Become an Eventing Nation BloggerWhat is Triple Crown winner American Pharoah up to these days in his retirement? Since his retirement to Coolmore in Lexington, Ky., America’s Horse has been living the easy life, enjoying endless days of grass and pretty ladies.
Noelle Floyd caught up with American Pharoah for this behind the scenes video, and we’re loving how happy he looks in his new home.
You can relive his Triple Crown win here.
Allie Knowles and Sound Prospect at Plantation Field. Photo by Nicole Severino.
It’s been just three months since Allie Knowles suffered a rotational fall while contesting the CIC2* at Red Hills International. On cross country, she and FE Crosby experienced one of an eventer’s worst nightmares, and Allie found herself in the hospital with multiple injuries to the right side of her body.
A shattered pelvis, broken ribs and a broken collarbone were on the laundry list of injuries, and while the damage could have been more devastating, Allie’s hopes of competing at Rolex the next month were dashed. FE Crosby was uninjured in the fall.
Anyone who knows Allie knows that she’s a tough one. That toughness was truly put to the test as Allie underwent two surgeries to repair her collarbone and pelvis and began the grueling road to recovery back in her home town of Lexington, Kentucky.
The long and winding road
Two weeks post-fall, Allie found herself back at home and limited in what activities she could comfortably do. The owners of Allie’s home base farm, Valley View Farm, stepped in generously to help provide Allie with what she needed to recover. Jim and Katie O’Brien were quick to recognize that getting up the stairs to Allie’s apartment would not be something she could do, so she offered to let her and her roommate Abby Shanahan move into their house during the rehab process.
“What really made all of this possible was everyone else around me,” Allie said. “I had to persevere and be tough on myself, but I have never felt so loved and cared about. The O’Briens were just amazing, and I can’t fully express my gratitude. They let me, my roommate and my dogs move in, had a walker and a medical bed waiting for me, and basically just made sure I had what I needed as soon as I was out of the hospital.”
Out and about at Midsouth Pony Club HT this weekend. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Once settled, Allie began the slow recovery process, staying put indoors for about a week before she went stir crazy and had to do something to switch up the routine. Three weeks post-fall, Allie was up and using her walker to get around and slowly began returning to the barn to teach a couple of lessons here and there. She knew that in order to make up for the weeks spent not riding, she needed to make some goals to keep her mental focus in shape.
“I made it a goal to start riding again the week after Rolex, which would be six weeks after the fall,” Allie said. “By the time that Monday came around, I was able to get clearance from the doctors, who weren’t quite sure exactly how I was healing so quickly but were okay with my riding as long as it wasn’t jumping.”
“We eventers are quite obsessed and driven, and having our purpose taken away so quickly is an enormous challenge,” she continued. “It’s impossible not to feel like you’re falling behind. I Started going back to the gym as soon as I could — my personal trainer did a lot of research on my injury and really helped me with the rehab. And everything we do for our horses — Magnawave therapy, massage, RevitaVet — was used on me too. I had to do something to feel like I was moving towards the end goal.”
The old adage is that horse people typically don’t take as good of care of themselves as they do their horses, and Allie used to be one of those people. Her fall and subsequent recovery changed this outlook, though. “I figured if we do all of this for our horses, my horse is only going to go as well as I can ride,” Allie said. “So if I didn’t rehab correctly and straight, then my horses were going to be just as crooked so for the first time it was really important to me to take care of myself.”
Allie Knowles chats with William Fox-Pitt. Photo by JJ Sillman.
Guess who’s back
And soon enough, the Monday after Rolex dawned and it was time for Allie to realize her first post-fall goal of riding. “I had stopped taking my pain medication because I wanted to make sure I was fully present,” Allie said. “I didn’t want people worrying that I wasn’t all there around the horses! That was tough, but I was able to make it work with Advil.”
Allie started with Sound Prospect, her upper level partner whom she knows like the back of her hand. The ride went well, and she was thrilled to have reached her goal. “I made it a goal that I was going to be back competing in June,” Allie said.
Two days after her first ride, William Fox-Pitt came to the O’Briens’ farm for a clinic, which Allie had originally signed up for and then withdrawn from. She didn’t entertain the thought of riding with William until she’d picked him up from the airport and he asked how her recovery was going.
“He kind of asked if I’d been riding, and I told him I’d ridden on Monday and Tuesday,” Allie said. “When I told him that it went well, he said, ‘Well, you could probably do a lesson then, right?'”
Allie carefully selected the horse she’d take a flat lesson on, not wanting to jar her body too much. She chose Ms Poppins, a lovely 6-year-old mare owned by the O’Brien family, who was a smoother ride for a dressage lesson. Allie left the lesson feeling no worse for the wear and mentally reinvigorated to continue her journey.
Shortly thereafter, Allie packed up and headed East for some lessons with longtime coach Buck Davidson, who had also stepped up the plate to help coach her students while she was out of commission. Allie had entered her first event post-fall, Plantation Field, and wanted to get a tune-up before heading back out of the start box.
Two weeks ago, Allie left the start box for the first time since Red Hills aboard Sound Prospect. Together, they stormed around the Open Preliminary to finish on their dressage score in second position — a triumphant return for Allie, whose dedication to her goals kept her going through the ongoing recovery process.
“I wasn’t so much nervous about getting back on, but there have been a few times where I’m very aware of the fact that I do not want to fall off,” Allie said. “And that can be dangerous because it can make you ride scared, and there isn’t anything more dangerous than that. I think I took all of the horses cross country twice, just repeating exercises and getting my confidence. I think it was important to stay within my comfort zone because I knew I could do it well.”
“I have always struggled with my own bravery; I am not the most fearless rider,” she said. “I have had to train myself to be brave and trust my horses and to keep kicking on cross country. I have been working over the last few years on becoming a more efficient and confident cross country rider, and I was able to apply that training when I was coming back into it.”
Now that she is well on her way to a full recovery, Allie competed several horses at Midsouth this weekend in her home base of Lexington — and we’re thrilled to report that she picked up two wins, and two second place finishes across the Preliminary and Training divisions. Not a bad weekend at the office!
Happily back in the saddle at Midsouth. Photo by JJ Sillman.
You’ll never walk alone
Allie is quick to thank all of those around her who supported her through her recovery. She names the O’Briens, Buck Davidson, the Sound Prospect syndicate owners: Jeanne Gauchat, Kathleen Sullivan, Andrew Clark, Christie Campbell, and Katie, Jim and Madeline O’Brien, her working students Nicole Aden and Macy Clark, her roommate Abby Shanahan, and her parents and sister, Chris Knowles, Christie Campbell and Victoria Knowles.
“I don’t even remember how my horses got home from Florida, but I knew my girls would take care of everything and do it well,” Allie said. “My owners were so kind and never pressured me to do anything. They enjoyed watching my girls ride the horses, and I never felt rushed. My family spent a lot of time flying back and forth between surgeries and my roommate, Abby, did everything from cooking to driving me around. With all of these people I never felt alone.”
A lot of the mental coaching coming back from the fall came from Buck, who had stepped in to teach her students who were on the East Coast competing and instructed them to just pay Allie for their lessons with him. “He was phenomenal, not just with pushing me physically but also helping my mental game,” Allie said. “He is really good at getting inside my head and pumping me up. He has been invaluable for my mental state during this process.”
Now, Allie is looking ahead to Great Meadow with Sound Prospect as her return to the Advanced level. She’s also riding the horse she fell with, FE Crosby, and is looking forward to getting back out there with him. “He’s feeling great and confident,” she said.
In a true story of resilience, Allie has proven that the odds can be beat, even if they are not in your favor. Eventers are perhaps among the toughest of athletes, but the most difficult challenge can often come in the form of a mental battle. At the end of the day, Allie has beat down even the most vocal of her mental demons, and she’s stronger than ever as she continues to work toward each and every goal.
Click screenshot to watch video.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pit a bike against a horse? Sure, it’s been done before, but we’re always entertained when someone comes up with a fresh way to present the challenge.
In the latest edition of [random sport] vs. horse, the Olympic Channel sets up a BMX rider head to head against a horseback rider. Olympic BMX rider Elke Vanhoof from Belgium and Olympic show jumper Daniel Bluman from Columbia participate in an epic “Sports Swap” battle.
What happens when these two masters of their sport switch spots? Well, you’ll just have to watch to find out! Click the photo above or here to watch and see what happens.
Just when we thought we’d seen it all, now Carl Hester posts a photo of the world famous and much loved Valegro casually jumping with Charlotte Dujardin. “Blueberry” has jumped in the past and definitely seems to enjoy the task. As for us, we’re just thrilled he is enjoying his retirement in full!
Events Opening This Week:
Olney Farm H.T. (MD, A-2), River Glen Summer H.T. (TN, A-3), Millbrook H.T. (NY, A-1), Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trial (IA, A-4)
Events Closing Today:
Powder Basin H.T. (WY, A-9), The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm I (MD, A-2), Huntington Farm H.T. (VT, A-1), Coconino Summer I H.T. (AZ, A-10), Roebke’s Run H.T. (MN, A-4), Round Top H.T. (CO, A-9), Event at Rebecca Farm (MT, A-7), 41st Annual Whidbey Island H.T. (WA, A-7), Great Meadow International – FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series (VA, A-2), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3) 
Old Chatham H.T. (NY, A-1)
News & Notes:
Want to work for EN? We are now accepting entries to our 7th Annual Blogger Contest, which is your opportunity to show us your writing chops for a chance to work for us. This is your time to shine, so let’s see what you’ve got! Entries are due this Friday, June 23. [7th Annual Blogger Contest]
Please join us in congratulating the newest members of the Century Club, Mary Sawyer and Broker’s Joker, whose combined age is 100, therefore granting them access to this exclusive club. This pair competed in the Intro division at Spokane Sport Horse Farm’s Second Annual Spring event last month. [A Century Together]
This week in California we’re experiencing record heat waves, and the temperatures are crawling up to the triple digits each day. So what does this mean for your horses? It’s imperative to ensure they’re properly cared for in the summer heat, so make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep them comfortable. [Caring for Horses in Extreme Heat]
Tuesday Video:
Can Jennie Brannigan pull off another win at Great Meadow this year? Revisit her special win with Cambalda in 2015 in this new video from Great Meadow:
Many thanks to Hannah Yoder for contributing this timely Father's Day post for our sister site, Horse Nation. Hannah Yoder is a misplaced Tennessean wandering the foreign lands of Southern Ohio. She is a full time crazy horse lady, part time OTTB trainer, and part time freelance writer. Happy Father's Day to all of the horse-y dads out there. This one's for you!
Boyd Martin with baby Nox in a matching XC outfit made by Silva’s friend Cheryl Griffith. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.
Dear Dad,
In what you must think back on as the worst decision of your life, you got me that first riding lesson when I was nine and woke the dormant passion that has remained alive and well ever since. I bet you didn’t realize as you stood at the arena rail and watched my first bumbling ride that you had officially become a Horse Dad.
You probably first realized your mistake when on the way home from that lesson I informed you in no uncertain terms that I wanted my own horse. I’m sure the regret has increased in intensity over the years as you watch me ride bucking greenies and OTTBs bolting at more or less the speed of light. I know you wanted your daughter to grow up to be a successful accountant or a nurse. Instead, I am a crazy, impoverished horse person.
In case you wondered, I do notice the nervous twitch you get whenever I bring up a new equestrian endeavor. I also notice when you wonder aloud if I’ll ever make it past the age of 35. But that’s okay. Because I’ve also noticed that you recognize the big heart and the work ethic that horses develop in a girl. You see how important rescuing horses is to me and you are always quietly supportive, even when I’m in tears over the dead-lame, underweight, skin diseased new horse in my barn. Yes, you do complain occasionally, but you also know that horses keep me sane and happy, and you wouldn’t want me to give them up for a good accounting job. Well, maybe you would, but at least you don’t bring up the subject too often.
I could apologize for my horse craziness, but I wouldn’t do anything about it anyway. I could promise to do better in the future, but the reality is it will only get worse. So all I can do is say “thank you.”
Thank you for surprising your little girl with a riding lesson at a time when you knew her life had gotten to be more than she could handle. In that one afternoon, you gave me a passion that would last a lifetime, you gave me something to look forward to, and you saved me from depression. It was the biggest and best gift I’ve ever received.
Thank you for buying me that first horse, that first tack set, for building me a fence and a barn. Thank you for all those long, hot hours you put in on the tractor so that I could have my own hay. Thank you for letting me get that first OTTB against your better judgment, and for not making me sell him, also against your better judgment, when that first OTTB repeatedly attempted to murder me.
You had every reason to let us go our separate ways, but you tried and still try to find common ground between our two vastly different worlds. And that, I’m pretty sure, makes you the best Horse Dad out there. You need a badge. Happy Father’s Day.
Love from your Crazy Horse Daughter.
Ingrid Klimke is a part of the star-studded group of German riders vying for the selectors’ eyes this weekend with the European Championships coming up. She made good on her plan to do what she could to stamp a ticket to Strzgom, piloting Horseware Hale Bob home clear with two time today in the CIC3*.
She’s just uploaded her helmet cam which features statistics from SAP Equestrian Analytics, and as always it’s fascinating to take a ride with Ingrid. We wish her the best in tomorrow’s show jumping finale.
I have to admit, Blogger Contest time is easily one of my favorite times of year, right up there along with The-Event-Formerly-Known-As-Rolex and whatever the next event is in which Michael Jung is competing. So you could say it’s a pretty big deal. Perhaps it’s because I am one of the brainwashed lucky ones who successfully made it through a Blogger Contest to go on to work for EN. And I always need more friends, so this is the perfect way to find new ones, right?
Ok, here’s the deal:
This is a paid position. You should want to write part-time for EN — at least two to three posts per week. We value commitment and work ethic above all else, so make sure that you have the time to dedicate to this position.
Everyone is eligible to enter (including previous contestants), and no prior journalism experience is necessary. Personal style is a must. We want to be entertained! Chinch wants to spit out his beer mid-read because he’s laughing! We want to be intrigued. Let us see what really sets you apart as a writer.
Your first round entries should include a short bio (name, age, background, character-defining qualities, embarrassing tidbits, etc.) and a 300- to 600-word sample of your best eventing-related work.
The EN team will judge by the same standards as the past five years (interesting, funny, informative, creative) and factor public opinion into our final decision. Keep in mind that you’re writing for a large audience of 1.2 million readers, and we’ll be selecting finalists based on the quality of entries.
Entries are due on Friday, June 23. Email your entry to [email protected] with the subject “EN Blogger Contest Entry.” Good luck! Go Eventing.
We’re just about set to kick off CCI4* cross country at Luhmühlen, and Mike Etherington-Smith certainly has plenty up his sleeve to test the riders today.
Cross country has concluded for the CIC3*, where we saw Hannah Sue Burnett and Ms. Jacqueline Mars’ RF Demeter go into 24th place with 4.8 time added across the country. You can read Wylie’s full report on the CIC3* here.
Our U.S. contingent is currently vying for competitive spots on the leaderboard and we’re looking forward to cheering them on this morning. Refresh this page for the latest, and you can also tune in to watch live on FEI TV. You can also take a look at EN’s cross country course preview here. Optimum time for the CCI4* today is 11:11 — make a wish, everyone!
U.S. cross country ride times:
Sharon White and Cooley On Show: CLEAR with 2.8 time
Katherine Coleman and Longwood: CLEAR with 2.4 time
Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous: CLEAR with 6.4 time
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot: CLEAR inside the time
Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly: CLEAR inside the time
11:15 a.m.: Update! Marilyn Little’s 50 penalties for missing a flag have been removed, which puts her on a score of 44.8 and into ninth place overnight behind Hannah Sue Burnett. That means that the U.S. went 6 for 6 in clear rounds today, including Hannah Sue Burnett’s ride on RF Demeter in the CIC3*.
10:45 a.m.:
40% – Percentage of pairs that made the time on the CCI4* cross country course at @tgl_luhmuehlen
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
10:37 a.m.: Here is your top five following cross country. Hannah Sue Burnett is the top placed American in 8th place, followed by Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly in 11th, Sharon White and Cooley On Show in 20th, Katherine Coleman and Longwood in 26th and Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous in 39th. We will keep our eyes out for the 50 penalties being taken away, but as of now they are still standing. Stay tuned for Wylie’s full report!
10:36 a.m.: He didn’t quite catch Hannah Sue but Andreas Dibowski holds onto sixth place with a sub-11 minute time today.
10:34 a.m.: Andreas Dibowski is giving Hannah Sue a run for her money, coming through the arena just over 8 minutes on the clock.
10:32 a.m.:
10:31 a.m.: Our final pair is on course, Caroline Powell and Sinatra Frank Baby. Love that name.
10:30 a.m.:
10:26 a.m.: Looking to defend their 6th place position following dressage, Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon are away.
10:25 a.m.: Andrew Nicholson pilots Teseo home in 10:59, the second rider besides Hannah Sue to come home under 11 minutes. This will be one to watch for Andrew!
10:21 a.m.: Frankie hangs a leg with Peter Flarup at 7 — this is the second time we’ve seen this, at least in the shots we have seen at this fence — and Peter pulls on his sticky britches and makes the save for the B element.
10:19 a.m.: Flora Harris gives Bayano some verbal encouragement at the final water. This horse has been a pleasure to watch on course today.
10:16 a.m. As of right now, Marilyn Little’s 50 penalties for missing the flag are still showing.
10:14 a.m.: We’re getting towards the end of cross country for the day and now we will see Andrew Nicholson and Teseo, an 11-year-old Spanish gelding contesting his first CCI4*.
10:13 a.m.: Bettina Hoy will maintain her lead with a clear round inside the time aboard Designer 10. Just as a reminder, Bettina is also leading the CIC3* with Seigneur Medicott. It will be quite the finale tomorrow!
10:09 a.m.: And that’s another clear inside the time, this time for Will and Oboe! Well done, gentlemen and what a banner day for our U.S. riders. Meanwhile, Bettina Hoy is still riding her guts out to chase that clock on Designer 10. They’re clear through the arena and the following arrowhead brush at 24.
10:08 a.m.: Coming to the final at 10 minutes on the clock are Will and OBOS O’Reilly who still look full of run.
10:07 a.m.:
4 – Maxime Livio has now made the time in 4 of his 6 career CCI4* runs. 4 seconds inside with Opium de Verrieres at @tgl_luhmuehlen 🇫🇷
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
10:07 a.m.: Will is clear and just three from home!
10:05 a.m.: We just caught a shot of Will and OBOS O’Reilly through the water at 18/19 looking keen! Go boys go!
10:04 a.m.: Whew! Designer 10 hangs a leg at 9A, pitching Bettina up the neck but she hangs on and makes it work for the B. Stickability!
10:03 a.m.: Biarritz goes to his knees in the arena and Camilla Kruger pulls him up. He looked sound walking off, a good decision to save her horse for the next go round. Will is clear through the water at 18/19.
10:02 a.m.: Will is clear through 12. And our leaders are now on course! Bettina Hoy and Designer 10 need to go quick to maintain their lead.
10:00 a.m.: ICYMI, Will received the Land Rover Ride of the Day at Rolex in 2015, so we know that both horse and rider are more than capable of putting in a clear round inside the time.
9:58 a.m.: Away and over the first three are Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly! This pair earned a 48.1 in the dressage.
9:56 a.m.: Zimbabwe Olympian Camilla Kruger is clear through the first water aboard Biarritz.
9:53 a.m.: Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly will be the next out of the box. Overnight leaders Bettina Hoy and Designer 10 will follow Will.
9:53 a.m.:
Clear with 4.8 time-faults for GB Rio pair Pippa Funnell and Billy The Biz at @tgl_luhmuehlen
— Horse & Hound (@horseandhound) June 17, 2017
9:52 a.m.:
26 – Seconds inside the time for @HannieSuee and Harbour Pilot at @tgl_luhmuehlen. Fastest CCI4* round so far by 16 seconds.
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
9:52 a.m. Maxime Livio and Opium de Verrieres are on course and clear through the first two combinations.
9:51 a.m.:
9:50 a.m.:
Harry & Away Cruising flying at the last to finish clear and bang on the optimum time in his first 4* at @luhmuehlen2017! pic.twitter.com/Fmtdo8uhrt
— Harry Meade (@Harry_Meade) June 17, 2017
9:50 a.m.: Karen O’Connor is now joining the commentary party!
9:48 a.m.: Damn! Astier Nicolas becomes the first fall of the day, parting ways from Molakai at the water at 19. Molokai slammed on the brakes at the brush at the final element, pitching Astier out the front door and depositing him onto the brush. Bummer.
9:44 a.m.:
9:43 a.m.: Hannah Sue and Harbour Pilot’s time of 10:45 is by far the quickest turn of foot we’ve seen all day. And deservedly so, Hannah meant business on the back side of every fence. Gritty cross country riding at its finest.
9:42 a.m.
4 – @JK_Eventing & #SuperSam have now been clear inside time in their last 4 international runs. 10 seconds inside at @tgl_luhmuehlen CCI4*
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
9:40 a.m.: “She could stop and have a picnic and still make the time,” says John Kyle as Hannah Sue comes to the last. She is inside the time and adds nothing to her dressage score of 44.5! Hannah will be positively over the moon with both of her rides today (she also went clear on RF Demeter in the CIC3*).
9:39 a.m. Hannah Sue Burnett is clocking one of the quicker paces of the day as she carefully negotiates the final water.
9:37 a.m.: Julia finishes easily under the time, meaning Bettina has just 2 seconds of time in hand. Hannah Sue is riding positively and clear through 24.
9:36 a.m.: Hannah Sue Burnett is all clear through the water at 18/19.
9:35 a.m.: Samourai du Thot is jumping superb at the final water for Julia Krajewski. This pair was second after dressage and will look to put the pressure on Bettina Hoy for the lead.
9:34 a.m.: Clear through 13 for Hannah Sue, who looks strong, landing and kicking on, on the shots we’ve seen so far.
9:32 a.m. Clear through the first combination at 8 for Hannah Sue and Harbour Pilot.
9:30 a.m.: Hannah Sue is away and over the first three rhythm fences.
9:29 a.m.: Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot should be away!
9:29 a.m.:
9:28 a.m.:
6 – @BEventing has 6 of the 9 clears inside the time in the CCI4* at @tgl_luhmuehlen so far 🇬🇧
#GreatBritishRebuildingProject— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
9:20 a.m.:
9:18 a.m.: Just two away from our penultimate American pair, Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot.
9:17 a.m.:
@Harry_Meade through the DHL complex #eventinglice pic.twitter.com/NDoWKOyjyQ
— German Eventing (@luhmuehlen2017) June 17, 2017
9:12 a.m.: To catch up, Jim Newsam retired Magennis after two refusals at the first water. Harry Meade and Away Cruising are the third pair to make it home on the optimum of 11:11. That makes nine double clears so far.
9:11 a.m.: Now THAT is dedication!
9:09 a.m.: Live feed is frozen again.
9:04 a.m.: 50 penalties has popped up for the arrowhead flag for Marilyn. It was not clear on the replay, and I would venture a guess that she will be appealing this decision. She is home clear otherwise with a time of 11:28 and 6.8 for a total current of 94.8.
9:02 a.m.: RF Scandalous climbs through the arrowhead coming out the arena and takes the flag. Hard to tell exactly how inside the flag on the left side she was on the replay but she’s carrying on.
9:00 a.m.: RF Scandalous stands a bit off of the final brush element in the water at 18/19. Marilyn does a great job giving the mare the reins and letting her find the line.
8:59 a.m.: Clear through 17 for Marilyn Little.
8:57 a.m.: Marilyn seems to be giving Kitty lots of opportunities to gallop and cover the ground, they’re clear through 12.
8:56 a.m.:
4 – Seconds inside time for @NWEventing & Bulana at @tgl_luhmuehlen. The mare has never made time at 3* level but did today in her 4* debut!
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
8:56 a.m.: Marilyn and “Kitty” are clear through the first combination at 8.
8:51 a.m: Fernhill Now or Never gets a bit close to the brush jumps at the 18/19 water for Kate Honey. This horse really has springs for feet, really cool to see over the fly fences. Marilyn Little is away!
8:51 a.m. Shane Rose and Virgil are our newest starters, meaning our third USA pair, Marilyn Little and RF Scandalous will be the next out.
8:49 a.m.: Andrew Heffernan now joins John Kyle in the commentary booth. “I came a little too fast,” he says of his one tough spot on the course earlier.
8:48 a.m.:
8:48 a.m.:
6 – Seconds inside the time for South Africa’s Victoria Scott & Song du Magay at @tgl_luhmuehlen. Fastest round so far in the CCI4* 🇿🇦
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 17, 2017
8:41 a.m.: Another strong finish for team USA as Katherine Coleman stops the clock at 11:16 for 2.4 time penalties and a two day score of 59.9!
8:38 a.m.: Clear through 24 for Katherine and Longwood, who we have not seen since the first fence.
8:36 a.m.: Nicola Wilson and Bulana are on their way like bats out of hell. This horse looks to be a very cool jumper. Katherine is clear through the tricky water at 18/19.
8:35 a.m.:
8:34 a.m.: The live stream is just a tad behind real time, so I can tell you that Katherine is clear through 13.
8:33 a.m.: And Katherine and Longwood are underway!
8:31 a.m.: We’re about to see our next American, Katherine Longwood, out of the box with Longwood.
8:28 a.m.: We’re back underway with the live stream. Ros Canter becomes the second rider to finish exactly on the optimum time with Zenshera. Now we’ll see Alex Bragg (who was one of our favorites to watch at Badminton last month) and Redpath Ransom.
8:26 a.m.: The FEI TV live stream is currently frozen, so if you’re watching it’s not just you!
8:22 a.m.: Oliver does five strides where most have put in six in the main arena from a big table to double corners. Oliver knows how to hustle the clock and he’s doing just that with Black Tie.
8:20 a.m.: A big jump into the first water at 7 for Ros Canter and Zenshera. We’ve seen a few horses take a peek here followed by a big leap as they see the water on the landing side of the big brush in.
8:18 a.m.: Quite a few taking the indirect route at fence 9, which sets the horse up with a bit more time to see the brush corner on the way out. Oliver Townend takes this option with Black Tie, who looks totally game.
8:17 a.m.: Never looking hurried, Pascal Leroy stops the clock bang on the optimum time of 11:11 with Minos de Petra. They win our vote for Ride of the Day so far!
8:15 a.m.: Oliver Townend and his 2014 WEG mount, Black Tie, are now on course. Pascal Leroy is giving us a master class in “How to Ride a Hunter on a Cross Country Course.”
8:14 a.m.:
8:12 a.m.: Minos de Petra makes the water at 18/19 look like it’s part of a hunter course. So much love for this horse.
8:09 a.m.: Nicholas Lucey and Proud Courage have a hairy moment up the bank at the island at 18, quickly re-route to the alternate and have an unfortunate stop.
8:06 a.m.: A very experienced pair (example: they’ve completed Badminton five times), Pascal Leroy and Minos de Petra are our latest starters.
8:04 a.m.: Not to keep harping on course design, but I’m really appreciating how forward Mike is encouraging the riders to go. You don’t see any of the landing followed by a hair pin turn to make the next element, rather you see riders boldly encouraging their horses to keep a rhythm and the distances just come up out of stride, even in the combinations.
8:02 a.m.: Aside from the early trouble for the first two riders, Mike E-S’ course has been riding really well overall with just a few issues scattered throughout. It’s very telling to see how the horses are handling the last couple of combinations, and thus far no one has looked all that tired coming home.
7:57 a.m.:
7:55 a.m.:
7:54 a.m.: Sorry, evidently Andrew did not retire at the water, he’s still on course!
7:53 a.m.: HOME full of gallop with just 7 seconds of time for Sharon White! This puts this pair on 52.6 over two days. What a great trailblazing round for the Americans!
7:52 a.m.: Andrew Heffernan has retired Millthyme Corolla at the water at 18 after the mare tripped up the bank and could not make the brush work.
7:51 a.m.: Cooley On Show has his ears pricked and carefully makes his way through the final water at 27. He’s looked very confident in the shots we’ve seen of him.
7:50 a.m.: Sharon and Cooley on Show are clear through 25, having disappeared from the live stream again. Almost there!
7:48 a.m.: Hey, there’s Sharon! We catch a glimpse as they easily clear 16. Time looks great at the midway point! They look dynamite as they take the direct route through the water at 18.
7:46 a.m.: We’ve sadly seen very little of Sharon White on the live feed, but she is clear through 14 according to the live scores.
7:45 a.m.: Our first British horse on course, Pennlands Douglas, shows off his pre-cross country dance moves:
7:44 a.m.: Sharon and Cooley On Show are clear through 8. Kirsty Short and Cossan Lad were having a cracking round but have a drive by at the brush on the island at fence 18. She’s re-routed to the alternate route and is back on her way.
7:42 a.m.: Victoria Scott stops the clock at 11:05, our first clear and under time. And now on course: Cooley On Show and Team USA’s trailblazer, Sharon White!
7:40 a.m.: Denis and Oregon de la Vigne live dangerously at the water at 14 but use their combined experience to get the job done. According to the scores, Harry Dzenis and Xam activated a pin at fence 8A.
7:40 a.m.:
If you aren’t tall enough to look over the top you have to look underneath🙈 pic.twitter.com/aDpqMRHo7C
— German Eventing (@luhmuehlen2017) June 17, 2017
7:39 a.m.: French rider Denis Mesples and Oregon de la Vigne are our newest starters. They’re clear through fence 13 and are currently nature galloping through the woods. This course is nothing if not beautiful.
7:37 a.m.: Just caught a glimpse of Sharon White’s signature orange as she gets ready to head out soon!
7:36 a.m.: A tiny peek at the last element of the water at 18, but positive riding from Victoria gets the job done. Harry Dzenis and Xam are currently carrying 11 penalties for activating a pin — unsure where at this moment.
7:35 a.m.:
— German Eventing (@luhmuehlen2017) June 17, 2017
7:33 a.m.: Harry Dzenis takes the first direct route through the water at 18 with Xam, who looks super keen and positive at this just over midway point of the course. Alan Nolan is having a rocking round with Bronze Flight, and he gives his horse big pats at the last combination at the penultimate fence.
7:31 a.m: Our next starter is South African rider Victoria Scott and Song du Magay.
7:29 a.m.: Alan John Nolan takes the conservative route at the water at 18.
7:27 a.m.: British rider Harry Dzenis and Xam are our latest starters. Alan John Nolan is clear through 14.
7:26 a.m.: I have to apologize for the lack of GIFs in today’s live updates; my touchy GIF software has decided it didn’t want to play today. Sad face.
7:23 a.m.: And, sadly Emma has been eliminated for three refusals at fence 9B. Ireland’s Alan John Nolan and Bronze Flight are on course seeking to become our first completion. He takes the alternate route at 9, which gives you a much better line to the brush corner out, where Emma came to grief.
7:30 a.m. Strong and no issues through the first water, which caught our first pair out.
7:18 a.m. Pennlands Douglas is quite keen in the start box and they’re underway with an encouraging “Come on, lad!” from Emma.
7:14 a.m.: A bit of an early lull here as we have just a couple of minutes until our next rider, Great Britain’s Emma Hyslop-Webb and Pennlands Douglas. This is the second CCI4* start for this pair, who came 21st at Pau in 2015.
7:10 a.m: And we’re underway with our trailblazers Caroline Powell and Spice Sensation. Unfortunately they’ve called it a day early after a peek and a stop at the first water.
7:08 a.m.:
CIC3* overnight leaderboard after XC ##wonderwomen #HerrJung #HerrRüder #eventing #Twohearts❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/RARftwP4KC
— German Eventing (@luhmuehlen2017) June 17, 2017
Repping Nupafeed and our fallen friend, Jon Sonkin. Photo by Corey Shannon.
The eventing community continues to reel after receiving the devastating news that our friend Jon Sonkin passed away suddenly yesterday morning. In honor of our friend, who could always be seen with a big smile and a few C4 belts in hand, eventer Ashley Russell has suggested that we ride in Jon’s signature colors of green and white this weekend. Jon was also a fan of shamrocks, so we know he’d smile if he saw a bunch of green shamrocks rocking around cross country. You will be so sorely missed, Jon.
There is a GoFundMe account that has been made in Jon’s honor to assist with his expenses. If you’d like to help out, click here.
Events This Week:
Luhmühlen Links: Website, Entries, Schedule, Thursday Starting Order, Live Scores, FEI TV, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Twitter, EN’s Instagram
Feather Creek Farm HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Golden Spike HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Come Again Farm Fathers Day HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Bucks County Park HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Silverwood Farm Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Seneca Valley Pony Club Spring HT: [Website] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Full Gallop Farm June HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
Great Vista HT: [Website] [Ride Times]
War Horse Event Series June HT: [Website] [Entry Status]
News & Notes:
John Michael Durr has made quite the name for himself between competing in both eventing and show jumping/hunters, but also course designing. In this new column on the USEA website, JM talks about the importance and keys to designing courses for young event horses. [Designing for YEH]
There are all days when we wonder why we get up every day to do what we do. This timely blog from British eventer Simon Grieve talks about his feelings on what keeps him going on the tough days. [Simon Grieve: Why I Do This Job]
Are you thinking of pulling your horse’s shoes? Before you do, take a look at this helpful article for some key insights on what to bear in mind when going barefoot. [Back to Barefoot]
Thursday Video:
Check out the latest sale video for Pumba, the most bombproof horse in the world. This video was made when a buyer asked if Pumba was alright around llamas…
Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44 at Bramham. Photo by Kit Houghton.
Representing the red and white colors of Japan, Yoshiaki Oiwa has worked tirelessly to make his goals of putting his country at the forefront of the international eventing scene a reality. “Yoshi” has now added a new highlight to his CV: CCI3* winner at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials.
Yoshi is no stranger to success in the eventing world, most recently finishing in the top 10 at Badminton this spring with his Rio mount, The Duke of Cavan, as well as winning the CIC3* at Barroca d’Alva. He now has the most three-star wins of any Japanese rider in history, according to EquiRatings.
Calle 44 & Yoshi Oiwa win Bramham CCI3* – the first win for a Japanese rider at CCI3* level outside of Japan. pic.twitter.com/IufDu7f7cN
— EquiRatings (@EquiRatings) June 11, 2017
Yoshi got his start in eventing at a young age when he competed on a university team and was introduced to cross country. “I started riding around 10 or 11 years old as only a hobby,” Yoshi said. “Around age 14, I started riding every day and enjoying show jumping competitions. My first time eventing was for a university competition, and we had no choice but to do all three disciplines.”
Yoshi began to gravitate towards eventing as his chosen sport. He made his FEI eventing debut in 2002 with Prince Rockaway, with whom he completed his first CCI* in the top 30. His first taste of CCI4* eventing came in 2005 at Badminton with Voyou du Roc. This pair finished 11th that year, adding two seconds of time across country and 12 show jumping faults to their final score.
That began the start of a strong career at the upper levels, from winning the individual gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games with Khanjer Black, to finishing in the top 20 individually at the 2014 World Equestrian Games with Fifth Avenue Fame. Yoshi has also represented Japan at the Olympics twice: in London in 2012 with Noonday de Conde and at Rio in 2016 with The Duke of Cavan, with whom he finished 20th individually.
Yoshi bases in Germany currently and trains with Dirk Schrade, which has paid off in spades as he continues to put himself on the competitive map. This spring, Yoshi also traveled to the UK to train with Pippa Funnell in preparation for Belton and other events on the British spring circuit.
Bramham proved to be a big weekend for Calle 44, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo – Sara IV, by Quebec) owned by Yoshi. It was the gelding’s first CCI3* run, so Yoshi’s intent was for him to have a solid and educational run to set him up for bigger events ahead.
“Cross country was our big challenge,” Yoshi said. “Dressage, we did our best. Of course there is more to improve there. This was his first CCI3* and I wanted to try to make good time. He jumped everything straight out without any hesitation and got more confident as he went.”
Yoshiaki Oiwa takes his victory gallop. Photo by Kit Houghton.
Over a tough show jumping track that shuffled the final standings, Yoshi and Calle 44 delivered one of just five faultless rounds to eventually take their first CCI3* win — and the first Bramham win for a Japanese rider in the history of the event.
Looking to the clear round that sealed the deal, Yoshi said it has been beneficial for Calle 44 to compete in pure show jumping as well, something that Yoshi does regularly. Calle 44 competed at the CSI2* and CSI3* levels for show jumping over the winter, which has lent itself to his show jumping on the eventing circuit.
“I did a few weeks of a show jumping tour before this season starter,” Yoshi said. “Calle is a very careful horse so he needs a lot of confidence. The show jumping tour was just training, so no pressure. Those relaxed rounds really helped both of us.”
Yoshi will now return to Germany to continue his preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in his home country. Looking ahead, it is important to Yoshi that he does what he can to continue putting Japanese riders on the map for equestrian sport.
Japan, as with most Asian countries, is a smaller federation without many opportunities within the country to compete in pure eventing. For 2017, Japan has just 23 riders and 30 horses registered as FEI athletes, and Yoshi says that some eventers have relocated to Europe to have more access to training.
“We only have two or three places to do cross country in Japan,” Yoshi said. “There are four (Japanese) riders based in Europe, and a few more will be coming over. At Bramham, Japan had two riders in the top five [Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D Allou finished in fourth place], so we are doing quite good I think. We Japanese riders want to be competitive.”
So it’s all eyes on Tokyo as Yoshi and his compatriots focus on their end goal: to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage right there in Tokyo.
“I have always wanted to tell the Japanese people that our horse sports are great,” Yoshi said, “but I’ve never had the chance. Tokyo will be a chance to show our sports at the top level. I hope that we can make a really competitive team.”
Because we all love a good hype video, this one is perfect to get us all ready for the start of competition at Luhmühlen this weekend. We’ll be seeing five American pairs competing in the CCI4* as well as one American in the CIC3* (Hannah Sue Burnett and RF Demeter). We will also see the reigning Rolex champions, Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST, who will contest the CIC3*.
Leslie Wylie will be our eyes on the ground this weekend, so stay tuned for much, much more from Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen.
Turniergesellschaft Luhmühlen: [Website][Entries][Schedule]
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Always Team Lee Lee! Photo via Fly Pretty Designs.
As always, the eventing community continues to rally around its own, and the ongoing support for Lee Lee Jones, Phillip Dutton’s stepdaughter who was injured last winter in a riding accident, has been nothing short of incredible. In the latest venture to support Team Lee Lee, Fly PRetty Designs is now offering these awesome t-shirts to benefit the cause. You can find hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more to benefit Lee Lee here. Be sure to search for #teamleelee on the site to bring up all of the options. 50% of the proceeds from sales will be going to Lee Lee’s benefit. Many thanks to Fly Pretty Designs for their generosity!
Events Opening This Week:
Stoneleigh-Burnham Summer H.T (MA, A-1), Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials II (NJ, A-2), Cobblestone Farms H.T. (MI, A-8), Hunt Club Farms H.T. (VA, A-2)
Events Closing Today:
Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I (NJ, A-2), South Farm H.T. (OH, A-8), Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (GA, A-3)
News & Notes:
Ingrid Klimke has announced the retirement of her four-star partner, SAP Escada FRH. Escada partnered with Ingrid for her first career CCI4* win a Luhmühlen in 2015 and was competing at the Event Riders Masters at Wiesbaden earlier this month when she aggravated an old injury. Ingrid says Escada will likely now enjoy retirement as a mother — we can’t wait to see that baby! [Escada to Retire]
Do you have a Future Event Horse prospect? You won’t want to miss these jump chute clinic opportunities presented by the USEA. There are many learning opportunities available during these clinics, even if you decide to just attend as an auditor, so be sure to check them out for a clinic near you. [USEA Offers FEH Jump Chute Clinics]
Eventers aren’t the only ones with sticky britches. Check out an awesome save made by hunter/jumper rider Hunter Holloway during the $216,000 Horseware Grand Prix at Tryon International this weekend and her comments afterward. [Hunter Holloway Saves the Day]
Tuesday Video:
Here is some action from Luhmühlen in the form of an Ingrid Klimke helmet cam aboard Escada FRH:
Not to be forgotten in all of the excitement that was Bromont and Bramham this weekend, several other events also ran all over the country, including Roebke’s Run in Minnesota. You might not think of Minnesota as an eventing hub, but Roebke’s Run is truly a special venue with a lot to offer. Many congratulations are in order for the FEI winners (and all of the winners!) at Roebke’s this weekend: in the CCI2*, Jacob Fletcher and Bacardi W, in the CCI* Medigan Murphy and Wildebrandt, in the CIC2* Lily Geelan and Luksor and in the CIC* Lisa Borgia and Laurelin.
And how pretty are the FEI ribbons? Pictured above are Daniel Sarango and Katarina van de Heffink, who finished second in the CCI*, their first CCI completion together. Many congratulations!
Weekend Results:
Bromont Links: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage
Bramham Links: Website, Final Scores, EN’s Coverage
Larkin Hill H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Valinor Farm H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Plantation Field June H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
The Middleburg H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
River Glen H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Roebke’s Run CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Queeny Park H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Copper Meadows H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Camelot Equestrian Horse Park H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Aspen Farms H.T. [Website] [Final Scores]
Derbyshire Farms H.T. [Final Scores]
News & Notes:
Have you ever wondered about the “proper” application of fly spray? Now that we are fully in fly spray season, it’s beneficial to know if you’re making any common mistakes when it comes to getting rid of flies. [Common Fly Spray Mistakes]
Many people achieved their qualifications for AECs this weekend (congratulations!), so it’s about that time to really start getting pumped for an exciting weekend. In the latest USEA podcast, organizer Robert Kellerhouse sits down with two winners from 2016, Doug Payne and Ryan Wood to preview AEC week in Tryon, North Carolina. [USEA Podcast: AEC Preview]
Did you know that Yoshiaki Oiwa is the first Japanese rider to capture the win at Bramham International? Hear what Yoshiaki had to say about the biggest win of his career after picking up the CCI3* win yesterday at Bramham. [Historic Win at Bramham]
Monday Video:
Watch some of Jordan Linstedt and RevitaVet Capato’s cross country from their winning weekend at Bromont! You can find many, many more Bromont videos here from a very busy David Frechette!
Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maxiums. Photo by Adam Fanthorphe.
In the Under 25 CCI3* at Bramham International, the tough show jumping track yielded just three fault-free rounds, allowing a few more moves up the board on the final day of competition. Overnight leaders Will Furlong and Collien P 2 had a hefty 11.6 point lead going into show jumping and needed nine of those to solidify the win.
Congratulations @will_furlong – our 2017 @BishopBurton CCI3* u25 Champion with Collien P2! #EBHT pic.twitter.com/AXFUxkQnRR
— Bramham Park (@BramhamPark) June 11, 2017
Our hero of the hour is Caroline Martin, who finished both Pebbly Maximus and The Apprentice inside the top 10, moving from seventh to fifth with Pebbly Maximus and from 13th to eighth with The Apprentice, both of whom lowered one rail.
Caroline now tops off a whirlwind trip to Europe thanks to the support of the Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grant, and she’ll be heading home with her two rides this week. Mackenna Shea, who also received the Karen Stives Grant, will be staying in Europe longer after her trip got off to a delayed start.
“I have absolutely wonderful horses and support team,” Caroline said. “I am extremely honored to have been able to represent the USA at my first Nations Cup and at the Under 25. This grant has been the first big step for me on the international stage and I will improve the next time out.”
Looking to the senior CCI3*, Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44 are your winners, jumping one of just five double clear rounds this morning to overtake Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V, who incurred five penalties. This is the first three-star win for this pair, who most recently came 13th at the Event Riders Masters at Chatsworth last month.
Japan also finishes a second rider in the top five with Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D’Allou, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Riding Club Crane. This pair finishes their weekend fourth position on a final score of 53.7 with just one time penalty added this morning. This is a very exciting horse for Japan, as this is his first CCI3* start.
Many thanks as always to Adam Fanthorpe for being our camera on the ground this weekend and at many other European events this year. Additionally, thank you to our readers for following along with our Bramham coverage. Onward!
Bramham Links: Website, Entries & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage
Caroline Martin and Pebbly Maximus. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.
Ian Stark’s tracks caused quite the shuffle on the leaderboards at Bramham International today, with just a handful of the original top 10 in all three divisions remaining in position following cross country.
Overnight leaders Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V retained their dressage lead, adding 6.5 time on cross country today for a total score of 43.1. Gemma will not have a rail in hand looking ahead to tomorrow’s show jumping finale, and “Pebbles” is historically a pretty consistent show jumper — he has not yet had a rail at the CCI3* level.
In second place after cross country are Australia’s Sammi Burch and Hunter Valley II, who moved up from fourth place with 3.2 added for a score of 44.8. Hunter Valley II, a 12-year-old Australian Sport Horse gelding (Wirragulla Hamlet – Lilly, by Brilliant Invader) owned by Lyndon and Sammi McLeod, is a seasoned three-star campainger looking to improve on a fourth place finish at this event last year.
Third are Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa and Calle 44, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cristo – Sara IV, by Quebec), who moved up from fifth place with 2.4 time added for a two day score of 45.4. This is the first CCI3* start for Calle 44, who also competes in FEI show jumping at the CSI2* and CSI3* level.
Caroline Martin and The Apprentice. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.
The sole American in the CCI3*, Lauren Kieffer with D.A. Duras, owned by Debbie Adams and Ms. Jacqueline Mars, were sadly eliminated on course when “D” clipped a corner at fence 6 and twisted just enough to unseat Lauren. We’re happy to report that both Lauren and D are just fine and in good spirits. Lauren told EN that she is thinking of re-routing to the Barbury CIC3* at the beginning of July.
Leading the U25 CCI3* are British pair Will Furlong and Collien P 2, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Carentan – Compita, by Carolus), who are making their debut at the CCI3* level together. This pair had the quickest round of the day in the U25 division, adding two seconds of time to move them into first after sitting sixth following dressage. Their two-day score of 48.4 is more than enough to give them a hefty lead overnight.
Second placed pair Gina Ruck and Rehy Too also were rewarded with a big move up the board after lying 14th in the dressage. This pair added 10 time to go into tomorrow on a 60.0, followed by compatriots Charlotte Bacon and Last Touch, whose quick turn of hoof moved them up 20 places into third on a 62.2.
Caroline Martin had unlucky 20s on each of her two rides in the U25. “I was too bold into the final water (with Pebbly Maximus) and we left a stride out at the first skinny, and I landed on his neck so we had to circle to make the B element,” Caroline said. “Both were my mistakes and my horses are amazing athletes. I’m very lucky to be here and have such a good team.”
Regardless, Caroline remains in seventh position following cross country on a two day score of 74.1 with Pebbly Maximus, owned by Sherrie Martin, and 13th on an 87.8 with The Apprentice, also owned by Sherrie.
Izzy Taylor won the CIC3* aboard Trevidden, a 12-year-old British Sport Horse (Fleetwater Opposition – Assine, by Torus) owned by Dr. Patricia Turner, on a final score of 47.4. This pair sat in 15th following dressage and moved up to seventh after show jumping early on today. They turned in the only other double clear effort across Ian Stark’s track to cement the win, the first at the level for Trevidden.
Tiana Coudray and Under the Clocks. Photo by Adam Fanthorpe.
And last but certainly not least, we’re thrilled for Tiana Coudray and Under the Clocks, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred (Woodborough X Regal Kate) owned by Murray Lamperd and Jade Wishart, who put in an effortless double clear run in the CIC3*, the second fault-free round of the division.
We reported yesterday that Tiana has had “Ninja” in her yard for three years now, keeping him in work for Australian rider Murray Lamperd, who travels between Australia and the UK to compete.
Picking up third in the CIC3* are Willa Newton and Neelix on a final score of 55.2, moving up from eighth following cross country.
Cross country was influential across all three divisions. On the CCI3* track, fence 6 proved to be quite problematic for many pairs in both divisions, causing several rider falls and many other refusals and retirements. Fence 6 was a combination involving a trakehner, double corners and another trakehner on the way out. Click here to see photos of this ABCD combination.
We’ll be updating this post with photos from photographer extraordinaire Adam Fanthorpe, so check back for more from beautiful Bramham!
Bramham Links: Website, Entries & Live Scores, EN’s Coverage
Even though the respective retirements from upper level competition was announced earlier this year for Allison Springer’s Arthur and Laine Ashker’s Anthony Patch, these two gentlemen are far from hanging up their horseshoes altogether.
Both Allison and Laine have told EN that their horses would love to continue on with less demanding schedules, perhaps taking on the task of playing professor to some of their students. We’re excited to see videos of this happening surfacing this week, and we can’t wait to see how these new pairs progress this year.
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Alex Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz at NAJYRC in 2016. Photo by JJ Sillman.
For 15-year-old Alex Baugh, riding horses has become a lifelong pursuit of big goals. Possessing the talent needed to reach the top of the sport of eventing, Alex knows that one cannot get by on talent alone; hard work and sacrifice are the name of the game when you’re trying to make it in the horse industry. Fortunately, horses have become a family affair for the Baugh family, and one step at a time, Alex is making her big dreams a reality.
Growing up in a family who had always been involved with horses in some way, Alex first sat astride a horse when she was four years old, when her parents purchased riding lessons for her as a birthday gift. “Had I Known what would happen from that birthday, I might not have given that as a gift,” Alex’s mother, Kelly, joked.
Saddle seat was the first discipline in which Alex got her feet wet, but eventually her parents purchased a pony named Rhino who would give her the first taste of eventing. Alex had caught the bug, quickly outgrowing Rhino and moving on to another pony, Valentine, whom she would take through Novice.
“The plan was that Valentine would be a good horse for her through high school, but it became obvious that she would outgrow him as well,” Kelly explained.
Alex and Curioso. Photo by JJ Sillman.
Small but mighty
So the family purchased Curioso, a 14.2 hand Andalusian/Quarter Horse fit for a “Horse of a Different Color” profile. Though he was small, he was mighty, eventually carrying Alex through the Preliminary level. Curioso had previously competed through the Intermediate level with Canadian rider Genevieve Boutin, also completing the CCI1* at Young Riders in 2012.
“Curioso is a unicorn,” Alex explained. “Our first show together was the Hagyard Midsouth Team Challenge, and I wanted to be on a team with my friends so we went Beginner Novice and won — and he was two weeks away from doing a two-star at that point. He really is a wonder pony.”
Alex progressed through the levels with her gray wonder pony, picking up numerous top-5 finishes at the Preliminary level in 2015. The goal was to contest Alex’s first one-star, but in the end she decided that she wanted to preserve her pony who had done so much for her rather than ask him to continue to compete at the upper levels.
“He was such a good boy; if you pointed him at a one-star fence, he’d jump. I think if you’d ask him to jump a four-star table, he would trust you enough to try,” Alex said. “And I didn’t want to put him in a position where he could get hurt because he was trying so hard for me.”
Curioso is now in the caring hands of Alex’s younger sister, Tori, and at the age of 13 still going strong and enjoying teaching a younger rider the ropes at the lower levels. But once again, it was time to find Alex the next horse who would safely help her carry out her goals.
Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz at Carolina International. Photo by Jenni Autry.
A Dash of ‘Pizazz’
After making a few calls, on Boyd Martin’s recommendation the Baugh family traveled to Georgia to try two of Michael Pollard’s horses who were coming up for sale. One of the horses was Ballingowan Pizazz, who had enjoyed much success at the Advanced and three-star levels with Michael in the irons.
It was quite an adjustment for Alex to transition from riding ponies her whole life to 16.2 hand Irish Sport Horse that “Mango” is. With the help of her longtime coach, Jorge Montalvo, Alex set to work getting to know her new ride, who was a willing but quirky partner. “I had to really adjust my leg on him since I was so used to Curioso,” Alex said. “At first, it felt like a control panel without any labels! I definitely was not a rider like Michael, so it was a lot to get used to.”
But hard work paid off, and Alex and Mango won their first show together at Poplar Place in Georgia at the Preliminary level, just a few short months after the two were introduced.
“I think that Alex doesn’t give herself enough credit,” Kelly said. “For her to take that horse and within six months go out and win, that’s a really big deal. That sitting trot (on Mango) is no joke, and I think that’s really a testament to how hard she has worked to get where she is.”
Alex Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz. Photo by JJ Sillman.
Turning Dreams into Reality
Originally, it was Curioso who had been tapped as Alex’s first potential NAJYRC mount. After making the decision to retire her pony from upper level competition, however, it was Mango who stepped in to fill his predecessor’s horseshoes. The pair picked up their final qualifier at the Ocala International, finishing in seventh overall as the second placed junior pair. From there, it was all roads leading to Colorado, where Alex and Mango represented Area VIII and finished fourth individually.
This season, Alex has once again set her sights on competing in Montana at Young Riders once again, qualifying again at Ocala over the winter and improving on their 2016 CCI1* finish with a fourth place ribbon. “The teams haven’t been announced yet, but we are qualified and I would love to have the opportunity to represent Area VIII again,” Alex said.
In order to prepare for Young Riders, all potential team members are tasked with raising $3500 to contribute to team expenses. Alex took this job and ran with it, selling socks at horse shows and also single-handedly organizing a fundraising clinic with show jumping rider Richard Picken.
“She thought about it and came up with the idea and started making calls,” Kelly explained. “She 100% organized it and put it on Facebook. It takes a lot of guts for a 15-year-old kid to call Rolex riders like Clark Montgomery and Allie Knowles and let them know about the clinic, but she did and she received a lot of compliments on her organizing skills when the clinic was over.”
Alex Baugh and her younger brother, Zach. Photo by JJ Sillman.
A Family Affair
Eventing has become a way of life for the Baugh family, with Alex chasing her upper level dreams and her younger siblings also learning the ropes of the sport. Her brother, Zach, also events casually with his horse Rock Encore, and Alex has been helping out with getting the horse more mileage at the Training and Preliminary levels.
“Zach is happy competing a few times a year,” Kelly explained. “Last year, he went to AECs and finished eighth after just doing a handful of shows, so he’s very talented.” While Zach prefers to take a more casual approach to competition, Alex has the opportunity to compete “King”, who is also an Irish Sport Horse, in order to help herself gain more experience.
At the end of the day, the entire Baugh family is all-in for their kids, who have shown talent and work ethic to make this sport a way of life. It isn’t always the easiest for a teenager growing up, and Alex has foregone “normal” kid activities such as football games (“I went to one once, I didn’t really like it.”), school dances and even physical attendance at school — Alex began online school in January.
“It’s hard to have a kid who wants to go to the Olympics,” Kelly said. “She’s had to miss out on a lot of other things, but as parents (her father, Dave, and I) are willing to support her. But ultimately, she has to be the one to make that happen. She’s proven that she can do it, and as a parent I am lucky to have such an awesome kid. I couldn’t be more proud of or grateful for her.”
As Alex looks down the road to hopefully competing at the top levels of the sport, she knows that her work ethic must match her talent in the saddle. For her family, it’s all a part of a journey that has brought them closer together around their four-legged family members, who have taught them that putting the time in really does pay off in spades.
Check out this awesome video made by Henry Malone about Alex’s journey:
The sweetest photo there ever was. Photo by JJ Sillman.
Big congratulations are in order for Area VIII eventer Jenn O’Neill, who tied the knot with her husband, Brian Ange, this weekend in a beautiful wedding fit for every horse girl’s dreams. We’re thrilled for you, Jenn!
Events Opening This Week:
Event at Rebecca Farm (Montana, A-7), Fitch’s Corner H.T. (New York, A-1), Silverwood Farm Summer H.T. (Wisconsin, A-4), Full Moon Farms H.T. (Maryland, A-2)
Events Closing Today:
Essex H.T. (New Jersey, A-2), Honey Run H.T. (Michigan, A-8), Stable View Summer Horse Trials (South Carolina, A-3), Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (Kentucky, A-8), Arrowhead H.T. (Montana, A-7), Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials (Illinois, A-4), Groton House Farm H.T. (Massachusetts, A-1), Surefire H.T. (Virginia, A-2), Shepherd Ranch SYVPC H.T. I (California, A-6), Inavale Farm HT (Oregon, A-7)
News & Notes:
Emily Gilruth, who has been in the hospital after suffering a heavy fall at Badminton last month, has returned home. Emily spent three weeks in the hospital, including nine days in intensive care, and has undergone extensive rehabilitation and made remarkable progress. We continue to wish Emily the best in her ongoing recovery. [Emily Gilruth Returns Home]
We love our volunteers! Betsy Knight is this month’s Volunteer of the Month on the USEA. Based out of Bascule Farm in Maryland, Betsy is a well-known and much loved sight to see around the local events, and we’d like to thank her for all of her dedication to the sport. [Volunteer of the Month: Betsy Knight]
Speaking of volunteers, Copper Meadows Horse Trials this weekend could use a few more! Running on Friday and Saturday, Copper Meadows in Ramona, California is sure to be a great weekend full of eventing at all levels. To sign up to jump judge, dressage scribe or fill another volunteer position, click here.
Tuesday Video:
Catch up with our friend Ashley Russell, who competed at Waredaca this past weekend:
Photo courtesy of Carol Stephens.
It’s that time of year when everyone is finishing up school for the semester (or, for us old folks, remembering the times when we had months of freedom stretching ahead of us and bemoaning adulthood), and it’s also a great time to look around for a working student position. These positions are a great opportunity to learn from professionals within the industry, so take a gander and get in touch if any of these opportunities seems like a good fit for you!
Riders/trainers, please email [email protected] to have your position added to the list; we’ll be updating this periodically throughout the coming weeks.
Nora Battig (PA): Looking for part time working student for the afternoons 12pm – 4/5pm Tues-Fri and some weekends. Great opportunity for someone to learn the ropes of running a small eventing facility. Duties to include but not limited to tacking, untacking, mucking, turn out, tack cleaning, etc. Some riding for the right fit. Private message Nora if interested.
Emily Beshear (VA): Emily Beshear/Brickland Farm is looking for a new member to add to to their Brickland Eventing team in Somerset, VA! Option to be full or part-time. This is a great opportunity to be part of a high performance program and expand your knowledge in all aspects of horse care. Position may have the ability to offer housing, board for one horse, lessons, and/or salary dependent upon experience. Ideal candidate must be motivated, detail oriented, and follow instructions well. Learn more about the program here.
Jenny Caras (PA): Jenny Caras is looking for a hard working individual to join her team as a working student! Jenny is based out of Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA. Duties will include mucking, turn out, grooming, and riding for the right match! Please contact Jenny at 404-217-7342, if you are interested!
Kyle and Jennifer Carter (FL): We have an opening for a working student. Fun atmosphere with a great group of people. Horses range from just starting to CCI**** horses. Please message for more info.
Phyllis Dawson (VA): Phyllis Dawson is looking for a long-term working student at Windchase beginning in September 2017. Receive daily lessons, full board for your horse, experience riding multiple horses, housing, and shipping to competitions, a package with a value of over $3000 per month – in return for barn work and horse care. You will be part of a top quality Eventing stable, train with an Olympic rider, and learning how to run a successful business. Plenty of riding opportunities and daily instruction, and top class facilities. Check out our Web site: www.teamwindchase.com. We are in the heart of the Area II Eventing community. Bring your horse, ride and compete – or if you don’t have a horse take lessons on ours. We are looking for dedicated students who can commit to at least six months. Contact Phyllis at [email protected]. Phyllis Dawson, Windchase, Purcellville, VA (540) 668-6024 – stable, (540) 668-6548 – home, E-mail: [email protected].
Meg Kepferle (NJ): Kepferle Equestrian is looking for a part-time (could grow into full-time) working student for the summer . Located in Long Valley,NJ. Work in exchange for lessons on your horse. Small, busy and motivated program with horses from Baby through FEI. Please contact Meg with interest.
Meghan Marinovich (IA): Marinovich Eventing is currently looking for a new member to join our team! With two of our working students heading home this week we are seeking a new groom. Hours and days can be flexible. Ideally looking for someone to help with morning and evening chores. Wage dependent on experience. This position could move into a full time position for the right candidate. Duties include stall and paddock cleaning, feeding, keeping the barn clean, grooming horses, arena maintenance and everything and anything in between. Great small barn located in Cumming, Iowa. Check out our facilities page on our website! Contact Meaghan @ (612)382-0094 or email at [email protected]. Please include resume and references!
Caroline Martin (PA/FL): Immediate opening for a working student and a show groom that are reliable, motivated and positive individuals who can work alongside our team to assist in all yard duties. The right candidate will be extremely motivated to learn about ALL aspects of an eventing program, a hard worker and a good team player. Duties include all daily chores, grooming, tacking, bathing, clipping, show grooming and travel, and depending on experience the opportunity to ride additional horses. Candidate must have own transportation. This is for a full time (6 days a week), live in paid position. We will provide accommodation and lessons if one wants to bring a horse. Contact Caroline at 484-554-9995 or email [email protected].
Kurt Martin (FL): Work, train and ride with International 4* rider Kurt Martin, with opportunities to compete and travel to some of the nations most prestigious events. Excellent benefits, please inquire for more information. Call 540-454-6054.
Erin Pullen (KY): Erin Pullen is currently looking for one working student. They will have the ability to bring one horse. Please contact Erin if interested.
Daniel Sarango (GA): Chatsworth Stud/Pollard Eventing is seeking a new member to join the team in August 2017. Job entails basic barn chores, grooming/tacking, and help at competitions. Benefits include housing on property, board for one horse, and daily lessons. We are looking for someone at least 16 years old, hardworking, responsible, and willing to travel. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to be in a consistent program and handle sport horses with top bloodlines, all while learning about breeding, sales, and Eventing competition at its best. 6 month commitment required. If this appeals to you please contact [email protected] for more information.
Lucia and Benita Strini/Plain Dealing Farm (VA): Plain Dealing Farm is searching for a new member to join our team! PDF is a top line equestrian business and we are in need of a farm buildings and grounds maintenance laborer to assist in the running of the equestrian center and general farm upkeep. Applicant must be an active worker capable of stamina, discipline and should possess the ability to take direction and work well independently. Duties include, but are not limited to: harrowing riding arenas, driving trucks and trailers, using basic equipment such as weed eaters, mowers, chainsaws etc., strong carpentry background and confidence working with large and small animals a plus. Confidence working around horses a necessity. Applicant must be able to work on weekends as needed. Competitive salary and healthcare offered, full time location in Scottsville, VA. Please send resume to [email protected] if interested!
The helmet cam videos are rolling out in full force from the weekend’s action, and we’ve got three to share with you today!
First up, check out Doug Payne and Flagmount’s Mischief’s round at the Devon Arena Eventing on Sunday. Flagmount’s Mischief, owned by Robbie Peterson, finished in fifth place.
Moving to Virginia Horse Trials, here’s a look at Laine Ashker and Calling All Comets, who contested the Preliminary, finishing in fifth place on their dressage score.
Next, we’ve got Lara Knight and Shooby Doo in the Open Prelim at MayDaze H.T. This was Shooby’s first event back on the scene after a year off and they enjoyed an easy cruise around.
And last but not least, Chelsea Kolman and Dauntless Courage were also in Virginia this weekend, where they tackled the Advanced/Intermediate. They finished in fifth place — evidently this is just a post full of green ribbons!
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Move in day at Tattersalls! Photo via Cooper International Horse Transport.
The weekends continue to be packed to the gills with action, and this coming one is no exception as a strong American contingent prepares to tackle Tattersalls in Ireland. Competing for North America in the CCI3*, we will see Phillip Dutton with both Fernhill Revelation and Z, Kathryn Robinson and Let It Bee (CAN), Katherine Coleman and Back to Business II, Buck Davidson and Carlevo, and Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border.
We’ll also see Katherine Coleman in the CCI2* with Wizard of Aus and Monte Classico, as well as Monbeg Senna in the CCI1*YH for 6- and 7-year-old horses. Kathryn Robinson has an entry in the CCI1* with Linus V.
Tattersalls Ireland: Website, Schedule, Entries
Events Opening This Week:
Aspen Ridge H.T. (CO, A-9), Champagne Run at the Park H.T. (KY, A-8), Riga Meadow H.T. (CT, A-1), Western Underground, Inc Coconino Summer HT & T/N3D Event (AZ, A-10), Genesee Valley Hunt H.T. (NY, A-1), The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm II (MD, A-2)
Events Closing Today:
Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (PA, A-2), Feather Creek Farm H.T. (OK, A-5), Golden Spike H.T. (UT, A-9), Silverwood Farm Spring H.T. (WI, A-4), Full Gallop Farm June Horse Trials (SC, A-3), Great Vista Horse Trials (NY, A-1), Seneca Valley Pony Club Spring H.T. (MD, A-2)
News & Notes:
Fitness is a hot topic right now for eventers. In this new article for the USEA, Lauren Kieffer talks about her fitness program for young horses, complete with a chart that she uses to monitor and manage her horses’ individual programs. [Fitness and Young Horses]
Have you signed up for the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program yet? If not, you definitely should. This program has really blossomed and needs your support to keep it growing. There are some really great prizes and awards on the line for top volunteers, so put those spare hours to a good use at your next Horse Trial. [USEA Volunteer Incentive Program]
Surely you’ve watched the adorable Shetland Races at the Devon Horse Show. If you’ve ever wondered about the backstory for some of these teams, here is your chance to learn a bit more. [Cool Stories of Devon: Shetland Races]
Tuesday Video:
While we’re on the topic, here’s a glimpse at this year’s Pony Races:
All smiles from the Clemson Tigers! Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
The USEA Intercollegiate Championships wrapped up at Virginia Horse Trials over the weekend, and it was the Clemson University Eventing Team who took home the top honors. Texas A&M secured the coveted Spirit Award. The Spirit Award is given to the team that not only shows the most school pride, but also displays camaraderie and teamwork throughout the competition. Texas A&M students were hard to miss with matching overalls and brightly painted horses. They could also be heard chanting and singing fight songs during morning ‘yell practice.’ In addition, they helped out each other as well as the event, volunteering in their spare time. The Texas A&M students were exemplary examples of the meaning behind the Spirit Award.
In all, it was a successful weekend for the ever growing Intercollegiate eventing scene, and we’re thrilled to see these programs continuing to gain traction around the country. Stay tuned for more on the weekend this week.
Weekend Results:
Devon Horse Show Arena Eventing: [Final Scores]
Saumur [Scores]
Houghton Hall International [Scores]
Mystic Valley Hunt Club H.T. [Scores]
Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Scores]
Flora Lea Spring H.T. [Scores]
Paradise Farm H.T. [Scores]
Willow Draw Charity H.T. [Scores]
The Spring Event at Woodside H.T. [Scores]
Equestrians Institute H.T. [Scores]
May-Daze at the Park H.T. [Scores]
Coconino Spring H.T. [Scores]
News & Notes:
Did you miss the live stream of the inaugural Devon Arena Eventing class last night? Never fear, keep this page bookmarked as the USEF Network will post it for On Demand viewing! [USEF Network at Devon]
Willberry the Wonder Pony continues to make dreams come true. Hannah Francis founded the Willberry the Wonder Pony charity last year to raise funds for cancer research and grant the wishes of horse crazy kids. This year, the charity was able to send Lucy Watts to enjoy Badminton — and watch Willberry take a few rides on the backs of many Badminton starters. [Willberry the Wonder Pony Makes Dreams Come True]
What type of forage is best for horses? Contrary to popular belief, not every forage plant is useful for a horse’s digestive system. There are certain things that must be done to make land suitable for grazing horses; something every farm owner should be aware of. [Grazing Land for Horses]
Monday Video:
We’re loving this series, “Ask the Vet”, from SmartPak. Check it out:
Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux. Photo by Lisa Thomas.
It was a thrilling night of eventing at the legendary Dixon Oval at the Devon Horse Show tonight, where 24 eventers and one hunter/jumper rider came to show off their chops in the first ever Arena Eventing Class. The field competed for the $50,000 in prize money, and the crowd was treated to a tight competition right down to the proverbial wire. It was Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux who stole the show — and more than a few hearts — by the time the victory gallop commenced!
The competition was held in two rounds, the first to determine clear rounds that would move forward to the jump-off. The 12 best scores from the first round would eventually move on to the jump-off, and just seven pairs managed double clear rounds. This opened the door for some of the pairs that had time and/or a rail down to move forward, which was a relief for the many who had the bogey fence of the night, an oxer as the final fence of the course, down.
We were thrilled to see Shiraz back out with Colleen Rutledge for the first time since Rolex in 2015. At 19 years young, “Luke” looked full of spring and ecstatic to be out showing off again. These two had one rail down and some time to come tantalizingly close to making the jump-off, but a late rally from Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda as the last to see knocked them out of contention for round two.
The Dixon Oval ready for some eventing! Photo via Eric Bull on Twitter.
Just one pair was eliminated on the night: Douglas King and Zeno, who forayed into this class from the hunter/jumper world. They were eliminated with two refusals on course. Aside from that, runouts were few and far between, with just the last fence on course really causing consistent trouble.
All eyes were on Canadian Waylon Roberts and his first ride, Lancaster, in the jump-off — he successfully qualified all three of his horses for the second round — and he put in an accurate if not especially daring round for a final time of 82.69 to set the bar for the finale.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Lisa Thomas.
It took some time for clear rounds to come in the jump-off. Great Britain’s Justine Dutton moved forward with one horse, Jak My Style, to round two and had a brilliant go round, bolding galloping to the final fence to set up for a good distance, but the pesky front rail came down at the last moment.
It wasn’t until Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Rubens D’Ysieux, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding, took the stage that the crowd held its collective breath — we all knew this pair had wings, could they go fast and clear? These two are more than capable of winning at speed, under pressure, in a big atmosphere: case in point, the Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational earlier this year.
Indeed they did, sailing over each question while slicing their turns precisely to shave off as many seconds as possible. In true unicorn fashion, Sara and Rubens D’Ysieux sailed home in a time of 75.03 to take a handy lead over Waylon and Lancaster. Sara reached into her pocked to give Rubens his typical post-round treat, and the crowd went wild.
Watch Sara’s full round here:
Many tried to come up to challenge Sara’s lead, the closest of which would be Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda, who were the last to go and came home in 79.05 to finish in second place. Jennie, our resident adrenaline junkie, certainly knows a thing or two about speed and did everything she could to get close to Sara’s time.
Finishing third after a gritty run are Erika Nesler and Right Above It, who pricked his ears and held his line no matter what, rewarding Erika with a fast and clear round in a time of 80.92 that was good for the podium. The smile on Erika’s face was perhaps the biggest of the night.
Waylon Roberts and Lancaster, the only other pair to produce a double clear round in the jump-off, ended the night in fourth place. Doug Payne and Flagmount’s Mischief complete the top five after having a heartbreaking rail at the triple bar oxer to mar an otherside speedy and neat round. Doug is well known for making daring choices in high pressure situations, and certainly he would have been one to challenge Sara were it not for an unlucky rail.
Erika Nesler and Right Above It. Photo by Lisa Thomas.
Capt. Mark Phillips course presented many challenges to both horse and rider, but each pair looked well prepared and fit to the task at hand. Capt. Mark designed the course to be tight and demanding of accuracy in the main oval, and then allowed riders to head into the adjacent Gold Ring.
In the Gold Ring, jumps were set on a loop that really encouraged forward and bold riding, giving the riders a chance to open up their horses’ strides more. From there, they returned to the Dixon Oval to tackle more related distances and turning questions. Riders who focused on maintaining a forward and steady rhythm were rewarded with tidy and safe rounds.
Packin up #ArenaEventing #DevonHorseShow pic.twitter.com/lqXmgMEcHV
— Eric Bull (@ETBJump) May 29, 2017
In all, this was a great display of Arena Eventing, so our hats are off to Capt. Mark, Eric Bull, and the many organizers and officials who brought this fledgling idea to life.
The biggest thing we learned tonight? Don’t bet against a girl and her unicorn. Many congratulations to Sara and Rubens D’Ysieux, and we can’t wait to see this event return to next year’s edition of the Devon Horse Show.
Here are your final top 12 at the end of a very fun night of Arena Eventing. The full scoring list can be found here.
