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.
I’m loving all of the memories dug up and posted on social media these days. I happened upon some old photos from Cindy Lawler on my feed yesterday, some of which were of the program from the 1988 Badminton Horse Trials. I particularly love Cindy’s notes from walking cross country, depicted above, which succinctly sum up Badders in just a few words: “hell of a drop,” “huge drop” and “difficult approach.” We’d say we agree with those, even today!
National Holiday: Today is International Dance Day so …”like no one’s watching” and all that jazz.
Sinead Halpin penned a candid and poignant column for NoelleFloyd.com. Learning how to navigate an entirely unprecedented new reality is a challenge, and Sinead has some helpful reminders about perspective and “riding the wave.” [We’re All Learning How to Ride This Wave]
Back on course at Windurra USA: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday that his administration is lifting some restrictions on businesses related to certain outdoor activities starting Friday. Recreational areas (they name golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds as examples) may reopen statewide and must follow the latest business guidance for mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. A cross country course certainly qualifies as recreational, right? Heck of a lot more fun than a fishing trip, IMO. Boyd and Silva Martin announced today that their facility, Windurra USA, would re-open for schooling on Friday. [Windurra USA Schooling will Re-Open Friday May 1st!]
A special meeting of the FEI Board brought forth some resolutions based on proposals put forth by the Calendar Task Force. As competitions across disciplines scramble to reschedule and otherwise rearrange their year, proposals on how to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic have been reviewed. Key takeaways concerning eventing include a postponement of discussion of FEI Championships, confirmation that National Federations and Organizers have not been guaranteed exclusivity for rescheduled dates, as well as timeline requirements for date applications/modifications. You can view the full rundown from the meeting here.
As equine deaths from African Horse Sickness continue to afflict the Thailand community, a vaccine has begun distributing and horses are being kept in strict, netted quarantine to help slow the spread of the midge-borne disease. [AHS Deaths Near 500 in Thailand, Vaccinations Begin]
Wednesday Video Break: USEA President Max Corcoran joined Glenn the Geek on the Horse Radio Network’s “Live at Five” show this week. Max is always a wonderful interview, and this conversation broaches many topics regarding eventing and how the coronavirus has affected the industry:
US Eventing Assoc. President Max Corcoran discusses the way forward for Eventing post Corona. Plus, Glenn addresses how some horse shows are getting their communications all wrong. Monday at 5pm ET on the Horses in the Morning FB Page.
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
Allison Springer and Arthur. Leslie Threlkeld Photo.
It’s relatively easy to open up Instagram and find a slew of new products and pieces of equipment promising to make your horse perform or feel better. And while innovation is a wonderful addition to any sport, it’s equally easy to inform yourself of the primary purpose of each piece of equipment you use and what functions it performs.
The reality is that not every horse needs every tack fad that’s available. Not every horse needs a shimmed half pad, and not every horse needs to go in a five-point breastplate. Making informed decisions on your tack set-up is a vital part of ensuring our horses are comfortable and able to do their jobs without restriction or discomfort.
But sifting through the loads of information (and opinions) that are readily available online can be an enormous task. We tapped World Equestrian Brands owner Robin Moore for some of her best advice on fitting basic pieces of tack.
“The goal is to have the right products for the job at hand that don’t work against the horse,” Robin explained. “There needs to be a purpose for each product.”
One of the best ways World Equestrian Brands has proved its staying power is by not only curating high quality goods but also backing up the function of each product with research. “Shapes and materials really do matter,” Robin said. “The focus of each of the manufacturers we work with is really about in-depth study of materials and design and the best use in function.”
What Should I Know About Saddle Fitting?
Sharon White and Cooley On Show. Photo by Ginny Nayden.
“First and foremost, it’s about assessing the horse’s topline. Width is easy to determine, but what ends up happening a lot is that a horse may have a long sloping wither but the saddle is a short distance over the wither, so you end up catching the horse at the base of the wither with the stirrup bar, and you get a bit of a fulcrum there. You can see this without even having the saddle girthed, and when you add the girth and rider, that effect is multiplied.
For instance, with Amerigo we have 16 different tree shapes to address the various back types we see. Some backs are quite simple, while others can be quite complicated. The horses don’t lie — they’re either going to go well in the saddle or they’re not, albeit some are quite stoic and hang in there for a period of time. When you put the right saddle on the horse, they start to move their back. Many times the saddle prevents the back from moving. Horses move away from pressure, and if the saddle is for example tight under the stirrup bars or at the back of the panels, the horse can be reluctant or at times unable, to lift it’s back and come through with hind legs.
There are lots of little pieces of to the puzzle, such as a horse with a larger scapula on one side or an asymmetry. These things all affect how the saddle fits, so you really have to take the whole individual horse into account.
Don’t be afraid to stick your hands under your saddle and feel what’s happening under there, you may be surprised! One way to assess is to push down on the middle of the seat with one hand and run your other hand under the panels from the front to the back.
Feel if the saddle particularly tight or loose in one place. It should feel consistent the entire length of the panel. From the outside it may not look bad, but when you put a hand underneath you have a pressure point. The horse also may be displaying clues such as a reluctance to raise its back, or landing flat or hollow and rushing off.”
Half Pads: To Shim or Not to Shim?
Allison Springer and Arthur. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“One way to answer that question is to check if your saddle is tipping down in front because it’s too wide. If your saddle is low in front it can be because it’s too wide, then that’s a great time to use shims. Keep in mind, it may be low in front because the tree of the saddle is incorrect, putting too much curve at the back of the saddle for the horse, thus tipping it down in front.
The shims are also excellent to deal with asymmetries from injuries, or other conformational issues. The Mattes half pads use a really thin (.5mm) shim so that you can be precise with the amount of correction and use only what is needed. If just one shim is needed or up to four, you can select accordingly. The beauty is the capability of making incremental changes as the horse improves. It’s super useful.
The material is also important. Mattes uses a registered Polyflex® material that is very thin and is designed so it doesn’t ‘bottom out’. Some of the foams are so soft they collapse under pressure. When you think of the dynamics of riding, when a foam bottoms out and is slow to rebound, it’s not great for managing impact. Some materials don’t breathe so it can get very hot or maybe they’re a bit too hard/rigid.
The material of the pad itself should also be prioritized. Mattes is known for its high quality, single hide sheepskin. High quality, dense sheepskin is known for the natural qualities of heat dissemination, breathability, and the ability to eliminate friction and bounce.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure we don’t undo a good saddle fit with a poorly designed or shaped pad. Try to use pads that have a topline shape, that aren’t just flat across the topline. Most pads have made this design improvement. Also, try to avoid seams near the withers, which may unintentionally create rubs and pressure points.”
How Do I Know If I Need a Breastplate?
Buck Davidson and Carlevo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
“It’s not ideal for the horse if we use a breastplate to keep the saddle from sliding back, but I get it on cross country that a lot of times they are a necessity. However, if you get off and the breastplate is digging in to the horse’s chest, there may be another option to help the saddle from moving, understanding that on some horses even the best fit saddles can move a bit more than usual at the higher levels.
Some horses are built like greyhounds, deep chest, and then rising toward the flanks, and frequently girths slide back with this type of conformation as there is no ‘girth pocket’. As soon as the girth slides back, the saddle goes with it.
There is definitely a relationship between the girth and the saddle dictated by the horse’s conformation. Some of the monoflaps are designed with the billets stitched to the bottom of the flap — and they are true monoflaps: one single piece of leather — however the billets aren’t free to swing and finding the correct girth position can be a challenge. In these cases, finding the right girth is almost more important than your choice of breastplate. It can be a ‘both and’ rather than a ‘one or the other’ situation, where the girth and breastplate need to be addressed (as well as saddle fit of course). ”
How Do I Select a New Bridle?
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Jollybo (CAN). Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
“Some brands are trying to do some really cool and innovative things with bridles, but sometimes in that effort they might fix one problem and make another one. Beware of where the contours of the bridle are and if they are in an appropriate place for the horse’s ears. Sometimes the super wide crown piece cuts back a little too far. Run a finger under every place that the leather touches the face looking for edges or pressure points. There are some good ideas out there, but maybe not totally perfected.
Pressure points are important to avoid. The rings on the Vespucci Figure 8 have a leather fob so they don’t dig in, and they’re positioned in certain ways so the straps go a certain way. Our buckles have a unique shape so the leather lies flat on the horse’s face rather than having a pressure point. Some of those little details are easily overlooked.
Materials and quality of leather come in to play of course. Vespucci uses vegetable-tanned hides from a source in Pennsylvania.”
How Do I Pick the Right Boot for my Horse’s Legs?
Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo courtesy USEA/Leslie Mintz.
“Equilibrium Products have done so much advanced testing over the years. Dr. David Marlin in the UK assisted with research, material studies, and so on for both the Tri-Zone® products as well as Stretch & Flex®. They did a study to measure of the impact on a horse’s leg when horse hits a cross country jump, finding out the actual force that the horse incurs on impact. Before this study, there was no real known level of protection that was needed, so some boots had significantly more protection than necessary, which meant quite a hard outer shell, and others didn’t offer enough.
“The information from the study provided Equilibrium the ability to produce in the Tri-Zone® range boots that we know provide the level of protection needed to protect the horse’s legs from concussion and penetration, while also using materials with added benefits that make the boots lighter, softer, cooler and they do not absorb water that also can increase the weight of the boot. A little weight on the leg has great impact on a cross country course. The Tri-Zone® Impact XC Boots as well as Allsports have, with in-depth independent study, been able to build a superior boot that can deliver the variety of properties that should be considered. Equilibrium also just added some fun colors – ticking all the boxes!
It’s important to ask what the purpose of the boot is. Are you trying to protect against concussion and penetration, or are you looking for support for flatwork? Knowing the purpose and the right size for your horse’s legs is important to prevent rotation or slipping.”
Ultimately, with any piece of tack, it’s important to first ask yourself what’s trying to be accomplished and is that purpose actually being accomplished? If the answer is no, then your tack set-up might need a few changes.
Riding with empathy as well as an understanding of biomechanics — what is happening under the tack — for our horses is important, and often times less is more. A horse will always go better in properly fitted tack, so investing the time in making sure that your equipment is not hindering your horse in any way can lead to a happy, willing equine partner.
Most years, we ask readers to share photos of their dogs at Kentucky (see last year’s finalists here) — but this year is a LITTLE different. This year, we want you to show us what funny or helpful things people’s dogs are doing to “help” with barn chores. Click here for details about how to enter.
Therawool Dressage Square Pad. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
Shopping is on the brain this time of year. Couple that with the spring fever that has us feverishly stalking Virtual Vendor Village booths (shop Thursday’s Deals here) AND the fact that we’re also experiencing cabin fever, and you’ve got a whole lot of extra retail therapy on your to-do list.
Luckily, our friends at Fleeceworks have pitched in two $50 gift certificates that they’ll be giving away to lucky winners who subscribe to the brand’s mailing list. Here’s the skinny:
Two $50 certificates will be given away. These certificates can be used for any web purchase (hint: if you’re just too impatient, like me, you can shop all of Fleeceworks’ incredible Kentucky week deals right here), and all you need to do to enter is sign up for the email list by visiting the Fleeceworks website here. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 27.
While you’re at it: Fleeceworks is offering 10% off all orders all week with code LRK3D10; Free Easy Care Bamboo Slippers with orders over $100; 15% off Therawool Quilted Dressage Pad with code LRK3D4; additional deals here.
Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
Happy what-would-ordinarily-be Land Rover Kentucky jog day! I chose today’s lead photo in honor of the jog queen herself, Lainey Ashker, who has graced the strip many times with her imaginative and fashionable outfits. If I could give you another pair of Dubarrys, Lainey, I would.
If you’re suffering from Kentucky withdrawals this week, trust me when I say that the EN team is with you 100% of the way on that. We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you the best Virtual Vendor Village ever (click here if you haven’t run out of money yet), and there is plenty of vintage Kentucky content coming your way from all outlets to hold you over.
National Holiday: It’s Earth Day! Mother Nature is our greatest resource, and we owe it to her to take the best care of our environment possible. Let’s all do something today to create a habit of reducing waste tomorrow.
News & Notes:
The USEF Network will be doing a live re-broadcast of the cross country phase from 2012 Kentuckyon their Facebook page Saturday at 10 am ET. In celebration of the event’s history as well as a salve for the gaps left behind by this year’s cancellation, you can view on-demand coverage of previous years in their entirety here.
Badminton Horse Trials will also be doing a re-broadcast of previous years’ competitions — and they want your help deciding which years to show. You can vote for your favorite year (and honestly, good luck choosing just three) here.
Do you want to take a virtual lesson with Irish eventing star Jonty Evans? Well, now you can! Jonty is offering virtual lessons to help keep his business afloat during lockdown. Many other riders have opted to offer virtual coaching, too, so be sure to keep an eye on social media for opportunities!
Is your equine first aid kit up to date?Get the rundown from The Horse on what you should have in your kit for treating minor wounds.
Wednesday Video: Improve your shoulder-out with Beezie Madden.
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
When I posted about our Team plaiting/bandaging/etc training last week a few people requested some masterclass videos to give everyone something to work on whilst they're stuck at home. Because we aim to please(!) I'll be posting a series of videos with my very own supergroom, Amy Phillips, the reigning Horse & Hound Groom of the Year and the best in the business.🤩🏆💪
This first video covers plaiting and all the kit you need for the perfect plaits with both thread and bands. I'd love to see some of your own efforts so do post them in the photos below and I will offer a small prize for the best plaits. No excuses now – practice makes perfect!🦄💃👌
Going forward, the #supergroomsunday videos will be posted every Sunday to give you all a new skill to learn or an old one to perfect in the week ahead. This video is a day late because the internet was too slow to upload it yesterday evening! Anyway, we hope you find them useful and that it can help people get something positive from our time in lockdown. If there's any skill you'd particularly like to learn do post it in the comments below.🤔✅⬇️
Dodson & Horrell Devoucoux Lincoln Horse Care Protexin Equine Premium Animalife Vetro Collection – Feel The Difference TruckEast Ltd. Parlanti Roma British Eventing Official Equestrian Team GBR The Pony Club
There’s no better time to put some polish on the skills we all neglect from time to time. After much popular demand, Piggy March (neé French) and her super groom, also known as the Horse & Hound Groom of the Year, Amy Phillips put together a new masterclass all about plaiting (braiding, as we term it here in the U.S.).
Look for more of these great videos to come from the March team. These resources are wonderful ways to help fill up the newly acquired (and very strange) gaps in our schedule — keep an eye on Piggy’s Facebook page for more to come!
One wonderful thing that has come from this period of downtime and lockdown is seeing happy, relaxed horses enjoying some extra time off. While it’s true, many horses thrive on a job — especially top stars such as Price Eventing rides Bango, Ringwood Sky Boy, and Xavier Faer — this is as good a time as ever to remember that a bit of a break can do us all a bit of good. When it feels especially tough, take a look at these happy faces and remember what matters most.
An FEI representative yesterday issued a note to FEI officials and judges intending to clarify the governing body’s stance on the rise of virtual competitions. Indeed, virtual competitions have seen an uptick given the current state of the world, and reactions to the instructions have ruffled more than a few feathers within the community. [FEI Clarifies Important Rules Regarding Online Competitions]
Many riders are all about unique fitness routines outside of the saddle. Courtenay Tuxhorn fills us in on some best tips for improving and maintaining fitness as a rider while also providing a glimpse at her personal training routine. [Training Your Weaknesses with Courtenay Tuxhorn]
How did riders do during Stable View’s virtual dressage competition? Meaghan Marinovich Burdick was looking for a way to get in a competitive outlet, and it turns out that virtual horse shows might be just the ticket. [Marinovich Burdick Scores In Stable View Virtual Dressage]
African Horse Sickness has struck horses in Thailand with a severe mortality rate. While humans contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, horse owners in Thailand now must also safeguard against this lethal equine disease. The World Organization for Animal Health checked in recently with an update on AHS. [African Horse Sickness: OIE Webcast Offers Sobering Reality]
Wednesday Video:
Want to learn more about US Equestrian’s insurance offerings for members? Learn more:
Independent Study: Ecovet Outperforms All Other Repellents* in Both Efficacy and Duration
A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that, in head-to-head comparisons with other fly spray products, Ecovet is the most effective at inhibiting flies AND Ecovet lasts the longest. Watch the video to see the study results in action, and learn more about how Ecovet stacks up against other fly sprays > eco-vet.com/study
One of the best tools for achieving balance and self-carriage is the shoulder-in movement. A basic yet challenging lateral movement, the shoulder-in is famous for its effects of lifting the front end and creating more impulsion in the hind end.
Of course, the shoulder-in can also be challenging to learn, particularly when both horse and rider are unfamiliar with the movement. Right now, many of you may be looking for some details to perfect in the interim between competition seasons.
Beezie Madden was kind enough to help us out with some basic tips for achieving a shoulder-in for the latest Madden Method video. These videos are full of helpful advice on everything from barn management to starting young horses — we highly recommend giving them a good study!
Recognize this famous face? Snooze Alarm was Lauren Nicholson’s (née Kieffer) first five-star partner and is also a half-brother to her current upper level partner, Vermiculus. Looks like “Maggot” is enjoying his retirement with a bit of spa time!
National Holiday: Great news, fellow quarantiners! Today is No Housework Day. You heard it here first. Sorry, can’t help you out with the remaining 364 days in the year.
News & Notes:
Managing horses during unprecedented times such as these presents a unique set of challenges. Kentucky Equine Research has some advice on managing horses that are not working or seeing a decrease in workload. [Management Strategies for Out of Work Horses]
An eventer goes to Africa. Phyllis Dawson wrote about her trip to Africa last year in the latest Windchase Eventing blog. Take a trip to the other side of the globe and relive the adventure — perfect downtime reading material! [Windchase Goes to Africa]
Try some groundwork to pass the time and learn a new skill. Tik Maynard is one of the most popular sources of horsemanship knowledge for riders of any discipline. Find out what tools you’ll need to get started and work on connecting on a deeper level with your horse. [How to Choose the Right Groundwork Equipment for You]
Want to support the campaign for more frangible technology in eventing? Jamie McAllister created this t-shirt as a way to spread awareness and raise more funds for frangible fences. Shop here: Support Your Sport T-Shirt
Wednesday Video: Your daily dose of equestrian ASMR.
L i b e r t é ❤️.Vidéo de Alexis Lemonnier prise il y a plusieurs semaines ! . .En cette période difficile nous allons continuer à poster des photos et vidéos prises ces dernières semaines pour illuminer un peu notre quotidien ✨. Prenez soin de vous et restez chez vous ! #restezchezvous
It’s become such second nature to whip out my phone, pull up Amazon, and order a frightening amount of items scheduled to be delivered in an equally frightening short amount of time. I can still remember the days of poring over the JCPenney catalog when it would come in the mail, dog-earing the pages of the clothes I wanted to wear to school that year. It’s quite a stark contrast, thinking of the mail order days from which we aren’t all that far removed.
Twenty years after its inception, most equine households know the name SmartPak. Originally begun with the intent to make dietary supplementation easy and convenient for horse owners, SmartPak has grown to be one of the biggest names in equestrian retail. And in today’s heavily competitive e-commerce and health industries, that’s no small accomplishment.
If you’re like many horse owners, you’ve likely struggled to find the perfect formulation of dietary balance for your horse. Making a decision for your horse’s nutritional needs can be overwhelming when faced with a myriad of choices and opinions on what is best. SmartPak saw this writing on the wall and leapt at the chance to offer an option designed to put horse owners’ minds at rest.
The unique SmartPak system allows horse owners to customize their horse’s supplements into easy-to-use, pre-measured doses. Any combination of supplements can be made into convenient SmartPaks, giving equine nutrition a much-needed boost of consumer education and buy-in. When the concept of the SmartPak was in its earliest stages, the company wanted to accomplish three main objectives:
Consistency: Feeding supplements every day is key to supporting a healthy horse. With SmartPaks you get: The right dose every time with pre-measured paks, the freshest supplements due to their airtight seals, and confidence that each supplement has undergone quality control procedures.
Customization: Your horse is unique, and his supplement program should be, too. With SmartPaks you get: The exact support your horse needs from custom-made Paks and foolproof feeding because each strip is clearly labeled.
Convenience: Feeding supplements from buckets can be a hassle. With SmartPaks you get: Assurance that you’ll never run out thanks to their AutoShip program, an organized feed room due to their free storage drawers, recycled packaging that’s easily recycled again, and world-class service from their Horse Health Experts.
Eliminating guesswork takes much of the stress out of maintaining a proper nutritional profile for your horse. Much of how SmartPak develops its product offerings and the marketing around them comes from input from actual horse owners. SmartPak believes that supplements are part of good horsemanship, and every horse deserves support from the right supplements to help him look and feel his best. Therefore, the idea that the company is made up of horse owners adds a layer of camaraderie — the notion that hey, we’re all in this together.
I asked the SmartPak Health team what they had observed in the equine nutrition industry of late. “We’re seeing the rise of new and novel ingredients to support our horses’ wellness and longevity,” the team responded in an email interview. “The landscape of products available is constantly evolving.”
It’s a welcome challenge for the SmartPak team, constantly hard at work at implementing the best technology and processes as it strives to offer the best quality products that are supported by adequate research.
At the end of the day, SmartPak gets us because, in a way, they are us. They’re also worried about the older horse at the barn who wakes up a bit stiffer each morning. They also watch carefully when their horses play in turnout, ever watchful for any signs of lameness or trouble. They also want the best for their horses, and to have the privilege to spend as much time with them as possible.
Convenience does not necessarily equate to loss of quality. In a world in which competition is cutthroat and information overload is a common ailment, horse owners can trust that the SmartPak way won’t steer them wrong.
Andrew Hoy has sadly reported the passing of one of his well-known partners, Master Monarch, this week. Andrew paid tribute to Master Monarch on social media, touching on many of the incredible moments they shared together:
“Master Monarch, owned by Tom Attwood, passed away at the wonderful age of 29 today.
He has been an incredible horse and we have enjoyed many fabulous events & successes together, with 2006 certainly being the ‘standout year’ in our partnership:
We started the season on winning the CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) at Kentucky / USA [Kentucky Three Day Event] and then won Bronze with the Australian Team at the [CHIO Aachen] World Equestrian Games later that year.
Our journey took us around many of the major events and alongside top 3 placings at both Badminton and Burghley he also won the World Cup Event in Fontainebleau and Marbach.
I am so very thankful to his owner for giving me the chance to ride such a wonderful horse and for the very special times we had together.
So many beautiful memories.
Rest in peace, my friend.”
National Holiday: April Fool’s, which almost seems cruel at this point. However, April Fool’s is one of EN’s most revered holidays. In honor of this day, here’s a look at a story that I had a lot of fun writing a few years back.
What’s the story behind the medals U.S. Eventing has collected? Take a deep dive into the history books, starting with the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, and learn about each medal won through the years by the American team. [History of U.S. Eventing Medals]
Need resources to navigate the coronavirus pandemic? US Equestrian maintains a robust guide and resource list for equine professionals and riders affected by the outbreak. Keep this page bookmarked. [US Equestrian Coronavirus Resources]
Maryland 5 Star Competition Director Mary Coldren certainly knows her way around a three-day event. A huge supporter of the sport through her work at Fair Hill International and elsewhere, Mary was recently featured in the Maryland Sports Commission newsletter as a recognition of her ongoing efforts. [Women In Sports: Mary Coldren]
Badminton Horse Trials Director Jane Tuckwell is no stranger to cancellations. Faced with the coronavirus pandemic and the forced cancellation of this year’s Badminton, Jane reflects on the difficult decision that comes at no small cost to anyone involved. [Director’s Blog: Jane Tuckwell]
Wednesday Video: Since this week would be The Fork week, let’s relive 2019 with Doug Payne and Quantum Leap in the CCI4*-S.
Ecovet is the only fly repellent that improves insect-related skin sensitivity. Learn more at eco-vet.com.
Two more events have announced cancellations or postponements today due to conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Both Virginia Horse Trials and Groton House Farms will not run their previously scheduled events:
Following an order issued by Governor of Virginia declaring a ban on all gatherings of 10 or more people and stay-at-home orders, Virginia Horse Trials has announced the postponement of its May horse trials, scheduled to run May 21-24. The event will now look to move the event to July, if possible. The organizing team issued the following statement:
Following the Executive Order of the Governor of Virginia yesterday banning gatherings of greater than 10 people until 10th June 2020, and in the best interests of everyone’s health and safety, it is with great regret we have to announce that we will not be able to run Virginia Horse Trials on 21-24th May 2020.
It is our intention to work with USEF, FEI and Virginia Horse Center to find a new date in July if possible to run the event. It is likely that it will run during the week as we have so many events already running at the weekends however we will be as flexible as possible in finding a solution.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support and I hope that during these unknown times everyone stays safe,” said VHT Organizer Andy Bowles. “We look forward to seeing you once we get through this.”
The situation with the Coronavirus definitely seems to be escalating and will not be over soon. This leads to the clear, yet disappointing reality that after 40+ years GHF 2020 will not be able to run this year. This will also include the Spring Two-phase and the Summer Classic.
We can now focus on getting through this crisis and looking forward to GHF 2021 with renewed energy and enthusiasm !
The USEA has announced the cancellation of its Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, which were scheduled to be held May 16-17 alongside Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials. At this time, Chattahoochee Hills’ May event is still scheduled to run.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is disappointed to announce that due to COVID-19, the 2020 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships on May 16-17 at Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials are canceled.
“I am so very sorry for the students, especially the seniors, who have been looking forward to the Championships. They have worked incredibly hard all year to train and fundraise, but in the interest of a level playing field, I believe this is the right decision. I urge our students now to remember the spirit of the intercollegiate program and show their utmost camaraderie and friendship during this difficult time for our sport, our community, and our world. We will come back from this better than ever,” said the USEA Intercollegiate Committee Chair Leslie Threlkeld.
To stay abreast of the most recent updates to the equestrian competition schedule during the coronavirus pandemic, follow this continuously updated post.
In its most recent update during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Equestrian Canada has announced that it will continue to suspend sanctioned events through June 1, 2020. Any competitions that are run during this time period will not serve as points accumulators or qualifiers, nor will riders achieve any ranking movement as a result of competing.
“All EC sanctioned competitions are suspended until June 1, 2020. For competitions that do run, there will be no accumulation of points, scores, qualification or rankings towards any EC awards program or team selection, and there will be no posting of results starting March 16, 2020. EC will continue to monitor the state of the pandemic and asses the need for further extensions to the suspension timeline.
EC also strongly recommends that equestrians refrain from participating in or attending competition during this time.”
This continued suspension follows other precautionary measures taken by Equestrian Canada, including the cancellation of all meetings and programs. The federation has also encouraged Canadians outside of the country to return home with the horses in order to avoid border closures and other complications; many Canadian riders, however, permanently base in the U.S. and other parts of the world.
Woodge Fulton and Captain Jack. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Developing international talent continues to be a top priority for the eventing community, and it was the vision of David and Cheryl Lenaburg that brought the Wilton Fair Grant to life. A donation of $1,000,000 was made, earmarked for grants to be given out each year to riders who have not yet ridden for a senior team.
Owners of Wilton Fair for David O’Connor, the Lenaburgs watched as David’s then-blooming career flourished — he would go on to partner with “Wilbur” to win Rolex Kentucky in 1990, among numerous other career highlights. Truly, opportunity presented often opens the doors to change a rider’s life. And so, Wilton Fair’s legacy lives on, the grant born as a way to continue providing those opportunities to deserving and talented riders.
Today (March 30) is the final day to applyfor the 2020 Wilton Fair International Grant. In order to apply, riders must meet the following criteria:
The Wilton Fair International Grant is available to U.S. citizens through the year of their 27th birthday.
Riders must not have ridden on an international senior team.
Applications are invited from riders competing successfully at the CCI4* level and above.
Applicants must be willing and able to apprentice with an approved rider/trainer in Europe within 12 months of receiving the grant.
Riders who have already trained overseas for an extended period of time are ineligible.
If awarded, the Wilton Fair International Grant must be used to offset training, travel, living, and stabling costs. Ongoing reports on progress and how the grant is being used will also be required from the recipient.
The Declaration of Interest is the first step in the application process, which is followed by interviews should the applicant be moved forward. The decision will be made by the USEA Foundation along with recommendations from the United States Equestrian Emerging Athletes Group.
Three more USEA recognized events will join the list of competitions affected by the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. US Equestrian recently extended its competition suspension recommendations through May 3, and the remainder of the spring and summer still remains very much in question. Here are the most recent events who have released statements regarding their status:
In accordance with the most recent statement issued by the United States Eventing Association, Skyline Eventing is canceling our Spring Horse Trial on May 1-3. A Skyline committee member will be reaching out to all that have entered and paid entry fees. Entry fees will be fully refundable, or any fees paid can be used towards cross-country schooling, future shows, etc.
We are currently working with both Area IX and the USEA for flexibility on additional dates for both recognized and unrecognized showing opportunities. Please stay tuned to Skyline’s Facebook and Instagram pages for any updates. Also, our cross-country course is currently open for schooling at $35 per horse. We ask that anyone who chooses to school at this time uses their best judgement.
After the announcement that the 2020 Summer Olympics would be postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, new dates in 2021 have been announced. The Olympics, still to be held in Tokyo, will now commence on July 23, 2021 and close on August 8, 2021, nearly exactly one year after their originally scheduled dates of July 24, 2020 through August 9, 2020. The Paralympics will follow suit, running from August 24, 2021 through September 5, 2021.
This announcement comes after IOC President Thomas Bach, Tokyo 2020 President Mori Yoshirō, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko and Olympic and Paralympic Minister Hashimoto Seiko came to a mutual agreement on the best path forward for the Games.
“The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum,” the IOC said in a statement. “Additionally, they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented.”
The decision of new dates now allows athletes and their federations to move forward with a training plan. With any hope, the uncertainty that has surrounded the Olympic sports and the qualifying schedule that leads up to the Games can now be put to rest and we can set our eyes on what is shaping up to be an unexpectedly action-packed 2021.
Courtney Carson puts the finishing touches on Vandiver with Doug Payne. Photo by Abby Powell.
As a groom, sending your horse out of the start box on cross country day is all at once one of the best and one of the worst feelings in the world. You’ve spent countless hours by this horse’s side, caring for their every need and losing sleep over their routine, lest they fall off of it and suffer a drop in performance as a result. When that horse gallops out of the start box, the groom’s heart goes with it.
When Doug Payne and Vandiver came to grief at the Malting’s Oxers, a question that wreaked havoc on the field at Burghley last fall, head groom Courtney Carson found herself in the vet box area, lost with zero information on how to find her way to her horse and rider, the status of whom was also unknown.
You can hear the frustration at the memory seeping back up as Courtney recounts the tale of frantically looking for a modicum of guidance as to how to attend to the fallen horse and rider. There were no updates on whether or not there were injuries, and there was no information on how Courtney was to find the pair if they were in fact able to walk back to the barns. By the time Courtney was able to get the information she needed, she had to sprint back to the barns to meet Doug and “Quinn,” who were luckily no worse for the wear.
“That year at Burghley, there were a ton of horse falls, and yet back in the vet area we were given no information on the status of our horses and riders,” Courtney recalled. “Not only was it frustrating not to have the information, it’s also unsafe. What if the horse had gotten loose? Not just anyone could manage to get a five-star fit horse safely off the course and back to the barn.”
The experience left a bad taste in Courtney’s mouth, and it was far from the sole occasion that something of this nature had happened.
Tom McEwen, Figaro van het Broekxhof, and groom Lucy Seddon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
As a groom, you are tasked with the exceptional care of the horses in your charge. In many cases, grooms act as the rider’s right hand, helping them manage their time at shows and ensuring that every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed when the pressure is on.
And yet, grooms receive exactly zero representation in the majority of environments surrounding equestrian sports. No groom representative at shows. No organization dedicated to groom support. No recognition or accreditation through any governing bodies or federations.
So Courtney started thinking: How can events provide the best avenue of support for the hardworking grooms that, in the current state of affairs, often receive the least amount of help? Her short term answer came in the form of a Groom Liaison at, to start, FEI events.
“I talked to Marilyn Payne about the idea, and she suggested that I write a proposal that she could take to the FEI for discussion,” Courtney said. “So I wrote up the specifics of a Groom Liaison and what all this position would cover. I think it’s a great starting point for getting more support for grooms.”
You may have seen a survey floating about last month soliciting input from competition grooms. Many of the questions focused on the concept of a liaison or representative at shows. Early sentiments around the idea are positive, Courtney says, and had the spring eventing schedule not seen massive cancellations there would have been test runs of this position at Carolina International the The Fork. Now, these plans will move forward once the competition schedule is back in tact.
Super groom Emma Ford and Mighty Nice. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Groom Liaison would attend rider meetings, meet with the Technical Delegate, and lead a groom’s meeting prior to competition to over important information. “Even just things such as where to find ice, where you can hand walk, and where to meet your rider if something goes wrong — these are all things that we need to know,” Courtney explained. “With group messages and WhatsApp, there is no reason why we can’t all be in communication and working together at each event.”
At the Ocala Jockey Club’s international event in the fall, Courtney and organizer Shelley Page did an initial test run. “I ran a quick groom meeting with Max (Corcoran), and about 12 grooms showed up,” Courtney said. “The next day, the start of dressage was delayed and the organizer sent me the text so I could start alerting people in the barns. It worked great — no one got on too early, there were no complaints, everyone was communicating.”
It’s encouraging progress for Courtney, who just wants to see more grooms getting the proper communication and information that they need to do their jobs well. Together with the British Grooms Association, which distributed the aforementioned survey, Courtney is continuing to work with event organizers and other grooms to determine the best course of action going forward.
Grooming is a tough life, and it’s not the best choice for everyone. Courtney has a vision for a better world for the industry – a job that’s easy to love but in many cases is not sustainable. The lack of proper training, advancement opportunities, and balance are things that make it difficult to attract more professional grooms.
“In this country, it’s such a rat race because there is not a lot of money behind it so unfortunately it means the riders work insanely long hours. Everyone has too many horses and not enough time and the people who are good at it do what three people should be doing,” she said. “How do you sell that to someone?”
By implementing better conditions and an organization that truly supports and nurtures grooms, Courtney sees a light at the end of the tunnel. A former upper level rider herself, Courtney gave up riding to work just as hard, just for another rider’s dreams. It’s tough, she says, but it’s work that she loves. And she wants others to love it, too. Just in a more healthy way.
When life gives you lemons, sometimes you just need to get creative to entertain yourself. At least that’s what British hockey player Sam Ward did when faced with a sudden and large amount of free time.
Sam decided to take one for the team and create some entertaining content for us, and in the wake of the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics, we could all use a bit of fun. The “Isolation Olympics” were born, in which Sam tackles various Olympic sports…in the comfort of his living room. And you guessed it: he decided to throw some “riding” into the mix.
As voted for by our Twitter followers, here’s Sam Ward’s latest #IsolationOlympics video… 🤣🤣Honestly, we have no words 🤷♂️🙈
Tattersalls International Horse Trials, scheduled for May 27-31, 2020, will not run this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release sent out this morning:
Following on from the Government’s increasing COVID-19 public health restrictions we are sorry to announce that it is no longer possible to stage the Tattersalls International Horse Trials in any capacity between 27 and 31 May 2020.
These are extraordinary and demanding times for everyone and the health and safety of all those that attend and are involved with Tattersalls remains our overriding priority. Please be assured that the Tattersalls International Horse Trials operates a refund policy and we will be in contact in due course with more information on how these will be processed accordingly.
This decision has not been taken lightly and we are conscious at all times of our dual responsibility to the requirements of the many stakeholders involved in the Tattersalls International Horse Trials and the wider public health issues which have overtaken normal daily life throughout the world.
Tattersalls International Horse Trials would like to take this opportunity to thank and wish all of our regular participants, sponsors, exhibitors, supporters and volunteers well through this challenging time.
The Event Team is now operating remotely. Please therefore direct all further enquiries via e-mail to:
We will continue to provide the most recent updates on event postponements and cancellations. Please reference this list for the most current updates to horse shows and events around the world.
While the fate of summer and fall eventing hangs very much in flux right now due to the coronavirus pandemic, we still hold onto a pinky full of hope that we’ll yet see the first running of the new Maryland CCI5* at Fair Hill in Elkton, Md. The event, scheduled for October 15-18, currently stands alone as the only North American five-star to run in 2020, should things return to some semblance of normalcy in time.
In the meantime, Rob and Karen Bowersox of Major League Eventing went out for a spin around the developing cross country track, designed by Ian Stark and built by Eric Bull/ETB Construction, treated us to a glimpse at the latest updates:
Top secret spy photos of the new Maryland 5* at Fair Hill! After walking this course the terrain will be a great test…
The USEA’s Jessica Duffy recently sat down with Ian Stark to discuss the development of the track, which will contain plenty of “rider frightener” fences (this quote should give you a hint: “To put it bluntly – frighten the **** out of the riders and make it safe for the horses”).
Take a look at some other recent development and construction updates from Fair Hill:
It was a beautiful day in Fair Hill to wander about, checking out the new Maryland 5 Star cross country features built…
Organizers have released a statement informing followers that, as of now, plans continue full steam ahead for the inaugural event with full precautions being taken in the meantime. We hope to see you all in Maryland this fall!
While we’re experiencing the downtime that is the forced cancellation of the foreseeable show season, we here at EN want to help keep you entertained. With that in mind, we’ll be republishing some of our most popular stories in the coming weeks. Do you have a favorite story from EN? Tip us by emailing [email protected] so we can add it to our list.
Team Reggie! Buck Davidson, Kathleen Murray, Cassie and Carl Segal. Photo via Kathleen Murray.
This post was originally published on January 31, 2017.
Buck Davidson’s head groom of many years, Kathleen Murray, has had the ride of a lifetime with Ballynoe Castle RM. The USEA’s all-time leading points earner and the holder of countless eventing accolades, “Reggie” is a fan favorite and a much loved pet at BDJ Eventing.
Kathleen and Reggie’s first competition together came this past weekend at Rocking Horse Winter I, where they competed in the Training Rider division. Leading through the first two phases, Kathleen’s watch unfortunately failed to start when she left the box on cross country, causing her to pick up some time penalties. Nonetheless, it was a great weekend (and a weird role reversal!) for the whole BDJ camp who came to cheer this pair on.
Like a pro! Photo courtesy of John Clarke.
“I was pretty nervous,” Kathleen recalled. “But I also feel like I know Reggie so well that even though I haven’t ridden him as much, aside from trotting and hacking, I could know what to expect. As soon as he goes in that ring, he knows his job. I think the work in our test was probably better than anything at home — at home, he just trots around like a pony!”
In a twilight zone worthy role reversal, it was Buck who stepped up to pick up the grooming backpack for Kathleen this weekend, even coming to the show early on dressage day to take Reggie for one of his “nature walks” that Kathleen always did before dressage for Buck.
Put (my studs in), Coach! Photo via Kathleen Murray.
“He took it very seriously,” Kathleen laughed. “We have a lot of different things we do, and he nailed all of them. He even put my studs in for me and got my horse ready for cross country. For dressage, he knew exactly who was in front of me and what ring I was in, so I think he had been studying the program.”
On cross country, Kathleen said Reggie came out of the box like he was going Advanced. “He definitely thought we were going Advanced, but once we got over the first jump you could feel him say, ‘Oh, OK. Training level. Got it,'” she said. “Unfortunately, my watch never started and because we’d started off quick, by the time I realized my watch hadn’t started I thought maybe I would come in too fast so I slowed down.”
The BDJ crew follows Kathleen and Reggie on cross country. Photo courtesy of John Clarke.
Regardless of the time penalties, Kathleen still came off the course with a big smile on her face — and she gets to do it all over again at the Ocala Horse Properties Horse Trials next month. Once the winter season comes to a close, it’s time for the grand finale: the test ride at Rolex Kentucky. How has that practice been going?
“Well, we’ve been focusing more on the Training level frame,” Kathleen said. “Obviously, the CCI4* test is much different, but we will definitely be practicing it.”
Kathleen and Reggie would also go on to ride the test ride at Kentucky that spring, the same weekend Reggie was honored with a formal retirement ceremony. Reggie now enjoys his full retirement with occasional nature walks and is looking forward to the release of his very own inspired Breyer model.
Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam. Photo by Nico Morgan Photography.
Earlier this month, EquiRatings began posting a series of metrics that each rider can calculate for themselves. By making these data points easy to understand and calculate, the idea is to use the information to encourage rider responsibility and safety.
We started with the 6 Run Average, which is used to calculate a horse and rider’s average dressage performance as a benchmark.
Let’s move on to the jumping phases and some metrics you can tabulate using your competition record. Take a moment to click through each slide on the Instagram posts embedded below for a deeper dive:
This metric is once again quite simple, intended to put hard numbers in front of us. The XCJ10 is a gauge of your clear jumping rate. EquiRatings has identified a sample size of 10 as a more accurate data set from which to pull your jumping rate.
To calculate your XCJ10, take a look at your last 10 cross country rounds (or use whatever you have on your record, if less than 10). Add up the number of rounds you finished with no jumping penalties, and convert that number to a percentage by multiplying it by 100. If you’ve jumped 10 cross country rounds with no jumping penalties, your XCJ10 score is 100%.
Now let’s talk about time and speed on cross country. Educating riders on riding safely at increased speeds is a crucial step in an eventer’s education. Developing a “feel” for speed will help riders understand better how to efficiently manage the clock and ride smartly, not just mach 5.
The EquiRatings True Speed Rating (TSR) is designed to track your performance against the clock and track improvements in speed as well as efficiency. For this measurement, you’ll want to look at your best six times from your last 10 runs. Add up the time penalties from those six runs, then divide that number by six. A lower number is better here.
Let’s say a horse collects 4, .4, 2.8, 6, 4.4, and 3.2 time penalties in its last six fastest rounds. These numbers give that horse a TSR of 3.5. By calculating your TSR periodically, you can track trends in your riding and make adjustments accordingly.
Next, we move on to show jumping metrics. This is a similar metric to the 6RA, taking the average of jumping penalties over your last six rounds. Once again, six is designated as an ideal sample size so that accuracy is not compromised. To measure your SJ6, add up the number of jumping penalties you’ve accumulated in your last six runs, and divide by six. Similar to the other metrics, your SJ6 can be tracked to monitor trends in your riding and performance.
Last but not least, we end with an all-encompassing metric that gauges horses’ and riders’ overall capability and performance. The Opponents Beaten Percentage (OBP6) measures your performance by stacking it against that of the opponents you’ve bested. Once again, this measure will look at your previous six runs. If you’ve got less than six, just use what you do have (the recommended minimum from EquiRatings is three).
To calculate your OBP6, add up the total of opponents that you placed higher than in your last six runs in which you started cross country. Divide this total by six, then multiply by 100 for a percentage, to get a clearer picture of your OBP6.
For more data focused content such as this, be sure to follow EquiRatings here.
Back in January, a post popped up on my social media feed from Boyd Martin. A familiar chestnut horse was pictured with a beaming rider — but it was that bold white face of Neville Bardos that caught my eye. We’ve never forgotten about the horse who stole our hearts and who will always have a special spot in Boyd’s.
The king (Bardos) is back out of retirement for one more hoorah with new pilot Shelby Fromm
Now, Neville has found a new pilot to rock around the lower levels right in Shelby Fromm. Shelby was kind enough to post her helmet cam video, and we’re thrilled to see Neville out enjoying himself at Pine Top. Thanks for sharing the ride, Shelby!
Fun fact: We spotted another of Boyd’s former upper level rides, Pancho Villa, in the Senior Training Rider A with Eric Sampson. Both Neville Bardos and Pancho Villa placed third in their respective divisions, and we hear that Boyd was ringside offering words of encouragement and a bit of running commentary!
US Equestrian and other national governing bodies continue to monitor the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. In the latest update letter, US Equestrian outlines its ongoing initiatives concerning competitions and equestrian sport as a whole. Read below for the latest on Tokyo as well as championships such as the North American Youth Championships (NAYC):
“With eventing facing numerous competition cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority remains the safety and welfare of all involved in the sport. The USEF and USEA understand the urgency to stabilize the calendar for all levels, the importance of relaunching the sport at the right time and the need to address the cancellation of Olympic selection trials. Please join me in thanking the 100+ USEF and USEA committee members who have participated in emergency meetings over the past week to develop viable solutions. We are in the process of finalizing an action plan to address areas of impact across the sport and will communicate this information publicly as soon as possible. As we continue to adapt to new developments occurring on a daily basis, we sincerely appreciate your patience.
The USEF Eventing Department will send updates via email to communicate directly to our members. Please email Taylor Rea at [email protected] to be added to the eventing distribution list. All COVID-19 news, updates and information relating specifically to eventing will be posted directly to the USEF Eventing Homepage (Scroll to the bottom of the page to access links). Please check the Eventing News & Updates page daily for updates. The USEF has also launched a USEF General COVID-19 Resource Center and High Performance COVID-19 Resource Center, which will include updates from the USOPC and FEI, as well as USEF medical staff.
Tokyo 2020: The IOC remains fully committed to holding the Olympics. Following the cancellation of the two remaining U.S. selection trials, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Selection Procedures are currently under review and will be amended. Once the updates to the Selection Procedures are approved, the updates will be posted on the Tokyo 2020 page and distributed via email and social media.
Calendar & Competitions: All competitions that cancelled will have the opportunity to request to reschedule their date. We are working closely with the USEA and USEF Competitions and Licensing Departments to develop a timeline and process to submit bids and develop an amended calendar. The timeline, deadlines and process to submit requested date changes will be announced as soon as possible. Check the U.S. FEI Eventing Competitions page for updates on FEI eventing competitions. Check the USEA Calendar for updates on National competitions. Questions about the calendar and rescheduling competitions can be directed to Shealagh Costello at [email protected].
NAYC: Following the cancellation of competitions to qualify for the North American Youth Championships, the NAYC Selection Procedures are currently under review. Any changes to the NAYC Selection Procedures will be distributed via email and social media. Area Coordinators will communicate regular updates to athletes seeking to qualify for NAYC. All questions pertaining to NAYC can be directed to Christina Vaughn at [email protected].
The USEF Eventing Department is working from home through Friday, March 27 and continuing to provide all usual services and support to our members. Our office phones are forwarded to our mobile phones during this time, so please continue to use the phone numbers below to reach us. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments or concerns. Our top priority remains the safety and welfare of our athletes, members, staff and their families.”
For more information and to stay abreast of the latest news from USEF Eventing, use the below links:
