepal onboard as the sponsor of our Boekelo coverage! Horsepal is a newly-launched heart rate monitor brought to you by Tom MacGuinness, founder of Horseware and an FEI eventer and endurance rider, who’s brought his decades of knowledge to practice in the design of Horsepal. You can now purchase Horsepal directly to the UK and Europe — learn more here.

A New Update from Liz Halliday: Back in the Saddle and Other Recovery Updates

By on Sep 16, 2025 9:47 pm -

“A major bright spot has been getting back in the saddle, which I’ve been able to do at a wonderful local facility. I am able to school walk and trot, and riding every week has definitely lifted my spirits,” Liz Halliday shared.

Just over a year removed from an accident during competition at AEC in Kentucky, U.S. Olympian Liz Halliday has shared a new update with the community. Liz continues to rehab from a traumatic brain injury sustained in the fall on cross country, and she’s handed the reins of her top horses to riders she trusts, most prominently Boyd Martin, who has the ride on several horses, including Liz’s Paris horse, Cooley Nutcracker (owned by the Nutcracker Syndicate).

Liz shared the following update on September 16:

“Hi all! Now that we have passed the one-year mark of my accident, I wanted to check in with an update on how I’m doing. I’m still grinding every day in my therapy at the Centre for Neuro Skills in Dallas. Thanks to the dedicated therapists here, I have made significant progress, but it is clear that there is still a long way to go on my road to recovery. This is a slow process!

My injury was on the left side of my brain, which means the right side of my body is impacted. My right leg and right arm have very limited function at this stage, especially my arm. Important benchmarks: I can now walk on my own for longer and longer distances with a cane, and my balance is much improved. I am healthy and getting stronger all the time.

Liz and her partner, Mark.

I’ve now learned to write with my left hand, but my speech and writing are connected, and both are still a work in progress and something I struggle with daily.

A major bright spot has been getting back in the saddle, which I’ve been able to do at a wonderful local facility. I am able to school walk and trot, and riding every week has definitely lifted my spirits.

I don’t know exactly what the future will look like for me, but I can promise you one thing: I will never stop working my ass off. Every day is a constant effort to walk, talk, read, write, and do all of the things we take for granted every day, but I will never give up.

Thank you to my mom, Mark, family, and friends for their constant support. Thank you to Boyd Martin for the fantastic job he is doing with my horses. Thank you to Tamy Pollard, who keeps my dogs at her farm nearby and brings them over for regular visits. And thank you all for your continued positive thoughts, prayers, and good vibes. I’m still here, and I’ll never stop fighting. Up, up, up!”

We’re continuing to send Liz and her family all of our love, and don’t forget to share your own encouragement on social media using #KeepFightingLiz!

[Read more Liz Halliday updates]

Imagine a Year Without Feed Bills: Enter EN’s ‘Free Feed for a Year’ Sweepstakes with Sentinel Horse Nutrition

By on Sep 15, 2025 3:38 pm -

We are all far too familiar the the budgeting that’s required to make a life with horses work. Sometimes, it’s down to the wire to make ends meet, and the bills are the most consistent presence in our lives.

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Sentinel Horse Nutrition to help one lucky duck alleviate some of that feed bill load with an epic sweepstakes to win a year’s supply of Sentinel Horse Feeds. Sentinel’s full line of precisely formulated feed has been a bit benefit for top riders like Sharon White and Ema Klugman, and the knowledgeable team at Sentinel Horse Nutrition is standing by to help you find the perfect solution for your own horse.

Here’s the scoop on our Free Feed for a Year Sweepstakes:

What’s the prize? A 12-month supply of Sentinel Horse Feed (One (1) ton of feed (est. retail value $1150)), plus a feature story on Eventing Nation about the winner and their horse. Additionally, two runner-ups will receive a gift bundle of Sentinel swag.

How to enter: Simply fill out this form by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 6, 2025. There is also an opportunity to earn bonus entries into our random drawing to determine a winner. For a bonus entry, follow @goeventing and @sentinelhorsefeed on Instagram, and share a photo of your horse with the hashtag #SentinelSweepstakes.

Who can enter: Some Terms & Conditions do apply to this Sweepstakes, including Must be resident of the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Must be 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.

When will the winner be announced? We’ll contact winners via email the week of October 13.

Ready to enter? Get started here — good luck and Go Eventing!

The Fork at Tryon: Another 4* Win for Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge

By on Sep 15, 2025 10:57 am -

Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Canada’s Lindsay Traisnel picked up a second consecutive CCI4*-S victory this weekend in North Carolina at The Fork at Tryon International. Teamed up with Patricia Pearce’s Bacyrouge, who is aimed at the MARS Maryland 5 Star next month, Lindsay made steady climbs up the leaderboard after beginning the week in eighth after dressage. On Sunday, Lindsay and “Dreamy” were the quickest around Clayton Fredericks’ cross country track to finish their weekend ahead of the rest on a score of 40.4.

Lindsay Traisnel move up into sixth place ahead of cross country. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

“My focus was having this be a great prep for Maryland, so I was going to see what that meant with the cross country,” Lindsay said. She and her husband, Xavier, are road warriors, frequently driving 10+ hours to get to these key prep runs from their base in Windsor, Ontario. Despite some trailer trouble on the way down that doubled their travel time, the run proved to be worth the effort. Lindsay commended the grounds team for preparing the footing well — a challenge this time of year when ground can begin to dry and become harder — which allowed her to practice getting closer to the optimum time ahead of next month’s 5* run. “He came out really listening to me. So I was trying to go fast enough…He’s always been fast, it’s just been about the control. It’s more about not wasting time setting up.”

Lindsay now has her final real prep runs done for Maryland and will now focus on fine-tuning her dressage and show jumping ahead of next month’s Maryland 5 Star.

Boyd Martin and Miks Master C were the early leaders, scoring a 27.7 in the dressage. Photo by Marie Cobb for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd Martin was riding with some heavy emotions this week after suddenly losing one of his top up-and-comers, Barney Rubble, last week. He put in a solid weekend at the office with his three 4* entries, finishing second, third and fourth with the Luke 140 Syndicate’s Luke 140 (43.3), Ocala Horse Properties’ Shanroe Cooley (44.9) and Ocala Horse Properties’ Miks Master C (45.1). Miks Master C and Shanroe Cooley are currently entered in the US Equestrian Open Final of Eventing at Morven Park in October as their fall destination, while Like 140 should be headed to a CCI5*.

Boyd Martin and Shanroe Cooley. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Boyd also earned enough points to overtake Phillip Dutton in the series leaderboard rankings, bringing his current point total to 250 to Phillip’s 215. Two key East Coast qualifiers remain in Unionville and Aiken, so it’ll be an all-out battle to the end to count their highest possible points out of six eligible qualifier runs for that $25,000 leaderboard bonus. You can view the full standings in terms of points as they stand currently here.

Boyd Martin and Luke 140. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Christina Henriksen and Cisco’s Calor Z jumped their way up from 13th into fifth in the final standings. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Will Coleman and Very Dignified earned sixth place en route to their first 4*-L together at Morven Park next month. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

The Fork at Tryon (NC): [Website] [Scores]

Eventing Returns to the International Stage at Wesley Clover Parks

By on Sep 14, 2025 9:00 am -

An aerial view of Wesley Clover Parks. Photo by Randy Harquail.

Ottawa’s Wesley Clover Parks is stepping firmly onto the global map this fall as it welcomes international eventing back to Ottawa. From September 26–28, the facility will host its first FEI-sanctioned eventing competition (fresh off the heels of hosting the RBC Ottawa International CSI5* and CSI2*), the Eventing at the Park CCI1* CCI2* presented by Omega Alpha, running alongside the Eastern Canadian Eventing Championships.

This moment marks far more than another date on the calendar – it’s the realization of a bold vision for the 500-acre venue, one that positions Wesley Clover Parks as one of just three places in North America, and the only in Canada, to host international competition across all three Olympic equestrian disciplines: eventing, show jumping, and dressage.

The road to this point has been paved with significant investment and future-thinking ambition. Driven by a passion among organizing committee members and strengthened by generous local support, including the Laframboise Family Legacy Donation, Wesley Clover Parks has been steadily transforming its cross country footprint, with upgrades to turf footing, an expanded inventory of jumps, and a complete redesign of the water complex. These enhancements not only modernize the course but ensure that Canada continues to have a world-class destination for developing both horses and riders.

That commitment to the future is at the core of The Parks’ philosophy. At a time when eventing venues across North America are dwindling, this facility stands as a rare and vital resource: unique in its location in the heart of a major metropolitan area, yet expansive enough to offer galloping ground and challenging, championship-quality tracks. For riders and fans alike, it offers a blend of accessibility and top-level sport that is nearly unmatched.

“This is about more than just adding an FEI date,” explains Executive Director Karen Sparks. “It’s about building a sustainable future for equestrian sport in Canada and creating opportunities for the next generation of riders. Our long-term vision is to position Wesley Clover Parks as a hub for major international championships, while also keeping the community at the heart of what we do.”

Photo by Delaney Graham Photography.

Entries for Eventing at the Parks close September 19, with ribbons awarded to eighth place and prizes on offer. Competitor accommodations are available at the on-site campground or through partner hotels, and full details can be found at ottawaequestriantournaments.com.

For a sport that thrives on history, legacy, and vision, Wesley Clover Parks represents a future where Canada’s riders can once again take center stage at home. And this September, the journey begins.

Boyd Martin Reports Sudden Passing of Barney Rubble

By on Sep 10, 2025 9:00 am -

Boyd Martin and Barney Rubble. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Boyd Martin shared the devastating news yesterday that the Barney Rubble Syndicate’s Barney Rubble, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding who had just stepped up to the CCI4* level last year, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 7. New Bolton Center Hospital in Pennsylvania is performing a necropsy on Barney Rubble to determine the cause of death. An aneurysm is suspected, Boyd wrote.

“This past Sunday, I was giving Barney Rubble a light cross-country school at our farm in Pennsylvania,” Boyd shared on social media. “He was jumping like a champ, and during a walk break between exercises he suddenly began to lose his balance and fell. Within seconds, he was gone. It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, standing there helpless as he passed.”

“Barney was without question one of my all-time favorite horses,” he continued. “He was high-energy, galloped like the wind, and had endless scope in his jump. He could be a handful with his enthusiastic character, but I absolutely loved riding and producing him. Every day with him was a puzzle worth solving, and I was certain he was going to blossom into a 5* horse. To lose him to such a freak incident is absolutely heartbreaking. He is undergoing an autopsy at New Bolton Center, and while we suspect an aneurysm, we’ll know more in the coming days.

“I’ll miss this horse immensely. He was such a special guy. I’m deeply grateful to the Barney Rubble Syndicate, who believed in him as much as I did and gave him the time he needed to develop. Walking past his empty stall now, I keep wishing this was just a bad dream. Rest in peace, Barney.”

Boyd Martin and Barney Rubble. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

After starting his international competition career with Australia’s Chris Burton, Barney came to the U.S. to continue his tutelage under Boyd’s care. He successfully stepped up to the 4* level at Bromont in 2024 and had most recently been top 10 in his first CCI4*-L at Tryon earlier this spring. Barney had been aiming at the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in October.

We’re sending the Martin team our love and support and will miss Barney Rubble dearly.

Six Recorded Warnings Handed Down at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 9, 2025 9:00 am -

The Lion Bridge Water.

Updates to the list of FEI Warning Cards for Eventing were made following the conclusion of Defender Burghley CCI5* this past weekend. To that end, six Recorded Warnings have been handed down from the Ground Jury, consisting of Christina Klingspor (SWE), Andrew Bennie (NZL) and Valerie Pride (USA).

The following Recorded Warnings were given out:

  • Emma Hyslop-Webb: Recorded Warning for Dangerous Riding – Riding out of control (Eventing Rules Art. 525)
  • Alexander Tordoff: Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding – Series of dangerous jumps (Eventing Rules Art. 525)
  • Jack Mantel: Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding – Series of dangerous jumps (Eventing Rules Art. 525)
  • Tom Bird: Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding – Pressing a tired Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 525)
  • Emma Thomas: Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding – Jumping from a standstill (Eventing Rules Art. 525.1)
  • Elspeth Bryce: Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding – Series of dangerous jumps (Eventing Rules Art. 525)

It’s worth noting that three of these pairs were also stopped on cross country by the Ground Jury: Alexander Tordoff was stopped before fence 30, Tom Bird was stopped at 24A, and Elspeth Bryce at 22. Emma Thomas completed cross country with 60 jumping penalties and 18.8 time, and Emma Hyslop-Webb completed with 20 jumping penalties and 46 time penalties on cross country (though of course it’s also worth noting that we don’t have context on what jump scenario Emma was sanctioned for). Jack Mantel fell with Jack Daniels at fence 18B. Ireland’s Joseph Murphy was also stopped by the Jury at fence 27, but no sanction has appeared on the list as of publication.

The Yellow Card and Recorded Warning list can be viewed here for additional information on how it is applied and what its consequences are. You can also view the full FEI Rules for Eventing here. To view the current list of FEI sanctions for eventing, click here.

How EN reports on sanctions: Generally speaking, EN reports on sanctions handed down at CCI5* and major championships (Europeans, Pan American Games, World Championships, Olympics, etc.). The full list of warnings / sanctions can be found here.

EN’s Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Defender Burghley CCI5*

By on Sep 7, 2025 12:03 pm -

It’s TIME! We’ve officially landed on site at Defender Burghley, and it’s time to get underway tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. local time with the first session of dressage. As always, we’ve rounded up the information you need to follow along this week. Keep this post bookmarked to see all of the coverage we’re pumping out, brought to you with support from our friends at Kentucky Performance Products.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

The Players

We’ve got just over 50 horses to see here, a number that whittled down just a bit more ahead of the First Horse Inspection with the withdrawal of Joseph Murphy’s Calmaro as well as the elimination of Laura Birley’s Bob Cotton Bandit, and it’s a real field of cross country machines. This is perhaps the most vital ingredient for a Burghley horse, and the challenge has been made that much stiffer this year with the reversal of the track’s direction.

You can get the down-low on each and every pair in this year’s field using our handy Form Guide here. EquiRatings also has published their Fan Guide, which is more stats-heavy, so be sure to pull that up here for more information.

The Ground Jury for this week consists of:

Andrew Bennie (NZL) – President
Valerie Pride (USA – GJ Member
Christina Klingspor (SWE) – GJ Member

Gary Parsonage (GBR) – Technical Delegate

Derek di Grazia (USA) – Cross Country Designer
Paul Connor (GBR) – Jumping Course Designer

How to Watch

Once more, you can access all of the live action exclusively on Burghley TV. You do need a subscription for this, but the cost is rather nominal, at about $33 or £25. Burghley TV also grants you access to previous years’ content, exclusive interviews and highlights and much more.

Click here to access Burghley TV or find out more information.

Social Media Channels and Hashtags

Burghley Facebook Page
EN Facebook Page
Burghley Instagram
EN’s Instagram

Hashtags to follow include: #DBHT | #Burghley

EN’s Coverage

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

The Canter Colossus: Ros and Walter Win Defender Double at Burghley

Sunny Sailing at Defender Burghley Final Horse Inspection

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

“The Secret is Lordships Graffalo”: Reigning Champs Ros and Walter Take Burghley Lead on Bumper Cross-Country Day

The Best Day at a ‘Backwards’ Burghley: Live Blog from Defender Burghley Cross Country

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

“Nobody Has an Advantage, Because Nobody’s Done It Before”: Get to Grips with the 2025 Defender Burghley Course

“Get Stuck In and Have a Good Ride”: Riders React to Defender Burghley Cross Country

Every Rose: Townend Tops Burghley Dressage Leaderboard with a Great Grey (Vol. 3)

“I’m Here to Win”: Tim Price Leads Friday Morning at Defender Burghley

The Power of Patience: Alexander Tordoff Comes Full Circle at Defender Burghley

The ‘Chimp Paradox’: Simon Grieve Silences the Inner Critic at Defender Burghley

An Official Rider: Valerie Pride’s Judging Journey to the Heights of European Eventing

ICYMI: Friday at Defender Burghley

A ‘Smart’ Family Affair for Tara Dixon at Defender Burghley

All ‘Points’ Lead to Burghley: Tom Strawson Debuts Former Racer Public Address at Defender Burghley

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

“We’ve Got a Future to Build”: Piggy March Takes Burghley Thursday Lead

ICYMI: Thursday at Defender Burghley

Good Habits: Joseph Murphy on Learning from Michael Jung

Horses for Courses (and Fact-Finding): Billy Alberto Finds a Purpose with Team Lissington

Thursday Morning at Burghley: David Doel’s Back with a Bang

Horses for Courses (and Fact-Finding): Billy Alberto Finds a Purpose with Team Lissington

Good Habits: Joseph Murphy on Learning from Michael Jung

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

The Rest is Still Unwritten: Drama at Burghley’s First Horse Inspection

Cross Country Machines and World Beaters: Meet the Field of the 2025 Defender Burghley CCI5*

Pre-Event Coverage

Harry Meade to Head Out First at Defender Burghley

A Late Newcomer to the Defender Burghley Roster

2024 Champions Return and Other Notes from the Defender Burghley Entry List

Sunny Sailing at Defender Burghley Final Horse Inspection

By on Sep 7, 2025 4:48 am -

Overnight leaders Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

We’re quite accustomed to this point to some Sunday morning drama, but perhaps because we’ve gotten our fill of drama in the form of endless episodes of The Hills late at night while writing our reports, we were blessed with a completely drama-free morning here as we come to the conclusion of Defender Burghley.

One pair, Selena Milnes (GBR) and Gelmar, did withdraw ahead of the morning’s activities.

As much as we all love our fair share of drama, let’s be honest: the best thing you could possibly see on a Sunday morning is fresh, fit horses who don’t look like they’ve just finished running 11 and a half-plus minutes the day before. We remarked all day yesterday how well the horses were finishing, and it’s a testament to both the immaculate cultivation of the ground and the management on course by the riders. Importantly, these horses were looked after by their hard-working #supergrooms and teams of physios and vets through the evening, ensuring that their bodies felt as good as prime for today’s final effort.

Tom Crisp and Dassett Rock Star. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

To that end, we’ve had all presented pairs sail right through to the show jumping, which begins with just a few riders in the bottom third of the field beginning at 10:45 a.m. BST / 5:45 a.m. EST. The top 20 will begin at 2:30 p.m. BST / 9:30 a.m. EST. As always, you can tune in live on Burghley TV here (subscription required).

Austin O’Connor’s groom Francesca Denning with Colorado Blue. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Some special awards were also given out at the trot-up, the first being the Spillers Horse Care Prize, awarded to the groom of the best-cared-for horse in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Francesca Denning won the top honors for her care of Austin O’Connor’s Colorado Blue. Tilly Hughes, #supergroom to Laura Collett and Bling this week, was runner-up for this prize.

The Wordshipful Company of Farriers Best-Shod Award, judged on the horses’ condition of feet, making/preparataion and fitting of the shoe and nailing/position of clips, was awarded to Cool Jack, the ride of Burghley debutant Alexander Tordoff who was unfortunately eliminated on cross country yesterday very near the finish (Alex, you did the hard bits – you are a Burghley rider!), was given this top honor.

We’ll be back later on today with our final report from Defender Burghley — stay tuned and Go Eventing!

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

All ‘Points’ Lead to Burghley: Tom Strawson Debuts Former Racer Public Address at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 5, 2025 2:46 pm -

Tom Strawson and Public Address. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Every now and then, among the busy professionals and multi-Olympians, a rider comes through at an event like Defender Burghley who’s got the most relatable story of all.

Meet Tom Strawson, the full-time property professional who’s making his 5* and Defender Burghley debut this week with the former point-to-point racer, Public Address.

Tom’s journey to eventing was circuitous, but also not unexpected: eventing runs in his family, after all. His aunt, Ginny Rose (née Strawson), competed here at Burghley in the 90s, his father rode around at Bramham, and his family was local to the Lincolnshire area, trekking over to watch the event nearly every year.

But Tom’s riding career started off more heavily in point-to-point racing (for our U.S. readers unfamiliar, point-to-point racing is a sort of steeplechase event done in similar fashion to a hunt). He’d done eventing as a teenager, but found he liked the racing, until, that is, he got older and he found it more difficult to keep his weight down to the necessary minimums for the pointing.

“Pointing was easier with university and work,” Tom recalled. “I managed to eventually get going, get a few outside rides, keep myself fit, turn up at a point-to-point, ride at the weekend, and get back working. I did that and absolutely loved it. I’d probably still be doing that now if it wasn’t for the size of them. But as you get older, your natural weight gets heavier, and I was just sweating more and more each year. It just wasn’t particularly fun. So I decided it was probably in my best interest to give up.”

So it’s only fitting that his next, big-time event horse would come to him also via point-to-point racing.

“A friend of mine told me he had a cheap Thoroughbred that could jump,” Tom recalled. “He sent me a video, and that was enough for me to get on a plane and go see him. And we just went from there.”

Tom Strawson and Public Address compete at Ballindenisk earlier this season. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

“I’m quite competitive, and I had got a bit bored and thought, ‘What else can I do?'” he continued. “So I started buying and selling a few horses. This horse came along. I tried to sell him, but he had a few issues and I struggled to sell him. I sort of kept him around instead of doing nothing, and he just progressed quite quickly. He’s quite talented.”

Public Address has royal breeding when it comes to pointing, but in reality, he wound up being too slow to be competitive. His temperament and trainability, coupled with his actual jumping ability, however, was enough for Simon to sign away a pittance of a purchase price to bring him home. Whether or not he’d become a 5* horse? Tom wasn’t sure.

“I had no idea, really, because I’d never done it,” he said. “It was always ‘if.’ So it was just a case of keep asking him a few questions, and then he answered them and we progressed. And I suppose that’s happened—-so that’s why we’re here.”

Tom’s got himself well set up with help ahead of this debut and Saturday’s cross country challenge. He’s just down the road from Ros Canter, and of course he’s got plenty of help within his own family, as well as from dressage mastermind Amy Woodhead. “We just use whoever we can get ahold of, usually,” he said. “Everybody’s so busy, so we just appreciate the help we can get.”

He’s feeling as ready as he can be for tomorrow’s challenge, and to be sat on a full Thoroughbred this weekend won’t be a poor decision. “I took this horse [over to Ros’ yard] for his last cross country school last week. She had some lines set up that she was jumping with her good horse. I thought, ‘well, if my horse can jump those, we’ll be okay!'”

[Want more on this pair? Read Horse & Hound’s profile here!]

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

A ‘Smart’ Family Affair for Tara Dixon at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 5, 2025 2:40 pm -

Tara Dixon and Master Smart. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Tara Dixon’s 5* debut has been a long time coming. Eventing runs in her family: her mother, Karen Dixon MBE (née Straker), is a four-time Olympian who has jumped around some of the biggest tracks in the world many times over. That in-house education has served Tara well as she’s risen the ranks. In 2016, Tara told Your Horse UK that she wanted to become an Olympian in her own right, and compete at the top level for as long as she can.

Now, nine years later, she finds herself on the cusp of making that top-level debut a big reality, with one phase down and two to go aboard the 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Master Smart, by Master Imp.

Horses in the Dixon family have to “earn their stripes” in order to obtain a “Smart” in their name. Karen, for her part, partnered with two big-time horses during her career, Get Smart and Too Smart. That tradition has carried on — and Master Smart earned his name nearly right off the bat as a talented young horse.

“He earned it in his first year with us, literally just as a five-year-old—he got it straight away,” Tara said. “And he’s got Master Imp in him, so we got Master Smart.”

To be sure, Tara’s lead-up to Defender Burghley was less than ideal. At Bramham in June, Tara fell with her other horse, Global Narco, and sustained multiple injuries and broken bones that set her back in her training for this week. Fortunately, she had enough time to make a turnaround (being plied with gin by some well-meaning friends always helps the cause, also) and get back for this debut.

“I broke my wrist, my knuckle, and my eye—-I cracked my eye socket, so my eye was all swollen,” Tara told us after her dressage test on Friday, where she scored a 37.5. Arriving here, her primary goal for dressage was to get into the 30s with a horse that’s been tending more to score in the low-40s. “I’m absolutely over the moon, to be honest with you. I’ve said to Mum for weeks and weeks, if I got a dressage score that started with a three—even if it was 39.9—I would be delirious. And to get a 37? Yeah, I’m absolutely elated.”

It’s actually quite a circuitous path she’s taken with “Fred” to get here. In fact, Tara and her mom found the horse while on a trip to watch Burghley in 2018. “The last time I came here was seven years ago with Mum, just to watch,” she said. “En route we were looking for horses, and that’s when I found Fred. So we’ve done full circle, and now we’ve returned with him in the competition.”

Tara admits it hasn’t been the easiest to produce this horse (are Master Imps ever easy?), but Tara says the time has been well spent. “He was always very special, but he’s very sharp,” she elaborated. “When he was younger, and I first got him, I’d fall off just doing dressage. He’s been a really tough horse to produce; you’d feel like you were getting somewhere, and then he’d fiddle his feet and you’d be on the floor. But now we’ve built a relationship and a connection. It took a good couple of years for us to be really close, and now we’re inseparable. I love him.”

What’s it like having such a well-accomplished mom to help guide her? Tara says it’s been incredibly special, and the amount of knowledge Karen stores in her brain is expansive. “She just has all those small details, and she just says it all without thinking and I just listen and take it all in. I’ll take every bit of advice I can get, all the help. She’s amazing, she’s always with me by my side. Yeah, I mean her help, her knowledge, her connections, even just to people sometimes who need a third opinion. And she just doesn’t even have to raise a finger and she’s got friends there that are willing to help with huge amounts of knowledge.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s challenge, Tara says she’s feeling up for it. She’s been well-prepared: she’s spent a solid three or so seasons at the 4* level, and she knows she’s put in the work necessary to ride here at Burghley.

“You need a lot of concentration all the way through, and it’s going to be a long way around,” she said of the course. “But I think we’re ready to tackle it, and I’m really excited.”

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

The ‘Chimp Paradox’: Simon Grieve Silences the Inner Critic at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 5, 2025 10:30 am -

Simon Grieve and Autograf. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

It’s a topic that plagues us all: we experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, even at the smallest levels of the sport, but the drug that is eventing keeps us coming back, dogged try after dogged try — even when our inner dialogue tells us it’s the last thing we should be doing. Simon Grieve knows this feeling all too well, but thanks to, frankly, being open and candid about it and finding his sentiments echoed back to him, he’s starting to conquer that ever-chatty monkey on his back. Inside his own journey through mental hurdles lies inspiration for us all to take with us.

It wasn’t a specific incident that knocked Simon, but he’ll be the first to tell you that he struggled with a bit of a “crisis of confidence” earlier this season.

“I don’t know why it happened,” he mused. “I’ve had lots of crashes and lots of falls in the past, and I’ve got straight back on, cracked on, and been absolutely fine. This time I don’t know why it happened — it was just suddenly in my brain.”

He’d retired on cross country in the 4*-S at Thoresby’s Spring Carnival in March with his Burghley mount, Autograf. Straight after, Simon went to consult a sports psychologist. “It was all me,” he said, noting that he also enlisted the help of Chris Bartle for some lessons to help set him back on the right track.

Simon put the help he got from that support team to practice at Burnham Market the following month: “I rode like a demon,” he laughed. “And he was amazing. We were amazing. You know when you finish, you’re like, ‘my God, that was brilliant’? That was us that day.”

Simon Grieve and Autograf. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Momentum is a very real thing in sport, and Simon’s been able to take that momentum forward to now, on the cusp of Autograf’s first 5* cross country and his rider’s first Burghley since 2019.

“It started off a little bit not so great, but we’ve blossomed together,” Simon said. “He was fabulous around Hartpury last time out. So yeah, I’m feeling like we’re prepared in a good way, and really happy about Saturday.”

As with any elite pursuit, it can sometimes become difficult to silence the inner critic, the “chimp” on your back who tells you that you’re total shit, that you shouldn’t even be trying, that if things aren’t perfect, they aren’t good.

“It’s the Chimp Paradox, isn’t it? My chimp was definitely having a chat back then,” Simon said. “He was saying, ‘You’re rubbish, you can’t do this.’ So I had to shut him up.”

He says that changing his inner dialogue has made a world of a difference.

“A few years ago, I was riding a horse I wasn’t confident on, and I remember having a conversation with myself: ‘Right, you’re allowed to be as scared as you like all week, up until Saturday morning. Friday night, you can ring everyone and say, Oh God, this is terrifying, I’m so scared. But on Saturday morning, you’re going to wake up and you’re going to be professional. You’re going to say, This is my job, I’m going to do a good job, and I’m just going to get on with it.'”

That, he says, “is exactly what happened. I was talking to my sports psychologist this week, and I said that that’s what had happened, and I was like, ‘it’s really random!’ She was like, ‘yeah, that’s actually a thing — you’ve got to keep your chimp really busy and get it tired, and then off you go!'”

 

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Simon, who recently started a YouTube channel and also co-hosts the Shut Up and Ride Podcast, started to share these struggles with his followers, and what he found validated the notion that this was not a unique struggle. “I think the more I talk to people about it — and actually I’ve put a lot of it online, on my YouTube channel and that kind of stuff — lots of people have messaged me about it. It’s exactly the same for them, from all levels. Whether it’s from doing a 70cm all the way up to top level, I’ve had people saying, ‘Oh my God, I’ve had exactly the same thing.’ We don’t really talk about it, and it’s really important that we do.”

As for his tactics to keep that chimp quiet? After that Burghley, and that chat with his sports psychologist, he knows that he’s got to tire him out for the next couple of days. “I’m going to try and do just that this week — talk about how scared I am!”

While a five-star debut, as this week is for thirteen-year-old Autograf,  is always a voyage into the unknown, there’s a little bit of familiarity he’s bringing with him that feels like something of a lucky charm, too.

“I was hacking out with Will Rawlin on Wednesday and he said, ‘you definitely have a type, don’t you?’ Because Autograf is a little brown horse who’s so like Drumbilla Metro, who went around here a couple of times,” he smiled.

We’re wishing Simon and Autograf the best of weekends. They’ve started off with a 37.8 in the dressage yesterday and will now look ahead to tackling cross country tomorrow — with any luck, without any extra primate passengers.

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

The Power of Patience: Alexander Tordoff Comes Full Circle at Defender Burghley

By on Sep 5, 2025 10:13 am -

Alexander Tordoff and Cool Jack. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

When Alexander Tordoff was 15, he wrote in to Pony Magazine. “I am hoping to be an eventer when I grow up,” he wrote, submitting a photo of himself and his horse, Luigi, on cross country along with bit.

Alex grew up right in the area around the famed Burghley House. He’d come to watch Burghley each year, and also rode in Pony Club, which brought him to the grounds with a horse that was…challenging, to say the least, for the first time over a decade ago.

Now, in 2025, he’s brought Cool Jack (a horse purchased for less than £4,000) back here for his Burghley debut, and even with two phases to go, Alex admits: “What a weird week it’s been.”

It hasn’t been a straight road to this debut, not by a long shot. In fact, Alex, shared with me, he almost quit riding at one point altogether because he’d had so much trouble with Cool Jack — a horse very much with a mind of his own.

“When I was about 15 or 16, I couldn’t ride him,” Alex said. “I’d be at home on my own, and every time I got him, he’d walk 10 meters, and he’d throw me on the floor. I remember coming inside saying, ‘Mum, you’ve bought this horse and I can’t ride it. I just keep falling off him.’ Mum basically said, ‘Tough cookie—crack on. I’m not buying you another one.'”

Alex enlisted the help of multiple local professionals, most of whom also couldn’t get a tune out of the lanky gray gelding. “They’d come in, get on him, fall off, and just immediately leave the arena,” Alex chuckled ruefully. It was a discouraging time, and for a rider who held lofty ambitions of one day reaching the top of the sport, the hill to climb looked the size of Mt. Everest.

“I mean, I used to get up, one day I’d lunge, one day I’d ride,” he recalled. “I’d wake up on the days I’d have to ride him, and I’d have a knot in my stomach. On lunging days, I’d think, ‘Oh my God, this is a great day!'”

Manifestation: Exhibit A. And also a great branding opportunity for “Boy Eventer,” which, yes, is still Alex’s Twitter handle.

Then, Alex went out to work for Ros Canter. It was before Ros Canter was THE Ros Canter — “it was more just her and I riding in a field, before she became World Champion.” Here, Alex and Cool Jack finally found their stride together.

“Ros was the one who got him going, and also said, ‘Don’t stress—he’s actually quite good,'” Alex said. “She’s just the most incredible horseman. Just the amount of time and patience it took. Once he trusts you, he’s on your side. He’d throw himself off a cliff, he’d jump the Grand Canyon if you asked him too. And he even wouldn’t be the most scopey horse, but he just tries so hard. She was the one who taught me the most about just giving him opportunities and take it really slow, like really slowly. Eventually, I managed to get on, stay on, and then he was great. He still has those traits, though.”

It wasn’t magic or a secret sauce, working with Ros. It was simply an emphasis on patience, and on taking things back to basics and going as slow as needed to make even the smallest modicum of progress. In all, it represented a turning point. The horse was six when Alex brought him to Ros; he’s now 17, preparing for his second 5* start. And while he’s come on impressively, Alex warns, he’s still not an easy ride. He’s still sharp as a tack.

“It’s been a case of slowly, slowly. I still fall off him all the time!” Alex continued. “Like, even at Burgham, the show before this, I got on him, and within 30 seconds in the stables, I was on the floor. He’s so quick. Some days in the stable, you look at him and you’re about to tack him up, and he just gives you a look, and you know, ‘Oh, I’ll ride you later.’ You can’t even catch him in the stables sometimes. He’s the sharpest horse in the world.”

And so it comes to this: a debut at Burghley, so many years after the dream first germinated, and not without its own stress. Most riders come to Burghley with plenty of anticipatory anxiety about the cross country. For Alex, the stress was front-loaded with the first phase. He’s been eliminated in the dressage before, and with all of the aforementioned sharpness, it’s easy to guess why the pair would have some anxiety associated with this phase.

Alexander Tordoff and Cool Jack. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

“I’ve been more nervous to do that than I will be tomorrow!” a relieved Alex said, talking to the media after scoring a 41.7. “That’s how much he finds it so hard. Like yesterday, when I was riding in here, you couldn’t get a tune out of him. So yeah, we’re not at the front, and obviously it’s frustrating for me—-I like to be competitive.”

As his journey “back” to Burghley comes full circle, Alex is trying to take it all in (while also doing his best to stay seated on his horse). “I’m trying to keep him in one piece in there, and at the same time trying to take it all in. And the sun’s out, so it couldn’t be any better. It’s my first time being here. I’ve grown up here. I’ve come every day of every year since I can remember. So yeah, mixed emotions—more relief.”

Near the stables for the 5* competitors are the jumps Alex used to chuck himself over with Cool Jack back in the day. It’s been a week full of feelings already, and should they get the cross country done tomorrow, the floodgates will likely open. “It’s so weird hacking out past all the little knee-high fences I was trying to throw myself over on him years ago,” Jack chuckled. “And he’s not been back here since. It’s the weirdest thing-—being here in the same field where we camped our lorries, where we did our show jumping. So bizarre. Every morning I wake up and have to remind myself. It’s just been the weirdest week. It’s brilliant though.”

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

Good Habits: Joseph Murphy on Learning from Michael Jung

By on Sep 4, 2025 9:20 am -

Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

Joseph Murphy will be the first to tell you to hold your proverbial horses, that there are two phases left to come, after a good dressage performance. But to come in to Defender Burghley and lay down a personal best for a horse that’s not slipped into the low 30s often, if at all, in the past, deserves some exploration.

Belline Fighting Spirit, a 10-year-old Anglo European gelding by Freeman VDL, is contesting his third CCI5*, first Burghley, this week. Prior to this, the horse’s personal best in FEI competition was a 31.8, earned at the 3*-S level back in 2022. Today, despite some touch and go weather, the Irish Olympian piloted “Spirit” (love that barn name) to a 30.9, shaving nearly four points off his previous best 5* mark earned at Pau (his debut at the level) last year.

“It wasn’t perfect in there,” Joseph, ever the realist, said after the test. But should his weekend finish according to plan, it will be the accumulation of Joseph’s pursuit of betterment, and some extra education he’s gained from none other than triple Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany.

Joseph’s maintained a friendly relationship with Michael through the years, helping to source horses for him and asking for some assistance. Michael has earned a reputation for his meticulous preparation of his horses, and Joseph shared that those “good habits” are paying off in his own way now.

Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

“There’s the accumulation of a lot of things—-what makes him such a brilliant horseman, and how he works with his horses, and how compassionate he is with them,” he explained. “But the competition side, for me, is how disciplined he is in his preparation and what he expects from the horses. I think that’s the biggest thing. If I had this conversation with him now, he’d be probably shaking his head, thinking, ‘Well, that’s just what I do.’ But from the outside, it’s incredible, really—-how he prepares for an event and how he expects the horses to be right at the right time, for the dressage and for all phases.”

Joseph maintains a level of self-awareness that allows him to have an open mind, even so far into his own eventing career as he is, about the ongoing education of the event rider and horse.

“I think that, you know, I hold my hands up: I haven’t been riding good enough. I haven’t been preparing good enough. I haven’t probably been disciplined,” he continued. “The riding, in one way, came quite natural to me. But that’s not a great thing either, because then you tend to ride a little bit off the seat of your pants. And that’s what I was doing until I really now started knuckling down…I’ve got feedback from judges. I’ve watched videos. I’ve been more disciplined in my preparation and training with the horses every day. And I think that’s the thing that’s now starting to show.”

He’s coming off a banner preparation run at Lisgarven in Ireland, where all of his horses finished inside the the top 7 or better across divisions; for him, that’s the proof that some of these good habits are beginning to show and pay off in a big way.

“For me, that’s incredible. My goals are starting to come off. To come here with this horse and it’s another personal best—it’s a goal for me,” he said. “So I think that with a change of mindset, that’s really what I’m talking about. I have to focus on that and believe in it, and not let the outside world dictate a little bit what I do. We all can get drawn into teams and championships and trying to rush horses and so on. But I’m in a lucky position. I have some fantastic owners who are very supportive. They more or less give me free rein, and I want to get the results for them now. I feel I can, as a rider, I feel like I can do it, but I need to put it together now. In a way, I’m probably my own worst critic, but that’s how it has to be now.”

It can be difficult to tangibly state what it is a rider has learned from someone like Michael Jung. Really, even Michael himself can’t really put it into words, but Joseph tried: “The preparation events—-he would always bring the horses to a place where they’re going to be prepared properly, whether it be in the dressage ring or a jumping ring. Everything is thought of—-it’s just not on a whim. And that’s why the good results come. He’d be definitely made a different way than most people, but he knows his horses so well. So I think for me, the takeaway is the good habits that creates in the competition environment and before it.”

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

Horses for Courses (and Fact-Finding): Billy Alberto Finds a Purpose with Team Lissington

By on Sep 4, 2025 9:18 am -

Samantha Lissington and Billy Alberto. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

New Zealand rider Samantha Lissington comes into this week’s Defender Burghley well-mounted with two horses coming off of great seasons to date, but each of her rides carries a slightly different role as a part of her burgeoning team.

The 13-year-old Billy Alberto, an Anglo-European registered gelding by Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, wasn’t a horse that was selected outright as a potential 5* horse, truth be told. He’s had a colorful competitive history, never quite nailing the dressage in a way that would allow him to really compete at the top levels. His owner, Alison Spence, had the horse with British rider Sophie Fouracre previously, and Sophie would take him through the 4* level. But, as Sam puts it, “the dressage was just proving too disappointing and too disheartening.”

At that point, Ali’s daughter, Honor, took the reins and competed Billy Alberto at the British Novice level, but a thought remained in the back of Ali’s mind: what if they gave it one more crack to get to the 5* level? The horse was a good cross country jumper — he wasn’t strong (“whilst he’s quite resistant on the flat, he’s the opposite jumping,” Sam describes. “And he just sort of…you steer him like a motorbike, and he just jumps whatever’s in front of him and and he just never said, has never said no, or never looked for a way out.”) and he had the rideability in the jumping that he lacked on the flat.

Here, Sam entered the picture. “[Ali] was like, ‘actually, I want to have one more crack and see if he’s a five-star horse.’ And I said, ‘Look, I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do everything I can.'”

Sam’s only had the ride on Billy Alberto since January of this year, but already he’s found a valuable role within her team: front-runner.

Many riders who come to these big 5* events with more than one horse will use strategy to inform the order in which they run their horses. Not every event will give riders the luxury of choice, but when she’s able, she’ll put “Bertie” out as her first horse, using him as a fact-finder and trusting in her confidence that he’s got the chops to jump around and give her insights for her next, and potentially more competitive, horses.

Samantha Lissington and Billy Alberto. Photo by Hannah Cole Photography.

This week, she’s done just that, riding her more experienced partner, Lord Seekönig, second. She feels this will come in handy come Saturday, when she tackles her first Burghley cross country since 2019.

“In a short space of time, I was like, actually, this is a really useful horse on our team,” Sam says. “And one of the agreements that I have with Ali was that he runs first, because that then is a really useful member of our team, even if the dressage doesn’t make progress. So then we can work away on the dressage attempt to make some progress on that. On that side, he’s getting to go to big competitions, and he also is my front runner for the other horses to then gain experience, put that into them.”

Of course, she’s riding two completely different horses, so her riding and strategy for cross country will adjust for their respective styles. “[The Lord Seekönig horse is] quite a nervous person, but you wouldn’t know it on cross country. He can be strong. So that’s my sort of continued work on is to try and ride with as light a contact as possible, so that when I do use the reins, it means something, whereas Bertie canters around with an inverted neck in a snaffle! So they are quite different.”

Sending Bertie out first, though, will still provide valuable information to use later on. “I think that first ride gives you a fact finding mission on the terrain more than anything, at Burghley. What’s it going to feel like? What’s the undulations? What’s something to be aware of?”

She’s still focused on her dressage for now — one thing at a time — but her strategy will go into full implementation come Saturday. “I mean, I’m trying to, this year, very much focus on the next job in front of me and not worry too much about Saturday’s job until it’s Saturday. So that’s been working. So far. It’s working pretty well.”

Many thanks to Kentucky Performance Products for their support of our Defender Burghley coverage! Click here to learn all about their science-backed and time-tested nutritional support products for horses.

Defender Burghley: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [EN’s Coverage]

Stay Safe, Save Big: Ride EquiSafe’s 2nd Annual Safe in the Saddle Week

By on Aug 21, 2025 10:00 am -

Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Sally Spickard.

Safety first—and savings too! Ride EquiSafe is celebrating its 2nd Annual Safe in the Saddle Week, running now through August 24, with a week full of deals, giveaways, and educational content focused on helping riders put their safety at the top of the priority list.

Throughout the week, you’ll find exclusive promotions, including:

  • Buy an air vest, get a free canister
  • Up to 10% off select safety products
  • Free sample of The Infused Equestrian’s Noggin Spray with any vest or helmet purchase
  • Spend $500, get a $25 gift card

Exclusive safety-oriented content on Ride EquiSafe’s website.

And that’s not all—Ride EquiSafe has teamed up with Eventing Nation to offer an exclusive giveaway. Visit this link to enter for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate toward your next Ride EquiSafe purchase.

Safety is more than a product—it’s a mindset. As Ride EquiSafe founder Catherine Winter explains in her recent interview on The Go Eventing Podcast, the mission is simple: to provide riders with the tools and information they need to advocate for their own personal safety.

Don’t miss your chance to save and win—Safe in the Saddle Week ends Saturday, August 24!